Chapter Text
Webber was sitting next to Baal and Aym, they had just taken the cult to the last safe spot other than the childrens camp. They were waiting for the goat, they had to make a plan. Killer was going to keep an eye on everything going on the old grounds. They were scared, killer had given a description of everything happening. They also told them the new god has been trying to communicate with them.
Webber never stopped feeding their spiders, so they were still loyal to them. But it was getting harder to feed them, they were growing in numbers. They saw Narinder, Shamura, and Goat walking twords them and Aym call out to them. They all met up and gave details and the smaller thing going on. Webber stayed quiet for awhile holding a book. When Baal started talking about the new crown Webber took a picture out of the book and started to explain the situation.
"This is more or less what my spiders have seen. She sometimes has followers, but my spiders eat them. She doesn't seem to care they get eaten though, she also tries to communicate with them. She thinks they are normal critters and they don't understand her, but is trying to use them because she thinks they killed the cult. She especially tries to talk to Killer and the spider queens, Killer said she is visiting more and more. She's orange with a blue stripes and an orange crown."
Goat took the paper and saw the spider, she had a star shaped crown and was wearing a robe like the ones the bishops would wear. "Not gonna lie, she's kinda hot." Shamura glared at them with a look that would probably give anyone else a heart attack. The goat gulped and quickly tried to back track. "I said kinda, not that she is. You're way hotter than her, plus she doesn't have as much curves as you. I also like purple more, orange is an ugly color. Babe I'm sorry, don't be mad."
Everyone was laughing at them, especially when Goat tried to hug Shamura and they pulled Webber in front of themselves to have the goat hug them instead. "Narinder, do you think Vephar is still willing to accompany me during the cold nights?" Goats face was full of horror when they heard that. Narinder unfortunately for them made things worse.
"My dear sibling, the nights do not need to be cold for them to be willing to warm your bed. The only reason they don't try anything is out of respect, but I've heard them confess their feelings for you to Leshy while under the influence. Just asking and they will surely bear you a child."
Goat looked like a puppy that just got kicked, Narinder obviously was enjoying their misery. "Not funny guys, I've seen their thoughts and they are gross. I will sacrifice them if I have to, but they are not to touch my Shamura. At least say Focalor, they at least have class."
Shamura looked lost in though and began to mumble only making Goat regret everything. "Focalor, ah yes I remember. They had quite the stamina, also liked to be tied up for some reason. I did wish they won more tournaments, such a gentle lover they were. I'm surprised we only got one egg at the end of it." Goat was mortified at this point, and of course Narinder would make things worse by laughing.
"Ok, I got it, no more jokes about creatures being hot in front of you. Please stop, I don't want to kill my followers but will if I have to." Shamura gave an innocent smile, "and I do not mind fighting a god. Next time I will hunt whomever down, regardless of the outcome. I was the god of war for a reason, do not forget little goat."
Goat looked down and whispered "that's hot" before clearing their throat. "Ok, so I just have to kill her and put her in her place and we can go back home."
Webber shook their head, "she mentioned something about another crown. Someone else's has one but they haven't visited the cult grounds yet. I plan on having Charlotte go there to find out more. So I need Webby to learn the map, if you guys can take them with you it would be a lot of help. Charlotte isn't going to get to close, most likely going to have them just live on the top of the wall. I can make a nest for them, it will be hard though. They like the dark so I don't think they will make more dangling depth dwellers. I could also change them into a sea strider, but without fish, figs, and water they won't be able to make more. The rest aren't good at climbing at all, so I need to find a way to make them comfortable enough to breed."
Goat looked confused, "the mating tent is a thing you know." Webber looked up at the goat, "they don't breed the same way most creatures here do. We don't even know how breeding will work with us because we can't just do what they do. Regular, warrior, and nurse spiders are sterile, but one regular spider becomes a princess and lays offspring in the nest. She isn't allowed to leave because she attaches herself to the nest. As she grows so does the nest, until she's at the end of her life and becomes a queen and moves to another location to let the next royal attach themselves. The rest just need a very specific diet and housing to be able to breed. They didn't need a partner, just need the requirements. We don't know why we can't breed like them, but we can't. Charlotte as she is needs a dark, cool, damp place with a specific fungus and a diet of a specific type of rabbit. They nest on the tops of blue mushtrees inside caves and eat bunnymen and beardlords fur and all. That's why my switcherdoodles for them have bunny puffs a monster meat."
