"When gods fracture, mortals scramble to rewrite creation."
Hermano: The Vow of Vengeance
Year 2005, Malolos, Bulacan
Hermano Lopez had once considered himself a shepherd of a holy flock, a man dedicated to a divine calling. For years, he preached from the pulpit, delivering sermons filled with fervor and a faith he believed unshakeable. However, whispers of doubt began to surface—observations of the lavish lifestyles of high clergy, corrupt politicians exploiting the church for personal gain, and scriptures manipulated into instruments of control. His investigation transformed into an obsession, leading him into dusty archives and hushed conversations with disillusioned colleagues. He uncovered a harrowing truth: his faith was not a divine gift but a meticulously constructed deception crafted by power-hungry men seeking to subjugate the masses.
When he confronted his superiors, they did not offer him absolution; instead, they delivered a swift and brutal end. Hunted and branded a heretic, Hermano fled the only life he had ever known. He became a desperate refugee in the crumbling, forgotten temple of Banal na Parusa in Malolos, Bulacan. It was within this cold, silent sanctuary that he discovered it: a relic shimmering with an ancient, vengeful spirit. The Sandata chose him, not for his piety, but for his righteous fury. Melding with his soul, it granted him the power to dismantle the very foundations of the world that had betrayed him. With the divine weapon in hand, Hermano Lopez, the fallen priest, swore a silent vow of vengeance against the religion built on greed and the government that upheld its lies.
Raja: The Usurper of the Underworld
Year 2004, Guadalupe, Metro Manila
In the unforgiving streets of Guadalupe, Raja and his younger brother, Dimas, were two among many "Batang Hamog," orphaned by a brutal "Narcotics War" that claimed their parents' lives. They learned to survive through petty crime, their bond forged in the crucible of desperation. Their lives took a dramatic turn when a ruthless warlord tasked them with an impossible mission: to steal the legendary "Haring Sawa" from a Sultan's catacomb in Sulu. It was a suicide mission, but they had no other choice.
Navigating ancient traps and the spirits of the dead, they discovered that the "Haring Sawa" was not a treasure of gold or jewels, but a Sandata—a serpent-like blade pulsing with dark energy. The moment Raja grasped it, the Sandata's power surged through him, remaking him. This relic bestowed upon him immortality, unholy regeneration, and otherworldly combat abilities, transforming the street urchin into a formidable force.
Rather than return to his master, Raja hunted down the warlord and, in a single brutal night, usurped his entire criminal empire. With Dimas by his side, Raja ascended to become the king of the underworld, a ghost from the past now commanding the very darkness that once threatened to consume him.
Biringan: The Hidden City - Present Day
The air shimmered with an ethereal heat, despite the absence of sunlight. Biringan existed between dimensions, its streets crafted from obsidian and onyx, illuminated by drifting lanterns shaped like Baybayin glyphs. Surrounding it were towering skyscrapers that seemed both modern and ancient. At its center stood an altar, taller than any cathedral steeple, looming over a vast army of the faithful—warriors and zealots equipped with the most advanced Myth-Tech gear.
Upon the altar stood Hermano Lopez—the Supreme Leader of the Babaylans, formerly a priest and now the prophet-general of a divine insurrection. In his grasp, the Banal na Parusa—a crucifix-scepter that emitted a radiant glow capable of purging falsehoods—illuminated the area. His voice shattered the twilight:
"They have deceived you. They have imprisoned you in a dream not of your own making. You reside within a cage known as reality, and the key to dismantling it lies within the Kamay ni Bathala."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"One fragment is already in the possession of Gregorio Aguilar. The remaining two—the Eyes of Bathala—are concealed: one in the depths of Coron, guarded by Ricardo Magno, and the other in Davao's sacred temple, overseen by Sybill Lucero. As long as they draw breath, the world remains shrouded in darkness."
"The Government binds you in a false reality. The complete Kamay will shatter that illusion. Our aim is not to govern; rather, we seek to restore the Archipelago to the form Bathala intended."
Behind him, the Babaylan Saints knelt like living statues:
Juan Luciano with Habagat ni Silang, imbued with stormlight.
Magdalena Ramos with Tanikala ng Guniguni, flickering with an illusory glow.
Mia Torre, a renowned novelist with her Sandata, Aklat ng Katotohanan, suspended in midair, its pages flipping on their own.
Crispolo Toledo, a wealthy count with demon-like features; his Sandata, Anino, rested in its sheath, emitting a plume of black smoke.
