Majayjay Falls, Majayjay, Laguna

"You didn't have to cause such a scene Julian."

The shimmer slowly faded and the three gods appeared, They were standing over the cold pool of the falls. The falling water made a constant echo that reverberated all around the green valley. It was very early in the morning and the site was not yet open to tourists and the daily crowd of bathers. A low moon hung over the sky, clouds like wisps hovering around it. It was Nestor who spoke first, greeting his newly arrived brethren.

"Another exciting night, I see."

Joseph approached. His feet making ripples as he walked on the water. The moonlight cast lazy shadows on the clear, crisp pool.

He bowed gently.

"I apologize, brother. It could not be helped. Julian was provoked. He did what he did merely to preserve his honor."

A quick chuckle came from Nestor.

" I doubt it takes much to tarnish Julian's honor. I believe it was him who told an entire Spanish fleet to drop anchor and fight him all at the same time after their commander called him an 'indio.' Remember that Julian?"

Julian's eyes were dropped. Eyeing the movement of the water.

But it was Niina who spoke.

"I offer apologies as well, it was I who chose to stay in that place. It was my fault as much as his."

She bowed even lower.

"Oh get up, get up."

Nestor waved them up, and the three stood at attention. He continued.

"We are all far too old and have been through far too many to dwell on such trivial matters that happen in trivial places. I saw the boy. His foolishness was apparent even as I watched you in the water. Pay no mind to it."

Of course, Joseph thought. Nestor did have the sight. He sees everything.

"Our thanks, Nestor," Julian replied.

"Though I am grateful for your restraint this time, at least there were no sunken ships or cannons broken in half this time." Nestor said with a smirk.

Joseph looked around the area, his eyes surveying the shadows of the valley. He posed a question.

"Where are the others Nestor? Where are Kali and Inna?"

"Inna is away on a task I gave her. But she will listen to us through soul link. Kali should be here soon. She merely took time to assist a flock of eagles repair their nesting place." Nestor replied.

"Kali and her birds." Ninna said with a chuckle.

A faint shimmer appeared over the water, and the second goddess appeared. Kali was goddess of all things that grow. Hers was the trees, the water, the fowl, the beasts and all that live and breathe in and under the earth. She arrived bowing low to Nestor.

"Greetings Kuya."

Ninna exclaimed.

"See Kali! I told you that you would look awesome in those khaki shorts! And that sleeveless tank top! My my, which wayward grad student would not love to stumble into you."

Kali usually preferred to don her green robes when she was settled in her domain. Yet like all of them, she chose to be clad in contemporary clothes when going out among the humans when she did her work. Ensuring and maintaining the care and upkeep of the natural world.

Joseph and Julian, the other set of twins in their pantheon approached and hugged their sister.

"Hello brothers, I am sorry that I have been away for a time, but the forests down south have been in a precarious situation recently. It needed my personal attention."

Nestor spoke in turn. His voice grand and deep, sending soft echoes across the valley.

"Hush now. Listen. While you are all here, I will tell you the reason why I have summoned you."

The other four gods and goddesses went silent, their eyes fixed on their eldest. In this era, Nestor always chose to wear slacks, sandals and a white undershirt. It gave him the look of an off-duty librarian. But his hair, beard and mustache shone brightly, reflecting the deep silver of his eyes. Showing the ancient power within him that he inherited when he was born as the eldest.

"As you know, time has been against us. And we are slowly ebbing away. We have always known that this moment would come. Over the years we have silently endured what our nation has become, In our little ways we did our utmost to help push and prod our people to peace and stability. To bring order among disorder, and beauty in chaos. But the old times have faded, and we are fading along with it. Faith and belief are dying, fewer and fewer cling to the old ideals, and there are hardly any heroes."

There was a pause. Only the gushing of the falls and a few chirps of crickets could be heard, It was Joseph who broke the silence.

"But Nestor, we knew of these things. We have discussed it at length many times before and did we not agree that it was best to let the people carry on without our influence?"

It was usually Joseph who would serve as a reflecting wall for Nestor's thoughts. Being master of the arts and heritage, Joseph was primarily convinced that the future of their people would hinge on their mastery of history and their ability to transform learning into applied prosperity. Joseph was the protector of the nation's mind. As Julian was the courage of the nation to defend itself, Joseph was the vision to empower it,

The others looked to their eldest for a reply.

"I know this brother, I know this. The last time we pushed to intervene was to ensure that democracy prevailed in our country. And now, decades since, we have moved almost invisibly among our people. Trusting the fate of our nation, and our very own existence, to themselves. But something supernatural has tipped the scales. Violence is too rampant, corruption is too free, and morality has become so helpless that we are now seeing events that are too dark and too sickening even for what we have seen over the last millennia. You have felt this as well haven't you? That familiar tinge of darkness that has started to whisper in your minds."

Julian took a step towards his eldest brother, his arms tense and muscles coiled as if bracing for an enemy

Nestor continued.

"You do feel him don't you Julian, you all do.”

They were all silent. As if struck by an invisible blow.

"Carlos, our brother, has awakened."