By the next morning, Elijah and Arachne prepared for the journey back to the Kingdom. It would take a few days to get back to Cybill Castle, but Arachne knew a shortcut that would only take one day.

Arachne looked back at the ruined temple, sniffling.

"Hey, are you okay?" Elijah asked.

"Yes, I am!" Arachne snapped, looking furious. Then she softened, wrapping her pale arms around her bony waist. That's when Elijah realized how skinny she was to the point of death, her bones stuck out. "I just get stuffy every time I leave this place, it's been my only home for years."

"We'll find a new home for you in the Kingdom, preferably with one that doesn't have a rock for a bed. My spine is killing me." When Arachne allowed a small smile, he grinned. "And we'll find plenty of food for you, Spidey."

"Do not call me Spidey."

Like that, they took off into the woods and Arachne guided them. She took him down to a stream where a boat was waiting for them. "I never knew this stream existed," Elijah said as they climbed in. It was made of wood and Arachne untied the rope, the boat taking off.

"Whoa, the heir of the Kingdom doesn't even know his realm that well? What a shock!" Arachne mocked, crossing her arms. "I keep this boat docked so that I can use it to discreetly enter the Kingdom."

Elijah cocked his head. "You never told me why you caused so much chaos in the Kingdom." When Arachne scoffed, he felt like he had to explain. "Look, even if my mother cursed you, you still stole and destroyed property."

"You're calling me a thief?" Arachne spat.

"Well, yeah, since you are one."

"I only stole to provide for myself, you fool, I had no money. Plus, I didn't mean to cause chaos, but people tried to attack and murder me, so I did what I had to survive, Elijah."

"But in turn, you also destroyed innocent people's lives," he countered.

"They were collateral damage—"

"So a ten-year-old boy and his mother were just collateral damage, Arachne? You are not a monster, but you're no saint either. I'm not trying to shame you," Elijah said steadily. The steam started to pick up its pace. "I'm only bringing this up so I know that—"

"What? That I won't hurt you? That I won't kill you again?!" Arachne screamed, a scream so deafening that birds flew away. She growled, clenching her teeth. "I looked after you and cleaned up your injury, and you still don't trust me."

"I do trust you—"

"No, you trust me to safely get us both to the Kingdom and the Cybill Castle, but not with your life. You're still scared of me." Arachne looked heartbroken and Elijah gulped. "Tell me that I'm wrong."

"I won't lie t-to you."

"That's what I thought." She turned away, glaring at the river's reflection. Elijah wanted to say sorry, but he also didn't agree with Arachne's darkened morals. He wasn't going to kill innocent lives, it was wrong. But then again, he believed everything his parents said to be right, so then who's really in the wrong?