The command cut through their fatigue, and the party scrambled into motion. Veyra, bloodied from her shoulder wound, gritted her teeth as she forced her bow back across her chest. Each step jarred the injury, but she pushed forward, refusing to let it slow her.
Ash stayed close to her side, shadows flickering protectively, while Tholn covered their rear, his blades cutting down drones that lunged in pursuit.
Yvren lingered at the rear, his staff glowing faintly as he made sure every member of the party had entered the tunnel. He refused to turn his back until the three were safely within.
Only then did he follow, steps steady despite the swarm pressing behind them, his presence buying the others the precious moments they needed to escape.
Together they retreated, boots pounding against the resin-cracked floor, fleeing back toward the narrow tunnel from which they had first emerged.
