“We have to go to the city.” A big town called Langol laid down the mountains. The border town presented itself in its full glory from the vantage point at the mountain pass that Adira and the others were crossing. Galen began explaining to the group that they would need to climb down and visit that place. A simple but narrow trope led steeply downward right toward the city. “I promised I could get information about the Island’s location. Besides, we need some equipment for long-range travel.”
“There is problem with your plan.” Skreetha interrupted the hunter and stole the attention of the Demigod towards her. “Two humans will run away in city and talk about us.”
She met the eyes with Salgos and quickly added.
“My lord.” Then she pointed towards the city. “It is detour from our path. They want to waste your time.”
“They said they would need information. I will allow it.”
“But my lord-”
“Silence.” Salgos looked closely at the arachne, peering through her facade. “Never try to manipulate me. Next time I will take your head. Now, why are you avoiding that city?”
“I…” Skreetha covered. She was not expecting to be the source of the Demigod’s ire. She lowered to the ground in a show of submission. The demanding glare of Demigod made her talk. “I'm afraid of heights.”
The arachne lowered her eyes, afraid to meet Salgos’s gaze. It was an embarrassing truth to share. Skreetha’s proclamation was met with silence. Even Salgos seemed at a loss for words. Seeing this silent scene Adira could not help but start laughing.
“That’s just a road going down!” The arachne hissed at the girl's words trying to intimidate her, but it could not stop Adira. She got tired of everything, cold salty meat with crunchy old bread in the mornings, constant provocations from Skreetha, demanding training from Galen, magical examinations from Salgos every evening that made her feel like her soul was drained. The girl folded with laughter letting all the weight of the past days go out. The Demigod stared at her with an irritated but inquisitive glare from under his helmet.
“It is not even that steep! And the famous walking horror is afraid?” Adira could not control herself, even though she might get in trouble.
“Should I kill her?” Skreetha could not stand the girl’s laugh. The arachne rarely heard laughter. She was ready to kill the huntress just to make the sound stop. However, Salgos did not share Skreetha’s animosity.
“No. Go with them. Make sure they will not deviate from what I need.” Adira finally calmed down, but a rare smile still lingered on her face. She looked over Galen’s surprised face and the arachne’s filled with hate.
The monster quickly turned away and her whole body began to vibrate. Layers of chitin peeled off, while her large abdomen merged with her legs, getting into a more human form. She appeared as a woman, slightly in her 30s, with a silk dress over her.
“Let’s go to your city.” Skreetha gritted her teeth in frustration. Her voice changed, the harsh hissing sounds disappeared, and a new deep mature female voice came out. She approached the road and took in the view from the high ground, looking at the road down that was awaiting them. Adira giggled watching threads of spider web tied from trees to the monster for additional safety. The girl felt compelled to tease her.
“Do you want me to hold your hand on the way down?” It was nice to be the bully for a change. Skreetha dangerously hissed, threatening to lash out, but held herself down. Salgos forbid to attack Adira, and arachne would have to listen to him. Still, she could not let it slide.
“You regret it when we return.”
The descent ended up uneventful, despite Skreetha’s hesitation. The roads were narrow but safe for travelers. Still, Skreetha cursed all the way down. Adira was in lifted spirits after learning an embarrassing weakness of the arachne. The trio ventured inside the city and Galen explained what they were going to do next.
“First of all, I want normal food for change. Also, resupply for long travel. We will take the inn for the night. I will visit the guild for the information next morning.”
“This is too long. We have to be back by night.” Skreetha interrupted him with a frown. Her face was much more emotional now that it had actual human features. Adira felt concerned that she could have lived among people for a long time without them noticing. The girl studied how the monster’s expressions changed while she argued with Galen.
“Look, I want to have a bed and a proper meal. Also, a bath. If you want to go back by night, I won't stop you.”
“Or I can tell you are betraying the Lord, and we will raise this place to the ground.” The man shrugged.
“Not that I care.”
“What do you mean? Of course, we care!” Adira jumped in front of Galen, surprised by his statement. Seeing the man is not of much help she quickly turned to Skreetha. “Listen, hunters are early birds. By now there is nobody who can help us. And we still need a lot of things besides the information.”
Forced to agree with the huntress the arachne harrumphed. Adira shot an angry glance at Galen, who simply shrugged. With every step through the kingdom’s land, he grew more spiteful. His bottomless lake of hatred seemed to be overflowing now. He did not care about this city, or these people.
