Ryan, Jake, Romar, and the rest of the team gathered their gear and prepared for their mission.
As they stood ready, Sir Rodriguez emerged from his office and commanded them to prepare for departure. With everyone geared up, they set off towards Mount Apo to embark on their expedition.
... [ At mount Apo starting point] ...
Before their journey began, Sir Rodriguez summoned the team for a briefing. He provided guidelines and orientation detailing key resting points and activities they would undertake.
“Alright, officers, listen up,” Sir Rodriguez began, his voice cutting through the quiet chatter of the group.
“At the Tinikaran Campsite will be our stay at night, we'll assess the area and set up our equipment. Then, tomorrow we will heading at Lake Venado, we'll proceed to the designated training ground for our firefighting drills.”
“Our focus will be on rope rescue techniques and emergency response situations,” Sir Rodriguez continued, his tone firm yet stirring.
“Any questions before we hit the trail?” Sir Rodriguez asked.
The team nodded in understanding, while Jake, Ryan, and Romar exchanged determined glances, ready to begin their task.
... [At the Big Rock E-Camp] ...
Datu Bulon, a wandering soul, strolled atop the massive rock adorned with a towering tree at its summit. Perched on his makeshift throne, Datu Bulon amused himself with the passing hikers, intrigued by their peculiar attire and, most of all, the smiles on their faces as they relished their hike.
Occasionally, he playfully tossed pebbles at them, delighting in their obliviousness to his presence.
As Datu Bulon waited for passersby, he settled beside the tree. “Ah, how tedious it is. I shall sit for a while, soon the people will pass by here,” Datu Bulon chuckled to himself.
... [Near the Basakan E-Camp] ...
“We're nearing our first stop, the Basakan E-Camp,” their tour guide shouted.
“Agh, guys, I can't go on. I'm exhausted, thirsty, and my feet hurt,” Romar complained dramatically, collapsing onto a nearby log.
Ryan laughed and nudged Romar in the back. “Come on, we've only been hiking for two hours, Romar, we've barely started! Can't you handle a little trekking? Hahaha.”
Jake joined in, sporting a mischievous grin. “Maybe we should just leave him here to rest. We'll come back for you on our way down, Romar!”
Romar chuckled while pretending to sulk. “My companions, truly the worst hiking buddies! Fine, let's take a short break, but only because I'm a kind friend.”
With the resounding applause of their laughter, the three friends rested, reveling in camaraderie and the breathtaking scenery surrounding them.
Until they reached their first stop, Basakan E-Camp, where they took a brief respite and snacked. After 30 minutes, they resumed their hike towards the second stop, the Big Rock E-Camp.
They laughed, shared stories, and seized every moment, capturing memories through photos with their companions. Upon reaching the Big Rock E-Camp, however, they did not halt but pressed on.
As they continued their journey, Jake noticed a peculiar being seated beside a tree nearby. The man, barely five feet tall, adorned with tattoos and clad in traditional attire, caught Jake's gaze.
Driven by curiosity, Jake couldn't help but stare at the creature, Datu Bulon, his eyes widening in astonishment as he attempted to comprehend the mysterious figure.
The man suddenly stirred, as if sensing Jake's gaze, and their eyes met, sending a sudden jolt of surprise through both of them.
Jake quickly averted his gaze, somewhat startled by the unexpected interaction. “Um, guys, did you see that?” he whispered, discreetly pointing to Ryan and Romar.
As Datu Bulon was also taken aback by the event, for the first time in over 1,100 years, someone had seen him. Startled, he hid behind the tree.
Ryan and Romar exchanged curious glances before following Jake's gaze. "What's up?” they asked with intrigued smiles.
“The person up on Big Rock,” Jake said, pointing to the location of the mysterious figure.
When Jake, Ryan, and Romar looked back, the mysterious being had vanished.
“What are you talking about? Hahaha” Jake and Romar teased.
“I saw someone up there earlier,” Jake insisted, trying to convince Ryan and Romar.
“Was it a ghost or something? Hahaha, you must be losing it,” Ryan joked, and they continued their hike.
But Jake was certain of what he saw, and since the figure had disappeared suddenly, he let it pass, but kept glancing back at the big rock where he had seen Datu Bulon.
Meanwhile, Datu Bulon marveled at Jake's conviction in seeing him. So, as Jake's group continued their trek, Datu Bulon secretly trailed behind.
By 4:00 pm, they reached the Tinikaran Campsite, where many other hikers had already set up camp.
Sir Rodriguez announced that they would spend the night there and resume their ascent to Lake Venado at 5:00 am the next day, where they would carry out all their activities.
They set up their tents, while some prepared their meals for dinner, happily conversing and teasing each other.
