Laging Gutom ( Always Hungry)

Making a new fanfic after a long time at the wee hours of midnight LOL

Ps: I do not own Maliksi, He is a property of @ask-emilz-de-philz enjoy 😉

I'll be using this gremlin Maliksi for Attention again made by @ask-emilz-de-philz

As Maliksi walked down the corridor, he heard a loud gasp.

"NO!" a voice cried out.

He heard her yelp again.

"No, no, no, no!" she frantically repeated. "This cannot be happening!"

Curious, he slowly moved toward the corner of the hall. There, he saw Anon staring dreadfully at her reflection.

"And it's so big too..." she whimpered, touching the noticeable acne on her forehead.

Maliksi had to stifle a laugh at what he saw. He looked amused at her panicked state over something as simple as a pimple. Of course, Tamawos like himself didn’t worry about things like that—they were immune to such problems. Acne? Never an issue.

"Heh, that’s what you get for eating too much fatty food and sleeping irregularly," Maliksi muttered, shrugging at the scene before him as he walked away.

That night, Maliksi was scrolling through his phone.

An ad popped up as he swiped.

It was one of those overnight acne treatments.

"Hmm... treatment, huh?" he mumbled, recalling the scene from earlier.

Anon’s distressed face popped into his mind. A smile slowly crept onto his lips as he remembered her worried expression. Tapping his chin thoughtfully, he wondered if he should buy it for her.

“Nah... she can take care of herself,” he said aloud, shaking his head and continuing to scroll.

The next day, Maliksi found himself standing in front of Anon's door.

In his hand was the acne treatment that is somehow delivered overnight. He hadn’t even remembered placing the order. When he woke up, it was already sitting in his room with the rest of the parcels the servants had brought in.

As he stared down at the cream in his hand, the door suddenly swung open.

Both he and Anon jumped in surprise.

Anon screamed, startling him so much that he almost dropped the tube. She quickly covered her forehead with one hand.

"M-Maliksi! W-what are you doing here?" she asked, stammering.

Maliksi quickly composed himself, noticing her hand trying to hide the acne.

He smirked, amused.

"Here," he said, shoving the tube into her hands.

Anon panicked, fumbling with it before nearly dropping it again.

"What is this?" she asked.

Maliksi's grin widened, and he pointed at her forehead. Anon looked up, instantly realizing what he meant.

"H-how did you...?" she started, her face flushing in embarrassment.

"Why would I tell you?" he teased. "Anyway, I just came to give you that. Don’t think too much about it."

He turned around and began walking away without another word.

Anon stared at the cream in her hand. It was an overnight acne treatment. She smiled, cheeks warming but not from embarrassment this time, but from something else. Somehow, the always-annoying Maliksi had shown he cared.

"Oh, and one more thing," Maliksi called out.

Anon looked up. He wasn’t far yet.

"I only gave you that because I don’t want ugly people roaming around the mansion."

He stuck his tongue out mockingly.

"W-why you!" Anon pointed at him, clearly annoyed. She stomped her foot in frustration.

"Forget it! That man is annoying till the end!" she muttered, storming back into her room and slamming the door shut.

Inside, she shouted profanities at him.

Outside, Maliksi placed a hand under his chin, clearly pleased with himself. His grin widened as he imagined her muttering insults behind the door. With both hands behind his head, he walked away—humming happily.

Author's note:

“Stay still” She said in a whisper  as she tries to remove the button that is now stuck on her hair. Keane who was leaning on the wall for support looks at her with hazy eyes as she fumbles with her hair, removing it carefully from the button of his shirt. “I.. can’t..” was the words that came out from his mouth. Anon glared at him, clearly annoyed. They wouldn’t be in this predicament if this man had not drunk too much.

“Stay still you idiot, every time you move, you’re pulling my hair, and it hurts.” “Okay” he replied not wanting to hurt her more. “ But why are we whispering?” He asked.

Anon sighed in exasperation as she carefully untangled her hair from the button. "Because," she whispered, leaning closer, "we’re in the middle of a very crowded place, and the last thing I need is everyone noticing that I’m stuck to you like this."

Keane’s head tilted slightly as if trying to make sense of the situation, his breath warm against her cheek. "But we're not hiding," he mumbled, his drunken state making his voice louder than a whisper.

"Keane!" Anon hissed as she landed a light smack at his chest. "Shh, you’re going to get us even more attention!" She glanced around nervously, trying to see if anyone had noticed them. They were tucked in a corner of the room, but it wouldn’t take much for someone to spot the awkward scene unfolding. She tugged gently, trying to free her hair, but winced as the button snagged again.

How did they even get into this situation? Well Anon was looking for Milo to hand over the script, but as she scanned the room for him, Keane who was clearly drunk came from behind and put his arms around her shoulders, and whispered to her ear “Hey, Ms. Script Writer, what cha doing here all alone?” she turned around in shock and her hair got snagged on the buttons of his shirt. Thus, this predicament they are facing.

Keane’s brows furrowed in confusion as if the gravity of the situation had finally dawned on him. "Oh... I’m sorry," he said, his voice lowering in response to her frustration. He glanced at her hair, caught on his shirt and then back at her. "Should I... just rip the button off?"

Anon shot him with an incredulous look. "No way, you're not ruining your shirt for this, And I’m also not paying for damages." she muttered, her fingers working carefully. "Just stay still. I almost have it. And seriously, why are you this drunk already? We’re only halfway through the party."

Her exasperation was clear, the edge in her voice sharp, but Keane just blinked at her, trying to process her words through the fog of alcohol. He shrugged lazily, his lips pulling into a lopsided grin. "It's a celebration, right?" he slurred, swaying slightly. "Thought I’d... y’know... start early.. and I won’t charge you”

Anon huffed, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, well, starting early doesn’t mean you have to finish the entire bar by yourself." She tugged a little more, feeling her hair starting to slip free. "If you weren't already falling over, this would be easier."

But despite her frustration, there was a certain softness in her tone that Keane, in his hazy state, couldn’t help but notice. His gaze drifted from her fingers working meticulously to her face, taking in the furrow of her brow, the faint blush creeping up her cheeks, and the way her lips pressed together in focus.

"You know," he slurred, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "you’re kind of cute when you’re mad."

Anon froze, her fingers pausing in their careful work as she glared up at him. "Keane," she said in a dangerously quiet voice, "if you don’t stop talking, I will smack you in the face, and make sure to knock you out!.”

His eyes widened in mock fear, but a chuckle escaped him. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands slightly in surrender, which only caused Anon to tug at her hair harder as the button pulled tighter.

"Ow! Keane!" she snapped, her patience running thin.

"Sorry! Sorry!" He bit his lip, trying to keep still this time.

With one last careful maneuver, Anon finally freed her hair, and she let out a victorious sigh, stepping back and rubbing the sore spot on her scalp. "Finally," she muttered, glaring up at Keane, who gave her a sheepish grin.

Anon crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look “Don’t smile at me like that mister! Stop drinking,” she demanded, Keane’s hand shoot up defensively in a mock, though his balance wobbled even more. “Alright, alright I’ll stop drinking now” his grin still lingering despite her scolding, he then reached for her head at the same spot where the hair was tugging earlier.

Anon cheeks started warming up as she felt his big hand gently massaging her head. She playfully pushed his hand away and said in exasperation "Whatever. You’re hopeless," she muttered, turning away quickly to hide the flush creeping up her cheeks. "Just... try to stay out of trouble, alright?"

Keane chuckled softly behind her, the sound warmer than before. "No promises," he called after her, his voice teasing but gentler now, as if he was more aware of how his presence affected her.

________________________________________________

Authors Note:

Marami akong time! CHARZ!,

Namiss ko lang Asawa ko! CHARIZ. XD

The Keyrings are finally here! 🤧🤧

My honest opinion, the one with the prettiest keys are Luke and Marius, the one with the prettiest accessories also came from Marius.

I'm just disappointed with Vyn's I think the green ribbon is not worth it to be honest. His key could also pass as a locket because of its design and thickness.

Mind you I also like Artem's key as it is simple and minimalist.

PS:

Marius's key has glitters inside! 😍😍

Also, When I was making Keane's hair, This happened at one point when I was refreshing the thread. Yung imahinasyon ko, what if ganito hair ni Keane? Hahaha baka lang naman 🤣🤣

2ND Merch of Planet Puto is here!! Asdfghjkl!!!

I need a new Peg board lol! I'd barely fit the first merch with the 2nd ones XD I should go get a journal and put the stickers there lol. And a sheet of metal for the magnets >.<

Sorry na po Maliksi! As much as I want to, kaya lang I prefer to let the film stay to keep them scratch free >.<. PS: Pano mo nalamang nasa trabaho ako? Char! HAHAHAHAA

Funny convo with my Nephew when he saw The Milk Man Keane

Nephew: Tita! That's the ugly milk man from That's not my neighbor game.

Ako na napatingin ready to shake the h*ll out of him: EXCUSE ME!? HE'S NOT UGLY!! XD

WIP.. kaisa nakatambak tong embroidery hoop ko sa bahay.For my Hubby Keane 🤭🤭. Tapos naka ready narin yung PMA outfit ni Keane, Kasalanan to ni @ask-emilz-de-philz, @reachfortheskiespeeps sa recent post nya about Keane, hindi pa ako tapos sa isa napa print tuloy ako nang bagong gagawin🤣 (Otw palang yung threads na binili ko para dito 🤣🤣)

Disclaimer:

Trigger warning: This chapter contains Violence, curse words, a bit of gore, possible rape. read at your own risk.

Characters: Maliksi, Makisig, Lakan and Mang Kano all belongs to @ask-emilz-de-philz.

PART 1 : Voice (Part 1)

PART 2: Voice (Part 2)

Maliksi sat perched on a tree, gazing at the sleeping girl through her window, his expression indifferent. Why was he there? Simply put, the girl didn't want to see him. If not for his brother's persistent urging, he would have stayed in the mansion, minding his own business. The day she woke up marked the last time Maliksi spoke to her. 

As Dr. James explained everything to you, fear tensed your body. The idea of having the same creature in the room sent chills down your spine. "I know you're afraid, but..." the doctor began, "He is harmless.” he continued. You looked at the doctor in disbelief. How could he allow that person, no, that creature, to stay by your side? After one of its kind attacked her, how could he be so sure that this other one would not do the same? 

You wanted to voice out your concern, but since you had lost your voice, all you could do was look at them in fear. Maliksi sensing your fear spoke “If your concern is your safety, no need to worry, I wont hurt you" You looked at him warily. Not believing a word he said. He slowly approached you, your fear intensified as he moved closer. Instinctively, you closed your eyes and covered your ears, shouting, "Don't come near me!" Realizing you couldn’t speak; you opened your eyes again and locked gazes with him as you saw the look of shock on his face. 

