Chapter 4

Three soldiers on horseback road up a trail going up the mountains. The colorful flowers and large insects at the base of the hills were now absent and the only noticeable life were mosses and lichens. After a couple days of exploring the valley it was determined this path was the only way out. A number of scouts were sent up the trail with horses as it was impossible to drive up in a vehicle. The horses were now breathing heavily and even the riders were straining to breath now.

"Corporal if we keep going like this the horses are going to collapse." Said the soldier furthest behind.

"Were almost at the top." Said the Corporal. "We'll rest there and then start heading back down."

Around fifteen minutes later the riders finally reached the summit of the mountain. They looked out at the beauty of a large mountain range. They were purplish in color with snow topped peaks. They could see the trail continuing down and even where it went up the next mountain.

"God those people must have spent weeks getting all the way out here." Said the third soldier."

"They certainly didn't want to be found. Their plight may very well be true." Said the Corporal. "We'll let the horses rest another five minutes and then start heading back down."

About a minute passed and then a slight breeze began to blow. In the breeze the sound of music could faintly be heard. It was the sound of a woman singing a high-pitched tune. The men who had dismounted now began to move toward the song coming from the mountains before them leaving their horses behind.

The soldiers soon became fully enticed. They had forgotten about their mission, horses, and time itself. Now they only had a burning desire to learn where the source of the song was coming from. As they went down the path it grew louder and louder.

At the base of the mountain they saw what looked like a woman but covered in blue. They saw she was birdlike with avian feet and blue feathers on her arms and head in the place of hair. Suddenly galloping broke the trance and the men were soon surrounded. They were not horses or men but a combination of both with their human torsos bearing long spears which they pointed at the soldiers. The Corporal turned back to see the woman's sinister smile. It was the last thing he ever saw.

The Commander's car emerged from the void and the lights clicked off. He was immediately greeted by Corporal Cox who informed him about the defenses that had been set up. Several foxholes were armed with maxim guns that surrounded the tents while the tanks were left in back acting as a reserve to be sent forward as needed. He then outlined daily supplies which were needed for the upkeep of the camp.

The Commander was impressed. "If your superiors were half as competent as you Corporal, I would have been launching a full-scale invasion of this occultist world by now."

"Thank you, Commander, but I'm afraid there is a problem which I must confide with you. I sent a number of scouts out at 0700 up the mountains ahead to us and they have yet to return."

The Commander's expression completely changed. "Double the guard for tonight and in the morning organize a company to find them."

"An entire company sir? Is that really necessary?" Said Cox confused.

"Inform Sergeant Morrison immediately upon finding out about their fate."

"Yes Commander."

The Commander returned to the U.S. and informed Morrison to also be on the alert and to keep sending reports on the situation. He also ordered the refugee camp to be moved away from the void to which Morrison protested.

"Sergeant I don't care where you move them to. Put them right outside Alexander for all I care, but I need this area clear to rush reinforcements through the hole if necessary. Its too dangerous to have them so close."

Morrison saw how matter a fact the order was and was quick to agree.

The Commander then returned with his convoy to Major Roland.

"Commander! We have located another enemy position and are prepared to attack at your orders." Said the Major.

"I must delay that order."

"What why?"

"I have suspicions that there may be enemy movements in the hole, and I don't want us to be preoccupied attacking them here at this time in case our forces there need to be reinforced. For the next couple days, I want your forces in a defensive position. Then after that we will launch the offensive."

"But sir they may escape if we don't surround them immediately."

"That's a risk I am willing to take."

"Understood Commander."

They exchanged salutes and the Commander relived himself.

The Major was quick to inform his subordinate about the situation. "I don't understand why the Commander has become hesitant after being so aggressive these last few days."

"Perhaps he still wants the cease fire to endure." Replied the soldier.

"I don't think so he actually seemed to be afraid. Why not attack and eliminate the enemy?"

"The Commander was a veteran of the German offensive of 1918. If he thinks we are better to remain in a defensive position he should be trusted."

The next day the Commander visited the Major again to debrief him about the early stages of the incident. The Major was quick to say what he learned.

"The people of the compound were some branch of Huguenots, and they claimed to have established a place of worship at the compound. Everything was off the books and it was believed their funds came from rich donors all anonymous.

There were suspicions and things really became alarming when a number of break-ins and kidnappings took place a couple years after the compound was established. What kicked things off though was when someone came to the Alexander police station claiming to have escaped from the compound. The individual claimed that a number of people were being held there and some of hostages had been strapped down and stabbed through the heart as a sacrifice. The police investigated, things went wrong, they contacted the governor and he sent us."

"And what of our initial engagement?"

"Our forces confronted them, and the hole opened up. The men with swords emerged and attacked us but we were able to fight them back. When they retreated, they launched fireballs that destroy the armored vehicle and they launched a cavalry charge and we were overwhelmed. The recovered soldiers finally filled in the gaps. I'm afraid Private Higgins is still not legible.

"What is his status?"

"Won't answer any questions keeps going on about something involving a dragon, a demon, and woman in black."

"Must be talking about Revelation. I was always concerned if Higgins was competent and its clear now he was not. When appropriate have him discharged and sent home. I appreciate your work Major."