The tune of gracefulness, loveliness, and godliness

A moon songstress played a tune inspired by their ever-loving, ever-humble, and ever-benevolent god, Libulan.

Once this melody echoed across the Lunar Realm, every deity and creature stirred with renewed life. Hope bloomed in their hearts, for their guardian had returned—a god they could be proud of.

Even mortals, young and old, man and woman, celebrated under the celestial glow of the seven moons reunited in the sky. This heavenly alignment heralded Libulan's divine selection as protector of nocturnal journeys.

Villagers who worshipped the moon gods prepared rituals with lamb offerings, fragrant blooms, and intricately woven garments adorned with stones for their young men to wear as they danced in reverence of Libulan.

As the sun rose from the east, the Solar Realm stood proud with its guardian, Apolaki. A new day began for mortals, another chance to finish tasks left undone.

High above the clouds in the Lunar Realm, the moon god's serene expression revealed a peaceful slumber, causing the second moon to remain visible even in daylight. Mortals below took it as a blessed sign.

"Many offerings arrived last night, Our Chosen," a minor lunar goddess said, eyes fixed on the floor as Libulan debated between a gradient robe revealing his chest or his usual elegant bahag, exposing everything but his lower region and thighs.

"Do I look good in this?" Libulan asked, prompting immediate chorused affirmations. To them, Libulan's divine beauty surpassed all.

Yet Libulan, though outwardly pleased, harbored quiet doubt. He feared their adoration was a duty, not devotion.

"I... I see," he murmured with a small smile, discarding the robe. Attendants toweled his hourglass frame, anointed him with fragrant oils, braided his silvery hair, and finally placed a net-like blindfold over his eyes.

"To protect from Apolaki's flare," the attendant explained before he could ask.

A veil, then a blindfold? He didn't understand the goddesses sometimes.

"What is my agenda today?" Libulan asked, now draped in a flowing, shimmering robe with glistening jewels.

"A visit to the Sky World, Our Chosen."

Libulan avoided the invitation like a plague.

"He is not coming again to Kaluwalhatian, my dear," Malyari gently said beside Mayari, who was also always under her veil, covering her eyes as a moon priestess and goddess. Mayari wears her Haliya mask proudly, a strong descendant of Bathala's kin and a moon warrior goddess trained to be like Haliya. Their contrasting ambiances have always been an issue, but they have never fought about it, only to the extent of arguments and nothing more.

"I will go," Mayari only says without hesitation, stern and cold as she puts on her mask and prepares to ride up in the sky on behalf of their Chosen One.

"Just make sure he gets to rest instead of swimming his face in piles of ancient pages," Mayari reminded as she hopped on her noble moonsteed, a type of animal similar to a mortal horse that can fly toward Kaluwalhatian.

Libulan always declined the invitation, more so declined to go out, for some reason; he has always been discomforted by the thought of Kaluwalhatian. He never understood why, but that prompted him to avoid meeting the sky deities. Mayari attended in his stead; she always did. He preferred the palace, solitude, and his books. When not reading, he meditated with the Seven Moons, who showed him silver light creatures to cheer him.

"My dearest, you always make Mayari go to Kaluwalhatian. Doesn't it excite you to meet some of your kin?" Malyari sighed as she picked up scattered scrolls by the secluded court, where Libulan currently spends his time alone.

"I wish no ill intent on sending Mayari away nor on not meeting the Sky gods, but... I just thought... I better not," Libulan responded, shrugging his shoulders as he read off another textbook gifted to him by his godmothers, Malyari and Mayari, as they love to give him everything he likes to leisure with.

Malyari only smiled a little, leaving a small, gentle peck on Libulan's head before reminding the Chosen One about his dinner and leaving him be to his own.

Like any other moons, training in his secluded court, encircled by ten lunar guards who kept their backs turned, as none may gaze upon Libulan unless dressing him, he feigned practicing his power while dozing. The title "Chosen One" was burdensome. He longed for simpler times.

"Our Chosen, the god of Madjaas, awaits in the Lunar Hall."

The announcement sent a hush through the palace. The mention of Sidapa stirred awe and fear. Libulan was merely curious, puzzled as to why someone would interrupt his quiet, unproductive day.

"I suppose I should see what he wants," he sighed as attendants readied him with a sword and adjusted his robe.

In the hall, Sidapa stood regal, a golden crown glinting, sylphs at his side. He stared at the portrait of the latest guardian, Libulan, entranced by the young god's innocence.

Minor goddesses trembled before the towering, chiseled death god. Though desired by many, Sidapa only had eyes for Libulan.

"My attendants surely did not expect a visit today in our palace; neither do my mothers know of your arrival. I am hoping this is of good matter, otherwise you will need to go, for I have better things to do," Libulan's voice echoed through the hall. His moon attendants stood by his side as they aided him towards where Sidapa was before scurrying away behind their Chosen One. Everyone bowed immediately at his presence, and even Sidapa had to lower his head when bestowed the presence of the Chosen One.

