The crowd sprung from their hiding spots, darting to the Pillar, flailing weapons and roars. I was late to the call; even Juke went ahead without me, but once I got my bearings, I sprinted in with my tendril brandished.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYC4jEuXmj
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The truth was, though I ran with purpose, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. I looked left and right and observed the other members of the crowd. Some took up battles with guarding Bringers, others continued their onslaught. I slowed down, thinking of offering my help, but the crowd members made their adeptness in combat immediately known to me. As assuring as it was to see, it left me lodged in place. I looked around frantically, shaking sweat off my head with every turn.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ750D6P76II
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"Kid! Over here!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JNuwNvW0O
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A voice called out to me– Juke's, and immediately I was brought back to the moment. He stood near the entrance of the Pillar, and to that destination I dashed. My head turned left and right rapidly, and I had to duck a few too many times to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Once I arrived, I skidded to a stop.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMp8Vn7X7a
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"Ya ready!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPgAsuTKR5
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"Don't ask! Let's just go!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dt0Y8CIQV
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We barged into the building with the rest of the squad. Nearly half of the members branched from the group to battle the guarding Bringers. I could only catch Lola and Pars before they finished their assault. Their attacks were effective and quickly incapacitated the members, if not outright killed them.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQapA0Yq0R
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I couldn't help but avert my gaze at the bloodshed. Doing so, I noticed I was just about to ram into the person ahead of me. I quickly stopped, grazing the man's coat but narrowly avoiding a clash. I held my hand to my chest, frantically grateful, then stood there wondering why he stopped in the first place161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxpoUTA8np
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Fortunately, I was promptly answered.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzUMkgP4CT
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"Everyone, listen! Form a double-file line with your group! As we ascend floors, the leading team will detach and battle whoever is on that floor! Am I clear!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9IjE8BllG
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YEAH!161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5S6UyoR0k
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I was ready for the roar this time, but still, I shook, because the plan Lola had just created hurled me into a spiral of disorganized questions. But I hadn't the time to even form them; the crowd moved immediately after the instructions were yelled. They went ahead of me, charging, and I would've done nothing but stand there and stare if it wasn't for the smack on my back.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbig8OpShD
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"Ack!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4pTPbOC1h
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I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5iugrjBOh
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"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gX5gBCajJ
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"R-Right!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu0UrbghMp
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I shook my head rapidly as we followed the rest of the group, slapping my cheeks over and over. I almost folded then and there. Chiding myself verbally wouldn't suffice. I quickly resolved myself as we ascended the first set of stairs, disjointed from the rest of the squad. When we arrived at the second floor, the group was still again. I thought for a moment that Lola might've forgotten something, but as I peered around the crowd and saw who stood before us, I became just like them.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIDrGALizo
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"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK67itq5Hdw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvElzF2zxw4
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsJTVts4nR
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"Crap!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3SJFNLFzc
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I was worried, naturally. Having fought her before, I knew of her strength. But this was a different scenario. This time, I had a group of powerful fighters with me. By our sheer numbers, she shouldn't be a considerable threat.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftlE84SDPS
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However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCRHLFot3Y
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"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDZ0T57bTq
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That comment put everyone on high alert, and only made me sweat more profusely. Having just been told that there is a time limit to this operation was a kick to the stomach. I looked at the rest of the crowd. They were brandishing their weapons and seemed to be readying their spells. I raised my tendril, half-heartedly ready to strike.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNgMt1xPhH
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However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vZ7PzKODf
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"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTCvHJlQd1
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"L-Lola!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoWHSK8xZb
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That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6v5BjQZUn
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb7FVES0jo
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DfXcYEBRd
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And the crowd did. It dispersed throughout the room. I went to the left side, eyeing the Bringers and preparing to respond to any attacks. The Harbinger just clicked her tongue and stepped forward.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUytCvMbSW
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC14SaGQrN
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhn85xQabc
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"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2am02Fgkj
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Shockingly, she ignored the rest of us. The few lackey Bringers were overwhelmed by our numbers The rest of the crowd descended, but I hung around for a moment and looked. I started at the floor. I saw blood and torn fabric that didn't come from the enemy, and as I raised my head my gaze fell on the two women.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFnXlkZwUw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmorQ0L26cn
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVfOyFoIbf
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–
–
–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTljqdFL72u
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Provided that she was sober, Lola was extraordinarily talented at keeping a calm face. It was necessitated by her loathsome job. It wasn't just for fighting, but for looking good while doing it, because that was expected for someone in her position.
