The shadow monsters were experts at avoiding spiders’ presence; it was as if they evolved for that specific reason. However, the spiders finally acknowledged the monster's existence. The solution, however, was not ideal, they just assigned spiders to guard the TomGrape webs. There were more webs when spiders, so even when there was a loss of crops.

Meanwhile, the two humans were working on their own solution. Begging Lamia for enchanted spears turned out to be unnecessary. The pair was holding an enchanted peacekeeping stick in their hands. It was a sturdy thing cut straight out of IronOak, one end of it had a cap made out of very dark metal and the other a dark crystal. Sometimes purple lightning flashed inside the crystal; it was mysterious.

Well, the stick ended up looking more like a mace or a staff, but they were told not to hit anything with the crystal and use the metal cap instead. If they slammed the cap into an object, there would be a small explosion at that end, so it was quite dangerous. However, the stick was sturdy and the shaft was long, and as long as they were careful the weapon wasn't dangerous to its user.

Just so, after finishing teaching the Centauri the two were going on their routine rounds around the maze. Their task was to exterminate the pests.

“Over there.” Gareth pointed to the seemingly innocent web.

Bareth couldn't see it, but he knew that Gareth had a good eye for this, So he simply nodded and followed.

Indeed, the web was teaming with shadow creatures. The two began whacking at them without mercy.

“Die!” Gareth trusted his stick at the unsuspecting monster.

Upon contact with the stick, a shadow creature exploded like a balloon, there was even that iconic sound. A few more monsters were dispatched this way.

*Pop, *Pop, *Pop, *Pop – it sounded like popcorn but many times louder.

“You think we got them all?” Bareth asked.

“No, obviously some must have snuck out. Let’s check another vine.”

The two continued inspecting the webs until midnight. One might wonder why they were working so hard and the humans had different reasons for that. Bareth wanted that bonus pay he would get for extermination, it was quite handsome. And Gareth just wanted to be busy here, this was his excuse to stay away from demanding Lamia.

The sun had set and the darkness descended upon the MegaFarm. This was the time when the shadow creatures became most active.

“It’s late, should we wrap this up?” Bareth suggested.

“Huh. Are you afraid of the darkness?”

Gareth, for some reason, would always push to stay for longer.

“Man, we aren’t paid past midnight.” Old Bareth said matter of factly. “Is it because you want to level up your Warrior class?”

“Mabe, maybe not.” Gareth gave a vague reply. "You can go if you want. I'll stay for a few hours. Just leave the Dark Flame Lantern with me.”

“Nah, I’ll stay with you. It’s not safe alone.” That and Bareth didn’t want to part with the lantern.

"Alright! That's the spirit!" Gareth was pumped up for some reason.

Bareth sighed and took a sip from the Slug Jelly flask. The substance perked him up instantly.

"Mind sharing?" Gareth asked hopefully.

"You know the answer." It was a 'no' and for many reasons. "We both know you would get addicted. Again.”

“It’s not like... *Pop.” He popped a monster trying to sneak past him. “... like you’re immune to that stuff either.”

“I just know how to control myself.” A tiny bit ever so often was the trick.

*Pop – This time, Bareth bonked one.

“Sure, whatever.”

*Pop, *Pop, *Pop – Gareth exterminated a small cluster.

In the end, with an effective weapon at hand, the shadow monsters didn't seem much like a threat at all. The two went on with one-sided extermination all the way past midnight.

"We should head back. We have lessons in the morning." Bareth reminded.

“Shh," Gareth shushed, his body posture was all tense.

Clearly, something was wrong, but whatever it was Bareth failed to sense it. He kept looking in the direction Gareth had his eyes locked.

"It's over there," Gareth whispered in a somewhat shaky voice.

Bareth brought the lantern closer. Unmistakably, something was there. A cloud of swirling darkness.

As if provoked by the two the cloud condensed into a more dense form. The darkness swirled and twisted upon itself and in a matter of seconds it took the shape of a four-legged creature. It vaguely resembled a wolf; vaguely because it was made of viscous darkness, had no tail or ears, its head didn't even have a hole for a mouth or eyes, but it did have four long and sleek tentacles on its back. The tentacles undulated threateningly.

The pair of friends remained frozen, they were struggling to process what they were seeing. Flight or fight response kicked in; both subconsciously chose to fight.

Gareth fully expected a roar or a howl of some sort, but the warning never came. The monster ran towards him without making even the faintest sound. It was quick, too quick for Gareth to react. It slammed on his chest knocking him down. The tentacles wrapped around his arms binding him.

