I kept pace next to Aldith, who seemed to be leading us towards the damper areas of the cave. I noted the wetness in the air. Her red and white kimono fluttered behind her as she walked; she also wore sandals that seemed fitting for her light attire. I was never the type to focus on others in my pursuit of science, but I couldn't help but notice how graceful she was. Her red silken hair and her deep red eyes reminded me how lucky I was to be on this planet in particular. I mean, if I had landed on an alien planet full of hideous aliens, I'm sure I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. She is also very strong; from what I saw, her skills are the real deal.
I asked her, "Are there any dangerous creatures in this cave? Something I should be aware of?"
Aldith nodded sternly. "There are, which is why you should stand behind me." She was always so to the point with her responses; part of me wanted to loosen her up a bit. Curious, I inquired, "What kind of creatures?"
Aldith sighed. "Oboxu."
Huh, that's a word that can't be translated by Vice. I tilted my head. "What is Oboxu?"
Aldith answered, "I assume you don't have any where you come from? That might be a theme going forward. They are a type of bug. They are much bigger than normal bugs. They hunt in dark caves like this. Their skin is thick like armor, and they blend into the shadows. They're relentless, and their claws can tear through rock."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Oboxu... Sounds like something straight out of a nightmare."
Aldith glanced at me from the corner of her eye. "They are. That's why I suggest you keep your focus on the path ahead and not on the fungus on the walls." She smirked slightly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a hint of amusement in her eyes.
I chuckled nervously, caught off guard by her remark. "Noted. No distractions."
Aldith's hand rested on the hilt of her sword as she led the way, her movements still graceful despite the rough terrain. I followed closely behind, trying not to stumble in the darkness. Every now and then, I could hear faint growls and the sound of something moving in the shadows, making my heart race.
Aldith held her blade out. "Stay behind me. I think I hear one already."
I couldn't help but ask, "How do you deal with these creatures? They sound nearly unstoppable."
Aldith didn't turn around as she replied, "You don't. Normally, you avoid them. They're blind, but their sense of touch is sharp. They burrow under the rocks with their sharp claws, and they can feel movement. Move carefully from this point on. We might not need to fight them if we move slowly."
I nodded, swallowing hard. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
The cave walls seemed to close in as we descended further into the depths. The air was thick with moisture, and I could feel the cold seeping through my clothes. Despite the tension, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of awe at the world I had found myself in. This place, dangerous as it was, held mysteries I couldn't wait to unravel.
I asked, "What do Oboxu eat?"
Aldith whispered, "They eat humans, and if they can't get that, they eat smaller animals that wander too far into the cave. Now keep your voice low if you want to keep your head."
Finally, we reached a point in the cave where I could see again. The path came to an end and opened up into a rather large space.
As we stepped into the open space, the oppressive darkness eased, and I could finally see more clearly. The area was vast, with stalactites hanging like jagged teeth from the ceiling and large boulders scattered across the floor. Faint glowing fungi clung to the walls, casting an eerie light over the area, but it wasn't enough to dispel the tension hanging in the air.
Aldith paused, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced gaze. Her grip on her sword tightened. "This is where they might like to ambush. Somewhere with it can block us in. Stay close and move quietly."
I followed her lead, stepping carefully to avoid disturbing the ground beneath me. The cave was eerily silent now, the only sound being the occasional drip of water echoing through the cavern. My goggles helped me see better, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching us from the shadows.
We moved slowly, our footsteps barely making a sound. The tension was palpable, and I could feel my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Suddenly, Aldith froze, holding up a hand to signal me to stop. I obeyed instantly, my breath catching in my throat.
She tilted her head slightly, listening intently. The silence was deafening, but then I heard it—a faint scratching sound, like something sharp dragging against rock. It was coming from somewhere to our left, hidden in the darkness.
Aldith whispered, "It's close. Don't move."
I stood as still as possible, my muscles tensed, ready to run if needed. The scratching grew louder, more deliberate, as if the creature was searching for us. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead.
My fears were realized as the ground burst open, and a horrifying insect appeared. It was disk-shaped, around three feet tall and four feet wide. It had long eyes that jutted out from its disk-like face. The Oboxu was purple in color, and its armor covered the top half of its body. Its teeth were on the bottom of its body, jutting out like knives. It also had huge claws that were almost as big as its body. They looked like mantis claws and were disproportionate to the rest of its body. It was horrifying, looking like something I would have read about in an H.P. Lovecraft novel.
The Oboxu clicked its mandibles, its claws scraping against the stone floor with a sound that sent shivers down my spine. Its elongated eyes twitched, scanning the area despite its blindness. Or actually, now that I got a good look, they seemed more like feelers than eyes. The creature's massive claws also hovered in the air, ready to strike at the slightest hint of movement. I held my breath, trying to remain as still as possible, my heart pounding in my chest.
