Thule the Fast Food Barbarian, ch. 1-5 (Patreon)

This is early access for my patrons! I still have to go back and flesh out the girls a bit, and I am sure there are a few errors and typos (feel free to comment or message me if you spot any) but it's coming along! The rough draft is totally done, so I'm just editing now! Should release around early January!

Chapter 1

The wind howled and raged, assailing the desert air with a cumbersome blanket of sand. Even the pale orange light of the sun dared not breach through the granular onslaught that buffeted the surrounding area.

Brave travelers, foolish venturers, and unlucky souls alike all eventually succumb to the cruel elements of Treigh-Ganul—a wretched, inhospitable place now mentioned only in hushed tones as the Scorpion’s Domain. Lesser men certainly have perished and found themselves in their final, miserable moments buried underneath the rage of its constant sandstorms, their deceased bodies preserved somewhere beneath the dunes.

Today, Thule navigated this terrain. Many words have been used to describe Thule the Krommerian. Strong. Brave. Imposing. Built with the resiliency of a mighty, stone fortress. There were few people who possessed the stones to tell him to his face he was lesser. Rumors were that the last man who dared to do something of the sort found himself on the losing side of a disagreement with the barbarian; to be precise, the hulking warrior disagreed that the blowhard should be permitted to continue breathing perfectly fine air.

Hard, bronzed limbs lifted the small canteen affixed to his belt. He shook the container. Liquid swished inside of it, which was a welcome sound, but he couldn’t resist the scowl that pulled at his lips when he realized how little water remained within the buckskin reservoir.

Thule drank the few droplets left in the container before he allowed it to fall at his feet. Within seconds, all traces of the canteen were consumed by the desert sand.

The warrior lifted his arm and shielded his face as he continued trudging on through the storm. He cursed under his breath. There was nothing more frustrating than having sizable clumps of sand collect within his loincloth, scratching and rubbing against his buttocks with every heavy step he took.

Irritating or not, Thule’s journey to Treigh-Ganul was not without its purpose: He sought a goal. The objective was the daughter of a reputable merchant lord, Mo’Nai. The old man said he’d pay a king’s ransom to secure the safety of his daughter from the people that stole her away from him.

Thule found the situation bemusing. With the thickest walls and the sturdiest of gates, apparently Mo’Nai and all his treasures could do little in the way of deterring a lobbed brick from breaking through a window. It was in this manner that the girl was taken. Perhaps it would be in a similar manner that Thule reclaimed her, though he hoped he’d reap more glory than that could offer.

The merchant lord’s spies claimed the ones responsible for the kidnapping were known as the Scorpion Cult. Thule knew this cult well. He’d had dealings with its master many times before. They were a foul group looking to appease their dark god whose name Thule could not pronounce without choking on his phlegm: Vuygh-Nashalugulht.

Still, he didn’t trouble himself on mastering the utterance of these syllables. To the warrior, the name of this cult’s god might as well have been ‘Fuck It’. Thule wasn’t enduring this miserable trek through the desert to learn how to utter the blasphemous name of some random primordial shit-sack; he was there to save the damsel and get rich in doing so.

The barbarian imagined the situation would be resolved accordingly: With his massive sword, he’d cleave through the perpetrators. Then, he’d rescue the girl from being torn asunder by this eldritch horror conjured up by the cult. He’d lop off the head of the beast, or pierce through its innards—Thule was by no means picky about the manner of resolution. Once finished, he’d loot whatever supplies they could take from the temple before they’d venture back through the inhospitable realm that was Treigh-Ganul. Thule would then return the fair maiden and walk away with his sizable reward.

Thule’s imagination did little to lift his spirits. Even with all his strength and cunning at his disposal, remaining confident proved a difficult task when he couldn’t even see five feet in front of his aquiline nose.

Grinding his teeth together, the warrior continued his weary march forward through the desert storm. Though the sky was darkened with flying sand, the heat of the sun burned brightly above him despite the roaring winds raging relentlessly with the fury of the gods themselves. Vast strength and iron-clad resiliency kept his feet from faltering and his body from buckling with exhaustion.

The fury of the sandstorm calmed with the passing of the hour, and Thule was blessed once more with the gift of vision as pockets of light penetrated through the black clouds concealing the sky above him. His eyes feasted upon an impressive sight looming in the far distance: a temple. The temple.

Residing upon the top of a mountain, the building stood tall, with thick walls surrounding the dome-shaped roof at the pinnacle. Age had laid siege to the stones comprising it, yet the temple remained standing proud. Beneath this edifice lay an opening at the foot of the mountain.

And there it is, Thule thought as he licked his dried and cracked lips.

This opening was a cave. He imagined that the underground chamber led to the impressive structure. With the goal clearly standing in his sight, the fire inside the Krommerian warrior’s mighty heart ignited once more, and he burst forward with a sprint. With every powerful step, with every bounded movement, Thule lessened the distance between himself and his goal.

When he made his way into the cave, he paused and took notice of the elevated terrain that wound around like clockwork. Stone steps rose through the craggy rock faces within the underground passage. Rocks crunched against the barbarian’s sandal-clad feet. Grains of sand and weathered rocks and cave dust trickled from the top of the cavern’s ceiling.

As the Krommerian cautiously advanced, an uneasy feeling came upon him as he took notice of a smell. It wasn’t the musky scent of the sandstone that filled out the cave. His nostrils detected something far more foul, far more rotten than mere stale air.

It was the stench of death.

Thule’s features softened when he saw the sight before him. A large section of the ceiling had given way. Squashed and trapped beneath the rock rested the body of a man. Though it was a difficult feat to discern from the shadows, he wore some sort of white coat with a symbol affixed around the chest. The warrior couldn’t make it out through the darkness.

If this person was a member of the Scorpion Cult like the barbarian suspected, his allies had abandoned him, left him here to rot among the rubble.

Sand trickled above the Krommerian. Thule ran a hand through his hair and raked his fingers through his scalp. He looked upon the poor soul with pity before he grabbed the sharp edges of the rock.

The warrior grunted as he lifted the collapsed ceiling off the body. Exhibiting the strength of three fully grown men, he was able to lift some of it, though the larging chunks that had likely crushed the man’s legs into powder could not be moved.

He lowered himself to his knees and examined the body, allowing his fingers to roam through the pockets of the man’s coat. Thule extracted a small knife.

A frown marred the Krommerian’s rough features as he studied the object. There was an engraving carved into the blade itself. Unfortunately, he couldn’t discern the symbols through the lofty darkness, though the strange shapes that were visible appeared alien to him.

The warrior heard a hiss to his immediate right. Without hesitation, he snatched the neck of the curled cobra that lunged at him. He plunged the knife into the serpent and severed its head in one fluid motion.

Thule glanced at the deceased man one more time before he chucked the decapitated snake behind him, along with the blade, and continued forward through this desert grave.

He cautiously walked through the cave. Eventually, he came across light where torches had been lit. Grabbing the brown handle of one of the torches, he held out the flame in front him, repelling the shadows that littered the floor. He began to ascend the terrain.

As he climbed the rocks, he could hear an ominous wind blow in the distance. The noise grew louder with each passing minute. Thule tensed his ripped muscles as he paused in his tracks. Before him was a narrow series of steps. Both sides of the platform led into a vast pit.

The warrior knelt and grabbed a heavy stone. He approached the edge and chucked it to the left of the stairs. He waited in silence for about ten seconds. If Thule’s projectile struck the bottom of the pit, he hadn’t heard its landing.

Better not fall, the barbarian grimly mused.

The Krommerian ascended the steps, relying on the torch to see the footpath up ahead of him. As he approached the top, he took notice of a bright light spilling into the cavern’s exit. The path leading to the outside had a pillar of rock standing to the right of it.

Thule bounded forward to this light. His mirth was short lived as one of the steps shifted and crumbled beneath his feet.

Letting out a shout, the Krommerian jumped and grabbed onto the nearest ledge. Tensing his muscles, he lifted himself from the precipice and found his feet once more standing upon solid ground.

As he made his way to the exit, he heard a disturbance to his right. The warrior stepped back immediately, narrowly dodging the arc of a curved blade.

The warrior almost lost his footing from his sudden backstep. A hissing sound came as a strange creature emerged from behind the pillar.

At a glance, one could be forgiven for mistaking the monstrosity for a human being. It walked upright like a man, and even wielded an axe like a person. Yet Thule, for the life of him, could not recall any encounters where he chatted or fought human beings with scales and horns.

The monster flicked its tongue and tensed its muscles for a lunge. When the lizard-man, if it could be charitably dubbed such a thing, bounded forward, the barbarian gripped the handle of his sword from the side of his belt and unleashed it from its sheath.

Steel clashed. The clang of metal echoed off the cavern walls.

The golden eyes of the lizard-man bulged wide as its body flew back from the impact. It collapsed to the ground. Thule gave a primal shout as he bounded forward and swung his broadsword at the downed creature.

The blade struck only the earth as the lizard-man swiftly rolled to its right. It leapt onto its feet.

Before it could so much as lift its blade, Thule kicked the monster’s chest, sending the creature staggering backwards from the blow.

The scaled abomination’s eyes widened with fear as the last sound it heard was the mighty cry of the great warrior. The last sight it saw was the swing of the barbarian’s broadsword.

With one massive stroke, the beast’s head was cleaved crudely down the center. The scales of the monstrosity did nothing to stop the sheer power of the blade that broke through them, oozing green ichor onto the floor of the cavern. The beast’s knees buckled, and its body collapsed—dead.

A red haze lingered in Thule’s eyes as he glared with fury at the wretched beast that had ambushed him. Through the light piercing the mouth of the cavern, he could see the symbol etched onto its silver-plated armor. A black figure with the head of a man with horns and the body of a scorpion decorated the gear the monster wore.

Mo’Nai’s claim was accurate: The Scorpion Cult did indeed mastermind the kidnapping of his daughter. If there had been any question whether they’d truly taken residency in Treigh-Ganul, the symbol the creature bore dispelled any doubt the Krommerian might have entertained.

Sheathing his bloodied sword, the barbarian stepped away from the deceased guardian and made his way to the exit of the cave. He suspected a greater challenge would await him within the walls of the temple.

***

Blue fire burst forth from the torches lining the ceremonial chamber of the temple as the sorcerer’s shadow emerged into the room.

Chained to a pillar adjacent to an imposing looking statue of a clawed monstrosity was a girl of breathtaking beauty. A white dress and purple sash adorned the busty figure of the youthful brunette. She glared at her captor in defiance.

“My father will send people for me,” she fiercely challenged.

“He’d better find someone remarkable,” the man replied as a smile tugged at his lips. “The lands of Treigh-Ganul are not kind to those who walk upon its surface. It’s not unlike drifting through a dead sea out there. You saw firsthand how harrowing a journey it is to make it to these walls, little Nadia.”

The man reached into his crimson robes and unveiled a red apple. He offered it to the girl who continued to stare at him in defiance.

His smile faltered. “Your journey here was an arduous one. You should eat.”

“Why? So, you can sacrifice me?”

“Hmm?”

Nadia cocked her head at him. “Did you not bring me here to kill me?”

“Kill is a very strong word.”

“Bu-but, I thought I was in danger. Great peril! Aren’t you the dark sorcerer, Riven Kul’Doom?”

The man nodded in confirmation. “I see my name precedes me. But I think danger, great peril, and that comment about my being a dark sorcerer are all false. I’d like to think I’m more of the light sorcerer.”

“L-light?”

Riven grinned. “Yes, like ‘light-hearted.’ You know. fun! What’s the point of wielding magic and violating the laws of nature if you’re not willing to muck around and have a blast with the boys while doing it? That isn’t dark, that’s exciting. Fun!”

“Madness is more like it.”

“Everyone’s a critic, I suppose.”

The woman glared. “Says the one who chained me to a pillar.”

Riven frowned. “Well… I couldn’t permit you to wander freely. Not with the impending hour coming upon us: The hour of Vuygh-Nashalugulht.” A clap of thunder echoed above them as he hacked the name of his dark god.

“Wh-what?”

“I said Vuygh-Nashalugulht.” Another thunderclap sounded.

Nadia glanced at him suspiciously. “Does it always thunder when you say Vuygh…Nasha…lugulht?”

“You’ve got to get the phlegm in all the right places. Helps to say the name all at once. I mean, you’re really just coughing your way through the syllables when you get down to it.”

The merchant lord’s daughter spat at the sorcerer’s feet.

Riven scowled at her. “What a waste of good phlegm. Fine, be rude about it. At least I’m not the sad sap chained to a column.”

“Just do what you’re going to do to me and be done.”

The sorcerer held his hand up, beckoning her to silence. “In time. You can’t just skip straight to taking over the world. If it were that easy, someone would have done it by now. There are steps, Nadia. Steps.”

“And how is this Vuygh…Vuygh?”

