“Okay next challenge is…uh…,” the Djinn said, flipping through his notes, “a strategy meeting! I will give each group a wartime scenario and you must provide instruction as from the perspective of a general of an army. Please provide your instructions in a turn-based method. Please note, you only have so many resources so use them wisely!”

The ghoul, upon hearing this, rounded on the two (still arguing) and barked at them.

“You two, stop it now,” he said, globs flying everywhere in anger. The two automatically shrunk back at his spray. “I want to be the first to say that we’re a terrible team. We flunked the first test and that’s all our fault.”

They looked down glumly as he crushed them with the plain truth.

“But that’s not to say that we’re not the strongest team here. We all have strengths and weaknesses, no exceptions. Succubus, yeah you are an absolute babe and I’d do whatever you say in a heartbeat if you flash any more leg (oh stop it you, smirked the succubus) but by lucifer’s well-oiled beard you are so selfish and impossible to work in a team (hrmph).”

“And you!” he said, rounding on a grinning Dullahan. He was startled by the Ghoul’s sudden aggression. “I agree that you’re a strong, proud individual with incredible strength (oho you speak wisely, beamed the Dullahan) but by the lord’s merciful damnation you can be incredibly pig-headed when it comes to compromise sometimes (aww).”

“I’m not without fault either. No one is as lecherous and as lazy as I am, but even I have some redeeming qualities so let’s put our strengths together and win this damned thing. I have a plan so listen in…” he rumbled.

The Djinn was handing out the individual problems but smiled slightly as he heard, through his magic, the formation of a solid team.

The ghoul, as he had always tried to avoid direct fights, often assisted generals in previous campaigns and had extensive knowledge of battle strategy.

While the succubus could only think to try and infiltrate the enemy camp and the dullahan could only suggest a head-on charge, the ghoul formed a turn-based plan to first establish a base of operations, supply chain and chain of command.

The other two watched in awe as a fully-fledged campaign was birthed in front of their eyes. The ghoul even incorporated their plans into his own - a reconnaissance mission to gather information as well as a final charge to mow down the enemy forces.

When it came to grade their plans, the Djinn was taken aback at the details and intricacies laid out by the trio. Other teams had written simple ideas for storming the enemy and scouting at the very most.

“Hmm, an interesting round. Well onto the next one,” he said, chewing through his notes, “Okay now we’re going to test your communication skills. This testing method actually was developed by the eastern nations of the over-world – a game which simulates covert operations and communicative awareness in situations where one must whisper instead of talk.

You must pass a secret message from one team member to another by whispering and deliver the message correctly to the next member. Your bodies will be separated by a noise-cancelling barrier and you must whisper.

Making a noise other than whispering will cause your team to immediately forfeit. I will test each of your groups one by one, so please wait until your team is called. Please don’t hesitate if you have any more questions.”

The dullahan had been floored by the ghoul’s work. Not only had he proven invaluable to the team, but also had shown leadership that he never knew the ghoul had. It wasn’t becoming of him to rely on the ghoul’s abilities. He had to prove himself and help the team.

“Great job ghoul, I’m sincerely impressed by your efforts. Well done. Team, I have a plan for this one. I need to check something with the Djinn,” he said briskly before dashing off to find their judge.

The ghoul was ecstatic at this praise. He had only ever been criticized by his peers who often only judged him on his appearance. Perhaps that was why he had wanted to go to the surface so badly.

Now that he had a friend in this hellhole, his need to escape lessened slightly (though he would still appreciate some tender love and care from the flaming ball of goodness in that beautiful blue sky)

They saw the dullahan exchange some words with the Djinn, who smiled and nodded, before coming back.

“Okay team, I’ve got approval. Here’s the game plan,” he said, motioning them to huddle in.