“YES! AND I HAVE BEEN EAGER TO ENGAGE IN GLORIOUS COMBAT EVER SINCE! IT IS THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR! IT IS THE LIFELONG WISH OF EVERY MINOTAUR!”
“Wish granted, Minos,” Sasha cautioned, bringing up her sword while the other girls tensed up as well.
Hollia slowly stepped back against the wall of debris behind her, spear shaking in her hands as she nervously eyed over the colossal beast before her. Standing on its eight legs which were as thick as tree trunks was a monster that towered over everyone by great measure, its expanse and wide foothold allowing it to stand over the gaping chasm below. It resembled an arachne, however there were many differences with it besides its overwhelming size. The legs were covered in rugged brown carapace armor. Its giant abdomen was considerably wider, however it was unusually shaped on the top, having steep flanks raised in the middle, coated with a sleek brown and black shell, and bared another distinctive difference with this monster class.
Skeletons were seen adorning the sides, almost in a decorative wreath fashion, held against the monster’s body by shimmering strands of webbing. The giant’s human half almost seemed on par with an arachne’s, however there were no hardened shells on her skin. Its gigantic breasts were covered by a mesh of webbing and small bones that had been caught in them, her arms were dressed with a few steel rings placed around them below the shoulders, her hands were scarred with ripped flesh while her nails were long and jagged. The monster’s long black hair was tangled and messy all the way down her back, her mouth had pincers sticking out from either side, and lastly there were her eyes which by themselves drew dread unto those who gazed into them.
Eyes that glowed with a haunting green and yellow light, eight eyes that were wide and menacing as the monster roared into the air with a screeching cry.
“What is that thing?” Forrus asked in disbelief. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“Drider,” Daemon answered, flexing his reptilian hand which let off a hazy cerulean glow.
“A Darker One from the deepest pits of Eden,” Mika spoke with alarm.
The drider sounded off its terrible shriek, its many legs slowly skittering along the edges of the dark chasm beneath it. The monster slowly looked around the area while shakily flexing its hands, its eyes then turning down towards Hollia as she pressed back against the wall behind her.
“Hollia, run!” Rulo shouted over.
“Where?” Hollia cried out shaking her head. “I have nowhere to run here!”
With a wailing screech the drider reached down and grabbed the centaur, paying no mind to Hollia’s screams or her striking her spear into the monster’s hand. The drider lifted the centaur up into the air overhead, its mouth opening to reveal all the razor sharp teeth inside while its mandibles snapped in anticipation for its meal. Hollia shrieked in fright with kicking legs as the monster brought her closer to her death, a fate that was averted as a blazing blue fireball struck the backside of the giant’s head. The drider flinched from the hit, paused for a moment before slowly turning around to see Daemon walking towards it, hand outstretched with a black and blue casting ring spinning before it, and demonic wings starting to emerge behind him.
“No you don’t,” Daemon scorned, eyes glowing softly while black scales began covering his arms. “She’s with me.”
The drider suddenly became riled up, quivering anxiously with a high-pitched shriek. Her abdomen began rustling as well, shaking the many skeletons fastened to it while strange, soft-spoken whistles echoed from it.
“Hollia, just hang on!” Mika called out.
Hollia looked down to the seemingly bottomless pit below, back to the drider that now appeared more focused on Daemon than anything, then screamed and resumed stabbing her spear into the monster’s hand to no avail.
“Could I possibly be given another option? Like, perhaps, someone get me down from here! My knight! Help me!”
From his back Daemon’s wings emerged and flapped behind him, the cambion’s arms shifting to their monstrous form as the man matched the piercing stare from the drider.
“Sire, be careful!” Mika called out. “That thing harvests men for their seeds with its webs! If a strand touches a man, they fall in love with that monster!”
“They fall in love with that thing?” Forrus repeated, pointing to the drider in shock. “What man could ever fall in love with something so horrible and terrifying?”
