Darkness of the Lich

Hanson stood at the front of the conference room with the projector glaring in his eyes, "Afghanistan has been the center of conflict for a number of years for a number of reasons and has some of the most violent extremist groups who refuse to quit. The US military has been active in the region since before the first Gulf War and has continued since then operating in the surrounding countries as well."

"Sounds rough."

"It is, sir, that's why I advise we not take this contract but you have clearly made up your mind on this."

Hanson and Hunter were sitting in the meeting room on the third floor of the building going over a new contract that came across their desk. Without hesitation, Hunter grabbed it and claimed it before Hanson had a chance to look it over himself. Juliet was wandering around their offices on the second floor looking for them with no luck. She wandered up to the third floor eventually finding them hidden in the dark room with the projector on, "That's where you two went. I've been wondering where you guys were hiding."

Hanson had moved to the far end next to the projected image while Hunter was sitting back in one of the chairs. Hunter swung around to look at her, "Ah, welcome. Come on in. We were getting acquainted with our next job. I was going to let you know later as we were on our way there. Hanson, continue."

"Yes sir. We were informed that people have been going missing from small villages in slow numbers. Even some military personnel have been reported AWOL or MIA. What they want us to do is come in and find who's been abducting people and what they have been doing."

"Hanson, have there been any reports of people coming back after going missing?"

"There was one person who was found dead. They appeared to have died of dehydration. They were found half buried in the sand. No official autopsy was conducted."

Juliet chimed in, "Do they think it's something in our field or just some person stealing people?"

Hanson addressed her question, "We do not know Lady Juliet, but with the rising number of people missing and the concern behind it, they are not taking that chance. We are to investigate what is happening while we are there trying to find a solution to it."

"Any ideas there, Hunter?"

Hunter looked over, "It's too broad right now. We'll find out more when we arrive, which, pack protective clothes, we're leaving in three hours. Dismissed!"

They arrived at the airport taking their jet into a military base out of Virginia. There they jumped over to a plane loaded with cargo heading toward the Middle East. It was a bumpy ride the entire way there where they were strapped into their seats for the whole ride. Upon landing, they waited until the back was unloaded before they could get to their things. Hanson wore something similar to what a movie star would wear if hunting for treasure in the sand. Juliet was given a hijab to cover her face while the rest of her outfit was baggy to keep her protected from the sand.

While Hanson and Juliet get their things together Hunter wandered off somewhere on the plane. Juliet was the first to notice, "Where did he go?"

"The young master probably went to change into something more suitable for the job. He should return shortly."

Sure enough, he did. Decked out in US Army Camouflage sporting full uniform. His name tag read "Tagger". He was the first to disembark off the plane with the other two behind him. They were approached by a soldier who stopped and greeted Hunter, "Welcome Staff Sergeant!"

"I'm not here for you. Your CO around?"

"Yes sir! He is waiting for you!"

"Where?"

"That building there, sir!"

He pointed to what almost looked like a shack compared to some of the other buildings that were around. Hunter took the lead while the other two followed behind. Juliet leaned into Hanson whispering, "Isn't it going to be bad when they find out he's impersonating military personnel?"

"Ah, you don't know this. While he is working these odd jobs he is in the Army Reserve. He's doing this to make things easier for us, I'm sure."

They entered the shack where Hunter waved them to stay. He walked into the other room where they saw him stand up straight and salute whoever was on the other side of the desk. It wasn't long before the other person came around to see them. They were not impressed, "This is your team?"

Hunter didn't miss his chance to respond, "Yes, best people I could ask for."

"Wouldn't you rather have, you know, people who know the area better and have been here a while?"

"You keep your soldiers and keep playing war. We are going to find out what's been happening to the rest of them."

"Well… whatever you see fit. We'll get you set up in your own set of bunks but my people are at your disposal."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"Dismissed."

Someone was waiting outside for them to take them across the grounds to what looked like a similar hut to the one they were first in. From the entrance, there were two sets of bunks on the right side next to the wall cutting them off from the office. There was a small desk inside with empty shelves and a large table. The hallway to the left was tight with only the bare amenities they would need. Hanson and Hunter got their bunks together giving Juliet her own to pick top or bottom. "Juliet, your alias for this is 'Amanda' so stick with it."

"That name just sounds… so boring."

