The beasts were standing in front of the crackling portal that led to Trespassers Land. It looked like they were guarding it.
Everyone stood still, filled with fear and confusion.
The captain shouted, "Fall back now!"
We all retreated to a safer distance, stopping near a large black boulder that was about fifteen meters tall. The captain sat down, laced his fingers together, and pressed them to his face. He was deep in thought, clearly troubled.
Charging in without a plan would get us all killed.
But the real question was, why were the beasts waiting at the entrance?
He took a deep breath, then stood and gave clear orders.
"Everyone, gather up. If you specialize in long range attacks, come with me."
He was planning to use the landscape. There were rocks everywhere, high ledges, and the road split into two paths, which gave us more flexibility.
"We'll attack the beasts from the right path to get their attention. While they focus on us, the rest of you will escape through the left side."
People began to panic a little.
"Do not worry," he said. "I'm not sacrificing anyone. After the long range fighters help pull their attention, you will all escape with the others. I will make sure they follow me. I will be the bait. I promise I'll meet you on the other side."
We all listened.
Everyone moved into position. The long range users launched attacks of fire, lightning, and wind. The beasts roared and began to charge toward the direction of the assault.
But one stayed behind.
Out of the eight beasts, only seven followed the bait. The last one remained still, standing in front of the path like a sentry.
The captain's eyes widened. This wasn't expected. He had not accounted for this.
The others who attacked with him had already begun to escape.
On the left path, Revin moved to join Serra, who was one of the long range fighters. But when she stepped forward and saw what stood in their way, she stopped.
A beast nearly ten meters tall stood blocking the path. It had four thick arms and glowing eyes. Everyone with her stopped as well.
"Wait… I thought they all went after the captain," someone whispered.
The beast, which had been standing still, began to move.
It had sensed us.
In an instant, it leapt into view, landing with a loud crash.
Serra immediately shot fire toward its face, blinding it just long enough.
Everyone knew that moment was their only chance.
Revin rushed in and stabbed one of its eyes, forcing a pained roar from the monster. The others followed quickly, stabbing with blades and piercing its body.
The beast dropped.
It lay there as if dead.
Then, without warning, it jumped back up and swung its huge arms. I was thrown to the side and crashed against a rock. My arm snapped from the force.
Others were hit too.
Serra raised both hands and released a full powered fire blast.
The flames engulfed the weakened beast.
This time, it collapsed for good.
We had to escape