Greg wheezed, trying to get some air back into his lungs, but it didn't come easy over the searing pain in his side. "Ooohh... ooooh man I hope... that's not broken..."

Gritting his teeth, he managed to push himself upright again, to see the unfolding chaos: the Nox had gone completely berserk, thrashing around, and Greg had to scramble back to get out of the way of its stomping. Atop it all, one scrawny teenager, hanging on for dear life.

This was a disaster. He'd followed Casey in here, trying to protect him, but now he'd caused even more trouble with Casey looking after him. He had to do something, anything, otherwise why was he even here. Greg dug his fingers into the dirt. Come on, magic, help me out! Sweat ran down his bald scalp as he reached out, finally grabbing a hold of something. What good are you... if I can't protect someone?!

The creepers finally wormed their way out of the dirt, grasping at hooves. A few were stomped down, but some started grabbing on, and without the Nox's full attention, it failed to see what was happening until its balance was shot, and it tripped over its ensnarement into the ground.