“Vuygh-Nashalugulht,” Riven corrected her as thunder crashed above them. He waited for the clamor to stop before he continued. “And please quit prompting me to say it. I’m beginning to think you’re doing that on purpose now.”

The young woman huffed. “Well… how is kidnapping me going to allow you to take over the world? I’m intended to be a sacrifice to this dark god?”

“Light god. Fun god. Besides—you’re more of a present.”

“In other words, a sacrifice?”

Riven furrowed his brow at his captive. “Well, I’d prefer you not to state it so darkly, but if you prefer to be a Negative Nadia, sure. Sacrifice it is.”

Then, the sorcerer raised his hand and the stone altar standing along the center of the ceremonial chamber slid to the left, grinding loudly along the floor. In the distance, the audible sound of liquid bubbled from the opening created by the structure’s movement.

“What is that supposed to be?”

The sorcerer let out an exasperated sigh as he shook his head at his captive. “Did I kidnap a damsel, or a damned philosopher? What’s with all these questions? Fuck.”

“Hey, you’re not the one chained up here. Obviously I’m curious. Asking questions helps with the existential anxiety.”

Riven chuckled and made a broad sweeping gesture. “Fine, I’ll indulge you. Behold, the Pool of Rebirth.”

“And what’s the purpose of it?”

The sorcerer began to speak when a crash sounded at the door. A guard was flung into the room, his body landing on the carpet running along the sandstone-tiled floor of the chamber.

The chained girl let out a gasp as a massive barbarian loped into the room, all bronzed skin and rippling muscles. An oversized sword with a wide hilt was gripped in the figure’s hands. Shoulder length hair colored in brown ran along his shoulders.

Riven pointed at him with a trembling finger as he took a step back. “Who are you and how did you get in here?”

The barbarian glared at him. “I’m offended you don’t recognize me, sorcerer. I knew your foul stench immediately. I am Thule the Krommerian, liberator of the Westerly Wastes, hero of Aqualis,” he declared before he took a bold step forward. “And I got here by walking through the front door.”

Riven sniffed the sleeve of his robe and then glared at his barbarian intruder. “First of all, I bathed like two weeks ago. There is no way you smelled anything that foul, certainly not from way over there, so stop with the slander. Second, I had guards posted. Tough fighters.”

The guard on the floor stood up and limped to the back of the room, whimpering in his retreat.

“Not counting him,” the sorcerer quickly clarified. “Actually, he was the toughest, come to think of it.”

Thule gripped his blade and pointed it at the mage. “Unhand the girl, Kul’Doom, and you may yet walk away with your life.”

The wizard glared at the Krommerian before a smile graced his lips. “I remember you now. You’re the one who stormed my keep in Kutchime a year ago. You shaved! It looks good.”

“Thank you,” the Krommerian replied, gripping the hilt of his weapon tightly.

“Kutchime? That’s over a hundred miles away. What are you doing out here all the way in Treigh-Ganul?” the merchant lord’s daughter questioned.

“Career change,” Riven replied. “I mean, I’ve always done the scorpion thing. That’s my whole deal. Thule here no doubt remembers that detail as well.”

“Yes, you actually had scorpion centaurs serving under you last I recall.”

Riven cocked his head while a horrified expression emerged on the captive’s face. “Had? I still do.”

A clicking sound echoed off the floor of the chamber.

Thule sighed in aggravation. “There is one of them right behind me now, isn’t there?”

Riven Kul’Doom flashed an ominous smile as a guttural hiss bellowed from behind the barbarian. “If I say no, would you believe me?”

Naturally, the barbarian did not trust the sorcerer’s claim, and the warrior instead turned around and swung his mighty sword at the creature behind him. An ebony pincer as strong and sturdy as the finest of steel blocked the blade.

Riven scrambled to the girl and began unlocking her chains.

“What are you doing?” she asked the sorcerer with a tremulous voice.

“Change of plans. The hour of my god is now.”

The girl protested. “What happened to not skipping steps in taking over the world?”

Thule let out a mighty roar behind the sorcerer, he slammed the scorpion centaur’s hulking body loudly against one of the sandstone pillars.

Riven gestured at the warrior. “Given a half-naked man built like a brick house is breaking little sweat in trouncing my huge-ass minion, I’d rather not stick around and wait to see what happens next, thankyouverymuch,” he said before he unveiled a knife from his robes and undid the lock holding the chains. “Extenuating circumstances, I’m afraid, have determined the hour for us.”

***

Thule snarled as he slammed the head of the creature into the stone pillar of the ceremonial chambers. When he struck the scorpion centaur’s head into the pillar a second time, his barbarian instincts kicked in and he leapt back, narrowly dodging the stinger that was inches away from piercing through his body.

The monster lurched forward, teetering on shaky legs, no doubt a result of having its head bludgeoned. An inhuman growl emanated from the monster’s throat as it raised its pincers once more and attempted to close them around the warrior standing before it.

Steel struck the limb of one of the pincers, sending it clattering onto the ground with a spray of crimson. The monster howled in agony before the blade pierced through its body. The entrails of the massive creature splattered onto the tiled floor as its body crumbled onto the ground and spasmed. With a shout, the barbarian sank his blade into the monster’s meaty chest, rendering his foe still forevermore.

Thule had little time to breathe when he felt an intense heat approaching him. He turned and held up his thick sword like a shield.

Blue flames struck the center of the blade, and the barbarian grimaced as he felt scalding heat nipping at the hairs on his arms.

The sorcerer clicked his teeth as the azure fire diminished. “Well… shit,” Riven remarked. He stepped away with his hostage, taking a large step back even as the girl kicked at his heel with her slippered foot. He poked the girl with his elbow, signaling her to stop her weak assault on his ankle.

Thule strode forward with his blade pointed at his enemy. “Unhand her.”

“Hang on! You don’t really want to do this,” pleaded the sorcerer.

Thule raised a brow at his adversary. For someone who was supposed to be a powerful wizard, he certainly sounded more like a coward. Still, Thule was not without honor. The barbarian listened. “Go on.”

Riven nodded. “We could cleanse this filthy world together. Gather armies. Rule over everyone. Think of the possibilities, Krommerian!”

The barbarian standing before the sorcerer only thought of one possibility, and that vision involved the cleaving end of his sword. “I think not. Besides, you’re just stalling for time,” Thule declared.

Riven let go of his hostage, and his long black hair whipped from her sudden release as blue flames ignited at the tips of his fingers.

The warrior braced himself for another fireball, but the hostage acted quickly, shoving Kul’Doom as he launched his attack.

His conjured fire struck one of the many pillars erected in the ceremonial hall; the stone column shattered along the center and collapsed onto the tiled ground.

With a roar, Thule charged towards the sorcerer. Riven let out a cry himself as the hero’s blade struck true, piercing the chest of the dark lord.

“It’s over,” Thule declared with a steely gaze.

Riven gave a savage smile as blood poured from his mouth. “Famous last words, barbarian,” he choked.

Thule quirked a brow as the wizard thrust his dagger at him. The Krommerian effortlessly snatched the man’s wrist, preventing his opponent from piercing his flesh.

Riven Kul’Doom snarled and pushed them both forward with the last of his energy. Thule roared in surprise as he lost his footing.

“The Pool of Rebirth!” the girl yelled.

The pair fell into the opening along the ground. An azure light blinded the barbarian’s sight as his body struck the waters below. Something gripped at the corners of his mind and pulled his conscious sense of being into a pitch-dark place.

The Krommerian felt as if he was floating. Not in the waters, but in the air.

By Koth, is this what dying feels like?

The light magnified, washing over the feeling in his body, searing every fiber of his being in hot agony.

His body trembled, and then the pain gave way to blackness. Thule surrendered to the overwhelming nothing carrying him away into unconsciousness.

Chapter 2

Light flooded Thule’s vision, blinding him as he stirred from his slumber. He could feel his pulse throb in his head. The man groaned as he shifted on the hard ground.

Hard ground?

The barbarian observed his surroundings and immediately found himself perplexed. The last thing he remembered was plunging into the Pool of Rebirth with the evil sorcerer. He expected to feel water soaking against his skin. He imagined the air around would be that of the dry and musty temple.

Instead, the sight that awaited him was far more bewildering than any of the dangerous dungeons or the many magical realms he’d encountered over the course of his many adventures.

The ground where he awoke felt coarse to the touch and hot. Its coloration was dark gray, though not made of any tile or stone he’d ever seen throughout his lifetime.

He took in his surroundings and cocked his head as he tried to discern the strange, almost alien sights around him. Odd metal carriages lacking horses were lined along the area, many of them painted bright colors. Across the road were more of this strange colored ground where more of these horseless vehicles were moving, speeding down the stretching path ahead of him with their spinning wheels.

“Koth and his devils!” the barbarian exclaimed.

He peered towards the nearest building. A golden M with arches was mounted on top of the impressive looking residence. He reasoned it was some sort of family crest. Civilized cultures often made a big fuss about adorning such symbols onto their property. To the barbarian, the only thing that signified the family was blood, not some sort of needless pictograph.

This place reeks of civilization, he noted.

Still, he wasn’t in much of a position to go around complaining. It was obvious he had far greater problems to contend with in his current state. Chief among his concerns was the matter of what strange land he’d been transported to during his clash with Riven Kul’Doom.

Thule instinctively reached down to his side to grip the handle of his sword. His fingers only raked against his skin. He looked down at his body and realized he was as naked as the day he was born. The barbarian was neither worried about nor embarrassed of this fact. Instead, he merely resigned himself to the situation. He’d dealt with far more troublesome and embarrassing things than something meager like the disappearance of his clothing.

The loss of his trusty weapon did trouble him, though. His blade had been his most faithful companion throughout his adventures. The barbarian had come across the weapon when a dark enchantress called upon a pack of wolves to devour his flesh and bones. He’d outwitted the beasts by covering his trail. He concealed himself within a crypt. Inside that tomb was the broadsword. A fine prize for his troubles indeed.

Still, Thule refused to let nostalgia shake his will. He was alive, and his senses remained as sharp as they ever were.

Clearing his throat, Thule marched his way to this building with the family emblem on proud display. The owner of the residence would possess knowledge of the land, knowledge that the Krommerian could use to gain his bearings.

The glass door to the abode opened and an elderly woman wearing a dark blue dress embroidered with pink flowers emerged. When she caught sight of the imposing barbarian, his towering figure approaching faster now, her eyes widened like dinner plates.

“Excuse me,” Thule spoke as he held out his massive hand. He licked his lips with how dry his mouth was. While he never considered himself much of a conversationalist, his lungs felt like they’d never been used before now.

The older woman neither knew that detail nor cared. Instead, she turned on her heel and ran, screaming all the while, like some bloodthirsty, man-eating predator was pursuing her with sharp claws and teeth eager to rend her flesh and bones.

Thule paused and frowned at the sight of the fleeing geriatric, whose hysteric wailing reached volumes that made even him flinch. That certainly wasn’t the sort of reaction he was expecting. He was merely introducing himself, even emulating one of the civilized cultures he’d encountered in the process.

“Okay then,” the barbarian dryly remarked, shaking his head at the pathetic sight before he turned and approached the door.

He glanced at the entryway to the residence. Why was it made of glass? Hardly a worthy defense against brigands, let alone the elements.

Thule gripped the handle, and with a tug, the door opened with no resistance. He stepped inside the building, finding himself in a small square room with another door leading into the main foyer. Again, a rather flimsy design in security by his assessment. He glanced behind his back for a few seconds to ensure no one was following him.

Satisfied he was in the clear, he turned and gave the next handle a tug. With little effort, the door pulled open without uttering so much as a creak.

His eyes darted around as he tried to make sense of the sights before him. Square boxes displaying lifelike art of some sort of succulent, oversized patty oozing with a square slice of cheese and green lettuce greeted his vision. The barbarian backed away in alarm as the box flashed and these strange yellow spears jingled from some red box onto a crumpled piece of yellow paper.

Was this some sort of strange magic? He looked to his right and left and saw many tables and booths lining the floor of this residence.

“I must have wandered into some sort of great hall,” he murmured before he advanced forward into the room.

He considered this a good sign. People gathered here, likely at the behest of some nobleman or powerful sorcerer who wasn’t shy when it came to their display of wealth and might.

“My God, Charles!” came a voice to his immediate right.

Thule slowly turned on his heel, glancing at the figure who had cried out. The person, a jittering male who had made this declaration, wore an outfit with a small capped hat affixed to the top of his head. The M that he saw outside was also on this hat.

“I’m not anyone’s god,” the barbarian replied as he smacked his hand against the counter, sending the man staggering back into the wall. “I am Thule the Krommerian, and I request an audience with the master of this house!”

The man in black stammered as he looked to his immediate left. “Sienna! Sienna! You’re going to want to come see this! We have a situation!”

Thule stared at the shrill man in confusion.

