Chapter 17

"He's taking forever… I better go in after him…" Garou announced.

Yet as he stood up, one of the shadows placed his hand firmly on his shoulder and forced him down again. Garou sneered at the shadow that shook his head to him. "Why can't I go? For all I know the Spider Queen or whatever is going to eat him!"

Once more the shadow remained firm. Shaking his head and refusing to allow Garou a chance to leave.

"They know the protocol here, it's best if we just wait," Zenko said gently. "Besides, the Queen wouldn't want Bad." She said and giggled.

"What makes you so sure? He's strong, the King of the Shadows, nice build… great smile…" Garou suddenly stopped himself as the shadows and Zenko stared at him oddly. "Ahem, anyway, she's probably not his type anyways."

An hour passed when there was something coming out. Garou stood as the King of the Arachnids walked out, but was beaming with pride. The other Shadows appeared stunned but were smiling along with him! Whatever happened in there must have been a good thing! Garou peered behind the massive shadow and saw him.

He froze.

Bad walked in in an elegant black coat with gold trimming. He also had a red cape on with a red silk belt, new boots and thick black pants that would hold up in battle. The gold trim when all the way up his chest in an elegant and yet very royal like design. However, he didn't appear to be happy about it. "Get your jokes over with now, come on let me have it" Bad said and sighed.

Garou however wasn't laughing, neither was Zenko. "You look like a King!" Zenko said.

"That was her intention," Bad muttered. "She said I didn't look like a true Shadow King or whatever…"

Garou however was at a loss for words. He felt admiration build in his chest, Bad looked like someone significant now, someone that no one should mess with! But he wasn't happy with the look, after all, Bad was set in his ways and style. Having something forced upon him like that wouldn't assist in his method of thinking.

"If you don't like it, we can change your clothing." Garou said offhandedly.

"Can't… she took my pants…" he muttered.

"So… he's got nothing else to wear huh?" said Zenko, but she smiled. "I think it looks great on you!"

"Anyway, did you get the information needed?" Garou asked.

"Yeah but we got a problem. The druid is one issue, the other are those who follow him and one has exceeded him in power. They are after the dragons; I got no doubt one is intending on harvesting a soul from a dragon to gain ultimate power. If they succeed, all forms of magic and whatnot are open to them. We got to be sure that doesn't happen. Also, this druid is going to be harder to kill, he has bonded to someone through a curse." He explained.

"Son of a bitch… How do we figure out who he is bounded to?" Garou asked.

"Dunno man, but I think we need to set up camp and make a plan before we go any farther…"

Garou smirked. "Look at you, using your head for once!"

"Shut up," muttered Bad.

#

They set up camp a small distance away from the Arachnid people, it was a little shabby, however it would hold up for the night. "We could just sleep in the shadow realm you know…" Garou said offhandedly.

"Yeah, but I won't be able to sense what is going on here. If this druid knows we are on to him, we got to be at the ready to move out. Sorry Zenko…"

"It's okay, it's like camping!" she said and smiled.

They set up a small shelter, fire and cooked what food was given to them by the Nagas. With everyone tended to, they got into their shelter for bed. Bad made certain to have protection and summoned the arachnid warriors to keep watch.

The ground was cold, wet and rather uncomfortable. Garou fell asleep at the drop of the hat. Botan was covered and nestled in all the warm clothing they brought along, Zenko nestled up to Bad as Bad tried to find his comfort and fall asleep. Just as he drifted off, he swore he felt himself floating. That or it was a weird ass dream!

Yet by the time he woke, he found himself in unfamiliar territory. Bad rose, but found himself surrounded in silk. The room was made of it! "What the hell…" he muttered.

Garou woke shortly after, he yawned and sat up before he took in the room. "Uh… how did we get in here?" he asked.

Slowly, Bad got up off the ground, looking around he found there was no windows or doors anywhere! There was no way out of this. "How do we get out?" he asked.

Garou stood next as he took it all in. "It's not a web trap, so that's good. I think this is more of a housing web… you know, to keep something protected and safe… unless they are saving us for food for the little Arachnids…"

"Not helping!" Bad scolded.

Zenko woke up next, yet as she did, her eyes widened with great excitement. Her face nestled into the soft silk. "Ooo it's so fluffy!" she cheered.

Even Botan was snuggling into it! He giggled and laughed as his little hands scrunched up the fibers. Bad however wondered what to do next. Until…

RIP…

The side of the silk wall was torn into!

Garou stood at the ready, however wondering in, was Death! "Thank you for the assistance." He said graciously to the Arachnid who made the hole. He walked in as the place was closed off once more. "Such kindness the Queen offered you. She insisted on your comfort and had one of her best spinners forge this for you... very kind of her..."

"Death!? What is it now?" Bad asked.

"I just want to say… amazing work." He said wholeheartedly. "You have stopped the humans from coming for now and I understand you are going to have your hands full with the druid. May I make a suggestion? You need to divide and conquer at this point."

"Divide?" Bad asked. "We can't do that! I got to look after Zenko and Botan!"

Death sighed aloud. "I strongly urge you to leave them in the shadow realm, you can put them into a deep sleep. It won't harm them the least bit, but they can remain asleep until you have finished what needs to be done. Besides… I dread what is to come… It is not for children to see." He said gently.

Bad was about to protest, until Zenko's hand gently held on to his. "Big Brother… you need to do this," she said.

"Huh? You seeing something coming?" Bad asked.

She merely nodded her head. "It's hazy, but I see things, and they are not going to end up well. Big Brother, you promised me right? I have been exposed to violence, but this… this I won't and don't wish to see at all. My powers don't work in the Shadow realm either…"

Bad sighed aloud, but he nodded in agreement. "Okay little sis," he turned to Death. "What do I need to do to put them to sleep?"

Death smiled warmly. "Merely hold them like you would tucking them to bed, place a single hand on their head and gently tell them to fall asleep." He explained. Bad nodded.

He scooped Zenko into his arms, he held her closely as his right hand went on to her head. "Sleep" he said gently.

Her eyes grew heavy, she went limp in his arms and was out cold. Bad called Jima and had him take her to the shadow realm. "Leave her in my room please, same with Botan." He said as he did the same to his son.

With his sister and child taken care of, Bad turned to Death who sighed aloud. "I need you to get to the dragons as soon as you can, their leader is a rather difficult one to handle, as well, just like the queen here, he won't take kindly to you." Death warned.

He then turned to Garou. "You must take care of the Druid,"

"Wait, shouldn't I be handling the Druid?" Bad demanded.

"No, you are strong enough to take out the five apprentices, I need Garou to take out their master so they have no one to retreat to." Death insisted. "We don't have much time, Bad, you should get going. Keep going straight the moment you leave here, you will get there faster if you fly."

Bad had a terrible feeling about this, but, given the situation, there was no other choice. "I'll head there now."

Death nodded. "Garou, you will take care of the druid, yes?" Death asked oddly.

Garou could only nod his head, however, he appeared concerned about something. Bad however was told to get to the dragons as soon as possible, time was of the essence. With that, Death tore open a hole in the silk cocoon they were kept in, Bad summoned the shadow dragon wings and took flight.

However, he couldn't ignore this sensation gnawing away at him…