Rowan's POV:
A root, thicker than the others, struck Gaius from behind, catching him off guard. He stumbled, and I watched in horror as the branch slammed into him and lashed out, cutting deep into his side, a sickening crack echoed through the trees.
My heart leapt into my throat as I saw him hit the ground, blood pooling beneath him. He let out a cry of pain and stumbled as blood poured from his wounds.
“Gaius!” I yelled, rushing to his side, but the forest wasn’t letting up. The ground shook violently, a chasm opening beneath us, and I barely managed to pull Gaius back before it could swallow him. The blood was seeping through his armor, and I knew the injury was serious. I could feel the life draining out of him. His skin was pale, his breathing shallow.
Andrew raised his staff,
