Location: Dark Forest - Outer Ring | Doha (Lower Realm)
Time: Day 367, Mid-Morning
The lead fox lunged.
Jayde's hands moved before conscious thought—veteran reflexes honed across six decades of combat. Ember Shield flared into existence, a shimmering disc of compressed Inferno essence two feet across. The fox's skull cracked against the barrier with a meaty thud, and it tumbled backward, dazed.
Six hostiles. Coordinated pack tactics. Sparkforged-tier essence signatures. Flanking positions established.
(Oh gods, we should run! There's too many—)
We never run from battle. The thought came sharp with irritation, like snapping at a nervous recruit. Ever. We stand our ground.
Two more foxes darted in from her left, low and fast. Jayde pivoted, blade coming up in a defensive arc that should've intercepted—
Should've.
