“Dwarven artillery and weaponry tend to be some of the most advanced and refined defensive armament around because of one simple fact. For centuries, they have struggled tirelessly against the Echoes that reside below. Where other races might have truces or lull in the fighting. For dwarves, everyday heralds with it a new battle, a new wave of monstrosities hurtle towards their cities. This is what heralded the development of their clockwork artillery. With no real war mages and only a limited amount of rune wielders that they loathed to risk, they needed more devastating weapons to counter the darkness. In that, they’ve turned to steel and science to guide them...”


    - Major Krensell Highwicke, Arterian Military Scholar, “The World Beyond Magic - Mechanical Warfare”


    <hr><hr>


    The dozen souls, including the duo, made their way carefully down the side of the rocky out cropping. To Sophie’s great relief, the path involved far less climbing than expected and was more of a really steep road downwards with occasional breaks in between. Here, Aryana’s time living up in the Frostwind’s came to shine. The redhead expertly navigated the terrain without breaking a sweat, and for the first time in a while, Sophie found herself being the one who was being led. Even the dwarves seemed to have their estimations of the girl get raised by her swift and surefooted movements. Sophie felt a tinge of pride surge within her as she noticed a few of the warriors looked at Aryana with approval.


    Sophie, on the other hand, struggled to keep up. She ensured every foot was firmly planted before moving forward, looked at every ledge with wariness. She was the slowest of the bunch, and the two dwarves behind her constantly grumbled about the ‘flat-foot’. Light dustings of loose rocks and dirt shifted under her. Her mood however, picked up as she noticed the end was drawing close, the light of dwarven torches flickering just around the corner.


    Thud


    A loud noise was accompanied by sounds of rocks scattering, and soon the shouts of dwarves.


    “Up there!”


    “Watch out!”


    “Crossbows!”


    A series of concerned voices echoed.


    Sophie’s heart dropped when she heard the clinking of metal, the sounds of a battle about to begin as archers took up their positions. The people ahead of her, Aryana included, also sped up, powering through the rest of the path without taking a look behind them. Instinct having taken over as they caught sight of whatever threat now lurked nearby.


    “Over here, come on!” Crunak’s voice roared.


    “Easy, easy.”


    “Careful now.”


    “It’s not moving, hurry up!”


    More dwarven voices called out.


    She felt them before she saw them. The feeling of being watched now reaching a crescendo as she rounded the corner. The path led for about a hundred more meters, taking them from rocky outcrop to skinny bridge that could barely fit one person standing abreast. In single file, the others began racing across, allowing Sophie a chance to see the dwarves on the other side aiming crossbows up and to the right. Following their aim, she paled as she noticed what had panicked the dwarves. A brown-black chitin covered spider sat on the ceiling, all it’s horrid eyes trained directly on her as the house sized body shuffled to match her movements.


    Giant elongated legs, tapped almost silently on the cavern walls, the massive maw of a louth flanked by its pedipalps, the creature looking almost eager. Torchlight reflected off it’s jet black eyes, the creature''s bulbous body quivered in anticipation and Sophie’s will was instantly sapped as it gazed hungrily at her. Noting how it didn’t seem to react to the flurry of activity from the dwarves, she had the sinking feeling that she hadn''t imagined anything, that it really was watching her. Hells.


    Confused yells and hisses collided with instructions as the dwarves seemed uncertain what to do. Most had their weapons trained towards it and though they seemed ready to fire, they didn’t.


    “Shoot!” Sophie wanted to yell, her heart racing as the creature stared her down. Yet, try as she might, she could neither shout nor move. Her neck crawled with the awful reminders of Eichafen, her skin growing clammy from the presence of an ethereal fog. Her hairs stood on end as she recalled the tiny creature that skittered across the back of her neck, equally terrified.


    “Sophie, stop spacing out!” Ary yelled pleadingly. Huh? Ary? Ah! Shit! Focus Soph! Come one!


    “Twig! Stop standing still, get over here while that thing’s still just watching. We won’t get another chance!’ Uldren’s gruff voice rumbled.


