"Ah, it's beautiful here, isn't it?" Loui asked, sitting on a wooden bench while gazing down at the lake from the viewpoint. "What do you think, Kenzii?"
Kenzii lowered his camera, pausing his photography to turn toward Loui.
"Pfft, this view doesn't amaze him anymore," Alas answered for him, sliding beside Loui and taking a sip from his water bottle.
The others, who were busy taking photos with their mobile phones, turned to look at them in curiosity.
"What do you mean?" Aton asked.
"Our Kenzii here is an adventurous traveler; he's been to so many places across the globe," Alas replied with a grin. "It's true that he's not the most social guy, but he's actually the most outgoing among the three of us."
"Woah really? What's the most beautiful place you've ever been to?" Jazz curiously asked, joining the conversation. "The one you absolutely can't forget?"
Kenzii furrowed his brows, looking up toward the sky as if deeply thinking about the question.
"Hmm, I've seen so many beautiful places. It's very hard to choose just one unforgettable view," he replied, glancing down at the shot of the lake he had just captured on his camera screen. "Almost every country has its own hidden beauty, and each of those places carries its own story. And to be honest, it's the stories behind a place's beauty that truly make it magnificent." Kenzii smiled, looking back at his companions.
Their new friends nodded in deep appreciation, while his two cousins and Cariz smiled warmly at his answer.
"Then, what's your favorite story among all the places you've visited?" Cariz asked with a soft smile.
"Well, I've been to many stunning locations, but only a few of them have a rich history—maybe because folklore about how a place was born isn't as common everywhere else." He lowered his camera, letting it rest against his chest by its neck strap. He sat down on the grass, leaning back on his hands and tilting his head up toward the clouds.
"Myths and legends are a big part of the culture in our home country, so I guess I've always had a soft spot for folklore stories about how things came to be. That's actually where I found my absolute favorite scenery," he murmured, his eyes fixed on the sky.
The group listened in rapt, respectful silence. Kenzii rarely spoke at such length, and rather than interrupting or teasing him, they simply let him speak. Sota and Alas watched him with a tender glimmer in their eyes, feeling a genuine wave of happiness wash over them. They could still remember the last time he used to tell stories; they were all so young back then, back when Kenzii was still innocent and completely free from being a devil's toy. He used to be a joyful boy who loved to play, read, and listen to tales. They vividly recalled Kenzii telling them long ago that hearing about people's lives in different walks of faith made his heart feel alive. Tragically, all of that had vanished the moment his own life's story was ruined by their family curse.
"And what place is that, and story behind it?" Cariz asked again, her gaze locked onto him with a beautiful, enchanting smile. Sitting there bathed in the gentle morning light, Kenzii looked breathtaking—like a stunning piece of scenery himself.
"The Mount Mayon Volcano in Albay, in our country," Kenzii replied, a nostalgic smile forming on his lips as he glanced back at the crystal-blue lake. "Beyond its breathtaking beauty, the legend of Mount Mayon is an incredibly heartwarming yet tragic tale… It follows two loving souls—the beautiful Daragang Magayon and her brave warrior lover, Panganoron, also known as Ulap—who risked absolutely everything for one another. But their love was not without hardship..." He paused, his gaze softening as the locals leaned in closer, completely captivated by his voice.
"What happened?" Jazz asked with a furrowed brow, wanting to hear more of the story.
Kenzii bitterly smiles then continues. "Even though their loved ones gladly accepted their marriage, a powerful and jealous chief named Pagtuga—who claimed he was in love with Magayon— opposed it, ultimately igniting a fierce battle… Tragically, that very conflict claimed both of the lovers lives. As the entire kingdom wept over the loss, the lovers were buried together, locked forever in each other's arms. Over time, the land where they're buried miraculously grew and shaped itself into a perfectly symmetrical volcano, which the people named 'Mayon' in her honor, celebrating her beauty."
"So it's a sad ending, huh?" Loui asked, completely drawn into Kenzii's storytelling.
"It might seem tragic at first glance," Kenzii softened his tone, his voice carrying a soothing, insightful depth. "But to me, it isn't. Love manifests in many different shapes of destiny. Their story shows that true devotion is beautiful in every form, enduring long after life ends." He then shifts into his position sitting properly to face them. "That's just how their love was meant to be. It goes beyond grief, turning a painful goodbye into a magnificent landmark that inspires everyone who sees it. That makes their bond immortal and wonderful."
"Still, that's heartbreaking," Aton sighed, shaking his head. He could almost visualize the legend vividly because of how beautifully Kenzii painted it with his words. "Loving each other so much but not being able to grow old together? That sucks!"
Kenzii chuckled softly, shaking his head. He found himself genuinely enjoying the rhythm of sharing tales again. "Well, they say the lovers still find their way back to each other. Whenever the volcano erupts, it is believed that Ulap is embracing Magayon, fueled by an eternal passion. And you know what's crazy? During those eruptions, the billowing smoke and ash often form the distinct silhouettes of two lovers holding each other." He bit his lower lip with a smile, looking back up at the passing clouds as if he could actually see that beautiful form taking shape in the sky.
Cariz quickly averted her eyes, a deep blush creeping up her cheeks as she thought about how incredibly handsome the young man was.
Kenzii stood up and brushed himself off just as the rest of the group began reacting with pure excitement.
"Woah, seriously?! I am absolutely looking that up later," Jazz exclaimed, rapidly typing the name of the volcano into the notes on her phone.
"Let's head down," Kenzii smiled, adjusting his backpack. "The lake has been calling out to me for a while now." The group eagerly cheered in agreement.
As they began their way down the pine-scented trail, Sota smoothly fell into step beside Kenzii, leaning in to whisper with a smug smirk, "And here I thought you absolutely hated old wives' tales passed down by generations... It turns out you're still a fan."
Kenzii shot him a sharp, annoyed glare, which only made Sota burst into a hearty laugh as he jogged ahead down the path.
When they finally reached the bottom of the hill, they piled into the rented van and made the short drive to the edge of Macha Lake.
"Woah! It's beautiful up close!" Alas cheered the moment his feet touched the sandy shore. Without a care in the world, he dropped his bag right onto the ground, kicked off his shoes while running into the water.
The locals burst into laughter, while Jazz anxiously watched him from the shore.
"Hey, wait! It's freezing—" Jazz's warning cut short as Alas shamelessly stripped off his shirt and dove straight into the deep water.
"What the? The water is freezing right now, it's not even summer yet! He's going to catch a terrible cold," Aton pointed out, stepping forward to call Alas back. However, Sota gently caught his arm, a relaxed smile on his face.
"Just let him be. Once the cold finally gets to him, he'll scramble back out on his own. Let him enjoy it," Sota reassured him, walking closer to the shoreline to admire the vast expanse of the lake.
"There aren't many people around," Kenzii observed, scanning the quiet surroundings. Aside from their group, the visitors could be counted on one hand, most of them simply sitting quietly by the docks. He lifted his camera once more, letting the shutter click as he captured the serene atmosphere.
"People only flocks here during the peak of summer," Loui explained, stepping up beside him. "During this inbetween season, only a few locals and travelers visit. Nobody is crazy enough to swim in this weather except your cousin."
The group spent the next two hours enjoying the peaceful scenery, highly amused by Alas as he splashed around until the bitter cold eventually forced him out to change into dry clothes. Having thoroughly soaked in the refreshing ambiance of the lakeside, they finally gathered their things and returned to the van, ready to continue their journey through the region.