2025-06-10 00:00:22Zoriel clenched his fists.
He glared at Javier. “What are you trying to do here, huh?!” he snapped. Javier avoided his gaze. He grabbed the iPad from the table and shoved it into his bag. “You’re making a mistake, Mr. Del Cruz! I’m your lawyer!” he insisted. “Then explain this to me!” Zoriel slammed Javier’s resume on the table. Javier glanced at the paper briefly, then looked away again. The man beside Zoriel smirked. “See? I think it’s time for you to leave now, Mr. Sanchez.” Javier glared at the man who had suddenly entered. “You’ll both regret this! You don’t know who you’re dealing with!” The man nodded calmly. He pulled something from the inside of his jacket and placed it on the table. “You can call the governor’s office anytime.” Javier froze. He stared at the business card, then picked it up. “You…” He looked at the man in disbelief. “You’re Mr. Thompson? Michael Thompson?” “Yes,” Michael answered proudly. Michael Thompson was a renowned lawyer. He was famous for helping the poor—those who couldn’t afford legal defense. He also served as the exclusive family lawyer of the current governor. Every lawyer, including Javier, knew it was suicide to go against him. He had never lost a single case. Javier swallowed hard. He quickly gathered his things and left without another word. Zoriel, though confused, could only watch as Javier rushed out of the room — like he had just seen a ghost the moment he realized who the man really was. Once they were alone, Michael took the seat across from Zoriel. He cleared his throat and looked at him. “I’m sorry if I was late, Mr. Del Cruz. We’ve been looking for you. Good thing I got here in time. Did you tell him anything about the case?” Zoriel slowly shook his head. “I haven’t said anything yet. But… why are you looking for me? Why are you helping me now? I don’t even know you.” Michael gave a small smile. “Ms. Crystal Benitez sent me, Mr. Del Cruz. As soon as she found out you were in trouble, she didn’t hesitate to send me here.” Zoriel was even more confused. He didn’t know anyone named Crystal Benitez. He couldn’t recall shaking hands with or even meeting anyone with that name. “I… don’t know her.” “It’s okay. You’ll meet her eventually. But for now, we need to get you out of here.” Zoriel swallowed hard. “Can you really do that, Sir?” “Of course. Don’t worry. We’ll help you until the very end.” Zoriel finally breathed easier. Truth be told, he had no idea how he was going to fight the case Alfred filed against him. First of all, he didn’t have the money to hire a decent lawyer to defend him. He had almost fallen into their trap—if Mr. Thompson hadn’t arrived in time. “T-Thank you, Sir. But… I don’t have money.” “It’s alright. Ms. Benitez doesn’t want monetary payment. She only asks that you help her in another way.” Zoriel frowned. “What way?” he asked, puzzled. “I don’t have anything. I’m just a jeepney driver.” Michael’s expression turned serious. “You’ll help her break free from the elemental being that’s possessing her.” Meanwhile... “What did you say?! Who’s helping him?” Alfred’s nostrils flared in anger, practically steaming with rage. He couldn’t believe his lawyer had come back bearing bad news. “M-Mr. Thompson, Mayor! I’m sorry. But… it looks like we’re going to have a hard time with this case,” Javier stammered. Alfred slammed his hand against the table beside his hospital bed. It was true that Alfred had lost consciousness, but he hadn’t gone comatose. He had simply chosen to remain in the hospital longer to intensify the charges they were filing against Zoriel. He still couldn’t accept that Zoriel had escaped that night. Whatever helped him—Alfred was sure it wasn’t normal. That’s why his anger only grew deeper. “Why? Who is this Mr. Thompson?” Jessa asked, confused. Javier looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “You don’t know him? Everyone fears Mr. Thompson—and his boss! No one dares go up against them, in court or in life.” Jessa scoffed and shook her head. “Gosh, Javier! Who could possibly outrank our Mayor, huh? You know how powerful the Santiago family is!” Alfred groaned. “Stop it, Jessa. You don’t understand anything.” Jessa frowned harder. “Babe, don’t tell me you’re scared of them too?” Alfred gave her a cold, sharp look. “I’m not. But I do need to be careful.” “Exactly! So what are we waiting for? Let’s give Zoriel what he deserves!” Alfred clenched his fists. Jessa had no idea who they were really up against. But he wouldn’t back down. Zoriel had dared to disrespect him— and he didn’t care who was helping him now. He would make him pay.
