Reincarnated as a Spider (Draft/Writing practice)

Through their conversation Alicia learned much about species she couldn’t even imagine. Though the taxonomy seemed ambiguous and inconsistent she could now identify most of the known life around. From prideful draconids to smallest rodents and insecta, giants and ogroids to titans tall as the treetops. Nightmarish necromorphs¹pls don't sue me deadspace they're just undead and wraiths to angel like Filii Ourania²Meaning children of the sky. (Think harpies angels and other winged human like creatures) I know its probably incorrect. Correct me in the comments if you want.. Legendary bloodsuckers to wondrous elementals, fickle lithilines³Catgirls nuff said and wolven clans and moreover hybrids consisting of two or more distinct species and chimeras that are three or more. Magical beings like automated golems homunculus created by faustian spells.

However one thing that caught her attention was the lack of information about her race. Although huge examples of spider-like creatures have been reported they’re understandably rare not to mention something like her. In fact she may be the first of her kind to be what she is. Conversely her familiars have much more records about them, but the white and gray colorations are remarkably rare if not unheard of. In addition, according to Sha’ko they also don’t seem to behave as their wild counterparts: such as the instances of tolerating anything other than their offspring and much less being tamed enough to not attack on sight. Her ability to not only command them but to overpower their very instincts by her own will seemed supernatural to him. This almost intelligent behavior and their ability to work together is unsettling to him. Presumably this ability of hers correlates it to her spiritual nature according to Sha’ko.

• “You should ask Sardak, our witch doctor for more details. They are the ambassadors of matters of the world beyond our own.”

Hearing about the stories of the acclaimed hunter from a nomadic tribe truly expanded her scope of the world. As she was reminded that there was a whole wide world beyond the confines of these woodlands. Though not itching to go out, it would be a lie to say that she didn’t want to venture out at least once. That however was for another time.

While on a trip to where their tribe was located.

• “Strange… Usually with this scent of blood in the air something should’ve jumped at us by now…”

Every now and then she would get a report from her familiars that they “took care of something.” several times at intervals. Every time she heard from them she would ask if there were any problems or injuries though the contents never changed that they were fine. She was having an internal conflict about whether or not she should tell Sha’ko and his companions about it. Eventually conversation naturally shifted to their lives as huntsmen. Their methods and wisdom are passed down orally and it's up to the next generation to understand, build upon and adapt it to be more up to date before finally it was their turn to pass down their knowledge. Their whole culture was based on this concept.

In time they arrived at a tribal village consisting of mainly triangular tents - tipi - fashioned out of various hides of animals. Being one of the last hunting parties returning from their excursion several others had already returned and had started to skin and prepare prizes. None one was without a job to do. Which is why it was so disturbing to Alicia when they all stopped, frozen in their tracks staring straight at her.

• “Uhm, is there something wrong…?”

From her side:

• “You’ve said that your form is… elphe?”
• “Elven?”
• “Yes that… Truth be told,-”

His voice diminished, as if it was something he didn’t want to say:

“-shameful as it is and well… we can’t tell the difference between your current form and that of humans.”

• “Really? Well I suppose there are similarities…?” ‘Now that I look at them… Are there really no females here or am I really that bad at distinguishing them…?’ Her eyes sweeping over them all… ‘Some of them have shorter and bulkier tusks… Those that have this feature are about less than half… I could be wrong but I think they’re the female of the race. Let’s not jump to conclusions yet…’
• “You would want to meet chieftain, yes? This way.”

She was being led to secluded northern most tipi, the largest one so far. Even though they tried to act natural - carrying on with their mundane everyday activities when under her gaze, perhaps thanks to her heightened awareness it was painfully obvious that their eyes were fixated on her from behind. While bearing with the equivocal gazes from tribal villagers, she managed to peer into their day to day life just a bit. How they made their nets out of plant fibers & vines and mended their favored ones, how they designed and carved their animalistic masks together with how they produced their spears & javelins out of branches and saplings. Chieftain Sardak was already waiting for them outside of his abode.

• “I knew you be comin, white walker.”
• “Do you have a creed of finding new nicknames for me everytime I meet you or something?”

From behind his veiled face clamorous laughter emerged.

• “You has inquiry. Can see it in your face. Outside is no place for discussion. Enter, if you will.”

