[h3]Captain Drystan[/h3]

Eyes narrowed, mind focused, Drystan lowered his center of gravity in preparation for the creatures attack. He waited until the very last moment to jump aside, barely dodging the thing's massive claws. He grabbed at his dagger, once more unsheathing it from his belt. His sword was still on the ground some ways away so his dagger and his fists would have to do for now.

Blood pumping, things almost seemed to move in slow motion in his mind. A mixture of adrenaline and the liquid strength that pulsed in his veins heightened all of his senses, reflexes and strength to almost inhuman levels. This fight would be fun.

The creature regained it's bearings after it's first attack missed. He turned, letting out another snarl before lunging forward again. Instead of dodging this time, Drystan barreled right into the creatures attack. He avoided it's clawed hands and brought his dagger down onto the thing's hunched shoulder with immense strength. The creatures skin was tough, covered in rock-like scales, but because of the strength behind the blow, the dagger first cracked, then broke the scales below it. The blade sunk into the soft skin beneath, blood spurting out of the new wound. The creature let out an inhuman scream before swiping at the man who had caused the pain.

Drystan withdrew his dagger just in time to be swiped aside by the creature's massive claws. Instead of letting it knock him to the ground, he grabbed ahold of the creature's arm and used it to launch himself over it's body. He landed on the other side and struck another blow to it's side, cracking and breaking more scales with it.

More blood. More shrieks. Drystan rolled under the next strike, slashing at it's legs. His blow didn't have enough strength behind it, this time, to get through the tough scales and only left mild scratches to the surface. He regained his footing and slashed again, this time leaving a long gash in the creature's left arm. As he drew back to strike again, the creature was able to land a blow. It's right hand swung around and smashed into Drystan's side. The strength of the attack knocked him off of his feet and threw him several yards to the ground. It knocked the wind out of him briefly and he quickly gasped for breath. The pain in his side could easily cripple a novice hunter, but it was nothing to him.

He got back to his feet as the creature charged again. He quickly scanned it's body, trying to find a point of attack that would do the most damage. It's neck was not a viable option, as the creature's hunch kept it covered by it's chin and a massive amount of scales and bone. It's stomach seemed heavily armored as well, covered in large, bone-like scales. Spotting no soft spots to take advantage of, Drystan decided on the stomach. He tightened his grip on his dagger once more and aimed for a spot where two scales met. He plunged his dagger deep, splitting between the two armored scales and sinking into it's flesh. It went in so deep that he wasn't able to retrieve it before rolling to the side to avoid the creatures attack.

Now unarmed, Drystan considered his options. The fight had moved him even farther from his sword. If he ran, he could probably make it before the creature could catch up with him, but it currently stood between him and his weapon. It turned, infuriated by the new, deeply painful wound in it's stomach and braced to charge. Making his decision, Drystan darted just to the left of the creature. As he reached to grab the creatures head, it's claws caught his torso, tearing through his shirt like nothing. If it weren't for his leather armor, he would have easily been disemboweled. The creatures strength was enough to tear through some of the leather, but only ended up piercing the surface of his skin, leaving deep scratches, but not damaging any vital organs.

Ignoring this new injury, the Captain gripped the creatures skull, sinking his thumb into it's left eye socket. Blood spurted as it screamed in pain. Drystan landed and sprinted to where his sword lay in the rocks. He grabbed ahold of it and turned to face the creature who was grasping at it's now blind left eye. He surveyed the damage: right shoulder pierced, once long gash on it's left arm, right side slashed, scratched scales across it's legs, dagger planted deep in it's stomach and now a bloody and blind left eye. Yet the creature still seemed to have it's strength. This thing was not going to go down easily.