Chapter 14
"Tale of the Deity Goryomapwa"
As they exited the Munafik Desert, the Warrior of Ciboro continued their journey in the direction where Baba Matuwa was located. According to their radar compass, the Skasta Mountains were located within the Pollace Empire and Pollace Ocean.
During their expedition, they encountered various types of storms, such as severe sandstorms and hailstorms, and occasionally experienced the intense heat of the sun. After a couple of days of traveling…
"We are almost there, only 366 miles (ca. 589 km) left," announced Ahn-ahn.
"We should stop here and hunt for meat to eat," suggested Wamaro.
"Are we going to stay here for the night?" Jrazm asked, glancing at the woodland.
"Who agrees to stay here?" Endang raised a question.
"Me," Harris, voted yes.
Tatukwe and Ahn-ahn also agreed to spend the night here first. Meanwhile, Wamaro and Jrazm were hesitant. They wanted to hunt first and examine the area to check if it was safe to stay. Since Endang agreed to stay here for the night, all of them would rest here.
"Majority wins!" screamed Tatukwe.
"Shut up! We would rather not be noticed by the creatures living here. No more trouble!" notified Jrazm.
"I know, old lady," Tatukwe retorted.
"Let's have a race. Whoever gets the bigger piece of meat will win," Wamaro challenged the twins.
"Of course, I will win this time," responded Tatukwe.
"I am Jrazm, and I will be the greatest hunter in the world," she proclaimed.
"Both of you, shut up. Let's start the race now," Wamaro signaled them to start running into the woods.
🏃👣…
🏃🏼♀️👣…
🏃👣…
Endang and Ahn-ahn are now fixing the tents where their siblings slept. Meanwhile, Harris is gathering firewood to build a fire.
Before sunrise, they left and went to another destination. As usual, they stayed in one location until dusk.
By midnight, it was time for them to take a break and find something to eat. Their tasks were divided: someone caught food, while others organized where they would sleep.
Periodically, they encountered crossbred creatures with distinct features, and many of them had dark intentions. However, the siblings overcame all of these challenges.
"Wamaro, can you make a fire? It's too cold here," Tatukwe requested.
"What happened to Jrazm and Harris, Endang?" asked Wamaro. He noticed that the two were being treated by Ahn-ahn.
"They have stomach aches from the last meal earlier," answered Endang.
"Because they are gluttonous," added Tatukwe.
"P O K 🅿️🆗‼️"
"🅾️ U C H ‼️" yelled Tatukwe after slapping Endang.
"Tak, wake me up after three hours. Don't make noise while we're resting," Wamaro ordered.
"Yeahhh… Those two are slacking off and pretending their stomachs hurt, so they don't have to do their duty," insinuated Tatukwe.
***
(•••After an hour •••)
"SEARCH THERE.‼️🏃"
"I SAW IN THIS WAY.‼️👣"
"That kid is frankly despicable!"
While resting in a clearing, the crowd suddenly erupted into a riot. One person carried a fire-setter, while others held bolos or other weapons. The woodland where they had temporarily camped was flooded.
"TATUKWE!!!" yelled Wamaro.
"It's annoying," Wamaro said quietly, yawning.
He then emerged from the tent and was about to scold Tatukwe, but when he noticed that Tatukwe was snoring, he looked around and extinguished the bonfire they had created. Then, he immediately alerted his siblings.
"What's happening?" asked a sleepy Ahn-ahn.
"I heard some human noise about a mile away from us," muttered Wamaro.
"Where is Tatukwe?" asked Endang.
"He's outside, snoring, and not keeping a lookout," replied Wamaro.
A group of people is chasing a lad who has escaped from their penitentiary. They will offer him to their deity, Goryomapwa.
***
(••• A couple of days ago •••)
"Who is Lord Goryomapwa, Hajur Buba?" asked Mërruz to his grandfather.
A five-year-old little girl is wearing a bhāntānlan, which is an ankle-length tight-fitting gown colored red and white.
"Call your brother Ruyil, and tonight I will tell you a story about him," ordered the old man.
"Big Brother Ruyil! Hajur Buba wants you to come here. Where are you?" shouted Mërruz.
"I'm coming!" responded Ruyil.
According to the tale of the oldest farmer in their townlet, Goryomapwa is Ditya's son and a giant disembarked in their village. Hitherto, everything is against their fondness, so they settle to live in a nearby grotto with a lake in its courtyard.
"It means, Hajur Buba, he is half-human, half-giant?" asked Mërrus.
