Just as the timber was about to overlap above his head, a localized upheaval of earth shot upward like a surging pillar.
The blunt force of the rising stone acted as a pneumatic ram, physically tearing Liam from the roots' tightening grasp and boosting him into the air.
"Ghh!" he grunted, the sudden vertical momentum wrenching his limbs free from the wooden tentacles.
Seizing the momentum of the stone pillar, he kicked off the apex, leaping through the dim air in a desperate arc.
He landed heavily but safely beside Dane, who was stationed behind the flank of a massive tree that stood between them and the titan.
Dane's hands were still outstretched toward Liam's previous position, his teeth clenched and brow furrowed with the effort of the elemental intervention that had just saved his raid party leader's life.
Seeing the Treant's focus momentarily shattered by Liam's narrow escape, Alvin didn't hesitate.
He scrambled to his feet, his face a pale mask of terror, and bolted.
