Scrambling to his feet, Erik covered the last distance.
Erik stood at the base of the massive tree, its gnarled trunk stretching skyward before him. Somewhere around there, hidden in the dense canopy, was the entrance he had created earlier - his only chance at shelter from the approaching Galewing flock. But first, he had to deal with the Galewing that even now was coming toward him.
The moment the Galewing descended from its talons poised for attack, Erik concentrated, channeling a surge of mana into the tree. The tree's vines erupted from the bark, writhing and whipping through the air like frenzied serpents.
Caught off guard, the Galewing screeched in alarm as the animated vines ensnared its wings and body, their grip ironclad. The creature thrashed to escape, its powerful wings beating against the unyielding vines.