Ma'tao "The Warrior Within": Book 1 "Ulitao"

By Myk Steel

 

From the mystical and mysterious islands of the Pacific Ocean, a most skillful and tactical

eighteen-year-old ulitao (warrior) Ma’tao, is taking steps toward becoming a maga’lahi (chief).

In a world drenched in the supernatural, along with superstitions and tradition, his deepest

desires are about to co

• Language: English
• Publisher: Red Ulitao Publishing
• Release date: Sep 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781733495615

Book preview

Ma’tao

The Warrior Within

Book 1

Ulitao

by

Myk Steel

Copyright © 2019 by Red Ulitao Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.

ISBN: 978-1-7334956-1-5

Dedication

To the most inspirational teacher in my life,

a warrior in her own right. My Grammy

Francisca Cruz Quintanilla Franquez.

Say, Spell, Say! Love you with all my heart!

Introduction

Since the beginning of time, there has existed a very special place with a very special people. The ocean is their world! For they are an honorable seafaring society. They are of royal blood and ancestry. They also are a very proud people! They do not try to conquer their environment; they cooperate with it.

For their gods, Puntan and his sister Fu’una, would bless them with great abundance, if they are respectful to the land that they are given, and humble around the people that they live with.

This very special place lies in the north-western Pacific Ocean. A place filled with so much beauty, wonder and mystery!

But this is a story about a warrior! A warrior of warriors. Destined to be the greatest chieftain! The greatest maga’lahi (chieftain) of them all!

A maga’lahi for the islands and the people that he cares for, so dearly. For these are troubling times. War and famine have taken hold of this once peaceful place.

No maga’lahi in history has ever been known to unite all the Islands of Gani.

But today is a new day! A new day that will set the tides of destiny into motion.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Enter the Warrior!

Chapter 2 The First Quest Revealed!

Chapter 3 The Deep Unknown!

Chapter 4 The Chase!

Chapter 5 Protectors of Guahan!

Chapter 6 Love and War!

Chapter 7 For My Island! For My People!

Chapter 8 From Ulitao to Maga’lahi, the Journey Begins!

Chapter 9 From Allies to Rivals!

Chapter 10 An Unexpected Stopover!

Chapter 11 From Wisdom of the Past!

Chapter 12 Connection to the Past!

Chapter 13 The Bonds of Friendship!

Chapter 14 A Word from Guahan!

Chapter 15 Face to Face!

Chapter 16 Cross World!

Chapter 17 Sacred Tree!

Chapter 18 Life, Death, or Banishment!

Chapter 19 From Bright Green to Deep Blue!

Chapter 20 Haluu!

Chapter 21 The Battle!

Chapter 22 The Call!

Chapter 1

Enter the Warrior!

He runs his hand through the cold sand and picks up a fist full, he releases it to the wind. All the while looking at the orange-laden sun casting a shiny gloss finish over the water of the now tranquil Pacific Ocean. He, with a very distinct serene look to his demeanor, gives praise and thanks to his ancestors for their blessings and guidance. Who am I? he thinks to himself. A thought that for as long as he can remember, has always crossed his mind.

Ma’tao is his name!

Born of royal blood, destined to be the next maga’lahi of the highly renowned village of Chochogo’, deep in the heart of his beloved Island of Guahan. Chochogo’ is a village of warriors!

What is it that you’re thinking? Aligao, his oldest and closest friend, asked.

Ma’tao looks at him, pauses for a second then replies, I just hope that I can live up to the expectations that my family has of me. They both have been through some great battles together with rival villages and clans. Aligao is one person that Ma’tao could trust with his life.

Ma’tao is now turning eighteen. When he was the age of five, he left his beloved father’s clan village of Chochogo’ and was sent to live and learn life lessons by his mother’s clan and family in the southern village Ati. For in Chamoru society, which is a matrilineal society, young men learn all skills in warfare, navigation, farming, hunting, and politics from their mother’s father and brothers.

This day is a special day! Today Ma’tao, who has been living as a ulitao (young warrior), will learn of his quests. These are quests that will prepare him to become a chieftain! A maga’lahi!

But these are no ordinary quests. Especially since he is the son of a maga’lahi. Maga’lahi Kiighi is Ma’tao’s father’s name. Highly knowledgeable in tactical warfare and political negotiation.

As for his mother, he barely knew her at all.

