The creature moved left, and Talen breathed heavily, hardly daring to blink as he followed suit to block it's way. It was strange, this foreign and elegant beast, and he felt both fear and determination tighten his muscles and posture. He would not make a mistake... Not again. His shield was held low and he crouched slightly in the back, ready to be thrust out for a brutal tackle with the sword on his right ready for a deadly swipe. Instead of attacking, the cat stepped right, baring vast teeth and rolling long muscles. There seemed an intelligence about it as it circled him for an escape, but he would let it find none as he followed it's every move with stalwart discipline and focus. This strange, terrifying yet somehow beautiful creature would have to die. Suddenly it trembled, and if it was even possible Talen readied himself even more, stepping slightly forward with the tip of his sword dipping momentarily as the creature suddenly pounced! The whistling sound of his blade rending the air in the feline's path mixed with the rumble from it's throat as it darted away. Talen had no time to notice either of the noises as he tore his sword backwards and stepped to block the thing's path once again, gray eyes staying upon his target rather than the weapon he had just swung in vain. It seemed as though the creature were toying with him, but perhaps it had simply been looking for a way out. He stepped forward slowly, and hopefully menacingly, as he reassumed his ready stance. In all truth, he was unsure whether the momentum of his shield would be able to stop a creature of of such speed and weight, but even if it didn't he would have the opportunity land a killing blow. For all it's speed, the alleyway was small and cramped. One step, two steps, he neared slowly, the shimmer of the torch soon reflecting off his blade and shield. His arms felt strangely strained and heavy in the tense suspense and night chill, but he ignored it as best he could. Still... Something was wrong. It didn't seem like the monster he'd expected, didn't fight like it should and some memory felt like it was poking at his focus, yelling for his attention. He had no time to notice it, and purposefully ignored this lapse in his attention. He couldn't fail again, this beast had to be put down before it hurt anyone else. |