Twilight on Spider Island. The sun was about to set, a single golden eye throwing its last gaze over the dark lands that carried the dead trees and countless giant spiders that had given the island its reputation. The beginning of the night was visible in the faintly glowing clouds in the skies, a sharp white against the encroaching heavens that were losing the colours granted by the sun's light. Soon everything would be cloaked in darkness. A time of relative rest would settle, even if rest held little meaning in a world of chittering spiders always watching, always ready to catch the unsuspecting prey.

Speaking of which, one such spider was sitting on the roof of the lone stone manor that reigned supreme over the island, red eyes seemingly defying the golden globe in a staring contest. Legs dangling in a playful fashion, hands gripping the side and not the slightest hint of worry despite the height of the three floors tall building. Her white hair laid motionlessly draped over her shoulders and back, brushing against the white fabric of her white dress. With the golden rays of the sun, she could pretty much have been a beacon of light in the lurking darkness of Spider Island, but the truth about this young woman was pretty much the opposite. As the light slowly died out, sinking behind the horizon, the lady in white was mulling over the state of the island. Or more precisely, the state of the scattered spiders that were supposedly be one clan yet were getting more and more divided over more than a handful of factions. Some of them just rogue spiders without true leadership, others far more organised and becoming a threat potentially strong enough to pose a danger to the humans and Unmei within the manor.

While it was true that the young woman sitting on the roof cared little for the human visitors or the weakness of other Unmei, she was well aware of the existence of Unmei refusing to acknowledge Sero and Momma as their creator. Not the worst of sins per se, but when some of those rogue Unmei decided that occupying the manor was their right and that they were foolish enough to believe they could even go so far as to strike down the Creator to usurp his rightful position as Lord of Spider Island, it made the generally apathetic girl twitch. She couldn't say if it was due to a sense of attachment to Sero, if it was a byproduct of Loiralane's mind weaving or if she took a possible attack on the manor as a personal assault, but no matter the true reasons behind it, Haka was of a mind such foolish games had to come to an end.

As such, she pushed herself off the roof, bare feet landing on the cold ground, and decided to enter the double door that made the entrance of Osada Manor. She had to find Sero. Tell him of the situation even though he would most likely be aware of it already. Or rather, communicate him she was about to wage a war on his island. She had ideas for this and was in need of a couple of things only he could help her with. Knowledge on the arts of war being one, insights in the construction of a worthy lair for the spiders she'd rally under a single banner being a second. Climbing the stairs to the third floor, Haka would open the door to Sero's throne room, take a full step inside and see if he was around.

---

607

Sero was standing within the throne room as he had prepared a long, white stone table in the center. His experiments were not something the eye of the beholder would require him to answer for this time. So he could be more open about it. The table itself stretched from one wall to the other with only enough space around either side to walk around comfortably. Strewn across it was dozens of books and scrolls designing seals and about the origin of sealing. Documents about past experiments and known seals and symbols. Every document he could acquire from the village or private trades. Some of it was fake of course and they would be punished for that later but much of it was being combined into a new seal. Much of the scrolls were in his own writing but some of them were burnt on the edges. He had been at it for some time. Dark circles were under his eyes as he had forgotten to sleep or eat for a while. To swallowed up by the project at hand. Once more his pen was marking a paper as he combined a different set of seals. With perfect strokes his fingers created a new work of art.

He had just finished when the door behind him creaked open. A moment of impatience with the disturbance would wash over the room. A pause of the hand, a tilt of the head and a gust of wind causing the torches within to flicker. She would feel what she would have expected to feel. The Ominous presence of the lord of horrors. Hints of something just out of the corner of ones eye as the mind played tricks. As if there was something hunting them just out of sight. A wicked thing waiting for them to let down their guard. The room would darken for a moment as if the air was sucked out as those cold grey eyes would shift to turn and look upon his creation. Dead eyes watching her a moment before the sensations passed. A dull aura in comparison to before. The irritation of hours of experimentation ending in failure having caused a slight lapse in judgement and control. Just as fast as it had come however it had passed. He realized who he was witnessing enter his domain now and they were welcomed. A curios creature and perhaps the strongest of his creations. Named as his daughter. Haka.

