The horde slammed into their defensive line with primal fury that tested every person's training and resolve. Expert rank beasts led the charge, razor-clawed predators moving with coordinated aggression that spoke to either intelligence or Academy programming designed to stress defensive capabilities.
Helena's eastern line took the heaviest initial impact, ten defenders suddenly facing over a hundred beasts trying to break through the forest border. Her spear flashed in rapid succession, Expert Peak cultivation letting her match the assault through superior technique rather than overwhelming force.
"Hold formation!" she shouted, voice carrying over the chaos. "Don't let them separate us!"
The defenders clustered tight, creating overlapping fields of attack that forced beasts to fight through concentrated resistance. It was working, but barely. The sheer numbers threatened to overwhelm through attrition what skill was holding back temporarily.
