They came in sequence, forcing me to keep moving, my steps shifting between trees, using their trunks to break the angle of attack while cutting through whatever came too close. The pattern wasn't random, they were coordinating, one attacking to restrict movement while the other forced an opening.
A thicker root shot forward from the first tree.
I moved to evade but was too slow. It struck across my torso, not piercing this time, but hitting hard enough to throw me off balance, my body skidding across the ground before I caught myself with one hand, pushing back up before the next strike could land.
"Ouch that hurt."
The attacks didn't stop.
Another root came from behind, and this time I twisted just enough to avoid a clean hit, but it still grazed past, tearing into my shoulder again. Pain flared sharply, deeper this time, and I felt the shift immediately.
A notification flashed.
[Warning: Health below 50%]
