Land of Memory - a Hermitcraft and last life threequel

Chapter 26: Ren

Yes, I am very aware that I love causing infinite pain.

I run through the forest. 

As much as I'd tried to keep him distracted, Doc defeated me quickly. And with the others recovering from death, or too busy with other stuff, there was nothing I could do except catch my breath and follow after, leaving Dogwarts undefended. But with Martyn potentially in danger, it was worth it. 

It's painfully slow going, limbs aching and pain at every step. Wounds still open, hurting, blood everywhere. I want to collapse, curl up and recover. But Martyn might die. Doc might kill him. He might end up killing Grian, controlled by the shadow, or whatever he called them. I don't even know where he's gone... this forest was never here before. Something must've manipulated this world. 

But I don't have time to think about that. I don't have time to stop. Or breathe . Or recover. Or do anything except keep running on until-

The ground falls away beneath me. I land in a sort of hole in the ground. Not deep, and with sloped sides so I can still get out. But still a hole. And enough of a fall to hurt.

I try to get up, biting back a yell of pain. I can't do this. I can't save him. I can't do anything. Before I know it, I'm crying, constant sobs. The knowledge that this is probably where I die. In a stupid pit someone left in this middle of this notch-forsaken world. 

'Ren?' 

I look up. Someone's standing on the edge of the hole, looking down at me. A moment later I realise it's Scott. He skids down the side, hand out to help me up. I take it, slowly rising to my feet. My legs refuse to hold my balance, splayed out and agonising. Scott keeps me steady. 

'What happened?! Why- how are you here? Who did this to you?'

'Doc.' I force out in reply. 'He was chasing Martyn- I need to find him.' 

I head off again, but Scott pulls me back. I turn to face him. 

'Ren, you're hurt. As in, really badly hurt.'

'Doc was after us. We need to find him.'

'I... fine. I'm hunting for him any way. Which way?'

'This way.' 

I carry on going, ignoring the pain. Scott's just ahead of me, pulling out a sword. I decide not to tell him this might not actually be the right way. I want to believe it myself. 

There's a death message in chat. I don't have time to look, running again despite Scott calling me back. The ground is uneven beneath my feet.  My body screams in protest. 

'Ren, stop running. Stop worrying. He'll be alright. That's just another boogey kill or something. 

I don't argue. I want to believe it's true. More than anything. 

'Wait... I see Doc ahead. He's fighting Skizz.'

'Skizz? What?' 

'Oh, shoot, I think he's going to kill him.'

I draw my sword but Scott forces me back, shooting his own arrow. The first doesn't go far enough, but the second hits Doc's shoulder. He runs forwards. I'm still behind, watching as he attacks, sword out, screaming. 

'THIS IS FOR JIMMY!' He yells as he slices the creeper down. Another death message. 

Doc's dead. 

Now the danger's gone, I go in. Grian's crouching next to a body. There's a flash of red. Blonde hair. Green top.