He would lift his right hand with the pen in it and use the pen as a tool to beckon her forward. A slight twitch once then twice. His attention was drawn back to the table. As a predator she might even be able to sense how worn he was. His shoulders were more slumped, circles under his eyes, slight blood shot effects. Even his movements seemed less fluid. At last a hint he was human. Still he would return to studying what was on the table before him. As she approached she would see a single rat with a seal on its forehead keeping it asleep. Around it was a seal on the stone with other rats either turned to stone or frozen in place or even partially placed into the table and clearly dead. He would reach his other hand up and rub the bridge of his nose as he set a paper down with perhaps the most advanced seal combination she had ever seen. Combining ancient and modern seals. Still he seemed unsatisfied. His hand would fall and he would glance to her if she moved next to him. She had grown. He could feel her power was massing and now she was as capable as many of the ANBU he worked with. He would look her over before resting both hands on the table as if to support himself.

"What is it I can do for you child? Have you more questions about the world? Perhaps it is an element or a weapon you have seen?"

670

The door opened and Terror itself greeted her. The lights would dim and flicker, the unnatural dread of the Lord of Spider Island's aura shifting its attention just as quickly and briefly to the perpetrator of its occupation. For perhaps less than a second the dread it embodied would flare up, ready to swallow the poor soul that had dared to invoke its attention, then dissipate as quickly as it came as it recognised one of its own brood. The sort of welcoming Haka felt every day when she entered the manor. The sort she had come to understand as the embrace of recognition. Almost as if the power was drawing her in, and beckoning her closer. Almost, as only one meek of mind would allow a monstrous aura such as that of Sero to lure it into a false sense of security.

Closing the door, she would move closer to Sero's position near the white table. Her red eyes would glide over the contents sprayed open. Books and scrolls, sketches and rats. All of them part of the vast knowledge of Fuinjutsu. They revealed Seals she had never seen before and seals she recognised. Symbols written in a language she couldn't place, and others in the now recognisable hand-writing of Sero himself. Despite the apathetic gaze, a flicker of curiosity as to what her Creator was up to would reveal itself in her mind, then snuffed out as she locked into his eyes for just a moment. Noticing the tell-tale signs of humane exhaustion upon his countenance. Black rings around his eyes, blood shot eyes. His lethargy would not be noticed, even now his movements still far more fluid than what she performed on her best day, but his humanity would be laid bare. After all those long years, for the first time Sero showed a hint of humanity.

Somewhere locked in the depths of her mind, she had always known he was human but the spider had grown used to him showing no such tell-tale signs. To see them now was... strange. She wasn't sure if she had to loathe it, worry about it or fear it as if it was an ill omen coming to light. Instead, she deadened the confusion much like she deadened most of her humane emotions and moved on until she stood next to him. Sero would rest his hands on the table, eyes seemingly never leaving whatever his purpose was with all these intellectual documents and the Sealed rats seemingly slumbering, stunned or frozen in time, but his lips would move and the hollow echoes that made his voice would resonate as they always did. He would ask of her questions. Questions that, now, seemed so trivial and laughable but had once felt like the greatest secrets of the clockwork that made the human world tick.

"I have not come for such concerns, father, but for something requiring the Lord's insights. Haka has plans for the Spider Clan's future."

She had deliberately dropped his title as Lord to narrow the subject to that what it was about - the island and the manor. Or rather, it's future and what she intended to do with it. She called upon his aspect as Creator and his rights as Lord of the immediate environment, for what she needed now was not the embrace of a proud father but the judgement of the one who embodied the lands that made up Spider Island.

Haka would take out a scroll of her own tool belt and unseal its content, revealing a single black book covered in spider silk. She would look for the tiniest of free space upon the white table before she carefully laid the book to rest on it, making sure not to disturb his work and research, and flip it open to reveal sketches of the manor's floors, architectural in design yet lacking the finer details such as exact metrics that would reveal the hand of a true master.

"The Clan's full potential is scattered by rogue Unmei who do not recognise you and Momma as our Creators. Some of them have taken in spiders with intent to take over the clan and overthrow the Sero as the Lord of Spider Island."

She'd take out a few scrolls tucked in the book to reveal the sketches of other Unmei. Most had taken on a human form, but the Unmei's arachnid nature would still reveal itself. Eight eyes, extra limbs hidden under layers of clothing. Signs that were attempted to be hidden yet spotted by the perceptive eyes of spies. Half of these probably didn't even know Sero, nor cared for him as they lived their lives away from Spider Island, but others were still hiding on the Island itself, lurking, watching, building up their own power as they plotted about how to tear through the manor, ignorant of the power that it housed. Haka found their ignorance an amusing sort of mockery, knowing well enough they posed little threat to the Creator standing next to her, his aura having reminded her of that fact barely a minute ago, but even then she felt a need to take them down herself. Assert her dominance as the Daughter of the Spiders, aiming to improve upon her own powers still.