Unable to voice your concerns, you desperately scooted back, trying to distance yourself as much as possible. Frantically, you grabbed a pen and paper, hastily writing down your thoughts. Once finished, you crumpled the paper and threw it at him. 

Maliksi's fast reflexes allowed him to catch the paper instead of evading it. He then unfolded the paper and read the words, "GO AWAY!" a pang of pain struck his chest. The unfamiliar feeling left him both confused and enraged. Crumpling the paper again, he threw it to the floor with force. "FINE!" he shouted, startling both the girl and Dr. James with the loudness of his voice.  

"IF THIS IS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO REPAY ME FOR MY KINDNESS, THEN SO BE IT!" His gaze darkened as he looked at Dr. James. "I don't care what happens to that ungrateful human anymore. My job here is done." With that, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him. 

Dr. James, still processing the shocking turn of events, watched Maliksi leave with disbelief. Meanwhile, you sighed in relief, finally releasing the tension you had been holding for too long. Your body, exhausted and began to feel weak, as you felt yourself slipping into unconsciousness. Dr. James, noticing you passed out, panicked. With quick reflexes, he rushed to your side, catching you just in time to prevent you from falling off the bed. 

The door opened once again and Makisig entered the room, in front of him was Mang Kano, holding the girl in his arms, “What happened here?” he asked as he approached with concern. Mang Kano looked up at him confused as to why he was asking even though he knew Makisig was just in the room earlier. “I’ll explain later, help me first.” he pleaded, understanding the urgency, Makisig nodded and assisted Dr. James without further questions. 

  Makisig sighed as he heard everything. “I didn’t know what to do” Mang Kano stops and looked at her  “that one was too shocked and in fear that I’m afraid that her health might deteriorate even further with all the commotion going on, and the other one was too emotional that if he loses his control and rampage, I wouldn’t know how to protect her.” Mang Kano shared, the stress clearly marked on his face.  

Despite the tension, he found a sliver of hope. "But perhaps it's for the best. Now that she's awake, her recovery should speed up. There's no need for your brother to return.” he concluded, a sense of relief washing over him. 

"I'm afraid the danger isn't over yet," Makisig declared. Mang Kano looked at him in confusion, then he recalled their conversation earlier, sending shivers down his spine. "No!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. Makisig nodded gravely, confirming his fears.  

"He was here earlier," Makisig stated, casting a concerned glance at the unconscious girl. "We're running out of time. I can't predict when he'll attempt to abduct the girl again." Mang Kano's legs felt weak, and he sank into a nearby chair. "We need all the help we can get, including my brother," Makisig continued, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. 

Mang Kano gazed at the girl and asked, "What if he doesn't cooperate?" Makisig responded firmly, "I will ensure his cooperation, whether he agrees or not. Even if I have to forcibly drag him here to guarantee her safety from Lakan’s reach.” He reassured the doctor's concerns. "Thank you for safeguarding her until the end," Mang Kano expressed, his voice filled with appreciation.    Makisig nodded “This is the least, I can do”   

"Ugh! I'm so bored!" Maliksi whined, feeling frustrated. He started questioning why he was even bothering to protect someone who seemed unappreciative. Frustration welled up inside him as he blamed himself for getting mixed up with Lakan in the first place. He couldn't help but think that perhaps he should have just left her alone to die that day. 

His Kuya’s plan was simple, they just had to convince her to go to Biringan for a while and hide in their mansion since that place is much safer for her for the time being until they finished dealing with Lakan. But even with the help of Mang Kano, she still refused, and now they have no choice but to protect her from the shadows.    Shifting his position, Maliksi rested his head on his knees, his gaze still fixed on the sleeping girl. Despite his frustration and boredom, he found himself recalling the way she had looked at him that day. The memory lingered in his mind, stirring a mix of emotions that he struggled to understand. 

The look she gave him stirred a mix of fear and confusion within Maliksi, a gaze that had haunted him more than he'd like to admit. As he pondered it, his irritation gradually transformed into a reluctant concern for her well-being. This newfound worry unsettled him, making him feel vulnerable in a way he wasn't accustomed to.   

With resolve building within him, Maliksi finally decided to act. He swiftly jumped from the tree to her terrace window, landing soundlessly. Approaching her sleeping form, he moved cautiously, making sure she doesn’t wake up as he closed the distance between them. 

As he stood beside her, Maliksi's hand reached out, gently brushing her hair away from her face. He wanted to see her clearly, to understand the person who had unknowingly stirred such conflicting emotions within him. Despite his earlier reluctance, he found himself drawn to her vulnerability, his touch becoming tender as he studied her features in the soft sunlight. 

"Guess I'm stuck with you for a while, aren't I?" he finally spoke, more to himself than to her, a resigned smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

You felt a gentle touch on your forehead, causing you to stir. Slowly opening your eyes, you struggled to focus on the figure before you. It was Maliksi, his arms outstretched toward you. Panic surged through you, and instinctively, you recoiled, pushing his hand as you backed away. 

In your panicked state, you misjudged the distance between yourself and the edge of the bed. As you teetered on the brink of falling, a cry of alarm echoed in your mind. Before you could tumble, Maliksi's hand shot out, reaching for yours just in time. 

"CAREFUL!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency and concern. 

Locked in a tense gaze, you observed Maliksi's worried expression as he attempted to pull you back from the edge of the bed. However, you resisted, desperate to break free. With no voice to convey your plea, you silently mouthed, "Let me go!" while attempting to pry his hand from yours. 

Maliksi, understanding your message and seeing you struggling, warned, "If I let go, you will fall." But you ignored him, still making efforts to break free from his grasp. 

A mischievous smile played on Maliksi's lips as you continued to struggle to break free from him, he then released your hand. As you continued to struggle against him, pulling yourself away, gravity took hold, and with a heavy thud, you tumbled off the bed, landing on the floor.  

Maliksi couldn't help but burst into laughter, proud of his mischief, as he watched you lying on the floor with your feet still hanging off the bed. Suddenly, the door flew open, and a panicked Dr. James hurried into the room, his face filled with concern. However, his worry soon shifted to confusion as he saw the scene before him: you on the floor in an awkward position and Maliksi laughing mischievously nearby.    "What is happening here?" Dr. James asked in confusion as he took in the scene before him. Maliksi, still wiping tears from his eyes due to laughter, attempted to explain between chuckles, "Y-you should ha-ha...seen her hahah fall." He struggled to control his laughter as he recounted the incident. Feeling a surge of anger at your predicament, you shoot Maliksi with a glare. However, as you attempted to shift your body, a sharp pain shot through the back of your head. 

Maliksi noticed your discomfort and immediately stopped laughing. With concern in his eyes, he approached you and reached out his hand. You panic again as he drew closer, and you instinctively closed your eyes, bracing for what might come next. Ignoring your fear, he gently lifted you up from the floor. Startled, you wrapped your arms around his neck, feeling a shock as you were lifted into the air.  

As you opened your eyes, you found Maliksi staring right at you. Feeling uneasy in his embrace, you began to squirm. His frustration was clear as he cautioned, "Keep moving, and I'll drop you!" Remembering the pain of your previous fall, you clung tighter to him, as you recall how painful the fall was. 

Maliksi chuckled at your reaction and said, "Good girl," his soft voice easing your tension for a moment. With him so near, you couldn't help but notice his handsome features, his captivating golden eyes drawing you in. "Enjoying the view?" he teased, a playful smirk appearing on his face. Blushing, you glanced away, feeling embarrassed for getting caught admiring him. 

With a hand firmly planted on Maliksi's shoulder, a glaring Dr. James appeared behind him, his voice carrying a menacing tone. "Oi, stop flirting with my patient and put her down," he commanded. Maliksi shivered at the doctor's interference. Reluctantly, he gently placed you back down on the bed. As you settled down in bed you looked at the two of them  

"Why are you here? You were clearly unwanted in this room!" Dr. James asked, rubbing his temples in annoyance. 

"What? I'm already acting as her bodyguard against my will. I don't see the reason why I must stay away from her" Maliksi retorted with a shrug. 

"Have you forgotten that she doesn't even want to see you?" Dr. James argued back. 

"Well, like I said, I'm her bodyguard, so I'll be with her whether she likes it or not!" Maliksi countered, crossing his arms defiantly. 

They stared each other down, Dr. James visibly irritated and Maliksi teasing him. You observed them, puzzled by how they managed to tolerate each other despite their contrasting personalities. Despite their argument, there was no hostility between them. 

Maliksi broke the tense silence first. "Anyway," he began, his brow arched as he addressed you, "I don't care if you hate me. But since I have to take care of your safety, you have no choice but to deal with me." He mockingly stuck out his tongue before making his way out of the window and onto the terrace. "I'll see you tomorrow then!" he called out, flicking his hand in a salute before jumping off the terrace. 

You were surprised when he jumped off, and you couldn't help but rush to the terrace to see him. Peering down, you spotted Maliksi, smiling at you. Your heart raced as he sent a kiss your way. Blushing, you held onto your shirt, watching him leave. Even though your feelings were mixed, you couldn't ignore the strong pull towards him. 

Days passed without any incidents, true to his promise, Maliksi remained by your side at all times, fulfilling his duty as your bodyguard. Despite respecting your desire for distance, he still found ways to annoy you from time to time, adding a touch of playful mischief to your days. and oddly enough, the more time you spend with him the more you find yourself gradually becoming accustomed to his company.    He would sometimes tell you stories and you attentively listened to him as he chatters aways, somehow you feel nostalgic at the stories he told, as if you two had shared similar moments before. 

As you sat on the couch, gazing out the window with a sigh, Maliksi, who was on the opposite side of the room, noticed you and asked, "Are you bored?" You nodded in response. The lack of activities in the house left you feeling restless and unoccupied. 

 Maliksi pondered for a moment, an idea then came to his mind. "Want to go to town?" he asked. You looked at him with excitement in your eyes. You hadn’t been out of this place ever since you moved here, and the prospect of seeing other people and exploring the town filled you with anticipation. 

Maliksi smiled widely and went to your side “Come! Let's get out before the doctor sees us,” You nodded and followed him, As you were about to step outside, a stern voice halted you in your tracks. "And where do you think you're going?" Turning, you saw Dr. James standing there, his expression a mix of concern and annoyance. "We're headed into town," Maliksi responded nonchalantly 

Dr. James frowned, "You're aware she's not supposed to go out yet!" Maliksi countered with a hint of frustration., "Staying here doesn't eliminate the risk either. It's healthy for her to get out occasionally, and I'll be there to ensure her safety." 

