Something brushed against Xavier's cheek.
His brows furrowed.
For a brief moment, he thought it was simply part of a dream.
Then he felt it again.
Slow.
Wet.
Crawling.
Xavier's consciousness slowly drifted back toward reality. His eyelids fluttered weakly as his senses gradually returned one by one. A cold dampness clung to his skin, and the stale air that filled his lungs carried an unpleasant earthy scent.
The strange sensation crawled across the side of his face once more.
His eyes snapped open.
At first, his vision was blurry. Shadows danced before him, distorted and unclear. But as his sight slowly adjusted, the reality before him caused his entire body to freeze.
He wasn't in the cave anymore.
Or rather...
This wasn't their cave.
The cavern around him looked less like a natural formation and more like the nest of some unimaginable nightmare.
Thick layers of silk stretched across every surface of the cave walls, overlapping endlessly like veins beneath diseased flesh. Slime coated the stone beneath them, glistening under faint streams of moonlight filtering through a distant opening high above. Massive egg sacs clung to the walls and ceiling in grotesque clusters.
Some eggs remained perfectly still.
Others twitched.
Several had already split open.
Tiny spider-like larvae crawled from broken shells before disappearing into cracks hidden within the walls.
Xavier's breathing became uneven.
His gaze slowly traveled upward.
His stomach dropped.
Bodies.
Dozens of them.
No...
Hundreds.
Human corpses wrapped tightly in silk dangled from the cave ceiling like grotesque decorations. Elven bodies hung among them, some appearing freshly cocooned while others had decayed into little more than skeletal remains suspended eternally above the cavern floor.
Toward one side of the cave rested the corpse of a giant.
The enormous body had been partially embedded into the cave wall itself. Chunks of decayed flesh had collapsed inward, exposing bones and darkened muscle.
Eggs covered its remains.
Thousands of them.
Maggots wriggled through the giant's rotting flesh, feeding endlessly.
Something shifted near Xavier's hand.
His heart nearly stopped.
A fat white maggot slowly crawled across the silk binding his body.
"Ah!"
Instinctively, Xavier began thrashing violently against the restraints.
The webs tightened around him.
The more he struggled, the more trapped he became.
He twisted desperately, panic flooding every thought.
"Get it off! Get it off!"
"Xavier."
Raiden's voice cut through the panic.
Xavier turned.
Raiden lay nearby, equally wrapped in thick silk, yet unlike Xavier, his expression remained composed despite the horrifying environment surrounding them.
"Stop moving," Raiden said firmly.
"What do you mean stop moving?!" Xavier whispered frantically. "Look around us!"
"I know."
"We need to get out of here!"
"And we will."
Raiden's voice remained steady.
"But if you keep struggling like that, you'll only tighten the webs around yourself."
Xavier froze.
His chest rose and fell rapidly as he forced himself to stop moving.
"Then what do we do?" he asked shakily.
Raiden studied their surroundings for several seconds before speaking.
"I have an idea."
Xavier blinked.
"You have an idea?"
"Yes."
Without another word, black wings slowly emerged from Raiden's back.
The webs strained against the sudden movement.
Carefully, Raiden maneuvered one wing until a portion protruded beyond the silk cocoon imprisoning him.
"Xavier," Raiden called.
"What?"
"Bite my feather."
Xavier stared at him.
"What?"
"You heard me."
Despite his confusion, Xavier leaned closer and bit down firmly onto one of Raiden's black feathers.
"Pull."
Raiden yanked his wing backward.
Rip.
The feather detached.
Immediately, it hardened into a sharp steel blade within Xavier's mouth.
Xavier's eyes widened.
Using the improvised weapon, he awkwardly began sawing through the silk restraining his body.
The webs resisted stubbornly.
Minutes passed.
His jaw ached.
His arms burned from the awkward angle.
But eventually—
Snap.
The bindings loosened.
Fresh air rushed against Xavier's skin as he tore himself free from the remaining silk.
Landing unsteadily on his feet, he quickly spat the metallic feather blade into his hand before rushing over to Raiden.
"Hold still," Xavier muttered.
Working quickly, he cut through the webs trapping Raiden.
Moments later, Raiden stepped free.
Xavier immediately looked around.
"Where's Elra?"
Raiden's expression darkened.
He scanned the horrifying cavern carefully before answering.
"I don't know."
The pit in Xavier's stomach deepened.
"Then we have to find her."
Raiden nodded.
"We find Elra."
Before either of them could move—
"R-Raiden..."
The weak voice echoed through the darkness.
Both froze.
"...Help me."
A tiny flicker of orange light danced somewhere deeper within the cavern.
