The dais was high enough that we couldn’t see the goblin being roasted from this angle. But we saw the flames shoot forth from the Lich’s hand and we heard the pangs of death. She was fully engrossed in her goblin cookout, so I knew this was our chance to move. I dipped back around the edge into the antechamber and pulled Freddy close enough that he could hear me.
“You’re going to move around the edge and be ready to come up behind them and catch Vix after I take the Lich out. Got it?”
He nodded, a stern look on his face letting me know he was ready. I then peered back around the corner, and once the moment was right, I guided us both over to the stairs. There was a nicely shadowed path along the wall allowing us to move unseen. Once we got to the dais, we flattened against the steps and silently moved up to peer over the edge to see if the Lich noticed us. She was finishing up her goblin roast and appeared to be unaware of our approach. Near as I could tell, our stealthy move was a success. I pointed to the position I wanted Freddy in and he complied. He didn’t have far to move and he traveled super slow in order to keep from making any noise. While he did that, I slid across the stairs moving all the way around to the far side.
Between the cover the stairs were providing and the silence with which I moved, I knew the Lich wouldn’t notice me. So, I used the opportunity to examine the rest of the room. I wanted to make sure there weren’t any other residents or surprises. I could see stairs against the back wall, running all the way up to the top of the keep. Now I knew how they manned the towers on the corners. While the stairs were interesting, they were not my primary concern. I was scanning for threats. The last thing I needed was a goblin or zombie or something sneaking up behind me and giving away my position. Fortunately, the coast looked clear and I had no trouble making my way all the way around the dais. As I approached the far wall, I could hear the goblin-roasting coming to an end, so I peered over the top step to check things out.
My corner, like Freddy’s on the other side, was covered in shadows. So, I felt really confident that I wouldn’t be spotted when I peered over the top step. As it turned out, luck was on my side anyway. The Lich wasn’t looking in my direction at all, in fact she was staring out over the valley. I didn’t know how much of the core personality survived when one became a Lich, but it appeared very much like someone reminiscing. Vix was still hovering next to the creature, far too close to the edge for my taste. It made me feel better knowing Freddy was in position to grab her once the party got started. Freddy had accepted my plan and moved into his position without hesitation. I needed to start giving him more credit for bravery.
I knew the Lich was powerful and I wasn’t exactly at the top of my game after our pursuit, so I had to be cautious. Luckily, the sound of the waterfall was so loud my stealth was getting major bonuses. I was planning to get her attention, which should keep Freddy safely at her back. Then, assuming I was able to defeat her, Freddy would be in prime position to save Vix. It seemed like a great plan, in theory. But it’s amazing how quickly a plan goes to crap once you introduce a magical foe.
From my hidden position, I pulled out a couple throwing blades and prepared to move. The Lich had apparently grown tired of the view and turned her attention to Vix. While I would much rather have her attention on me, it meant she was giving me her back. It was the perfect time to make my move. I quietly stepped up onto the platform and started crossing towards the Lich. She was starting to chant and waive her hands as she began the ritual. I got almost halfway there when she started to laugh. I knew that wasn’t a good sign.
“Did you really believe you could sneak up on me?” her voice grated.
It was deep and echoey and really crackley. The sound was like bone scrapping on bone. It was the undead equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard. My ears were not happy. She was still facing Vix as she talked, but at least I knew I had her attention.
“Yes?” I tried.
“Fool. You shall be dispatched as easily as those dogs,” she said, pointing towards half a dozen scorched spots that used to be goblins.
“I might remind you, if it wasn’t for me, you’d still be stuck in a stone coffin.”
“It will be you who needs a coffin.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I hurled a blade in her direction. The Lich spun around to face me, hurling red energy in my direction as she turned. I dove to the side, narrowly being missed, and watched as my blade sunk deep into her shoulder. She cried out, but it was in anger, not pain. She hurled another bolt of energy in my direction and I barely managed to leap above it, the stone below my feet being destroyed where it hit. I found my footing and started moving back and forth as I hurled blades in her direction. The classic serpentine pattern was allowing me to provide a more difficult target as I inched closer to the Lich. But, the closer I got, the more difficult dodging was becoming. To make matters worse, my blades seemed to be veering off target as they approached the Lich.
There appeared to be some type of magical warping effect in front of her. While I’d still be able to sink several blades into her body, they weren’t having any affect. The Lich was also moving in an odd and unpredictable fashion, making it clear I’d need to get much closer if I wanted to score a direct hit on that jewel. Her next few magical blasts barely missed me. It was only a matter of time before I took a hit. But then, my stupid, stupid brain had another idea. An idea that I knew was going to hurt.