Come see this? Situation?

He found the frightful disposition of these civilized people to be so strange. First, Thule was declared to be some god named Charles, which he already found to be such a strange remark. Now they were calling out to Sienna to see him—a situation. He was a man, not an object or a situation. The barbarian kept his temper in check as he patiently waited to see what these bizarre, funny people were doing now.

A woman, who Thule estimated to be in her mid-thirties, emerged from the room behind the man in black. She wore a collared shirt colored in blue. Her dark hair was tied up in a braid that ran down her shoulder.

“Oh my God! Ch-charles? What the hell happened to you?”

The barbarian quirked a brow at her. “I do not know of this deity Charles you speak of. I am Thule the Krommerian.”

“Yeah right, and I’m Xena, Warrior Princess.”

Thule crossed his arms as he looked upon the woman with an inquisitive countenance. “A princess, you say? What a boon. But didn’t he refer to you as Sienna?”

“Yes, I am—Sienna, I mean. But I don’t think that is what is important right now. Why are you so big? Where are your clothes?” she asked as she pointed a finger at his manhood. “You-you can’t go out in public like that.”

He contemplated her words, nodding accordingly. “I seem to have lost them in my fight against my foe, Riven Kul’Doom, scourge of the land and wielder of dark magic.”

“This is a joke, isn’t it?” Sienna inquired while peering around the counter. “Any second now, some film crew is going to emerge from the back and tell me this is all some sort of joke. Is that a muscle suit?”

Film…crew Muscle suit? Thule pondered her words. He assumed this strange master of the house meant a Felmecru, a winged beast with a bear’s head. He dismissed the idea within seconds; the Krommerian couldn’t think of any rational scenario where someone would seek counsel with such a beast, given the fact those creatures were more known for being maneaters than for their wisdom.

In fact, Thule couldn’t recall a time he’d encountered one that could talk at all. They always seemed content with simply roaring before they would lunge forward and fly at him with claws and teeth bared for the kill.

When the warrior reluctantly shook his head at her remark, the woman’s face bore a remarkable resemblance to a white sheet.

The man behind the counter spoke again. “None of this makes sense. He…he’s got to be Charles. The man went outside for a smoke break ten minutes ago.”

“Smoke break?” Thule asked.

The Krommerian was beginning to suspect this Charles fellow was a blacksmith instead of a deity. There were multiple buildings outside this great hall. It was entirely within the realm of possibility that he’d overlooked the one with the smoking furnace.

Sienna shook her head. “Charles vapes, Reggie. And even if he was getting ready to be the Marlboro Man out there, that still doesn’t make a lick of sense. Not unless he got juiced and did six years’ worth of crunches and weightlifting in those ten minutes.”

Juiced? Thule saw little sense in asking someone to lift anything if they were being crunched to the point their blood was leaking out of them like juice. Rather than commenting on that disturbing detail or asking in the name of Koth what in the Stygian Abyss a Marlboro Man was supposed to be, he settled on a more modest inquiry.

“What strange land is this?”

Everyone looked at him with bewilderment in their expressions, like he’d sprouted a second head upon his shoulders.

Growing tired of the awkward silence, he smacked his palm against the counter. Reggie, as the woman called him, let out a pitiful yelp as he practically tripped over his own feet. He desperately scrambled for one of the rooms residing in the back of the building.

The aroma, which smelled of meat and sizzled potatoes, made Thule’s stomach grumble. He was hungry and tired. The exhaustion he felt was a strange paradox given how long he’d likely been unconscious since his skirmish with Kul’Doom.

Flicking his tongue across his lower lip, Thule softened his countenance. He only wanted answers. He’d be unlikely to get them if he didn’t adopt a more diplomatic approach. “I beseech you: Please help me. I only wish to return to my home. I ask nothing more.”

A deep voice boomed behind him. “Some of us are trying to eat in…oh…”

The Krommerian turned on his heel and caught sight of a balding man with wide rimmed spectacles staring back at him apprehensively. A sheepish smile emerged on the face of the middle-aged interloper.

The man’s legs were shaking like a leaf in the wind as Thule stepped towards the figure.

“Do you know where I am?”

“He-hey! No badgering the customers,” Sienna protested from behind the counter.

Thule turned to face her as the individual he’d tried speaking with fled for the glass doors leading to the outside. She must’ve mistaken him for some sort of wizard. He possessed not an ounce of aptitude for sorcery. Even if he did command such power, the warrior imagined he could be more creative than transforming someone into a badger of all things.

Sienna’s cheeks flushed red as she peered at him from behind the counter. She meekly turned her away from his masculine visage. “Look…I don’t claim to know what happened to you, but a lot of strange things have been going on here in McDaniels.”

“McDaniels? And who is this?”

The woman shook her head before she permitted her gaze to linger upon him once again. “McDaniels is the name of our establishment. It’s a franchise.”

He craned his head, tilting it to the side.

When it was clear Thule didn’t understand the meaning behind her words, she offered additional clarification. “A restaurant,” she said. “You’re standing in the middle of a fast-food restaurant.”

Thule understood enough. Establishment was fancy civilized talk for a merchant’s shop. He didn’t know the meaning behind the term restaurant, though he imagined from the scent this was a tavern of some sort.

From the barbarian’s experience, food that was served fast tended to be cold, and a guaranteed way to make someone sick. Perhaps these strange people were less civilized than himself. They’d have to be if they were not properly cooking their meals.

Still, at least the clarification made it obvious what Sienna was. The man in black had answered to her. He imagined the people of this McDaniel’s, as she called the place, were loyal and obedient to her.

Thule found that to be an interesting change of pace. In his own land he’d encountered few women in positions of power. The ones that did hold strength only did so as a consequence of their lineage, more often than not. He pondered if this Sienna was the daughter of a merchant lord. She might have even been one herself.

So far, the information she offered came without charge. He saw no downside in pressing the woman for more details.

“Do you know where Krameri is?”

Sienna shook her head.

“Corinthus? Condora? Varheim?”

“Never heard of them.”

Thule felt a lump form in the back of his throat. There was no doubt in his mind that he was far away from familiar territory. Having that grim fact confirmed so briskly did little to ease his growing anxiety as his mind tried formulating a plan to get him home.

“Do you know where I might find a map?” he asked.

Sienna quirked a brow. “A map?”

“A parchment drawn by a cartographer. The lines form boundaries and—”

A loud scream tore through the air, abruptly interrupting his explanation. The barbarian turned. Glass shattered as a man, more specifically an upper torso, was tossed through the window of the McDaniels.

He glanced down at the writhing figure covered in glittering shards; it was the customer from earlier—the one Sienna thought he was polymorphing into a badger. A bloodied, uneven stump resided where the man once carried a left arm. Thule could also see where his lower intestines dangled from the victim’s abdomen, staining a section of the tiled floor in a red smear.

Within seconds, the spasming, and all other movement in the man’s body, came to an abrupt halt.

Thule glanced towards the counter. Sienna was no longer visible. Either she’d taken cover, or she’d run to the back with her manservant. Thule didn’t need much in the way of honed senses to know trouble was coming for him.

“THULE!” a guttural voice shouted his name.

The Krommerian cursed under his breath as his ears detected an all too familiar sound of snapping pedipalps and clicking legs. A scorpion centaur sprinted into the man’s view.

Pointing its massive claw at the warrior, the monster unleashed a bone chilling growl. “FACE ME!”

No other words were wasted. It was obvious the creature had not come to engage in pleasant conversation. The raised scorpion tail, the blood dripping from the claws and mouth of the monster, and the unpleasant roar of the barbarian’s name made the intention of his foe as abundantly clear as the blue sky of a warm summer day.

Undeterred by the threat of his adversary, Thule charged at the scorpion centaur as it lunged through the window of the building.

Using his broad shoulders, the barbarian slammed into the muscled torso of the monster, sending the malformed creature into the ground. He mounted himself upon the beast and rained blows upon his foe. With each strike the warrior could feel the bones in the monster’s face shatter.

The monster weakly lifted its claws, but it was too stunned to use them. Its eyes widened in terror as it witnessed the barbarian interlock his fingers and raise his hands high into the air. Thule let out a primal shout as he brought them down with a heavy swing.

The skull of the creature caved in against the force of the hit. The centaur scorpion was slain from his strike.

With a grin, the barbarian stood to his feet and looked back at the counter. He could see Sienna peeking around the corner of one of the back rooms. It seemed odd her disposition remained nervous in the face of his victory.

“Well?” he asked, naked and covered in gore.

She raised her hand and pointed behind him. “Wh-what about them?”

Thule followed her gesticulation and his mirth diminished in an instant as three more of the monsters had gathered outside the building.

He glanced back at the woman and then back to the group of scorpion centaurs that were rapidly approaching him with their glossy set of ebony legs and sharp pincers.

Thule immediately grabbed one of the smaller tables and lifted it in front of him. One of the beasts vaulted into the building with its tail poised high into the air. The barbed tip struck against the center of the warrior’s makeshift shield.

Strong as he was, he didn’t think he’d be able to slay all three of these monsters, at least not unscathed, without wielding a blade. The situation reminded the Krommerian something his father, Thorguld, once told him many years ago. They were words of wisdom that applied to difficult situations such as this one.

RUN DAMMIT, RUN!

With a shout, he flung the table at the scorpion centaur. The monster effortlessly swatted the furniture to the side as the naked barbarian bounded forward and vaulted over the counter. Sienna stood dazed and confused even as Thule ran towards her. She let out a yelp as he lifted her effortlessly.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“Surviving,” he replied. Not eager to entertain the subject of why getting sliced into ribbons was a less than ideal prospect, Thule instead sprinted forward and carried her off with him as the increasingly audible sound of chitin-covered legs and claws scraped against the tiled floor behind him.

As he ran through the back area, which he swiftly discovered to be a cramp space, he noticed all sorts of metal contraptions surrounding him, along with a series of levers. A golden glow came from a container next to him, along with the scent of warm potatoes.

Adjacent to that metal container was a pan containing a brown and murky liquid that bubbled so fiercely it emitted steam. From the smell, it was some sort of hot oil. Grease, he believed.

Thule had visited many dungeons and torture chambers over the year. He’d never quite seen one where they simultaneously prepared food and had burning implements.

He let Sienna down as he turned in time to capture the claw of one of the centaur scorpions. Thule shoved the snapping limb into a metal mesh. With a growl, the warrior crushed and bent the mesh inward, trapping the arm of his foe.

Balling his hand into a fist, he struck the monster’s temple and foisted the head of the beast into the oil. The brown liquid hissed as the monster flailed from the scalding heat.

Thule grunted as the monster’s elbow hit him in the jaw, sending the warrior staggering backwards from the blow.

The two other monsters rounded the corner as he regained his equilibrium. He rolled out of the way as one of the lumbering brutes swung at him, its claw scraping against the metal next to him.

As he swiftly rose to his feet, he saw the head of the first scorpion centaur was completely submerged in the liquid. One of the monsters was trying to free its companion.

Thule backed away and loped to the left. He ran into a small office, where he found Sienna, a second woman with blonde hair, and the man in black all huddled in the corner.

The guttural roar of the monsters raged behind him. The barbarian cursed. He didn’t want to lead the creatures to any of these people.

Slamming the office door shut as he dashed away from the area, he caught sight of something that captured his undivided attention. Behind a rectangular pane of glass was a wooden handle and an axe. The blade was silver, while the center of the head and the pick at the end were bright red in their coloration.

Instinctively, he smashed the pane and took hold of his new weapon. He motioned to one of the monsters with his bloodied hand.

“Come on! What are you waiting for?” he bellowed at his foe.

The scorpion centaur let out a roar as it stretched its hindlegs. In a split second, the monster went airborne with a mighty leap.

Thule ran from the area and busted through one of the doors, leading him into a gray tiled hallway. He saw the entrance of the building from there and ran towards it as the monsters pursued him.

When he made it outside the McDaniels, he held aloft his sharp weapon. Gripping it tightly, Thule’s knuckles were as white as a sheet.

He swung the axe, embedding the head of the weapon into the neck of one of the creatures. The scorpion centaur spasmed and collapsed onto the ground.

Lifting the blade again, he swung it down a second time, cleaving the monster’s head off in a single blow.

Thule had only seconds to react when a snapping pincher was foisted at his throat. The barbarian blocked the attack with the center of his blade.

Wrenching his weapon free of the scorpion man’s vice grip, he swung the pick of his weapon into the chest of the monster. The bone and cartilage inside the fleshy chest of the beast gave way from the hit. The creature trembled as Thule gazed upon it with a countenance mired in disgust and rage.

“No guts, no glory,” the barbarian growled before he spun on his heel, taking the pick out of the creature, along with its innards, which hit the ground with a wet slap. The head of the axe snapped off from the extraction and clattered onto the ground by the man’s feet.

