Rumble.
Heavy feet ground over the ice-coated bridge deck.
More than a hundred Burrowing Dragons accelerated at once, a force enough to make any bridge groan and collapse.
But on the Archon Bridge, sturdy materials not only kept it unshaken, but also gave the Burrowing Dragons a spacious runway.
The beasts did not slip as the heavy infantry had earlier. Muscles bulged in their powerful hind legs, their broad feet slammed into the ice, and their horny claws dug deep like chisels, sending ice chips flying.
The steel behemoths charged as though they were on level ground, filling Alex's vision with their wind-driven advance.
[All units, lock on!]
Alex's consciousness spread through the Hive Network, synchronizing his thoughts with the commanders of the First, Second, and Fourth Regiments defending alongside him.
Behind the rows of chevaux de frise, forty Falcon Strike ballistae removed from the backs of Great Skuas aimed at the Burrowing Dragons, their winches drawn to the limit by Magic Cores.
[Fire!!]
Thrum!!
The thunder of vibrating bowstrings merged into one, and refined steel bolts tore through the air, screaming into the Burrowing Dragons' formation.
Blood flashed.
Even enchanted heavy plate could not fully withstand such ferocious weapons.
Several Burrowing Dragons at the front let out mournful cries as the bolts toppled them. Their massive bodies slid over the ice and knocked down their companions, throwing the once-perfect arrowhead formation into slight disarray.
But the enemy was too fast.
[Reload! Quickly!]
Alex's eyelid twitched as the soldiers hurriedly worked the levers, pushing the magical winches beyond their limits.
Yet they only managed a sparse, hurried second volley before the blood-reeking wind struck them in the face.
There was no time to aim a third volley. All they could see were savage beast heads rapidly swelling in their vision.