u/Terrible_Cabinet2074

I'm playing Rainworld for the first time and I'm stuck in the Subterranean region, Whenever I enter the Depth and I reach the area with the guardians they just murder the slugcat. How do I cross them? Did I miss something?

If needed, this was the pathway I took:

Outskirts -> Industrial Complex -> Shaded Citadel -> Shoreline -> Subterranean -> Depth

Any advice?