The Girl Between Two Worlds

by Kristyn Maslog-Levis

  Lolo paused, running his hand over his head, subtly wiping a tear away. I pretended not to notice it.

  “I understood him. I knew he wasn’t a traitor. I knew his intentions were pure. But my hands were tied. In the council’s eyes, he betrayed the clan by running away to the human world and uniting with the enemy. He was exiled to the human world, stripped of his powers, never allowed to return to Engkantasia ever again, even if he ended the relationship. He never got to say goodbye to his family. The execution of his punishment was swift.”

  I felt my insides being crushed. At the same time, a seething anger ticked silently for Engkantasia’s council. I was angry with Lolo, too. But I could see he had been punishing himself over the years for the decision he made a long time ago.

  “Wasn’t that a good thing for them though?” I said, hoping for a happy ending although I knew there wasn’t one. “I mean, if he was exiled that meant they would be together in the human world.”

  Lolo nodded. “I hoped for the same thing. I wanted him exiled rather than imprisoned or killed. At least then he would have a chance of happiness. But it was too much for him to bear. All his life he had only known Engkantasia to be his home. It was where his family and friends lived and suddenly, he couldn’t see any of them anymore.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I watched him. That was all that I could do. I watched as he got worse. The healing ring helped heal him physically, but it couldn’t lift his spirit. He deteriorated. He barely ate or slept. Until one day, Mirasol found him sitting on a chair, not breathing, cheeks covered in streaks of dried tears. It angered Mirasol. She blamed us. She blamed me for what happened to him.”

  I sat there quietly, unable to comfort Lolo. My anger boiled inside me slowly. The engkanto did this to their own kind even after Arman gave years of loyal service to the throne. They cast him aside like he was nothing. They broke his heart all because of their own fears and antiquated laws. In the end, all Lolo could do was watch.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Harris Family Statement

  We would like to thank those who supported our efforts to look for Marie, even when everyone else had given up hope of finding her alive.

  We are very happy to finally have her back with us and we request for some privacy at this very sensitive time in our lives.

  We want to thank the Filipino-American community for their continued support. Now, our family is finally complete.

  L olo and the clan leaders decided against leaving this world immediately. They wanted me to finish my training to make sure I would be able to control my abilities after they had left. We spent the rest of the week training from morning till nightfall. Mark and Alyssa visited every day after school, bringing me schoolwork. Alyssa joined me with the fight sessions, learning from each other. Mark gave up trying to learn how to fight. Instead, he focused on perfecting the gadgets. We were always on alert, watching the videos we planted at Jason’s house for any signs of attack.

  I focused on everything on my plate, kept myself busy. But every item, every movement, every photo reminded me of Jason. I didn’t hear from him after that night. I didn’t know if the dark clans found out, if his mother punished or tortured him. I knew he was alive. I could feel it. In a way, I looked forward to their attack. At least I would see him again.

  On my last day of training, I decided to go to school to pick up the contents of my locker. I didn’t know why I was expecting to be treated differently now that Mama was back, but I was disappointed to find that the students at school still gave me a wide berth. I took out my things and waited for my friends outside.

  Although I knew it was dangerous, I told my parents I would be walking home from school with Alyssa and Mark. Serra and the rest of the clan leaders set up checkpoints to ensure I got home safely but they kept their distance. We stopped by McDonalds for some ice cream cones and fries. By the time we headed for home, the sun was already setting, drowning the horizon with hues of orange and red.

  We didn’t talk much on the way home. I told them of Mama’s decision to take on the throne. I mentioned the catch, too—that she could never come back. Already Engkantasia’s scouts had been deployed to search for others that needed to be pulled back into their realm. Only the dark clans were left, including Mirasol. And Jason.

  I shook my head, trying to stop myself from thinking about him. Mark and Alyssa were uncomfortable with what we were doing. There was an underlying fear with our afternoon out. So very unlike the carefree nights we used to have. They never left my side at school. They had both been carrying salt and ash in their bags after searching information on how to defeat our enemies.

