After the intense battle on the Loboc River, the group retreated to the Mayor’s Rest House to recover. Leigh, ever composed but deeply concerned for her grandfather, carefully tended to the General’s shoulder wound. Her movements were deliberate, her expression a mix of worry and frustration.

“Lolo, hold still. You’re making this harder,” she said while wrapping the bandage.

The General chuckled, brushing off the injury as if it were nothing. “It’s just a scratch, apo. You should’ve seen what I dealt with back in Mindanao. A blade through my leg, and I still managed to hold the line,” he boasted, his voice full of humor despite the situation.

Before Leigh could retort, Dominic’s phone buzzed, drawing his attention. His eyes widened in shock as he scrolled through the screen. “What the hell!” he exclaimed, the panic in his voice catching everyone’s attention.

Leigh looked up from her task. “What is it now?” she asked, her tone sharp with curiosity and a hint of annoyance.

Dominic thrust his phone toward her, his face pale. “Someone took a video of our fight with the Ongos,” he said, disbelief lacing his words.

Marcos, sitting calmly nearby, glanced at the phone and let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s... certainly a problem,” he said, his steady demeanor unshaken.

Leigh turned toward Arden, who was sitting silently in the corner, deep in thought. She huffed, annoyed by his apparent indifference. “Stone Arden,” she said with a playful growl. “You don’t even care, do you?”

Arden, jolted from his thoughts, gave her a bewildered look, earning a round of laughter from everyone, even the injured bodyguards. Leigh leaned back, adopting a mock-pouting tone. “There goes my low profile. I never wanted to be famous!”

The General burst into laughter, his hearty chuckles filling the room. “Oh, apo, famous or not, trouble always seems to find us. Might as well enjoy the ride!”

Dominic, now scrolling through the video’s comments with Marcos, chimed in. “Wow, look at these comments! ‘Are they filming a movie?’ ‘What kind of special effects let someone walk on water?’ ‘OMG, is this a secret government task force?’”

Marcos nodded, his expression still composed but with a faint smirk. “We’ve even hit the news. It’s all over the headlines.”

Dominic read aloud a segment from a news anchor’s report: “A mysterious group of individuals was caught on camera battling what appears to be mythical creatures on the Loboc River. The footage has gone viral, sparking debates about the supernatural and the capabilities of our government’s heroes.”

The group shared a collective laugh, finding humor in their newfound fame despite the implications.

But the laughter shifted to a halt when the Governor of Cebu burst into the room, her face etched with worry. Though she was 10 years younger than the General, his recent breakthrough seemed to have narrowed the age gap, giving them an almost equal presence. Her gaze scanned the room, pausing briefly on the General before she spoke.

“What happened? Is everyone alright?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

The group, caught mid-laughter, looked at her in surprise. Dominic was the first to speak. “Governor, we’re fine. Look—check this out. We’re internet famous!”

The Governor sighed heavily, her tension easing but not entirely vanishing. “Guess I was worried for nothing,” she said, her shoulders relaxing. She turned to the General, her gaze lingering longer than intended. “General, that recklessness of yours hasn’t changed, has it?” Her voice softened at the end, betraying a deeper concern, almost like a teenager fretting over her boyfriend. She quickly added with a teasing smirk, “Try not to make my job harder next time.”

The room fell silent, jaws dropping for a beat, before a collective “Ooooooh!” filled the air.

Her face flushed red. “Ehem,” she coughed awkwardly, attempting to regain composure, which only made everyone laugh harder.

As the laughter subsided, her expression turned serious. “I have a message from the President,” she announced, her tone commanding as she handed the General an envelope with the official seal.

“The President sends his congratulations on your successful mission. He also said not to worry about the video and public reaction; he will handle it personally.”

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The General leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. “As expected of the President,” he said with a resigned sigh, his trust in the leader evident.

The Governor continued, her tone grave. “There’s a second mission. The President has ordered you to investigate The Shadows of Panglao. It seems the situation there is far more complicated than we initially thought.”

The room grew quiet, the weight of the new mission settling over the group. Leigh exchanged a glance with Arden, who remained composed but alert. Dominic twirled his wand excitedly, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips despite the somber atmosphere.

“Well,” the General said, breaking the silence with his characteristic humor, “looks like we’re not getting any rest after all.”

The group burst into laughter once again, their camaraderie intact as excitement brewed for their next adventure.

In a private room of the Rest House, the five Masters and the Governor gathered for a serious discussion. “How’s the situation there?” the General asked, his tone grave.

