Rexie, Marlo, and Lumi searched the underwater cave for another exit. They swam for a long time, as the cave was huge, like the Jewel at Singapore’s Changi Airport, but filled with water. They explored every nook and cranny, every dark corner, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t find one. Panic began to set in. They turned back towards the tunnel entrance, and their blood ran cold.
The giant crab was still there, and it was making progress! It had punched and clawed at the rocky entrance, and now rocks were falling away. Half of its massive body was squeezed through the opening, and it looked like it would soon be free! With every savage strike of its crushing claws, more of the cave entrance shattered.
Rexie’s mind raced. There was no escape. No time. Their only chance was to fight, and they had to fight now, while the crab was still partially trapped. An idea sparked in his mind.
“Lumi,” he whispered, “turn off your light.”
Lumi, understanding instantly, switched off his lure. Utter darkness filled the cave. The only sound was the crab’s grunts and the scraping of rock.
“Now,” Rexie whispered, “we attack.”
They crept towards the tunnel entrance, guided by their other senses. The crab, sensing their approach, thrashed wildly, its claws snapping blindly in the dark. Half of its body was exposed and vulnerable.
Suddenly, Lumi switched his light back on. The sudden brightness, after the complete darkness, blinded the crab! It recoiled, momentarily stunned.
“Marlo, go for the eye!” Rexie yelled.
Marlo, swift and decisive, lunged forward. He went straight for the crab’s single, exposed eye and bit down hard. The crab shrieked in pain, its massive body jerking. It was blinded!
Rexie didn’t hesitate. He went for the crab’s legs, one by one. He bit down hard, his powerful jaws crushing the thick, armoured limbs. The crab thrashed wildly, its remaining claw snapping and thrashing, this time aiming straight for Lumi.
“Move!” Rexie roared. Lumi darted just in time, the claw slamming into the cave wall with a thunderous BOOM.
The crab, blinded and crippled, realised it had lost the fight. With a desperate surge of strength, it let out one last enraged SCREECH and scrambled backwards. It shoved itself out of the tunnel entrance and fled into the darkness.
Rexie, Marlo, and Lumi stood there, panting, their bodies still trembling. They had done it! They had defeated the giant crab! They were safe.
“We actually did it,” Marlo stammered, his voice filled with relief.
“We did it together,” Rexie said, bumping his snout against Marlo and Lumi.
Lumi let his light glow again, shining brightly on their faces. They were bruised and battered, but they were alive. They had faced a terrifying predator and emerged victorious. Their adventure in Atlantis had been full of wonder and danger, but they had proven that together, they could overcome any obstacle.
And with a satisfied smile, they left the lost city of Atlantis without ever looking back.