My vision blurs as a massive blow strikes my side.
It got me. I wasn't fast or silent enough. I was too reckless. It was a stupid mistake. I believed I was thinking things through, but I was too arrogant. A nerdy guy like me can't survive in a world like this. I shouldn't of tried to help someone I barely know. I can't even help myself, much less someone else.
Hold on, if I'm still contemplating my mistakes, doesn't that mean I'm still alive?! I can't get distracted right now! I need to solve this problem!
I crack my eyes open. I can see the bear glancing over it's shoulder at me. I was knocked out of the clearing. A trail of torn shrubs lies in front of me and dust hangs in the air. The dagger I was holding is no longer in my hands. Luckily, my body reinforcement magic is active, but this is really going to hurt tomorrow... If I'm alive tomorrow...
**Groan**
I stand up. My legs are like jelly, but there's no time for rest.
The bear stares at me a moment longer, then looks back at Lily. It hastily places it's jaws around the quiver on her back, raising her from the ground and looking back at me.
It's taunting me!
"Damn it!"
I don't tend to use strong language, but this incident causes an expletive to fall from my lips.
As long as the bear has her at it's mercy, I can't attack recklessly. If I somehow hurt her in the process, it would be unforgivable. I have to get her away from it somehow, but how?
Think, think, think!!! Can I distract it? No, I don't have anything with me for that. I'm weaker than it, so I can't overcome it with pure strength. What about speed? No, I couldn't even see it's paw when it hit me earlier. I lost the element of surprise, so how do I beat it now?!
Wait a moment! Element of surprise! That's it! It may know my location now, but we're surrounded by trees! For Pete's sake, there's no better location for hiding! And, I have the advantage of not being a massive beast! It's only holding Lily for now, it must be wary of me. If I can get it to pursue me into the woods, I'll have an advantage.
"Hey, Mr. Bear. Come eat me, I happen to be delicious! I'm organic, light in sodium, gluten-free and a bunch of other things!"
Okay, so I might sound stupid, but how am I supposed to know how to taunt a bear?! I'm doing my best! Did it just raise an eyebrow at me?! No, it must be my imagination.
After a brief stare down, the bear abruptly launches itself toward me, still holding Lily by it's mouth. It's even faster than I thought. I'll have to give this my all.
I run. It doesn't matter where to, as long as there's cover. Frantically, I try to look around as I run. I have to lose it! But, it's trailing so close to me, that not being caught is the best I can do! I don't have time to look where I'm going, much less find a hiding spot!
The bear's fast, but it's heavier than me. Newton's second law of motion dictates that force is equal to mass times acceleration. It's heavier, so it should have more force. With more force, it should be harder for it to stop or make sharp turns.
I veer off to the left. I can hear the bear making a wide turn behind me, it's gotten farther away now. Perfect!
I continue this pattern for some time, left then right then left again. The bear gradually loses ground.
I can't keep this up much longer. The body reinforcement magic helps, but the strain on my body is still significant.
Oh, is that the sound of rushing water I hear? Maybe I can hide in it? There's enough space between me and the bear now, it probably wouldn't realize if I dived in. That would be convenient!
I rush toward the location of the noise. I can see a clearing now, it must be next to the river.
Now I'm in the clearing, running toward the sound. I still can't see the water, but the sound is getting louder.
Awwww Snap, that isn't a normal lake.
I slow down and come to an abrupt stop before a ledge. It's a gorge with at least a 30 foot drop. What a stereotypical location for a final confrontation.
Well, guess it's not my lucky day. On to Plan B.
I can hear the bear charging after me through the woods. Soon, it comes into view and exits the woods.
Poor Lily, I was trying to not let her get caught in the cross fire, but her body looks awfully beaten up. Hopefully that was from her fight and not the chase? It probably was, right?
The bear doesn't stop, instead accelerating as it charges toward me. I wait for the last moment, then make my move.
I pull my second dagger from my belt and launch myself toward the bear. It lowers it's head, shielding itself and preparing to ram me.
But that was a feint. I aim lower this time. As I dodge the bear's charge, I cut the straps connecting Lily to her quiver. She tumbles to the ground and the bear staggers around her. It stumbles to the edge of the cliff, stops and turns toward me. Fires burn in it's eyes as at prepares it's next offensive.
What a fool. It fell for my trap. I turn and lunge at the bear, connecting a kick with all my power to it's belly.
The bear stares at me, it didn't budge. Traitorous Newton! Why must physics be so problematic in both worlds?!
Welp, I didn't want to do this, but time for Plan C.
I launch myself off the bear, landing next to Lilly, grab her and unceremoniously dash past the puzzled creature. Finally, I inelegantly jump to the lake below.
Hopefully this goes well...