"Haka will hunt these rogues and unite the clan. But bringing them under one influence will require a worthy lair.", she'd tap her finger on the lowest floor of Osada manor, intending to spark the idea within Sero's mind with it as the words uttered by her quiet, soft voice lingered in the air. "A lair under the manor, hidden from human eyes. The heart of our web, close for Sero to call us. If Lord Osada agreed, would he help build one?"

---

982
Total: 1589

Sero would quietly watch as she moved to his side. His eyes studying her. More so than the normal man might have been able to. To him he was studying a new power before him. Each time she appeared to see him she had grown and now she was closer to his level by bounds. He would pause in his musings over his studies. He might be able to rely on her power far more soon. There were enemies of the manor that only he seemed capable of dealing with as of yet. Soon however her potential would be revealed. As a father perhaps he should feel pride. She was progressing at a much younger age than humans. However her maturing age was considerably younger as well. He couldn't compare the others on the same scale. Still she had her promising points. He would glance to her with grey eyes. Always studying and measuring. His aura fought against his instincts to push outwards against hers. To quell it and demand its position as lord and still he held it at bay. Forcing it to obey his will as he stood calmly waiting. An ocean of menace held within a calm form.

"I have not come for such concerns, father, but for something requiring the Lord's insights. Haka has plans for the Spider Clan's future."

He would raise his hand to stroke his chin with interest. She was moving up in the clan as well. Where he wished one of his children to be of course. He had thought it would be the first to reveal herself to him but Haka had shot forwards as the most likely prominent figure. Still she would reach into her bag and without a second thought or hesitation she would unseal a book with ease. So she had moved forward enough in her studies that a simple item unseal was common place for her. To some it was nothing impressive but it wasn't long ago that she had just discovered equipment and weapons. For her to have progressed so much in such a short time was to be commended but he would hold off his praise. Instead he would observe for the moment the black book she had unsealed. In silence as usual for when it came to his attentions, most avoided it. He had grown accustomed to not having to speak unless directly asked a question. Requests floating into the manor here and there.

"The Clan's full potential is scattered by rogue Unmei who do not recognize you and Momma as our Creators. Some of them have taken in spiders with intent to take over the clan and overthrow the Sero as the Lord of Spider Island."

She would speak of the clan he had left to its own devices with an urge to address it. Still his pale fingers would reach down to turn the page of the book to look over the sketches of the manor. They were well done if not designed for actual blueprints. They had a rough representation for what she was looking at and a good construction overseer could design a building similarly with these sketches if just a few measurements were added. Still as for the others who intended to overthrow him. It was only because as of yet they had not met him and did not know the impossibility of that task. Still a part of him found himself irritated. He should be like unto a god for them. Yet here he was being underestimated like a common enemy. How dare they doubt his power. Perhaps it was time for a culling.

"Haka will hunt these rogues and unite the clan. But bringing them under one influence will require a worthy lair.", she'd tap her finger on the lowest floor of Osada manor, "A lair under the manor, hidden from human eyes. The heart of our web, close for Sero to call us. If Lord Osada agreed, would he help build one?"

Sero would glance where her finger indicated. His head tilting as he studied the foundations a little before glancing to her. Yes, his power was not needed for this particular endeavor. It would be good for one of their own to conquer them. To acclimate them to the change and to bring the entire clan under his influence. Of course soon it would mean the entire Island was Haka's to control with her clan to be brought to bare at her command. Their ability to populate making them formidable to any foe. Even an entire hidden village. Still she wished for a lair of her own. He would give it time to pause in thought before taking a breath and holding out his hand. "Tell me Haka, have you studied much of the world outside of the manor? More specifically the five major nations?" With that a map would form in his hand. Slowly it would become real as bits of mist floated to it and turned to parchment as they connected. With it he would place it over her book and leave it for her to open. A detailed map of the continent. With that he would speak.

"There are many nations outside of my influence. If you truly wish to build a lair, doing so with your own power would only secure your influence over those who would one day reside there. I suggest learning the earth element in order to do so. Of which three nations come to mind. In Konoha the senju are superb in their bending of it. In Iwa they reinforce stone like no other can. However if you wish to see war, and learn of war I would suggest Suna. The turmoil there has many forces vying for power. I am sure you could find a lot about your goal there. Of course, the choice is yours. Would you wish to visit any of these for your goals? Or shall we simply conquer them with sheer power?"

