The roar rolled through the forest like distant thunder, deep enough to vibrate in Noah's chest, old enough to carry weight that made the air feel thick. It came from far away, maybe miles, but sound carried strangely in dense forest and whatever made that noise was large.
Everyone in the combined group froze. Reds, yellows, greens, all of them stopping mid-step to listen.
"What was that?" someone whispered.
"Sounded big," another recruit replied, their voice uncertain. "Really big."
The instructors were already moving through the crowd, hands on weapons, expressions alert but not panicked. Valen appeared near the front of the column, his scarred face showing calculation rather than concern.
"Everyone stay together," he ordered. "That was distant. Not an immediate threat."
But Noah had seen the quest notification. PROTECT YOUR FLOCK. Which meant whatever made that roar was absolutely a threat, just not yet. Not if he did something about it.