After watching the flight paths of my blades, I grabbed something a bit different. It was a significantly heavier weapon and honestly closer to a short sword than a knife. While it wasn’t really designed for throwing, I was hoping the added weight would help with accuracy. The warping effect around her body only seemed strong enough to move my blades slightly off target. So, I figured a heavier weapon might hold its course better. I barely dodged another blast as I hurled a smaller blade in her direction. This one redirected just as I predicted and sunk into her thigh with no effect. I seemed to have a pretty good feel for the direction of the warping effect. Suddenly my stupid idea seemed hopeful.
She was clearly becoming enraged by the fact she hadn’t destroyed me yet. She started moving towards me, preparing to blast out with both hands. For my plan to work, I knew I’d most likely take the brunt of this next attack. It wasn’t a fun prospect. But if this worked, it would totally be worth it.
I planted my feet and threw the blade with every bit of force and concentration I could muster. I flashbacked to thousands of practice sessions and allowed my mind to drift back into those muscle memories. My body was in perfect focus and I knew the second it left my hand that the aim on the knife was true. Unfortunately, due to my body suffering from severe fatigue, that shot took everything I had left. My mind wanted to dodge the oncoming attack, but my body wasn’t cooperating. The world seemed to be moving in slow motion as I watched the onslaught of her magical energy approach.
This attack was slightly different than the previous ones. Unlike the red energy she had been hurling my direction, she apparently decided to give me the goblin treatment. Unnaturally red fire streaked through the air, sizzling as it approached. If the squeals we heard earlier were any indicator, this was really going to hurt. I knew my dodge was futile, but my body tried anyway. Through sheer will I forced my exhausted muscles into action, shifting and twisting away from the flames. Years of training and instincts combined with every ounce of adrenaline left in me and I did it. I managed to shift my body to the right…about six inches.
I know what you’re thinking. Bruce, that doesn’t sound like you moved far enough over to avoid the full blast of the fire. You are very much correct. A fact I confirmed as the hell fire engulfed my left side and I felt every cell in my body light up. For the second time in two days, fire was not my friend. The pain was so intense, my vision blurred and I couldn’t stop myself from screaming out in agony. My body convulsed and I was unable to focus on the world around me. My left ear was toast, but I strained with the right to find the one sound I neede
d to hear. I’d sacrificed my body for a last ditch effort and the sound of metal striking metal gave me hope it worked. All I could do now was trust Freddy understood my new plan.
My body slammed into the ground, as I was unable to even mount the slightest breakfall. I was shaking and my nose was assaulted by the smell of my own burning flesh. Maintaining consciousness was a struggle and I didn’t think I would win the battle much longer. Mostly by spasm, I’d managed to roll onto my right side, removing a minute amount of pain. Through my blurry sight, I struggled to make out the Lich moving towards me. My impaired vision showed me just enough detail to confirm my success. My face was burnt so bad that any movement was difficult. But somehow, through all the shaking, I managed to force a small smile upon it.
As we fought, I knew the Lich’s weird magical barrier was going to make a perfect shot on the gem nearly impossible. I could only see one other way to win. All I had to do was make the sacrifice play and strike the helmet. As long as I struck with enough force to knock it off of her head, the rest should be gravy. While you probably couldn’t tell by looking at my scorched body, luck was totally on my side. I had not only managed to knock the helmet off of her head, but she was so enraged, she didn’t even bother to go back and pick it up. Such is the true power of the ninja. The ability to piss someone off so much, they forget to act in their own self interest. One might argue it was my greatest gift, infuriating others. I’m amazing at it.
My left arm was limp and I’d lost all feeling in it. Which is a very bad sign when dealing with burns. While my thigh wasn’t in much better shape, I could still sort of feel my left leg, so that was something. If I survived this, I might even be able to limp home. The heat radiating from my left side was so intense if felt like it was cooking the rest of me. But through sheer determination, I managed to blink back some semblance of vision from of my right eye. The Lich was standing just above me, smiling. Her hands were glowing and she was definitely about to finish me off. I struggled to speak.
“You know…why…I’m going…to beat you?”
My mouth struggled to get the words out, but I needed to keep her attention. It didn’t matter what happened to me as long as Freddy succeeded. She tilted her head, half amused and half curious as to my remarks. She actually started to laugh before pointing her hands and preparing to finish me off. I just smiled.
“Because…I have great friends.”
At that moment her smile faded and I could see Freddy behind her. He was bringing his pistol down, using it as a club, right on top of the gem. The Lich tried to turn around, but it was too late. Freddy struck true and the gem shattered into a million pieces. The Lich screamed out in pain and the red glow that held Vix started to fade. Freddy was on his game though, sliding underneath of Vix, to catch her as she fell. I felt a sense of relief as I thought they were now safe.
The Lich’s body began to pulse red and I could hear the loud popping of bones. She started to twist and pull into herself. It was like her body was imploding. The sound of snapping bone and tearing flesh was gruesome. Her face was twisted into an unnatural form. But, I could just make out her expression. She was smiling at me.