"We're not here to be exciting. Hanson, keep being yourself. Tonight we're going to have to interview everyone about what they know and make sure that you note everything. We're blind here so we need everything. We can begin after the sun sets so we have a more relaxed atmosphere and they'll be more willing to tell you more."

Juliet raised her hand, "Question!"

"About what we're doing or me?"

"You."

"Ask it when we're done here."

"Aww."

The three of them got unpacked with some time to sit around and go over a few things they would need to look out for. They only had the list and pictures of the military personnel that had gone missing. The local villagers and residents were just unaccounted for but they would be spoken with tomorrow. The night started and the base became quiet after chow. Their meals were delivered to their shack by order. Once everyone was finished the three took two pencils, a legal pad of paper, and assigned barracks, bunks, and quarters they were to investigate.

Hunter, being in uniform, was easily able to get everyone lined up to go over the questions. Hanson, was very precise in his work getting the details to the "T" with little effort. Juliet had problems. Her inexperience with normal conversations and humans was lacking which caused some of her issues but the real one was that most of these men hadn't seen a woman in too long. It was about 10 minutes before she had to go get someone high-ranking to sit with her to keep them in line and under control but everyone one of them was more than willing to talk to her about whatever she asked.

It was late when Juliet came back. She was the last one as Hanson and Hunter were finished within a few hours. They were already sitting down comparing notes, looking at maps, and getting a pattern determined. Juliet dropped her papers on the desk, "I can't tell you how difficult it is for me to work here."

"Did the men give you problems?"

"Yes! Holy shit, buff, sweaty men who are full of energy! I'm dying here. I almost got zapped a couple of times tonight because they instigated it."

"Life's rough when you're deployed so having a charming woman here is probably a nice change of pace. I think this base is 98% male."

"Like you know what a deployment is like. I saw what these guys are going through."

"I was active before I was reserve, then I reenlisted and stayed reserved. I'd have to put this down if my number ever got called and I would be one of these guys here in the desert."

She couldn't really come up with a response so she was forced to just glare at him a bit. His nose was down focused on the work at his desk so he ignored her. With nothing else to do she left them to work on their thing while she wandered around outside for a bit. She found a nice spot near the corner where she could look out over the hill they were on towards the nothing that was the desert. She listened to the wind when she thought that she heard some type of music. She looked around trying to find where it was but there was no distinction as to what direction it was coming from.

It was a varying whistle that carried words. She could kind of hear it but not clear enough to make anything out until it ended. She listened to the last bit so that she could understand that it said, "I will make sure you suffer no more." Then, quiet. Nothing. The wind stopped, and the air around her was dead silent. She thought she heard the whistling again but this time it was different. It got louder until she heard someone shout "Mortars! Take cover!"

She turned to see a large explosion hit near their shack. There was another whistling sound by them, most of the people on the base were rushing out of the buildings and heading to their stations. Many were carrying rifles still dressed in their skivvies. She looked around trying to figure out what was going on when the crashing sounds turned into the silence from before. The whistling returned but this time she could hear the singing:

From the wind to the ground,

From the sea to the mountains,

I rise from the ashes,

And bring death to the found.

I see them there, waiting for me

So I will embrace you, to join my army.

From the hell of famine and war,

I will make sure you suffer no more.

She looked around while the song was still going and repeating at the panicked soldiers running for cover and their positions. As she looked on at the deafening song she saw one soldier who stuck out. He was walking in a straight line with no expression on his face and a slack jaw. She watched him from her spot until she saw something out of the ordinary on him. Before she could act she heard her name, "Juliet." It snapped her back to the reality around her as mortars continued to rain on them. "Juliet!" The voice yelling for her tackled her to the ground keeping her face down in the dirt. She heard him again, "Keep your head down and pray!"

The crashing of the metal being torn apart from shrapnel really started affecting her. She buried her face in the hard ground covering herself the best she could. She had no idea who had her pinned to the ground but whoever it was was doing their best to keep her safe. It seemed like hours before everything went quiet. The dust was still in the air making it difficult to see but everything else seemed to quiet down. The person on top of her rolled off onto the ground with a heavy sigh, "I do not miss this."

It was Hunter. He had tackled her from behind once he found her standing there looking around. "What were you doing? Why were you just standing there?"

"I thought I heard something."

"You did! Explosions and screaming which next time that happens, find somewhere covered and fortified and stay down. This is still a warzone."