Raiden immediately turned toward it.
Xavier followed closely behind.
As they approached, the light revealed a familiar figure slumped against the cave wall.
Raiden's eyes widened.
"Xylo?"
The young mechanic looked horrifying.
Half of his face had become riddled with small holes where maggots burrowed beneath the surface of his skin. Blood mixed with pus stained his clothes as weak breaths escaped his lips.
Xylo slowly lifted his head.
"Raiden..."
"What happened to you?" Raiden asked, kneeling beside him.
Xylo winced painfully.
"I... don't know."
"I woke up here."
"I couldn't move."
Raiden carefully brushed several maggots away from the injured side of Xylo's face.
"Can you stand?"
Xylo weakly shook his head.
Without hesitation, Raiden crouched lower.
"Xavier."
Understanding immediately, Xavier moved to Xylo's other side.
Together, they lifted him carefully between them.
"Come on," Raiden said firmly.
"We're getting out of here."
With Xavier supporting one side and Raiden bearing most of Xylo's weight, the three of them ventured deeper into the horrifying cavern.
Fear followed every step they took.
But stopping was not an option.
Supporting Xylo between them, Xavier and Raiden cautiously pushed deeper into the cavern.
Every step echoed softly against the slick stone beneath their feet.
The deeper they ventured, the more suffocating the cave became.
Silken threads stretched across the walls like veins spreading through diseased flesh. Thick slime coated the ground in patches, forcing them to watch every step carefully. The air was heavy and humid, carrying an earthy scent mixed with something far worse.
Death.
Xavier tightened his grip on the steel feather blade.
His eyes darted constantly through the darkness.
The silence itself felt wrong.
A soft squelching sound interrupted their steps.
Xavier glanced downward.
A large white maggot, nearly the size of his palm, crawled lazily across the cave floor.
Its swollen body twisted as it moved.
Crunch.
Raiden crushed it beneath his foot without even glancing down.
"Keep moving," he muttered.
Xavier swallowed hard and nodded.
The further they walked, the more horrifying the cave became.
More corpses hung overhead.
Humans.
Beastmen.
Elves.
Their bodies were wrapped tightly within layers of webbing, suspended from the ceiling like grotesque trophies.
Some looked long dead, reduced to nothing but bones hidden beneath silk.
Others looked recent.
Far too recent.
Xavier quickly looked away.
Soon, the narrow tunnel widened.
They entered another chamber.
This one dwarfed the previous cave.
The ceiling disappeared high into darkness.
Two enormous giant corpses rested against opposite walls, their massive skeletal frames partially embedded within the stone itself.
Thousands of eggs covered their remains.
Some had already hatched.
Countless tiny spiderlings crawled over exposed ribs and rotting flesh.
Yet strangely...
There was no smell.
No rot.
No decay.
Xavier's grip around Xylo tightened.
"This place..." he whispered.
Raiden remained alert.
"I know."
Then—
Something touched the shoulder of the Trio.
"Freeze."
The voice was calm.
Gentle.
Almost soothing.
Instantly—
Their bodies locked in place.
Xavier's pupils shrank.
His muscles refused to obey.
He tried to move.
Nothing.
Even his fingers remained frozen.
Raiden gritted his teeth.
"What the hell—"
Footsteps approached from behind.
Slow.
Measured.
A familiar figure emerged from the darkness.
Miriam.
She stood before them silently.
Her expression remained unreadable.
"Miriam?" Xavier called out.
Raiden glared at her.
"What are you doing?"
Miriam simply raised one finger to her lips.
"Shh."
THUD.
The cavern trembled.
Everyone froze.
THUD.
Something massive moved within the darkness.
A scraping sound echoed against the stone walls.
Then came another.
Long.
Sharp.
One enormous spider leg emerged from the shadows.
Glossy black chitin reflected the faint moonlight.
Then another leg appeared.
And another.
And another.
Eight massive legs slowly carried a colossal figure into view.
Xavier's heart nearly stopped.
The upper half resembled a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
Long raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders.
Her pale skin appeared flawless beneath the dim light.
Sharp green eyes gleamed with intelligence and amusement.
Her face carried an almost royal elegance.
The kind of beauty that commanded attention effortlessly.
The lower half, however, shattered the illusion entirely.
A gigantic spider body extended beneath her human torso.
Glossy black chitin covered her monstrous form.
Crimson markings spread across her abdomen like blooming flowers made from blood.
Each leg ended in spear-like tips capable of tearing through flesh and stone alike.
Standing fully upright, the creature towered nearly twelve feet tall.
Graceful.
Majestic.
Terrifying.
The spider woman approached Miriam.