Narinder looked at Shamura, "do you think goat could make that stuff with the crown?" Shamura shook their head, "at the moment no, they are still in their adolescent face in their godhood. Though farther than the lamb, they still need time. And unfortunately we don't have that. Plus you except them to make something they have yet to see, something WE do not have any knowledge of?"
Narinder looked at Webber, "have you been practicing your part of the ritual? How far along are you?" Webber looked disappointed refusing to meet Narinder's eyes. "We have the steps, we are struggling with the words. It's hard learning a new language. But we will keep practicing, we will get it though."
Narinder looked down for a while lost in though, then closed his eyes and looked to the sky muttering something nether Webber or Goat could understand. He looked at Webber and held his paw out. "Give me the necklace I gave you." Webber looked shocked at first, but then sad. They removed a necklace that nether Shamura or Goat have ever seen. Shamura looked annoyed at their brother for keeping secrets. He took his necklace off and gave it to Webber before putting Webber's on himself. "Do NOT damage it, that is a very important necklace. It will help you retain information better, take care of it. Baal and Aym will help you study."
He then looked at Shamura with a guilt expression, "yes I have been speaking to Haro. But Webber's, Baal's, and Amy's necklaces were a gift from the triplets, not Haro's. Only mine is a gift from another god, I will also not apologize for accepting it. Haro has no intention on converting me to their cult, and I have rejected the offer of becoming a god. They wished to give me their crown, but I refused it. I know you are upset I spoke to another god, but it is Haro. They have always guided me, even after I ascended. You know this, so I don't get why you are surprised they still help me."
Goat shrugged it off trying to lighten the mood. "I mean, they talk to me to so I don't see anything wrong with this. But I want a few more of those necklaces. What do they even do? They looked awesome, how many god tears do I need? Can I wear one, or just followers?"
Shamura glared at Goat for encouraging Narinder, Narinder put his paw over where the necklace was hidden. "Theirs only has Chemach's, Clauneck's, and Kudaai's feather, mine has Haro's. 'If lost ask destiny to show thee thy way. If scared ask the straight within once self for guidance. If all paths are close, use those that came before thee to open thy way. Always look to thy past to guide thee, for it is our past that shapes us.' That is what Haro told me when they gave me mine."
Goat pouted and crossed their arms, "so gibberish like always, figures." Narinder arched an eyebrow, "you really don't know what they meant about that?" When they said no Shamura answered for Narinder.
"Though not gods the siblings are children of the first gods and have their blessing. If lost ask destiny the way, Clauneck is the keeper of fait. He will guide them safely to their destination. If scared ask the straight within once self for guidance. Kudaai if the father of forge, his feather will unlock their straight. If all paths are close, use those that came before thee to open thy way. Chemach is the mother of relics, it's odd that she would let mortals use them. I feel this one is not as it seems, but the last is most likely Haro offering their guidance to Narinder."
Narinder cleared his throat and pulled out his necklace, "Chemach may not allow me to use the relics anymore, but I have noticed that the missionary necklace has new properties. If I hold it, I can see the entire path in my mind. Everything from a falling leaf to a heretic hidden in a bush. You cannot buy these with god tears because the siblings have no use for them. Haro especially does not care for them, so I do not know how you my get more other than asking one of them. Haro told me something that I still do not understand. I asked why they still help me and they said 'tis not power to rule thou seek, but the power to help those in need. Don't taint thou pure heart, for muddy waters will hide what lays underneath'. I was looking for power when I was trapped in my realm, that is why I asked the lamb to sacrifice themselves. I wanted no one to opposed me, so why help free me? Why not just leave me and let my memory die?"
Shamura looked away in shame remembering their brother's imprisonment. Aym finally spoke up though, "you didn't want anyone to oppose you not just for yourself. I still remember you would tell us of all the things you wanted us to experience." Baal followed his brother's lead and continued the expectation, "I also remember the anger and sorrow every time you saw one of your followers join us in the afterlife. You might not remember because you were losing your mind twords the end. But we do, we remember everything, and that's why we follow you."
