Professor Spider

The waterfall gracefully fell into the pool beneath the temple. Spider sat crossed legged, meditating. He wore dark grey robes, a round reed woven round hat to his left, and the Nodachi to his right. The weapon was exquisite, sharpened so precisely he could cut a single hair on the blade. The handle was woven in pearl white silk, the hilt made of golden leaves, the blade itself engraved vertically with his oath.

蜘蛛のシャルは弱者を守る was enshrined in careful and beautiful words that were precisely laden into the blade by Spider himself.

Approaching footsteps caught his attention as he slowly opened his eyes.

Spider stood slowly; he picked up the sword and carefully tucked it into his wool belt. He then picked up the hat and held it in both hands as he pivoted around, facing the approaching footsteps.

Spider smiled as the three entities approached, the Master in front.

“Greetings, Master,” Spider bowed.

The three also bowed, their expressions solemn.

Noticing their lack of emotion, worry-filled Spider.

“Is something the matter?” Spider asked cautiously.

The Master sighed.

“Today is a worrisome day, coupled with your departure and dark tidings,” The Master said solemnly.

“I do not understand,” Spider said slowly.

“The drums of war sound through the stars; Great and dark designs are in motion,” Purpose said grimly.

“The enemy marches on Zion as we speak,” Joy nodded, her beautiful face framed with worry.

“Her warriors have been scattered to the cosmos; none remain behind to guard the white walls,” Pride grumbled as he grimaced.

Worry-filled Spider.

“My friends?” he asked.

“Alive. For now,” The Master nodded. “They are away, fighting to protect the innocent on a distant battlefield.”

Contentment narrowly filled Spider's anxious mind; he knew the Vagabonds well. So long as they were together, they would survive whatever trials lay ahead.

“What must I do?” Spider asked, hands outstretched.

“You must return to the mortal plain and rally the allies of the light. Gather your strength and prepare yourself. The great struggle is upon us,” The Master said.

A plan formed in Spider’s mind. He bowed.

“I will not fail you. Nor those I have sworn to protect,” He spoke.

The Master sadly smiled.

“You were truly, one of our greatest pupils. Go with grace, Spider of Clan Vagabond. It is my sincerest wish that we meet again,” The Master spoke.

“Until we meet again, good friend,” Purpose nodded.

“Whenever you feel despair or loneliness, know that we shall be watching,” Joy smiled.

“There shall be odes sung for many years to come of your great deeds,” Pride grinned.

The three came forward, holding hands around Spider. He dawned his hat and readied himself as the air shimmered around him. Sadness filled him; he did not want to leave this place but knew that he must.

The jungle and temple disappeared, darkness shrouding the three, their forms changing. Their skin seemed to fall away, drifting in the soft wind like tree blossoms. Underneath their disappearing figures lay bright white light. Surrounded by the three orbs, Spider floated in space. Still able to breathe, his body was blanketed in soft warmth and comfort.

“Be on your way, brave warrior,” A voice echoed in his head. Spider dropped, falling once again through the very fabric of space and time. This time, he was not afraid but eager. He looked upward, galaxies drifting past him, light forming around him as he fell with withering speed. The same levels of the universe itself were now seen, infinitely rising, and falling like the great surface of an ocean, trillions of worlds, and galaxies all around him as he flew.

Spider’s body changed again, but it was by his own design this time. He had chosen the best form suitable for combat, which seemed most familiar to him from past lives. As he drifted along with the tide of creation, a bright white beacon slowly glinted in the distance. The realm of Zion.

As Spider neared the destination, he took in the city. It was a massive, terraced floating citadel. Hidden away in the space that lay in between dimensions. With long waves of unattainable frequencies to the naked eye surrounding the city, radio transmissions, scrying, and communications, the city was the very hub of activity within the surrounding dimensions and worlds. A million roads from a million worlds made of energy came to and from the terraced floating white citadel.

Spider ignited his blue energy, taking control. He didn’t fly nor guide his path as a mortal would perceive it; it would be better explained as controlled gliding as he circled the citadel. Below him, he could see the scryers’ energy, spotlights of searching eyes witnessing many terrible and great things happening throughout the cosmos; they, however, did not seem to see him.

