The Crimson Dawn

Chapter 6

Before leaving the scene of the battle, Aydin knelt beside one of the spider carcasses, pulling out a small set of glass vials and a dagger from his satchel.

“What are you doing?” Stella asked, watching as he carefully pierced the spider’s venom sac.

“Harvesting venom and ichor,” Aydin replied, his tone calm and focused. “Spider venom like this is potent. It can be used for traps, coating weapons, or even crafting antidotes if diluted correctly. As for the ichor, it’s a good base for alchemical experiments.”

Stella wrinkled her nose, stepping back. “I’ll pass. That stuff stinks.”

Aydin chuckled softly, tilting a vial to catch a slow trickle of dark green venom. “It’s not about the smell. It’s about utility. Never know when something like this might save your life.”

As he worked, Barrett leaned on his axe nearby, watching with mild amusement. “You’ve got a strange hobby, kid. But if it helps keep us alive, I won’t complain.”

“Everything has a purpose,” Aydin said, corking the vial and slipping it into a padded compartment in his bag. He moved to the ichor, carefully scraping it into a larger container.

Raphael, standing guard near the tunnel’s edge, called back. “Just don’t take too long. Whatever disturbed these spiders might still be lurking further in.”

Aydin nodded, working quickly but methodically. “Almost done.”

When he finished, he wiped his hands on a cloth and stood, securing his satchel. “All set. Let’s move.”

The group continued deeper into the mine, the air growing colder and the darkness more oppressive. The faint glow of Aydin’s torch spells illuminated the uneven path ahead, casting long shadows on the jagged walls.

As they walked, Gedeon spoke quietly from the rear. “Do you think the spiders were guarding something? Or were they just… here?”

“Guarding something, I’d wager,” Raphael answered. “Creatures like that don’t just take up residence without reason. Either they were driven here, or they found something worth protecting.”

Ari shivered, gripping her quarterstaff tightly. “Let’s just hope it’s something we can handle. Or at least something valuable.”

As they rounded a corner, the tunnel widened into a large cavern. Faint glimmers of light sparkled on the walls, reflecting off veins of silver and quartz embedded in the rock. In the center of the room lay a large, partially collapsed mine cart filled with glittering gems and metal ingots.

Barrett let out a low whistle. “Looks like we hit the jackpot.”

Stella moved cautiously forward, her daggers drawn. “Don’t get too excited. There’s always a catch.”

Sure enough, as the group approached, a low rumble echoed through the cavern. The ground trembled slightly, and from a shadowy alcove emerged a massive creature—a mutated spider, twice the size of the ones they had just fought. Its body was covered in jagged, stone-like armor, and its eyes glowed faintly red.

Aydin stepped back, his hand already reaching for his Iron Shooter. “That… is definitely the catch.”

The creature let out an ear-piercing screech and charged.

“Formation!” Raphael shouted, raising his shield.

The group sprang into action once more, ready to face the mine’s true guardian.

The battle with the monstrous spider was unlike anything they had faced before. Its armored hide deflected most of their blows, and its sheer size and speed kept them constantly on the defensive.

Barrett roared as he swung his massive axe, striking the creature’s legs with enough force to crack the stone-like armor. “This thing’s tougher than anything I’ve ever fought!”

Gedeon darted in and out of the shadows, firing arrows at weak spots between the creature’s plating. One arrow found its mark, striking the soft joint of its leg. The beast screeched, but it barely slowed.

Ari, in the form of a massive dire wolf, snapped at the spider’s legs, trying to trip it. She barely avoided a swipe from its jagged pincers.

Raphael shouted prayers to his deity, holy light glowing around his shield as he blocked another strike. “Focus on its underbelly! It’s the weakest point!”

Aydin took aim with his Iron Shooter, firing enchanted rounds into the exposed spots as the spider lunged. The shots hit true, causing the beast to stagger, but its immense size and ferocity made it nearly unstoppable.

Then, as the spider lunged toward Aydin, Stella moved faster than he could react. She leaped in front of him, her daggers flashing as she drove them into the beast’s exposed mouthparts. The spider screeched and reared back, but not before sinking its fangs into her shoulder.

“Stella!” Aydin cried, rushing to her side as she collapsed to the ground.

The group fought with renewed fury. Barrett, roaring in rage, brought his axe down with all his strength, shattering one of the spider’s legs. Raphael charged forward, his sword glowing with holy light, and drove it into the creature’s vulnerable underbelly. Ari, shifting back into her human form, cast a powerful root spell, entangling the beast’s remaining legs.

