Arachne

 

I learn that we are located in one of the innermost parts of a gigantic structure which they call the sanctuary.

She informs me that there are some precautions against fires with the fine threads which make up the walls.
For example, some are drenched.
There's even an underground river she shows me was made so that it separates the structure.
At some points, they simply left the space free, so that fire can't spread on the stone.
She seems very concerned about this, which is understandable when you imagine how the walls would start to burn.

Also, I sometimes get startled when we encounter stray spiders on our way.
I became especially frightened when there was one as big as a dog.
Talisa could possibly become far bigger, yet I instantly threw myself at her face first.
It took just a wink of hers and the monster left at a fast speed.
She looked quite delighted and stroked my hair till I could walk again.

The farther we go the rougher the surface of the wall becomes.
Now it is visible that they are made of thread.

 

"I thought this room might interest you! And I wanted to go first to the outskirts. Ironically most of the spiders are located at the entrances and not in the inner sanctuary, so we can directly head back after this." (T)

 

Well, if we can get away from the spiders as fast as possible then I'm glad.
She leads me again to a point at the wall.
This time I can see that there is a room behind the web, as crude as it is.

 

"Eritu showed you how the doorways work, right? You should try it yourself." (T)

 

I am a bit anxious, but there should be nothing that could go wrong.
She guides my hand to the door.

 

"Let me explain it in a little bit more detail. You put your nail in here at the door like this. Then you follow the string from the door to the point where they gather. We want to open it, so pull the vertical ones." (T)

 

When I pull I feel a small resistance, yet at short notice, the door spreads itself apart.
We enter through the now quite large opening.

Inside there is... "stuff".
Sorry, I don't know how else to describe it.
It's a vast collection of random goods.
From furniture to tools, to things you can just consider trash, everything is here assembled.

 

"It might be a bit disordered, but I thought you would like to get some commodities. Or maybe you would like some other things? We let our brood bring everything they find with a human scent to this place since there is often something interesting among them. Kyroki for example is very fond of dolls, while Akasia has a fascination for tableware and Eritu takes all the brushes for her familiars. I think at least a chest and a wardrobe might be good for you." (T)

 

It's strange to learn about the private life of entities who are to me terrifying monsters.
I can search around this place that looks like a dump.
Nonetheless, there are some things that still look good.

I manage to find a wooden chest that looks usable, without too much mold.
There was also a wardrobe, but it was too damaged.
Yet, close to the end I find a small treasure, in the form of a slightly cracked mirror.
Despite the broken glass, it's still usable.
So for the first time since this happened to me, I can take a look at my face.
.
.
.

I cannot recognize this person.
Besides the new hair color and my pale skin, it seems my features became more delicate.
There might be a hint of who I was before, but it's distant.

Yet more importantly, my eyes weren't deep violet before.
I'm glad they aren't black, but that happened when Talisa transformed and might include me as well.
This view is a bit disturbing, nonetheless, this mirror is something precious.

 

"You can just put this piece into your box. I will arrange that it will be brought to your room. And for a wardrobe, it might be better to spin you a new one." (T)

 

She's going to make a web in the form of a wardrobe?

While we are heading out I ask:

 

"Can you really sew that fast?" (N)

"You might have forgotten, but I'm still a spider! So this is my proficiency. You still don't know how to make your own webs, right? If you have time I will show you how to produce and use your own silk." (T)

 

I know she wants to be considerate of me, but this sounds so disturbing much like things spiders do when they have time to spend.
And I still can't bring myself to say that I am one.

So I stay silent.

Yet suddenly the silence gets broken in a very disturbing way.
I hear a voice.

 

"I can smell it! It's here! Sniff. Close! Sniff, sniff. The scent is unknown. Or? Sniff. No, no, it isn't. Sniff. I think I'm familiar with it. Isn't it..."

 

This creepy voice which rambles nonstop about finding the scent's source as if it would be her prey draws closer.

 

"I'm sure I'm nearly there! I can almost taste it. Sniff. So close! I know what it is. I remember..."

 

I feel frightened as I can more and more fathom that she is talking about me while she comes closer.
I feel that there is no way to run and she's almost here.

 

"It's... YOU!!!"

 

I hear a shout and perceive something rushing in my direction.
Before I know what is going on, I lose contact with the ground.

 

"Sister!!!"

 

A girl has embraced me and holds my body aloft.

She's a bit larger than average, while I am shorter.
Her hair is a disheveled blond, kept at neck length and her eyes are a light brownish-red.
Since I can assume what she is, her rough look and utility clothing is a surprising contrast to the other Arachnes.
Arachnea?
Arachni?

