Threads of the Soul

Chapter 466 - 466: Peace offering

After much deliberation and debate, it was eventually and begrudgingly decided that the Angel would be brought back to the American Capital with Xander. However he was given a small collection of Unkindly Guards to keep an eye on her, as no one could trust a single nation to watch her without suspicion that they would betray the others.The Chinese leader, Yuan, surprisingly found no interest in the prisoner. Instead he became more focused on building his country's strength in the face of these new enemies, as well as regaining his status as the leader after their three weeks of absence.

Apparently, according to him, his country was filled with many opportunistic people who would no doubt be fighting over his empty throne, and he had to return to teach them their place.

The other leaders, while mixed between concern for their own countries in their extended absence and in the new 'Holy' prisoner they had captured, found that they had little ground to stand on when it came to negotiations.

Although Celestial might be a title that none of them truly understood, that didn't mean that it's power increase could simply be ignored nor the status that came with such an increase. It was painfully obvious to them after everything that, if it wasn't for these so-called Celestials, they would not be alive to worry about such things.

So, they very democratically 'allowed' the Americans to take the prisoner and for Corvus to send extra guards. How kind of them.

One leader who showed absolutely zero care about the prisoner, was the only other non human present for this meeting. The Spider Queen had seemingly moved on from her sole fascination with Corvus, much to Seth's despair.

She snuck up behind him, wrapping her arms around his body and running her talon tipped fingers down his chest.

"Well aren't you a strapping thing. A little wounded, but still fit for purpose. Aren't you handsome?"

Although he was missing the crucial information about this mysterious woman's identity, her clawed finger touching him and even starting to snake down to his nether regions was enough to send a shiver down his spine and set off alarm bells in his mind.

Seth forced himself out of her grip, which only caused her to giggle mischievously.

"Oh, I'm sorry handsome," She cooed in a seductive tone that was dripping with something more sinister,

"I was only trying to be friendly, but it seems I still don't understand humans entirely. Here... How about I give you this as a piece offering. Why don't you try some, see what you think."

She produced a jar from underneath her dress, which is already a very strange place to keep a pot, but Seth wasn't exactly going to say that to his face. He did think it though.

She opened the lid of the pot, sticking a pair of her fingers inside and scooping out the sweet smelling jelly that was stored inside.

She held the jelly up to Seth, nearly forcing it into his mouth with that gesture alone, as she said with that same mischievous smile.

"Here, try some. I just know that you will enjoy it and then we can get on so much better afterwards."

Seth stared at the Jelly with a strange look on his face. He had absolutely no idea what this could be but... he wasn't going to lie, it did smell good. The sweet scent tickled his nose and his mouth already started to salivate at the thought.

'Just one bite can't hurt, right?'

But his delicious meal was interrupted as a hand slapped the clawed fingers to the side, causing the woman to fumble with the pot. It slipped from her grasp, shattering as it hit the ground and spilled all of its contents.

Seth whipped his head to the side to find Corvus glaring at him.

"Don't. Trust me, you do not want to eat that. Especially from her."

"Oh don't be jealous" The spider woman said with a dramatic pout. She reached her hand forwards to caress Corvus' cheek, but he quickly slapped it away. Still, she continued with her teasing,

"I have room in my clutch for two handsome men with such beautiful threads. Just think of all the little ones you could create and what perfect weavers they would be."

A hand clamped down on Seth's and Corvus' shoulders, their vice-like grip squeezing them until the bones strained slightly from the strength. Astra pushed between them, placing herself between the Spider-woman and the two versions of her man.

"Leave. Before I show you the human concept of a bug zapper." She said coldly, her eyes crackling with energy in a defensive, intimidation display reminiscent of a predator defending its kill from a scavenger. A strange metaphor to consider and that definitely didn't leave Seth feeling like he was just a piece of meat to be devoured by one of these women.

The Spider woman returned Astra's gaze, the sparks reflecting in her pure black eyes, before she let out an insect-like chittering of annoyance. Without another word, the woman's form dissolved as she turned into a literal pile of spiders that quickly collapsed, before all of them scampered away from the group.

Astra smirked in victory, patting their shoulders as she said with a smirk,

"I'm going to have to put a collar on you boys, let everyone know who owns you. Either that or a nice little ring. What do you think."

She squeezed their shoulders again and gave them a smile that seemed slightly dangerous, before turning and walking away. Once she was out of earshot, Seth glanced at Corvus.

"See? Even she knows we need to talk about it. So are you in agreement or not? We need to sort this out sooner rather than later. We don't know when we will get this chance again."

Corvus considered the words before sighing heavily,

"I know... And I agree. Alright? I agree. I really don't like the idea of it, sharing a girlfriend is already hard enough with you. But what else can we do. I'm not willing to give her up and that means neither are you.

I tried to get Scar involved but it seems he's the only one willing to let go. Or so he claims. But he has given us his blessing."

Seth nodded softly,

"So it's settled. As soon as I get back from this little trip you dumped on my lap, we propose to the storm Goddess."