Samira

SAMIRA

W e walked for another hour, pushing through thick underbrush and dodging the occasional carnivorous plant. The heat was oppressive, and my clothes stuck to my skin. I was about to suggest a short break when Arkon suddenly stopped.

“What is it?” I asked, coming up beside him.

Then I saw it. A massive ravine stretched out before us, so wide I couldn’t see the other side through the mist rising from its depths. My jaw dropped.

“That’s... not on any of the maps,” I stammered.

Arkon frowned. “I didn’t see it when I landed. The canopy must have obscured it from above.”

I peered over the edge, my stomach lurching at the sheer drop. “It’s far too wide to jump across, even for you.”

“Agreed,” Arkon said. “We’ll need to find another way.”

I chewed my lip, my mind racing. “What if we built a bridge? There are some sturdy vines around here. We could weave them together...”

Arkon shook his head. “It would take too long, and we don’t have the tools.”

“Okay, what about... using those giant leaves over there as a sort of hang glider? The updrafts from the ravine might carry us across.”

“Too risky,” Arkon replied. “One wrong gust and we’d plummet.”

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. “We could look for a narrower point. There might be a place where the sides are close enough to jump.”

Arkon considered for a moment, then shook his head. “We don’t know how far the ravine extends. It could take days to find a crossing point, if one exists at all.”

I sighed, admiring despite myself how quickly Arkon assessed each option. His practical approach to problem-solving was impressive, even if it was currently shooting down all my ideas.

“What do you suggest, then?” I asked.

Arkon looked at me, expression grim. “We climb down and back up the other side.”

I blinked. “You can’t be serious.”

“It would be simple enough for me,” he said. “I could carry you on my back.”

My pride bristled at the suggestion. “I’m not some helpless damsel, Arkon. I can climb.”

“I don’t doubt your capabilities,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “But the descent would be treacherous for a human. My strength and reflexes give me a significant advantage.”

I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right. The practical part of my brain recognized that his plan was our best option. Still, the thought of clinging to his back as he scaled the ravine wall sent a confusing mix of emotions through me.

“You’re sure you can do this?” I asked, hating the uncertainty in my voice.

Arkon’s lips curved into a small, confident smile that made my heart skip. “Trust me, . I won’t let you fall.”

My hands trembled slightly, so I shoved them into my pockets to hide the shaking, torn between irritation at my own vulnerability and a growing attraction to Arkon’s quiet strength. “Alright,” I said finally. “Let’s do it.”

We set about preparing for the descent, gathering vines to create a makeshift harness. I examined each one carefully, applying my botanical knowledge to select the strongest specimens.

“This Xanthosian creeper should work well,” I said, holding up a thick, silvery vine. “Its tensile strength is remarkable.”

Arkon nodded, accepting the vine and beginning to weave it into a complex series of knots. I watched his hands work, marveling at their dexterity despite their size.

As we continued to construct the harness, a nervous anticipation built in my stomach. Soon, I’d be pressed against Arkon’s back, completely dependent on him for my safety. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

No.

We had a mission to complete, after all. I couldn’t let myself get distracted by... whatever this was between Arkon and me.

But as we finished the harness and Arkon turned to me, his red eyes meeting mine, I knew that was easier said than done.

Arkon secured the harness around my waist, his fingers brushing against my skin. I inhaled sharply, acutely aware of his proximity. His muscular form towered over me, radiating heat and power.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Arkon turned, and I pressed myself against his back, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders. The scent of his skin filled my nostrils – a mix of metal and something strange, yet not unpleasant.

“Hold on tight,” he instructed.

With that, we began our descent, Arkon finding handholds and footholds where I saw none. My heart slammed against my ribs, as if trying to escape, as we dropped further into the ravine, the mist enveloping us.

I clung to Arkon, feeling every shift of his muscles beneath me. Despite my initial reservations, I had to admit his plan was working. We made steady progress down the cliff face, far faster than I could have managed on my own.

As we neared the bottom, the mist thinned, revealing the ravine floor. Arkon’s feet touched down, and he carefully lowered me to the ground. I stepped out of the harness, stretching my cramped muscles.

“That was... impressive,” I said, trying to keep the awe out of my voice.

Arkon shrugged, looking almost embarrassed. “It’s nothing special for a Vinduthi.”

I found his modesty oddly endearing, a contrast to his usual stoic demeanor.