Shamura refused to cry in front of everyone, but they really wanted to at the moment. Goat realized this and decided it was time to go. "Well losers, it was nice seeing you guys. But unfortunately I have places to be and creatures to meet, and you guys aren't them. I'll visit tomorrow, but today I need to talk to some bird brained jerk that doesn't tell me what I wanna know but tells hairball everything. Call me if anything happens, you have my shrine so just start using that. I'll still take the spider, but the shrine is there for a reason. And one last thing, tell Bea's former followers that if they so much as hold my Mura's hand they are dead. K, k, love you bye."
Goat took Shamura's hand and started dragging them, Narinder gave Baal a parcel and left to catch up with the pair. Baal opened it and saw 9 necklaces, three feathered necklaces for speed and three moon to help them stay up, and two demon for some reason, and a missionary. "We should start practicing the ritual tonight, I'm guessing there is three for each. I don't like how they make me feel, but we do need to take things more serious. I just wish the necklaces wouldn't clash so much."
The others just nodded and took their necklaces and put them on. Time was running out especially after the information they just got.
Shamura was letting the goat drag them along while Narinder just followed them. Webby was on top of Narinder's head looking at everything to make sure they could find the way back. After a while Narinder just stopped and looked off to the side and walked away. The others not paying attention just kept going forward.
In a clearing he saw Haro playing with two black kittens that look very familiar. "What are they doing here, did they followed their fathers and get lost?" Haro smiled and shook their head, "tis my eggs that hatched, thy names are Raphael and Lamia." Narinder felt his heart skip a beat at the names. He looked at Haro and waited for confirmation, when they nodded Narinder felt tears fall from his eyes and walk forward. They saw him and hissed but didn't move away. He got down on one knee and just stared at them. Lamia hesitantly crawled to him and sniffed him before purring and rubbing up on him. Raphael followed suit and soon they were running around him playing with his tail and trying to climb up on him.
"How is this possible? They had died." Haro walked over and started to pet Narinder, "thy cries were heard, thy wish granted. For thy tears were pure and filled with love. Even thy firsts could not ignore thy prayers." Narinder was purring causing the kittens to stop at the familiar sound. They meowed at him and cried to be held. "They remember their parents, Baal and Aym were very affectionate twords their eggs. But will you part with them is the question? They are your followers now, it is not my right to take them from you."
Haro scratched the back of Narinder's ear making him purr louder. "Thy shall always be mine regardless of whom thy follow, just as though are now little one. My little kit, child of life and death." Just then they heard the goat yelling annoyance in their voice. "What the hell fluff ball, here we were worried sick and you're running off with your affair god. Not cool Narinder."
Narinder's face was red with embarrassment, then they heard Haro laugh and he buried his face in his paws. "Hello Goat, god of death and sin. Shamura, tis been some time since I last saw thee." Goat walked over to them pouting like a child, "not fair, why do you get cool looking necklaces and get to pet Narinder. Even Lamb couldn't do that unless he was sleeping." At this point Narinder was sitting on the floor hiding his face on his knees trying to disappear while Haro just laughed.
"Shamura is aloud the privilege as well Lord Death." Shamura frowned and looked away, "not anymore. Narinder does not let anyone pet him anymore." Haro looked shocked, then sad before looking at Narinder. "Little kit, thou have been freed from thy chains. Why not leave thy cage? Thou are free, enjoy thou freedom once more little one."
Narinder just looked at the kittens and started to pet them. He didn't answer and just sat there. Haro looked at the goat and smiled, "thy necklace were gifts from thy children of thy firsts. If though want more thou shall have to find something worth trading them. Thy item changes every trade, so though should keep that in mind."
Goat reached for Narinder and he swatted their hoof away making Goat pout. "I know you've been keeping an eye on everything Haro, now spit it out. Who is the new god, how did they get the crown, what are they god of, and how long did they have it for?" Narinder looked at Haro curious of the answer, he was carrying the kittens in his arms.
