The Old Man's Prophecy

An Original Creation of Camille Alonto, Venice Camposo, Jona Brigoli, 

Renz Angelie Peras, Ma. Luisa Eltagunde and Jhon - Vher Sanchez

Aria was known all over the world to be a ghost city. The entire city was dark and dusty and no one seemed to live there for all settlers hid in their houses in every days and nights for fear of the eight-headed serpent, Octagus and the fire-blowing giant, Eugo who raise this serpent. In every two months, Eugo unbelievably laid ten eggs that when hatched in three weeks will be ten other Octagus. Now, Eugo, Octagus and other youngs brought destruction and horror to the whole city. They devoured all animals and all human beings they see. The news about this reached the cities to cities.

The inhabitants asked for help and all courageous men came to their city to kill Eugo and the Octagus but all of them failed and got killed. The villagers were hopeless until an old – ragged man prophesized that there will be a young, brave, sturdy and handsome man who would come to save them. No one believed him until one day Jackens, a young, brave and sturdy man came. Everyone was thinking that the prophecy might be true but they were dismayed when they saw his face. He was too ugly and the prophecy was telling them that it would be a handsome man. They laughed and mocked at him and even spit on his face when he knocked on their doors to spend the days and nights waiting for the right time to attack Eugo and the Octagus. Nobody wanted him in except the prophet. He brought him in his hiding place, a cave just above the monsters’ place and he shared him his food and clothing. Jackens was amazed at the pleasant attitude that the old man has shown towards him but he always remembered what the people did to him. Then he asked the old man to tell him exactly why did these people acted out this way and it was truthfully revealed to him that his visage was the real cause. He was deeply sad when he knew about it but he was enlightened when the old lad told him that there was a blue plant in Eugo’s throat that could turn him into a handsome man when he would ate it.

 Jackens decided to attack at midnight when the monsters were asleep. The day passed and night came and he patiently waited for midnight. He tied a rope in the big stone in front of the cave and he went down to the monsters’ place through it. He never went alone for the old man accompanied him. They reached the giant’s gate and found all snakes soundly slept but when Jackens stepped on a snake’s tail, all other snakes were alarmed. Then Jackens fought against these snakes with his dagger and when they succeeded in killing them, they made their way in. They saw Eugo and the biggest Octagus sleeping together.

 Jackens told the old man to take the snake and he would take Eugo. The old man slowly walked towards the serpent’s heads and he successfully cut one with a dagger but it woke up and groaned in pain. Now it fought against the old man and the serpent shouted louder as soon as another head was cut off. Jackens was about to strike the dagger to the giant’s chest when the noise woke him up. He blew fire to Jackens and he was thrown away at a distance. Then Eugo got near him and the fight continued. Eugo took the dagger away from Jackens hand and he was about to smash his body when the old man took his flute and played it. Eugo slowly lost his strength and fell down. 

Jackens then ran away from the giant and looked for his dagger. The old man did not see one of Octagus’ head approaching his back as he was too busy playing the flute. It bit him and he laid helpless on the ground. With Jackens’ pity to the old man, he rushed towards the snake and cut all three remaining heads but it was too late for the man was dead. Jackens picked up the flute but he did not notice the giant behind his back. It blew fire and his skin was burned. Jackens still managed to fight even when the pain was making him weak. He tried playing the flute but he could not make the right tune so the music that flowed out was a noise. Eugo stumbled for every high note and walked in any direction because of the noise but it did not grow weak. The giant did not notice his feet nearing the cliff so he fell down and died. Then, using a rope, Jackens went down the cliff to find the giant. When he found him, he struck him with the dagger and sliced his throat to get the blue plant. When he succeeded, he immediately climbed up using the rope. Up there in the monsters’ place, he ate up the blue plant. Now, Jackens was a very handsome man. He then started looking for other ways to bring the old man back to life. 

While thinking, he saw the Octagus’ cave. He went inside it and found an elixir. He poured out the elixir to the old man’s mouth but nothing happened. He lost hope so he turned back and just cried. Then, a hand tapped his back. It was the old man. When the old man saw him, he shouted loudly, “My prophecy is true.” His voice echoed and all people heard him. They wandered and went out of their houses. When Jackens and the old man went down, all people knew of the victory and praised them. Now, they believed the old man and from that day on, they all lived normally and happily.