Lola had no reason to keep that face of hers at that moment, but even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to keep it for long.
"Hah. How oh how did I wind up here?"
Through the rubber grip her dagger slowly slipped from her palms. She tapped on it with her finger rhythmically– pinky first, index last, over and over. It was an instinctive thing for her. It had to be for it to happen because all her being was focused on the monster ahead.
A Harbinger. Elusive as they were, the only thing the highly-positioned such as herself knew was that their powers were mysterious and unpredictable. Fortunately, this one was historically noisy.
"You're the Harbinger of Anger, correct?"
"What's it to you, filth?"
"It wouldn't be wise for me to speak any further. I wouldn't want to leak any secrets, would I?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcka6aqiYUp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp3OFwaeC4
By the standards of the Pillars, the room was spacious. Desks and chairs occupied space intermittently, and none were in such a position that they'd become serious obstructions. Despite the ideal conditions, Lola's brow twitched, because it was the abundance of furniture that allowed her powers to be so effective. And due to the material the foundation and exterior of the building were made of, she had ever greater restrictions.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uA1AsdhDc
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Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtErv4vDenn
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She shifted a leg back and shrunk her posture, pointing her dagger like a cat rearing to pounce. She didn't move, though. Her other hand hid behind her back, expelling mana and forming a mass of rock. The Harbinger tilted her head in response.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6gNUQ48Nj
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"Do you have something you want to say?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCZHo0b0yJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66zFNWRDgi
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx5SyRckHl
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"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbCOn1tLh0
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL2HmdFT3T
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaCp6q8HLF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bUr4aP0RT
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp3SZdex8j
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQmvueIdDh
The Harbinger threw her head back while rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but suddenly, she took a defensive stance with her knife with a reverse grip. The shift made Lola jump, and her mana expulsion was interrupted.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4izFR3nQr
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"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdyZO03k1D
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiE5kHmk7M
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxlHVHzWxg
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"Call me Anima."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb78tfXonK
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Her words came out of her mouth like hurled stones. Sluggish, spoken through a calm demeanor, they were laced with an apathy that stabbed at Lola's composure. A flurry formed in her chest, the one she felt every time she had to do the dirty part of her job; a putrid, crimson red. Only now, its color was blighted with a grassy yellow. After Lola's initial shock, the change dwindled in power. It was the same business as always, after all.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjZLhAm2jm
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The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCUv3Aey1i
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Then, the Harbinger dashed.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B1plT68t3
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She charged at Lola with brisk steps, holding the knife out like it was a battering ram. Her speed was surprising, but Lola reacted accordingly, dashing backward. Anima clicked her tongue, stopped her advance, and veered to the side. It surprised Lola, but she dispelled it quickly when the image of a flying chair grew closer and closer. She couldn't duck, so she stepped to the side, but an armrest of the chair caught her shoulder.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglFTWE3FnL
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"Ngh!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjkedan0n7
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It hurt, but a bite on the lips drowned the pain. Anima's absurd move confused her and raised dozens of questions, but she had the time to answer none. Her opponent advanced, getting close enough to attempt a few swings. Lola dodged the first two, but after ducking the third, she pointed her dagger and thrust it at Anima's chest. But though it looked like it was sure to hit, Anima strafed to the side and avoided it perfectly. Lola's body committed to the trajectory of the knife just long enough for Anima to–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjCMe7zdet
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**THUD**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmkfYF58gi
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She delivered a kick to Lola's jaw, disorienting her and sending her rolling across the floor. Though it didn't hurt very much, the hit sent her head spinning. She got up quickly, though staying on her legs was arduous.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8yEoQq7KS
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She caught Anima sprinting towards her. Too confused to make a complex motion, she simply fell on one of her knees and began mana expulsion.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEZzD10I5h
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"--!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ITxWu3Zr4
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Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeJt0Hqwh6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyfZmrpvbD
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncgXSktBEJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU7EST7tkv
As she regained her senses, she lamented the state of the room. Even the floor was magic-resistant, making it nigh-impossible to use her earth magic in such an offensive way. She desperately wanted to devise a plan, beginning to regret how carelessly she entered the battle, but her opponent handed her no such luxury.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vecjvzjer
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Immediately, Anima jumped over the limp stone slab brandishing her knife. Lola was forced again to act defensively, backing away from the aggressive swings of the Harbinger. She swung once and twice, then followed up with a stab. Lola prepared to step back, but a sudden collision halted her.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBhcE12jDz
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She had hit a wall.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEbGKPQ11s
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"--!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVrBLEZCsv
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If she opted to move her whole body, she'd be punctured. If she stepped to the side the knife would still nip her considerably. Enduring such a taxing injury this early wasn't an option. Thus, instead of moving her body–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7OifVx2XS
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**CLING**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdpEHNnoxO
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She intercepted Anima's blade with her own, catching it between the dual prongs of her dagger. The Harbinger's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised. Lola made note of that as a struggle ensued.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0nHWqgQAg
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"Huh. I can't break free."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo2NpvLjZd
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The serrations on her knife caused it to get caught on the dagger. She couldn't dislodge it, but Lola's weapon was just as stuck as her opponent's. Anima jerked her leg, clearly preparing a kick, but Lola didn't react. The Harbinger delivered a blow to her right. She winced, but in her head, she celebrated.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNECgSLab7h
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"--Huh?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYNKrGtNqo
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"Caught you!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYeF5BL1jc
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She had Anima's leg wrapped in her arm. She tightened her hold, squeezing hard enough that a lesser fighter's bones would've shattered. Then, she began mana expulsion.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPCSd7GLoT
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"You!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULFlVn33hg
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Anima's panic was clear and immediate. At first, she attempted to pull her leg out of Lola's grasp, but she could barely make it nudge an inch. It did, however, make a spell difficult to produce.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU76LSjYZCB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOve8lE80D3
It was laborious, but Lola was sure that she guaranteed a blow. She formed a blade of earth, focusing on width rather than length, and prepared to blast it through the Harbinger's leg. But then, she suddenly felt a force at her front, and her body jerked forward.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK9qdN7hXU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunTEDRJ4YT
The Harbinger freed her knife from Lola's dagger. Of course, it was the obvious decision when she forfeited the support of both arms. Lola had no time to curse herself for her oversight, because now a blade was soaring at her face. She ducked her head in time and, acting on instinct, she tackled Anima with a headbutt to her stomach.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5oV87Z1XZ
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"Hrk!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUUSziJDNi
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She recoiled from the blow, taking a few jagged steps back. Lola realized that she let go of her leg, but she still had the stubby cylinder of stone to hurl. And hurl it she did.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGshPZVnM7C
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The Harbinger still reeled from the strike. Even through her rushed and lousy aim, Lola was confident that her cylinder would slug her opponent's head. Only, that didn't happen.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eMgZ69A2M
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By an inch the cylinder missed, and it wasn't because Lola aimed poorly, but because the Harbinger let herself stumble onto the ground, landing on her ass.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxfbK7gVgH
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Lola's bewilderment was profound, but she wasn't foolish enough to avoid capitalizing on her opponent's state. She leaped forward and stabbed the dagger from above, but she only hit the ground as the Harbinger rolled away. She hopped on her feet and tossed a haymaker kick that Lola retreated her head just in time for. Anima's follow-up blow was too sudden for Lola to dodge.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRysYYdlU1
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She ate a heel to the head, a strike so fierce she flew to the wall. Fortunately, her chin wasn't hit, so Lola avoided being dazed. But her vision was blurred and her hearing was impaired.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvZood8eCt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiSGFZfV6m
Lola, however, had a spectacular guess as to what her opponent would do next, and so she retaliated. She placed both her hands on the ground, carelessly expelling mana and producing not a slab of earth, but a wave of water.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacDrprcA8Q
