Navigating through the tall grass plains was quicker than Sinclair had expected. The grass, towering above them, swayed gently in the breeze, creating a serene yet subtly ominous atmosphere. After twenty minutes without encountering any attacks, he urged the group to increase their pace. Their steps were cautious yet swift, leaving a faint trail in the verdant grass sea. The absence of monsters, save for the peculiar creature they had encountered near the cavern, was both a relief and a curiosity.

As they progressed, the mountain range to their left gradually diminished in height, signaling their approach to their destination. The once towering and imposing mountains now appeared as gentle slopes, bathed in the startling white of the moon. Staying close to the rocky terrain, they continued for another half hour until the distant roars of monsters reached their ears. These guttural and piercing roars disrupted the tranquil sounds of nature, sending a shiver down their spines.

Shifting to a more cautious strategy, they left the grasslands behind and entered a dense forest. The forest was a stark contrast to the open plains they had traversed. Thick canopies of leaves formed a green ceiling above them, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was cooler here, filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp soil.

The wolves, adept in their roles, spread out around the group, forming a vigilant sensor net. Their fur, a blend of grays and browns, camouflaged them perfectly within the underbrush. Their ears twitched at every sound, and their eyes scanned the surroundings with intense focus.

Alice, with her remarkable agility, ascended into the tree branches, moving with the stealth and precision of a predator – a sight that amused Sinclair and inspired him to mentally christen her as a "murder squirrel," a nickname he was sure she would appreciate. Her movements were fluid and silent, like a shadow flitting from one branch to another. The way she blended into the natural setting, her keen eyes observing every detail, was indeed reminiscent of a squirrel, albeit a deadly one.

The first update came from Leia, who was scouting ahead. About 200 yards in front, she discovered what appeared to be the valley's opening. She reported that the rocks tumbled out from a side wall, sloping downwards, creating a natural pathway into the valley. The rocks were jagged and loose, a treacherous terrain for the unwary. Small groups of monsters were aimlessly milling about, stumbling down the scree. These creatures, varied in size and form, seemed to be in a state of disarray, adding an unpredictable element to the already dangerous landscape.

Sinclair switched to the group chat seamlessly, navigating the mental interface with practiced ease.

Leia says the monsters are moving out. We need to observe them for a while, But someone has to get up to that edge and see what's on the other side. His mental tone was steady and clear, guiding the group as their eyes scanned the area, alert for any threats.

Alice sent back a mental image of her hand raised in a mockingbird salute, her reply carrying a hint of humor. I volunteer as tribute, she added, the reference clear despite the silence.

Sinclair snorted. Of course, she found out how to add images to the text fields. It was like a high school chat room all over again.

Sinclair's reply followed quickly. I meant me, obviously.

I know you're technically faster than me, but it makes more sense for you to set up a defense here in case I need to make a quick retreat. That way, I have a safe place to return to.

Rose added firmly, We didn't come out here so you could do all the work.

Sinclair, conceding to the group's resolve, replied with a mental sigh. Fine, fine. The murder squirrel goes and checks between monster waves. We'll set up a small defensive beachhead just inside the tree line.

Alice's eyes sparkled with amusement at the nickname, a flicker of humor crossing her face. Murder squirrel? she asked, her mental voice echoing with playful amusement.

Sinclair glanced up at the dense forest canopy and pointed to the trees, then gestured toward Alice. The trees, with their sprawling branches and sturdy trunks, were an ideal vantage point for someone as agile as her.

Alice processed this before responding with a hint of pride. Keep it up, funny man, she retorted lightly.

OK, let's form up, Sinclair directed. As soon as the current group moves out, Alice will dart up for a quick look around.

The team moved into position with practiced precision, their silent movements blending seamlessly into the dense forest. Each member found cover among the trees, their sharp eyes fixed on the group of 30 monsters trudging down what resembled a crude road.

From his hidden vantage point, Sinclair studied the path. It wasn't a constructed road but rather a route forged by the relentless march of countless feet. Trees had been pushed aside, and underbrush was trampled flat, leaving a scarred trail carved through the forest.

For ten tense minutes, the team waited. The guttural sounds and heavy footsteps of the monsters gradually faded, their presence diminishing into distant echoes. Sinclair remained still, his focus unwavering, until the area was silent. Satisfied, he gave Alice a double tap on the shoulder.

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Alice nodded once and moved swiftly, her ascent up the rocky slope quick and deliberate. Her careful steps dislodged only two stones, which clattered down noisily. Sinclair winced at the sound, aware that his own attempt would have caused far more disruption despite his greater speed.

At the top, Alice slowed her movements, her pace cautious. She approached the edge and pressed herself against a rock, her body completely still. Her eyes scanned the scene methodically, moving left and right with deliberate precision. The tension in her posture spoke to the gravity of what she saw.

Through the team chat, her voice came, calm but urgent. Holy shit, guys. We are in trouble. There are so many more of them than we thought. Sinclair, the group you saw in the valley is a tenth of what is here, if my eyes aren't deceiving me.

The urgency in Alice's voice spurred Sinclair into action. Is there enough time and space for me to come up there, too?

If you hurry, you can make it on time. Nothing is moving this way yet.

Without hesitation, Sinclair sprinted forward, his feet light on the forest floor. Stowing his weapon, he ascended the scree slope on all fours.

