Crossover Escape: Gotta be more than Lucky to survive

2.18 Better Not Meeting

Luca wanted to take back his original thought. A giant silkworm would be better. Luca somewhat wished he’d listened to Tails explaining what a spider looked like to Shade he might have noticed the similarities to Helps description if he had. Though the size was likely the factor that prevented the association. Crouched on its hind legs with its front legs braced amongst the trees was the Mygalomorph or the giant arachnid. It was nearly the size of a van.

The light wasn’t clear enough to see the colour but from the shading Luca suspected the abdomen of the spider was a bright and poisonous red. A think and sharp looking for covered the legs of the spider and a clear viscous liquid dripped from its fangs. Today is not good, where is the application for a refund?

Cowboy’s shots didn’t seem to be doing much but for the moment the monster wasn’t approaching them. With no better solution Luca jumped down, he landed in a crouch behind cowboy. Initially Luca prepared to grab Ghost and lead Cowboy away but when he got a closer look at the pair, he tossed that idea aside. Cowboy’s muscles visibly trembled as he struggled to stay standing. A long cut ran from Cowboy’s right shoulder to his left hip. Despite the severity of the wound the blood dripped sluggishly.

“Sorry, it seems I keep dragging you down.” Cowboy coughed as he spoke it was a sickening wet sound that Luca winced at.

“Nothing for it, We’re all in this together.” Luca responded as he checked that Lil’ Miss was settled on his shoulders and then moved to examine Ghost.

“I can see why you work well together, same sentiment.” Cowboy fired two more shots as he spoke which didn’t seem to do anything as the spider remined where it was.

“Somethings are worth appreciating.” Luca checked for a pulse, and it was steady and strong.

“I can understand that. You save me from the siren’s claws and then Ghost saves me from the spider’s jaws. He took a strike to the back, and I think we’re both done and then here you are.”  The words were slurred at the end and Cowboy’s left arm trembled before it lowered by the end of the sentence. As that weakness showed the spider lowered a leg and leaned forward. Luca ran his hands down Ghost’s sides and found no obvious signs of broken bones.

“Its fine, he bounces.” Luca would prefer not to move him, but he didn’t really want to hang around in a stalemate with a giant arachnid either. Luca shifted his sword as he calculated the best way to deal with things if it charged them. A wet chuckle sounded as Cowboy struggled to raise the left pistol again when the spider shifted another foot towards the ground.

“It’s this way.” Help’s voice sounded through the trees followed by indistinct but familiar tones. The others had obvious woken up. So whatever put them out wasn’t long lasting. Cowboy forced his arm back up and fired a shot. The spider stopped in place again. When the voices of the others grew closer the spider backed up. Luca would have liked to be happy about that if it’s moving back hadn’t removed it from sight completely.

When Help raced out of the shadows the dragon shot off Luca’s shoulder and launched itself at the glow stick. Luca speechlessly shook his head that was some obsession she had going. When Lil’ Miss returned triumphantly with the glow stick Luca had a moment of silent and then praised her. At least the glow stick is quickly retrieved.

Lil’ Miss stared at Luca after the glowstick was returned. Luca shifted his eyes around as he tried to figure out why she was staring. After a moment it clicked, and Luca took out the handle of the second broken step knife and passed it into the little paws. Lil’ Miss now satisfied with her life accepted the handle and started chewing on it as she curled around Luca’s neck. The grating sound of the metal’s protest gave Luca a fair idea on what had happened to the first handle.

After Help arrived and fluttered around Luca in a panic Tails was the first of the others to reach them. Luca grabbed Help and placed them on his head and handed him the glow stick to hold.

“That is all out illumination keep a look out for the Mygalomorph lest it return.” Luca expected Help to stay on his head but instead the took to the air. They moved in a circle around the group while holding the glowstick in their arms.

Luca gestured for Tails to carry Ghost. Luca had more reach and damage with his Fae swords than the others. Besides Tails was slightly taller than Luca and so would have an easier time carrying Ghosts.

“Hey Lucky? Don’t let it eat me.” Luca jerked his attention back from scanning the area at Cowboy’s waning tone just in time to see him crumble. Rӓv and Declan caught either side of him, but Cowboy’s pistols tumbled to the ground. Holly swooped down and grabbed them, and Luca flicked a look at him before he once again shifted his attention to scanning the area.

“Move back to camp.” Luca said sharply. The group formed up with the injured and the people supporting them in the middle while the rest walked on the outside. Luca walked at the from conscientiously scanning the front and sides before he shifted to look up as well. Dealing with a spider, even a giant one there was no angle it couldn’t approach from.

They reached the camp and Luca started swearing. All of the spider webs had vanished. Luca would like to ascribe the issue to other things but the pessimist in him said that the predator that was stalking them had been back first. The only thing Luca couldn’t figure out was what the point was in taking the web.

Scanning the clearing Luca moved to the centre and waited for the others to put cowboy and Ghost down. Rӓv crouched and started to examine them pouring things from her belt pouches as she checked.

“Take the tents down, I want clear visual.” Luca instructed as he stood guard prepared to lung forward towards anyone if the spider appeared. In quick order the tents were flattened. Luca looked around and then gestured for Help to come over. Taking the glow stick Luca contemplated and then cracked a second section it was a little wasteful but with the second section meant the light was slightly brighter and gave them more time before it would go out. Luca checked that Lil’ Miss was still distracted before he tossed the glow stick up at the canopy and branches overhead. When the glow stick hit there wasn’t the normal snick that Luca expected of it hitting wood.

Luca snapped his eyes up and they widened unconsciously at the fang’s barley illuminated by the glow stick impeded in the spider’s abdomen. “Oh, damn.” Luca reached down and picked up the first thing at hand and tossed it hard up at the spider.

The cannister flew through the air and smacked into the spider’s jaw. The beast flinched while the light on the compact torch turned on. The light spun as it fell to the ground.

“Rӓv how the hell did you bring the UV torches, not going to be following blood trails or leaving secret message here,” Tails shouted as he stared at the falling torch.