[38] "Dayang, we only have to do the Tag-An, then we can proceed to the last process before we can complete all Burial Rites..."
Still stricken with guilt, Wagu Atubang found it difficult to approach Dayang unlike the usual. Creasing her brows, the Dayang stared at the distance as she straightens her back, raising her furled delicate hands.
Getting the cue, Wagu Atubang immediately helped the Dayang to stand from her seat.
"Looks like it is about to rain soon. Will this be alright?" Like a caring mother to her people, Dayang Haya asked Wagu Atubang, fully concerned. The tragedy of her warriors dying suddenly, brushed past from her eyes as if it only happened a while ago.
"Ye—" But before Wagu Atubang could answer with certainty, he realized this is also what he said before and decided to simply nod this time.
"It is fine, I didn't really blame you... I blame my incompetence as the leader. If only my husband could be here, we could have handled it better." Sighing in her heart, she patted Wagu Atubang's wrinkling cheeks as he became moist from the Dayang's words.
It seems that she's not mad at him. But knowing that the Dayang was this troubled made him sympathize with the Dayang... They stood close together as they look at the Tribal Square busily rearranging it for the Tag-An.
Tag-An is the last step before they let the sea take their dead ones. It is a competition of strength between warriors or anyone who wished to participate. It is a non-discriminatory event, everyone can participate regardless of the ranks.
It was said, that the God of Death enjoyed watching people struggle, and through these rounds of battles, tribesmen believed that the God of Death would be pleased and hopefully won't take another soul from their tribe.
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At the corner of the Tribal Square, a few stacked coconut husk is unpleasantly arranged at the table where Bagno was currently sitting. He recalled the incident from the Magindra's attack.
Although he is currently slumping while sitting at the table, anyone who saw how elegantly sculpted his top-naked bare chest would be swoon over and love his muscular body.
Many, Batuks were tattooed at his body, a collection of epics he made through his short adventures, but that Magindra caught him off guard...
Staring at his knees, he did not notice the arrival of Duyi, as Duyi suddenly nudged him at his shoulders.
"Bagno... So you were here. I am glad that you are alive, I thought you would leave us. You know you are the most favored one to become the next Datu... Be careful."
Seeing that Bagno was unresponsive, Duyi felt uncomfortable. He decided to take his leave as his big round belly bounced wherever he went to, leaving behind Bagno who is having his own thoughts at that moment.
Then, the whole Tribal Square instantly became noisy. When a loud noise sounded like a whale's wail from the Trumpet... they all knew what is about to come.
"TAG-AN! TAG-AN! TAG-AN!"—The Warriors shouted, each was painting their faces with a reddish paint as they all gathered inside the Square.
"Warriors! To everyone present! I hereby declare the start of your most awaited rite! TAG-AN!"
When Elder Kunka's voice pierced the air, tribesmen shouted from glee, they all lined up themselves to prepare for a slugfest!
The rules are simple. Two warriors will face off with each other as if aiming to kill their tribesmen, the first one to be knocked off shall be replaced by any other warrior who is willing to fight.
They believe that they should paint the whole area with blood, once it is thick enough... Only then the Tag-An can be completed.
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Two warriors faced off at the Square, surrounded by a rowdy audience...
[39] A scrawny man dressed in a traditionally woven Bahag faced off against a burly warrior. Bahag is a loincloth that is commonly used whenever tribesmen were headed to battle because they found that this hand-loomed piece of woven loincloth usually made with red and black colors that are wrapped around a man's middle, makes their movement easier.
Likewise, the burly man is dressed the same. The difference in their stature was obvious and almost everyone believed that the Burly man would win effortlessly.
The burly warrior sneered in contempt at the scrawny man making the latter's mood turn fiery.
With a light whooshing sound, the scrawny man dashed towards his opponent in an attempt to catch him off guard with a quick and straightforward punch.
The crowd yelled in anticipation, surprised as the burly warrior received a few smacks to his face.
Halting to catch a few breathes, the two warriors tested each other through jabs and blocks. Then the scrawny warrior threw out a feint and landed a good blow on the burly warrior's ribs, but the follow-up hook by the scrawny warrior to the burly warrior's jaw caught air as the burly warrior astutely pulled his head back.
A stupid mistake, he thought. He paced out, gone from his mind in a moment as the image of his deceased brother flashed at him, "Dwell on the past, you'll die in the present."
Reminded by his dead brother's advice, a piercing heavy blow came at his face unannounced! He was knocked back with such a terrifying force! His face immediately became swollen, his lips are cracked and dripping blood poured down to the ground from it. The earthen soil got smeared and is now painted in blood.
The Tag-An is successfully initiated! Tribesmen roared in excitement as the fight continued.
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Meanwhile, at the farthest corner of the square where rows of opened coffins were neatly placed, an ordinary coffin made from the simplest design suddenly moved.
An unforeseen change in the atmosphere brewed a cold and calm wind that blew past the Shaman, Elder Shana. Her hair fluttered but it is a wonder why the wind suddenly became eerily frantic as she grieved the loss of her former Ranoan.
She is currently inside the Shrine where the Shamans have gathered to pray for the deceased.
Her closed eyes suddenly opened; she felt this familiar malicious aura unique only to Argus...
She felt a deep attraction to stop what she is currently doing and have decided to go inspect the unattended coffins.
The Babaylan also noticed this sudden air. Well, high-level shamans are perceptive to anyone's aura... "There must be something..." She exclaimed inwardly.
Dressed in a black silk dress with golden trim lines, two old women suddenly dashed outside the hut's doorway. And as what you can expect, they got stuck together in a fit of a rush.
"Why you... old hag! Get off me!" The Babaylan screamed as she pushed Elder Shana's face away from her.
"No, you get off me! You are the old hag!" Elder Shana retorted.
Their past disputes seem to be unearthed with that short exchange. The other Shaman who is watching the scene opened their mouths wide. They never expected the two top Shamans had this kind of grievance towards each other. But in their minds, they wonder why are they acting this way.
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[Lumin's Tribal Square]
A few rounds of battles have passed since the first fight...
Nobody seemed to want to challenge the victor anymore. The ground is fully painted in blood but the cheers from the crowd are begging for one last fight, yet nobody seems to be brave enough to step his foot at the square.
Until a name was called out! Nobody knew who called out first but when the first voice was heard, a cheer calling out one name came to reverberate the whole square like a crackle of thunder...
"BAGNO! BAGNO! BAGNO!" They all shouted, expecting a reply from their most favored warrior.
Bagno, who is sitting at the table in the farthest right corner only swept a gloomy stare. His eyes screamed a defeated spirit, deadpan dark pupils as if falling into a pit of hopelessness.
When the crowd saw that stare, they all have the same thought...
"He is now a broken warrior. Someone who got his spirit broken, he might never fight again."
The crowd turned silent, they lamented the loss of such a good warrior. But at this moment, amidst the silence, a loud crisp voice caught everyone's attention.
"Hey, Granpa! Meet your bastard! A fist from the future."