The story begins in Central Visayas during the pre-colonial period, where natives and diwatas (gods) live together in harmony, harvesting the earth's and sea's bounties, guided and loved by Laon (the Creator). Ynaguiguinid, the goddess of war, falls in love with a tribesman; they marry and soon welcome their demigod child, but they face a pitiful separation when chaos, destruction, and death come with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors who aim to spread Christianity and take control of the strategic trade routes and control the archipelago's resources. Due to wounds from a battle to defend the settlement, Ynaguiguinid transfers all of her powers to her lifeless son; he re-animates, she perishes. The baby is later found and raised by native couple Tarong and Linang, who name him Malaya after a Tagalog word that means