The atmosphere went quiet, only the whistling wind, humming insects and rustling of the trees gives sound to the cold empty night. On the ground is the dismembered Grey looking at the starry sky over the canopy of the trees. There's no hint of regret, anger nor sadness. Only acceptance.

  "I did all my best. But I kinda underestimated all of you."

  Grand Ecstasy surrounds the Grey. Mateo and Beltrand still holding their sword and stay alert on what the Grey might do.

  Mateo walks closer and look down on the Grey.

  "Please answer me my questions young man." The Grey gives a soft smile.

  "Ok." Mateo answers with melancholy.

  "Are you'll really came from another world?"

  Mateo nods slowly.

  "I'm from this world but my friends came from another."

  "Hehe... Unbelievable. You, do you also get your power from that world."

  "Yes."

  "I see. That makes sense."

  Mateo's friends just watch in silent as Mateo converse with the Grey. Shiva and Penelope also joins them and look at the defeated Grey.

  "Is that world magical?"

  Mateo smile.

  "Yes. It's full of magic and fantastic beasts. The scenery are also a sight to behold."

  The Grey sighs deeply.

  "You suddenly want to visit their world because you want for your kin to continue existing right?" Mateo asked calmly.

  The Grey went silent for a few seconds before answering.

  "That's correct. As you see, this world is slowly dying."

  "Dying? Earth seems more alive than ever." Shiva joins the conversation.

  "For a normal human like you that's the case as your kind is main reason why this world is dying in the first place. Your rapid progress conquers our home and force us to either secretly co-exist with humans or just let ourselves cease to exist."

  "Why not just reveal yourselves to the world?" Beltrand asked, the Grey just chuckle softly.

  "And get prosecuted by humans especially with our reputation as aswangs? If the more benevolent creatures even decide to hide their existence to the world out of fear of humans, what's our chance of us not being killed considering our past deeds?"

  "That's why you wanted to visit our world?" Claustrine continued the inquiry.

  "Yes. I can tell that your world is less industrialized than Earth considering how expressive and condense your abilities are. Meaning, the mystical creatures and humans exist on that vast world alongside magic. Things that not a common thing on this world anymore."

  "This world is full of magic in the past?" Mateo's curiosity.

  SLASH

  Everyone look at Beltrand who recently chop the slowly growing arm of the Grey.

  "Bro..." Mateo speaks with dissapointment.

  "What? His arm is growing back so I just prevent it for happening." Beltrand answers with serious tone.

  The Grey laughs joyfully.

  "Worry not. I'm too weak for that. I can't even regrow my limbs within seconds anymore. As to answer your question, yes the Earth is filled with magic. But despite my almost a millenia age, I didn't experienced its golden age as it happened further down in the past."

  Grand Ecstasy went silent for a moment. Registering the information through their mind.

  "One last question. Do you know the reason why this world is "dying" according to you?" Mateo asked, the Grey close his eyes as he tries to remember the stories he heared from the creatures far more ancient than him.

  "I'm sorry I can't really remember the full details but one thing I remember is a one supreme god cause this."

  Mateo can't answer as he don't know how to react on such information. Especially on such scale.

  "I see... I also gonna tell you the truth. If you somehow manage to reach the other world. I can tell that your kind would also face extinction as with aswangs preying on humans. You all gonna treated as monsters and got hunter by humans, some even more powerful than us."

  "But the humans are still few right? I bet it didn't even reach a billiob mark?"

  Mateo remembers how vast yet few of human life Yhigressia is. Most population nested on the big cities while few are located on the villages scattered throughout the entire continent.

  "I guess so."

  The Grey smile.

  "That's good for me. Sadly, it's only a pipe dream now."

  "I'm glad you can understand us, I can't let you exist any further so lets end this now. I hope you finally find your peace." Mateo speaks calmly.

  Mateo looked at Claustrine who nods and walks closer to the Grey. He points his staff to the creature and from the tip, a fireball emerge. Burning and growing until it reach a desired size to engulf the body of the Grey.

