“So, team leader, what’s the plan today?” Alexis looks at Mary from the corner of her eye as she wipes crumbs and specs of lard from the corner of her lip.

  “First, don’t call me team leader, it’s just the two of us so we work as one. Second, I have some supplies for the two of us if we’ll be down in the Complex,” Mary says as she stops to the side of the road. Taking an amulet and handing it to Alexis. “Keep that on your hip, slide the aperture to the left and it’ll shine light through a crystal. You good with a sword?”

  “I can swing one. We’ve run into Bloodsworn before I’m familiar with using one,” Alexis says as she flourishes the blade on her hip.

  “Right well, if what they say is true, we might be spending some time in the Complex. Are you familiar with what it is?”

  “It’s a network of tunnels that leads to the underground city, isn't it? The most well-known entrance is located between Elvengard and Altania and serves as a foothold to the greater city below.”

  “That’s right. If the report is correct, we might find a new entrance if something came out to the surface. I have these markers to guide us back to where we came from. They emit a specific kind of mana compared to the surrounding environment. Line them up in a trail and it should be fairly straightforward to find our way back,” Mary explains as she holds several wooden stakes with engravings on them.

  “Have you been to the underground before, Mary?”

  “A few times,” she recollected, “Once when I was naive and desperate for money starting on my own, the other time things turned south and a lot of people on the expedition didn’t make it.”

  “O-oh...” Alexis’ enthusiasm died down.

  The quiet breeze guided the two as they began their trek eastwards to the tip of the Trish Mountain Range. Away from the well-traveled path of Flambard, their footing relied on the scatter game trails cleared away by roaming ungulates grazing on the sprouting spring grasses and wildflowers. The pair only stopped for water before picking their pace once again. The breeze dropping Mary’s hood to enjoy the crisp air that Solaris offers lifts Mary’s hair as Alexis catches the peculiar shape of Mary’s ear. A gradual rise towards the helix into a soft point before falling back down again. “So, you’re a half-elf,” Alexis remarks.

  Mary’s posture stiffens. Looking over her shoulder at Alexis before looking back forward. “Does that upset you?”

  “No, not at all. I’m just curious about your upbringing is all. Half elves are a bit of a rarity you could say.”

  “It’s nothing too interesting I would say. My parents just met by happenstance and life had a way of bringing them together. Rather simple really,” Mary explains as the pair reach the edge of the forest.

  “There must be a story there. To find one another like that is so-”

  “Shh,” hushed Mary, “We’re here.”

  Alexis paused for a moment as she looked all around her. Nothing seemed out of place at first glance. The leafy canopy of the forest still quivered under the evening breeze but... That was all that could be heard. No chittering of rodents hiding in the bushes. No chirping birds. Only stillness. Slinging her bow into her hands Mary notches an arrow from the quiver on her left hip while Alexis grips the hilt of her sword. Walking through the detritus of the forest floor. Careful to make light of their footfall in case something was still residing in the forest. Approaching the overhang of a rock face, beneath the rock could just be made out the shadowy rectangular opening of an entrance going down below. “I take it that’s a pathway down,” Alexis asks, her tone quiet and low.

  “Mhm, light on Miss Alexis,” Mary says, sliding the aperture on her amulet, a bright green glow pouring from the slits as Mary buries a marker outside the entrance.

  A stone staircase snakes downward inside the wide birth of the cavern. Its weathered interior gives a musty odor as a layer of dust kicks up from the inclusion of two guests. Mary pauses every hundred feet before tapping a new stake into the wall of the cave. Every knock reverberates down the interior walls. Feeling a strand brush against Alexis’ ear she shines her light ahead of Mary. Particles of dust are suspended in the still air with peculiar strings hanging in perpendicular lines that almost wrap around the interior of the cave walls. “Do you see that, Mary? There’s a pattern inside the walls,” Alexis says as she presses forward to shine more light ahead.

  Looking up Mary’s eyes adjust as she sees fine silvery lines of thread glint off the light green light, stretching her hand out to pull Alexis back. “Alexis, wait-” Mary’s voice sounds as the sudden pattern within the caves becomes taught.

  Alexis’ feet are tripped beneath her as her ankle becomes entangled in the invisible line wrapped around it. The thwip of Mary’s bow darting an arrow at the near-invisible line drags Alexis to the ground as she’s able to get her feet from under herself.

  A bark of air sails past Alexis’ ears as a dark blue appendage embeds itself where Alexis’ legs are. Another comes crashing down upon her as she instinctively unsheathes her sword, taking the blow against the middle of her blade as her amulet shines forward.

  In the green light dark appendages like spikes retract back against the thorax of a large imposing body. The figure of a woman atop the body of a large spider leans hunched over in the comparatively tight caverns. Thorny protrusions line the surface of her exoskeleton with pieces interlocking near the outer joints. “Oh? This was unexpected... Two flies managed to evade my web~”.