Accepting his proposal Alicia set foot inside, scent incense and skulls and statuettes - strange objects of ritual greeting her. Sitting cross legged across the entrance Sardak beckoned her to come closer and sit. When she sat down kneeling:

• “Forgive the secrecy. You have questions, let us hear it…”
• “I’ve heard this from your friend,”

His eyes briefly changed to Sha’ko standing behind her. 

“that my white colored familiars and I along with my capability to converse with them are not normal. What does that mean?”

He collected the ashes from a spent incense burner.

• “Hm hm hm? I can’t see it as nothing but normal? Men serve nobles, Nobles serve the king, Kings serve emperors. We follow the invisibles and the teachings of our ancestors who became one with the spirits. It is a natural act for the subjects to come under the strong. Loa has her kin that comes under her. What of it is not normal I wonder?”
• “What about the white colors? That's natural too?”

After cleaning out the ashes he filled it in with fresh herbs.

• “It is the proof that the spirits love you. Even now they fawn over you. Where you lead they will follow. Just as the kapu loa likened to embers possess orange and red colors and the ki’i dancing scatters the blue. All spirits has their true colors. You, one adored by them all, possess the white. Where all colors combine to make it.”

After he finished packing in the herbs, he held his hands over it. Mysteriously the incense lit, its inviting aroma wafting. ‘Magic… I thought they couldn’t use it?’

“Why you be lookin like a fish outta water? Heheheh, I too can call upon the spirits.”

Soon after his mischievous remarks, his tone turned serious once more.

“But when it comes to colors there is the last one. The black. No spirit of it exists. Yet here you are… White one bears the token of the black, the hallmark of the great beyond.”

Visibly confused Alicia pressed further.

• “What does the black mean? Is it something dangerous?”
• “Who knows! No one has seen it before. That is why I am excited to see the Loa cast it.”

His voice rising up in a crescendo, erupting from his excitement.

“There was more like you before. Great wolf who called himself Fenrir, Demon queen who called herself Lucifina, Messenger of gods, king of the sky. These great rulers of the past all had white hair. In this world, white colors are not rare. They don’t exist naturally. They were given to us by the good gods.”

‘…I’m not the first huh… I mean not that much a surprise to be honest.’

“Blessing as they were their arrival always marked a tumultuous unrest to come. To save this world from the shadow. But you’re the first white one who has the color of black.”

‘All the previous reincarnations saved this world? Is it important to that girl? Why this place and not somewhere else? Come to think of it… What are their goals?’

It was time for them to part, Alicia was welcomed to join them for the evening she politely declined. Instead asking for a container to which they brought… a large vase shaped like an amphora. ‘I was expecting a clay pot but you know what this is fine.’ 

Because for what she was about to do needed space they were just outside the Sardak’s tipi. Long has it been since she assumed her true form after stretching she noticed the unusual atmosphere around her. Gasps of surprise spreading over the tribe. Some prostrating down in prayer.

Alicia turned to Sardak seeking help but… ‘Why are you prostrating as well?! Wait they’re doing it because YOU did! You IDIOT!’ she wanted to yell but catching herself. The imagery was only less ludicrous thanks to her being in her Hybrid form. Taiga trolls who are much larger in physique than humans not to mention petite elves laying their heads down to Alicia in her favored form would’ve been… eerie. She wanted to give them a gift, more of a reward for their help from Sha’ko and information from Sardak. Even though she was miffed, it didn’t appear on her face. Bearing with the unnecessary ceremony she placed her fangs inside the vase. Though she raised up her fangs in the air, looking as if ready to pounce no one seemed to be alerted, yet. Showing just how much they trusted her.

⟨ Venom Fang ⟩

↳ ‹ Myotoxic ›

Faintly yellow liquid flowed down in a stream, pooling at the bottom. Slowly filling up until around one thirds of the way full,

>Venom glands empty. Switching to synthesis…

After her natural reserves were depleted she had to magically create venom. She didn’t quite understand the process. Nonetheless she didn’t question its quality.

Done with the filling it up:

• “This vase holds my venom. Envenom your weapons with it when you go out hunting and it shall bring down your greatest enemies. It is my gift for the help you all have provided me.”

For some reason they were celebrating… Sha’ko came up and thoughtfully covered the vase with a lid. Though they wanted her to stay even more so than before because she had something in mind to try out she excused herself and left.