The subsequent collapse of the monster came inevitably as it clattered into a heap behind the warrior. As Thule discarded the broken handle of his weapon, more people in black uniforms came outside of the building and stepped onto the dark gray ground.

The warrior crossed his massive arms together as the bodies behind him disintegrated into granular, black particles. Only a few patches of dark crimson smears were left behind with the disappearance of his vanquished foes.

“W-wow!” the blonde woman exclaimed. “This is the first time someone actually killed one of those things.”

The barbarian approached the lady in black, who shrunk back at his towering form. He leaned towards her while gazing at her intently. “You mean to tell me this isn't the first time you’ve seen them?”

Once she realized he meant no harm, she permitted herself to relax and gave Thule a meek nod.

Sienna spoke. “We’ve been seeing them since last week, and not just these creatures; there have been others too. If you stay inside, you’re less likely to be attacked, but it’s bad for business. Charles, we—” she paused, catching her error. “Sorry, Thule. We thought they were impossible to take down for a normal person.”

“And the town guard stands idle while your city is besieged by these monsters?”

Reggie let out a laugh. His amusement ended abruptly once he took notice of everyone sternly gazing upon him. He mouthed an apology and averted his gaze into the McDaniels restaurant, finding the sight of the dismembered man to be a more appealing one by comparison. Unlike the living, the dead weren’t particularly known for expressing much in the way of disapproval.

“The police have been useless. You can’t exactly call them when these monsters appear. We’ve tried, believe me.”

Reggie chimed in. “No cell signal. It’s like all communication goes dark when they appear. Can’t even snap a picture of them.”

Thule didn’t know what he meant by cell signal. He resisted the urge to smile as he pictured hysterical people gathering and gesticulating towards a set of iron bars. These creatures weren’t so dumb they could be corralled into any prison. In his experience, monsters only responded to displays of might.

“I don’t know why you’d bother getting pictures,” Sienna replied. “Most people tend to be more preoccupied with running for their lives or hiding, Reggie. Hardly what I’d call a Kodak moment.”

The blonde girl spoke once more. “I just don’t understand why they don’t call the national guard.”

Thule scratched his chin. “A national guard, you say? It sounds like your king commands a vast army.”

Reggie frowned at them. “I wish it were that simple. We don’t have a king, but a president and a governor. The Guard can only be called into the city by those two. And with no photo proof, everyone we tell this story believes it to be a hoax, even though there have been attacks all throughout this section of the city.”

“They’re not constant though,” Sienna clarified. “There are many hours when the creatures seem to just… disappear.”

The Krommerian narrowed his brow as he gazed at her intently. “How is one supposed to be expected to wage war against foes that can vanish into thin air and reappear within a few hours?”

Sienna blushed as she met his stare. “Well… you did an amazing job just now. In fact, Thule, I’d like to retain your services.”

Reggie scoffed. “You can’t be serious.”

Sienna jabbed her index finger into Reggie’s chest, making him stagger a step back from her. “I didn’t see you doing anything. Besides, he killed all four of those creatures.”

Thule nodded. “Would have done it for almost anybody. Too many could’ve been hurt.”

“Well, I don’t want anyone else to be hurt. I want you.”

The barbarian smiled slyly at her. “Is that right?”

A blush crept onto the manager’s cheeks as she swiftly looked away from him and let out a shy bit of laughter. “I could reward you, handsome… handsomely, I mean. My dad owns a motel across the street. I could give you a warm place to stay with a roof over your head and a soft bed. Free of charge. Free meals, too.”

“What position are you hiring him for, Sienna? Is he supposed to be a lobby worker tasked with taking out the trash, living or otherwise?” Reggie asked.

The brunette woman rolled her eyes at the crew trainer. “Something like that,” she replied before turning back to face Thule. “I could also get you some clothing. You’ll need it if you take the job.”

Thule nodded. “I’m considering it, Sienna. I just want to make sure I understand the situation: These sudden attacks happen specifically around this area, correct?”

“Yes.”

A strange sound could be heard blaring in the distance. Thule found it to be shrill, like some sort of alarm.

“Oh boy,” Sienna murmured, recognizing the approaching sirens. She grabbed onto the Krommerian’s hand. “You’ll want to come into my office while you mull this over. I’ll get you that change of clothes, what do you say?”

Thule nodded, offering no objection as she tugged on him. As he allowed himself to be escorted back into the building, he mulled over his options.

Whatever had happened when he clashed with the sorcerer back in Treigh-Ganul, it caused him to appear outside of this place they called McDaniels. The other monsters appeared around the area too.

If he aimed to return to his homeland, he would need some shelter and money while he conducted his investigation. The secret to his freedom may very well lie within the McDaniels itself.

When they arrived inside her office, he agreed to the deal. Besides, he’d been employed as a mercenary a time or two on his adventures. What was the worst thing these people could possibly throw at him that he hadn’t already personally experienced before on past jobs?

Chapter 3

“And what do you call this contraption?”

Reginald Fields, the crew trainer, frowned at the annoyingly inquisitive new hire. “That’s a play pit. You know, for the kids.”

Thule arched a questioning brow while he adjusted the collar on his black shirt. “Where I hail from, it is no game to be chucked into any pit. What sort of play do you expect these children to partake of in there?”

“Climb the jungle gym. Jump in and out of the balls lining the center of the arena. Pray they don’t shit or puke all over the slides. That sort of thing.”

Thule had traveled to many jungles over the years. Thoughts of lush, impenetrable thickets, colored in a deep green came to mind when he heard that word. He imagined wielding a machete to cleave the way through wild patches of vegetation while keeping one eye open for the fanged beasts that stalked their prey from the trees and from the brush. He imagined slithering snakes and sentient, carnivorous plants eager to claim the life of an unwary traveler.

The Krommerian most certainly had never seen a yellow and red structure confined in a large square room with tall panes of glass lining the sides of the walls in any jungle he’d visited. The only conclusion he could form in his mind was that these supposedly civilized people, or at least his supposed trainer, did not know what a jungle actually was.

If this strange contraption truly was designated for playtime for children, then he feared that there’d be little value in exploring it. It was doubtful there’d be anything to find in there that could aid him in his goal to return home. Rather than press him on the subject, the Krommerian settled for nodding in agreement.

“Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about it for the time being. Your first task will involve the supply closet and the employee portal.”

Thule’s ears perked up at the latter remark. “Describe this portal to me. Does it transport you to distant lands?”

Reggie awkwardly laughed. “Um… well, not exactly. The employee portal is for clocking in, accessing your scheduled hours, checking your pay stub, and seeing how much money is being sent to your bank account.”

“Clocked in? Scheduled hours?”

Reggie nodded. “Well, yeah. If we say, for example you come in at eight in the morning, you’re expected to be logged onto the computer and clocked in.”

“Where I’m from, when a task must be done, you show up when the first ray of sunlight pierces through the sky above and you tend to it.”

The crew trainer sighed. “Well, here at McDaniels, you come in whenever you’re scheduled. If you’ve got a problem with your hours, you need to have a conversation with the manager on duty.”

“Tell me about this bank account you speak of. I’m not provided with coin once the task is done, or the day is out?”

“No,” Reggie said with a hiss as he looked upon his barbarian trainee with disapproval. “Bi-weekly payments. You can either get a check or direct deposit.”

Thule frowned. “I would like my earnings to be deposited into the palm of my hand when I finish my work. If you must do so directly yourself or through whomever you employ as your master of coin, so be it.”

“You can take up your dispute with Sienna.”

“I’m taking it up with you.”

Reggie stammered as Thule’s massive hand latched onto the front of his shirt. The man’s feet began to flail as he was lifted off the ground. “Pl-please wait! I don’t uh… I don’t control the pay around here. Man, I just… I just do my job here, that’s all. I don’t make the rules, I just follow them.”

Satisfied with the man’s candor, Thule gently placed his trainer back onto his feet. “I don’t have a bank account,” the barbarian curtly remarked.

“Well… you can always get a check and have an account set up later. Some places you can cash the check for a fee without an account.”

Thule’s face deepened into a scowl. He never imagined the world around him would become so unnecessarily complicated. A man couldn’t work by the sweat of his brow and be promptly compensated here from the sounds of the situation. Whoever came up with the idea for paying their mercenaries and servants biweekly needed their head bifurcated down the center.

“How is the training with the new guy going, Reginald?” asked a feminine voice.

Thule and Reggie both looked and saw a small head peeking at them from behind one of the booths. The face of this inquisitive woman was delicate with a striking set of almond shaped eyes that reminded the barbarian of burning embers cast by a campfire on a dark and cold summer night. The color of her hair was reminiscent of a succulent cherry. To Thule, she certainly looked as sweet as one.

“I thought he was going to rip my head off,” Reggie said with a whine as he gently caressed his neck, sighing with relief as he affirmed it was still attached to his shoulders.

The girl murmured under her breath. “Might be an improvement for you.”

“What was that?” Reggie asked.

The woman flashed a meek smile. “Nothing,” she said as she looked at the barbarian. “I’m on my break, so I thought I’d see how the new and improved ‘Charles’ was doing.”

“I’m doing,” Thule replied.

A blush formed upon the lady’s cheeks which matched the vibrant intensity of her hair as she got an eyeful of the barbarian. “I… I see. Well, if you need any help, I’d be delighted to umm… er… offer it to you.”

“Might I know your name, fair maiden?” Thule asked in a solemn voice.

She continued gazing upon him with a sheepish smile. “Kelly,” came the reply, pronounced softly like a breathless whisper. “I’ll see you around, Thule,” she said as she stood up from the booth.

Thule nodded at the woman, who was making her way back to the front counter.

Reggie snorted. “Don’t get your hopes up. That one is taken.”

“Married?”

“No, she’s not. Though I must say her man is a real piece of work. Still, she’s been in an off and on relationship with him for the past two years. Turns out you can rough up a pretty woman whenever you feel like it and she’ll keep coming back to you.” He actually chuckled at that.

Thule looked upon Reggie with disdain, disgusted by his piggish comments and self-amusement with them.

The trainer held up his hand. “I’m not saying I’d do something shitty like that to my girl. I’d treat her right. But that’s Kelly’s story.”

Gazing at the pale-skinned man with greasy hair, Thule held questions about this man’s ability to have any girl court him, but he refrained from voicing this assessment.

Orientation continued. During that time, Thule was introduced to the mop and bucket. He was given a tour of the restrooms, which was civilized talk for a place to relieve oneself.

“Do people really rest within the privy?” Thule inquired.

Reggie chuckled. “You’d be surprised. Things far more horrible than the monsters lurking outside happen in the confines of a public restroom. Take my word on that.”

Thule pondered if that claim held any truth to it. If accurate, it made no practical sense to him that this Reggie fellow wasn’t carrying any sort of protection. He eyed the stalls suspiciously. Once he was satisfied that nothing appeared to be lurking within any of them, he followed his trainer out of the men’s restroom.

“If this place is truly rife with danger, how come I’ve seen no other men under the employ of Miss Sienna? In fact, why does any one of you continue to come back to this place?”

The trainer grinned at him. “Well… we did have Pete and Charles. Pete was the first one we lost, you know.”

“Oh?”

Reggie nodded. “A snake.”

“Seems rather mundane.”

“This thing was pretty damn huge, Thule. I’m talking the size of an ocean liner.”

Thule tilted his head. “An ocean liner?”

“Right. That’s like a huge ship. Anyway, this thing swallowed him whole. Gulped him down in one big bite before it slithered through the traffic. I think it went to the park near here.”

The barbarian crossed his arms. “Think or know?”

“Judging by the direction it went. I’m not stupid, Thule, nor am I suicidal. I wasn’t going to follow the thing to confirm where it was going. Besides, Pete was dead anyway, and there isn’t anything in my job description pertaining to snake charming, pest extermination, or monster slaying for that matter.”

Thule studied the man through a narrowed brow. This fellow’s cowardice and lack of loyalty was nauseating to him. Still, he couldn’t afford to bite the hand that was feeding him, especially when he knew too little about this strange world.

“As for Charles, well, we’ve already given you our thoughts on that.”

Thule shook his head. “And I’ve given you mine in return. I’ve been known by many names throughout my lifetime; Charles isn’t one of them.”

“Your faces are similar. So is your hair, your eyes, your voice. The only thing distinguishing you from him, as far as appearance is concerned, is your size.”

“I’m assuming he was a little man like yourself?”

Reggie let out a nervous laugh at that remark. “Everyone I can think of is smaller than you, Thule. You look like you could tear a tank in half with those muscles.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” he replied, though he couldn’t say with any certainty what a tank was supposed to be. His guess, if he were forced to make one, would be to say it was something akin to a sturdy shield.

Reggie gesticulated for Thule to follow him as he advanced to the door leading into the kitchen. The fries, along with the fryer grease that had spilled all over the floor from where he’d submerged the head of the centaur scorpion into the vat, had long since been disposed of by the staff since he acquired the job.