Whatever, the most distinguishing feature of hers is that out of her mouth two strange tooth-like, black objects are protruding.
Since I am far closer than I want to be, I see how they are dripping some greenish liquid, so I think these are poisonous fangs.

Yet she cuddles me against herself.

 

"Sister! I am so happy to get to know you. I mean, we spent time together when you were in your cocoon, but I guess that doesn't count. But I'm so happy we can meet now. And you look healthy! I'm so happy!"

"Masiabi! Didn't I tell you to approach her with care?" (T)

"But she's here and I couldn't wait any longer!" (M)

 

Even for someone being taller than me, she's amazingly strong, so I have no way to escape her grasp.
Those fangs make me extremely nervous, as I feel that a deadly weapon is pointed in my direction.

 

"Could you let go of her? She's startled!" (T)

"Just a moment longer!" (M)

 

Help!
Please!

She is holding me tight and presses my body against her side.

 

"My sister!" (M)

"S-sister?" (N)

 

From where did she get that we are related?

 

"Oh! Haven't you explained to her yet, Talisa?" (M)

 

She turns to Talisa while still maintaining her far too-tight embrace and presses my face against her cheek.

 

"We had more serious issues than this until now." (T)

"More serious!!?" (M)

 

She sounds very exasperated.

 

"There is nothing more serious than telling her that we are now sisters by blood!" (M)

 

What!?!
When did that happen?
I am sure I would have known about giant monster spiders in my family.

 

"Preventing her suicide was a bit higher on my list!" (T)

 

She isn't denying it!?

 

"Fine then... now tell her!" (M)

 

She settles herself sitting down against the wall.
WHILE STILL HOLDING ME!

She forces me to sit on her lap and presses my head against her chest directing us at Talisa.

 

"And you really think this will soothe her?" (T)

 

No!
No, this isn't soothing me!

 

"Why not? We are just having some skinship! This is nice! And she isn't complaining." (M)

"That might be because she's scared stiff." (T)

 

That's exactly the point!

 

"Nah, we are just bonding right now, so don't dim this moment and tell her!" (M)

 

How deep can you live in your own world?

 

"You are such a blockhead, but if you promise to let her go after this. Okay, try to listen now Nerysi, even if you're currently occupied. For the changing serum, it seems that Kyroki used a mix of the essence from each of us sisters. And I really don't know how she got mine. So in fact this brings your body as close to us five as possible. And because of that Masiabi sees you as a blood-related sister, since to be true we share the same blood." (T)

 

I'm very sure this is not the way you would usually make a new family member, yet I also can't completely deny that logic.
This might be outrageous, but all the other things that piled up had quite an impact on me until now.
So I've gotten a little numb to this kind of revelation.

Nonetheless, I might look very perplexed.
If you could notice it through the panic because the other one still cuddles me.

 

"Masiabi! You said you would let her go now. Why are you so eager? It's not like you had no sisters before." (T)

"Mmhm, this is more pleasant! When I would try this with Kyroki she would paralyze me with her poison to get rid of me. Akasia would burn after some time in my arms. And when I engage Eritu her familiars get all agitated and aggressive. And about you, I don't need to get started." (M)

 

So I'm convenient, defenseless, and an easy target?!

 

"And isn't she cute?" (M)

 

My eyes form a pleading "help me".

 

"Stop, right there! This is enough! If you let her go I’ll make a deal with you." (T)

 

She ponders a moment, but then her grip loosens.
I crawl away immediately and hide behind Talisa.
I am safe now, but what was that about a deal?

 

"And now?" (M)

"Sigh, fine! You know I was busy showing Nerysi around. However, I have some work to take care of. So if you promise not to engage her like you just did I would let you take over. Just take care not to go to places with too many of our brood and keep them away from her. Is this acceptable?" (T)

 

Her face is practically beaming with joy, but not mine.

I've got sold out!

 

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! A stroll with my sister. Awesome! This will be so nice!" (M)

 

I cannot trust anyone here!
Like this Talisa circles me in a fluid movement and leaves me completely exposed in the open.
She leaves with a wink and a smile.
TRAITOR!

 

Now I remain alone with the girl with the fangs.
I wonder why her smile looks so terrifying to me.

In fear, I slowly retreat step by step, not trying to provoke her predator-like demeanor.
It doesn't work.

In the blink of an eye, she crosses the distance between us and now holds my hand, giving me a cheerful smile.
Which gets messed up by the fact that the fangs are continuously dripping venom.

Of all the Arachnae I encountered until now, she is the one who shows her inhuman nature the most.
She feels aggressive, ready to jump at her prey at any moment, in this case me, and now she holds my hand to take me with her.

Help me!