  Mary reaches out to take Alexis’ shoulder. Pulling her away from the deadlock with the Arachne's leg as it takes cautious steps forward. “I-it speaks? The creature speaks? What depth did you crawl from to manage that?” Mary says as her eyes trained on the languid movements of the woman. Her skin a pale white while yellow irises train from her face. Long dark blue hair flowing over her torso as her body prepares to leap again. Jumping towards Alexis and Mary the two backpedal up the steps.

  Alexis’ breathing runs ragged as her light sways on her hip. Getting her hands underneath Alexis' arms Mary pulls the panicked girl up the flight of stairs. “Get yourself together or you’ll kill us both!” She says as the sound of metal comes from Mary’s side. Unsheathing a dagger she holds the leg above her threatening to crush them both. The blade digs into its carapace as she digs her feet into the stone steps. Pushing forward as the soft pitter of the Arachne’s legs are pushed back slightly.

  Focusing her light Alexis sees the Arachne trying to find its footing readying its front leg to strike at Mary, Alexis raises her blade, moving in front of Mary as the strike bares down on her Alexis meets the strike with the edge of her blade. Digging into the hard carapace she locks the limb in place. Feeling the Arachne try to pull away from the two as Alexis fights to keep the leg locked. Taking the opportunity and dislodging from her lock before parrying a quick jab from the same limb, aiming at Alexis’ struggle Mary aims for the joint of the arachne, cutting into the limb as Mary severs through the weak joint. The dismembered leg fell with a dull thump.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The arachne shudders backward, screeching in pain as it guards its wounded limb. Clear-colored hemolymph seeping from the wound. “W-why you.... You morsels are much more trouble than you’re worth...” it says as it stumbles over its spindly limbs.

  “Don’t let it go, if it retreats we may never find it,” Mary shouts as she swipes her dagger in front of her.

  The cave shutters as the path behind the arachne closes. Looking behind itself it feels its abdomen hit against the wall of stone. Looking back towards the two girls it throws a netting of webbing towards the two. Alexis moves ahead to cut through the strands her blade is met with resistance as it becomes entangled. The dull metal sheen of her blade becomes opaque as Alexis tries to pull back. Watching as the arachne tries to pull her back towards herself. An orange glow comes from behind Alexis as Mary’s dagger blazes with flame briefly, cutting through the spider silk entangled with her blade as the two recollect. The green glow of the cave returns as the flames die down. The pair’s eyes locked on the six staring back at them. “What is it that you creatures of light say? An animal fights hardest when cornered?” The arachne says with a pained grin.

  “It seems we’re at an impasse, but we can’t leave you to pick the forests above clean,” Mary says as she notches an arrow.

  The arachne raises itself, her posture becoming relaxed despite the lack of her front appendage. “You believe I choose to hunt the lands above by choice. Perhaps you two can help a plight of mine. I only require two things,” the arachne suggests as it sits up, taking a defensive posture as the three eye each other down.

  “Bargaining? A monster like you knows how to beg for its life?” Mary says.

  “It is natural for anything that lives to fight for its life. I may be ravenous but one thing I am not is dishonest, for there is nothing to hide from when you live in the dark, beings of light,” the arachne says, her steps firm as they pitter on the stone floor with muffled thumps.

  “What do you need?” Alexis chimes, Mary, looking back at her.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “She’s being reasonable.”

  “She’s looking to betray us.”

  “We kill her and we go home.”

  “Or,” the arachne interjects, “kill me and you let something worse grow down below.”

  Alexis and Mary quit their bickering as their attention returns back to the arachne. “Finally have your attention, do I?” the arachne says as it is seen resting itself below the two girls.

  “There is an earth wyrm residing further below this tunnel where the majority of my territory is. You aid me in killing it, and I will cause no further troubles above.”

  “And your other request?” Alexis asks.

  The arachne pauses, eyes focusing on Alexis with careful consideration of her words before responding a moment later. “I require a name.”

  “Nuh uh, no, that is simply unallowable,” Mary remarks as she steps out in front of Alexis.

  Taking her shoulder Alexis tries to push herself in front of Mary. “It is simply a name, why was it okay for you to give me one, why can’t she have one too?” Alexis argues.

  “Mmm~ yes why indeed,” the arachne gives a soft chuckle as she watches the two girls, “did you not tell your companion here why names are so important? You gave your companion a name too, I’m jealous.”

  “I...” Mary pauses as she looks at Alexis, a look of confusion within her amethyst eyes. “Names aren’t just... names to be called by. It’s a principle of Solaris since the first thinking beings.”

  “So?” Alexis craned her neck. “I-I’m sure my parents gave me a name too. I just... can’t remember it.... before you gave me my name.”

