Children of Mana, Part Twenty-Two

Caroline staggered forward, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.

With trembling hands, she reached into her Inventory and retrieved a small healing potion. 

Ignoring the pain shooting through her body, Caroline uncorked the vial and hastily downed its contents.

The cool liquid surged through her veins, numbing the agony and restoring some semblance of strength to her battered form.

[Not enough, but that should get me through to the city. Come on... Come on! Keep moving, Caroline!] 

Her respite was short-lived.

As she stumbled on, her senses on high alert, a sudden rustling nearby brought her to a halt.

Before she could react, a group of cloaked figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice.

[Curses.] 

With a surge of adrenaline, Caroline raised her sword once again.