The second wave came harder, louder, the mist rolling with snarls and pounding paws. Arden had warned them before it even broke through.
"Another group. Larger. Hold steady."
The guards tightened their grips, but when the beasts tore out of the fog, Arden's party was already moving.
Rael shot forward, lightning cracking from his gauntlets as he split one in two, then turned with a grin. "That's five!"
Nyra clicked her tongue, sending a lance of ice straight through another's skull. "Six. You're falling behind."
Zephyra barreled past them both, claws raking, her growl rumbling deep. She tossed the corpse aside and barked, "Seven."
Even in the chaos, Arden's voice stayed calm, sharp as steel. "Rael, cover the right. Nyra, don't overextend. Zephyra, hold the rear. They're circling."