"Hel..." A tentacle slid into his mouth and all the way to his throat and stomach. A sudden faintness took over him as if his very life was drained away.

Well, Gareth was in luck because his friend was still there. Bareth didn't flee and the gruesome sight of his friend being assaulted like that gave him courage to attack the monster.

“Get lost.” He bonked at the monster with the stick.

The free tentacle tried to parry the enchanted weapon but upon contact, it just exploded into wisps of darkness. Bareth swung again, this time at the monster's back. The stick connected evaporating a good chunk off. The monster didn't cry or trash it just shifted its body away from the stick and continued to drain Gareth. The hole on its back was already beginning to close.

Bareth realised that he must free his friend and quickly, so he jumped for another smack. This time he aimed for the tentacles while careful not to touch Gareth; he didn’t want to explode his buddy.

The monster was dragging its bound prey but even old Bareth managed to touch the tentackles without grazing Gareth’s flesh. The magic flowing out of the capped end of the stick disrupted whatever was holding the darkness together and the binding tentacles dispersed into nothing with a pop.

Of course, the monster still remained, but it had lost three of its four tentacles. Now freed, Gareth whacked at the monster with his stick and thus cleared his airway off the offending appendage.

Bareth snuck another strike at the monster making a second hole but on its side this time.

“Tch.” He clicked his tongue, he was aiming for its head.

The monster must have realised that the two humans were too strong for it; it began backpedalling away from the two.

"Gah." Gareth spat out some tar-like liquid. "Let’s get it!” He waved his stick vengefully.

Bareth looked at his courageous friend, Gareth's legs were trembling and his face was pale, in other words, this was a front and Gareth was in no position to be fighting. Regardless, Bareth marched forward towards the monster, with full intent to kill it. Gareth remained in his guarded position, likely because he was unable to walk.

“I’ll kill ya!” Bareth charged at the monster.

The shadow creature must have been smarter than an average monster because it turned around and ran away disappearing into the darkness.

Bareth considered chasing it, but then he would leave Gareth undefended and without the lantern.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Sorry, it got away." He said apologetically.

“Uff.” Gareth collapsed to his butt “I don’t feel too well.”

Bareth stepped to support his friend. A nearby web shook startling the two again. Bareth pointed the mean end of the stick in the direction.

"Are you. Alright?" A spider chirped climbing down the web. "I heard. Shouting".

This was one of the guards assigned to the plants. The spider came too late to get any action.

“We were attacked.”

“By. Shadow. Monsters?

“What else?!” Gareth snapped. “I almost died.”

“But normally. They wouldn’t. Attack.”

Yes, Gareth had said so before. And it was true until...

Bareth jumped in to explain. "This one was different from the others. It was larger and had tentacles. And I think...” He paused looking at his weakened friend. “It Drained Gareth.”

“Mana Drain. Or. Health Drain?” The spider chirped a question.

"No clue. I'm not a magus." Bareth looked at the poorly friend.

"I feel like shit. Bleh!" Gareth spat another glob of tar-like goo.

The spider nonchalantly collected the fluid.

“I’ll. Escort you. Back.”

“Good idea.” Bareth nodded thankfully. If anything the spider should ward off further attacks.

Gareth took the shoulder of his friend and walked with the support of the stick. They followed the spider out of the maze.

"Man, I thought I was gone. I couldn't even breathe.”

“Well, it’s good I decided to stay.”

“Yeah, you saved my life. Thanks.”

“No problem, you would have done the same.”

Gareth remained silent as if not too sure about that statement.

“Here. I don’t know if it will help, but it should.”

Gareth wasn’t the one to refuse such an offer. He took a greedy sip out of the flask.

“Oh! It does help.” The colour returned to his face.

*Boom – an explosion rang somewhere in the distance. The sound sounded oddly familiar.

“What was that?” The two asked in unison.

The spider gave them a spider shrug and continued walking without even a shred of concern.

However, much too soon, a different kind of spider ran up to them. From its vaguely humane features and the fact that it wore a blue robe, it was clear that it was more than a spider farmer.

“You alright?” The spider chirped with concern.

“What happened?” The two asked in unison again.

“I killed. A strange monster.” The spider chirped adding. “I don’t think. It’s safe. For you anymore.”

“Yeah. Something very strange is happening here.”

“I know. We are investigating." It chirped matter-of-factly.

