After the battle, the spiders of the 'escort' come out into the open. They are as alarmed as Sely and Filo and don't understand how it could have happened.

When did their sentinel network fail? When were so many cobwebs severed?

During the battle?

During the party?

In the previous months?

How much planning was there?

Questions that cannot get answers.

The plan they develop is simple, they are not very clear and I don't wait for a response from Filo and Sely.

“You reach the city, we'll go and call for reinforcements. We will try to search every corner of the forest to flush out hidden enemies.”

This is the plan.

That's all.

Sely and Filo find themselves advancing quickly toward Vanoge. The cut cobwebs make the journey easy and in some places the remains of eaten spiders and some dead scolopendra are visible.

Filo is in a panic and runs frantically. Sely doesn't say anything, she just follows him.

What if they were all already dead?

Or what if they were fighting?

What can I do? How can I help Filo?

At the edge of the forest, Sely sees the terrace on which Vanoge stands. The sea breeze hits her and the gray sky dominates the gloomy sea.

Screams are lost in the echo and noise of the waves, but Sely sees nothing more specific on land. These are events that are too far away for her antennas to be able to intercept them.

On the other hand, her eye falls on the horizon. The flying city has become a well-defined dark cylinder.

It is very close to the coast! At this rate, it will arrive at the fjord within half a day!

But that's not the most pressing problem. By now it is obvious that in Ganivre they have spotted the city some time ago.

“We have to reach the mayor's house” Filo's voice is trembling.

Sely turns to him.

He is pale as he looks into space in front of him. Sely wonders what he's thinking, but can't find a satisfactory answer.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Filo is snubbed by everyone in the city, yet he is worried about the fate of those people he is used to living with.

“You say I will have to bury many of them? You say, huh? What do you say?”

“Calm down Filo,” Sely places a hand on his shoulder. He is a tall guy and he turns to look at her.

He keeps his mouth half open and his gaze glassy. His blond hair and blue eyes are dull, like his soul.

“We won't have to bury many of them, you'll see. I have faith in spiders. I have faith in the mayor of Vanoge and also in Folfo.”

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

I'm lying. I'm lying through my teeth... how is this possible? Why can't I tell him the truth?

Why?

Filo cracks a smile and inhales. He looks like he's about to cry but he holds back.

“You're right,” he whispers. “I have to have faith in my teammates, just as they have in me. Maybe they need us, and...” Filo stops thoughtfully.

“We need a plan… a real one, maybe.” Sely stands with her arms folded and brings her eyes and antenna to the city.

Too far away, but…

She takes the telescope out of her bag and points it down, around, and at Vanoge.

“So?”

“Filo, as far as you know, are there alternative ways to reach the city?”

“You mean two-way? In addition to the one that comes down from the plateau and the one that comes up from the cemetery?”

“Yes, in short, a third way. I ask because people were gathered in the square. Scolopendras are everywhere and they seem to be waiting. More than anything they swarm here and there.”

Filo says nothing. Sely gets nervous.

“At that time?”

“N-no… well… I don't know. But what you say doesn't make sense.”

“See for yourself.” Sely hands the telescope to Filo who takes it and begins looking through it.

“More than anything,” Sely continues thoughtfully, “I think this is the incipit of a ritual. The eighth book of the Silver Chronicles. When the wyvern mosquito destroyed an entire high-walled city of humans. It gathered them all together first.”

Filo gasps. “And why did she do it?”

“Because it made a selection. The healthy ones were captured and made food reserves, the others were killed on the spot. The entire operation was the pinnacle of an attempt at coexistence between a hive and a human city.”

Filo is pale and hands the telescope back to Sely. She puts it away and scratches her forehead.

“Sely, are you saying that the Marquise will come to do a sorting?”

“I do not believe. Hive Monoliths are sedentary. There's probably some lieutenant in charge.”

“And what are you waiting for to act?”

Hmm… what are they waiting for to act?

The more time passes, the closer the city gets. The more the chances of having to deal with ancient humans increase…

Hmm…

“You don't know any alternative routes? They are our only chance for intervention.”

“How many were you able to count?”

“There are over ten hundred scolopendras if that's what you mean. I'm not good at math, but I counted ten on a roof and Vanoge has about a hundred families and every family...”

Filo raises his palm. “I understand Sely. I only know basic mathematics, I trust the alchemist's daughter.”

Sely remains dumbfounded. In reality, she is also in a bad place on the subject and she only knows the basics. How embarrassing to be the alchemist's daughter!

“Anyway Yes. There is an unused road. It passes through a cave in the fjord, but it's dangerous.”

“Filo, do we have alternatives?”

“Escape. Escape from everything...”

Sely shakes her head. Filo has wild eyes and is speaking out of fear, perhaps. Sely can't say for sure.

“So everyone will die…” the girl limits herself to saying.

“Anyway, you were lying to me before…” Filo sighs.

Ah, he noticed it!

“Before you become as good as a human, you have to tell some lies. Forget it... let's do this, if I'm about to lose everyone, I might as well join together.”

“So?” Sely raises her eyebrow as Filo looks back at the city in the distance.

“So we have no alternative. You follow me, I will lead the way.”