First Cultivator of the Philippines

The blaring sound of my alarm clock yanked me from the strange dream I was having. My hand flailed around until I finally found the button to shut it off. "Five more minutes…" I muttered, still half-asleep. But no matter how hard I tried to drift back into slumber, the dream wouldn't let me.

It had started out as something straight out of a cultivation novel. I was flying on a sword, wind whipping through my hair, a sense of freedom so intense it felt real. But then, everything turned dark. The skies blackened, and I found myself face-to-face with the Aswang, its glowing eyes and twisted grin seared into my memory.

The dream was more of a nightmare by the end, and it left a sour taste in my mouth as I stumbled out of bed.

As I stood under the shower's stream, my thoughts drifted to the events of last night. The fight between the disciple and the Aswang had been shocking enough, but what happened outside my house and tought that if it was even real? I didn't see the battle myself, but I knew something dangerous was out there.

"I need to burn those clothes," I muttered to myself. "If that thing found me because of them…" The thought of Lolo and Lola being hurt because of my carelessness made my stomach churn.

The morning routine passed in a blur. Before I knew it, I was walking toward the tricycle terminal. The usual sounds of morning commuters, engines revving, drivers calling out destinations that made everything feel normal again.

"Westway University Philippines po," I said as I climbed into the tricycle.

The ride wasn't long, and soon enough, the towering gates of Westway came into view. The campus was massive, one of the biggest private schools in Cabanatuan City. As I walked to class, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was… off.

When I stepped into the classroom, the morning light streaming through the windows momentarily blinded me. I blinked a few times and rubbed my eyes, trying to adjust. That's when I saw them, small, glowing red dots, floating around some of my classmates.

I froze, my breath catching. "What the…gagi?" I whispered under my breath.

I rubbed my eyes again, and just like that, the dots were gone. For a moment, I thought I'd imagined it, but then I caught a glance from Jose.

Jose was one of my closest friends, and honestly, the guy looked like he belonged in a magazine. Tall, muscular, and effortlessly good-looking, he had this charm that made everyone gravitate toward him.

"You saw something, didn't you?" he asked, leaning over with that signature grin of his which startled me.

I hesitated. "Kagulat ka naman par, I don't know… maybe I'm just tired."

Jose didn't push, but the look in his eyes said he knew more than he let on.

The rest of the morning passed in the usual blur of lectures and notes. The professors droned on about circuits and systems, typical for an electronics engineering course. The only exciting thing was the gossip about a new professor joining our department after the sudden death of the previous one.

When the lunch bell rang, I left the classroom alone, heading toward the cafeteria. The air was filled with the usual chatter, laughter, and the clatter of trays and utensils.

But my path was blocked.

Ramil, the campus bully, stepped into my way. Everyone knew him. He wasn't just a troublemaker, he was also a local arnis champion, and he loved to show off his strength.

"Well, well," he said, smirking. "If it isn't Jiro. You look like you're in a hurry. Where're you off to?"

I sighed. "Just trying to eat, Ramil."

He cracked his knuckles, the sound loud enough to make me flinch. "I don't like your face today. Let's fix that."

His fist came flying at me faster than I expected, but somehow, I dodged. It wasn't even conscious that my body just moved on its own.

Ramil growled and swung again, but it was like time slowed down. I could see his movements clearly, predict where his fists were going, and step aside without effort.

A crowd started gathering, but I didn't want a scene.

"I'm not fighting you," I said, stepping back.

"Coward!" he spat, lunging again.

This time, I turned and walked away, leaving him fuming in the middle of the cafeteria. My heart was racing, but not from fear but from excitement. I couldn't believe what I'd just done.

As the day wound down, I made my way home, taking a shortcut through one of the quieter alleys. The air felt heavy, almost oppressive, and a shiver ran down my spine.

Something wasn't right.

I quickened my pace, my footsteps echoing off the walls of the narrow alley. The eerie feeling followed me, wrapping around me like a cold shadow. Just as I reached the end of the alley, I spotted Jose waiting near the jeepney stop.

The unease disappeared instantly, replaced by relief.

"Hey," Jose called, waving casually.

