Alex barely had time to react. With a burst of his agility, he leaped back, the rock smashing into the pagoda's wooden support beams with a deafening crash.
Brakk!
The entire structure shuddered, threatening to collapse.
Akiko, perched at the edge of the pagoda roof, launched several balls of foxfire at the Gashdokuro. The flames struck the creature's skeletal body, sizzling harmlessly before dissipating into wisps of smoke.
Roarr! The Gashdokuro roared again, the sound echoing through the valley, shaking the remaining beams of the pagoda loose. Dust rained down, blinding them momentarily.
Coughing and sputtering, Alex looked around. The platform was barely holding on, splintered and teetering on the edge of collapse.
Akiko had disappeared, presumably clinging to the roof somewhere. Angelina stood at the base of the hillock, her katana raised defensively as the Gashdokuro lumbered towards them.