There were huge gashes in the metallic equipment, no doubt a result of the monster’s wild flailing in its final moments.

The man brought the barbarian back into Sienna’s office. There was no sign of the manager, as he’d called her, but another woman with long, coal-black hair that trailed down to the top of her slender shoulders was there.

She turned to face the men as they entered the office. Black and violet mascara decorated both of her eyelids, and her ear bore many unusual piercings. She was beautiful, her face giving Thule pause.

“Hey, Reggie. You need the computer?”

Reggie nodded as Thule mouthed the word after the woman said it. “Yes, Stacy. He’ll need to see the employee portal.”

“Good luck. The fucking thing is busted,” she said as she lightly smacked the edge of some rectangular box with a blue display on it.

The trainer yelped as he rushed over to it. “Doing that to the monitor won’t make the computer any better. Have you tried resetting it?”

“You know how Sienna gets when people do that.”

“Well, as assistant manager, I’m making an executive call here. It’s getting rebooted,” he replied before he hit a button on the bulky, square device.

The green light on this box, as Thule would describe it, blinked several times before turning orange and then gray. After several seconds, the green light returned and the display on the rectangular window went from black with white markings to a blue window.

Reggie clicked his fingers among some of the keys, cursing under his breath as he did so.

Thule felt a tap on his arm. He turned to face the smaller woman.

“Are you, like, a professional fighter or something?” she asked with wide eyes. “I wanna bite your fucking muscles, Christ.”

“Not my occupation, though when I was once captured by King Mierdan’s men in Rathnor, I was forced to fight in his arena for their entertainment.”

Stacy nodded. “Sounds like it sucked ass. How’d you escape?”

“After I broke the arm of my first opponent and crippled the next one, the rest of the coliseum fighters threw down their armaments and surrendered. When the guards came, I snapped the neck of one of them that got too close before I stole his crossbow. I aimed my weapon where the king was seated and fired my shot.”

Reggie quirked a brow. “You killed a king?”

“Aye. The arrow struck true, penetrating his wicked heart, which was as black as the darkest of nights.”

The woman smiled at him. “Black’s my favorite color. And purple. That speaks to me, Thule.”

“I’m sure it does,” Reggie grumbled. “Were you clocking back in from lunch?”

Stacy nodded. “A chicken sandwich only this time. Afraid I couldn’t bring myself to touch the fries,” she said as she glanced at Thule. “Not after you melted the face of that scorpion man in there.”

“If I had my trusty sword, there would have been no need for me to scald that monster alive.”

“You ought to have seen what he did to the first one,” Reggie remarked. “Sienna said he caved its skull in with only his bare hands.”

“I admire a man who can make use of his hands,” Stacy said with a suggestive wink. “Mr. Thule, I must confess I’m curious to know what else you can do with them.”

Thule gave the woman a coy smile. “Depends on what sort of touch is needed.”

“Ohhhh!” she gasped and giggled in reply. “Do you have, like, a number or something?”

Reggie let out an exasperated sigh before he turned around to face the pair. “Just write down your times for me. I can get it punched in for you once this damn computer decides to work again.”

A baffled look emerged on the face of the barbarian warrior. Write down the time and punch it in? Thule saw little sense in striking a clock. Even the civilized folk from back home didn’t engage in such a bizarre ritual like the people of this land.

“Jealous, Reggie?” Stacy asked before she approached the drawer by the desk and opened it. She pulled out a white piece of parchment and a stick with a black tip. The girl made markings on it before she placed it onto the desk.

As Stacy made her way to the doorway, she turned and faced the Krommerian with a seductive smile. “You’ll have to show me what you can do with them later, Thule.”

“I’d be happy to oblige.”

The woman giggled before she left the office. Reggie, upon witnessing the girl’s departure, let out an audible huff.

“Something on your mind?” Thule asked his trainer.

“Let me remind you that the manager hired you to work as a crew member. That does not give you license to go around sexing up the crew members with your member.”

Thule regarded Reggie with a look that conveyed mostly indifference. He shrugged his shoulders. “Krommerians don’t have sex.”

Reggie looked baffled. “I beg your pardon.”

“I said Krommerians don’t have sex,” Thule replied. “My people make love. There is a distinction between the act of bringing pleasure to a worthy woman and merely fucking her, I assure you.”

The corner of the trainer’s eye twitched as his face reddened like a tomato. “Well… well… just…” the man fumbled his words around, desperate to attain a more tenable grasp with his ability to properly verbalize his thoughts. “You know what? Forget it. I don’t even want to know.”

“Strange. You’re the one who brought it up.”

Reggie glared at him. Before the man could verbalize a response, there was a knock at the door. Thule turned from the petty man and caught sight of the manager.

“Well, how is the training going?” Sienna asked. “You and Reggie getting along?”

“Like oil and water,” the trainer muttered under his breath.

Thule smiled at Sienna. “He seemed inordinately interested in my sexual prowess.”

Sienna glared at Reggie. “You what?”

The man stammered, shaking his head. “N-no, that’s not—”

“Reggie, quit being a creep and get out of my office,” she demanded, gesturing behind her as she stepped inside the room.

If looks could kill, Reggie might have succeeded in murdering Thule with his sharp gaze mired in spite. The pale man stormed out of the area without another word, a fact the barbarian was appreciative of; he didn’t feel like expending his energy tossing the petty man into the kitchen himself.

Sienna shook her head and closed the door behind her. She shot Thule a wary glance. “Do I want to know why he was even discussing that sort of thing with you?”

Thule shrugged his broad shoulders. “Probably not, but it’s up to you.”

Sienna paused for a moment, as she considered the situation. The manager decided to ask a separate inquiry. “Anything strange happen while I was gone?”

“Like people getting torn asunder by monsters, and your crew watching impotently as your patrons are devoured and killed in gruesome ways? That sort of thing?”

Sienna paled. “Ye-yes, precisely that.”

Thule chuckled as he crossed his arms together. “Not on my watch,” the barbarian responded, which permitted the woman to expel a sigh of relief. “Though I would like to know more about my pay along with this employee portal my trainer has mentioned.”

The manager explained the system to the barbarian. He continued to find himself increasingly perplexed by the mundane rituals and bizarre conduct the people of this world followed.

Sienna made some compromises with him. He could receive his pay at the end of his shift, provided Thule kept that detail sealed under tight lips.

“Besides, corporate might have concerns if I spilled the beans that we hired someone from a distant land. Green cards and all that mess.”

He refrained from asking her to elaborate. Knowledge of all these arcane terms would do him little to no good once he successfully returned to his homeland.

“Anyway, how did you like your room last night? Cozy enough?”

Thule nodded. His arrival at the inn, or motel as she insisted, had been a cloak and dagger sort of affair. He was told to wait outside while she arranged everything. She’d returned a moment later and fetched him a key to his room before she instructed him to follow her up a flight of metal stairs that clanged with every step they endured.

Once he’d inspected his room, ensuring the place was secure, he saw Sienna off before he collapsed onto the mattress and ceased engaging in his futile resistance against the allure of sleep that welcomed his tired soul with a set of open arms.

“All I did was sleep. I felt like I was sinking into the mattress with how fatigued I was.”

“I take it you haven’t had a chance to explore any of your amenities?”

The barbarian shook his head. He wasn’t sure precisely what she was referring to, but a smile emerged on the woman’s face.

“So, you’ve not had a chance to bathe yet?”

“No.”

Sienna chuckled. “Then you’ll be pleased to hear that you’ll have warm running water to look forward to during your downtime. Somehow I feel like that may be a novelty to you.”

He cocked his head. He’d seen running waterfalls and hot springs, but he’d never drawn water without having to heat it with an open flame.

Sienna, sensing his confusion, clarified. “Things are very different here then the world you’re from, Thule. I can guess that much from listening to you. If you’d like, I can arrange some of your colleagues to visit with you. Show you a few useful things while you get yourself acclimated.”

The Krommerian found the offer to be most agreeable. “I would like that very much, Sienna,” he said. “Won’t you be coming?”

The woman shook her head. “Afraid not. Got a few logistical issues to care for. Police reports, insurance claims: I’m afraid you can’t just have someone’s dismembered torso flying through your store window and not have any paperwork drum itself up onto your desk. Honestly, it’s insane that we’re still in business with all this going on, but given the volume of similar complaints in this neighborhood… Well, the police are as exasperated as the rest of us, I imagine.”

“Indeed. Well, whatever it is that you speak of, it doesn’t sound pleasant.”

She finished her explanation of the job to the barbarian and permitted his departure for his shift. As fate would have it, while Sienna’s evening would undoubtedly keep her preoccupied, there was excitement waiting for Thule back at his motel room.

***

Thule didn’t have to stand around long upon his return to the apartment before he heard a knock against his door. He opened the point of entry and a familiar looking redhead stared back at him.

She was no longer in her black outfit. Instead, she wore a blue sleeveless shirt that was nearly skin-tight and a pair of form fitting pants with a white stripe running along the side of them.

The young woman smiled at him wryly. “Gosh, you’re big. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said as she extended her hand towards him.

Thule grabbed the outstretched appendage and shook it as he regarded her with a curious countenance. “Didn’t we meet today, Lady Kelly?”

“No, I’m Kaylee.”

The steps on the walkway outside tinged as someone panting heavily could be audibly heard approaching the door.

Thule swore he saw double as he fluttered his eyes in rapid succession when the next person emerged into the doorway. He was seeing double. In fact, what he saw standing before him seemed almost like a pair of gorgeous twins.

Kaylee turned and gestured to her sister. “You met her.”

The woman he had met was still in her work uniform. Slung around her slender shoulder was a black bag. A duffel bag, he was later informed.

“May we come in?” Kelly asked in between her ragged breathing.

“You sure you don’t need to see a medicine man first?” Thule asked with concern.

When his colleague shook her head, he moved out of the doorway and gestured inside of his room. The girls followed his lead, and they engaged him in conversation. They discussed how, although they looked alike and had known each other since childhood, they were in fact not related. They had bonded in elementary school over their similar appearances, and eventually took on the habit of dressing alike and even styling their hair in similar fashion.

They also discussed practical matters—things Thule needed to know. They discussed how ATMs worked. They discussed the concept of a laundromat. Eventually, of course, the discussion centered around Thule himself.

“Where are you from?” Kaylee inquired, as she leaned against him.

“It’s a faraway place: Krameri. I hail from her vast mountainsides, in a gloomy valley home to many legends,” Thule said as he, coincidentally, felt a pair of soft peaks pressing against the broad of his back.

“I see,” she said with great interest as she continued to probe him for details. “Sounds… interesting.”

A strange melody interrupted the conversation. The pair looked at Kelly whose cheeks bore an uncanny resemblance to her hair.

“I’m uh… sorry. I’ve got to take this,” she said as she held up a small rectangular object with a gray back and some sort of fruit emblem that had been bitten into from the looks of it. A phone, he would later learn.

Kaylee sighed in exasperation. “Dirk again?”

Kelly mouthed another apology as she began speaking into the device and stepped outside of the room.

Thule looked at Kaylee,puzzled. “Who or what is Dirk?”

“Some jerk she’s shacked herself up with off and on for the past two years. He’s been shoving her around again.”

The barbarian frowned. “A real man doesn’t raise his hand to a woman.”

“Great minds think alike,” Kaylee said as she began to rub Thule’s muscled shoulders. “I take it your people are the chivalrous sort?”

Thule hummed in approval, enjoying the pressure applied against the upper portion of his torso. He could feel a pop around his neck as she worked out a knot that had formed from yesterday’s battle.

“You’ve got a healer’s touch, Lady Kaylee.”

Kaylee let out an adorable bout of laughter, punctuated with a cute snort. “I wonder what kind of touch you have, big fella.”

The entrance door opened again, and Kelly marched into the room with an enraged expression affixed onto her face.

Kaylee ceased her flirting and ran to her friend. “Wh-what’s wrong?”

“I did it.”

Thule cocked his head. “Did what?”

Kelly looked at the Krommerian with tears overflowing the wellspring that was her eyes. “I broke up with the sonofabitch. I told him I wasn’t going to be his punching bag anymore.”

Thule bore a sympathetic glance in the woman’s direction. “I’m sorry you were treated so poorly. You deserve far better. Should I ever meet this Dirk, he will know what a real man does on behalf of a woman such as you.”

Kelly wiped her brow, which had accumulated a substantial amount of sweat from the sweltering heat outside. “I deserve a shower,” she murmured before she glanced at Thule. She bit the corner of her lip as she mustered the courage to make a request. “Can I take one here?”

Thule studied the girl as he tried to figure out the meaning of her words. He drew a blank and voiced his honest response. “I suppose… though I’m not sure what this shower is that you speak of.”

The redheads exchanged glances with each other before Kaylee returned to him with a coy smile. “Would you be interested in seeing one for yourself?”

