Chapter 18: The Descent Begins

The morning air was thick with tension as the jujutsu sorcerers assembled in the courtyard, their expressions grim and determined. The time for battle had arrived, and the weight of the mission ahead pressed down on everyone. Ramon stood at the forefront, flanked by Ligaya and Sofia. His heart pounded with a mix of fear and resolve.

Judge stepped forward, his authoritative presence calming the nerves of the students and sorcerers. "This is it," he began, his voice strong. "We've trained for this moment. Our enemies are formidable, but we are stronger together. Remember, we're not just fighting for ourselves, but for everyone in this city. Stay focused, stay sharp, and we will prevail."

The group responded with a unified nod, their spirits bolstered by Judge's words. Ramon could feel the collective determination surging through them, binding them together as one.

The teams quickly divided, with each member knowing their role. Ramon and Ligaya led the infiltration team, tasked with navigating the city's underground tunnels to reach the temple where the Ascension ritual would take place. Sofia and Dante would handle the diversion, drawing the attention of the curses on the surface to give the infiltration team a chance to strike.

"Be careful out there," Sofia said, her eyes locking with Ramon's. "We'll meet up again soon, okay?"

Ramon nodded, forcing a smile. "You too. Let's make sure we both come back in one piece."

With the plans set, the teams moved out. Ramon led his group through the narrow alleyways of Manila, the early morning light casting long shadows on the crumbling buildings around them. The city was eerily quiet, as if it knew that a storm was about to break.

As they reached the entrance to the underground tunnels, Ligaya's form materialized beside Ramon, her ethereal presence a stark contrast to the grim surroundings. "This is where it begins," she said softly.

Ramon glanced at her, his jaw set with determination. "We're ready."

The group descended into the tunnels, their footsteps echoing off the damp, stone walls. The air grew colder as they ventured deeper, the darkness closing in around them. Ramon could feel the oppressive energy of the curses lurking ahead, their malevolent presence palpable even at a distance.

The tunnel stretched on for what felt like miles, twisting and turning through the bowels of the city. Every shadow seemed to move, every sound amplified in the tense silence. Ramon's grip tightened on his weapon, his senses on high alert.

Finally, they reached a massive iron gate, its surface covered in ancient symbols that pulsed with dark energy. This was the entrance to the temple, the heart of the enemy's stronghold.

"We're close," Ligaya whispered, her voice barely audible. "But so are they."

Ramon nodded, signaling for the group to prepare. They knew that once they crossed this threshold, there would be no turning back. The enemy would be waiting for them, ready to defend their territory at all costs.

With a deep breath, Ramon pushed the gate open, the heavy iron groaning in protest. The temple beyond was a vast, cavernous space, its walls lined with statues of terrifying creatures from Philippine mythology. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the faint glow of the ritual site could be seen in the distance.

As they stepped inside, the ground beneath them began to tremble, and the air grew colder. From the shadows, a low growl echoed through the chamber, sending a shiver down Ramon's spine.

"They're here," Ligaya said, her voice tense. "Stay close."

The group moved forward cautiously, their eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—a towering creature with the head of a horse and the body of a man, its eyes glowing with a malevolent light.

"The *Tikbalang*," Ramon muttered, recognizing the creature from the stories. It was even more fearsome in reality, its presence exuding an aura of power that made the air crackle with energy.

The *Tikbalang* let out a bone-chilling scream, its voice reverberating through the chamber. In response, the walls of the temple began to shift and change, the space warping as if reality itself were bending to the creature's will.

"Stay focused!" Ramon shouted, his voice cutting through the rising panic. "It's trying to confuse us!"

Ligaya's presence flared with energy, and she unleashed a blast of light that cut through the illusions, revealing the true path ahead. "We need to take it down quickly," she urged. "Before it can summon reinforcements."

Ramon nodded, his mind racing. The *Tikbalang* was powerful, but it was also bound to this place, its strength tied to the temple's ancient magic. If they could disrupt that connection, they might have a chance.

"Cover me!" Ramon shouted, rushing forward to engage the *Tikbalang*. Ligaya followed closely behind, her energy swirling around them like a protective barrier.

The battle was fierce and brutal. The *Tikbalang* moved with incredible speed, its form shifting and twisting as it attacked, making it difficult to land a solid hit. Ramon dodged and parried, his movements precise as he tried to find an opening.

Ligaya unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, forcing the creature to retreat. But the *Tikbalang* was relentless, its attacks growing more desperate as it realized it was being overpowered.

"Now!" Ramon shouted, seizing the moment. He channeled all his energy into a single strike, aiming for the creature's heart. The blade of his weapon glowed with a blinding light as it connected, piercing through the *Tikbalang*'s chest.

The creature let out a final, ear-piercing scream before it disintegrated into a cloud of dark energy, leaving only silence in its wake.

Ramon stood panting, his body trembling from the exertion. The battle had been intense, but they had won. The path to the ritual site was clear.

"We did it," Ligaya said, her voice filled with relief.

Ramon nodded, his eyes scanning the chamber for any remaining threats. "But this is just the beginning. The others are still out there, and the ritual hasn't been stopped yet."

The group quickly regrouped, their spirits lifted by the victory. But they knew that the hardest part was still ahead. The temple was vast, and the enemy was prepared. They couldn't afford to let their guard down for even a moment.

As they moved deeper into the temple, the sense of foreboding grew stronger. The energy in the air became more oppressive, more malevolent. They were getting closer to the ritual site—and to the other curses that awaited them.

Ramon's thoughts drifted to Sofia and Dante, hoping that their diversion on the surface was going according to plan. He knew that they would be facing curses of their own, and the thought of what might happen if any of them fell was a weight on his heart.

But there was no time to dwell on that now. The mission was clear: stop the ritual, no matter the cost.

The temple grew darker as they approached the heart of the enemy's stronghold, the shadows twisting and warping with each step. Ramon could feel the presence of something powerful—something ancient—waiting for them just ahead.

"We're almost there," Ligaya whispered, her voice barely audible over the thudding of Ramon's heart.

Ramon tightened his grip on his weapon, his resolve firm. "Let's finish this."

The battle with the *Tikbalang* had only been the first step. As they moved closer to the ritual site, Ramon knew that they were about to face even greater challenges. But with Ligaya by his side and the strength of their bond, he was ready to face whatever came next.