The flying sentinel scanned the city's many levels and noticed his target, a faint but strong signature residing in the hospital wards within the human level. Spider careened downward, driving towards it. He swiftly flew through buildings, past energy barriers, and into the hospital. The material world glistened with light, seemingly ghostly.

Spider floated down the halls, passing over and through nurses, doctors, and acolytes. Finally, he reached a cleaning closet. He glided through the door and carefully erected himself, slowly drifting to the ground, his foot pointed down. His sandaled foot touched the simmering ground, and with a soft pop, Spider entered the material world.

In the distance, alarms blared. They knew he was here; he had to act swiftly. Spider carefully stripped his wool clothes and dawned the white garments of a doctor. He then wrapped the sword in silk bed sheets, dawning glasses left on the filing cabinet, and stole a random folder of cleaning supply request paperwork.

For a moment, Spider took in the closet. It was funny he had started this journey in a closet so long ago. Now, this chapter was ending and new beginning. Once he left this room, he would never be the same as when he started. He sighed, then opened the door.

Shutting it behind him, Spider swiftly walked down the long white halls. Nurses scampered past him, armed security storming towards the closet. Spider looked at the ground as he turned a corner, walking rapidly to his destination.

Two armed guards stood in front of a room, holding their hands together as Spider approached. Spider hastily flickered his energy from his fingertips, carefully forging his identification.

“I’m sorry, Sir, the hospital is on lockdown until we find the intruder,” the guard said grimly, holding a gloved hand up.

“Yes, I can see that. However, these tests can’t wait,” Spider sighed, flipping through the janitor’s file he had stolen.

“What tests? We weren’t told about anything like that,” the guard huffed.

“Little young to be a doctor, ain't ya?” the female guard asked. “Got to be at least twenty.”

Spider sighed, adjusting his glasses.

“I’m sorry, allow me to redefine Armenium’s medical practices completely. Forgive me for earning my doctorate at fifteen; I’ll go age some more if that makes you feel more comfortable, corporal Orris, is it?” Spider asked.

The guard gulped.

“No, no, sir, not a problem. Sorry, a lot of weird things have been happening here lately,” She stammered.

“Well, Corporal Orris, if you are uncomfortable with my age and doubt my credentials, which are right here,” Spider showed them his fake I.D. “Then I will be more than happy to allow this patient to die due to these tests not occurring. I shall sleep quite soundly knowing it wasn’t my fault.”

The two guards nervously shook their heads, the male opening the door.

“No, no, it’s all right. Sorry doctor Oda, we just haven’t seen you before, that’s all. Won’t happen again, sir, we promise,” He stammered.

“See that it doesn’t,” Spider nodded, about to walk in.

“What’s with the bedsheets?” Orris asked.

Spider sighed.

“Am I not allowed to bring more bedding for a bedridden patient? Perhaps a strip search is in order! Here, pat me down; I’m sure one can hide so many nasty things underneath this thin medical coat!” Spider barked, ripping open his jacket, revealing his tucked button-down shirt and dress pants.

The sergeant shook her head abashedly.

Spider nodded and walked into the room, the guards closing the door.

“Fucking Armeniums,” The male guard sighed, Spider hearing them through the thick door. He grinned, setting down the folder and glasses.

The room was beautiful, with flowers sitting on the wooden nightstand, the human level of Zion stretching out from the window in a gorgeous view. Hera was lying on the medical bed, deep in a medically induced coma.

The machines softly beeped; her vitals shown on a holographic screen. An eye bandage covered her left eye, her skin grafts neatly covered her wounds and her deep scars from her dark skin. Her scalp had begun to grow hair, a mini afro forming as her chest rose and fell softy.

Spider slowly walked over to the flowers and picked up the note.

“Get well soon, love, the Vagabonds,” Julia’s handwriting scrolled.

Spider smiled, noticing the chicken scratch that was Nameless’s handwriting and Aj’s scribble lines as he attempted to write something. So, they were alive and cared deeply. Just as Spider suspected.

