The weapons armory at Sub-Level 4 looked like a cross between a gun shop and a cathedral. Blessed silver gleamed under fluorescent lights while the air carried the faint scent of incense mixed with gun oil a combination that managed to smell both holy and lethal. Day four of Hell Week had claimed three more recruits. One quit after discovering "supernatural combat training" involved actual supernatural creatures in controlled environments. Another washed out during psychological evaluation when it became clear his motivation was revenge fantasy rather than protective service. The third simply vanished during the night, leaving only a note apologizing for "not being strong enough for this life." "Your life depends on understanding these tools," Agent Reyes announced, stopping before ammunition that seemed to glow with inner light. "Standard bullets won't kill aswang they'll just make them angry and more dangerous. Salt rounds cause chemical burns but won't stop them permanently. On

The convoy reached Barangay Tala-orani, just as the sun began its descent toward the tree line, casting long shadows across rice fields that reminded the twins painfully of home. The village looked like hundreds of others scattered across rural Philippines wooden houses on stilts, narrow dirt roads, a small chapel at the center, and roosters that should have been reassuring but somehow weren’t. "Population: 287," Agent Fernandez announced as their modified vehicles rolled to a stop near the barangay hall. "Primary industries: rice farming, fishing, some logging. No cell tower coverage within fifteen kilometers." The twins climbed out, immediately noticing how quiet the village seemed for late afternoon. Back in San Roque, this would be when children played in streets and families gathered for evening meals. Here, the windows were shuttered despite the warm weather. A few faces peeked out from curtains before quickly vanishing. "Where is everyone?" Carmen asked, scanning the de

The entrance to the tunnel system yawned before them like the mouth of some ancient beast, half-hidden behind overgrown vegetation on the hillside east of Barangay Malaya. Dawn light barely penetrated the forest canopy above, casting everything in an eerie green twilight that made Denmar's skin crawl. "Found it," Miguel announced quietly, his detection equipment registering massive supernatural energy signatures emanating from the opening. "This is definitely their den." The tunnel entrance was larger than any of them had expected easily six feet across and carved with precision that suggested intelligence rather than natural formation. Ancient stonework framed the opening, worn smooth by generations of use, with fresh claw marks scratched deep into the surrounding rock face. "Jesus," Marden whispered, running his fingers along the carved stonework. "How old is this thing?" "Pre-colonial, at minimum," Agent Fernandez replied, studying the construction patterns with professional in

The forest morning air should have felt like salvation after escaping the Sigbin tunnels, but Denmar's hands were still shaking. Not from fear from rage. The Trainer's casual words about children being "used up in the training process" echoed in his head like a curse he couldn't shake. "You okay?" Marden asked quietly, noticing his brother's clenched fists. "Those kids," Denmar muttered. "The siblings from neighboring Barangay. They were probably down there while we were shooting." Miguel's detection equipment interrupted their moment of processing with urgent beeping. "We've got movement. Multiple contacts emerging from tunnel entrances we didn't even know existed." Agent Fernandez looked up from checking her ammunition. "How many?" "At least twenty, maybe more. And they're not scattered they're coordinating." Miguel's voice carried the strain of someone who'd hoped they were done fighting for the day. "Boss, these aren't random survivors. This looks organized." Jose appe

The tactical briefing room buzzed with urgent energy as satellite imagery filled the holographic displays. Agent Fernandez moved with the efficiency of someone who'd done this too many times, overlaying thermal scans and intelligence data while the team absorbed the scope of what they were facing. "Barangay San Miguel, Nueva Ecija province," she announced, highlighting a mountain village that looked deceptively peaceful from aerial view. "Three children disappeared over the past week ages seven, nine, and ten. All matching the target profiles we documented from the command center." Marden leaned forward, studying the terrain with growing urgency. "How long since the last abduction?" "Eighteen hours," Agent Fernandez replied. "If the Project Sunshine timeline holds, we might still be within the reversal window for at least one of them." Denmar's analytical mind processed the tactical implications. "They're establishing a replacement facility after we eliminated their command cente