The Governor explained with equal gravity, “There have been reports of citizens going missing after entering a cave in Panglao. Recently, there have been sightings of multicolored lights emanating from a specific cave. Just two weeks ago, an old man reported that his grandson entered the cave and hasn’t returned since. Our investigation team immediately informed the President upon receiving this information. That’s why this mission has such an urgent order. Although he’s concerned about your condition, he feels there is no other choice but to send you on another dangerous mission.”

The General burst into laughter, his voice breaking the somber mood. “Oh, Mr. President, still a scaredy-cat as ever! Tell him I’m taking this mission. But he owes me a drink for this one.”

He turned to the four Masters, his expression serious once more. “This time, it will just be the five of us. Let the others go home to Cebu and take a day off.” His tone carried finality. “I leave that to you, Gwenny.” His words to the Governor were laced with affection.

The Governor accepted the order with the demeanor of a soldier receiving an assignment. The room grew quiet as all eyes turned to her. The tension lingered until the General broke it with a forced laugh. “Everyone should sleep early. We leave before the sun rises tomorrow.”

The following morning, they were sent off by the Mayor of Bohol, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for their heroic deeds. The Governor sailed back to Cebu with the remaining bodyguards, ensuring they could rest and recover.

The Masters departed swiftly for Panglao. A jewel of the Visayas, Panglao is one of the Philippines' most famous tourist destinations, known for its world-class beaches like Alona Beach, thriving marine life, and vibrant dive spots. Tourists flock from all over the world to experience its serene resorts, lively nightlife, and breathtaking sunset views over the crystal-clear waters. Yet beneath its idyllic beauty lies a mysterious edge, hinted at by the coral caves and dense mangroves that dot its terrain, which provide a stark contrast to the sunny, bustling tourist areas. Upon their arrival, the group was greeted by the Mayor of Panglao, who provided a concise report on the troubling events. The Mayor, visibly troubled, guided them to the old man who had first reported the incident.

The elderly man, his voice trembling with desperation, begged them to find his grandson. His eyes were filled with tears as he clutched the General’s hands. “Please, bring him back… dead or alive.”

The General’s expression softened as he replied, “We’ll do our best to rescue anyone. Dead or alive, you have my word.”

Not wasting any time, the five Masters prepared themselves and urgently set out for the mysterious Panglao Cave, their mission clear and their resolve unshaken.

The coral caves loomed ahead; their jagged entrance framed by dense mangroves. The air grew cooler as twilight deepened, casting long shadows across the uneven terrain. The group stood at the entrance, their presence commanding yet calm. Arden stepped forward first, his movements deliberate. He scanned the darkened opening with a quiet confidence. “Hmm, interesting,” he said, almost to himself. “Something’s waiting for us inside.”

Marcos nodded, his expression neutral but watchful. “It’s guarding something.” Since his breakthrough to the Agos Realm, he could freely sense spiritual energy.

“Which means we’re on the right path,” the General said, his tone even but charged with energy. “Let’s stay sharp.”

Leigh adjusted her stance, her gaze steady. “Yeah, look who’s talking,” she teased, scolding him lightly. The General burst into laughter again, breaking the tension.

Dominic spun his staff, illuminating the path ahead. “Ready when you are,” he said, his voice tinged with excitement. He was eager to see what awaited them within the cave. Without another word, the group stepped into the shadows, their footsteps echoing softly against the coral walls.

The air turned colder as they ventured deeper. The coral walls shimmered faintly, their crystalline surfaces reflecting the soft light Dominic conjured from his staff. Pools of water dotted the uneven ground, their surfaces rippling with no visible cause.

“This place is alive,” Marcos observed, his voice low but steady. “Every movement feels... intentional.”

“It’s testing us,” Arden said, grinning, his tone mocking. He crouched by a pool, brushing his hand over the water. “Trying to gauge who we are, huh?”

The General walked beside him, his posture relaxed but ready. “Oh, my hands are itching for a good fight now.”

Leigh trailed her fingers along the wall, her gaze fixed ahead. “I just hope someone will not be careless and get injured again.” Dominic held back his laughter, listening intently. “Ouch! That really hits the spot.”

As they moved further, Leigh began to hear faint whispers that filled the air. The voices rose and fell like a distorted melody, their tones swirling around her as if calling her. Leigh paused, her head tilting slightly. “Do you hear that?”

Dominic turned to look at Leigh, confused. “Hear what?”

Arden glanced ahead; his expression steady. “So, it’s waiting for her, huh? What now?”