“Look how it writhes in pain, desperate for its freedom. Keep struggling, you are a joy to watch. Die slowly for my entertainment. One dying after another keeps the meat fresh for longer, so take your time. I am pleased.” The Spider Goddesses thoughts were felt and heard by her followers as they hurried to construct still a thicker and stronger web.

She moved slowly towards the nearest trapped creature. She was beautiful to watch, only one leg moving at a time, so elegant, her design perfection. She took a moment to inject the creature with a paralyzing serum. Eating a limp creature was so much more agreeable. Still alive, still aware but unable to move. The next creature in the web watched, fighting in desperation to escape this same fate. She was satisfied for now, but turned for a moment to smile at her next meal. Who could not feel anything but love for that face?

But this time she had made a fatal mistake. This creature was not only sentient but a survivor. He was not going to die in these God forsaken lands. He stopped the struggle and calmly returned the smile. The curiosity of the Goddess was too much, no fight? She took one step towards him, still no struggle. “Why was it not fighting the web?” Another step. His finger poised on the weapon just a little further spider, just another step.

The quick eyes of the Goddess saw the red light as it made contact with the web, cutting through it with one swift strike. She reacted with her deadly spike of serum aimed straight towards his heart. But she had forgotten to watch for other dangers  from above. Not only was this a weapon it was a beacon. At that moment a Gargon flew straight down towards her, claws out stretched. At last the Goddess was his. The Scouts had done well to find her nest, pity some of them had to die in the process but the prize was worth it. The claws held her firmly from each side as the Gargon flew back into the sky. She was powerless against the strength of the Gargon, defeated her legs gathered towards the centre of her limp body. The fear was now hers, she was the victim.