It was a creature known as a Carnovarus.
You probably won't recognise it, but it was a giant, deadly predator. They were quadrupeds, and had a long neck. Their small-ish heads were covered in spikes, as was the rest of their body, and they had a mouth with oversized, needle like teeth inside. Like us, they had no eyes.
They had a long tail, and between their two legs, was a limb with only one huge claw, used to tear prey apart. They were dark purple, with a mustard yellow underbelly, and a pair of strange crests on their head. Like the Tyrannosaurus from Jurassic Park, they can only sense you if you move.
I froze, breathing quietly, terrified out of my mind. Steel Claw didn't move, but only because he was too afraid to, not because he knew what he had to do. I telepathically contacted him, telling him not to move a muscle, not to even twitch, because that would give our position to the monstrous predator in front of us. But Steel Claw didn't seem to be acknowledging what I had just told him.
The Carnovarus began moving forward, with each footstep shaking the ground. He had no idea where we were, but was puzzled, since one second he sensed movement, the other it had disappeared. He already knew what we were, knowing that we were small prey- Carnovarus were actually immune to the effects from acid, since many life forms on this planet have evolved it as their defense mechanism, so if he tried to cut our flesh, he would be unaffected.
The Carnovarus moved his head forward, gently moving it towards Steel Claw. If he couldn't sense our movement, he would try to feel for us. After all, if he gets too close or touches you, you have to move. Then, it would be all over.
Steel Claw instinctively held his breath, unable to stay still much longer. The Carnovarus head was absolutely huge, capable of swallowing him in one bite.
He snorted on Steel Claws body, which was beginning to shiver in fear. Soon, it was going to know exactly were Steel Claw was.
I made a quick, desperate but quiet growling sound. The monster snarled softly, and turned his massive head, away from Steel Claw, turning towards me. He had only heard my noise, but it was enough to turn him away from my friend.
The Carnovarus' black saliva dribbled onto the floor, staining it as his head carefully made its way towards me. I felt an unimaginable amount of fear, watching in horror, evaluating whether the Carnovarus would come close enough to touch me or not. He growled, watched me without knowing I was there, then walking off, exhaling strongly. The caves darkness swallowed him up.
Steel Claw telepathically sent me a message, without moving at all.
Can we please go now?
I waited a few seconds, thinking up a plan of escape. The Carnovarus would sense us, even if he left us.
When I tell you to run... you run as fast as you can... don't even think about me... just get out of here when I command you to do so.
I lingered around a little more.
When I count to three, we get out of here... one...
I could only hear the almost silent sound of us breathing.
two...
I tensed up my muscles, ready to pounce away from were I was standing.
Three!
Quick as a flash, we sped out of the cave. The Carnovarus jumped out of the darkness, jaws wide open with his spit flying everywhere. He landed with a thump, and closed his jaws around the tip of Steel Claws tail, slicing off the blade. Steel Claw screamed in pain, but carried on running, as he caught up with me outside of the cave.
The Carnovarus arose, eating the severed part of Steel Claws tail. He was still hungry for more, as he ran towards us.
I located a small crack by the caves side, which we could fit inside.
I nudged Steel Claw, and we sprinted towards the crack, not daring to stop or slow down. We crawled inside, just before the jaws of the Carnovarus closed around me. He roared loudly in annoyance, sticking his huge, clawed finger inside, trying to grab us.
Enough is enough! I thought, snarling
I nipped his finger, and ripped out a small piece of flesh, which was covered in silver blood.
The Carnovarus screeched, quickly taking his finger out of the hole. He then gave up, and slowly walked away, looking for a different victim.
Steel Claw and I breathed heavily, hyperventilating after that horrific experience. Steel Claw looked at his tail, somewhat ashamed that he had lost his silver blade.
Don't worry. I said, consoling him.
It'll be okay. At least you're still alive.