4.3 PLAYING FETCH

  Tikum was about to refuse the offer when a loud crash outside stopped him in his tracks. No longer having the option to escape, he planted his feet and stared at the four figure. Three of them were human but the last one, he was sure, was clearly not. It looked more like a round giant insect slightly bigger than a man. At first, he thought it was just a statue but that was quickly dismissed when it craned its head towards him. Like all the rest, it sat cross-legged around a table full of painted tiles, enjoying a game of pairs.

  "I think... Mr. Bagangan scared him witless," the man with blue glowing eyes said. His voice so hallow it made the goose-flesh behind Tikum's neck stand. The rest only chuckled. "Should we continue?" he added as he shifted in his seat beside the giant insect, who was now buzzing.

  "You know, it's not right to stare at people," the fellow with the long, flowing gray hair on the other side of the giant insect said.

  He looked effeminate and somewhat unremarkable except for one thing. Tikum had to look twice to confirm it.

  "What in Saragnayan's balls is happening to your hair!" he said pointing at the man's long locks.

  "What now?" the man said as his hair shifted its color from gray to black to red and then to purple.

  "It's-"

  Before Tikum could finish speaking the man with the ever-shifting hair color interrupted him. He wasn't exactly unremarkable, there was something odd in the glint of his eyes. It did not match his youthful face. It was-

  "It's beautiful, I know."

  "I'd call it weird, if there was any word for it."

  "Weird is better than nothing. And I prefer this than being boring."

  "Are you some demon?" Tikum hesitated. "Wait, don't tell me, are you an amaranhig?"

  The man gave a short chuckle. "Your guesses are all interesting. Sadly, I'm not any of those ." He smiled. "Amaranhig? Really? Why would you ever say that? And if I was one, I'd have eaten this lot for being such a drab bunch when it comes to gambling."

  "You're not?" Tikum took a step but halted. "So, you're an aswang?"

  "Manling, be careful with the words you use," the only woman in the group said. "How dare you compare my master to a blood-hungry night-ghoul?"

  Among all of them she was the most normal-looking. Her hair was tied to a bun while thin arching brows lined the base of her wide forehead. A crooked nose jutted at the center of her oval face and a mismatched pair of golden rings precariously hang on her ears. The glint of a curve dagger on her belt caused pause for Tikum. She sighed.

  "Do you even know where you are?" she said.

  "Oh, I thought he was your visitor, Si-an Usong," the man with the ever-shifting hair color said to her, placing a tile on the table.

  "You are sorely mistaken, my Lord Halmista," Thin brows said back to him. "I invited a lovely binukot not a crude ape." She stared at Tikum, one brow raised.

  "Then, let's extend our hospitality to him and invite the poor fellow in," Halmista said, turning his hair into silver this time. "We could use another player in the game. And he looks like he's not planning on coming out to meet the our little steel-beaked friend outside."

  "But we will have to restart... if you let him join us, Halmista," the man with the blue gem-like eyes said with his eerie voice. He rearranged the rectangular tiles in his hand. "And I'm already close to winning our game."

  The humongous beetle beside him also buzzed in protest, raising his own set of tiles.

  "Okay, lord Damgo," Halmista said. "One more game then."

  Tikum sighed. "I'm not here for any game." He took a step closer making the candles' light dance in his wake. "What I need is to get out of here. Right... now."

  The woman called Si-an Usong scowled. "Who do you think you are demanding such things from your betters?"

  "I'm Tikum Kadlum," the Black Dog said as though it was everyone's business to know. But it did not draw any reaction from the party.

  "Where do you think you are, manling?" Si-an Usong said a smile edging her lips. It was the kind that bordered between yes I'm an arrogant turd and you have a face that's easily punchable.

  "Well, I know is that I'm not in the Living realm anymore." Tikum paused, studying his surrounding. "From the looks of it... I'm either insane, in Sulad, or in-" He sighed, seeing the woman's smile widen. "I'm sure I'm not insane."

  "All mad men believe and say that to themselves," Halamista said, before giving him a mischievous smile. Then, the peculiar man hummed a tune, continuing with the game that the Black Dog interrupted.

  Tikum raised a brow. "Oh, I'm quite sure I have the right amounts of sane in me."

  "Sane or not, you might as well sit here," Halmista said. "You are a visitor after all."

  "What if I refuse?"

