Lashina and the Berberoka

Day and night, Tungkung Langit cried in regret. His voice was carried all throughout the land. Every entity heard his cries that brought fear. They ran far away from the source of cries leaving no entity near him. His cries continued and his that flowed down the land became a river that became nutrients to the flowers which would soon become a beautiful garden without his notice.

Not far away was an entity, an avatar of beauty herself. She was an engkantada. She was playing with the animals who she considered as her dear friends when suddenly, a cry was heard. Her dear friends quickly ran away at the sound of the cry. Even she sensed fear from the voice but what made her stand still on her ground was something familiar. It was a feeling, a feeling that she first felt when her mother left her, the feeling of losing someone very dear to you.

Clenching her fist, she lifted her head and turned towards the source of the cries. She took a step forward, then another, and another until she quickens her pace. The more she heard the cry, the more she wants to hurry to the voice's side for comfort. She did not care whose cry it was. All she was thinking right now was to hug the owner of the voice to ease the pain. Trudging through the trees and bushes, the cries grew louder and louder confirming that she was nearing her destination. Then, a sweet fragrance entered her nose. The fragrance seems to wake her spirits up again. The fear that once enveloped her heart earlier subsided as she hurried towards her destination. The moment the trees disappeared from her sight, A beautiful garden greeted her. Various plants, that bears fruit new to her eyes, and flowers blinded the visitor on this sacred garden. Beside her was a river that flowed calmly. Her eyes followed the flow of the river and decided to go its source. As she was nearing the source of the voice and of the flow of the river, she saw him with his own eyes. He was a being that is higher than her, she knew of this stranger. Her mother mentioned about someone whom she loves. They fought and she left him. It was too late when she realized that she has made a grave mistake.

Slowly, she made her step. Her presence was felt. It was very similar to the goddess that he loved but it was too weak. Extending her right hand, Tungkung Langit noticed her. He lifted his head praying that this presence was of the one he loved the most, but his eyes betrayed him. Standing right in front of him was an engkantada who looks like her, feels like her. He wiped his tears and stood straight giving an aura of superiority. With a hush voice, he asked

"Pray tell your name."

"Lashina, your daughter." she answered meekly.

"I see. So my intuition was right after all."

"It seems so, father."

Lashina sat beside her father and told him about her mother, Alunsina. Tungkung Langit listened intently at his daughter's story.

The moment Alunsina set foot to the earth; the land was blessed with her grace. Just like Tungkung Langit, a garden appeared on her path giving life to the barren earth. She did all this without using her powers. She was delighted with her unexpected creations. Various plants flourished and numerous creatures were given life. But none of these things quenched the sadness that was growing quietly in her heart. She only realized it now that what she has done only made a very wide distance between the two of them. Just like Tungkung Langit, her tears made the oceans and seas. For a long time her cries grew louder but it wasn't heard by her beloved. Then she decided to go back. The moment she stood up, an excruciating pain was felt in her womb. The strength in her legs escaped from her and she fell to the ground. The creatures that lives by her breathe helped her as she labored her children. The engkantadas were born.

The engkantadas grew up healthily. The creatures tended to Alunsina's children guiding them as they grew up. A new joy filled the mother's heart. But then, Alunsina's very life force slowly left her. She was left lying on the earth filled with grass and flowers that seemed to embrace her. Feeling the veil of death nearing her, she called out to her children. Their faces filled worry and sadness but despite that Alunsina never stopped smiling. She began to tell about her life before she ran away from her once home. Then she told her children about their father. She was ready to embrace her fate, but the storytelling made her think otherwise. She wants to see her husband again one last time. She thought of a plan. As her life force started to drain, she decided to hibernate to slow it down. Her children listened intently at their mother's request.

"I wish to see your father above."

The engkantadas silently watched as their mother slowly fall asleep. Some wept silently, and some thought of a plan. The first engkantada thought of flying to the heavens to ask directly to their father. Most of those who were gifted with wings agreed to the plan. When they finally decided to venture the skies above their sisters wished them luck. Little do they know that a creature was eavesdropping them. This creature was also one of Alunsina's creations but it lived from her negative emotions. It hid away from its creator but not far for it to hear the plan of the engkantadas. It swam around a swamp that surrounded most of the area near them.

The first group of engkantadas bid their goodbyes to their mother and sisters. They ventured out and warmed up for the long journey that they are about to partake. But before they could fly to the sky, the land they were standing became muddy. They panicked as they try to fly their way out of the quagmire but they were too late. They felt something moving below them. Their screams and cry wasn't heard as one by one they were being devoured below them. When there was no engkantadas left, a roar was heard and the monster that devoured all Alunsina's daughter appeared, the Berberoka.

A long time has passed and the engkantadas, who waited for news from their sisters who ventured first, started to worry about them. But then, another engkantada suggested a new plan. She told her sisters about building a stairs going to heaven. Her sisters who listened to her were excited. They surveyed a land wherein they could do their plan away from their mothers and sisters to avoid harming them.

They used the trees around the forest to form the base of their stairs. They worked diligently day and night. But, none of them knew the threat that was coming towards them. The Berberoka, silently watched the engkantada on their work. Compared to its first meal, the engkantadas working on the stairs were many, When their stairs almost reached the skies, he slowly slithered at the base and crushed it. The unfinished stairs shook violently as it slowly crumbled down to the ground. The engkantadas that was still working above fell to their demise. Seeing its plan worked perfectly, he happily devoured his reward.

