Justin drew his sword, called on aurym, and set it alight. With a horizontal swipe, he pushed the power through. A shimmering jade disk erupted from the blade. Its first victims were the trees. Centuries-old giants were severed through the trunks and started to fall.

Justin replaced his sword in the sheath and yelled, "Jump!"

He didn't bother to watch what happened to the enemies ahead. He leaped from the bank, falling feet-first into the creek. Water in his ears muted all ...