Tarangire Webs of Chaos
Arif set out to load his gear, knowing it would be another long night for his men. He was more than capable of handling the task at hand. His training in the troops during his younger years had laid a strong foundation, and over time, his wisdom deepened. Arif, a seasoned sand cat, preferred solitude, accompanied only by good friends like Akil or his automatic pulse handgun. Arif gathered his troops and loaded them into their armored trucks. The engines roared to life as the raiders rolled out. Heading toward Peloria, Arif enjoyed a smooth ride a well thought out plan. Instead, this mission he was embarking on had neither. He stared briefly up at the bright moonlight streaming into the truck cabin, returning his attention back on the road as they approached Tarangire. The city's architecture was striking, with most of the city's buildings soaring to impressive heights, as if they were reaching for the night sky above.
The buildings of Tarangire had melded seamlessly with the rugged rocks around them. Inside this impressive architecture lay a thriving city, where its residents strolled along the cobblestone paths safe and secure during day and night. Blissfully unaware of the turmoil that was about to unfold this very night fall. However, despite this tranquil town was on the brink of chaos. Arif's raiders soon noticed an unusual sight—a shimmering white layer of webs adorning the walls of several buildings. The sheer volume was staggering, leaving them bewildered about its origin. The webs cloaked the structures like heavy blankets draped over a sofa, wrapping Tarangire's essence in an unexpected embrace. Arif stopped at the roadside and turned off his engine, with the second armored truck following closely behind. The seasoned raider emerged, gripping his pulse handgun tightly. His face was a mask of stern confidence. He approached the city gates with a deliberate, steady pace, fully aware of the keen eyes monitoring his every move as he and his raiders advanced. Turning to his band of raiders, he whispered discreet instructions to fan out in search of the elusive mongoose and Oryx. The moment had come to locate the map and key that would unlock the legendary portal for President Saurkear. Setting off on his own in pursuit of the prize, Arif keenly observed his surroundings. Some of the residents began to grow anxious, retreating swiftly into their rocky homes for the evening, while others lingered, curious to see what the raiders were doing in their village so late. Up the road, Arif could hear voices rising in intensity as a small group of raiders interrogated the locals.
The ones who had the courage to engage stood their ground resolutely, unwilling to divulge any significant information. Many others were bewildered and shocked that their city could be accused of such treason. Locally, no one had spotted the two individuals the raiders were seeking, but the tale of the key portals was well-known to them. Several hybrid's curiosity was piqued, and they decided they also wanted to join the search. No one truly knew what fortune might lie hidden behind those enigmatic portals. There was skepticism regarding whether the elusive keys or portals of great power even existed; some considered them mere old wives' tales, legendary bedtime stories meant to lull little ones to sleep. Arif had to quickly quell the disruption to prevent a riot from erupting against them. His imposing, intimidating presence would be enough to handle the situation.
"Silence!" Arif commanded, turning to his soldier who stood close by. "Ghaffir, let's disperse the crowd. We came here with a purpose and need to realign with our mission. It's time for the locals to move along while we return to our own path," he declared.
Ghaffir acknowledged his leader with a nod and urged the crowd to disperse, while the raiders melted into the ominous mist that had suddenly enveloped the city. Though it was a chillingly abrupt arrival, in Arif's opinion, it provided an ideal disguise for the raiders. They could navigate through the shadowy veil of fog without being seen. Should they encounter the mongoose or Oryx, the two wouldn't suspect the ambush lurking just beneath the surface. He interpreted the mist as a favorable omen, believing they would discover what they sought. With stealthy movements, he concentrated on a singular path. He meticulously scrutinized the towering buildings and their surroundings. Gradually, he became aware of the increasingly silent and frigid atmosphere. No longer did he see flickering lights within the homes; in fact, many residences were closing their shutters and retreating within. Trailing quietly behind Arif on the lonely path was Ghaffir.
He called out to his leader, "Where would you like us to go, sir?" Ghaffir inquired.
Arif gestured upwards at a towering building. The only one he could see still shining its bright lights inside, it was illuminating the path ahead. He pondered that if he were in their shoes, he would probably remain hidden above the city to keep a vigilant eye on things. As far as he was aware, they might have been doing just that, until the fog descended. His mind started to entertain other scenarios. The earlier commotion from the crowd could have attracted their attention; perhaps they had done so deliberately to facilitate a swift getaway. If they were on the move again, it seemed likely that their next destination would be the shadowy woods of Tarangire. The raiders hurried up the narrow, winding stairs to enter the lighthouse-styled home. Their footsteps echoed, heavy and quick. Arif remained steadfast at the bottom, observing his troops as they climbed, his watchful gaze scanning the ground for any signs of attempted escapes. The raiders forced open the wooden door to the quaint, abandoned house. Inside, candles flickered in the dim light, but no one was there—only the faint traces of two bodies that had recently occupied the space. Two impressions were visible in the bedding, where wool blankets lay spread out. Arif had been correct; they were mere seconds away from capturing them. The once-warm beds had turned cold, yet the room told a story of two individuals who had shared a quick meal and were clearly hiding for their own safety.
