Atasi & the Sacred Armor: Rise of the Lost Spirits

                     Atasi and the Sacred Armor: Rise of the Lost Spirits

                                              Written by

                                         Anna Marie Baleto

                                          WGAw 2336784            

     Humid on a cloudy afternoon in the early 1980s, salty, sultry air blows gently, clinging to the damp, wavy hair of a young girl riding her bike along the hiking path near a secluded jungle on the tropical island of Guam. Her name is Atasi Cruz, and she looks as though the mist itself has formed her, with bronze skin and wide, sparkling brown eyes that twinkle in the bright, sunny light.Atasi is captivated by the day, playing as she rides her bike against the marine air. From a short distance, Atasi sees a mango tree, gleefully exits the bike, climbs the tree, and gives time to dangle down the tree branches. She notices her hula baby doll and her imaginary friend, whom she names Hoku, settled on the ground. Atasi rushes toward Hoku and hugs her.           “Hello, Hoku, I found you and came in time to play with me up the tree!” Atasi says.Atasi then notices an unfamiliar object, almost doll-like, made of coconut and seashells. Her eyes widen as she hurries toward the handmade doll resting in the soiled dirt and lifts it. Atasi looks around the jungle, making sure no one is nearby. She adjusts the seashells attached to the doll and smiles at it.           

“Erm, hello, would you like to be my friend?” Atasi asks. “This here is Hoku, and I will name you, Ma’na,” she says.           

Playing with the dolls around, the sunset begins to set, as Atasi settles on the edge of a limestone rock near the jungle path, and as she surveys her surroundings, she notices she crosses the pathway of an ancient burial site, and an archaic, deserted village that was a graveyard of crumbling limestone that once supported huts is now draped in shredded coconut fronds and surrounded by cold firepits.           As she looks at the sunset, Atasi discovers it is late in the evening. She jolts up from the rock.           

“It’s the time of the ancient spirits of the jungle… the Taotaomonas!” Atasi says.           

“I can’t be out this late!” she says.           

Atasi pulls out the Catholic scapular from around her neck and kisses it for protection. She runs towards her belongings but can’t seem to find her bike. She desperately looks around for it. Atasi then rushes towards her dolls, grabs them, but just as she retrieves them, she turns around, then is jolted by shock, and flops to the ground upon seeing a strange person beside her.           

A woman with bronze-toned skin, a striking, ink-black hair that falls straight and long, eyes that seem to hold a spark of ancient mischief, and a wound scar on her face. She wears a traditional fringed apron-like wrap around her waist, and coconut shells covering her upper body.           

Standing a few feet in front of Atasi, the woman stretches out her arms, holding a small bowl of fruit and offering it to Atasi. “Hungry?” the lady says.           

“I do not want it,” Atasi says.           

Atasi latches onto her religious scapular for comfort. She shivers as she stands there, stares at the woman’s scar, and then looks around for a way out, as she begins to cry.           

“I want to go home!” Atasi says.           

The woman sets the bowl down and gently approaches Atasi.           “My name is Surhana, and I am chosen to be your guardian,” she says.           “You are my guardian?” Atasi asks.           

“It is true. The ancient ones sent me to your side,” Surhana replies. Surhana picks up the fruit and hands it to Atasi. “You must be famished, so come and eat with me,” Surhana says.           

Surhana retrieves the fish from her basket, skewers the fish, and begins barbecuing it over the fire pit. Atasi follows and sits on the ground across from her, holding her dolls tight.           

“Erm, why are my ancestors wanting you to be with me?” Atasi asks.           “The ancestors sent me to protect you,” Surhana replies.           

She glares at Atasi with an annoying smirk and eats the fish off the stick.           

“Eat your fish,” Surhana says.           

Surhana watches as Atasi grows curious upon noticing the religious scapular around Atasi's neck. Surhana looks up at the night sky.           “Do you see the dark sky?” Surhana asks.           

Atasi looks up at the sky, then goes back to Surhana and nods.           “What about the moon?” Surhana asks.           

Atasi looks up and becomes mesmerized by the brightness of the moon and stars. As she looks back to find Surhana missing, the surroundings undergo a renewal that sweeps through the village, the fire pits roar to life, and the limestone foundations of the huts gleam once more.           

“What happened?” Atasi asks.           

Surhana’s voice cut through the humid air behind her, catching Atasi completely off guard.           

“It is told that an ancient legend, that after the dead hours of the night, a simple glimpse of the full moon invites nothing but despair,” Surhana says.           

Surhana smirks, stands a few feet in front of Atasi, and stretches out her arms.           

“Join your ancestors of old… forever?” Surhana asks.           

“No, I do not trust you,” Atasi replies.           

Atasi shakes her head and shivers, afraid, as she looks around for a way to escape, clinging tightly to her dolls.           

A loud thunderclap roars through the sky. Rising from the rustling, tangled bushes, ancient spirits creep out of the jungle depths as Atasi, shocked, looks at the tall, robust, and strange-looking spirit entities surrounding her, talking amongst themselves. The ancient spirits are, however, interesting: in all shapes and forms, some in soldiers’ uniforms, others in woven hats, scars on their frightening visages.           A funny male spirit with a squeaky, toothless voice, wearing a woven hat and ripped clothes, smiles at Atasi and approaches her.           

“Did you think we were scary, because I know, I surely scared you!” he shouts, as his toothless mouth widens in a gleeful smile.           

“I don’t know,” Atasi replies.          

 Another spirit stops the toothless entity: an American soldier, with facial wounds, wearing a uniform, and a Japanese dagger embedded in his head. He looks at his old picture of his daughter and pushes Lokee away.           

“Leave the child alone, Lokee,” the soldier says.           

