Auren's expression shattered, the color draining from his face until it matched the deathly pallor of bone.
Around him, malicious black branches twisted together, forming rigid spears that jutted at menacing angles. He stood encircled, trapped. The trees seemed to hum with a soft hymn of sorrow, yet the malevolence radiating from them screamed a single command to Auren's instincts: run for your life.
But escape was impossible—surrounded from all angles. He had his metal skin to rely on, yes, but mere defense wouldn't suffice. He needed to fight back. Turning his back to flee would only delay the inevitable; his metallic protection would eventually be shredded apart, and then he would be killed. Again.
'...what could be so bad about dying... I will get back up after all…'
Auren shook his head violently, trying to dislodge these dangerous thoughts that clung like cobwebs to his mind.