"Then, why did he become a God?" added Ruyil.
"Just a moment, my grandson. First, I will tell you his origin," replied Hajur Buba.
***
Their marriage brought considerable misfortune; the townlet often experienced heavy storms, and they seldom harvested anything from their fields.
On the day of Ditya's labor, there was heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, accompanied by intense lightning. It was tough for her to give birth because it was born during the storm.
When the townspeople learned about her birth, they hurried to them. Unfortunately, her husband, Giant, died. He did not retaliate, but only defended his family.
Before he passed away, the colossus pleaded with the masses that he alone should suffer and not torture his wife and son. They were indeed set free but warned not to be imminent on the plantation or any belongings of the people there.
So Goryomapwa grew up longing for a friend, but he realized he looked different from everyone else. However, his mother Ditya taught him good manners and how to live and survive in the outside world, and she also taught him another important skill.
When Goryomapwa turned ten years old, his mother Ditya passed away from a severe disease. From then on, the young giant was left alone and lived independently. He stayed inside the grotto for several months.
More than a few months passed when he had nothing to eat due to a drought. The lake ran out of water, and there were no more fish to catch.
Therefore, he was forced to come out of the grotto where he had been imprisoned for multiple years. Unfortunately, a farmer instantly saw him, and the news quickly spread throughout the village.
They immediately took steps to apprehend him and sentenced him to death. Even now, their lineage is still blamed for the misfortunes that plague the entire town.
The boy, Goryomapwa, was tracked down, beaten, and then burned alive in front of the villagers. Due to the injustice he suffered, it was rumored that his spirit became a haunting presence. Some theories suggest that he ascended to godhood because he belonged to the race of gods.
Since then, the festival has been primarily celebrated on the 25th of December. People gather in the grotto to offer grains of rice, the blood of horned animals, and catfish to Lord Goryomapwa. They fast all day and hold nightlong vigils.
"Hajur Buba, when did the children start offering themselves?" — Ruyil wondered.
"I don't remember, my grandson," answered the old man.
"Why do you have to sacrifice a child?" — Mërruz asked.
"The children chosen to be sacrificed are blessed because they will be with God Goryomapwa, and their situation is certain because they will stay in paradise," responded the old man.
It demands the offering of a child whose age does not surpass ten years if they want to preserve the comfort of their lifestyle.
Most of the populace, particularly their Captain de Baryo, communicated about such things to make decisions. They attempted to break out, but there was no tunnel out of the townlet, so they were forced to return to this place.
In addition, because of the compensation for what they did, the majority followed the belief that they had to sacrifice a child whenever Goryomapwa was ravenous. They obeyed it for the safety of the whole townlet.
***
"What's wrong?" Investigated Wamaro.
"Of course, maybe he did something wrong," Tatukwe told.
"YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPEAK?" yelled Jrazm.
"Stop, guys. Maybe he speaks another language. Ahn-ahn, talk to him," said Harris.
"I think he's mute," replied Ahn-ahn. After, she spoke in a different dialect, but still no response.
"Guys, let me handle this. Just check the area," spoke Endang.
"Don't worry, kid. We are your friends, not enemies. Potentially you are still traumatized, but we are here, willing to help you," she added.
"What's the problem? Why are these bunches of people chasing you? What did you do?" Endang asked Ruyil, who was still silent and shaking a bit.
***
The siblings helped hide Ruyil from the pursuers. They raised a question about why the townspeople were hunting him. After a few minutes, he spoke about what truly transpired to him.
Ruyil told them about being sacrificed for the festive season. The siblings were disappointed because they didn't think such parents existed. They believed that all parents would do everything to protect their children from harm.
His parents themselves brought him to the house of worship to devote him to his obligation to Deity Goryomapwa. Even though Ruyil didn't want to, he didn't have the strength to disagree with them either.
During the last festival, Ruyil's best friend, Chandra, mysteriously disappeared after being taken to the grotto and offered to Goryomapwa. All the children who were sacrificed were never seen again.
A few days before the scheduled ceremony, Chandra was confined to a chamber in their place of worship to proceed with the ritual.
Recently, he managed to find an opportunity to escape because the following day he was going to be thrown into a hole connected to the grotto in the house of worship.
Most people refuse to give up searching for him, as the entire town would suffer another tragedy if they don't find him. Even Ruyil's parents and relatives are searching for him, as their family would be wiped out in the entire town.
