The creature came again, its head lunging, pushing Oliver back towards those stairs that led up to the burning blue flame. Oliver dared to glance behind him. He could feel its plan now. If he was there, there was no way down. He'd be trapped against a wall of fire.
The price for his daring to look away was paid in blood. Claws came raking down the front of him, tossing him backwards, tearing through his armour. He landed hard against the steps, his head dizzy, his vision blurry. The creature did not relent. It wanted him dead, and it had a power that was close enough to that of a God that it could see it done.
A giant foot came stomping down towards him, making the greatest use of the creature's range, it allowed him no spare time to gather himself.
