Stupid. Stupid, stupid. Cloud repeatedly spits curses at himself under his breath as the dire situation before him unfolds. This is on him, his rookie mistake. He knew the Buster Sword was not realistically something he could wield for a long period in the state he is in, yet he pushed the envelope. Thought maybe he could get the job done and take the beasts out before it became a problem.

No such luck- Cloud finds himself pinned back against a rocky cliff base, with his targets prowling ever closer. There's two of them, huge in size and easily reaching the ex-SOLDIER's waist. They look feline in shape despite their extra set of legs, dark as the night sky. Unnatural, undulating tendrils protrude from their backs with horrifying patches of serrated fangs on the wider ends. They lash, just as their whip-tails do, and terrible, deep growls rumble from their chests. All Cloud can do is steal quick glances down at the Buster Sword at his feet. He dropped it once his stamina ran out- the damned cats warped all over the place, forcing him to move and expend all he had way too fast. He can feel a strange, itching, burning feeling in his throat- is this fear?

Cloud needs to think fast. Possible evasive measures begin to form in his mind with every single step the monsters take.

It won't end here. He refuses to let it.