The moon's light bathed the serene landscape of Biringan, and Grim stood before Bakunawa, the mighty celestial serpent whose awakening had now made him a god in his own right. The power that coursed through Grim felt vast and unrestrained. Yet there was a lingering curiosity—a desire to understand more of what his newfound strength could achieve.
"Bakunawa," Grim spoke, his voice steady but filled with wonder, "can you shrink your size, like Minokawa?"
Bakunawa's great eyes gleamed like twin moons, and a low, rumbling chuckle echoed in the air. "You seek to tame not just my form, but my essence. It is not impossible, but it requires your will to guide me. You have become more than a mere summoner, Grim. You are now a master of this bond."
With a wave of Bakunawa's tail, the sky darkened momentarily, and before Grim's eyes, the massive celestial dragon shrank down to the size of a great serpent, coiling around him protectively. The earth trembled slightly with the shift in size, and the weight of Bakunawa's presence was humbling, even at this reduced scale.
Grim nodded, a small smile crossing his face. "This is more than I expected," he said, feeling the power surge through him. "Thank you."
---
The change in Grim was evident to all who saw him. The air around him shimmered with celestial energy, as though the very fabric of reality bent to his will. The mythical beasts that roamed the realm of Biringan—Ibong Adarna, Sarimanok, and countless others—bowed before Grim, recognizing him not as a mere summoner but as one of their own.
The city of Biringan, always a place of mystery and wonder, acknowledged his power with reverence. Grim had become more than a ruler; he was now an embodiment of the celestial forces that had shaped the world. Beasts roamed the streets freely, no longer bound by the rules of the natural world, for they could now live in the heart of Biringan itself. Any summon Grim would ever make would find itself with access to this sacred city.
Elyse stood beside Grim as the city responded to him, her presence grounding him. Their connection deepened during this time, and it wasn't just the celestial forces at work that bound them. They had grown closer than ever, their relationship shifting from friendship to something far more profound. Quiet moments between them spoke volumes, the air charged with unspoken feelings. They weren't just partners in battle now—they were partners in life.
---
After several days of rest in Biringan, Grim knew it was time to return to the real world. The power that surged within him felt like an unbridled storm, but his duties called. He and Elyse departed from the celestial city, and the transition back to Philippine Hunter University (PHU) was jarring, yet familiar.
The moment they returned, everyone at PHU was shocked at the visible changes in them. Grim radiated power, his aura a palpable force, and Elyse, though unchanged in appearance, carried herself with an undeniable air of authority. The students and faculty alike whispered, uncertain of what had transpired.
Dean Rizalde, however, wasn't surprised. He had known, sensed, the power stirring within Grim. His gaze lingered on Grim, the recognition of something profound passing between them.
"Grim," Rizalde spoke, his voice filled with awe and concern, "you have grown far faster than I could have imagined."
---
Rizalde's letter had reached the old S-rank hunter, Kalanis, a retired legend of the Philippine Hunter Association. Kalanis, known for his blessing as the disciple of **Amanikable**, the god of the sea and storms, had disappeared from the public eye years ago. His powers, born from the oceans themselves, were vast, and his desire to remain hidden was as much a part of his nature as the tempest he could summon.
The door to the Dean's office opened, and an old man, weathered by time but still carrying the weight of his formidable presence, entered. Kalanis, with his weather-beaten skin and the air of one who had seen too much of the world, smiled warmly at Rizalde.
"You summoned me, old man Rizalde?" Kalanis asked with a chuckle, his voice deep and resonant.
"I did," Rizalde said, his tone respectful. "The situation has… changed. Grim has awakened to powers I did not foresee. You should meet him. He's the future of our country, and perhaps the world."
Kalanis nodded, his expression thoughtful. He eyed Grim, his ancient gaze penetrating. "The boy… He carries a storm within him now, doesn't he? I can feel the ocean's wrath in him. This power, this awakening—it is more than even the sea can comprehend."
---
Xavier, the leader of the Crimson Crescent, had long been planning for this moment. His spies had reported Grim's return, and with it, his rising power. The gates of the underworld had been opened, and the demons that had long been locked away were now free to roam the earth once again. Xavier's plans were coming to fruition.
Grim, sensing the disturbance in the very fabric of reality, had a vision. Through Bakunawa's power, and the shadows that had become his domain, he saw it—the opening of the underworld gates. A flood of dark energy, spreading across the globe, threatening to consume everything in its path.
---
Dean Rizalde handed Grim a map, his finger pointing to a location marked with ancient script. "Something stirs at Mount Apo," he said. "You must go there. There is a power awakening that may shift the balance of everything."
Grim nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He could feel the pull of Bakunawa and Minokawa as they spoke to him, urging him toward the mountain. Their voices were like the wind—strong and insistent.
At Mount Apo, Grim's presence was met with a strange energy. The mountain itself seemed to hum with anticipation. Bakunawa and Minokawa spoke to him once more, their voices overlapping.
"It is here," Minokawa whispered. "An ancient power stirs beneath the earth. The Icarus."
As Grim approached, the ground shook, and a great roar split the skies. The Icarus had awakened, its fiery wings and sorrowful eyes scanning the horizon.
"Are you the one capable of taming me?" the Icarus asked, its voice booming like thunder.
Grim stepped forward, his confidence unwavering. "Yes," he replied, his voice calm but resolute. "I am."
A powerful test ensued, with the Icarus challenging Grim's will and strength. The battle was fierce, but Grim's bond with Bakunawa, and his newfound power, allowed him to emerge victorious. The Icarus, sensing Grim's strength, bowed before him.
The contract was made.