“Those cadavers on its backside are its victims,” Mika explained. “A drider ensnares a man with its web, the man falls hopelessly in love with it, and then the monster sticks the man on its abdomen where they can be harvested for their seeds by dozens of fleshy openings. The men literally fuck that thing in a trance until they die!”
The drider howled as she reached back with her free hand, the brute then swinging it forward at Daemon, launching a cascading web of glimmering silk from her fingertips towards the man.
“Master, look out!” Rulo screamed, watching in surprise as the netting expanded out towards Daemon. The cambion conjured blistering cobalt flames around his hands before holding them outward, erecting a burning casting ring before him that seared away the webbing on contact. Splitting the magic into both hands Daemon then swung down at his sides, igniting waves of flames that flared outward around him and burned away the drider’s silk. The drider snapper her hand back to ensnare and reel in her prey, failing horribly as nearly all of the monster’s netting had been incinerated to dust. From the swirling haze of cerulean flames Daemon then threw blazing fireballs at two of the drider’s legs, striking them with immense force that knocked the limbs back and off the cliff with smoke trailing behind them. The drider started to fall forward from the loss of balance, the monster quickly using her other legs to spike into the ground and anchor herself while the burned ones twitched and slowly dug back into the dirt again. Shaking her head in frustration the drider looked over her singed feet then turned her glowing eyes onto Daemon who resumed walking towards her with a chilling glare of his own.
“I’m well aware of what these things are capable of,” Daemon spoke up, halting with his stride as his arms and chest were now covered in reptilian scales while his hair began to bleed into a stark white. The giant howled at him as she lifted herself back up, one hand holding Hollia near her side while the other flexed and twitched its fingers as it prepared to try its angling trick again.
“I’ll retrieve Hollia from its grasp,” Daemon said, glancing over his shoulder at the girls. “In the meantime, show this drider what we’re capable of.”
With a fearsome roar the drider whipped its webbing towards the cambion, missing him entirely as the winged man took off into the air. Soaring upwards Daemon trailed blazing blue and black flames from his hands as he rose above the height of the towering giant, the drider flailing her sticky web at him to no avail while Hollia continued to jab the monster’s hand to no effect still.
“You heard my master,” Sasha declared, stepping forward and holding her sword out towards the lumbering spider. “Let’s send this accursed bug back to hell.”
“And just how in Eden’s name do you plan for us to do that?” Tabitha shouted at her, waving at the giant drider that blocked a few streaking fireballs with its arm as Daemon swooped around it. “Look at the size of that thing! I think it’s going to be enough of a challenge for Daemon to bring it down, what are we supposed to do to harm it?”
“We have to do something,” Mika snapped. “That thing has Hollia in its grasp and my sire in its sights. It’s not just going to leave us alone now.”
“My lord’s attacks only singed its legs,” Forrus pointed out. “His magic can knock the beast around, but it doesn’t appear to be suffering any real damage. If we’re going to bring it down we need to know where to strike, where it’s vulnerable.”
“It’s armor is thick,” Sasha agreed as she sharply watched the beast. “But every armor has its faults. Perhaps its flesh would be easier to pierce than its shell.”
“Up t
here?” Tabitha scoffed, pointing up to the drider’s human half as the monster skittered around above the chasm while swinging its webbing at Daemon. “You mean her flesh that’s way up there? Perfect, so what’s the plan? What do you want us to do, have Minos throw rocks at it?”
“Not rocks,” Rulo said, turning to Minos who was watching Daemon with an eager smile and noticeable blush on her cheeks. She blinked then noticed all the girls now looking at her.
“WHY YOU STARE AT MINOS?” she asked aloud.
“Oh no,” Tabitha dreaded, shaking her head. “You’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking, are you?”
“I’m thinking of stabbing that big bad monster,” Scay whispered to her. “Was that what you’re thinking too?”
Saffron slyly smiled as she looked over Minos before glancing up to the drider with a familiar eager and dangerous look in her eye.
