I'm not here.

  I'm not on the back of a freaking huge spider.

  The feeling on my head is only the wind and not three of those things barreling with ridiculous speed through the forest.

  If I just keep my eyes closed, everything will remain good.

  At least, I wish I could do so, but we are marching on and on and on.

  My anxiety builds higher and higher, till at last, I can no longer bear not knowing what is going on around me, and have to snap my eyes open.

  "Ieehkh!" (N)

  I truly wish I wouldn't have done so!

  I'm running in formation with three giant spiders!

  A big, hairy, brown one with thick legs that is clearly Masiabi, with a terrified Liana on top.

  A smaller, blue-green one with more delicate legs, with an annoyed-looking Kyroki on it.

  And then me, right above the biggest, black spider in existence!

  HELP!!!

  I don't wanna be here!

  I don't wanna be here!

  I don't wanna be here!

  Blinking some tears away, which I got for several reasons in my eyes, I cling to the slightly fuzzy surface I got pinned on.

  I know that Talisa is easily the tallest spider in her respective form.

  Her strides would leave any horse in her shadow.

  Both figuratively and for real.

  Also, she's so fast.

  And that while we are right in the forest.

  I can't comprehend how they all manage to maintain this speed while passing all the trees.

  It's just crazy.

  While I occupied myself most of the time with crying, eventually, the forest lifts its dense cover.

  The trees become sparser, and then we are out in the open.

  "In case you don't know, Neri. We are now outside the Evergrove and entering the territory of the town we need to infiltrate. The others will bring us to the next road, but from there on we'll have to walk. Their forms would stand out a bit too much." (K)

  You don't say!

  But at least, this means I can soon get down again.

  I don’t think I ever anticipated a moment as much as this.

  After still far too long, Talisa finally comes to a halt, the other two Arachnae following her example.

  Then the magical shift happens.

  First, Talisa's surface somehow pulls itself together, then her legs pass by me, as they pull themselves inwards, and finally, I'm only grabbing on to a tall naked woman.

  ...

  "Miehp!" (N)

  Wh-when did that happen?

  She was clothed before her transformation.

  So that means...

  At this, Talisa removes the patches of web that tied me to her with her sharp nails, and maybe a bit of acid, and then grabs an outfit that was as well fixed to her.

  Within seconds, she's back in her clothes and the same imposing figure as usual.

  Then she quickly closes in on me, and before I have time to start shivering, she gives me a very light hug.

  "My little Neri! I hope this wasn't too bad for you. I know, you don't like things like this." (T)

  She can sometimes be so gentle.

  Argh, but I'm still traumatized!

  My legs feel all wobbly from the terror I just went through!

  Yet I guess she at least tried to accommodate me.

  "I fear this is where Masiabi and I will have to part with you." (T)

  "Awwwwwhhh!" (M)

  "You know that we have to! Ahem. I'll take care of things at home, and Masiabi will lie in wait if any of Eritu's scouts tell that something went wrong for you." (T)

  I truly hope nothing will.

  Just the thought of Masiabi barreling through the front gate in her spider form to save me makes me queasy.

  "Oh, one last thing before we go. Take this, familiar. I’ve packed some things your matriarch may want during her trip." (T)

  Talisa pulls a pouch from a hidden pocket in her clothes then places the attached strap over Liana’s shoulder and head.

  When she steps back, the modest bag hangs perfectly at Liana’s opposite hip, fully matching her dress, of course.

  I remember that we have in-built pockets in our clothes, but I guess having a bag is better, as otherwise, I think we'd look weird without one.

  Then she turns, and while they look sad, we truly part now from Masiabi and Talisa.

  However, before we begin our trek, Akasia opens a silk package she was apparently carrying and draws forth a pair of shoes.

  This is followed by another, clearly sized for a small child, but Kyroki immediately complains.

