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A flurry of blows and a slash from Parusa meant that was another aswang going down permanently. Using Sentensya, he skillfully cut through another aswang without blinking and eye in between kills. Fighting aswangs is just another normal day for Carlos Trese, better known as Verdugo.
Behind him, as they flanked a group of aswangs, stood a beautiful woman. With a graceful high kick and a smack from her staff, she dealt a blow that would bring the aswang’s demise. But don’t let her beauty and grace fool you. Seepul, the assassin of the Wind Tribe, can bring down the best of warriors the aswang clans have to offer.
They moved in sync, Carlos grabbing her arm, pulling her back to allow him to stab the aswang lunging her way. Meanwhile Seepul defended Carlos, hitting the aswang that tried to strike his back with its claws.
To anyone who managed to watch them (which was impossible given they were all fighting aswangs at the moment), they moved in some sort of dance. Moving gracefully through the hoard coming their way, all in an attempt to take down the Trese clan and their alliance.
Another wave of the creatures came and there seemed to be no ending in sight. While he knew that the clan they were fighting was no match for the group, he couldn’t help but feel some sort of urgency. “Seepul!” That was when Carlos suddenly pulled Seepul close, staring into her eyes as he asked, “Will you marry me?”
He had never been so sure of anything in his life but for the first time — as soon as the words left his mouth — he was scared. Scared of the rejection. And everything else that would follow. They were a good team. One of the best warriors to keep the aswangs at bay. They never saw her coming, while they cower in fear when they do see him coming. But what would happen when she said no? Despite his thoughts, his body moved on on its own. Fighting confidently while his thoughts were anything but. Did he just destroy the one good thing they had?
“I don’t think now is the best time!” She exclaimed just before an aswang lunged at her. Seepul evaded the attack quickly and retaliated with her staff, striking it down.
What?
“That’s not a no.” He replied, rather dumbly, as he cut an aswang clean.
“Of course not! But I think this isn’t a good time to propose! Or get married!” She said, flipping out of the way of sharp claws coming their way.
“Now may be the only time!” He replied, rolling out of the way before stabbing two aswangs simultaneously. Carlos pulled Seepul once more, “I love you.” He said, meaning every word, before pushing Seepul so he could have a full view of the aswang charging its way to them. Killing it successfully, he pulled her once more, “I’ve made my choice. What’s yours?”
Seepul looked back at him and he couldn’t help but feel that familiar fear again. Before he could tear his eyes away, she opened her mouth and —
“MATT!”
Carlos suddenly became confused as Seepul looked up the hill that Matt and Jimmy were in, fighting side by side. Why was she calling his younger brother? Was there something going on between them that he didn’t know about? So many questions sprang to his head all at once that he almost didn’t hear her next words.
“Marry us!”
That certainly explained it. He wouldn’t have to imagine murdering his own flesh and blood in his sleep anymore.
“What?”
“MARRY US!”
“I’m a little busy at the moment!” Matt yelled back as his tonfa hit the chest and then the face of an aswang. “Did I just hear it right?” Jimmy evaded an attack and ran his knee up an enemy’s torso. “Seepul and him?” His face was etched with disbelief that he didn’t see a punch come his way making him stagger back. “Matthias! Now!” Carlos exclaimed as he and Seepul gave simultaneous kicks to their opponents before flashing a small smile at each other.
“Oh god, they’re smiling. Kuya is smiling. THIS IS NOT HOW THE WORLD SPINS!” Jimmy yelled out hitting an aswang with his blessed yo-yo.
“Shut up!” Three voices rang out in the middle of the field.
The priest sighed, his weapon hitting an aswang right in between the eyes. “Dearly Beloved…” He started to exclaim, only to move around to avoid the claws slashing his way. In his form, it was very much a surprise that he can still ring out, “...we are gathered…” he kicked an aswang towards Jimmy who kicked it down the hill.
“..here today — Jimmy watch it!” Matt grunted as he almost fell down the hill.