  Halmista smiled. "Then, you can go back outside and face the minokawa."

  "Minokawa? That was a minokawa?" Tikum took a seat beside the giant beetle and Si-an Usong, more wary of the woman than the creature. Now, it made sense for him. The creature outside could only be a minokawa. And the name Halmista was familiar to him. But Tikum could not say why because the more he thought about it the more he could not concentrate. It was as though his memories were suddenly blurred and vague. He did not like the feeling. It was as though something kept him from remembering.

  "She's one of its wayward chick," Halmista finally answered, thoroughly entertained by Tikum's surprised reaction.

  "That was just a chick?" Tikum cursed. "Just a youngling?"

  "Did you enjoy the little one's company?"

  Tikum made a face. "We have different definitions of enjoy and little," he said after hearing a loud crash outside. He almost yelped and cursed as the minokawa shrieked menacingly. It was causing such a ruckus outside that he had to steady himself. Its rampage was so strong that the ground beneath Tikum shook. He cleared his throat. "That thing out there doesn't act like it's the friendly kind and it doesn't look small enough for a chick."

  Si-an Usong shook her head. "What's with all the cussing? Show some respect, manling... you're speaking to a demi-god after all."

  The Black Dog turned to Halmista and then back to Si-an Usong. "He's a demi-god?" He could not believe it but what were the chances. Well, actually the chances were big. Magic was waning but the gods still live. Some may have left Buglas and the rest of Vijayas but it did not mean...

  If what she said was true, then it explains Tikum's earlier sensation. Magic was afoot here, very strong magic emanating from Halmista himself. Tikum sighed. He had to know more. "You must be shitting me, right?"

  The woman shook her head, annoyed by his questioning.

  "I've heard stories about his kind but I never actually met one this casual," Tikum said.

  He couldn't tell if she was lying or joking so he chose not to explore the topic. Gods, demi-gods or even mere men rarely entertained? those who question their legitimacy with patience.

  Si-an Usong scowled. "Yes, my patron and the master of magic himself."

  Halmista gave Tikum a shy smile, changing his hair from yellow to green. After the display of magic he took another tile from the table.

  Tikum's brows furrowed. "All this don't make any sense."

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  "Life's like that," the demi-god answered Tikum. "A complicated mess of nonsense."

  "Last thing I remember a macupo bit me."

  He shook his head in thought as questions bombarded his mortal mind. What in Sulad's name happened to him? More importantly, how and where was he now?

  Si-an Usong chuckled. "You're here you oaf!

  "Yes, yes... Now, I'm here. But where's here exactly?" No one answered him. "I'm definitely sure I'm not in Sulad cause I'm pretty sure I'm not dead yet."

  "You could be a lost soul, manling," Si-an Usong said, eyes trained on the table, looking for a tile to match hers. "A kalag who wandered too far. All confused by the abruptness of your death."

  Tikum sighed. "Not the case. Maguayen would've seen to it that I get to Sulad without delay. I think she likes me too much for comfort."

  "So, you're an expert with the dealings of the ferry-woman of the underworld? How about that, lord Halmista?"

  The demi-god of magic ignored Si-an Usong's comment.

  Tikum sneered. "I've seen the goddess of the sea carting back souls with my two eyes before. And fish-breath don't like waiting. Hell, with my luck she'll probably drag me to Sulad the moment she sees her chance... dead or alive." It was of course a lie. But who fucking cares, thought Tikum. If these people were not easily impressed. Then, they might react to intimidation a bit faster.

  Halmista sniggered. "That, she surely will. Especially if you've done her wrong. But then again, nowadays, she thinks everyone has done her wrong." He gave her a pointed look.

  Si-an Usong smiled but suddenly stopped. "You didn't rule out Gadlum, the realm of darkness, manling. You didn't even considered it. For all you know, you could be in Saragnayan's realm. And we... Well, we could be evil spirits masquerading as far worse scums. You know how things go in Vijayas, right?"

  "I haven't seen the place yet. And I think it won't look as pretty as this," Tikum said, giving her a curious look. Hearing his comment, the man with blue glowing eyes they called Damgo looked up straight at him but did not say a word. His eyes were so unnervingly cold. Not that of a murderer but of something else. Something old and alien.

  "A well-traveled man." Si-an Usong gave Tikum a roguish grin. "Then, that leaves us with-"

  "I'm in Handuman," the Black Dog said. "Shit. I'm sure of it."

