Nate stirred from the back seat. The wound on his arm hadn’t completely healed by the time they left so it festered. Rubbing against the seat as he slept didn’t help the matter at all. His senses reached out into the environment. Just as the control of his spirit house increased, a passive amount of power was leaking into his body.

  His teacher was still driving. It was an odd sensation that came off his body. Small shallow breaths and unblinking eyes. Feeling with these senses was accomplished by expanding the soul outwards. It did this without command responding to every little intention within Nate’s mind.

  “I see you're awake.”

  Wayne didn’t turn away from the road. His body took up a normal breathing and blinking pattern. Nate wondered if he hadn’t been on some form of auto-pilot. Righting himself in the back seat he gazed out the window for a time. The scenery was vastly different from the homely town he knew.

  As far a field as the eye could see the ground was barren. In only some locations did a scant few patches of life cling to the rotting ground. Old vehicles including cars, tanks, and mechs littered the ground. At the horizon line a helicarrier was half sunk into the ground, the morning light encircling its corpse with a halo. It was a remnant of the war.

  “Morning teacher.”

  The whole world had been swallowed up during the war. Even the safety of North America was found to be lacking. His family didn’t have any war stories. Other than the possibility his mother was orphaned because of the war. Mr.Myfster had been a draft dodger, spending most of his time in prison. School had always been filled with tales of war.

  Large helicarriers locked into combat, missiles scouring the land. The war seemed to loom over their entire lives. No one had truly gone untouched and the guilt was heavy. Every side had left the world broken, they all shared blame. Nate had learned at an early age that the human race would go extinct. It was all so inevitable to him, yet, he would fight and strive for his family.

  “We’re about thirty minutes out. I’ll stop at the next gas station. I want to go over something with you before we arrive.”

  “Understood Sir.”

  Flick-N-Go was a national chain. Its origins are found just before the war broke out. Its first location happened to be made out of a decommissioned above ground bunker. The founder had dumped heaps of money to get the place to code. In the end when the dust of the first bombing cleared there was only one real gas station left. The others came back in time but none expanded during the war except for Flick-N-Go.

  As they pulled up the locations bright colors clashed with the vagrants outside. Heavy leather jackets and cold black motorcycles. There were about ten of them. An older looking man with a salt and pepper beard sat at a table discussing something fierce.

  “Are you sure about here? Those guys might give us trouble.”

  “Oh, did you not notice? I guess the Mawe is relatively light in the monster department. They won’t do anything unless provoked.”

  “Monster?”

  Looking closer Nate could see it now. The veil as it were lifted puffs of miasama raised off their bodies. An orange color which came along with soda. Around half of the members had long tusks pointing out from the corners of their mouths. Another fourth had small horns on their foreheads. The remainder was a mix of the two’s looks with a spattering of fully human looking people.

  One of the humans walked over to a table of the horned people. As he got close someone let their foot snake out dropping the man to the ground. The surrounding tables burst into laughter as the tray of convenience food scattered onto the ground. Wayne looked on dispassionately.

  “Keep in mind Orcs and lesser Oni like to form gangs. They have increased strength compared to normal humans, you might match up with how sturdy you are. Still they can die just as easily as a human. Orcs make for good materials for corpse or skeleton minions. Their increased strength can shine when coupled with being unkillable. As for the Lesser Oni they can use a few minor magics.”

  “Can the lesser Oni be used in Necromancy?”

  “Of course. They make good assistants, especially if they have useful magic. Contracting one might be a waste with normal Oni or even Greater Oni out there. Parts to remember for their race are the horn and Skull. Their magic circles are engraved on the skull since birth. If you get your hands on some you can use the magic as long as you have a spirit available.”

  “So I’m guessing they make gangs to prevent that from happening?”

  “Pricecly. Also Orc tusks are used in a variety of spells. They grow back so they often break them off to sell them.”

  “That must be where some of the human looking ones come from.”

