Chapter 0.12

Standing before her, illuminated by the faint moonlight, was a shadowed figure with gleaming eyes, looming over her with an unsettling stillness. Her confidence vanished, replaced by fear as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing.

Athea (nervously, voice shaking): You… you're not Rei...

She took a shaky step back, her heart racing as the figure took a slow step forward.

The aswang's devilish laugh echoed in the darkness, his eyes glinting with hunger.

Aswang (grinning menacingly): Well, well, what do we have here? A little girl lost in the woods? How delightful...

Athea's heart raced as panic surged through her. The instinct to survive kicked in, and without thinking, she reacted. With a swift motion, she unleashed a punch, connecting with the aswang's face. The force of the blow caught him off guard, knocking him back a few steps.

Athea (breathless, determined): Get away from me!

Seizing the opportunity, Athea dashed away from the tree, her legs pumping as she sprinted deeper into the forest. She could hear the aswang growling behind her, the sound growing fainter as she put distance between them.

Athea (thinking, adrenaline pumping): I need to find Rei! 

As she ran, she glanced over her shoulder, ensuring the creature wasn't following. Athea's mind raced with thoughts of her friend and the safety she felt when they were together. She had to reach him before it was too late.

Athea dashed through the trees, her heart pounding in her chest. The fear of being lost in the dark forest overwhelmed her senses, but she pressed on, her breaths quickening. Suddenly, at the edge of her vision, a faint glow flickered like a guiding star. She squinted, hope igniting within her as she recognized it was coming from Rei.

Athea (shouting, relieved): Rei! Over here!

Rei turned at the sound of her voice, waving back with a smile. But just as he opened his mouth to reply, his expression changed to alarm. Out of the shadows, the aswang emerged, its eyes locked onto Athea, a sinister grin spreading across its face.

Aswang (snarling, furious): You think you can hurt me, little girl? I'll make you regret that!

Athea's heart dropped at the sight, panic flooding her system once more. She took a step back, searching for an escape, when suddenly, Rei's instincts kicked in. A bright, angelic glow enveloped him, illuminating the darkness as his body moved without hesitation.

Rei (determined, voice steady): Athea, get back!

With lightning-fast speed, he dashed toward her, grabbing her hand and pulling her close. They shot away from the monstrous figure, Rei's protective instincts flaring as he took her to safety, his heart racing with the need to keep her out of harm's way.

As Rei came to a stop, he gently set Athea down, ensuring she was steady on her feet. Concern filled his expression as he studied her.

Rei (worried): Are you okay? Did it hurt you?

Athea shook her head, still trembling from the encounter, and pointed back toward where they had just escaped.

Athea (breathless): I'm fine, but that... that was an aswang! They're human-eating monsters. They're really bad—evil!

Rei frowned, trying to grasp what she was saying, but something else caught his attention.

Athea (wide-eyed): Wait! You... you moved so fast! Do you have powers?

Rei blinked in confusion, scratching his head.

Rei (innocently): Powers? I just... felt like I had to save you. I didn't even think about it!

Athea stared at him in awe, realizing there was more to Rei than she had initially thought.

Athea (excitedly): You're amazing! I knew you were special!

Rei's cheeks flushed slightly, a mix of pride and embarrassment washing over him.

Rei (shy): It's nothing really. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.

Athea (grinning): Well, you did! But we can't stay here. That aswang might still be looking for us.

Rei nodded, determination hardening his features.

Rei (resolutely): Let's find a safer place to hide. Together!

The aswang stood there, bewildered, his eyes darting around in confusion as he processed what had just happened.

Aswang (muttering to himself, frustrated): What just happened? The girl... she vanished in the blink of an eye!

He growled, scanning the dark forest for any sign of Athea or the strange boy who had intervened. His senses were heightened, every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig setting him on edge.

Aswang (snarling): Where did they go? They couldn't have gotten far!

He took a few steps forward, straining to catch any hint of their presence. The moonlight cast eerie shadows around him, and he felt a surge of anger mixed with disbelief. That girl had hit him harder than he expected, and it infuriated him.

Aswang (growling): I'll find them! They can't escape me that easily!

With renewed determination, he began to move deeper into the forest, his instincts telling him that the girl and the boy were still nearby. He sniffed the air, trying to catch their scent, ready to unleash his fury on them both.

As Rei and Athea dashed through the dense underbrush, Athea's excitement bubbled over, her heart racing with adrenaline.

Athea (excitedly): Rei! What else can you do? Can you shoot fire? Or maybe make lightning?

Rei's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind racing to keep up with her questions.

Rei (breathless): I... I don't really know!

They slowed their pace, glancing around to ensure they were safe. Athea turned to Rei, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Athea (encouragingly): Try doing something with your hands! Focus on it!

Rei looked at his hands, unsure of what to do. He raised them slightly, feeling a strange warmth coursing through him.

Rei (hesitant): Like... this?

Athea nodded eagerly, her anticipation palpable.

Athea (excitedly): Yes! Just think about what you want to happen!

Rei squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating hard. He imagined a ball of light forming between his palms. Suddenly, a small, flickering glow began to manifest, illuminating their surroundings.

Rei (surprised): Whoa! Look!

Athea's face lit up with delight as the glow brightened.

Athea (clapping her hands): That's amazing, Rei! You did it!

Rei couldn't help but smile, the excitement of creating something new pushing aside his earlier fears.

Rei (curious): What else can I do?

Athea grinned wider, her imagination ignited.

Athea: Let's find out together!

They continued to run, the bond between them deepening with every step, their laughter echoing through the trees, masking the danger that lurked nearby.

As they continued their playful exploration, the air around them suddenly shifted. From behind the trees, the aswang charged forward, anger radiating from his every movement.

Athea (panicking): Rei! Look out!

Rei's heart raced as he spotted the menacing figure barreling toward them.

Rei (confidently): Athea, get behind me!

He quickly turned, raising his right hand in a show of determination, just as he had done moments earlier.

Rei (shouting): HAAAA!