I nodded, grateful for his presence even though I couldn't explain why.

That night, after dinner, I locked myself in my room and pulled out the scroll. Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I tried to focus on the cultivation technique again. The energy flowed smoothly this time, filling my body with warmth and a faint hum of power.

But while I meditated, something else was happening outside.

The moon hung low in the night sky as a small, grotesque figure crept into the alley where I'd walked earlier. Its twisted body resembled that of an infant, but its limbs were deformed, and its glowing red eyes radiated malice.

A tiyanak.

I'd read stories about them, the creatures born from unborn children who were abandoned by their parents. They were said to haunt the living, driven by rage and sorrow.

The tiyanak sniffed the air, its sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. "His blood… it reeks of power," it hissed.

Before it could move further, a figure stepped out from the shadows. Jose.

"You're persistent," Jose said calmly, his voice low but steady.

The tiyanak snarled, crouching as if ready to pounce. "Why do you protect him? His blood smells of Bathala's blessing. You cannot shield him forever."

Jose smiled faintly. "Maybe not. But tonight, you'll leave him alone."

The tiyanak growled, its body trembling with rage. "You're no god. You're just a man."

Jose's gaze sharpened. "A man is all it takes to stop you."

The creature hesitated, its glowing eyes flicking between Jose and the direction of my house. With a final, guttural hiss, it slinked back into the darkness, its twisted form disappearing into the shadows.

As the alley fell silent once more, Jose turned his head slightly, looking toward my home.

"You'll figure it out soon enough," he murmured, his voice barely audible in the night.

~~~~~

Back on the roof, the man who had eradicated the aswang stood in silent contemplation, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The moonlight gleamed faintly off his intricately embroidered black robes, the patterns almost shimmering as though alive. With a slight movement, he stepped forward and disappeared into thin air, leaving only a faint ripple in his wake.

Moments later, he reappeared in a grand chamber filled with an air of authority and mystery. The room was vast, its walls lined with towering shelves of ancient scrolls and relics that glowed softly, exuding power and history. In the center was an ornate chair carved from dark wood and inlaid with gold, sitting upon a raised platform. He settled into the chair with an ease that came from years of command. His posture was regal, his presence commanding.

Seated below the platform were other figures, each cloaked in shadows, their faces partially obscured. Despite their powerful auras, none dared speak out of turn. The man's piercing gaze swept across the room, and his voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"The boy must be protected," he said, his tone calm but authoritative. "Jiro is awakening. The signs are clear. His potential could tip the balance."

From the shadows, a figure stepped forward. It was Jose, clad in a sleek, black jacket. Though his expression was calm, there was a hint of tension in his eyes. He stood tall, his confidence tempered by respect for the man seated before him.

"I've been observing him," Jose said. "He's starting to see beyond the veil. If his third eye fully opens, he'll begin to understand the truth."

The man on the chair leaned back slightly, his fingers steepled in thought. "He is far from ready. And that makes him vulnerable. The aswang's attack may not be the last." He paused, his gaze locking onto Jose. "Ensure he remains untouched. His awakening must not be interrupted."

Jose gave a slight nod, his demeanor shifting into one of resolve. "Understood. I'll keep watch. But if his presence becomes known to others..."

"Then you will do whatever is necessary to keep him alive," the man said firmly. "You have your orders."

Without another word, Jose raised his arm. The sigil on his forearm flared to life, its glowing lines casting faint shadows across the chamber. The energy pulsed rhythmically, a tangible force of power. With a sharp flick of his wrist, Jose vanished, the sigil on his arm fading along with him.

Outside Jiro's house, Jose reappeared silently, the faint hum of the protective sigil still resonating on his skin. He approached the property, his movements careful and deliberate. With a practiced hand, he began inscribing glowing symbols in the air, each one fading into invisibility as soon as it was drawn. A protective barrier formed around the house, layered and intricate, a silent sentinel against any incoming threats.

As he worked, a flicker of movement from the second floor caught his attention. He looked up and saw the faint outline of an elderly man through the window. Jiro's grandfather, half-awake, stirred in his bed. For a brief moment, the old man's eyes opened and seemed to focus directly on Jose's location outside the house. Despite the barrier and the darkness, his gaze held a knowing depth.

The moment passed as quickly as it came. The old man closed his eyes once more, returning to his sleep.

Jose exhaled softly, completing the final symbol. The sigil on his forearm dimmed and disappeared. The barrier was now fully in place, cloaking the house in a protective shroud that would keep any danger at bay for now.

He stood silently for a moment, his eyes fixed on the house. Then, without a sound, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving no trace of his presence. Upstairs, Jiro remained lost in his meditation, completely unaware of the forces moving to protect him.