  According to some old folks, putting ash on the lower half of a manananggal would stop her from reconnecting with her body. It wouldn’t kill her but when the sun rose and she was still disconnected, she would burn and die.

  As for the salt, Google said if anything from Engkantasia ingested food with salt, it could never return to its world. If it were in its world and it ate something with salt, it would die.

  But how would you convince a vicious monster to eat salty food? Throw salt and vinegar chips into its jagged mouth? Plus, how would you find the lower half of a manananggal? By the time you found it, the manananggal would have probably beaten you to it. It was futile, but it gave them a bit of confidence so I didn’t say anything about it.

  I was about to make some lame joke to lighten up the mood when I felt the familiar jolt. My senses told me there was danger nearby. I didn’t know how many. All I knew was that I was suddenly very much aware of the threat. I looked up to see the Kapre king on alert. We were close to his post and he also sensed something was coming.

  Before I could decide what to do next, I heard a woosh of something big aimed at our heads. I yanked Alyssa and Mark down on the ground with me just in time to see a huge goat-like creature coming toward us. It was either its tail or tongue that almost hit us.

  “Get up, hurry!” I pulled my friends up and pushed them in the direction of my house, running through back roads. The sun had already set, leaving a strange blue hue in the sky. I turned around to see Kamudo behind us. I heard the thumping of large hooves behind Kamudo. From the sky there was a sound of large wings and a loud cry that sounded like a screeching birdcall.

  Then I saw it. An ugly flying bat that looked like a manananggal except for its whole body. A sharp pain sliced my shoulder. The creature’s talons ripped through my flesh. I fell on the ground, blood soaking my clothes. I had to get up, save my friends. I turned around. It was coming back to finish me off. Its long tongue whipped out, hitting Alyssa on the face. She screamed in pain and fell to the ground.

  “No!” I swerved, raising my hands, aiming at the creature. A flash of light came out of my hands, hitting the monster in the chest, hurling it across the sky. I felt Kamudo’s huge hands lifting the three of us, jumping from tree to tree until we reached my house. We fell on to each other, huddling together as the monster goat ran toward us. It hit the protective wall Lolo put up and screamed as its flesh burned. The creature whimpered away, snarling at us before disappearing into the darkness.

  “Karina, are you okay?” Mama said, dashing out of the house.

  “I’m fine, Mama, it’s just a scratch. Help Alyssa first.”

  Kamudo picked up Alyssa and we walked inside the house, gathering in the living room. Mama closed the curtains and turned off the lights, protecting us from prying eyes in case they were still out there watching. The clan leaders gathered around us, healing our wounds. I looked over to Mark to make sure he was okay.

  “Only scratches and bruises, don’t worry,” he said, managing a nervous smile.

  Lolo sat down on the floor next to me, looking very concerned.

  “What happened, Kamudo?” he asked the Kapre King.

  “The attack was planned. It wasn’t intended to kill her. They wanted to know how powerful she is and if she’s a threat to them,” Kamudo replied in his deep voice. />
  “Do you know who it was?” asked Serra.

  “It was Segunda and Kurnula.”

  “They were the ones we caught on camera that night we saved your mother, weren’t they?” Mark said. He had finally stopped shaking.

  I nodded.

  Lolo turned to my mother and asked her to take Mark and Alyssa to the kitchen.

  “No, I’m staying here,” Mark’s raised voice was a surprise to everyone. He had been the most Zen one since all of the chaos started but after the attack I couldn’t blame his outburst. “It’s our lives, too. We almost died out there. I know you said they didn’t target to kill Karina, but what about us? It seemed like they were fine making us collateral damage.”

  He was right. They wanted to see my reaction when they targeted Alyssa and I didn’t hesitate to strike back. The attacks on my friends would have been fatal had I not intervened. Lolo stood to face everyone.

