The journey out of Caldera and into the western plains was uneventful. We passed farmers distraught by the coming of the sun, their entire mushroom crop destroyed by the heat and light. The farmers were selling their crops cheap, their wagons piled high with multicolored fungus.

We purchased a wagon load at a great price and stored it in Flint's [Arcane Vault]. Without any air or moisture inside the portal, the crops would stay fresh and dry until they were needed.

I wasn't much of a cook and the only mushroom recipes I remembered from Earth were all omelets and risottos, and we didn't have a stove or eggs or rice. But if we were going to be living wild, then there was no telling what might be useful.

We crossed the river to the western side of the gorge, and walked along the banks where the ground was firm. The further west we traveled, the more wagons we encountered, most empty and heading in the same direction that we were.

We spoke to a few of the travelers, and found out that they were all merchants on their way to a scalemaw spawn point. A party of adventurers had been sent by the city to cull the growing population, and the merchants were there to harvest the scales that were left behind.

We bought a few things from the merchants, new pairs of boots, a couple of extra cloaks, and some food. I knew I'd have blisters before long, but at least my feet were warm and dry.

As we walked, I kept thinking about Rakanar's final words.

'The Tower is afraid,' he had said.

What could the Tower be afraid of? Does it have something to do with Patches and the waves of destruction, or is there another threat looming?

"There's a roadside inn up ahead," Flint said, pointing to a building that was just visible in the distance. "We could rest there and get a bite to eat, then continue on in the morning."

I nodded and then crouched down to grab a long stick with two small branches sticking out, making it look like the handle of a sword. I swung the stick a few times, getting a feel for the weight and balance. It was strong with a good bend to it, the two branches making a perfect hilt.

I smiled, remembering my time back on earth. Every time I'd go for a walk, I'd find a stick and somehow just holding it made me feel like a samurai or a ninja. Even in this world, with swords and magic, the stick had called to me. I wondered if there was a deeper meaning there, or if I was just being silly.

"Nice stick," Flint said, looking at the stick approvingly.

"Thanks," I said, grinning. "It's the perfect size and weight."

Eliaria looked from Flint to me, shaking her head, "Why do you need a stick?"

I rested the stick on my shoulder, "What do you mean?"

"It's a nice stick," said Flint, as if that explained everything.

"Exactly," I said, nodding.

Eliaria smiled and shook her head again, "I don't understand either of you."

***

As we sat in the corner of the busy inn sippin on fire ale, we listened to the chatter of the other patrons. Most of the conversation was about the appearance of the sun, and everyone seemed to have an opinion on the subject.

"It's an ill omen," said one man, "the dark is natural, but some ball of fire in the sky, that's just weird."

"Aye," agreed another. "It's a sign of things to come."

A third man laughed, "Bah, it's nothing to be worried about, the sun will bring prosperity and a bountiful harvest. Once the farmers adjust to the changes, we'll be growing three times as much crops."

"I'm telling you, something bad is coming," said the first man. "Just wait and see, there will be death and destruction on the horizon, mark my words."

The conversation devolved into an argument, and soon the men were shouting and gesturing wildly.

Flint laughed and slapped me on the shoulder, "This is what being an adventurer is about, now all we need is a good tavern brawl, and we'll be set."

"A tavern brawl?" Eliaria asked, arching an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with adventuring?"

"It's a rite of passage," Flint replied, grinning. "You can't call yourself a true adventurer until you've been in a tavern brawl and slept with a few busty barmaids."

"You're full of shit," I said, taking a sip of my ale.

As if on cue, the innkeeper's daughter walked past us carrying a tray of drinks. Her hair was done up in a braid and her dress did very little to hide her curves.

"Well, hello," Flint said, giving the girl a wink.

The girl eyed the scar on Flint's face and the quarterstaff at his side and smiled politely.

"Keep your eyes on your drink, not my daughter!" Bartholomew the innkeeper shouted from the bar.

"Yes, sir," Flint said, but he flashed the girl a smile and mouthed the words, 'Later.'

"You're unbelievable," Eliaria said.

"What?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"You might never see this girl again, so why try to court her now?" she asked.

Flint grinned and leaned in closer to Eliaria, "Who said anything about courting? I was thinking more along the lines of a bit of fun between two consenting adults."

Eliaria's cheeks flushed and she looked away.

"Don't tell me you're jealous," he said, his grin widening.

"No," she said, "It's just that... I don't understand how you can be so..."

"Charming?" Flint suggested.

"No," she said, shaking her head.

"Leave her alone, Flint," I said. "She doesn't understand your way of life, she's a priestess sworn to celibacy. She's not used to seeing someone who takes pleasure wherever they can find it."

"What!" Eliaria said. "I haven't made a vow of celibacy. I just think you know... things should be special."

"Sure, whatever works for you," Flint said. "But for me, the best things in life are often the ones you take on a whim."