    Sophie looked back at the creature, meeting its gaze as it stared at her. A dozen dark eyes stared at her as the gangly monster simply waited. Chills shot down her spine at the inaction of the massive being, It’s pedipalps seemed to be gesturing towards her comrades, towards the voices that it cared little for and over the tiny pathway. It dared her forward, it’s sublte movement’s almost saying ‘try it and see what happens’. Sophie shuddered.


    She was lost, trapped between two nightmares and a memory. Her unprocessed suffering and pain resurfacing from the depths in which she had long buried them. She had simply brushed everything behind her, kept pushing forward in order to flood her mind with new experiences. Yet, despite suppressing them, the sight of such a foe had petrified her.


    She was back on the tower, lurching unsteadily at the wind whipped against her face. The blood red sky hanging above the lonely town. Monsters roamed the streets as the relentless onslaught pushed forwards. Winged demons, mutants, amalgamations poured from every crack and crevice. Her body tensed in reaction to the images in her mind, her body bracing itself for the eventual impact. The moment of terminal velocity before the pain, then the nothingness.


    It had all been a nightmare, a simulated memory made by the entity. Yet, it had felt so real. Except now, the creatures that sent her plummeting would not be winged monstrosities, but the the ever more eager spider that waited for her to move.


    “Lass, move!” One of the dwarves behind her snapped, “We got to go!”


    Sophie emphatically shook her head, choosing to squeeze herself against the cliffside and gesturing for them to go. If I just stay here, maybe it might just wander away? No, of course not, it was looking at me. But why? Unless… could it be because I’m an anomaly, taking the mana away from here?


    “Wha… are ye fecking crazy? Ye tryin ta wait it out or something? Go!” The dwarf growled.


    Sophie gulped, her panic slowly rising the longer she stood still. Sweat formed on her brows and she turned all the noise into an unintelligible cacophony of sound. The dwarves behind urging her forward, the ones in front yelling for her to hurry. It was only when her eyes met Ary’s now panicking expression that she knew she had to snap out of her own mind. Taking a deep breath, she steeled her nerves and clenched her mouth tightly shut. Without warning she started to dash across the gap. I can’t have her worrying about me. I’m the one who’s supposed to worry about…oh? Sophie was about half way across, when she faltered, the chittering of the monster now distinctively audible to her. With just the briefest turn of her head, she looked at the monster for a second, finding an almost amused expression on its terrifying face as it sat with its massive spinneret pointed at her. Huh?


    “Sophie!” Ary’s voice called out in alarm.


    By the time she looked back at Ary, she found herself lurching forward as a hail of bolts flew from the dwarven lines. Her vision then shifted to the ground when a sharp bout of pain reverberated all around her skull. Stunned, she lost her balance and tumbled off the bridge, watching with absolute befuddlement at her current predicament. Her body then slammed against the pathway’s supporting struts, the vibrations sending an aching pain all throughout her body. She gasped in agony as the impact sent her flying before she slammed into it again.


    Her legs burned as her body slowly realized what was happening. The spider had wrapped her boots in a sticky and slimy web, tying her up to that section of the pathway. Weakened by the initial blows, Sophie reached for her sword when she froze, her eyes catching a glimpse of the spider as it seemed to arch downwards, ready to pounce.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    “Fire! Stonefather preserve us! Fire at will and use the runes!” Uldren shouted.


    “Aim for the the eyes, the eyes!” Another called out.


    The distinctive thunk of crossbows firing gave her some hope. Sophie hurriedly try to cut herself loose, managing to pull out her sword and hack at the strands entangling her when a shadow appeared above her. Before she could react, her world began spinning as the spider landed on the pathway, it’s massive gangly legs wrapping itself all around the bridge. To her right, she spied one of the dwarves that were behind her being impaled by one of it’s legs. The monster barely reacting as it scraped him off using the bridge like he was unwelcome dirt. With barely a scream, the dwarf fell into the darkness below.


    Spurred on by the fear of falling, Sophie moved to cut herself free and whimpered. Staring directly down at her was the spider. It’s fuzzy pedipalps, giant black eyes and sickly brown-black chiton faced her down with a sense of utter dominance. The creature’s head alone already dwarfing her as it ignored the bevy of bolts now sticking out of its body, the sickly ichor flowing from the wounds only making it look more menacing.


