Adam emerged on the other side, the scent of nature striking him at full force. Scents of chlorophyll melded with the damp earth beneath his feet.
Sweet perfumes from ancient flowers and millennia-old trees' strong odors overpowered the smoke curling from the chimneys of the camp's makeshift armories. Even the remaining bloody traces of battle had faded, devoured by the fairy forest's insects and beasts.
But nature couldn't reclaim its dominion over the wide clearing before his eyes. Felled trees carved into tall buildings and even taller walls rose around him.
Above the pulsing defensive engravings, rows of ballistas manned by Amazons aimed into the forest. Demons, humans, and elves stood guard beside them, bows, stones, and boiling oil at the ready.
He nodded at the soldiers training in neat battalions at the thunderous commands of their sergeants. Though satisfied by his army's discipline and efficient work, they were too few, too weak.
