It has been a week since he came to this land. Out of curiosity, he asked his father why they were here in the mountains. Usually, people live near bodies of water for easy access to food and transportation. His father replied that they came from Cebu and that they are nobility who serve under Rajah Humabon. However, they chose to sail and look for another place to live. So they built a BIROCO, a boat made for more than 100 people. When they arrived at this land, they chose to stay in the mountains for fear that they might be attacked or some men of Rajah Humabon would chase them. The mountain has a high altitude and sometimes has cold temperatures and they like it. After hearing it, he thought they were fugitives. Funny as it seems but they are not fugitives.
Getting used to the village, He is exercising, running, jogging, and helping his villagers build their houses. The villagers notice that Dodong is somewhat weird in the sense that he is doing things that are new to them. "What is he doing?" They are pertaining to his exercise. He is stretching his body. His aim is to be in sync with the body and make himself stronger. He knows that he is given magic but he doesn't know how to use it yet so the possible thing to do is get stronger. He also went hunting with his father to improve his strength and agility.
He did not care about what people thought; all he thinks is getting stronger and how to build a toilet influenced by modern style. Of course, he needs to have a toilet bowl. He knows that he needs to have a toilet bowl but how to mold it? In making a toilet, first, he needs to have a place for it. Second, he needs to dig so that it will store the poops they flush. Lastly, he needs to make a toilet bowl. The first and second requirements are easy but how can he make the third requirement?
He looks around his village and notices that they only have bamboo, wood, nipa, talahib, some exchanged pots and sundang (exchange means trade or barter), some sharp tools, a machine for weaving, and others; nothing can be used to make a toilet bowl. Since the villagers know how to make bricks and pots out of clay, he took advantage of it.
He asked the elderly who knows pottery to try making a brick. Since this is their first time hearing the word, they don't know how to do it. He wants to show what a brick is but doesn't know how to make it. Suddenly, he felt a stream of heat around his body like a stream of lava through his veins. He went to a corner and sat down to concentrate; he doesn't want the elders to worry. He is experiencing excruciating pain but he doesn't want to show any worrying expression. He closed his eyes and feel the stream of heat. Upon in great meditation, he saw the colors of these streams, so many bright colors like a rainbow of streams dazzlingly flowing. However, he noticed that the brown color is richer than the other colors and seems to be freely flowing in his entire body. Some colors stream only around his heart in a circular manner. He doesn't know what it means but he believes that this brown stream in his veins is something he has for now.
"How's my gift to you? Do you like it?" A voice in his head said.
"Is it you again?" Robert replied.
"Correct, this is me. Do you remember that I promised to give you magic?" The god asked.
"Well, sort of?" He replied
"I am giving it to you now."
"How do I use this? What are these colors?" He asked.
"These colors represent elements. As you can see, there are many streams of colors yet only streams of brown freely flows in your entire body. This means that you can only use the element of Earth for now. You need to unlock the other streams on your own." The god stated.
"So how can I use this element? He again asked.
"Just visualize the things in your head and then let the stream flows on your hand and create what you have visualized. However, this is not easy since you are not accustomed to this power yet." The god explained.
"I see. Thank you so much." Robert is ecstatic at the situation and is excited to try out his magic.
"My time is up, I still have things to do. It's time to say goodbye." The god hastily said his goodbye.
"Wait a moment, I still don't know your name. May I know who his majesty is?" Out of his curiosity, Robert asked with great will. He doesn't know the Philippine gods and goddesses; he only knows Bathala.
"In time, we will meet in person. But for now, enjoy your life and make the best out of it." The god can no longer be heard.
In the upper realm, the gods have gathered together for a meeting. It is very concerning that needs all the gods' opinions. "Where have you been father? We have been waiting for you. You know we don't have much time, right?" Lihangin, one of the major gods asked his father Kaptan. As the supreme god, Kaptan is the center of the gathering. "Where is your mother?" Kaptan is referring to Maguayan who is also a supreme god. She is the goddess of the sea and death. "We don't know where mom is. We have searched the whole upper realm but there's no hint of her." Lihangin said. Lihangin is the god of the wind who controls the weather; he is the eldest son of the two supreme gods. "If she is not here, then go to the middle world or to the underworld. We need her." Kaptan is furious. The middle world refers to the world of the mortals and the underworld is where Maguayan ferried the dead souls.
