Arachnis

At the edge of a dark forest, where the branches were so densely intertwined that they barely let in any light, lived a spider named Arachnis.

He was the ancient guardian of these places - tall, strong, with long silver hair and black web patterns on his skin. His broad chest and shoulders seemed carved from stone, and his gaze was cold and calm, like a night shadow.

Every evening he sat high in the branches, almost invisible among his web, and watched. Not for prey, but for you.

You were a little butterfly girl. Your blue wings glowed softly in the twilight as you flew with other butterflies over a meadow. You laughed, twirled, and landed on flowers.

You often felt a gaze - heavy and quiet. But as soon as you raised your eyes to the trees, only shadow remained there. Arachnis went deeper into the branches.

Sometimes his prey would twitch in his web. Then he would calmly rise and take it, emotionless, as always. But then his gaze would return to the clearing. To you.

You were too bright for this place. Too light and trusting. Sometimes you flew so close to the trees that you almost touched the threads of the web.

Sometimes he imagined that one day your wings would become entangled in it. That you would flutter softly, trying to free yourself, and his great shadow would cover you.

There were two thoughts in his head.

The first is simple: eat it like any prey.

But there was also a second option: to leave. To leave the little butterfly in your web and listen to you speak softly and flap your wings.

He didn't understand why this thought kept coming back.

One evening you noticed him again and hung in the air.

• I know you're there.

Silence.

You flew closer to the tree. Then Arachnis slowly emerged from the darkness. Huge compared to you, his shoulders almost blocked out the moonlight.

You froze, but you weren't scared.

• You're always looking.

“Yes,” he answered calmly.

You flew closer to his chest.

• Why?

He was silent for a moment.

— I'm wondering... what will happen if you ever fall into my web.

• And what then?

His gaze became darker.

— I haven't decided yet. Should I eat you or keep you?