1677

Sero would take note of the sketches drawn in the book, weighing her request for help in the construction of the lair. A few seconds of quietude would come to pass before he spoke his wonder about her knowledge of the vast world. Had she learned about the Five Nations? She was aware of them, knew them by name. She could point their location on a nameless map and had a general idea of the environment that surrounded them. To say she knew all of the finer details such as prominent clans, history and other of that sort would be pushing it as the spider-nin had not bothered with much else but her own evolution so as to be able to evolve the Spider clan as a whole. The other nations were not in the line of her interests since all it held was more of the same of what could be found in Kirigakure - humans and weapons.

But the purpose was not the humans. The purpose of his question was doton. She knew of the five natures. Knew she had two of them under her command which she considered the most harmful to spiders. The rain and waters which could drown a spider, and the consuming flames to which each spider was delivered without resistance. The other three elements, though strong in their own rights, formed natural powers no spider dealt with. Earth was crawled upon, no matter its shape or direction, lightning never hit the spider, and wind was only an annoyance when it somehow teared through webs or burrows.

At the suggestion of learning doton, three Nations were offered. None truly piquing her interest until Sero mentioned the war state in Sunagakure. Though war in its own was not what intrigued the spider-nin who considered a blatant self-destruction of their own species as foolish, war could break out on Spider Island once she would finally make her move. That, along with the war fresco in his library and the various war-themed stained glass windows of the manor, nudged the favour towards Sunagakure despite the lands being one of the least appreciated environments the spider could think of. Complete draught with little to no shadows. A stark contract from the humid and misty environments of Kirigakure that was her natural habitat.

"I will visit Sunagakure to perceive its war and glean the secrets of earth shaping."

She had never faced doton before, nor seen it being used. The extends of its possibilities eluded her, her mind limiting it only to basic ideas such as burrowing or shaping walls. She understood why Sero offered it but she lacked the insight to apply it properly in a battle situation. Still, if she succeeded at getting doton, she assumed it would serve to shape the spider lair she had requested. Burrow deep, create rooms and caverns, various trapped exits which she could conceal with fuinjutsu and genjutsu once she had explored the possibilities of mental mazes. If the manor was not already sufficient a fortress now, it soon would become even worse a nightmare for invaders to infiltrate.

"What shall be done once I know how to bend the earth to my will? Would digging under the manor not destroy its foundations?"

---

545
Total: 2134

Sero would pause in his musings. His grey eyes shifting over her as he studied her a minute. A research document crossing his mind a moment as he glanced down at his left arm. His fingers stretching out and flexing before returning to a fist and opening a few times. Such studies had yet to be completed but they were almost ready to be published as official research. While Doton would be a wonderful addition to her powers he could offer her something more... She was of his chakra but perhaps if it became possible she could also be made of his blood. Such rituals were frowned upon in modern society but he had never fit in to such a time and place. His very being denying the humanity that would doubt such an action. He couldn't feel the limb but he could sense the chakra rushing through it. He would breath a moment before turning to gaze upon her. She was curious about her own underground lair and as such he would consider her words. The foundations yes those would need to be brought under consideration of course. The builders would have words for it but he was confident as he spoke.

"Perhaps it could weaken them, however such things built beneath a foundation can be served to help secure them. You could build your lair in such a way that it holds the fortress upon its back, Do not dig too deep however. There is a great deal of earth beneath us but beneath that is something ancient. This island came here and slept of its own will. We would not wish to wake it needlessly. With that said, come with me."

With that he would turn from the table. It's surface would begin to swirl and the papers would turn into a torrent before sliding into the center of the table into a small seal there. Where once there was a table full of research even the table had slid into a talisman that clattered to the floor. Around it the floor would seem to shift like liquid as it formed fingers and seemed to drag the talisman into itself. Fading from sight as the room seemed to return to normal. However there would still be a strong feeling of being watched. Awakened as the manor was it had taken an interest in her. Watching her movements each step.

Soon their walk would take them to the library however. A ripped open parcel was on the table from a new delivery of books and documents more recently released. They had not been put away as of yet but some were strewn across the tables from further study spent in his free time. Still Sero would move to one specific document. Lifting the plain folder into his hand and turning before handing it to her. It was a tan folder with several pages within each marked with a medical nin symbol. Within was the research on transferring over kenkai genkai to those not born with it. There was a lot of medical nonsense strewn through out but it all pointed to the idea of advanced releases such as his own being transferable. Simply at the cost of an entire limb. He would wait quietly for her to read before speaking in turn.

"Have faith daughter, for the world provides yet another way for you to be more like me. For now this is but theory and yet I would offer you time to consider this an option for you. Should you wish it, when the research is finished my left arm will be yours. A med nin will be summoned and my greatest power will be yours. The power of the Osada."

