THE LEGEND OF THE ARACHNID

THE PRICE OF LOYALTY

Surrounded in an old, dilapidated building outside the town of Woodland, the Arachnids, Karin's family, and the citizens of Woodland watch helplessly as Cassidy and the Shadows inflict humiliation. Cassidy, her sarcastic laugh echoing through the room, holds little Karin tightly, casting amused glances at the Arachnids and their arguments. His raspy voice cuts the air as he makes his offer: the kid's life for the treasure. Around him, the Shadows – brutal, dark, unpredictable – laugh loudly, savoring every second of this tension between the Arachnids.

Cassidy: "Come on, Grim, don't be stupid! You have a choice! The treasure... or that useless kid! But I have to say, seeing your idiot heads hesitating like that, it's worth gold Come on, give birth!”

Grim and Stanley exchange a heavy look, feeling the weight of the dilemma, while Jessy, displaying a disdainful smile, leans towards Alex.

Jessy (to Alex, whispers): "We're not going to risk our necks for a kid we don't even know. Grim is too sentimental. That's not how you become legendary."

Alex, with a cold look, nods his head. For him, the treasure is worth more than the lives of those who mean nothing to him.

Grim slowly turns to Jessy, his eyes filled with anger. The tension escalates, and the citizens of Woodland huddle together, while the Shadows watch with sick amusement. The storm breaks.

Grim: "So that's what you've become, Jessy? Are you willing to sell your life for a few gold coins?!"

Jessy (sarcastic): "It's called being realistic, Grim. You're the one who still dreams of a world where we can save everyone. But we're not heroes! We're outlaws, crap !"

Stanley: "A kid, Jessy. She could be your sister, your blood. She's innocent!"

Alex (annoyed): "Innocent or not, she owes us nothing! If we get killed for her, we'll all end up six feet underground without having seen the color of the treasure. You don't want to get out of here with money? Me, yes."

Lorry (exasperated): "You guys are sinking. It's not about the money. There are things that are worth more than that, even to 'outlaws' like you like to call you!”

Emotions and expressions:
Grim approaches Jessy, fist clenched, ready to fight. Stanley, equally enraged, stands by Grim's side, ready to defend his principles. Lorry tries to calm the situation, but his words fall through the cracks. The citizens of Woodland, terrified and stunned by Jessy and Alex's cynicism, begin to whisper and point fingers.

Cassidy, observing the scene with a smirk, finally lets out a hearty laugh. His brothers and the Shadows follow his example, launching scathing taunts at the Arachnids. Their attitude exudes malicious confidence and a complete lack of compassion.

Cassidy: "Did you guys see that? These Arachnids can't even get along with each other! Heroes or cowards, you're just a group of losers who think they're legends!"

Cassidy's brother: "I love this show, Cass. They're tearing each other apart over a kid who's going to die anyway!"

Shadow Details and Spikes:
Another member of the Shadow gang spits at Grim's feet and says contemptuously: "You thought you were someone, right, Grim? That you were going to save the world? But you're just a guy with a gun and too many dreams."Cassidy (smiling): "Frankly, let them. If even their own gang wants to see this little die, why tire us? You make them ugly, my arachnids."

While Cassidy and his brothers revel in the scene, Grim stands and decides to respond with dignity. He looks away from Jessy and Alex, mentally relegating them as traitors. Stanley and Lorry support him, silent but united. Their looks are speaking a lot: they will not give in to mockery or threats. This decision leads to a turnaround of the attitude of citizens, who are starting to get closer to Grim, seeing him as their only hope

Grim: "Continue laughing, Cassidy. Laugh. Because when everything is finished, and none of you will be there to tell the story, we'll see who will have the last word."

Stanley (with determination): "Jessy, Alex ... If you are unable to see further than your greed, then you are already dead. The dead do not speak of honor, nor loyalty."

LORRY (hard look towards Jessy and Alex): "Do as you see fit. But know that there is a difference between a man and a dog. A dog sells his loyalty to the most offering. He fights. "

Jessy, stung to the live, contains himself not to explode, but Alex, a smirk, retorts:

Alex: "You play nobles, but the end, it will be the same for everyone. Honor does not feed, or courage."

After bitter exchanges, the tension remains palpable but is temporarily subsided. Cassidy, annoyed by this scene, raises his hands as a sign of impatience.

Cassidy: "So, you finish or I make a free ball for this kid? It's now or never."

In a last look heavy with meaning, Grim fixes Jessy and Alex, then turned to Cassidy, ready to temporarily capitulate. But something has changed in the group. Grim knows that this betrayal will leave a deep and indelible scar in arachnids.

This chapter not only develops the tension between gang members, but also shows how Cassidy and shadows use the situation to weaken the bonds of the arachnids. The structure, mixing punchy dialogues and cruel spikes, lays a solid foundation for future conflicts and highlights the gravity of the moral choices with which the characters are confronted.