kayakking | (no subject)

[The noise it makes is nearly deafening when the flames hit. The Spider jerks its head away, leaving Tim there in the window space. Some of the flames catch and stay on its short fur as it looks to Tim again, fury in those remaining eyes.

The reaction doesn't change much of what's happening in the pit, though. The spiders are still coming and going at their usual pace. And all the visible strands are coming together in one spot: the center where a large bundle of thread sits, perfectly stationed there. It could be confused for a cocoon if it weren't for the spiders coming from inside occasionally. But the smell is drifting from it.]

[ Algric looks up nervously again — ]

All right! I will!

[ — and then shuffles forward, miserable. He already dreads whatever is in the middle of that webbing, but… he reaches out to try to break open the cocoon anyway. ]

[ Right. LOOKING FOR ANOTHER KNIFE. OR SOMETHING BETTER. Longer, preferably.

IS THERE AN AXE HERE. AN AX OF GOOD DECISIONS. ]

[In another pile on the other side of the room are some things. A lighter. A pipe. Some explosives. And sitting on top, an axe.

The threads tear under Algric's fingers, ripping with some difficulty. They weren't meant to come apart. But like opening a cast, it cracks open, the smell only worsening now becoming open to the air. A few more spiders scuttle out from the new opening and away on the strands upwards.

Inside is filled with dirt. Mud. The faint scent of blood now clearer over the rotten smell. Worms squirming to hide from the open air, deeper. And in the center, half buried in the muck and rot, Jon. His eyes nearly empty staring upward, thick strands of spider thread securing him down, and a wad of it over his mouth sealing it closed.]

[ He hates EVERY part of this -

Algric lets out a faint cry and starts digging with his bare hands, trying to pull out whatever is left of Jon down here. ]

[ Right. Tim scoops up that ax and... okay he gives a long look at those explosives... but no.

And then he darts back along that far wall, looking through the broken glass to try and find the next window nearest the Spider. ]

[Tim finds one, easy enough. A bigger window for two eyes tow watch through, though they are currently closed as it tries to shake off the last of those flames.

As soon as Algric starts trying to move him, Jon's eyes widen into alertness. Head moving trying to see what's happening. He feels himself being tugged against the buried restraints and makes a noise, quiet and broken through the spidergag.]

It's - it's okay, Jon. We're here now. Tim's fighting off the spider monster and I'm going to get you out of here.

[ He tugs gently at the gag, trying to peel it back. ]

[ He sees those closed lids- and has no idea how thick or protective they are. So he waits, adjusting his grip on the axe handle (there's a stickiness, a pull to the wax of his hands) and he readies it like a bat.

The moment that lid begins to open, he's going to swing. ]

Hey, arsehole!

[The gag tugs off, pulling at Jon's skin until it's free, and pulling a thread of magnetic tape recording with it from down in Jon's throat. At the end is a cassette that comes out at the tugging with a pop leaving Jon gasping, coughing as he tries to get fresh air in gulps.

The Spider hears the call out, stops and carefully opens a lid on the far side. Just to see. But there's contempt there, hating the Fire and its kind.]

[ THAT -

That is fucking horrifying. Algric claps a hand over his mouth while the other ... slowly ... pulls a tape out of Jon. God. He's going to have so many nightmares if he gets out of this.

Focus, Algric. Focus on Jon. He lets out another little miserable noise anyway. ]

Th-that's better! It's better. Oh god. Say something, Jon?

M-martin?

[His voice is broken and small, like it hasn't been used in decades. He makes a miserable noise in the back of his throat, limbs dead weight and tugging against the webs restraining his arms and legs into the little cocoon.]

Why- Wh-why are you here?

[ God, Jon. Algric gently moves to free the rest, then, and pull Jon into his arms. ]

Algric. It's -

[ He swallows back a small sob. ]

Tim and I are both here. We came to rescue you.

[ The far eye makes it hard, doesn't it? He might only get one shot.

He heaves the axe into a hard swing, angling it into that arachnoid eye with all of the fury and heat he can manage. ]

[Under Algric's hands, the threads tear easily enough, letting him free. Jon's weight shifts entirely to leaning on Algric, still confused.]

But-

[He eats his words as the Spider lets out another massive animalistic scream at the pain in its eye. It's being blinded and it Hates it.]

[ Ohhh god oh god. Okay. Algric is pulling harder!! ]

Arguments later! Hold on and I'll climb back out!

[Look he would help if he could! But with the restraints gone, Jon's whole body slides out of the muck and against Algric. It does send a few more spiders down his front and away out of the pit. Sends an involuntary shiver down his spine.

But he's out. He's free.]

What is the plan then?

[ He's free, and Algric is holding him tightly. He moves to gently sling the smaller man over his shoulder. ]

W - well, honestly, I hadn't planned much past getting you out of there? We. Probably have to kill the spider, though.

...Yes, I. I don't much think she'll let you leave, let alone me.

Right. So. Spider murder it is, then.

Spider murder it is.. [He echoes back. A moment, just getting his breath. His voice is still cracked like a delicate chinaware.]

Sorry I'm not much help at the moment.

[ Above, there's the sound of the axe being pulled out of something viscous, and the sound of exertion and broken glass, the fwoosh of fire. Another swing, trying for another eye. ]

It's fine. All you have to do is hold on, okay? That's all.

[ Algric climbs slowly out of the pit. Or tries to, anyway. ]

[The eye goop is dripping freely from the wound Tim inflicted, starting to catch with the bursts of flame. The Spider reels back, five of the eight now destroyed.

Jon ducks his head into Algric's shoulder as the room tilts again, the Spider screaming.]

[ Tim stumbles as the room tilts, dropping to one knee for a moment, and panting for breath. He doesn't see them come up yet, he's too busy watching for the next window ... ]