Other townspeople are already threatening Ruyil. There is outrage, and most of them are crying and begging him to show up for the masses. If he doesn't come out, they will be forced to offer up his only sister, Mërruz.
"Ruyil, you need to show up now!" yelled one guy.
"If you don't show up by tomorrow, your sister will be our offering to Lord Goryomapwa," screamed another guy.
"What should I do?" mumbled Ruyil.
Ruyil was disgruntled when he heard that and stopped himself from bursting into tears. He treasured his sister so much, so he decided to go out and return to the house of worship. Even if Wamaro didn't approve, they couldn't do anything about Ruyil's decision.
"I am here!" shouted Ruyil.
People were pleased with his spontaneous exit, and they were correspondingly surprised because he was with another kid who was an outsider.
"How could you do that to a kid like him?" asked Wamaro.
"Wamaro, stop. We don't need to interfere with their cultures and beliefs," interrupted Jrazm.
"I agree with Jrazm, Wamaro," added Tatukwe.
Wamaro renounced himself to be taken hold of and offered to their Gods but was instantly cut off by Jrazm. They should not interfere in what is not their concern when they have their own problems to deal with. They might not be able to catch up with Baba Matuwa's whereabouts in Skasta.
"As your older brother, if we were in his position, I would not let you perish as much as I can," told Wamaro.
"But Bro, we promise not to be part of trouble again," replied Harris.
"Yes, we promise, but see the courage Ruyil has shown us. For the sake of his sister Mërruz, he is prepared to sacrifice himself," explained Wamaro.
"Nah! He said earlier that only boys can be sacrificed. The townspeople just fooled him," responded Jrazm.
"Indeed! They used his sister to make him come out voluntarily. Well, they can't sacrifice his sister since she's a girl! Let's leave, and possibly old Baba Matuwa will not be able to catch up with where it is," suggested Tatukwe.
The townspeople had already trussed and tortured Ruyil. He could do nothing but whine in fear because at any moment he would perish like the sacrificed children.
Other townspeople were curious why Ruyil had youngsters with him. It was the first time in centuries that people had lost their way in their townlet.
Modicum wanted to investigate, but Captain de Baryo forbade them from accompanying him, in order to avoid another catastrophe.
However, the aging woman Behng couldn't stand it and inquired of the children how they had reached this place. Before Endang could respond, Behng had already tasted the bravado of Captain de Baryo.
Subsequently, everyone was directed to the house of worship.
"Stop it! You are all cowards. Yes, this might be retribution for what you did to that monster," yelled Wamaro.
"Monster and not God! No God is pleased with such things. You need unity to defeat that bogey. If you are frightened forever, you won't gain your freedom," he added.
"Wamaro, stop!" Jrazm told him.
"Consequently, you are granting additional power and condoning that bogey even more! He is not God. He is a Devil who preys on all of you and takes advantage of your weaknesses!" Wamaro continued ranting against the people.
Their faces exhibited doubts, apprehensions, and hatred for what they heard. However, they disregarded that and instead began to hold the young Ruyil captive again. They proceeded with their rituals.
***
"Āmā, why doesn't big brother want to meet Lord Goryomapwa?" Mërruz asked.
"Even if it goes against our hearts, for the good of everyone, our family has been chosen to offer to the Lord," explained Le-ah.
"Don't fool yourself, Le-ah. We know the truth is that he's a demon, and he only wants to take young boys. They never come back. Do you want your son to be sacrificed too?" scolded Nawab.
"Don't talk like that, my brother. I know, and you know, we know what's true, but let's not talk about it. Our family will be destroyed. Nawab, please," pleaded Le-ah.
"He will be in paradise with the Lord," told Muñu.
Mërruz spoke to their parents, Le-Ah and Muñu, to find a way to ameliorate his brother Ruyil. Even if they are against their will, they can't accomplish anything.
Nonetheless, Mërruz did not stop appealing for help from his countrymen, but everyone congregated and was afraid of being affected by the routine.
On the other hand, everyone was quiet during the heated discussion. According to their commitment and regulations, everyone must approve of whatever decision they intend to make.
Wamaro was restless due to Ruyil's dominating clemency. However, Jrazm and Tatukwe were the only ones who wanted to leave and were required to get involved in the trouble.
"Somewhere along the way, caring for others, serving and helping others, this is the true meaning of life. This is what Sir Alexandre said. Whether you like it or not, Jrazm, as long as I can help, I will help him." Wamaro announced.
"Oh, Wamaro. You're always like this," Jrazm nodded.
∆•∆•∆