Allow Russ to fight the creature

"Wait." You stretch your lamp-bearing arm in front of Russ, halting his advance. "I'm sure you're a master duelist, but we don't know what we're up against. Be careful." You step toward him onto raised toes to alleviate the difference between your height, even despite your high-heeled boots, grab the back of his head, and press your lips against the swordsman's. "For luck." A sudden flush spread across your cheeks and you're glad that the light is too dim for him to notice. You didn't realize you were going to do that until after it was already happening. It's nothing to be embarrassed about Sabine, just a good luck kiss. Yes... that's all it is.

After a moment, Russ breaks the kiss. He's actually speechless, but this is the first time you've displayed to him a temperament to match the fire of your hair. "Well," He finally breaks the silence, "I shouldn't waste such fine encouragement." The swordsman gives you a wink and turns to stalk toward the corrupted miner with deadly purpose.

You keep the lamp light on the creature, gripping your holy sword tighter and tighter in your other hand as he approaches it. Your heart is beating rapidly in your chest, you realize that you're worried for his safety. Did you make the wrong decision? He doesn't have the goddess aiding him. It's your duty to combat creatures like these... it should be you confronting the abomination.

Your mind is racing when the creature suddenly bursts into motion. The sheer power of it is incredible, if its explosive pounce is any indication. Thick tentacle appendages shoot toward Russ, even as the bulk of the creature leaps toward him. The frenzy of motion would be awe-inspiring if not for the horror of the beast.

But the creature's ferocity doesn't impress you as much as Russ. He easily steps to the side, flicking out his rapier to clear a path so that he can continue to twirl around the monstrosity. Sinuous limbs are lopped off and flop around the floor of the mine with whatever life remains in them. The beast howls and attempts to body slam Russ into the wall, its appendages circling around to trap the nimble warrior. You think you actually hear him laugh as the rogue ducks, rolls, and springs up on the other side.

You can see ichor dripping not only from the severed alien limbs, but also from the creature's body. You wonder what sort of magical speed Russ could possess to protect himself and simultaneously land blows... and then you spot the glint of his dagger. The man IS fast, but not supernaturally so. He's simply so skilled that he was able to do work with the small blade without you even noticing.

The flow of the combat repeats itself until the creature's body is so thoroughly perforated that it simply cannot continue. You can tell that it wants to - it seems not to care about the wounds it's suffered, nor does it appear to be exhausted - yet whatever foul parasite has infested the former miner, its host can no longer function. Russ has surgically disabled the creature's arms and legs, and dismembered dozens of thick tentacles. Still, the body flops on the ground impotently.

Russ scowls at it and then glances up at you. "Sabine, I do believe my work here is done. Would you be so kind as to finish off the poor bastard?"

"It would be my absolute pleasure." You pick your way forward across the gore-strewn ground, invoking a prayer to the Burning Rose along the way. You don't hesitate to plunge the sword of Saint Magdalena into the creature's heart. Holy flames burst from the wound and begin to eat the creature from the inside out. It screeches in a shrill, unnatural voice until the corpse turns to cinders a few moments later.

Russ seems to be impressed by this - its probably the first time he's seen the power of your goddess at work. "That was enlightening. Forgive the ill-timed pun, I'd only meant to refer to the combat itself. Mortal blows aren't, but hacking them to pieces seem quite effective, if we can continue to face one at a time on even footing." So, he wasn't just toying with the thing, he was piecing together how best to confront the next one you find. The lesson isn't very reassuring, though.

"Right, so it was as bad as it looked. And here I thought you'd have an encouraging quip for me." You give the man a smile - he's certainly earned it after that display and... you find that you enjoy smiling for him. You try to bite your lips together, but the realization of it just forces your grin that much wider. You kind of hate yourself for your lack of discipline right now, but it feels good to feel this way.

Russ notices your internal struggle and returns your smile. "It doesn't appear I need a quip to encourage you..." He winces suddenly, pressing his arm against his side. The smile fades from your face at once.

"What is it?" You focus the light where his arm is concealing, but he turns away from you. "Why are you flinching? If you're wounded, I need to see it."

"It's nothing, a flesh wound." When it's obvious that you won't be deterred, he finally relents and shows you the wound.