"No, I mean… I understand,"

She decided against arguing at this time. "What do we do now Hunter?"

"Staff Sergeant Tagger, and for now, we go back to our hut and we wait until the CO calls us in."

She reluctantly agreed, following him back to their little shack. A couple of things were knocked over but there was no real damage done luckily. Just a few small holes in the wall where something came flying through. The shaking knocked a couple of things off the wall and moved the large table a bit. Everything else seemed to be fine. For now, they wait.

It was a couple of hours until a soldier was sent into their hut to have them report to the Lieutenant. Hanson and Hunter just talked about normal everyday things until that time which was a nice change of pace. Once in the CO's office though, the air was tense. "Staff Sergeant, you are here to find out what happened to my men. We have a couple wounded but one person is unaccounted for. Private Chip is currently listed as missing in action. We searched the base and surrounding area and found no trace of him other than his uniform he was unable to change into." The Lt. pushed a picture across the desk of the missing person. Hunter picked it up looking at it, "We'll keep an eye out for him."

Juliet peaked over his shoulder immediately recognizing him as the man in the zoned-out state who walked off. The Lt. caught her, "Your little Miss there seems to know something." Everyone turned to her and she backed off from the looks she was given. Hunter stepped up noticing her fear, "Amanda, did you see this man?" He handed her the photo to give her something to hold and focus on. She looked down focusing only on the picture, "He looks like the guy I saw but I'm not 100% sure." Hunter edged her on, "What did you see?"

"He was walking towards the exit on the far side from where we are now."

"Ok, so he was by the south entrance."

"Yea, he looked just out of it, ignoring his surroundings. Something else…" She stopped thinking about what she was going to say next. "But I can't remember right now. I was tackled to the ground."

"That was by me. If you remember anything let me know. Lieutenant, if we spot anything we'll let you know."

He responded, "And the same with us. Dismissed."

Hunter saluted and left with Hanson and Juliet in tow. They crossed the base looking at some of the damage that was being cleaned up. A couple of vehicles were being tended to and a few buildings were damaged but everyone seemed to be ok. The Lt. reported to them that they had some injuries but everyone was expected to make it. The attack could have been much worse. Back at their hut of a base, Hunter went straight to the office landing in the chair behind the desk with Hanson at the large table. Juliet sat on her bunk still holding the picture in her hands replaying what she saw and what she heard for a couple of minutes before she was snapped back to reality, "Amanda! Come here!"

It was a tone that Hunter has never used before. It was very authoritative and demanding. She slunk around the corner to see him sitting up at the desk motioning her to take a seat. As she did he began, "I want you to tell me what you didn't tell the Lt. and I want to know why you didn't tell him."

"How did you know?"

"You hesitated and it sounded like you were going to say something but instead stopped and picked up from another part of the story. So, what was it? What is the uncut version of this story?"

"Sometimes you're too smart for your own good but OK. I saw the person, Private what's-his-name, and he was spaced out but he looked wrong."

Hunter leaned in, "Wrong how?"

"His face was pale or gray. It looked like he had been hurt because there was blood on his face and arm on one side of his body."

"Could you see his wounds?"

"No, not clearly. He just wandered off slowly but while he did I hear something. Sounded like singing."

Both Hanson and Hunter leaned in further. Hunter picked up though, "Singing?"

"Yea, it was a short song but it was… dark… I couldn't tell if the voice was male or female but it just swallowed everything around me. I couldn't hear the explosions, yelling, or anything. Just the song."

"Do you remember it?"

"Not specifically but it was… something about someone rising from the ashes and bringing death. Something about joining an army and being relieved of some hell of eternal suffering."

"Hanson, start looking into it. See if you can find a rhyme that matches the general description. Let me know what you find. And if you hear anything else or remember anything, a specific phrase, set of words, anything let me or Hanson know as soon as you can. It's vital we figure this out as soon as we can. The sooner we do the sooner we can stop this and go home."

She nodded before leaving them to look into the information she gave them. Hanson began digging through the information they brought with them along with using the satellite connection provided by the base. It was hours of them talking, throwing ideas on the other side of the wall before she heard them walking. Hunter walked out while Hanson stayed for a while before leaving himself. Only seven minutes later and they both returned with their hair wet. Hunter nudged her, "Hey, go shower. There are two MPs on guard for you so you can shower but you have to leave them alone."