Eliaria looked at me and then blushed. "I just meant... Never mind."

I smiled. "Who wants another round?"

"Me," Flint said.

"Me too," Eliaria said.

Flint winked at her, "See, you're already starting to understand."

Eliaria rolled her eyes, but her blush deepened.

***

Just as we were finishing our drinks, a boy burst through the door and shouted, "A scalemaw at the edge of Prior's farm."

The inn fell silent, then erupted into a cacophony of noise as everyone rushed to grab their weapons and tools.

"Scalemaw, this close to the inn," the innkeeper said, shaking his head.

I looked at Flint and Eliaria, "What do you think, should we help them?"

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Why not," Flint shrugged. "Might get some decent loot out of it."

Eliaria nodded.

"Alright," I said, getting to my feet.

We grabbed our weapons and followed the crowd of farmers and merchants out the door.

***

Not a leaf stirred on Prior's farm as the group of us walked through the fields toward the tree line, where the boy had seen the scalemaw.

"It was there," the boy said, pointing at a giant hole in the ground.

"Thank you, young man," Bartholomew, the innkeeper, said. "Now run home, this is no place for a child."

The boy nodded and sprinted off into the distance.

"Well," said one of the farmers. "We better get started, lay the bait and hope that the creature is all alone."

I'd never seen a scalemaw hunt, and I had to admit that I was a little curious.

"Bait?" I asked, trying not to sound too ignorant.

"Aye," Bartholomew nodded. "We have to lure it out somehow, we can't be waiting around all day hoping it will show up."

"What do you use as bait?" Eliaria asked.

"Usually a pig or a goat," Bartholomew replied. "Scalemaws eat anything organic, but they are attracted to vibrations and blood."

An old goat with a rope around its neck was brought forward, a stake was hammered into the ground and the goat tied to it.

"Now move back a bit?" Bartholomew said, "you don't want to be too close when it arrives."

The men moved away, and I looked around the field. It was a beautiful place, with rows of vegetables and grain, and the moonlight shining down on the gently waving plants. It was almost a shame that we had to fight here.

"Now what?" Flint asked.

"Now we wait," Bartholomew said.

Time seemed to stand still, as we waited for the scalemaw to show up. A cold breeze blew through the fields, and Eliaria shivered beside me.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yes," she said, wrapping her arms around herself. "Should have brought my cloak, I didn't think we'd be out here so long."

"Here," I said, taking off my cloak and handing it to her.

She looked at it for a moment, unsure what to do.

"Put it on," I urged, "You'll freeze to death."

"What about you?" she asked, taking the cloak.

"Don't worry about me," I said. "I need my hands free anyway."

"Thank you," she said, putting the cloak on and pulling it tight around her shoulders.

The cloak was a bit big on her, but it did the job. She smiled at me, and I felt my heart skip a beat. I was so surprised by the unexpected feeling that I barely heard the rumbling of the ground beneath our feet.

The goat’s frantic bleating drew my attention, though. Its hooves dug into the dirt as it tried to escape. The rumbling grew louder, and I could see the soil rising and falling like waves in the ocean.

"Here it comes," Bartholomew whispered.

Farmers readied their pitchforks and axes, the merchants brandished kitchen knives and short bows. Flint raised his quarterstaff, and I readied my dagger.

"Wait," Bartholomew said, putting out a hand.

The goat's cries grew louder and more desperate as the rumbling grew deafening. Then, with a thunderous crash, the scalemaw burst out of the ground, swallowing the goat whole and arcing in the air like a wave crashing onto the shore.

As it descended, I could see its body was covered in large, overlapping scales, and its mouth was filled with rows of razor sharp teeth. It was the same type of giant worm I’d seen a few nights ago in Caldera.

"Now!" Bartholomew roared.

Farmers holding pitchforks, merchants with crude bows, and Porcelain rank adventurers with axes and torches swarmed around the beast, striking with everything they had.

Flint and I stood back, waiting for an opening. We were both dying to use our new spell cards, but my [Bone Spikes] would probably impale one of the farmers and Flint's new [Warp Strike] was likely to get his face bitten off by the worm if he tried it.

"You guys should hang back," Bartholomew grunted. "Let the real men handle this."

"Yeah, right," Flint said, grinning from ear to ear.

The scalemaw thrashed about, its tail whipping wildly and its jaws snapping at anyone within reach. The farmers and merchants held their own, despite their lack of training and skill.

"Watch out for the tail," Bartholomew called, tossing a flaming torch into the creature's face.

The scalemaw whipped its tail around, and Eliaria raised [Sky Shield] to block the attack before it could crush a farmer’s skull.

There were a few gasps of surprise at seeing magic up close, but no one had time to question it, as the scalemaw opened its maw and vomited a stream of acid.

Eliaria ducked behind her shield, but the acid ate through the shimmering barrier like paper, and she was forced to dive aside as the corrosive liquid splashed onto the ground where she had been standing.