"Thy day thy lamb freed thy fanatic's soul, thee showed mercy to one of Shamura's followers. She vowed revenge for her god and village. When Clauneck told thee, tis was to late. For thie new infant god had left with thy crown. Only now she shows herself, for thy god of death is no longer here. She is gaining following fast, with fear and promises of revenge. I cannot stop her now, for thy crown is still waking. I need followers, but to long have I preached for death that I have no followers of my own."
Goat kept trying to pet Narinder, he of course kept smacking their hoof away. The kittens jumped out of Narinder's arms and started chasing each other. Both Goat and Narinder were getting annoyed with each other, Goat finally stopped stomping their feet in annoyance. "So that's why you took Narinder and the kits, because you need followers."
Haro picked up the kittens and gave them to Narinder and scratched his ear only pissing off the goat more. "Narinder is not mine, he is not Lamb's either. Narinder is though follower, I am but family to thee. Just as Shamura is, though is his god." Haro took a feather and pulled out Narinder's necklace, they added the feather on his necklace before petting him one last time. "Do not challenge her Narinder, thou are mortal. Please take care of though loved ones, though has always took everything on though shoulders. But remember, no matter how strong the bridge, one must always be mindful of the weight though add."
Haro then walked over to the goat and handed them a necklace made of their feathers. They them went to Shamura and gave them a gentle but stern look. "Though has much to learn, not everything can be fixed by following ones mind. Thy heart can sometimes be just as knowledgeable." Without a word Haro flew away, Goat walked over to Shamura and gave them the necklace and a kiss. "I'm guessing this will help clear your mind even more than it is now. Don't worry about Haro either, I don't mind sharing anything unless it's you."
Narinder just rolled his eyes and walked away caring the kittens, Goat ran in front of him with their hands up. "Hay let me see one, it's only fair because your being a jerk about being pet." Narinder tried to hand them one but they both started to cry. "Wow Haro, did you really make every cat you touch hate me?"
Narinder laughed "I'm sure Forneus would let you pet her." To Narinder's surprise, the goat looked legitimately hurt. "No, I've tried that to once. She said it was unprofessional or something." Shamura pet the goat to try and comfort them, and Narinder got done to one knee. "Just this once, and don't tell anyone I let you except the lamb."
Immediately went to pet them, Shamura just laughed at the sight of it. Narinder didn't react, but their spouse was obviously happy. "My lord, scratch behind his ear gently." Narinder glared at Shamura, but couldn't hold back the purr when he felt the goat scratching him. He quickly got up and walked away leaving the two laughing. Lamia jumped out from Narinder's shoulder and then to the goat. Narinder stopped and turned in time to see Goat catch the kitten.
After letting out a breath of relief he continued to walk away. Shamura caught up to him and kept stealing a glance every once in awhile. "Sibling, I would not be opposed to being pet by you or Kallamar. The other two will still lose a finger though." Shamura shocked him by hugging him, they had tears falling from their eyes. "Thank you my dearest brother, I have missed you so much." Raphael jumped over to Shamura's shoulder and started to purr. Hopefully things get better soon, but they all had a feeling they were just getting started.
The yellow spider god was trying to feed one of the fluffy black ones. It almost took the food before the odd one hissed at it. They were getting annoying, they were always pushing everyone away. That is everyone except the new one. A pretty white one with red eyes. That one seemed to lead everyone, even the giant ones would at least listen to it. Not do what they say, but definitely pay attention. She brought food from the new cult grounds that were now completely destroyed. The light house was now a nest.
She also came back one day to find less spiders and nests. They were probably spreading to new grounds, it makes sense to how well they seem to be moving. When she approached it, it didn't hiss or even react. It just walked away like she was some lowly follower. It would bring a present with a weird looking meat in it, then it will start putting webs everywhere near a tree.
She found out those let it know when someone was there. She walked to the only large nest left, it's been a few weeks since the new cult was destroyed. She was so close, all the new followers she would have gotten. She started to reach to the nest when she heard a loud hiss. The pretty spider looked upset as it ran to her. It jumped at her ready to bite, but the goddess moved out of the way.