While slightly insulted, she understood where he was coming from, "You need to trust me more."

"I do. I'm letting you go alone."

He had a fair point that she couldn't argue with. She grabbed a bag with spare clothes and a towel heading off towards the shower house. There were two MPs like he said waiting for her. Once inside one stayed at the door while the other walked around making sure no one was going to bother her. The water was cold but in the desert, any water was nice. She relaxed her mind and body while she cleaned, humming the tune she hauntingly heard. She went over it again and again until she was signaled to stop from outside. They can't waste water so she was restricted.

Once dressed she walked back out to see three soldiers waiting nearby. They seemed a little disappointed that she was not more relaxed with her wear. As much as she would have loved to take advantage of their curiosity she couldn't or Hunter would have her head. "Temptation is a difficult mistress."

She arrived back at their hut with Hanson and Hunter relaxing in their bunks throwing small ideas back and forth. She listened in while they talked until she was ready for bed. She got the lights and the two of them quieted down enough that in the darkness they could hear her humming. Hanson inquired first, "Lady Amanda, what song is that?"

"It's the tune to the song I heard."

"Can you hum it for me a couple more times?"

She did. She hummed it from start to finish a couple of times when on the third time she started Hanson sang the haunting tune;

From the wind to the ground,

From the sea to the mountains,

I rise from the ashes,

And bring death to the found.

I see them there, waiting for me

So I will embrace you, to join my army.

From the hell of famine and war,

I will make sure you suffer no more.

"Hanson, what song is that?"

"I fear that it is 'The Lich's Charm, sir."

"Of course it is. Ok, everybody up. We're not sleeping tonight. Get your shit and let's go."

Hanson began rapidly packing everything while Juliet hurried to get her own stuff together. Hunter marched his way across the base to the Lt.'s quarters knocking as loud as he could declaring his presence, "Staff Sergeant Tagger reporting!"

"Holy shit Sarge, do you know what time it is?"

"Yes, but we need stuff."

"What do you need?"

"Three headsets, one Humvee preferably with a mounted gun, spare gas, and about 3,000 rounds with some light-em-up rounds for said mounted gun along with any locations nearby that are considered dead zones that no one ever travels."

"The hell are you doing? Finishing the war?"

"The smaller one. The sooner the better please."

Back at their hut, Hanson and Juliet were following their orders getting everything packed. "Hanson?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know what we're doing?"

"Not for certain but we know what we are up against."

"What's that?"

"A Lich."

"I've heard of them, they're nasty."

The two continued packing when Hunter walked back in, "You ready to go?" Both replied in the affirmative with their bags at the ready. Hunter led them outside to the south exit where Juliet saw the soldier walking. There was a Humvee waiting idly. Hunter jumped in the back with no hesitation popping his head out of the top in the gunner's seat before giving orders, "Hanson, you're driving. There's a map with a couple of spots marked on it, we're going to look at each one until we find what we're looking for. Amanda, just keep your head down. We're still in a war zone."

Hanson pulled out of the base slowly and then started quickly picking up speed across the open space. Hunter kept himself seated in the back ready to go while Juliet kept herself down in the seat. Hanson was constantly looking at the map and his GPS making sure they were heading to the correct area. It was about a 30-minute drive before they made it to their first stop. The town they arrived in was fairly quiet but people were still out and about. Hunter and Hanson told Juliet to watch the Humvee and keep an eye on everyone. If anyone got too close to the Humvee she was to yell for them immediately.

The two walked around asking people questions wondering what they had seen or if someone they knew had gone missing. Every person they spoke to seemed to point to the same area on the map that the Lt. had circled as a no-go zone. With all this, they had no choice but to load back up and head to that spot.

As they continued out it got darker and darker. It was already nighttime but something just seemed to suck the light out of everything. Juliet spoke up, "So, um, where are we going?" Hunter leaned forward, "There's an old site in this area that the locals and the military have deemed off limits. There's been a lot of strange activity and instead of looking into it, they deemed it safer to just let it be. We're going to be the ones who go investigate."

"And we're looking for a Lich?"

"Supposedly. I'm still not 100% sure that's what we're looking for but we'll find out when we get there."