Spider ignited his energy, his eyes glowing blue. He could see her internal organs and veins, noticing a small chemical that had been dripped into her body via I.V. It was small, but there, intended to slowly poison her and kill her over a few months as she slept.

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“There you are,” Spider growled.

Spider carefully set the sword down, leaning it against her bed. He then slowly and gently pulled the I.V from her forearm. He pressed his thumb over the wound, stopping the bleeding, peeling a bandage, and laying over his thumb, then withdrawing it.

Once he was sure no other chemicals or IVs were leaking into her, Spider rose. He ignited a blue flame and slowly scanned her body. He isolated the chemical compound, surgically eviscerating the large concentrations with molecular precision as his energy burned into her body like a microscopic needle. He could not remove all of it, but enough to ensure she would live. She would be scarred for life, with no hope of full recovery, but at least she would live.

Spider then pulled a chair over, placed the sword on his lap, and patiently waited.

The man sat in content silence, the slow rhythmic beeping of the machines ebbing in the room. Time slowly passed, feet thumping outside as the hospital staff attempted to find the intruder. Hera’s eyes slowly fluttered open. Spider smiled, leaning forward as she coughed.

Hera slowly opened her eye, her heartbeat accelerating.

“Welcome back,” Spider said softly.

Hera slowly turned her head, facing him, confusion on her face. Her eyes widened.

“Spider?” She croaked.

He nodded.

Panic rose in her face and body.

“How long have I been out?” She stammered.

“A month or two,” Spider nodded, gently grasping her hand.

She arched an eyebrow.

“But you’re so much older? You look grown; where are your metal arms?” She stammered.

“Let’s just say we each have walked our own journeys these past months,” Spider sighed.

“You have hair now,” Hera faintly chuckled.

Her eyes widened.

“It's white,” she said softly.

“That it is,” He nodded.

“What happened to you?” Hera softly croaked.

Spider gently grasped her hand with both of his.

“I merely became a guide,” Spider said softly, smiling.

“You look good with long hair,” Hera chuckled painfully. “Where are the others?”

“Away,” Spider nodded. “They are fighting elsewhere, but they visited you often. They were very worried about you.”

“They visited me?” Hera asked, surprised.

“Of course. You are a vagabond,” Spider smiled.

Hera huffed, then looked out the window.

“So, we finally made it off Mars,” She sighed.

“In a way,” Spider sighed.

She looked at him, puzzled.

“It would seem there are more monsters among the stars than between the dunes of Mars,” Spider softly chortled.

“Figures.” Hera scoffed painfully. “I knew we never shoulda left. Is this Earth?”

“No,” Spider shook his head. “You are in Professor Thaddeus’s home. The Kingdom of Zion. The realm from which all astral roads lead.”

Hera laughed chokingly. Spider grabbed a glass of water, leaning it against her lips. She softly drank.

“You sound like Professor Bullshit,” Hera croaked, swallowing.

Spider chuckled.

“I suppose since we both have extensive knowledge, it gives us a bit of a fancy air,” Spider smiled.

Hera groaned.

“Don’t get all high and mighty on my asshole. I still remember that little stuntling from the boat,” Hera laughed.

Spider smiled.

She sighed, her smile fading.

“He’s dead, isn’t he?” Hera asked.

Spider softly nodded.

“And now I’m stuck with some professor Spider,” Hera drawled.

“Not a professor,” Spider chuckled. “More a, enhanced, wanderer. But, if it makes you feel better, I still have the fight and will to kill those who have wronged us.”

“And who has wronged us?” Hera chortled.

Spider became serious.

“Our friends are locked in mortal combat against the greatest threat the galaxy has ever seen. They killed me, kept you asleep, and flung the vagabonds across the stars in a diversion so that they could seize power here in Zion,” Spider said.

“Of course, they did.”

“You do not believe me?”

Hera shook her head, looking out the window.

“I do,” Hera said distantly. “Just, the last thing I remember is going up against vectors in some bunker. Then I wake up, and everyone’s gone? You've grown-up, long white hair, talking all fancy with no stutter. The vagabonds are somewhere, and here I am feeling like absolute shit.”

“I remember things differently.”

“Oh, do you?”

