“Where are we exactly? I didn’t know there was a place like this in the Philippines. Wait… are we still in the Philippines?”

 

“Uhm… Actually… It’s much harder to explain,” Calla replied. “But like we said, we are in a place secluded from the normal realm.”

 

“This domain was made by Kuya Vistar, exclusively for our group. We just helped construct the buildings and structures,” Otto explained.

 

“Kuya Vistar?”

 

“How much do you know about the Giyas?” 

 

“I have no idea.”

 

Otto tried to explain in his own words, 

 

“The Giyas are higher beings. People call them guardian angels - or watchers. Because of their power and abilities, some cultures tend to deify them and worship them as their gods.”

 

“I see…”

 

“The Giyas grant blessings to beings much inferior to them. Beings with the blessings of the Giyas are called ‘Favored’.”

 

Triggs was amazed by the thought. “Wow... Truly, there are things in our life that we still don’t know.”

 

“That’s right, Man! That’s why we need to humble ourselves. After all, as humans, our knowledge and wisdom are very limited.”

 

Triggs agreed. Then he asked, 

 

“How about ‘Kuya Vistar’? Is he a Giya?”

 

“Yes. Kuya Vistar - or Vistar - is a Giya. At some point in history, he was once worshipped as the Deity of Space and Expansion. Vistar Favored one of our members - Kloe.”

 

“Uhm… What exactly are these ‘blessings’ that the Giyas give to their Favored Beings?”

 

Lae answered this time, 

 

“The privilege to use Blessed Words - or as we call it, ‘Incantations’.” 

 

“Oohhh… I think I’m starting to understand it now,” Triggs murmured. 

 

“Bla-bla-bla! You guys talk too much! Can we keep going now?” Monty blabbered.

 

“Right! Let’s go.”

 

Lae led the way to the middle door. 

 

The door automatically opened as if it was already expecting their presence.

 

Without further ado, the group entered.

 

A divine aura welcomed Triggs as he passed the door.

 

Inside was a very spacious chamber. Triggs couldn’t even see the walls of the room.

 

Nothing could be seen inside the room; no furniture, no structures, and no design. It was an infinite space of plainness. 

 

The only thing that Triggs could see inside the room was a wooden desk. 

 

There, he saw the old lady from before, scribbling something on a piece of paper using her large weird-looking pen.

 

“Oh! You’re already here!” the old lady uttered as she saw the group enter the room.

 

“Hey, Lola Vega! We’re back!” Calla greeted.

 

Vega stood up from his seat and there dangled her fancy outfit. 

 

Interestingly, she was wearing a dazzling nightgown. Her long greyish hair scattered on her shoulder.

 

The unusual fashion surprised Triggs.

 

“Looking good, Old Lady Vega!” Otto complimented.

 

“You look like a cougar with that outfit.”

 

“MONTY!!!” Lae scolded. “At least have some respect for Lola Vega.”

 

“Psh! Okay - Okay, Ms. Principal… I was just joking.”

 

Otto butted in to lighten up the situation, 

 

“Loosen up a bit, Lae. As you said earlier, we should be more welcoming to our guests. We need to lighten up the room! I believe Monty here meant no harm.” 

 

Then he turned to Monty, “Right, Monty-Man?”

 

“Yeah - thanks, Shrek.”

 

“What the hell did you just call me!?”

 

Monty chuckled. “You said it - Relax, Boy!”

 

Vega approached Triggs. Then she said, “Can I have your hand?”

 

Triggs was puzzled. “Uhm… Sorry?”

 

“Your left hand - can I see it?”

 

Triggs extended his left hand to Vega. 

 

Vega held it with her two hands. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

 

At that instant, the room went sacredly silent. Only the heartbeat of the people could be heard.

 

After a full minute of solemnity, Vega finally opened her baggy eyelids.

 

Like a child waiting to hear a secret, Calla asked, 

 

“So, what is it, Lola? Is he one of us!?”

 

The others were also excited to hear the answer.

 

“I still couldn’t tell,” Vega replied.

 

“Why don’t you ask Them?” Monty suggested.

 

Like the forgetful old woman that she really is, Vega sloppily replied to Monty,

 

“Uhh…… yeah. You’re damn right, Monty,” 

 

She then turned around and looked behind her. 

 

She asked the empty space behind her as if she was talking to someone or something invisible,

 

“What do you think?” 

 

Suddenly, the mood inside the room changed. Otto, Calla, and Lae became more piqued as if they were anticipating the presence of a celebrity.

 

“Wait! Are They here, Lola Vega?” Lae asked.

 

Baffled by the situation, Triggs asked. “What is happening? Who are they talking about?”