  “The leaders of the dark clan will be attacking, probably tonight. We need to get ready. If anyone wants to leave, do so now.” No one moved.

  “Are all the dark clans friends or something?” Alyssa said, holding my hand.

  “They were never friends and they will never be friends, but they know the threat and I assume they’ll fight for the throne once the dust has settled,” Serra said.

  “I fear that there may be more dire news, your highness,” Gulat remarked, approaching the group.”

  “What else have you heard?” Mama asked Gulat.

  “I’ve heard from my sources that they are preparing to attack the palace. They’ve banded together in Engkantasia, waiting for the signal from their leaders in the human world. Once the word is out that we’ve been defeated, they will attack and take over the kingdom.”

  Pili, who had been silent for a while, approached Lolo. “Some elements from the light and dark clans have been looking into the human world, trying to assess the situation.”

  “And?” Lolo asked.

  Pili sighed and looked at Mama. “The scariest rumor is that the male manananggal’s power is more developed than we initially thought. So much so that even the leaders of the dark clans fear him.”

  He was definitely alive. I didn’t know whether to be scared or be proud of Jason. If they won, he’d certainly be chosen as king of Engkantasia. In a way, I didn’t feel too bad about that happening. I felt the good in him, even when he was in monster form. But then again, how much control does his mother have over him?

  “Father, we have to do this tonight. We know where they are. We’re ready to do this. We need to finish this now before anything else happens,” Mama pleaded with Lolo.

  “You’re right. We know where they are and we have the advantage of not being vulnerable in the sun. We leave close to dawn and attack them just when they’re getting ready to rest,” I said, feeling a great desire to pummel something to the ground.

  “You’re staying here with Alyssa and Mark,” Mama said to me.

  “No! It’s either I come with you guys or I go on my own.”

  “We’re not staying either,” Alyssa said, wincing a bit from her wound. I admired my friends’ resolve to help even if it meant the possibility of death. I understood why they wanted to help. This was their world, too. If we lose, they lose.

  Mama hugged me, tears in her eyes. This was ripping our family apart and I was going to make sure I caused as much pain to our enemies as I could.

  Lolo faced the group. He seemed so much more regal tonight.

  “I know you all want to be part of this but I need you to listen and understand what is about to happen. These creatures are murderers. They will not hesitate to kill you when they get the chance. But they have vulnerabilities as well. Karina is right, the sun is our best weapon. We move in close to dawn and attack then. Serra will be able to sense where they are when we’re close to their hideout. Her telepathic capability will show us where to go.”

  “I want you to create a circle of defence and aid each other in the fight. You five will take on the leaders of the dark clan,” he said to the clan leaders. “Serra and Yukoy, there is a body of water near the house. Take them there and fight close to your source of strength. Karina, Marie, and I will take on Jason and his mother,” Lolo said.

  “What about me? I can’t just sit here and do thing,” Dad said.

  “Patrick, I know you want to help your family but you need to be safe so they don’t worry about you. This house is protected. Stay here with Karina’s friends and make sure they are out of harm’s way,” he said. Before Mark and Alyssa could protest, Lolo turned to them.

  “Your strength is in your minds. Use your technology to help us win this,” he told them. Mark nodded, although Alyssa looked unconvinced.

  “Take this as well,” Lolo said, handing Dad a ring with a black rock. “This is a healing rock that my people use to heal humans afflicted with illnesses from Engkantasia. You will need this to heal us when we return. None of us will have the strength to use it by the end of the fight, so it’s up to you.”

  Dad took the ring and shook Lolo’s hand. That was the closest thing to affection that they had shown each other since Lolo came to our world. Maybe things were improving in a way.

  “Prepare yourselves. We are leaving in a couple of hours. Gulat, send word to Engkantasia. Make sure they’re prepared for whatever is coming,” Lolo said before retiring to the garage. “Karina, come. We have much to do.”

