Chapter 4 — KAMANDAG vs. HUDAS
By the time Cedrick reached Grade 10, his name had become well known inside Ezekiel National University.
He was still one of the top students in his class.
He still received honors.
But outside the classroom, things were very different.
Cedrick had become deeply involved with KAMANDAG.
Under Supremo’s leadership, the group had gained a strong reputation. Other gangs knew better than to challenge them without thinking twice.
Cedrick, known as Anghel, had become one of Supremo’s most trusted members.
Whenever trouble started, he was often there.
The victories made KAMANDAG more confident.
Too confident.
Soon, their rivalry with other groups became worse.
One of their biggest enemies was a gang called HUDAS, led by a man named Hector, who was known by the nickname Boy Lason.
For months, the two groups stayed away from each other.
But everyone knew it was only a matter of time before they crossed paths again.
Nobody expected what would happen next.
It was the birthday of Cedrick’s older sister, Shayne.
Norman and Alice wanted the whole family to celebrate together.
Instead of having a simple party at home, Norman surprised everyone with a family vacation.
They would spend three days on a quiet island.
When they arrived, Cedrick immediately noticed how different the place was.
There were no busy streets.
No traffic.
No noisy neighbors.
And, most importantly, there was almost no phone signal.
Shayne laughed when she saw Cedrick checking his phone.
“Give up. There’s no signal here.”
Cedrick smiled.
“Maybe that’s a good thing.”
For the first time in a long while, Cedrick forgot about school and KAMANDAG.
He spent time with his parents, Brandon, and Shayne.
They ate together, swam in the clear water, played games, and watched the sunset.
That night, they gathered around a small table near the beach.
Shayne blew out the candles on her birthday cake.
“Thank you, everyone,” she said.
Alice hugged her daughter.
Cedrick smiled.
For three days, the Ferrer family enjoyed their time together.
Cedrick did not know that while he was laughing with his family, his other family was facing its worst night.
Back in the city, KAMANDAG was gathered at their usual place.
Supremo was talking with several members when one of them suddenly noticed motorcycles stopping outside.
“Supremo…”
He pointed toward the entrance.
Several men were getting off the motorcycles.
Then more appeared behind them.
Supremo immediately stood.
“HUDAS.”
The room became tense.
Hector, also known as Boy Lason, walked toward the entrance.
He had brought a large group with him.
The two gangs had finally met.
And this time, neither side intended to walk away quietly.
The confrontation quickly turned into chaos.
Members of both groups rushed at each other.
Furniture was knocked over.
Windows broke.
People shouted as the fight spread throughout the place.
KAMANDAG fought back, but HUDAS had brought more men.
Then Hector pulled out a gun.
The sound of the first shot changed everything.
Several KAMANDAG members fell to the ground.
Others ran for cover.
In a matter of minutes, more than twenty of KAMANDAG’s members were injured.
The group that had once seemed unbeatable was suddenly struggling to survive.
Supremo looked around.
His friends were hurt.
Some were unable to stand.
But he refused to run.
He looked directly at Hector.
“You want me?”
Hector smiled.
“That’s exactly why I’m here.”
Supremo charged toward him.
The two leaders fought while the rest of the members continued struggling around them.
For several minutes, neither one gave up.
But Supremo eventually gained the advantage.
Hector fell to the ground.
The fight appeared to be over.
Supremo turned away.
He thought it was finished.
He was wrong.
Hector slowly moved across the floor.
His hand reached for the gun.
He grabbed it.
Supremo did not see him.
Hector raised the weapon.
Then someone stepped between them.
Jerick.
His KAMANDAG name was Dilim.
He was one of Cedrick’s closest friends.
Dilim had seen what was about to happen.
Without thinking, he moved in front of Supremo.
A gunshot echoed through the building.
Dilim stumbled backward.
Supremo caught him before he hit the ground.
“Dilim!”
Jerick looked at his leader.
His face was pale.
“Supremo…”
He tried to speak, but his voice became weak.
Supremo held him tightly.
“Stay with me!”
Jerick slowly shook his head.
“I did what I had to do.”
Moments later, Jerick became still.
Supremo stared at his friend in disbelief.
The man who had always stood beside him was gone.
Then, in the distance, police sirens began to grow louder.
Everyone panicked.
“Police!”
The remaining members of both groups scattered.
Some escaped through the back.
Others ran into nearby streets.
Those who were injured were left behind and later taken to the hospital.
The police arrived only minutes later.
The place that had once been a gathering spot for KAMANDAG was now filled with broken furniture, bloodstains, and silence.
