The robed figures moved in perfect sync, spreading out to block any way out. Greg now counted eight, maybe nine, and they were all standing between his group and the iron door they had come through.
"Lylia, get in line!" Greg yelled, fully activating his Guardian's Oath shield. The barrier appeared, and shadows danced on the walls of the lab.
Lylia moved to his right without thinking, and even though she was unarmed and dressed for a formal event, her years of training as a Royal Knight were clear. Elwen stood to his left, her fingers already weaving complicated spell patterns.
Hilda was last in line, pickaxe in hand and ready to go. And then there's Hammy, who bounced nervously on Elwen's head, making warning sounds.
The first figure in a robe lunged forward and pulled a curved blade from under their cloak. Greg's shield stopped the blow and absorbed the kinetic energy, but two more attackers were already moving to the sides of them.
