By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Ten
It could have been an hour - a day - or a century. In his weakened state - Lord Arachnid had no idea how long he was out for. At this point - he was just grateful that he survived the experience. he slowly forced himself up to his feet. Around him - the decaying bodies of thousands filled the air with the stench of death.
"That was unpleasant." he muttered. He looked over at the spider that had died beside him. He whispered a silent prayer and caused the spider to fade from site. It was no longer dead. It would be able to come back. He looked over at the enemy camp. The enchanted banners were still fluttering in the wind.
"What a waste. Oh well." he muttered. he cast a spell and summoned to him a stream of life. As he drank from the magical waters - all of the sores and blisters that were on his hands and face began to disappear. Within moments - the spider mage was feeling like his old self.
"I've dealt with your pets - I've elimanated your hired help - ready or not Miseorn - here i come." he muttered.
Back within his fortress - Miseorn had just witnessed the fall of his armies at the hands of the spider mage.
"My god - he destroyed them all." he muttered in disbelief. He began to pace back and forth. By using those powerful beasts - he had sacrificed a great deal of his power. And now it seemed as though the scarifice was for nothing.
"I will have to wait. If i go to him i will fare no better than my beasts or minions. I will prepare for him though. I might be able to win this yet." he muttered. He stormed out of his room to prepare for his unwelcomed guest.
Back where Lord Arachnid was - the distant tower fortress - was now looking a lot closer than it was earlier that day. Since he left the battlefield - he was expecting more ambushes - sneak attacks - but he encountered no noticiable resistance.
"Nibbles - you okay?" he asked quietly. The spider crawled out from his hood and quietly chirped.
"Good to hear. Is it just me - or am i feeling like a fly - heading straight for a web?" he asked. The spider chirped.
"Thought so. Well, he knows I'm coming - no sense in putting this off." he muttered. He picked up his pace. Almost half a day later - he was almost within reach of the fortress. There were only a small handful of guards - understandable enough - seeing how most of his troops had died in that futile attempt to kill him.
"Knowing him - he is probably somehwere near the top - ungh - that is going to be a harsh climb." he muttered. Nibbles poked his head out and quietly chirped. Lord Arachnid quietly laughed.
"I agree - a harsh climb for anyone else." he admitted. He silently stalked his way passed the patrolling guards. he then jumped at the wall and began to climb upward much like a spider would. he looked over his shoulder. He had only been climbing for a few minutes and already he was dangerously high up.
"Don't look down - never look down." he told himself. He continued upward. Almost four hours later - he was very high up. The air was thinner and colder - the ground below was at least several miles down below. It was at this point that he decided to continue his assent from inside. He made his way over to an open window and crawled inside. Much to his surprise - the air was crisper and fuller inside.
"Now to find my man." he said with an evil smile.
A short while later - he found himself outside a set of large doors. there was no doubt in his mind that this was where his foe was hiding.
"Come in Lord Arachnid - I've been expecting you." a voice offered from the other side. He was mildly startled but almost expected such a response. He cautiously opened the door and saw Miseorn sitting on a golden thrown - watching and waiting.
"We meet again." Lord Arachnid stated.
"Indeed we do. I suppose this is where you go into a righteous fury and attack me for attacking your precious spiders?" he asked sarcastically. Lord arachnid smiled.
"I love it when my enemies are on the same page with me. You chose to start this - i was willing to walk away - but you went and made this personal." he replied seriously. with a wave of his hands - dozens of spiders began to appear around the wizard.
"True - but what can i say? I didn't think you would make it this far." he replied coolly.
"I surprise alot of people. tell that to the keeper of the gates. Attack." he said coldly. Miseron slowly rose up from his thrown. The spiders made their way towards the wizard. Lord Arachnid watched as some bit - but did no damafge - and how others couldn't even do that.
"Circles of protection - does wonders for the health." he explained. Lord Arachnid watched as the wizard savagely crushed one spider under his boot.
"So do wards. Your precious spiders can't hurt me - but i can hurt them." he added. Lord Arachnid watched as his foe mercilessly killed the spiders off one by one. He knew, deep down inside that this had to be down - it was all part of his plan - but even still - this was a hard thing for him to watch. Within moments - the floor was littered with dead spiders. A smug looking wizard looked over at his clearly distraught foe.
"That is that. Any more tricks? Got any more bugs i can squish? Or can i just squish you now and be done with it?" he asked smugly. Lord Arachnid began to quietly laugh. The laughter mildly confused Miseorn.
"Miseorn - i was hoping you would say that." he hissed lowly.
To be continued...
