"What?"

Noah crouched low, stalking towards the scents and noises. He hissed silently to his friend. "Rogue spiders. They want my territory, my clanmates. They want what is mine."

Hero shivered at the instinct-driven husky voice. He gasped when Noah protectively curled a hand around his waist and pressed him closer to his cold body. "Your scent. It's pleasant. They want you as well. It's mating season."

The ex-general just blinked at him. He turned and watched the trees carefully, his hands reaching behind his back to pull out a dagger. He stole it from a traveler he and Noah stumbled upon. Noah was still bristling in hostility and the two waited in silence.

Then it happened way too fast for Hero's eyes. It took some time to register when three regular rogue spiders leaped from the trees, obviously aiming for him and Noah. Noah had switched extremely quickly to his spider form and snarled ferociously at the invaders, fangs bared and venom dripping to the ground. Hero's military training had prepared him for this, so he crouched low to gain strength from his legs. Dagger hidden behind him, he leaped as well, and the blade cut cleanly through one rogue's abdomen. It screeched and ran, leaving a trail of dark purple blood behind it. Hero turned when he heard Noah and the other two spiders wrestling on the ground.

Noah was big, yes but he had not fought in a long time. He was outnumbered as well, and something told Hero to help him. His mind told him to hiss, so he did. He stalked forward with a predatory stance, and a sultry look in his eyes as he let out a smooth hiss. The three spiders stilled and something sparked in Noah's red beady eyes. Hero could only recognize pride and... Something he could not put his finger on. The other two spiders sent out a scent which was a flurry of emotions.

Surprise, a tiny bit of lust (probably the mating season), realization, jealousy, anger and lastly, fear.

They let out low whines, and Hero just crept closer, still keeping his body close to the ground. Noah looked on, his head held high, a dominant vibe sent out in waves. The two spiders stayed their ground and kept looking back and forth between Hero and Noah. They both jumped when Noah moved, stalking to Hero's side. Without warning his friend, he rubbed his fuzzy head against his friend's neck, letting a low and more hoarse hiss proudly. Hero did not question the spider and craned his neck, he had no idea what he was doing. He just kept his eyes on the two spiders who seemed to shrink with every glare.

Noah's head moved away and he let out a sharp hiss of hostility. The two spiders bowed their heads and crawled forward reluctantly. Both Noah and Hero watched with unamused glares. The spiders then rubbed their heads against Hero's cheek (spiders are soft?!) , then bowed to Noah. With a content growl from Noah, the spiders sprang away. Immediately, Noah changed back to his human form, pulling Hero up from his position on the ground. His hand fell to his waist as he smiled warmly at his friend. "How did you know how to claim territory and authority?"

Hero blinked. "What?"

Noah just rubbed his nose in Hero's hair and pulled away afterwards. "Sorry, uh, instincts. Well..."

He started walking, and Hero followed as he pocketed the dagger. Noah continued, "Spiders claim territory and establish authority over others by forcing them to show submission. I'm pure alpha, but they challenged me still. They were young, so they may not know of my clan. Male spiders would only win over authority if they win a fight with other spiders of any kind. However..."

His eyes went wide with passion. The pride Hero saw just now was back again as well. "You sort of established authority like how an alpha mate would. Female spiders win authority if they demand what they want or if they show what they are capable of. They don't really fight. They just... Give out this 'you aren't worth my time' vibe. I don't know how you knew but you let out a vibe that told them that you were dangerous if threatened. Spiders also get very jealous, so the fact that they missed out on a potential mate makes them pissed."

Hero just stared with wide eyes. Noah kept going. "Spiders communicate with scent and actions. You let out this amazing scent of smug authority and I joined in. Just to make sure they didn't try anything, I stepped in and made sure they knew you were off-limits. During mating season, male spiders are extremely respectful of potential mates, we basically treat them like treasure. We give them what they want, in favor of scoring a mate."