The girl knew he was exiled from these lands, but she could not imagine being this hateful towards innocent people. The mission of the hunters made them serve and protect the others, and the old hero clearly turned away from it. Of course, he was not a part of the kingdom now, and hunters were employed only in Verdania. Other kingdoms solved their problems with the military. Still, the shift from protector of the people to one willing to destroy them seemed too drastic to Adira.
Galen led them towards the central square. The part of town that is filled with people at this hour. The man moved through the crowd to the traders’ stalls, like a snake through the grass. Skreetha still kept an eye on him, following closely, and Adira walked behind her, mostly looking not to stumble into others. Watching to the sides she bumped into the back of the arachne.
The monster suddenly stopped having its attention somewhere else. In the middle of a square, a man in simple clothes stood on the border of a fountain. He shouted to the crowd speaking over multiple vendors and conversations around him.
“Work people! Improve and level up! Don’t spend your evening idle. That is the only way to please our Goddess. Never stop striving to hear her voice, for her voice is the only thing that's left of her! Praise the Goddess, and you will receive her gifts! Work hard and connect with her! There is nothing more important in life!”
“What he talking about?” Skreetha leaned to Adira’s ear. The girl jerked away from the arachne’s face, but the crowd did not let her move away. Adira squinted her eyes at the monster. If the arachne had something mischievous in mind she did not show it. Instead, she seemed perked up with a genuine curiosity.
“This is the Church of Light. Every time we level up, we hear the Goddess of Light’s voice in our head. She grants us classes and powers.” Skreetha grinned at the torturous smile she usually wore when teasing Adira.
“That is absurd. This is not voice of Goddess of Light.” She pointed to her head.
“How do you know?” The girl frowned at an obvious denial, but the monster was insistent.
“Because we hear the same voice.”
Adira was not a zealous believer. Neither did she follow the church’s teaching to the letter. However, the foundation of the Church of Light was plausible and even motivating. Monsters had classes and powers, as well as humans. What set them apart was the Goddess’s constant monitoring and support. Her voice reached humanity and helped them to become stronger.
If the same voice talked to monsters, then there was no difference between them. It would be a devastating discovery for the church. Adira realized that this idea fit too well into what Salgos had explained about the System. Gods supplied power to humans and monsters only to receive it back.
“How do you know it is the same voice?” Unsure, the girl double-checked she was not tricked by the arachne. The monster laughed joyfully, and Adira knew she would hate the answer.
“I have mind magic. I like to hear my prey’s thoughts when they die. Sometimes they level up before the death.” Just the image of such perversity made Adira gag in disgust. She walked away from arachne, but the thought of watching someone die from inside their mind stuck in the girl’s throat.
Galen returned timely enough to catch the smiling monster and the huntress grimacing in disgust. He perked a brow but decided not to inquire. Instead, he told them that he had finished with the resupplying and booked an inn. The man overpaid the traders to make all the goods delivered to their location in the morning.
They finally moved away from the streets. Adira grew tired from sleeping in the open and felt grateful for the roof over her head and warm interior. The tavern they stayed at met them with all the basics they would need. The rooms were small but surprisingly clean. The ground floor had a typical bar and a kitchen with local cuisine. Adira and Galen were happy to order something freshly cooked. To their surprise, Skreetha joined their table and leaned closer whispering conspiratorially.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Humans. We must discuss what we do next. I need your help.” That was a sudden change from her usual demeanor. She addressed them without her usual haughtiness. The two hunters exchanged confused looks. “I cannot defeat Demigod myself, but together, when time for ambush is right, we can do this.”
“Wait a second. Do you want to kill your Lord?” Galen asked in confusion.
“He is not my Lord!” The arachne broke the facade of her transformation. Her natural voice hissed through with an unhinged rage. Her cheeks split apart barring the rows of sharp fangs. She scooped the skin like clay and put it back together, restoring her human image. With a deep breath, Skreetha recovered her normal voice. “He appeared at my nest and threatened to kill me. I had to pretend to be his servant to survive.”
The silence hung over their table. The sounds of the bustling tavern did not reach the trio sitting together in thought.
“We must kill him.” The arachne pressed again seeing the humans were in thought. “It must be all three of us. I will work on ambush. You will help me fight.” Adira frowned and met her eyes.
“Why? You are nothing but a monster of darkness serving your Demigod. Why should we trust you?” So far, the monster asked them to help solve her problem which they should not care about.
“You are a foolish girl! He is a real threat. To me and you. Even I know your human stories about Salgos the Lord of Darkness. Strongest Demigod rivaling Gods.”
“No.” Adira suddenly exhaled. Skreetha’s explanation struck her out of the blue. The huntress leaned back and shook her head. “He can’t be the Demigod from the legends. He is dead!”
