Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“Its role is somewhat unclear, but it seems to play a part in protecting Spider-Totems by granting its power to those that accept it. It is an immense presence that empowers those who are on the verge of death. But it is quite rare for it to ever interfere in the matters of Spider-Totems.”</span> she declared. <span class="mu-r">“There are, of course, other Totemic Deities of lesser importance, such as ‘<span class="mu-s">The Spellweaver</span>’. Although, some refer to it as The ‘Spell<span class="mu-i">binder</span>.”</span>
There was a long silence between the two of you as you digested this information. As always, you were the one to break the ice.
<span class="mu-r">“So…you’re saying that I didn’t just get bit by a spider, but I’m somehow involved in a cosmic scheme created by Spider Gods? What do they want from me? Am I supposed to…do something?”</span> you said, feeling much more unsure of yourself than you did when you walked through the front door.
Madame Web tapped both her index fingers together and took a contemplative posture. <span class="mu-r">“That, Benjamin, is something that only the Great Totems know. I may have some knowledge of the realm that they inhabit, but I am not privy to their grand machinations.”</span> she admitted.
<span class="mu-r">“What about the other Spider-Totems that you mentioned?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Ah, yes. They are essentially newborns. I can sense them, but I am having a hard time pinning down their exact location.”</span> she said with a frown as she wrinkled her nose. <span class="mu-r">“I suspect The Bride and The Patternmaker have something to do with that.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“What? You think they’re blocking your perception, or something?”</span> you inquired.
<span class="mu-r">“It’s possible that they believe we aren’t ready to meet them just yet. They haven’t had time to mature, and our interference might compromise their future as Spider-Totems.”</span> she explained.
All of this shit sounds so unnecessarily complicated! You just wanted cool spider powers, not to become some pawn for giant spiders to tell you what to do!
<span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-r">“You’re exaggerating.”</span></span> said Madame Web. Her mouth wasn’t moving. Instead, her voice had been echoing throughout your head. <span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-r">“The Great Totems aren’t involved in every aspect of our lives. Far from it, actually.”</span></span>
Okay. She was speaking directly into your mind now. It was sort of ticklish, like feeling loud music reverberate through your bones when you got close to a speaker.
<span class="mu-r">“But we’re getting off track,”</span> Madame Web said out loud, returning her hands to her chair’s armrests. <span class="mu-r">“I didn’t bring you here to lecture you, or chastise you on your past behavior. Doing that won’t get us anywhere.”</span>
You folded your arms in front of your chest and inclined your head, encouraging her to continue.
<span class="mu-r">“If either of us are going to come to a compromise, then we must first be on a similar wavelength. I propose…an accord.”</span> she said, leaning back in her chair.
You froze, and replayed her words in your mind a few times before speaking again.
(Cont.)
