A Web of Rage

I can’t say this shining knight was the best conversationalist. Not that I really wanted to have someone to talk to anyway; I went on my trip specifically to avoid such frivolities, but if I was walking with someone, it felt awkward, only leaving silence. No matter what I said, however, I was answered with cryptic riddles or nonsense statements that offered me nothing useful. I asked what this forest was, what people were doing here, and even about that lake that I apparently could have gotten trapped at and received nothing of use in return.

Eventually, I figured it was best to give up, not only for the sake of my sanity in the nonsense conversation but also due to the appearance of webs on the edges of our treeline pathway. It seemed more shit was about to come my way cause an easy life was too much to ask for, I guess.

The Knight of Whatevermore also noticed the increasingly darker atmosphere and increased white, stringy webs. He drew his sword and pointed at the one to my waist. I tugged on it a couple of times in a dramatic manner before throwing my hands up.

“Best to be careful, then,” the shining knight said. He pulled a dagger from a compartment in his arm and handed it pommel end to me. Much as I wanted to refuse, the more we walked, the darker it got. I wasn’t stupid enough to stay without any protection and pulled the blade close to my chest.

As the woods grew darker, I heard the thunder roll from afar. If not for my knight friend’s gaudy armor, we would not have had much for a source of light. Though I wasn’t above considering how ridiculous making him a walking lightbulb was. I moved behind him and followed several steps back. Soon, voices that sounded like shouting filled the space in between thunder booms.

The narrow pathway burst open, and we beheld a gigantic mess of webs. Scattered about were people who screamed and shouted at their neighbors, flailing any parts that were not bonded to the webbing. I saw one person waving a free fist at another, accidentally smashing it into the web and becoming completely stuck in place, though that didn’t stop any vigor in the shouting.

The knight took a couple steps closer to a nearby person and attempted to get their attention. No effort to look his way was given. He waved his empty hand; his sword was firm in his other, but the people bonded to the web continued their shouts without care.

I took one step closer, but at that moment, the shining knight suddenly thrust into the air. I watched as his bright armor flew through the sky, then broke with the line of upward trajectory to fall somewhere high in the treeline of this area. I fell back, mostly in shock, but managed to avoid a web that slammed into the ground where my feet were. Of course, it was a spider, I was not in the least bit surprised, but I was very annoyed. Another shot of web landed on my newly acquired armor, and it bounced off without sticking. It still felt like a punch to the chest, though. Through my pain, I went from a crawl to pushing into a sprint. A screech from above caused me to stop before the thing lurked down.

It wasn’t just a spider, it was freaking massive! Giant with a black body and beady red eyes. The thing made my skin crawl just by sight, and when it screeched, I fell to one knee. The beast made a thud as it landed on the ground, and I knew in an instant I had to get anywhere but this spot. I ran toward the webs and ducked underneath as the fangs snapped at my back.

Perhaps it didn’t want to break the webs since it didn’t pursue me underneath, but hopped on top and skittered after just behind me. I ran, but it was hopeless. I wasn’t going to lose the thing, and once it found a spot to snatch me through, it would. It might have already found such an opportunity for all I knew and simply wanted to toy with me. Either way, I had to find the shining knight, or I would find out what it was like to be spider food.

Some folks trapped in the web stopped shouting as the beast trampled over them, and perhaps it was enough of a shock that they began to scream differently. Soon, the dread of hundreds of people chased after me along with the spider. To say it unnerved me would be an understatement, but I wasn’t about to stop and join them.

Eventually, I found where the webs seemed to go upwards, surrounding what must have been a very old tree. The light of the knight radiated from above but was soon snuffed out by a spider above me. I thought I heard him shout from above to strike, which probably was a fantasy, but I yelled and drove the dagger at the bug instead.

“You filthy insect!”

Of course, I missed; my blade was too short, and it looked like I was trying to strike a dramatic pose instead. I backed up and fell down as large fangs closed where my head just was. I swallowed, bracing for the final blow, but instead, the spider roared and turned upward. I could see a shiny sword barely sticking out in its large backside. It shook the blade free and crawled up the tree to the bright dot of a knight above.

“That idiot dropped his sword?” I could barely believe it; what kind of supposed warrior was I traveling with? This was it; I was sure to die without a chance of any aid.