…

In a few days time when the taiga trolls first used the venom. True to her words the envenomed javelins quickly vitiated their prey, the small - simply died to the venom - and the large - prey robbed of movement was easy to slaughter - didn’t matter they all succumbed to the venom bringing never seen before prosperity to their tribes. Much to her disheartenment, more and more seemed to be… idolizing her when she came to their tribe, she was none the wiser to know it was because of her own doing.

‘Alright now I should be ready to go out…

• “Notify me about anything you find. And don’t stray too far from each other.”’

Inconceivable sight of a young girl strolling without a care in a black forest, to the uninformed. She was the heroine of the show in a horror movie.

…

‘That’s… mantid assassin…’

Bizarre movements - emulation of a leaf waving in the wind, the green camouflaged monster was twice the size of an adult human.

‘Venomous but they have to capture their prey first… their raptorial forelegs are more dangerous than their bite… grooved spines like a hacksaw. That’s a mean weapon you have there…’

Disabling stealth by her own will she stood in its sight. Shortly it registered Alicia standing with its bulging eyes. But it waited expecting her to come to it.

‘Not gonna come? Fine I’ll play.’

Her hands at the hilt of her blade, with only a gentle flick it cut through its silken wrappings. Using its tip she batted a pebble on the ground at the mantid. Making it obvious that she had seen it and it was no use lying in ambush. Abandoning its position, wings spanned wide, mouth opening, closing and its arms lined with serrated edges raised high, agitated clicking sounds could be heard from it.

‘That’s the threat display I wanted…’

Coming closer it brought down its legs, tip aimed directly at her.

• “Never underestimate something’s reach…”

As she stepped back its strike dug into the ground only managing to loosen the soil.

• “An opponent is at its most vulnerable after an attack…”

Before it could pull back its forelegs Alicia holding it in a reverse grip, drove her blade deep into the joint connecting its tibia to femur before twisting it forcefully and dislocating it before cutting it off cleanly. Spraying green liquid onto her the mantid loosed a shrill cry backing away.

• “Never let your opponent have rest or comfort…”

As she pressed on with her attack. The mantid tried to grab her by its remaining limb. However it only caught her jet black blade. Usually its powerful grip would crush through flesh and the carapace of its victims. As same as any would be armor of iron and steel. Any regular weapon would be snapped off or bent out of shape. But this time none of that happened. No it wasn’t the blade snapping, it was its foreleg that was being cut into, because of how the edge was oriented against it it was cutting itself. The more the mantid tried to crush the blade sunk into its tibia, cutting through its carapace. Realizing this the monster let go of the blade.

• “If you don’t kill it in one go then strike again and again until it stops moving…”

Not giving a chance, circle strafing to be at its side she was in position to swing her weapon, striking where the blade initially cut from behind it cleanly hacked away its remaining limb.

Knowing that without its limbs it couldn’t do much the mantid retreated away. Before managing to create much distance it got stuck in something. In the web of her crypt weavers. Struggling hopelessly against the web it only entangled itself further.

• “Ah! I was hoping I didn’t let you guys get involved but thanks for the assist anyway.”

Immobilized mantis was an easy target. Deciding not to let it suffer she ran at it from behind kicking against its slim green leaf like abdomen she plunged her blade at its ‘neck’ right before its head. Sword protruding through, still holding it by its hilt from one hand with her other hand she grabbed it by the blade, protected against it harming herself from the gloves she wore, she forcefully twisted it in a motion of turning a crank wheel beheading the creature.

• “Whew. That’s one… Don’t join unless I tell you guys to do it. Now let’s find another shall we?”

Her familiars concurred to her decision, while eating the remains of the mantis.

Yes it was just like a horror movie. But she wasn’t the hapless victim, she was the killer hunting down its victims one by one…

Auratic

Hello I'm kind of late by like few hours but that's okay... I'll be soon moving onto the next 'ARC' if you will. Oh in case you didn't know here's how we extract venom. Skip to 9:10 for spooders. Next chapter in the coming week, around next weekends after this one maybe.

I was looking up a grammar rule somewhere it was like "Take a quiz, see what kind of writer you are!" and I'm like 'cool' and went ahead and took it. Here's the results:

Spoiler

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The accuracy of this test is bogus. Discuss.