“Mika,” Sasha mused with a raised eyebrow. “Position yourself to strike that drider with your best efforts once Hollia is clear of it. Minos, before you charge that thing like a wild bull as I’m sure you’re quite eager to do right now, answer me this first.”
Minos watched her curiously as the reptile girl sized up the minotaur and her muscular stature before smirking at her.
“How’s your throwing arm?”
Chapter 3
That’s a Big One
In the world of Eden, there were many different kinds of spiders one could come across. Some were tiny and harmless while others were quite venomous and deadly despite their size. And of course there were the monster variants of these eight-legged critters, with the most commonly known class being the arachne. But there was another that bared similarities to them, however was much rarer to find, which was fortunate for the humans it preyed upon. The drider monster class was indeed much more fearsome and terrifying to behold, so much so that many would gladly jump into a barrel filled with smaller, poisonous spiders instead of meeting one in person.
For only the most brave or foolish would dare stand before that particular Darker One of Eden.
*****
Standing before the burning fire pit amidst the elven camp, Daniel could easily see and feel all eyes on him as not only were his mates and new housekeepers listening to what he had to say, but so too were all the elves nearby who had just heard something rather peculiar from their revered savior. Being the focus of everyone’s attention, Daniel remembered back to past instances where he stood before a crowd of those he wished to pass his beliefs onto. The councilwomen of Edgewood and Triska’s mother; the ant girls and Queen Victoria; the witches of Rystone with their alpha, Charlotte; the giant butterflies of Flairwood with their monarch, Florence; and now the elven community of Green Haven that resided in the barren remains of the centaur kingdom Ruhelia. Though each time in the past he was challenged, and often belittled, for explaining his purpose for this journey and dream of establishing peaceful ties between humans and monsters of Eden, Daniel remained resolute in the face of adversity and the incredible odds stacked against him. Whether alone or in the company of his lovely mates, Daniel had always found the courage within to speak his views with unwavering confidence and hope for a better future.
This time, however, there was something noticeably different for Daniel. Perhaps it was his growth as a wise visionary through his travels. Maybe it was knowing his loved ones were near which helped give him courage. Or it could have been that, unlike the previous encounters in the past, Daniel was now standing before an entire community of women and children, monsters in fact, that bared no ill will towards him in the slightest right from the start. Daniel could see the adoration in the eyes of every elf around him. He could feel their genuine appreciation for him already greatly standing. And a strange sense of safety was felt, knowing that an entire army of elven archers surrounded him and those he loved, and would very likely shoot anything dead that dared attack him without so much as batting an eyelash. All in all, Daniel felt the odds were tipped in his favor on this night, despite the sacrifices endured by both parties that led them to this meeting, and considered his words very carefully as he wanted to leave nothing to chance with swaying the elves towards a better Eden for all.
“You’re all monsters,” Daniel called out, earning surprised looks from everyone as the crowd was paralyzed with a stunned hush. “You’re all evil, wicked, lustful, uncontrollable monsters who only live to rape humans, kill humans, and lay waste to any hopeful future anyone could begin to dream of. Your very existence gives children nightmares, your very name sends chills down the peoples’ spines, and each and every single one of you is a blight upon this otherwise wonderful world.”
His mates stared at him in complete shock with lowered jaws and wide eyes. The elves were rendered speechless as they were unable to even move in the face of his declaration. Only the crackling of the fire, Snapper’s chomping teeth, and the inaudible murmurs of the elven community behind them could be heard as Daniel slowly surveyed all the horrified looks he was receiving.
“That… I did not expect him to say,” Felucia finally said.
“Why would he say that?” Luna whimpered. “What is he doing?”
“What the hell, Daniel?” Specca faintly uttered. “Why would you tell them that?”
