The creature exploded forward like a living avalanche. Damon barely had time to twist, his feet sinking shin-deep into the powdery snow. The paw came down on him with the force of a landslide.
BOOM!
The impact with the ground kicked up a wave of snow, throwing him backward like a doll. Damon spun in the air, his dark blue cape whipping before he buried himself in the snow. A sharp crack ran down his spine; pain followed soon after, throbbing.
He took a deep breath, his lungs burning with cold air. The creature didn't wait. It slammed its fists into its chest again, each beat like a drum announcing its fury, and charged.
Damon rose, ignoring the pain, and swung his spear in an arc to deflect the first thrust. The blade grazed the beast's face—but nothing more than a shallow scratch. The skin wouldn't give.
The ape responded with a twist of its arm. Damon leaped, but the draft alone hurled him against a tree.
CRACK!
