Dionysus crested the top of the hill on the path to the clearing just in time to see the creature strike again. He swallowed hard, gripping his thyrsus in sweaty hands and feeling the cold claws of real fear gripping him suddenly. But he had sworn, and he was going to see it through for once in this incarnation. He wished fervently that his next incarnation would be something quiet and peaceful as he raised the thyrsus high, took a batter's stance, and shouted "Hey! Douchebag! Come at me, dick!"