As I scanned our surroundings, I noticed something unusual. A patch of moss clung to the rock face, but it was unlike any I’d ever seen before. The moss seemed to sparkle, its surface glittering with an array of colors that shifted as I moved my head.

I stepped closer, my scientific curiosity piqued. The moss had somehow incorporated minerals from the surrounding rocks into its very structure, giving it a crystalline appearance. It was breathtaking.

“Arkon,” I called softly, not wanting to break the ethereal atmosphere. “Look at this.”

He came to stand beside me, his tall frame casting a shadow over the glittering moss. I reached out, my fingers hovering just above the surface, itching to touch it but knowing better than to disturb an unknown species.

“Fascinating,” I murmured. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The way it’s integrated the minerals... it’s almost as if the moss and the rock have become one entity.”

Arkon watched me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. “We should keep moving,” he reminded me gently.

“Right, of course.” I tore my gaze away from the tempting flora, refocusing on our mission.

As we prepared to ascend the opposite cliff, I noticed an opening in the rock face. A steady stream of air flowed from it, ruffling my hair.

“That cave,” I said, pointing. “do you think it could lead somewhere?”

He frowned, considering. “Possibly. But we don’t have time to explore it now. We need to get back to the surface.”

Reluctantly, I nodded. We reattached the harness, and I once again pressed myself against Arkon’s back. As we began to climb, my nervousness returned. The ascent felt more precarious than the descent, and I tightened my grip on Arkon.

“I’ve got you,” he assured me.

As we climbed higher, my confidence in Arkon’s abilities grew. His movements were sure and strong, never faltering.

Suddenly, the rock beneath Arkon’s hand crumbled. I gasped as we swung precariously, dangling from his other hand. Before I could even process what was happening, Arkon had found new handholds, stabilizing us.

“Are you ready for more?” he asked.

“Yes,” I breathed, my heart pounding. “Thank you.”

We continued upward, the incident only reinforcing my trust in Arkon’s capabilities. Then, without warning, the entire cliff face shuddered. A deep rumble filled the air, and rocks began to rain down around us.

“Hold on!” Arkon shouted, pressing us flat against the wall.

I buried my face in his back, terror coursing through me as the world shook.

The world spun as Arkon swung us to the side. My stomach lurched, and I clung to him even tighter, burying my face between his shoulder blades. The sound of falling rocks filled my ears, drowning out everything else. I felt Arkon’s muscles tense beneath me as he maneuvered us away from the danger.

“, are you okay?” Arkon’s voice cut through the chaos.

I managed a weak nod against his back, unable to find my voice. Arkon’s pulse pounded beneath my hands. Despite the terror of the moment, I marveled at how steady he remained, how his body acted as a shield between me and the falling debris.

A sharp pain in my arm made me gasp. A rock had grazed me, leaving what I was sure would be a nasty bruise. But Arkon’s quick movements had spared me from anything worse.

As the rumbling began to subside, I dared to lift my head. Dust filled the air, making it hard to see. Arkon’s breath came in short, controlled bursts, the only sign of exertion he showed.

“It’s slowing down,” he grunted. “Just hold on a little longer.”

I tightened my grip, pressing myself closer to his back. The warmth of his body was oddly comforting in the midst of the chaos.

“We need to rethink our plan,” Arkon said, breaking the spell. “Another tremor could bring this whole cliff down.”

I nodded, my mind racing. “The cave we saw earlier – it might be our best option. If it extends far enough, it could lead us to a safer exit point.”

Arkon considered this, his tone grave. “It’s risky. We don’t know what’s in there or where it leads.”

“True,” I admitted. “But it’s probably safer than trying to climb the rest of the way with the cliff in this condition.”

After a moment, Arkon nodded. “Alright. Let’s check it out.”

After he untangled me from the harness, we carefully made our way back down to the cave entrance. As we stood before the dark opening, a cool breeze wafted out, carrying unfamiliar scents.

I peered into the darkness, a mix of wariness and curiosity stirring within me. “What do you think formed this tunnel?”

“I’m not sure,” Arkon replied, his eyes scanning the entrance. “But whatever it was, it was big.”

A bead of sweat tickled the back of my neck, but I didn’t dare move to wipe it away. But another tremor, albeit smaller, made the decision for us.

“We don’t have much choice,” I said, steeling myself. “Shall we?”

Arkon nodded, taking the lead as we stepped into the unknown darkness of the cave.