The Sun's Radiance

Chapter Seven

After calming Riddick down by letting him watch me stitch and bandage my wound, Jack asks for a story while Riddick and Johns talk. Probably about letting him go for the time being.

"Alright. This is from a planet in my home system that doesn't exist anymore. It isn't happy by any means, and the people who wrote it were a little twisted, but I think it's fitting. Don't follow its teachings, though."

"Alright." They tilt their head, "what happened to that planet?"

"It, sort of, died. Like god the system is named after, the planet suddenly became filled with oceans of blood. It couldn't support life like us, and everyone left the planet. But that isn't what you asked for, is it?

"Cast in this cavern—stone walls, so secure, the web holds you tight through Underdark night and guardian spiders that tickle you, feel with gossamer threads, weave our Goddess' seal.

The Spider Queen's children and so, too, your kin, are here to remind you, that you shall not sin. They show you the scourge—the snake-headed whip. They bite and they tear, until She hears your prayer. There is no such blessing to the damned up above, those who've forsaken the Spider Queen's love. In their way lies weakness and unceasing waste, and if you would join them, then so be debased. And when hell-fire orb looks down on your shame, your soul is burned bare—she knows you're to blame. You'll live ever running, you've no place to hide, and huddled in fear, for there is no disguise. The sun, it will burn you. The cold snow will freeze.

The hopelessness tumbles you down to your knees, and when you are broken, to Her you will pray, but She will not hear you. You've thrown Her away. And you'll find no companions to stand in our way, when we hunt you and find you and torment for play. You've chosen the weaklings of the world up above, who speak empty words, and know not Lloth's love. No, Lloth will not save you from human deceit, nor from bearded dwarves, nor elvish conceit. The Spider Queen shows us the one single way. There is only the Night; there is never the day. For strength does not stretch through branch or through leaf, it bleeds from the roots that secure us beneath. Deep in our hearts, wrapped tight in Lloth's web, with venom, we sting. Her glory we sing! So whisper your love of your matron, your mother, who teaches the way to your sisters and brother. 'Brother,' I say. 'There can only be one, for if there were two, there couldn't be You.' Then that silken swaddle, that tickling wreath would instead be your death by the Spider Queen's teeth. Sleep sound in the darkness, or burn in the light, alone."

"We could burn in the light, here. No one would know. And you said there were things down that hole..."

"Jack, it's just a story. It was used to scare young drow children. Yes, there are many suns here. Yes, there are monsters beneath our feet. We will keep each other safe, that much I know. There is light to be found in darkness, Jack. Just as there is darkness in light. Everyone has a bit of both inside of them and it is a gentle and fragile balance. Don't fear. We'll make it off this planet alive."