My Last Hope (Truth Series 4)

30: Failed Delivery

Seto's POV

I stand alone in my house in Craft City. Rythian, Ridgedog, Sierra, Star, and Clash just left. They are headed off to visit the Yogscast. I'll be heading there as well but I have something to take care of first. When Ridge arrived with the others I was just getting ready to head out. I need to deliver some potions to the Sky Army base. As soon as I finish my task I'll meet up with everyone in the area that the Yogscast controls. Luckily I'll be able to teleport there as walking to the Territories from the Country would be a pain in the ass and would take far too long.

I grab a small backpack from my room and head to the basement of the house. I open the backpack and carefully start placing various potions inside. I pack all sorts of potions from water breathing to strength to the invisibility potions Ty requested. Once fill it, I zip the backpack closed and sling one of the straps over my shoulder. I leave my house turning off all the lights as I do. Time to start the trek to the Sky Army base. I would teleport there but when carrying so many potions there's a chance they could be damaged in the process.

I traverse the bustling city, navigating my way through large crowds. Dammit! This is going to take too long with all these people getting in the way. Wait! The park! I change direction and head toward Woodlen Park. If I cut through there, I can make it to the base in no time at all. Woodlen Park is a nature reserve that protects what is left of a forest that was chopped down when Machinima Town expanded to become Craft City. The trees, plants, and animals have been left untouched in the reserve. Although a sidewalk outlines the edges of the park and a beaten down dirt trail cuts through the forest. It connects the west side of the park to the north side. On the east side of the park is one of the many entrances to the Sky Army base. It just so happens that I am on the west side of Woodlen Park.

I step off the crowded sidewalk surrounding the park and into the lush grass. I ignore the dirt trail and start walking straight through he forest. It's faster this way. I have only taken this short cut a few times but I have traveled through many forests in the past. I can manage this one. It's not even really a forest any more. It's more of a medium sized woods. And yes! There is a difference between woods and forests!

Woodlen Park may be relatively small but it still takes a while to traverse. I have been walking for about forty minutes when I happen upon a clearing. A tell tale sign that I am almost to my destination. There is only one clearing in Woodlen Park and it is only a twenty minute walk from the eastern edge of the 'forest'.

The clearing is small, maybe twenty blocks in diameter. The grass and flowers are tall and lush as a result of sunlight not blocked by the trees. Near the center of the clearing is a large boulder. The boulder is rough and has many sharp protruding edges from lack of erosion.

I'm almost through the clearing when I hear something shatter. Pain courses through my body. I drop to my knees shaking violently. Three manically laughing witches drop from the trees. Shit! They must have poisoned me. With a swiftness and endurance I never knew I had I pull out a strength and regen potion from my bag. I drink them before the witches have the chance to react. With new found energy I blast fireballs at two of the witches. I launch myself at the third and punch her in the face. She doesn't seem to be affected. She punches me in the gut. She pulls out a knife and cuts the straps to my backpack. She punches me again. I fall to the ground. I hear glass shatter again. I can barely move. The witches surround me. They kick me everywhere from my head to my legs. These witches aren't normal. They're stronger than normal. Normal witches stand back and assault you with potions. They don't get close enough to punch or kick you.

I can't do anything but let them kick me. The slowness potion needs to wear out first.. Finally I can move again. I draw my sword and surround myself in fire magic. I push myself up and attack one of the witches. My sword pierces her chest. She turns to dust leaving nothing but a few bottles and her clothes behind. I attack another witch. This one seems to be expecting my attack. She dodges my sword and kicks me in the gut. I get pushed a few feet and smash into the boulder. I collapse to the ground. Everything hurts and my head is spinning. But I force myself back up before the witches can get the upperhand again. One of them attacks me with a knife. I dodge and blast her with fire magic. She erupts in flames. Nothing is left but a pile of ashes. The last witch assaults me with a knife. I try to dodge her attack but she manages to clip my arm. Blood trails down my arm from a deep gash. Before she gets the chance to attack me again I blast her with a lightning spell. She screams before disintegrating like the other two.

The adrenaline and potions wear off and I realize just how exhausted I am. I'm tired. I'm weak. I'm hurt. I'm bleeding. I'm cold. Wait! I'm hurt and bleeding. The potions. I was carrying potions. There should be a health potion. I look around and spot my backpack a few blocks away. I stumble my way towards it. I trip and fall on my face. I try to get back up but end up collapsing from my own weight. I'm not strong enough to try again. I lost too much blood from the wound on my arm. I'm pretty sure I have a concussion from getting slammed into the boulder. My vision is cloudy. I feel lightheaded and dizzy. It hurts to breath. I think I might be losing my mind. I hear someone calling my name. But I'm alone in the middle of Woodlen Park. No one is around to be calling for me. Finally, I let exhaustion win and close my eyes.