Delicate fingers brushed against Miriam's cheek affectionately.
"My child," she spoke softly.
"You've returned."
Immediately, Miriam lowered herself onto one knee.
"My Lady."
"I have brought you what you requested."
The creature's crimson eyes shifted toward the group.
A pleased smile spread across her beautiful face.
"Excellent."
Her voice was smooth and elegant.
"These offerings shall nourish my children wonderfully."
"It speaks?" Xavier thought.
Her gaze landed upon Xavier.
She paused.
Then slowly approached him.
Each movement carried terrifying grace.
Upon reaching him, she bent low enough to meet his gaze.
Long fingers gently caressed his cheek.
Xavier felt cold terror shoot down his spine.
The creature smiled.
"Oh my."
"What a beautiful child."
Her fingers traced along his jaw thoughtfully.
"Those emerald eyes..."
"And such lovely golden hair."
Her smile widened.
"I believe I shall keep you."
Xavier forced himself to speak.
"W-Who are you?"
The woman chuckled softly.
"What a pleasant voice."
"Yes."
"You shall definitely be my pet, i wont feed you."
Then Xavier's expression changed.
His eyes widened.
"Wait."
"There are only three of us here."
"You said offerings."
"Where's Elra?"
Mother Celeste tilted her head slightly.
"The mutating girl?"
Her smile remained unchanged.
"Do not worry."
"My children shall feed upon her first."
Xavier's eyes widened with horror.
"No!"
Mother Celeste gently stroked his hair.
"Do not concern yourself with such matters, child."
"Focus on me."
"You belong to me now."
Raiden's voice cut through the tension.
"You sold us out?"
His glare shifted toward Miriam.
"You bitch."
Miriam remained silent for several moments.
Then, finally nodded.
"Yes."
She stretched out her hand. Beneath her skin, something moved.
The boys watched in disgust as a pale maggot slowly pushed outward beneath her flesh and fell to the ground before retreating to Mother Celeste.
"Mother Celeste offered me power."
Xylo's weak voice trembled.
"So you chose us?"
Miriam shook her head.
"No."
"I initially intended to sacrifice the old man and Elra."
Her gaze lowered.
"Then the demon centaurs attacked."
"You saved us."
Her eyes met theirs.
"So I chose you instead."
Xylo stared at her in disbelief.
"You traded our lives for power?"
"Yes," Miriam answered quietly.
Mother Celeste extended one hand, calling for something.
A large, golden spider obediently crawled into her palm.
Without hesitation, she pierced its body with her fingers.
The spider screeched.
Moments later, Mother Celeste extracted a glowing object from within it.
A Soul Bone.
She handed it to Miriam.
Miriam accepted it without hesitation.
Purple energy erupted violently around her.
The Soul Bone fused directly into her spine.
CRACK.
CRACK.
Three pairs of sleek black spider legs burst from her back.
Blood splattered onto the cave floor.
The newly formed limbs unfolded slowly behind her.
Elegant.
Deadly.
They lifted Miriam effortlessly from the ground.
Mother Celeste smiled proudly.
"My child."
"You look beautiful."
Xavier stared in disbelief.
"Miriam... My body in this unmoving state"
"Is this your spells doing?"
Miriam nodded.
"My spell is called Commandment."
"It allows me to control others."
"All I require is physical contact and knowledge of the target's name."
Xylo frowned. "And you're telling us this?, down to how it works"
"I cannot lie." Her expression remained calm. "It is the flaw attached to my spell."
"Refusing to speak the truth causes me immense pain."
Xavier clenched his fists.
"You're horrible."
Mother Celeste laughed softly.
Unexpectedly, Miriam approached Xavier.
Standing before him, she hesitated.
Then suddenly—
She pulled him forward, for a kiss.
Their lips met briefly.
Before Xavier could process what had happened, she stepped back.
A faint sadness appeared within her expression.
"I liked you."
"Since the first day I saw you."
"We never spoke much."
"But I liked you."
Xavier stared at her speechlessly.
Raiden narrowed his eyes.
"You're a cultist. You have reason to kill us, so I'm guessing you're one of them"
Miriam nodded.
"Yes. But I have my reason"
"We believe sacrifice brings us closer to our god."
"Each offering guides humanity one step closer to Elysium, the land promised to us before the beyonders or Otherworlders banished our gods to Velnir, the godman's grave"
Then—
Snap.
Miriam snapped her fingers.
Instantly, the invisible restraints vanished.
Control returned to Xavier's body.
Raiden immediately stepped forward, placing himself between Xavier, Xylo, and the others.
His black wings spread wide.
Mother Celeste watched with amused eyes.
A soft smile played across her lips.