    Desperate, Sophie lunged upwards, trying in vain to plunge the sword into the monster. It reeled back, almost smiling with its unfeeling eyes when it loomed over her. There was a second of utter stillness as the two regarded each other, the morsel and the hunter. Then the monster began rocking the bridge, sending Sophie lurching back and forth as more bits and pieces of masonry began to collapse. Fully panicking, Sophie drew up every last reservoir of strength to push herself upwards, ignoring the bits of stone dust coating her face. With a roar, she pulled up just enough to land a strike in, thrusting her blade into one of its eyes.


    The spider let out a horrified shriek and Sophie regretted things almost immediately. Enraged, the creature violently jerked backwards, the sheer force exerted ripping Sophie out of the webs but almost dislocating both her legs. Excruciating pain numbed her body as she landed atop the spider, a death grip on the hilt of her blade which now rested in the spider’s eye. Exhausted, she tried to orientate herself when the spider let out a shrill cry, deafening her. She turned in time to see Aryana’s pained but horrified face peering over a ledge. Then came the realisation that she still held onto the blade. A blade that that creature took advantage of to jump off the path with.


    Air lashed against her face as the light above sudden grew dimmer. The cavern walls passing her by at an incredible rate as the shrieking of the spider assailed her hearing. Fear seized her every fiber of her being as a single thought began occupying her mind. We’re falling.


    <hr><hr>


    “Sophie!” Aryana screamed as she watched her partner fall.


    Her heart twisted itself together and her breathing stilled. Fear, terror, and despair coiled within her in equal measure when her gaze met Sophie’s own and she watched the bewildered half elf hurtling into the darkness below. She reached out for Sophie, stretching herself as far as she could, but it was no use. The girl was too far away and falling far too fast.


    “Sophie!” She cried out.


    “Tals! Nooo! Twiglet! Shit!” Uldren shouted as he too peered into the chasm beside her.


    “Mesurn, get your ass across the bridge, now! Before anything else comes!” Crunak shouted from beside them.


    The last dwarf on the other side needed no encouragement as he clambered across the pathway. A few more bolts were fired into the darkness in a vain attempt reengage the creature, but even the dwarves knew that was for naught. They were too far gone into the darkness.


    Aryana slumped down against a rock as despair slowly started to set in. Disaster seemed to follow Sophie like a plague and this time was no different. Perhaps the only consolation prize she had to keep her from breaking down was the fact that Sophie wouldn’t die in the traditional sense. Still, when she imagined the pain that Sophie would have to endure, she instinctively winced in solidarity.


    Her despair morphed into guilt as her teeth ground together, her fists balling up with disappointment in herself. If Sophie was her knight, then she would be the healer who supported her. But she had to be worthy, had to lead her fair champion. And she had failed. In her moment of panic, she left Sophie behind, scrambling for safety even when the elf froze in fright. Now, she’s down there. Is she even alive? She can’t die but what if she gets eaten? Or wrapped up in a cocoon? How could she even escape them? Oh spirits, what have I done? I should’ve held onto her hand… I didn’t even notice… I didn’t even notice she lagged behind. Spirits forgive me. I didn’t notice…


    “Sophie…” Aryana let out a soft, mournful howl, “Come back.”


    Her mood only plummeted further when she recalled how Sophie had protected her before. From when they met to her being kidnapped by orcs, Sophie had been there to help. Without her protector and partner beside her, Aryana suddenly felt more vulnerable than ever. She shivered at the sensation and felt a deep sense of unease creep into her soul. Sophie… I’m sorry. I’ll come get you, I promise. So wait for me. Please don’t be hurt. Spirits above, please protect her.


    She looked down helplessly at her own hands. She didn’t know what to do. If she was Sophie, she would simply dash head first into the darkness, through the hells and back. She would fight what needed to be fought, struggle however she could, and emerge battered but victorious. That was her knight, her protector. And it wasn’t her. She was just Aryana. She could hunt, grow crops, maybe make some alchemical medicines. She wasn’t a hero, and because of that she was afraid. Afraid to lose Sophie, afraid to peer into the dark, and afraid of pain. But I have to be strong, if not for myself then for her.


    “The hells was that? That damned eight legged bastard!” Crunak growled.


