Stratos is right. Jim grits his teeth hard enough that under normal circumstances Stratos would be able to hear him grinding them in his distress while he tries to wrangle control back from the panic seizing in his chest. He's dealt with worse before, they can handle this.

Jim's never been great with one on one fights with monsters, admittedly, but you know. He's got backup in an Imperial Battlemage. To his credit the second Stratos is dropping down Jim's letting go right after him. His boots sink a good couple of centimeters into the mud which throws him way off balance when he tries to run for the shore and their set aside packs. It works out in his favor though.

Wet as he may get from falling into the water it puts him out of reach from the swiping claws that would have torn right through his thin gear and simple tunic. Jim's up and bolting up the shoreline immediately after he's freed his boots. He snatches up each of their packs in one arm apiece and grabs for his PINpoint.

If he can just get ahold of Stratos they can get out of here--!