The Land In Between

C H A P T E R 2 9

"Why is she shattering?!" Amihan almost bowls over trying to reach Likha, but the little girl shows no sign of disturbance, even by his loud exclamation. Hiwaga also reaches for Likha, hands cupping her face as if she's trying to hold her together. Her face, usually so set in confidence, is now almost stunned in near terror. "Th-the spell is safe! I don't know why she's—"

More cracking. More damning, damning cracking.

The door bursts open and the barrier shatters. Hiwaga mutters, "Fuck." She summons her pira sword once more, pointing it at the intruder. Once she sees the sheepish face of Makisig, she doesn't even hesitate throwing the curved sword straight towards his face. Unsurprisingly, Makisig catches the sword by its blade, not even bleeding. She spats at him, "IF YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY, I WILL CASTRATE YOU!"

Letting out an apologetic, if a little nervous, laugh, Makisig relents and gives back the sword. "Right, right. I'm sorry. My apologies." His eyes then trailed to Likha and gravely asked, "How long has she been shattering?" Hiwaga, letting go of her anger for more pressing matters, answers dutifully. "Ever since Amihan has awoken."

"Has she not woken once?"

"No, your Majesty."

Makisig looks at their little group before sighing, "This is a little off record, but given the circumstance, I think I can give some leeway." He gestures with his arms and Likha gets passed onto Makisig. Amihan, still in an odd state of shock, can't help but remember the bloodthirsty High King of Darkness in Adhika's memories. He takes a step forward, trying to stop the transfer. His body shakes a bit in fear, and everyone immediately notices.

Makisig looks at him in concern, "What's wrong, Amihan?" Amihan takes a slow steady breath before swallowing the knot in his throat, slowly building along with the fear and awe of the man in front of him. "I-I...w-what do you plan to do to her?"

The skepticism in his voice leads to Makisig's face twisting into confusion. "I plan to pass on some of my energy to stabilize her, like I've done with Ligid." 'His answer seems honest enough.' Amihan thinks. Still, it takes some considerable effort to relax away from Makisig and retreat closer to Banawag, who had been closely observing them for a while. "What's wrong?" He whispers to the shell of Amihan's ear, tucking a piece of Amihan's hair back.

Amihan shakes his head, "It's stupid." Banawag retracts, crossing his arms. "But it's bothering you. So, tell me." Glancing meaningfully into his eyes, and knowing that Banawag won't let it go until Amihan tells him, Amihan relents. "Makisig can be...quite terrifying, if he wishes to be." He confesses.

Banawag blinks, "Did Likha see that?" Amihan shrugs, as he turns his body to look at the little girl. Still unconscious but the cracks on her face no longer grew as he could feel Makisig sending in energy into her still form. Amihan can see the solid concern on Makisig's face as he tries stabilizing Likha as his initial fear slowly starts to fade. "Not really." Amihan begins, as he leans into Banawag's side. "Her soul did see it but I doubt she'd remember it now, since 'Likha' wasn't technically born yet." Amihan bites his lip, "And I'm thankful for that. Even though she was hidden for the worst portions of it, the sounds and...just the general sensations weren't pleasant."

Banawag looks down a bit on his wonderful lover before slinging an arm around his shoulders, "I see." He says as he too looks at Makisig in a critical lens. "And had Makisig threatened her?" Amihan immediately shakes his head, "W-well, no. But he was quite good at intimidating the Lower Divinities." 'A little too good, one might say.'

They all stay still until Makisig slows down his transfer of energy down into a tiny trickle of light. He turns to look at Amihan, and asks with a genial smile "What have you learned thus far?"