As Luis and Tito make their way through the dense jungle, they come across a clearing where a group of people are gathered around a fire. As they approach, an elderly woman with a kind smile greets them and introduces herself as a babaylan, a spiritual leader of the Tagalog people.
The babaylan senses something special in Luis and invites him to sit with her by the fire. She tells him stories of the babaylans of old, who were revered for their ability to communicate with spirits and perform healing rituals. She explains that babaylans were often feared as well, for their powers were seen as mysterious and even dangerous.
Luis is intrigued by the babaylan's words and asks her how he can become a babaylan himself. She tells him that it is not a path to be taken lightly, but if he is willing to learn, she will be his guide.
Over the next few days, the babaylan teaches Luis about the different types of spirits that inhabit the world, from the benign anitos to the mischievous duwende. She shows him how to communicate with them and how to use herbs and other natural materials to perform healing rituals.
Luis is fascinated by everything he learns and feels a deep connection to the natural world around him. As he spends more time with the babaylan, he begins to sense a power within himself that he never knew existed.
One night, the babaylan takes Luis to a nearby sacred site where they perform a ritual to honor the ancestors and ask for guidance on their journey. As they chant and offer gifts to the spirits, Luis feels a deep sense of peace and connection to something greater than himself.
As they make their way back to their campsite, Tito tells Luis about the Babaylan Code, a set of values and guidelines that babaylans follow. The code emphasizes respect for nature, community, and the interconnectedness of all things. Luis is impressed by the code's wisdom and decides to adopt it as his own.
Over the next few days, Luis grows more comfortable with his powers and uses them to help those in need. He performs healing rituals for a sick child in a nearby village and helps a farmer communicate with the anitos to improve his crops.
As Luis becomes more attuned to the natural world, he also becomes aware of the dangers that come with being a babaylan. Tito tells him stories of babaylans who were persecuted or misunderstood by those who feared their powers.
Luis starts to understand the weight of responsibility that comes with being a babaylan and how he must use his powers wisely. He realizes that his journey may not only be about finding a way home but also about using his newfound abilities to help others and preserve Philippine culture.
As the sun sets on their final day with the babaylan, Luis feels a sense of gratitude and reverence for all that he has learned. He knows that he still has much to learn, but he is excited to continue his journey and see where it takes him next.