The soldiers could clearly see the dust cloud that the enormous serpent's swift advance generated, a trail of destruction approaching inexorably toward their positions.
Although it really wasn't the rear guard that would encounter it… geographically it was hitting more the flank of the army's advance entering the expanded wall. Still, the poor soldiers had trouble deciding what to do against such a threat to their right side.
A squadron leader took command when it became clear that orders wouldn't arrive from the main chain of command soon enough.
"Attack together when it reaches range!" she shouted, trying to organize a defensive response. "Don't let it get closer!"
Being in the rear formation, most troops in that position were distance throwers and healers, water, fire, and wind specialists who provided support to the main defenses. They didn't have enough earth or wood controllers to generate another defensive wall or advance significant fortifications.
