Mutagen

<strong>Day 151 - 4:06 AM - Faculty Building, Panganiban Central Elementary School, Bagong Bayan, Municipality of Panganiban, Catanduanes</strong>

A cold early morning, though unlike in the mountains where it was cooler in the night, the vicinity of the school was warmer. It was because not that far northeast of the school was the estuary where the Oco River and the Philippine Sea intersects.

Being inside the territory monitored by some allies made Mark feel at ease. For several days, it was the first time Mark managed to get to some good sleep. Although he was not sure that Diwata Iraya and her people would make an effort to look after their group, his Grandmother, Aliya, would. That was why he did not hesitate to take a breather for this night. Even someone like him would feel tired after a few days without proper sleep.

Still, Mark's body clock woke him up too early.

It was not a bad thing, however. In the apocalypse, the earlier one woke up, the more they could do for the day. It was not an era where one could just daddle around even if they were powerful.

Well, unless one had people working under him.

Mark was one of those who had people he could push around. In the least, he was not doing so. It was not like he could not do it, but he had more trust in doing things on his own than leaving it to others.

Looking around after opening his eyes, Mark smiled.

Mei was hugging him on his left side, using his arm as her pillow even though she had one that was already tossed aside. The girls were also with them with Iola beside Mei and Miracle and Abbygale to his right.

On top of their bags, Amihan had her own bed. It was just some folded blankets, but it was more than soft enough to make her comfortable. Like usual, Amihan was deep in her dreamland despite the fact that Pefile said that Elementals like them did not need too much sleep.

All of them were still deeply asleep. It looked like even the girls let down their guards, knowing that this was a safe place to sleep.

Since he was already fully awake, Mark decided to leave the girls in their dreamland. At least now, Mark would not go anywhere far, and Mei would not wake up abruptly. He was just going out of the building to take a stretch and prepare things to wash up.

On the way out of the building, Mark paid attention to the others.

Edzel and Pearl also seemed to be asleep in their partition of the room.

The two young soldiers, Padua and Geronimo, took a small room near the door to rest. The two also volunteered to be the lookout for the night, with the two taking turns. It was even though Mark already said that it was unnecessary.

As for Berrak, Mark could feel him on top of the building. Yes, on the roof. Apparently, he slept together with his pet Thunderbird. Since he knew that magical fluctuations attract the infected, he began to summon and return his pets lesser and lesser. Since the Thunderbird, Trua, was his primary transport, he decided to just keep it out all the time.

Stepping out of the building, Mark saw Pefile. He was lying down on a thick branch of the large tree in front of the building. It looked like it was where this Tamawo slept. Sensing that someone went out of the building, Pefile glanced at the door. He then retracted his gaze, seeing that it was Mark.

Mark did not bother greeting Pefile. He was not used to morning greetings anyway, and Pefile himself did not need it. Instead, he found a good place to do some stretching.

Afterward, Mark took out a few water containers from his ring, preparing the water they needed to wash their bodies. Some people might say that this was a waste if they heard about it. After all, what Mark took out were containers of drinkable water. Furthermore, there was a river not far from the school. Most people would think of going there instead.

However, thinking rationally, using the water from the river should only be used as a last resort. That was what Mark thought. After all, before the outbreak, the river water downstream was already not too safe to use because of contamination. What was more in the apocalypse? It was not even surprising to see a dead body of a human floating down the river at these times.

If one wanted to use river water, find the source or, at least, be sure to get water upstream.

Mark then washed first, wetting a small towel to scrub his body. It was cold but regulating his blood for a bit, he could not feel the cold anymore.

It did not take long, and the surroundings began to brighten. The morning sunlight finally appeared on the horizon as the sun began to rise. Unfortunately, the sunrise could not be seen in their current location.

But then, Mark noticed something.

The sky began to brighten in every direction...

Well, except in the southernmost direction.

It was as if there was a storm brewing in that direction. This situation was strange since there was no irregular change in the temperature and humidity in the air to signal an incoming storm.

However, instead of storm clouds, Mark felt that it was different. The scene made him remember the polluted sky in Manila. Unfortunately, it was too far for Mark to be able to take a good look. In any case, he decided to pay attention to the situation. If possible, he would go check it out after everyone woke up.

"So much for a rest day..."

Mark grumbled. He wanted to rest for today. And now, something strange popped up.

However, as Mark thought that, he felt some energy fluctuations in front of him. Sensing such fluctuation several times already, Mark was already familiar with it. It was the energy fluctuations whenever the Black Children, the Yasaw, used their abilities to travel.

At first, Mark thought that his Grandmother came early to spend time with them. But then, when the people appeared, Mark frowned.

Aliya was here, but so were Diwata Iraya and the leader of the Yasaws, Deriellio. It was strange for the two to appear here. Furthermore, they seemed to be in a bad mood.

"What happened?"

Mark asked as the three approached him.

"The Demons in Bato showed signs of preparing to invade."