Panic flooded my body as the Lich waived her hands through the air in one last defiant movement. As she did, I saw Vix’s unconscious body pulse one last time in that red glow and streak towards the open wall. Everything was moving in slow motion as I watcher her limp form fly through the air. Freddy moved with incredible speed, just managing to snag her ankle as she was jerked from his hands. But the Lich had thrown Vix with too much force. Even though Freddy held on with all his might, his body was easily pulled across the floor, slamming into the wall. The result was unsettling as the sound of his arm breaking filled the room. His arm bent at a disgustingly unnatural angle and no matter how hard he fought, his fingers released. Vix’s body shot out the opening and over the waterfall. I tried to keep watching, but at that moment the Lich exploded.
CHAPTER 24
I had no idea how long I’d been out. Freddy was trying to gently shake me awake and that hurt. My body was in overwhelming pain and it took everything I had to calm my breathing and stop shaking. I could see Freddy’s left arm was discolored and bruised and bent at an unsettling angle. It looked gruesome. Dried blood covered the left side of his face from where his head struck the wall on impact. But, he was still alive, so we’ll take the small victory. My one good eye was trying to focus and tell me where I was.
Apparently the exploding Lich had thrown me off the dais and against the far wall. I’m sure the impact caused some serious bruising, but since my body hurt so bad from the fire, I couldn’t tell. But that wasn’t the real pain I knew I was feeling. I looked up to meet Freddy gaze, something of desperate hope upon my face. He hung his head in shame and I had my answer. Vix was gone, again.
Because I’m an idiot, I tried to get to my feet and because Freddy was too good a friend to talk me out of it, he helped. It wasn’t pretty and I’ll spare you the tirade of expletives that accompanied the process. But eventually I found my feet and managed to steady myself against the wall. I knew I was lucky to be alive. But I wasn’t feeling very lucky right now. Once he was sure I wouldn’t fall back over, Freddy let go of me and stepped back.
Even though I could barely stand, I was trying to shuffle towards the exit. Vix could be down at the bottom of the falls and I had to save her. It was history repeating itself and this time I wouldn’t give up. But Freddy stopped me dead in my tracks.
“You will not find her down there.”
“What do you mean?”
Freddy went on to explain that he’d watched Vix fly out over the falls and vanish into a Veil pocket. There was no reason to search in the Veil, she was somewhere back in the real world. I suggested we attempt to follow her through the pocket, but even in my emotional state I couldn’t argue Freddy’s logic. The pocket was too far out and there was no chance the two of us could hope to reach that distance, especially in our current states. Our only choice was to get back to the real world and see if we could find her there.
The journey home was long and pathetic. Freddy was suffering from a severe concussion and the two of us walking down a million stairs took forever. I had one working leg and a burnt body that didn’t want to balance itself very well. It took us more than a day to get down from the castle and make our way back to a Veil opening. We knew we’d never find the opening that brought us here, so we followed the road until Freddy spotted somewhere familiar. I won’t bore you with all the details, just know we eventually made it back to GHOST HQ for some much needed medical treatment.
Even with my advanced healing factor and a little magical boost, it was still a couple weeks before everything fully grew back. I’d learned that Vix survived her fall. Apparently she’d woken up in the Potomac and since we were nowhere to be found, she headed back to Vietnam to make sure her parents were safe. I found a note explaining as much when I returned home. As it turns out, Visine had managed to locate her parents at about the same moment we were opening the sarcophagus. It was a good thing too, as their captors seemed ready to double cross Vix. Criminals are so untrustworthy. After I was feeling better, I took a little time off work and traveled abroad. I located the people responsible for taking Vix’s parents and I made sure they would never hurt anyone ever again. There were now a few more things I’d need to atone for.
Freddy had become a staple at my house. Friendships forged in battle are no small thing. I forced him to keep the Khafra as his thank you. He insisted it was too much. I complained it wasn’t enough. The remaining four blades now hung above my fireplace. Freddy decided we needed a memento of our adventure. So, he mounted the four blades around the picture of us in front of the sarcophagus. It was a really nice plaque and very nice gesture. But I avoided looking at it too much as I often found myself looking at Vix.
This time I knew she was alive and there didn’t seem to be any reason we couldn’t be together. But she insisted things were differen
t and we were different and everything was different. Whatever the hell that means. She thanked me profusely for my help, but refused to give us another chance. It’s probably what I deserve. Killers don’t get happy endings. The first time I lost her, I thought she was dead. This time I knew she was still alive; she just didn’t want to be with me. I wasn’t sure which hurt more. But if the universe was dealing out justice, I probably deserved to be alone.
Ironically, the next few months found me living in a house that was anything but empty. But that’s a story for another time.
The End
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Bruce will return in G.H.O.S.T. Teams (Book 4) Vampires
G.H.O.S.T. Teams (Book 3) Spirits Page 24