Magic and Deceit

Prologue

The Unit Apolaki suffered in silence as they climbed up  a mountain to hunt an aswang. They have been on-foot  for many hours now, with their ridiculously heavy equipment hugging their bodies. Their tired breaths joined with the exhalation of trees. The breeze would be comforting if the circumstances were different. If they weren't wearing a full black tactical armor and carrying heavy semi-automatic rifles. The imposing trees watched their endless march, its height nearly obscuring the moonlight. You could say that this is an ideal spot for a rugged, outdoor adventure. But relaxation and vacation aren't what's on the Unit's minds right now. The darkness that spanned around them might hide aswangs, who can easily snatch them up and rip them apart.

Chances of that happening are slim thankfully, as their helmets were equipped with night vision and enchanted to sense anomalies. Meaning aswangs of course.

The almost rhythmic crunching of branches and dead leaves stopped suddenly, as the line of marching operatives stopped. Agent Juan sat on the ground and leaned at a tree then took out a bottle of water from his backpack. He chugged it down like a lost traveler in the middle of the desert. The members of the Apolaki Unit stared in disbelief as anger and annoyance took over them. Not all of them though. A handful of the members followed his example and decided to take a little break. 

"Agent Juan, what do you think you're doing." Agent Carpio asked as he walked over and stood over him menacingly, like an angry giant to Juan's perspective. But Juan ain't no coward, he removed his helmet, revealing his clear face and a grin that could win the heart of women and men alike. "I'm taking a little bit of time to rest sir." He replied with a grin and a wink. "It's been two and a half hours since we've climbed this mountain, of course I'd get tired. I'm just a human, oh wait a special one but I get tired too you know." He looked at his left, where those who followed Juan's example watched the brewing conflict in anticipation. Not just them, even the hardened agents of the unit watched underneath their helmets as they stood behind Agent Carpio.

"Well Agent Juan, since you're fresh blood in this unit let me remind you the details of this mission. We have been tasked by General Luna to hunt down an aswang ring, which according to intelligence and local reports are hiding at that cave somewhere around here." Agent Carpio replied sternly, like a father telling his son to study."So that means we need to move fast. Meaning there would be no unnecessary breaks." He turned to the men who followed Agent Juan's example, and their mood went from relaxed to scared. The new recruits started scratching their heads, stood up and slowly put on their helmets. The shame they carried seemed to have put restraints on their legs.

But Juan Pusong wasn't deterred at all. This time he unwrapped a half-finished sandwich and started munching on it while replying. "Well, you're right I'm a special guest in this unit-- a temporary replacement. Filling for someone. I'm not or rather we're not built for this stuff." Juan replied then gestured to the newcomers. Agent Carpio couldn't reply right away. He knew that Lazy Juan was right. He is just a newcomer, and the others are fresh blood.  Like an incomplete sword unfit for wielding.

"Experienced or not I don't give a damn. We need to keep moving. Unless you want your insides be torn out and eaten right in front of your eyes then you are welcome to stay here." Agent Carpio's tone got harsher. Agent Juan still wasn't even impressed. He finished his sandwhich even if he was being pierced by stares from his superior to the other members of the Unit. He simply shrugged, stood up and cleaned his whole uniform before wearing his helmet again.

"Captain, permission to speak sir." Agent Carpio turned around and saw Agent Gabriela standing firmly without her helmet on. Even in the darkness, he can see sweat covering her tanned skin and he can hear her faint panting. He nodded, and Agent Gabriela then laid out her idea to them. "Instead of climbing this fucking mountain blindly, why don't I try scrying the area to see where those aswangs are hiding. It's less time-consuming and less exhausting."