The Marines moved out in a dispersed single-file formation. They were on edge—a lot of people had died trying to kill this alien monster. Each one had volunteered for the mission, but none had any illusions of surviving it. Ed and Andor were sandwiched between the two fire teams. Wordlessly, the ten armed individuals stealthily crept into the darkening woods. They didn’t dare look back at the town—they had a mission, and longing to be home had no place in their minds. *I forgot what this felt like—confronting death head-on. Digging deep for a secret courage.* Andor’s jaw tightened as the forest enveloped them in its cool darkness, then clouds opened up and the rain began to softly fall. *If it ain’t raining we ain’t training… fuckin’ figures.* A forest fire had burned through the area a few years ago, and the underbrush was thick as the forest began to repair itself. They avoided the road, even though it would have been faster and easier—they had no idea where the alien monster was. It could be watching them even now, so they stuck to the forest to conceal their movement. Their progress up the hillside was slow as they thrashed through the thicket, trying to be as quiet as possible. *Thankfully, the wind’s blowing pretty hard. Or else it would hear us coming from a mile away.* They reached the waterfall—where the monster had attacked the two kids—just as the storm unleashed its full fury. Thunder roared with ear-splitting ferocity as lightning hurled itself over and over into the trees and peaks above them. *This is fucking insane!* Andor flinched as a bolt of electricity tore through a tree above them, sending it crashing to the ground—a splintered, shattered pile of smoldering wood and pine needles. Captain Simms pointed at a boulder covered in the blood from the kids, a grim look spreading across her face. Andor could tell she, too, had seen too much blood in her life. It was a grim reminder of what they were all facing. “Are you alright?” Simms asked as she crept toward Andor before taking a knee. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just got a chill from the rain,” Andor said coldly. Simms didn’t reply; she just gave Andor a look of understanding. She whispered to the Marine in front, “Tell Staff Sergeant Smith to circle back. Pass it on.” A few moments later, a soaking wet Marine who couldn’t have been older than twenty crept up to Andor and Captain Simms. “Yes, ma’am?” he said as the rain ran down his face. “We need to find where the alien is holed up,” Captain Simms whispered. “Have the drone operator get the bird in the air and do a heat-signature IR scan of the mountainside to our north.” “Roger that, ma’am,” the Marine—who Andor assumed was the platoon sergeant—replied briskly. Then he scampered off without a sound. “A little young to be a staff sergeant, don’t you think?” Andor turned to Captain Simms. “The fuckers in Heaven’s Army of the Elect have inflicted a lot of casualties. He joined less than a year ago as a Private. If he survives this mission, he’ll likely get a battlefield commission.” Captain Simms turned to look as the drone took off into the sky. Andor leaned back against a sugar pine and lifted his face toward the sky. It felt good to feel the rain on his face. Then a thought entered his mind that turned his stomach. *What if this is your last rainstorm?* “We found where the alien monster is hiding.” Simms’s face looked grimmer than before. “Look at the chem-trail the fucker left—it’s glowing brighter than the sun on IR.” “The girl who was attacked said two men with a sword and shield saved her and her boyfriend. Perhaps they wounded it?” Andor offered with a shrug. “What the fuck!? Men with swords?” Captain Simms looked up. “What are you talking about?” “Hey, I’m just passing on what I heard.” Andor’s hands went up in self-defense. He regretted saying anything the moment the words left his mouth. Obviously, there weren’t two men with a sword and shield up here battling an alien monster. The girl was delusional. “There are two F-35s on station. We laze the target – they’ll drop their bombs. We know this fucker doesn’t like noise, so hopefully that’ll draw it out. Once the beast comes out, we’ll use small-arms fire to funnel it into this narrow part of the valley.” Simms rested her rifle against a tree and took off her pack. “How many claymores do we have?” The platoon sergeant answered, “Six claymores, ma’am.” “Let’s get them set up, then—three on each side of the gorge. If we can pin it down, the President has authorized the use of a tactical nuclear warhead.” Simms looked at Andor. “That’ll kill everyone in this valley!” Andor’s eyes went wide at the realization at what he had just heard. *Will I ever see Lilli or Aurora again?* “Listen! That alien monster has killed hundreds of thousands of people. If we don’t take it out, it could wipe out what’s left of humanity.” Simms chided, she wasn’t used to being questioned. Andor stared at the ground. “Fuck!” “Have the assaultman set up the claymores in the narrow part of the canyon. We’ll funnel it into the pinch point and see if we can hold it there long enough for the B2s to nuke it.” “Solid plan,” Ed said. “I think it could work. Of course that means none of us are coming home.” “We shall see,” the platoon sergeant said dryly. “We’ve hit that thing with two-thousand-pounders, and it’s still here. Intel thinks it has some sort of shield. If we can get the explosives right next to it, though, maybe we can get inside its shield and then maybe—just maybe—we can kill it. Plus, we’ve never been able to use a tactical nuclear warhead. We can’t drop one if we’re not 100% positive it’ll be a direct hit.” “Why did it decide to come out now?” Ed chimed in. