Every month, as Shaway's belly swelled, so did she became more ill. She became paler and thinner. Their neighbors and the old people started to think that the baby inside her is a monster that was taking the life out of her.
Worried that both his wife and child might be in danger, Sunuadien sought help from their native priest. There were many attempts, many rituals done, but none made Shaway better.
The native priest smoked her pedped. Her confusion evident on the wrinkles of her forehead. Sunuadien sat beside her. His youth and his strong countenance are nowhere to be found. They were silent as they watched the night sky.
Still being hunted by the guilt for desiring Shaway, Sunuadien spoke first, "Is it because I took my brother's wife in my bed? Ba-diw is angry. Is that it?"
The native priest shook her head. "I know for sure your brother is happy living among his fathers. Ba-diw adored you and Shaway. He might be reckless, but he is not a man who is selfish as to deny his brother's happiness and Shaway's welfare."
"Then what is it? What is causing this to her?" Sunuadien shoved his face in his palms.
"I cannot say. But I heard one tale about a woman long time ago with the same circumstance. She was pregnant and with each passing day of her pregnancy, life slowly left her. On the day that she gave birth, she died but she was survived by her child which tales say was not an ordinary child. Half-man and half-beast. For a couple of days, the infant lived but only until the next full moon."
Sunuadien stood up and raised his voice, "Is my wife going to die then? My child is a cursed one? What is my fault, what is their fault, that this should happen to them?"
Sunuadien went to a corner and sobbed.
After finishing smoking the pedped, the native priest patted Sunuadien's head and asked him, "Will you do everything for your wife and for your child?"
Without hesitation Sunuadien nodded.
"Then rise and bring your wife to the highest peak in Daposhaga. My father, and his father before him told of a being that has been living with us since creation. Whatever that being is, that protects the woods and animals in Daposhaga, tales say that it can bring the dead alive. Shaway is not yet dead, perhaps that being can heal her, if nothing else can, and before death even does claim her."
On that night, Sunuadien took his ill, pregnant wife and with his Kowadja, a stallion, they travelled for many days and nights until they reached the unpopulated mountainous area of Daposhaga. The region was covered with thick and tall trees. It was a good place to hunt, but no one dared too. As it was believed that the mountains were protected by a powerful Ikalutaan.
Sunuadien braved the rugged terrain and brought his wife at the highest peak. Before the night fell, Shaway screamed as the labor pains started. The couple did not expect the baby to be born yet and Shaway felt that these labor pains are quite different from the previous one.
Sunuadien used his tracking skills and found a place to take Shaway. Under the covers of shrubs and ancient pines, Sunuadien's worst fear began. As his wife tried to push, it was only blood that was coming out. There was no sign of the infant. Shaway is losing too much blood, and she became paler than she already was. Her breathing became slow, and Sunuadien felt her warmness leaving her.
"No!" Sunuadien shouted at the g;oomy sky above, "Please! No! Do not let this happen to her. Please!"
He begged for many times as if he was sure that he will be heard. Just before he lost hope, his eyes saw something large fly above him. He was sure it was not a bird, since it was too large to be one. The creature flew around and around, coming nearer and nearer to the ground.
As it landed, it made a rumble that was heard throughout the mountain.
Sunuadien was not sure if the creature was dangerous or not, his eyes turned green and the stallion appeared ready to defend his summoner.
The wings of the creature covered its body. As the dust from the impact settled, the creature spread its wings. And before Sunuadien, a tall man, with broad shoulders, large hands and his body covered by mist, stood. The man's wine-colored eyes gazed upon Sunuadien's green ones.
"A son of Taray. So that is why the mountains allowed you to trespass. A privilege given to those who fought in the war. I did not know the privilege was extended to their children. Pity for the sons of Sagubo. I infer that they are not aware since no one from his blood comes here to hunt."
Sunuadien did not answer. This creature knows his grandfather, knows Sagubo, and knows about the war.
'Is he a Kowadja?' Sunuadien asked himself.
Surprisingly, the creature said, "Foolish human. Do not group me with those beasts willing to stoop so low to follow mortal's whims."
The creature could read his mind.
'Maybe he is the one that could help Shaway'
Before Sunuadien could speak, he heard the mighty being say, "Your woman is already dead. Interesting, that thing in her womb, its heart is still beating but is fading. I know what is in your mind boy, they cannot escape death."
Sunuadien sobbed. He bowed his head until it touched the ground, "I will do anything in return, please, I..I will do anything you ask in return."
Sunauadien lifted his head, and as the being looked at the his green eyes, he saw determination in the mortal's core.
"The newborn can be saved, but the child might not be like you or his mother when he turns into adult. He will be isolated from the rest because he is different and probably dangerous. Are you still willing? As for your woman, it differs."
Sunuadien stopped his sobbing and paid attention as the being explained, "A life for a life. That is the way to trick death. Are you willing to pay the price to save your wife and your child?"
There were no second thoughts in Sunuadien's mind. He nodded.
The man with wings knelt beside Sunuadien and the pale Shaway. He placed his palm in Shaway's chest and the other palm in Sunuadien's chest.
"What is your name great one?" Sunuadien calmly asked, "I would like to know the name of the man who will save my wife before I die."
"Mokonuel. Your ancestors know me by that name."
"I see. May I ask again for a favor,"
Mokonuel looked at the man awaiting his request. Sunuadien this time looked at Shaway, he caressed her forehead and smiled, "You see, she was married to my brother before me. When he died, she grieved until to the point of death. If…if I am gone by her side, she might suffer again."
Mokonuel looked at the man with a shocked expression, "You want me to erase her memory of you? Will you sacrifice that much for this woman?"
There was no reply from Sunuadien. His silence said it all.
Although Mokonuel just met this man, he felt a pang in his immortal heart. He had lived among these mortal men for so long, and yet he never understood this bond that mortals have with each other. This man with the green eyes; he is weak and fragile, but he is strong as he made no hesitation to choose death just for the sake of another.
Once upon a time, Mokonuel was given the same choices, and the immortal, powerful him chose the opposite.
A green luminous circular haze came out of Sunuadien's chest. By the time the haze completely left Sunuadien, his life has left him. As it was commanded, the haze flew atop the palm of Mokonuel that was over Shaway's chest and buried itself underneath her skin. Then, life slowly returned to her. She breathed calmly and regularly, her face no longer pale, and the warmth spread from her chest to all throughout her body.
Then Mokonuel placed both his palms gently on Shaway's belly. This time a small violet circular haze came out of his chest and the haze buried itself underneath her skin once again. Then Mokonuel felt life inside her, as his palms felt the baby move in her womb.
The night clouds gathered, and rain started to fall. Mokonuel stood and called the stallion that was about to vanish as his summoner was already dead, "I permit you to stay", Mokonuel said, "Come and let us burry your master."
Thin violet, luminous strings spread on the stallion's body. They helped them maintain its physical form.
Monokuel took Sunuadien's lifeless body and gently saddled it into the stallion. Then, he knelt again, and gently carried Shaway in his arms.
The winged creature and the stallion walked and vanished into the thick forest.