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#Mitolohiya Books #Young Adult
Chapter 5: The Lamentation in the Forest
THE PATH SAPIRA took was overgrown and wild. Thick vines twisted together with the broad branches of towering trees. She was heading toward the very heart of the forest— to the Lake of Eternal Prosperity. It was the most beautiful garden in their land. Dense with foliage and overflowing with strange and beautiful flowers, it was there she hoped to find a wandering waling-waling orchid.
The hidden lake was cradled between twin caves. Most villagers refused to step into the place because of its mysterious aura. Countless tales of the supernatural surrounded it.
They said enchanted beings lived there. Mischievous spirits were said to delight in luring humans astray. If they happened upon you, they claimed, you would never reach your destination. You would wander in circles forever. These spirits were especially fond of beautiful maidens, and many girls were said to disappear because of them.
Sapira simply doesn’t believe in this kind of nonsense. Who knows, maybe the reason these timid and chaste women disappeared was because they eloped with their lovers?
Still, the villagers spoke only in whispers. No one openly admitted believing in such things. Belief in any kind of supernatural force—and the practice of any form of magic—had long been forbidden. Death was the punishment for disobedience.
And so, Sapira alone dared wander freely around the Lake.
She brushed aside the vines and fearlessly followed the familiar trail. A gentle breeze drifted through the air. The lake water was so clear that she could see fishes swimming and leaping beneath the surface.
The girl smiled. This place was breathtaking. Cool green grass intertwined with the dazzling beauty of yellow sunflowers and the violet fragrance of geraniums.
Bathala truly has an incredible imagination, she thought.
“Now then, waling-waling, where are you?” Sapira asked the endless garden before her.
The zenith breeze blew serenely in response.Â
Sapira took a deep breath. For the next few minutes, the girl poured all her attention into finding the flower. But she froze when she heard a loud crash from nearby.
“What was that?” she asked in alarm.
The wind stopped moving. Even the swaying dance of the leaves fell still for a moment.
“Help! Somebody help me! Help!” The scream was hysterical.
Sapira froze. It felt like something electrocuted her.Â
QUIETLY, SAPIRA RELEASED the flower she was holding. Catlike, she moved across the slippery rocks. She climbed the thick branches of a tree and, from behind its cover, peered at the scene below.
“Help?” a rough male voice laughed mockingly. “No one will hear you out here!”
Five or six men surrounded an old woman. The woman wore a cloak, as though she had come from a long journey. Her midnight-colored horse lay collapsed nearby, two arrows lodged in its body. The animal whimpered in terrible pain.
“We’ve hit the jackpot, pare!” one of the men said with a grin.
The shameless men were clearly delighted at having cornered their victim.
Sapira’s eyes widened at the sight of the five men. Their muscles bulged powerfully. Their thighs and arms were as thick as drills. The swords and spears they carried were enough to make one’s skin crawl.
The old woman tightened her grip on her cloak.
Sapira bit her lip. Just my luck.
SAPIRA KNEW EXACTLY what she should do.
Run.
Avoid it and leave. She wasn’t foolish enough to involve herself in trouble that had nothing to do with her. Matters like these were not for slaves like her. If she wasn’t careful, this could very well become the cause of her early death.
“Bathala!” the old woman cried desperately. “Please help me!”
Sapira grimaced. Bathala is probably busy, she thought. Would he even have time to answer the pleas of a mere mortal?