The universe is, unfortunately, a real jerk when it wants to be. Suddenly, a scaled beast burst from the underbrush between the pair, separating them in an instant. Connor found himself too frozen in fear to even cry out as three more surrounded him.
They were like leopards, but with distinctive reptilian features mixed in with their spotted fur and a pair of tendrils extending from the backs of their heads. The ends of these tendrils lit up with crackling electricity as they paced around the defenseless human.
Connor, desperately trying to be brave, finally found his voice. "Back! Get back!" he shouted, grabbing a fallen branch, which he waved about in an effort to defend himself. It was large enough that he was surprised at how easy it was to handle but he chalked that up to adrenaline. He wasn't aware of the patches of green on his shoulders expanding.