Shield deflect!

There's no time for anything else! Your last block might not have been perfect, but it was good enough that you should be able to- UFF!

As the second swing connects, your strength fails you and you're knocked down onto your backside. Luckily that means that your landing is a bit cushy, even though it's on the rough gravel, but unluckily that means both of your hands go to your sides instinctively to catch yourself a bit. You're left completely open for the open armed monster as it raises up its scythe for another attack on you, this one just as strong as the last but not aimed at a shield. During the fall, you also lost your grip on your pistol and it skidded a short distance down the gravel path. So you're totally unarmed right now. Not good!

whizzz!

You lift your arms in front of your face protectively, but before the monster can be mean to you with **** a crossbow bolt flies out from the right side of the battlefield. It lands against the chitinous side of the monster, ricocheting harmlessly, but getting the monster's attention as it snarls and looks in the direction the shot came from. You do the same, following its gaze to see Jace peeking over through the hut's window at you.

The monster growls and turns to dart off towards him. But you fully realised that it would probably do that! Before it gets moving, you leap towards your pistol, grabbing for it and hoping you'll be able to pick it up and turn it on the monster before it can make its escape and attack your classmate.

Jace gave you an opportunity, now you just need to make use of it!