Chereads / Abyssal Faith: A Goddess's Path to Divinity / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Venom of the Healing Spider

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Venom of the Healing Spider

The healer stood before her, his head still bowed in submission as Aracnys took her first steps into solidifying her power. The air around them was thick with the quiet hum of the abyss, a pulse that vibrated through the ground as if the world itself was recognizing her divine presence.

But something else stirred within her.

The moment she had stepped onto the soil of this world, a new awareness had flooded her mind. She could sense them—spiders. Thousands upon thousands of them, woven into the very fabric of this land. Their webs stretched across forests, deserts, and cities, each species uniquely adapted to its environment, each one a potential extension of her will.

The knowledge was overwhelming but intoxicating. Every species of spider that called this world home now belonged to her—her children. She could feel their instincts, their venom, their abilities coursing through her, waiting for her to tap into them.

Aracnys closed her eyes, focusing on the spiders that lived nearby. There was one in particular that caught her attention—a small but potent creature, known by mortals as the healing plane spider. Its venom, while dangerous in large doses, contained a unique property that could heal wounds and illnesses when carefully administered.

"Come to me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

There was a brief silence, and then, from the shadows, a small black spider emerged. It skittered across the ground, moving swiftly toward her, its tiny legs carrying it with purpose. Aracnys watched as it approached, a strange sense of connection building between them. The spider's venom was lethal in nature, but within it was the power to heal—a perfect symbol of her domain.

The healer looked up, his eyes widening as he saw the creature crawl up her leg, making its way toward her hand. "What is that?" he asked, his voice laced with fear.

Aracnys smiled, her fingers outstretched as the spider crawled into her palm. "This is one of my children," she said softly. "Its venom has the power to heal."

The healer stepped back, his gaze fixed on the tiny creature. "But… venom? How can that heal?"

"Venom can destroy, yes," Aracnys replied, her voice calm. "But in small doses, it can also restore. This spider's venom contains a property that your people will need to survive the sickness that plagues this village."

Before the healer could respond, Aracnys lifted her hand, allowing the spider to crawl up her arm. It paused at her wrist, its tiny fangs glinting in the faint light of the moon. Without hesitation, the spider bit her, its fangs sinking into her skin.

A sharp pain shot through her arm, but Aracnys remained still. Her divine nature absorbed the venom quickly, her body recognizing its properties, analyzing its effects. She felt a strange pulse of energy as the Divine System activated once more.

[Divine System Notification:

Venom of the Healing Plane Spider Registered

New skill acquired: Venom Creation]

Aracnys blinked, momentarily surprised. Venom Creation? She hadn't expected to gain a new skill from this. But as the system processed the venom coursing through her veins, she could feel the new ability settling within her, becoming part of her divine essence.

The voice of the system echoed in her mind.

["Your divine nature allows you to absorb and adapt to new powers. Your body knows what to do, even when you do not."]

Aracnys flexed her fingers, feeling the venom now coiled within her. She had the power to create it at will, to manipulate it into a form that would heal or destroy. The system's explanation made sense—her body, her divine essence, was constantly adapting, evolving to suit the needs of the world around her.

She looked down at the healer, whose eyes were still wide with shock. "Bring me a bowl," she commanded, her voice firm but calm. "I will create enough venom to heal your people."

The healer hesitated for only a moment before rushing inside his small home. Moments later, he returned with a simple clay bowl, his hands trembling as he offered it to her.

Aracnys took the bowl, her eyes glowing faintly as she called upon her new ability. The venom stirred within her, coiling through her veins like a serpent. Slowly, she extended her hand over the bowl, and from her fingertips, a few drops of black venom began to drip into the vessel.

The liquid shimmered in the moonlight, dark and potent, but Aracnys knew its power. This venom was no longer lethal—it had been transformed by her will, imbued with the healing properties of the spider that had given it to her.

She handed the bowl to the healer, her eyes steady. "Take this. Give a small amount to those who are sick. It will heal them."

The healer stared at the bowl, his hands trembling. "Venom? But… how can it…?"

"It will work," Aracnys said, her voice filled with quiet authority. "I am a goddess of rebirth. This venom will restore their strength."

The healer swallowed hard, his eyes darting between the bowl and Aracnys. He had sworn his loyalty to her, and now he was being asked to trust her completely. With a deep breath, he nodded.

"I will do as you command."

Aracnys watched in silence as the healer hurried back into his home, the bowl of venom clutched tightly in his hands. She could feel the weight of his decision, the conflict that roiled within him. He was desperate, yes, but trusting in something as foreign as venom—something that, by all mortal logic, should kill rather than heal—was no small leap.

But he would see. Soon enough, they all would.

The village was small, and word would spread quickly once the healer administered the venom. Her influence would begin to take root, spreading like threads of her web through their lives. The more they saw the power she wielded, the more they would come to believe in her. And the more they believed, the stronger she would become.

But for now, she needed time to let the healer do his work. There was no need to rush. She had already taken her first steps, woven her first web. Now it was time to retreat, to let the seeds of her influence grow.

With a final glance at the village, Aracnys turned and made her way back into the forest. The trees loomed above her, their shadows long and deep, but she navigated them with ease. The darkness was her ally, her domain, and within it, she could move freely.

The cave was waiting for her.

The journey back to the cave was swift, her mind buzzing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The venom, the healer, the villagers—all of it was coming together, her influence slowly expanding as she prepared to take her place in the mortal world.

But as she stepped into the cave, the familiar voice of the Divine System echoed in her mind once more.

["You have gained a new skill: Venom Creation."]

Aracnys smiled to herself, her fingers brushing against the cool stone walls as she descended into the darkness. Venom Creation—another weapon in her arsenal. It was a skill she hadn't known she could acquire, but the system had explained it clearly enough. Her divine nature allowed her to absorb new powers, to adapt to the world around her in ways she didn't fully understand.

["Your body knows what to do, even when you do not," ]the system had said.

It was both reassuring and unnerving. She had always believed herself to be in control, to understand the full extent of her powers. But now, she realized that there were parts of her divine nature that were still unknown, still waiting to be discovered.

The possibilities were endless.

She moved deeper into the cave, the shadows growing thicker as she descended. The cool air wrapped around her like a comforting shroud, and she welcomed it. This place, this hidden sanctuary, was hers alone—a place where she could retreat, reflect, and plan her next move.

The sound of dripping water echoed softly through the cave, and Aracnys smiled. She could feel the spiders nearby, their small, skittering bodies watching her from the shadows. They were always there, her silent companions, waiting for her commands.

But for now, there was nothing more to do. The healer would begin his work, and the villagers would soon see the power she had given them. Her influence would grow, and soon enough, the first threads of her cult would be woven into the fabric of this world.

As she reached the deepest part of the cave, Aracnys sat down on a smooth stone, her eyes closing as she allowed herself a moment of rest. The darkness was soothing, the quiet hum of the abyss calming her mind.

She had taken her first steps into this new world. And now, it was only a matter of time before her name would be whispered in reverence by those who had once feared the unknown.

Her journey had only just begun.