As Grim stood in the shadow of Mount Apo, his thoughts turned to what lay ahead. *'We're part of something now,'* he muttered. *'The wheels are in motion, and there's no turning back.'*
With the Icarus now bound to him, his power had grown to godly proportions, yet the weight of responsibility felt heavier than ever. Elyse stood beside him, the two of them gazing out at the horizon, where the faint glow of the underworld's energy flickered like a distant storm.
"I can feel it, Grim," Elyse said, her voice quiet but firm. "The world is changing."
He nodded, sensing the same foreboding shift in the air. The faint hum of energy from the ancient temple beneath them stirred, as though it too knew what was coming. Together, they turned toward the entrance of the temple, the stone archway adorned with strange symbols, half-buried in the ruins. The air was thick with history, secrets, and the unspoken power of ancient gods.
---
Inside the temple, they were surrounded by walls covered in mythic scriptures and carvings, illuminated by the faint glow of Bakunawa's energy. The drawings depicted great battles—celestial serpents, warriors, and ancient summoners locked in a struggle that spanned across time and space. There was one image that caught Grim's eye: a drawing of Bakunawa, surrounded by a summoner, locked in battle with a dark figure. Above them, an immense shadow—the Maw—loomed like a cosmic horror, its gaping maw threatening to consume everything.
Elyse stepped forward, brushing her fingers over the delicate scripts. "This... this is a prophecy," she murmured. "A war... a celestial war. It's all here."
Grim's heart beat faster as he scanned the walls. The writings were in an ancient script, but his connection to Bakunawa made it easier to understand. The text foretold a coming conflict, one that would bring about the end of worlds. The role of the Prime Summoner—Grim—was highlighted as the key to either salvation or ruin. A new figure appeared in the texts: the Maw, an ancient cosmic force that sought to consume the heavens themselves.
As the pair continued to study the scriptures, the air grew dense with the feeling of something ancient awakening. And then, in the silence of the temple, a presence made itself known.
---
A figure emerged from the shadows, the light of the moon seemingly bending around him as he appeared—a god cloaked in ethereal light, his presence undeniable. Bathala, the ancient deity of creation and light, stood before them, his form both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
"Grim Arclight," Bathala's voice rumbled like thunder, and yet, it was calm, as though the very universe itself obeyed him. "You have awakened the power within you. But understand this: the power you now wield is not just a gift. It is a responsibility. A burden that will shape the fate of your world."
Grim stood straighter, his heart racing as he faced the god. "What does it mean? The war that's coming? And what is this 'Maw'?"
Bathala's eyes, ancient and filled with the weight of aeons, softened slightly. "The Maw is the devouring darkness, the great void that threatens all existence. It is what lies beyond the veil. You, Grim, are the Prime Summoner—chosen to lead the charge against it. You have the power to reshape the balance of worlds, to forge alliances that will stand against the coming storm. But know this: it will cost you everything. The power within you can either save or destroy."
Elyse stepped forward, her voice laced with concern. "And what about the demons? The underworld is opening. Xavier and Sitan..."
Bathala's gaze hardened. "Xavier, the disciple of Apep, and Sitan, the god of the underworld, seek to bring about the end of this world. Their plans are already in motion. Demons, tainted beasts, and horrors from the underworld will soon plague the lands. But there is still hope. You must act swiftly. The underworld is reaching its peak, and with every soul it consumes, their power grows."
The god's form began to flicker, as though his essence were slipping away with the passage of time. "Do not falter, Grim Arclight. You are not alone in this. But beware—Xavier has already begun his assault on other countries. Sitan's wrath will soon be unleashed. The gates are opening. And when they do, you will face the true cost of your power."
With those final words, Bathala vanished, leaving Grim and Elyse in the eerie silence of the temple.
---
As the weight of the god's words settled over them, Grim turned to Elyse. "We need to get back to PHU. The underworld's gates... they're opening all over the world. The demons will grow stronger with each soul they consume."
Elyse nodded, her expression somber. "And Xavier... he's already made his move. He's causing chaos across the globe."
Grim clenched his fists. "We won't let him succeed. Not while we still have a chance."
---
Back at PHU, the situation had escalated quickly. News reports flooded in from around the world—gates were appearing in cities, and demons were wreaking havoc. Countries were scrambling to deal with the chaos, but nothing could stop the inevitable rise of the underworld's forces.
In one country, Sitan himself had appeared, bringing with him destruction on an unimaginable scale. Entire cities were wiped from existence as the god unleashed his wrath, and the gates continued to open, one by one, across the globe.
Grim's power surged within him, his connection to Bakunawa growing stronger with each passing day. But even with the Icarus and Bakunawa by his side, the weight of the impending war loomed over him. He had been thrust into a role far greater than he ever expected.
---
Meanwhile, a new figure moved in the shadows—Belze, the right hand of Sitan. The demon lord had aided Xavier in the opening of the gates, and now, he was tasked with ensuring the success of Sitan's plan. His eyes, gleaming with malice, searched for signs of the Prime Summoner. He would not allow this world to stand in the way of his master's dominion.
---
But in the midst of this growing darkness, Elyse's role began to evolve. The celestial power that had long resided within her—fragments of forgotten gods—began to awaken. The bond between her and Grim was no longer just that of a partner in battle; they were connected on a deeper, celestial level. Elyse could feel the power coursing through her, drawing on the celestial fragments that had always been within her.
The prophecy had spoken of a partner to the legendary Summoner. The one who would stand beside him in the coming war. And now, Elyse understood what that meant.
Her powers were evolving.
Her connection to the celestial forces that had long been dormant within her was growing stronger, making her a formidable force in her own right. The prophecy had not just been about Grim; it had been about both of them.
Together, they would fight, and together, they would bring about the dawn of a new era—or see the world fall to darkness.
As the gates of the underworld continued to open, Grim and Elyse prepared to face it together. The world's fate now rested in their hands.