You exchanged a glance with Dr. James, your eyes silently pleading for understanding. Despite his reluctance to let you venture outside, he also recognized the detrimental effects of keeping you confined indoors. Finally, he sighed deeply, his determination yielding. "Okay, but promise me you'll be back before dusk," he relented. 

Grateful, you hugged Dr. James tightly, surprising him with a chuckle. Maliksi, annoyed, pulled you away, saying it's time to leave. As you left, you waved at Dr. James, who nodded, silently wishing you a safe journey. 

As you stepped into the bustling town, your face lit up with excitement. The streets were alive with activity; vendors hawked their wares on every corner, and the enticing aromas of street food filled the air.  

Maliksi turned to you and said, "You must stay by my side, understand?" Your attention shifted from the bustling town to him. "Oh, and one more thing," he added. "This is just a precaution, but if you ever find yourself alone with Lakan, which I would never allow..." He paused and gestured between his legs. "Kick him in the crotch," he grinned widely. "He may be a Tamawo, but a hit there still hurts." You gripped his hand tightly and nodded in agreement. 

Suddenly, your stomach growled loudly. You felt your cheeks warm with embarrassment. Maliksi, hearing the rumble, couldn't help but laugh. You immediately shot him a glare, annoyed at his reaction to which he quickly responded, "Ok! Ok!" He then added, with a hint of excitement, "What would you like to eat? Just name it, and it's on me." 

His offer made your eyes sparkle with anticipation. Maliksi laughed softly at your enthusiasm. Without hesitation, you grabbed his hand and led him to a nearby vendor selling skewers. You pointed eagerly at the display. Maliksi grinned at you and said, “Good choice, The one who can eat a lot, wins” He challenged 

Your culinary adventure was far from over – pancakes, fish balls, ice cream; if you saw it, you wanted to try it, eating as if you were never full. Then, your eyes caught sight of a milk tea shop, and without hesitation, you pointed it out. Maliksi, observing your relentless appetite, he commented jokingly, "Well, aren't you a glutton? You've been eating nonstop."  

You glared at him, feeling offended by his statement, but he found your reaction amusing and chuckled softly. "Okay, okay, what do you like?" he asked, noticing the excitement in your eyes. You grabbed his hand and pulled him into the shop, eagerly instructing him on what to order. "Alright, you find us a seat while I place our order," he said, patting you on the head. You nodded and searched for a seat as he headed to the counter. Finally finding one near the entrance, you sat down, gazing outside as Maliksi stood in line. 

You saw an elderly woman stumble outside, her belongings scattered. Concerned, you decided to help quickly, saying to yourself, 'I'll just help her and come back,' slipping out before Maliksi noticed. As you gathered her items, she grabbed your wrist instead. Cold dread washed over you as you realized she wasn't an old woman but the entity you feared. "Found you," it hissed, a sinister grin spreading. 

You struggled fiercely against the creature's strong grip as it lifted you onto its shoulders and whisked you away to an unfamiliar place. Soon, you found yourself in an abandoned hut, the creature forcefully kicking open the door and tossing you to the ground. The sudden impact sent a wave of pain through your body, making you instinctively hiss in agony. 

He looms over you, forcing you to meet his gaze, his smile twisted with malice as he observes the fear etched on your face. "Thought you could hide from me?" His voice drips with scorn and triumph, cutting through the silence. 

His eyes trail down your neck, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, what do we have here?" With a swift motion, he tears apart the bandages, revealing the scars beneath. His grin widens at the sight, as if it were a masterpiece. 

"Beautiful," he remarks with malice, moving closer to your neck, inhaling your scent with a chilling intensity. With a deliberate slowness, he traces his tongue along your scarred skin, sending shivers down your spine with the touch of his tongue. ‘Disgusting, Revolting’ that’s what you feel right now as this creature violates your very being.    ‘Maliksi’ you said in your thoughts, if you had only remained still and waited for him to come back, you wouldn’t be in this situation. ‘Maliksi’ you repeatedly called his name in your head, tears rolling down from your eyes as you suppress the feeling of disgust. ‘Maliksi’ you said once again, unaware that you had been mouthing his name. Lakan who then raises his head saw your tear-streaked face as you chant something with your mouth.  

Lakan laughed at your pitiful state, Mockingly, he asks, "What were you saying?" His hand cups his ear, a taunting gesture of faux attentiveness. "What? I can't hear you?" he continues to jest, relishing in your silence. 

You grit your teeth in frustration, your lips pursed tightly as you struggle against the urge to respond. But his laughter only grows louder, more mocking, as he cruelly reminds you of your voicelessness. "Oh right, you don't have a voice. Hahahahaha," he jeers, his laughter cutting through you like a blade, leaving behind nothing but a bitter taste of helplessness.    “I wonder who made you like that?” he asked as he traced his finger on your scarred neck again. “Oh right! It’s me” His face now closer to yours with a sickening sense of triumph. Anger surged within you, you stared back at him with a steely gaze, your jaw clenched tight against the torrent of emotions threatening to consume you. This time, however, there was no fear in your eyes—only a burning resolve and determination.    Lakan's smirk widened at the sight of your anger, relishing in the turmoil he had incited within you. With a forceful grip, he seized your chin, his touch rough and commanding. 

"That's a pretty face you're showing me," he remarked, his voice dripping with contempt. "But I prefer when you are in fear." He paused as he locked eyes with you “What are you going to do? Call for help?” he jeered as he mockingly asked. “Who?”  

Your gaze remained locked with Lakan's, a silent challenge burning in your eyes. "Ma—" you attempted to speak, but only a hoarse whisper escaped your lips. Lakan's mocking tone cut through the air once more, his patience wearing thin. 

"If you don't speak up, I'm afraid I can't be patient anymore," he warned, his threat hanging heavy in the air. Summoning every ounce of strength within you, you tried once more, your voice trembling with effort. 

"Ma—" The first syllable emerged, faint yet unmistakable. Lakan's expression shifted from amusement to bewilderment as a weak sound tries to escape from your lips. 

"Ma—lik," you persisted, your voice growing stronger with each attempt. And finally, despite its weakness, the name spilled forth from your lips: "Ma—lik—si." 

Lakan's face darkened at the mention of his name, his features contorted with rage. In a swift motion, he pushed you to the floor once again, his fury unleashed. 

"How dare you utter that trash name in my presence," he seethed, his voice laced with venom as he towered over you. “What? Have you done it with him?” His words sliced through the air like a blade, his eyes alight with a predatory gleam. 

He grabbed you by the neck, his eyes looking at you with hunger. His grip almost chokes you “You’re mine”. As you struggled for air, panic surged through your veins, but amidst the suffocating terror, a fierce determination flared within you. 

 "I won't let you have your way! I won’t die like this!" you declared silently in your thoughts, drawing upon the memory of Maliksi's words echoing in your mind. " if you ever find yourself alone with Lakan... Kick him in the crotch." 

Fueled by desperation to survive, you summoned all your strength. With a primal scream, you delivered a powerful kick to Lakan's most vulnerable spot. He groaned in agony, doubling over and releasing his grip on you. 

Gasping for air, you seized the opportunity without hesitation. Ignoring the burning ache in your muscles, you sprinted towards the door, your heart pounding with the exhilaration of escape. 

“HUFF” RUN “HUFF” You navigated to the forest a sense of Deja vu surging in your mind. ‘Someone, anyone, please! Help me!’ You pleaded in your head desperate for someone to rescue you. “Maliksi” you called his name as you cried.  

A hand grabbed your wrist making you look at it. Lakan looking at you with seething anger then said, “Enough is enough!” He delivered a powerful slap across your face. The impact sent you stumbling to the ground. Without any chance to recover he grabbed both of your hands and pinned them on top of you, as he tore your clothes apart. Lakan lowered himself to your ears and said, “This time, I’ll do what I haven’t finished before, fill you up with my seed and then kill you.”  

Chill ran down your spine as he said those words. Fear surged within you again, as you struggled beneath him. As he began to ravish your neck, your mind and body convulsed in repulsion,  you cried for help, for the last time, closing your eyes and shouted at the top of your lungs, “MALIKSI!”  

Lakan's presence faded as he groaned in pain, replaced by arms embracing you tightly. Opening your eyes, you saw the person holding you, their eyes filled with concern. Tears streamed down your face as you cried in their embrace, overwhelmed by emotions. "I'm sorry," you sobbed, feeling guilty for not following Maliksi's instructions. "I'm sorry," you repeated, the words echoing like a mantra. 

"Shhh," Maliksi hushed you gently, his hand rubbing soothing circles on your back as he held you close. "You're fine now. Don't worry," he reassured you, hugging you tightly. 

"Maliksi!" A faint voice reached him in the dense forest. He scanned the area, leaping from tree to tree, searching for Anon. "Damn it!" he cursed, blaming himself for losing sight of her for a moment. Suddenly, a scream pierced the air nearby. He looked around, scanning for the tallest tree to get a vantage point. He leaped up, scanning the area, and saw a rundown hut emerge from the foliage. Anon stepped out, followed by Lakan, who seemed angry and struggled to walk. ‘Y/N” he muttered and Maliksi acted quickly, knowing if Lakan reached Anon first, it would be disastrous.  

He navigated the forest, trying to find Anon, but it was too late. He found her on the ground half naked with Lakan looming over her. Fueled by rage at the sight, Maliksi's pace quickened. As he neared, Anon cried for help, "MALIKSI!", hearing her voice filled him with a surge of strength. With a powerful leap, he launched himself at Lakan, knocking him away from her. 

Maliksi wrapped his arms around Anon, pulling her into a tight embrace as tears began to fill her eyes. She whispered apologies over and over, her voice trembling with emotion. Holding her close, Maliksi shot Lakan a glare filled with fierce intent. 

"YOU AGAIN!" Lakan snarled, his anger palpable in the air. "I should have finished you off first," he spat, his eyes burning with malice. 

"Heh, as if you could," Maliksi taunted, his voice laced with defiance. Lakan's patience snapped, and he lunged towards Maliksi with fury. 

"Hold on tight," Maliksi murmured to Anon. With her securely in his arms, he nimbly dodged Lakan's assault. Lakan was relentless, attacking again and again. Maliksi found himself struggling, not from the burden of carrying Anon, but from the fear of her getting hurt by Lakan's relentless attacks. 

