by Jake Taylor
The sounds of the thick forest were subdued and distant. Since they were being pursued (or so he was told, they hadn’t encountered anyone) they lit no fires at night, so there wasn’t even something to watch. The massive redwood trees were so thick the sky couldn’t even be seen from their position. Able sat down, deciding that he might as well be comfortable while he was out here half the night; he didn’t even register Haruka sitting down at the same time. The ambient noises of the forest seemed to be growing quieter as the minutes passed, almost as if they were fading away.
For a moment, Able thought he could almost hear a sort of hum in the air, but that was ridiculous. His head nodded a little as his eyelids drooped; it really was a long time to be sitting awake, he thought. He decided just to close his eyes for a bit. Maybe if he rested his eyes they wouldn’t be closing on their own so much. He felt a lot more tired than he remembered being a few minutes ago, but that was probably because he was just now realizing it. It was alright even if he fell asleep, though; after all, that’s why they had two people on watch. Haruka wouldn’t let anything happen if he just… rested for a minute or two.
He fell asleep without seeing that Haruka already had.
IXH
Haruka felt a strange sensation when she awoke, as if she were wrapped up in the sheets of the bed. She must have gotten tangled up during a dream somehow. Then she remembered she hadn’t been in a bed but in a forest, and suddenly she realized she had been on watch and her eyes shot open to see the forest… upside-down. She jerked in surprise and felt something constrict around her, preventing her from moving too much. After a moment’s confusion she recognized it as silken webbing, wrapped securely around her body. She forced her body to remain calm as panic struck her until she managed to turn her head enough to spot the others hanging near her with Isabella among them, apparently still alive.
Haruka focused on breathing slowly, speaking in a loud but calm manner, “Wake up. Bella, Freya, Able – wake up!”
Freya was the first to jerk awake suddenly, blinking rapidly. “What… What the… The hell is this?!” She said, struggling against the webbing that wrapped around her body.
Able was second and awoke more calmly. He made no outburst but his eyes darted around analyzing his situation. Bella was the last and looked more afraid than anything as she looked around. “Haruka?!”
“This way,” Haruka stated calmly. “Freya, stop moving!”
“Th’ fuck are you talkin’ about?! I want outta this goddamn thing!”
“Stop. Moving.” The intensity and conviction in the monk’s voice froze the pirate in place, and the three looked at her silently. “This isn’t normal webbing,” she explained. “This is Aranea’s work.”
Freya blinked. “Th’ Hand o’ the Frozen Web?”
Haruka nodded, though the gesture was less meaningful while hanging upside-down. “The same.” She looked at Isabella. “She’s a witch that works for the Black Sun. She has a really disturbing fondness for spiders,” Haruka said with a frown. “Really disturbing. But she has powerful magic.”
“She put us to sleep,” Able guessed.
“It seems that way. And now she had some of her pets string us up.” Haruka looked up – except it was down – to the forest floor far, far below. It was still the dead of night so it was hard to see, but she could make out the ground in the dim shadows. “We’re in a bad position. Listen, this webbing is unique – the more you move, the tighter it gets. Struggle too much and you’ll end up suffocating yourself, so try not to move and take deep, slow breaths. Keep calm.”
Isabella closed her eyes. “How can we get out of this? I can’t draw my sword like this to cut it. Will magic work?”
“Yes, but it dampens magic so it can’t be used with the webbing around you.”
“So that’s useless… What did this to us? This Aranea?”
“I was thinkin’ that did,” Freya said, nodding in a direction so they all looked over as an absolutely massive spider crawled over the branches and trunks of the redwoods. The arachnid was black in color with dark red markings, perfectly made to blend into this forest when it tried. It was also easily big enough for all four of them to lie on its back with plenty of room, making the way it moved with total silence as amazing as it was eerie.
Isabella seemed to pale further as the thing came into view, shutting her eyes tightly and causing Haruka to look at her worriedly. “Bella, you aren’t afraid of spiders, are you?”
Bella didn’t speak until the monstrosity was out of view again, and then she peeked out of one eye before she looked at Haruka and spoke in a shaky voice, “Afraid? Of spiders? Do you know how many creatures I’ve killed?”
