Failure Was Not An Option

The battle was far more brutal than Aldric had anticipated. His face, arms, and armor were soaked with blood with some of it his own, and most of it his enemies'.

The monstrous horde, which had been waiting for them, was better prepared than they had expected. Clearly, their element of surprise from yesterday had tipped off the monsters, who now seemed almost tactical in their onslaught.

Maxi as expected was with him. They fought like they shared one mind; their movements were perfectly attuned to each other. Where he struck, she guarded; where she advanced, he cleared the path.

Though the soldiers fought bravely, it was Maxi's fierce instincts and experience that turned the tide, even if only slightly. She knew his every gesture and could read his movements as naturally as her own. Without her presence, Aldric would have been forced to fight with much less coordination and precision.