The Land In Between

C H A P T E R 4 3

Author's Note: Since tomorrow is the start of my classes, I hope y'all are ready coz I am dropping this as the final chapter, an Epilogue as well as an afterword with an announcement of where this story will go next. Thank you so much for reading <3

There is no other way to describe it; the night sky above them breaks.

It splits open like a nasty scar, and from it, a bright light spills out. It is followed by the sound of roaring thunder, loud and unforgiving like war drums. Magat continues to sob, mourning a heart fully gone even as it seems like he's being split apart by the light that hammers down on his body.

Amihan turns to Makisig, "What's happening?!" Makisig glares at Magat, arms crossed as he says "Something that even I can't interfere."

'But Makisig is a High Divinity! The High King himself! He is akin to a god, so what is this—'

Magat still sobs, but he starts to disappear. He looks down on his arms and begins to fade, and he begins to scramble. He doesn't look to be in physical pain, but his unfocused eyes trail up to the light, transfixed and focused on something everyone else couldn't hear.

Hiwaga, however, reacts and clutches at Makisig's arm, "There's no way this—" Makisig covers her hand with his in a firm yet careful grip, "This is not our call to make. If such is the will of Kaluwalhatian, it is beyond us of the Underworld."

Amihan realizes what this is. Divine punishment.

Magat slumps down and screams, before his eyes move to the side where Amihan and Banawag stood. He doesn't look resentful, nor does he look happy for them. He simply looked hollow, empty, as if whatever fight he had left was drained away.

In front of them wasn't a false god, or even a dark creature; it was a broken man. And maybe a small part of Amihan knew this brokeness was a part of the punishment.

He does not bow in the presence of a Bayog who once taught him. No, not after finding out his atrocities. But he gives a final farewell into the past guidance Magat had so graciously given him. 'May you find your peace, but may that peace be far, far away from us.'

The last of Magat disappears with the light, his lingering gaze stuck on Amihan and Banawag's direction, as he moves into another plane of existence that they have yet to understand.

And then, after a long, arduous stay in the Underworld, there is silence.

But Ligid shrieks and Amihan immediately runs. "What's wrong?!" Ligid blubbers for a bit, his thin body shaking. He points while sniffling, "Li-likha, she's..."

Manisilat was with the children throughout the time Amihan, and apparently the high heavens, dealt with Magat. Her arms wrap around Likha, whose eyes are open.

Her eyes are open. She's AWAKE!

Amihan calls, "BANAWAG, COME QUICK!" He looks back at Likha, whose face is still cracked with an iridescent sheen coming from the scar. She blinks before reaching out for Amihan, sleepily mumbling, "Ama..."

For some reason, he feels his heart break but he scoops her off of Manisilat, who had an unreadable expression. But she gives Likha away with very little fight, and Amihan thanks her. 'This means the world and beyond. Thank you.'

She doesn't respond, nor does it show in Manisilat's face that she even heard his words, but he knows that she heard him. And she still has pride as Likha's mother. Amihan will never ignore her right to that.

He turns his attention to Likha instead, "Hello, starling." He knows his voice is a little watery and definitely bordering on emotional, but he cares less about it. He feels the presence of Banawag close, the other man's hand holding close to his waist while Ligid moves to look at Likha as well. Banawag chuckles lightly but it does little to cover the sniffle he just let out, "Did you have a good rest?" He asks, almost like a tease, while gently caressing the side of Likha's face with a finger. Likha leans to the warmth, nodding slowly.