Chapter 725 - The Last Night of Preparations, A Commotion in the Tribe of Tamawos and Mark New Way of Mapping (1/2)
Day 153 - 10:01 PM - Tamawo Ancestral Tribe, Hidden Realm, Municipality of Algeria, Province of Cebu
In the secluded canyon where the Matutinao River flowed towards the Kawasan Falls, it was where the hidden realm of Tamawos could be found.
With the b.a.r.e eyes of mortals, the place was nothing but a beautiful place. It was a bit creepy, though, due to some eerie presence in the surroundings. That eerie presence was justified, however. This place was a nest, not only to the Tamawos but also to other spirits and elementals of nature.
If one was capable of seeing the canyon's true appearance, it was far beautiful than what a mortal eye could see.
Large trees that dangled over the river, filled with old vines and flowers. Almost every tree was connected together with vines that formed bridges over the river.
Many houses built from the trunks, branches, and roots of the trees could be seen. Most of them were built up the trunks like huge treehouses having either thick vines or vine ladders to climb up and down.
At the center of the hidden realm, there was a cl.u.s.ter of trees that grew interwoven together. It formed a large structure incomparable to the houses around it.
It was the castle of the tribe. Although it might only be within the size of a small mansion, it was still the abode of the king of Tamawos.
At this moment, the current king of Tamawos, Artile, was inside the most important hall in the castle. It was where the mark of the king of Tamawos was displayed.
Artile was staring at the mark atop its pedestal as the ancient letter inscribed on it kept on glowing. It was as if it was pulsating, resonating towards something.
”Just what in the world is happening?” Artile grumbled in annoyance and agitation. ”This damn mark had not accepted me all these years, and now, it would behave like this?”
The Tamawos around Artile were mostly silent. They were also confused as to why the mark was behaving like this. In all their history, it was the first time that this happened.
”My king,” A tall Tamawo who stood behind Artile spoke. ”Please calm down. Being agitated would not do us any good in a situation that none of us could understand.”
Artile turned to the tall Tamawo for a second and turned away without a care for his words.
Nonetheless, the tall Tamawo just smiled at the king's uncaring gesture.
This tall Tamawo was named Terville. Artile's current advisor and one of the people that backed the current king when he forcefully took the throne. He was also one of the people that hated the previous king the most and the same person that urged the current king to rebel towards the elder Tamawo that led the tribe during the absence of a king.
Artile racked his brains. He wondered if he could find even a clue about what was happening.
Unfortunately, there was no way of knowing. Not the king nor his people inside the castle knew about what was going on with the mark of the king.
”Wait, my king.” Terville suddenly had a flash of thought. ”There might be someone who might know about this.”
”Who?” Artile turned to Terville with a frown. ”Quick, tell me.”
”The elder that led the tribe before you, my king.” Terville smiled. ”The oldest Tamawo alive, Erille.”
”Then, don't waste time! Summon him here!”
Artile ordered aggressively.
Nonetheless, Terville still smiled as he left the hall despite the aggressive behavior of the king.
***
”That kid is still immature, isn't he? Impatient and stupid.”
Terville was, outside, waiting for the warriors under him when a gruff voice entered his ear.
Without looking in the direction where the voice came from, Terville replied.
”You already said it. He's still a kid. He'll grow up as time goes. Besides, an immature kid is easier to manipulate.”
”Kekeke.”
That eerie laughter was the last thing Terville heard before the voice vanished.
”Father, we've arrived.”
A young Tamawo arrived and stood in front of Terville. From his attire, this Tamawo was definitely a warrior. Aside from being a warrior, he was Terville's son.
”Let's head out,” Terville said to his son and the warriors in front of him. ”We need to bring Erille back as soon as possible.”
***
Day 153 - 11:21 PM - Madrijelos National High School, Barangay Madrijelos, Municipality of Algeria, Province of Cebu
Everyone was now asleep on their beds. Well, except Mark, of course.
He moved the teacher's table pushed to the side of the classroom to a better location close to the sleeping Mei and the little girls.
And right now, he was drawing on a sheet of bond paper with Ignis and Crimson watching at his side. The drawing was not some anime character or a weapon design, however. It was the map of the town occupied by the Tamawos.
Using the memory he had when he flew over the town on Chaflar's back, he decided to draw a map to use later on. On the side of the paper, there was also a phone. It was a phone that was strapped on Ignis to record a video of the town while the sword scouted the area.
The map was getting clear as Mark went on drawing. It was unfortunate, however, as the video on the phone was too dark.
”I should get a night vision camera if possible,” Mark murmured as he locked the phone screen. ”Regular phones and cameras aren't that reliable in the dark. I should probably get some waterproof ones too.”
”The US military should have some of those,” The voice of Ignis echoed inside Mark's head. ”I can't say for sure about this country's military, though.”
”The Philippine military does have those,” Mark replied. ”But I don't really want theirs. The ones listed in their equipment lists are old outdated models. I rather have those sold in rich gadget stores since those are brand new and newer models.”
”The soldiers in this country really have it bad, don't they?”
Ignis said with a voice filled with contempt.