First Cultivator of the Philippines

The air at Barangay Tagbon was vibrant, filled with the sounds of chattering tourists and locals as we stood at the base of the 500-step climb to the Mother Mary statue. The towering monument loomed above us, its serene gaze watching over the bustling scene below. The task was simple in theory: climb the stairs, retrieve a flag, and return it to the professors. The catch? The flag could be taken by anyone, and the professors encouraged us to use strategy, cunning, or even competition to keep it.

As soon as the signal was given, we bolted up the stairs. My legs burned as I pushed myself forward, but the qi circulating within me eased the strain. Jose kept pace easily, his calm demeanor belying the speed he maintained. Emilia was right beside me, her steps light and precise like a trained athlete.

We reached the top quickly and claimed the flag. The bright red fabric fluttered in the breeze as we turned back to descend the stairs but that's when Albert's team intercepted us.

Albert stood at the head of his team, his face contorted in a mix of jealousy and determination. His teammates flanked him: a taijutsu user with a build like a martial artist and an introverted boy who kept his head low, his eyes darting nervously but glowing faintly with an unsettling energy.

"You're not walking away with that flag," Albert sneered, his gaze locked on me. "Not after you've been parading around like you own this trip."

I sighed, tightening my grip on the flag. "Seriously, Albert? This is a school activity, not some life-or-death tournament."

"That's easy for you to say," he snapped. "You've been getting all the attention lately, and I'm sick of it."

Jose stepped forward, raising a hand in a calming gesture. "Let's not make a scene. We can all just..."

Albert lunged before he could finish, his fist hurtling toward me. I sidestepped easily, the qi in my body sharpening my reflexes. "Fine," I muttered. "If you want to do this, let's go."

Albert came at me with brute force, his strikes wild but heavy. I dodged and deflected, careful not to let him land a hit. His movements were fueled by anger, making them predictable, but the raw power behind them meant I couldn't let my guard down.

The taijutsu user, meanwhile, engaged Jose. Their clash was like a dance, each strike and counter flowing seamlessly. Jose's fluid movements kept him just out of reach, but the taijutsu user's relentless attacks forced him to stay on the defensive.

Emilia faced the introverted boy, who finally raised his head. His shadows came alive, stretching and writhing like living tendrils. They lashed out at Emilia, trying to entangle her, but she moved with precision, her training as a knight evident in every step. Her hands glowed faintly as she struck at the shadows, dispersing them momentarily.

Albert's attacks grew more reckless as I continued to evade him. "Stop running and fight me!" he roared, swinging his fist in a wide arc. I ducked, countering with a swift palm strike to his chest that sent him stumbling back.

"You're too focused on brute strength," I said, keeping my tone calm. "If you don't control your anger, you'll never land a hit."

The taijutsu user called Manny managed to catch Jose off guard with a spinning kick, but Jose recovered quickly, flipping back and landing lightly on his feet. He smiled faintly. "Not bad, but let's see how you handle this." He feinted to the left before sweeping low, knocking the taijutsu user off balance.

Emilia, meanwhile, closed the distance between herself and the shadow manipulator. She aimed a sharp kick at his legs, disrupting his focus. The shadows faltered, and she took the opportunity to grab his arm and pin him, effectively neutralizing him.

Albert, frustrated by my continued evasion, let out a roar and charged again. This time, I met his attack head-on, sidestepping at the last moment and sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, gasping for air.

"Enough," I said, holding the flag high. "This isn't worth it."

Albert's teammates helped him to his feet, their expressions a mix of frustration and embarrassment. The taijutsu user muttered something under his breath about needing more practice, while the shadow manipulator called John avoided eye contact altogether.

Albert glared at me, his pride clearly wounded, but he didn't say anything as his team retreated. Emilia and Jose joined me, and we resumed our descent, the flag still securely in hand.

"That was unnecessary," Emilia said, shaking her head. "But you handled it well."