As Datu Bulon observed Jake from the high branches of the tree, he felt a sense of anticipation, as if his soul had been awakened and his burden lightened.
As Datu Bulon observed Jake from afar atop the tall tree, he felt a surge of excitement, as if his soul had been revived and the weight on his shoulders lifted.
Meanwhile, Jake, Ryan, Romar, and their firefighter buddies sat happily around the bonfire, exchanging stories of their hiking adventures.
Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, they teased each other and shared tales of near-misses, like almost stepping on a snake or a firefighter hanging onto a branch that suddenly broke, causing him to fall.
“Remember that time when Ryan’s heart almost stopped because he thought he saw a snake? Classic!” Jake teased Ryan, recounting the moment to everyone.
“Hey, it was pretty dark, alright? Anyone would’ve been startled!” Ryan defended himself against Jake’s teasing.
“And who could forget the epic incident with the tree? I seriously thought you were gone, buddy!” Romar chimed in.
“Yeah, but you guys caught me right away! Just another day in the lives of adventurous travelers, right?” Albert, their firefighter companion, responded.
Laughter echoed around the bonfire as they reminisced about their unforgettable hiking escapades and the bonds forged through shared experiences.
Amidst the tales of adventure and laughter, Romar began to yawn and stretch, clearly feeling the fatigue of their hike.
“Hey, Romar, you look like you could use a nap right here by the fire!” Jake teased Romar.
“Yeah, I’ve seen turtles move faster than you today!” Added Ryan with a grin.
Romar rolled his eyes, playfully swatting away their teasing remarks.
“Hey, hey, cut me some slack, guys! Not all of us are blessed with marathon runner strength, okay?
Besides, I’m just enjoying the view, taking each step as it comes!” Romar said with a hint of playful boastfulness but still smiling.
The firefighters chuckled, exchanging knowing glances as they continued to banter and share stories of their hiking escapades.
Jake suddenly felt the call of nature, prompting him to stand up abruptly.
“Where are you off to, Jake?” Toni, their firefighter companion, inquired.
“Oh, just gonna commune with nature,” Jake chuckled in response.
“He’s gonna take a dump! You know Jake, after eating, his habit is to poop,” Romar teased, eliciting laughter from everyone.
As Jake walked away, Ryan shouted, “Go far away, we might smell your poop!” Laughter erupted once again.
Shaking his head, Jake chuckled, “You guys are insane.”
Entering a dense part of the mountain, Datu Bulon noticed his departure, so he followed him.
As Jake sat on the porcelain throne, suddenly, Datu Bulon materialized right in front of him.
“Waaa!” Jake exclaimed in shock at Datu Bulon’s abrupt appearance.
Closing his eyes in fear, Jake muttered, “Tabi-Tabi po. I’m sorry if I disturbed your dwelling.”
Raising an eyebrow, Datu Bulon responded to Jake’s pleas with a puzzled expression.
“What do you mean, ‘tabi-tabi po’? Firstly, I am not a dwarf. Secondly, indeed, you can see me, kid. What’s your name?” Datu Bulon inquired.
Meanwhile, Jake, with closed eyes and praying fervently out of sheer terror, tried his best to ignore Datu Bulon’s questions.
“Just a moment, can you hear me? Why don’t you want to answer?” Datu Bulon persisted, leaning in close to Jake and whispering in his ear.
“Hey, kid, can you hear me too?” Datu Bulon asked Jake.
Upon feeling Datu Bulon’s words in his ear, Jake’s fear reached its peak, causing him to bolt in terror.
“Waaaa! Sorry!”
“Hays!” Datu Bulon sighed. “Oh, right, I forgot. I’m a spirit, so you’re terrified. Hahaha,” he chuckled.
With a wave of his hand, emitting a lilac glow, Datu Bulon opened what seemed like a portal.
As Jake sprinted away, he soon found himself bewildered, realizing he had been running in circles.
Frustrated, he grabbed a piece of wood and wedged it into a crevice of a large rock he spotted before dashing off again.
Meanwhile, Datu Bulon lounged on a tree branch, watching Jake’s antics with amusement.
When Jake finally noticed the endless loop, he exclaimed, “I think I’m being enchanted!” and hastily stripped off his clothes, turning them inside out.
Seeing this, Datu Bulon burst into laughter. “That won’t work, kid. Hahaha,” he chuckled.
Despite his fear, Jake mustered up his courage. “Who are you? What do you want from me? I’m sorry if I disturbed your place. Please, just return me to my friends,” Jake pleaded, his voice trembling with anxiety.
Datu Bulon grinned, “Earlier, you called me a dwarf, now it’s a tikbalang. You’re becoming quite insulting, but I’ll let it slide. Hahaha,” Datu Bulon chuckled.