He knew he needed to find a safe place for Anon before he could fully engage with him. Seizing an opportunity as Lakan charged once more, Maliksi didn't evade this time. Instead, he countered with a powerful kick, sending Lakan flying backwards. 

Quickly, Maliksi placed Anon behind a large tree, removed his t-shirt and had Anon wear it, ensuring her safety before turning his attention back to the imminent threat. “Stay here and don’t come out, understand?” Anon nodded weakly, “Good girl” Maliksi said with a smile as he patted her on the head then moved back to focus on Lakan. As he scanned the surroundings, the assailant launched a surprise attack. Maliksi barely managed to sidestep, feeling the rush of air as Lakan's fist passed dangerously close to his face.    

"Maliksi!" Anon called out, her voice laced with concern. "I'm fine, just stay put!" he reassured her. Lakan turned towards Anon with a sinister grin. "Yes, stay right there. Once I'm through with him, you're next, my dear Y/N," he taunted, sending a shiver down her spine at the mention of her name. 

Maliksi's knee collided with Lakan's stomach while he was still off guard. "Oi! Don't you dare utter her name with that filthy mouth of yours," Maliksi spat, his voice dripping with disdain. 

"You're really pushing it now! I'll end you right here, right now!" Lakan growled, his patience wearing thin.  

Maliksi scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "Blah, blah, blah. Stop whining like a baby and just do it!" he retorted, his words dripping with contempt. 

The forest became their battleground, with the noise of their fight spreading far and wide. Maliksi moved fast, using his speed to dodge and weave, making it hard for Lakan to catch him. He used everything around him, jumping from the ground to the trees, always managing to stay out of Lakan's reach. 

Lakan attacked with raw power. Every move he made was strong enough to shake the forest, knocking down trees and sending leaves flying whenever he missed Maliksi with his punches or kicks. 

In a tense moment, Lakan tried to hit Maliksi with a strong attack. Maliksi quickly dodged and made Lakan fall by tripping him. Then, Maliksi hit Lakan several times while he had the chance. 

As Maliksi's triumphant smile grew, he couldn't help but taunt the defeated Lakan. "Is that all you've got!" he jeered, watching as Lakan, beaten and bruised, struggled on the ground. But then, to Maliksi's surprise, Lakan started to chuckle. This sudden shift caught Maliksi off guard, his expression turning suspicious as he watched Lakan's battered form on the ground. 

Seizing the moment Lakan threw dirt at Maliksi to distract him, then punched him hard in the stomach. Maliksi who was caught off guard was sent flying back into the trees. 

"MALIKSI!" Your voice echoed through the forest as you watched him being thrown violently through the air, his body crashing into the trees behind him. Your heart raced, fear gripping you as you considered the possibility of serious injury. Lakan, clearly satisfied with what he had done, slowly approached the now unconscious Maliksi,  

"I have to help him," you thought desperately, though feeling powerless amidst the chaos. With Maliksi unconscious and Lakan closing in, you knew you had to act. Spotting a large branch nearby, you grabbed it without hesitation and rushed towards Lakan. As Lakan closed in on Maliksi, you yelled and swung the stick to defend your friend. But it snapped upon contact, leaving you vulnerable. Lakan chuckled and grabbed you by the neck, lifting you easily. "You dare attack me from behind?" he sneered, tightening his grip as you struggled to breathe. Despite your efforts, Lakan just laughed at your attempts to break free. 

Maliksi, slowly regaining consciousness, witnessed the scene before him with wide eyes. Without hesitation, ignoring his own pain, he lunged at Lakan and wrapped his arm around his neck. Lakan, caught off guard, released Anon. In a struggle, Lakan grabbed Maliksi and threw him to the ground beside her. Anger boiled over as he caught his breath. "I've had enough of you two, I'll kill you right now!"    Lakan once again lunged at them, Maliksi threw himself at Anon protecting her, but before he could even come near, A great force kicked him away from them. “Are you two alright?” The man asked with concern on his voice. Maliksi looked up and smiled in relief at seeing his brother “KUYA!” he shouted. Anon who was clinging to Maliksi also looked up as she saw a familiar face. 

"You two, get out of here," Makisig commanded as he reassured them. "I'll deal with Lakan." Maliksi nodded without hesitation, knowing Makisig was more than capable. He scooped up Anon and exchanged a glance with his brother, a silent agreement passing between them. With that, they left Makisig to face Lakan alone. 

Once out of sight, Makisig approached Lakan, who was struggling to stand. Makisig's chilling presence sent shivers down Lakan's spine. "I believe I already warned you," Makisig spoke in a tone that sent a chill through the air, his smile tinged with malice. "If you lay a hand on them..." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "You are dead," 

Lakan felt scared as he swallowed nervously. Even though he was strong, he knew Makisig was even stronger. In his weakened condition, Lakan knew he couldn't beat Makisig, who stood before him as a powerful opponent. 

  Makisig halted in front of Lakan, then leaned in close to his ear, his gaze fixed on the distance ahead. As he whispered, his golden eyes darkened, filling with an intensity that sent a chill down Lakan's spine. “Now, How shall I kill you?” Was the last words Lakan heard.  

Mang Kano paced anxiously by the door, worried about Anon. Despite telling Maliksi and Anon to return before dusk, they hadn't come back. To ease Mang Kano's worries, Makisig offered to find them. Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Maliksi covered in blood, carrying an unconscious Anon wearing his t-shirt. 

Mang Kano’s face turned pale. Maliksi, as if sensing Mang Kano’s panic quickly reassured him that Anon is not in any danger and is merely sleeping. Relief flooded through Mang Kano, though the blood covering Maliksi still concerned him.  

A few hours passed, and Maliksi had freshened up. Now, he sat beside Anon, patiently waiting for her to wake up. His eyes focused on her peaceful sleeping form, noticing the bandage Mang Kano had replaced on her neck. Unconsciously, his fingers traced the outline of the bandage, realizing the scar would likely stay with her forever as a reminder of the danger they faced. 

As Anon stirred, feeling the gentle touch on her neck, she let out a soft murmur and slowly opened her eyes. Blinking against the light, she looked around until her gaze met Maliksi's. 

"Did I wake you?" he asked softly. 

She shook her head, a small smile appearing on her lips as she slowly sat up. The two of them stayed quiet, just looking into each other's eyes, the silent understanding between them saying more than words ever could. 

The door creaked open, and two familiar figures entered the room. Mang Kano's face lit up with relief as he saw Anon now awake. "Y/N! Good, you're awake!" he exclaimed, taking a step closer to check on her. Maliksi stood up from his chair and offered it to Mang Kano. "How are you feeling?" he asked, taking a seat beside her. 

"I-" Anon began, her voice hoarse. "I'm okay." Mang Kano smiled warmly at her, his heart swelling at the sound of her voice for the first time. Maliksi had informed him that she had regained her voice during their encounter with Lakan. 

Anon coughed, her throat felt dry. Both men started to panic. "Maliksi, get some water," Mang Kano commanded. Maliksi hurriedly left the room, returning moments later with a pitcher and glass of water, which he handed to Anon. 

Makisig watched the scene with a mix of curiosity and amusement. It wasn't the first time he had seen his brother obediently following orders from a human, and it still made him chuckle. His laughter caught the attention of the others. Clearing his throat, he quickly regained his composure. "Ahem, I just remembered something amusing. Please ignore me," he said with a slight smile, trying to shift focus away from his brief lapse. 

Mang Kano cleared his throat to refocus the conversation. "Anyway, now that you're feeling better, it's a good idea to do some voice therapy since you just regained your voice. It'll help prevent strain on your vocal cords," he explained. Anon nodded in agreement. 

"And don't worry about Lakan!" Maliksi interjected eagerly. "Kuya already took care of him, so you're safe now..." 

Maliksi's voice trailed off as a sudden realization hit him. With Anon safe and Lakan no longer a threat, she could safely return home. Anon looked at Maliksi, sensing the shift in his demeanor, her head tilted in confusion. 

You're safe to go back to your family now," Mang Kano echoed Maliksi's sentiment. Anon's face brightened at the mention of returning home. After everything she had endured, all she wanted was to be reunited with her family, whom she hadn't seen in months. They must have been worried sick about her sudden disappearance and lack of communication. 

"You don't have to worry. I can personally take you back to your home and explain the situation to your family," Mang Kano assured her. His voice faltered slightly as if hesitating to share the next piece of information. He glanced back at Makisig, who stood by the door, and received a subtle nod of agreement. Turning back to Anon, his expression filled with concern, he continued, "However, since you have encountered them, it would be best if... they remove your memory." 

Anon's eyes widened in disbelief at Mang Kano's words. "B..but," she started, her voice trembling, but Mang Kano gently interrupted, sensing her hesitation. 

"I know it's sudden, but do you think your family would believe you were attacked by a Tamawo? A creature from folklores?" he reasoned, his tone firm yet understanding. Anon's heart sank as she absorbed his words. She understood his reasoning, even though it was hard to accept. 

She looked at Maliksi, who stood silently beside her bed, his gaze on the floor. Anon clenched her fist, torn between wanting to remember and the practicality of erasing the traumatic experience from her mind. 

Sensing Anon’s hesitation, Maliksi’s silence, Mang Kano placed a hand on Anon’s shoulder. “We can talk about this tomorrow; you should rest up,” he said gently. Standing up, he placed a hand on Maliksi’s shoulder and walked towards the door, followed by Makisig, leaving the two of them alone. 

Silence filled the room as they were left alone. Maliksi knew that for Anon to truly be free, her memories of them had to be erased. It was the only way she could live her life with a smile on her face. 

Maliksi lifted his head, his eyes widening at the sight before him. Anon's warm smile was directed at him, as if she had already made her decision. A pang of sadness gripped Maliksi's heart. He had never been attached to a human before, but the thought of Anon not remembering him filled him with an inexplicable sense of loss, even though he knew it was for the best. 

She stood up from the bed slowly moving towards Maliksi, She wanted to say so many things to him, but she knows that words are not enough to describe how she feels.  She then wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, her gratitude pouring out in a simple yet powerful phrase: "Thank you." Those words held immense weight, a token of her appreciation for everything Maliksi had done for her. She knew that without him, she might not even be alive today. 

Maliksi understood the depth of her gratitude, feeling it resonate within him as he returned the embrace. In that moment, words were unnecessary as they stood together, enveloped in each other's arms. They shared a silent understanding, knowing that this moment would forever be etched in their hearts, even if the memory itself were to fade away with time. 