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s hungry?” Andor shrugged his shoulders. Simms was about to say something but she was cut-off when on the other side of the river, several large rocks crashed down the mountainside before splashing into the pool. “Contact right,” the machine gunner hissed as she racked the charging handle back on her weapon. “I’ve got movement next to that huge boulder on the far side of the pool,” the platoon sergeant’s voice crackled over the radios. “Red-1, this is Red-7. I’ve got eyes on two men at your nine o’clock,” an unfamiliar voice announced over the radio. “What the fuck!?” Simms cocked her head in confusion. “One of them has a sword.” “Stand down, Captain. I know who they are.” Andor stood up from behind a tree, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. “Who are they?” Simms stood slowly as she safetied her rifle. “I met them a few months ago, in a cave…” Andor shook his head in disbelief. “I thought I was hallucinating, but I guess they’re real.” “Hallucinating?” Simms put her hands on her hips. “What the fuck are you talking about?” Before Andor could explain, the two men—who were walking slowly toward the squad, their arms in the air—levitated into the air and crossed the river. “What in the actual fuck?” Ed stammered. “Greetings, Captain. My name is Edmond,” the blonde one said, “and this is my wingman, Branwen.” “Wingman!?” Branwen laughed incredulously. “I wish you wouldn’t interrupt me when I’m talking.” Edmond turned to glare at Branwen, who winked back at him. “So, anyways…” Edmond continued, obviously flustered by Branwen’s snide remark. “Where was I? Ah yes—Andor.” Edmond turned to look at Andor, whose mouth was agape in shock. “You are correct. The alien, which we call a Nyxihungar, did indeed come out to feed. It is starving.” Andor gasped in shock at hearing that name. *I’ve heard that name before!* “How do you know our names, and who the fuck are you?” Simms leveled her rifle at Edmond. “Now, Captain, there’s no need for that. We’re not from this realm—as I’m sure you are beginning to gather.” “Realm?!” Simms was incredulous. “What’s up with your sword? How did you levitate across the river?” “I’m guessing the sword is for me. They told me,” Andor motioned towards the two men, “when my time came, I would wield a weapon of immense power and use it to defeat the Nyxihungar.” Branwen nodded in agreement. “The sword is called *Asi.* It’s the only thing capable of destroying the Nyxihungar. Your nukes will only make it stronger. It absorbs energy and uses it to grow.” “So, we need to lure it down here with the promise of an easy meal, disable it so we can get close enough to use Asi and finish the fucker off.” Edmond crossed his arms across his chest. “Okay,” Simms lowered her rifle, “let’s say I was to believe you. What easy meal can I lure it down here with?” “Him,” Branwen replied coolly, pointing at Andor. “Without an arm and a weapon, he’ll appear helpless. The Nyxihungar will hone in on him and attack.” “Plus, it thinks we have *Asi,*” Edmond interjected. “We’ll put ourselves above the mine with your squad. When the F-35s drop their ordnance, it’ll come out in a rage, smell us, and think we have *Asi.* Then it will see Andor and attack him.” “If all goes according to plan,” the platoon sergeant said sarcastically. “It’ll work,” Branwen smirked. “Red-1, this is Red-7. We’re on station. Thirty mikes until fuel is bingo. Awaiting the laze signature." The radio interrupted the conversation. “Roger, Red-7. We’ll be ready in ten mikes.” Simms keyed her radio eyeing ‘the duo from another realm’ suspiciously. “Alright, levitating men from another realm, we’ll go with your plan.” Simms looked at Andor and asked reluctantly, “Do you want to stay and lure the Nyxihungar into our trap?” “Abso-fucking-lutely,” Andor replied without hesitation. “I was afraid you’d say that,” Simms grunted. ![[asi-ii-santoBiLance.jpg]] “You take *Asi.*” Edmond unsheathed the sword and handed it to Andor. When his fingers wrapped around the hilt, the sword began to vibrate, and the gemstones grew bright. “Thank you…” Andor held the sword, shifting it slightly as the rain ran in rivulets down the cold black steel. “It has had an illustrious lineage of handlers,” Branwen smiled. “You are quite fortunate... but I guess you’ve earned it from your prestigious history of iterations… Don’t let the Nyxihungar see it until it’s close enough to use it though.” “Iterations?” Andor’s eyes shot up. “There’s no time to explain now,” Branwen stepped towards Andor. “Since you have Asi may I use your rifle?” “I guess so…” Andor checked to make sure the safety was on. “There’s a round in the chamber.” “Is this sword really going to work? It feels pretty light.” “*Asi* can destroy any foe in the cosmos.” “I’m not opposed to your plan,” Andor shuffled his feet, “but why can’t one of you stay down here to lure the Nyxihungar?” “It is starving and looking for an easy meal. We are most definitely not that,” Edmond