"Thanks," I replied, though I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that this rivalry with Albert was far from over.

The victory in the flag challenge had boosted our spirits, and dinner that evening was a lively affair. The professors, seated at a long table nearby, appeared deep in conversation as we enjoyed a buffet of local dishes. The aromas of adobo, fresh fish, and grilled vegetables filled the dining area, making the atmosphere both comforting and festive.

As I helped myself to a plate of laing, I couldn't help but notice the occasional glances the professors exchanged. They were clearly planning something for tomorrow, but the nature of it remained a mystery.

Seated beside me, Emilia was uncharacteristically quiet, her fork moving absentmindedly across her plate. I leaned in slightly. "You okay?"

She hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, just thinking about tomorrow."

"Don't worry," I said with a small smile. "If it's anything like today, we've got this."

Her lips twitched upward in a faint smile, but her eyes remained distant.

After dinner, I decided to take a short walk around the hotel grounds. The cool evening air and the soft murmur of the nearby river provided a welcome reprieve from the day's excitement. That's when I noticed them: a group of foreigners gathered near the hotel's side entrance. Their appearance was nondescript, but something about their movements caught my attention.

As I drew closer, pretending to scroll through my phone, I noticed subtle details. One of them adjusted what appeared to be a normal jacket, but to my eyes, a faint glint of metal was visible beneath it. Another carried a bag slung over his shoulder, but its outline suggested it contained more than just clothes.

It didn't take long to confirm my suspicions. These weren't ordinary travelers and they were armed, though their weapons seemed hidden from mortal sight. I instinctively activated a bit of my qi, heightening my senses. Their auras were subdued but potent, similar to practitioners I had encountered in Chinatown.

They didn't notice me or at least they pretended not to. I walked away, my mind racing. Who were they? And why were they here?

The announcement of the race to the nearby island filled the air with a buzz of excitement. Professors gave clear instructions: locate an item hidden on the island and return to the starting point. The challenge was a mix of strategy, endurance, and teamwork, designed to encourage cooperation among the students. Despite the cheerful atmosphere, I couldn't shake the unease I felt. The ominous silhouette of Lightning Island in the distance loomed like a foreboding omen, with storm clouds swirling above it as though the heavens themselves were in turmoil.

As the boats lined up at the docks the next morning, I felt a nudge on my shoulder. It was Emilia, her expression serious.

"Jiro, we need to talk." Her voice was low, barely audible over the chatter of students.

Before I could ask what she meant, Jose walked up beside her, his usual calm demeanor intact. "It's about the island," he said cryptically.

"What about it?" I asked, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.

"I need to investigate something there," Jose said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at the stormy horizon. "There's more going on than the professors are letting on."

"And I need to confirm something," Emilia added. Her voice carried a weight I hadn't heard before. "I think the sword we're looking for Excalibur which might be tied to that island."

I froze, the words hitting me like a sudden gust of wind. "You want to abandon the challenge and go to Lightning Island? Are you insane?"

Emilia's blue eyes locked onto mine, unwavering. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

Before I could argue further, Jose interrupted. "We'll be discreet. We can leave during the chaos of the race and return before anyone notices. You're strong enough to handle this, Jiro. And we'll need your help."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "This is crazy. If we get caught..."

"We won't," Emilia cut in. "Trust me."

As the race began, our classmates scattered across the island the professors had chosen for the challenge. It was alive with vibrant greenery, bustling wildlife, and a series of natural obstacles designed to test both endurance and intellect. The professors had been meticulous in their planning, ensuring the island was challenging yet safe for the students.

Despite the lively energy of the race, my thoughts were elsewhere. From this vantage point, the looming presence of Lightning Island across the churning sea was impossible to ignore. Its dark silhouette against the stormy horizon sent shivers down my spine. A low, almost imperceptible hum of energy emanated from the island, tugging at something deep within me.

