The referee's hand dropped.
Ding!
Twelve fighters exploded into motion.
The Ironclad squad led the charge from the front, their boots shaking the arena floor. They locked their tower shields together into a steel wall that looked unstoppable. Behind them, Kaelen's Royal War College squad fanned out with swords drawn, their diamond-armored leader at the front.
From the left and right flanks, the Shadow Veil assassins came in low and fast, their bodies flickering with shadow magic as they closed the distance.
Three directions. Twelve fighters. Coordinated assault.
Emric slammed his shield into the ground.
"Brace for impact at forty degrees!" he shouted. "Lyra, high left! Renna, high right! Holden, center!"
Lyra drew her spear and leveled it over Emric's shoulder. Renna nocked three arrows at once and pulled her bowstring back to her cheek. The shield wall was solid. The angles were mathematically sound.
It was a good plan.
Holden stepped past it.