With a final coordinated strike, the group brought the monstrous spider crashing to the ground. Its screech echoed through the cavern before it fell silent.

But Aydin had no time to celebrate. He was already kneeling by Stella, who screamed in pain, clutching her shoulder where the venom from the spider’s bite was rapidly spreading. Her skin around the wound darkened, and her breaths came in shallow gasps.

“She’s poisoned!” Raphael shouted, rushing over with his healing magic already glowing in his hands.

“No!” Aydin snapped, shaking his head. “It’s not enough. We need an antidote, and we need it now.”

Aydin pulled out the vials of venom he had harvested earlier and began working quickly. His hands moved with practiced precision, mixing the venom with herbs and other ingredients from his satchel.

“Come on, come on…” he muttered, his heart pounding in his chest.

Stella writhed on the ground, her violet eyes glassy with pain. “Aydin…” she whispered weakly.

“I’ve got you,” he said, his voice firm despite the panic clawing at him. “You’re going to be fine.”

The group watched in tense silence as Aydin finished the antidote. He poured the mixture into a small vial and carefully lifted Stella’s head. “Drink this,” he said, his voice gentle but urgent.

Stella’s lips trembled as she took the vial, swallowing the bitter liquid. She coughed, wincing in pain, but within moments, the dark veins around her wound began to fade. Her breathing steadied, and her body relaxed slightly.

Aydin let out a shaky breath, relief washing over him. “It’s working.”

Stella managed a faint smile, her voice barely above a whisper. “Told you… I can take care of myself.”

Aydin chuckled softly, brushing a strand of platinum hair from her face. “Maybe let me take care of you this time.”

The group gathered around, visibly relieved.

“Good work, Aydin,” Raphael said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Barrett grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. “Remind me never to doubt your weird obsession with spider guts again.”

As the group gathered their gear and prepared to move deeper into the mine, Gedeon’s frustration boiled over. He turned sharply to Stella, his expression dark.

“You’re unbelievable, Stella,” he snapped, his voice low but filled with anger. “Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You could’ve died back there!”

Stella, still pale and weakened but sitting upright, glared at him. “I saved Aydin, didn’t I? If I hadn’t jumped in, that thing would’ve torn him apart!”

Gedeon crossed his arms, his violet eyes narrowing. “And you almost got yourself killed in the process. You always think you’re invincible, but you’re not, Stella. You can’t keep throwing yourself into danger like this!”

Stella pushed herself to her feet, though her shoulder throbbed with pain. “Don’t you dare lecture me, Gedeon. I’m not some helpless little girl you need to protect. I can take care of myself!”

“Really?” Gedeon barked, his voice rising. “Because I’m pretty sure you needed Aydin to save your life just now. If he hadn’t had that antidote—”

“Enough!” Stella shouted, cutting him off. Her hands balled into fists at her sides. “I’m tired of you acting like you’re the only one who knows what’s best for me! I’m not your responsibility!”

The tension crackled between them as the rest of the group exchanged uneasy glances. Ari, leaning on her quarterstaff, sighed and muttered under her breath, “Here we go again.”

Aydin, stood beside Stella, gently touched her arm. “Stella, Gedeon, maybe this isn’t the time—”

But before he could finish, a low, guttural sound echoed from deeper within the cave.

The group froze. The noise was distant but unmistakable—a wet, slithering sound accompanied by a faint clicking, as if something massive was shifting in the darkness ahead.

“What the hell was that?” Barrett growled, gripping his axe tightly.

Raphael held up a hand, signaling for silence. “Quiet. Everyone, stay close and stay alert.”

Stella and Gedeon immediately stopped their argument, their instincts taking over. Stella drew her daggers, ignoring the pain in her shoulder, while Gedeon nocked an arrow, his eyes scanning the darkness.

The strange noise grew louder, reverberating through the cavern walls. It was accompanied by an eerie, rhythmic thudding, like the sound of massive footsteps.

“I don’t like this,” Ari whispered, her red hair falling into her eyes as she gripped her staff.

“Neither do I,” Aydin said, standing and checking the chamber of his Iron Shooter. “Whatever that is, it’s coming this way.”

Raphael moved to the front of the group, his sword and shield ready. His voice was calm but firm. “Stay together. If it’s another beast, we face it as a team.”

As the noise grew closer, the air seemed to grow heavier, thick with an unnatural energy. The group’s nerves were taut, their weapons drawn, as they prepared for whatever horror awaited them in the depths of the mine.