You stood by the window of your apartment on the second floor as you gazed down at the busy streets below you, lost in thought, you were interrupted when your phone suddenly rang.   You picked it up and answered, “Hello Ma”, you greeted warmly, listening as she asked about your adjustment to your new life. “I’m fine ma! Yes! I’m eating alright, And No! I don’t have a boyfriend so don’t believe whatever my brother says” You answered every question your mother asked, slightly amused by her constant reminders. “Yes yes, I promise to go home later, I love you!” And with that, you end the call.  

Sighing, you felt relieved but also a bit drained after the conversation. It may have been short, but the concern in your mother's voice always affected you. Turning to the mirror, you checked your appearance, dressed in all-white uniform, ready to head to school. Despite your family's initial reservations about your decision to pursue medicine after already obtaining a degree, you had insisted on following your passion. They worried about you being far away from them again, especially after your mysterious disappearance for a few months. 

As you glanced at your neck in the mirror, you couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over you. When the time came for them to remove your memories, you made a choice to keep them instead. You couldn't bear the thought of forgetting them even though the time spent with them was only for just a brief moment. Even if it was scary at times, you were happy to have met them and kept those memories. 

With Dr. James help he crafted a believable story for your family, explaining your absence by saying he found you in at the base of a cliff while searching for medicinal herbs. This version spared your family from knowing the horrible things that had happened to you. 

The scars that once marred your skin were now gone, it was thanks to Maliksi's magical salve, that he said was something he won from a bet. Also telling you that it is safe for you to use since he already tested it on other humans before. Even though you were hesitant at first, you decided to trust Maliksi. 

Thinking of Maliksi brought a tinge of sadness to your heart, knowing that you would always cherish the memories you shared with him and the others. Despite the physical distance between you, he remained a constant presence in your thoughts and in your heart. 

Once again, you found yourself gazing out the window, lost in memories. In your mind, you could see Maliksi perched on a tree, his mischievous grin lighting up his face as he looked at you. A smile spread across your lips as you embraced the warmth of the image. You knew that someday, somewhere, you two would be reunited again.

Authors note:

-It took me so long to finish this one, because my work piled up T-T

-I may or may not make an epilogue for this one ¬‿¬

Disclaimer:

Characters: Maliksi, Makisig, Lakan and Mang Kano all belongs to @ask-emilz-de-philz.

Anon on the other hand is you! <3 so enjoy!

PART 1 : Voice (Part 1) PART 3: Voice (Part 3)

PS: I accidentally posted the draft version of this one last night because my nephew is so naughty >_>.

Maliksi leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching intently as Mang Kano attended to the unconscious girl lying on the bed. It had been four days since she was brought there, and she remained in a coma. Mang Kano carefully checked her IV line before skillfully inserting medication into it. Maliksi was intrigued by how this albularyo was so adept with modern medical techniques. Overcome with curiosity, he finally asked,” how did you manage to become a doctor and yet continue as an albularyo? Don't those two professions contradict each other?” 

Mang Kano, momentarily taken aback by Maliksi’s question, paused and looked at him, a hint of perplexity in his gaze. "Why? Can't an albularyo become a full pledge doctor?" was his response "And what’s with the sudden interest?” he continued to probe further. Maliksi just shrugs his shoulders in response, the wheels in his mind still turning “Just curious” he admitted “Albularyos usually use nature and rituals to heal people. But you're using modern medicine to treat this girl.“ 

Mang Kano chuckled at his statement, as if this question had crossed his mind before or perhaps, he encountered the same questions before. “You see, Maliksi” Mang Kano began, his tone carrying a mix of warmth and wisdom. "Healing is not just about the methods we use; it's about the intention behind them.” He looked back at the girl as if a nostalgic feeling emerged from him as he continued “Whether it's through herbs, rituals, or modern medicine, the goal is always to heal. I've learned that to truly help someone, you must be willing to use all knowledge available to you.” 

He glanced at Maliksi, a gentle smile gracing his face, and in response, Maliksi met his gaze, understanding passing between them without a word. Suddenly, a knock on the door shattered the silence, and a woman's voice called out, "Dr. James, your appointment is here." The door creaked open, revealing a young woman in scrubs clutching a file to her chest. 

As she approached Dr. James, her eyes couldn't help but stray to Maliksi, and a blush colored her cheeks. Quickly averting her gaze, she hurried to Dr. James's side and handed him the file. "H-here's the p-patient's records," she stammered, clearly flustered by Maliksi's presence. Mang Kano, clearly understanding his staff's behavior, reached for the file and motioned for her to leave. "Alright, I'll come with you in a moment," he replied. The woman hastily exited the room making one last glance at Maliksi before leaving the two alone. 

Mang Kano sighed in resignation and said, "Please do not seduce my staff. I'm already short-handed, and I can't afford to lose more."  

"I didn't even do anything!" Maliksi defended, clearly irritated by the misunderstanding. “And It’s not my fault I’m oozing with attractiveness” He continued with a hint of sarcasm. Mang Kano cringed at his statement, rubbed his temples, and sighed in exasperation. “Just stay away from my staff!” With a weary expression, he walked to the door, giving Maliksi one last stern look. "And make sure they won’t know you're a Tamawo, the last thing I want is people sending rumors about my clinic about having a monster in my place" he cautioned before closing the door behind him.   

“As if I have a choice!” Maliski sighed in exasperation. He had made himself look human and concealed his Tamawo features so that he could blend in with the others while he remained here to care for the girl. Maliksi was alone again with the unconscious girl in the room. He felt relieved to have some peace and quiet. The only sound was the beeping of the health monitor. Taking a closer look at the girl's face, he realized it was the first time he had really noticed her appearance. Before, he had mostly just stayed in the room, playing games and sleeping on the bed that he took from the other room without permission, only waking up when the albularyo came to check on her.  

"You're quite beautiful, aren't you" he remarked softly, admiring her serene expression as she slept. Though he knew he had only helped her for his own benefit. Despite his selfish intentions, he couldn't deny the allure of her beauty. As he gazed at her, a pang of guilt flickered within him, which is unusual because having this kind of emotion for a human only applies to his kind brother.    Time seemed to move slow as his repeated activities bore him, He pulled a nearby chair closer to the girl's bed, settling into it with a sigh.

Leaning back, he crosses his arms and shuts his eyes, racking his brain for a way to shake off his boredom. Suddenly, an idea sparks, brightening his expression. “Hey, want to know a story?” Maliksi asked the unconscious girl, he chuckled at his stupidity scolding himself ‘of course she won’t respond, stupid!’, shaking his head at his own foolishness.  

But the idea of talking with this unconscious girl wasn’t a bad idea, He liked it actually, it’s like a one- sided conversation, a chance for him to speak his mind without the pressure of a response. So, despite the lack of interaction from her side, Maliksi found solace in sharing his thoughts with the silent figure before him.  

"Well here it goes” he started off as he rested his chin on her bed as he recalls one of the mischiefs he did, “There was this one time that my Kuya promised one of his girls on a picnic, I saw how excited she was being able to go out with him. When that day came, she then proceeds to the kitchen with a giddy smile on her face and makes some sandwiches. I secretly followed her making sure I was unnoticed, when she was finished, she went out and got ready for their planned picnic, I made sure she was totally gone then I went ahead and ate all of it.”

He smiled mischievously at the memory “I handed it to her, her sandwiches were really yummy." He paused as he licked his lips as if savoring the taste again, "and when she came back, she was livid and started shouting at me. My kuya came as he heard the commotion. Before she could even explain what happened, I immediately clung to my kuya and told him I was very hungry and ate whatever food is in the kitchen”  

Maliksi's eyes sparkled with the vivid recollection, a playful smirk playing on his lips as he remembered the chaos he had instigated. "You should've seen the look on her face," he continued, his voice barely containing his amusement. "She was so mad, steam could've come out of her ears. And there I was, the picture of innocence, hugging my Kuya, telling him how hungry I was." 

He chuckled, shaking his head at his own audacity. "My Kuya, he's always had a soft spot for me, you know? So, he looks at me, then at her, and he's trying to piece together what happened. And I'm there, making my best impression of a starving little brother, which wasn't far from the truth, except for the part where I intentionally ate the sandwiches meant for their picnic." 

Maliksi's expression softened, a hint of admiration in his gaze as he thought about his brother's peacemaking skills. "He managed to calm her down, promised her an even better date to make up for it. And me? I got off with a warning and a 'next time, ask before you eat anything meant for special occasions'” Sighing, Maliksi leaned closer to the girl, as if sharing a secret. "But here's the thing—I felt bad afterwards. Not immediately, but it hit me later. Of course I won’t tell them that!”  

Time seemed to pass by as he told more stories of his past adventures, after what seemed like hours of talking, Maliksi got tired and stood up, stretching his limbs. "Well, thanks for listening, even if you didn't have much choice in the matter. It's been... therapeutic, in a way." He glanced at her one more time, a gentle expression on his face. “When you wake up, maybe you can tell me your stories, I promise I’ll listen.” 

With that, Maliksi turned off the light, leaving the room bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. Outside, the world was quiet and peaceful, Maliksi felt lighter, as if the act of sharing his story with someone, even someone who couldn't respond, had lifted a weight off his shoulders. 

How many days have passed? Maliksi wondered as he stared out the window, the sun high in the sky, the corridors noisy with the comings and goings of people. A few days prior, Mang Kano had allowed him to return home whenever he wished, reassured that the girl was no longer in any danger. Maliksi was overjoyed and embraced the opportunity. Upon arriving home, he indulged in all the activities he had missed, as if he were finally free from the burden of caring for the comatose girl. 

After not going to the clinic for four days, he felt kind of empty, like he was missing something. He tried to have fun, but it wasn't as good. So, he thought about it a lot and decided to go back to Mang Kano’s clinic.

There, he found himself standing beside the girl's bed, just staring at her as if it was routine. He inhaled deeply then said "Hey there, sleepyhead. How are you feeling today? “ he then grabs a nearby chair and started telling her stories like the usual. Days turned into weeks, and Maliksi kept coming back to the clinic to share tales with her. 

As Maliksi's boredom set in again, he went over to the girl's bed and closed his eyes as he tried to look for a memory he could share with her. Maliksi wasn't a very talkative person, but he enjoyed talking to the girl in front of him. It was always the highlight of his day. As he chatted away, he didn't notice Mang Kano enter the room. The man stood by the door, watching Maliksi happily tell her about what had happened the other day, with the look of excitement in his face.  

"And then, I saw that lady again yesterday. I thought my big brother had sent her away for good two years ago. But guess what? She was back at the mansion, hanging out with my brother's other girlfriends." He paused, putting his finger on his chin as if thinking hard. "It's not like I dislike her or anything. She's actually pretty decent. As I observed, She wasn't as needy as his other girls, she knows her boundaries and always making sure that she don't annoy me, not like the others who always pick a fight with me."

