The Stranger, Part 5

Previously: Ubal woke up in Madlus, a strange world with three suns, where he met Stok who transfused him with his blood. Ubal also noticed a strange organ growing out of his chest. On their way to Mt. Kirkir, while the suns were in a showdown, the mysteriform Yanggaw appeared to them to warn against Kriyum. Stok told Ubal the story of his encounter with Kriyum Lastik who had the ability to grow extra limbs. Kriyum had quizzed Stok about love and things that are greater than love. In exchange for Stok’s story, Ubal told his own story about gaining his sexual identity, and the question that led him in his search for Wuting.

POKIS accepted the payment they offered. And while the parents were preparing for their homeward trip, Pokis took Ubal aside, and brought him under a tree that was heavy with yellow fruits. The tree was leafless but it had countless fruits that looked like little lanterns.

Under the shade, Pokis hugged Ubal. “You will go on a life-long journey until you meet Wuting,” he whispered, “and then, you will understand why sometimes, even the so-called wise men are mistaken in their judgment.”

Then, Pokis stiffened and shook, his mouth foamed, and his three eyes fell off.

In shock and terrible fear, Ubal never got a chance to ask the question that formed a mark in his mind.

***

From Pinggon, Ubal and Stok traversed the path towards Mt. Kirkir. While cooling down in a tiny creek, Ubal’s orbis suddenly stirred. Then, Yanggaw’s beautiful apparition reappeared.

“Are you off to Kirkir?” she asked without moving her lips, although her sismeglan seemed to quiver.

“What do you want from us?” Ubal’s voice was harsh and loud.

“I want to come with you,” Yanggaw replied. “I can be of help to you.”

“This is a dangerous journey,” Stok explained.

“I am ready for anything it takes. I really want to go.” And the beautiful mysteriform’s mengkus stood erect.

Ubal and Stok thought that they didn’t have much choice so they accepted Yanggaw’s friendship, and the three of them continued the journey to Mt. Kirkir.

While Pintas was setting, they were slowed down in their ascent; but when Sheme started to rise again, the pace quickened. They didn’t rest again until the blue sun shone in full.

“What will you do when you finally meet Wuting?” Stok asked while preparing the purple grass they were about to eat.

Ubal just smiled. In the length of time he has travelled and journeyed in search of Wuting, he has almost forgotten his purpose. He didn’t know what he would do once he finally meets Wuting face to face.

“Some say that Wuting is cruel,” Yanggaw said as she filled the empty coconut shells with the juice of the black rinamak. “He demands a great sacrifice, an offering, from whomever wants to follow him.”

Stok eyed Ubal who was receiving the drink that Yanggaw offered. “Are you ready to sacrifice, Ubal?” he asked.

Ubal took a swig of the rinamak juice. His face soured. “Why can’t you stop talking about sacrifice? What’s the purpose of all these sacrifices and offerings? Can we bring back the dead through sacrifice?”

“But sacrifice isn’t for any purpose,” Stok explained. “It’s payment for our sins and mistakes.”

“I have no sacrifice to offer except my life,” Ubal said stoically.

“Perhaps,” Stok forced his voice to be gentler, “your life will not really be required as a sacrifice.”

“If that is so, I cannot understand what it is that you want.”

Stok sighed, letting Yanggaw answer Ubal.

“You need to wait, Ubal, until you feel totally trapped and helpless. And then, you will understand what is called sacrifice.”

The conversation ceased, and they ate grass while spending the rest of Sheme in the fields.

***

The swarinok’s shrieks announced the dawning of Dyuman. At the sixth round of the scaly fouls’ mournful cries, Ubal’s company reached the summit of Mt. Kirkir. There, Stok started a fire.

While Ubal and Yanggaw were resting in the shade, a giant dimanggo landed on the branch of the albino tree.

“It’s Wuting,” Yanggaw screamed.

The dimanggo defecated, and a cloud of black smoke rose from the ground. And then, all three were before the horrible, fearsome presence of Wuting.

“Who is the impertinent creature who seeks me?” Wuting’s deep loud voice roared like thunder in their ears. “Are you prepared to pay for your ambitious dreams?”

“Wuting,” Ubal tried to make his voice sound full and unafraid, “I have searched for you for a very long time.” He felt courage, and some strength, as he continued speaking, “I have come from a far away place. But I vowed a long time ago that I would never stop until I finally saw you face to face.”

“What have you to offer me in exchange for what you want to know?”

“If you need a sacrifice, I have none to give except for my life,” Ubal replied. (To be continued/PN)