“That’s not an answer,” Haruka said, continuing to give her a skeptical look.
“Of course not!”
“Bella…”
The blue-haired knight sighed, closing her eyes again. Haruka only now realized her eyes had been closed most of this time – she was trying to block out her situation and ignore it. “When I was five I was already really fond of exploring. You remember me telling you how we lived in a small town? Well it was bordered by this old, moss-covered forest. I would traipse around it with our dog – this really beautiful golden-haired dog named Sunny because I was a really uncreative kid and they let me name him. Anyway, the problem with old forests like that one – they get a lot of rain, that’s where the moss comes from. This creates a lot of sinkholes that the moss then covers over. Sunny was good at finding them, but that time I was trying to race him so neither of us saw this one before I fell in.”
Isabella sighed, suppressing a shudder and forcing more control over her body. “It led right to the bottom of this old, rotten tree; I remember exactly what it looked like, half-dead and with those creepy branches that look like arms at night. I’d landed right on one of that tree’s roots and broken my leg, so I couldn’t climb out. I remember Sunny barking at the entrance to the hole and I yelled at him to go get my parents so he ran off. Then I felt something on my neck and I did that – you know, that sort of spasm, flinging thing you do when you feel something on you? It was this hand-sized spider that had come out of the tree. Areya doesn’t have a lot of things that are harmless, so it was undoubtedly venomous. With my parents’ warnings ringing in my ears I backed away from it into the trunk of the tree and the rotted wood broke away – they poured out.”
Isabella shuddered violently this time, opening her eyes and looking around for the giant spider. “It’s not here,” Haruka said softly, wishing she could actually touch her. She wanted to tell Bella she didn’t have to continue her story, but she knew Bella was also intending to distract them from their current situation, so she let it go on.
“Alright…” Bella sighed. “Anyway, they… swarmed over me. I can feel it now if I think about it. Of course I screamed and thrashed but there were dozens. Next thing I knew Sunny was in the hole with me, barking, jerking around and eating every spider that crawled on me. My parents hauled us both out as quickly as they could and got the rest off of both of us, but by that time we’d both been bitten a lot of times and I went into shock. I don’t remember anything afterwards but I woke up in bed so I survived. Sunny didn’t – he’d ingested a lot of venom and been injected with more, and dogs can’t handle as much as a fallen.”
“…Fuck,” Freya said, breaking the silence that followed.
Haruka watched her girlfriend carefully. “Bella, I’m-“
“I know,” Bella interrupted, giving her a small smile. “It’s alright, it was a really long time ago. I have many far more painful memories. It’s just… I’ve been afraid of spiders ever since.”
“That’s a pretty good reason to be,” Able said simply.
“So…” Freya craned her head to look at her. “Why aren’t you goin’ crazy right now? I’d expect that.”
“Because I’m not a little girl. I’ve been through a lot – I can control myself. I’m terrified, but I’m experienced enough that I don�
�t become stupid when scared.” Isabella grimaced. “Besides, I’ve probably been in a worse spider-related situation even if I can’t think of one right now…”
“We’re going to get out of this one right now,” Haruka said, finalizing her plan. Of course, that was before a large web lowered in front of them and a form that she recognized all too well stepped out of it.
The white-haired witch – clad in her web-like robes – appeared before them, smiling with an expression that made the monk want to beat her with the branch she hung from. “Haruka, it’s been so long. I like the mask,” she said playfully. “I see you’re just hanging around.”
Haruka sighed. “Are the bad jokes part of the torture?”
Aranea laughed, sitting back in the web that bent around her as if it was a throne. “Just toying with you a bit. I honestly didn’t expect you all to be so easy to capture; I had some very intricate and complex plans that are no longer needed. You, of course, will be coming back with me. Your father is expecting you.”
“Tell him to fuck himself,” Haruka said easily, getting a nod of approval from Freya.
“You’ve learned such rude behaviors,” Aranea said with a shake of her head. “Could it be from the pirate?” She looked at Freya and Able with a sweet smile. “You two will simply be devoured here by my pet. I have no use for you unless you wish to make a deal.”
“I gotta deal for you, lass – hang yerself with that web.”