  "Ugh, are those truly necessary? It’s not as if the ground is going to harm our feet, even these soft ones." (K)

  "Yes, they are. I’ve discovered that humans evidently think it strange to go without covering their feet, so these must needs be worn by each of us. I removed the stains, as well as ensured the colors match our clothes, since Talisa demanded it, and Talisa resewed them, so they'd fit you and Neri." (A)

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  And with that, she reveals two more sets matching Liana and I.

  Shoes!

  They really got us shoes!

  The last time I wore those was... when I fled from my home.

  Yes, I used to wear shoes, as I never knew what I might step on, but now that I'm thinking about it, I went all this time without them while in the forest.

  I can hardly believe that I didn’t think about them till now, especially with all the critters on the ground.

  Although, by now I can quite instinctively avoid stepping on any spiders.

  And regarding walking around without injury, ever since I emerged from my cocoon, my skin has become quite tough.

  This naturally includes my feet.

  I barely feel it when I step on something that should've poked them.

  But even with my feet being like this, I suppose a group of travelers, arriving at this town Liana came from, would look weird, or outright suspicious, not wearing any shoes, while supposedly being on a journey.

  Doubly so for travelers with such outfits!

  Ohhh, these are so comfortable!

  They appear to be typical boots, though with a soft collar at the top, yet the silk inside makes them fit snuggly on my feet.

  I may have asked for shoes earlier if I had known they had boots like these!

  As we proceed on foot, I realize that I have no idea how close we are.

  We are walking on a rather poorly maintained dirt path.

  Which makes sense, as I really can't imagine any major roads leading into the deadly spider forest.

  We continue like this, but I can't even see the city we are supposed to reach.

  Yet at some point, I notice that I'm not the one having the worst issues.

  Kyroki, who's the tiniest of us and much frailer than I am, is clearly struggling.

  "Huff, is it still far?" (K)

  Akasia had found a map of the area in the trophy room and is therefore the one holding on to it.

  "Still quite a distance. We got a bit more than halfway." (A)

  "Just half!?! How can this be, we’ve already been out for so long!?" (K)

  "Well, it is how it is." (A)

  "Isn't there any familiar with us I could ride on? Last time, we were able to approach this town like this." (K)

  "Last time, it was night, and we came from the wilderness, as we weren't planning on entering the town. If we'd get seen in our true form, they would put up measures against our approach. I already learned that lesson, as you know. Which is also why we can't have any familiars with us." (A)

  "Why not? Just call one! I'm sure one wouldn't be noticed. There's no one else here!" (K)

  "There's one right there, in the far distance! We are on a human traffic route, Kyroki! Isn’t it exciting!?" (A)

  She's right!

  I couldn't see it till she pointed it out, but there's a shape on the horizon coming closer.

  Are those horses?!

  As it comes closer, I can make out more details.

  A cart?

  Maybe a merchant, or a farmer returning home.

  He... looks confused at us, as he drives closer.

  Suddenly, Akasia jumps in front of us, prompting the man to bring the horses to a halt.

  Uh, she looks eager.

  "Hellooohoo!" (A)

  "Ahem, eh, what are four ladies doing in this area, all alone?" (wagoner)

  "We are on our way to Verdanis, for personal reasons." (A)

  Then she bows right next to me.

  "I heard humans don't question as much if you say it's personal, or private." (A)

  Urgh, right in front of him.

  "Ah, well, don't let me keep you." (wagoner)

  He looks weirded out as he starts moving again.

  Maybe he feels that this might only mean trouble if he were to linger.

  Kyroki's death glare is certainly getting this point across.

  So we go back to walking, but now that it's established that there are people here, we certainly can't make use of our extra legs, as Kyroki wishes.

  Which is a really soothing thought.

  More so, the fact alone that we are meeting normal people is putting me in a pretty good mood.

  It's the first time in so long that I feel like I'm again part of a world I thought lost.

  "Grah! I don't want to walk anymore on these stupid legs!" (K)

  Someone else doesn't seem to think the same.

  "You saw that we can't. Just bear with it." (A)

  "Urgh..." (K)

  Kyroki keeps trudging behind, but it's clear she lost all motivation.