Anyway, having an extra guard was reassuring. They proceeded out of the maze.

The spider seemed thoughtful for a while and then it spoke again. "But. I'll need your help. From now on."

Bareth gave a bevildered look to the spider. “Din’t you just say it was too dangerous for us?”

Gareth nodded and grunted to support his friend.

“Yes. But those creatures. Are avoiding us. To progress in my. Research. I’ll need your help.”

"Sorry. I don't want to help anymore." Gareth grumbled while feeling up his sore throat.

“Humans. You will be rewarded handsomely.”

Gareth didn’t seem to be interested, but, Bareth perked up at those words. The spider produced a piece of cloth from under its robe and handed it to Bareth.

“Huh?” He investigated the item. “A sock.” He gave a sniff, it was unwashed.

The spider farmer was glaring with all of its four eyes at the sock; revenantly so.

"A holy artefact. All yours. If you help me.” The spider mage chirped in a tempting tone.

“Ahm... I don't think I have any use for this." He handed the sock to the nearby spider farmer; it looked like it wanted to touch it.

“No?” The spider mage snatched back the sock from the spider farmer.

"I rather have something more useful..."

"Bareth, you can't be seriously considering this. This IS too dangerous!” Gareth gave a disapproving look. “We aren’t warriors.”

It was Bareth’s turn to look in disapproval. For months, Gareth had no problem about pretending to be a warrior and going on these extermination walks. So he waved him to shut up.

“I’ll take money, or favours if that's possible." He preferred the latter since the spider mages had a lot of clout here.

“Anything.” Spider chirped happily. “Trusty Advisor. Had already approved. My Research budget..” It chirped proudly.

“Anything?” He asked to be sure.

“Anything!” The spider tempted further.

A questionable smile rose to Bareth’s face. “Then I would like some Centauri servants. That’s possible yes?’

The spider mage nodded. “That could be arranged.”

Gareth looked both amazed and betrayed. "Ohh... Oh! That explains things.”

“Don’t look at me like that. We all have preferences.” Bareth looked away unwilling to meet the eyes of his friend.

“Just don’t get entrapped like I did.”

“Worry not. If anything, I can keep it in my trousers."

“Mhm!”

"So. Do we have. Agreement?"

“Sure we do, spider. We do!” Bareth stretched his hand all too keen.

“And you?”

"Well, I can't let my buddy risk his life alone. I’m in.”

“Oh! I thought you had enough of danger?"

"I like to live dangerously..." Gareth paused. "And I will need resources to support my children. They’ll be hatching soon.”

"What's the number, again?" Bareth used the opportunity to ask.

"Two hundred fifty two," Gareth whispered.

“How many?!” Bareth stared wide-eyed and mouth agape.

Gareth feeling slightly ashamed didn't reply. Lamia were a fertile bunch, or maybe it was the potion... Whatever...

“Human. You should be. Proud. It is a good. Number. I’m sure. They will grow to. Serve the King well. Like you do.”

“Then, spider you better be paying well.”

“Worry not. Help me. In my Research. And, you and yours. Will be provided for." It chirped with confidence.

...

That morning, when the dawn broke, they had to suspend their classes. Bareth wasn’t all too pleased about that. Strange...

That same day they received their new work equipment. It was oppressively dark armour, and way too heavy for the normal humans. However, it came with a box of Strength Potions.

Despite previous enthusiasm, Bareth seemed bummed out about suspended classes. That was until a particularly voluptuous centaur arrived and introduced herself.

She spoke in perfect human language. “Hello, master Bareth.” She bowed low exposing way too much cleavage. “I am one of your assistants assigned to guard and serve you.” She smiled at the older man.

This was one of the more talented students the two had taught. She had graduated a while ago.

Bareth’s mood took a full 180° turn. He was all smiles, but also he had forgotten to give her a reply.

Gareth was a better man. “Hello, dear. I didn’t expect to see you again.” He gave his teacher’s smile.

“Humf.” She snorted and turned her head away from him.

‘What did I do?’ – Gareth had to wonder.

A charming smile was back on her face. “Master, please hop on. I’ll take you to the TomGrape fields." She patted behind her back suggestively.

“Uh... You want me to ride you?”

“What else would I be suggesting?” She blushed for some reason.

“I might be too heavy. Armour and all.”

Gareth was grinding his teeth listening to that bitter-sweet conversation. ‘What are you? Teenager couple?! Stop blushing!’ – He wanted to yell.