Arif let out a frustrated sigh when Ghaffir and the raiders quickly returned back to him with the disappointing news. He shook his head in exasperation, having been outsmarted once more by two ordinary creatures. Though he recognized their cunning and agility—especially since they had managed to evade the raider team twice—he reminded himself that their luck couldn't hold out indefinitely. Soon enough, they would run out of time and hiding spots. Without warning, Arif and his team were jolted by a strange noise, accompanied by loud thumping sounds rapidly approaching them. Arif shouted for his troops to form ranks and ready their weapons for an imminent attack. He had no clue what was approaching. Glancing behind him, he noticed the city streets devoid of life completely, with every house shrouded in darkness and wooden shutters closed tight. There was something unsettling among them, a presence that the townsfolk recognized all too well. Steeling himself, Arif turned back to confront the menacing sounds drawing near. Before long, they would discover the mysterious creature that visited the town of Tarangire each night without exception. From the dense, shadowy fog, a sizable, crab-like white spider swiftly made its appearance. Towering over them with slender long legs that creaked with every movement, its pedipalps quivered with excitement as it gazed at the feast of raiders down beneath it.
"What on earth is that?" Ghaffir asked, trembling with fear.
Arif knew exactly what it was, but they had only been bedtime stories, or so he believed. Arif was beginning to rethink all the fables of old. At one time he believed them to be make believe tales to keep little ones in check, now he was a firm believer of two things. Giant spiders of Tarangire were real and the portal keys existed. 'What was next, the end of the world?' he thought to himself.
"Steady yourselves! Aim for the abdomen or leg joints, keep your distance from the stinger, and do your best to avoid the fangs," commanded Arif, trembling at the immense size of the creature.
The pale creature emitted a bone-chilling clicking sound with its fangs before lunging at the two raiders on guard. In a swift display of agility, the spider sank its fangs into the first raider, while the second found himself spinning like a circus performer, entangled in its silken web. The entire scene unfolded so rapidly that no one could fully grasp what had just occurred. Gunfire erupted, but the creature's crab-like shell deflected the bullets effortlessly. This only fueled its rage, prompting it to discard the lifeless raider and pursue another target. Desperate, one soldier tried to aim and evade, but his efforts were in vain. He slipped on a rock concealed by the mist and crashed face-first onto the cobblestone. The spider drew closer from behind, extending its long stinger from within its delicate limbs, preparing to ensnare him in its deadly webs.
One by one, the raiders succumbed to the solitary spider. Frustrated, Arif and Ghaffir teamed up to identify the creature's weak points in its armored exterior. They quickly recognized that the joints of its legs were unprotected and soft, as well as a vulnerable spot on its underbelly near the stinger. Once they unveiled these secrets, it didn't take long for them to bring the beast down. Arif sprang into action, driving bullets deep into the joints of the spider's front legs. Upon impact, the creature buckled and recoiled, unleashing a horrific, unearthly scream. Meanwhile, Ghaffir lurked behind the beast, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When the spider reared back, raising its abdomen high and exposing its vulnerable underbelly, Ghaffir fired several shots into it. The sudden assault startled the injured spider, causing it to leap into the air in panic. As it fell back down, the creature let out a bone-chilling scream, thrashing about before landing on its back, its spindly legs curling inward toward its abdomen as it exhaled its final breath. Arif took a moment to ensure the creature was truly dead before approaching it. With no further movement, he felt confident that the beast was gone. As he got closer to inspect its exterior, he marveled at the sheer size of the arachnid. Examining its formidable fangs, he couldn't help but think they would make excellent weapons. He quickly drew his long knife and began to saw off one of the fangs. As he did, something metallic slipped from its grip and fell at his feet. Curious, Arif bent down to investigate, only to discover it was a key — a key for the portal.
Arif's anxiety surged as he worried that more threats could be imminent. Where one spider was present, it was likely that others would soon follow. This particular creature didn't even seem to be the queen, leaving him unsettled about what sort of monster could be leading them. Elated that he had discovered the key, he decided it was time to call it a night and head back. As he contemplated how the spider had come into possession of it, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. The creature must have captured and devoured the two individuals they had been looking for. For all he knew, they had stumbled upon the first key, only to take refuge and then tragically fall victim to the spider in the depths of the forest. Feeling a sense of closure, Arif ordered that they tend to the raiders who had only been poisoned, leaving the deceased behind. The remaining raiders were weak and suffering from the venom. The stronger soldiers quickly helped the frail ones back to the trucks. Arif and Ghaffir held back, prepared to confront any further dangers if another spider emerged from the fog. Fortunately, none appeared, and all the men managed to secure themselves inside the vehicles. The two raiders hurried back and revved up the engines loudly. They were in for a chaotic journey back home. Arif felt a wave of relief wash over him as they put distance between themselves, and the town plagued by enormous sand spiders.