2303

Her question on the foundations was answered with new ideas. An underground lair carrying the manor on its back. Like a mother spider carrying its spiderlings. It was an idea worth thinking through that could work if planned well. What that 'good planning' exactly consisted off was something Haka would yet have to research. Architecture, while useful, was not exactly something she was experienced with. Likewise, the subtle hint that something slumbered underneath the earth she'd dig through was yet another of those mysteries about her Creator to solve. It made her wonder. What exactly slept beneath the earth and carried the island on its back? A massive spider? She wouldn't be surprised at that considering Sero's affinity with them but until she had discovered it she couldn't confirm her own thoughts. And of course, being offered yet another puzzle of the enigma her dark father was offered one answer for the price of a dozen new questions dancing around his presence. Would she ever understand the riddle that was Sero in full?

She'd be given an answer to that when his documents and table shifted into a torrent, moving to the centre of the room to be sealed into a talisman. In turn, that talisman would be swallowed by the manor itself, revealing once more that just nothing about this whole island was what it seemed. As if her thoughts could be picked up, the feeling of being watched tickled her skin. As if the manor was not forgetting about her just because she had no idea what the manor really was. But the rigid mind of the spider discarded it all. She knew Sero used Fuinjutsu of a higher degree than she currently grasped and the seals had been visible. All of this was just some sort of scripture brought to life by the Lord. But true life? That remained to be seen.

At his behest, she followed the Lord of the mansion to the library below where he'd show her a ripped open parcel. The script on the front pages told her it was human writing rather than Fuinjutsu, the one she was handed carrying the symbol of the Iryo-nin. The letters danced before her, the spider still not able to read the human language, but the images caught on paper hinted at research and surgery. Her eyes would lift to meet Sero's gaze who unawarely explained her the ideas behind it. Theories and research could lead to the possibility of her being given the greatest of gifts Sero could give her - that of his own essence. An arm given to shape her even more into his image. Tempting, were it not for the fact the Unmei had no idea what exactly that meant. After all, she had never laid eyes on his KKG.

"I carry your image, your aura, your acceptance and your name. I fought Wolfgang Osada, heard him woe a past he shared with you, and remain standing at your side. And I will unite the Unmei under your purpose. Yet you say I do not hold the power of the Osada. Where am I lacking then, o dark father?"

Haka returned the book to the table, placing them with the rest of his collection near the parcel. It felt strange to hear him say she was still not the Osada he envisioned after all he had given her.

---

573
Total: 2707

"I carry your image, your aura, your acceptance and your name. I fought Wolfgang Osada, heard him woe a past he shared with you, and remain standing at your side. And I will unite the Unmei under your purpose. Yet you say I do not hold the power of the Osada. Where am I lacking then, o dark father?"

That name. His stance would shift ever so slightly at it. A broiling anger unable to be quelled deep within him. His first meeting of his own clan. How he had found it lacking. Just another who sought his head for as little reason as pride. The books on the shelves would shake as the room trembled at this new sensation from him. Anger. She perhaps had never seen much emotion from him but this shook even the house they stood within. The light fled them aside from immediately where they stood as if to hide behind the book shelves. Not a constant part of reality but something that fled him in this moment. Darkness surrounded them and alone they stood. As if the world had faded away. His body would slowly turn to her. Grey eyes studying her a moment. Unsure of her loyalty and filled with doubt all at the mention of a single man. His hand twitched with the urge to lay waste to her. Even his own creation who had shown nothing but loyalty so far. Instead his other hand would reach out to clasp at his own wrist. Holding it. Restraining it like it was its own beast. The shadows pulsed and he would slowly let his eyes roll back as he spoke in a tongue not of humans but of arachnids. Only she would understand this. Her and her kind. "You are not in control beast"

The shadows would seem to shrink away. Allowing light back as whispers filled the deepest and darkest parts of the retreating shadows. A distant scream from no direction would ring as if pain and rage filled it. With that it was all gone. The light returned and the room returned to its previous state. His arm he still held a moment though. His left arm. It knew his intentions. It wished to survive and ensure the survival of its original owner. So it had to be fought with not to kill its future host. Still this merely brought Sero's attention to how long it had been since he last remembered to allow himself rest. He felt not the weariness that surely plagued him but knew it was dulling him. His actions were slower. His will lesser. Still he would finally release his wrist before moving to a seat. Settling next to a table with an empty metal chalice sitting upon it. Long since emptied of drink. With that he would speak to her. Dead grey eyes fixated upon her.

