Arachne

 

- Koros -

 

What the fuck happened?!
The last thing I remember is how we got attacked by spiders in our headquarters.
A large one spewed webs at me and then I felt a prick in my calf.
Directly after this, I lost consciousness and now when I wake up, I find myself in a weird cave.
It's weird because there's some strange padding on the walls.

Once I start taking in my surroundings, I find my men scattered on the ground.
Still sleeping, probably drunk, maybe drugged.
If by our captor or through their own efforts remains unclear.

Yet whoever got us here must have had some way to be sure to keep us sleeping during the transport.
But how is this possible?
I'm not exactly surprised that it happened.
In this kind of job, you're bound to offend someone.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bounty on our heads.
Yet this is exactly why we keep guards and I would never touch anything someone else provides me.

But the real riddle is how this happened.
We were in the middle of the town.
Who could possibly manage to bring so many people to this place?
Who could control monsters and transport so many people at once?
Wasn't there a country researching this?
But this doesn't explain how these monsters could even enter.
If not for the current situation, I would almost believe it was just a feverish dream.

However, it's clear that whoever got us is resourceful enough to perform such an action.
Also, they must be quite full of themselves.
We weren't even tied up.
So, if we get some discipline in here, there might be a chance to overwhelm the guards and escape.
Might be that I have to sacrifice a number of my men, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
Yet I can't see a way out of the room.
There must be one since we're here, but nothing catches my eye.
Gradually my men regain consciousness.

 

"What happened?"

"Where are we?"

 

Hm, I count a dozen of us.
I can barely imagine how they were able to pull off transporting us all.

 

"Guys, you hear me?! We're in a bad situation, but if you all listen to my orders there's a chance you'll make it out!" (K)

"What is going on?"

"I have not the slightest clue, but we can't afford to freak out now! Keep it together if you want to live!" (K)

 

That's naturally a lie.
Our captors wouldn't keep us like this if they'd believe it would be easy to get out of here.
However, if I remain in charge I'll be in a better position to either throw them under or make a deal.
Or both.
Both might work as well.

Suddenly the wall at the far end of the room spreads itself open.
This is an unexpected spectacle, but what is even more surprising is that the one who enters is a young woman in an expensive-looking noble dress, shortly followed by a blonde teenager and a child.
Are they begging to get taken as hostages?
I give my men a short hand sign to stay ready, which we usually use if we prepare to kidnap someone on the street.
They should know what it means.

 

"Hello, you worthless scum! Welcome to our humble domicile. I know you must have many questions regarding your current predicament. Just know, you are here because you hurt someone we dearly cherish. For that reason, we're about to play a fun little game. Well, fun for us. You will probably regret many of your lifetime decisions very soon." (A)

 

It's absolutely creepy how she's smiling at us while saying this.
She feels superior but I can't figure out why she maintains this attitude while opposing our group of relatively strong men.
Could this be just sheer naivety?
But that sounds a bit too farfetched.
Nonetheless, I contemplate if I should order my boys to attack.
Yet this decision gets taken from me when Rodin loses his nerves and attacks them.

 

"Don't fuck with us! I'll teach you some manners!" (Rodin)

 

He punches in her direction, yet before he can reach her, the blonde one jumps towards him in a single ridiculously far and quick leap and grabs his arm with both hands.

 

"Crack"

 

"Aaaaahhhhh!" (R)

 

She just snapped it like a twig!

 

"Oh sorry, I damaged that one. I always forget how easy they break." (M)

"Masiabi! It isn't on you to punish them. We all agreed on the method. How is this one supposed to partake now?" (A)

"Does it really matter? Okay, this will slow him down, but it's not like we care about his chances." (K)

 

What are they?!
They're far too casual about inflicting harm to be ordinary girls.
We, we should still try to overwhelm them.

I prepare the sign, yet before I get to the movement, the blonde jumps in our direction, only a short distance away from me.
She looks me straight in the eyes and then something happens that makes my blood freeze.
Her eyes shift from one moment to the other, their brown color turning to a deeper shade which expands over her entire eye, and out of her mouth grow fangs that drip a greenish substance, while she hits with her fist into her open palm.

 

"Don't try this shit with me." (M)

 

This thing is not human! It's... something far worse.
Do we have a chance against literal monsters?

 

"I wouldn't recommend going against Masiabi or this will end far sooner than planned." (K)

"Especially, as you don't have to. After all, you can just pass by us now." (A)

 

Did I really hear this right?
Did she just say we can leave now?
I need to confirm this.

 

"You're saying... you're letting us go?" (K)

"But of course! This might be a punishment, but we're not unfair. You're still left with a chance. It will commence in this way: You all are free to escape into the forest. But once you're out of this room you'll be chased. If you manage to escape our territory, you get to keep your life. If not... well, let's say I'd recommend trying to die quickly." (A)

 

They're playing with us!
Do they get a kick out of this?

 

"Oh, but don't think this is going to be easy. We deployed various little obstacles in your way. You'll have to be creative and give it your all to overcome them. But I'm sure you won't let me down. It's human nature to stay alive after all, am I right?" (K)

 

This is all just a sick game for these monsters!
My men look equally panicked and distressed.

 

"Mhm, it seems you still lack the proper motivation. Well, why don't we show you your opponents?" (A)

 

At this, they move away from the entrance and gesture at it, as if to present to us whatever is coming from there.
And there is something coming.
A short moment after she finished talking I hear a sound that's closing in.

 

"Scscscscscscscscscscsc"

 

A weird sound that can't just come from a single source.
No there's a cacophony of impacts.
And then I look at pure terror.
Spiders!
A swarm of huge white-grey spiders, some of them as large as a dog, crawl into the room.

 

"Oh, my goddess!"

"How can this be?!"

"This is a nightmare!"

 

Rodin, who's still sprawled at the entrance is the one closest to them.
I don't envy him that position.

 

"So, these are the ones responsible for making your matriarch suffer so much. You know this, you feel her sadness. For this reason, I doubt I have to tell you what to do." (A)

 

I'd like to know what she's talking about, but before I can even gather my thoughts the spiders completely freak out.

 

"Screeeeehhhhh!"

 

Suddenly they jump forward, all on Rodin, and slaughter him.
Albeit I saw and partook in my fair share of cruelty, I'd like to look away, yet can't do so or I'd leave myself exposed.

 

"SCRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!" (M)

 

The blonde monster shouts out an ear-piercing scream and suddenly the spiders stop and focus on her.

 

"This wasn't the deal. A bit of patience please." (A)

 

They're actually retreating, the blonde guiding them out of the room again!
The gory remains they left of Rodin don't resemble him in the slightest.
They just took him completely apart.
Naturally, all of us are completely freaked out.

 

"Ahem, I'm sorry. They're a bit overeager. We'll now guide them to their start position. You'll be given a head start, and after some time they'll follow behind. Naturally, without holding back this time. Let's just say they have some personal grudges. Which means you probably shouldn’t let them catch you, right?" (A)

 

They're serious about this.
A death race.
And something tells me the conditions won't be in our favor.

 

"So without further ado, I hereby declare that this game starts now. And for those who that was a bit too subtle for, I'll formulate it a little more clearly: Run!" (A)