Triggs arrived at the Base’s garden.
Hurriedly, he went straight to the balcony. He stopped when he reached the door of Calla’s room.
Hearing the woeful cries inside, Triggs knocked on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“Calla? It’s me, Triggs. Can I come in?”
Triggs heard another voice inside that said, “Come in, Man. The door is not locked.”
Triggs entered the room.
There, he found Calla hugging the big turtle. Isha’s shell was damped by Calla’s overflowing tears.
Otto, Zaine, and Monty were also inside the room.
Triggs whispered to Otto, “What happened?”
“The turtle is in a bad condition,” Otto whispered back. “I think she’s sick or something.”
“Looks like it’s still breathing though,” Monty uttered nonchalantly.
“Very insensitive, Monty!” Otto murmured.
“Huh!? I was just trying to bring a bit of hope in the situation,” Monty whined.
Triggs tried to approach Calla, hoping to get clear answers from her.
As soon as Triggs came closer, Calla suddenly lunged and buried her tear-covered face in Triggs’ embrace. She wept like a child expressing her grievances to her mother,
“I’m a terrible friend! I should have noticed something was wrong when she started bumping into things. She hasn’t been responding since the last time she tumbled over.”
Triggs didn’t know how to comfort the lady. “It’s not your fault, Calla,” the only words he could say.
Following that, Vega walked into the room, dressed in a tight-fitting black dress.
“Children? What’s happening?” Vega asked.
After seeing Vega, Calla wailed, “Lola Vegaaaaaaa!” She transferred into Vega’s chest.
Vega rubbed Calla’s head with her hand, comforting her like she was her own child.
“Can you tell me what happened, Darling?” Vega asked with a tender motherly voice.
Calla let go and looked at Vega with a teary eye. She nodded her head before explaining everything to Vega.
Vega understood everything with a single hearing. She approached Isha to inspect her closely and examine her condition.
“I can sense negative energy in her body,” Vega observed. “The energy is weakening her physical body.”
After hearing Vega’s assessments, tears welled up from Calla’s eyes once more.
“I think you already know what this means, Darling,” Vega said to Calla.
Calla nodded her head as she wiped her tears using her arm. “Yes. I really need to go home.”
Trying to comprehend the conversation between Calla and Vega, Triggs whispered to Otto again,
“What are they talking about?”
Otto tried to explain the best that he could,
“The turtle has a strong connection to Ate Panee's Domain in Matukad Island, where the Sirenas live. If something’s wrong with the turtle, it means there’s also something wrong with the Domain.”
“Ok, I understand now.”
Vega stood up and announced, “I’ll form a team to investigate this matter, and of course, Calla will lead it. I’ll just wait for Ate Panee’s official statement for this one.”
The other people inside the room agreed by nodding their heads.
“Otto, please help in the preparations.”
“Say no more,” Otto eagerly replied.
Before leaving the room, Vega had a final word for Triggs, “Be prepared, Lad. I’m planning to send you.”
Triggs was surprised, he just answered out of reflex, “O - Okay po.”
Otto, Zaine, and Monty left the room after Vega.
Triggs stayed to console Calla.
“Hey, Calla. Are you okay?”
“Mmm-hmm!” Calla replied positively, but it was very obvious that there was still sadness behind her smile.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”
Calla agreed. “Yes! I need to be brave and strong for Isha.”
Their conversation continued as they stayed with Isha’s side.
…
…
…
Hours had passed.
Triggs was sitting on the grassy grounds of the garden. He was anxiously waiting for further instructions.
Otto came pulling a crystal wagon. The wagon was specifically made to carry Isha in their upcoming mission.
“Good thing I saved those 2 Red Oars Beers,” Otto said.
In just one glance, Otto noticed Triggs’ jittery state. He felt Trigg’s uneasiness.
“You okay, Man?”
“I’m just thinking about something.”
“Is it about the investigation?”
“Yes. It’s just… I suddenly feel the pressure.”
Otto tried to lift Triggs’ spirit, "Come on, Man! What are you so worried about? You already defeated me in a duel!"
"I know. But it's because I let you use a dagger against my crossbow. I just kited you the entire duel until you surrendered.”
"An annoying strategy, but very effective. You see, Triggs, in a battle of life and death, it's not always who's stronger and powerful, it's about who uses his brain the most."
Otto’s words boosted Triggs’s morale.
“You have that trait, Triggs. And Vega sees it too; that’s why she trusted you on this mission.”
Their conversation made Triggs at ease.