  The rumbled to a stop. Wayne got out to refuel and Nate felt the need to relieve himself. The biker gang eyed him as he passed into the Flick-N-Go. Nothing came of it just as his teacher had said. All the stores shared the same layout so Nate was there and back again within a minute. Stopping, he grabbed a handful of snacks for the road. Unsure of what his teacher liked, he went for a scatter shot of different things.

  “Hello doll, you ready to check out?”

  Behind the register was a large woman with impressively sized tusks. Unlike the others outside which were at most three inches, hers were bountiful. Nate marveled at the fact she was able to work with what looked to be foot long tusks. Most of the Orcs looked to be human outside of their tusks but even her skin was a slight green.

  “Uh, yes, thank you.”

  The items made their way to the counter top. Looking at everything he’d bought she raised an eyebrow at him. Glancing back out the glass door at the burly men outside. As she began to check him out she spoke in a low voice.

  “Are they making you buy all this? I thought that cute gopher already got everything they asked for?”

  “Why would I be getting them anything?”

  She looked at him confused for a second. The Orcs outside had seemed to catch onto some part of his identity but this woman seemed to miss it completely. Before he could answer the bells chimed once more. The man who’d been tripped before stepped inside.

  Nate for the first time realized that most of the Orcs were around his size. They were all six foot something and wide at the shoulders. The human who walked in was muscular and only a bit shorter than Nate. Dyed orange hair was stuck to his face with a combination of sweat and soda.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Hey, ya there Darla. I need it all the same again.”

  “How many times has this been? Can’t you learn to stand up for yourself? Silly little gopher.”

  Nate was starting to feel like a third wheel as the two gave each other heated gazes. He cleared his voice to draw the clerk's attention. The man noticed Nate standing there. He went on edge immediately, Nate could feel him in both a state of fear and challenge. Paying no mind the the person he pressed for the transaction to end.

  “Darla, was it? Can we finish up? I have a long day ahead.”

  “So you really weren’t just another Gopher. Sorry about that doll. Here you are, that'll be twenty seven fifty. Cash or Card?”

  “Here, keep the change.”

  He left a thirty on the counter and headed back out. The man stood in the doorway and made no attempt to move as he got closer. As he stepped right in front of the man he seemed to pick up his courage to say something.

  “You don’t get to call her Darla. Who do you think you are?”

  “Huh?”

  Nate looked at him like trash on the side of the road. Did neither of these two have the ability to comprehend what he was like his teacher had said? This wouldn’t end well if he had to kick this guy's ass and get his whole crew fighting him in the end. The man didn’t like the way that Nate looked at him.

  “You heard me. You, you, fancy suit wearing square.”

  “Gopher, it ain't that big of a deal.”

  “Yeah, it is. He besperched your honour.”

  The melodrama was already rubbing Nate the wrong way. If this was back in the day he would have just beat the guy up and been done with it. If Karah was awake the man would be laid out on the floor, in a coma. Internally he told himself to be thankful for small graces.

  “Look guy, I’m just passing through. I don’t want any problems and you don’t want to have a problem. I’ll say sorry to the nice lady if you want me too.”

  “Nice Lady? Are you coming onto her now?”

  His eyes went wide at the man. Was he an idiot? Nate’s previous attitude of feeling bad for his being a gopher vanished. This guy deserved that position if he went around causing problems. Outside the people began to stir as the gophers' voices rose.

  “Look bud. My arm hurts too much to consider beating your ass. So just let me through.”

  Nate made to step around the man but he moved to block him once more. Patience was a virtue but Nate’s had run dry. Before the man could react he was flat on his back. A foot had snaked behind him as a hand slammed him into the ground. Nate couldn’t keep up with the freaks of nature like Karah but for a normal person he was undefeated.

  “Stay down there and think about your life choices. Or maybe just ask her out if you're this crazy about her. Goodbye Darla, take care of your man.”

