The forest of ash and broken trees opened into a clearing, and Zami stopped in his tracks. Ahead of him stood a large, crumbling temple, weathered by time. Its once-proud architecture bore the symbols of a clan Zami didn't recognize, their carvings faded and broken. The entrance loomed wide, dark, and foreboding, as if daring him to enter.
"A human-made structure..." Zami muttered, his sharp gaze scanning the perimeter. "Strange to find one so deep in a place like this."
Kiyo tugged at his cloak slightly, her small voice barely audible. "Will it be... safe?"
Zami didn't answer immediately, instead placing his hand on the hilt of his katana. "Stay behind me. If we're lucky, we might find something useful. If not..." His silver eyes narrowed. "I'll deal with it."
The two moved cautiously into the temple. The air was thick with dust, and the faint scent of decay lingered. Ancient carvings lined the walls, depicting long-forgotten rituals and battles. Zami glanced at them but kept moving, his steps silent as a predator.
Kiyo stayed close, her pale face illuminated by the faint light streaming in from cracks in the ceiling.
Suddenly, Zami's keen senses picked up a faint noise—a clicking sound that echoed unnaturally through the corridors. His body tensed, and his eyes darted around the dimly lit chamber.
"Stay close," he whispered, motioning for Kiyo to stay behind him.
The clicking grew louder, echoing from all directions. Zami's hand instinctively gripped his katana, his heartbeat steady as he scanned the walls.
Then, without warning, a massive claw burst from the cracked wall to his left. It was jet black, with a jagged, tank-like exoskeleton. The creature revealed itself, emerging fully into the chamber.
It was a monstrous scorpion, its body glistening with a dark, viscous substance. Its multiple legs moved with terrifying speed, allowing it to climb effortlessly on the walls and ceiling. Its glowing eyes locked onto Zami, and its venom-dripping stinger lashed out, eager to strike.
Zami immediately stepped in front of Kiyo, drawing his katana in one smooth motion. He dashed forward and slashed at the creature with a powerful strike aimed at its thorax.
The blade connected with a sharp *clang* but left no visible mark on the scorpion's thick exoskeleton. Zami's eyes narrowed.
"Stronger than the bone-headed beasts," he muttered, stepping back as the creature hissed and lunged at him with its claws. He parried one with the flat of his blade and sidestepped another, his movements calculated and precise.
The scorpion's speed was unnerving. It skittered across the walls, then launched itself toward him from above. Zami leaped back, narrowly avoiding its stinger as it struck the ground, cracking the stone floor.
"This won't be easy," Zami said under his breath, glancing briefly at Kiyo, who was hiding behind a fallen pillar.
The scorpion didn't relent. It charged at him, its claws snapping with enough force to crush stone. Zami dodged to the side, delivering another strike to its joint. The blade glanced off harmlessly, sparks flying from the impact.
Zami clicked his tongue. "Its exoskeleton is too dense for normal attacks."
He shifted his stance, tightening his grip on his katana. His mind worked quickly, analyzing the creature's movements and searching for a weakness. The clicking noise from its legs was constant, and its unpredictable movements made it a dangerous foe.
The scorpion lashed out again, forcing Zami to backflip over its snapping claws. He landed smoothly, his silver eyes locked on its glowing orbs.
"It's faster than it looks, but I've faced worse."
He quickly formulated a plan. The creature's underbelly, though partially armored, seemed softer than the rest of its body. He'd need to force it into a vulnerable position.
"Kiyo," Zami called out, his voice calm but firm. "Stay hidden. Don't move, no matter what happens."
The girl nodded silently, her wide black eyes watching him with a mix of fear and trust.
Zami turned back to the scorpion, his expression unreadable. He shifted his stance, his katana gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"It's time to get serious," he said, his voice low. He moved forward, ready to execute his plan.