“—to witness Seepul and Carlos, as they exchange — exchange their vows of marriage.” A grunt from Matt made him pause before he backed away from an aswang just enough to give him space to retaliate.
“We rejoice with them in their delight of finding love…” Carlos couldn’t help but glance towards Seepul and without so much as a word, ran towards each other. Both of them fighting aswangs, weapons raised. “Do you, Seepul, take Carlos, to be your partner—”
“—to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love him faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?”
Seepul was grinning at him, something only she would only give him, in private, for only him to see. But now she’s doing it in the open and something that even the Kambal saw as they flew overhead. “Wait, did she just…?” Basilio tilted his head in confusion as they glided low, shooting their opponents. “Kuya Crispin! I think Seepul’s about to kill Carlos.”
“I do.” Seepul replied, staring at Carlos, only dodging attacks as she continued to grin like a highschool girl with a crush.
“She really is! We need to stay here and watch what happens.” Basilio shot an aswang, making sure that he’d have a line of sight between the assassin and Verdugo for their fight. The Kambal grinned at each other only to be yelled at by Hank who flanked them. “Hoy! You two! You left me alone— what is going on?”
Matt yelled out the vows again as those who came near became confused. “Are you two getting married?!” Hank asked incredulously, “Here?! Of all places?! Hay naku, I should’ve known you’d pull this stunt, Carlito.” Verdugo rolled his eyes. No one saw it coming, he knew, it was in the spur of the moment. Something he blurted out but had no intentions of backing out.
“I do.” Carlos ignored them all, fighting alongside Seepul as they only acted like they were the only two people in the field.
“By the power vested in me by God and man, I pronounce you wife and husband. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.”
“What?!” The Kambal exclaimed, looking at the two as Carlos pulled Seepul by the waist as she cupped his face with one hand as their lips met.
The sun was beginning to set when the last of the aswang, their leader, was dealt swiftly by Carlos.
“Congratulations.” The babaylan-mandirigma came up to him as they all stood on the hill. “Sorry I couldn’t object.” Carlos only snorted. “I’m surprised it took you this long. To marry her, that is.” Alex continued. The two Trese siblings watched as The Kambal, Hank, Matt and Jimmy were talking to Seepul. They could hear the demigods and Jimmy asking her questions as to why she accepted the proposal (and subsequently got married)— in a battlefield of all places.
“What can I say, I’m just full of surprises.” Carlos replied, a small smile on his face as he watched her, his wife, his partner, his soulmate. As if feeling his gaze, she turned to look at him, smiling back.
“Mom’s ring would look perfect on her.” Alexandra quipped quietly as the group approached them. “I’ll ask Kuya Rick where Dad kept it.”Carlos nodded at his youngest sibling with gratitude. Alex returned the nod with one of her own.
“Bossing! You should’ve seen it! Carlos got married! In the middle of a fight! There were aswang guts everywhere, and they were so badass. We need to party!” Basilio exclaimed before Crispin interjecting, “Hannah and Ammie will be so mad at you.” He told Seepul, “They never got to put you in a wedding gown.”
He could feel Seepul suddenly feeling bad that girls were unable to witness it. Carlos wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed her gently. “Well, we could always hold a proper one.” Carlos said, making Seepul snap her head to look at him.
“Your Dad’s barong won’t fit you. We must have it altered.” Hank immediately said, making Carlos think that the bartender was already planning a reception in his head. One filled with alcohol.
“Please tell me I get to plan the bachelor party.” Jimmy said, surprising everyone by hugging Seepul. “Welcome to the family, Ate. I hope you’re doing the right thing. Annulment can be very messy—” If it wasn’t for Carlos’ stern look, Jimmy probably would’ve said something stupid.
Matt congratulated them both with a smile on his face. “Well, that certainly was a wedding to remember. Welcome to the chaos that is our family.”
Seepul chuckled, looking at Matt then at Carlos. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”