His voice dropped a little. "But, normal spiders can mate several times a lifetime. They mate for the sake of temporary pleasure or children. Cave spiders, on the other hand, mate for life. I'm clearly a mix, but I chose the path of a cave spider. It would be nice to have someone till the end of time. I don't want to have someone different each season."

It was silent. Hero had looked away, also pondering about the subject of love and spider instincts. He had never thought this hard on such subject, as he always thought he was too busy for such a commitment. He also thought it would be a hassle, and that finding 'the one' was too difficult. He doesn't think anyone would be interested in a murderer. Noah stopped talking, but since Hero was distracted, he just stared at his friend. He took in every detail of the ex-general, and memorized them. With a blissful sigh, he melted at the sight of him. He was so extremely proud when Hero expertly reacted to the rogues.

Mate material, his inner spider practically roared.

Noah stopped in his tracks and Hero followed. They both raised their heads, sniffing the air. Hero's sense of smell had gone much better after Noah taught him how to differentiate scents. He could pick up a familiar scent similar to Noah's. A scent that all spiders have, the pungent and murky scent of caves. Noah grinned widely before changing to his spider form. He started bounding forwards, and Hero hurried to catch up. He easily caught up in a few leaps and the two were running side by side towards Noah's home. Noah let out purrs of content while Hero laughed as his element, wind, brushed against his face.

They stopped right in front a couple of spiders, who turned to stare intensely at Noah. Only some of them caught sight of Hero, but they were distracted by the delighted and panting spider. Hero just stayed back, knowing that he would let a proper spider handle this. The group hissed quietly to Noah, who raised his head and let out a pleased snarl. Immediately, the group of spiders tackled Noah to the ground playfully. Hero saw one small spider glow brightly like Noah did. In its place was a woman, who ran forward and wrapped her arms around Noah's head. Something painful sparked in Hero, and a familiar ringing started to drone on in his ears. He shook the feelings away with a shiver.

After watching the spiders wrestle, Hero suddenly felt like he was intruding. He sighed, and looked away. He helped Noah get home, and he got away from the authorities. Away from his brother. Away from his own home... His own... Friends...

A familiar whisper drifted through the wind and Hero gulped. He turned and was about to run away, again. Before he could hurt anyone, before Derrek could make him hurt anyone. Hero could feel himself starting to panic. He had no idea what he was doing, and what he was supposed to do. The past few days of traveling was an unplanned mess. He started questioning all his decisions. Why was he here? Should he leave? What if the authorities caught him again? Was he going to die then? How was Markus? Does he hate him? Oh god, he had no idea. Hero could feel himself stalking away, as sweat started to drip down his face, and his breath started catching in his throat.

"W-Wait! Where are you going, Princess?"

Hero took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. He turned around and forced a fake smile. "Oh, well, you're home now, so I guess I'm done."

Noah was standing as a human now. The woman from earlier, also a spider hybrid, was tugging his arm. The pain was pulling at the ex-general's chest again. Hero's sharp ears picked up her words. She was asking why Hero was here. Why a vile human was with Noah. Hero forced his sneer back down and looked down at the spiders. They too, stared at him with hostility and confusion. Hero picked up disgust somewhere in there. Noah spoke, but his voice was not as soft as usual. He spoke with pure dominance, pure authority, pure alpha, "You'll stay here. With us. Away from the humans who hurt you."

Hero's military attitude broke through and he allowed his sneer to take place on his face. The spiders started hissing at his obvious challenge. The woman looked pissed and she held tighter to Noah's arm. Noah just raised an eyebrow. Hero challenged, with equal authority, "Why should I?"

Hero could see amusement in Noah's eyes. He too was quite amused as well. The spider just smiled and said softer, "You've got no where else to go."

Hero hummed, "Quite right."