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6VA0exeiH
A few seconds passed until her senses returned. When her vision was clear, she was pleased to find herself still alive, but now the entire room was damp and flooded. Anima was on the other side, similarly drenched, though she clearly suffered no damage.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68x9H2wZxP
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Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkXgGmWS2E
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"...This is irritating."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvvGq5TKwH
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOf6o1Jr95
Lola got up to her feet, contorting her face. She made sure to at least keep one eye open because the Harbinger wasn't someone to be lax around. She found it difficult to keep her focus, though.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzO4NIEoEz
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSakUzl4n7m
This moment. This eternal, present moment; how she loathed it. Her opponent was slippery in figure and form, escaping every jab Lola threw her way. And now, the entire floor was ruined. The furniture was maimed and jumbled by the force of the water. The carpet absorbed so much that it looked like it would burst.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9QnTLnU3h
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5ihtexogd
It had barely been a few minutes, but Lola was beginning to get tired. Her stamina was unusually low, but with how much she drank to suppress her stress, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. She chuckled. For a moment, she had an awful load of clarity.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dudvTxhm2
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Giving up became more and more alluring.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZm6acuxzG
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"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw2rJb0cQ8
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBZWHqqBR8
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioEnmiU1Q3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3MZiC8Z6
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxg6MlRjOh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6GszmR55L
The Harbinger looked at her with vigilance. Lola suspected that she had earned some respect from her, but she doubted that would make the fight any easier.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kpEfQMmJw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEdA8WX0uQ
As it was right now, she couldn't make any progress. Anima hadn't even used her magic yet, and yet Lola struggled to deliver a meaningful blow. At the rate she was going, she'd be whittled down, engaged in a battle of attrition she didn't have the mettle to endure.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aEng5EdeP
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD9QDINNeF
But options were scarce. Any direct attack would either be dodged or countered and any spell was either too weak or suffered the same fate. With how aggressive Anima was being, she had no time to imbue the room with her mana.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgeq7J0g0Y
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"...Unless, of course."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv47P9Cpqyb
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She had to concede that her opponent was the better fighter in hand-to-hand combat; those few exchanges were all it took for her to realize. But it seemed to Lola that she was the far better mage.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxFCd2iJ41
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She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXqJXn93K5
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"I don't like what you're planning!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GTCbW3QcS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhntPf8YJaz
Anima was an opponent who had an impossible ability to predict actions. Anima was an opponent who was cautious about and loathed being confrontational. Yet despite this, she was a skillful aggressor. But she was not impenetrable.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMKishga2T
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As the Harbinger charged for the umpteenth time, Lola remarked at how inconsistent her ability to predict was. The reason for the discrepancy was unknown to her, and she had no opportunity to ponder and deduce it. That, however, would lose all its relevancy if every inch of the room was a weapon.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gMN1bowBv
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdGCnD81SH
Her approach changed. Anima threw a small ball of fire at Lola, but expecting divergence, Lola was unfazed. She smacked the spell away with her dagger, preparing to back away again, only to hesitate once she noticed how close the Harbinger was. Anima thrust her knife– an action parried by Lola's swift movements. She attempted a riposte, but with a reckless motion, had her dagger countered with a resounding clang.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKCQClyOLK
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEv1ztw6iL
It became clear to Lola that knifeplay was inimical for progress. Thus, she backed away, a motion that took advantage of Anima's poor posture. The Harbinger clicked her tongue and prepared another spell. It wasn't a haphazard product this time, but a sizeable, dangerous wall of flame. Lola had a skulking smirk, but a telling sea of sweat.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPlVF0oY2A
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89h6NI095H
It became time to set her plan in motion. She released the bubbling mana in her hand and suspended it behind her back, then formed a mass of water of similar size. She took great relief in seeing Anima's eyes widen, reeling her arm and flinging her spell.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9BgOAkhji
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvAvh165kn
