Episode 3: Bimar

Ybus feels the fire growing inside him. To his chagrin, he's only growing more sober and more lucid.

Buluyagon seems relieved by Baracus' response, and returns to his chatty self. Leading the climb up the rice terraces to Topeng the mambabatok's hut nestled against an ancient gnarled tree you do not recognize. He explains that the batok is an ancient, sacred art and that both the ink and the implements used are blessed by the diwata (nature spirits). Tikbalang often get a new tattoo to celebrate important events, or prepare for them.

Gathered around the hut are many tattooed tikbalang, mostly warriors from Makabo's warband, and they all greet you when you arrive. They are also eager to show you their tattoos and explain what new ones they're getting next: Wind patterns for swiftness in battle, crocodile or snake scales to turn away enemy weapons, fern tattoos that help the mending of wounds. Topeng has just finished an elaborate tattoo on one of the female warriors when you arrive at his doorstep, and he beckons for you to enter. It appears that if you would like a tattoo, you will be given one - a great honor, you are made to understand.

The mambabatok nods wordlessly and gets right to work: over a small brazier he intones a prayer to the diwata, the spirits of the mountain. He then scrapes soot from the bottom of the brazier pan and into a small earthen bowl and makes an ink by adding some water. His implements are two wooden sticks: one of them with a thorn on the end, and another with which to tap the thorn into Ybus' skin.



The pain is excruciating, and it seems to take an eternity to finish. Buluyagon looks on, and to pass the time tells stories of his people - about how the Great Spirit shaped the world and created the first titans. He tells of Atimakon, the titanic horse, father of all tikbalang, who stole fire from the gods and gave it to his sons. For that the gods tore out his horn from his brow and with it, pierced his heart. He tells of how the Q'sulth mountains were raised from the earth and how the first tikbalang were given stewardship of it.

Just as Erden's tattoo is completed, a hush falls around the hut as Makabo arrives and sits before Topeng. Buluyagon makes no move to leave. The rhythmic tapping of the tattoo artist's tools underscores the chirping of cicadas. 

Makabo, son of the chieftain, receives a constellation of stars on his forehead. No one speaks of its meaning but you get the feeling that you have just witnessed something of grave importance. Twilight has fallen. Outside the hut, some of the warriors have begun to sing.

Makabo bows to the mambabatok. He hesitates, and looks at each of you thoughtfully before settling on a nod and leaving the hut.

Buluyagon lets out a low whistle but says nothing. What do you do?