The angle the head twisted was what caught him off-guard. He hadn't expected it, and so found himself scrambling to dodge to the side, just barely moving out of the way of the flame but colliding with the swipe attack from the claw. He rolled with the blow as best he could, landing up against the wall. The swipe had caught the side of his face, rending the flesh and promising him that he wouldn't be able to hear out of that ear anytime soon.

As quickly as he could he got back to his feet. The monster had pivoted to block the hallway completely. Just great. It didn't look like it was going to be letting him through this time.

He moved forward again, aiming an upward slice with his lower blade, hoping to catch the mouth that had breathed fire on him. A solid quick blow similar to the kind he would use to take out hollows back home. Cut the head, continue on to Artemis...