Mt. Enigma

Chapter 2

Vynx just watched his companions staring at the book Zaliyah was holding. It was too old and the paper on each page was too soft. Upon opening it, the map appeared to them. His grandfather had shown him this before, besides that he had also told him about Mt. Enigma.

Yvaine quickly took the map. It also immediately unfolded every fold and Bax was currently waiting. "So, this is the map?" Yvaine asked in a whisper and she and Bax looked at each other as it was completely unfolded.

"What are the important parties there at Mt. Enigma?" Bax asked and pouted at the map. Only moderate silence prevailed when they heard noises outside—the smell of talking. Vyze and Colthen looked there, Nivo and Zaliyah were busy flipping the book and didn't pay attention to the newcomer while Yvaine and Bax were busy tracing the map.

They were in that situation when the door opened. It spat out their three other companions; their manager Skyeh whom they call Mamo, Wynce and the beautiful little girl Chaleigh.

It seems that their manager was stunned when he noticed what they were doing. Especially things that are stressful. "What's up?" he asked and slowly closed the door. Chaleigh immediately approached and passed in front of Zaliyah.

"What's that?" she asked and Bax looked up.

"New rocket," Bax answered so Chaleigh went straight to take a look.

"Really? Where?" Mamo asked.

"In an underrated area but cursed, Mamo." Vyze answered to Mamo while resting her hand on the arm panel of the couch next to Nivo's elbow. "But, isn't it? The curse isn't true."

"Urban legend story," Mamo said softly and approached Zaliyah. "It's the same as Mt. Cristobal," he added and peered at the book Chaleigh was holding. Wynce just passed behind him and sat on the end of the couch where Vynx was also sitting. They are sitting end to end of the couch.

"Yes, Mamo! But it's cooler, because it's this mountain..." Vyze pointed to the book in Zaliyah's hand while speaking. "There's a big rock like a priest inside." Because of what she said, amazement etched on their faces.

"Really..." Mamo could only whisper, seeming to like the good news. "I just heard that right now—where is that?"

Vyze snorted. "Actually I don't know yet," she said and raised her shoulders. "And I think the answer is in that book." She glanced at the book.

Vynx sighed. "That's in the province where Lolo used to live," he interjected.

"So, you know everything about this?" his twin asked him a mixture of slight surprise and sarcasm and artfully pointed his finger at the book.

"Not all," he replied sparingly, "Grandpa just told me that it was cursed, but he didn't say anything about history. Besides, I wasn't interested at that time."

"Then you hid from us that you knew about this mountain?" Mamo asked sullenly.

He just closed his eyes and scratched his forehead. "I'm sorry, Mamo, because I forgot that. I was only ten years old when my grandfather told me about that story," he reasoned.

"What if, let's just read the book?" Nivo suggested.

Colthen clapped. "Good idea! That's right, let's not blame each other, right? Just read the book," he said with a smile and Zaliyah looked at him.

"You just read," Zaliyah said and threw the book at Colthen. He caught it and didn't protest anymore. The new arrivals were unable to change their clothes and out of curiosity they preferred to listen to the history of Mt. Enigma. In order to start this, they looked for a place to sit.

The book states its history that dates back to the 14th century. According to this, the name of the country was not yet Philippines, but it was called Maharlika. The male leader is called Rajah and his wife is called Hara. Their throne is located in the very center of the country.

In the old days, the country was rich in mineral resources. So the residences of the powerful people who rule here are made of antique, even their utensils are made of gold. 

The people were not yet open to the belief about the three parts of the country and their Rajah decided to hide golden tools in the south, east, and north of it. 

To the north is a huge cave where golden plates, cutlery and glasses are kept. In the south, the bored chairs and tables were buried in a vast excavated land almost as deep as the sea. 

And on the east side, the cave located in a mountain is the one that hides the women's equipment.

Time passed, more and more citizens. Some of them were able to betray the country. Befriended the bad people and pointed out one of the treasures. 

The area to the north was attacked first and a hiding place was found there. When the people who betrayed the country were caught, they were immediately put to death, so the few remaining treasures of the country remained secret.

Since the country was plundered the Rajah decided to protect such places of treasures. The hideout on the south side was too deep so they preferred the one on the east side first. 

They made a huge magnet, by patiently collecting small black stones that could be found in the sands. It took almost a decade or more to form, but even before it was formed, gold items were already attached to it. It smelled as big as a house and it was also a hard rock.

"As it is, the magnet in Mt. Enigma is not a natural made attraction but it is man-made," Wynce suddenly spoke and everyone looked at him. "Isn't it?"

"It's okay," Zaliyah replied simply. "It's not popular and people living in this generation haven't really discovered it yet, except for the elderly...I guess?" her reason even turned to look at the boyfriend next to her as a confirmation of approval.

"I bet I'll go there," Mamo said, rubbing his palm and glancing at them while smiling with a hint of persuasion.

"Isn't it, Mamo? It's curious," Zaliyah said excitedly.

"And... why is it called a cursed mountain when there are so many treasures there? Shouldn't it be a lucky mountain?" Yvaine asked and looked at Chaleigh next to her.

"Maybe we should just sush first, guys?" Vyze simply asked. Next to it was Mamo who was sitting on a long couch with Nivo, Zaliyah, Yvaine and Chaleigh. "Because we're not at the exciting part yet!" she's a silly whisper.

"Of course, I haven't finished reading here yet," agreed Colthen who was next to Vynx and holding a book.

