Chapter 80

Maevyth’s furious plea in Zevander’s mind hauls him back from darkness. He wakes to her relief and realizes he consumed her blood at her request. With the Rotting Tree’s ancient, destructive presence pressing in—and fearing they may have stirred a god—Zevander prioritizes getting Maevyth out, wondering if Cadavros died when he briefly perished.

They encounter Kazhimyr, who returns Zevander’s Venetox blade and claims Dolion sent him by vision. Kazhimyr guides them to a wooden door within shifting roots, opening into a cavern strung with webs. Hearing shouts, they find Ravezio and Dravien trapped as a spider moves to strike. Zevander incinerates one attacker and frees Ravezio while Kazhimyr cuts Dravien loose; a cavern-shaking shriek heralds a far larger threat as broodlings pour from a titan’s back.

They sprint for an exit with spiders in pursuit, bursting from the tree as the horde spills after them. A distant roar draws Maevyth to Raivox, who hangs ensnared in a massive canopy web. Zevander restrains Maevyth and cautiously burns the strands from one wing while Kazhimyr and Ravezio hold the perimeter. Hundreds of eyes gleam above; Dravien warns of something colossal descending.

Despite the looming shadow, Zevander frees the second wing, dropping Raivox. A giant spider the size of the Corvugon pounces, and Zevander’s black fire fizzles uselessly against its carapace. Maevyth refuses to abandon Raivox until the Corvugon blasts silver across the arachnid, forcing it to retreat.

With more spiders closing in, Kazhimyr orders a retreat. Zevander drags Maevyth away from the embattled Corvugon, trusting Raivox to defend himself. The group flees deeper into the woods toward the Umbravale, their escape shadowed by uncertainty over Cadavros’s survival and the awakening menace within the Rotting Tree.