The moment the beast launched, the woods exploded into motion, but Robert had already moved from the beast's side. His step shifted not forward but sideways, just enough to pull the group's line off balance in a controlled way. The area where he had been was sliced by the beast's claws, which struck wood rather than flesh. The wood broke into pieces.
Retreat left, now, he said low. They did not argue. Training from the past days surfaced at the right time. Ronan pulled Sarah with him. Sai grabbed Taylen's sleeve before he committed to a counterstrike. Eissa instinctively moved, shifting positions already.
They did not try to win. They slipped away from the battle. The beast, confused by the sudden loss of pressure, turned its attention toward the nearest movement in the brush behind them. Something else had been there. Something quieter. Something human.
