Lost in the Wilderness - The Forest of Evergreen Book 1 (13 page)

Everyone liked it. Quick as a flash, they began playing his song.

Sophia and Zarah were, of course, very supportive to the guys, but throughout every strumming of guitar and crooning of every lyric, Sophia couldn’tby farforget those pleasing melodies of yesterdays, of how Jericho sang before her, along with the songs he wrote for her. Though she did try, the ghosts of Forest Green just kept on haunting her.

Chapter 9

The Battle of Kravena

In the prosperous Tribe of Kravena, the tribe members abounded with activities, preparing for tonight’s merriment. The mang-aanis had a bountiful harvest of sinapoy for that season and Datu Ilak announced a grand night of thanksgiving.
 

Abanir was outside the palasyon, of his own accord, to help the workers.

“Abanir, my son! Why are you helping the hakaros?” Reyna Kaya asked him, seeing how he exerted all his muscles carrying a bulky pile of firewood into the fireplace. “You’re supposed to be preparing your speech,” she proceeded.

“Ila, I have nothing else to do so I decided to help them,” Abanir said humbly. “Besides, for tonight’s speech, I’ll speak from what comes from my heart. No need for flowery words,” he smiled. “I am enjoying the hakaros’ company, by the way. They are very friendly.”
 

Reyna Kaya’s face brightened. “I am glad you care for your fellow Kravena, my son, although you’re not supposed to be doing that.” Reyna Kaya’s eyes unexpectedly oozed with tears, couldn’t help but remember the old days of her slavery. “I’ll leave you now,” she managed to whisper before memories could engulf her.

Abanir forced a grin, self-questioning why his mother turned emotional, when a female Kravena in her finery passed by in front of him, trying to get his attention.

“Oh, Tiyana!” greeted Abanir, quite startled to see her one foot away from him.

“My Raha, a pleasant day!” Tiyana bowed her head down with all her poise. “It is my pleasure to perform tonight! Thank you for choosing me!”

Abanir was put to a sudden halt. He never chose her, but since she was the daughter of the datu’s top kansilo, he decided to accommodate her, well. “Oh, yes! Splendid! Such a delight to hear your sweet, amazing, awe-inspiring voice.” Abanir gestured while speaking. He knew she had a huge admiration on him.

A drum roll was heard from Tiyana’s chest. It was too loud that finally turned Abanir uneasy. However, Tiyana continued her intentions, to own all of the raha’s attention.

“Thank you, my Raha. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.” Tiyana flashed a widening smile.

His look going distant, Abanir arranged every piece of firewood and endeavored listening to every detail of Tiyana’s preparation for the thanksgiving.

Tiyana, somehow, discerned the raha’s detached guise, so she left graciously and began feeling that their tête-à-tête was out of his interest.

The thanksgiving venue was all set, and it was now late afternoon. The place was roofed with coconut leaves, and bamboos served as the framework. The seats and tables were freshly prepared from acacia trunks, while a few of sweet-smelling orchids were hung above them.

Abanir was indulging himself with the sight when Rabel hastily approached him, badly shaking, reporting about the presence of two Sulabuns at the Samo River, the boundary of Kravena and Fegratu.

On a whim, Abanir flew to the river to confirm it. He saw not only two Sulabuns, and it was now the sign that their long-time fear had finally arrived. Then, he went back to Kravena faster than a whirlwind.

Datu Banaak had been planning to attack Kravena. He could no longer wait to devastate the tribe and put it under his territory. When he learned of the Kravenas’ thanksgiving, he assumed it to be the perfect night for their attack.

Arriving at the palasyon, Abanir immediately informed Datu Ilak.
 

Upon hearing it, Datu Ilak straight away called his top bunjaos and prepared them for the possible attack of the Sulabuns. He ordered them to bring out the pile of deadly arrows that were long-time secured and distribute them wisely.
 

On the double, the bunjaos set into action.

Alas! Death would be in the firmament because the lethal arrows were out, and the antidote, the Ovaweh Falls, was for a lengthy time now, petered out.

“Do not hesitate to hit every foe with an arrow!” Datu Ilak ordered. He assigned Abanir to lead the lookout at Harem Falls, the region of Kravena territory facing the Tribe of Sulabun, and Karan at the Samo River, the western part of their territory.
 

Datu Ilak and the rest of the warriors stayed in the focal terra firma of their tribe to protect the females and the young ones, including Reyna Kaya and Sesa Sanaya. The pugad served as their hiding place. It was located underground, covered with wild grasses and had a secret path to the Samo River.
 

The nightfall gradually came, and every Kravena was vigilant for the attack.
 

A piece of burning arrow from the shadowy sky suddenly landed on the ground.
 

When the Kravenas saw it, they knew it was already the start of the battle. It was then followed by loads of burning arrows. The Kravenas, in return, prepared their arrows and started striking, with utmost effort.
 

The Sulabuns terrifyingly came out from the giant trees and began attacking.