She saw the spider stand protectively in front of the nest. It hissed and jumped again, but made sure it stayed between her and the nest. "So you are trying to protect your only large spider left. I won't hurt it, I promise." She back away and the spider calmed down a bit, but it stayed in front of the nest protectively. "I would love to make you my follower, you are so pretty and very protective. You would make the perfect disciple, what do you say?" The spider refused to move as it just readied itself for another attack at any moment.
"I really need to learn to communicate with you, my future spouse. You're species is already beautiful, I can't imagine if I turned you from a critter to a follower. And the odd color also proves your special, just like that ugly one that lives in the tent. You two should belong to me, but I'm patient, I will wait for a while longer."
The goddess got up and walked away, the other one following her out. After she went through the entrance the white spider just stayed and watched for a while before hissing and walking back. Webber crawled out of the nest as Charlotte ran to them. They jumped to Webber's arms and tried to comfort the frightened hybrid. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying. I'm not a child anymore, but I felt like the first night I met deerclops." Killer crawled out of the tent and ran to Webber and hissed trying to get their attention. Webber picked them up and suddenly heard a voice that made their blood run cold.
"Oh my, you are beautiful. I have never seen a creature like you, you are definitely going to be my first consort." Webber saw the spider god standing on the entrance. They put the two spiders in the sack they were holding and took a few steps back. "We're sorry Ms. God lady, but we aren't interested. We don't even know who you are, so how can you expect us to love you?"
She chuckled and took a few steps forward making Webber step back. "Love? Who said anything about love? I just want something to sit there and look pretty while I kill heretics." Webber didn't realize their body changed, survival instinct hit them and webs covered their body. They could hear Killer and Charlotte trying to get out. Spiders ran out and started to attack the intruder and Webber took off running. They made sure to run on the website to run faster. They could hear the spiders dieing and couldn't help the tears from falling.
The goddess smiled as she reached to grab them, but before she could they were gone. She looked up and got a glimpse of them going past the wall and let out an angry scream.
Webber yelped when they were lifted up, but then they heard the most gentle voice whisper. "Everything shall be alright, though aren't here to hurt thee. Now silence, there are many ears in the forest." After a while Haro landed on a tree and shushed them. They then heard laughing and saw someone else with a crown. Haro looked shocked but didn't move. When they left Haro waved Webber twords them and got off the tree before walking the way the otter god came from.
They got to a large tent with stairs and moons hanging from the trees. The smell of incense was in the air. There was cards laying on a carpet and a giant duck larger than Forneus sitting there crossed legged. "I can feel Fate's hand on the cards this night, lend yourself to draw a card."
Haro looked taken a back when Webber stepped forward without hesitation and drew a card. It was the the lovers II, but had a deceased heart. "A toxic love, all will suffer." Webber backed away from the duck and bumped into Haro whom seemed unhappy.
"Clauneck, tis this the new infant God's infatuation to the little spider?" Clauneck nodded their head, "now the next." Webber was more hesitant now, but they still drew a card. "Interesting, devine strength, vigor of the great ones courses through you." Webber missed the way Haro tense up, Clauneck on the other hand gave them an apologetic smile. "One more little mortal." Webber flipped the last card, "the telescope, surely what will be one day be yours to conquer."
Webber started playing with something in their hands, "so what does that mean?" Clauneck smiled, "take this card and it shall guide you." Haro sat down and gave Clauneck some gold, "may haps though shall do one more reading, for thy children." Clauneck took the gold and smiled, "of course my lord." Haro flipped the first one, "the loathed, hate runs deepest where love once flowed." Haro flipped the next one, it was an image of a follower praying with another about to stab them. "The betrayal, loyalty lost, trust is lost." Haro calmly flipped the last one, "kin of Turua, a patriarch protects his own." Haro kept the last card and gave Clauneck a few crystals.
Clauneck smiled and took them before handing them a feather. Haro nodded before getting up and walking away. Webber smiled and waved at Clauneck, "good bye Mr. Clauneck." He smiled at them and gave them a gentle smile, "good bye little mortal, may fait smile down at you."
"One more friend awaits." Webber started to smell rot and gagged a little. They entered a room with junk everywhere. Next thing they knew a large legless duck come down from the roof. Webber screamed and ran behind Haro. "Ho ho ho ho come white crown,vI have tools to give, yes? Crafted by Chemach. My brothers, they might have pretty things, but mine? Power. Powerful things.Will you look? Will you take? What will you give in turn? Your flesh? Your bone? Your Crown?"
