After sending the two to Harrogath's sacred mountain, Bul-Kathos enjoyed a few leisurely days.
With Ancient One's help, Gil began a normal kid's school life. Though he swung an axe daily as Bul-Kathos required, to the barbarian, it was no more taxing than routine calisthenics.
…
"That's all I've got, Instructor."
Rumlow, nearly recovered, seized a chance to meet his old mentor, Dum Dum Dugan, in a closed bar's private room. He shared fragments of HYDRA's secrets—carefully, not revealing all. He knew if Dugan learned everything, he'd storm Pierce's office, gun blazing.
So, Rumlow planned to drip-feed the truth.
"You're not lying?"
Dugan eyed the pale Rumlow warily. He'd been reluctant to meet, seeing Rumlow as just a capable former student. Only the promise of critical news brought him to this safehouse.
Now, he regretted it.
"You're with HYDRA?"
Dugan's hand grazed his large-caliber revolver. As a soldier, he didn't ponder conspiracies—he eliminated their sources. It worked well in war.
"Instructor, lower your hand. If I meant harm, I wouldn't come alone."
Rumlow was surprised Dugan listened before reaching for his gun. He'd expected that museum-worthy revolver aimed at his head the moment he said "HYDRA."
"HYDRA's grip on S.H.I.E.L.D. is beyond what you imagine. Even Nick Fury can't be trusted."
Rumlow slandered Fury without hesitation.
"And I can?"
Dugan set his hand on the table, sipping vodka, calming slightly.
"Only the Howling Commandos are trustworthy. Even with Fury as director, I have doubts. After all, my direct superior was Pierce, the previous director."
The glass clinked as Dugan set it down. Pierce, approved by Dugan and his peers, had been director. If he was HYDRA, they'd handed S.H.I.E.L.D. to the enemy.
"You know what you're saying?"
Dugan's face twisted with rage.
"I have a plan: bypass Fury, audit S.H.I.E.L.D. internally."
Rumlow, unfazed, sipped water—his body wasn't ready for alcohol.
"If Pierce is HYDRA, then Fury, his protégé, can't be trusted either."
Dugan raised his revolver, aiming at Rumlow's head. "But if you're telling the truth, you, Pierce's confidant, are even less trustworthy."
To Dugan, only dead HYDRA agents were safe. Alive or dead, they were rotten.
"Sure, I'm not trustworthy. Shoot me now, Instructor. Just contact your old comrades and start the investigation and purge."
"You know I don't buy redemption arcs, but your info and existence are vital."
Dugan lowered his gun. "Your life's spared."
He saw Rumlow's predicament: no turning back after spilling HYDRA's secrets. The Red Skull never forgave betrayal; HYDRA never did.
Dugan tossed Rumlow a cigar from the counter. "Now, you bastard, tell me your plan."
…
"Idiot! I told you, that's not how you swing a weapon!"
Madoc's phantom roared at Luke Cage, his metal rod slamming Luke's head with a dull thud.
It was their second day of training after reaching Harrogath's peak. It took them days to climb, nearly starving.
Madoc had sized Luke up: a body nearly as tough as a barbarian recruit, but combat skills so raw he'd be torn apart by demons in moments.
"How did Bul-Kathos think to send you here?"
Madoc's rod struck again.
Luke had tried resisting on day one—Madoc's training was neither gentle nor free. The result? Groaning in pain all night, bruises teaching him his weakness.
Now, he mechanically swung Warblade into the biting wind.
Madoc's eyes brimmed with frustration. When he first saw Luke, a dozen barbarian ancestors vied to train him—a body like a barbarian recruit was rare here. Madoc, with his superior skill, claimed the role. Now, he was furious.
Luke wasn't clumsy; among normals, he was sharp. But to Madoc, his stiff limbs recalled Sanctuary's shambling corpses. Luke's body control was abysmal for a warrior.
Meanwhile, Matt, overlooked, trained under a nameless female barbarian ancestor, making decent progress.
Madoc regretted his choice. The blind man, though physically weaker, had far more combat talent.
His rod struck Luke again, earning a grunt.
"We're barbarians, not mules! Show me you're not a beast!"
Harrogath, usually silent save for wind, came alive with Madoc's roars—though it only fueled his anger.
(End of Chapter)
---------------------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 Unlock 10+ early chapters on my Patreon!
💖 Support me here: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
🔓 Get ahead of the story today!