I braced myself as I neared the treetops, tweaking my descent to dodge a dense cluster of branches. With one last yank on the straps, I slipped through a gap, touching down in a semi-clear spot. The landing jarred me, but I rolled with it and popped up on my feet quick.
I ditched the parachute fast, digging into my backpack with practiced moves. I strapped my daggers to my waist and thigh sheaths, feeling that familiar weight settle in. Pausing to scope out the area, the forest hit me—thick, muggy air, distant critters rustling and calling. Humidity clung to everything, and the trees loomed like silent sentinels.
