Johns heart was pounding. Not that he would admit he ever felt fear. The only time he really admitted weakness or apologised was generally to trick someone. He never ever truly meant those sorts of things, and his true fears he kept hidden. Demons and monsters scared him far less than the true and utter brutal darkness within human beings. Now humans? Those scared him the most. Demons could be tricked. Same went for Gods and other supernatural creations. Yet the one before him was a complete mystery.
John bright the shield up with both hands. The tail ripped through it and thrashed him, ripping his shirt and cutting through to him. The shield had taken some of the force away but it hadn't been enough. John was pinned to the wall and he needed to get away. Drawing from the leyline energy, John focused, whispering under his breath, "Fit aere visus celeremque motum!" he hissed, and with that he seemed to vanish. The translation to what he said was, Become air, move swift and unseen. His form moved past the beast. As he reappeared, his hands reignited in flame and he attacked, launching fire at the beast.