THE FALL 2

Mindaza's grandmother agrees to remain in the rough highlands with the children they rescued. Two of the spiral hunters were stationed there to guard their secret hideout. They withdrew without a trace, seeking refuge amid the towering stones where they would remain hidden until the Spiral hunters returned.

As they left, Mindaza saw her grandmother prayed fervently for them to travel to the ocean again, especially for the enemies. "May you guide them and save them from harm"

The sea water is black and much colder today, as if it was angry, with steep waves. The spiral hunters pushed their fishingship out, but their ship bounced a few yards from the shore.

For the second time, they tried again to push their ship and made it successfully back to the high level of water. Spiral hunters shout in tears.

Mindaza sat on a bucket made of rattan, that was filled with cassava, she grabbed the oar and began to paddle. She sighed and remember the face of her grandmother who was praying in a small space, in front of the standing one lamp, at the surface of the rock. Prayer is more powerful above all.

"Let's move toward the north" Sulaya ordered.

"On my word, ready, paddle!"

The oars and paddles plunged into the water, propelling their ship forward with a steady rhythm. The ship crept into the water, cumbersome and challenging to steer. Mindaza trying hard to help them, as she exerted force with her paddle. She dipped her paddle in deeper, again as she splashed the water.

"Stop! Keep quiet!" Sulaya's voice was sharp against the splashing of oars.

Mindaza removed her hand from the paddle, and the ship fell silent. The soft lapping of the waves became audible, joined by the distant call of a bird. However, another sound attracted her attention, a beating that echoed across the air. It resembled the steady march of soldiers or the synchronized stroke of oars cutting through the water, creating a pulse that appeared to echo across the nearby of the sea.

Mindaza knew it, then she took a deep breath. There was a warship in the distance, advancing quickly from the east, and they were among a group of small fishingship, that is completely vulnerable for an attack.

"Toorrgoo.." The voice of a man who is giving orders, a hoarse and low, speaking in other languages. And the sound of oars increased in volume.

"They're coming this way," Mindaza said.

"Paddle hard,!" Sulaya ordered, "All together!"

With a sense of urgency, the Spiral hunters hoisted their paddles and oars, striving to propel their bulky fishingship toward the northern shore. Just as their efforts seemed to falter, Sulaya drew a knife from its sheath and decisively severed the rope.

"Every boat for itself!" she shouted. "Get away as best as you can!"

"No!" Sulaya warned, but her voice was drowned out by the chaos that ensued. The severed connecting cable left the boats to float aimlessly on the surface of the water, the spiral hunters desperately wielding paddles and oars in a frantic attempt to regain control as they drifted further apart.

A powerful voice from the Northern men rang out, issuing a bold challenge as a torch ignited, sending flickering orange light dancing across the towering waves.

Mindaza saw the carved wood molding of an eagle's head raised high above their ship, its fierce expression capturing the spirit of strength and freedom. The mast stands tall, almost reaching the sky, while the flickering torch dances across a line of circular shields, each reflecting a glow that promises protection and valor.

Then Mindaza also saw a mysterious man standing next to the head of an eagle figure. His outline is prominent against the backdrop, projecting an imposing presence. His broad shoulders, give him a formidable stature, while his long hair is tied in a knot that twists three times, and it hangs loose at the back of his neck. He resembles a wild tiger which adds to his commanding appearance. Along with this, the play of light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, at this moment.

"WHOOO.ZZZZ.ZZ"

The fierce wind swept the clouds aside, allowing the moon's silvery glow to briefly illuminate the Northern warriors. In that fleeting moment, their figures shone with a ghostly light, a stark contrast against the darkened sea. However, the clouds quickly regrouped, shrouding the man once more in shadow, transforming him into a mere silhouette aboard the warship that surged forward, propelled by the relentless power of a hundred oars.

"Hold on, but be ready!" Sulaya reminded everyone in a low voice.

Only Mindaza realized that their fishingship was drifting toward the Northern warship, still moving but out of control whichever way they paddled. Behind her, she look at the fires on the shore were still distinct, while the northern coast was black under the dark sky.

"Mother!" Mindaza urgently called. She suddenly felt fear.

The enemy's warship was illuminated by many torches, casting shadows of numerous men against the night sky. Mindaza strained to catch snippets of their voices, the faint sounds mingling with the drifting smoke that hung heavily in the air from the flickering flames.

"I can manage to climb the ship, just let me in." Mindaza urge Ganadara. The two talked about it with out a consent of Sulaya.

"Ok, I will be right behind you" Ganadara agreed.

The two swam with a large branch of wood. At first glance, the wood was floating in the water. As the guard passed by, they didn't see anything suspicious so he immediately left the post to observe in another place.

Mindaza spat out the salty water as their heads floated at the surface of sea level, holding onto the wood at the same time to serve as their guide approaching the enemy's warship. With determination, they are moving with painstaking slowness as the two swim and maneuvered their way toward the formidable warship.

"Ganadara you will..." Sulaya frowned to look for the whereabouts of her best friend. But it's only the time she saw that her daughter is now climbing on the enemy's ship, following below her is Ganadara.

Mindaza climb through the tight net, eventually arriving at this vantage point. She paused for a while and looked down to see that her fellow spiral hunters had also follow her for a climb, while others were preparing to join them on the shore. One of the sentry guards was standing at the gunwale, and he looked straight in her direction. Mindaza reached for her sword, while her left hand tightly gripped the thick net. When the guard bowed his head, Mindaza immediately thrust his sword into his neck, blood spurting out.

Mindaza paid no attention to the deafening taunts that echoed around her. As she climbed higher, oblivious to the lurking dangers, another guard had spotted her movements. With a swift motion, the guard retrieved a hefty metal arrow from his quiver, steadying his aim on Mindaza, who remained unaware of the imminent threat just beneath him.

Suddenly, a spear emerged from the shadows and landed with a splash just yards away.

"Ahh..!" Mindaza was shock to see the spear hit the man's heart. It appeared that this was the result of fellow spiral hunters coming to her for help.

The next thing that happened was the other warship roared again, and suddenly it changed direction. To Mindaza's relief, it moved slowly, giving her a view of the stunning warships that are in full armor, the brave warriors, and how the oars are being pulled together.

Mindaza continued her advancement, determinedly climb the gigantic ship until she reached the top of the enemy warship's tail. Finally, the tall man leader remained at the bows, and Mindaza look at him directly. He stood above his fellow men, his braided hair falling to his shoulders and a black circular tattoo on his face.

"You should not have come, little girl." the tall man said. The man lowered his bow, one of the men handed him an arrow, and aimed it at Mindaza.

"As you said, I am just a little girl, but you have the courage to kill an innocent, are you truly that kind of man?" Mindaza replied. While there are ten men, were waiting below for his order whether Mindaza would be killed or captured.

The tall man frowned as he thought while keeping his arrow aimed at Mindaza.

'This young girl is probably from the island of Mindanao, we can use her at the right time. A man stood as an adviser, talking behind the tall man, the leader"

"Take her away!" The tall man finally said.

But as soon as the five men jump to captured Mindaza. The chaos erupted with a startling cry from the west, and Mindaza recognized Sulaya's commanding voice issuing orders. Almost fast, the air was filled with the roar of combat, the clash of metal rang out, joined by the wild yells of warriors, as swords clashed in a furious war.

"Mother!" Mindaza touched the hilt of her sword.

But the five men were already surrounding where she was, she looked behind her, scared and anxious. There is no space to escape.

"Hahah.. come on little kitty" one of the men said. With swords in hand, three of them are holding bows. The other held a thick rope.

"No, you can't stop me."