“I thought you were a dwarf because you’re small. And then I thought you were a tikbalang because you were leading me astray. So what are you?” Jake asked Datu Bulon.
Datu Bulon furrowed his brow at Jake’s words. He then descended from the tree and approached Jake.
“Wait, don’t come near me. Stay there!” Jake commanded.
“Calm down, I just want to introduce myself,” Datu Bulon said. “I am Bulon, a former Datu of Dabu. I’m not a dwarf or a tikbalang, but yes, I used the power of the tikbalang to keep you from getting away from me.”
“You’re not a dwarf or a tikbalang? Then what are you? And how are you able to do that to me?” Jake inquired.
“I am a soul, and yes, I can harness the power of the tikbalang because I am the Mighty Bagani,” Datu Bulon declared.
“Bagani? Are you one of those indigenous great warriors, correct?” Jake asked.
Datu Bulon pondered Jake’s question for a moment. “Um, I’m not sure what you mean exactly, but yes, I am one, but more than that,” Datu Bulon replied.
Then, Datu Bulon’s expression turned serious. “Let me ask you something, young man. Why can you see or hear me? Who are you? What’s your name?” Datu Bulon inquired, his face now serious.
“I’m Jake Lakandula, and I’m not a kid anymore. I’m 25 years old, and I’m a firefighter. I also don’t know why I can see you. Were you the person standing on the rock earlier?” Jake replied.
“Jake? That’s quite a unique name. Do you know that in over 1,100 years, you’re the only one who has been able to see and converse with me,” Datu Bulon stated.
Datu Bulon’s revelation caught Jake off guard. “Wait, seriously? I’m the only one?” Jake’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Datu Bulon nodded solemnly. “Yes, you possess a rare gift, Jake Lakandula. The ability to perceive beings like me is a sign of your unique connection to the spiritual realm.”
Jake scratched his head, trying to make sense of it all. “But why me?”
Datu Bulon’s gaze softened. “There are mysteries in this world that even I cannot fully comprehend, Jake. Perhaps it’s fate, or destiny, that has brought us together. And maybe, Jake, you might be the one I’ve been waiting for all along.” Datu Bulon grinned as he spoke, filled with joy.
“Waiting?” Jake questioned, puzzled. “I don’t understand you, but please, can you return me? Our leader might already be searching for me.” Jake pleaded.
Datu Bulon grinned, “Fear not, for I have merely transported you to a dimension of my own creation, where Time flows differently from that of your reality. This means that no matter the time and moment I plucked you from in your world, when you step back into it, you’ll return to the exact same moment, as if Time itself remains untouched.”
“I see,” Jake replied, marveling at Datu Bulon’s words.
“But what do you mean by saying that you’ve been waiting for me?” Jake inquired.
“It could merely be a possibility. After all, as I mentioned earlier, the fact that you can see me and hear me is quite remarkable,” Datu Bulon explained.
“Um, is that the only reason? But that’s not enough evidence to claim that I am the one you’ve been waiting for,” Jake countered. “There are many others like me, who possess the ability to see. Does that mean they, too, are the ones you’ve been waiting for?” Jake questioned further.
Datu Bulon pondered Jake’s words. “Ah, you have a point. Hahaha,” Datu Bulon chuckled. “But I have a strong feeling that you are the chosen one,” Datu Bulon said confidently.
Jake raised his chin at Datu Bulon’s assertion. “Tsk, Nonsense! Can you bring me back to my world, I’m quite tired and I need to rest,” Jake demanded.
“Alright, but on one condition,” chuckled Datu Bulon mischievously.
“Sigh!” Jake sighed heavily. “Seriously, I just want to rest. What now?” Jake grumbled.
With a wide grin, Datu Bulon replied, “Let me join you.”
“Huh?” Jake was perplexed.
“Yes, I’ll tag along wherever you go, haha! I’m seriously bored, I need someone to chat and joke with,” Datu Bulon said, still grinning.
“What if I don’t want you to?” Jake inquired.
“Well, then you won’t be able to return to your reality until you agree,” Datu Bulon laughed mischievously.
Jake raised an eyebrow, slightly irritated. “Tsk! I have no choice. You’re one cunning dwarf,” Jake muttered, turning away.
Datu Bulon felt annoyed at being called a dwarf by Jake.
“Fine, I agree, but don’t talk to me when I’m with my companions. I don’t want to look like a lunatic,” Jake said.
“Alright, let me out of here,” Jake added.
Datu Bulon gleefully raised his hands to send Jake back to reality. “Great! I’ve got a new friend to chat with, Hahaha.” Datu Bulon chuckled.
As Jake walked back to the campsite, Datu Bulon followed behind, eagerly chatting away. But Jake ignored him, not wanting to let on to his companions that he had a mischievous companion.