    “Doesn’t matter now, our package is gone with it.” Uldren tutted. He took a deep heavy breath and peered over the edge, his brow furrowing as he stroked his beard. “It’s a recovery mission now. Still have to get her to the city, even if it’s a corpse.” He scowled


    “No!” Aryana yelled, startling the dwarves.


    “Lassie?” Uldren asked with a tinge of concern.


    “She’s not dead! Don’t write her off!”


    A few of the dwarves shifted uneasily, most turning to Uldren who seemed to rue being the leader of the troop. For he was given the task of speaking to the surfacer and the furrowed brow on his face suggested less than positive thoughts swirled in his mind. Seeing that, Aryana looked around to find herself feeling very alone, trapped in a unfamiliar land with an unfamiliar people.


    “Listen, a fall like that… if she isn’t dead, she’s at least shattered all her bones by this point.” He grunted, “Look, we have to be realistic about this. I know it might be tough to believe, but-”


    “No! I know she’s alive. Believe me, it’s…” Aryana faltered, the words choking up in her mouth. I… I’m not allowed to reveal anything, am I? But she… she could also be… injured.


    “Lass. I know it''s tough, we''ve all lost people before. But we''re in the deep now, all we can do is save the mourning for later. There’s nothing we can do but search for her body.”


    “But…”


    “Look. I know you care about twig-er, So… Sophie? That’s her proper name, right?”


    Aryana scowled. They don''t even know her name.


    “We’ll find her body, or at least try our best, alright? Besides, we still have to account for that damned spider.”


    “Damned spider!” Crunak raged off handedly, the dwarf having paid little attention to the conversation at large. “The fuck was it doing.”


    “Aye. There’s that to deal with too.” Uldren sighed, taking the opportunity to pivot from Aryana, “So give us a bit lass. We’ll think of something.”


    “You’ll think of something?! You guys didn’t even shoot it when it showed up!” Aryana roared, her body trembling with rage, “You just let it get her!”


    “We did shoot it!”


    “Only when it was too late! It was practically ready to jump when you shot.” She snapped, the dwarf wincing a little at the accusation.


    “That’s because it was a weird one.”


    “Oh? And that somehow makes it better? That the giant spider was weird?”


    “Lass!” Uldren roared, “Of course I’m not saying it makes it better. One of ours died too!”


    The fury in the dwarf’s eyes temporarily cowed her. That they too had lost a member cooled her own fire, the guilt trickling in back instead of anger.


    “But the bloody thing was acting weird.” He continued, far more calmly.


    “Aye. The damned abomination shouldn’t have done… well any of that.” Crunak mused.


    “Well it did!” Aryana grumbled, peering despondent over the ledge.


    “That it did. But what I meant was, that’s abnormal behaviour. The rockcrawlers, the spider, they usually stalk their prey. Even then, they usually avoid lights, loud noises and definitely bolts. This one…” Crunak paused, holding onto his beard contemplatively, “This one looked… errr… looked…”


    “Possessed?” Uldren suggested.


    “Aye. Possessed. Like it had a single minded focus. On ye friend specifically. I mean, we all saw how it barely reacted to anything, aye?”


    Most of the dwarves nodded in agreement, casting doubtful looks at where the spider was, as if still disbelieving everything that had just happened. A few however, had turned to regard Aryana with almost apologetic eyes and she buckled under the attention. For she knew his words made sense, because even she had thought the spider was acting strangely. It had been weirdly passive when they pelted it with noise and bolts, only when it raised its spinneret did it explode into a flurry of action. And took Sophie...


    Yet this brought up another problem, because it meant that someone or something, was actively targeting Sophie. The dwarves seemed just as confounded by the events but Aryana had a sudden thought. What if this was a ploy by the inquisition to get rid of her? It would make sense, considering unlike Eva or the other Vaettagh, she isn’t directly dealing with one of the church peoples. Would be very easy for them to deny everything if we get killed in the caves. Aryana tightly gripped her braid as the doubts coalesced into alarm, dozens of possibilities filling her already fragile mind. And if it isn’t the inquisitor, then who? The dwarves don’t look involved but they could very well be, having been ordered to just get rid of Sophie by someone else. But again, if that''s the case, then by who? She paled, spirits, please don’t let that be true. If someone was really after her… her chest tightened, then what happens to me?