  The arachne takes a few steps closer, her voice soft as she lowers herself to rest her legs, “They give higher thought to those lacking a name as well as bolstering their strength physically and magically. This is an innate desire for every “monster” that gains higher thought.”

  Alexis nods, taking a seat on a stone step as she faces the arachne, “So that’s why I’ve been able to keep up with you for the most part.”

  “But there is a cost to such a deal,” the arachne interjects, looking at Mary to finish her explanation.

  There is apprehension in Mary’s expression as her eyes can hardly look at Alexis. “I-it’s like a type of contract, an agreement. If the one receiving a name isn’t of equal or similar power then the receiver has to follow what the giver asks of them.”

  “I-I see, b-but since I’ve kept my independence then means that Mary and I are on equal footing, correct?”

  “Y-yes. It would seem so all things considered...” Mary nods.

  The arachne chuckles, her hand on her chin as a coy smile graces her lips. “How peculiar indeed, which is why I request that either of you give me a name.”

  Mary clutches Alexis’ shoulder, leaning in to speak into it as she maintains line of sight on the arachne, “I don’t like it, she’s nearly evenly matched between the two of us. If something like that were to grow stronger and smarter it may spell trouble for everyone down the line and we’ll be the ones responsible for it.”

  “What if she’s right? She could’ve attacked us at any time while we’ve been talking but she’s been waiting patiently. We could wait until we finish killing the wrym if she’s telling the truth,” Alexis suggests.

  The pair look at the arachne nursing the stub of her front leg, having stopped the bleeding as her yellow eyes focus on the two girls. Mary looks between Alexis and the arachne before sighing. Gesturing to Alexis to stand as she directs her attention to the arachne. “Fine, but we’ll do it only after we take care of your earth drake issue.”

  The arachne pauses for a moment, standing to the side as she nods, gesturing to the sealed path. “Very well... if you could.”

  Mary squints, returning her arrow to her quiver and taking her dagger, taking it in a reverse grip and sweeping it across her front as the stone wall moves. Grating stone gives way to dust and darkness as the arachne turns. “Follow,” she commands as she cranes her neck.

  Mary steps forward, Alexis following closely behind at they listen to the subtle footsteps echoing down the tunnel. The pitter-pat of the arachne’s steps eerily muffled for something her size as Mary made sure to leave behind markers to get their way back. The green glow of their amulets extends every shadow that’s cast upon the walls as the steps wind into flat tunnels. Opening up in width as specks of dim light trickle in like stars. The walls hollow out into small windows as pale purple light shimmers down. Vague pillars of stalagmites grow from the ground while stalactites drape their fingers down to meet their counterparts. Echoing squeaks from bats can be heard far off as the trio continue their way down. The ceiling disappears above as the pale light falls upon the group while the tunnel sides give way to buildings carved into the stalagmites. Their bulbous structures are connected by circular struts connected to stone. “Is this the underground complex?” Alexis questions as she shields herself behind Mary.

  “It’s different to the entrance on the west,” replied Mary. “This one is a lot less... I dunno, lived in would be what comes to mind.”

  The arachne gives a soft chortle before speaking, “In my time here, there hasn’t been anyone that quite looked like you, beings of light.”

  Mary looks forward, glaring as she shuts her amulet’s aperture. “What about you? Have you killed other “beings of light”? Have you eaten them?”

  “Hmm some time ago, before I gained this form, I’ve had the pleasure of encountering you light dwellers,” the arachne points to a desiccated corpse. A red cloak draped over their figure as Alexis grits her teeth at the sight.

  “Before you gained that form?” Questioned Mary.

  “We have arrived.” The arachne halts as she points to a bulbous structure of stone and calcite, the exterior draped in charred silk as it dangles aimlessly in the draft of the underground. “As you can see the wyrm has made a mess of my nesting site and I’m partial to eating it. Help me with my problem and in return, you solve your own.”

  Mary stares at the scale of the structure. Stretching 90 feet in diameter as she looks back at the arachne. “If you could give us a few minutes to prepare ourselves... I need to consult my partner about our plan.”

  “Take all the time you need,” the arachne says, stepping to the side and peering into the chamber entrance.

  Alexis watches Mary as she examines the exterior of the chamber. Peering into a crack in the wall Mary tests the integrity of the silk unburnt by what resides in the room. Seeing that it won’t pose any trouble to the two while they’re inside. Coming over to Alexis as she looks back. “It’s in there alright. Whatever happens, you keep yourself safe. You seem to know your way around a sword so I trust you know how to keep yourself mobile too. Keep an eye out for our spider friend too...” Mary glances over to the arachne. “You ready?”

  Alexis purses her lips, her nervousness is palpable as she holds her arms close before taking her sword into her hand and nodding. “A simple slay quest. If I can get through its hide we can kill it.”

  “That’s the spirit, let’s go then.” Mary pats Alexis’ arm as they approach the arachne. “We’re ready.”

  “Good. Let us hunt.”