He just sees vivid images of her when he sleeps or is deep in thought. But if left up to him, he would lock those memories away deep within his mind and never revisit them. For why she left, no one ever speaks of.

Ma’tao, can only one day hope to live up to his father’s expectations of him. Since he was raised by his grandfather and uncles on his mother’s side. He must not shame both their family names and prove that he is worthy and capable of becoming the next maga’lahi of Chochogo’!

These quests are tests of courage, skill, tenacity, empathy, and more importantly, a test of his heart!

As for what he knows so far, there will be three quests. Three quests that will ready him for his place as maga’lahi. These quests will really put him to the test.

Ma’tao then thinks to himself, What adventures are in my future? What will cross my path in trying to keep me from my destiny? Will all my training serve me when it is called upon?

These are only a few of the thoughts that are going through his mind at that moment.

But then for that split second, he sees her. And a sense of calm comes over him like a cool gentle breeze on a scorching-hot summer day. Peeking from behind a coconut tree— is Atani! His love from the neighboring yet rival village of Humatak. She has always brought to him a sense of peace. She looks upon him now as if to know she might never see him again, for these quests to manhood have been known to claim lives of young warriors. With just knowing that her love, Ma’tao, is in line to be a maga’lahi, she knows he will be pushed to extreme limits.

As Ma’tao sees her, he starts to recollect all the memories of when they first met and all that they have been through so far, while in love. He takes those memories and he is immediately powered up. All those questions, worry, and doubts that he had moments ago have vanished. For she became the reason why he had to complete these quests. Because if he failed she would be promised to another warrior from another village. Just that thought alone, even though he didn’t want to let down his family, left Ma’tao knowing he had to complete these quests to make sure he is to become maga’lahi and that he is that man who will be with his love Atani!

To uphold honor for his family name! It is of great significance for the Chamoru people that Ma’tao has to always make sure that he does not bring shame to the village or his family. Mahmahlao which also means shame in Chamoru is highly frowned upon in Chamoru society. So with Ma’tao, ever since as far back as he could remember, always took this into account and was always careful of his actions.

A ceremony is being held in honor of Ma’tao where his ancestors are called upon to give him a vision on each and every one of these quests. They will also protect and guide him. It is customary for Chamorus to honor and venerate their ancestors for they are the people that kept the Chamoru culture alive and strong throughout the centuries. Each individual had to do their part in order for the village and clan to survive.

As the ceremony commences Ma’tao sneaks away in order to meet up with Atani to see her one last time before he leaves. He has to do this in secret for if her grandfather, brothers, or anyone for that matter were to find out, it could be trouble for the both of them. Or even worse, it could drum up those feelings of hatred that both villages still have for one another and escalate into another war. So, just like every other day before, they would have to see each other in secret.

To even make the situation more interesting, Ma’tao’s grandfather Maga’lahi Sinahi, who is chieftain of Ati and Atani’s grandfather, Maga’lahi Ahgao of Humatak, were once childhood friends. From the time they were ulitao, they always had each other’s backs and through many battles they were there for one another. Until A great famine struck the island of Guahan and the two villages, which were once allies, became very bitter rivals. So for Ma’tao and Atani to be together, it was strictly forbidden from both sides. The only chance that they could probably have in ever being together is for Ma’tao to complete these quests and become maga’lahi of Chochogo’ his father’s village. In becoming maga’lahi, Ma’tao will be able to provide, protect, and have the resources to keep his love Atani safe and, if anything, prove to her family that he is deserving of her.

As they meet in a secret spot, a cave that was known to them as children. Ma’tao meets his love, holds her passionately as he shares with her his plans to take her away from all this hatred and bitterness from both of their villages. Steps that he had been planning since he first met her and steps he needs to take in order to fulfill the promise he made to her. These quests to them at that moment seem like a means to an end, yet it still stood in their way. These three quests! Three quests that he will need to conquer! And conquer he shall!

Chapter 2

The First Quest Revealed!

Aligao sprinted through the lush jungles of Guahan searching for Ma’tao. Everyone gathered in the village for the revealing of Ma’tao’s first quest... except Ma’tao. His grandfather, Maga’lahi Sinahi, concerned for his safety, sent Aligao to find him.

He was still in the secret cave with his love Atani when he heard the sacred Kulo’ (conch shell) sounding in the distance. He also heard his friend Aligao screaming his name and calling out for him. He embraced and passionately kissed Atani.

