Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 101
“Looks like you’ve reclaimed the Spider’s power,” the Wolf said, not bothering to get up, just shifting to a more comfortable sprawl. “Gotta say, you owe Ethan big time. Without him, you’d still be stuck in that mess.”
“And honestly, you’re stronger now than ever, right? Talk about a silver lining.”
The white Spider climbed onto the table, her voice soft. “You know I don’t care about power. I just wanted to protect my little corner of the world, but fate had other plans, and here we are.”
The Fox hopped onto a chair, tail flicking. “You don’t show up unless there’s a reason. So, what’s it this time?”
All eyes turned to the white Spider. She didn’t hesitate. “I’m interested in your plan. I want in.”
The Snake let out a cold laugh, bristling with resentment. “You saw Ethan when he was a kid. Back then, you wouldn’t touch our plan. Now that we’ve built him up, you’re here to reap the rewards?”
“Think you can just waltz in, Spider?”
Her sharp words hung in the air, and the white Spider fell silent.
The others’ gazes weren’t kind either.
Her eyes clouded, drifting back twelve years. Ethan was a child then, and she’d appeared to him as a human woman.
She knew his story, felt the weight of his suffering, and had opposed the five animals’ plan. It seemed too cruel for an innocent boy.
She couldn’t stop them, nor was she sure if their path was right or wrong for Ethan.
So she walked away, retreating to her domain.
When Ethan entered Dreamplay, she recognized him instantly, despite his growth.
Her realm was strange, time flowing differently, blurred further by Dreamplay’s endless loops.
For Ethan, it had been twelve years; for her, far longer.
Seeing a familiar face in her world thrilled her, especially someone who’d nearly been family.
But the black Spider ruled her domain, leaving her powerless to help, only able to watch Ethan navigate dangers with his wits.
When he reached her cabin, she couldn’t resist offering him Flower Tea.
Ethan might not grasp its meaning, but it granted him access to her canvas—the reason he could see and touch it in the Shrine, while Oliver couldn’t.
In the endless monotony, she’d watched the village fall and rise, new Dreamwalkers cycling through. She’d grown numb.
But Ethan shook her. She’d never seen someone without a Blessing seize control so swiftly.
When the black Spider pulled them into her dream game, she saw humanity’s brightest side in him.
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