The giant worm rose up like a serpent ready to strike.

I cast [Toxic Barrage] and the venomous orbs exploded from my hands and slammed into the scalemaw's head, a patch of scales fell away from the beast's forehead.

As the worm reeled, Flint cast [Warp Strike]. One second he was standing beside me and the next he was in midair, his quarterstaff slamming into the exposed area with all the force of a lightning bolt.

With a deafening screech, the beast's head caved in, its body writhing and twisting before it collapsed to the ground, dead.

"Ha!" Bartholomew bellowed. "Not bad for a bunch of kids."

"I leveled up!" shouted one of the merchants, and the crowd cheered.

Flint patted the merchant on the back and then tossed his staff back into his portal.

"And now, for the spoils," I said, wiping my hands on my trousers and approaching the body.

Eliaria shook her head, "I can't believe we're looting a dead monster."

"It's not like it needs the scales anymore," Flint said, grinning.

"I suppose," she conceded.

Just as we began to tear into the beast, the ground began to rumble.

"Maker protect us," Bartholomew breathed.

"Another one?" Flint asked.

We were all out of position, the worm could appear anywhere, and if we were unlucky, we might be right where it came up.

I cast a quick look at Eliaria. Her face was set in a grim expression, and I could see she was taking this seriously.

"Spread out," I said, moving to the right.

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, the earth falling away as a mouth opened in the dirt. A giant, toothy maw.

"Oh, shit," Flint said, his eyes wide.

"Move!" I shouted, pushing him out of the way.

This one was larger than the first, its body thicker and its scales a darker shade of green. Its teeth closed around a farmer, frozen in shock, and the man screamed as he fell into the mouth.

I launched myself into the air, avoiding the maw and its snapping teeth. The farmer's hand shot out from the darkness and grasped my leg, his grip tightening.

My momentum carried me forward, and I flew toward the other side of the worm's mouth, the farmer still clutching my leg. We hit the ground hard, the man landing on the ground beside me.

"T-thanks," he said, his voice shaky.

I sat up, just in time to see the worm raising its head, its maw wide open. It was preparing to attack again.

A golden javelin flew through the air, it hit the worm's neck, tearing a scale free. The creature screeched in pain and whipped its tail in the direction the javelin had come from.

"Eliaria," I gasped.

The tail swung around, and she jumped out of the way, barely dodging it.

A second javelin appeared in her hand, and she threw it again, this time aiming for the exposed flesh. It sank into the worm's neck, and the beast let out another ear-splitting shriek.

Arrows, rocks and javelins rained down on the worm, but it ignored them, its focus solely on the priestess who had dared to wound it.

I ran over to the man's side and helped him to his feet.

"Run," I told him. "Get back to the others."

He nodded and limped off as fast as he could.

I turned back to the battle and saw Eliaria dodging another blow from the creature's tail.

"I'm coming," I said, running towards her.

As I approached, the worm reared up again, its mouth open and ready to strike.

"Get down," I shouted, jumping towards her.

I grabbed her by the waist and tackled her to the ground, the worm's mouth closing over where she had been standing.

She lay beneath me, her chest heaving.

"Bastion," she said, her eyes wide.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yes," she breathed.

"Good," I said, releasing her and getting to my feet.

As the worm reared up again, Flint appeared beside us, his quarterstaff swinging around and striking the beast in the side.

The creature staggered back, its mouth opening wide.

"Pin it down!" I shouted, casting a glance at Elia.

She nodded and leapt forward, casting [Crimson Chains]. Ethereal fire chains shot out of her palms and wrapped around the beast's body, binding it in place.

"That's it," Bartholomew shouted from behind us, "Finish it off."

I tightened my grip on my dagger and sprinted towards the creature, the blade poised to strike.

Flint was already there, his staff slamming into the creature's belly. The worm roared in pain, and its mouth gaped open.

I leapt into the air and drove the dagger into the roof of the creature's mouth and fired [Toxic Barrage] deep into its throat. Just as it tried to close its jaws, I yanked my dagger free and leapt backwards, narrowly avoiding the rows of teeth, and landed on the ground in a roll.

The beast thrashed about a few times, its strength waving, and finally it slumped to the ground. Eliaria’s chains dissipated and for a moment the crowd stood in silence watching the giant creature breath its final breath.

"Well, that was a hell of a lot easier than a dragon," Flint said, wiping his hands on his tunic.

I looked at him and couldn't help but smile.

"Tonight you three drink for free," Bartholomew said, stepping forward and patting me on the shoulder.

He looked at Flint, "But you should know if you lay a finger on my sweet daughter, I'll have your balls on a pike."

Flint held up his hands, "What if she lays a finger on me?"

Bartholomew snorted and turned to leave, "Don't just stand there with your mouth full of teeth and your elbow halfway up your arm, start harvesting those scales."

***