Atani, my love. I must go, but I promise to come back, for I cannot bear to be without you. Stay here and I shall return, my love.

Yes my brave Ma’tao, I shall remain here forever longing for your touch. My heart belongs to you, my warrior and I shall wait until the end of all time for you, my love.

Ma’tao bounded down the side of the mountain away from the clandestine cave. He following the shouts of Aligao until they met on the jungle path.

Your grandfather and the whole village are waiting for you! Where have you been? Aligao scolds him.

Ma’tao, acting innocent. I just came up here to gather fadang nuts for grandmother.

Nuts? You better hurry back before your grandfather hangs you by your nuts! quips Aligao, as they both start jogging towards their village.

As they arrive, they are greeted by Maga’lahi Sinahi and his spiritual advisor, Kakhana’ (spiritual leader) Apu, who is going to help reveal the first of Ma’tao’s three quests to manhood, but more importantly to maga’lahi!

The sun had just set, yet you could still see and hear the waves crashing along the ocean shore. There is a big fire burning right dead center in the middle of the village. Next to the fire a group of elders, men along with Maga’lahi Sinahi, are gathered. Maga’haga Unai and a group of elder women are also gathered nearby. A group of women varying in age are gathered in a circle singing and chanting ancient historical songs in the flickering light of the fire. Because in Chamoru society, which is an oral society, these stories are either sung or repeated down to the younger generation to keep the culture alive and prosperous. These songs also are the history of past maga’lahis who took on their own special quests. Some who have succeeded and others who did not. So you could only imagine of the thoughts going through Ma’taos mind at that very moment.

The moment that will decide his fate as he hopes in receiving a vision.

As the villagers gather around the fire and Ma’tao, his grandfather Maga’lahi Sinahi, his great aunt Maga’haga Unai, and the village priest Kakhana Apu approach.

Kakhana Apu holds a coconut shell, it is full of ground hale’ lad’da (morinda citrifolia) mixed with water to make reddish paint. Apu paints Ma’taos whole body with the mixture paying special attention to Ma’tao’s face. The very distinctive markings the kakhana applies to his face indicate Ma’tao’s family and his social status in his village.

The spiritual leader raises both arms, looks up to the heavens and chants, Manmaila’ saina’ta! Manmaila’ saina’ta! Sa’ ini i lahi-hu ulitao Ma’tao!! Which translates to, Come our ancestors! Come our ancestors! For this is our son, the warrior Ma’tao!

Kakhana Apu continues chanting, Bendisi gui gi karera-na! Ti ennao ha’ kumu lahi lao gi dinanche’ na saga-na kumu Maga’lahi! Which translates to. Please bless him as he journeys! not only into manhood but also to his rightful place as maga’lahi!

As he proceeds with the blessing, Ma’tao is now seated on a guafak mat (woven pandanus mat) He is also given a clay cup of a gimen mantiningu’ or the drink of wisdom, a ceremonial tincture made from coconut and hibiscus spirits. This ceremonial drink will put Ma’tao into a trance to have visions and will be guided by his ancestors as they reveal the first quest he will face.

Ma’tao closes his eyes and takes a small sip as the whole village was filled with chanting and song. His breathing begins to slow as the ceremonial drink starts to take effect. The pulsating chants fill his ears and his head and grow softer and more distant as his breathing slows even more. He feels one with the universe, a peaceful calm overcoming him feels like he’s drifting on the water in his proa—a canoe he built with his uncle Sanglo’, his mother’s oldest brother, his memories are so vivid it is as if he was reliving them. He slips into a deeper trance as his silent proa glides over the still waters and into the space between two worlds, the space between reality and the spiritual realm. Ma’tao doesn’t recognize the waters as those around Ati, for he knows those like the back of his hand, but in this place, the waters seem so unfamiliar. As he is looking around his surroundings he notices two extremely high limestone cliffs on both sides of his proa. Between the limestone cliffs is a really bright and extremely blinding white light. The proa starts drifting towards the light. As he draws closer, a shadowy figure starts to appear before him. The figure seems to be floating on some sort of bamboo raft lined with nipa leaves with torches lit and burning with a blue flame in each corner of the raft. The figure, shrouded in blinding light becomes more clear and vivid. The figure is of a man! A man who is the same height as Ma’tao, roughly around six foot five inches tall with the same muscular build. He also has very handsome and welcoming features which Ma’tao notices as the man draws closer to him. This man also has a medium brown to fair complexion with long flowing black hair down to his waist and his body adorned with the finest spondylus and hima jewelry known to all Chamorus. But this man floating towards him has one thing above all that really catches Ma’taos eye and which he completely focuses on. It is the ka’lang (hima pendant) that he is wearing on his neck. A pendant that is only worn by the greatest maga’lahi of the island. But what also makes this pendant special is that it is only worn by the maga’lahi of his mother’s clan the maga’lahi of Ati. When they finally come eye to eye with each other, Ma’tao had a feeling that he knew this man, even though he had had never seen him before in his life. That is when he perceives that this man before him also had a scar on the right side of his face, a scar that he received in battle against a tiger shark! A legendary battle that’s been passed down through the generations.

