First Cultivator of the Philippines

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the winding road, the night fell, and the cold air seeped into the bus. I leaned against the window, pretending to sleep, but in reality, I began cultivating. Closing my eyes, I focused on drawing the ambient energy around me into my dantian, circulating it carefully. The hum of conversation and the eerie ghost stories being shared by my classmates provided the perfect cover for my meditative state.

Eventually, the storytelling dwindled, and the bus grew quieter. A few classmates noticed something unusual and perhaps the faint ripple of energy gathering around me but they didn't ask. I sensed another presence, though, among the transfer students. Arthur, Emilia's cousin, had been observing me. Unlike Emilia, who kept her interactions minimal, Arthur's gaze was sharper. I could feel it. There was something familiar about his presence, almost like the aura of a seasoned practitioner.

China was renowned for its powerful cultivators, and I couldn't help but wonder if Arthur had some connection to that world. Still, I chose to ignore it for now and kept my focus inward.

As the hum of conversation faded, the bus was filled with the rhythmic sound of the engine and soft snores. Most of the class had dozed off, including Arthur, who leaned back in his seat, though his expression suggested he was still alert. I remained in my meditative state, but an unsettling sensation gnawed at me. It wasn't the bus's bumpy ride or the cold night air, it was something darker.

A chill ran down my spine as the atmosphere thickened. The bus felt heavier, like a weight had descended on it. My instincts screamed at me to open my eyes, and when I did, I froze. Standing in the middle of the aisle was a woman cloaked in shadows. Her silhouette flickered like a dying flame, and her face was obscured by a veil of darkness. This wasn't just any spirit. It was a Black Lady its an infamous entity said to be far more malevolent than the White Ladies whispered about in ghost stories.

The air grew colder, and the muffled sound of crying filled the bus, though it was clear none of my classmates were awake enough to notice. I gritted my teeth. Fighting her here would be disastrous. The bus was cramped, and too many innocent lives were at stake. But she hadn't come for them, her eyes, hollow and endless, locked onto me.

Before I could make a move, a low hum of energy pulsed from another seat. Jose. I glanced sideways and saw him sitting upright, his hand gripping a silver necklace. He didn't look at the spirit but instead focused on chanting something under his breath. His voice was steady, laced with authority and resolve.

The Black Lady hissed, her form rippling as if being pushed back by an unseen force. Her long, jagged fingers reached out toward me, and I instinctively gathered my energy, preparing to defend myself. Jose, however, was already ahead. With a sharp gesture, he held the necklace high, and a burst of pale blue light filled the bus.

The Black Lady recoiled, her shadowy form writhing as she let out a piercing wail. My classmates stirred slightly, some murmuring in their sleep, but the light seemed to calm them, keeping them from waking in panic. I clenched my fists, suppressing the urge to leap into action. Jose's method was working, and I didn't want to interfere.

The chanting grew louder, and the necklace glowed brighter. The Black Lady's form began to disintegrate, piece by piece, until she was nothing more than a faint wisp of darkness. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the bus returned to its usual hum as if nothing had happened.

Jose exhaled, tucking the necklace back under his shirt. He glanced at me and gave a slight nod, as if to say, "It's handled." I nodded back, but my heart still pounded. That wasn't an ordinary encounter. Something was out there, and it had marked me.

I glanced at Arthur, who seemed to have stirred during the commotion. His eyes flickered open for a moment, meeting mine, but he said nothing and closed them again, feigning sleep. Was he aware of what had just happened? If he was, he didn't show it.

Leaning back against my seat, I tried to settle my nerves. This trip was already shaping up to be far more dangerous than I'd anticipated, and we hadn't even arrived at our destination yet.

As the bus rolled to a stop at a quiet roadside rest area, everyone stirred awake, stretching and yawning. The professors announced a quick break for snacks, restroom trips, or just to stretch their legs before continuing the journey. I stepped out, my muscles stiff from sitting too long, and walked toward a shaded bench near the forest's edge.

The night air was cool, but something felt... off. The trees rustled lightly in the breeze, but it almost seemed as if the forest was whispering. I shook off the thought, chalking it up to the lingering unease from earlier.

Arthur, however, wasn't about to let me enjoy my peace. He approached with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance, standing a little too close for comfort.

"So, Jiro," he started, crossing his arms and tilting his head. "You seem awfully familiar with Emilia. Don't you think you're being a little too... forward?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "Forward? I barely talk to her," I replied, keeping my tone calm. I didn't want to escalate anything, but his confrontational stance made it hard to ignore.

Arthur scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. "Right. That's why she's always looking your way. Don't think I haven't noticed. I don't know what game you're playing, but don't get any ideas."

I frowned, my patience thinning. "Look, I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not playing any games. If Emilia looks my way, that's her business, not mine or yours."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "You're awfully cocky for someone who barely knows her. Do you think you're special or something?"

