Chapter 6: The Reckoning Near Maitum

The Investigation Begins

Early in the morning, Daniel and Johnson prepared for their mission near the dense forests at the outskirts of Maitum. Before setting out, Daniel spoke quietly, his voice steady yet sincere.

Daniel:
“I heard rumors in town... about that monster lurking in the forest. They say it’s killed a lot of people. The last mercenary who took on that mission... never made it back.”

Johnson nodded grimly, arms crossed.

Daniel:
“This is my hometown, and it’s nearby. If you want, I can help you track it down, face it together.”

Johnson paused, visibly grateful.

Johnson:
“I owe you for this, Daniel. You don’t know how much this means. I’m not fully awakened yet, still mastering my power. I’m not confident I can defeat this monster alone. Consider this a debt, if you ever needed help in the future I will always be one call away to repay you.”

Daniel gave a firm nod.

Johnson smiled, the weight of the favor anchoring a new bond between them.

Johnson:
“I’ll remember that. Let’s see if together we can bring this down.”

At a small local barangay, the two mercenaries quietly visited a modest police outpost. Officers shared chilling reports—several climbers and hikers who had ventured into the dense woodlands over the last week had vanished without a trace.

Officer Ramirez:
“We’ve searched where they last set foot, but most we found were scraps of gear… and some odd markings we can’t explain on the trees.”

Daniel’s brows furrowed. Johnson listened carefully.

Back in the forest, under the thick canopy of ancient trees, Daniel and Johnson methodically combed through the area where the climbers had gone missing. The smell of damp earth, moss, and decaying leaves filled the air. Shafts of golden sun pierced through the tangled branches, casting eerie patterns on the forest floor.

Near a massive, gnarled tree—its bark blackened and scarred—they discovered strange symbols etched deep into the wood, worn with age but unmistakably unnatural.

Daniel knelt beside the tree trunk, fingers tracing the ancient carvings, feeling a faint vibration beneath his fingertips.

Daniel:
“These markings... they’re not recent, but something here feels alive. Like this tree is a marker… or a warning.”

Johnson crouched down beside him, scanning the surrounding area.

Johnson:
“The locals say these woods were once sacred, watched over by spirits. But lately, something’s twisted the balance.”

As they gathered more clues, an ominous truth emerged—one of the missing climbers had been found, or rather, what was left of him.

A local guide, pale-faced and shaken, led them to a hidden clearing deeper in the forest. There lay the remains of a man, but something was horribly wrong. His body was partially transformed—skin thick and bark-like in places, limbs unnaturally elongated, eyes closed but hauntingly fierce even in death.

Johnson (whispering):
“This isn’t just a monster… he’s a mutant. Half human, half Kapre.”

Daniel’s eyes widened.

Daniel:
“Kapre… those tree giants from the stories?”

Johnson nodded solemnly.

Johnson:
“Yes, but this one is different. A product of the vaccine… the same vaccine administered during COVID-19, but tampered with by an unknown group. They mixed it with monster blood to revive the fading clans, blending genes of man and creature.”

Daniel felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

Daniel:
“So the spirit’s measure of this monster’s power was off because this is… a new breed? Hybrid?”

Johnson’s jaw tightened.

Johnson:
“Exactly. The vaccine didn’t just fail—it created a monster born of science and dark magic. This half-Kapre doesn’t have typical boundaries. We’re dealing with something unpredictable… and deadly.”

The Monster Lurks

Suddenly, the forest grew deathly silent—the usual chorus of birds and insects muted. A massive shadow shifted between the trees.

The towering form of the half-Kapre emerged, its body a grotesque amalgamation of flesh and bark, muscles rippling as thick smoke seemed to seep from its pores. Its eyes burned with a furious amber glow, nostrils flaring as it smelled the intruders.

Johnson drew a blade, signaling Daniel to ready himself.

Johnson (gritted teeth):
“This one’s dangerous. Stay close.”

The beast roared, shaking the canopy, branches snapping like twigs underfoot. It charged.

The Fierce Battle

The clash was brutal. Johnson fought valiantly, but the mutant Kapre’s power was overwhelming. It smashed through trees like paper, each strike capable of crushing bone. Johnson took a heavy blow, staggering backward as his side split and blood seeped through his torn shirt.

Johnson (gritting his teeth):
“Daniel... run. This one’s too strong—I’m done for!”

But Daniel’s response was fierce and unyielding.

Daniel:
“No. We just met, but I’m not leaving you behind.”

With a surge of determination, Daniel charged forward alone, locking eyes with the massive creature.

As Daniel faced down the fully transformed Kapre, something stirred deep within him—a power he hadn’t yet grasped. An ancient strength born not only from training but from a pure resolve to protect life on the line.

Dark energy crackled around Daniel, a black aura slowly enveloping his form, translucent and flickering like smoke in the wind. His senses sharpened beyond anything before, and his heart burned with single-minded focus.

The battle escalated into a desperate one-on-one duel. The ground trembled beneath their feet as Daniel dodged vicious strikes and countered with blistering speed and power. His fists glowed faintly, each blow landing with the weight of his unknown potential.

The black aura intensified, swirling like a storm, and Daniel let out a roar born from his soul’s deepest wells—fighting not just for himself or Johnson, but for all those threatened by the resurgence of monsters.

The half-Kapre surged with monstrous fury, launching a devastating strike toward Daniel. Time seemed to freeze as Daniel readied himself for impact, the black aura flaring wildly around him.

In that suspended moment, the fate of the battle—and perhaps the fate of Maitum—hung in balance.