Chapter 1: The Spider & The She-Devil
Even the dawn could be a treacherous time in the tangled forests of the Great-Wooded Argos. Here, Red Sonja, the late of Hyrkania, faces the hated task of slaying her mount, whose poor forelimb had been shattered as a result of some tiny forest creature's burrowing hole. Beside her stood another, Peter Benjamin Parker, the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man of Queens New York.
The pair had been following the dirt path when Sonjia's mount suddenly shrieked in agony. The poor thing crumpled to steed crumpled to the ground and would've taken its rider along with it had Peter's reflexes not been as sharp as his companion's blade. They of course found the source of the horse's woes and found the saw the damage that had been inflicted.
Both knew there was nothing that could be done for the poor steed and the most merciful thing to do would be to put it out of its misery. With a heavy heart Sonja drew her blade while Peter did his best to comfort the wounded animal. "Easy now buddy, it'll all be over soon." He gently rubbed its nose as its eyes stared deep into his soul, as if understanding that this was the end.
Peter pursed his lips before turning away towards Sonjia. It was time. Peter gathered up the two leather bags the horse had been carrying and gave the warrior woman the space she needed. She stood over her fallen mount with sad eyes that were reflected back at her. Never again would they ride together. She shut her eyes, raised her blade high and in one swift motion put an end to the creature's pain.
The deed was now done, and the she-devil can't help but feel an aching sense of loss. Peter understood, in this primitive world a horse and rider were as one and the death of one diminished the other. For as long as he had known her that horse had been by her side, ferrying her wherever the wind took her. That was how they had met, her on horseback rushing in to aid a family under attack by a group of bandits.
He was only present because that family had been kind enough to offer a masked stranger food from their camp. He had run out a few villages back and was low on funds as well. The bandits had attacked during the cover of night, and it was only thanks to his spider-sense that he knew danger was close and warned the family to get to safety.
There were just so many, all armed to the gills and ready to kill. He fought off as many as could, but the numbers were starting to wear him down. He wouldn't be able to protect the family for much longer had it not been for Sonja's intervention. The clip-clop of hooves on the ground alerted him of her arrival an in she rode out of the darkness like a guardian angel, or in this case avatar of death.
She hopped off her horse, blade in hand and slaughtered them. He should've been horrified by the blood and gore, but he was instead mesmerized by her beauty. The first thing was her long and wild head of fiery red hair that reminded him very much of his old flame back in his time. Her outfit itself left nothing to the imagination. It was an honest to God chain nail bikini, a hybrid of metal and leather that also extended to the shoulders.
Along her upper arms were metal cuffs and on her hands were brown leather gloves. Strapped to her right leg was a small dagger and on her feet were a matching pair of leather boots. The entire outfit only highlighted her hourglass figure and muscles that looked to be honed through hard work and battle. Yes, Peter indeed found himself mesmerized.
Together they battled and defeated the bandits and managed to protect the wandering family. They've traveled together ever since and seen their fair share of battles. It was a simple life so far, just wandering and helping whoever they came across. The change in scenery aside, it wasn't too dissimilar from what he had been doing previously. He just wasn't doing it alone and had the most beautiful and dangerous woman he'd ever met as a partner.
Peter was brought back to the present when Sonja finally pulled her blade free from her now dead steed. He walked over to the saddened redhead and offered her a rag from his bag. She silently accepted it and clean away the crimson liquid that stained her sword. She had slain much in her day, but seldom with such deep regret. Once she was finished, she returned the rag to her partner before allowing herself to melt into his embrace.
Peter was warm and comfortable, and a reminder that she was no longer alone. Such a strange man from a strange world. The night they met she almost mistook him for some sort of vile demon before she saw him defending that family. As it turned out the red face he wore was just a mask. Underneath he was an admittedly handsome man with wavy brown hair and hazel eyes.
He fought well and didn't aim to kill, and somehow was able to shoot what appeared to be a spider's webbing from his wrists. How he performed this mystical feat she was unaware of at the time, though he explained it later as they traveled together. He was a stranger from a different time, one that existed long after the one she knew had passed. It was almost hard to believe but Peter had this earnestness about him, and she was no stranger to magic itself.
The bizarre weapon attached to his wrists were even more proof of his tale as were the small white squares that went into them. How he housed the webbing in there was most curious. The red-haired woman takes a few more moments to savor the feeling of comfort before blue eyes met hazel. Only the sounds of nature filled the silence between them as they continued to lock eyes. Slowly they lean in closer, and their lips meet.
It was wonderful feeling shared between them, something that red haired Sonja wouldn't have considered months ago. The contact makes her heart flutter and further distracts her from her loss. She's stays like this for a little while longer before reluctantly pulling away for oxygen. Peter of course blushed and if the warmth spreading across her face was anything to go by, then so was she.
"Thank you." She speaks softly.
Peter smiled at the sight of the gentle woman beneath the fiery haired warrior. "You don't need to thank me. If anything, I'm the one who should be thanking you."
Sonja smiled back. "Then let us agree to disagree."
"You're right, I won't argue." Peter concedes playfully.
"Good." The red hair continues to smile. This caused the masked man to laugh.
Once he calmed down, he spoke again. "I guess we'll be walking from here on, huh?"
"Yes, we will have to." Sonja answers. She grips her sword tight and looks down the dirt path the led deeper into the forest. There was no telling what awaited them going forward, but whatever came their way they would face it together. "We should go."
Peter quickly slung the bags over his shoulders, freeing both his hands. "Lead the way."
Red Sonja nods and the two of them venture forth, not once looking back.
Disclaimer: I do not own Spider-Man or Red Sonja. All rights go to MARVEL COMICS and Dynamite Comics.
