He shouted again, louder than before, his voice tearing through the space. His arms trembled from the strain, but the jaw finally gave.
The flesh ripped like wet cloth. Muscles snapped, tendons split. Blood sprayed across his chest and face.
The creature didn't die quietly.
It thrashed one last time, its still teeth digging into his shoulder as if trying to take something with it.
Rhian screamed from the pain but didn't back away. He raised his hand, the nails long and sharp, and began stabbing.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
He drove them into its chest, over and over, punching through skin and muscle, clawing with each strike. Blood spilled in thick streams.
It splattered on his face, soaked his arms, and ran down his sides. His jaw clenched, but then… he laughed.
He didn't know why. He didn't care.
The pain in his shoulder was unbearable, his arms numb, but he kept going. The monster was already dead, body limp, but Rhian didn't stop.