Leaning on the edge of the girl's bed, Maliksi rested his head on his hands "As long as she doesn't bother me too much, I guess I'm okay with her being around the mansion," he stated with a slight shrug. The room went silent again, he stared blankly at the health monitor watching the numbers go up and down.

Unconsciously he picked up her hand and placed it on his cheeks, his gaze now fixated at the sleeping girl in front of him “When will you wake up?” he whispered softly, his voice filled with longing and hope. 

Mang Kano, who had remained quietly in the room, observed Maliksi with a mix of concern and empathy. He felt compassion for the young man expressing such raw emotion. It had been over a month since that fateful day, and there was still no sign of the girl waking up. Mang Kano sighed and was about to go over to Maliksi when the Tamawo suddenly jumped out of his chair, looking at the girl's hand in shock. 

"What's the matter?" Mang Kano asked in shock. Maliksi, unaware of Mang Kano’s arrival, looked at him in bewilderment. "H-her hand... I felt her hand move!" he exclaimed. Mang Kano immediately approached the bed, pulling his penlight out of his pocket. Maliksi shifted to give him space as Mang Kano began checking the girl for any specific responses. 

"Is she going to wake up soon?" Maliksi couldn’t help but ask anxiously. After Mang Kano finished examining the girl, he looked at Maliksi with a smile spreading across his face. "Yes! it looks like she’s on her way back to us” He confirmed. Maliksi smiled in relief upon hearing Mang Kano’s response. 

You were unconscious, and felt like you were in a dark, silent void. You couldn't feel anything, and time seemed to stretch on forever. All you could remember was being attacked by a creature, fighting desperately to get away from it until it slashed your throat. That was the last thing you remembered before you blacked out. You wondered how many hours—or even days—had passed since then. “Am I still alive?” you asked yourself. 

 But then, you started to feel a little bit of awareness. It was like a faint echo of life from the outside world. “Hey, want to hear a story?” Suddenly a soft voice said as it's sound washed over you like a warm embrace. The voice told you stories of it's mischievousness. This voice was very familiar, but you can’t seem to remember who. 

Though you cannot move or speak, you were captivated by his stories, listening intently, lost in the cadence of their voice. You wondered who this person beside you, sharing their stories with such warmth, though your body remained still and silent, your mind was alive with curiosity. You longed to reach out, to connect with the person beside you and to know this person's identity. But for now, all you could do was listen to their soothing voice as it tells you, their adventures.

Every day you kept on waiting for that voice, anticipating what story it would tell that day. Until one day the stories had stopped. You never heard from it again. the sense of abandonment overwhelmed you, You didn’t know what to do. You felt lost and alone. ‘Did it get tired of telling me stories?’ You thought to yourself.  

The silence of the room was unbearable, your mind is conscious, but your body is not, you feel frustrated, and you just wanted to wake up. You silently prayed that that person would come back. As if God answered your prayers, you heard that voice again, The one you have been praying for, “Hey there sleepyhead. How are you feeling today?” The voice was warm and comforting, sending a jolt of recognition through your still form.

‘You’re back!’ you wanted to say but your body remained unresponsive. you felt relieved at hearing this voice again as it tells you more of it's stories. Even though you couldn't move or speak, the connection you felt with this person grew stronger with each passing moment. 

Days flew by again, Maliksi stared at the girl waiting for her to wake up, every time he tells her something she moves her finger in response. He doesn’t know when it started but with each passing day, the more he stayed by her side, the more attached he was to her. Anticipating the day she opens her eyes.

And then one day, it happened. She started fluttering her eyelids, as she slowly opened her eyes, a hazy confusion danced behind them, as if the world was coming back into focus. Maliksi, overwhelmed by a mix of relief and joy couldn’t help but smile.  

“Hey, you’re awake,” he exclaimed his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. “Wait here, I’ll bring the albular—I mean the doctor!” As he tried to let go of her hand, he felt her squeezing it, as if stopping him from going away. He looked back at her and chuckled. “I’ll be right back” He re-assured as he slowly removed her hand from him.  

Maliksi quickly left the room, searching for Mang Kano. As he neared the other room, he overheard a conversation. "We can't keep hiding her," he heard a voice say, recognizing it immediately as his brother Makisig's. "He found out where she is," Makisig added. A sense of dread began to fill Maliksi, making him worry about who they were discussing. Driven by his curiosity, Maliksi entered the room, surprising the two men. "Who are you talking about?" he demanded. The men exchanged a look of silent agreement before Makisig dismissively responded, "It's nothing." 

Trying to shift the focus, Makisig asked, "What brings you here?" Maliksi, although curious about their conversation, remembered he had more pressing news to share. "The girl has woken up!" he announced, the earlier tension melting away with his excitement. "Mang Kano, come and see her right away!" 

Mang Kano's eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and urgency at Maliksi's announcement. Without wasting another moment, he rose from his seat, grabbing everything he needed then followed the young Tamawo towards the girls room.

As they hurried through the corridors, Maliksi began to feel hopeful. The mystery of the conversation he had overheard still bothered him, but his top priority was the well-being of the girl who had miraculously opened her eyes after being in a comatose state. 

Slowly, you began to regain consciousness. You opened your eyes and tried to focus, but everything was blurry. As your vision slowly adjusted, you could make out the figure of a person hovering over you. 

"Hey! You're awake!" the person exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. He took your hand in his and squeezed it tightly. "Just wait here, I'll get the doctor", he continued, releasing your hand and starting to get up. 

Unconsciously you tightened your grip on his hand, not wanting him to leave. You stared up at him with your eyes still blurry from just waking up. He looked back at you in surprise, but then chuckled at your unexpected behavior. 

"I'll be right back", he reassured you, gently prying your fingers from his. You reluctantly let go of him and watched as he ran off through the door. 

Lying there, your gaze fixed on the ceiling, a wave of confusion and disorientation swept over you. ‘Where am I?’ This question echoed in your mind as you tried to make sense of your surroundings. An uncomfortable sensation in your neck stopped you from moving too much. Carefully, you reached up to touch the source of discomfort and found bandages there.

‘I remember now... I was attacked,’ you realized silently. The vivid memory of the assault flooded back, the brutality of the incident overwhelming you, causing tears to gather in your eyes. Overcome by a surge of emotions, you found yourself unable to hold back a cry. 

As tears streamed down your face, you were crying but there was no sound accompanying it, the room was still quiet ‘My voice... it's gone’. You tried to speak, to call for someone, anyone, but no sound came out. The silence around you felt like it was closing in on you, 'suffocating.' You felt more and more scared and confused.

As the door swung open, your eyes instinctively darted towards it. Three figures stepped into the room: the first, clad in a lab coat, evidently the doctor; the second, the person who had been by your side earlier; and the third, a man of remarkable height, the tallest you've ever seen. Their expressions shifted to shock as they took in the sight of your tear-streaked face. Without hesitation, the one who had kept you company earlier rushed to your side, a look of deep concern etched on his face. 

"Hey, what's wrong?" The familiar voice, filled with genuine concern, broke the silence in the room. You looked up at the person, their eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and compassion. You opened your mouth to speak, but no sound accompanied them. ‘I’ you desperately mouthed trying hard to make a sound, but it was futile, you can’t help but cry again at your helplessness.  

The doctor came by your side as he tried to assess the situation. He seemed to sense your struggle and gently placed his hand on the young man's shoulder, “It seems she had lost her voice” the doctor said. The young man turned to him with a concerned look, his brows furrowing in worry. "Is there a way to help her get it back?" he asked, his voice laced with urgency.

The doctor fell silent as if trying to find the right words. "I can't say it will come back, but.." he paused "we'll need to conduct some tests and perhaps consult with a specialist. Losing one's voice can be a temporary effect, especially after a traumatic event. It's too early to say for sure, but with proper care and treatment, there's hope," he explained, his words aiming to instill a sense of optimism in the room.

“Hi, my name is Dr. James, And I am the one who attended to your injury” He said as he looked at you directly, “I know this is all confusing to you right now, but I assure you I will do everything in my power to help you.” He continued with a kind and gentle voice. He then looked back at the young man and said, “Help her sit up” The young man eagerly nodded and helped you gently sit up from your  bed. “Can you also fetch me the chair” the young man nodded and urgently went to the other side to fetch the chair and positioned it near Dr James. 

Unknowingly behind them, Makisig who was still standing silently near the door watched in bewilderment as he witnessed his little brother following Mang Kano’s command. This was the first time he saw his brother being bossed around by a human without any resistance. He had the urge to laugh but had to stop himself so as to not break the moment in the room. 

“It's just a formality” Dr. James said, flipping a page on his clipboard and handing it to you along with a pen. “Since you can't speak right now, could you please write your name down for me? That way I can address you properly.” You nodded weakly and reached for the pen and paper. your hands were shaking, and it took you a few tries to write your name legibly. “Y/N” Dr. James said out loud. “What a beautiful name” He added with a gentle smile on his face. 

 “I’ll be asking some questions,” Dr. James pointed at the clipboard you are holding and gestured “You just write your answer, a brief word would suffice, you could also choose not to answer, will that be ok?” He said asking for permission. In response to his question, you wrote the word ‘Yes’   

Dr. James smiled and began asking some questions. "Well done. Now, do you feel any discomfort with your body right now?" You pointed at the word "Yes" that you had written earlier. Dr. James acknowledged your response and followed up, "Could you try and point where?" Slowly lifting your hand, you indicated your bandaged neck. "Does it hurt a lot?" He continued asking, you wrote "A little". 

The questioning continued for a while, with Dr. James periodically examining your body for any signs of discomfort. "Your body is still recovering, and since you were in a coma for a while, you may experience discomfort in different parts of your body," he explained. "You need rest and a bit of walking or exercise to aid in your recovery." 

Dr. James hesitated, as if uneasy about asking the next question. "I know this might be hard to recall, but..." he paused as he looked at the young man then back at you, "do you remember what happened before you passed out?" Your body tensed at the question; memories of encountering the terrifying creature and the trauma it inflicted flooded your mind.

Tears welled up in your eyes once more, rolling down your cheeks uncontrollably. With a heavy heart, you pressed both palms against your face as silent sobs racked your body. Frustration built up inside you as you cried without making a sound, the weight of your emotions overwhelming your voiceless cries. 

Dr. James did not probe any further, as he already knows your answer from your reaction. All he could do is press his hand on your shoulder as he waits for you to finish crying.  