“You held to the last, against the waves of enemy, buying Nameless time. We won the war because of you. Your last stand bought us precious time; Mars is free now. Nameless crawled upon the bodies stacked high by your feats, desperate to find the woman who saved him. As you lay there dying, he held you in his arms. Mars remembers you as truly one of her greatest heroes and leaders.”

Hera was silent, her eye misty.

“You are a hero. Generations will speak of your name, honoring your sacrifice,” Spider said softly.

Hera scoffed, looking away.

“They love you,” Spider smiled.

Hera looked at him.

“Was it worth it?” She asked softly.

“Yes,” Spider nodded.

She shook her head.

“That’s all I’m good for then.”

“You are a true leader.”

“I lead my men to their deaths!”

Spider sighed.

“If not me, then whom else shall you send?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Some people were born with happy, long life. Others are meant to rule. These two are the envy of the rest of us. While they strive forward, grasping victory and beating back the darkness, the rest of us man the trenches. Wade in the filth, and the death. You and I, we are not meant to rule or be comfortable. We were born to suffer, to charge forward against the cruelty of the darkness, to make way for progress.”

“I liked you better when you were a stuttering ten-year-old,” Hera spat darkly.

“This is our lot in life, but it does not mean we should despair. There is an honor and true happiness perpetrated by purpose in knowing our suffering bought some else time to be free. Space to grow, and the freedom to do with life as they will, unaccosted by the dark whims of tyranny,” Spider said.

“You are terrible at pep talks, you know that?”

“Your existential crisis stems from the fact you yearn for an easy life, but you remain a soldier.”

“Shut up,” Hera said, tears running down her face.

“You have a choice here.”

“I said shut up!” Hera seethed.

The building shuttered. Both looked out to see a massive fireball had erupted down far below. Slowly, a building collapsed, gunfire ringing out as sirens blared. Distant screams and shouts reached their ears as the hospital staff scrambled.

“Stay here, recover, leave this hospital. When the war is over, find a nice man or woman. Bear children, earn money, and die at peace under whatever master rules this place once the dust settles,” Spider shrugged.

Hera stared at him.

“Or,” He pointed a finger. “Get out of bed, follow me, and stand against the horrors of what is to come.”

Hera turned her head, looking outward. Vehicles raced past in the air, and with more explosions, Zion had turned into a Warzone. Spider followed her gaze, noticing down on a balcony, a few levels beneath them, two small, very young, human girls in hospital gowns. One was a bit older than the other and shielded her presumably sister. They knelt, crying, in the corner of the hospital balcony as the medical staff swiftly pulled stretchers of wounded out from the approaching medevac hovercraft.

“You act like it’s a choice,” Hera softly sobbed. “They’re out there right now, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they are. As was I. I came back to get you.”

Hera looked over at him.

“Help me up,” She gritted her teeth.

Spider nodded, standing up and helping Hera sit up.

“I fall asleep during one war and wake up to a whole different shit show,” Hera grumbled as she pulled her legs over the bed. The building shook again.

“I would not have gotten you if you were not essential.”

“So, what’s your plan, Professor Spider.”

“Return to Mars.”

“What?!” Hera asked, appalled.

“As powerful as our friends are, they cannot overcome what is to be on their own. We need warriors,” Spider said.

Hera pulled away, gawking at Spider.

“You want me to go back?!” Hera yelled.

“I want us to go back. And bring forth the sectors of Mars, to bear upon the Dark Axium,” Spider nodded.

“Who the fuck is the Dark Axium?”

Spider pointed outward at the nightmare that was the window view.

“That,” He said heavily, “Is the Dark Axium.”

Hera silently studied the destruction.

“Can we ever be happy?” She silently asked.

Spider paused, weighing his words.

“Maybe,” He said, “When all of this is done. But there is happiness in every moment. To give into sadness, the enemy has already won.”

Hera grinned.

“Smiling before they punched me always seemed to piss my trainers off.”

Spider smiled.

“That is the satisfaction of the warrior,” Spider said.

Hera grinned.

“Okay then. Let’s go skull fuck these assholes, take me to Mars bitch. I got some old friends I need to bully into fighting some, whatever all of that is,” Hera said, waving her hand at the window.