Reaching Alice's position, he crouched beside her, his breathing steady despite the exertion.

He peered out over the valley, his sharp eyes taking in the scene. The land stretched before them, a seemingly endless sea of monsters shifting and moving as far as the eye could see.

The valley twisted away to the left, explaining why they hadn't seen the full extent of the horde earlier. To the right, the terrain narrowed and disappeared into the distance. The sheer number of creatures was staggering, a dark mass, their movement almost like a single, living entity.

Sinclair's gaze hardened as he realized the implications. Any settlements in the horde's path would be defenseless against such overwhelming numbers. The weight of the situation settled heavily on him. They were outnumbered beyond reason, and there was no way to offer aid to those in the horde's path right now.

He scanned the valley again, his mind grappling with the enormity of the challenge. With only 500 fighters in Acrovney, they faced an estimated force of 20,000. The disparity was immense, the odds nearly insurmountable. Sinclair pressed his thoughts outward, sending a mental plea to Odin for guidance.

The response was silence. The only reply was the cold breeze sweeping down from the mountains, a reminder of their isolation and the stark reality before them.

Sinclair wrestled with the realization of their situation. The overwhelming odds gnawed at his resolve, but a growing ember of determination quickly replaced the creeping fear. His jaw tightened, his resolve hardening. He would act, no matter the odds.

Team up on me; we're heading to Acrovney with all haste. Follow my lead, Sinclair commanded through the mental link. His tone was firm, brooking no argument. Without waiting for a response, he retreated from the edge and descended to rejoin the team at the base of the hill. His movements were swift, urgency evident in every step. Alice followed closely, her expression grim and focused.

Sinclair gave the group a curt nod before breaking into a jog, his pace brisk and unrelenting. Small bursts of his aura flickered around him as he struggled to control his temper, the tension radiating outward. The others exchanged glances, silently questioning Alice, who simply shrugged in response. Without a word, they fell into step behind Sinclair, their collective strides echoing through the forest.

The wolves fanned out in formation, their sharp senses on high alert. They moved fluidly, sweeping the path ahead and to the sides, their presence a silent assurance of vigilance.

In minutes, they had closed the distance on the pack of monsters they had observed earlier. The forest blurred past in streaks of green and brown, the dense foliage seeming to part in acknowledgment of their determined passage. As they neared the monsters, the air grew heavier with tension.

The group instinctively slowed, their steps measured and cautious. All except Sinclair. Instead, he accelerated, his stride lengthening as he surged past Leia, his movements precise and unyielding. His eyes locked onto the target, his body moving with the precision and ferocity of a seasoned warrior.

Drawing the Axe of the Valiant Skies, Sinclair activated Hel's Wrath, the weapon glowing with an intense, hot-white light. The air shimmered around the axe, heat radiating from its edge. Crafted with unmatched skill, the axe easily channeled the immense energy without strain, a weapon worthy of the strength and skill of its wielder.

Sinclair charged forward, closing the distance with unrelenting purpose, his focus unshaken as he prepared to strike.

With all his strength, Sinclair hurled the axe toward the cluster of monsters. It cut through the air with a sharp, whistling sound, like a meteor piercing the atmosphere. The noise broke the forest's tense silence, a harbinger of destruction. The axe struck the rear monster with devastating precision, its blade tearing through several others in its path before detonating in an eruption of red flames. The weapon's mana discharged in a blinding burst, consuming the area in searing light.

The monsters, caught unprepared, had no time to react. The fiery explosion ripped through their ranks, leaving chaos in its wake. As the smoke cleared, Sinclair soared through the air toward the fray. His clawed hands, wreathed in trailing arcs of flame, glinted in the fractured light. Each movement was swift and deliberate, his burning gaze fixed on his targets.

Behind him, Leia charged into the fight. Her powerful form exuded raw energy, electricity crackling along her fur in bright, erratic flashes. Each step was a calculated strike, her movements precise as she tore into the disoriented monsters. The arcs of electricity that danced across her body were controlled, avoiding Sinclair as they passed harmlessly over his skin, only to jolt into their enemies with lethal precision.

Together, Sinclair and Leia carved through the remaining creatures with unrelenting force. His claws struck with fiery intensity, while her electric charge neutralized those who dared to approach. The battlefield became a blur of motion and light.

The monsters' attempts to flee were futile, their escape routes blocked by Chewy. Chewy struck with the force of a moving fortress. Each blow he delivered sent tremors through the ground, adding to the chaos and destruction around him. His new class, a Titan Wolf, suited him well.

In seconds, the battlefield was reduced to silence, littered with the torn and charred remains of the defeated. Sinclair stood amidst the carnage, his breathing heavy. His eyes, still alight with the fire of battle, shifted to Leia and Chewy, who watched him silently, their gazes steady and understanding.

Sinclair turned, his voice cutting through the still air. "Follow."

He threw his head back and unleashed Primal Resonance. The cry ripped through the forest, raw and violent, shaking branches and sending echoes rolling across the trees. The ground seemed to hum beneath their feet, the power laced into the call leaving no doubt of who claimed this ground.

He strode forward, pulling his axe free from the earth where it had bitten deep. The weapon vibrated faintly in his hands, threads of lingering energy sparking along the steel.

There was no pause. No need for words. The path to Acrovney was lined with more of the enemy, and Sinclair advanced, every step measured, every muscle coiled for the fight to come.

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