“Ai, ai, Captain Hicks,” Lokee says.           

Lokee salutes Captain Hicks.           

A loud crash comes from behind everyone, as rays of light flash across the sky, and everyone is silent. They rush away from Atasi, leaving her at the center as they line up in a soldier's formation. Atasi clutches her dolls as she watches Surhana walk toward her, holding a gemstone aloft, glaring with red flashes.           

“Pay homage to the stone of Nyrum, bow down to the power of the ancestors,” Surhana says.           

Lokee surprisingly taps Surhana’s shoulder, as she looks at him.           “With due respect, madam, but are you positive that the child is the chosen one?” Lokee asks.           

Surhana throws him a rude glare, signaling Lokee to return to his standing position.           

“My Nana said never bow down to ancestors that don’t believe in God,” Atasi replies.           

“There is no such God among the ancestors, you are forbidden to speak of it…If you want me as your guardian… join me?” Surhana says.           “No, my Nana said, that God saves and not destroys!” Atasi replies.           “Shush, I said, there is no God in this realm!” Surhana replies.           “But…,” Atasi says.           

Surhana tucks the gemstone into her small knapsack at her waist and stomps toward Atasi, attempting to grab her. Atasi dashes. “Grab the girl, you fool,” Surhana says.           

“Leave her alone!” Captain Hicks says.           

When Atasi attempts to escape, Lokee catches her in time.           “Argh, let go of me!” Atasi says.           

Surhana laughs as she approaches Lokee.           

“Let’s see if your God can save you. Lock her up in the hut!” Surhana says.           

An hour passes in the huge hut, as Atasi lies on the floor mat. She looks through the peephole in the coconut-frond hut and begins to sing a spiritual song silently for comfort.           

“You walked with me when I was all alone with so much unknown along the way. Then I heard you say, “I promise you.” I’m always there when your heart is filled with sorrow and despair.” Atasi sings.           Atasi holds the dolls closer, rocks herself, and then pulls out her scapular for comfort.           

“I’ll carry you when you need a friend, you’ll find my…footprints in the sand,” She sings.           

Tears roll down her cheeks as a vibrational jolt comes from her dolls. Her dolls begin to ascend into the air, slowly spinning as rays of light stream in. The dolls come to life as Atasi, shocked, watches Hoku and Ma’na apparated before her. She watches them walking toward her.           “Hoku, is that you?” Atasi asks.           

Hoku bows down to Atasi. She then turns to Ma’na. “Ma’na?” she asks.           Ma’na bows down to Atasi. 

“We are at your will,” Ma’na says.           “I want to go home,” Atasi replies.           

Hoku and Ma’na look at each other and nod, guiding Atasi out of the hut. Surhana appeared before them, blocking their escape. Hoku grabs Atasi and gives her to Ma’na.           

“The child is my territory…give me the child!” Surhana says.           “Not today… Surhana.” Hoku says.           

Hoku and Surhana pace around, glaring at each other, each ready for a fight. Surhana pulls out her gemstone; with a quick trigger, a dagger materializes from its center. Atasi stands nearby watching with Ma’na.           “Ma’na, take her home,” Hoku says.           

Lokee and Captain Hicks come rushing to Surhana’s side. “Get the girl!” Surhana says.           

Ma’na picks up Atasi and makes a run for it, carrying her. Lokee and Captain Hicks chase after. Hoku and Surhana face off, acting as if they have met before. Hoku slowly pulls out a gemstone, as blue rays of light burst from it. Hoku signals the gemstone as a sharp dagger bulging from its center. Both run toward each other, fighting, trying to overcome the other.           

Surhana attempts to take a jab at Hoku, misses, grabs her, shoves her, and slaps Hoku, who falls to the ground injured.           

“Maybe that pretty face of yours needs an adjustment,” Surhana says.           Hoku swiftly spins around and scratches Surhana’s face with the dagger. Surhana touches her bleeding scar with shock.           

“Nah, yours does,” Hoku replies. “Stop your evil, it is time it comes to an end… Surhana,” Hoku says.           

“…Never!” Surhana replies.           Laughter filters around as Surhana glares at Hoku, as both race toward each other.           

While chasing after Ma’na and Atasi, Lokee comes close enough to make a leap and grab Ma’na. As both fall to the ground, they tumble into the bushes, each trying to overcome. Captain Hicks approaches Atasi.           

“I am here to help you. Stay there,” Captain Hicks says.           

Captain Hicks picks up Lokee and holds him down.           

“Go save your friend…Go!” Captain Hicks says.           

Ma’na and Atasi race back to rescue Hoku. As Ma’na and Atasi arrive back at the village, Surhana head-bumps Hoku, making her tumble to the ground, knocking Hoku out cold. Surhana laughs. Shocked at seeing Hoku injured, Atasi rushes toward her, pulls out her scapular, and confronts Surhana, holding it up.           

“Stop it! She is my friend; my God will help us!” Atasi says.           Surhana lets out a horrific laugh.           

“What is it of your God that saves you?” Surhana asks.           Atasi breathes heavily, as her tears roll down her face.           “… My faith!” Atasi replies.            

“God, my father…save me… please!” Atasi says.Atasi confidently pulls her rosary bead from her pocket and confronts her with it. Surhana’s eyes widen at seeing the rosary.           

“…No…it is the relic of Nyrum…Keep it away!” Surhana says.

A powerful force shatters her and thrusts her into the abyss of darkness.           

Hoku and Atasi come into an embrace, as Ma’na stands nearby.           “You came for me,” Hoku says.           

“You’re my best friend,” Atasi replied.           Atasi arrives home and sees her bike and dolls on the porch, giving her Nana and Tata a hug.