---
John braced himself and raised his dagger. "Are you helping this time?"
Fizz rubbed his chin. "Mmm. I'll jump in when needed. You must gain some experience. I want a strong master."
"You're the worst partner."
"I'm the funniest and most caring partner. Big difference."
The Ravager charged. John sidestepped just in time like before, slashing at its flank. The blade scraped harmlessly off the creature's mossy shell.
"Great," he muttered. " There is Armor."
Fizz called down helpfully, "Try stabbing it where the armor isn't!"
"Thanks, genius!"
The Ravager spun on him, mouth open wide, a string of green drool stretching between its teeth. It lunged again.
John rolled beneath its body and stabbed upward, finding soft flesh beneath the limb joint. The creature shrieked. He rolled clear, but not before it caught him with a glancing blow to the ribs.
He staggered back, wind knocked from his lungs.
Fizz clapped. "Ooh, he's bleeding! Now things are getting spicy!"