  "Anything to say?" Claustrine speak softly.

  The Grey is dumbfounded as he really have nothing to say as he already accepted his death. He smile.

  "Nothing."

  Claustrine nod and gently cast the fireball, quickly engulfing the Grey with flames. The Grey didn't make any movement as he don't mind the pain of his flesh burning. Grand Ecstasy watch in silence as they want to ensure that Grey is truly dead.

  As the impending demise comes closer, the Grey's mind got flooded by flickering flashbacks. Painful memories from 300 years ago.

  When his kin creates a pack with the Spaniards and help them conquer most of the archepelago by fighting both humans and mythical beings.

  Where they hunt humans and eat them which make them develop a feral desire to consume more human meat or face insanity.

  And then, the Spaniards betrayed them and use their blessed weapons to execute his kind alongside other creatures after establishing rule on the Philippines.

  After that, their kind become an outcast. Hunted by humans and hated by other magical beings. With nowhere to go and instead hiding on the forests who now getting occupied by humans and their insatiable desire to expand their domains.

  "Hehe... I wish we didn't accept that deal with the colonizers. We might get a space on Biringan." The Grey speaks one last time before reaching the end of his life. His entire body turn into ashes.

  And thus ending the battle. With no one to worried about. Grand Ecstasy slumped on the ground, fully exhausted.

  "Aahhhh... It's finally done." Beltrand just lie his back on the cold solid ground but he suddenly feel a slimy sensation. His eyes widen and he quickly stand up.

  "FUCK!"

  His back now full of the fluids from the dead aswangs they killed earlier.

  "Claustrine! Please cast water my back!"

  "I can't. I don't have mana left."

  Beltrand quickly undress his shirt and throw it to the ground.

  "Fuck... The smell... Aeghh!"

  "Let's go back to the house shall we?" Mateo smile which Beltrand instantly agree as he want to clean himself immediately.

  Penelope watch the group who seems look happy despite them recieving injuries and fighting for their life. She feels conflicted on what to feel as the events is still fresh on his mind.

  Inside the home. Shiva positions his hands gently on Mateo's dislocated arm. With the solar lights destroyed, Sophia summons few orbs to lighten up the room.

  "Are you sure about this?" Shiva asked as he genuinely concerned that he might make the injury worse.

  "Do it. I experienced worse than this. Just follow the instruction."

  "O-ok."

  Shiva takes a deep breath and with a single push, he re-aligned Mateo's dislocated shoulder.

  "AAAAAAAA!" Mateo screams his pain out until it fades away. Sophia now then cast a healing spell to Mateo.

  "This is only temporary Mateo. We gonna do a thorough healing process later on."

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  "T-thanks. Atleast my arm can be saved."

  Penelope is still silent as he watch the scene unfold which noticed by Claustrine.

  "Are you ok Penelope?"

  "A-ah y-yes. It's just... Everything is too bizare for me.

  Claustrine observes Penelope and she understands that she's still on shocked state. Instead of furthering her inquiry, Claustrine just pat her back. On Penelope's arms is the baby looking at them innocently.

  Suddenly, Grand Ecstasy got alerted when Shirna stand up panicly.

  "Something's behind the door."

  Beltrand leaves the comfort room only wearing a towel. He just finished washing himself and humming until he stop as he see the alerted posture of his friends.

  "Guys? Why so serious?"

  "There's still more enemies." Mateo answer.

  "Oh come on! I just taken a bath!"

  "How many enemies Shirna?" Claustrine asked as she holds his staff despite knowing she doesn't have mana left to cast any spell.

  "Only one."

  Grand Ecstasy observe and brace themselves for the upcoming combat. The door opens, revealing Nathan still wearing his white groom attire. His expression is devoid of life, empty like just experienced something traumatic.

  "Nathan?!" Penelope calls him but Nathan didn't respond. He just observe and his gaze finally set on the corner, two piles of flesh and blood alongside clothes which he recognize clearly.

