The cave was quiet, its cool, damp air a comforting contrast to the night outside. Aracnys stood in the center of the chamber, her eyes closed as she let the silence surround her. This place, hidden deep within the forest, would be her sanctuary, her domain—a place where she could retreat, weave her plans, and strengthen her power.
But it needed something more. It needed her touch.
Slowly, she extended her hand, calling upon the power of her Weaver of Brood ability. The familiar hum of her divine nature stirred within her, and from her fingertips, thin strands of silk began to emerge. The silk was strong yet delicate, shimmering faintly in the darkness as it flowed from her hands.
She moved with precision, her spider legs twitching as she began to weave her web throughout the cave. The silk strands clung to the walls, creating intricate patterns that stretched from floor to ceiling, transforming the once bare cavern into something far more fitting for a goddess of spiders and the abyss.
The process was slow, methodical. Aracnys focused on every thread, every twist and turn of the web. She wove with purpose, her mind set on creating a home that would not only protect her but also serve as a reflection of her growing power. The web stretched across the entrance, forming a barrier that only she or her chosen servants could pass through.
But this wasn't just a home. It was more.
As she continued to weave, Aracnys called upon her ability to Weave Brood. The threads she wove now carried a deeper purpose. Slowly, the silk began to form into small, delicate eggs, each one pulsing faintly with her divine essence. These would hatch into spiders—loyal servants imbued with a fragment of her power.
She watched as the first eggs settled into the corners of the cave, nestled safely within the webs. The brood would serve her well, carrying out her will within this hidden sanctuary. They would be her eyes, her protectors, ensuring that her domain remained secure.
Satisfied with her work, Aracnys stepped back, admiring the transformation. The cave was no longer just a hollow in the earth—it was a home, a sanctuary of silk and shadow. The air hummed with the faint energy of her brood, and the threads of her web pulsed softly with the power of the abyss.
But as she turned to leave, a soft chime echoed in her mind.
Divine System Notification:
Follower gained: 1
Name: Garon, Village Healer
Occupation: Healer
Faith Level: Weak (Just Beginning)
Aracnys paused, her eyes narrowing as the notification appeared before her. Garon—the healer she had just taken as her disciple. His name now appeared in the Divine System, confirming that he had indeed pledged his faith to her.
["The faith of your followers strengthens your divine essence,"] the voice of the system echoed softly. ["As their belief grows, so too does your power. Each follower is an extension of your will, and their devotion is the key to unlocking your true potential."]
Aracnys tilted her head, intrigued by the system's words. She had known that gaining followers would increase her power, but seeing it laid out so clearly before her brought a new level of understanding. Garon's faith level was listed as Weak, but it was a start. As he spread her name, as others began to believe in her, their faith would grow, and with it, her influence over this world.
But that wasn't the only notification.
A second chime echoed, and another message appeared before her.
Divine System Notification:
New Tab Unlocked: Faith
This tab tracks the faith of your followers and the shrines dedicated to you.
You have 1 active shrine: Nameless Shrine (Level 1)
Aracnys blinked, surprised. A new tab? She focused on the Faith tab, and the screen shifted, revealing a detailed view of her influence in the mortal realm. The shrine she had woven earlier appeared on the screen, listed as Nameless Shrine, with a variety of details below it.
She clicked on the shrine's information, and a new window opened, displaying a wealth of information.
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Shrine: Nameless Shrine
Level: 1
Blessings: None
Protectors: 100 Normal Spiders
Abilities:
Portal Creation: Allows user to use the shrine as a portal between realms or locations.
Communication: Allows user to communicate through the shrine to her followers, even over long distances.
Protection Aura: A defensive aura that can protect the shrine and those within its radius from harm.
Spiritual Influence: Increases the faith of those who visit the shrine, making it easier to convert them into followers.
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Aracnys smiled to herself as she read through the abilities tied to the shrine. She hadn't realized it could be so useful—not only as a place of worship but as a medium of power. The shrine was more than just a symbol of her presence; it was a conduit through which she could extend her influence, communicate with her followers, and even travel if needed.
But the shrine was still nameless. The system had listed it as Nameless Shrine, and its level was only 1. It was a small foothold, nothing more, but that could change with time. As her cult grew, as more followers came to worship at her shrines, their power—and hers—would expand.
Aracnys clicked on the shrine's Naming option, and the system prompted her to choose a name.
She hesitated for a moment, considering the significance of the act. Naming a shrine wasn't just a formality—it was a declaration of her intent, a way of marking her presence in this world. The name would carry weight, and those who spoke it would be invoking her power.
After a moment's thought, she entered the name.
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Shrine Name: The Web of Rebirth
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The system processed the name, and the screen updated to reflect the change. The shrine was no longer nameless—it now carried her influence, her power, in its very name. The Web of Rebirth was fitting, a symbol of her domain over spiders, rebirth, and the abyss.
The spiders she had summoned earlier—100 normal spiders—were listed as the protectors of the shrine. They were small, insignificant to most, but they were loyal. And with her influence, they could grow in power, just as the shrine itself would.
Aracnys closed the screen, a sense of satisfaction settling over her. The shrine was secure, her first follower had been gained, and her home had been woven into existence. It was a good start, but it was only the beginning.
Her power would grow, and soon enough, this world would know her name.
Aracnys sat in the center of her webbed sanctuary, her eyes half-closed as she reflected on the progress she had made. The healer, Garon, had been the first to pledge himself to her, but he would not be the last. Once the venom took effect and the villagers began to heal, they would come to her, seeking answers, seeking salvation.
But faith was a fragile thing. It needed to be nurtured, cultivated like a delicate web. One misstep, one failure, and it could all unravel. The villagers needed to see her as more than just a distant, mysterious goddess. They needed to see her power, to feel her presence in their lives.
The shrine would help with that.
She opened the Faith tab once more, her eyes scanning the list of abilities tied to The Web of Rebirth. The shrine's portal and communication abilities were particularly intriguing. With them, she could maintain a presence in the village without ever leaving the cave. She could send her spiders as her messengers, or even speak directly to the villagers through the shrine.
But for now, the shrine was small, its power limited. She would need to visit it often, to strengthen it, to increase its level. And the more followers she gained, the more shrines she would need to build.
Aracnys stood, her mind already racing with plans. The cave was her sanctuary, but the world outside was vast, filled with potential followers, filled with challenges. The other gods still lurked in the shadows, watching her, waiting for her to make her move.
They would come for her, in time.
But for now, she had other matters to attend to.
She left the cave, her spider legs clicking softly against the ground as she made her way back toward the village. The night was still, the moon high in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest. Aracnys moved through the darkness like a shadow herself, her eyes glowing faintly with the power of the abyss.
Her cult was small, her influence just beginning to take root. But she could feel it growing, slowly but surely, like a web stretching across the land.
And soon enough, they would all be caught in it.