“I’ll pass. I’m done with you anyway.” The web behind her moved and rotated to form a platform below the four that the witch walked on as she moved over to Isabella, raising a hand to touch her chin. “So you’re the one Haruka has fallen so hard for.”
“Aranea,” Haruka said darkly, her eyes burning coals. “Leave her alone.”
“I will… I might.” Aranea smiled at Isabella who simply gave her a cold stare in return. “Haruka has always had odd taste, but you are pretty. It’s a shame you won’t be in our lands for much longer.”
Isabella blinked. “What?”
Aranea’s smile widened into a grin. “Oh, I do love surprising people! Do you remember your Lord Faust’s son? Oh I know you were a different person then, but he would be disappointed if you’ve forgotten him. Don’t worry though, you’ll be reintroduced to him soon enough. He’s wanted to meet you for so long, ever since you killed his father.”
“No!” Haruka struggled against the webbing, damning the consequences. “I’m not letting you take her!”
Aranea chuckled. “Such an emotional response! You’ve lost your professionalism, Haruka. Have you forgotten how that webbing works?” She grinned at Haruka’s furious face, trailing her fingers over Isabella’s cheek and making the knight turn away from her. The witch watched Haruka as she leaned up and licked Isabella’s neck, infuriating the monk further. “Maybe I should just make her a toy instead…”
Isabella’s head slammed into her own, knocking her back as the knight shuddered and tried to wipe her neck on her shoulder. “I’d rather be kissed by your spider. I hope you didn’t just give me a disease.”
Aranea shook her head clear and gave a soft chuckle. “So feisty! I’m leaning towards ‘toy’ more and more.” A tearing sound caught her attention and her eyes widened as she noticed Haruka now had one hand free and was currently shredding the webbing that held her. The monk’s eyes were pure black and focused on Aranea as she continued ripping apart the webbing. Aranea narrowed her eyes. “You’ve gotten stronger… Well I’m not your father, Haruka. I don’t take chances!” Strands shot from the web she stood on and moved it away from the group as the giant spider came back into view, along with five more just as large.
Haruka struggled even harder to free herself now as they approached with dripping mandibles, but there was no way to free herself or the others in time. Suddenly the dark forest was lit up brightly as a ball of flame roared into the air from the forest floor. The orb split into four, each of which ignited the webbing holding one of the four. Everyone looked down to spot a small figure on the ground who unleashed another giant gout of flame that struck one of the massive spiders, lighting it and making it screech in pain.
“No!” Aranea whirled around in rage, forming a spell before Haruka shot free of her webbing and made it to her in a blur, her hand finding the sorceress’ throat and continuing her movement until she was slammed into a tree, held there by the iron grip on her neck. She glared at Haruka as the monk pulled back a fist that would no doubt pulverize her head. Fortunately for her, Aranea was no fool. She gripped Haruka’s shoulder and immediately an overpowering weakness filled the brunette’s body, making her slump. Aranea then formed a purple orb in her hand that exploded in a blast that hurled Haruka away from her. She ordered the spiders to try to kill at least one of them before retreating back through the web, which fell apart behind her.
Isabella tore her way out of the webbing as it burned away from her, spotting Haruka falling. She threw herself out of the webbing and drew her sword as she fell, deciding that “Haruka’s about to die from a fall” constituted a “last resort” situation. White light encased her body and soon she was in her Angelic Form, golden hair streaming behind her as she tucked her sword and shield on her back and caught Haruka mid-fall, spinning to land on her feet hard enough to send out a blast of dirt in all directions. “I had to,” she said as she set Haruka on the ground.
Haruka looked up at her after they landed, standing shakily on her feet as her strength quickly returned with Aranea’s spell wearing off. “I know. Thank you.”
Bella smiled at her. “Thank you for getting all angry for me.”
Haruka smirked. “I’m glad that flattered you.” Both of them looked over as a scream came from their rescuer, who appeared to be a young woman. Haruka flexed her fists and Bella pulled her sword and shield from her back before both took off towards the two massive arachnids that were threatening the girl.