  "Ma... Pa... I'm so sorry." Nathan's tears flows down as he become overwhelmed by sadness.

  "Everyone... I'm so sorry..." Nathan remembers the remains of his kin as he walk back to his home. He falls on his knees overwhelemed by grief and upcoming loneliness. Knowing that he's truly one of his kind remaining.

  Then Nathan look at Grand Ecstasy with seething rage. His eyes formed into the glowing red eyes of an aswang.

  "Everyone is dead because of all of you! We just want to exist in silence then you came and kill us all!"

  Mateo walks closer and look down at Nathan. His eyes filled with pity but with hint of rage.

  "You bring us here with a sole intention of killing and consuming us all. We just defended ourselves."

  "You call that self-defense?! You just commited genocide!" Nathan angrily screams.

  "And your kind commited murder for how much long? How many? You can't just accuse us of being genocidal when your kind is involved on killing and consuming humans. Hell, you even eat babies for fuck sake." Shiva snaps and speak his mind clear and sharp.

  "Because if we didn't do that! We going to become insane! We tried our best to live a normal life but..."

  Nathan gritted his teeth.

  "But this desire is just too much for us to handle."

  .

  .

  "Enough of this."

  Mateo pulls his sword on his BoS and point it to Nathan who still unfazed and filled with wrath.

  "I don't know the full story of your kind but if your leader is to believe. 300 years, your species have 300 years to change your ways. Instead of abandonning that desire on your conciousness, you alongside others choose to willingly indulge on it. Killing and eating humans secretly when you able to eat other meat source and live alongside humans"

  Mateo's eyes become fierce.

  "Are you fucking kidding me? If we didn't intervene, how many innocent humans you gonna kill in the future? You can't complain about us defending ourselves when your kind actively giving humans a reason to exterminate dangerous creatures like you."

  After hearing Mateo's counter, Nathan is lost of words as he can't refute what Mateo just said. On his long existence worth two human lifetime. Not in once he see his village attempted to change their ways as he bring them more human to consume. Continuing the ancient practice engraved on their tradition and genes.

  But unlike them, Nathan lives alongside humans. He eats, drinks and enjoy his luscioius life in Manila. By only avoiding things that can reveal his true self, he manage to co-exist in the busy city. Only altering his identity once his previous persona is too risky be used on the next gathering of humans.

  Yet, instead of promoting his life to others and change their ways. He just continue to fuel the tradition of his kind. Desensitized on the connections he made with humans, some of them are his victims. He looks down out of shame, staying quiet for a while.

  .

  .

  .

  "Let me ask you Nathan. Do you truly love Penelope? Do you love her as a human that you pretended to?"

  Nathan is surprised then look at Mateo again who goes back on his composed expression. He then focus his gaze on Penelope who looking at him with a sad and pained expression. Like it's pleading that there's must be truth on this kaleidoscope of lies.

  Nathan suddenly feel peculiar as he look at Penelope, the same fluttering feeling everytime she's with him. Happy memories flooded inside his head.

  On his previous missions, he pretend as friends and invite humans to visit his town.

  But Penelope is the first time he used love as a bait after their leader asked for a newborn. He thought it's just gonna be easy and just need to practice a little bit only for him to get enchanted by Penelope. The two being a genuine couple for a very long time.

  But Nathan knows that he still have mission he need to fulfill yet he was conflicted and pained knowing the Penelope's faith once he bring her to his hometown.

  "What now Nathan? Can't answer my question."

  "Yes... I love Penelope."

  Mateo shakes his head slowly.

  "You call "Eating Penelope and her child" as love? You far more twisted than I thou-"

  "Let me finish! Yes I love Penelope so much! I was planning to ask the leader to turn her into an aswang so we can live together!"

  Nathan clenches his hands, making it bleed.

  "But now, that's impossible. Because of you."

  Penelope watch with pain as she feels the genuine confession of Nathan. It's the same love she knows coming from him. But she understands that there's still wrong about everything he said. That's why she walks closer while still holding her baby.