He saw no reason why not. He understood well enough that this pair of nubile beauties bore him no ill will. “Sure. Where will we find it?”

With a girl on each side of him, the warrior was led into the bathroom.

When they made it inside, Kelly heaved a sigh as she slipped out of her shirt. She crumpled the clothing and discarded it onto the floor behind her.

Kaylee kicked off her shoes in the doorway before she slid out of her pants.

The barbarian quickly understood what was going on. Thule proceeded to undress himself in kind, carefully placing each article of clothing onto the counter behind him. Though he still wasn’t sure what this shower entailed, he approved of the sight before him. The women were naked, with perfect figures curved and sloped in all the places he preferred. Perhaps this world wasn’t so bad after all.

A transparent door stood along one of the walls. Kelly opened it without a word and stepped inside, motioning for him to follow with one hand while her other adjusted the nozzle affixed to the wall.

Thule accepted her offer. As he stepped inside, he heard a commotion from the top of this metal looking vase with small rivets lining the bottom. Cold water shot from the cone-shaped device. Within seconds, much to the satisfaction of the Kromerrian, the temperature began to rise.

The heated water felt soothing on his skin as Kelly leaned against him, ultimately kneeling. She gently kissed his abdomen as her hands traced along them, glancing over his powerful muscles. Her fingers trailed down to his waist and lingered around his testicles.

Thule grunted as she gave them a gentle squeeze.

Kelly looked up at him with a shy smile. “I-is it okay?”

He looked down at the girl longingly. His eyes verbalized the answer more clearly than his words. “Yes,” they whispered.

Warm breath tickled the head of the warrior’s groin before the woman extended her tongue along his manhood. She ran her lips along his shaft before she fixed them to its tip.

Thule moaned as he felt the heat of her mouth and the pressing of her lips suck gently against his member. His eyes began to roll from the ecstasy the feeling brought him.

Kaylee rubbed her toes along his heels as she deliberately raked her fingers against his back as she held him from the side. Her gloried in the subtle pleasure of the redhead’s hardened nipple digging into his bicep. “You never said what you could do with your hands,” she said with a teasing laugh, almost as if she were challenging him.

Krommerians never backed down from a challenge. He gently rubbed Kelly’s head, falling out of her lips with a plop before turning slightly to face the other beauty. His damp hands slid along the underside of her breasts and moved down to her sides where he pulled her close to him.

Thule slipped his cock inside of her as he lifted her against the edge of the shower. He placed one hand on her thigh while the other hand gripped her buttocks. Kaylee whimpered as she felt the barbarian go deeper, pressing her body into his.

The warrior could feel her toes brush up against his shin. Thule found the curling of toes always indicated peak pleasure within a woman.

He smirked at her as his powerful hands caressed his back while he plowed into her on repeat. “Does this answer your question?”

Kaylee’s breath hitched before she brought her lips to his own. She trembled as she kissed him, enjoying the feel of his penis delving into her private depths.

“Oh, God, Thule!” she moaned, her eyes closed tight, suddenly burying her face in his chest. “I’m cumming! I’m gonna cum all over you!”

“As you should,” grunted the barbarian as the woman’s climax ripped through her body. The heated water of the shower already made her skin hot to the touch, but somehow the fire of her quenched lust made her hotter still.

As he finished off Kaylee, he could feel Kelly rubbing something upon him. From the scent, it was some sort of cream. With a kiss, he withdrew from the first one and turned his attention on the other.

“Don’t leave me out,” the girl pleaded. “Tonight, I just want to feel treasured for once,” she said as she applied the lotion to the small of his back. “I want to be yours.”

Thule gazed upon her with a warm, inviting smile. “You will be cherished and shall never go without want, Kelly. I will see to that.”

“I want you,” she whispered. “Now.”

He felt the same way. And when he picked up the girl, pressing her against the linoleum tiled wall of the shower, he gave her everything. Gentle caresses to her soft, delicate skin. Smooth kisses down her features. Affectionate looks at her face and nips at her neck and ears. She surrendered to his touch and greedily received the love only a Krommerian could provide.

When the shower concluded, perhaps twenty minutes later, they migrated to the bed where he gently caressed and sucked on Kelly’s nipples while Kaylee employed the use of her tongue to provide even more oral bliss.

For his second day residing in this strange land, he found himself preferring the sensual conquest over the more violent ones. Thule believed he could get used to this feeling—not that it was all new. Far from it. But these soft sheets, this fine motel bed fit for a king, the fragrant smells of these maidens beneath him…

He also believed he’d take the girls under his wing, especially Kelly. She was soft and sweet. She wanted to be treasured. He could give that to her.

In his eyes, she was brighter than the most bedazzling of jewels. She just needed a warm bed to crawl into with a sturdy pair of arms ready to catch her and worship her in the way a woman deserved to be glorified.

Kaylee was much the same, in his view. He’d protect them.

Once he found a way out of this world, he planned to bring the girls home with him where he could continue to keep them warm and safe.

When the hour passed, the trio slept and all the worries of finding his way to his own homeland and this violent business involving magic and monsters were but a distant memory in the wake of Thule’s slumber.

Chapter 4

Thule let out a yawn as he stretched his limbs. He rolled to his side, prompting Kelly to moan something incomprehensible in her sleep as she shifted from her curled position and rolled onto her back.

Mornings weren’t the time for grumbling and discontent. This was a time of merriment for a woman when they rested with him. It was clear he would need to remedy her dissatisfaction with a gentle approach.

He coasted his finger along her thigh, provoking a shiver from the girl, like she was huddled near the low light of a campfire on the last day of Autumn.

A smile graced the warrior’s lips. If she was acting so cold, then the unspoken demand was made to get the woman moist and warm. He’d be the spark she desired to unleash the flame eager to rise within her.

He parted her legs and placed his tongue flat against her clit. Kelly’s breath hitched as her hips bucked against the barbarian. A stifled moan resonated from the redheaded beauty’s lips as her body coursed with tremors from the rolling of his tongue along her genitals. She tangled her fingers up in the thick darkness of his hair, moaning openly.

Thule backed his head away from her vagina, replacing it with two of his fingers. She was moist. Eager.

“I much prefer that look on you to the sad one,” he deeply whispered.

The woman meekly looked up at him with a set of eyes that could have belonged to an innocent doe. She bit into the corner of her wavering lips. “P-please, more.”

He wasn’t a cruel man. If she begged for more of the wondrous pleasures he could bestow upon her trembling form, it was his sworn duty as her lover to oblige her wants and needs. Thule resumed eating her out, savoring the sweet smell of her elation with every measured, deliberate lick. She moaned in approval. The convulsions in the young woman’s body, along with the tensing and untensing of her legs, only served to make the warrior harder.

“Please more,” she said again. “Fuck, Thule. You’re amazing!”

Every fiber of his being wanted to please her, and it brought the man tremendous pleasure to hear her so eagerly give voice to her desires. Nothing was more alluring to Thule than a woman pleading for her bliss to the man she yearned for.

The warrior lifted her into his arms, positioning himself inside her as he did so. He permitted her to determine her angle and position as they joined lips and prepared to make love.

Kelly placed herself on top of him as her fingers ran along his chest. Thule closed his eyes as she gently rubbed herself along the base of his shaft. She wiggled her hips rhythmically and slowly chipped away at the barbarian’s endurance. Thule trembled in the heat of the passion as his legs shook and stiffened at the ecstasy inspired by her insides.

Gripping the rear of his eager partner, he held the young woman against his thighs as the imminent swelling within the man was released. Her body quivered and she let out another content moan as he came deeply inside of her.

The pair breathed deeply as she stayed on top of him with Thule’s penis still inside of her. She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes as she listened to the chaotic rhythm his heart played in response to her passionate engagement with him.

He felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Thule glanced over and saw the eager eyes of Kaylee hungrily observing him.

“I’d like to play too.”

Thule nodded in approval. “Anything you desire, my gem.”

Kelly rolled off him as the mattress shifted. Within a few seconds, Kaylee straddled his face with her legs. She rested her thigh muscles in place as Thule began to gently kiss and suck her nub, occasionally stopping to flick his tongue along her genitals. From the sound of the woman’s moans, it didn’t make a lick of difference to her which approach he settled for when he pleasured her with his mouth.

All in all, the morning proved to be well in line with the barbarian’s tastes.

***

The redheads had matters that needed to be attended to after they’d finished their engagement with Thule for the time being. Kelly, ever a prisoner to that strange device she frequently spoke into, skittishly left the apartment. Kaylee lingered around long enough for a shower before she gave the barbarian a peck on the lips and summarily departed as well.

He glanced at the ticking clock along the wall of the bedroom. It read fifteen past eight in the morning, leaving the warrior forty-five minutes to work with before he’d be expected back at McDaniels.

Clad in his work uniform, the barbarian locked the door behind him and decided to explore the motel grounds. Given Thule’s previous encounter with Riven Kul’Doom’s minions, he didn’t want to operate on the assumption that the wizard would be above placing new threats near his dwelling, whether they be conjured beasts, spies, or perhaps even conjured beasts that doubled as spies.

What could Thule say? While the sorcerer was a vile and murderous fiend, he wasn’t known for being discriminatory when it came to recruiting henchmen for his cause.

Clear skies awaited the barbarian when he stepped outside of his room. No dark clouds lingered on the horizon, and the air felt cool on his skin. It was a nice contrast to yesterday’s higher temperatures.

The metal steps of the terrace let out a clang with each footfall as Thule made his way down to the ground floor of the motel. He surveyed the central area of the lot. The Krommerian warrior’s gaze fell upon the place where Sienna entered back when she needed to book his room with the innkeeper.

It’d be the most obvious spot to explore. Thule also considered that the person inside might be able to share some information with him.

Strolling to the front of the building, while he kept his eyes in search of anyone following in his footsteps, the barbarian made his way to the entrance. The door pulled open with no resistance, and he stepped inside the room.

The layout of the area was rectangular. The walls were comprised of wooden paneling. Along the center of the room rested a sturdy oak table. Littered on its surface were loose scraps of colored paper. Next to the rainbow-like assortment of literature, most of which were advertisements, brochures, and various pamphlets, sat a bronze call bell near the leftmost side of the desk.

With a gentle press of the button, the bell let out a chime.

The barbarian waited. After a minute of biding his time, it was clear to Thule no one was coming to answer the call.

He pressed the button three additional times. As he glanced around, he took notice of a box that was attached to one of the walls. Displayed within the glass frame was an axe much like the one he’d wielded inside the McDaniels when he faced off against the scorpion centaurs.

It baffled the warrior why this society often placed such weaponry in displays like this box. Thule found it inconvenient to have to break the glass every time a blade was needed.

Then again, he didn’t want to waste much time puzzling over this society’s strange customs. They seemed to already have enough difficulties with punching clocks and properly defending themselves from assailants. All that mattered to Thule was having a weapon in his possession in the event a new threat emerged while on his watch at the restaurant.

With a hard thrust of his knuckles, the glass shattered onto the floor of the lobby. The Krommerian reached inside the box and gripped the wooden handle of the axe. Without any resistance, the sharp instrument was freed from its bracket with a single pull.

A rustling sound coming from behind Thule caught his attention. The barbarian pivoted on his heel and raised the weapon high into the air.

A shrill cry pierced the air as a small man with a bushy mustache and crooked spectacles shrank back from the sight of the massive warrior. From what Thule could discern, this person had emerged from the backroom beyond the lobby desk.

“Is this your establishment?” the Krommerian inquired.

The head of the man frantically nodded. He began to tremble when Thule took a step in his direction.

“I will be needing this,” the barbarian declared. “In exchange, I offer my protection.”

When a man of Thule’s size and stature of Thule requests to take hold of the axe set aside in the business, anything contrary to the affirmative would be a most unwise decision. Naturally, the innkeeper responded with another frantic nod. The pungent scent of urine wafted in the air with the man’s trembling. The odor provided additional clarification as to why no argument was to be had concerning the procurement of the weapon.

Sparing his dignity, the barbarian nodded. “Thank you,” he said before he left the front office.

The motel manager fell to his knees and scrambled for the back office of the motel, relieved that the towering figure, with his bulging set of muscles, hadn’t used his strength and cleaved his head free of his shoulders with the sharp, business end of the fire axe he now wielded.

Thule glanced around the area. A person stood by one of the many horseless carriages that seemed to be commonplace in this strange land. Planted in the individual’s mouth was a small, white stick. A small puff of smoke rose out of the vibrant, orange tip of this object.

The axe-wielding hero scratched the back of his head as he stared at the sight. Was this strange person breathing fire? He’d encountered humanoid dragons before, but they never required the aid of a stick to harness the power of their flame. It took him a moment to draw the connection to the clay pipes his people shared around campfires after victory. The man was smoking.

