Adventure of Tree strider 1

Tree strider enters the enchanted grove as masked villagers stumble between ancient roots. Beyond the living boundary, unseen attackers pound against bark and thorn.

Each impact shudders through the earth. The oldest tree bends overhead, golden sap running from a dark wound while its roots coil tighter around the fleeing villagers.

The cloaked wizard raises a staff, guiding the refugees toward a ring of pale mushrooms. Their masks conceal every face, but their hurried breaths fill the grove.

Another impact booms. Golden sap splashes across the roots, and several villagers cry out as the living wood drags them to their knees.

Tree strider reaches the eastern boundary and plants his boots between two heaving roots. He braces his bow across his body as the next impact rolls through the thorn wall.

The force drives splinters and leaves through the mist, but Tree strider holds. The thorns bend around him instead of breaking, their living lattice settling into the rhythm of his stance.

Therefore, the eastern boundary remains sealed. Beyond it, the unseen attackers stop pounding and begin dragging something heavy across the earth.

A thin golden line appears beneath the thorns, running from the oldest tree's wound toward the darkness beyond the boundary. Each distant scrape makes the sap brighten.