I clenched my fists but took a deep breath to keep my composure. "I'm not looking for trouble, Arthur. Maybe you should focus on yourself instead of worrying about me."

Before the tension could escalate further, Emilia stepped between us, her arms outstretched. "That's enough, both of you," she said firmly, her gaze sharp as she looked at Arthur. "Arthur, stop picking fights. And Jiro, don't let him get to you."

Arthur huffed but backed off, muttering something under his breath before walking away. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Thanks, but I can handle myself."

"I'm sure you can," Emilia said, her tone softer now. She tilted her head slightly, studying me. "You're... different, aren't you?"

I raised an eyebrow, unsure of what she meant. "Different how?"

She smiled faintly but didn't elaborate, walking off to rejoin the others. Her lingering curiosity left me uneasy, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.

The break went on, and most of the class was either eating snacks or chatting in small groups. I leaned against a tree, trying to shake the strange feeling that had been hanging over me since the bus stopped. That's when I heard it a faint sound, like laughter. At first, I thought it was just my classmates, but it was too soft, too... unnatural.

The forest seemed to shift, the trees swaying in a rhythm that didn't match the breeze. Shadows danced among the trunks, and the laughter grew louder, echoing in an almost taunting way. A chill ran down my spine.

The professors noticed the shift too. One of them clapped their hands, calling everyone to gather near the bus. "Alright, everyone, let's stick together and get back on the bus. No wandering off."

As the group assembled, someone spoke up. "Wait, where's Carlo?" It was one of my classmates, looking around nervously.

The name sent a ripple of concern through the group. Carlo was a quiet student who often kept to himself. The last anyone saw him, he had wandered toward the edge of the forest to take a phone call.

The professors exchanged worried glances before one of them called out, "Carlo! Carlo, if you can hear us, come back now!"

The laughter in the forest grew louder, and the shadows seemed to deepen. A sense of dread settled over the group, and I could feel the energy in the air shift. Whatever was in the forest, it wasn't friendly.

The professors decided to handle Carlo's disappearance with urgency and care. After a brief discussion, they announced a plan to search the forest in teams of three, emphasizing the importance of staying together for safety.

Arthur was the first to speak up, his voice brimming with confidence. "I'll go look for Carlo. I've been trained in outdoor navigation, so it shouldn't be a problem."

His words weren't entirely convincing, though. It was clear to anyone paying attention that Arthur was more interested in impressing Emilia than actually finding Carlo.

The professors, however, were not swayed. One of them, a stern-looking woman with glasses, crossed her arms and shook her head. "Absolutely not, Arthur. This is a team effort, not a solo hero moment. Besides, venturing into the forest alone is too dangerous."

Arthur's face flushed red, and he stammered, "I... I wasn't trying to be a hero."

The students around us chuckled quietly, and I couldn't help smirking a little. Emilia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly exasperated. Arthur shot me a glare, his frustration boiling over. "What are you laughing at, Jiro? You think this is funny?"

I shrugged, keeping my voice calm. "I'm not laughing, Arthur. Just focus on the task at hand."

His glare deepened, but before he could say more, the professors began dividing us into teams. Coincidentally or maybe fate had a twisted sense of humor where I ended up in a team with Jose and Emilia. Arthur, of course, noticed immediately, and I could feel his anger radiating from across the group.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, loud enough for me to hear. I ignored him, knowing that arguing would only make things worse.

Our group headed into the forest, flashlights cutting through the thick darkness. The air was heavy, and the eerie laughter from earlier seemed to linger in the distance, faint but ever-present. Jose led the way, his movements careful but confident, while Emilia stayed close to me, her eyes scanning the surroundings with curiosity and unease.

"Be on guard," Jose whispered, his voice low but firm. "This forest doesn't feel right."

I nodded, my senses on high alert. As we pushed deeper into the woods, the atmosphere grew colder, and the shadows seemed to shift unnaturally. Emilia kept glancing at me, her expression a mix of curiosity and something I couldn't quite place.

"Jiro," she said softly, "you've been quiet. What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking we need to find Carlo and get out of here," I replied, my voice steady. "This place feels... wrong."

Before she could respond, a sudden sound froze us in our tracks. It was a low, guttural growl, followed by the faint sound of a baby's cry. Jose raised his flashlight, and its beam landed on three small figures standing in the shadows.

"Tiyanaks," he hissed.

The creatures stepped into the light, their twisted, childlike faces contorted with malevolence. Behind them, in the dim glow of our flashlights, we saw the figure of the Black Lady standing silently, her long black hair covering most of her face. She pointed upward, and there, hanging from the branches of a tree, was Carlo. He was unconscious but alive, his body suspended by dark tendrils that seemed to writhe like living shadows.

