Last episode, Maguayen came for Amaya’s soul, intending to take it to Sulad, but due to a plea from Datu Bugna and the old chief priestess of the prophecy, Digan, the goddess Pandaki intervened and the two goddesses fought. Pandaki won, and sent Amaya back to earth. As a result, the priestesses now believe that Amaya is fated to become a priestess.
Amaya tells the priestesses that they are mistaken; she can’t be a priestess, she is… just a slave. Hilway does share some of Lamitan’s and Mangubat’s prejudices; she is inclined to think a slave can’t be a priestess. Her other priestesses and alabays contradict her, however, saying that being a priestess isn’t limited by social class– priestesses are chosen by the gods, and Amaya proved that she was chosen when she was resurrected. She is no longer a slave, but a woman who has undergone a holy transformation, which is a process by which priestesses are chosen. They then describe to Amaya how this unexpected transformation occurs: perhaps a girl might start to hear unseen voices that give her no peace, or perhaps her soul might separate from her body in death and walk in the otherworld, and return. Not all souls receive Pandaki’s aid, but those who do become priestesses. The priestess who is telling Amaya all of these, Gawas [Cebuano, "outside"] was one of those who died but resurrected, like Amaya. Hilway’s next objection is that Amaya is not of the tribe– Gawas points out that she herself was also a foreigner [hence her name] but is now a priestess, and besides, Amaya is a slave in the tribe and thus may be considered part of it.
Lingayan expresses a positive reaction upon hearing the news of Amaya’s resurrection, but Lamitan wonders how the slave came back to life despite dying because of a snake-bite– is it because she really is the woman with the snake-twin? [Convenient turnaround, Lamitan? Someone please call her on this!] She expounds on this theory, playing on the rajah’s fears, so that Mangubat decides to go and see for himself.
Gawas tells Hilway that if the gods chose Amaya to be a priestess, they cannot prevent her destiny. The alabays add that if they refuse, the gods might punish them. Hilway is finally persuaded to accept Amaya as an alabay and train her to become a priestess. However, Amaya stands firm on her decision, and walks out. Bagani chases after her.
Meanwhile, Bayang has gone to Digan’s grave to thank her mentor and the gods for listening to her prayers and bringing Amaya back. She wishes that this may be the beginning of Amaya’s fulfilling her destiny.
BaganigrabsAmaya’sarm
