Bab 89: Deeper into things

The width and height of the passage wouldn't let me fly around, but there was enough space for manoeuvre that I and my opponent weren't squeezed between the walls. Still, the spider was much wider than me, and I, already feeling the world sharpen under the veil of my battle trance, rushed forward with an intent to use this to my advantage.

I swiped my claws at the spider's head, but it was nimbler than I expected, and more aware of its surroundings, despite the lack of eyes. It jumped back and seemed to hesitate. I knew what that hesitation was about. The insect's tiny brain needed a lot of time to decide if fighting was better than fleeing or not.

I didn't leave the spider a choice by pushing the offence with another swipe of my claws. With an angry click-clack-click of its mandibles, the spider jumped back from me again—only to pounce right back with the sharp claws on its chitinous legs aiming for my body.