Suddenly, the ground around them exploded. Lava erupted from beneath them and surged toward them. Margoth clung to one of his swords and rose above a tree, his companions doing the same to escape the volcanic flow. They began to leap between the branches, trying to locate Gaia while cutting down the roots that chased them like serpents and protecting themselves from the dozens of poisonous thorns above.
Suddenly, hundreds of strange, beautifully shaped birds appeared, flying in their faces and attacking. The assault seemed weak, but it disoriented them greatly, their sheer numbers obscuring their vision. Milkon emitted vibrations from his body that made the birds lose consciousness and fall to the ground. But in his distraction, roots grabbed his leg and pulled him down. He shot fire from his foot and propelled himself upward, but the roots continued to multiply, wrapping around him and dragging him down. Margoth sent one of his swords, which severed the roots and saved him.