He was indeed trying, not that it was visible from the outside. Part of him struggled against the rage, but ultimately his lack of experience with intense emotions was holding him back. He tried to push through, but... nothing. No give in his emotion, and in a place like this he could likely hold out for a while.

It swiped at Reaper as he was trying to shake off the impact, growling and roaring as it kept trying to stab into him. Its jaws snapped as it lunged, eager to get the creature harrying it into a position where it would be unable to retaliate.