  "Oh, really?" Si-an Usong said. "How so, manling? Pray, tell."

  "Figured it out when you started to distract me with your blathering." He leaned closer, pointing his stolen dagger at Si-an Usong's throat. Things of the sharp variety always got him the upper hand. He smiled maniacally, so sure to intimidate them. But it seemed no one still cared. Not one of them even looked up.

  "Not as I expected." Tikum shook his head.

  Si-an Usong muttered under her breath, insulted by the very situation she was in.

  Tikum glared at her. "You talk too much. Now, talk some more. What I need to know is how do I get out of here? How? Speak!" He grabbed the woman by the hair.

  She only scowled at him.

  "Oh, you won't work with me?" He threatened her again with the knife. But his approach wouldn't work as well. He groaned internally. "Okay... Wink twice if you want to help me. Wink once if you don't... so, I could cut your throat clean, woman."

  "More... intimidation? You're in the presence of my friends, manling. One is a demi-god who can turn you into a frog or a rat with a mere whisper." Si-an Usong pointed at Halmista. "The other an endless being, a entity beyond time and space, and you threaten me?" Si-an Usong turned to Damgo then back at Tikum. "Threats don't go pretty well with them, manling."

  Tikum stared at each one of them, waiting for them to react. But no one ever did. They just either stared straight through him nonchalantly or did something else. It was obvious but to him, they were either scared shitless because their bluff did not work. Or maybe there was no bluff at all. He cursed, swallowing the clump on his throat.

  "You can do whatever you want to do to her, Tikum," Halmista said, while his hair changed from a deep orange into pale indigo. "You can try."

  Damgo nodded while the bagangan buzzed.

  "Oh, come on, Lord Halmista!" Si-an Usong said. "Just for once bail me out-"

  Halmista shook his finger.

  "Hey, that's just mean." Tikum raised his dagger and leveled it on the woman's eye. "Okay, that didn't work for you. Now, where were we?"

  "You were about to return Silver Fin back," Si-an Usong said, giving the Black Dog another roguish smile.

  "That would've been funny if our situation was reversed. So I'm keeping this Silver Fin of yours with me." He held the blade higher.

  "I wasn't joking. Return it or pay the price, manling."

  Tikum chuckled, shaking his head. "Not today," he said."Got this curious question first, since we're in Handuman." It caught the attention of the others in the cavern. Tikum sniggered. "Will you die in the real world if you die in the dream realm?"

  "You can find out yourself," Si-an Usong said. Tikum staggered back the moment he realized that the dagger he was holding was not in his hands anymore.

  "How did you-"

  "Paltry tricks are an expertise of mine, manling," Si-an Usong said tossing the blade up and plucking it in the air without looking. Tikum noticed that there was an aura swirling around Silver Fin as it continued to whine in her hands.

  "Okay... okay sorry! Just tell me what I need to know," Tikum said raising both hands beside him, backing from the woman's knife. "Tell me and I'll do whatever you want."

  Si-an Usong laughed. "Why so desperate? A moment ago you were so confident. Okay, try answering my questions by winking too." It made the demi-god chuckle.

  Si-an Usong spun the blade on her palm. "Relax, you're in the dream realm, manling. You may not be able to shape this place but you can influence it. You can be anyone you like if you stay here. The place is not that bad." She turned to Damgo. "Right, Dream Lord?"

  "I am actually enjoying this game, miss Usong." Damgo spoke this time without opening his lips. "And both your distractions are, suffice to say, unwelcome."

  Si-an Usong laughed."Well, I'm a bit bored with this game. I hate long hauls. And we could always play this one over and over again. So, shall we play another? A betting game perhaps?"

  Halmista dropped his tiles followed by the giant beetle and finally Damgo relented. "What do you have in mind?" the demi-god of magic said.

  "Oh, it's a simple game. One, that our visitor may never refuse if he hears it." All of them stared at Tikum, whose back was already against the tunnel's wall.

  ***

  "No, wait... that don't sound right."

  "Are you sure, manling?"

  "That's not exactly what I had in mind when I said I'll do anything."

  Si-an Usong smiled. "You wanted to go home, then there you go. A way to go home."

  "You want me to race you to a place that I don't even know if it really exist? Outside? Where there's a giant bird made of metal waiting to take my head off." Tikum shook his head. "You dumb or something?"