Thule saw little reason to treat the man as hostile. He was merely standing there minding his own business, practicing the art of smoking. Thule lifted his hand and waved at the person.

When the bystander caught sight of the barbarian, they gawked and the small object fell out of their mouth, landing onto the ground by their black pair of boots. He took a few steps back before he staggered in his hasty retreat, landing awkwardly onto his rear. This person scrambled to his feet and opened the door to their mode of transport.

Within a few seconds, the vehicle roared to life. The wheels attached to it let out a shrill screech while they spun along the surface of the lot, leaving behind black skid marks as they picked up momentum. The horseless carriage sped away from him and shot forward into the intersection.

Thule winced before he adopted a battle-ready stance as a loud series of horns blew through the air. When horns blew, that signaled the advent of an army.

He stood awkwardly in the lot for a few moments, awaiting the invaders that were sure to come with their armaments at the ready. When the expected party of troops never arrived, Thule shook his head and lowered the weapon to his side.

It baffled him how the people of this land conducted themselves in such a backwards way. Koth only knew what the citizenry here considered to be a herald to danger.

With the growing headache nagging at his temples, and the grumbling of his stomach, which only grew more discontent with every passing minute, the barbarian decided for his own sanity he’d rather not know. The truth of the matter would more than likely serve to flabbergast him.

Thule marched his way down the busy street, eliciting another series of horns to wail as he marched towards the McDaniels. He lifted the axe and buried it into the hood of one of the horseless carriages that came too close for his liking. The horn in that carriage ceased at once.

When the mighty warrior held aloft his weapon once more, the tires of the vehicle screeched as it sped around him, leaving behind a trail of smoke in its retreat.

Thule shook his head at the sight before he gave an exasperated sigh and jogged to his destination.

He made his way into the lobby. As he stepped inside he took notice of the broken window. The opening had been completely covered with wooden boards. With monsters materializing in and out of the streets without warning, Thule would have considered forging iron bars in place of the glass.

Stacy ogled him from behind the counter as a lascivious smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Good morning, Thule. How’s traffic?”

He grunted. “People don’t believe in the right of passage out there. Completely inconsiderate.”

“Welcome to Florida,” she chuckled as she adjusted the black hat perched atop her head. “I’m afraid such a sight is not exactly uncommon around these parts.”

Thule shook his head in disapproval, disappointed to hear that such drivel was considered the norm. At least he now knew the name of the lands his feet traveled upon: Florida. The warm running waters people could conjure in their showers was not enough to change the fact that it truly seemed a strange and dismal place.

He approached the counter, while his stomach engaged in a second bout of protest.

“I’m hungry,” he declared.

Stacy laughed at the remark. “I can hear that. What would you like?”

He glanced at the menu. “Procure me this ring of onion,” he declared as he pointed to one of the images displayed on the flashing board perched above her.

The woman chuckled at his remark. “Here we call them onion rings, and sure. How about a sausage biscuit to go with it?”

His stomach answered her with a rumble, provoking another amused laugh from the woman.

“I got it. Give me about two to three minutes and we’ll have it ready.”

Thule’s eyes widened when he heard her claim. “Only two to three minutes, you say? Please divulge the secrets of your kitchen. How would my meal not be undercooked if prepared in such a hasty manner?”

“Precooked and processed,” she declared. “Trust me, you’re better off not knowing, but it’s safe. Just have a seat and we’ll get it cared for.”

“What will I owe you?”

Stacy shook her head. “Breakfast and lunch are included as part of your employment package at McDaniels. As long as your selection doesn’t exceed five dollars, management won’t say a word to you.”

Thule nodded reluctantly. At least his contract holders held some degree of generosity for him.

He walked away from the counter and took sight of Kaylee and a blonde woman. Reggie loomed over the two, talking to them about something. As the Krommerian approached, the man’s words became clearer to his ear.

“So, these two guys rob a pharmacy. They steal all the Viagra. Did you hear the alert the police put out?”

“N-no, what?” the blonde asked innocently, while Kaylee began to roll her eyes, expecting nothing less than a juvenile comment to pass through the lips of the crew trainer.

Reggie grinned. “They put out an all-points bulletin to be on the lookout for a pair of hardened criminals.”

The pair of girls grimaced at his terrible pun and sleazy sense of humor. Thule didn’t know what Viagra was supposed to be, so the context of the joke was naturally lost on him.

He sat down with the women, and Kaylee let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to see you’re here. Especially after… well… you know.”

A mischievous grin formed on Thule’s lips. “Wouldn’t hurt to remind me.”

“L-last night. This morning.”

Reggie glared at the women disapprovingly. “What is all this talk of last night and this morning supposed to mean?”

Kaylee lightly smacked Reggie’s arm, huffing at him with indignation. “None of your damn business, you creep.”

Thule crossed his muscled arms together as he gazed sternly at the prying man standing before him. “The sun set, and it rose, same as I did.”

Reggie cocked his head. “Is that supposed to be a riddle or some shit?”

The redhead blushed as she looked down at her egg sandwich. She let out a nervous giggle, while the crew trainer’s confusion only seemed to grow.

“The kind lady does not wish to talk about it.”

“She did with me,” said the blonde girl as she gazed upon the barbarian with a hungry set of eyes. “Did you… did you really do all that?”

Thule smiled at her as he nodded his head a single time in her direction.

Reggie scowled. “Oh, I doubt he was that impressive. Big guy like Thule would be unwieldy in the sack. What kind of moves could this lug have that I don’t?”

“Smooth hands. Talented with… his tongue.”

The crew trainer quirked a brow at that comment. “His tongue? Don’t tell me he ate you out.”

“Fi-fine, then I won’t.”

Reggie snorted in the face of her indignation before he started to pat the barbarian’s shoulder. “You dog! Why would you go and do something nasty like that?”

“Nasty?”

“Licking out a woman’s cunt. You trying to floss with her pubes and get a whiff of the sea?”

Kaylee’s lips quivered as she glared at the crew trainer.

Thule turned to face him before he closed his fingers around the man’s hand that was waving in his face. The bones audibly popped as Reggie unleashed a pitiful sounding whimper.

“You accused me of speaking in riddles. Riddle me this, then: What is more manly than bringing a woman past the peak of pleasure?”

The two girls at the table shared eager glances among themselves as their cheeks flushed bright red. Reggie stood there, hunched over in pain, more concerned with the predicament his hand was caught in at the moment, rather than the philosophical musings of what made for a remarkable lover.

“My words are lost on you, little man,” Thule declared before he unhanded him, allowing the crew trainer to fall upon the tiled floor.

Stacy approached the table, placing the warm food in front of the warrior. Thule thanked her as he opened the bright yellow wrapper emanating a teasing smell that provoked yet another grumble from the pit of his stomach.

The sausage on the biscuit was a rounded shape. He was more acclimated to the link shapes, but he offered no complaint. It smelled as great as it tasted. He discovered this truth immediately upon sinking his teeth into the meat.

The buttered bread combined with the subtle use of spices on the food made for a delectable treat. He closed his eyes and savored that heavenly first bite. Satisfied with the flavor, he quickly proceeded to scarf down his meal to quell his ravenous appetite.

The onion ring fared no better in the wake of his hunger. He took one deliberate bite to relish the taste before he proceeded to consume it within a few hearty gulps.

Reggie grimaced. “Well… your shift starts in five minutes. I hope you can use that mouth of yours for more than pussy and eating. You’re working the register.”

Thule cocked his head. “Register?”

The girls exchanged nervous glances. “A-are you sure he’s ready for that?” Stacy asked. “He’s—well, there’s a cultural gap to consider.”

“I’m ready for any challenge,” the barbarian declared, slamming his fist against the table.

Reggie grinned. “We will see. Customer service is an obstacle unlike any other, Thule. Isn’t it, ladies?”

None of the women at the table expressed disagreement with the crew trainer’s words.

The chair legs scraped along the tiled floor as Thule rose from his seat. “I fear no obstacle. Show me this register. Show me this customer service. I shall destroy it. I shall reduce it to shambles.”

Few words so unfortunate had ever been so boldly spoken. But Reggie, ever eager to see the barbarian beaten down by the relentless onslaught that is the fast-food industry, happily obliged.

***

Once Thule demonstrated his ability to count money, he was taught within the span of an hour which buttons to press to key in an order. When Reggie was confident in his ability to perform his job at the basic level, he was stationed at the front of the lobby while Stacy tended to the drive-through, as the crew at McDaniels called it.

It didn’t take long before people came into the building seeking to fill their bellies with moist patties and crispy fried potato sticks. They came in a short steady trickle. Once the clock hit thirty minutes after eleven, the proverbial floodgates opened, and the patrons flocked to the counter in droves. For a lesser warrior, this might have proven overwhelming—but Thule was worthy for the challenge.

“Hi, I’m with Window Rush. I’m here to pick up an order for Dana,” a pimple-faced boy said and thrusted his rectangle-shaped device towards Thule’s face, nearly striking him in the forehead.

“O-okay, I’ll check on it,” Thule grunted.

“Chop, chop! Time is money.”

The corner of Thule’s eye twitched as he glanced at the floor. He kept his weapon propped there, hidden out of sight. Any further obnoxious outbursts from this kid and he’d be tempted to snag the handle of his blade and chop away at the nuisance barking orders at him like he were some sort of dog.

Kaylee emerged from the back and handed him a large brown bag with a handle perched along the top of it.

“My hero,” he mouthed, which provoked a smile to beam across the young woman’s lips.

Thule turned on his heel and handed the impatient boy the bag. The kid nodded in approval and left without any other condescending remarks.

The barbarian found the silence acceptable. He’d hate to have to go through the trouble of knocking his teeth down his throat in front of all the other customers.

Guests, he mentally corrected. Reggie was insistent the patrons were to be called guests at all times. To the Krommerian, it was an asinine term. He had little time scrambling over needless euphemisms insinuating the same basic idea. To him, it was yet another baffling example of civilization muddying what used to be clear waters.

“Welcome to McDaniels, how can I take…” the barbarian paused as he caught sight of the young man standing on the other side of the counter. From the looks of the patron, it was almost as if a bird had taken residence on his head and hastily assembled a brown nest there.

The youth spoke, bringing an end to the silence. “How about you fix my order, eh?” he said as he smacked a wrapper onto the table.

Contained within the yellow wrapper was a burger with a chunk bitten out of the top of it.

“What’s wrong with your burger, good sir?”

The young person huffed. “I did not order pickles. Why are there pickles on my burger?”

Thule shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, good sir.”

“This burger needs to be remade,” the boy snapped, banging his fist against the counter. “You can’t expect me to eat pickles.”

Scratching his head, the Krommerian remarked. “Seems a waste.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said it seems a waste of a perfectly good meal. Pick the pickles off. They are large and few enough for it to be done without any true effort.”

The youth’s eyes widened as he marveled at the barbarian’s sage like wisdom. “Pi… pick them off?”

“Yeah. You may simply grab them and fling them away. Perhaps into that waste receptacle over yonder. Problem solved.”

The boy’s brows furrowed in disapproval. “I shouldn’t have to pick them off. I demand compensation. I want to speak to your manager!”

Thule ground his teeth together. The boy was seconds away from speaking with the barbarian’s knuckles. He’d show the little snot the Krommerian definition of compensation. What sort of society acted irrational like this? They behaved as though physical reprisal didn’t exist in retaliation to rude conduct. Such hysteria and unpleasant mannerisms were not fit for any group of people. It was clear to the barbarian that civilization was some sort of perverse joke, a grievous mistake even.

Thule clenched his massive fists as he eyed the boy with a steely gaze. The look he shot towards the rude customer sent him backing away from him.

“L-look, I’m warning you man.”

Thule gripped the handle of his axe and made his way around the counter. He approached the retreating patron. “I heed it not,” he declared.

A shrill cry pierced the air from outside.

Thule paused in his tracks, recognizing the sound of the voice immediately.

He whipped his head to the kitchen and saw Kaylee looking towards the side door of the building with fear lighting her eyes. Those eyes pleaded with the barbarian, showing a terrified expression.

That was Kelly’s scream. Kelly was in trouble!

Thule spared the cowering patron as he bolted for the side door leading to the dangerous world lurking outside the walls of the McDaniels. He was scarcely ready for the horror that awaited him.

Chapter 5

The barbarian felt his heart lurch within his chest as he swung open the side door. Another scream resounded near where the green set of dumpsters were located outside of the building. Clenching his jaw, rocks slid underneath the weight of Thule’s shoes as he ran along the asphalt in the direction of the clamor.

When he rounded the corner, he caught sight of a man with short brown hair and a sleeveless white shirt. His hands were clung tightly to Kelly’s arm, pulling her towards one of those horseless carriages. The girl flailed and smacked him several times during their struggle. Upon the fourth smack, he snagged her by the wrist.

“Damn it, Kelly. I’m sorry. You need to listen.”

