Spirit Taming

Avoiding any chance that they might step in to the three toed frog territory, the group began to move ahead without issues. True to the thought, the red jungle raccoons were not anywhere near them. They had effectively been scared away when one of them had died. It was rare for them to face a predator that could actually kill one of them.

But there were signs that the jungle was changing little by little based on the territories they were moving near. Specifically, Clark was brought to focus on a single odd thing he had not expected.

"The trees ahead are crushed. I think something large grabbed them or twisted them maybe?" Jerold had taken the opportunity to scout ahead a little ways. It had taken them about half an hour to catch up, but in that time, Jerold had managed to become thoroughly confused.

"I can’t figure it out either. You’re right, either something large crushed them or they were twisted." Clark agreed. The splintered trees had been crushed standing up. But what Clark was unsure of was what the territory here was for.

The map said jungle serpents, but that was somewhat further away. It made more sense that this was a younger beast territory. Especially since it was right before the titan spiders territory. There was a fine line that showed that the trail they were taking would somewhat cross through the two territories.

This alone meant that there would be dangers, but normally, when two beast territories overlapped, that palace became a no go zone for either beast species. Therefore, it would be a safe place to cut through since either beast would not dare to fight for prey right in that spot. It could lead to a full out battle between beast nests.

"The serpent nests should be too far away to have some here. It might be another beast that is trying to take this area. The map seems too accurate to be wrong though." Ella’s mind was racing. She was doing her best to understand why there might be something different here. But she was still coming up with nothing the more that she thought. "We can not move to explore because that would be too risky."

"We can keep moving, but I think I already noticed a few signs that there are spiders around." Grace And Isa both had goosebumps when they looked at the things in the trees. Specifically, they believed they were looking at spider webs in the trees.

’Hanging web moss- ultra rare

Mimicking spider webs, this moss only grows where spiders are known to live. This is because the moss relies on the unique shed skins from spiders as they grow as fertilizer. When the moss is ready to breed, it releases spores that latch on to tree leaves and use that to in turn start their reproductions. Later, it falls to the ground to grow and change from white to dark green in color.

It is ideal for use in breeding areas for spider type beasts. However, it can also harbor small amounts of energy that will help a spider type beast grow a little faster.’

"Those are just hanging web moss. They aren’t actually webs at all. They just mimic it because they use the shed skins of spiders as fertilizer. It’s probably why the spiders like this area. They are symbiotic in a way." Clark reached down and grabbed a darker clump of the moss, "this is the adult moss that falls to the ground. I will take some and leave it in my taming space. Shy might like it when she grows up a little." Clark was unsure if this would be the case but felt it was a good addition regardless.

"Oh! That is definitely a spider web." Reese, Ralph, and Jerold spoke almost in unison. They had all spotted what Clark had narrowly missed. A single silver ish thread that was running right next to the moss he had picked up.

Clark’s eyes followed the thread and noticed that the tree next to them seemed too perfect. It was ideally a perfect circle, but that was not a normal natural occurrence. The other jungle trees were large and round, but they were rough, not perfectly smooth all around.

’Titan tarantula- rare

Using the head of its body, the titan tarantula uses its webs and head to make a hat of sorts. This had easily fits in to its nest to hide itself so that it can ambush predators.

It also uses the keen eyesight that spiders have along with the very sensitive hairs on its body to sense prey moving. Touching a thread for a moment is enough for it to pounce and inject large amounts of venom in to prey.

If it finds that it can not win its battle, it will throw its hairs in to the air which cause eye irritation, trouble breathing, and other complications such as rashes on skin, scales, and natural armor. It is why this is a beast that many prefer not to face and avoid overall.

Their fangs are often used for unique daggers that do not need to be forged. They contain venom used as poison and also are naturally sharp. However, these fangs can easily be broken off since the edges will degrade as they are left unattached to the actual tarantula they came from.

Their eggs are thought to be a survival super food. If someone manages to gain their eggs, they have incredibly high amounts of nutrients within them without any of the venom or hairs that cause irritation. That is why the nearby serpents often attempt to steal them. Especially the strangling anaconda...’

"I think I know what might be around here." Clark calmly spoke while looking for more of the threads placed by the titan tarantulas as warning that they had prey right in front of them.

"Strangling anacondas. Yeah, we realized it." When Clark was about to say something, he realized that Maria had pointed in to the air. One of the largest jungle trees nearby had clear damage. However, at the largest section, a shed skin had become stuck.

The trees had not been broken through battle or a show of territory. It was because the beasts here had used them to help them shed their skins. But it also allowed the group to tell what dramatice force that a beast like this had.

"Stuck between snakes and spiders. Both that can kill us easily. Now I know why this is a violent jungle." When Grace looked left to right, she a afraid to even say another word or take another step.

"From this point on, we walk within each other’s footsteps. Not a single step otherwise. Ralph, the molten boar needs to go away. Devi, scout ahead and let us know if you notice anything. Do not touch a thing though. Ella, can your cloud sprite come out and spread mist to tell us where more spider thread traps might be?" Clark was sure that this might be the best way to sense them.

If Grace did this with the frost finch or the wind caterpillar that Isa had did, they would make the threads move. This would alert unknown amounts of titan tarantulas. Therefore, they would put themselves in more dangers. But the mist would slowly gather on the threads which the spiders were used to because the jungle had mist at all times of day in different places. They wouldn’t be alerted whatsoever.

"I can try, but I don’t think it will work well. The sun is already getting a little too high. The mist will dissipate too quickly." from what Ella could feel, the issue of the heat would ruin the attempts. They would have to cool the area which would alert the spiders.

"Devi, this might be a bad idea, but lure one of the nearby strangling anacondas nearby here. Ella, bring out the spirit infant and have the little bit of mist your cloud sprite can make act as a backdrop for an illusion." Clark changed plans to the best option.

It was a few minutes of quiet whispering while the group lowered themselves closer to the ground. They managed to do their best to not move since that was part of the plan. Devi’s laughter in the distance made them all feel as if their hearts were going to beat out of their chests.

Was attracting danger the wisest idea when they could attempt to sneak by? Was this the safest way to manage the multiple seen and unseen traps placed by the spiders? No one could say for sure what they thought.

It was only a few moments before a small sapling cracked nearby and the group looked over to notice that a larger shape was incoming toward them. Clark Wanted to speak out, but they had all heard what he had said to Ella. they had to wait for the best possible moment to make their move. Starting a small territory war might be dangerous, but it could make the last leg of this trail the safest yet... or not.