"Commander down! All Iron-fang units fall back to secondary positions!"
Damian's voice cut through the chaos as Guild Director Voss's body disappeared beneath the crystalline golem's massive fist. Blood pooled around crushed stone where moments before their leader had stood coordinating the defense.
Damian stumbled through the medical district, his mangled arm hanging useless at his side. The demon's claws had torn through muscle and bone, leaving damage that even emergency healing couldn't fully repair. But Iron-fang survivors needed direction, and their command structure was collapsing faster than buildings under golem assault.
"Sergeant Morrison, take third squad through the eastern corridor," Damian ordered while pressing his back against a wall to catch his breath. "Civilians are trapped in the medical center's lower levels."
Morrison stared at Damian's junior rank insignia. "Sir, with respect, you're not authorized for field command."