We worked as a team to solve the first clue quickly, navigating the dense forest and rocky terrain to locate an ornate wooden box containing a key. Emilia, Jose, and I moved with efficiency, our instincts sharper than the average student.

"Let's take this opportunity," Emilia whispered as we reached the forest's edge, glancing back to ensure no one was following us.

I hesitated but nodded. The moment felt right and other teams were still scattered across the main island, far from the shore where we now stood.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked as Jose unfolded a tattered map, pointing to the quickest route to Lightning Island.

"I'm certain," Emilia said firmly. "There's something on that island we need to uncover."

A small boat was hidden in a rocky cove, seemingly abandoned but sturdy enough for our purpose. Jose must have prepared it in advance, his foresight proving invaluable once again.

"Keep your voices low," he warned as we pushed the boat into the water. "We don't want to attract any attention."

The crossing to Lightning Island was perilous. Waves crashed violently against the hull, and the oppressive air seemed to thicken with each passing moment. Lightning crackled in the distance, illuminating the jagged shoreline ahead.

"We're almost there," Emilia said, gripping the side of the boat tightly. Her confidence was unwavering, but I could see the tension in her posture.

When we finally reached the island, the energy shift was palpable. The air felt heavier, as if the island itself were alive and watching us. The dense forest ahead was eerily silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves.

"We need to move quickly," Jose said, leading the way.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, shadows began to stir unnaturally among the trees. A faint, high-pitched laughter echoed around us, sending chills down my spine.

"They're here," Emilia whispered, drawing her dagger.

Tiyanaks. The twisted spirits of stillborn children, their grotesque forms were small but terrifying. They moved with inhuman speed, their clawed hands reaching out from the darkness.

The first one lunged at Jose, but he sidestepped with practiced ease, delivering a sharp kick that sent the creature crashing into a tree. Emilia engaged another, her movements swift and precise as her blade sliced through its shadowy form.

I focused my qi, channeling it into my fists. When a tiyanak lunged at me, I countered with a palm strike, the force of my energy dispersing its body into a mist-like vapor.

"They're fast," I muttered, barely dodging another attack.

"Stay together!" Jose called out.

The battle intensified as more tiyanaks emerged from the shadows. They attacked relentlessly, their high-pitched laughter grating on our nerves. One managed to grab Emilia's leg, dragging her toward the undergrowth.

"Emilia!" I shouted, rushing to her aid.

She slashed at the creature with her dagger, freeing herself just as I reached her. Without thinking, I grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.

"Thanks," she said, her voice breathless but steady.

Jose unleashed a burst of energy, using a pendant which creates a shockwave that knocked several tiyanaks back. "We need to finish this quickly," he said, his tone urgent.

Pooling my qi into a concentrated strike, I punched the ground, creating a tremor that destabilized the remaining tiyanaks. Emilia and Jose seized the opportunity to finish them off, their attacks swift and coordinated.

When the last of the creatures dissolved into mist, we stood in the clearing, our breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"That was too close," Emilia said, wiping sweat from her brow.

As we regrouped, a faint, glowing light caught my attention. It was coming from a clearing further ahead, pulsating softly like a heartbeat.

"What is that?" I asked, pointing toward the light.

"Let's find out," Emilia said, her determination unwavering.

The clearing was dominated by a massive stone pedestal, atop which rested a fragment of an ancient sword. The blade was broken and only the hilt can be seen, but its aura was undeniable which looks powerful and otherworldly.

"This must be it," Emilia said, her voice tinged with awe.

Before we could approach, the ground beneath us began to tremble. A low, guttural growl echoed through the forest, and the shadows began to shift once more.

"We're not alone," Jose said, his eyes scanning the darkness.

Emilia stepped forward, her grip on her dagger tightening. "Whatever it is, we're ready."

I nodded, steeling myself for the next challenge. The journey to Lightning Island had been fraught with danger, but I knew this was only the beginning. The true test was yet to come.