"Badong... What is wrong?" Malpi suddenly asked.
"Nothing..." Argus, after quite some deliberate efforts to calm his raging heart, is finally able to control his countenance.
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...
He inwardly thought that, since he was still alive then he must live well!
And that includes making those responsible for his Khalip Tribe's Fall pay a heavy price.
He must get to the very bottom of these things.
Why must Datu Hagat betray his Father?
Who is that Apok named Amron?
Why did he order to destroy Argus' Banwa?
And this question span at his head giving him another sense of urgency.
Now he had more reason to compete in this trial.
If he somehow won the Trial and earns the right to be the Saman's Husband,
He will also gain the right to be the next Datu.
"Hmph! Imagine the face of that bastard if he learned that the son of his betrayed brother, took his position? How wonderful it could be!" Argus inwardly thought to himself.
But he also remembered, according to what he learned from his father...
The process of succession will only be completed once the supposed heir could defeat the current Datu in a one on one battle.
It means that he still had to fight Datu Hagat himself.
Would Datu Hagat be willing to fight by then?
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...
"Listen up, Malpi..." Argus called out Malpi in a serious tone.
His eyes glistened with a murderous gaze.
And when Malpi shifted his gaze towards the eyes of Argus...
He instantly freaked out!
He uncontrollably shrieked which garnered the attention of the few passersby and bystanders.
Due to reminiscing his past and occupied at thinking about his plan of revenge, Agus had emitted a malicious aura that when Malpi saw him, Malpi got so frightened.
"...aah yesss?" Malpi, like an obedient puppy, could only reply meekly after some shriek he did.
He immediately signaled his other two brothers, Aen and Talto.
Then the three of them lined up in front of Argus.
"You three! Listen up on what I am about to say. Because I won't repeat myself." Argus seriously implied.
The three just nodded.
"I am not Badong! My Name is Argus!" And as if to taunt somebody, he loudly proclaimed and without care introduced his identity to the public.
"Yes! I am that Argus! Son of Datu Sadjar! The Khalip Tribe's Ranoan, The Ranoan from the Village of Apkon! I am him! Not Badong! or Not Miguel! My Name is Argus!"
His throat that was submerged in a series of shouts turned dry and after proclaiming his identity he stood still and cleared his throat.
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...
When the people heard him, they all exchanged glances...
They all know the story of Apkon and the Fall of the Khalip Tribe.
But witnessing Argus today, alive and is even shouting, they could not help but rub their eyes.
According to the rumors, Argus died and the whole of Khalip was decimated by the betrayal of the Lumin's Tribe along with the help of the Bulan's tribe.
They all have one thing in their minds...
This will be a great thrilling show!
The son is here to take vengeance.
Some of the warriors took note of Argus but most of them had ignored him, and just regarded him as a yapping blabber nobody.
He is still a kid after all! What could a kid who seemed not bathed by blood yet, could even do?
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...
"You... that Argus!" Malpi gasped
The Trio in unison held their breaths, surprised by this sudden turn of events.
"So that explains why you are skilled in fighting those crocs." Talto interjected after a brief pause.
"But regardless, I owe you my life. Even if I am just a lowly Alipin, I know how to be indebted.
From today onwards, this life of mine is yours. If you want revenge, I will help you."
Talto declared and actually knelt, gesturing his fealty towards Argus.
When Talto did this, the two followed suit.
They are like peas in a pod, always together through thick and thin!
So they all felt that its only natural to offer their own fealty too towards Argus.
"I am the same! From now on this life of mine is yours!" Malpi declared! also bending his knees in fealty.
"I am too! hmm just because!" And Aen bowed his head, also offering his fealty. Although his reason is a bit shallow.
Argus, faced with these three who suddenly bowed and offered their fealty curled his lips.
"Hmph. Three Alipins and one is disabled...
What could we possibly achieve if its just us?"
His lips curled upwards as he began mocking himself.
He did not forget to smack the trio's heads.
The Trio were startled and had a confused expression, written on their faces.
"Why?" They all asked in unison.
"What revenge are you talking about? So scary... Why would I do that Haha Get up! You three!"
And with that Argus supported the three in standing up.
Talto had difficulty in standing up due to his other feet that were previously gnawed by the croc.
Now, he only had one foot left.
Argus signaled the trio to follow him, and the four gradually disappeared among the crowd.
The four of them retreated under the shade of the maple tree from which, Elder Shana had preached her Story of Creation.
Then the confused Trio eventually understood why Argus did that.
"The lot of you are idiots indeed! why would you do that in public?" Agus lamented how useless his newly acquired pawns are.
"We... we swore our allegiance to you!" The three shouted in unison.
"Shhh" Argus hushed.
"If you really mean what you have said a while ago then the first thing you have to learn is to talk only when necessary." Argus lectured.
"You lot have a long way to go but for now... Let me answer your honest fealty from a while ago."
Argus stood up straight, fixed his clothes, and declared in front of the trio's faces.
"I Argus, Son of Datu Sadjar, Ranoan of Apkon from the Khalip's Tribe...
Solemnly accepts the fealty of this three lowly Alipin who have surrendered their lives to me.
I'll take the name of the Great God Bathala, swearing under his name and making him our witness that from this day onwards, I'll be the Master of these three Alipins."
Closing his eyes, Argus in silence, slightly bowed, after which the three resumed their previous posture of bending their knees in front of Argus.
Then the vow of fealty had ended.
The four exchanged warm and pleasing smiles, putting all their hopes to their futures.
(Note: Swearing under the name of the Great God Bathala is the highest form of any oath, a Tribesmen could offer. It's sacred and must be kept according to tradition because tribesmen believed that if you failed this oath, you might never receive the grace of the Highest and Greatest God, Bathala himself!)