Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 63
Frozen in shock, no one dared approach.
Ethan felt no stir from his snake pendant, suggesting the situation, though bizarre, was under control.
After a brief pause, he walked alone toward the tree.
“Man, what are you doing?” Oliver, stunned by Ethan’s nerve, reached to stop him.
Ethan dodged and reached the tree, examining the red flow.
By color and smell, he confirmed it was blood, though its flow slowed to dripping, staining the ground red.
The gash was over halfway through; Ethan relaxed slightly, knowing they had time, but he wondered what danger lurked.
He picked up the axe and resumed chopping.
“Keep ... keep going?” Wesley stammered, still reeling.
The others looked worried, silently watching Ethan.
“Of course,” Ethan said without pausing, not turning. “Don’t forget why we’re here; if we don’t bring back this tree, we might face total wipeout.”
“And at this point, do you think we can stop?”
He paused, pointing at the tree. “If we’ve crossed some taboo, do you think quitting now gets us mercy?”
“I’d rather fight to the end than sit and wait for doom.”
Silence fell; Oliver clenched his fists, resolved, and joined Ethan.
“Let me take over; I’m faster.”
Ethan handed him the axe gladly, freeing himself to plan next steps.
Oliver took a deep breath, grabbed the axe, and glanced at Bennett and Jack. “If I’m in trouble, my life’s in your hands.”
Bennett nodded solemnly; Jack looked reluctant but didn’t refuse.
Time ticked by, the gash growing under Oliver’s swings, the tree teetering.
The group’s tension eased; they were close to finishing the task.
But things wouldn’t be that simple; Ethan sensed a shift in the air, something off.
He stood abruptly, scanning for anything suspicious around the tree, his gaze locking on the ground below.
The dripping blood had formed a small pool, rippling and morphing as if alive.
Each drop altered it, shaping it into an animal’s form.
A spider.
The tree’s blood was becoming a Blood Spider.
Still forming, it was taking shape, details sharpening with each drop, its eight hairy legs sprouting.
Its head’s eyes began to move, its body twitching faintly.
Suddenly, countless blood-red threads shot from its back, spreading in all directions.
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