Chapter 2.5

Chapter 2.5: Livestream Update - The Mystery Deepens

The small inn room was filled with a cozy, subdued light. Ryan, Shane, and Steven sat around a laptop on the desk, their faces glowing in the screen's soft illumination. The livestream chat was a whirlwind of comments, filled with excitement, theories, and an endless flow of questions from their audience. Filipino viewers dominated the conversation, throwing in a mix of English and Tagalog phrases that scrolled past too quickly to read.

Ryan adjusted his headset, his usual enthusiasm bubbling over. "Alright, everyone, welcome back to another livestream! We're here in Baguio City, and let me just say-this place is blowing our minds. From the breathtaking forests to the energy of the city streets, this is shaping up to be one of our most incredible investigations yet. To our Filipino fans, salamat! You've been amazing with all your tips and insights."

Shane raised his coffee mug lazily, grinning. "Let me tell you, I thought Ryan had finally lost it when he said we were flying halfway across the world for a Reddit thread. But this? This has been worth every second."

Steven chimed in, his calm demeanor grounding the chaos. "We've barely scratched the surface, and already, we've come across stories and sightings that are unlike anything we've ever encountered. For those just joining, you're in for something special tonight."

The chat exploded with comments:

KabayanMysteryFan: "YESSSS finally they're in Baguio! Look for the Sacred Forest, please!"

Tagabaguio14: "Talk to the elders! They know the old stories better than anyone!"

GhostHunterPH: "You guys better be careful! These goddesses are not just myths."

Ryan laughed, glancing at the overwhelming flood of messages. "Alright, let's take it from the top. A lot of you are asking how we even heard about Luna and Tala in the first place. The answer? A Reddit thread."

Shane smirked. "Because, of course, our most reliable source for investigative journalism is Reddit."

Ryan shot him a mock glare. "Hey, don't knock it. This thread was something else. It was titled 'The Goddesses of Baguio: Myth or Modern Mystery?' At first, it sounded like your typical urban legend-two supposed goddesses, Luna and Tala, who aren't just ancient myths but are rumored to be living right here in Baguio. The posts talked about strange sightings and encounters, all leading back to a place called the Sacred Forest. I was hooked."

Steven leaned forward. "The more we dug, the more compelling it got. These weren't just random ghost stories; they were accounts from locals, travelers, even tourists, all describing these two women as otherworldly. Some claimed they had glowing auras, others said they felt a strange calm just being near them. It was enough to make us book our flights."

Ryan nodded eagerly. "And the first day we got here? We had our first sighting."

The livestream comments exploded:

MangoLover92: "Wait, you saw Luna?? How did she look?!"

SkylineBites: "NO WAY!!! What happened?!"

Ryan leaned closer to the camera, lowering his voice like he was about to share a ghost story. "We were walking down Session Road-it's one of the busiest streets in Baguio, full of people, noise, and shops. And then, in the middle of the crowd, I saw her. A woman dressed in white, moving through the chaos like it didn't even touch her. She wasn't lost or hurried; she was calm, purposeful. I couldn't look away."

The livestream comments exploded:

Jules26: "Session Road??? That's like the busiest place! How'd you spot her there?"

AteMariah: "Session Road is so crowded, how did you spot her there?!"

Shane grinned, cutting in. "And then Ryan does what Ryan does best-he starts stalking her."

"I wasn't stalking!" Ryan protested, laughing. "I just... followed her. Okay, maybe I dragged you guys along too."

Steven chuckled. "Dragged is putting it lightly. You were like a bloodhound on a scent."

Ryan rolled his eyes but continued. "She led us to a Starbucks café. She sat down, ordered her drink, and just... relaxed, like she wasn't the center of the universe's biggest mystery. I tried to take a photo, but..."

He held up his phone, showing the blurry, unrecognizable image.

Shane snorted. "Ladies and gentlemen, the pinnacle of investigative photography."

The chat went wild:

KapePH: "OMG she was at Starbucks?? What did she order? LOL"

WatcherSuperFan: "That's not blurry, that's ghost-level evidence!"

Ryan shook his head, grinning. "Laugh all you want, but I know what I saw. And that wasn't the last time. On our second day, we were filming at Burnham Park, and there she was again. Same calm presence, same air of mystery. But before we could approach, she vanished."

From the Livestream comments:

CreepyFangirl: "She's playing games with you guys, I swear."

ChocoSyrup42: "Classic move. They are always two steps ahead."

Steven leaned into the camera. "Here's the plan, everyone. Tomorrow, we're interviewing locals, including village elders who've lived here their whole lives. If anyone knows the truth behind Luna and Tala, it's them. Their stories go back generations, and we're hoping they'll give us some answers."

Ryan added, "We're also heading to the outskirts of the Sacred Forest. It's said to be their domain, and while we don't know the exact location, we've got some leads."

Shane raised an eyebrow. "Or we'll get hopelessly lost and eaten by something that doesn't exist. Either way, it's going to be a good time."

The chat lit up:

KapwaTayo: "Sacred Forest? You're crazy, guys. But good luck!"

BaganWatcher: "Don't forget to bring offerings! Respect is key."

ZKfanClub: "Luna and Tala are watching you. Be careful!"

Ryan grinned at the camera, his excitement infectious. "Thanks for sticking with us, everyone. This is just the beginning. We've got so much more to uncover, and we're taking you along for the ride. Same weird time, same weird place tomorrow. See you then!"

As they signed off, the room buzzed with energy. Outside, the city streets were alive with the whispers of its ancient mysteries, waiting for their next step.

CHAPTER END