The northern ravine shuddered as the four-horned apex tore through the fractured gate threshold into the twilight air.
Violet lightning cracked along its leathery spine, scattering fractured shale down the precipice like jagged shrapnel.
Hajin burst through the upper tree line, his chain uncoiling in a gleaming blur as three hounds lunged for the evacuation wagons.
He whipped the links around the lead hound's exposed knee joint, snapping the tendon before the beast could leap.
Above the dirt road, dozens of winged predators swarmed out of the ravine, their shrieks piercing the evening sky.
"Move the stretchers toward the second barricade!" Vella shouted from the ditch, her violet hands trembling with severe channel strain.
"The flying beasts are diving directly for the wounded volunteers!"
"Keep the litters moving!" Garret bellowed from the cart frame, thrusting his spear into an airborne beast.
"Do not let the wounded get separated from the guard line!"