The only real sound out in this wasteland was the engine running. The constant but uneven thump of the ground was the only thing keeping anyone awake. Hanson kept looking around for anything that would mark their position but they knew they were there. The front lights cut out and the engine died. The vehicle slowly rolled to a stop before Hanson put the parking brake on. Hunter took to the gunner's position to look around but everywhere he looked there was nothing but darkness.

"Well, we're here." They had to leave the vehicle behind to keep moving forward. The air wasn't brisk. It was ice cold with a low-hanging feeling. They trudged on heading in one direction into the darkness. It got to where at one point there was enough of a haze that you couldn't see your feet on the ground. It kept getting worse until Hanson finally stopped, "I believe we're here, sir." There seemed to be an old building that separated itself from the surrounding darkness. They walked around until Hanson found an open window.

The guys crawled in first with Juliet behind them. In a whisper, Hunter asked her, "Do you have a flare?"

"Yea, somewhere."

"Light it for us."

She reached around finding a stick. She had to get close and squint but she found it. With one quick snap, the flare began to hiss and fill the room with red light. Juliet was silenced not by her fear but by Hunter who had to grab her mouth and her body. "Shh!"

Her eyes were watering from the instant reaction. Everywhere, on the walls, hanging from the ceiling, and across the floor were the bodies of the people who had gone missing. They were mangled and rotting where they stayed but one caught her eye. One on the wall to her left moved its head toward the sound she and Hunter made. It hissed back at them before lowering its head again to the resting state it was in. "Hanson, I think we found the place."

"Agreed, sir."

The rule was no loud noises, no sudden movements, and no one touches anything. Juliet was still very uneasy but Hanson and Hunter looked to be in their element. They were swiftly moving around the bodies on the floor avoiding the ones moving on the walls through the first floor. They found a staircase leading up and they knew they would find what they were looking for at the top of them.

It was a continuous staircase leading straight to the 3rd floor. The entire way there was lined with bodies stuck to every surface. The higher up they went the older they looked. Juliet almost lost her cool when she felt something slimy fall on her shoulder seeping through her top. "Ahhh~." Hanson and Hunter looked back to see her frozen in her spot about to lose it. Looking up there was a corpse moving around towards the noise with a long trail of something falling out of its mouth onto her. Hanson moved Juliet while Hunter tapped the corpse to move in a different direction.

Hanson had to slowly move her to keep her going. Her state of shock was finally getting to her and they weren't finished. They still have to find the Lich before they could leave. Hanson whispered to her, "Miss, focus on your hands holding the flare and let me guide you." She nodded but was still not all there. She looked at her hands just below the glow of the flare.

Hanson and Hunter kept their eyes open on the area around them looking for their target. The top hallways were cramped with everyone rotting around them but they were able to slowly make their way from room to room. Juliet kept her focus on the flare but noticed that the light was fading rather quickly. Her eyes watched as it sparked twice before slowly burning out. Once surrounded by the darkness no manner of holding or comforting could help her now.

Juliet released a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the building out into the wasteland around them. Hunter began searching her pockets looking for another flare as quickly as he could. With it, in his hand ready to light he listened. There was a light empty hiss that seemed to call back to her scream. They could hear their own heavy breathing listening for more. There were two snaps as Hunter quickly tried to light the flare. On the third, the red light illuminated the undead face of the thing they were looking for. The face of the Lich was mere inches away from Hunter staring into his soul. With no hesitation, Hunter yelled, "Hanson! Plan C! Run!"

The adrenaline kicked in for all of them. Hunter grabbed Juliet, throwing her over his shoulder as he and Hanson started running towards the nearest exit. They made it back to the second floor before the dead blocked off the way down. Through the door, they saw their way out. A small broken-out window at the end of the hallway. As they ran Juliet was forced to watch behind them as the purple fog mass of the Lich followed them. The undead minions were grabbing at them as they tried to escape but Hanson and Hunter were too fast and too strong to get a hold of.

As they ran down the hallway Juliet saw the glint of what looked like cans on the ground bouncing off the floor and the corpses. Finally, Hunter put her on her feet to get behind her. He grabbed her by the waist before pulling her backward. She saw what she believed was the window frame past her before looking into the sky. There was a loud plume of fire escaping from the window behind them. The rest of the building lit up behind it catching on fire rapidly.

"Hanson! Where's the Humvee?!"

"Due south sir."

"Juliet! Keep up and run as fast as you can!"

