The adventurers all stood frozen in their tracks, as they were unable to move. Before them, within the distance, loomed a sight like no other.
Thorne's hands trembled uncontrollably, his voice barely a whisper. "W-What the hell is going on? There is no way this is real. How... how can this be possible?" He said his eyes darted frantically across the whole scene. "Why are there so many of them?"
What they all saw was a massive horde of monsters—creatures known as Frostclaws.
These beasts resembled colossal bears, standing taller than men do, their thick, icy fur rippling in the wind. Their claws, as sharp as steel, glinted beneath the gray skies, and their eyes glowing an ominous crimson, filled with a malicious intent.
Thorne continued shaking, his fear palpable. "No way... there's no way this is happening. I know we're in the winter season, but there still shouldn't be this many of them... not all in one place."
Lyra, her face pale, muttered under her breath, "I-It is said, that they gather in winter to strengthen their attacks... but there's never been a report of numbers like these."
Raine, already gripping the hilt of her sword, spoke through clenched teeth, "So, what now? Do we run, or...?"
Galen's voice cut through the panic. "We won't run. We will stand our ground and fight!" He said his voice calm however firm, and with a swift motion, he drew his sword, its blade gleaming within the cold light.
His words reignited a spark of courage in all the others. Thorne then took in a deep breath, his hands steadying, as he drew his bow. "Alright then... looks like we've got a fight on our hands. Let's take these bastards down."
Raine grinned, her earlier fear melting into a battle-hungry smile. "For once, I agree with you dumass."
Lyra, regaining her composure, nodded her head. "I'll also do my best."
Galen, surveying over his party, nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, BATTLE FORMATION!" He yield with a commanding tone in his voice.
The adventurers then quickly fell into their position. Lyra, took her place in the back of the formation, with Thorne standing guard right before her, bow in hand. Galen and Raine took the front lines, ready to face the incoming threat.
The Frostclaws, standing still moments before, suddenly all let out a collective roar and charged as one, baring their jagged teeth and razor-sharp claws, their red eyes fixed on their prey. Galen then raised his sword high and shouted, "HOLD YOUR POSITION! DON'T BREAK FORMATION!"
As the beasts thundered closer, tension grow. "Steady... steady..." Galen repeated his eyes locked on the approaching wave of monsters. Then, at the perfect moment, he yelled, "ATTACK!"
Moreover, with battle cry "AHHHHH!" Galen charged forward, his sword slicing through the first Frostclaws in front of him. The creature let out a final snarl before collapsing in the snow.
Raine followed suit, her movements swift and precise. With one graceful swing, she felled two of the beasts at once.
Nevertheless, more Frostclaws loomed above her, ready to strike her down.
However before they could land a blow on her, arrows rained down upon the beast's head, from Thorne's bow, piercing their thick hides and dropping them in their tracks.
"Nice shot." Raine called out, still grinning as she danced through the battlefield, cutting down beast after beast.
Thorne, breathing hardly, kept firing arrow after arrow, each one hitting its mark. As he stood close by Lyra side, making sure no harm came before her, as she began her own work.
As the battle went on, one of the Frostclaws swung its claws at Raine, wounding her. Blood spattered the snow as she staggered back. "Damn it..." she muttered, in pain.
However, Lyra quickly acted, focusing, she raised her hands, and casted a healing spell on Raine. In seconds, Raine's wound healed, putting her back in the fight. "Thanks," Raine grinned, raising her sword again.
Lyra, her confidence growing, raised her voice, and casted an incantation aloud:
"Flames of the Phoenix arise and strike fort my enemy! Fireball." Fire surged from her hands, engulfing one of the Frostclaws in flames, lunging upon Galen, incinerating it. Galen then turned to her, nodding his head with a smile at her. "Great timing. Thanks"
However, before Lyra could return his smile, another Frostclaw appeared beside her, its jaws wide, ready to tear her apart. Raine, quick as lightning, dashed forward using reinforcement magic to boost her speed and strength. In addition, with one swift strike, she felled the beast before it could harm Lyra.
"Don't let your guard down, Understand?" She said her voice stern.
Lyra nodded her head, her heart still racing. "R-Right."
The battle raged on, with the party cutting down one Frostclaw after the other. Blood splattered across the snow, staining the pristine white landscape in crimson red. As the fight seemed endless, but after what felt like an eternity, the last of the beasts fell to the ground.
As the adrenaline began to fade, Raine jumped up and down on her legs, laughing and cheering. "Hahahaha! I cannot believe we got this many of them! Talk about a rush! Am right."
Thorne, panting heavily, leaned on his bow. "Geez, pipe down, I can't believe you still this full of energy how annoying..."
Raine grinned. "Oh come on; talk about buzz kill!"
Galen, happy but ever the leader wiped his blade clean. "Calm down, Raine. We are not done just yet. We still have to gather their parts. So let's get to work."
Raine sighed dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, boss, geez."
Moreover, just as they were about to start collecting the spoils of their battle, the air around them begun shifting.
The world around them had gone eerily silent, as a deep sense of dread filled the air. Each of their faces twisted with in fear, as they all stared at something before them—something they never expected to see.
End of Chapter 3.