Far above them Freya grumbled to herself as she was finally able to draw her cutlass and hack through the webbing holding her. “Sure, jus’ leave us behind, we ain’t yer girlfriends.” She looked at the extremely long drop, and then at the three giant spiders moving along the tree towards them, making climbing down impossible. She then looked over to Able, who had just cut himself free with his energy blades. “Willin’ to trust me, Able?”
The young man glanced from her to the giant spiders. “Do I have a choice?”
Freya laughed. “Nope! Drop!” She let go and he did as well, falling behind her. She pulled off her captain’s hat and threw it down before her, where it began to multiply in size. Soon it was big enough for her and Able to land in it and it floated them gently to the ground where they hopped out. It shrank back to size and she set it back on her head as Able shook his.
“You have a lot of tricks.”
“It’s why I’m still alive despite most o’ th’ world’s best efforts.” Freya winked. She looked up at the spiders that were rapidly descending. “Let’s make haste to our dear, abandonin’ friends, shall we?” He nodded and the two of them took off running towards the fighting.
The girl that had aided them – clad in a white cloak with red accents and a wide hood – was busily flinging fire at the giant spiders that converged on her. Two of them managed to fire webbing onto her and pin her in place, approaching with dripping mandibles that looked quite deadly. Haruka suddenly appeared in the air in front of one, slamming a fist into its head to stop its forward momentum. She then kicked off its head and into a forward-flip, bringing her heel down on its head and slamming it to the ground. Isabella appeared in front of the other spider and bashed it upwards with her shield, then cleaved off one of its front legs with her sword. The spider screeched and backed off, spewing venom at her. A sphere of light surrounded her as she raised her shield, deflecting the venom in all directions.
The other spider chose to try the same and spewed venom over Haruka. The monk instantly felt its effects as it seeped into her skin, weakening and slowing he
r heart to a stop. She simply smirked as she directed her chakra to purge her body of the venom. After a few seconds she was fine and able to dodge the spider’s follow-up attempt to pierce her with a leg. Isabella blocked a similar piercing blow from her spider, cutting off the end of the leg afterwards. She and Haruka then switched over as she blocked a leg that went for Haruka and the monk kicked the other’s head up after it tried to bite the knight.
Meanwhile Freya and Able reached their rescuer. Able used an energy blade to cut the girl free and helped her up as Freya looked from the spiders pursuing them to yell at Bella and Haruka, “We brought friends, guys!”
“Well then take care of them!” Bella shouted back as she narrowly dodged a stinger, the wicked point glancing off her shield. “We’re kind of busy right now!”
“Oh, sure, we’ll jus’ take care of ‘em ourselves, then.” Freya turned to the other two after glancing back at the three rapidly approaching spiders. “Got any ideas?”
The girl smiled in thanks at Able before brushing herself off. “It shouldn’t be a problem!” She clapped her hands together, spread them out and pushed them forward while whispering something under her breath.
Freya blinked as her pistol and cutlass, still in her hands, suddenly glowed a fiery orange. “What the…”
“I hope you don’t mind, I thought you needed some extra firepower.”
Freya swung her sword and blinked again as it left a trail of flame. Her expression switched to a wicked grin. “Oh, I like you.” She turned towards the approaching spiders and began running to meet them. “Let’s not waste any time!”
Able glanced at the girl, who met his eyes before looking to his weapons. “Um, I don’t know how to enchant energy.”
He smirked. “I don’t think it needs it. Just keep throwing fireballs.”
She saluted with a wide smile. “Will do! Charge?”
“Charge.”
Both of them ran to catch up to Freya’s flanks. The pirate captain rushed for the spider in the middle, firing a magic shot at one of its legs and laughing as she noticed flame bursting forth with the shot. The creature’s leg was severed, bringing its head lower and allowing her to leap up onto its back where she hacked away with her cutlass. Able increased his speed as the spider on the left approached, dodging to the right to avoid one leg, and to the left to avoid the other. The head came down and he slid beneath its jaws, coming back to his feet underneath it where he stabbed both blades into its underbelly and continued running. The girl summoned an orb of fire in both hands, flinging one into the air and one at the spider. The spiders were aware now of her magic, so her target leapt to the side, avoiding the fireball she’d launched at him. She grinned and brought her other hand down and the fireball in the air slammed down into the spider’s back, exploding and setting the creature ablaze.