Thule narrowed his brow as he marched toward the man. If he didn’t unhand her at once, he intended to show this fool how sorry he’d be. No one touched Thule’s woman in such a disrespectful manner.

“Dirk, I said no! Let go, you jerk!”

The barbarian audibly cleared his throat, bringing an abrupt end to the commotion. The man she called Dirk turned to face him. His lips formed a scowl as he glared daggers into the approaching Krommerian.

“She made her wish clear enough. Let her go,” Thule demanded.

Kelly used the distraction to smack the man across the face and pull away from him. She turned and fled, positioning herself behind her protector.

Dirk pointed a finger at him, stupidly undeterred by the sight of the large fire axe held in Thule’s left hand. “Hey, why don’t you mind your own fucking business? We have some issues to sort out here.”

Thule resisted the temptation to break the appendage being thrust at him. Instead, he raised his massive hand and thrust his palm forward into Dirk’s chest, sending the scrawny man staggering on his heels. His back struck against one of the dumpsters.

“As Kelly’s lover, her safety is my business.”

A look of betrayal flashed across the man’s features. He looked at his ex-girlfriend like she’d hit him in the face a second time. “How could you? After everything I’ve done for you, you would actually leave me for another man. Me?”

“A real man,” she declared as she clung tightly to Thule’s arm, cradling it like it were some sort of precious treasure to her. “He cherishes me. He respects me, and he’s never made me feel like garbage. Thule would never hit me, you… fucking asshole!”

Dirk lowered his head in shame, bearing a resemblance to a scolded child. “I’ve made a few mistakes: You know that. We all do. It’s called being human. Kelly, can’t we just go back to the way things were?”

Thule resisted the urge to laugh. There was nothing innately human about being abusive to your partner. When he glanced over his shoulder, he observed the woman promptly shaking her head in response to her ex-boyfriend’s proposition.

Dirk’s jaw set in disgust. “Come on,” he whispered. “We need to go now.”

Thule rested the handle of his axe against the side of the dumpster and gestured toward the man’s vehicle. “You have your answer. Now leave.”

“And I don’t accept it,” Dirk responded. “I refuse. She’s mine, damn it. She’s mine!”

Thule cleared his throat, causing the man’s posture to tense. The Krommerian spared a sympathetic glance in Kelly’s direction before he aimed his gaze back to the pathetic sight of her sniveling ex-boyfriend.

“I understand your grievance. After all, it’s not every day your woman leaves you for a mightier, more generous lover.”

Dirk licked his lips while he frantically nodded his head. “Yeah, that’s right,” he said as his lips curved into a deranged smile. “So, you can hit the road.”

“Or I could hit you instead. Or even hit you against the road, covering all options at once.”

The man’s eyes narrowed, attempting to vacate the expanding whites of his eyes as the color drained from his face. “Excuse me? You’ll… you’ll do what?”

“I said if you want her then you’ll have to fight me for her. It would be a waste, because I don’t think she’d ever go with you anyway, but it’s your decision,” Thule declared as he gestured towards himself, beating his hand across his chest. “I’ll even let you take the first swing.”

Dirk’s mouth opened and shut awkwardly several times as he fumbled around for anything resembling a rebuttal to the warrior’s challenge.

After waiting for several seconds, a savage smile seized Thule’s lips. “It’s a different matter when the person you’re going to hit is bigger than you. Well? What are you waiting for?” he demanded before he bounded a single step towards the gawking man. “Come on, man. Do it!”

Given that frozen cheese could probably be shredded with ease against Thule’s massive pectoral muscles, Kelly’s ex-boyfriend made a swift decision that most sane people would consider a sensible course of action. Dirk shook his head before he slowly backed away from the big man standing before him. “Nah. As a matter of fact, I got somewhere else to be. She’s not worth it.”

As long as that somewhere else involved this pathetic excuse for a human being leaving Kelly alone, Thule could tolerate the man’s cowardly departure. His leaving saved him the trouble of having to tear Dirk’s head off his shoulders. After all, Sienna had employed him to slay monsters, not abusive boyfriends, though an argument easily could be made that the two were one and the same.

When Thule turned around to face Kelly, Dirk expelled the air he’d been holding in his lungs. He went to his car, prepared to leave and be done with the pair. They’d proven nothing but trouble, and he wasn’t about to get his bones broken fighting a losing battle against that hulking brute that had snatched his girlfriend from his grasp.

Kelly let out a gasp, causing the barbarian to take pause.

Dirk’s head and shoulders were slumped down as he fiddled with the keys in his hands. There must have been at least ten different keys and doodads jingling along the small keychain that he rifled through while muttering incoherently under his breath.

The fact that these horseless carriages could be locked, while no doubt an interesting sight to the Krommerian’s eyes, was not what proved to be the most pertinent detail.

Where the man remained preoccupied with finding the right key to his mode of transportation, he failed to take notice of the strange thing that was approaching him from the distance.

Beyond where Kelly’s ex-boyfriend stood, a black mass began to make its way across the road, leading into the lot of the McDaniels. As the shape came closer into the barbarian’s view, Thule’s face paled as he recognized the exoskeletal shapes and raised stingers.

There must have been thousands of scorpions clicking along the ground. The scraping of their legs along the asphalt became more audible as they rapidly advanced towards them.

“Dirk!” Thule shouted as he took several steps back from him. Kelly quickly followed his lead as he resumed calling out to the man. “Look out, Dirk!”

The man looked at Thule with a hateful countenance. His irritation swiftly gave way to unadulterated confusion as he took notice of the barbarian’s sudden retreat. When he turned around, he saw too late the danger that was poised to attack.

His cries tore through the air as the black mass of scorpions enveloped him from head to toe. Shrieks of terror gave way to an awful choking sound, as the air projected from the man’s lungs was forcefully lodged in place. Then a terrible silence followed as the arachnids dispersed from Dirk’s body. What they left behind in their onslaught was a bloated corpse pumped full of their fatal venom.

The face of Kelly’s ex-boyfriend jutted outward in patches of red and violet discoloration where the creatures had clawed and stung him repeatedly. A round mound formed along the center of the man’s lips. It was his tongue. The organ had been rendered into a twisted obstruction stuck to the roof of his mouth.

His arms were torn to ribbons from where the arachnids had made sizable gashes in their onslaught. The left arm hung on the socket by a delicate thread that a gentle burst of wind could snap off with ease.

The redhead let out a pained cry at the horrible sight as she tripped over her own feet when she backed away from the violent scene.

“Run!” Thule demanded as he picked up his axe by the dumpster. As he lifted it, several of the scorpions leapt at him. With a mighty swing, he cleaved the arachnids into pieces, sending chunks of their ebony-colored bodies flying into the air. He glanced back at his companion and cursed under his breath.

Instead of obeying his instruction, Kelly stammered in fear and confusion as she tried to process the violent event that had transpired in front of her. Her reaction wasn’t entirely divorced from reason. It wasn’t every day someone witnessed a person they intimately knew being killed in such a horrific manner. Though he empathized with her appalment at the macabre sight that unfolded before their eyes, they needed to move. Staying at the scene would ensure they shared the same fate as Dirk.

Thule ran towards the woman and lifted her into his muscled arms before he dashed across the lot and back to the side door of the restaurant. When he opened the door, Reggie was standing in his way with an irritable disposition.

“Hey! Anybody want to tell me what the hell is going on out there?”

“Start covering the openings,” Thule curtly commanded before he shoved past the baffled crew trainer. He placed Kelly, who had fainted in his arms, on top of the service counter.

The warrior turned and saw the confused patrons amassed at the front of the lobby. They stared back at him dumbfounded.

He addressed them once more. “Koth and his devils! Do you people have a death wish? I said go and cover the damned openings!”

One of the guests in the establishment, a middle-aged lady with dimples and a set of round glasses, let out a shrill cry as she peeked outside of one of the store windows.

It took the people in the McDaniels a matter of a few seconds to discern how precarious their situation truly was when they saw the nest of scorpions swarming the parking lot in countless numbers. The arachnids had formed a perimeter around the building. They were surrounded with no pathway to safety visible to the naked eye.

Reggie locked the latch atop of the side door while Stacy took care of the one at the main entrance.

“Where do you keep the wood?” Thule asked as he grabbed Reggie by the collar of his shirt, lifting him from the ground.

The crew trainer stared blankly at him, still trying to ascertain the breadth of their grim situation.

Thule growled before he gently slapped the man across the face to snap him out of his stupor. “If we do not barricade the undersides of those doors and windows, we’re all going to die in here. Do you understand?”

Reggie gave a hesitant nod. “It’s in the… it’s in the back. I’m sure of it. Sienna ordered supplies to fix the window as you know. I just don’t know if we have enough materials to cover it all.”

“Try,” Thule replied. “As long as we can cover the openings, we might be able to hold out for a while. These things should disappear on their own, right?”

“Y-yeah,” the trainer stammered as he pulled himself out of Thule’s grip. “I’ll… I’ll check what we have,” he declared before he ran to the back of the building with one of his underlings.

Thule kept his eyes peeled as some of the scorpions crawled along the windows. Individually, they couldn’t break through the glass.

But if they were to strike all at once.

Thule shook his head, casting aside his pessimism. He’d survived difficult situations before, though only a few of them were more dire than this one. They’d get out of this mess. At least, that is what he silently told himself. If he cracked under pressure and fell apart in front of these people, they’d likely do the same in short succession. Then they all would be dead for certain.

Something banged loudly inside the kitchen, capturing the barbarian’s attention. The warrior gripped the handle of his axe and prepared to engage in battle with whatever conjured horror was coming for them.

Much to his relief, the source of the noise was the crew trainer. Reggie returned to the lobby carrying a set of boards, while the girl he’d brought with him trailed behind with a metallic red box.

When the blonde woman set the box on the counter, the contents inside clangored together from the landing. She flicked the silver latch and opened the lid. A few seconds later, she pulled out a hammer.

“We need nails.”

The girl revealed a plastic container that she shook for emphasis. “And we’ve got them,” she replied with a bright, innocent smile.

“Good,” the barbarian said in relief. “We need to get to work. The sooner we cover any of the spots where those things can slip through, the sooner we’ll be able to rest.”

Kaylee brushed her finger along the underside of the windows. “They could get through this?”

Thule nodded. “Where there’s a hole, there’s a goal,” he replied, imparting sound wisdom that applied to not only sexual encounters, but also to a murderous nest of scorpions finding their way into a building.

No further words needed to be exchanged. With everyone putting their life on the line, the people inside the McDaniel’s had all the motivation they needed to get moving. They’d do anything to keep the unwanted pests from breaching the restaurant’s interior. Thule joined them and they began their task to cover the undersides of the doors with the wood they’d procured.

Reggie signaled for some of the customers to follow him. Three men ran into the back office with him. They shortly returned to the scene with much needed supplies that they used to start securing the area, beginning with the cracks at the bottom of the doors. Once the task was done, the windows were tended to in short order.

The McDaniels staff let out a collective sigh of relief once the final board was hammered against the bottom lining of the last windowpane by the front entrance.

A baffled expression formed upon Thule’s face. Confusion gave way to naked realization as he faced the crew who’d become lax in their posture. “The openings!”

“Come on, Thule. We just took care of them,” Reggie whined in protest.

Thule pointed his forefinger towards one of the walls adjacent to the kitchen and the side door. He imagined Koth was laughing at his ignorance as he mentally kicked himself in the rear for missing a gap. “What about that?”

The dry wall jutted where a noticeable crack was formed along the wall. White bits of plaster spilled onto the floor as one of the ebony-colored scorpions clawed its way through the narrow gap.

“Oh shit,” the crew trainer breathlessly whispered.

Thule considered that remark a fair assessment. Before he could act, someone nimbly bolted by him.

Stacy snagged one of the boards and gave a shout as she began smacking the arachnid with her cudgel. The scorpion let out a strange noise as the wooden beam squashed its innards onto the floor of the restaurant. Dark blood oozed into the grooves between the tiles.

More of the plaster began to rain along the floor as the tiny scorpions with their glistening, black exoskeletons began to emerge from the opening.

Kaylee grabbed a board and the girls got to work fighting off the killer arachnids.

“Reggie,” the Thule barked. “You grab the hammer and nails. We’ve got to plug that hole now!”

The crew trainer offered no fuss. He grabbed the hammer and nails from the toolbox and rushed into the kitchen.

Raising his bladed weapon, the warrior stepped towards the kitchen to aid them in repelling the menace making its way inside the building.

“Thule!” a gravelly voice boomed from the outside world.

The barbarian stopped in his tracks. He turned and stepped by one of the lobby windows facing the front of the parking lot. His eyes widened in amazement as many of the scorpions began to crawl atop one another. The arachnids merged and formed an all too familiar, and equally unwelcome, shape: It was the face of his foe, the evil sorcerer, Riven Kul’Doom.