A swampy green fog choked the air, muffling everything but the high-pitched screeches that clawed at their ears. It clung to the polished armor of the squad, turning the silver dull and slick.
The captain gripped their spear tighter, sweat trickling down their face despite the unnatural chill seeping through the mist.
Across the clearing, a monstrous shape shifted within the swirling green. It was a mana beast, a creature of hideous terror. Its true form remained hidden, but glimpses – rows of gnashing teeth, a paw the size of a battering ram – were enough to make their blood run cold.
The fight had been a mix of clanging metal and sizzling energy. The squad, known for their smooth teamwork, had moved with practiced ease.