The Harbinger hastily threw her own spell to match Lola's. The two met, and a cloud of vapor burst from the collision, spreading through the entire room instantly. The haze was surprisingly thick; Lola knew that staying in place would only hurt her. She grabbed her suspended mana and continued supplying it, running through the steam and keeping a watchful eye–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRwrMJ6FGT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YwrzzMq14
**THUD**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqol34M9Vrg
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But then she felt a great force slam her stomach. She rolled across the room, clutching her gut. It wasn't even remotely a fatal blow, but she cringed as if her organs burst.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeU0NaqLpF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GTPuzBB4G
She tried to stand on her feet. She was only halfway stable before she caught something shifting in the fog. She jerked to avoid it–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC6OstuZDD
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"--Hrk!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5es7qE3gPC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuws87hgUWH
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJHw7G37Xn
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Her reaction wasn't a result of instinct, but a habit acquired from her time in the field. She lifted her foot and swiped it in front of her, connecting with something. The steam began to dissipate, and she caught the Harbinger several meters away from her, but now her right femur felt one nudge away from being dislocated from her hip. She dashed away and looked at the new source of pain: her sizzling gash.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Q0JHdLf4
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qwvr4uK6I
It was on her right shoulder. She was thankful that she wore protective gear, because otherwise the cut could've net her a lost arm. Though, with how much it bled, it was still nothing to scoff at. She collapsed for a moment, scoffing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZjUILh1nZ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MiNVPobEq
"This..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8k7c6oJey
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She hardly had the strength to verbalize her complaints, but her ire wasn't her denied by her sudden dumbness. She paused releasing mana into her spell, suspending it into the air again and performed mana spinning on herself.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHYqvzLkyT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBCIAFNpCO
She could only do a little before her opponent returned to harassing her. Lola clicked her tongue, but got on her feet and brandished her dagger.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEcHtZOPVF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOddYEoy4lr
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG50EalU7n
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AXPvmpEXx
Lola realized just how much trouble she had keeping calm. It stunned her for a moment, but ultimately, she still decided to challenge Anima's approach.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhGo5gUh99
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The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MlZzbTGgx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGUxylf4TD
"--sneaky!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWggqeRr0N
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p8JqkteuV
Anima thrust her knife again, and again Lola parried it with her dagger. It wasn't as impactful, having it be done with her non-dominant hand, and Anima took advantage of it to try a slash. Lola moved reeled her head just in time and retaliate with an upward kick. Anima blocked it with her forearm, though it was only so effective, and since it was Lola's right leg she winced from the move. The Harbinger tried thrusting again, but had her blade caught in between Lola's.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVvtva7w5j
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmIjwZ9GXN
Instead of baiting a grab, Lola acted fast. She twirled her wrist and jerked her arm to her, weakening Anima's grip, then hurtled her arm the otherway, and Anima's knife flew across the room.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QCszLUkHI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibNpx4h2xM
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTy4HpOsgJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHktJ9niuP
She managed to brace her jaw before the impace, but it still made her head ring. She was met with another one, and then a third one to her chest.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOadaR6VFgJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfsf3WJds0
And of course, none of them were strong enough to send her flying. It was only after a short flurry, a storm of blows and jabs, that the Harbinger hit her hard enough to create distance.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTBeqCDBkx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPhOtXhsSZ
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjRaqbD9DT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6ouNRa14w
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjplv1YpYs
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgctQ8nR8W
She checked her spell and determined it still wasn't ready. Only a little more– only a little more and the battle would finally turn to her side.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7uNGzFNo5
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcmce26Pon
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D5PBcUizm
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55tcxRY9pW
Even as the Harbinger went to grab her knife, moseying as if she hadn't an opponent at all, she had no drive to stand.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApfdb56g3Q
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOn3TuOlLu
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOnkJTIxay
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"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15iu0CiPkw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3CEHZzLX5
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMxkMgwG71
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fY41JK81N
