They sat around a low fire as night fell, the flames casting dancing shadows on the hut walls. Lola Sabel pulled out a small wooden box and laid out four stones, each carved with a different symbol.
"Our cultivation has four stages," she said, picking up a rough, unpolished stone. "First is Body Cultivation—the foundation. This is what most think of when they hear 'Aswang'—the ability to shift form, strengthen speed and senses."
She set it down and picked up a smooth, glowing stone. "Next is Energy Cultivation. We learn to draw lakas from the earth, moon, and ancestors—to heal, to shield, to speak with the land itself."
"The third," she continued, holding up a stone carved with spirals, "is Spirit Cultivation. Here, we forge bonds with the anito—ancestral spirits—and gain sight into what was, what is, and what may be. We learn that all life is connected."
Finally, she held up a clear crystal that caught the firelight. "Enlightenment & Longevity—the peak. Those who reach this stage transcend mortal limits. They can live for over a million years, moving between realms as easily as we walk through grass. They become living bridges between worlds."
"Is that really possible?" Miguel whispered.
"Everything is possible," Lola Sabel said, "for those who walk the path with purpose."