The Rise of the Legendary Santhigar

Zoriel was drenched in sweat when he arrived home. He was holding a bouquet he had bought from an expensive flower shop.

In his other hand, he carried a paper bag containing a gold bracelet—his gift for his wife.

Today was their second anniversary, and he wanted to make it special for her.

He had taken on extra work just to afford the thousand-dollar flowers and gold bracelet he knew Jessa would love.

Zoriel was just a jeepney driver. But even so, he did everything he could to provide for his wife’s needs and wants.

Zoriel took a deep breath before opening the door to their house.

“Jessa—”

He stopped abruptly when he heard giggling from somewhere.

His brows furrowed.

What was that?

Tightening his grip on the flowers, Zoriel continued walking.

He stopped in front of their bedroom and carefully pressed his ear against the door.

“I knew you would make it, Mr. Mayor! I'm so proud of you!” said Jessa Mendoza-Dela Cruz, his wife.

A man chuckled.

“Of course! That election was brutal. But it was a given. No one beats a Santiago!” the man said proudly.

Zoriel’s stomach twisted.

It was Alfred Santiago—the newly elected mayor of their city.

The Santiago family controlled all of Eastwood City and had held office for generations. They owned most of the businesses and infrastructure in the area.

But what Zoriel couldn't understand was why Alfred was in their house—in their bedroom.

What was a man like him doing here?

“So, you should start thinking, Jessa. When are you divorcing that bastard? You deserve a better man than that driver,” Alfred said with clear disdain.

“The papers are already here. I'm just waiting for him to come home so he can finally sign them,” Jessa replied without hesitation.

“Very good. I don’t even know why you married him in the first place.”

Jessa rolled her eyes.

“It was because of my grandfather. I never liked him from the start. My grandfather thought he was the son of some powerful man. Turns out, he was just a lowly jeepney driver! Gosh! Disgusting!”

Alfred chuckled.

“Don’t worry. Soon, you’ll be the Mayor's wife.”

Zoriel felt his world shatter.

A sharp, unbearable pain spread through his chest.

Divorce?

But why?!

Their marriage had been arranged, but to him, their relationship was real.

He had never wronged Jessa. He had made sure she was comfortable, worked tirelessly to provide for her, and gave her everything she wanted.

He had loved her.

But why was she saying this now?

Zoriel’s blood boiled. His face flushed red with fury.

Unable to contain his rage, he kicked the door open and stormed in.

The two inside immediately turned to him.

Jessa’s eyes widened, and she hastily pulled the blanket around her body.

Alfred, however, only smirked, making no effort to cover his bare torso.

“Z-Zoriel? What are you doing here?” Jessa stammered.

Zoriel glared at them.

“What is this, Jessa? Why?!” he demanded. “Why did you do this to me?!”

Jessa’s expression shifted. Her eyes narrowed.

“Why?” she scoffed, laughing bitterly. “Do you really think I would stay with you?!”

“You are nothing! My life has been miserable with you! I can't even buy the things I want because you barely give me anything!”

Zoriel stared at her, disbelief washing over him.

“What? I gave you everything I could, Jessa! I never let you work! Not even with household chores! I did everything to make sure you had a comfortable life! I may have nothing, but my love for you was real! Wasn’t that enough?”

Jessa's face twisted in anger. She stood from the bed, still wrapped in the blanket, and grabbed a necklace from the bedside table.

“Are you talking about this cheap necklace?!” she sneered. “Do you seriously believe in that superstitious crap?! You're making me look like a joke, Zoriel! You can’t even afford to buy me diamonds, so you settle for this trash!”

With no hesitation, she threw the necklace to the ground.

Zoriel’s eyes followed it as it landed with a soft clink. He quickly picked it up and examined it.

It was a necklace made from the bone of some unknown creature, carved into a triangle.

His grandfather had given it to him, claiming it would bring him protection and luck.

Zoriel believed in it. He had always felt a sense of safety when wearing it.

And when he had given it to Jessa as a gift, she had suddenly been accepted as the Mayor’s secretary.

His father had called it an anting-anting—a protective charm.

Some didn’t believe in it, but Zoriel did.

Now, he placed it around his own neck.

Alfred chuckled as he stood up, revealing that he was only wearing boxer shorts.

“Come on, man. Can’t you see? She doesn’t want you anymore! Do you really think Jessa would ever choose someone like you? She doesn’t deserve you! You’re just a lowly driver! You can’t even provide for her! You can’t even afford better clothes for yourself. You really think you’re enough for Jessa?”

Alfred glanced at what Zoriel was holding.

“And what’s this?”

He walked up to Zoriel and suddenly snatched the bouquet and paper bag from his hands.

Alfred laughed when he saw what was inside.

“This is it? This is your gift for Jessa? Guess what, man—I took her on a trip to Italy and I’m buying her the most expensive bracelet there. This is nothing!”

Without hesitation, Alfred threw the bouquet and the paper bag to the ground.

Zoriel’s eyes darkened with rage. He felt the blood rush to his head.

He had barely been home in days, spending long hours driving just to earn enough for Jessa’s gift.

He even picked up extra jobs as a delivery driver and a personal chauffeur just to make more money.

And now Alfred would just destroy it like it meant nothing—and mock him on top of it?

“You…”

Without thinking, he lunged at Alfred, landing a hard punch on his face.

Alfred staggered back, clutching his mouth.

“How dare you?!”

Zoriel pointed a shaking finger at him.

“You should know how to stay away from another man’s wife!”

Alfred’s expression hardened. His lips curled into a mocking smirk.

“Do you even know who I am? Do you have a death wish?” he spat.

Zoriel couldn't believe what he was hearing. Instead of showing shame, Alfred dared to act superior.

Zoriel moved to strike again, but Alfred was quicker.

Because of the overwhelming emotions and the blur in his vision from the tears he was trying to hold back, he missed hitting him right away.

Zoriel stumbled.

Because of this, Alfred suddenly kicked him in the stomach, sending Zoriel crashing to the floor.

Before he could recover, Alfred kicked him again.

And again.

And again.

Pain exploded through Zoriel’s body as his vision blurred.

“You should know your place, bastard! Jessa doesn’t want you anymore! So stay away from her!”

Zoriel gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. He swung at Alfred again, but his limbs had lost their strength.

Alfred laughed.

“You really don’t know when to quit, huh?”

Then, without warning, Alfred delivered a devastating punch to Zoriel’s face.

His world spun.

His vision darkened.

The force of the blow sent him collapsing onto the cold, hard floor.

His head struck the cement with a sickening crack.

Before he lost his consciousness. He saw his necklace flicker.

Then a tiny human being hovered near his face. And because he was already dizzy, he couldn't comprehend what he was seeing anymore.

“Zoriel!”

And then—

Suddenly, his body became lighter.

As his vision becomes blurry, he sees his hands shining.

His chest throbbed like someone was drumming it.

He could hear his grandfather’s voice calling his name, telling him it was his time.

Then everything went black.