The spiders looked confused, looking up at their leader curiously. The woman stared at her leader as well. They knew that the only one who could challenge the leader like that and getting away with it was a mate. Children or even family would have to be submissive towards Noah. This human who appeared out of no where had somehow earned his place in their leader's inner circle. Noah just held out a hand and Hero took it gently.

"Lead the way, alpha."

○

Noah and Hero had walked side-by-side. The rest followed obediently behind them. They were still pondering over Hero's position in their leader's eyes. They never asked or challenged Hero, because if he was someone important, like their leader's mate, they would be in huge trouble. It was mating season as well, and even though Hero was clearly not a female, he exuded a vibe that similar to a powerful female spider would. He also smelled wonderful, and extremely different from a human's nasty smell of wood and fire. The woman also knew that no normal human would have pure white glowing eyes. This human looked familiar as well.

Hero and Noah were silent. Both were grinning in pride. The ex-general had wanted to try something though. He looked at his spider friend and focused.

Can you hear me?

Noah's eyes widened and he glanced at Hero for a second. Thinking it was nothing, he looked away, shaking it off.

Noah. Don't ignore me.

Okay what the fuck?

Hah, knew it. I'm trying a new power out. How cool is this?

You're... Speaking through my mind?

Mm, yeah.

Wait, can you hear my thoughts?!

Noah looked extremely embarrassed and uncomfortable. Hero just snickered. Noah was hiding away some thoughts away, Hero could not really explain it that well. Noah just had barricaded some parts of his mind from any intruders. With practice, Hero could probably break them down. He decided not to, though.

Yes. But your barriers are strong. You clearly don't want me to see what you're thinking. Interesting.

Thank the Aether.

But, your clanmates on the other hand, they think way too loud. It's almost painful.

What are they thinking about?

Noah knew that he could get them speaking with an order, but this was more fun.

The woman, she's got mad feelings for you. I've heard your name pop up several times in there. Mating season haze?

Noah was not surprised. The woman's crush on him was extremely obvious. He had declined her advances every mating season, his mind set on one particular human. He stole a glance at her but quickly looked back at Hero fondly.

Her name is Helena. She's got a similar background like me, but she's inexperienced. She learns fast, and she's rising up the ranks fast. Also, no need to worry, Princess. She clearly only wants me because one, I'm an alpha, being my mate would give her authority. Two, I'm young and unmated. Females love that for some reason. Three, we've got similar backgrounds, even though our personalities are not the same at all. Mating season haze only affects males drastically, but females get more needier than usual. Only a little bit.

Damn.

I'm not interested. She's not my... Preferred type? Also, she's a normal spider, she'll probably get another mate next season. I want someone to stay with me every season, and I've already got a potential mate in mind.

Is that what you don't want me to know?

If I said yes?

I'll find out some way.

Good luck.

It was silent.

Okay, get out of my head, it hurts. It's weird.

Sorry, sorry.

○

"Welcome to my clan, Princess."

Hero found himself facing a hill. On the top, there were normal spiders lazing about, and multiple moss beds and shelters of wood with dozing spiders underneath. A few trees sheltered the resting spiders from the burning sun. Down at the foot of the hill, there was an entrance towards a cave. One large normal spider and another large cave spider stood guarding it with fangs bared. Hero's night vision allowed him to see only a little of the interior. He suddenly felt a little uncomfortable to be a human standing in spider territory.

Noah was still in human form, but he obviously knew his way around. He turned to Hero. "This is the main entrance to the cave territory. The territory above ground are for regular spiders, while the caves are for cave spiders. They can venture in the opposite territories, but they usually don't like to. There are many other smaller entrances to the cave territories scattered about. I've got a den both on the hill and inside. Come on."

He put a gentle arm on Hero's waist and led him towards the entrance. A few spiders woke and were pleased at the sight of their alpha, but were either too tired to go against their nocturnal instincts or were too confused by Hero's presence. Helena still followed close behind, the other two spiders had went to some dens on the hill. Noah, despite being in human form, was able to hiss an order to the spiders on guard. They greeted him respectfully and stared at Hero as the three entered.

