Mutagen

Day 162 - 12:29 PM - Ragtag Encampment, New Infanta Settlement, Infanta, Province of Quezon

With only Mark's group and the woman sitting on the flower seat inside the hut, there was no distraction from observing the half-Diwata.

Half-beings were not unheard of in myths and folklore. However, there was a difference between races that needed other races to continue and races that did not need such conditions.

Tikabalangs may have a female counterpart, the Anggitay. However, they were known to make female humans bear their children instead. There were also the Tamawos, who did not have any females in their race. They had to rely on human females to procreate.

In these two cases, all of their race could be considered as half-races. However, the blood of the race was too strong that they override their human blood. After some time, they would transform into the race of their fathers.

Other races, however, did not have such capabilities. It created true half-breeds that were scorned by the rest of their races.

This group of half-races was likely formed after those half-breeds were cast out of their respective tribes.

And if front of Mark's group, was one of the rarest kind even in folklore. A half-Diwata. Of course, not a Diwata who was half-human. Diwatas were kind, and stories about them falling in love with a human male were not zero. 

What made the Diwata in front of Mark's group rare was because she was a half-Demon. There was no need to describe how much Diwatas shaped by Bathala hated the beings of the underworld.

And yet, the woman in front of Mark existed.

Was she born from true love? Or was she a result of a heinous experience?

The woman sat on her flower seat, with her long, silver hair, golden pupils,  and black-colored gown. She had pointy ears and even had fangs. Each of such were definitely not the characteristics of a Diwata. Yet, she had the aura and appearance of one. 

Mark could not help but feel curious.

The half-Diwata received Mark's stare with the same action. It seemed that she was trying to measure Mark, only for her eyes to dilate in surprise.

"You..." The woman spoke first. "What are you? Are you really a Demon?"

Just how many times had Mark heard that question? Although it was the first time that Mark heard it from a being far weaker than the previous ones. She managed to see through him not because she was strong. It was because of her insights.

The woman's soothing voice was definitely filled with shock and confusion as she asked Mark that question.

"I don't think I have to answer that question," Mark replied. "Just consider me an unusual Demon."

That nonchalant attitude did not offend the woman. Instead, she felt more curious.

"You smell like a pureblood, yet had the insidious aura of Miasma. Quite unusual indeed." The woman nodded. "This one is called Artenaris. Consider me as the leader of this tribe. The tribe of outcast half-beings."

Artenaris respectfully introduced herself. There was no haughtiness that a Demon usually had or even the high regard of herself that was a quality of most Diwatas. She was talking to Mark as an equal, not lower, and definitely not higher.

"Then, call me Mark," Mark replied. "As for the ones behind me, there's no need to introduce them. They can't even understand us talking."

"I know." Artenaris smiled with a smile that looked like blooming flowers. "But that large man behind you, this one had already seen him before. He was among the leaders of humans in this place, is he not?"

"Is she talking about me?"

Jones tapped Mark's shoulder, seeing that Artenaris was talking while staring at him.

"She said that she saw you before and thought that you're one of the leaders of the settlement."

Mark replied to Jones before turning back to the half-Diwata.

"He's not one of the leaders. He's just the right hand of the leader who got injured."

"This one understands." Artenaris nodded. "This one wants to inquire. What is your purpose in wanting to converse with us? Are you with these humans? That is odd on its own, but I haven't seen you before. This one will never neglect to greet someone as powerful as you if we entered this place before."

As it appeared, Artenaris knew that Mark was more powerful than her. Even more than anyone in her tribe. Thus, she took the initiative to invite him and his group inside. It was all before any conflict arose from the tribe members trying to chase anyone away.

"I'm just curious," Mark replied. "Rather, the leader of this human settlement wanted to know the purpose of your group and why you all appeared here. You should know that it's human territory. Any wrong move can cause them to make make a move against your tribe and put you all in danger."

At Mark's inquiry, Artenaris sighed.

"It was not like we wanted to be here. We had no other choice." Artenaris answered. "This one would like to share our story. Would you please hear it? At the moment, all of you could take a seat. It must be uncomfortable to stay standing."

"I don't mind."

Mark replied to the delight of Artenaris.

And as the half-Diwata waved her hand, vines and large leaves extended from the walls and ceiling, forming chairs and tables for everyone inside the hut. It was one of the abilities of Diwatas to control nature in one way or another.

The rest of Mark's group was surprised to see a lot of things moving around them. Seats and tables formed in two places, with a single chair and table forming in front of Artenaris.

"You guys take a seat, she said."

Mark told the rest while he took the seat in front of the half-Diwata. 

Everyone sat down, and Mark began to listen to the story of Arternaris and her tribe.

***

As she said, they were a group of outcasts from different races. It was all because they were half of another race. Unpure blood. Cursed beings. Filthy creatures.

There were a lot of things that they were called. Most of these things were not favorable to the ears.

