The Prophet's Walk

Skaar, Princess Omaka, and Old Sam have arrived at the Eastern Border of the Great Desert on their way to Prophet Rock. They stop in a village of Shadow People who tell Skaar that tomorrow he must go on the Prophet Walk in order to claim the Old Power and his heritage. The first of these trials is to lay down his arms and allow himself to be flailed and suffer the pain in silence. However, Skaar isn't interested in these trials and swats away the red hot spear one of the Priests have brought. Old Sam points out that the smell of burning flesh likely reminded Skaar of his birth in Sakaar's molten core. Princess Omaka also points out that every soul on this planet has been born of war and violence and that they seek to get vengeance against those who would slaughter them. When one of the Shadow People begins to beat a drum celebrating the arrival of Skaar, the brute pushes him off the side of the cliff he is drumming from. Saved by Princes Omaka, the youth is scolded as his drumming could have given away their position to Axeman Bone and his priest. Suddenly, a horde of Devil Corker's burst forth from the ground, attracted by the drumming.

Although the people attempt to flee, the priest tells them that this is the second trial of the prophet. However, instead of bowing before the beasts, as is with prophecy, Skaar and Princess Omaka leap into battle slaughtering the Corkers. It's during this slaughter that Skaar also breaks the third trial by eating the flesh of the Corkers when he should be fasting for the next forty days. The priest is horrified by this display, but Princess Omaka points out that Skaar has saved them all from Axeman Bone and his Filians, and has provided food for them to eat. While Omaka thinks Skaar is the savior they need, the priest believes it is the one they deserve. Suddenly, a sandstorm begins to blow in. With the powerful winds capable of flaying the skin from their bones, Omaka herds the others into the carcas of a Devil Corker for cover while the Son of Hulk pushed it across the desert. The storm finally subsists after two days of travel when they arrive at Prophet Rock. There they are greeted by other Shadows who welcome them to this sacred place. Rushing inside, Old Sam is mortified to see that the ancient ship of his people is being salvaged by Wildebots.

However, before they can do anything about this situation, they are approached by some Fillians who have the priest Hiro-Amin with them. Seeing these barbarians slay another one of his hybrids, Skaar becomes angry and lunges in to attack. But instead of fleeing, Hiro-Amin channels the Old Power and lays into him, bowling Skaar over with a single punch.

Recurring Characters

Skaar, Old Sam, Princess Omaka, Hiro-Amin, Caiera Oldstrong (ghost)

Shadow Tales, Part Three

Three days prior, Axeman Bone has finished dealing with the mutiny among his men, all those who attempted to oust him are dead and their heads are placed upon pikes. With this business out of the way, Lieutenant Skee seeks to resume their hunt for the Son of Hulk. However, Axeman Bone thinks they should send the priest Hiro-Amin along to use the Old Power against the brute. He explains that a battered old scabbard is the best place to hide the sharpest knife. This exchange is heard by Hiro-Kala who decides to flee into the desert ahead of Bone's minions. The following morning, Hiro-Amin is being led by Fillian guards across the desert. Knowing that the boy has ventured off into the desert, the old priest scoffs at the boy, recalling that he is not the hero of this quest, nor will he either aid or destroy the Son of Hulk. To Hiro-Amin, the slave boy is nothing more than just another victim who came out of the ashes of Crown City to suffer, sin and be saved.

Further along, Hiro-Kala crosses paths with some desert dwellers who attack him for being associated with the barbarians. The woman among them pleads to the two men to stop, pointing out that the child is wearing a Fillian slave collar. Suddenly, a Devil Corker bursts from the desert floor, slaing the two men. However, the monster is wounded by a number of spears and collapses to the ground. Much to the woman's surprise, Hiro-Kala pulls the spears from the creature, taming it. When they are hit by a sandstorm, the Devil Corker provides them with shelter. That night, Hiro-Kala dreams about being on a slave ship where he was tortured and beaten for days until they found their way to the mainland. There he was told that with the birst of Son of Hulk, all children will die so they, the slaves, can live.

The following morning, Hiro-Kala refuses food from the woman and begins to walks out into the desert. She warns him that only the prophet would be able to traverse the desert without food, and quickly begins to wonder who this strange child might be.

Recurring Characters

Hiro-Kala, Hiro-Amin, Axeman Bone, Lt. Skee

Continuity Notes

• The destruction of Crown City is mentioned. This happened in Incredible Hulk Vol 2 #105. Skaar was born from the ruins, as first depicted in World War Hulk #5.