"Magic exists within our very surroundings. We get to bend and form it using runes. These are ancient symbols carved, written, or simply shaped into precious stones, steel, and other objects. There are three possible ways you can use runic magic. First is by adding life energy to an object to the point where its effect changes. This is most effective on weapons that are carved or drawn with runic writings, and it is the only way you fools can ever beat an Aswang with a weapon, but as time passes consequences rises and the constant draining of life energy will wear you out and you will collapse. The second is by using 'Elemental or Sorcerer stones'. These are free to use without consent and costs, but they have a severe time limit once you use them, giving holders a mere disadvantage in battle, and the runic symbols cannot be carved by a mere being for only a god or the tides of nature are the deciding factors for what these stones will be and where they are found. Last but not least we have my favorite, 'Guard symbols'. By adding a circle covered with runic symbols to any terrain or element, you can bend and shape the object into anything at will, the only downside is it's inconvenient when you're moving from place to place. Your training will decide which of these three is suitable for you."
"Where do we start then?" Bagani asked.
Bulawan reached to his pockets and grabbed an item. As he pulled it out the clamping of stones can be heard. He threw it on the ground in front of Ezekiel and Bagani. It was two leather vests that were peculiarly heavy for its texture. Bulawan gave a signal for Ezekiel and Bagani, the two instantly wore it afterward.
"Crap this is heavy." Ezekiel groaned. "This is even heavier than the logs in the village."
"Yeah, but I can manage, it takes a lot of hunting to wear me down." Bagani stated.
Bulawan then pointed on the tallest mountain the two could view from the lobby of the temple. "Climb that wearing the clothing I gave, then come back."
"W-with this?" Ezekiel stuttered and pointed at the vest.
Bulawan then just nodded. Bagani, curious about the situation asked. "Do we have to race?"
"No, you are free to help each other as much as you would like." Bulawan responded. He then slammed his foot to the floor and magically opened the back gate of the temple. The smell of wet soil enveloped the air as the wooden exit opened. A broad spectacle of acres of crops was present behind the rocky temple. An abundant amount of tobacco, rice, corn, coffee, and other herbs was planted on thy farmland, the crops also formed a circular shape.
"Is this a guard symbol?" Ezekiel perceptively asked.
"It's not just any guard symbol. It's a guard symbol made by the 'God of good harvest', Dumangan." Bulawan returned. "It's the reason why the temple never runs out of food nor does it ever spoil. We are just lucky to find Dumangan's guard symbol to build a temple next to."
"We?" Bagani turned and batched in the conversation.
Bulawan stared at Bagani, petrified with a look of severe trauma in his eyes. He quickly snapped back to reality and shook off the question. "Nevermind. You two hurry and climb the peak of the mountain. Pick the blueberries on top as proof then come back." He ordered.
Bagani and Ezekiel then set off to climb the mountain top. With the freezing wind, it made it harder to breathe for him, the grass got greener, the flocks of birds at hands reach, and the path getting steeper. With the weighted equipment, Ezekiel tripped multiple times throughout the hike. Bagani on the other hand, while it seems that he's sweating he doesn't show any signs of tiredness.
"Hey, aren't you exhausted?" Ezekiel huffed.
"This is nothing man! The wind is cold I love it!" Bagani replied in a shout due to the loud winds.
After a couple of hours, the two managed to see the peak within walking distance. Through sheer excitement, Ezekiel raced on top of the mountain to get the so told berry.
"Finally there it-" Ezekiel slipped and rolled down the mountain cliff. Bagani grabbed Ezekiel's collar to stop him from falling, but the weight was too great for him to carry Ezekiel back up carefully.
"Hold on Ezekiel..." Bagani grumbled. "What can I use here?!" Bagani loudly thought to himself in panic. Even with the overly decreased temperature, the young Asulhero began to sweat. "I can't do anything with the stones here. I can't even drop this weighted vest, what should I do?!" A bright idea suddenly came into his mind. With full force, he pulled Ezekiel up and suplexes him into the ground. "Idiot. You could've died!"
As Bagani continued scolding, Ezekiel froze and chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?!" Bagani shouted.
"I thought you were super chill and stuff. Guess that just a first- impression huh." Ezekiel responded.
Bagani then smacked him on the head and furiously went up to get the said fruit. Bagani then turned around and saw the stunning view from atop. "Hey Ez, let's just stay here for a while." Bagani requested.
They rested on top for a few, but they got hungry and decided to go down the mountain and return to Bulawan, halfway of descending Ezekiel collapsed. Bagani carefully dragged down his friend along with him down the mountain.
"Seven hours to climb and descend a four thousand meter mountain. Not bad." Bulawan greeted them and took Ezekiel to his resting place. "As expected of an Asulhero, enormous amounts of stamina are inherited definitely in their race.
Bagani did not even notice Bulawan due to his tiredness. He went to the kitchen and was greeted with a hot stew and steamed potatoes.
"Hey, blue guy, are you okay?" James asked.
Bagani did not reply and kept on chomping on his food. He instinctively ate in a barbaric way, stuffing more than he can chew in his mouth. After that, he went to bed and fell asleep in a matter of seconds. James then went to talk with Bulawan.
"Hey um, Bulawan erm, sir." He called nervously
"What is it?" Bulawan asked.
"Well um..." James in nervousness cut off his words.
"Spill it." Bulawan ordered.
"How are we sure that the Aswangs won't attack this place?" He asked.
Bulawan laughed loudly. "Such foolishness. Aswangs aren't stupid you know. They won't simply just enter a guard symbol.
"But the guard symbol is on the acre field." James retorted.
Bulawan looked at him dead in the eyes and smiled. "My boy, this whole temple is built over a guard symbol." He then stomped his feet, the cobblestone floor raised and shaped themselves into pillars that surrounded the two. "Aswang might not be killed by mere weapons, but they can still die by crushing or burning them to a crisp."
He cast down the floor to its original form and jumped on a tree.
"So this place isn't going to be attacked?" James in relief asked once again to be sure.
"Someday it will be." Bulawan replied in a gloomy tone.
"Wait what do you mean by someday? You said this place was safe. Are you telling me there's someone out there who can beat you? You're a giant that can control a massive temple." James uncontrollably spouts in panic.
Bulawan stared at him with his dark as coal eyes, but it was shining this time expressing intense sorrow and grief.
"Someday..."