Emilia gasped, her grip tightening on her flashlight. "What do we do?"

"We fight," Jose said grimly, pulling out his necklace and chanting under his breath.

I stepped forward, my fists clenched as I began circulating my energy. "Stay close and don't let them separate us."

The tiyanaks snarled and lunged at us. I moved quickly, using my movement technique to sidestep one of them and land a solid punch. The Flame Fist technique flared to life, and the creature shrieked as it was engulfed in a burst of fire. Jose's chanting grew louder, and the necklace around his neck glowed brightly, creating a barrier that blocked the Black Lady's dark tendrils from reaching us.

Emilia surprised me by staying calm, grabbing a branch from the ground and using it to fend off one of the tiyanaks. "Jiro, behind you!" she shouted.

I turned just in time to dodge another attack, using the Phantom Prowl technique to evade and counter with a swift strike. The tiyanak crumpled to the ground, hissing as it dissolved into smoke.

The Black Lady let out a chilling scream, her form flickering like a glitching image. She seemed to hesitate, as if deciding whether to retreat or escalate the fight. Jose took the opportunity to finish his chant, sending a wave of purifying light toward her. The light struck her, and she screeched, disappearing into the shadows along with the remaining tiyanak.

With the immediate threat gone, we rushed to the tree where Carlo was hanging. I climbed up quickly, cutting the dark tendrils with my energy-infused hands and catching him as he fell. He was pale but breathing, and we carried him back to the group as fast as we could.

As we emerged from the forest, the professors and other students ran to meet us, their faces a mix of relief and worry. Arthur's glare was the first thing I noticed, but I was too tired to care.

Emilia stayed close, her gaze lingering on me. "You're... something else, Jiro," she said quietly, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Just doing what needed to be done."

But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.

As the last remnants of the tiyanaks dissolved into smoke, the eerie forest seemed to grow even darker, as if the very shadows were closing in around us. Just as we were catching our breath, a low rumble shook the ground. I looked up and froze. Towering above the trees was a massive figure, its features obscured by the darkness. It was holding a cigarette the size of a log, the ember glowing faintly as it exhaled a plume of smoke that seemed to carry the scent of burning leaves and earth.

"What the hell is that?" Emilia whispered, her voice trembling.

"A kapre," Jose muttered grimly, gripping his necklace tightly. "And it's not happy."

The kapre's glowing eyes locked onto us, its gaze filled with an unsettling mixture of curiosity and malice. Carlo groaned weakly in my arms, starting to stir. It was clear we couldn't stay here any longer.

"We have Carlo," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "We need to signal the others and get out of here now."

Jose nodded and pulled out a small flare gun from his backpack, firing it into the sky. The flare burst into a bright red light, cutting through the oppressive darkness. The kapre let out a guttural growl, clearly agitated by the sudden brightness. Its massive hand twitched as if debating whether to reach for us.

"Move!" Jose shouted, and we sprinted back toward the bus stop, Carlo's weight slowing me down slightly. Emilia stayed close, her flashlight sweeping the ground to ensure we didn't trip over any roots or obstacles.

As we ran, the Black Lady appeared once more, her form flickering in and out like a distorted shadow. She glided after us, her long hair trailing like smoke, while the kapre followed at a slower but no less menacing pace. The two creatures seemed to be working together, their combined presence turning the forest into a nightmare.

"Just keep going!" I yelled, my heart pounding as I pushed myself harder.

When we finally reached the bus stop, the rest of the group was already on edge. The professors were herding the students toward the bus, their voices tense and urgent. The air was thick with unease, and it was clear that even those without powers could sense something was wrong.

"Get on the bus!" one of the professors shouted, waving us over.

We barely made it aboard before the doors slammed shut. The driver didn't wait for everyone to settle down before stepping on the gas, the bus lurching forward as it sped away from the cursed stop. I glanced out the window and saw the Black Lady and the kapre standing at the edge of the clearing, their forms gradually swallowed by the darkness. They didn't follow us, but their presence lingered like a bad memory.

The bus was silent for a moment, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the occasional sniffle from some of the students who had been spooked by the strange atmosphere. Most of them didn't know what had really happened and they couldn't. The truth about the creatures that lurked in the shadows of the world wasn't something ordinary people could handle. As someone once said, if you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you too.

I shifted in my seat, careful not to wake Carlo, who was now resting against me. Emilia sat across the aisle, her gaze fixed on me with an expression I couldn't quite read. Jose, sitting behind me, leaned forward and whispered, "We got lucky. If they had decided to follow us..."

I nodded silently, understanding exactly what he meant. This wasn't over. The creatures we encountered weren't just random threats but they were drawn to something. To us. To me.

As the bus sped down the road, putting distance between us and the horrors of the forest, I couldn't help but feel that this journey was only going to get more dangerous.