It had been a tense few days of walking, but all in all nothing had happened. The wyvern had just been bad luck, after all. It probably wasn't that dangerous to be traveling. The pigs would be quite the profit, Julius could see it now. People raiding their medicine cabinets for opiods, trading small favors to whoever had managed to get the pharmacies supply. All so they could get few pills to buy a pig. In an instant it would cement opiods as the currency of the apocalypse, at least for that town.

They had passed the sign reading Crikside, and walked down the town's mainstreet. The herd of pigs between him and Alex. He spotted one person, but they ran into a building, and closed the door. He frowned, and undid the catch on his arm holster, nervous.

“I am a merchant, looking to sell these pigs to the citizens of this town! If you have a leader or anyone of the sort, I would be happy to discuss business with them! Or any enterprising citizen could come purchase one for themself if they wish! I accept barter, but will make quick and easy trade for opiods!” Julius shouted. He had worked out the sales pitch on the road. No one came immediately, so he signaled to Alex to keep moving. He repeated his sales pitch every few blocks, but to no avail. Julius could see signs of people, windows closing and curtains being drawn.

“It's like one of those old west movies. Where everyone hides inside while the showdown happens,” Alex commented.

“Then who are we supposed to be meeting at high noon?” Julius wondered. Alex checked over his pistol, and then unslung his rifle holding it ready.

The answer came as they turned into an intersection at the center of the town. Standing there, nearly a hundred feet away was a man of average height, and a little scrawny. He was dressed in jeans, and ragged hoodie that hung open showing a pale torso. “Hello,” he called, gesturing for them to come forward.

The herd of pigs had been keeping up a near constant stream of squeals, which Julius had long become deaf. So when they went silent, he noticed the absence. Julius signaled for Alex to stay back with the herd, and approached alone. “Hello,” he called back, trying his best to sound confident. “I'm Julius, are you the mayor or something. I'm looking to sell some-”

“Quiet!” The man shouted. Julius froze, and only a few dozen feet away he could see things were wrong. A black line, as wide as a quarter and a foot long, was worming along the man's torso, raising the skin up. Something was moving inside of the man. “I am the god of this land, Cliff, and require tribute,” Cliff called.

“Well, I have a herd of thirty pigs. I would be happy to sell them to you at a very reasonable price. Buy two and get one as tribute, that sort of thing,” Julius bartered. The blackness crossed over the man's face. When it went over the eye, it seemed to emerge from behind it, and wrap back over. The thing was wet, glistening, and seemed chitinous, like an insect shell.

“Yes, give me tribute,” Cliff said, not appearing to have listened.

“Sure I suppose you can have them all for free,” Julius said. He closed the last couple feet, and reached out a hand. “Shake on it?”

Cliff seemed confused by his friendliness, and he seized the opportunity. He flexed, and his pistol launched out. This was the first time he had done the trick under any stress. Tense from the situation his fingers closed late, and the gun slipped through his grip. As it fell towards Cliff, it began to glow softly, and slow down. At the same time the blackness inside Cliff lit up white, glowing through the skin.

The pistol came to a halt, levitating in the air, and shining brightly. It had been caught with some sort of telekinesis, and hung suspended. Cliff tilted his head, staring at the weapon. With his other hand, Julius grabbed the now floating pistol. He mashed the trigger, not missing the chance. Two gunshots rang out, almost on top of each other. Julius was shocked to see the two bullets shining brightly, and rotating in the air in front of Cliff's outstretched palm.

“With madness comes power!” Cliff screamed. Then Julius felt a sensation he never experienced before.