Ancient Forces (2018 Reboot)

Chapter 12 - Plans

The silent and darkened room of the abandoned log cabin was filled with dim moonlight, the bear rug and wooden chairs in the room illuminated slightly. The fireplace held several burning embers and charcoal from a recent fire. The little room was only about thirty feet by thirty feet, the cozy little feeling of it would warm the hearts of anyone who lived there. Unfortunately, no person lived there now. It had been overgrown and run down for years now, plainly shown by the heavy foliage and grass in the room. The roof was half wood and half tree cover, and there were weeds and flowers growing through the cracks of the floorboard. The silence was abruptly ended as the sound of creaking wood echoed through the room.

Sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, outside of the moonlight, avoiding illumination, was a tall metallic figure. A long blade, extending to almost four feet in length, sat across the figure's legs, its arms moving across the sharpest edge and sharpening it even more. The wind rustled for a moment outside the window, and then another figure was there. The shadow of the new member loomed over the room and plunged the room into even more darkness. The black, furry body with multiple spike like legs extending from its back shifted down from the window and into the room, standing tall with its head down. The metallic figure in the room stopped sharpening its sword.

"Arachnid," the metallic figure said, the robotic and ghost-like voice filling the room hauntingly, "You've returned empty-handed."

"I'm sorry sir. The little brats parents got in the way. I had to kill one of them and kidnap the other," Arachnid explained his excuse.

"Where is the one you've taken?" the robot asked.

"Stored away safely. She won't be escaping for a while. My narcotic bite made sure of that," Arachnid bragged as he opened his mouth, his fangs dripping with green liquid.

"I am still disappointed in you. You promised me the boy," the robot stated, his arm reaching for the handle of the sword.

"I will improve my endeavor to capture him, sir. However as time progresses I doubt things will become easier," Arachnid mentioned.

Suddenly the metal sword was glistening in the moonlight, the tip resting just below Arachnid's chin. Arachnid's eyes widened as he lifted his head, trying to keep the blade from slitting his chin open. The wielder of the blade held it tightly, not moving at all. It was as if he'd turned his body to stone.

"I'd suggest you make it easier Arachnid, or that bear might not be the only rug I collect," the robot threatened as a massive red beam, the sole eye of the robot before him, focused on Arachnid.

Arachnid focused his attention back on the one eye and shivered, "Y-yes sir..."

"Now go. There is an event at the school coming up that will no doubt prove most useful to you in your attack. I suggest you use it wisely."

Arachnid nodded slightly as the blade retracted back into the metal figure's lap. His arm continued to sharpen the edge.

"Well?" the robot questioned, "Are you going to leave?"

Arachnid turned and jumped out of the window, looking back at the cabin as he used his webs to fly through the trees in the overhanging forest. As he left the area it became apparent that this was no regular forest. It was a staged place, some hidden away cabin in a holographic world. No human would ever find him here. But then again, humans weren't the ones hunting for him. Arachnid stole himself a sigh and continued swinging away. How had he gotten himself mixed up in this situation? All he wanted to do was go around and have a few exotic human meals, not mingle with the Dragon Force and try to stifle their progress...

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The daylight burned its heat into the ground of the forest floor, the only thing soaking it up were the already dead leaves on the ground. The trees were bare and dying, the late Fall season finally taking full control of the natural world. The cool and gentle breeze tossed up handfuls of dead leaves on the ground and dropped them down somewhere else, constantly upshifting the balance of decaying colors on the floor. There was a pathway between the trees that could be just barely seen as you were traveling it, but for some people who lived in this area, they didn't need to see the path in order to follow it. The pure blue sky and dotted clouds across the canvas above were appealing to the passing eye.