He didn't have much time to be surprised, though, as the beast was already in front of him, with its paw slashing towards his chest.
He was able to turn his body at the last moment, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike. However, he didn't escape injury as the paw still struck him in his side, leaving a deep wound.
The impact of the attack sent him flying as he crashed into the wall of the room.
The one-armed man groaned as he slumped against the stone wall, a trail of blood marking his arc across the room. His sword clattered from his grip.
He clutched his side with a trembling hand, teeth clenched to keep from screaming. The beast's claws had torn through flesh and cracked bone.
The feline beast lunged for him once more, trying to finish him off. However, before it could reach him, Julian appeared before it, his blade flashing as he intercepted the misty feline mid-charge.
The blade met the beast's shoulder and passed through it again.