He heard stories about this legendary battle and this familiar warrior as he was growing up. This man standing before him was his grandfather’s father. His great great grandfather, Maga’lahi Hineti!

As far back as Ma’tao could remember, he’s been told stories that have been passed down from generations of great legendary feats that this man standing before him has faced and conquered. He stares at his great great grandfather in awe and with a puzzled look as to why they are together at that moment.

Hafa adai lahi hu! Maila magi yan gotte i kanaihu, said Maga’lahi Hineti. Which translates to, Hello my son! Come here and take my hand!

At that moment, Ma’tao grabs Maga’lahi Hineti’s hand, steps out of the proa and onto the raft. Just as he places both feet on the raft, he feels the waters around him start to churn up violently. The sky begins to darken, and they start spinning rapidly in circles. They are caught in a whirlpool! The whirlpool keeps spinning faster and faster and building up in speed. The wind and water in the whirlpool together with the sights and sounds within it is a wonder to behold! Then just as quick as it started, they suddenly come to a halt and start to free-fall, with the raft still under them. They free-fall about a good two hundred and fifty to three hundred feet. Ma’tao is stricken with disbelief as they all of a sudden come to a jolting stop. They are now hovering in midair in a pitch black space with no sound at all. The only visible light is the blue flame from the torches on each corner of the raft.

At first Ma’tao is bewildered as to what is happening around him, but as he continues looking around at the environment he is in, there is a certain calm that comes over him especially with Maga’lahi Hineti by his side.

Maga’lahi Hineti yells, Guahu hagas un aliligao! Guahu hagas un aliligao! Maila ya un na’annok hao! Which translates to: It is me you have been looking for! It is me you have been looking for! Come and show yourself!!

As soon as he yells those words, the ocean suddenly appears around them in a circular wall as if they were at the center of a wheel. There is nothing but space between them and the wall of water, no bottom and no top. The wall of ocean water is full of vibrant colors of sea-life. It is a sight to behold!! All the fish Ma’tao knew of since he was a little boy were swimming all around him, even fish and sea life he has never seen before were populating the wall of ocean. As he gazed in awe and amazement he thought, What is this place? It also seemed like it was very familiar to him in some way. And that is when it hit him! This was a very sacred place known only in legend and stories also passed down through the generations. It is an area known to all Chamoru’s as a fisherman’s paradise.

This very special and unique place is called, Apuya’ Tasi, the deepest oceanic trench in the world!! The trench is so deep and so vast that if it wanted to, could swallow up Ma’tao along with his great great grandfather and the raft without even a thought, and no one would even know where they were at or what happened to them!

The thoughts of why he is here, within the deepest trench in the world, with his great great grandfather keep crossing his mind. Maga’lahi Hineti, now filled with excitement, points in front of them and screams! Eyagi! Eyagi! I mang-aniti na guihan Haluu! Which translates to, There he is! There he is! That evil demon fish Haluu!

