"ROAAARRR!"
Ayla's golden tiger threw back its head and released a thunderous roar that echoed across the battlefield. At the same time, the beastmaster's voice cut through the chaos, carrying across the withdrawing line as she relayed the new orders.
"Fall back! Fall back!"
At first, many thought they had misheard.
The walls were collapsing, and the infected were breaking through in greater numbers with every passing minute, but surely this was the moment to reinforce the defenses, not abandon them.
Yet all around him, many were already disengaging.
Julian drove his sword through the chest of an infected expert before smashing another aside with his shield. Instead of pressing the advantage, he immediately withdrew. Poseidon reluctantly followed, summoning walls of water to slow the pursuing swarm while Guskov unleashed a final barrage from the rear, his cannon fire tearing enormous gaps through the infected ranks before he too abandoned his position.
