As the Caiera the Oldstrong, the Emperor's Shadow engages the Hulk and his band in battle, a threat not seen on Sakkar for a generation returns. The Spikes are an alient parasite that can assimilate any biological matter. The coming of this new threat breaks up the fight between the Hulk and Caiera. As the Hulk prepeares to face the Spikes, he hurls Caiera towards a nearby village.The Hulk and his band of followers fight their way towards the village, while Caiera tries to prepare it for the onslaught of the Spikes. Imperial forces arrive on the scene to deal with the Spikes, but instead of destroying them, they seal off the area, trapping the Hulk and the village with them. But will her loyalty to the Emperor be strong enough when she learns that he unleashed the Spikes?