"If only dear friend, alas thy crown rejects thee." Haro turned to Webber that now was looking at the bird with aw, no longer hiding from the giant bird. They were to trusting, Haro reached their wing out. "Though necklaces please." Webber held their necklace and gave Haro a sad look. "But my friend gave me this." When Haro didn't back down Webber gave Haro the golden skull. "All of them please, even Narinder's." "I can't give you Narinder's, he told me to take care of it." Haro smiled "thy have replaced thy feather, do not fret, for I will not harm thee." Webber reluctantly gave them the necklaces. Haro turned to the bird and gave them the necklaces, including a few extra.
"Please Chemach fix these so they don't fight for power. Though are thy only one I could think to ask." Chemach took them and danced on her chains, "he he he he, I fix, I fix! Chemach make wonderful things, make things better! Chemach is better, better than brothers, Chemach best of all!" She laughed as she went back up to the roof. Webber sat on the floor and started to play with something on their hands again.
"So she's a god to? What is she a god of? Why are her legs missing? Did she fight a god to?" Haro shook their head, "Chemach made though own crown. She is thy goddess of relics, but not accepted by the firsts. She took thy own legs to make relics." Webber's eyes widen as the looked up to were Chemach had gone.
"Wow, that's so cool." Just then they heard hissing and Webber hurried to get their spiders from the backpack. "Oh yeah, sorry guys. Don't touch any ok, and behave." Haro couldn't help but think of another spider taking their siblings for a walk outside their cult. Just then Chemach came down startling the three spiders. "Ah, it's done, it's done! Chemach is best, nobody better than Chemach! Chemach better than brothers he he he, ho ho ho ho!" Her loud booming voice echoed the room.
Webber seemed to snap out of it and ran twords the duck in excitement. "Let me see! Let me see!" Chemach gave them a new necklace. "Chemach made many into one, Chemach smart. Why be many if you can be same?" Webber took the necklaces and put it on, it looked very different. The pendants were merged into one, and some how made smaller. It was like a dreamcatcher, with the natures and moon necklaces in the middle making a sun and moon. In the start of every feather was one of the other pendants holding the feathers in place. There was also extra feathers and leaves to make it look like the sun's rays.
"Thank you Miss Chemach, it's beautiful. It also doesn't give me a headache anymore." Chemach was obviously happy with that answer, "ah ha ha ha, yes, yes, Chemach fix, Chemach make it better. Chemach make it new, little spider no need to worry anymore. Now Chemach done, go now, show Chemach best god." Haro stepped forward and spoke to the bird. "Though shall bring more for thee Chemach, though also have thy items for thy last four. Though shall return for them later, please make haste."
Chemach was swinging on the chains as she happily danced. "Of course, of course! Chemach get it done, Chemach can do anything! Many, many wonderful things! He he he he!" With that she disappeared, Haro smiled down at the spider. "Tis where we part little spider, my the road ahead be kind." "Wait!" Webber grabbed Haro's robe before they flew away surprising them. They took Haro's hand and put a string of woven silk on their wrist.
Haro felt a surge of devotion course through them, enough to fill 3 tear 3 totems. "I know gods like to give their followers gifts they receive and you probably won't keep it, but it's a thank you for saving my friends and me. It's called a friendship bracelet, but I didn't have the dye to make it different colors." When they finished tying it, they backed away and lifted their hand to reveal an old dingy one that was made of lesser quality materials. "If you want I can make you a better one later, but that's all I can do for now."
Haro pet the spider and smiled, "no, tis enough. Though shall keep it." Webber's face lit up before Haro flew away. Webber looked at the spiders and smiled. "Let's go guys, we should tell Narinder what happened when we get home."
Haro found the hanging weapons and landed, they saw Kudaai sitting in front of a bow and what looked like lightning, "so you made your choice old friend." Haro's face was serious, something that Kudaai rarely saw. "Tis was never thy choice to make." Haro took the weapons and looked back at the duck, "tell thy they are next."