A day has passed after the incident. The horrifying look of the creature still lingers in his mind; he cannot take it off. He is thinking about how he can kill it. He plans to practice in secret.
In the forest, he created a little hut near the frozen water in times like this that he will practice in secret. He went inside his little hut and started meditating; he is trying to check his stream of energy. In his head, he asked how can he use another element considering that he has not mastered the earth element. Perhaps if I practice every day, it will naturally let another stream of energy flow.
"Alright! I have decided to enhance my earth element first." He sounded so positive and confident however, he does not know what to do. In a spark of seconds, a chemical and electrical reaction in his brain flares the idea of creating a wall or shield for his defense. He remembered his fight with the aswang when he was beaten badly therefore a shield is the best skill to learn.
He started thinking of what shape his shield will be. A number of ideas emerge but which of these will he materialize? A stream of energy is flowing throughout his body as he visualizes his shield. He thought of a spherical shield as it is the basic shape he can think of. In the middle of materializing a flash of memory appeared and he got mad at it; he remembered the aswang and he said **** it.
A shield has been shaped but to his surprise, it is more fascinating than a circle. A hand is shaped and a middle finger is raised like telling something to someone.
"Whoa! How did it become like this?" He cannot deem it possible to be shaped as it is unthinkable; the difficulty he had when he was creating a clay ball still lingers. Was it because he got used to using earth element while creating bricks, pots, clay balls, and jars that he easily created this?
In the distance, Lihangin is watching him and laughing. "Let me play with you first." As he is thinking of some wicked pranks for Dodong.
Dodong started visualizing a spherical shield again using his earth element. Everything went well; he is focused on what he wants to materialize. At that time, the god played a prank in making him feel like he is about to poop. Suddenly, the shape of poop materialized instead of a circular shield. Dodong is annoyed. He is almost there in materializing it but he is always distracted by some thoughts.
He rested first and tried to let out his frustration since he has been there practicing for hours. he tried to poop but nothing comes out. It is like a war considering that he is forcing it to come out however nothing comes out. It becomes more annoying for the reason that it is the cause of his resting. "Ahhhh! I hate it" and he continued his war forcing it out.
"That feels great." everything is good and he is all set for another round of practice. This time, he really wants to successfully shape it. It is almost shaped however Lihangin played another prank. The beauty of the woman appears in front of her which makes him stunned as he smiles like an idiot. Dodong wants to give her flowers, a sign of adoration. Then he becomes aware that he is in practice but this time a rose is shaped.
He does not know how to react. It was a beautiful imagination for him. He continued practicing once again. This time, Lihangin makes him think of someone attacking him; a spur of thought helps Dodong materialize the shield he wanted. He does not want to be stabbed.
He successfully created a shield that he can use.
"How is it?" An unfamiliar voice asks him.
He turned around and saw a man; he has pretty eyes and brown skin; he is tall and handsome. He got surprised by the sudden appearance of this man.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Do not be afraid. I am Lihangin the god of the wind. I took a liking to your personality. You love your villagers and you want to protect them." Lihangin stated with sincerity.
"You made development in your village because you want them to live a good life, am I right?" He added. He wants to make him feel acquainted and less defensive. Dodong is on guard because he is a stranger and he might stab him or whatever.
"I came here to help you. While passing by, I saw that there was a creature that haunts your village. This is the reason why you are practicing." He wishes to convince Dodong that he has good intentions. He pulled out his gift and give it to Dodong.
He is bewildered at the thing in front of him, the gift of a god. It is a pair of wings that has iridescent shades of blue and green. A lovely pair of wings that will make any person dazzled at the moment they gaze; it is indeed a work of a god.
Lihangin promised him that nothing will happen in his village during the entire month of his practice. The god will protect his village but after the duration of one month, whether he has good fruits from his practice or not the god will no longer meddle.
At that time, Dodong is energized to practice well. For the whole month, the god will be there supervising his practice. At first, Lihangin teaches him how to use the wings. Lihangin attaches it to him and it became part of his body. He assures Dodong that if he thinks of it disappearing, the wings will disappear and then appear at the moment he needs them.
After their flight session, Lihangin teaches him the arrow of the wind. Lihangin uses this when he is catching some beast. A bow and arrow made from the wind. Day after day, night after night they Dodong practicing until the month ends. He is confident in his archery and his shield.
He tried catching some wild boar using his archery. His balance, coordination, reaction time, strength, and agility are good to some degree. He caught a wild boar and a deer. He was flying while catching these; he had not done it in one shot-one kill since his proficiency is on a so-so level but it is decent.
He went back to his village carrying these and sold them to the market. He rested in his room when a sudden gush of wind moved his curtains and a floating man appeared; it is Lihangin. Lihangin once more visited him and told him that he appreciate Dodong's effort and that he is right in choosing him.
"I am the god of wind and bless you that the wind will always be with you." Lihangin disappears like a wind after blessing Dodong.
The night came and the protection from the god expires. Soldiers light the torches on the road as well as on the dark alleys to secure the village.
"lalala lalala" a little girl is singing on her way home. While walking, the little girl feels the eerie atmosphere and starts running. Then a sound of flapping wings is fast approaching. She started screaming. It alerted the soldiers and Dodong opened his wings and started flying. He rushes to where the guards are heading.
In the distance, he saw a half-bodied creature flying. It is indeed a manananggal.
Manananggal separates their upper body and lower body. It hides its lower body to protect it while the upper body hunts. In order to defeat it, its lower body must be found. He flies fast chasing the manananggal.
It is now a few meters away from the child. He started aiming at it but he fears that he might hit the child.
"What should I do?" Dodong asked himself.
Somewhere far, Lihangin is watching him. He bid farewell but he did not go to the Upper Realm since he needs to find Maguayan in the Middle Realm.
"Do not let me down Dodong."