His back? Oh no no, Duo matched his pace with hers. He wouldn't risk running and then turning to find he'd left her behind. He'd never forgive himself. Duo would rather slow his pace down to hers than risk ever leaving her behind.

And it was a good thing he had, since he was able to reach up and grab ahold of a tentacle that had reached out for Nerdanel. He grabbed it and spun around to slash it with the dagger in his other hand. Then with a pissed off growl he whipped the end of the tentacle at a stupid shark head that was running his way.

He did have to split off from Nerdanel then. He launched himself at the creature, slamming into its chest with his knees and sending it down into the water below them. It hit with an almighty splash and Duo immediately stabbed his dagger into it's throat. These things were assholes. He needed it incapacitated as fast as possible.