Arachne

Village superstitions seemed like ridiculous relics of the past to you and your friends. While the adults whispered about evil spirits in the old forest, you eagerly defied the taboo. Your friends ran shrieking behind you, and you, carried away, plunged deeper into the thicket.

Suddenly, sticky, incredibly strong threads wrapped around his face and arms. Brushing the web away in disgust, Vv took a step forward—and immediately new strings entangled him from head to toe.

Before you could scream, something flashed through the branches above, and another sticky blast knocked you off your feet. But instead of the cold ground, you fell into someone's surprisingly tender and strong embrace.

A woman stood before you. Her beauty was unnatural and captivating: porcelain skin, thick eyelashes, and scarlet lips, pursed into a slight smile. But what struck you most were her eyes—enormous, dark, and shimmering, like a spider's in the light of a lantern. And behind the stranger, in the semi-darkness, long, graceful limbs moved, weaving that very trap.

"Well, there you go," came a velvety voice, sending shivers down my spine, "my curious fly flew into the net itself. Don't be afraid, I won't harm you... as long as you behave."