  "You say that you love right?"

  Nathan looked at Penelope eye-to-eye. Showing his sincere emotions, his feelings for the first woman he loved the most.

  "Yes. That's the truth Penelope."

  Penelope flinches, Tears flow on Penelope's cheek.

  "What if I don't want to become an aswang? What you gonna do Nathan?"

  Nathan's aswang eyes widen for a second then he avert his gaze. His silence makes Penelope bit her lip out of frustrstion, then she makes a pained smile.

  "You can't do anything. There's no way that choose me over the only people that you truly belongs with."

  "N-no... It's just there's no way for me to fight against them Penelope."

  "Don't worry Nathan. I understand. But if I accept and become someone like you."

  Penelope shows her baby to Nathan. Her expression turned grim.

  "She's going to become the sacrifice, I am correct Nathan?"

  Nathan sigh deeply as what Penelope said is true.

  "S-she's just an offspring of that bastard Penelope. There's no reason for us take care of that chi-"

  "DON'T FUCK WITH ME NATHAN!"

  The sudden outburst of Penelope wakes up her baby and makes it cry. Sophia swiftly walks to Penelope and gently take her child which Penelope give with no resistance. Penelope, overwhelmed with emotions continues to screams to Nathan.

  "SHE'S STILL MY CHILD! HOW DARE YOU TO CASUALLY DISREGARD HER LIFE LIKE SOME SORT OF FRESH MEAT?! HOW MANY TIMES I TOLD YOU THAT I LOVE HER?! EVERYTHING YOU SAID IN THE PAST ABOUT LOVING ROSA JUST A LIE THEN!"

  "Penelope calm down." Mateo pats Penelope's back gently. It works as Penelope takes few deep breath then wipes her tears.

  "I love you Nathan. But it seems we can't really be together."

  Penelope turns around.

  "Thank your for everything and goodbye."

  Penelope with his slow walks enters a room as Nathan watch with pain and regret. He's also crying as he reminiscent of the good memories and promises they made.

  "It's tragic. It seems that aswangs are still capable of truly connecting with humans yet... Nevermind. Any last words Nathan?" Mateo calmly yet he asked with sadness.

  Nathan gives a pained smile.

  "Tell Penelope my feelings for her is true."

  Mateo nods.

  "Very well. Goodbye Nathan."

  Mateo raises his sword as he watch Nathan accepts his death.

  SLASH

  .

  .

  .

  After cleaning themselves, Grand Ecstasy leaves the village. Mateo notices Nathan's car parked nearby.

  "So that's the reason why we didn't see him. It seems he also value this car." Shiva softly speak.

  Penelope looks on the car with nostalgia.

  Grand Ecstasy is now travelling again on the road. Penelope is leaning his head on the tinted glass, watching the still dark scenery. The atmosphere is gloomy as the group still processing what just happened.

  "What a vacation we have." Shiva asked as he continues to drive.

  "Calling this a vacation is a huge stretch. It's almost similar on my adventures in Yhigressia" Mateo answers then he looks on the front seat mirror. Watching the catatonic Penelope and her child being carried by Sophia who humming a sweet lulaby.

  "Are you ok Penelope?" Mateo asked kindly. But she didn't answer.

  Claustrine swaps places with Sophia and she proceeds to gently pat Penelope's back.

  "We're here for you Penelope. Please lean on us and don't bottle up your grief." Claustrine's sincere words.

  .

  .

  *Hic*

  The pain of being betrayed by her first love.

  *Sniff* *hic.*

  Sweet memories of moving on and opening her heart again for a man that shows her how it felt to be loved for a second time.

  "aaaaAAAAA."

  Only for that trust and love to get shattered again on the worst way possible. Penelope cry her hearts out. Her grief is resonating on everyone inside the van who remained quiet but gives their sincere silent empathy to the woman who just lost her love and future. The sun rises as the van continues to traveres the empty road.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  The village of aswangs. Once a secluded and serene town full of life is now empty and devoid of sound. Lifeless despite the banderitas scattered everywhere. Far from the plaza are the remains of its inhabitants. Just puddles of blood and flesh on the ground.

