THE BEARDED MAN FELL TO THE FLOOR, SURROUNDED BY BROKEN GLASS AND WASTED BOOZE. HE WAS OUT FOR THE COUNT, OBVIOUSLY NOT HOLDING UP TO THE STRENGTH AND VIGOR HE HAD DISPLAYED JUST A MOMENT AGO. THE BARTENDER LOOKED DOWN AT THE MESS, AND THEN UP AT THE REPTILIAN MAN. HE POINTED A FINGER AT HIM AND ANNOUNCED, “YOU’RE PAYING FOR THAT, YOU LIZARD SUMBITCH.”

THE LIZARD SIMPLY YELLED IN RESPONSE, TO WHICH THE BARTENDER RETALIATED AND GRABBED A FINE PUMP-ACTION FROM UNDERNEATH THE BAR, FULLY LOADED. HE PUMPED AND AIMED AT THE REPTILIAN BEHEMOTH, UNLOADED SHELL AFTER SHELL INTO HIS UPPER BODY, ONLY TO BE STOPPED HALFWAY BY A RAGING BALL OF FIRE HURDLING TOWARDS HIS SHINY CRANIUM. HE DUCKED BEHIND THE COUNTER, SCRAMBLING FOR MORE AMMUNITION.

MEANWHILE, OVER IN ONE OF THE BOOTHS, A REDHEADED GIRL IN A GREEN TUNIC WAS SWINGING A BROADSWORD AROUND HAPHAZARDLY, YELLING INCOHERENTLY. A MAN PLAGUED BY AN ELDRITCH MUTATION BUMPED INTO HER SIDE, TO WHICH SHE TOOK GREAT OFFENSE, AND PROCEEDED TO CLEAVE OFF HIS HEAD. SHE HELD IT UP AND SCREAMED AT IT, AND THE SEVERED HEAD SCREAMED BACK IN AN UNHOLY TONGUE. SHE HELD THE HEAD UP HIGH, FOOT PLANTED ON HER VICTIM'S LIFELESS CARCASS.

TO LIVE AND DIE GLORIOUSLY, TO BATHE IN THE BLOOD OF HER ENEMIES, TO GORGE ON THE HEARTS OF BEASTS, THIS WOULD BE HER FINAL BATTLE TO PROVE HER WORTH TO THOSE WHO STAND AT THE GATES OF VALHALLA.