 

“The Giyas - they’re here,” Otto replied.

 

“Really? Where!?”

 

“Don’t stress it! Only a chosen few possess the ability to see the Giyas, and Old Lady Vega is one of the fortunate individuals who can see and even communicate with Them.”

 

“Ooh… That’s nice.”

 

“Is Ate Panee also there?” Calla asked Vega.

 

“Nah! She just left a while ago,” Vega answered. “You know Her. She’s always busy with Her ‘godly things’.”

 

 Calla pouted, “What a bummer!”

 

“How about Dhan? Is He here?” Otto asked Vega.

 

“As usual, He needed to leave early because he had a hangover.”

 

Otto sighed. “As expected of Him.”

 

“Only Gaie and Naash are still here,” Vega said.

 

After hearing the names, Lae burst into happiness, “Really!? Please tell  Ate Gaie that I thank her every day!”

 

“Don’t worry, she could hear you clearly.”

 

“Really!? Yiiieeeh!” Lae exclaimed like a fan girl.

 

“How about you, Monty? Are you going to say something to Kuya Naash?” Otto asked.

 

“I could’ve just said it if I wanted to,” Monty replied.

 

Calla started whining, “Uhhh…. I miss Ate Panee so much! Why does it always have to be Ate Gaie and Kuya Naash?”

 

“Heh! How unlucky of you!” Monty teased.

 

“Hmph!”

 

“Everybody! Let’s not forget that we still have our guest here!” Vega stated. 

 

Then she looked back at Triggs, “By the way, welcome again, Young Lad.”

 

“Thanks. Hehe.”

 

“I guess Lae already explained the details to you…… So, are you joining us?”

 

Triggs was surprised by the sudden question, 

 

“Wa - wait a second! Jo - join you!? Lae just told me that you need to talk to me. She didn’t mention about joining your group!”

 

“Lo - Lola Vega? You just told us to fetch him,” Lae reminded.

 

Vega tapped her head. “Uhh… right… I guess this old body is already messing up with my memory. Hehe.”

 

“So, Lola Vega… What did the Giyas tell you about Triggs? Is he one of us?” Calla asked.

 

Triggs was surprised to hear his name coming out of Calla’s mouth. “Wait… Ho - How did you… I don’t remember telling you my name…”

 

“The Giyas - The Giyas told Lola Vega your name.”

 

“Uhm… What?”

 

Lae explained, 

 

“The Giyas are powerful beings; they are almost omniscient. They know things we don’t know and they oversee our physical realm. Through the Giyas, Lola Vega already knew about your identity even before you came here.”

 

“Wow,” the only word that could come out of Triggs’ mouth.

 

Vega chuckled. “Actually, it is Them who told me to invite you here.”

 

Triggs was appalled.

 

“Does that mean that he is really one of us?”

 

“According to Them, it is up to him if he wants to be a part of our movement or not,” Vega stated.

 

“Ohh… Okie,” Calla replied.

 

“So… after hearing everything we said, are you going to join us, Man?”

 

“Please don’t pressure him, Kuya Otto,” Lae said.

 

“That’s right. I’m still trying to comprehend everything I learned and witnessed,” Triggs responded. 

 

He added,

 

“I didn’t know you before, until now. And now you’re telling me that those Higher Beings are interested in me. I - I mean… If it is really true, then who am I? Am I that special?”

 

“Everyone is special, Young Lad,” Vega replied.

 

She continued, 

 

“The birds in the sky, the rocks in the mountain, the weeds in the field - they all have significance in our world. It just happened that you are destined to play a role in what is supposed to happen.”

 

Triggs was intrigued. He continued listening.

 

“The fact that you are standing here in front of me, the time you met me at the Plaza - those are not coincidences,” Vega explained. 

 

She added,

 

“Everything happens in divine timing. I know you doubt it sometimes, but everything happens for a reason, and you are hearing this for a reason.”

 

After hearing Vega’s words, Triggs suddenly felt a cold rush in his body. His skin prickled with goosebumps as he felt a deep calling in his soul. 

 

He knew, deep inside his heart - it was what he was longing for. Unconsciously, tears started rolling from his eyes.

 

Triggs uttered, “You mentioned - something is supposed to happen. What is it?”

 

“The Great Awakening - The Lifting of the Veil.”

 

“Wha - What is it?”

 

“Oh you know it well, Dear - deep inside your heart,” Vega replied. “You heard the Call”

 

“The Call?” Triggs murmured. 

 

He bowed his head as he tried to comprehend what Vega said. Then he remembered something,

 

“Oh! You’re referring to my dream!”