Meanwhile, at the farthest corners of Southern Danao, a fleet of boats arrived at a tiny island called Aksta Uda.
"Banuk-Rhanuk Why did we postponed our attack towards Saon? We could have conquered their whole Banwa..." A warrior draped a shawl around his shoulders as he questioned a burly man covered with a black fur coat.
It was Banuk-Rhanuk whom Miguel previously saved from the crocodile attack.
"We will soon go back there. I have received some news from the council of Elders back in our Tribe and according to the messenger, Datu Hagat has already died. We can attack them anytime, but their surrounding allies were strong. I have decided to change our plans since I don't have to worry about Datu Hagat anymore." Grinning from ear to ear, Banuk-Rhanuk alighted from the boat as he signaled his crew to sound the trumpet, preparing for a raid.
"This tribe had been unguarded for a long time, it will be easier to capture them first and slowly make our way towards Saon... Now, quickly prepare yourselves for some slaughter Haha Glory is ours!"
As he said so, the warrior beside him immediately bowed and soon followed his orders.
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It did not take long before the whole place was ablaze in the fire, successfully capturing Aksta Uda.
"Where is your Datu! Show him to me!" Banuk-Rhanuk loudly yelled as he kicked the warrior in front of him who has been trembling, clearly terrified by the sudden invasion.
"Our Datu... He had run away! He said he shall take revenge on you soon! He shall return!" Drunk in an impassioned speech, the warrior exclaimed, his gaze is full of hatred as he answered.
"Hah! Your Datu has abandoned you and you still believed in his lie? Fool! A real warrior would rather die by a blade than flee and live the rest of his life with shame... Do you accept?" Banuk-Rhanuk bent down as he smirked, placing his hands on the warrior that is kneeling below his feet.
"Just kill me instead! No matter what, I will never serve you!" In a fit of anger, the warrior even spat his own bloodied saliva towards Banuk-Rhanuk's face.
Standing straight, Banuk-Rhanuk did not feel insulted. He knew that this is a natural reaction from those who are defeated in battle. He simply nodded as he muttered, "Very well, you are a loyal warrior indeed." As he said so, he unsheathed the sword from his waist, and in a blink of an eye, the warrior sprawled on the floor, as his throat gushed out a fountain of blood.
Banuk-Rhanuk, mercilessly slit the warrior's throat, granting him what the code of warriors considered an honorable death as he raised his sword proclaiming his dominion over this captured land.
The tip of the sword had a wavy edge and the handle of it appeared to be made out of a cow's hooves with a dangling hair attached at its end.
This is the famous sword from a group of Raiders who calls themselves: Buwayan—The name of their group originated from the ancestors of Crocodiles which is named Buwaya.
Imitating the crocodile's way of devouring their prey, they mark their faces with a wavy line that resembles the jaws of a crocodile. They temporarily wear this tattoo whenever they perform the raid.
With his chest spread open, his bald scalp shining and his eyes surveying at his surroundings, Banuk-Rhanuk laid his eyes towards the dead warrior as he grasps his head and beheaded him.
"Since he is the only warrior who never surrendered. I shall keep his head as my prize. Take whichever woman you want! They are all yours!" He declared.
The warriors behind him, grow a pervy snicker, and instantly rushed to their desired women. It did not take long until everyone had a woman of their own liking. Some of them even had two or three carried on their shoulders.
"Banuk-Rhanuk, you are too strong! You should be the Datu instead!" A warrior who seemed pleased by their harvest exclaimed, trying to bootlick Banuk-Rhanuk.
From which, he only glared and did not press any further.
In the Tribal Square of Aksta Uda, Banuk-Rhanuk did not seem pleased by their harvest, "It looks like, their Datu had escaped. He left behind his people... A coward!" Dismayed that he was deprived of a fulfilling match, he toppled the erect statues of wolves as he heaved a sigh.
With all the surrounding group of Tribal Elders and women holding their children, he declared that the whole place is now under him.
"Your Datu has abandoned you, from today onwards, Aksta Uda belongs to us! You shall all become our Alipins and serve our tribe."
With that, Banuk-Rhanuk was successful in his campaign. He called out his remaining warriors to plan out their next invasion to the neighboring lands.
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***
On the other hand, the tribe of Lumin who is unaware of their impending danger had the usual atmosphere. Sure they had lost some of their warriors but life must go on. Didn't they already mourn?
Miguel had finished his business from the Saman's Kanya, he had retrieved his belongings not even giving care towards the crying Lia who felt at a loss to the changes Miguel is showing.
And besides, Miguel thought that: "Since we are grounded to never meet, let's not meet again in the future." Parting with these words, Miguel turned around, not even bothering to spare a glance to Lia.
Once he confirmed that the jug from which Argus placed the Golden hair of Hyaradth is still inside... he decided to leave early.
While he gave a light bow to the guards who allowed him to enter, he could hear Lia calling out the name of Argus.
Miguel felt quite a bit guilty but that is not of his concern anymore. He knew that the tribe will soon face some danger, he felt the need to prepare.
"I have no time to attend to this boy Argus's trifling matters. If he wants he could do so, once he gains his next turn. Speaking of which, it's the Dayang's turn..." Much to his surprise at that moment when he thought that his next destination is the Dayang's Kanya, he felt expectant and a little bit excited.
"What the heck is wrong with me?" Clearing his conscience, he slowly walked towards the Dayang's Kanya.
Along with the pitiful wails of Lia who probably had gone crazy, he stared at the hut one more time before leaving.