It began as a tremor, a low, bone-deep rumble that rolled beneath their feet.
The monsters surrounding them froze. Then, as if seized by the same instinct, they began howling, screeching, and scattering in every direction.
Wolves trampled goblins, and drakes took to the air, their wings beating frantically.
Even the iron-hide boars, those stubborn tanks of flesh, turned tail, squealing in terror as they fled.
"What the hell?" Rowan gasped.
Before Wade could answer, the ground split apart.
A roar erupted from below. It wasn't just loud. It was elemental, vibrating through their flesh and armor, shaking the very marrow in his bones.
Then the soil beneath their boots cracked open.
"Move!" Wade yelled, dragging Rowan by the shoulder.
They stumbled back just as the ground erupted in a geyser of dust and stone.
Something huge clawed its way out, its shadow stretching over the battlefield.
