She floats on a sea above existence, in the rippled reflection of a nebula. “It’ll be hard, won’t it?” she asks the cosmos. 

“Yes,” Lakapati answers, so quietly and so soft it’s almost a whisper. “You will hunger as the other aswang do. You will have the urge to fly and be amongst the spirits, and they too will be drawn to you.” Their voice carries her under the water again, out over the sparkling lights of Manila just before dawn. “But in time you will learn to master all of your demons. There are others you can learn from, others afflicted by curses brought unto them by predators like Dalisay. They can tell you their stories and how they control the darkness in them, and you will learn a way to control your own that is unique to you.” 

“But what about your story?” Mana asks. “What about you?”

“My story is still being told, but the world needs new stories too. You have my gratitude for remembering me, but don’t lose sight of the present and future. Don’t shy away from your story, Mana. Your sincerity and passion will inspire others. Such are the roots of justice. And maybe one day our land’s wounds will finally heal.” 

Slowly Mana falls back down to Earth, the sun rising to meet her, caressing her cheek with a warm amber hand. “Never forget, you are not alone, anak.” Lakapati’s voice echoes from a growing distance as the light envelopes her. “Walang sinoman ang nabubuhay, para sa sarili lamang. Walang sinoman ang namamatay, para sa sarili lamang. Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa.” 

When Mana opens her eyes, morning has settled into the mangrove forest. She’s sitting in front of the lake with her feet just over the water. A breeze cuts through the thick heat of the day and makes ripples in front of her. When they settle, she sees the black behind her is gone. Behind her is the open forest she entered from, leaves swaying and herons calling one another in the distance. 

She stands up slowly and walks out into the brush. Her mind is buzzing, already in an imaginary conversation with the girl she’s now going to see. She stumbles through the roots and the mud, but pushes forward. Nothing is going to stop her, not even the burning pain wracking her gut and her back.