Salgos cannot be the Lord of Darkness ruling over half of the world from Adira’s favorite bedtime story. He must be dead. There is no other way around it. Otherwise, that meant the Goddess of Light did not kill him.
“I also didn’t believe it. But that Sun Goddess appeared speaking about war between them. He chased her away.” Unfortunately, the arachne was there to witness his resurrection. Call it a gut feeling, but Adira already knew the monster was telling the truth. She still had trouble accepting that she was traveling with the most terrible Demigod in history, and even began to like him. Seeing the two humans deep in thought, Skreetha continued.
“I am in as much danger as you are. I want to weave my nest and stay out of conflict. I want to brood offspring. He treats me like I am servant. I am not!”
“The monster wants a family and peace.” Adira chuckled at her words. “How ironic that you take it from everyone else, and now you want to have it for yourself.” The girl grew irritated at the overtly unfair request. “You want a family? Tell it to the thousands of children you left without one! You wanted peace? Tell it to the thousands you killed!” The facetious lying monster was asking for their help. To have peace when she was the reason Adira never knew one.
“It was me or them!”
“Adira, stop.”
Both Skreetha and Galen spoke out together. Adira turned wide-eyed at the archer. She would never expect him to stand in her way. Seeing her confused look, the man explained.
“Now is not the time to think about the old grudges.” His words hurt like a knife stabbed in the girl’s back. She thought the man turned to some alien language because she lost any sense of what he was saying. The arachne must be their enemy. Why would he defend her?
“What side are you on now?” She asked, perplexed by his sudden turn.
“If she really wants to kill the Demigod, we must listen to what she has to say.” The old hunter looked sternly at the girl, reaffirming his words.
The young huntress did not notice when she stormed off or when she sat on her bed with her face tucked into her knees. Adira’s thoughts swirled under the blinding spite. She could not stand him anymore. He and that monster. The arachne took too many people from her life. Even Galen now sided with her.
The girl slowly raised her face with a lone tear hanging from the corner of a reddened eye. A new resolve formed inside her. She will deny Skreetha the happy end she desires. Adira will take everything from her.
The next day came quickly. The group came to the guild of hunters. A hub for the hardworking warriors to rest and exchange information. Over the years it evolved from simple taverns to places where monsters were reported and tracked. Civilians can always find help there and hire hunters. Naturally, every hunter would visit such a place. In smaller towns, the guilds were the place with the most information and news about the world.
Galen quickly engaged in a conversation, going from person to person. Adira was left with Skreetha at the entrance. The young huntress turned to watch the streets coming to life outside the window. A notable hunter in giant plate armor with spikes and ornaments engraved into his pauldrons approached the guild. As soon as he entered, he grabbed everyone's attention. Galen forced himself forward and welcomed the man with open arms.
“Regulus!”
“Galen!” They firmly shook hands smiling at each other broadly like a pair of friends who had not seen each other for ages.
“What are you here for, my man? I thought you’ve been done with the guilds and…” He lowered his voice and finished in a quiet tone. “You know… the Kingdom.”
“I am, but a need brought me here. I need to find the Flying Island.” The armored man looked at the archer at a loss for words. He double-checked Galen's face, then studied him again a third time, with a doubtful expression. Finally, he sighed, finding no evidence the man in front of him was bluffing. Regulus put his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Yes, those dungeons leave quite an impression. I also want to visit it again at least once. But why would you need to go there? Storming it alone is a suicide.”
“Good thing I am not alone.” The old hunter gestured towards Adira and Skreetha. Regulus shook his head in denial.
“No-no-no. I can understand if you want to throw your life away. But no way you are going with them!” He pointed to Adira. “This one is too young to die.” Then he moved to Skreetha. “And this one is too… pretty.”
His gaze stopped at a disguised arachne. She met him with a coquettish smile. Regulus suddenly switched gears. He approached her as if he had forgotten about the conversation with his friend. Before saying anything, the man took Skreetha’s hand and kissed it.
“My lady, I am sir Regulus, the Bright Knight. Meeting you here must be a sign of destiny.” His unshameful flirt made both Galen and Adira roll their eyes. At least the old hero expected that behavior from his friend. Still, he found himself gawking as the arachne smiled and let the man’s charm fill the air. She giggled at his advances and even blushed at his forward compliments. “What would you say if we met today in the evening? I know a place where they serve food worthy of kings. The only type you are worthy of.”
“Thank you, sir Regulus. I am afraid I have to leave the town with my friends right after we are done here.”
“Them? Please, you do not wish to get yourself killed hunting that damned place. Me and my friend Galen had tried it before. The guardians are too strong, and the whole place has no value anyway. Such a fragile and beautiful lady would not want to see it.”
