The thick atmosphere in the village square had changed from tension to pandemonium. The guards moved with an almost animalistic brutality, their enhanced strength evident in every strike. Their shouts and the clash of metal upon metal filled the air, drowning out the otherwise silent snowfall.
Articius glanced around, watching as his team, despite their combined might, struggled to contain the sheer number of enemies. Drex, with his venom dripping, managed to incapacitate a few, and Elara's blazing fireballs momentarily kept others at bay. Callan, ever the tactician, attempted to orchestrate the group's maneuvers, but the overwhelming might of the guards was proving formidable.