Hermano struck the altar with the Banal na Parusa. Light erupted, and the massive army let out a war cry.
"The time for whispers has passed. We march—and the Eyes will be unveiled."
Binondo – Underground Chamber of the Ahas ng mga Lakan - Present Day
Beneath a dilapidated temple in Binondo, the air was thick with the scent of damp stone and burning incense. The council chamber formed a circle of molten obsidian, intricately inlaid with shards of relics—trophies from centuries of covert machinations.
At the head of the assembly sat Raja, his eyes partially obscured, his voice a blend of oil and fire. Surrounding him were:
Kalawit with the Dugong Itim, vibrating with anticipation at the mention of the Kamay ni Bathala. Maximo Imperial, whose flute carvings softly resonated. Putik—a god-level threat and wanted fugitive across the archipelago for a long list of crimes, gripping the Balisong ng Dahas, which twitched in his hand. Natalia Saavedra, the elegant yet cruel Mayor of Manila, with her Karambit ni Kain sheathed in a holster crafted from void thread.
Raja's words slithered through the air like a serpent:
"The Babaylans will pay dearly for their delusions. One piece—Gregorio's—we cannot yet seize. However, the Eyes in Coron and Davao will be ours before they can breach the guardians' defenses."
"What happens when they've gathered all three?" Putik inquired.
Raja's smile lacked warmth.
"We will claim them all. The Kamay will not heal reality—it will distort it. We shall rewrite history, dictate memory, and fashion the archipelago into an unparalleled empire."
Natalia's voice was a blend of silk and venom:
"Two holy wars for the price of one. We will fund the Babaylans, providing them with weapons, intelligence, and relic shards. While they engage in their conflict, our hands will already be delving into the stones of Coron and the Lakapati temple in Davao."
Maximo's tone was sharp and deliberate:
"The Kamay's influence is expanding. When it calls, every faction will respond. We must already be poised to seize control."
Kalawit leaned forward, the tip of his scythe tracing a circle on the floor:
"Then we shall commence cutting our paths now."
Raja's voice sealed the pact:
"Maintain the alliance—until it no longer serves our purpose. When they kneel before the altar, we shall strike. The hand of Bathala will close only for us."
Mandirigma — War Room
At the heart of the Mandirigma, the Sandata unit convened in the war room, their expressions resolute and focused. The dim lighting cast a serious atmosphere, heavy with the anticipation of impending conflict. A holographic map of the archipelago flickered to life on the central table, illuminating their faces with an ethereal glow.
Gregorio stood at the head of the table, exuding a commanding yet inclusive presence as he addressed his team. "We face a formidable alliance between the Babaylans and the Ahas ng mga Lakans. To outmaneuver them, we must exploit their weaknesses and turn their ambitions against them."
He gestured toward the map, emphasizing key locations. "Our primary objective is to prevent the unification of the Kamay ni Bathala. The Eyes of Bathala are currently safeguarded by Ricardo in Coron and Sybill in Davao. We must secure these relics before our adversaries can reach them."
Marian interjected, her voice calm yet authoritative. "Both factions are motivated by greed and power. We can leverage this to our advantage."
Agosto nodded, his gaze fixed on the map. "The Ahas ng mga Lakans thrive on deception and manipulation, and the Babaylans are acutely aware of that."
Renato remarked, "The Babaylans exhibit a dogmatic approach, whereas the Ahas ng mga Lakans are less inclined toward such a mindset, which facilitates our ability to undermine them from within."
Suddenly, Joaquin Santillan interrupted, "We will achieve this by sowing seeds of chaos internally." The Sandata unit was taken aback, wondering how he had gained entry.
"How did you get in?" Gregorio inquired.
"I know the precise layout of the Mandirigma," Joaquin replied.
"I propose an alliance against this unholy scourge. Based on the latest intelligence from Biringan, the Babaylans have declared war against the government. Given that you are already engaged with them, a partnership would provide us significant advantages," Joaquin continued.
"I concur," Gregorio responded, the unit's morale bolstered by the presence of their mentor.
Joaquin proceeded with the strategic meeting, outlining a plan to dismantle the formidable alliance of the Babaylans and the Ahas ng mga Lakans, ensuring their downfall.
Hermano, Raja, Joaquin, and Gregorio—each stands at the crux of a path that will shape the fate of the archipelago. Their stories, woven together by threads of power, ambition, and resolve, converge in a tapestry of myth and reality.