“Master Bareth!” She said sternly. “I am not weak! I won't have you walking like some lowlife." She glared at Gareth. "Now, hop on!”

“If you insist." Bareth climbed awkwardly on her back.

There was no saddle or anything like that. Bareth fumbled unsure about where to put his hands.

"I don't want to disgrace myself and let you fall. So please.” She found his hands and brought them to her front. "No, don't lower them, master.” She pushed them even higher.

Needless to say, the hands weren't on her waist but somewhere else entirely.

Gareth had enough! “I don’t think...”

“Humf...” She snorted again at Gareth and just launched into the gallant gallop.

Bareth was clutching with both hands, the expression on his face could be used in a Dictionary next to the word ‘happiness’, it would illustrate it perfectly.

"That's one lucky bastard," Gareth uttered out of jealousy. “If only the Lamia were like that...” They didn’t call him master with affection, actually, they didn’t call him anything; they just took what they wanted, squeezed him dry and left... He walked slowly in that heavy armour and towards the fields.

Sulking was not the way to go. “Hey. I’ll make sure that my children grow into proper ladies and not like their mothers.” He said somewhat bitterly but still brimming with conviction. "And which normal human could boast about so many children? I must be blessed in a way."

Gareth too developed that face befitting the dictionary entry, well, the bliss was equal only to half of Bareth's, but still, he had a reason to be happy. And probably more real than a set of oversized melons. Bouncy, juicy melons, a pair that swayed invitingly from even the slightest movement.

"Oops." He shook his head forcefully. "No, I’ll make myself sour again.” He continued walking towards the web-maze.

...

Sometime later, or before, outside the Gareth and Bareth adventures. A Spider King was having a dream.

You might call it a prophetic dream, well it must be it because this wasn't the first time he'd received something like that. However, this one was different. There was no nebulous cloud that would beam the words directly to his mind. Nor was he floating in the endless dark void. This dream was different from the previous ones he had.

The space he was floating in was filled with neat square shapes, each perfectly cubical and at equal distances from each other. There were thousands of them, filling the white space as far as he could see. He was there floating in the air just between the two such shapes. It was hard to guess their real size, but from what he saw they were very large.

He tried to swim through the emptiness but his legs and hands waved in the air finding no purchase; he was stuck. The sight of recurring cubical shapes formed a certain repeating pattern; It was dizzying. If you placed a camera slightly off of its monitor you would get something similar; an endless repeating image - a static loop. It became more blurry and more distorter the further he looked.

“I think I will vomit”, he grabbed for his stomach.

"VOMIT, Vomit, vomit..." The sound bounced back from the cubes in an endless echo. "Mit, it, it, t, t, tt, tttt..." It became distorted. For some reason, the echo didn't behave like a normal echo would. L and its volume remained the same; it was rather annoying buzzing 'tz-tz-tz'.

"How unpleasant." Without thinking he made another voice of endless echo.

"Tz-tz-tz..."

There was a flash of blinding light. Mysteriously it canceled out the noise resetting the white endless space back to its serene state.

“Mortal.” The voice came from all over, but this time there was no echo.

He looked around but couldn't see anything else aside from cubes and that white emptiness.

Well, he had a similar experience already, so, “You must be a powerful entity of some sort.” He mumbled and continued in now a normal tone, “What do you want?”.

The light flashed again presumably to cancel the echo he just made.

"To warn you." The echoless voice boomed.

“Go on then.”

The light flashed again.

“You played an agent of chaos for too long, mortal. You stirred the pot too hard. It is coming for you.”

“What is. What is coming?” He hoped that this ‘deity’, or whatever the entity was, would not remain needlessly cryptic and vague.

*Flash of light.

“Darkness!” It boomed with power.

Yeah, his hopes were smashed. For some reason, powerful entities insisted on being cryptic. "Right... Darkness. And how do I fight it?”

*Flash.

“I have warned you, mortal. The rest is up to you.”

He figured it wouldn't elaborate further. Predictably so, the space began to blur and he could feel his consciousness fading.

“Wait, what are you? What is your name?” He asked hurriedly.

“Order in Chaos!”

The sound assaulted him from all sides, *Flash... He jolted straight up, still feeling disoriented.

He looked around. He was in his room, in his bed and beside him was his lovely wife.

His sudden movement must have awoken her too. "Sss, what was that?" She hissed, more worried than annoyed.

“Nothing. Just a nightmare.” He brushed it off.

“Aww... sss,” she slithered closer. “I know just the cure."

*Smooch