Swamped

First problem. Mantis, assuming that's who it is. You already ran into someone who looks a lot like Bigfoot, so it wouldn't exactly shock you at this point.

Although... the wizard looks about the same age as when you last saw him, and Mantis looks to be in maybe his late twenties? Maybe it's a younger brother, or...

You don't have time to think it through because you've already had to run in front to block his charge. You somehow manage to wrestle one of his daggers away before he shoves you aside.

"I apologize," he says. "One of the gods is seeking that wizard's death, and I am not really able to question it. You are fortunate, whoever you are, because this god does not carry the same hatred for you. But I cannot guarantee your safety if you remain involved."

Okay, the weird way he talks and the babbling about gods make you feel pretty sure this is Mantis. It would be nice if that gave you some clue how to fight him, but the one you know is almost a match for Rider even in his old age.

It could help you talk to him, but you remember a couple of times when he was rambling hard about the will of the gods and he couldn't be dissuaded no matter what anyone said. He's sounding a lot like that right now.

Of course, those other times it wasn't somebody's life at stake. It was just weird stuff like trying to release one of the crows in the roost. Still pretty serious - you have to get another crow to do the same route, and that takes time - but it was okay to back down. Here, it isn't.

Well... you do remember one time when Mantis seemed to pause for a bit. Might be worth a shot to see if you can make that happen again. You take a moment to go over the details in your head and see if there's anything you can apply here.