The soft morning light streamed through the grand windows of the Sentinel's Peak Estate, bathing the room in a warm, golden hue. General Leoncio Valverde sat at the long dining table, savoring a quiet moment with a traditional Cebuano breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed sikwate mingled with the faint sweetness of puto and the comforting warmth of freshly baked pandesal. It was a moment of peace, a fleeting reprieve from the whirlwind of events that had become his life.

The General leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the sprawling gardens outside. Despite the tranquility, his thoughts lingered on the events of Bohol and Panglao and the looming presence of the Dark Arcana. He was about to take another sip of his sikwate when the sound of a car pulling up the driveway broke his reverie.

The arrival of two familiar figures shattered the calm. President Rolando Delos Santos stepped out of the vehicle, his commanding presence softened by a warm, teasing smile. Governor Gwen Alcoriza followed; her sharp, professional demeanor offset by the faintest hint of a smile as she caught sight of the General waiting for them.

"Leon!" the President greeted, his voice carrying through the room as he entered. "Enjoying the celebrity life, are we?" He held up his phone, the screen displaying a headline: "Mysterious Heroes Battle Ongos on Loboc River—Government Task Force or Supernatural Team?"

The General chuckled, setting down his coffee. "Ah, Rolando, you and your headlines. If only they knew what was really going on."

The President grinned, sliding into a chair across from the General. "I'm sure the conspiracy theorists are having a field day. Secret task forces, mythical creatures—it's all gold for the internet."

Governor Gwen Alcoriza took a seat beside the President, her gaze flicking between the two men. "As entertaining as the rumors are, we all know this is serious business. The public attention is one thing, but the implications... they're unsettling."

The President's humor faded slightly, replaced by a more thoughtful expression. "That's why I'm here. Things are escalating, Leon, and it's taking us to unfamiliar territory."

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He reached into his briefcase and retrieved an envelope, its official seal unbroken. Sliding it across the table to the General, he added cryptically, "You'll want to see this."

The General's brow furrowed as he opened the envelope. Inside were documents detailing a string of barbaric murders in Japan. He scanned the pages quickly, his expression darkening.

"Victims tied to abortion and child trafficking," he muttered, his voice sharpening. "This can't be a coincidence."

Before they could delve deeper, Governor Gwen interjected, her tone both grave and contemplative. "General, have you heard of the Tyanak? It's a creature deeply rooted in our folklore, one that's terrifying in its deception."

The General leaned back slightly; his interest piqued. "I have. A baby that lures people in... and when they get close, it reveals its true monstrous form."

Gwen nodded. "Exactly. The Tyanak appears as an innocent, crying infant abandoned in the wilderness. It cries to draw its victims closer. But once within reach, it transforms into a grotesque baby-like monster, leaping onto its victim's neck, draining their blood, and tearing them apart. It's the stuff of nightmares, and the recent murders share uncanny similarities to this lore."

The President folded his hands on the table. "We've seen connections between the Dark Arcana and our own folklore before, but this case in Japan feels... deliberate. These murders aren't random. They carry the same deceptive pattern."

The General exhaled, setting the papers down as the weight of the information settled in. "And the contact?"

"Akiko," the President replied. "She's our countries representative based in Japan, she's been monitoring Arcana-related activity for years. You'll meet her and coordinate the investigation."

Gwen's gaze softened, though her voice remained steady. "Leon, we trust you to handle this. But tread carefully—this mission involves more than just uncovering truths. The stakes are higher than ever."

For a moment, the room fell silent, the gravity of the mission hanging heavy in the air. Then, as if to break the tension, the General leaned back in his chair, raising his coffee cup with a faint smirk. "Let me finish my coffee first."

The President chuckled, shaking his head. "Always the same, Leon. Just don't take too long. The world's waiting, I will arrange for you and your group to fly this weekend. I will let Gwen take care of the kids' school for a week or two."

"Leave it to me!" Gwen allowed herself a small smile, the tension easing slightly. "If there's anyone who can handle this, it's you."

The General's eyes gleamed with determination as he took another sip of his sikwate. "Don't worry. We'll get it done."