  Stepping past he felt hands grasp onto either side of his back foot. Looking down, the gopher was clamped around him, unwilling to let go. Tears seemed to sprout into his eyes and along with anger. Nate gave a small pull freeing his foot.

  “Listen while I’m still being nice.”

  “You don’t think I want to ask her out? You bastard.”

  “I am not involved in your drama.”

  “Everything started when I happened to join this gang.”

  “Shut up, goodbye.”

  “So now I have too….”

  Nate stepped out into the cool morning air. The other bikers stood at the ready. The oldest eyed Nate but gave no orders. Tipping his head in a small nod to the old orc Nate continued back to the car. Wayne had finished fueling up and was doing some stretches.

  “All set to go?”

  “Yeah, I had a weird interaction with a guy inside.”

  “Thats our gopher. Guys, a relatively normal human. Weird how he only goes after Orc women.”

  Standing behind Nate was an Oni woman. Long black hair tied up in a pony tail sticking out the top of her helmet. Despite the weather she wore a crop top black leather jacket over a black mesh shirt. Under the mesh was another crop top shirt with the name of a heavy metal band. He had not heard her approach.

  “Thanks for the update. Have a nice day.”

  Nate attempted to get inside the car but she moved to block him. She pressed her back against the door keeping it closed. Wayne looked on with an amused expression. Nate locked eyes with him but it seemed the torment of his student was as of yet over. Resignedly he faced the woman.

  “So cutey you did a number on our gopher. Don’t you think you should compensate us? I mean don’t want some big and scary people like me to put you in your place do you?”

  Behind him two of the larger orcs stepped closer to the car. Nate had long since felt their presence. It was odd that even now the woman in front of him was so hard to get a grasp on. It was probably a power that she possessed.

  “I thought you said they wouldn’t mess with us.”

  “I said they wouldn’t do anything as long as they weren’t provoked. Us being here is in a way a provocation for their leader. That's if he knew who we were.”

  “What are you talking about hon? I ain’t mess with you yet. A big man like you would be fun.”

  “Great. Can I just take care of this or is there some rule?”

  “Your first lesson in the city is that might makes right.”

  “Can you two not talk past me? What's a girl got to do for some attention around here?”

  “Karah wake up. Take care of those guys.”

  The flickering blue and green lights coalesced behind Nate. Karah’s small statue came into view of the two impending orcs. They stopped, looked at one another and began to laugh heartily. Pointing a finger at her they smiled wickedly.

  “Look how punny this girl is.”

  “She’s barely the size of my. Aurghh.”

  A first smashed his solar plexus. He was sent flying through the air smashing into several others sitting at a table. Before the other could react a back kick sent him right along the same path smashing into his buddy’s limp body. All of the rest stood up in shock.

  Nate let some of his old villainy out as he stepped up to the woman. She was frozen to the spot. He was taller by a head, reaching down he grabbed her by the neck. Eyes swirling with confusion at what was happening she looked at him in panic. Her stealthy slipping around ability didn’t seem to help her escape once caught.

  “Do you still need that attention you were asking for?”

  “N.n..no sir. I apologize. If I knew you were a necromancer I never would have. Please don't take my head. I beg of you.”

  Tears streaked down her face ruining her mascara, painting her cheeks with black lines. He sent an inquisitive gaze to Wayne who just stood with a pleased expression on his face. Nate hadn't thought the man was one to cause problems but maybe he really was calling this a lesson. He found that this was no different then when he’d been a hoodlum.

  Karah tapped on his shoulder. Looking back she was dragging the body of the old salt and pepper orc. Now that she didn’t have to hold back in front of him, subduing a gang single handedly was easy for her. She dropped the man's body against the pump. No one had seemed to die during the fray.

  “Are you already playing with other women when we just reunited? I thought you were better than that.”

  “That guy your leader?” Nate ignored her teasing and questioned his captive.

  “Yes, sir. Pa please I really didn’t…”

  “Such it skank. He asks, you answer.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Wake him. Lets get some answers since my teacher is refusing to be helpful.”