Vynx just took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair. He rested his left elbow on the arm panel of the couch and simply played with his fingers. 

He wanted to be indifferent to the surroundings and just wanted to listen but he couldn't stop his eyes from looking at Chaleigh. 

He automatically felt a flutter in his chest as well as in his stomach when their eyes met. He quickly looked away and turned to Colthen. "Continue," he ordered simply and scratched his forehead again.

"You're so slow to read that!" Yvaine scolded Colthen. Colthen's eyes turned to the woman.

"You can read, right?" Annoyed, he handed the book to Yvaine.

The woman grabbed it and then opened it. "Guys! continue please," Bax reprimanded and looked at Mamo, whose reaction was scolding again.

"Are you imitating these two?" their manager sneered sarcastically and pointed out that they were twins. 

His left eyebrow raised as if it could reach the roof of their apartment. "It doesn't matter if they fight because they are twins. That means they are fed up with the way they look," he growled at the two of them and he just pretended not to hear. "What about you?" It turned Colthen and Yvaine. "Are you siblings too?"

Everyone looked at each other because of what he said—confusion settled. They looked at Mamo almost at the same time. 

"When you're siblings, you have to fight?" Nivo and Bax asked at the same time. They both looked at each other when they noticed what they had done.

"I mean..." Nivo raised his palm as a signal that he would clarify what they had asked. "When you're siblings, is it okay to fight?"

"Yes," Bax agreed to Nivo and adjusted his seat. "Shouldn't they be the ones to get along?"

"A trend," Mamo pointed out strongly in reality. "Most siblings are enemies. That's why they're always cat and dog..." He pointed at Vynx and Vyze one by one. "Because they follow the trend," he explained.

He just scratched his forehead because of the conversation. He also felt his twin sister's scornful look on him.

"So if you're not siblings, you shouldn't fight?" Nivo asked.

"Guys? That's will talk later, okay? We're taking longer to talk," Zaliyah complained annoyed and looked at Nivo.

"I'm sorry," the boyfriend snorted. But Mamo kept his mouth shut as if he was offended by Zaliyah's behavior.

"S-Sorry, Mamo," Zaliyah apologized when her reaction was obvious. "T-that's just Nivo—"

"I don't mind," Mamo spoke quickly, still chin-up as if reminding them all that he is still the one who should be respected more. "Alright Yvaine, continue," he ordered and in a tough tone. Zaliyah was no longer silent, she just bowed. Everyone was quiet and ready to listen so Yvaine read the book again.

When the foreigners attacked the country again, they immediately headed for that mountain in the east. They were carrying various digging tools, but before they got close to the cave, they were swallowed by the magnet. 

Foreigners are surprised by that. All the metals in their bodies were absorbed and all that was left was themselves. 

They also had no idea that there were citizens waiting above. So when they continued to hike, there was bloodshed on that mountain. 

All the foreigners were defeated and the people of the country got victory.

"Wait!" Chaleigh raised her hand. Everyone looked at her, especially Vynx. "Can man really make a big magnet?" her innocent question.

"Nothing is impossible for people," Mamo answered flatly and the girl's eyes widened in astonishment.

"Really?" she exclaimed.

"Yeah," replied Vyze. "That's why those who used to enter there don't bring any metal items because those are absorbed by the giant magnet." 

The corners of her lips rising while speaking and even her hand created a weird signs. Yvaine ignored the conversations of their companions and continued reading.

Since that happened, foreigners are no longer interested in the wealth of the country. 

Many years passed and the citizens thought that no more danger would come to their place but they were wrong. 

A country invades to conquer the Kingdom of Great Britain. Researching about hidden treasures. Because of greed the bloody massacre took place. 

People who are members of the nobility are the ones who are killed if they do not join the side of the oppressors.

In order to survive, the citizens thought of hiding underground by digging. And the very mountain built a magnet is what they decided to use as a hideout. 

In its center they dug with sharp sticks. There they discovered a strange rock in the shape of a man standing on his back who appeared to be wearing long robes.

They planned to lift it but were unsuccessful. They didn't realize that this stone was resting on another wide stone. 

They continued to dig until they found its hole at the bottom. When they examined it, it turned out to be through the mouth of the cave. This was their protection because unbeknownst to the foreigners, that very mountain had a magnet. 

So when they attacked with the aircraft, it was just sucked down and exploded when it was forced to stick. The magnet did not freeze because of its strength. 

Even this mountain did not give up no matter how many bombs were used by the foreigners to demolish it. This is due to the strength of the large rock that lies beneath it.

"Filipinos are really smart," Wynce shook his head again. "Clever and cunning," he added.

"It wasn't Mt. Enigma before," Zaliyah commented, still holding out both palms.

Nivo shrugged. "Maybe because of the rock shaped like a prostrate person."

Bax just nodded while Colthen rubbed his eyes feeling sleepy.

"Interesting..." Chaleigh said smiling. "I feel like I want to go there right away," she added.

"Let's go there Chaleigh," Zaliyah said happily and raised her palm as well as Chaleigh. She just raised her hand when their manager suddenly opened his mouth causing them all to look at him.

"So..." he began to speak, "That book says that..." He pointed at the book Yvaine was holding. "Of all the mountains in the Philippines, that has the best history. But..." He looked at Vynx. "Why isn't this in the Philippine history book?" he asked and he stared at his face the same way. No one spoke. Everyone was waiting for Vynx answer.