Hello, young traveler.

The voice was refined and calm.

Everything I was not.

My instincts were to respond.

Yet, I knew that anything I said would matter. That this whole dialogue tree was played out and led to the root of the issue; that me and this foe would fight to the death.

Well, my death if I were to be slain.

His, momentary one, as he joins the void and is reborn again, at another time and place. Whenever it is that the realm deems fit.

Whatever story the realm wishes to unfold.

We are all pawns in the game of the realm..

Pieces in a story moving of its own accord.

Yet, I humored myself and the system, and responded with:

Hello, young prince.

I hope that my slaying of your allies does not disturb you.

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

His eyes, all tens of them, stared me down as he said:

Actually, I don't' mind.

My people are a populous bunch. We breathe and breed. You're welcome to slaughter a thousand more for all I care.

All that matters are those of the crimson blood, the ones who rule, the ones who take the shape of what you call "man".

He sneered or grinned or frowned. Whatever it was, was hidden behind his strange features. As if trying so desperately to be both man and spider, instead left him an abomination that rests in-between.

Anything that lies in-between is always hideous, for beautiful things know what they are; and more importantly- what they are not.

In life we cannot choose to be more than one thing, when we spread ourselves too thin, we are left with something lacking an identity.

Like this creature who has lost his form.

He is both man and spider but doesn't seem to keep the strengths of both.

His limbs told of a person of the realm, yet his face was that of an arachnid followed by the wings of legs that sprouted from his back in all directions.

A terrifying sight.

One fit for the role of monster that he plays.

Preparing my blade, easing my stance. I realized that there was a purpose to this meaningless conversation...my cooldowns were returning.

So, I continued to talk.

So, your death will be all that matters.

Royalty are all the same.

The leaders care only for those with power, never those who are lead.

He laughed.

This was a quality that seems to transcend monster and human. Something as obvious as a cheerful laugh in a tormented land.

An ultimate juxtaposition.

How lychian, I thought.

His eyes, all fifty of them, seemed full of glee as he clutched at his multiple stomachs and laughed a hearty laugh.

As if I was funny.

As if the situation wasn't dire.

My blood began to boil and my steeled heart began to wilt.

I was the fool.

That was my part.