"Chosen One," Sidapa uttered in awe, his smile gradient despite not knowing what he looked like yet, as he offered Libulan a red gumamela, a flower of passion and love, along with gold bars, silver coins, and meat seasoned with herbs he prepared himself.

"I, Sidapa of Madjaas, bring a wonderful and bountiful harvest of our believers and other pleasantries you can indulge in. I heard you are a lover of old scriptures; hence, I bring forth several scrolls from my own." Sidapa proudly showed off his gifts, hoping the moon god would love them.

Libulan, captivated by the aroma of the food, blushed and bit his lip, hiding behind the flower as his stomach grumbled.

"I... I much appreciate your gifts; I thank you for that. My attendants will see to it that they will be at my chambers so I can indulge in them later," Libulan responded despite the hunger and the excitement to read those scriptures.

Sidapa, staring down at the delicate moon god, couldn't believe this fragile being was their guardian.

What had qualified him? A question rising out of mere curiosity, but not questioning the strength and wisdom that Libulan possessed.

"Do you have rituals to attend, Guardian of the Moons?" Sidapa asked, glaring at onlookers.

They didn't have much choice but to hide away, leaving him and the moon god alone in peace, but not far enough to leave the moon god defenseless.

"I suppose not... wait, where is everyone?" Libulan confusingly looked around, his attendants gone, his guards gone. Where did they go? he wondered.

Sidapa grinned. With the goddesses' reluctant permission, he planned to take Libulan outside to acquaint him with the realm he protected. Malyari agreed readily; Mayari only glared.

"Then, surely you have enough time to spend with this mountain god to accompany him down towards your people's abode?" Sidapa smiled gently at him, glimmering in excitement.

"I... I can go out... with you?" Libulan gasped, stars in his voice. Sidapa nodded, and the young god lit up.

"But I..." And there it was, the hesitation he felt; for once he could see the world for a while, and yet the fear of whatever lurked outside his palace frightened him still.

Libulan glanced back at his sanctuary with longing, unsure if he'd ever willingly leave it behind. Sensing this, Sidapa touched his cheek gently.

"You will return before sunset. We won't be long."

Libulan beamed and raced down the palace's thousand steps, robe lifted, breath caught in awe at the vibrant world outside.

"Our Chosen One, for your protection," the attendants insisted before he left, handing him a Haliya mask to wear as protection, it seemed. He thanked them, patting their heads, leaving them dizzy with glee.

Sidapa grimaced.

He wanted a pat, too.

Libulan dashed off in excitement, sylphs swirling in joy. Sidapa followed silently, elated to see the beloved moon god smiling freely. A sylph even landed on his shoulder.

"This god is here to escort you for the day. Please enjoy," he said softly. Libulan smiled widely and muttered thanks before running off again.

Sidapa chuckled, heart pounding as if in battle.

But this time, he wielded a flower, not a blade.

"The mountains can wait," he said, vanishing into thin air.

All day, he trailed Libulan, shooting menacing glares at anyone who stared too long. Under the Haliya mask's spell, the villagers didn't recognize their god. They found his laughter odd and his fascination with toys amusing. His silvery hair dimmed, hiding his identity. Sidapa purchased everything Libulan pointed at. Despite his stern demeanor, he gently soothed children that Libulan made upset when he took their toys. He never once grew angry.

"I... apologize for my behavior. It is unbecoming of me," Libulan embarrassingly sighed as they sat by a fountain where crystal waters continuously flowed in different shapes and sizes.

"I just... I never had things... like that. Mayari would restrict and forbid me from visiting this place, where my people are, where the sole reason I exist is living. They... they are such magnificent beings, and I... am protecting them," Libulan sniffled, hair tousled. Despite the mask hiding his eyes, Sidapa imagined its wistfulness as the moon god watched over the village.

Sidapa pondered how such a gentle god could be kept so tightly caged.

"I am more than willing to apologize to a million of them if it means keeping that spark in your eyes," he whispered, letting a child drag him into a game, and then some kids joined to invite the death god over for some dance ritual. He excused himself for a moment from Libulan to play with the children of the Lunar Realm, leaving Libulan completely admiring him.

Libulan admired the sight.

"What a silly god he is," he shyly chuckled, looking away when Sidapa looked at him with a toothy grin on his face.

He read that in most textbooks, the god of death is portrayed as someone who is not willing to be touched or talked to unless he allows anyone to. The gods are not fond of him, unlike most goddesses; they dislike his presence and demeanor of ignoring even someone higher than him. But since Sidapa ascended at an early age as a guardian, he was still respected and known throughout the realm.

His heart raced.

It beats for Bakunawa once.

But now it beats for Sidapa—slow, steady, and deep.