Lance waved the ranged group forwards to join him just behind the wall and then counted down from three with his fingers. On closing his fist, he stepped out, drawing the string back on his bow at the same time. He knew roughly where the monsters were and so was nearly the first to loose, only Matt being faster since he wasn’t busy counting down.

By the time the other two mages had located the monsters and blasted out their respective magical attacks, Matt and Lance had a second arrow on the string and were tracking across the distance. At that point, the pair hesitated, content to see the results of their initial attack before loosing the next volley.

Matt’s arrow drilled right through one of the monsters, catching it in the upper chest. Lance knew he had purchased a Bleeding Arrow upgrade for his own Never Ending Quiver. Added to his own Backstab upgrade – that didn’t actually require an opponent’s back, just a surprise factor – and his target fell over.

Lance on the other hand went for a Splitting Arrow, eschewing the Explosive Arrow for his follow up attack. The trio of arrows that landed among the group landed among the pack of gnolls, two burying themselves in limbs and the primary arrow in the throat of its target. That one staggered back, but to Lance’s surprise, was still standing.

Moments later, even as the gnolls were turning towards them, an Elemental Ice Bolt and a Fire Bolt struck. The Elemental Ice Bolt took the gnoll on the furthest left, freezing it’s chest at the same time as it struck, slowing the monster down. The Fire Bolt on the other hand slammed into Matt’s own prey, wasted on the already dead monster.

Lance idly added ‘designating targets’ to the list of things he needed to discuss with the team. He and Yanesh had a pretty good idea of which one they would take, generally working inwards from the sides. Adding in Matt and Keeley though meant they would have to reconfirm targets.

Wasn’t there something about how army units had fields of fire? Did that even work when you weren’t using machine guns to lay down fields of fire, keeping other people’s heads down? Did they have to change tactics to take into account their lower rate of fire or maybe just stagger shots?

Lance released his arrow, again a tad slower than Matt. He was a better archer than the man, faster and more accurate by far; but all this thinking was slowing him down. It was probably why the army had officers, people whose job wasn’t shooting but thinking.

Another grimace, his hands moving on auto to pull and target his own opponent. Another Explosive Arrow so he targeted a different monster, since his last arrow had taken his first opponent in the throat and dropped it. Hard to breathe when your throat has been blown apart, especially after having shrapnel from two arrows torn away.

The good news was that under the combined assault of the four of them, the four gnolls in the advance party were falling fast. They were not likely to even reach them.

Bad news – the party at the back had reacted at the same time, the five gnolls including the massive monster in the back was charging towards them, picking up speed. Lance quickly gauged distances, cursing mentally as he targeted the massive alpha gnoll and loosed his arrow.

“Melee – ready here. Change of plans, we hold and fire!” Lance called out.

He listened as Sarah and Neil scrambled out from around the corner, taking position behind them. The four ranged attackers had spread out a bit, allowing the melee to slip through the cracks if needed, but Lance was focused forward instead. The last gnoll form the first party fell under the combined magic attacks of Yanesh and Keeley, clawing at its burnt and melted face.

More annoying, he watched as the damn alpha gnoll dodged his arrow, barely even pelted by the explosion when it struck the ground far behind it.

“Mages, fall back!” Lance snapped out. He drew another arrow, fitting a Splitting Arrow to his string as he eyed the group and fired. This time, he targeted the others, intent on wearing them down.

Matt seemed to have the same idea, as he targeted his own Bleeding Arrows at those nearest the shops and pavement on the right. Leaving the massive alpha gnoll who had switched to loping on all fours as it covered the distance to them. It barelled forwards and without thought, Matt retreated further back even as he nocked another arrow.

Loosing his own last attack, Lance snapped out. “Melee, counter-charge!”

“Big boys mine!” Neil cried out. Suiting action to words, he put his head behind his shield and rushed forwards, picking up speed as he readied his Shield Rush ability.

“Damn it! I wanted dibs…” Sarah said before she rushed forwards. The woman angled herself to the side, pulling away from the archers to take the monsters behind the alpha as Neil and the Alpha Gnoll clashed. Bright energy exploded as the pair’s upgraded abilities triggered, like two fireballs slamming together.

Neil tumbled out the other side, the larger, denser gnoll bowling over the smaller man. Even so, the Alpha Gnoll was in no position to follow up as it cradled a broken shoulder and arm. Moments later, the combined attacks of all the ranged attackers struck it.

“Damn it!” Lance cursed, as the monster stumbled backwards. Waste of attacks, especially as Sarah was now engaged with three gnolls by herself, unaided. The only advantage the woman had was that her spear gave her a significant range advantage, allowing her to keep the monsters from overwhelming her as she swung it around.

Even so, she retreated every few passes, desperate to stop from being cornered.

“Neil, finish him! Everyone else, help Sarah.” Then he added. “Split sideways, so you don’t hit her!”

Yanesh needed no telling, but Keeley took a second to realise what was needed, following the Mage along. She flicked a hand sideways, Entangling Roots grabbing one of the monsters as they erupted from the ground and pulling it down. A second later, Yanesh’s Elemental Fire Bolt struck it, setting roots and vines and the monster on fire.

“Use ice or earth. Don’t burn my roots!” Keeley snapped at Yanesh who nodded, turning to throw a heal on Neil.

The armoured shield and mace fighter had clashed with the burnt and bleeding Alpha, the pair trading blows. His Blood Thorns ability struck at the monster, drawing blood as invisible thorns ripped into it, damaging and distracting the monster even as the occasional blow struck from behind his shield focused on other limbs in an effort to cripple before finishing.

In the meantime, Lance and Matt took the monster on the far right of Sarah, peppering it with conjured arrows. And, free of monsters, Sarah tore into the final one with her spear, her Enhanced Strength and Reflexes more than sufficient to overwhelm her opponent.

Less than a half minute later, the monsters were slain, their bodies dispersing. Lance looked around at the hard breathing group and cursed.

They really needed to work on their group tactics.