He wasn't able to carry her anymore so her feet had to do it for her. They were out of the building but still in the black fog that was the Lich's domain. It seemed the fog was lifting but it was still hovering around. Everyone kept together as they ran to get to the Humvee. Hanson jumped in and it started right up with no problem. Juliet opened the door letting Hunter get in first before throwing herself in. Hunter jumped in the gunner seat quickly spinning backward. "Drive Hanson!"

The Humvee lurched forward before Hanson spun the tires in the dirt, spinning the Humvee 180 degrees and launching off away from the building. Hunter was now facing behind them where the Lich was following. "Juliet! I need you to operate the flood light!"

"The what?"

"The light in the backseat!"

She had to crawl around him but she found what he was talking about. She tried to find the switch to turn it on, eventually finding the metal flip switch. She beamed it out the back window but it didn't seem to do any good. Hunter's hand appeared next to her with a pistol in his hand. He fired 5 shots into the glass and kicked it out with his foot. Juliet, now slightly deaf in her right ear, shined the light back out into the blaring darkness chasing them. "Find him!"

She moved the light back and forth trying to look for anything eventually she hit something. The pale white bone face of the Lich was lit up. The next sound was the minigun firing round after round of heavy ammunition into the darkness around the Lich. "Hanson! Right!" Hanson yanked the wheel to the right taking the Humvee off two wheels but avoiding something that crashed into the ground. "Juliet! Find him! Keep it on him!"

She frantically moved the light around looking for him but seemed to be unable to find him. "He's to our right!" She moved it further right, immediately slamming him in the face with the bright light. Once illuminated Hunter threw more rounds at it. The hot brass fell everywhere inside the vehicle rattling as it bounced off everything. Juliet tried her hardest to keep the light on the Lich while being pelted by the empty metal fire.

Every round seemed to be making contact but very few were effective until something happened. They started changing. The rounds that were being fired started glowing more constantly. Eventually, they were getting where it was a solid string of light hitting and lodging into the Lich's face. They began bursting and taking effect, damaging him and slowing him down. Finally, the Lich seemed to hit the dirt and stop following them.

At Hunter's command, Hanson stopped the vehicle. The sky lightened up on its own meaning that the power of the Lich was fading. They could see off in the distance the small fire they started in the building. Juliet stayed in the car while Hanson and Hunter stepped out. Hanson stayed by the car while Hunter wandered further out. He was looking for the remains of the Lich but could not see anything. The phosphorus from the bullets should still be glowing.

Hunter became rather cautious and started back to the Humvee but didn't make it. A small black fog slithered behind him grabbing his ankle and dragging him as he clawed at the ground trying to fight back. The fog came back quickly enveloping him. Hanson stepped towards it but quickly realized how bad that would be, "Lady Juliet! Take the gun!"

"What?!"

"Take the gun!"

"I don't know how to fire it!"

"Just do as you are told!"

Juliet did just that. She stood up behind the gun staring at the handle. She moved it around and found that there were two buttons. She put one thumb on each and waited, looking into the abyss that dragged her master off. There was one quick flash and one small pop after it. Hanson twitched at it. There were two more that were further apart. Hanson yelled to her, "Shoot above the flash!"

"But Hunter!"

"Do as you are told, Lady Juliet! You are his only chance at this!"

She aimed the best she could with her unsteady hands at the ready. There was one more flash. Hanson yelled as loud as he could, "Fire!" A steady stream of bright rounds were plunged into the darkness for half a second, throwing brass shells inside the Humvee and onto the ground. She stopped as she saw that her aim was almost right on the flash instead of above. Hanson and Juliet waited for anything. From the darkness, they saw a figure emerge walking on its own two legs. Juliet quickly dismounted the vehicle running up to it with Hanson following. The dark cloud began to fade behind him as the Lich lay in the dirt slowly fading off into fire trails in the wind.

Hunter stumbled forward until he saw Juliet. He fell to his knees with his empty pistol still in his hand while she slid to him. As she came in reach he threw his arms towards her over her shoulders burying his face into her neck. She heard his words through his weak breathing, "Thank you, you saved me." Hanson arrived next to him pulling him up from under his shoulder. Juliet helped and together they were able to get him in the passenger seat and sitting up. Juliet took behind him to keep an eye on him while Hanson took the drive back as easy as he could.