The war was over.
But KAMANDAG had lost badly.
Three days later, Cedrick and his family returned from their vacation.
As soon as they arrived home, Cedrick noticed something strange.
His phone was filled with missed calls and messages.
Most of them were from KAMANDAG members.
He immediately called one of them.
“What’s going on?”
There was silence on the other end.
Then the voice answered.
“Anghel… you haven’t heard?”
Cedrick’s heart began beating faster.
“Heard what?”
The member took a deep breath.
“HUDAS attacked us.”
Cedrick froze.
“What?”
“They attacked our place while you were away.”
Cedrick could barely speak.
“How many were hurt?”
“More than twenty.”
Cedrick sat down.
“And Supremo?”
“He survived.”
Cedrick felt a small sense of relief.
Then came the words that broke him.
“But Dilim…”
The voice stopped.
Cedrick already knew.
“No.”
“He’s gone, Anghel.”
Cedrick lowered his phone.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the floor.
Jerick was not just another member.
He was his friend.
Someone he had laughed with.
Someone who had stood beside him through countless problems.
And now he was dead.
Cedrick clenched his fists.
“Why didn’t anyone call me?”
“You were with your family. We couldn’t reach you.”
Cedrick closed his eyes.
For the first time, he realized how close he had come to losing his own life.
If he had been there, things could have ended differently.
Or perhaps he could have been the one lying on that floor.
That evening, Cedrick went to the hospital.
Several KAMANDAG members were still being treated.
Some had broken bones.
Others had serious injuries.
The hospital hallway was unusually quiet.
Cedrick saw Supremo sitting alone.
His leader looked completely different.
The confident man Cedrick once knew was gone.
Supremo looked tired.
Broken.
Cedrick sat beside him.
“I’m sorry about Dilim.”
Supremo stared at the floor.
“He saved my life.”
Cedrick said nothing.
After a moment, Supremo continued.
“He shouldn’t have died.”
Cedrick looked at him.
“Maybe none of us should have been there.”
Supremo slowly looked at him.
Neither spoke.
They both knew the truth.
KAMANDAG had gone too far.
What started as friendship and loyalty had turned into something dangerous.
Too many people had been hurt.
And now someone had died.
A few days later, Supremo called a meeting.
Only the remaining members who were not in the hospital attended.
Everyone expected him to talk about revenge.
Everyone thought he would order them to attack HUDAS.
Instead, Supremo stood quietly in front of them.
“KAMANDAG is finished.”
The room became silent.
One member stood.
“What?”
Supremo looked around.
“We lost too many people.”
Someone shook his head.
“We can’t just let HUDAS win.”
“This isn’t about winning anymore,” Supremo replied.
He looked at the empty seat that once belonged to Dilim.
“This group has already taken too much from us.”
Cedrick stood at the back of the room.
He understood.
For the first time, he did not feel angry.
He felt tired.
Supremo continued.
“From today, KAMANDAG is disbanded.”
Nobody spoke.
Some looked shocked.
Others lowered their heads.
Cedrick looked around the room.
These were the people he had once called his brothers.
But now, they were going their separate ways.
There would be no more meetings.
No more gang wars.
No more proving who was stronger.
No more revenge.
KAMANDAG was finished.
After the meeting, Cedrick remained outside.
Supremo walked toward him.
“You’re young, Anghel.”
Cedrick looked at him.
“You still have a future.”
Cedrick stayed quiet.
“You’re one of the smartest students I’ve ever met,” Supremo continued. “Don’t throw that away because of us.”
Cedrick looked toward the street.
For years, he had believed that being feared made him strong.
Now he understood something different.
Being strong did not mean having the courage to fight.
Sometimes, it meant having the courage to walk away.
“I understand,” Cedrick finally said.
Supremo placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Then don’t come back.”
Cedrick nodded.
That night, he returned home.
His parents were waiting for him.
Alice looked at him carefully.
“You seem quiet.”
Cedrick forced a small smile.
“I’m just tired, Mom.”
He went to his room and closed the door.
He looked at his school books sitting on the desk.
For years, his talent had given him a bright future.
But he had nearly thrown it away.
Cedrick picked up one of his books.
Then he looked at himself in the mirror.
The boy staring back at him still had the face people called Anghel.
But inside, something had changed.
He was done with the gang life.
Done with pointless fights.
Done with trying to prove himself.
He wanted a different future.
A peaceful one.
He wanted to focus on school again.
And this time, he would not let anyone pull him back into the world he had finally escaped.
Next Chapter on Tuesday