CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Arachnophobia

  Day 99

  Kate

  Kate stood in line, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, struggling with the heavy steel shield and spear in her hands. Her nerves wound tighter with each passing second, worsened by the fact that she was surrounded by robots. The early morning air felt damp and heavy, the faint light of dawn filtering through the towering trees that stretched endlessly around them. A dirt road snaked through the forest, worn smooth by countless footsteps and tracks. In the distance, the massive light-blue Sphere stood out like a sore thumb, its surface shimmering faintly. Steel security fences wrapped around it, jagged tops bristling like warning signs against the morning sky.

  Her borrowed armor, an uneven patchwork of metal and reinforced plastic, covered most of her body. Scratches and dents along the metal pieces told stories of past fights she had no wish to experience herself. The rest of her features were hidden beneath a dark, heavy cloak, its frayed hem brushing against the dirt. She pulled it tighter around her shoulders, trying to ward off the chill seeping through.

  Even so, she struggled to catch her breath, each inhale shallow and quick. Her chest felt squeezed, as though the air refused to flow. Up ahead, Bastion moved forward, its massive frame dominating the narrow road. Every step the towering robot took sent a subtle tremor through the ground, vibrations traveling through the soles of her boots.

  ‘Bastion’s a proper fucking unit,’ she thought, her gloved fingers curling into her palm, the pressure driving her nails through the fabric. ‘It’s like a tank with legs.’ The checkpoint guards stood rigid near the fence, their confused gazes darting from one newcomer to the next. One of them turned his head, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting second. Her pulse spiked, the cloak suddenly feeling too thin.

  “Stop fidgeting,” Specter whispered, its tone sharp yet controlled. The robot stood slightly in front of her, its body relaxed in a way that seemed almost unnatural for something made of metal and plastic.

  “Right,” Kate muttered, forcing herself to stay still, though calm was far from how she felt. She glanced around at the four robots and a Breacher—the same one she’d kneed in the jewels and pepper-sprayed just weeks ago.

  ‘Why did I suggest all of this?’ she thought, her stomach twisting with regret. Hating her past self, she replayed the moment in her head. I want to see him rip out an Orb with his bare hands, she had said, her big mouth running before her brain caught up. ‘You daft twat, why did you even suggest that? Might as well have taken a bath with a toaster—way easier to off myself than playing Breacher dress-up and stepping into an actual Sphere.’

  She exhaled sharply through her nose, trying to push down the rising panic. Her gaze flicked past the robots and the guards, locking onto the Sphere in the distance. Even from here, the size of it was overwhelming, its light-blue surface practically glowing in the muted morning light.

  ‘Fucking hell,’ she thought, her knees threatening to buckle just from looking at it.

  The group stepped forward when Bastion raised its massive arm, pointing toward the barrier. Kate followed quickly, doing her best to mimic the others, even as her legs felt like jelly. She prayed the guards wouldn’t hear her knees knocking under the armor. They moved as a tight unit, two robots flanking her, with Specter on her left and Marcus leading the way.

  The man walked with easy confidence, his only armor a breastplate and helmet. She noticed him flex his shoulders as they approached, like he was warming up for a simple workout instead of whatever madness this actually was.

  The guards shifted uncomfortably as the group advanced, their eyes darting between the towering Bastion and the other approaching figures. Some of the guards gripped their weapons tighter, their knuckles whitening, unsure if they should step in or stand down.

  When Kate and the others passed Bastion, she couldn’t help but glance up at the massive robot. It towered over the guard it was talking to, holding a large spiked shield in one arm. Its glowing optics fixed on the man in charge, who stood stiffly under its scrutiny. The man’s unease was clear, but to his credit, he didn’t look away, craning his neck to meet the robot’s ‘eyes’.

  “It… it’s just that this is unwise,” the man stammered, his voice faltering as he addressed Bastion but stole glances at the others. “And there isn’t even an official on site to register you all.” He hesitated, licking his lips before adding, “I have to follow protocol.”

  “Fuck protocol,” Bastion said, its voice calm but unyielding as it pointed its steel arm toward the Sphere. “We’re going in there. Either grow a pair and join us, or step aside and let us handle this.”

  The man flinched but held his ground, shaking his head. “But I’d need to call this in. And another guild has already agreed to clear this Sphere in two days. The contract is already assigned—”

  “We don’t need a contract. We’ll have it done in a few hours. You call who you want,” Bastion cut in, its tone brooking no argument. “Just stay out of our way.” It didn’t even spare the man another glance as it started moving toward the Sphere, heavy footfalls leaving deep impressions in the muddy soil.

  The large robot joined the group, its heavy footsteps thudding against the dirt as it took its place beside the others. They lined up near the barrier, their forms casting long shadows in the dim morning light. One by one, the robots and Marcus began checking their weapons and gear. Each carried a steel shield and a crude steel spear.

  Kate shifted awkwardly as she watched her new companions ready themselves. Specter stepped closer to her, its mechanical limbs as graceful and fluid as any human. She felt its gaze on her, or at least imagined she did through the three glowing blue lights of its head.