Aldith, however, didn't seem fazed by the monstrosity in front of us. She slowly adjusted her stance, her sword glinting faintly in the low light. Her calm demeanor was both reassuring and unnerving. I could tell she was ready to strike at any moment, but she hadn't yet. Was she waiting for the right opportunity? Or was she hoping the creature would move on without noticing us?
The Oboxu shifted slightly, its claws tapping the ground as if testing it. Then it began to move forward, its claws dragging across the stone as it searched for its next meal. It was heading directly toward us.
I could feel the tension in the air. One wrong move, one sound, and this creature would be upon us in an instant. My mind raced with thoughts of escape, but every option seemed hopeless against something so relentless. My only hope was Aldith.
Without a word, Aldith shifted slightly, positioning herself between the Oboxu and me. I watched as she slowly unsheathed her sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light. She moved with such grace that it was almost mesmerizing, her every action deliberate and precise.
The Oboxu paused again, its head tilting as if sensing our presence. Aldith remained perfectly still, her eyes locked on the creature, waiting for the right moment. I could feel the tension building, every second stretching into an eternity.
Then, in a blur of motion, Aldith struck. Her sword connected, but a hollow ring echoed through the cave. Her slash did no damage from the looks of it. Aldith jumped back towards me after her failed attack. "No damage, shit. This is why I said they are normally best avoided." She took a defensive stance as the creature began stalking towards us again. The creature lunged towards Aldith. She dodged out of the way effortlessly. She tried to counter-attack, but it did no damage. It leapt effortlessly; its spring-like legs at the bottom of its disk-like body were the perfect appendage for killing.
I watched helplessly for a while, the scene playing out again and again to no effect. That was when I realized Aldith was getting tired. Her movements began to dull, and the Oboxu began to get increasingly close to hitting her. Aldith yelled out, "Get the hell out of here!"
I hesitated for a split second, torn between staying to help Aldith and fleeing to safety. The Oboxu was relentless, its claws slashing through the air as it closed in on her. I could see the exhaustion in Aldith's movements, and the realization that we might not survive this fight hit me hard.
Regardless, I dismissed her. "No way I am not turning tail and leaving. I refuse." Aldith panted as she dodged another attack. "Don't be stupid. I am holding it off. At the very least, if you survive—" I cut her off. "No, not an option. I would sooner die here in the dark with you than run away." Aldith cursed. "Are you dense?! We just met. Save yourself; you can't help me here!"
I began trudging forward, my resolve solidifying as Aldith's words rang in my ears. "I'm not leaving you behind," I said firmly, stepping closer to the fray despite the danger. I cleared my mind; I needed to think. Somewhere in my head, I must have noticed a way out of this. I thought back to the poisonous mushroom from earlier. It was similar to some species back on Earth. That begs the question: there may, in fact, be more similarities about this world I can use.
I focused my mind on its armor and connected it to other creatures on Earth. One thing most armored creatures back on Earth had in common was a weak underside. I mean, you flip a turtle on its back, and its underside will be exposed. The same thing can be said about an armadillo—they roll in a ball to cover their weak spot. I connected the two thoughts and my mouth began to move. "Aldith! Their weak spot is underneath their disc-like body. If you stab that spot, you will hurt it!"
Aldith's eyes met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of hope in her exhaustion. "Underneath?" she shouted over the din, her voice barely audible against the roar of the Oboxu.
"Yes, it's the only vulnerable spot!" I confirmed, hoping she could hear me clearly.
Aldith nodded and adjusted her stance, her sword ready as she moved with renewed determination. The Oboxu roared, its massive claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. It lunged towards her, its head bobbing as it tried to find its target.
Aldith dodged nimbly, using the creature's momentum to her advantage. She darted around to the side, positioning herself strategically. As the Oboxu turned, its armored underside was exposed. Aldith took her chance.
In a swift, practiced motion, she aimed for the gap beneath the Oboxu's disc-like body. Her sword connected with a resounding impact, the blade sinking into the soft underbelly. The creature let out a pained roar, its movements becoming erratic and frantic.
I watched with bated breath as Aldith continued her assault, her strikes precise and focused. Each hit seemed to penetrate deeper, the Oboxu's roars growing weaker with every blow. The creature flailed, its attacks becoming more desperate as it struggled to defend its vulnerable spot.
Finally, with a decisive swing, Aldith drove her sword through the creature's weak spot, and the Oboxu let out one final, agonized cry before collapsing to the ground. Its massive claws twitched a few times before going still.
Breathing heavily, Aldith sheathed her sword and turned towards me. "H-how did you know that was the weak spot?"
I smirked. "It's all about understanding the underlying principles of anatomy and defense mechanisms. I told you already, nature always has patterns."