The Kravenas fought back and blood started to drench the terrain.

Away from the heart of Kravena, one could easily see the raging flames scattered throughout the shadows of the night. One could clearly hear the echoing cries, as the fires continued to grow and consume every house of the tribe.

All through the haze of smoke and resonance of terror, Abanir and his faction rushed to the site.

By the Samo River, Karan and his group were guarding when the Sulabuns, together with Datu Banaak and his son, Raha Kalib, from nowhere, attacked them.
 

The Sulabuns were dynamic and heedful that many Kravenas fretted and stepped back.
 

Sepe Karan forcefully fought back with his bolo, felling several Sulabuns. The rest of his followers endured, impeding the flurry of trepidation flagging them.

The battle persisted throughout the night.
 

Suddenly, the sky was filled with flashes of lightning and heavy rain threatened to fall from the dense clouds.
 

Every warrior—from both tribes—shrank back! The fiery thunderbolts frenzied silhouettes!

Stab after stab, release after release of noxious arrows, came and went… and then, the earth gradually fell into stillness.

Alas! The Kravenas were on the verge of losing the fight!
 

At the heart of the thunderstorm, the Sulabuns could scarcely fly. Their wings were quite smaller and more sunken than the Kravenas, causing grievance to their wings. Hence, fleeing was a choice they must pursue.

Still, Karan clashed against Kalib, both aimed to win the fight. Karan had the chance to stab his bolo unto Kalib but Kalib was strong enough to stop him.
 

The driving force of Karan that pushed Kalib, now Kalib was rolled around the ground. Karan was about to stab him through the heart when Datu Banaak saw his son losing the fight.
 

Datu Banaak quickly prepared his poisonous arrow and pointed it at Karan. As soon as another thunderbolt illuminated the entire place, Karan was hit through the heart and fell down to the ground.

Then, the Sulabuns began escaping, for their smaller wings were, at that time, very much damaged by the heavy rainfall.

The Kravenas, altogether, gathered, to aid their adored sepe, but he was already losing too much blood.

With a heavy moan, Karan took his last breath.

His followers then knew of his passing and grieved.

“Farewell, our dearly loved Sepe!” they cried enormously.

“Farewell!”

They were extremely weakened and fearful to take his body to the palasyon but they must not dwell on their lamentations. They had to take their much-loved sepe to the palasyon.

Datu Ilak was devastated upon seeing the dead body of his beloved son. His entire family was, too, as every Kravena gathered to console the royal family.

It was a night of mourning for every Kravena. Cold hearts were felt, everywhere! The valour of Kravena wilted into dust! They, had lost their fathers, brothers, husbands, sons—all their loved ones.

Chapter 10

The Night

The first day of summer came at last, and the most awaited Battle of the Bands was on.
 

The stadium was full and the crowd was exceptionally loud, cheering for their favorite bands. Sophia and Zarah were screaming at the top of their lungs. They had done so much preparations for the guys, from promoting the band through social media down to their outfits.

Twenty bands competed that night, and each of them had impressed the crowd. Giovanni stood as the vocalist because George, their front man, had an unexpected sore throat. Fortunately, Giovanni created an impact on the judges and grabbed their interest.
 

The announcement of the winner was almost near, and everyone was on the brink, already predicting Zion to be the champion.

Zarah and Sophia were holding their hearts from too much excitement when Philippe called his daughter.
 

“Dad!” Sophia tried to speak louder to overcome the crowd’s noise.

“Honey, what time will the contest end? It’s almost twelve and I’m kind of worried.” Philippe’s voice was obviously troubled.

“It’s almost over, Dad! They’re actually about to announce the winner now,” Sophia was saying when she saw the announcer climbed the stage. “I have to go now, Dad. I promise we’ll come home after this!”

“All right! Get home in an hour,” Philippe sighed uneasily.

Sophia flung a brief laugh. “Bye, Dad.”

The announcer had finally spoken and thanked every participant for their outstanding performances. At long last, he declared the year’s champion and it was... Zion.

Incredibly, the entire band and the girls jumped to their euphoria—loudly yelling. Then, the guys headed to the stage to receive their trophy and cash prize, and Sophia and Zarah took a thousand of photos of them.
 

When the awarding ended, the guys went back to the girls and handed them their awards.
 

“Congratulations! You made it!” the girls hailed.

“Yeah! We made it, guys!” Giovanni cheered and wrapped his hands around Sophia’s shoulders.

“I guess I have to stop this joyfulness for a while,” Sophia told Alex. “Dad called and he asked us to go home right away.” She said it evidently that the rest overheard her.

“Yeah, daddy is already worried!” Zarah joked, still at the peak of her enjoyment.

“All right! Let’s go home, then. And tomorrow, let’s have a huge party!” Alex encroached, and the rest roared in agreement.

They exited the stadium and said their goodbyes.

Rambo was about to get a cab when Alex saw him and stopped him.

“Why are you riding a cab?” Alex asked.