Mayari and the Moon Eating Dragon by Amihan Krystal de Leon – SEE SAW Comics, Webcomics from the Sequential Artists Workshop

Mayari and the Moon Eating Dragon by Amihan Krystal de Leon

“My name is Mayari. I’m the Goddess of the Moon and Revolutions. I lost my eye in a battle for the skies long ago, but my luminosity continues to shine. My brother Apolaki is the God of the Sun and War. His radiance and warmth bestows light and energy upon the world. Hanna is my youngest sister. She is the Goddess of Dawn and Change. She embodies healing and new beginnings. My sister Tala is the Goddess of the Stars and Sky, known for her free spirit and guiding light in the darkness.” The gods are all young Filipino adults dressed in ornamental jewelry and accompanied by symbols of their domain: a crescent moon, a sun, a violet sky, and a star.

“As for the moon-eating dragon, he has been known by many names. Bakunawa, Kedu, Sawa, Olimaw, Minokawa…I know him as the Laho. We have battled atop mountains since the birth of this island. He almost feels like an old friend. But he must devour the moon, and I must protect it. So it has always been.” Mayari holds a staff in each hand surrounded by twinkles of moonlight as a purple dragon soars overhead, trying to swallow the moon.

“MODERN DAY PHILIPPINES” “And so it shall always be.” The gods are now dressed in contemporary Filipino fashion, waiting in a tea shop and listening to a radio that says, “A solar eclipse will occur right after Christmas Day, creating a ‘Ring of Fire’ effect, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.” Apolaki says, “Try to finish him off before ten this time. I want to binge Encantadia.” Both sisters say, “Me too!”

Mayari says, “I can’t make any promises. I’ll try my best.” From off panel, the siblings chime in, “Don’t forget to pack snacks this time! / Ooh, yes! Let’s bring MOON cakes. / What a STELLAR idea!” A plate of moon cakes, pastries with decorative tops, sits on a table. Mayari narrates, “Some of my earliest memories are of battling the Laho. This is what has always been done. Since the gods were free and the world was our oyster. Now I feel like an empty shell whose old life has long gone. Too much has changed. I’ve changed. Is he tired, too?” In one frame, an airplane flies through the air; in another, Mayari, back in her gown, looks past a range of mountains up at the moon.”

Laho the violet dragon pops out of clouds. A close-up of Mayari’s eye, looking concerned. Mayari narrates, “It was only then that I noticed the Laho’s scarred scales, sickly pallor, and wearied bearing.” She then asks the dragon, “Tell me, why do you try to eat the moon?” Laho responds, “No one has ever asked me that before. I…don’t know. But to tell you the truth, I’m so, so hungry.”

Mayari replies, “Oh, sorry about that. Honestly, I could use a snack, too. While I can’t let you eat the moon, why don’t I give you the next best thing? It’s a mooncake.” She extends her arm out, mooncake in hand. The dragon leans in and says, “A MOON cake? (munch munch) Just like I always imagined…” Smiling, Laho says, “Thank you!” The siblings stand by Mayari now, saying, “We have three more boxes! / I finished one on the way here! / We have two more boxes!”

Published On: July 8, 2024

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