“That’s what humans everywhere think of you,” Daniel continued. “That’s what humans everywhere think of the centaurs. Of the witches. Of the giant butterflies. Of all monsters in Eden. To humans, you’re no better or different than the vile creatures who attacked your home and killed your priestess. You’re a plague. You’re a menace. You’re all horrible demons from the deepest pits of hell.”
“Oh… my…” Doku breathed out in surprise.
“Those aren’t very nice words,” Cindy frowned.
“Please tell me this is going somewhere,” Alyssa nervously said as she noticed some of the elves starting to recover from the initial shock and show angry looks towards him.
“That’s what humans think of you,” Daniel said, then shook his head with a small smile. “But not me. I don’t see you that way. In fact, I don’t see a single monster anywhere here in this land tonight.”
Hearing that the elves again showed puzzlement to his words while his mates were exchanging curious looks.
“Let it be known to everyone here on this night, that I absolutely hate the word monster,” Daniel called out. “I heard that word all my life, spoken by my people and elders, always in the same manner. How monsters are the scourge of Eden, how monsters only live to rape and kill, how monsters are horrible looking creatures, how you and every race except humanity are just accursed demons in this world. And let me tell you, that word no longer holds true meaning, because humans don’t understand what real monsters are.”
“I think he’s starting to bring it around again,” Falla said as she saw the nasty looks in the crowd vanishing while all ears continued to listen closely.
“You’re not monsters,” Daniel decisively stated. “None of you are monsters. You’re simply women and children of Eden, who only wish to survive and let future generations see and experience what real beauty and wonder is in the world. You’re mothers, who only wish to raise your children right. You’re daughters, brought into this world just as all living beings are. You’re elders, who have lived full lives with hundreds and hundreds of experiences to share and appreciate. You may be elves, you may not be human, but that doesn’t make you monsters.”
“But… we are monsters,” an elf slowly spoke up.
“No you’re not,” Daniel firmly countered. “Monsters are creatures who truly do wish to bestow pain and suffering unto others. Monsters are wicked beasts who kill and rape people for both survival and fun. Monsters are what the likes of The Sisterhood stand for; complete anarchy and disregard for all life. You. Are. Not. Them.”
“But we are-” an elf started to say before Daniel sharply waved his arm in protest.
“No!” he shouted, silencing the women around him. “I know what monste
rs are. I’ve studied them my entire life. I’ve seen the agony they leave in their wake. I’ve seen the fear they instill in the eyes of others. I’ve seen what they do to people, to both humans who they treat as nothing more than seed-sacks and to other races who they view as dirt beneath their feet. I’ve faced them in person, witnessed their evil ways and aspirations unfolding before my very eyes. I know what true monsters are like, and I don’t mean just the Darker Ones in this world. I’ve seen these malevolent spirits and what it is they want. And I can tell you all right now, I know for a fact that none of you are monsters.”
The elves looked around at each other in confusion from his words while his mates regained themselves after the initial scare from his speech.
“You’re not monsters,” Daniel said, walking towards the crowd with a caring smile. “At least, you don’t have to be. That’s why I’ve come here. That’s why I’ve journeyed all across this region in search of people like you. That’s why I’m out here in the world to begin with. To tell you, to tell you all, that things don’t have to continue as they have for us. We don’t have to be enemies. We don’t have to fight each other to survive. We don’t have to continue the endless cycle of violence and bloodshed that our ancestors have forged in the history books. We don’t have to, if you will at least consider what I have to say.”
“What are you talking about?” a ranger asked, slowly shaking her head. “What… who in Eden are you, really?”
“My name is Daniel Sorres,” he announced, stepping back and surveying the elves who huddled even closer so more of their people could listen to their unique savior. “I come from a faraway village named Edgewood, tucked deep in the northwestern mountains of this land. My purpose here is the same as it was for other races that I’ve encountered on my journey beforehand, and for the many more to come as I wish to propose something very important to both humans and differing races alike all over the world.”
“And what is that?” an elf wondered.
Chronicles of Eden - Season II - Act II Page 7