The engkantadas that stayed behind were shocked as they saw the stairs slowly falling down from the skies. They ran towards the destruction but a roar coming from the same direction stopped them on their feet. When they found their strength to move again, they crept slowly towards the site. There they found the monster that devoured their sister. Then, the Berberoka felt their presence and looked towards them. It flashed its evil grin as it saw them. It ran towards them. Some of the engkantadas lost their strengths in their legs. One by one, they ran and abandoned their sisters to save their lives. But the Berberoka was able to sense and hunt them down. Only one engkantada survived. The survivor was now the one telling the story to their father. She tried to stay strong but the tears didn't stop from falling.

Tungkung Langit tightened his grip after hearing the story from his daughter. At first he was overjoyed to hear that his wife was here but his joy turned to anger at the part where his daughters were being devoured by the monstrous Berberoka. But right now, her daughter needs the shoulders of her father. He hugged his daughter tightly and swore to protect her. He prepared himself as he waited for his daughter to calm down. He also realized that the sense of time in this world was different from the world where they were from.

When they were ready to journey, Tungkung Langit asked the direction of where her mother lies. Lashina didn't hesitate and pointed him to the right direction. As they journeyed the vast forestry, the creatures that knew Lashina greeted them as they pass. Some even went and helped them on their journey. Then, a creature was running towards them. Lashina remembered this creature and met him while he was on a sprint. It stopped and panted for breathe.

"What is wrong?" she asked gently.

"The creator, your mother, she's dying." The creature replied.

Lashina gasped and looked at his father who's also shocked.

"We must make haste."

His daughter nodded at his command and was about to run with her father. The creature stopped them to give them warning about the dangers that lurked on the path in front of them.

"The Berberoka is with the creator. It bore many of its offspring and some grew into a monster that is very dangerous to all of us creature."

"Thanks for reminding us. Leave this to me."

Tungkung Langit patted the creature's shoulder and assured him. The creature bowed deeply as it sensed the aura that was the same with that of its creator. He must've figured out that he was the father and one of their daughters succeeded in their mother's last request. The creature prayed for their safety as it watched them off.

The moment they reached the edge of what was once a beautiful forest, a dreadful atmosphere was felt. Lashina cried at the disappearance of the beauty of their mother's works. Tungkung Langit asked his daughter to stay here where it is safe but Lashina said otherwise. She instead on coming with her father to see what has happened to her mother. Seeing her resolve that reflected in her eyes, he nodded and walked with her. The once beautiful forest became a murky quagmire that became the home of the Berberoka's offspring.

Along their way, they met the Berberoka's offspring that attacked them relentlessly. They were very agile even though it was very muddy everywhere. This was their territory and this kind of environment served as advantage to them. Even though they can move freely on this kind of terrain, Tungkung Langit mercilessly killed every single one of them. He instructed Lashina to cover her eyes but her curiosity caught up to her when she wasn't able to resist peeking at the massacre that was near her feet. Her heart was heavy at the sight and tried to stop her father from killing them. Even though these monsters were evil, they were also created by her mother. These monsters were the avatar of Alunsina's feeling of despair, sadness and regret. Killing them would only mean rejecting her mother's feelings. With these words, Lashina was able to convince her father on not killing them. Even though he doesn't like the presence of Berberoka's offspring on his wife's grave, he can't decline the wish of his daughter.

After avoiding every single one of Berberoka's offspring, there they found the monster lying down beside the body of Alunsina. Multiple baby monsters appeared beside the Berberoka as it surrounded their mother. Slowly, the Berberoka walked towards Tungkung Langit.

"Almighty one. I know my sins knew no bound, for that I'm prepared for my punishment, but please leave my children be. They knew nothing about what is right and what is wrong so I taught them that. I assure you that they will never be like me when they grow up."

Then, the Berberoka glanced at Lashina who was hiding behind her father. The Berberoka sighed and continued

"I've done a horrible deed to you and your sisters. It is preposterous of me to ask forgiveness from the both of you. But still, forgive me for what I've done to all of you."

The father and daughter looked at each other for a moment and forgave the monster. The Berberoka rejoiced in tears as it gave out its last breathe. Tungkung Langit and Lashina made their way to Alunsina. Tungkung Langit had tears in his eyes as he called out to his wife, calling her name to wake her up. Slowly, the heavy eyes opened as tears flowed out from it. Tungkung Langit slowly guided her body up and hugged her tightly.

"At last, I have found you, my love."

"Yes. But it pains me to say that I will be leaving again soon. I'm sorry my love. I wasn't able to protect my daughters- -"

"Shh. It is all in the past now. Me and your daughter will pray for the souls of her sister to meet up with you."

"My daughter?"

"Yes. Come, Lashina."

The father called out to her daughter who was on the verge of crying. She hugged her mother tightly as the three of them cried.

It was on that day, the two gods reunited and separated. After Alunsina passed away, Tungkung Langit and Lashina continued to flourish the land as more trees and rivers were created. They travelled far and wide to spread the gifts to the barren earth. The creatures who fled to the vast wild began to multiply and the place where the offspring of the Berberoka lived in peace and away from the eyes of many. Everything was peaceful once again.