The second knock against his arm went ignored as well, although this time it was largely thanks to the serpent finally attacking. In a flash of grey scales, it spiraled up Barricade's leg and torso, pulling its neck back into the telltale S shape to strike. Whether it was aiming for his head or the Meister up against the wall over his shoulder would only be answered if either of them let it get that far.

Barricade's arm shot up in the same instant to lunged forward, slamming it against the rocky ceiling to halt its attack. It was, unfortunately, stronger than he gave it credit for, and the thing constricted around his body tight enough to throw his tenuous balance off. Sliding down closer to the floor, Barricade managed to make a fist around the serpent's neck, claws biting into flesh so that blood blossomed in the water.

That did enough to make the thing release him, but not kill it. The serpent shot off into darker waters, and Barricade clambered his way back up to Qilby. He kept his back to the wall, illuminating where it had swam off. It was unlikely they'd be lucky enough to have taken care of the problem. Looking up at the Meister, he jerked his head to indicate they ought to keep moving. This time he'd let the old man go first.