Diwata Iraya answered straight to the point.

Mark frowned hearing that. He planned to eliminate those Demons soon enough but it seemed that they had some unexpected movements.

"Just how in the world did that happen?" Mark asked and pointed at the darkened sky at the south. "Does it have to do with that?"

"Unfortunately, it is."

Diwata Iraya answered.

The Diwata and the Leader of Yasaws then began to explain what happened yesterday. About the remnants of the rebels that disappeared from their outposts and the wreckage left at the road leading south.

"Tsk." Mark clicked his tongue. "Those rebels are basically destroyed already but they still caused trouble."

It was totally unexpected for the rebels to do such a dumb move. It was not a secret that mysterious disappearances were happening in Bato and those idiots actually went there.

"So, they are going to move north, which is here, right?"

Mark inquired.

"That is right. After all, this place is directly north of the Demon's territory."

Deriellio answered. It seemed that even this childish-looking man deemed this important that his childish voice was strained.

"The Demons would not dare make a move against humans right now." Diwata Iraya added. "Even though they managed to increase their numbers, the humans still far outnumbered them. As such, the only thing they could do right now was to move North."

"Then, you guys are preparing to intercept them?"

Mark asked further.

"Yes." Diwata nodded with a grave look. "However, some problems cropped up."

"And that is?"

Mark raised his eyebrow.

"Not all of our forces wanted to participate in this battle." Diwata Iraya replied with a grieved look. "The likely to be the primary goal of the Demons was to increase their numbers. Thus, their targets were the humans up north. Knowing that intercepting the Demons was equal to protecting those humans, many of our people lost the urge to fight the Demons."

Hearing that, Mark understood the situation. And all of it was the fault of humans, in particular, religion.

From Amihan's story before, their kind was hunted by Spanish Missionaries in the past. It was very likely that it also happened here. With the experience that the Elementals and Spirits had with those humans, it was not surprising that many of them did not want to help.

However...

"How stupid," Mark remarked without holding back. "They did not want to participate in the battle because it would be protecting humans. Don't they understand that after the humans were done in, they would be the next ones to follow?"

Hearing that, Diwata Iraya and Deriellio fell silent. They understood the situation well and even if many of their people did not want to help, these two would still be present in the frontlines. That was how the hatred towards humans was also deep-seated among magical races.

"Can't you two force those that did not want to help in the battle?" Mark asked. "You two are leaders of the group, right?"

And to that question, Diwata Iraya shook her head.

"Us Diwatas were born to represent freedom and justice. Forcing people is more or less denying our existence." Diwata Iraya replied solemnly. "The only thing we could do was try to convince them. We can't force anyone except for the judged."

The judged. It was those that committed crimes under the jurisdiction of the Diwatas.

"Then, you two are here to ask my group to help, isn't it?"

Mark understood the situation. His frank question made Diwata Iraya and Deriellio quite awkward. Even Aliya that was being silent since they arrived smiled bitterly. By the looks of it, if Mark declined the two, Aliya would step forward to try and convince him. It was quite a sly trick for the two who claimed to be righteous.

However, instead of telling them his answer, Mark asked another question.

"Then what will those idiots do?"

"Who?"

Deriellio asked back.

"Those that did not want to fight. Who else?"

Mark sighed in annoyance.

"They will be waiting inside my domain until the battle passed by."

Diwata Iraya answered Mark's question.

"So, they won't come out and just hug their knees waiting, is it?"

Mark mocked.

The two leaders sighed. Luckily, Ordulk was no here or that guy would end up getting riled up by Mark's words. After all, that guy was actually one of those that did not want to stand in front to protect humans.

Mark then turned to the two with a serious look.

"How many individuals will fight with you two?"

"About three hundred."

Diwata Iraya replied.

"Isn't that too little?"

Mark was at a loss for words.

"The majority of people in my domain are Yasaws. By stature and magical abilities, they were lacking for battle and only a few dared to."

Diwata Iraya explained with Deriellio nodding in agreement.

"How about the enemies?" Mark asked again. However, the two fell silent as they could not give a concrete number.

"Any estimate?"

Mark changed the question.

"About a thousand or two."

Mark stared at Diwata Iraya incredulously. It looked like they were going to fight a losing battle. The Diwata might be powerful. But if she was asking Mark for help, it meant that the enemies might have someone as powerful as her to tie her down.

"Alright, I'll help," Mark said with a sigh. "But with some conditions."

"What conditions?"

Diwata Iraya asked warily.

"Don't worry, it's not anything bad," Mark replied. "I'll tell you guys while preparing."

Diwata Iraya and Deriellio frowned. However, as the people asking for help, they could not say a word at all.

"By the way," Mark turned back at the two. "Since you two said that the Demons were still preparing, when do you think are they going to attack?"

"We don't really know. It could be tomorrow or the next day." Diwata Iraya shook her head. "However, there is one thing for sure. They will start moving at midnight when they were the most powerful."