It was basically a wolf, but with six legs.  Comparative in size to a Siberian wolf, its shoulders stood about waist high to Allistor.  The beast’s entire body bulged with muscle. Its eyes were crystal blue with red irises, the color combination giving him chills as he stared at the thing.

A low growl grew in the canid’s chest, getting louder as it crouched low and bared its fangs.  Allistor’s pulse raced and his mouth went dry as the canid took a step forward, beginning a slow creep down the stairs above him.   He raised his spear and spoke to it.

“Are you the one that ate my mom?  Is that her blood? You’re gonna pay for that.  Come get me!”

Allistor jabbed the spear in the monster’s direction, knowing it was well out of range.  He wanted to show it he wasn’t afraid, though he very much was.  He thought he remembered something about dogs being able to sense fear.   And he didn’t want to give it the satisfaction.

The growl increased to a slavering snarl as it took another step down.  Now only eight steps separated the two combatants.   The canid sprang forward, jaws aimed directly for Allistor’s head.   He managed to dodge to one side and club the flying wolf-thing with the butt end of his spear.  It yelped in pain as it flew past him and splashed into the water.

Faster than Allistor would have imagined possible, it was back on its feet and lunging at him.  He didn’t have time to dodge, and it barreled into him.  The canid’s forepaws struck his chest, driving him back to fall against the stairs.  He managed to get his spear between him and the thing’s chest, holding back its snapping jaws.

Still, it clawed at his legs with its back and middle sets of feet, trying to find purchase to push forward and eat his face.  He heard his jeans rip and felt his flesh tearing under the onslaught.  His health bar decreased by about twenty percent.

Planting one elbow against the stair beneath him, he used the spear to lever the thing to one side as he pushed himself up.  The canid crashed against the stair railing, causing it to crack and give way as it and the beast fell over into the water.

This time, the canid was slower to recover as its legs were tangled in the railing’s balusters.  Allistor regained his feet and stabbed at the canid’s face with the spear.  It managed to pull its head to one side, leaving the spear to puncture its shoulder instead.  Making the most of the strike, Allistor twisted the metal, the sharpened threads of the rebar tearing at muscle as he ripped it free.  The canid yelped and tried to retreat, its legs still fouled by the railing.