They don't

As you fall back into the trees, your forces slowly disengage with Drux's followers. Infuriated by the loss of their incubators and emboldened by your retreat, they pursue your forces as they retreat. However, as you get further from the hollow, you hear your pursuers fall back. Eventually, you and the remnants of your original **** **** reach a small clearing where sunshine breaks through the treetops above you.

Pass the word, you order, We rest here.

The spiders are usually a stoic bunch, but you can hear a few sighs and murmurs of relief as the news spreads. The forest spiders naturally gather in the pool of sunlight, basking in the warmth as their health restores.

You move to join them, sitting down to rest against a tree with you knees drawn up. The sunlight does nothing for your health, but it feels good on your bark, and you recover some of the mana expended in the battle. As you rest, the myriad of cuts and gashes covering you easily ignored in the heat of battle, now start making their presence known.

You see Dana walking up towards you. Shit, you'd been so caught up in the fighting, you'd barely given her any though. You move to rise. "No, don't get up. It's fine. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Dana looks terrible. Her bright green skin has lost most of its color, and the rich pink of her lips and erogenous zones has faded as well. The drawn, pale skin with its greenish cast makes her look sickly and tired. She looks exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes and disheveled hair, lank with sweat.

Concern fills you as you look at her. She must have spent too much mana trying to heal the spiders. You don't know what happens to a person when they try to keep going after all their mana is gone, but you'd rather not find out with her. Dana crouches down beside you, and begins to examine your wounds with a light touch.

"Sweet Goddess," she murmurs, "You're covered with injuries."

Dana places both of her hands on you, preparing to heal you. You turn to look at her in response. Don't, you say. I'll be fine.

Dana ignores you. You move to remove her hands, but as you do you feel a pleasant wave of warmth wash over you. You look at your bark and see several laceration close completely, while the others seem to slow their bleeding.

You look back at Dana. She looks even more drained than before. It's obvious to you she needs a break. You reach over and pick Dana up, putting her down her back against you, and her legs between your thighs. As you pick her up, Dana gives a small squeak of surprise. She twists around in your arms, trying to face you so she can protest, but you interrupt her before she can speak.

Hush, you need to rest. I'll be fine, and the spiders can heal in the sun. You should Meditate and get back some of your mana.

Dana opens her mouth, then closes it, considering your words. Finally, she nods tiredly, turns around, and settles back against you. Her body relaxes, and you feel her breathing shift as she enters a meditative trance.

As Dana is recovering in your embrace, Hrax approaches you. Where's Blix? you ask. You'd issued most of your instructions to Hrax because you knew he could get the job done, but you had expected Blix to show up to make an after action report.

"Blix fell in the fighting, My Lord," Hrax says, his voice tinged with sadness. You nod.

How many died? you inquire.

"About two thirds of our original ****, My Lord," Hrax responds.

You nod again. Did Drux's spiders take any prisoners?

Hrax pauses, confused by your question. "No, My Lord. I believe all of those lost were killed by the enemy."

You nod for a third time. Good, you haven't taken any losses. On top of that, at least a third of your army will gain XP from today's battle, potentially leveling them up. You'll need to see if your Sacred Seed ability still affects those slain in the fighting. If it doesn't though, it's hardly a huge crisis; you can always produce more.

Hrax hesitates a bit before asking, "My Lord, I can see why you attacked the egg vessels, but I don't understand why you had us retreat. We might still have won."

You look at Hrax for a second, considering his words. You can hear the grief and anger lurking behind his usual formality. It's apparent that Hrax would have fought the **** rather than give up the field, refusing to let the sacrifice of his brothers be in vain. He blames you not only for dishonoring their memory by retreating, but for also leading them to their deaths in the first place. It had been your encouragement that had launched the forest spiders into battle, and your plan that had led to their defeat.

Finally, you shake your head. Hrax, the hollow was their respawn point.

Hrax stares at you as realization slowly dawns.

We were never going to be able win. I'm sorry, I should have realized that sooner. It wasn't until I saw Drux respawn after I killed him that I made the connection.

Hrax is silent for a while then asks "So the battle today was all for nothing?"

No Hrax, not for nothing. We might not have wiped out Drux and all his followers, but we struck a decisive blow. We've already won this.

Hrax stares at you confused.

Hrax, Drux have no more heroes to host his eggs. He can't hatch any more clutches.

You see understanding hit Hrax with a jolt "But we can."

Exactly, you say, It's only a matter of time before we outnumber Drux.

"That might take some time though," Hrax counters, "Given the losses we suffered today."

Hrax, we didn't suffers any losses.

Hrax objects, "What? No. Two thirds of our number died. It's not like they can-"

Come back? you ask.

Hrax freezes. The revelation overwhelms him, as he begins to understand what it means; all those brothers he thought lost today are returned to him. The knowledge is almost too much, and for a moment you fear Hrax will break down before you. He quickly recovers himself though, and turns to you.

"My Lord, how shall we proceed from here?" His voice is filled with equal parts jubilant elation and renewed respect for you.

For now we wait, and take this time to let the current clutches hatch, and develop a plan to permanently rid ourselves of the black spiders. In the meantime, we keep the pressure on Drux. We will make sure he and his followers don't stir from their den.

Once the spiders here are rested, send them back in small parties to keep watch on the hollow, and harry any isolated groups they find. We'll also need to send out scouts to find where the others have respawned. Once they've been located, they need to secure the egg clutches. Drux will be **** to take them out now. We can't let him.

Hrax bobs in agreement. "Very well, My Lord. I will start making arrangements at once. May I inquire as to your activities while we wait?"

I told you, Hrax. I'm going to figure out how to take care of Drux once and for all.