Athea, catching sight of his struggle, couldn't help but feel a bit proud. She gave Rei a playful grin.
Athea (grinning, teasing): Hey, Rei, since when could you burn monsters? That's pretty cool! What'd you do?
Rei, still catching his breath, looked at her with a bit of a puzzled expression.
Rei (panting, confused): I… don't know. I just… wanted to make him stop.
Athea chuckled, nudging him lightly with her elbow.
Athea (teasing): Well, whatever it was, he's freaked out! Look at him—he's hurt for real this time!
Rei gave a small, tired smile, feeling a little proud but mostly just worn out.
Rei (exhaling, trying to stand steady): Yeah, but… I don't think I can do it again. I feel… kinda empty, y'know?
The aswang, still clutching his chest, glared at them as he slowly advanced, clearly trying to intimidate them again despite his wariness.
Aswang (snarling, annoyed): You're just kids! Whatever trick you pulled… it won't work again!
Athea instinctively edged closer to Rei, her voice dropping to a cautious whisper.
Athea (whispering, worried): Rei, I don't think we can keep running like this… maybe we can… like… slow him down?
Rei gripped the stick tighter, nodding, his face serious but a little unsure.
Rei (nervous but trying to be brave): Yeah… let's try. Maybe we can keep him busy till he gets tired
The aswang, still wincing from the strange burning ache in his chest, started stalking forward. His steps were heavy at first, but soon his pace turned into a run as his twisted, hungry gaze fixed on the kids.
Rei and Athea exchanged a quick glance before taking off in opposite directions, hoping to confuse the creature. As they darted away, the aswang made his choice, snarling in frustration as he took off after Rei, ignoring Athea.
Rei (nervously, glancing back): Uh-oh… he's coming after me!
His heart pounded as he sprinted through the trees, but he was so focused on the aswang that he didn't notice the root sticking out of the ground. His foot snagged, and he stumbled forward, landing near a twisted tree with thick, thread-like vines hanging from its branches.
Rei pushed himself up and stared at the strange tree, an odd chill creeping down his spine. He'd heard rumors about these kinds of trees before—the balete trees, the kind that always seemed to have a story behind them.
The aswang skidded to a halt as he saw Rei stumble. A twisted grin spread across his face as he stepped closer, savoring the moment.
Aswang (gleeful, sneering): Hah! Nowhere left to run, little one. Didn't think you'd get away that easy, did you?
He took a slow, deliberate step forward, his eyes gleaming with hunger.
Aswang (mocking): You made this too easy. Thought you could just run? I'll enjoy every second of this.
Rei (whispering, a bit spooked): Sorry, tree... uh, I need a little help here.
With a quick, desperate move, he grabbed a handful of the thread-like vines and gave them a solid tug, hoping to make some kind of trap. As he yanked them loose, he murmured an apology under his breath.
Rei (quietly, pulling the threads): Please don't be mad… I promise I'll fix it later!
As the aswang's gaze darted to the threads in Rei's hand, he let out a low, rumbling laugh, clearly amused by Rei's desperation.
Aswang (taunting): And what are you gonna do with those? Tie me up with a few silly vines?
The creature's grin widened as he got closer, fangs bared.
The aswang lunged forward, claws swiping at Rei with a feral growl. But Rei, with a quick, fluid movement, ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the sharp claws. In a blur of motion, he looped the vine around the aswang's right wrist, pulling it tight.
Aswang (snarling): What do you think you're doing, you little pest?!
Rei smirked, his confidence growing. As the aswang swung his other arm, Rei ducked again, skillfully looping the vine around the left wrist this time, tying both arms together.
Rei (determined, under his breath): Just stay still for once, will ya?
The aswang thrashed, trying to break free, but Rei was quick, circling around him with incredible speed. With each loop, more of the vines wrapped around the aswang's torso, binding him tighter and tighter.
Aswang (frustrated, struggling): These vines won't hold me, boy! You can't—
Rei kept moving, his focus unbreakable, pulling each vine as taut as he could. Soon, the aswang's arms were completely restrained, his movements restricted as the vines dug deeper, holding him in place.
Rei (panting, a hint of triumph): Looks like you're not going anywhere.