said matter-of-factly. “Great. Not sure how I feel about being an ‘easy meal,’” Andor gulped. “Listen,” Branwen put his hand on Andor’s shoulder, “I won’t lie to you. What you’ve been asked to do is dangerous, but think about what happens if we fail. This has to work.” Resolutely, Andor looked into Branwen’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll do it.” “Outstanding!” Edmond straightened up. “I’ll see you on the flip side.” Ed smiled as he slapped Andor on the back. Then with speed and intensity the fire teams followed ‘the duo from another realm’ up the side of the mountain leaving Andor alone in the rain holding the sword and wondering what the fuck he had just agreed to. --- “Everyone’s in position. Target is lazed. Missiles inbound,” Simms cold voice cut through the silence. *Thank god I was losing my shit just standing here by myself.* Andor kicked a rock at his feet and watched it splash into the nearby river. “T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3…” Her voice was drowned out by a horrendous scream as the missiles tore up the canyon. Then there was a deafening explosion. Up and down the valley landslides were triggered as the boom echoed and reverberated up and down the narrow canyon. There was another horrible scream, then a second explosion. As the echoes and sound of falling rock receded Andor got up from the sand *Is it dead? Did we kill the Nyxihungar?* Then the hillside began to tremble, and a horrific roar—one that made his teeth chatter and bile rise in his throat—tore through the valley. **“I am Santo-Bi-lance!!!!!”** When the ground erupted in an explosion of dirt, rock, and dust, Andor swore under his breath, “You wanna fuckin’ live forever?” Then the Nyxihungar emerged from the cloud of debris from the missile strike, its eyes ablaze with fury as vile slime dripped from its fangs. The Marines opened fire on the Nyxihungar, and for a second, it appeared ready to charge them—then it froze and backed slowly down the mountain. *It smells Edmond and Branwen and thinks they have Asi.* Andor realized. Then it spun around and tumbled down the mountain as the Marines peppered it relentlessly with small-arms fire and grenades. “Come and get me!” Andor screamed. He held his ground as the Nyxihungar barreled toward him – he could see its eyes glowing orange, and began to tremble. *I’ve never seen such pure hate before.* The Nyxihungar leapt once, then twice, landing like a cat in the valley—right where the claymores had been placed. Andor dove behind a huge boulder just as the claymores exploded in a deafening roar. Shrapnel zinged through the air as huge boulders dislodged and crashed into the gorge while the Nyxihungar wailed—its rage and hate palpable in the storm-charged atmosphere. Then Edmond’s voice crackled over the radio: **“Use the SWORD!”** Andor, who had forgotten all about *Asi* amid the carnage on the mountainside above, spun around and clutching it began running towards the Nyxihungar. “How the fuck do I use this thing?” Andor screamed into his radio, but he had forgotten to key the mic. When there was no reply, in an act of desperation, he swung *Asi* like a madman at the distant monster, which lay crumpled beneath a pile of boulders, foul green slime oozing from wounds all over its body. Andor yelped in shock when a light wave belched from the hilt of the sword, and a moment later, the blinding light wave smashed into a lone pine tree, causing it to explode into matchstick-sized pieces. “Oh, now we’re in business.” Andor broke into a dead run, holding *Asi* above him, ready to strike as he leapt from rock to rock up the steep mountain canyon. As he neared the wounded Nyxihungar, he took a swing at it. Again, the light wave emanated from the sword and gathered speed. When it hit the alien monster, its scaly skin began to bubble and smoke. The Nyxihungar let out a terrible roar, then stood, flinging boulders the size of refrigerators into the air as if they were nothing. Then it spun to face Andor, its piercing orange eyes making his blood run cold. *Fuck me!* “I’m right here, you little fucker! Come and eat me!” He screamed defiantly. What happened next made Andor’s heart stop—the Nyxihungar smiled and with one mighty leap, it let out a hideous snarl. Andor raised *Asi* above his head and, with all his might, drove it into the alien nightmare’s chest as it landed on top of him. The Nyxihungar let out a terrible roar as foul green bile spewed from its mouth. Then it swiped at Andor, its claws burying deep into his chest. He let out an agonizing gasp as blood gurgled from his mouth. *That’s not good!* In a desperate act he rammed the sword with all his might, driving it into the wendigo. As his vision began to blur, Andor felt the beast’s claw rip his heart in two. *This is how I die.* In a flash, he saw Lilli and Aurora lying in bed, sleeping. He smiled and a tear trickled down his cheek. Then he twisted the hilt, and a lightwave burst from *Asi.* The Nyxihungar exploded in a blinding flash of air and light, sending Andor flying through the air. A moment later, his mangled corpse crashed into the ground as a million bits of the Nyxihungar rained from the sky—a foul-smelling rain soaking the riverbed in gruesome gore. ### Next Chapter: [Stay Tuned](https://www.substack.mountaintopcoding.dev/) ### Previous Chapter: [[25 - Pinedale 🏡]]