Jolthar turned to him, his expression steady but unyielding. "It's not about fighting them all. It's about delaying them long enough for you to escape. We don't have the luxury of arguing, Eran. Every second we waste, their numbers grow."
The ground shook again, the sound of claws scraping against stone growing louder. More of the creatures were emerging, their pale forms glistening in the dim light. Their slit eyes locked onto the group, and their collective snarls filled the air with an overwhelming sense of malice.
Daus who had been silent until now, took a step forward. "We'll follow your lead, Jolthar."
Jolthar allowed himself a faint smirk, his hand tightening on his sword.
Daus hesitated, but seeing the determination in Jolthar's eyes, he finally nodded. Turning to the others, he began organizing the retreat, ensuring the women were placed in the centre of their formation for maximum protection.