  Different from Akasia, she doesn't seem as excited to visit a human town, while I kinda am and still want to help Liana, who, of course, wants to make this happen as well.

  Therefore, it doesn't take long till she grumbles even worse.

  "I can't walk anymore! I don't wanna!" (K)

  Was she always so bratty?

  "What exactly are you expecting me to do about this, Kyroki?" (A)

  "I don't know! How about... Neri! Tell your familiar to carry me!" (K)

  Eh, what!?

  Liana looks as perplexed as I am.

  "You want her to do what?" (N)

  "Carry me. The way I strengthened her muscles, and with the weave making them more durable, it should be no issue to maintain this. Just give an order, and she'll gladly do it all the way." (K)

  I certainly won't!

  That's absolutely the last thing I would do!

  "No! I, I won't force Liana! You can't expect me to!" (N)

  "Grah! We are only here because of her! A bit of contribution wouldn't be asking too much! Don't be so stubborn!" (K)

  "If you want her to help, why don't you ask her?" (A)

  At least Akasia seems to understand a little, and lends her help.

  Poor Liana didn't even manage to squeak at this.

  "Sigh. Would you carry me? Please?" (K)

  "Ehm, uh, I, uh, ah..." (L)

  "It would expedite our journey. Little Kyroki has just too short legs." (A)

  "But I, ehm, I'm not sure if I... you see..." (L)

  "How about this? I offer you one small favor. A small favor. Nothing like having to walk for days, as that would be beside the point. Yet if you alleviate my agony, I'll be willing to be accommodating within my limits." (K)

  An offer from Kyroki?

  Sounds like a deal with the fae you shouldn't take.

  "Uh, ehm, well, eh..." (L)

  "YES or NO?" (K)

  "Ah, y-y-yes." (L)

  She does it!?

  "Well, then let me latch on." (K)

  They truly go through with this.

  Liana goes to her knees and offers her back.

  Yet Kyroki doesn't get on right away.

  "A bit further, please. I need to get a better setup." (K)

  "Liana, you don't have to." (N)

  "I, I think it's fine." (L)

  I find this a bit much, but Liana seems willing to comply.

  She folds her legs and basically bows away from her.

  Kyroki jumps right on top of her back, but instead of immediately laying down, she creates strings from her fingers.

  Those she weaves around her legs and fixes them at several points to Liana, latching herself to her clothes.

  In the end, she's attached there by an almost invisible, but very elaborate, web.

  "Now get moving. It's only remotely comfortable this way. Just good that Talisa's clothes are so durable, or they might tear." (K)

  Liana stands up, and to my surprise, everything holds Kyroki perfectly.

  The strings are so thin, they are barely visible.

  Yet if you know what to look for, she now looks a bit like an awkward backpack.

  Though Liana shifts her position experimentally, and even gives a slight hop, Kyroki doesn’t budge a bit.

  Uh, okay.

  I guess she truly settled herself up there.

  It looks even somewhat relaxed, not at all hard to maintain herself at Liana's neck.

  Not sure if becoming her beast of burden is worth a favor, but it doesn't look like Liana is uncomfortable.

  Well, aside from the unease I feel from her that comes simply from knowing there is a poisonous monster spider on her back and all the associated awkwardness.

  Yet one thing holds true.

  Now that we can walk like this, it truly goes a lot faster.

  Only that now I am the slowest here.

  It kinda hurts that even Liana is still outpacing me.

  Maybe I should ask her next time.

  After all, I'm only negligibly taller than Kyroki.

  Uh, but not as an order.

  It just looks so comfortable.

  Also, she's not a spider.

  Not really, at least.

  Yet I can walk normally.

  And our travel group is making great progress, even if the occasional few passersby look even stranger at us now, as we get closer to town.

  And there it is!

  The city we were heading to.

  Called Verdanis, as the others told me.

  I just hope nothing unforeseen is going to happen.