The north ward began to spit sparks when a beast slammed into the stones beside it.
Red light ran along the inscription, then broke at a crack near the base. The beast hit the same spot again. Sparks leapt high enough to flash against the soldiers’ helmets. Gu He and Sella were already running with a ceramic brace and a satchel of tools.
Han saw them approach. “Squad, keep it on the outer edge. Do not let it strike the post again.”
The nearest spear line moved to meet the creature. Its shell scraped against their weapons, and the beast swung its head toward the ward. The soldiers thrust together, forcing it sideways.
Yan took the open space in front of the engineers. He raised his hammer and struck the creature’s flank. It turned toward him, its claws drawing furrows in the stone. Yan backed away from the ward, leading it along the platform’s edge.
“Keep moving,” Han called. “Hold it at the boundary.”
The creature followed. It lunged as Yan crossed the painted line. Its claws caught his shoulder and threw him against the platform edge. His back struck stone. The breath left his chest, and a hard ache spread beneath his shoulder blade.