  She chuckled at how Tikum summed everything. "No, I want you to race to the ends of Handuman against me." The woman smiled again. "Not just here." She turned to the others. "And to make it exciting, you can all bet on it. I have too much pearls... let's play for gold this time. So, who'll you be picking my lords?"

  Tikum didn't like how things were going but the longer he stayed here the longer he was away from Ukok. And of course, the stronger the chance that Amburukay will catch up on them. He didn't like the idea the moment it crossed him. Beyond his ears' capacity to hear, Halmista, the demi-god, the giant bagangan, and Damgo began to argue between themselves. They were probably debating on who should bet on him. Tikum didn't like it but he couldn't really blame them if they all choose the woman.

  "Win and you'll be free, lose and you'll be having a long vacation here." Si-an Usong tossed her knife in the air and plucked the thing before it fell, this time it was so fast it almost did not register to Tikum. "So?"

  Tikum sighed. "Let's say, I agree. How'd I know were to go? I'm clearly at the disadvantage here with you knowing this place."

  "Oh, I'm going out blind," She fished something out of her burlap sack nestled under the table. "While you'll go with some help." She smiled, tossing a piece of crystal, the color of lapis lazuli, to Tikum. He caught it before it struck his face.

  "What's this?" he said, examining the smooth glittering rock between his fingers. "This don't look like it could help me." He bit it, testing its hardness like a diamond.

  "You can borrow it for now. It's a talisman taken from a wak-wak's kidney."

  Tikum gagged at the thought of putting it in his mouth. "That's not nice."

  "Oh, manling... it may not be much of value to you, but its purpose is quite useful... especially in a place like this." She stood up, walking pass Tikum, stopping at the tunnels mouth. "It will point you to your way out, which will be our finish line."

  "So, you're going almost blind?"

  "You could say that it's a disadvantage. But I have my dagger. All equal."

  Tikum stared at the talisman, eyes glinting. "So, when do we start?"

  ***

  Everything was dead silent. No flapping of metallic wings, no clashing of keen claws, not even a blood curdling cry can be heard outside the tunnel. But something in the air betrayed the lurking beast outside. No longer cloaked in darkness it waited for Tikum in the light of day. And he knew it like a prey waiting for the slaughter. The feeling was becoming all too familiar. He shook his head as he reluctantly took his place beside Si-an Usong at the mouth of the tunnel, staring at the sun-lit view outside.

  Tikum sighed. He was up for any challenge but running blindly through uneven ground with a flying bird of prey swooping above ready to take his head off with its steel claws was not entertaining. And all for a bet? His nerves were already frayed by the thought of the minokawa but losing also meant he'll be trapped here. Not even a choice for him. Trapped in Handuman- in the dream realm and away from Ukok was not part of his plan. For him, winning was paramount and survival was the lest of his worries.

  "You look so glum, manling," Si-an Usong said, stretching her limbs for the race. "Don't worry, I'll take it easy. I won't use the full power of my dagger. No short cuts for me. But I'll make it interesting."

  Tikum only smiled as he crouched down, holding the crystal talisman. He already decided how he'll win. A simple plan for a simple contest. After a short talk with Halmista about how to use the talisman he was still unsure if it will really work in practice. Magic tended to go awry every time he used it.

  Damgo called their attention as he raised the gong for them to see. "We shall begin our contest the moment I strike this instrument. Remember the race only ends when one of you crosses the finish line." Halmista and the bagangan beside him clapped their hands. Or at least one of them did while the other tried to with his insect-like limbs. Damgo nodded and the two contestants prepared themselves. "Are you mortals ready?" he said to Si-an Usong and Tikum. A tense pause extended for a breath then Damgo raised the baton to strike the gong. But before it touched the bronze disc, Tikum was already passed Damgo, digging his foot on the ground, sprinting like a thief caught red-handed, leaving everyone stunned and silenced. An outburst of curses followed behind the Black Dog as Si-an Usong followed at his heels. "You petty cheat!" she screamed.

  One thing you could say about Tikum is when he decides he'll win... he'll probably do it by cheating or by any underhanded way available to him.

  Halmista laughed like he had never laughed before, smacking the giant beetle's back with his palm after seeing what Tikum did. Then, he turned to Damgo. "Good thing I bet all my gold ingots on him, huh?"