It was two hours and just before sunrise before they arrived back at base. They arrived with a thunderous roar as the engine alerted everyone to their return. The first person out was the Lt. who at first sight saw the damage that was done to the vehicle. In the darkness, they didn't see that the Lich had damaged the Humvee looking like they were hit by a roadside bomb but drove off. Two soldiers took Hunter from the vehicle to the medical bay where he refused treatment and walked out under his own power.

Everyone reconvened in the Lt.'s office where Hunter struggled to sit up in the chair. Hunter started by asking the other soldiers in the office to leave. They were iffy about it but the Lt. gave them the order to leave. "Staff Sergeant, what did this?"

"It was a Lich feeding off the death and despair of the war."

The Lt. leaned back in his chair covering his eyes. "So my men are gone."

"They were gone before they were taken over by his power. He fed off the dead to build his own army."

Juliet interrupted, "Wait a second. You seem awfully calm about finding out that an unholy creature took over the bodies of dead people."

The Lt. took his attention to her, "Well little succubus, there are people who chose other options than a demon hunter with their life."

"So you knew?"

"No, I had no idea what was doing this. Staff Sergeant, continue."

Hunter shifted in his chair, "The building he was occupying was here in this area and the building wasn't burnt to the ground but the remains inside were. I recommend that your men who were MIA stay that way for their dignity and the family's sake."

"As much as I hate not getting them home, I think you're right there. I'll have a team go and identify our men and the local villagers. We'll bring some peace to this hell on Earth. You are welcome to do whatever you need tonight. We'll get you out tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, sir. Hanson, help me up please."

Hanson had to help Hunter up out of the chair and back to the hut. Others watched on wanting to help but were turned away. Once back in the hut Hunter was put on his bottom bunk and immediately fell asleep. Hanson and Juliet sat in the office room cleaning up their materials, "Hanson?"

"Yes, Lady Juliet?"

"You trusted me to not shoot Hunter when the Lich grabbed him."

"I did."

"Why? Wouldn't you be more suited to do that?"

"You were closer so protocol dictates that the quicker response was to have you take action while I spotted the enemy."

"I could have killed him, Hanson."

"I trusted you Juliet and I'm sure the young master would have too. Don't think too much about what could have been and focus more on the accomplishment you earned."

"Dammit Hanson, you make it hard to be worried."

"It is part of my job, Miss."

The room was cleaned up and the two of them got ready for bed. Before turning off the light Juliet stopped by the door, "Hanson, I'm going to go for a walk. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. Be safe."

She stepped out going back to the corner she sat in before listening to the wind. This was the place where she heard the haunting melody that brought so many to their unholy doom under the control of the Lich. She listened for almost an hour and all she could hear was the silence of the night singing its own tune of peace and quiet. As she sat there a single soldier approached her, "Hey, you helped find out the crazy that was going on in this area huh?"

"Yea, I helped a little bit."

"We greatly appreciate it. It's bad enough that we're out here dealing with insurgents and the daily fear of bombs, gunfire, and people just wanting to kill us. It's nice to have some downtime and relax for a bit."

"I'll be sure to let my boss know that."

"I wish there was something we could do to thank you."

"Well, I am a bit worn out from that trip so…"

The plane was ready to go around 9 am. Hanson and Hunter had their bags together and Juliet was right behind them. It was a long ride back to their office where the rest of the day was spent recovering, for the most part. Hunter finished up a few things despite the recommendation from Hanson on his health. Juliet was called into his office for a brief meeting, "Juliet, you got your share of the contract yes?

"I did."

He gave an affirmative nod, "Good, what did you think?"

"I think you're crazy. Did you two honestly do that all the time by yourselves?"

"Normally it's not to that degree but yes, Hanson and I work those kinds of contracts."

"Wow, you guys are tough."

"It's rough work but pays well. I did have one concern with you though."

She was puzzled, "Oh?"

"Yea, I got into my office and had a message waiting for me. I want you to listen."

Hunter pressed play on his phone, "Staff Sergeant, your plane left about three hours ago and this just got to my desk. It was reported that morale is high but energy is low. I'd like you to sit down with your little succubus there and tell her to keep her pants on and away from my platoon! I have three men in medical care from exhaustion and the other 60-some can barely keep their legs under them!"

"So… want to explain?"

"Uh, they wanted to thank me?"

He didn't say anything more, just shook his head and had her leave. She heard him mumble to himself as she left, "No one's dead. Just really happy."