"The name of that man is not to be mentioned before me. He has promised ruin upon me and as such I will not dwell on ideas of him besides where to bury his remains when he comes. He is mine to crush and so it will be. If he is but words he may crawl and hide as the insects do. If he is of action he may come and die like the others before him. You asked what it was you lacked. You have my name, my aura, my curse but what you do not have is my power." With that his right hand would idly reach out. His attention on the chalice in front of him. His fingers would reach and touch the rim of it as it circled around the top. From the walls a low growling breath would echo as he used his true gifts. His finger ran along the metal and behind his hand the metal would boil and turn to liquid. Running into the cup and down the sides. Where ever the liquid touched it would hiss and more metal would join the pool. Until the pool rested on the table it had sat upon. Cratering into it before fading to nothing in a bubbled mess. Leaving only chemical burns on the table nearly all the way through from but a touch. "This is but a sample of the power of the Osada bloodline."

3025

A most unfamiliar feeling would rise from Sero and be shared with the entire house. Anger. For calling that man's name the books trembled, the house wailed and light itself fled in terror. Even Haka, generally unfazed by terrors could feel the hairs raise upon her arm and had to fight the urge to run away from what could possibly come, taking a step back in heavy discomfort as her reason attempted to convince the animal's instinct his anger was not directed at her. Whatever he did, she could not say, but hearing him speak in her native tongue she caught a modicum of the context. Sero was fighting himself to regain control over his emotions, the iron will of the lord riling in the weak heart of the human. Haka would take a step forward again, pride washing over her in a way not dissimilar to having a little girl see her father as the hero of the day.

When Sero calmed himself again and the house stopped shaking, Sero would find Haka still standing at the same distance he had temporarily left her when he withdrew in his own world. When the light returned the man stood there holding his own wrist like he had been wrestling with it for control. Then he'd let go, making his claim on the bald man's head clear. It didn't happen often she heard him make claims, making her lightly tilt her head at the fate envisioned by her Creator. His claim, his kill. It instantly answered the unspoken question that had formed into her mind. His existence was tolerated if he used words but revoked if he'd have the guts to face Sero, upon which his fate would be sealed instantly. So be it, then.

"Such is your right to claim.", she said to confirm she had understood his desires when it came to his clansman.

Sero would then reveal what exactly she was lacking by picking up a chalice and invoking the acidic chakra inherent to the Osada. She had met this before, since Wolfgang had shown her something similar in his aura. He had claimed it to be the Osada's power but the spider-nin had not quite understood what that meant - the concept of KKG was not something the spider had given a name even now. To see her Creator use that same sort of acidic chakra now unlocked the full comprehension of what Wolfgang had meant then and there. This power was inherent to the Osada, meaning only those born as one would have it. But she was born Unmei. Osada was only a mantle she used in recognition, not a blood she owned.

"It is true I only command water and flames as my own.", she confirmed again. She had not seen anything else but the basic elements and the Ice Release which was inherent to Verdandi. Advanced Releases were a concept she had picked up before but the limits eluded her as much as all the types that ran in existence. Whatever the power was Sero held, to be able to wield it like he did sounded like an intriguing addition if that meant she would finally be fully accepted as his daughter. More than any other Unmei could possibly be. But... She could not simply learn an advanced release. Was this why he was showing her imagery of research and surgery?

"Is this an advanced release like hyouton is?"

---

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Total: 3289

Sero would nod his head as he would be calmed by her obedience. It was expected of her after all and now she knew of an enemy of his. Someone he could not or would not tolerate. Not at the given moment anyway. She had prowess and knowledge beyond her years and yet, he would calmly look her over as he considered that in many ways she was still a child. The time was approaching rapidly though when she would need to be all he was and possibly more. Lord or in her case lady over the haunted lands. The manor and the island as well as all its inhabitants would be her charge. The only part that would still fall to him was the seven swords. Of course she was already highly capable but should something threaten Kiri beyond her abilities. He would need to be awakened. He supposed there were those who would simply wish to meet him. Thinking he was some beast beyond even his own daughter. However that call would be up to Haka to make. The land and his awakenings would be her choice. The unmei compound was her first step once they were conquered and that was respectable. A unified clan to control and guard the island.

