ᜀᜄᜒᜋᜆᜌᜓ(AGIMATAYO)

Meanwhile, in the mansion of Bringinan,

Eric sat at the center of a large table, with each leader of their respective groups staring at him as if he were being judged. He knew how powerful they were—at any moment, any one of them could kill him. It would take at least three Pato to match just one of them in a fight. But Eric had no time for fear; he knew he had to do this. Then, he spoke.

Eric: "I am Eric Dimaano, Agimatayo 5th Company Pato, and I'm here to talk about how to end this war."

Kaluna: "So, you're Eric, huh? The one who keeps bugging us? To think that Bringinan chose you and acknowledged you to participate in this meeting instead of Dakila… In my eyes, you're just a lost boy who doesn't know fear yet."

Kaluna glared at him, and Eric could feel it down to his bones. But instead of fear, he felt more annoyed that Kaluna had called him a "boy." Thinking of a way to get back at her, Eric grinned and said:

Eric: "So, you're still butthurt that Dakila didn't choose you to be with him, you old dried leaf?"

Kaluna released a powerful surge of energy so strong that even the other prominent figures instinctively reached for their weapons. She wasn't just the Queen of the Silent Forest—she was also known as the First Witch, wielding one of the forbidden magics known as Kulam, an ancient power that blended magic and curses. The sheer pressure of her energy shattered Eric's chair and forced him to his knees.

Kaluna: "You insolent fool! Before you were even born, I was already greater than you could ever become. Even your past lives cannot compare to me. And yet, you—a mere lowly life—dare insult me?"

She was about to attack Eric, but suddenly, she stopped. She sensed the great Balete tree of Bringinan surging with energy, its power directly pointing at her.

Eric thought to himself,

"If the tree senses that you are a threat to its surroundings and will cause chaos, it will immediately immobilize you—to the point of killing you. You may hold the title of the First Witch, but you have no power against an entity equally as old as time itself."

Kaluna knew that causing chaos in the mansion would provoke the Balete tree, and if she did, she would be permanently banned from ever entering this sacred place—if she managed to escape it alive. Bringinan was a meeting place for great beings acknowledged by the Balete itself. She released a deep breath, suppressing her rage, and said:

Kaluna: "I'll let you off the hook this time."

Eric, still flabbergasted by the intensity of the moment, gathered his confidence, stood up, his crimson eyes glowing, and said:

Eric: "Like I said earlier, Agimatayo only wants to end this never-ending war for everyone here."

Kaluna: "How can you propose such a thing when your kind was the one who started this fight in the first place?"

Datu Aklan: "And to make sure you know where we stand, your people are scattering across the country like pests. Because of that, I killed the ones who were lurking around my territory the other day."

Aklan wanted to see how Eric would react to his provocation, but Eric only smiled and said:

Eric: "And that childish temper of yours is exactly why this war never ends."

Aklan destroyed the armrest of his chair, his menacing gaze fixed on Eric. But Eric knew that arguing with Kaluna and Aklan would get him nowhere. Instead, he turned to another figure seated on the right side of the table—a legendary being, casually smoking a cigar. A Kapre.

Eric lowered his head in respect and said:

Eric: "It is an honor to meet you, Chief Lagim."