~~~~~

The energy swirled within me like a gentle but relentless current. I sat cross-legged on my bed, the dim light of my room casting long shadows across the walls. My breathing slowed as I focused on the scroll's teachings, my hands resting on my knees, palms upward.

The technique was unlike anything I had ever imagined. The words of the scroll weren't traditional instructions but felt like a direct imprint on my mind, guiding me step by step. I imagined the energy pooling in my core, the dantian, as the scroll called it.

"Circulate it slowly," I murmured to myself, repeating what I understood from the manual. I visualized the energy, warm and vibrant, spiraling in a steady motion. It wasn't easy; every time I lost focus, the flow would falter, and I'd have to start again.

The sensation was strange yet thrilling. The more I persisted, the more I felt my body responding. A faint hum echoed in my ears, as though the world around me had quieted down to let me concentrate.

I wasn't aware of what was happening outside.

If I'd known, I might have been shaken out of my trance: Jose, who had earlier saved me from something I didn't even know existed, stood outside, placing sigils around my home. He traced glowing patterns in the air, his face calm but focused.

A faint rustling from within the house caught his attention. From a window on the second floor, my grandfather stirred in his sleep, his eyelids fluttering open just slightly. His gaze flicked toward Jose, and for a fleeting moment, something unspoken seemed to pass between them. Then, just as quickly, my grandfather's eyes closed, his breathing evening out.

Jose glanced back at the house, his hand lowering as the final sigil settled into place. The air shimmered faintly before returning to normal, as if nothing had happened.

But I was still in my room, lost in the rhythm of cultivating. The energy in my dantian began to grow denser, compacting into something solid.

"This must be it," I thought, my heart pounding with excitement.

The scroll's guidance was subtle yet persistent. I followed it as best as I could, drawing in more of the surrounding energy. My body ached at first, as though resisting the process, but slowly, the discomfort faded.

Time felt meaningless in that moment. Minutes? Hours? I couldn't tell. All I knew was the energy within me, which now hummed like a tightly coiled spring.

And then, something shifted.

It was like a dam breaking. The energy in my dantian surged, filling me with a newfound strength. My senses sharpened instantly. I could feel the faintest draft against my skin, hear the creak of the wooden frame of my bed, and even see the tiniest specks of dust in the farthest corner of the room.

"Minor success…" I breathed. I had reached the Body Tempering Realm.

The realization sent a thrill through me. My body felt stronger, more alive, as though I could take on the world.

As I marveled at the transformation, the scroll on my bed began to glow faintly. I watched, wide-eyed, as a faint mist emerged from it, wrapping itself around me.

The knowledge came suddenly, almost overwhelming me. Images and sensations flooded my mind, a series of steps, fluid and precise, each movement light and agile. The technique was meant for dodging, but it was more than that. It was a way of moving with such grace and silence that one's steps could rival a cat's.

The name came unbidden, as if the scroll itself whispered it into my ear: Phantom Prowl Steps.

I stumbled to my feet, eager to try it out. The technique felt natural, as though it had been etched into my body. I took a step forward, focusing on the essence of the movement. My foot landed silently, my balance perfect.

Step after step, I moved around the room, my excitement growing. I was faster, more precise, and felt like I was gliding over the floor.

"This is amazing," I muttered, coming to a stop.

The glow of the scroll faded, but the knowledge remained firmly in my mind. I couldn't help but smile. This was only the beginning.

What I didn't know was that my world was already changing in ways I couldn't imagine. Forces beyond my understanding were moving, and Jose was out there, ensuring I would survive to see it.