Still her next question was surprisingly well educated. His grey lifeless eyes would look at her a moment before he would nod. Settling himself as he considered how much sooner he might be able to rest than he had anticipated. If she was progressing to at least this level he could be assured that she would be ready soon. A conqueror in her own right. Still upon him entering a slumber there would be those who sought to seal him away for good. Ridding themselves of his curse by removing the one person who could awaken him. She would be in danger. So this bit would only serve to aid her as needed. If they feared him they would fear her too. "Indeed. Futton is its own advanced release. By combining the properties of Katon and Suiton in a specific mix our bloodline transforms it. Creating a sort of acidic based reaction to anything it would touch. Melting away even the greatest defenses and turning ones insides to a simple container of liquid. Much like how the camel spider melts the flesh before it eats it. Our release does something similar in a larger scale. Now we have one more thing to discuss. Do come along."

With that he would seem to step passed her like a passing mist into the hall. Leaving behind the mess that was the library. The servants would attempt to keep it dusted but spider servants rarely could read so actually reorganizing the books had been overlooked for some time. Stacks upon stacks were on almost every table now. Someone educated would need to be tasked as the manor librarian soon. Still his steps would be easier for her to follow now than they once had been. He still paced himself to her but they moved much faster through the manor. They were heading outside the east wing it appeared. Outside across the overgrown garden and through into the next building passed the overgrown greenhouse. Finally he would stop in front of what appeared to be a rather recently constructed barn. Its scent was different than the rest. With an idle swish of his hand the double doors would open to reveal a large open space. A small track placed within. Burn marks were scattered here and there and moisture slid down the walls. At the center though was a single large horse. A Clydesdale he had given her as a gift that yet still lived. He would pause in the open door as it huffed out smoke at them.

"Have you considered a name for him yet?"

3671

So it was that Sero revealed the existence of a new KKG. Boil Release. A strange name for something that embodied acids. Liquid fire burning through opponents like potent venom. It left the spider somewhat confused. She had fire and water, the base elements of the advanced release. She was a spider, too, having venom and web at her disposal. Wouldn't it then make sense she could mold her chakra into acid too? Missing the finer workings of advanced elements, Haka would attempt to replicate it nonetheless. Suiton in one hand, katon in the other. The multitasker could do that much without problem. Bring the elements together, sputtering would be the result as the fire died out in the process of making some steam. No success. Boil Release was clearly something different still. Something more than molding two chakras at the same time.

More testing would have to wait, Sero beckoning her to move with him to a new point of discussion. Mist would trail behind him, his step as light as ever. The spider smiled in her mind, remembering a time where she tried so hard to mimic that walk of his. She still hadn't been able to mimic it but her busy life growing and dealing with Kiri's threats had given her little time to continue the ambitions of learning the Sero Step. Haka decided not to pick up such a childish desire again, her own step leaving no sound as the spider's inherent nature to crawl upon all surfaces had grown to a point her feet barely interacted with her environment.

Leaving the manor through the east wing, the garden would greet them. The barn with 'pony' in the distance. In quietude they'd move on until Sero opened the door to reveal a giant-sized 'pony' - a Clydesdale horse, in fact. A detail not differentiated by the spider as she wasn't familiar with horses or ponies in general. All she remembered was that Sero would offer her a pony if she did what he asked, and so a pony was given. Everything made perfectly sense. Protecting said 'pony' was a different story all together. The spiders of the island considered it an exclusive trait and as in true Spider Clan fashion, dominance would have to be established to make sure everyone else understood that the horse belonged to Haka. And no one else. The first days had been an exhaustive battle of endurance mostly. Her siblings weren't that strong but they were plenty. It had pretty much been a war of attrition between her defending the horse and the horde desiring to snack on it. The vast amount of dead and wounded spiders in the vicinity now brought forward the message Haka had wanted to share - 'Pony' was hers. They had come to accept that, lingering in the shadows now for a moment of weakness on her account.

"Tribute.", the spider shared its name softly in reply to his question. The horse would look up, hearing the familiar voice of a monster it had come to... accept, if such was even a word to be used. More like he had come to understand he would not be able to get rid of her as easily despite its strength and pride. "I decided not to eat the pony since it's proven its strength. It's name is a tribute to this."

More like she had felt those hooves a few times herself, her frail body not quite happy with the fractured bones it had left behind despite her trained resilience. And it had trampled a few giant spiders too, even survived a venomous bite. It might not be entirely at peace with the dark domain just yet but it certainly survived its worst, day-to-day nightmares. With that dealt with, the pace could be upped. Tribute had to get used to the monstrous auras of the Osada household, trained to ride at her request, trained to crush those who would harass it. There was a lot of work left to do, the spider not quite certain just yet how she'd go about that.

"Is it a good name?", she'd ask Sero much like a kid seeking confirmation of its parent. He would probably know how to name a horse better than she who saw the animal as exotic food.