Ma’tao stares into the sea trying to see what Hineti sees, he notices a huge shadowy figure speeding towards them getting closer and closer, swimming faster and faster, getting bigger and bigger. Ma’tao’s heart starts to beat faster and faster as well. The adrenaline coursing through him is causing him to close his palms and make fists as he prepares himself for whatever this figure is darting towards them. At that moment, the moment right before impact, Ma’tao feels the sensations he knows all too well. The sensations he gets that prepares him for the fight! He cocks his right arm back while his left arm is positioned forward along with his left leg, getting in perfect stance to deliver that first deadly blow. The shadowy figure is now just inches away and that is when Ma’tao launches forward, his fist in perfect alignment to kill this thing. But just as contact is to be made, Maga’lahi Hineti raises both arms in the air and screams, Nanga! and a blue circular force field suddenly appears in between Ma’tao and Haluu. The force field was created from the blue torches surrounding the raft and the ka’lang (hima pendant) around Maga’lahi Hineti’s neck. The force field creates a barrier that protects Ma’tao and Haluu from each other, and also allows Ma’tao to see Haluu for the very first time.

Haluu, who is known as the spirit of the deep is a great, huge tiger shark over 100 feet in length!! He is the protector of the oceans and resides in the deepest waters the, apuya’ tasi.

Though Ma’tao stands ready to fight, he is in utter amazement at the sheer size of Haluu. Haluu, all of a sudden, starts swimming steadily all while staying in place and also staring Ma’tao dead in the eyes as if he’s trying to strike fear into the heart of Ma’tao. Maga’lahi Hineti, while still next to Ma’tao, isn’t at all phased by Haluu, for they both have history together and have battled each other quite a few times.

Ma’tao then turns to his great great grandfather and says, Do you see this? Is this for real?

But before Maga’lahi Hineti can reply, they hear, Of course, I’m real! Come out to me and see just how real I am!! Though he wasn’t moving his mouth, Ma’tao and Maga’lahi Hineti could hear Haluu’s thoughts. Haluu then turns to Maga’lahi Hineti and says, You Again! You have no business here, Hineti! I also see you brought me a snack! He continues swimming around the force field with a sinister and evil laugh!

Maga’lahi Hineti says, Ma’tao, here in the world between worlds, anything is possible!! Always remember that!

Ma’tao couldn’t believe his eyes, yet he still stays fully attentive and aware. He gathers himself before saying, Saina’hu, hafa na konne yu’ guine magi? Which translates to, My elder, why have you brought me here?

That’s the second when Maga’lahi Hineti says, Now! Now is the time you are to know of your first quest of three that will prepare you to become maga’lahi! As he is explaining this to Ma’tao, Haluu is still swimming around attacking the force field while trying to find a way in and intimidate Ma’tao. But Maga’lahi Hineti knows that as long as the blue torches are burning bright and they are in the center, there is no way Haluu could enter because the ka’lang (hima pendant) he’s wearing. And this ka’lang was special to their family. It was known as I Ka’lang I Man Metgot which translates to, the pendant of the strong! This pendant possesses all the ancestral power of all the past maga’lahi of the village of Ati, whom are also the lineage of Ma’tao and his great great grandfather. This special pendant cannot be worn just by anyone. It has to be earned and whomever earns the right to wear it will also possess the power of the strong! Just one example of the pendant’s power, is that as long as it is in the center of the four blue torches and the torches are burning bright, there is no way Haluu would be able to get to them!!

So, that pendant is the source of our family’s power? Ma’tao asks Maga’lahi Hineti.

Yes! He replies. But the pendant also looks deep into the heart of the person! Not just anyone can wear this ka’lang. You have to be pure of heart and this is where your trial begins!

Maga’lahi Hineti, at that precise moment, claps his hands together. And the clap was so thunderous, deafening, and loud that Ma’tao puts his hands over his ears and closes his eyes then as he blinks, he and Maga’lahi Hineti were back on the shores of Ati.

Ma’tao could see the villagers, his friends, and family going about their daily lives, yet Ma’tao and Maga’lahi Hineti could not be seen. He leads Ma’tao to a small cave at the end of the beach. This is a cave where only the matuas (highest caste) would get shade from the scorching afternoon sun. As they enter the dimly lit cave, Ma’tao notices another woven guafak mat before them.

Maga’lahi Hineti then says to Ma’tao, Let’s sit and feast while I tell you of your first quest and why I am here!

And just like that the guafak mat was filled with a great spread of all the food and drink that could be imagined!

As the night carries on with torches lighting the cave, they both eat and drink until their hearts’ content, all the while telling stories with large bouts of laughter scattered in between. Ma’tao then turns to Maga’lahi Hineti and says, Gof magof yu’ guine na puengge! Which translates to, I am very happy tonight! His great great grandfather returns by saying, Kontodu Guahu! Which translates to, "Even