THE LEGEND OF THE ARACHNID

THE ASHES OF BETRAYAL

The chapter begins at Stone Ridge, where the base of the arachnids, once filled with energy and spirit of camaraderie, is now marked by the dark reality of losses and betrayals. After Woodland's disaster, where the Winter brothers and the gang of shadows inflicted a hard blow to the arachnids, the atmosphere is heavy. The survivors return home, physically and morally injured, knowing that they have lost not only friends, but also part of themselves in this battle.

Grim, visibly marked, organizes a silent tribute for his fellows who fell in battle. In the large raw wooden room, a flickering flame illuminates the closed faces of survivors. Yuri, Vera, Stanley, Big Tom, and Lorry stand alongside Grim while photos, weapons, and personal objects from their deceased comrades are arranged around them. The silence is heavy, interrupted only by the murmurs of the names of the missing, whispered as prayers.

But as the tribute ends, Grim's rage breaks out. The departure of Alex and Jessy deeply affected him, plunging him into an anger that he has never shown in front of his companions. Crazy with rage, he begins to violently destroy everything that reminds him of Alex and Jessy: memories, cards, weapons. He swings chairs, overturns tables, brewing glasses and mirrors. His cry resonates in the whole base, expressing all the pain and betrayal he feels.

Stanley, witness to the scene, has never seen Grim in this state of uncontrollable madness. The unwavering loyalty of his friend has always pushed him to remain stoic in the face of the trials, but today, Grim seems lost, almost possessed by a demon that he cannot contain.

Suddenly, Yuri approaches him and tries to calm him down, losing a hand on his shoulder firmly. "Grim, that will not bring them back ..." she said in a deep voice, looking him straight in the eyes. Vera and Big Tom in turn, adding their presence to appease it. Lorry, who understands better than anyone's pain of losing brothers in arms, offers a sweet-bitten joke to lighten the tension, although his smile also hides the sadness he feels.

With the help of his friends, Grim ends up giving in, exhausted and at the end of strength. He sits down, shortly breath, her hands trembling. Stanley stays alongside him, silent, knowing that words would not be enough to heal the wounds of this betrayal. The survivors gather around him, forming a support circle, their presence reminding him that he is not alone.

In the end, they all know that their mission is not over, and that revenge against those who made their own fall, and especially against Cassidy and his gang of shadows, has become inevitable. Despite their pain, their anger, and the disillusionment that eats away at them, the arachnids tighten their ties. Stanley whispers in Grim, “We're going to make them pay. Until the last. »»