As they continued their talk, a portal opened in the middle of the garden, entranced the lady who was still wearing her school uniform, Lae.
“Sorry, I’m late. I had to wait for my classes to end,” Lae apologized. “By the way, what’s the update about Isha?”
“You’re just right in time, Lae,” Otto replied. “Old Lady Vega wants to talk to you in the Function Room. I think she’ll give instructions about the investigation.”
“Okay.”
“You go there too, Man,” Otto said to Triggs. “I’ll also tell it to Zaine and Calla.”
“Okay!”
Triggs and Lae walked together going to the main function room.
Otto fetched the other 2.
…
…
…
“How’s the preparation going, Otto?”
“All goods, Old Lady Vega.”
Triggs, Zaine, Calla, Lae, and Otto were inside the function room, listening to Vega’s announcements.
“Lae, you don’t have classes tomorrow, right?
“Yes, Lola Vega.”
“Okay. You’ll be going with them,” Vega said. “You too, Zaine.”
Zaine nodded his head.
“I already talked to Ate Panee…”
After hearing the name of her Giya, Calla’s gloomy state suddenly turned into excitement.
“She was here, Lola Vega?”
“Yes, Darling. And She gave a few words about the situation…”
Calla and the others listened to Vega.
“Ate Panee told me that there is indeed a problem in Her Domain, and the way She worded it, I can feel that it’s serious. It’s also the reason for Isha’s current state.”
Calla returned to her gloomy state. “Did Ate Panee say something else?” Calla asked.
“No. She just told me that you are needed there. After that, She left,” Vega replied. “Oh! She also said to bring Isha with you.”
“I understand, Lola.”
Lae was a bit worried. She asked Vega, “When exactly do we need to go there, Lola?”
“As soon as possible,” Vega answered.
“Uhm… I - I haven’t told my parents yet.”
“Don’t worry about that, Dear. I’ll take care of that,” Vega assured.
“Oh… Okay, Lola. If - If you say so.”
“You need to find the root of the problem as soon as possible. If you need to leave right away, it would be better,” Vega stated. “I believe Otto already prepared everything you need for this mission.”
Otto affirmed, “Already did! Weapons, equipment, everything you need in your mission - they are all ready.”
“Wait. You’re not going with us?” Triggs asked Otto.
Otto hit Triggs with a friendly back slap. “Come on, Man! Already missing me that much? I need to stay here to run some errands. And besides, you no longer need me there!”
“Uh-huh…”
“I’ll give you 15 minutes to do what you need to do. After that, it’s time to go,” Vega stated.
The 4 agreed.
“I need to get back to Isha. I’ll prepare her for the travel,” Calla stated. “Kuya Otto, can you help me please?”
“No problem,” Otto answered.
The 2 of them left the room.
Zaine turned to leave the room.
Lae asked, “Where are you going, Zaine?”
“I’ll sharpen my weapon,” Zaine replied as he walked out.
Vega returned to her desk. She grabbed her quirky pen and started scribbling in her notebook.
Triggs and Lae sat on a nearby bench. As they waited for the others to return, they had a small chat.
“I guess neither of us has prepared enough for this mission.”
“Yeah…” Triggs replied. “This is my very first mission, and I didn’t have time to prepare for it.”
“By the way, we don't know how long the mission will last. We could be out for days. Won't anyone be looking for you at home?”
“Naaah…” Triggs’ response.
“Lucky. I assume your parents are not as strict as mine.”
“No, it’s not like that. It’s just… they’re already gone,” Triggs said.
Lae was embarrassed. “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…”
“Nah! It’s okay. I live with my Ate. I think you’ve already seen her when you sneaked inside our house.”
“Oh, yes, I remember,” Lae replied. “Won’t she be worried that you’ll be gone for a long time?”
“She won’t know it, anyway. She’s out of town.”
“Okaaay…”
Their conversation continued for a while.
Minutes later, Calla, Zaine, and Otto returned to the room.
Isha was also there, riding on the wagon. On her shell spread a black linen cloth, covering her big body, revealing only her face.
After a few more necessary preparations, and some notes from Vega, the team was all set to embark on their mission.
“If you’re all set, Just say the Word, Lae,” Vega stated.
Lae nodded her head.
“OPERBA!”
Without further ado, the team stepped into the portal.
When they arrived on the other side of the portal, Triggs was immediately fascinated by the scenery.
Calla excitedly announced, “Welcome to Matukad Island! The precious beauty of Caramoan, Camarines Sur!”