  I followed Lolo to the garage with Mark and Alyssa. The last couple of weeks had been a blur of intense training, combining physical fights while channeling my abilities, summoning elements of the earth and using them as weapons in the fastest time possible. My powers had intensified in such a short span of time. Lolo said it was because of my emotions, although he was also not sure because he had never trained anyone like me before. He revealed that initially he thought my powers wouldn’t be as strong since I wasn’t a full engkanto, but it confused him when he realized how much I could do. I hoped it was enough to defeat them.

  “How are you doing?” Lolo asked, interrupting my thoughts.

  “I don’t know.”

  I watched Mark and Alyssa going through the case of gadgets we stashed in the garage.

  “You don’t have to face him, Karina. I can handle this myself,” Lolo said.

  “You need my help and I need to do this. I can’t keep denying that he is what he is. How do I defeat both of them? I don’t know how powerful they are, especially together.”

  “I’m giving you a different task for tonight’s attack. And I need you to remember my instructions clearly. This is crucial,” Lolo sounded even more serious than before.

  I nodded.

  “The most certain way to kill a manananggal is by destroying its lower half. It’s very hard to find and it’s usually guarded by her minions. Your mother and I will be facing Jason and his mother. I need you to find her lower half and destroy it.”

  “How do I find it? How do I destroy it?”

  “Humans always have a hard time finding the lower half of a manananggal because they don’t have our power,” Lolo said. “You have that now. You will be able to sense where it is and all you have to do is use your powers and burn it. Their lower half is not powerful like their torsos. It remains in human form and can be destroyed like you would a human. By burning it, you ensure it can never be reformed.”

  Lolo opened one of the drawers in the garage, taking out a thin branch-like stick engraved with signs I did not understand. Lolo gave it to me and it glowed in my hand.

  “I made this from an old tree in Engkantasia. It was a gift I made to give to your mother before she left our world. But I think you’ll need it more.”

  I took the piece of wood in my hand, feeling no weight at all. I felt a bit like Hermione from Harry Potter and although I was scared, I almost smiled at the thought.

  “What does it do, Lolo?”

  “It’s a weapon that only works when used by our bloodline. You can transform it into any weap
on you want, a sword, a spear, a bow, and arrow.”

  “Any weapon? What about a machine gun or nunchuck, or ninja stars?”

  “I don’t know what those things are so I’m unsure if it can be done. Just to be safe, you might want to stick to the weapons we’ve been using for training. Shall we try it?”

  We spent the next two hours practicing with the stick from Engkantasia. It was an amazing creation. It turned into whatever weapon I needed, even a battleaxe. When I didn’t need it anymore, it shrank back into an ordinary stick.

  We all sat together around the fireplace after we finished with the training. Lolo said we needed to rest before we went out. I laid my head on Mama’s lap while she stroked my hair like she used to when I was a little girl. It felt like my last moment with Mama.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  MAMA’S DIY

  ENGKANTASIA BOOK

  Nuno sa Punso

  The nuno sa punso is a goblin who lives underground and within lumps of soil. It can give humans who step on its shelter good luck or bad luck. Strange and sudden illnesses that befall humans are sometimes attributed by the superstitious to a nuno, and most of the time they are right. The nuno’s spit is deadly to humans. It can use it to defend themselves.

  The nuno can curse trespassers. People who arrogantly destroy the nuno’s home and disrespect it become victims of curses. The curse can have the following symptoms:

  Extreme body pain in focused areas of the body

  Vomiting blood or puss

  Urinating black liquid

  Excessive hair growth on the back

  I woke up on the couch with a blanket over me. Dad, Mark, and Alyssa were sleeping on the floor. Mama was sitting near the fireplace, staring at the dying embers. The silence in the house was eerie. I didn’t feel secure being here even with the clan leaders watching over us. Somehow it felt wrong to be just sitting around and waiting. I stood up to go outside for some fresh air.