---

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Total: 4041

Sero would look to the horse with a cold gaze. It was smart enough to shift its head away and refrain from looking him in the eye. An intelligent beast. It knew fear but knew how to still stand his aura at the same time. Had they made eye contact he very well could have driven it mad with the resulting effects. Still that was neither his goal nor his intentions. Still he would listen as she spoke its name and explained it. Fitting to say the least. It was indeed a tribute to its kind. A fitting name and clever. He would tilt his head as he noted a spider bite here and there but for the most part she had established dominance rather well in her law over him. Spiders as she had pointed out were rebellious and self focused for the time being. In due time she could conquer her own kingdom. Replacing even mother as the head of all spiders in the vicinity of the island. Most knew to fear spiders even as a child. This would simply reinforce that sensation to the world. He was happy with his creation as it continued to evolve. Still she would ask him his thoughts on the name and he would pause in his thoughts to answer in the same dull voice.

"It fits the creature well. As it is yours, it is yours to name and none may speak against it that matter in regards to the name. Any an all protest should be but noise to you."

Having seen her keep the huge horse alive and lay down her dominance over a treasure that was surely precious to any spider as a meal settled his resolve as to his intentions to her. Without a word he would turn and begin walking back to the manor. Expecting to be followed without telling her to do so. He would enter through doorways that seemed to swing open as if to invite him in without so much as a finger lifted in command to it. Gradually they would move to the back of the manor before a heavy reinforced metal door would slide open with the creak of old metals. Inside steam would line the floors of the medical baths. Designed to heal the wounds and stabilize even the dying. For what he intended this would be needed. With his dominant arm he would reach out and within it a dark scythe would seem to rise from the misty floors as if a pool was hidden beneath. It would rise into his grasp and without a second of hesitation he would Shift the blade with a clean movement. Severing his left arm clean at the shoulder in one swipe as it fell. Either to be caught or to land against the floor if not. Blood would begin to flow freely from the wound as the scythe faded. With that he would begin to step into one of the baths and lower himself down. It would need to stop the bleeding soon. As it was intended to though the bath was already doing the work. Still he would speak as his bath turned red in shade.

"Take that arm and preserve it until you have decided if you wish for my power or for the power over the earth around you. If you wish for my power you have but to consume it. If not, we shall keep it preserved for when someone else worthy comes. For now be away with your missions child. I have need to rest and restore."

4271

Its name was approved. What followed to that felt rather strange to the spider. Her rights to name it. All opposition should be as noise to her. It was strange not to have to force domination over weaker species. Here, she was given rights by a being certainly stronger than her. Recognition of her power? Haka remained quiet as her mind reasoned to this counter-intuitive move, closing the doors to the stables as Sero silently returned to the manor before she followed him back.

Moments of silence lingered between the two as they moved back to the manor, through the long hallway that eventually lead to the healing chambers. A curious find, as Sero didn't look wounded in the eyes of the spider-nin. The answer to an unasked question would follow as the Lord of the manor summoned an ominous scythe. Another secret of her father preserved for so long, it rose from the mists to his will and into his hands. Weapons, the claws of man. Even now, years later, the spider saw no reason to their existence when chakra and fang were an equal match for these cumbersome additions Humans seemingly required. And yet here Sero was doing something she'd have not expected to happen in the slightest. He cut off his own arm.

The lump of flesh would fall down and fall into a web that seemed to bloom out of the floor. Serving as a cushion under Haka's command, created instinctively as her mind tried to reason as to why the Creator would destroy his own body. He seemed to act strangely today. Not like the monster she had always seen him, neither the sort one could call humane. A feeling of worry would creep up to her as she once again stood before something she couldn't grasp in full. As if he had sensed her worry, he'd start speaking, his body resting in one of the baths to recover. She was to preserve this arm until she had made a decision. Her eyes shifted to the arm caught in the web. His wishes shared, she'd shoot more strands out of her hands and pull the arm closer, cocooning it into silken arachnid strands infused by chakra. Now the guardian of his arm, tasked with making an important decision to choose between his Boil Release or finding Earth Release to pave the future of the clan, she'd place this new treasure on her back and wrap it tight webs around her body for the time being.

Understanding his needs, she'd nod and walk away with a "Rest well, father", moving to her own bedroom to think about the new enigmas and puzzles thrown upon her path. Who would have taught bringing a clan together would prove so challenging?

---

[EXIT]

Gained: Sero's arm (Boil Release KKG essence)

472
Total: 4513