“I do not break easily.” Skreetha played coy while eating the hunter with her eyes. The first time Galen saw the arachne’s charm working with his own eyes. Deciding to put an end to it, he interrupted them.
“So do you know where the Island is or not?”
“Unfortunately, no, my friend. Last I checked it was located North, moving further across the border. If nothing changed for the last couple of weeks the Island should be near Kalagora mountains, and it will move somewhere northeast.”
“Well, that’s already better than what I’ve been given here. Thanks, friend.” Galen nodded and moved towards the exit. “We’ve gotta go.”
He waved to Adira and Skreetha. Regulus was not happy with his quick escape.
“Hey. I am serious. No need to try getting there. Remember how it went last time? And these girls are both barely level 50. They are not fit for that fight. Unless you are hiding an army somewhere.”
“Don’t worry about it, Regulus. Best case, I won't need to get inside that place. I am just a guide.” He started to exit, quickly joined by Adira. “Be well, my friend.”
“Ah, idiot.” Regulus sighed with a smile as he watched the old hunter leave. He turned to the fake woman as she passed by. “I like your accent. Where are you from?”
Skreetha smiled and leaned to whisper something to the man. He nodded and they both strolled outside. Adira grimaced looking at the two. The girl still did not feel right about Galen siding with the arachne yesterday, but she had to ask.
“Can we trust him?” She looked at Galen’s friend and could not help but wonder if he was trustworthy. The warrior must be stupid to fall for such an obvious trap. Muscle brains are called that for a reason. Regulus certainly struck Adira as one.
“Of course.” He too was a witness to the dangerous conversation between the monster and the hunter. “Regulus is a good man, and he will never lie to me. He owes me his life.”
The girl nodded. At least she could trust that Galen trusted him. An awkward silence crept between them. She looked back at Regulus and Skreetha still chatting together. The huntress turned to Galen.
“Arachne will kill him if we do nothing.” The old hunter nodded. He had not left yet for the same reason.
“Yes. She is quite cunning.”
“Less reasons to support her.” Adira felt her blood boiling again, calling for action, but she restrained herself, deciding to use arguments instead. It still irked her that the monster had some sway over the hunter. In a way, Galen was deceived in the same way Regulus was just now. The archer scratched his graying beard that had grown out of hand for the past week.
“So do you want to serve the Dark Lord then?” The girl frowned. The answer was plainly obvious. Was there a trick? Before she decided on her response Galen answered his own question. “You are young, so you don’t understand politics that well. On one hand, she committed many terrible crimes that are unforgivable. On the other hand, she is the only… thing that can help us.”
Seeing that Adira was still in denial the hunter placed a hand on her shoulder, taking her attention back to his words.
“We do not forgive her. We strike together with Skreetha, and when she is no longer useful to us, we kill her.”
Adira fell into thoughts. She understood the intricate balance of the game Galen was playing. He earned the trust of the Demigod of Darkness, and he talked the arachne into trusting him, but at the same time, he was looking for an opportunity to double-cross them both.
“I never thought of you as a cunning man, Galen.” The girl eventually agreed and looked back to Regulus and Skreetha. The pair moved to a side alley giggling like teenagers.
“Life is a long path. You will learn different ways of walking it.” The old hunter nodded and hurried to the same alley. “I need to go and save my friend now.”
He caught the disguised arachne by the hand and pulled her back from the alley. Regulus was devastated, but after a quick argument, he let Skreetha and Galen go.
After hearing Galen’s plan, some of her trust in the man returned. She even blamed herself for thinking he was wrong. The girl fell behind on their way up, deep in thought. Skreetha used that opportunity to catch her alone.
“I told you, I make you regret what you said yesterday.” The monster hissed threateningly.
The huntress stiffened but did not let it show on her face. She met the eyes with arachne, seeing her real face up close always made a shiver run down her spine. The nightmare has returned, but Adira has gotten used to nightmares. Despite trembling from the raw power that Skreetha had, the girl was not going to back down today. She, for once, had the upper hand now and would not let it go to waste.
“How about you get lost instead? Or I’ll tell Salgos about your schemes and watch him deal with you.”
“You little-”
“And don’t talk to me ever again.” The girl talked over her, bluffing through her teeth, while hoping her shaking was not noticeable. She struggled to keep her composure under Skreetha’s testing gaze. Adira's heart stiffened waiting for a reply.
The arachne backed away, realizing her intimidation did not work. She hissed in disappointment.
“Since when did you stop being a pathetic prey?” The young huntress let out a breath. She will not be threatened by Skreetha again.