SB19's Justin makes debut as Ec'naad, the gatekeeper of Devas

SB19's Justin De Dios finally made his highly-anticipated debut in "Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre!"

On Monday's episode, Pirena (Glaiza De Castro), Terra (Bianca Umali), Flamarra (Faith Da Silva), Adamus (Kelvin Miranda), and Deia (Angel Guardian) safely arrived in Devas, where they encountered Ec'naad (Justin).

The warrior is the gatekeeper of Devas, who said the living had no permission the enter the heavenly realm.

Pirena said they are not just anyone but Sang'gres, and her companions are the destined keepers of the elemental gems.

Ec'naad said they must defeat him first, but when Pirena volunteered to face him, he said the young Sang'gres should be the ones to fight.

Terra, Flamarra, Adamus, and Deia then began to attack Ec'naad, but he was too fast for them and easily took them down one by one.

Ec'naad taunted them after their slow movements, but Terra thought of a plan and shared it to Flamarra, Adamus, and Deia.

When they restarted the fight, Terra stayed back while the other three attacked Ec'naad. The warrior escaped being trapped using his speed, but Terra used the ivictus to catch up to him instantly and made him yield with her blade at his neck.

Ec'naad said ivictus was not allowed in the fight, but Terra said he did not say so in the beginning. He conceded the point but told the Sang'gres that their test did not end there.

He made them leave their weapons on the ground and asked them to answer a riddle: "Kung ang katumbas ng Tubig ay umaagos, ang sa Hangin ay malaya, ang sa Apoy ay umaalab, ano naman ang sa Lupa?"

Flamarra answered "lindol," but it was wrong. As punishment, a third of their bodies disappeared. The group had two more guesses, but should they get both wrong, they will become ivtres (spirits).

Adamus answered "malawak," but it was also wrong. Pirena scolded him for his careless answer as another third of their bodies disappeared.

Deia told Terra she would not attempt to answer, leaving everything up to her. Terra prayed to Bathalang Emre to guide her, and then gave her answer: "buhay."

Her answer was correct and their bodies returned to normal. But the Sang'gres still have one final thing to do before they could enter Devas.

Ec'naad summoned five daggers and told the group that they have to slash their palms with it, so they would die.

They were all shocked to hear that, but Ec'naad said it would only be a temporary death so they could enter the heavenly realm. Terra and Deia refused to do it, but the warrior said everyone must do it, or no one would be allowed in.

"Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre" airs weeknights on GMA Prime at 8 p.m. after "24 Oras." You can also watch it on YouTube via the Kapuso Stream. —MGP, GMA Integrated News