"You two ready?" Bul-Kathos asked Luke Cage and Matthew Murdock, irritation in his voice—not at them, but at the distant rumble of his pickup tearing across Harrogath.
"We're barbarians now. Time to do what's right," Matthew said, fearless, purified by Harrogath's trials. Luke gazed at Bul-Kathos with awe, yearning to be an unyielding warrior.
"Go then," Bul-Kathos said, calming, his elder's tone steady. He reached into the Elders' Temple's eternal flame, pulling out two red-filled potion bottles. Releasing them, they flew to Luke and Matthew's hands. "You're barbarians now."
With a gruff voice, he left the temple. Barbarian rituals, especially for new recruits, were simple. Harrogath's approval was enough. "I'll take you to Hell's Kitchen soon. Luke, keep your promise," his voice echoed. Luke looked at Matthew, expression lost on the blind man.
"So, this mountain grants greater power?" Hawkeye stared at Rumlow, who'd avoided the other agents. He hadn't wanted to share with Fury's loyalist, but meeting Luke and Matthew made secrecy futile.
"My mentor agreed you can watch tomorrow's trial," Rumlow said, stroking his notched hand axe, repaired once by Lasuk but nearing its end.
Could Hawkeye be trusted? Maybe a hero, but early disclosure risked Rumlow's edge. Hydra's WWII infamy meant Hawkeye likely knew of them. If Fury learned, Rumlow's shadow advantage vanished. S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra were entwined. He wanted a true clash, destroying Hydra while forging S.H.I.E.L.D. into a true shield, not an autonomous mind.
"What'll I see?" Hawkeye asked, eyes cold, mission expectations shattered.
"A fight I'd stake my life on," Rumlow said, holstering his axe, brushing off snow. His fourth trial loomed, confidence low. Like Matthew and Luke, he'd faced Harrogath's visions and accepted possible death. His plan—exposing Hydra—was nearly complete. Even if he died, Hydra would surface. But living meant showing S.H.I.E.L.D. global security wasn't theirs to dominate. Without checks beyond SHEN, their unchecked power bred corruption.
"Survive, and report to Fury yourself," Hawkeye said, easing off for now. Tomorrow would tell.
"Damn it! Forge your own car!" Bul-Kathos appeared in the pickup's path, slamming Oathkeeper into its hood. The truck soared over him, ancestors tumbling like dumplings, thudding into the snow. They could've landed gracefully as spirits but chose the thrill of the fall.
"Ha! Bul-Kathos is mad!" Madoc tossed a prized liquor jug to appease him—useless to a spirit. "My turn?" Volusk's gauntlets clashed, the Immortal King's fists ready.
Bul-Kathos caught the jug, flipping Madoc a finger—today was theirs, but only once. The truck roared off, ancestors howling recklessly, free from Hell's threat, unburdened.
Madoc, left behind, roared, "Wait! I'm not on!" He charged after, footprints mingling with tire tracks.
"What's wrong, Raekor?" Bul-Kathos sipped Madoc's liquor, not turning as a female barbarian in fearsome armor appeared.
Legendary Raekor, second only to Volusk among Harrogath's ancestors, earned female barbarians their warrior status. Her voice, harsh with war's echoes, lacked gentleness, lost with her husband. As a commander, she'd had no time to grieve, fighting in his pants and gifted chestplate. Bul-Kathos had declined her original Charge set, honoring her lost tenderness.
"You sure about making those two barbarians?" she asked.
"They've earned Harrogath's approval. They can proudly call themselves barbarians," Bul-Kathos replied.
(Chapter End)
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