The Ore

Nothing is constant in the world, except change. Such words were true…

In the middle of the twenty-first century mankind discovered weapons that went beyond common sense. They were unmatched and mysterious. They were called Relics. To monopolize the relics, countries waged war with each other and World War III commenced.

Fear. Despair. Hunger. Those were just some of the concerns of the people of the world. But in the middle of such war, those creatures from another dimension arrived. They ate human flesh and nobody knew what they were; where they a side effect of using the relics? Were they born from mankind's negative emotions? Nobody was sure. But one thing was for sure, only Relics could destroy them. Those creatures were then called Wardens.

Because of such event, the population dropped to two billion. Fearing for the worst and ensuring the survival of humanity, a treaty was established and the country leaders focused on finding more Relics and those that could use them called Wielders. But Warden Attacks became more frequent. And not just that, some animals suddenly mutated and became monsters that attacked humans.

It was the dawn of the twenty-second century when a man stood against the Wardens. He was a Wielder who used more than one relic, which was thought to be impossible. He killed a queen-rank warden and closed the rift that had become the gateway of wardens to the world. And the world was at peace… For the time being.

***

National Mining Department

Mt. Titip, Ilihan Area

Municipality of Tabogon

Cebu Administrative Region

Visayas, Philippines

3:45 PM, December 27, 2275

It was a total accident, but if they had only paid attention to the unusual activities of the mountain's electromagnetic field, they would've known something was up.

The crane suddenly went out of control and smashed one side of the cave walls. Of course, everyone thought it was a bad idea and may cause a collapse, but instead, they found a chamber.

Their eyes could not believe it but energy ores were shining brightly inside the chamber; from the walls, to the floor and even the ceiling. But that wasn't the most astonishing sight. It was the big ball of crystal that was shining the same shade as the ores at the very center of it.

"Somebody call the military." ordered the head miner.

***

Colonel Daniel Ashtein of the Philippine Military was observing the inspection done in the cavern the miners found in Mt. Titip. He was ordered by the Governor-General to carry out the checking of the miners' reports and transporting the big energy ore back to Tabogon Base for further tests.

"Colonel!" called none of the researchers employed by the government. "The energy reading of this ore is beyond the charts! We believe that a relic may reside inside it!"

"Prepare for extraction and head to Tabogon Base!" he ordered.

""Yes sir!""

***

Capitol

Cebu Administrative Region HQ

Cebu City

Visayas, Philippines

"Yes Mr. President. We have secured it. I will report to you about the things we have discovered about it soon."

Governor-General, Frank Ashtein, with his overly decorated uniform, ended the call with the President of the Philippines. He had once again gained the Commander-in-Chief's favor which was very helpful to him and his family. Cebu Administrative Region had been his family's turf but with how things were going he may as well get rewarded once again.

A knock cut off his thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened and a young man entered. The young man had light brown hair and hazel irises. His light brown skin contrasted his white military uniform. The young man was Percy Ashtein. He was the third son of the Ashtein Family and the youngest Captain of the Philippine Military – Special Operations. But of course, it was a secret to the general public.

"Reporting about the mission in Tabuelan City! We have succeeded in securing the terrorists and have rescued the hostages!" Percy said and placed a white folder on Frank's table.

"Good. Sheen will handle it from now on."

"Yes sir!"

"Percy, I want you to head to Tabogon Base and support your brother, Daniel. A new research will commence and I know there are a few talented individuals in your team. So I need you there."

"But will the Colonel agree?"

"Why not? He's the one you're closest to right? Plus I know you and your team had been the busiest lately, with never-ending covert operations."

Percy was the leader of a special team, the Zero Squad. They usually do covert operations and their identities were also considered top secret.

"You and the rest of the members of the Zero Squad will be on standby in Tabogon. On normal days, you will support the operations in Tabogon Base, but if there are any new orders you will sortie. Am I understood?"

"Yes sir!"

"You and your team will leave in 2100 hours."

Percy relayed his father's orders to his team. Somehow he already knew that the squad's opinion would be fifty-fifty.

The Zero Squad had a total of four members, with him as the fifth. Each of their age-range was close in proximity and all of them were Wielders of S-Rank and A-Rank Relics, well except for one.

"Are you kidding? After all that? He will put us on standby? Captain! That sucks!" complained Kitty Fuentes.

Kitty Fuentes was eighteen but she had the appearance of a twelve year old girl. Her violet dyed hair was up in twin tails and her dark brown eyes glinted against the light. She had the rank of First Lieutenant. She was the wielder of the equipment-type relic, Rohi.

Rohi had the form of a pair of brown gauntlets which let Kitty's punches become more powerful.

"Hey! We could really use a break you know." said Cam.

Cam Bautista was half-Japanese and half-Filipino seventeen year old boy. His black hair, fair skin and dark brown eyes made him look more Japanese than Filipino, but he grew up in the Philippines. He was also playful and was Percy's childhood friend and retainer. He held the rank of Sergeant in the Military. He was Zero Squad's resident hacker and he was also the sole User among them. His weapon was called Nornus, a gun-type New-Type

New-Types were man-made relics. Since relics could only be discovered and it also chooses its wielder, New-Types were created and mass produced, and could be used by artificially enhanced humans called Users. Most of the available military weapons were New-Types.

"I agree with Cam." agreed Lisa.

Lisa Canillo was the youngest member of Zero Squad. She was fifteen and was Percy's cousin. She held the same rank as Cam. She had light brown hair and dark brown eyes. She wielded an irregular-type relic called Lux. It had the form of a white bandage that could expand, lengthen, shrink and change its shape at the wielder's will. It usually slept on both her arms. When in usage, it glows in soft blue light but Lisa can turn off the light at will.

"Neri?" Percy turned to the remaining member who hadn't voiced out his opinions.

"I will follow whatever the captain decides."

"Neri!" yelled Kitty.

Corporal Neri Castillo was the newcomer of Zero Squad. He was sixteen and was a quiet guy. He had blonde hair and brown eyes. Not much was known about his background but he grew up in a military camp. He wielded the internal-type relic Steron, which enabled him to shoot blue laser beams.

All eyes landed on Percy who looked as stoic as usual.

Captain Percy Ashtein. He wields a sword-type relic, a black katana named Akeras. It boosts his physical abilities including his speed and senses. Akeras can also turn into a bow that shoots energy arrows.

"Well, it's an order. So it's not like we have any other choice." he said. "Pack up! We'll leave in three hours!"

"""Yes captain!"""