"I win, though–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6UmGZXAEE
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Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3fw3qKw3x
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhzGqpmeR1
Anima didn't even spare her an insult, she darted her head to the walls and sprinted. Lola eyed her and noticed she was heading to the exit. Then, listlessly slapping her right hand on the floor, her mana permeated throughout the soaked room.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACthqpyZDN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRj0OoaAmH
The effect was immediate. The room's stern architecture dawned a sludge-like form, one that slowed Anima down instantly. She threw Lola a look of scorn and raised her knife, hurling it at her. A piece of the floor rose to intercept it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSBaVVhKQy
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoPOqPc0wL
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqvFnb7EKR
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aPNXePTXd
She got on her legs, using a half-broken chair that slid to her as a support. She eyed the Harbinger, who, though still looked furious, was surprisingly calm.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHZiSvqZUS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmI35IUfYN
"Can't move your legs?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCkFEznqbu
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3sNuMuVNV
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv7zefKJy3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyBOePLdnK
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LhJGkbOak
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOccQBpRfL
Even Lola was surprised at her laughter. It detracted her from her disgruntling situation for a moment. She gazed at the Harbinger. She did nothing more but gaze.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAP7PXGUdb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoDnuAik2Z
"Aren't you going to do something?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLBuIcOzSJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzzAmKZg6K
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbgcAMyBMF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGTWC5E5Qe
The Harbinger rolled her eyes in response. Lola commanded the room to form a spike out of the furniture, then created a mock catapult out of the floor.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKLWxVqnVD
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLDj6a4nUb
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYIgiI4294
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That would reveal itself to be a mistake.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRgri801rH
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X7epa344l
Anima suddenly ducked and extended her hand, firing a ball of fire that had little time to form, but was strong enough to blast the catapult. Lola was brough back to the present, and again she commanded the room to attack, but as she did, Anima pointed her arms in the opposite direction of the wall, and then–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXqeRh6ebJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aFkqesraS
**BOOM**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBXP6jn6LL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4xWO0hZ3i
A gust of wind powerful enough to send every unfixed object to the opposite side blew in the room. Lola was sent to the wall, which cushioned her collision instead of exacerbating it, but it still hurt. When she opened her eyes, she saw a giant hole, and her opponent on the other side.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd0KgYKzDu
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDMGi7Oqki
Anima stood up. Even from this distance, she could make out all the scratches from the debris. They exchanged looks. Lola expected Anima to turn and run, but she approached, stopping short of the hole in the wall.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2O85IInUX
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU8jfqxZhO
"People like you," she said, pointing her bruised finger, "people like you. You fill me with putrid disgust, so loathsome I oughta spit at you."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yX2rP5Z23
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYjocN0VoQ
"--?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3lS4fNrT8
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6SDdJvG0q
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ0lKpY5bo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqnqYtR4ea
She withdrew her head, turned around and ran. Lola was stumped for a moment, but she discarded her words. It was just the deranged ramblings of a Harbinger, after all.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCEkmYL0Gb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrLVQApL5X
"...Ehh."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ND2nS4NAb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjzSBZ7rV3
She shook her head. She focused on what was before her, what was relevant. She succeeded. That thought rang in her head through the various junk she was preoccupied with.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OIAOVp8xz
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON7AyFD2B3
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVevztWQwOU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazNibO3UDp
"..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0aa7BTztj
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She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEadnZujRLi
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnBXltLew2
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZywpoPE6gw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEVwPbBJ30
The wound on her shoulder still gushed blood. Her energy drained faster because of it, but she had to tend to it to live. She began mana spinning. Still hurt, still tired, still doused.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9CDahv0cg
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfHmF8a0Kr
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
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