The process of seeing an enormous spider squeeze its way through a tiny stairway is something to behold. It does it in the way a cat manages to fit through passages it shouldn't, not in a way that fundamentally fractures reality.

I know this because I've seen both of these things occur; Only one of these results in flagrantly bending spacetime in such a way that there are more than one degree per degree to look at. Just because that didn't occur doesn't mean the horrifying scrabbling of these enormous legs is any less… well, horrifying.

That being said, living in an apocalypse inspired by the likes of H.P. Lovecraft and H.R. Giger inures one against lesser scares. It hardens you, which is the reason why I'm one of the first one to react, together with Knight.

There's a moment of tension initially when the Refugee rushed into the room, followed by the spider, where there was confusion over whether the spider was hostile. Refugee quickly resolved that by shouting in between pants of breath. "Being followed by monsters! Help!"

To her credit, Knight instantly pivoted from tracking the spider to running towards the opening of the stairway. At this point a mass of floating tentacles makes their way into the room and is immediately speared by the leg of the spider, splattering black goop over the floor. The ones that follow into the room afterwards are untouched however, quickly making their way up into the room as they survey the room. The flow does not stop.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Knight turns to look with a grimace, before stepping into the stairway with the crook, shouting as she does "Take care of these ones, I'll keep the rest at bay"

I can't say I envy her, but that doesn't mean I feel like we can handle the… five… ah six that have made their way into this room. They're still simply floating, but from their warbling screeches and the numerous red eyes and slavering beaks, I'm sure their intent is about to change.

The fact that each of us would have to take on one is somewhat problematic, mainly because I don't think most of us could handle one of these, but also because Knight is holding the door.

I have to alter that thought as Astronaut jumps up, the lighter gravity they're subject to carrying them far higher, all the way to the ceiling, steps off a statue and grabs one of the beasts by its tendrils.

As they fall down, the thing is smacked into a statue, dazing it slightly.

I lose track of what's happening over there as one of the things makes its way towards me. I do not panic, I just stand at the ready. I realize I have been altered on some fundamental part, now that I stand here. I am not worried either, just calm.

The thing doesn't seem to notice my behavior, or if it does, it doesn't care. I follow in the steps of the Shepherd as the aberration surges towards me, quickly sidestepping as it impacts behind me. The thing lies in a dazed pile on the ground.

Perhaps this will not be such a big problem after all.