“I suppose you are my enemies too?” Bathala asked, looking back and forth at Malayari and Kabunian. His anger had quickly vanished after the two gods left and was immediately replaced with exhaustion. He felt emotionally drained yet hopeful that the remaining divinities will choose to be with him.
Malayari pondered for a moment. During his travel to Bathala's kingdom, he noticed how his land touched Bathala's. At first, the god used to think that it was simply unclaimed territory he never took in. Ever since he had created life to walk on the land he had taken in, the god had allowed the mortals to decide what would be under the kingdom’s care. Now filled with understanding, the god glanced towards Kabunian before turning to Bathala.
"When I came to your kingdom, nothing but rivers and trees separated our people." Malayari paused for a moment before nodding to himself. "Our lands are connected and it would be better to have one kingdom rule over it. I am with you."
Bathala was filled with joy. To him, Malayari had already become a friend. It was also evident that Malayari felt the same. The two then turned to Kabunian, who seemed to be deep in thought.
Kabunian also had the same observations as Malayari. However, he also took note of how big Bathala's kingdom was compared to his. He knew that alone, his kingdom would fall. With that in mind, the god turned to the Bathala and said, "I am with you also."
"Goddess Mayari!" A masculine voice called from behind the goddess of the moon as she was walking into the throne room. The goddess was quick to stop in her tracks and turn to face the owner of the voice. She grimaced as she was met by none other than Apolaki.
Apolaki flinched at the goddess' sudden change of expression. Guilt quickly built itself within him like a massive wall. Trying to shake the feeling off, he cleared his throat and jogged towards the goddess. "The other gods are still there." He spoke.
Mayari raised an eyebrow in disbelief and scoffed. "Amanikabli told me that they had left." She responded in a disrespectful tone.
"Two had left but the others remained." He answered.
The goddess fell quiet as she thought about what the god said. She was told that the gods had stormed out of the room, which meant that the meeting went wrong. She had come to comfort her father and learn about the meeting. 'If the meeting had gone wrong, wouldn't all the divinities leave in a fit of rage?' The goddess thought. She was certain that Amanikabli would not lie to her. “Why would they stay?” She asked.
“To establish an alliance hopefully.”
“That… did not go as planned,” Mayari said as she entered the throne room. Hours have passed since the meeting. It was now the time for the moon to rise. She watched as Apolaki quietly exited the room before approaching her father.
“Do you have a plan?” She asked, not looking at her father as she sat down on the throne beside him. Bathala sighed in response and muttered a ‘no’. The two then sat in silence, watching over the mortals beneath them as, one by one, the lights in their homes went out.
Pursing her lips, the goddess turned to her father before saying, “Then go and talk to the other gods. Tala and I will take over while you’re busy.” Bathala thought about it for a moment before nodding. “You’re right.” He said as he got up. “I must talk to Amanikabli and Apolaki.” After saying those words, the god left the room.
“Are you alright?” Tala asked from the earth, looking up at Mayari. The older goddess could only offer a smile and a nod. Mayari could not tell her sister just yet about the war. It would trouble her too much.
Bathala descended from his kingdom to go to the beachside to find Amanikabli. It was dark and empty as most of the mortals that tend to visit had already gone to sleep. Pursing his lips, Bathala waited for a moment before calling unto Amanikabli’s name. Moments later, the soft waves of the sea grew more robust, and the god of the sea emerged from it.
“Bathala,” Amanikabli greeted with a surprised look on his face.
“I apologize for the sudden visit.” Bathala started, taking notice of the shock that was evident on the other god’s face. “I must talk to you and Apolaki about the war.” Seriousness took over the surprise that Amanikabli felt. The god nodded in response, and without another word, the two departed from earth.
When they reached Bathala’s kingdom, they were surprised to see Apolaki waiting for them. Before the two could talk, Apolaki explained, “Mayari called and told me.” Bathala nodded in understanding before heading to his throne room while motioning for the two to follow.