The inside was much more lively. It would be pitch black for a normal human, but Hero's night vision allowed him to see the inside. There were several holes dug into the walls, and Hero could see dens with resting spiders inside. At one point, he saw a huge nursery of webs and eggsacs, with male (?) spiders resting nearby. The cave spiders were more active, and they all welcomed back their alpha with polite nods. The cave went on for quite a while, Noah was not lying when he said his clan was the biggest in the North. It was also the only mixed-spider clan in Minecraftia.

Apparently, Noah had gotten a little frustrated and hissed an order to Helena. The woman obeyed obediently, rushing off in spider form to do what her leader has asked her to. Hero's mind translated only a few words, but he was still working on his translation. Cave spiders peered out of their family dens to stare at Hero, and he huddled closer to Noah. He seemed to enjoy that.

The two had reached a point where the cave split into two long tunnels. The dens seemed to spread out really far. In the midsection of the split, there was one single den up high. Noah smiled up at it. "There's my den. Come on."

He shifted into spider form and crawled up the walls. He disappeared inside and Hero heard a few crunches of leaves. Noah's human head poked out after a moment. He looked down at the waiting Hero, who was analyzing the wall, thinking. Noah called out, "Oh, sorry! Let me just get down and get you-"

"No, it's fine. I got it," Hero cut him off. The stale air around them rose, and blew a strong wind through the tunnels. Hero looked much more stronger surrounded by his element, and he floated right to the entrance, Noah watching him with awe filled eyes. Hero smiled and flicked Noah's ear, before looking inside. It was spacious and large. The stone-cold floors were covered in animal pelts and furs. There was a dip in one corner which was a nest made of straws, feathers and various soft material. Hero could see a bit of old clothes and blankets tangled up in there too. In another corner was a pile of cobwebs. Hero did not want to touch that. There was a chewed up boulder stranded next to it that had fang marks on it. Beside it was a destroyed log, probably chewed on as well.

Noah walked forward and dragged Hero to the soft nest in the corner. Hero sat down, and it was even softer than he thought. He sunk into it and Noah draped a wolf pelt on his shoulders. The ex-general curled into it and watched the spider sit down in front of him. He spoke, "I stole a pickaxe just to expand this space. Later, I can bring you up to my den on the hill. It has most of my human stuff up there. Also, these-" He reached behind him to take the chewed up boulder to his lap. "Are for my teeth. They keep them sharp and spiders like to chew when they're bored. Want a try?"

Hero raised an eyebrow and declined politely. Noah just said, "Smile for me."

Staring at Noah for a second, he reluctantly pulled an open-mouthed smile for him. Noah reached over and brushed his fingers on his upper lip, bringing it up. Hero was just confused. The spider laughed, "You've got some nice fangs yourself. Chew and get them to work to keep them sharp."

Noah's fingers left Hero's lips. The latter just swiped a tongue over the enlarged canines, nodding. The spider suddenly stood up and walked over to his cobwebs. He turned and said, "Rest now. Tonight, I'll take you around and teach you how spiders work. After I introduce you to the clan, of course."

Hero could see the exhaustion in Noah's eyes and he felt a little bad. Nestling into the furs, he watched Noah shift back into a spider and slump down onto his web. The spider curled his leg to himself before falling asleep. Hero learnt that Noah's fangs wiggle a little when he's sleeping, and he hisses sometimes, as if he were dreaming. After a few moments, Hero could not find it in himself to sleep, so he reached out for the boulder. He snapped off a piece and absently gnawed at it.

Clumps of rock scattering the floor as Hero chewed, he felt wild. He felt at peace with nature, as if something he's been keeping at bay has escaped and was making him feel at home. Everything primal and animalistic came to him naturally.

Maybe, he belonged in the wild, weaving himself through clans and creatures who were once his enemies.