  “Calm down,” Specter said, its voice steady as it reached out to adjust her helmet and check the straps on her steel chest piece. “We’re just tourists. The other four are going to do the heavy lifting.”

  Kate glanced up, her eyes drawn once more to the glowing blue lights on its steel face. They felt alive in a way that made her skin crawl, seeing them pulse or dim depending on its mood.

  “Sure, calm down. Easy,” she muttered, fully aware that calming down inside a Sphere was impossible. She swallowed hard as her pulse thundered in her ears, her breath coming in shallow bursts. Memories she’d tried to bury began to surface—the last time she had been inside a Sphere, she’d been four years old. It was the day she lost everything.

  “Just act like you’re not about to piss yourself,” Specter said, stepping back to give her space. “Move slowly through the barrier, and stick close to me when we pass through it, alright?”

  “Right,” Kate murmured, but her mind barely registered what the robot had said. ‘This is mental,’ she thought, watching Bastion slam its spear and shield together. The sound rang out like a challenge in the morning.

  Bastion moved first, its massive frame easing into the barrier at an agonizingly slow pace. The shimmering blue hue of the barrier rippled around its body, distorting it briefly before the robot emerged on the other side, whole and unharmed. It didn’t stop, its figure continuing deeper into the Sphere without pause.

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  The two other robots followed, stepping through the barrier with more mechanical movements, their crude weapons held at the ready. They joined Bastion on the other side, forming a silent, imposing line as they disappeared into the blue glow.

  Kate’s attention snapped back to Marcus, who was standing a few steps away. He was watching her, his figure mostly hidden under a cloak like hers and the others. For a moment, she thought he might say something reassuring, but his words carried no such comfort.

  “Remember, this is what you wanted,” Marcus said, his tone even as he shook his head slightly and turned to face the Sphere. “Try not to die, kid,” he added over his shoulder as he stepped forward and passed through the barrier without looking back.

  Kate muttered a string of curse words under her breath, her voice barely audible over the pounding in her ears. When Specter’s hand pressed against her back, she jumped, a yelp escaping her lips. The robot pushed her forward slowly but steadily, its firm grip leaving her no room to resist.

  Her breath hitched as her body met the barrier. The surface rippled like liquid, reluctantly yielding to her touch. The sensation was overwhelming—thick, gel-like resistance clung to her as she moved through. Her eyes widened, breath held tight in her chest as she pushed forward.

  Everywhere she looked, the barrier sparkled with countless crystalline fragments. They shimmered and shifted, refracting the dim light into intricate patterns that danced in front of her eyes. She reached out instinctively, only to feel her hand slow to a crawl. The faster she tried to move, the more the barrier fought back, freezing her in place.

  Specter kept its hand on her back, guiding her forward at a slow and steady pace. Bit by bit, the barrier yielded, easing them through.

  Kate stumbled as they finally emerged on the other side, the thick resistance vanishing in an instant. Her knees threatened to buckle, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. Specter’s hand didn’t leave her, though, keeping her upright with any effort.

  “Get up and act like a Breacher for a few more seconds,” it ordered, steering her toward the others. Kate’s legs moved on autopilot, her mind too dazed to resist. Specter guided her toward a dense clump of trees, its steps unhurried.

  When it finally let go, her knees gave out, and she sank to the ground. Her chest heaved violently as she tried to steady her breathing. She was about to ask what came next when the reality of her situation struck her like a hammer.

  ‘I’m inside a Sphere,’ she thought, the weight of the realization crushing down on her. Her fingers fumbled at her pocket, scrambling for the cylinders stashed inside. Her fingers trembled as she pulled it free, nearly dropping it as panic took hold.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she muttered, struggling to twist the tip to activate the spring that held the needle. Her breaths came in short, frantic bursts as she fought to steady her hands.

  Specter crouched beside her, its steel form dwarfing her trembling figure. Before she could protest, the sharp prick of the needle pierced her skin.

  The fluid injected with a slight burn, and Specter handed the empty syringe back to her. “Just breathe. You’ll be fine,” it said, its tone as calm as ever.

  Kate clutched the cylinder tightly, as though it still held something to anchor her. “Right,” she managed, her voice shaky. Her grip on the object tightened. “Marcus had better pull this off. Do you have any idea how much credits one of these things cost? And I had to buy three.”

  Specter stared at her for a moment, its three glowing optics unreadable. The silence stretched, making it clear the robot had no intention of entertaining her complaint.

  “I mean, sure, you guys transferred the credits to me,” she said, her words spilling out in a rush. “But it’s still expensive.” She used the irritation as a shield, pushing down the fear threatening to paralyze her. Forcing herself to her feet, she gritted her teeth. “What now?”

  Specter rose to its full height, motioning for her to follow. “See up close who you’re working for,” it said, leading her back toward the others.

  As they approached, she saw Bastion and the other two robots standing in a triangular formation. Each faced a different direction, standing a few paces apart with shields and spears ready. Specter guided her into the center of the formation. Marcus stood beside Bastion, his hand resting on the massive robot’s frame as he spoke to it in low tones.