  The sun rises, soft rays of light hits entire village giving it a melancholic vibe. As the scenery unfolds, a man slowly walks towards the remains of the battle.

  "Yo... This is insane..."

  The man is tall for an avarage Filipino male. He's sporting a rastafarian look with his polo shirt with bands of red, yellow, green partnered by white cargo shorts and beach sandals and a canvass sling bag with many pockets and keychains. The man also have a very long dreadlocks reaching on his knees which wave gracefully for each step he makes. On his shoulder is a long and large smoke pipe made of wood which he carrieth with carefree mood.

  The man explores more of the village, expecting to see a survivor but 10 minutes of searching leads to nothing so he returns to the spot where a fight happened.

  The man opens his sling bag and pulls out a smartphone. Only for him to stop, put it back and then pull an old flip phone which he proceeds to open and dialed in. After ringing for few seconds, someone finally answer his call.

  "Yo... Is Maria present?"

  "I'm sorry sir but Ms. Maria is currently busy. Perhaps I can pass your message to her." A soft woman voice answers.

  "Uhmm... I think she needs to know this. It's about the aswangs. I believe this is urgent."

  "Understood."

  The man got hold for a while before someone starts talking on the other side again.

  "What is it Berto? Don't waste my time again like it's your sole purpose in life." Another woman answers with a more deeper and authoritative voice plus a hint of annoyance.

  "Trust me, this is really important. I'm currently on the aswang village on the surface and..."

  "And?"

  "The aswangs are now officially extinct."

  "What?"

  The conversation went silent for a while before Maria continues. Now her voice is milder but still serious.

  "What happened Berto? What do you mean "officially extinct?""

  "I don't know yo. The village are already desolated when I entered here and then I see their remains scattered everywhere. Looks like they got involved in an intense fight."

  "What else do you see?"

  Berto spans his view to the surroundings. Seeing the deformed ground with their spikes and impact creaters.

  "It's hard to determine as I only see spikes made of compact soil but I can assure that this seems not the works of spanish inquisition yo."

  "How is that even possible? They're already long gone."

  "I second that. But whatever this thing that fight Lakay and his kin seems very powerful yo."

  The lady makes a very audible sigh.

  "I don't understand. If not them, who? Tales of us and other stuff should be that, fairy tales to the humans."

  Berto went silent as he doesn't have anything to say. But he needs to do something.

  "What should I do here Maria?"

  He heared a pained sigh on the other side.

  "Please, clean the entire area like there's nothing there to begin with."

  "Ok yo."

  Berto drops the call. On the distance, he notice something which looks like remains but unlike the rest. It's still in shape. So Berto walks closer and see the decapitared grey legs and arms near the usual puddle who seems to be burned to nothingness.

  Berto watch the remains in silence and after that. He close her eyes, look on the sky with tears flowing on his cheeks.

  "I told you that you should change your ways and stop hunting humans. Now look what happened? This is the result of your foolishness Lakay."

  Berto then exhales on his large wooden pipe with all of his might before spewing a thick white smoke. The smoke travels real fast and ingulfed the entire forest. The surroundings turn zero visibility yet on the thick couds. Two white glowing eyes can be seen alongside a dark silhoutte of a gargantuan humanoid creature holding a pipe as it continues to smoke it. The creature walks slowly, each gigantic steps making a booming loud thud.

  After 3 minutes. The cloud of smoke slowly dissipates until it completely disappears. On the forest where it spreads, the village of aswangs including the nearby towns are gone. Everything about the village dissappeared even the remains of it's inhabitants. It become a forest which seems nothing even exist on it in the first place.

  The sudden appearance of the cloud becomes a topic not only on the province of Isabela but also the internet as few motorist experience the event and take few pictures. People can speculate that it's just a morning fog as they didn't know the truth hiding behind its grey embrace.