Skill beats strength but with a mediocre knowledge of fighting and experience that is really lacking, ability borned from training is insufficient. Argus Lost the previous small scuffle.
He had a taste of the large disparity between a real warrior and someone like him who grew up with a golden platter. Although as a former Ranoan, he received some trainings and guidance directly from the Datu himself... Argus's interest solely lies in chasing skirts.
But due to a strong hate and grieviance towards the betrayal of Datu Hagat, he reformed his will.
The blood of a warrior screams within him.
He still had his pride!
When Argus has awakened to his senses, its almost daybreak.
The sun became a sunset and is already bidding his farewell.
He tried to get up but then, he felt excruciating pain at his back.
Realizing that he have lost, Argus was saddened. It's such a shame to be called a former Ranoan if he can only amount into this...
Well, he should be. Then, the pain scratching at his back suddenly caught up. He had been lying unconcious all this time in a scorched molten trail of cinders that now became blackened ashes.
Argus although hurting, tried to ignore the scorching pain at his back. He remembered his father's words.
"Son, some wounds shall scar and scars are badges of honors we take pride in! Never worry about your wounds. Instead, worry that your aims might be for naught, for what your aims are, is the reason you had maims."
Perhaps after its healed, it will give him a big scar that will never fade...
Reminiscing his father, he smirked instead of being bothered at his back and stood up calmly as if the wounds were never there.
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...
When Argus looked around, the whole tribal square was empty.
Only the ashen trail remained...
"I should go. According to that Wagu Atubang as long as I can reach the end of this trail before it gets dark, It still is considered that I have passed." Argus murmured, breathing deeply and exhaling them heavily.
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.
.
...
"You have arrived a bit late. But oh well, am glad that you still passed."
At the end of the trail, Argus heard a flimsy voice that falters as feeble as the wind has greeted him. When he shifted his gaze to where the voice is coming from, he was surprised to see Elder Shana with her winter-white hair, a face that is wrinkled, and fingernails that were crooked.
Still dressed properly as a prestigious woman with authority should be, she went close to where Argus is currently at. Walking unsteady supported by a wooden rod adorned with intricate carvings, coated in gold with some precious stones inlaid on them, she handed a bamboo stalk to Argus.
Upon receiving the stalk, Argus immediately broke it into two revealing the written message inside of it.
This is how Tribes in Saon and different parts of Danao usually put their writings in.
For unimportant writings, tribesmen would just use Anahaw leaves instead. While on the other hand, important writings or messages are carved in a bamboo stalk.
"Did you join this trial to take revenge?" Asked Elder Shana.
Argus who was about to read the messages, slowly raised his head as he leveled it to the Shaman's sight.
"Yes." Argus simply replied. He made it sure that he properly gazed at the Shaman so that Elder Shana can see Argus' determination and his gleaming eyes that burn with rage.
"Your aura has changed since the last time we met. I told you to meet me, why you did not come?"
When Argus have heard The Shaman's words, he could not help but retract his fiery gaze and shifted it towards the sky instead.
The Clouds passed in the sky, and the sun settled below the mountains, it's getting darker as the stars vaguely appeared above Argus's head.
"Does she know of Miguel? Yes, I have been planning to meet her if not for this sudden Trial. Based on the memory of Miguel, we did have met." Argus inwardly thought as he was reminded of a creepy memory of the Elder abruptly taking her dress off, just to show her bareback with the Batuk—tattoo, from the Khalip Tribe. At that time, it was Miguel who currently possessed his body.
Now he regretted that he was never able to perform the final ritual for his right of passage in their rightful Tribe.
This final ritual that Argus never able to perform at their tribe is the act of putting a Batuk of the Tribe's Seal at the bare flesh of a tribe member's own body.
It could be anywhere depending on where the tribesmen want it to be placed. But in Khalip Tribe, members usually placed their Tribe's Mark at their backs.
It's not that they are ashamed and want to hide their own tribe's mark, but it's because most of them wanted their marks to be large enough and grand enough! And the Best place to put it was their back.
The Khalip Tribe's mark is an animal seal that looked like a bison but is actually a water buffalo instead. Most Tribesmen knew this animal by the name, Carabao.
Argus wasn't able to wear this mark which his fallen tribe used to be so proud of.
Lamenting such regret, Argus shook his head as he caressed his burnt back.
Above the burnt wounds where he got his flesh scorched, a mark of a slave was placed instead of a tribal mark that represents a carabao's head.
Argus crumples his hands into a fist. He called out to the Shaman in a crisp clear voice.
"Do you know anything?" Argus questioned, his aura released a murderous intent that coursed over the whole body of anyone who viewed it.
The Shaman who received the whole blunt, got all her hairs to uncontrollably stand.
She then suddenly laughed, followed by a cough.
After clearing her throat she replied in a feeble tone "My Apologies, Respected Ranoan. I am nothing but a helpless Binibini—noblewoman, at that time. I have no knowledge of what you are currently expecting me to say. But let me tell you something..."
Drawing his interest with a pause, appearing to be so whimsical and mysterious, Elder Shana, the Shaman has successfully calmed Argus and toned him down by a notch.
"Your life is now at great risk."
"I know." Argus hastily answered back.
Which in turn made Elder Shana knit his brows as she rebutted him fiercely "No! I am talking about that force, that foreign aura I am always feeling inside of you..." Elder Shana heaved as she replied.
"I have told you last time. That evil energy was akin to a dangerous spirit or a dark entity of old that I have felt who still resides inside of you. You must be careful!"
Elder Shana added and as if casting a reminder with a final warning...
"Just like what I have thought she knew Miguel but she can only feel his presence. Should I tell her about Miguel and that strange place?" Argus who half-heartedly listened to the Shaman contemplated inwardly. Shall he tell her?
"I still have doubts about her loyalty, and this strange concern she harbors towards me. I am still unaware of her intentions. Don't she dare play me as a kid? Hmph. I am not a simple kid no more."
Argus muttered to himself.
While Argus had his own debate, the Shaman glanced at Argus's eyes. She slowly approached him at his side as she slowly placed her left hand towards Argus's shoulders, leaning on him.
"Beware, Former Ranoan... The lifeline of Khalip's Tribe and the legacy of Datu Sadjar lives on you! You must tread in a tactful manner! Do not be so hasty! I have seen what you said in the square earlier, I am afraid that such acts might alert the Datu and his loyal servants. Fortunately, he is still not here and nobody really took you seriously. I shall see what I can help you with. Behind the backs, I shall be your support. But please, remember to be careful."
Whispering them as words gradually flew out from her mouth, the Shaman told all of what Argus needs to be reminded of.
And with those words, Elder Shana slowly retracted her hands and solemnly bowed to Argus in the same way Lumin's Tribesmen bowed towards their Datu.
"We shall talk again... Our Respected Ranoan."
Bowing lowly as she slightly lifted her skirt to perform the salute, Elder Shana kowtowed and quietly left Argus with her concerned warnings.