As outcasts, they would live their tribes, either ending up traveling or living alone somewhere secluded.

And if one outcast met another, it was not hard to see what would happen. Outcasts living together was not really an impossible sight to see.

Artenaris was the same. Her mother was a young Diwata, while her father was an Arch Demon.

All of them gathered together, and being a half-Diwata, she was the strongest of the group and became its leader.

All of them had been living secludedly in the mountains between Infanta and Real. However, they were chased away from their initial home. It was when the Black Duendes in the South became more and more active. Not to mention they colluded with Demons, making contact even more dangerous.

The tribe traveled far, losing many members as they braved the dangerous Spirit Dimension.

They all took a new place as their home near the coast of Infanta.

That was when suddenly, the land broke into pieces.

Artenaris protected her tribe as much as she could. But they still lost many. The remaining ones woke up in a new place, unknown to them.

Unfortunately, the new environment was not friendly.

They were attacked by various dangers just in a single day. They were forced to move.

It was until they noticed the barrier from afar.

When they reached the place, they saw that it was inhabited by humans. The first time they arrived, the humans were fighting with metal monsters outside the barrier.

Artenaris tasked some of their warriors to help the humans despite the danger. In exchange, they would like to occupy a piece of land inside the barrier.

Unfortunately, there was a language barrier. All of them being outcasts that were never raised by their parents, none of them learned anything about the human language.

Thus, there was no negotiation that happened.

Even so, Artenaris had no choice. They still occupied the area as small as they could, hoping that the humans would not get offended.

Fortunately, it seemed that the human soldiers did not make trouble with them. The other humans were also avoiding them. That was the best scenario they could have.

Well, until this morning.

***

"It sure had to do something with that guy earlier, right."

Mark asked.

"Unfortunately, yes." Artenaris nodded gracefully. "Although this one mostly spends time inside the hut, This one also goes outside from time to time. Apparently, that man seemed to have seen me. We don't really understand what he was saying and yelling, but this one could at least tell that it was about this one."

Arternaris then sighed.

"It was always like this."

Her troubles were not unwarranted. Artenaris sure was a beautiful lady. The contrast between her kind face and her fiery-looking eyes was just alluring. She also had a soothing aura around her despite having a body as attractive as a Succubus. Not to mention her voice that was like a cold breeze in the warm night.

"This isn't the first time, is it?"

Mark asked.

"Yes." Artenaris nodded. "This one had told you about the Black Duendes. Their king tried to forcefully bring this one as one of his wives back then. We had no choice but to flee."

Mark could not help but cough a bit. Teremillio's father sure was a great womanizer. In any case, the Kingdom of Black Duendes did not exist anymore.

"Well I guess, I indirectly helped you with one thing."

Mark declared.

"Hmm?" Artenaris was confused. "Helped with what?"

"The King of Black Duendes is already dead. And his Kingdom had already fallen. We destroyed it, after all."

"Huh?" Artenaris stared at Mark in annoyance. "Please, do not joke with this one's problems."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Mark stared at Artenaris, making her waver.

"You did not seem so," Arternaris replied with a bit of hesitation. "If that was truly the case, This one will have to thank you. This one did not know what to do if the King of Black Duendes chased after us. He was a relentless one, after all."

It seemed that Mark's group coincidentally got rid of one of the problems that Artenaris had. But of course, it was not the last.

"So, your tribe only wants to stay here for safety, right?"

Mark asked.

"Yes." Artenaris nodded. "If possible, please relay it to the leaders of the humans. We did not want any trouble. We just want to live. It makes us wonder why the humans were being protected while we were thrown out in the open, waving through dangers."

"It seems you're not privy about the Eyes, huh."

Mark said.

"Eyes?"

That question from Artenaris alone answered Mark's statement.

"My curiosity is a bit filled, so I'll relay what you said."

Mark said.

"You have this one's gratitude."

Artenaris bowed her head.

"Although I have a proposition," Mark added, making Artenaris stare at him. "Why don't your tribe move to my place."

"Your place? What do you mean?"

"I don't mean anything else. Just exactly what I said. You and your tribe can move to my place. All you have to do there is to help with things like farming and fighting dangers. I believe you can do that."

And to Mark's proposition, Arternaris answered.

"This one is interested in your suggestion. However, this one believes that it was not easy to just follow the words of someone you just met. This one could see that you did not harbor any ill thoughts. But it did not mean that we could trust you unconditionally."

"It's fine." Mark shrugged. "I'm not forcing anyone. Besides, the leader of this settlement does not pose your people any threat for now. But you know. Not all humans can be controlled even by their leader."

Mark suddenly smiled. And in the eyes of Arternaris, it appeared to be a bad omen.

"YOU BASTARDS! LET'S SEE HOW YOU ALL GROVEL IN FEAR!"

A loud roar of a man could be heard from outside the encampment.

It was then followed by...

BAM!

A sound of a gunshot.