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Chapter 32: The Medicine
Zoriel and the others couldn’t help but watch in awe as Zenaida worked with steady hands, blending the herbs with the luminous moonshade bloom. The flower’s sap glowed faintly as it dripped into a clean glass, the liquid catching the lamplight like liquid silver.“Take this. You need to drink it all—bottoms up,” Zenaida said, offering the glass to Agnes.Agnes hesitated, wrinkling her nose as she accepted it. She lifted it slightly, sniffing. Her lips parted nervously.“A-Are you sure this will help me?” she asked, uncertainty lacing her voice.From the corner of the kitchen doorway, Caloy scoffed dramatically.“Of course, Miss! Do you even know we almost got eaten by an aswang just to get that flower?” he exclaimed, throwing his arms up.Agnes lowered her gaze, embarrassed. Noticing her shame, Zoriel cleared his throat softly.“Don’t mind him. We took that flower for you—for your healing,” he said, his tone gentler.Agnes still hesitated, raising the glass closer to her lips. The liq
Chapter 31: The Manananggal
The place was eerily quiet. They could barely see their surroundings through the thick fog. The cold wind seeped into their bones, making every step feel heavier. With each footstep, the crunching sound beneath them made them flinch.“I-I think we should go back, man,” Caloy whispered, his voice trembling. His grip on Zoriel’s arm was tight, almost desperate.Zoriel swallowed hard, forcing himself to appear brave. But the truth was, he too felt uneasy—his earlier courage seemed to have evaporated the moment they stepped into this strange atmosphere.“We can’t leave. Agnes still needs our help!” Zoriel insisted, though his voice quivered.Caloy’s eyes welled up. He wasn’t used to situations like this, and his knees wouldn’t stop shaking.They both froze when they heard a faint flapping sound from above.“What was that?” Caloy asked, tightening his grip on Zoriel’s arm.Zoriel didn’t answer. Instead, he tilted his head upward, listening intently. The flapping grew louder, like a massive
Chapter 30: The Island
“What should we do?” Zoriel asked.They were all gathered in the living room, facing Agnes. Zenaida was busy grinding medicinal herbs in a small stone pounder. She kept pounding until the juices began to seep out. She said she would use it to help heal Agnes.“We need to remove that thing inside her,” Zenaida said, determination written all over her face as she continued to grind the herbs.Lily flew over and hovered in front of Agnes. “Zenaida's right, Zoriel. Besides... it looks like she’s about to give birth!”Zoriel’s brows furrowed. He looked at Agnes’s belly, which still appeared small—barely two months along, if that.“Her stomach’s still small. How can she be about to give birth?” he asked, confused.Both Caloy and Agnes turned to Zoriel at once.“What?! I-I’m about to give birth?!” Agnes asked in shock.“S-She’s really pregnant? How? Why is she giving birth already?” Caloy stammered, eyes wide.Zenaida stopped what she was doing and placed the stone bowl on the table.“When a
Chapter 29: The Unborn Child
They left Zoriel with the beautiful young woman in the small living room of their house. She sat there quietly, waiting patiently for what would happen next. Lily hovered in front of her, flitting through the air as if inspecting every inch of her. Meanwhile, the siblings were in the kitchen, speaking in hushed voices.It was just far enough that they could talk in private while still keeping an eye on the mysterious guest.“Where is she from?” Zenaida asked, her brows slightly furrowed.They spoke barely above a whisper, still watching the woman from the corner of their eyes.Zoriel shrugged. “I haven’t spoken to her much. I just walked her here.”“What did she say again?”“She’s looking for Lolo Santhel. And she said she got pregnant by a tikbalang.”Zenaida clenched her fists at the mention. She stared at the young woman—more specifically, at her belly.“I’ll check her,” she said.Zoriel nodded silently.Zenaida approached first. The girl turned to her and gave her a small, hesit
Chapter 28: Find
Zoriel spent a few more days resting. It was almost miraculous how quickly his wound was healing. There was something strange—something special—about the leaves Zenaida kept applying to it.It was only when he was finally able to stand that he realized the house they were staying in used to belong to his grandfather.The old wooden house was fairly large. Despite its age, it remained in good shape, with barely any damage. There were a few holes in the roof—after all, it was made of nipa and some parts had come loose—but the walls and the foundation were still strong. It was built on four sturdy stilts, raised above the ground, with a space underneath.To an outsider, it might look like someone still lived there. The area around the house was well-kept. Not a single weed could be found—only vibrant, colorful flowers filled the yard.“Did you find it already?” Zoriel asked Zenaida.They were having lunch. Caloy had cooked adobong sitaw, using the string beans he harvested from their yar
Chapter 27: The Coven
Zoriel groaned as a sharp pain pulsed through his side. He could still feel the sting of the claw that had pierced him—like it had gone all the way through to his core.He grunted softly and slowly opened his eyes.The first thing he saw was a ceiling made of woven nipa. The breeze from the sea carried a distinct scent that filled his nostrils. The quiet around him brought a strange sense of peace.“Zoriel! You’re awake!” said Lily.She popped into view so suddenly that Zoriel flinched and sank back into the mat. She giggled when she saw him wince.“Sorry! I’m just really happy you’re okay! I’ll go get Zenaida!”Zoriel exhaled and let her fly off without a word.He gently touched his side. He could feel a leaf placed over the wound and a cloth wrapped around his waist. He was wearing different clothes now.And then the memories from the night before returned—The Bruja.The fight.The voice.“Remember who you are.”He thought it had something to do with being the next Santhigar. But a
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