That statement drew a sharp look from Kael. "Him? Good?"
"He did not try to get back at me when Renjiro raided his wallet, nor did he report it to my parents or uncle. If he did that, he knew my life would have gotten five times as difficult. Plus, he rarely gave me trouble around the estate."
"I've convinced myself that his discouragement is his way of being worried about me. He never wanted me to enter the tower, that's him showing he cares. Maybe he's afraid I'll die or something."
Fugo chuckled at the idea, "At least, that's what I choose to tell myself."
"Doubt it," Kael replied bluntly.
"Yep, no way that guy's as good as you make him. You're giving him too much credit," Irene chipped in.
"He's a jerk, plain and simple."
Irene's expression hardened with her next few words, "Look, I don't like prying. But if your familia hates you--or you hate them for whatever reason, don't hesitate to leave them, okay. They will only kick you out when it is convenient."
"Actually, I've been thinking about moving out. Maybe even tomorrow."
That revelation stopped everyone in their tracks.
"Hold it!" Renjiro exclaimed, "You're moving out?"
"Where to?"
"For the past few days. I've been looking for a place to rent." Fugo admitted.
"There's a two-bedroom house that's barely within my budget. It's in my consideration though."
Renjiro's grin spread wide. "If that's the case, save your money, dude. Come live with me instead!"
Fugo was about to give the offer some thought, but something whistled through the air. Sticky webs shot from the shadows, striking Renjiro's left arm and pinning it against the cave wall.
"Shit!" he hissed, struggling to free himself.
Kael's sharp eyes scanned the dimly lit cavern, his body tense with alertness.
"Five spiders. They've surrounded us!"
From the darkness, the Venomous Spiders emerged, their movements eerily synchronized. The faint rustle of their spindly legs was the only warning before their glowing red eyes pierced the gloom, predatory and unrelenting.
"I'll take the one on the right," Kael said, his voice calm as he nocked an arrow. With practiced precision, he released it.
The arrow struck true, piercing the spider's head. The creature let out a shrill screech before collapsing, its legs curling inward as it fell.
Another spider darted forward from the left, webbing streaking toward Irene.
She ducked just in time, rolling smoothly before the cage in her hand loosened from her grip.
Kael shifted his aim to the spider closest to Renjiro. He shot another arrow, this time targeting the creature's abdomen. The arrow thudded into its mark, pinning the spider to the cave floor.
"That's two!" Kael called out, already reaching for another arrow.
"Fugo!" Kael shouted.
"Help me restrain them before they recover. Use the rope!"
Irene tossed a coil of sturdy rope toward Fugo. He caught it, his hands trembling.
"You've got this," Irene encouraged, as she dodged another web shot at her.
Fugo took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. He sprinted toward the spider Kael had pinned and quickly began looping the rope around its thrashing legs.
The creature bucked and twisted violently, but Fugo gritted his teeth and tightened the knots until it was immobilized.
Kael joined him, methodically tying down another spider he had just fallen.
His hands moved with practiced efficiency, each knot firm and unyielding.
"That's two captured," Kael confirmed, pausing to wipe the sweat from his brow. "We're halfway there."
With Irene's help, Renjiro finally freed himself from the webbing. He flexed his arm, shaking off the lingering stiffness.
"Took you long enough," he quipped, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Maybe if you weren't so loud, they wouldn't have targeted you first," Irene retorted.
At the end of the fifth floor, Team FRIK stumbled upon a scene that churned their stomachs and froze them in their tracks.
The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood, and the dim cavern echoed with the frenzied flapping of leathery wings.
A swarm of black bats filled the space, their chaotic movements blending into the shadows, save for the occasional glint of red-stained fangs.
Four young men were caught in the swarm's merciless assault, their bodies barely recognizable under the onslaught.
"The Hell?"