Kaptan started the meeting since the other gods has some things to do. "So when will this creature appear?" Kaptan asked the gods. Lihangin replied that according to their estimation, they only have a hundred years but it might be earlier than that. This creature is so big that it can even harm the gods. "This creature is like the dragon in the past or maybe this is the dragon that has been in hiding after the war," Lihangin stated. The other gods were in panic and murmurs can be heard in the entire hall. "Is he referring to BAKUNAWA?" a certain god asked the other gods. Bakunawa is a dragon that ate the moon. There was a time when the Middle World was dark at night since the moon was eaten. "This creature is hideous and we need to kill it. If only Maguayan is here, she knows how to kill it or restrain it." gods murmured. Kaptan is mad since the gods are panicking. He might be able to kill it but they need to prepare. There might be some other gods behind that creature. So they really need the help of Maguayan as a supreme god. This creature might destroy the middle world.
<< —--------- the middle world —---------- >>
Robert started practicing magic in a place far from his village. He goes to the forest every afternoon to meditate, visualize, and accustom to the flow of magic. He visualizes a ball of clay in his hand. He let the magic flow in his hand but he can't control it. Streams rushed so fast and the ball of clay burst. Mud flew all over his face. He is quite drained after that. He realized that if he overuse his magic, he will be drained and get tired. He rested for an hour and started practicing. He tried to control the flow however, when he started to let it flow towards his hands, an unstoppable gush of stream flowed. He panics for the same mistake might be made again. He started breathing calmly and tried to control the flow. The sudden rush of streams suddenly becomes peaceful. So, he visualized a ball of clay once again. He felt that this is going to be successful. A ball of clay is created however the magic becomes wild again and then the clay burst. It's failure again. He repeated many times that day but he never succeeded.
A week went by and Robert became used to the flow of magic so once again he tried to create a ball of clay. He meditated and breathe calmly. A ball of clay is finally created and his magic flow is normal. He tried to shoot it on the tree near him and it succeeded. Of course, the force is weak. He repeatedly created the ball of clay that day until it becomes very easy to make. He also practiced how much magic to put in to have a better impact when he cast it. He wants to make it his offense.
He's been going in the forest lately and his best friend noticed it. Hiram is his childhood best friend, the son of a Maharlika in their village. One afternoon when Robert is about to sneak out, Hiram straightforwardly asked him "Where are you going? You have been sneaking out of the village lately." Robert is caught off guard and replied that he is just practicing hunting. Hiram didn't buy it. "Where are your tools? Bows? Bamboo spear? Anything?" he asked since Robert is sneaking out without carrying anything. "Oh about that, I have placed it in the forest so that I won't have to carry it every day." He replied. Hiram can't reason with him any longer so he just believes him. He needs to return home since his father might get mad. "Be careful, okay?" Hiram worriedly said. "I will." He replied.
In the forest, he made sure that no one is around then he started practicing. He wants to create a brick today. He started practicing since he only have a few hours before the sun sets. Finally, he created one before the sun sets. It's getting darker now so he rushed home. While walking, he noticed something is tailing him however he didn't give attention to it since he was near his village.
Morning comes and the sun rises; he called the potters and presented it to them. The potters were shocked because Robert is the son of the Datu and he has never tried pottery so how did he make such brick? "Dong, how did you make it? You never tried it before." one of the potters asked. He doesn't know how to answer it so he said that a god made it for him saying that this will help their village. He can't remember their gods so he didn't specify which god is it. "It's probably Likalibutan, the god of the world (pertaining to earth). We need to show our gratitude to him." the potters uttered. "Who might that be?" A question that can be seen on his face. The potters instantly went to their respective places and started to copy the shape, size, and texture of the brick. Since this is similar to the pots they made, it was easy for them.
"I can't wait to see it!" He exclaimed in his mind. He is dreaming of a road that is made of bricks since their village is muddy and he hates it. Soon the potters trained many alipin to create bricks under his instruction. He let them make many bricks and instructed them to pile them up in the warehouse. He actually asked some men to build a warehouse; he instructed them what kind of house is it. It only has posts or pillars and a roof but it can shed anything including livestock.