“The Dark Axium,” Spider nodded, leading the way to the door.

“That’s the dumbest fucking name I have ever heard.”

The two emerged from the room, Hera still in her hospital gown, Spider still in his disguise. Outside, the guards were dead. Blood speckled the walls. Gunshots rang out in the distance, and people ran away down the hall.

“Imma take a wild guess and say they want me dead,” Hera grunted.

“They did poison you.”

“They what?” Hera seethed.

Down the hall by the intersection, three blood-stained vectors slowly meandered by. They stopped, turned, and saw the two in the bloody hallway.

“Get behind me,” Spider said firmly.

“You got to be kidding me,” Hera snarled, slowly backing away.

Spider slowly unraveled the Nodachi.

“Down the hall, directly behind you, is a parking lot. Grab a hovercar and wait for me,” Spider said slowly.

“You got it,” Hera nodded.

She ran down the hall as Spider unsheathed the sword.

“Hey, Captain!” Hera called.

He looked back.

“Thanks for getting me out,” she said abashedly.

He nodded, turning towards the vectors as Hera fled.

The three vectors extended their claws, electricity dancing through their bright red cloaks, the shadows of the flickering lights giving them an eerie aura. Spider raised the sword, entering his combat stance.

The lead vector charged, and Spider remained perfectly still. Right before the Vector’s claws reached him, Spider ignited his energy. Furious blue flame bellowed from his body, burning the walls and floor. Spider elegantly pivoted, the sword gracefully cutting through the air. The Vector passed him as Spider held his sword out midair.

The creature slowed down, stumbling, clutching its stomach. It collapsed to the ground, falling into two pieces, dead. Spider reentered his combat stance, wiping the blood from the blade off by gently pulling the sword through the crook of his raised-sleeved arm. He then leveled it once again.

The two vectors looked at each other, screeched, then charged. This time, Spider launched forward. The three combatants collided. The vectors swiped and slashed as quickly as they could. Spider parrying and dodging. The battle moved so fast one could barely see who was winning.

One of the Vectors stumbled, backing into the wall, and sliding down it to the floor, mechanical oil and blood staining the white wall as it slid. It died on the ground as the last vector desperately tried to fight back. Spider was advancing. An arm flew, then the Vector stumbled to a knee, its left hamstring string severed. Spider jumped up, ran along the wall horizontally, and brought the massive, long sword down upon the hooded figure’s neck. The vectors head rolled as Spider landed on the ground.

Spider flicked the blood from his blade and sheathed it. He bowed to the bodies. Spider then ran along the hallway towards the exit. Outside, Hera was stripping the uniforms off some men she had killed.

Spider’s eyes widened, and he nodded in approval as Hera pulled some jeans on, then a jacket.

“What?” She snarled, picking up a rifle. “They were trying to kill people.”

“I approve,” Spider shrugged simply, walking over to a hovercar.

“How the hell we get out of this place?” Hera barked, beckoning for the hiding civilians to come out.

“We must get to the hanger bay. They have drop shuttles there, we can use one of the portals I was pushed into when we arrived,” Spider sighed.

“Who pushed you?” Hera asked as they both climbed into the seats.

Outside, the patients took their own cars, fleeing all over the city.

“An acolyte of Zion,” Spider sighed, starting the car.

“What’s that?” Hera asked.

“A professor in Training,” Spider said.

“You know who it was?” Hera asked as they took off.

“Not yet. Frankly, if it were not for their blundered assassination, I would not be here today. And you would most certainly be dead,” Spider shrugged.

Hera looked down at the burning city as they took off, speeding towards the hall of the light bearers.

“What was that fire?” Hera asked softly.

“Particle manipulation,” Spider said.

“Great. There’s space magic now. Guess it’ll be nice having someone on the team with powers,” Hera sighed.

“There is much we need to catch you up on,” Spider chortled.

“Guess there is,” Hera grunted.

She looked down at the devastation as they closed the Light Bearer Academy.

“Why are they doing this?” Hera asked softly, her eyes scanning, her mouth downturned.