  “What are we waiting—” Kate started, but Specter held up a hand, silencing her. It pointed toward the tree line ahead before briefly touching Marcus.

  Kate squinted, seeing only the dense foliage stretching endlessly in front of them. She was about to speak again when she heard the snap of a twig.

  The sound was followed by rustling, faint but growing louder. Her stomach sank as the movements drew closer.

  A moment later, a dozen creatures tore through the tree line, sprinting toward them. Kate’s breath caught in her throat. The things were a horrific blend of human and arachnid—twisted forms with spider-like limbs, skin that shimmered like chitin, and grotesque faces studded with multiple eyes.

  Her hand darted to her spear, her pulse thundering as the creatures closed in, their distorted shapes like something out of a nightmare.

  The first creature reached Bastion, its spindly, clawed limbs raised high, only to be slammed back by the steel shield with a sickening crunch. The robot drove its spear through the monster’s chest in one smooth motion, yanking it free with a spray of dark ichor. The second and third fell just as quickly, the other two robots stabbing with mechanical precision. Their spears struck true, punching through carapace and flesh without hesitation.

  The fourth lunged at Specter but barely made it a step before Marcus’s shield crashed down on it, flattening the creature into the dirt. The sound of steel on bone rang out as the robots and Marcus slaughtered the monsters in droves. Kate squeezed her eyes shut, unable to process it all.

  She gasped when she felt Specter pull her against its cold steel frame, holding her steady. Its hand rested firmly on her shoulder, unmoving. Hisses, guttural roars, and wet gurgles filled her ears. The sharp sounds of shields slamming and spears stabbing echoed like a grim symphony. Then, just as suddenly as it had started, it stopped.

  Silence.

  Kate opened her eyes hesitantly, her breath catching at the carnage before her. The forest floor was littered with twitching bodies, black blood pooling beneath them. Bastion stood over one creature, its massive foot still pinning the corpse to the ground. With an awkward shift, it lifted its foot, with the monster stuck to it. Kate could something metal slide back into Bastion’s foot before the corpse dropped limply to the dirt with a wet thud, showing two identical puncture wounds in its chest.

  The two other robots moved systematically, stabbing the corpses a few more times to ensure they were truly dead, always going for the head and torso. Their movements were cold and methodical, showing no emotion, no hesitation. Kate couldn’t quite explain it, yet they felt even less human.

  She stepped back from Specter, her gaze drifting past the robots and toward the treeline where Marcus stood. His cloak fluttered slightly in the breeze, and he was surrounded by the mangled remains of several monsters. Some looked as though they’d been blown apart, their torsos missing entirely. She spotted his bend steel spear lodged through two creatures, pinning them to the ground, and his shield embedded deep in another monster’s chest, its edge stuck fast in a tree trunk.

  “I thought you robots were the ones doing the fighting,” Kate said, shaking her head as she tried to process the sight.

  “Oh, we are,” Specter replied, its tone tinged with amusement. “At first, it was just me. Then Bastion came along, helping me do all the heavy lifting for a while.”

  Bastion slammed its shield and spear together with a metallic clang, signaling the other two robots to fall back into formation. Their cameras whirred and refocused, scanning the tree line as they resumed their watchful stances.

  “But Marcus,” Specter continued, “is different from other Breachers. He’s able to grow stronger over time. He’s already faster than me, and if he continues improving, I think he’ll soon match Bastion’s strength.”

  Specter crouched and grabbed Kate’s spear and shield, setting them on the ground alongside its own. Then it dropped a tightly wrapped bundle of cloth, unfolding it slowly. Inside lay a shotgun, a pistol, a sleek black sword, and two strange steel daggers. It unceremoniously dumped the discarded spears and shields onto the cloth and began selecting its own weapons.

  It retrieved the black sword, pistol, and both daggers, tucking them away with practiced ease. Finally, it rolled the cloth back into a tight bundle, slinging it over its shoulder and tying it securely in place. Specter turned to Kate and handed her the pistol and one of the daggers without ceremony.

  She took them awkwardly, staring at the weapons in her hands. “What the hell do you expect me to do with this?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. “I’m not going to fight those things. Fuck that!”

  Specter bent down, flipping one of the monster corpses over. With a swift, clean motion, it drove the dagger into the back of its skull, cutting out the Monster-Glass coated in dark blood. It held the piece out to her. “Do what we pay you to do. Collect Glass.”

  Kate stared at the bloody fragment, then back at Specter. “What… what about the pistol?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Just in case we forget to finish one of them off,” Specter said without looking at her. “Or use it on yourself if we fail this Sphere and you aren’t able to run.”

  “Fail?” she stammered, her eyes wide. “What do you mean fail?”

  Specter only shrugged in response, its indifference chilling. It moved to the next corpse, cutting free another shard of Glass and tossing it to her feet.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you people?” Kate muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Bastion chuckled, the deep sound vibrating through the air. It turned its massive frame toward her, its two glowing lenses locking onto her. For a brief moment, they flared a brighter blue before it spoke.

  “We’re not people. We’re steel wolves.”