Maliksi, who had been silently observing the conversation, clenched his fist unknowingly. It was as if he felt sympathy for the girl, a feeling he hadn't experienced in quite some time. Looking at the window he silently voiced in his head ‘I’ll kill that jerk!’.  

“You should get some rest first,” Dr. James said, breaking the silence in the room. Gently, he helped you lie back in your bed. As you were being assisted, you couldn't help but notice the young man at the edge of the bed. As your eyesight was still blurry earlier, this is the first time you saw him clearly.

His pale complexion and silver hair caught your attention, and his expression remained stoic as he gazed out of the window. Even though you could only see his side profile, you couldn't deny his handsomeness.

Dr. James caught sight of you looking at the young man. "Ah, this is..." he gestured but stopped, appearing hesitant. As if returning to reality, the young man then looked in your direction. "He’s the one... who brought you here," Dr. James continued, appearing uncomfortable with the introduction.

You stared at the young man, feeling a sense of familiarity wash over you. The young man waved his hand in front of you and said, “Hey there, my name’s Maliksi.” ‘Maliksi,’ he stopped as he saw you open your mouth and mouthed his name along with him. “D-did you just!” Maliksi stuttered as he looked at you in shock, as if you already knew who he was.

You were equally stunned by your own reaction; in that moment, your dimly recalled memories surged forward in rapid succession: the time you were attacked, the sight of the him perched atop the tree and the instance when the creature was forcefully repelled from you. You remembered the way the creature hissed Maliksi’s name before you lost consciousness.

You grabbed the clipboard and pen again and slowly wrote something: ‘On top of the tree’. Shyly, you showed them the written words. Both Maliksi and Dr. James looked at the writing. Maliksi smiled as he read the words. "So you remember me!" he exclaimed excitedly.

Dr. James looked back and forth between you and Maliksi, observing the interaction with curiosity. “If you remember him then that means you also know that he’s a Tamawo” Dr James asked. The girl looked at him in curiosity then wrote “Tamawo?”  

The doctor and Maliksi exchanged a glance as they read what you wrote, then awkwardly looked away. Dr. James rubbed his temples, realizing he had made a mistake. He sighed heavily, seemingly reluctant to explain. "It's like this," he began, scratching his cheek as if searching for the right words. "The creature that attacked you... was a Tamawo." 

Makisig sensed the presence of another creature lurking nearby. With caution, he slipped out of the room, ensuring that the people inside remained unaware of his departure. As he stepped foot outside, he said “Come out, I know you’re here”. A figure emerged from the shadows, striding proudly with a malicious grin on his face. His silver hair flowing with the wind.

“My, my if it isn’t the hybrid” the man said maliciously. Makisig remained silent, unfaced by his remark.   “I warn you Lakan, stay away from them” Makisig warned. Lakan chuckled, amused by his warning. “You can’t stop me; I will take that woman and this time I’ll make sure to rip her apart.” Lakan then grinned widely “And I’ll make sure to get back at your pest of a brother for what he had done” 

Makisig's face turned dark, his eyes piercing through Lakan as he thought of ways of tearing him apart. “If you touch my brother, I promise you I won’t be merciful”. Lakan laughed again, he looked at Makisig staring at him with the same killing intent. “I look forward to that.” and with that he turned and walked away.   

Makisig watched him go, when he was gone, he sighed releasing the tension from his body.  Time is of the essence now; He must come up with a plan to make sure that his brother and the girl were unharmed. He looked up at the window on the second floor, his mind racing as he contemplated his next move. “I better act fast”. 

Author's note:

-Malapit na tayo sa exciting part! CHAR!

-I remember @ask-emilz-de-philz posted Mang Kano's real name and to my surprise it's the same name as my brother. XDDD the irony was he's also in the medical field XDDD Ehem!.

-Maliksi being bossed around by a human was rare VERY RARE! UwU. Forgive me HC for making that part, I just had to do it //Smirks

Disclaimer: Trigger warning: This chapter contains Violence, curse words, a bit of gore, possible rape. read at your own risk. PART 2 : Voice (Part 2)

PART 3: Voice (Part 3) Characters: Maliksi, Makisig, Lakan and Mang Kano all belongs to @ask-emilz-de-philz. Anon on the other hand is you! <3 so enjoy!

*HUFF* ‘Run’ *HUFF* you urged yourself in silent desperation as you navigate through the dense forest finding the exit, “Running won’t do you good” the creature voice, dripping with sarcasm on his tone. Glancing over your shoulder, you caught sight of the creature following you, his eyes gleamed with predatory intent looking at you like some prey, his long silver hair flowing at the back his golden claw like hands in front of him reaching for you. He maintained a calculated distance, not closing in, as if teasing you as you ran away from him. Ignoring the creature taunts, you pushed forward, desperately looking ahead for any signs, seeking an exit. The dense forest seemed never ending. ‘I need to distract him’ you decided looking for some opening that will help you through this situation, looking left and right. Swiftly changing direction, you veered off the beaten path, hoping to lose the creature in the twists and turns of the forest. The creature, momentarily of guard adjusted its pace. However, your strategy seemed to be working, as you gained a slight advantage. You seized the opportunity to find a concealed spot to observe and plan your next move as you lost the creature following you. Breathing heavily, you crouched behind a large tree, attempting to catch your breath and remain unnoticed. You heard the creature chuckle as he said “You think you can hide from me?” It taunted, it’s words sending shiver down your spine. You remained motionless, heart pounding, as you braced yourself for the next move in this deadly game of cat and mouse. The creature chuckled as if your hiding was amusing for him. “Better hide properly, human, once I get you, I’ll make you mine” The creature’s ominous words sent a chill down your spine. With the urgency of the situation not wanting to be captured, you moved away from your hiding place to find a more secure hiding spot. Moving with haste, gently navigating the forest to not catch the attention of the creature. As you went further away an eerie silence enveloped you. The silence sent another chill on your spine, it’s as if the creature had been gone. Not wanting to be complacent, you looked around in the darkness looking for a place to hide. Suddenly, a shadow went past you, in that moment, the creature emerged from the darkness, its presence sending a wave of terror through your veins. You stood there staring at him wide eyed as he moved in towards you with a predatory grace, his eyes locked onto you as his smile widened with sinister satisfaction, making it clear that escape was no longer an option. You moved back with each step forward he makes, not wanting him to get closer “My, my” he spoke “what shall I do with you?” his words hung in the air with an ominous tone. “P-please...” you cried “Don’t hurt me” the pleas escaped your lips in a desperate attempt to appeal to any sense of mercy the creature might possess. As you continued moving backwards, a tree suddenly hindered your path. You gasped, realizing you were now cornered, your mind racing, realizing that escape was slipping further away. His eyes fixed on you seemed to relish the realization that you were now trapped. The creature now near you reached for your chin, aggressively making you look at him. His thumb tracing the outer part of your lips, his face moving closer and closer to your face, the golden intensity of his eyes held a mix of fascination and malevolence.

In a desperate attempt to free yourself, you summoned all your courage and bit down hard on his finger, a momentary shock crossed the creature’s face as he recoiled, giving you a brief opportunity to slip away. In swift movement, the creature grabbed your arm his mood shifting from surprise to anger “You’ll pay for that” he growled menacingly before delivering a forceful slap across your face. The impact sent you stumbling to the ground, disoriented and with a stinging pain in your cheek.

Pinned to the ground, the creature loomed over you, casting a shadow of fear. Tears welled up and streamed down your face as you closed your eyes, the desperate plea escaping your lips, "N-NO! Don't hurt me, PLEASE!" The forest seemed to echo with your cries, and the weight of the imminent threat hung heavily in the air. Another sharp slap landed on your face, seized your chin once more forcefully making you look at him again, The cruel force of its hold left you vulnerable and exposed.

Laying at a tree branch, Maliksi snoozed lazily, the forest around him held an air of tranquility, His ear twitched as a loud cry of help immediately capturing his attention, shifting grumpily at the unexpected disturbance, he muttered “Uhg! So noisy!” with an annoyed tone. Despite his initial irritation, he reluctantly roused from his lazy repose on the tree branch. Stretching his arms upwards as he yawns loudly. Scratching his neck, he slowly opened his eyes and looked around to see where the commotion was coming from.

Just a few meters away from him was the man he hated to see. "Lakan," he muttered with a distasteful tone in his voice. Below, a woman lay pinned beneath him. "Ha, it seems he caught another unfortunate soul," Maliksi remarked uninterestedly, lifting his left leg and resting his chin on his knee as he observed the drama unfolding in front of him. The air around the trio became charged with tension as Maliksi watched the scene with a mix of disdain and detachment. Lakan tore the woman’s cloths and tries to ravish her, his eyes burning with a cruel hunger. The woman struggled desperately beneath Lakan, her cries echoing through the night as she fought for her life. “You’re too noisy” Lakan remarked with a dismissive tone, he then slashed her throat with his claws. her blood splashed in his face.

The pungent aroma of iron and copper filled the air as Lakan licked the blood from his claws, relishing the taste of her fear and desperation. Maliksi face twisted with disgust, He had seen this before and each time it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He watched as the girl stained crimson to the ground.

Her face turned toward his direction, and with the last bit of her strength, she mouthed, "Help... me... Please." Maliksi, caught off guard by her pleading gaze, locked eyes with her. Despite her desperate plea, he remained unperturbed. Why would he help her? In his mind, it was her unfortunate fate that had led her to this dire situation, and the cruel irony was that she was caught by Lakan, the most heartless of them all. He continued to observe the unfolding drama with a detached demeanor, choosing not to intervene in the dark scene playing out before him.

Maliksi, seemingly fatigued by the drama unfolding, prepared to leave. With a flawless jump, he descended from the tree, he turned his back on the distressing scene behind, leaving the dying girl while Lakan persisted in his heartless actions. As he was about to step forward, the helping plead of the girl flashed back to his mind. Despite his initial inclination to leave, her words lingered in his mind. “If I help that girl, Kuya will praise me”, he pondered as he looked back again at the dying girl behind him, glancing back, their eyes met once more. Although he had initially hesitated to intervene, the possibility of earning his big brother’s praise tugged him. “Right! I’ll do this for an extra points from my Kuya!” A wide smile crept on his face as he looked at Lakan, “Beating the hell out of him will be a bonus” Determination flickering in his eyes.

Your mind went blank as you struggled to catch your breath, ‘Will I die like this?’ you wondered, the sudden realization of dying here and never returning to your loved ones overwhelmed you. As you look at the side, you spotted a silver-haired person on top of a tree, his head rested on his knees, and he seemed uninterested in the unfolding scene, a slight hope welled in your heart, and at that moment, you didn’t care who or whatever that boy person is; all you wanted is to live.

