Everything went back to normal as if nothing happened. Businesses are lively and people are flocking to the village. There are some foreign traders who walked into the village. Some are Chinese traders, some are Koreans, Japanese, Arabs, and from neighborhood places. The exchange of products has been active and led to inspiring each other's cultures.
Dodong grips himself as he pushes himself to do some military training.
Sometime later, he went to the school where the children of the Maharlika and the Timawa are taught. He noticed that they are taught orally. The traditions are passed to them orally however although some are written on clay tablets or jars and pots. His people know how to count, read and write unlike what he read back then.
The Spaniards were calling the Filipinos indio or stupid. It shows that they thought Filipinos are uncivilized and illiterate. History indeed is written by the victors. Now that he is here, he doesn't want this to happen in his village so he thought of writing all the laws they have on paper and the literature that are passed orally. However, the problem is the acquisition of paper; it is problematic since paper is so expensive to buy.
He realized that he watched youtube videos about making paper in his previous life so he uses this information to make paper. He went to the forest together with his men to look for a type of wood that can be used in making paper. In the forest, his people were cutting different kinds of branches and showing him if they are the wood that he is looking for but no one has presented him with the right wood. Its texture should not be so hard.
"We should head deeper into the woods." He told his people as they marched deeper. Along the way, something feels wrong. He felt that they keep on walking the same road. His people didn't notice it but he has this sixth sense when it comes to direction. Maybe it was because of his dream that night.
He remembered what his mother told him when she was telling him about the creatures in their mythology. "The tikbalang, a half-human half-horse creature is known for mischief. They are playing with the people who are in the forest and made them lose their sense of direction. In order to get out of the enchantment, they need to wear their shirts inside out.
He ordered his men to take off their clothes. "You should take off your clothes and wear them inside out so that they cannot play with you. They would know that you are aware of your existence."
"Take off your clothes now and wear them inside out." He commanded his men and told them to be polite when they were walking. They are now inside the woods at the center of the forest. He believed that they are not the only living creatures there; that the myths are true. They were silent throughout the day as they cut some branches.
Dodong is aware of other creatures and respects them. Since he is in the territory of those beings, there is no way he will misbehave. Who knows what they will do, right? He doesn't know the abilities of those beings. Are there only tikbalang or even diwatas here? Diwata are gods or goddesses in the Middle World but in the lower ranked. They are sometimes referred to as dryads.
Will there be a Kapre in the forest? Kapre is a mythical creature that may be described as a tree giant, a tall, dark-colored, hairy, and muscular creature. Kapres are also said to have a very strong body odor and to sit in tree branches to smoke.
Since they cannot find the right wood that he is looking for, he just accepted his help hoping that he is not an evil god who will ask for something in return.
The surroundings became dark suddenly; fireflies formed two lines in front of the biggest tree and lit the surroundings with their body as if they were waiting for someone to welcome them. A foot suddenly appears in front of the tree and the grass grows so that the foot will not be hurt. They were afraid and wanted to run but their bodies were frozen.
Then a beautiful woman dressed in blue linen-like a gown amazes the seers. The fireflies bowed down and the trees hummed. The wind is gusting and the animals that are there knelt down. Behind the woman are two tikbalang holding two big branches. These branches are what he is looking for.
The people bowed down as they saw the goddess. They gave her worship and admiration. Dodong is wondering and thinking about asking the name of the goddess since he is not familiar with all the gods in this world. Is this goddess related to the god I spoke to before? Or does she know of Santonilyo?
Dodong bowed down and welcomed the arrival of the goddess. The goddess asked the tikbalang to hand the branches to him. They are not allowed to approach the goddess for they are lowly beings.
The gods actually want to socialize with the people in the Middle Realm however they need to have some distance. When they have time, they usually dress up like humans, hide their godly aura, and socialize with them. However, in this situation distance is needed to show respect for their authority.
When the branches were handed, the goddess immediately disappeared and everything went back to normal. The tikbalang reminded them not to approach the woods if they don't want to die. They only gave them these branches because the supreme being asked them to. These branches are part of the sacred tree of the diwata located at the eye of the forest that no man can ever set foot, only if they are permitted by the diwata.
When they are about to return, a little diwata showed up and handed him a little seed.
"Here, I know you want to use these branches for your village and I saw your concern to the people. You are thoughtful and all you wanted is to develop your village's lifestyle." Dodong is touched by those words.
"This is not the sacred tree but it can help you create what you desire." the little diwata added as she vanished in the air.
The sacred tree is where the diwatas or deities live. Just imagine elves living in the forest; diwatas too have this kind of palace.
They went back home with terror and awe as they witnessed the appearance of a goddess. Gods do not easily appear to the people unless they want to. Dodong was so curious to know who that goddess is. He still remembers the authority the goddess exudes even though she didn't speak to them.
He remembers that the tikbalang mentioned that she is a supreme god. That was the reason why he was trembling in fear. The aura of the goddess is terrifying and it was almost suffocating. He thought that maybe she is powerful like Zeus. Dodong knows Greek mythology yet doesn't know Filipino mythology. This is hilarious because he is Filipino. What are they studying?
As much as he wants to know each of the gods, he does not have the energy to them at the moment since they are not part of his plan. So he focused on his plan on making paper. "If that god who gave me power will appear, I will ask him" he is thinking of asking him while he is making paper. After a week, he has made pieces of paper that can be compiled to make a book.
He asked his people to look for charcoal in every kitchen in the household because he will be making ink. When everything was set, he began to write on the paper. His people stare at him while he is writing and they are astounded with curiosity; they wanted to try it too. However, the pieces of paper are limited and they can only get it if the goddess permits. Dodong asked the Paratabgaw in the village to write all their laws on paper and if there are some pieces of paper left, they will write some of their literature.
He remembers that a little diwata gave him a seed. He takes it out and looks at it. "What kind of tree is this?" he asked himself while looking for a place to plant it. He went to his little backyard and planted it. As soon as he watered the seed, it sprouted immediately and grew quickly turning into a tree. He was taken aback by this magical phenomenon. Magic is indeed real and so are gods.
"Hooray! I will no longer worry about going to the forest to find trees for paper. The forest is very dangerous." He is talking to himself like an idiot.
"Thank you goddess" he exclaims.
Hiram passed by and notice his friend talking to himself. However, he kept on walking because he has to go to the fields since their crops are about to be harvested. Hiram is noticing a change in his body like he doesn't feel exhausted when working. It is as if a god blesses him everyday. Little did he know that a god is watching him and favors him.
<< ----Back at the goddess' dwelling --- >>
"Have you handed the branches to that man? He is quite peculiar isn't he?" says the goddess who hides her presence even Kaptan cannot find her. The goddess who met with Dodong bowed her head with respect to the goddess and answered "Yes Maguayan". The reason why Maguayan has permitted to give the branches is that she is fond of Amaya the little sister of Dodong.
"Hahahahaha! We will see each other again my dear". The laughter of Maguayan can be heard in the entire forest. The birds flew out of fear and the other animals knelt down. They thought that the goddess is angry.
<< ----- Lihangin ----- >>
Lihangin passed by the village of Dodong and saw him talking to the tree. He realized that the tree resembles the sacred tree of the diwata in this Middle Realm. He wanted to talk to him however he still have to visit his sister Lidagat at the sea. He also noticed a hint of power from the goddess of the sea in the village.
He looked around and saw Amaya, the sister of Dodong. There is a blessing of the goddess of the sea in her.
"Is it Lidagat? Does she favor her? Or is it mom?" He is wondering why is she blessed by the sea goddess. Was it from her sister or from her mother?