“Same reason the Big City ruled with cruelty on Mars. Power.”

She shook her head.

“Some things don’t change, huh?”

Spider sighed, gripping the steering wheel tightly. It took all of his resolve not to dive for the ground; they needed him down there. He wanted to help but knew it was futile. Far below, smoke rose from the Academy. Spider circled above, looking downward, seeing Light Bearers fight for their lives as waves of enemies charged.

“It is an extreme act of cowardice to use suicide detonations and trickery in a dense urban population,” Spider sighed, turning the car back upright.

“What are you doing? Put us down! We can help!” Hera barked.

“This battle was lost the moment it started. They will exterminate any remaining threats and consolidate power. Once Zion is theirs, they will march on other worlds that threaten them,” Spider observed.

The car wound around the back of the academy and began descending into a burning hole that had been blown into the hangar bay.

“Is Mars next, then?” Hera asked darkly.

“Either our Mars or a planet called Armenium. They both have the militaristic and industrial infrastructure to sustain long-term conflict against a freshly overthrown Zion. This is why we must flee from here and counterattack before they can fully muster the citadel's power,” Spider observed.

The car entered the burning hangar bay. What remained of the air wing was burning, with no one around. Smoke filled the once proud hanger bay as alarms went off, bodies littering the ground. Several smaller drop craft still lay intact on the far side of the bay. Spider landed and opened the doors. He drew his sword, carefully scanning the surroundings as Hera prowled forward, rifle up.

As they walked, countless bodies of friend and foe littered the ground. They reached the small drop craft. They were long cylindrical silver spear-shaped craft with a single pilot seat. Spider ignited his energy, frying the computer that locked the doors.

“Take the controls; I need to activate the portal,” Spider ordered as Hera climbed inside.

“I’m not a pilot!” Hera barked.

“Neither am I,” Spider grinned. “I assure you, it's more controlled crashing than flying with these things.”

“Oh, that really fucking assures me!” Hera spat, sitting in the pilot seat.

Spider looked down at the blue hazard stripes and ignited his energy. He envisioned Mars in his mind, and the ground beneath him began to slowly fade within the blue-painted circle.

Hera started pressing buttons, the craft shuttering to life as the engine roared. As Spider hopped inside, bullets zipped and cracked overhead. Across the hangar bay, several Axium members were charging forward, trying to stop them.

Spider closed the hatch and buckled himself in.

“They’re shooting at us!” Hera called back.

“Just keep your hands on the controls,” Spider smiled.

“How can-” Hera started.

The portal activated, and Zion disappeared as the craft hurtled downward. Hera screamed as Spider laughed. After a few gut-wrenching moments, the ship leveled, light and galaxies zipping back. Spider unbuckled himself and pulled himself through the zero gravity to behind Hera. Her mouth was wide open, her eyes popping.

“There’s so much,” She stammered.

“We are but ants vying for crumbs in a vast forest that spans a planet.”

“Did I mention I liked you better as a stuntling?”

“I-I am-am s-s-s-so sorry. D-do y-you prefer this?” Spider mimicked.

Hera gave him a dark look. They both laughed.

“Okay, but you can at least lighten up on all the fancy shit,” Hera sighed.

“I will try my best.”

“Say fuck.”

“Fuck?” Spider asked with an arched eyebrow.

“Okay, thank the gods, I thought you were completely gone,” Hera laughed. There was a pause as her smile faded.

“What is it?” Spider asked.

“Just would have been nice to see some grass. Never thought I’d be coming back so soon once the war was over,” Hera mumbled. She looked up at Spider who floated besides her.

“Have Sammy and Carla seen grass at least?” She asked.

A dark look shadowed Spider’s face.

“In a way, yes, I suppose,” Spider sighed.

“I can’t wait to see them again,” Hera said happily.

Spider looked at her.

“The vagabonds will be very happy to see you again,” Spider nodded, pain staining his gentle words.

The light tunnel faded, a dark orange disc approaching. Spider gently pulled back a throttle, allowing them to quickly exit the portal. The ship entered real space, sailing through orbit towards the orange giant.

“Welcome back home,” Spider sighed.