While the potters and alipin are busy making bricks, he continued his practice. Now he can shoot this ball of clay within meters range and it can knock down a wild boar. Since he already mastered it, he begins creating a toilet bowl. It really feels good sitting when you are called by nature. Forcing out your poop and the splash of water on your butt when the poop meets the water is so good to feel. (Robert even imagines this means that ancient toilet is not his type) << —-- chuckles —-- >>
He finally made a toilet bowl but it's soft. It is easily ruined when someone sits on it. He believes that practice makes perfect so does it every day.
After a month, he finally did it. A hard toilet bowl yet smooth to sit on is dazzling in his eyes. He cried saying he put his life into making it. He is very emotional. Also on that day, the potters said that they already finished making a thousand bricks. Hearing this makes him want to jump out of joy but he composed himself and then instructed some men on his project runway.
The Project Runway sounds familiar because he took it from a variety show. He taught them about roads. Pave the way and put the bricks on. He is thinking that the Romans did it so they too must make it.
The village has now entered a new phase of development. They now have pavements and roads made of bricks. They are unfamiliar with the sight but they appreciate it. They exalted the young master for his bright insight. Because of this, his father announced that they will have a big celebration later at night.
The night came and the party began. People are dancing and eating. Later at the party, his father stands and begins to speak. "My son has made a big contribution to our barangay. He made a smooth road for us which made our travel easier if we went down the mountain to trade. I will entrust education, especially on creating things (crafting) to my son from now on. Other Paratabgaw (teacher/s) should learn from him and help him in teaching the villagers (the sons and daughters of the TIMAWA are taught, alipin are usually in the households of the nobles to work but they are not limited to housework only)."
Dodong stood and thanked his father for trusting his capabilities. Then he began talking. "This is just the beginning of our prosperity. Those bricks are not only for roads, we can also use them to build houses. Are you not tired of living in a Bahay Kubo? We often change them because they withered. What if we build our house with bricks? It will last for long." The people were astounded by the idea and they began talking to each other. He stirred people's minds and imaginations. The people once again were awed by his insights and believed him. After that, the party ended.
After the party ended, villagers went back to their houses. Little did they know that something is watching them from afar.
Three months have passed and Robert already taught them how to make bricks, and plates (some of their pots are from trades). So many bricks have been made as well as jars and pots. He also taught them designs for their pots and jars. Of course, his toilet bowl should not be forgotten.
People are now beginning to build their houses out of bricks. The first one who builds their house is the Datu. Do you ever wonder how they are making it? Dodong is assigned to architecture by drawing on the soil using sticks since they have no paper or pen at that time. People were so enthusiastic about it and they didn't feel any exhaustion at all.
Another month has passed and their house is done. The house of the Datu is done. It is huge and has many rooms. The house has a living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms (master bedroom for his parents and their rooms). The roof is not made of grass rather is made of clay tiles. The toilet was also introduced when they built the house. There is a room allotted for it; it has water jars and tabo. People were in awe when they realized that the toilet bowl they made is for this use.
As part of their practices, there is a water jar beside the door so that visitors will wash their feet before entering the house. They use tabo, made of a coconut shell that has a stick on it to fetch water. This kind of house was introduced to the village and they began making houses like this. Hence the first development has been made and hygiene (pertaining to toilets) has been given importance.
Houses were finally done and he is proud of the changes he made in their barangay. Every house is made of bricks and they have water jars that they personally made and some nobles have impressive pots for decoration. Also, every house has toilets. Houses can be distinguished; Maharlikas have bigger houses than the Timawa. Of course, Datu's house is the most impressive out of them all. Alipin has no houses since they are sheltered by the nobles. Aside from big houses made of bricks, golds are everywhere. Indeed, ancient Filipinos are rich. While appreciating what he had done, he heard the soldiers shouting.
"Enemies are approaching. Be ready for the attack." The soldiers shouted to alarm the whole village.
"Oh my gosh, what should I do? The village has just undergone renovation and I don't want it to be ruined." Dodong was terrified that he would be experiencing war as well as the destruction of his effort.