CHAPTER 3: AFTERMATH

Antigone and Ristora rushed to see what's inside the spinning thing they saw earlier.

They ran and when the unidentified flying object is now in sight, they walked slowly towards it.

It was a metal thing, painted with white, and emitting steams of smoke. It is evident that it was engulfed with flames, for some of its parts are now black.

They approached it cautiously, checking for signs of life inside.

"Let me go first and see what's inside my lady," stated Ristora. She entered the now-defunct plane through one of the holes caused by the explosion.

Antigone surveyed the exterior part of the plane. She touched the metal chassis, contemplating how it became so hot.

"Ow! Ouch!" exclaimed by a male voice.

She looked at her feet and saw that her left foot stepped on a man grunting in pain, with blood all over his face.

"Oh holy Gods! Who is this man?" she said as her eyes traveled to the whole body of the man who is lying face down. He shifted his position and she got a glimpse of his face.

He looks like someone of her age, with tan skin and blonde hair. His fluttering eyes are colored like luscious caramel - captivating and intoxicating. He flexed his arms, in an attempt to change his position again. is arms look so solid and it makes her want to touch them. She shook her head to let go of those thoughts.

"Lady!" she heard the voice of Ristora inside the barren plane.

"Riri, come outside. I've found a man," Antigone replied. She heard the shuffling of footsteps as Ristora ran towards her.

When Ristora reached her, she gasped and put her hands in her mouth. "Oh no, how did that man survive this tragedy? His companion inside is dead," she sadly enunciated.

"Oh well, that's unfortunate, perhaps it's still not this man's time," Antigone replied. "Let's bring him to papa," she added.

They walked with the man in their shoulders. When they reached Antigone's home, her parents looked in disbelief about the person they're carrying.

"Child, what is this? What happened? Where did you get him?" Damasto bombarded them with questions as hw received the man and let him lie in a chair.

"Papa, relax. We just saw an accident earlier. There was a metal thing which appeared in the sky out of nowhere and it spiraled down the forest and was engulfed in fire. This man was outside and he seems to be showing signs of life." Antigone reasoned out as she held the hand of her parents and placed the back of their hands in her forehead, a sign of respect in their tribe. ***

"What? Metal? This is a bad omen. We never had any dealings with metal people before." Damasto anxiously replied as he examined the man.

"Why papa?" his daughter asked.

"Because, metal is the bane of this forest," said her mother Lorisa, as she emerged with some pounded leaves and saltwater.

"They are supposed to stay in their dimension. It is undeniable that the deities have an eccentric plan including this happening," she continued as she started to clean the wounds of the unconscious man.

"Whatever it may be, let us wait until he wakes up in order to interrogate him," stated Damasto.

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Teddy felt a numbing sensation in his feet. His eyes feel so heavy that he doesn't want to open it at all. However, he can hear unfamiliar voices all around him and that made him anxious.

He tried to move his body, to no avail.

He then moved his finger and he was successful in doing so.

"Papa! He's awake!" someone who sounds like a girl shouted beside him.

His eyes fluttered open and his blurry vision focused on the woman in front of him. She has a pallid skin that complemented her long, straight, pitch-black hair. She has a very young and joyous vibe, brought by her eyes. Her glassy gray eyes that made her look like an angel.

To whatever he may have come here for, he's glad to find something that feels like heaven. He thought as his eyes rolled back and he is once again enveloped by darkness.

(*** The act of Antigone that shows respect is called "pagmamano" in the Filipino culture.)