My eyes go to the corner of my vision out of habit.
[OXI: 4,535/5,000]
Old reflex, right before a real fight. I know what's coming.
The golem stands up.
"Veric!"
Twenty-six feet of stone comes out of that kneeling position in a movement so abrupt that the grinding of its joints seems to reach my ears late. The red eyes stay locked on Veric, and in the next instant that entire mass charges.
There's no time.
The guardian's arm comes in from the side, fast enough that all Veric manages is to get Undertow between his body and that giant palm. The impact detonates against the shield and lifts him off the floor. He crosses several yards with no control at all, hits the stone shoulder first, spins onto his back, and rolls twice more before stopping near the wall beside the entrance door.
Blood is already running down the side of his head and out of his nose by the time he can breathe.