Still in pain from your wound and breathing you managed to muster the strength to plead “"Help... me... Please." The words left your lips, but no sound accompanied them.

As if caught off guard by your pleading, his eyes locked with you but he remained unperturbed. The creature continued to ravish you and you felt your tears slowly dripping to the side, still catching your breath. The boy jumped down from the tree and you watched in desperation as he turned his back and attempted to leave. Inside your mind, a plea echoed, 'No, don't leave, come back!' but you lacked the strength to voice it. The little hope you were feeling earlier vanished into thin air as you saw him move forward. Your eyes started to blur, and you clung to the last shred of sanity, praying for a miracle. You slowly closed your eyes, resigning yourself to an uncertain fate. Moments later, you felt the weight of the creature lift off of you. Despite keeping your eyes closed, your heightened senses allowed you to hear the creature groan in pain. In the midst of the creature's distress, it cried out, "MALIKSI!"

A voice, presumably Maliksi's, responded with a sarcastic tone, "Oh, did I interrupt your dinner?" Was the last words you heard as you lose consciousness.

Maliksi glanced at Lakan, a sense of satisfaction evident in his expression as he observed Lakan's enraged state. "You son of a b*tch," Lakan cursed, his anger palpable. "How dare you interrupt me!" he shouted in irritation, clearly agitated by the intrusion. Unfazed by Lakan's outburst, Maliksi waves a hand in front of him and mockingly said, "I wasn't planning to. But she asked me for help, and I simply obliged," gesturing towards the now unconscious girl.

Lakan burst into mocking laughter. "You? Helping a mere human?" he scoffed, amused by Maliksi's unexpected actions. "What? Playing the hero now? Ha ha ha," Lakan jeered at the perceived absurdity of Maliksi's behavior. Growing impatient, Maliksi's focus remained solely on the unconscious girl, disregarding Lakan's taunts.

Lakan's expression darkened once more, his frustration evident. "Whatever," Maliksi dismissed, defiantly showing his middle finger to Lakan before carefully lifting the girl from the ground, ensuring her head is still intact with her body.

"How dare you ignore me! You piece of trash! Let go of my prey! That's mine!" Lakan hissed at Maliksi. In response, Maliksi turned to face Lakan squarely and calmly retorted, "She was never yours to begin with." Lakan's fury boiled over, and he lunged forward to attack Maliksi. Remaining composed, Maliksi evaded each of Lakan's strikes with remarkable agility, all while still cradling the injured girl in his arms. Lakan's relentless assault proved futile against Maliksi's swift and agile defenses, showcasing exactly why he was known as Maliksi.

Maliksi's irritation surged as he felt the girl in his arms growing more critical by the second. Time was slipping away, and he knew he had to act swiftly to save her. With Lakan bearing down on him once more, Maliksi seized the opportunity to strike back. Waiting for the perfect moment, he smirked as he launched a powerful kick squarely at Lakan's face, sending the Tamawo hurtling through the air, crashing into the surrounding trees. Satisfied with his decisive move, Maliksi flashed a wide smile before turning his attention back to the urgent task of finding help for the injured girl.

A loud thud was heard making the man jumped in shock "MANG KANOOOO" a voice called out as if singing his name. The man named Mang kano clearly irritated as he heard the voice, "What do you want!" He shouted as he angrily walked towards the door, he was about to reprimand the owner of the voice when he saw something horrifying, a woman in his arms covered in blood, some still dripping from her neck, unconscious, pale and half naked. "What did you do Tamawo!" Mang Kano said with distaste in his voice, Maliksi was startled at his change of tone, a bit of panic emerging from him "Oi! Don't put the blame on me! I'm not the one who made her like this!" He said defending himself. "And before you question me, shouldn't you try and fix her first? I can still feel her heartbeat but is dangerously weak, if we don't hurry, she won't last long" Maliksi explained in urgency, Mang Kano did not argue anymore and sighed in resignation "Follow me, quickly" he then motions for him to follow.

Mang Kano methodically removed his blood-stained gloves and peeled off his protective gear, meticulously washing his contaminated hands and arms. Having done everything within his power to aid the injured woman, now the waiting game starts. As he removed his face mask, he spoke with a somber tone, "Her wound was deep, but I managed to treat it. However, she has lost a significant amount of blood. She'll need more to have a chance at survival," he paused, his next words heavy with uncertainty, "that is, if she survives." His gaze then shifted to the Tamawo, who leaned against the door with an indifferent expression, observing the scene unfold. "Now, tell me, what happened," Mang Kano pressed for answers.

"Lakan," Maliksi replied tersely, reluctant to delve into further detail. Understanding washed over Mang Kano as he closed his eyes briefly, grasping the gravity of the situation with just the mention of Lakan's name. The mention of the beast suggested the harsh methods he used, particularly the gruesome fate awaiting those who dared to utter a sound in his presence.

Looking at the girl, Mang Kano couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. This wasn't the first time he had seen a victim of Lakan's lure brought to his hut, and sadly, many of them hadn't survived. "Looks like my job is done here!" Maliksi announced, preparing to leave as he stepped away from the doorframe. However, Mang Kano intercepted him with a firm voice, halting his departure. "Where do you think you're going?" he questioned, blocking Maliksi's path.

Maliksi shrugged nonchalantly, attempting to brush off the concern. "What do you want me to do? I've helped her escape. There's no need for me to stay any longer," he stated, dismissing the matter. Sensing the lack of empathy in Maliksi's response, Mang Kano urged him to reconsider. "Can't you show a bit of sympathy? At least stay and ensure she's taken care of," he implored.

Maliksi's expression darkened, a hint of menace creeping into his glare. "Why should I?" he retorted, his voice laced with venom. A shiver ran down Mang Kano's spine at the sudden shift in atmosphere; the last thing he wanted was a hostile Tamawo in his midst, especially one as powerful as Maliksi. Just as the tension reached its peak, Maliksi's abrupt cry shattered the silence, diffusing the tension in the air.

"HEY! WHO THE H-" Maliksi started, but halted abruptly as he felt a sharp smack on his head. He turned around to confront the assailant, only to find his older brother, Makisig glaring at him with anger etched across his face. Maliksi's heart sank as he saw the disappointment in his brother's eyes. "K-kuya," he stammered, shrinking under Makisig's gaze. "What do you think you're doing, making a huge mess like this?" Makisig's voice was cold and demanding, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"K-kuya, D-don't be mad! I'll explain everything!" Maliksi pleaded, gesturing frantically as he attempted to calm his brother's temper. "Then explain," Makisig commanded, his tone unwavering. Feeling a sense of dread, Maliksi proceeded to recount the events in detail, his voice shaky with apprehension. Makisig with eyes closed listened in silence, his expression unreadable, while Mang Kano observed with disbelief, absorbing every detail of the unfolding situation. Clenching his fists in frustration.

Mang Kano felt a surge of helplessness wash over him as he heard everything, his sympathy for the injured girl intensifying with each passing moment. "Don't worry Kuya, the girl is already in good hands with Mang Kano! Right?" Maliksi turned to Mang Kano, silently urging him to confirm his reassurance. With a heavy sigh, Mang Kano nodded in agreement, acknowledging Maliksi's statement. "Yes, she is currently in the recovery room, but don't get your hopes up; her health is still in danger," he cautioned, providing an update on the girl's precarious condition.

Makisig let out an exhausted sigh, his concern evident for the unknown girl his brother had intervened to save from Lakan's clutches. "How likely is her recovery?" he asked, his tone laced with worry. Mang Kano paused for a moment, assessing the severity of the girl's condition before responding. "Judging by the looks of it... if her health continues to deteriorate even with my care... she won't last a week," he admitted solemnly, his words hanging heavily in the air.

The gravity of the situation weighed on them as they contemplated the uncertain fate of the girl under their care. Makisig's expression softened, a mixture of sadness and determination flickering in his eyes. "We can't let that happen," he declared firmly, his voice tinged with resolve. "We'll do everything in our power to ensure she has a fighting chance." His words echoed with a sense of urgency, emphasizing the importance of their collective effort in saving the girl's life.

Makisig turned to his brother with a firm gaze. "Take care of her," he commanded. Maliksi tried to protest, but Makisig stopped him. "No 'buts'! I understand your actions, but intervening in the affairs of another Tamawo carries consequences. You know the risks," Makisig reprimanded sternly.

Maliksi nodded in acknowledgment, understanding his brother's words. "Make sure she survives. That's your punishment," Makisig's tone remained unwavering. Maliksi felt a surge of fear. "And if she doesn’t survive..." he trailed off, his voice trembling. Makisig's smile turned menacing. "If she doesn’t survive," he repeated firmly. "I'll hand you over to Lakan," he threatened his voice threaded with cold determination Maliksi shuddered at the thought, vowing silently to do everything to save the girl. Failure to do so meant facing Lakan's wrath.

Makisig's tone softened slightly as he addressed his brother, a hint of concern underlying his words. "For now, I'll deal with Lakan, and I need you to stay out of trouble," he instructed firmly, "Okay, Kuya, I'll stay out of trouble," Maliksi agreed, relieved that his brother would handle Lakan.

Makisig turned to Mang Kano, who was still present. "My brother will assist you in caring for the girl. And if he causes any trouble while he's here..." Makisig paused a meaningful smile showing on his face "You have my permission to handle it as you see fit."

Mang Kano smiled, relieved at the prospect of having assistance in caring for the girl. "Certainly, I'll keep you updated on her recovery," he replied earnestly. Then, he glanced at Maliksi with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "I'll make sure your brother behaves himself." Makisig nodded in satisfaction, giving his younger brother a pat on the head. "Behave" he advised before departing from Mang Kano's abode. Maliksi let out a defeated sigh, feeling the weight of the responsibility resting heavily on his shoulders. If the girl didn't survive, he knew he would be in deep trouble. Turning to Mang Kano, he made a half-hearted attempt at reassurance. "I'll check on her from time to time," he offered.

But Mang Kano wasn't having any of it. "Who said you can leave now?" he asked mockingly, his smile widening. "The girl is still in critical condition; she needs to be monitored 24/7." Maliksi threw his hands up in exasperation, resigned to his fate of caring for the girl. "Fiiiiiiine," he whined, before trudging off to the recovery room to keep watch over her.

Authors Note: -My Creative juices are overflowing right now, and I'm also making another story while doing this one XD. -I was fangirling while writing the part where Maliksi kicked Lakan's face. <3 <3 <3