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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTPzXjsniM
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaH0u0zYzW
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QJoPfxgpA
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIzG1xpJS7
"Kid! Over here!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPJmxTEkHJ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O6C72GLjo
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV72BZ6ewN
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk9nrPaUpU
"Ya ready!?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohscD0TtM8
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3SOwt0sQy
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3VBOMl7ZI
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjspjuKr01
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTT5PZFBKy
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuwg6hQEC1
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 place259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrubba4SmR
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oQ7sIcpCX
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg99ZOGrLDG
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r3RrEEWBt
"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!?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxzDBF8eoc
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwOvPBWGSU
YEAH!259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgDTepqdnC
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYijUBylM1c
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI6j0Sf6ob
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpQR1IUCOU
"Ack!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvZEpT6SwM
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0c9W3pvSO
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKxYdqIeUX
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyWjZUSBQX
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK7eS5V5wb
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw7VXMkIzw
"R-Right!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFxXR5Sbj6
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9OuboqAkP
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtab18uaqOj
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1OJtOWSyQ
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZXEpQt7dQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbbk5MKWCs
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTUntlhyVQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjiZ336vMl
"Crap!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqK5RUjMGU
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnKfo1G6TN
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2buKcYMQn
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqcjdvAgmJ
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLRk7ZaCDu
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4bwGJr90u
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXmn394wfp
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00ttpcPz8K
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQclDRD2Wo
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAsxc1GoOe
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhy5nTL8rG
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZjEIFISqt
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71wWJatmGw
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehqnOC10nm
"L-Lola!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6q5GH6Pmf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIim6pZkXI
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyBD73xjSX
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJnEjYRrhD
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3n0n2dtsJ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D0bOuVzkm
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpVKXJHm7I
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae9zMwV9AO
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJojzIpChV
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9EUfXUgvW
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNLAZ9MuxM
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sRxUTgktE
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz1yNFLJ2X
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBhpMX673Y
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmilMUyUWI
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yqAFiyIuN
–
–
–259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ00ZisGDq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmIgshEWAA
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?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6GeScOF8t
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfvLqc01CZ
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxqURaxeT3
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzqynpKFXL
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP1fJvV7cf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSSfj67qq4
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxJHi1jLfT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X9S25u64u
"Do you have something you want to say?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjZtzWuXGU
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJdJT7JeYz
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TXBlVIezi
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cm8urgM8P
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXPm4tIORA
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnCdVE82Ie
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvTvvT1nCI
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFstrvAKuS
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg0rtgLlo3
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK66erkHGvR
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dd7v7u0vt
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZgtyYgmFR
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm35g79SY8N
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8Q4DxuaDK
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52XGFfpQIy
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx5WZfxR65
"Call me Anima."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdxfu1EFTU
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K4dLMuPqQ
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm0oVap1sB
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFeWg18VJu
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡighmCOemqE
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tFgZER88v
Then, the Harbinger dashed.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfjueM5EEb
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMvP91kc05
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ws0XTMgAf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi4br8J2fo
"Ngh!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EzEBttGaR
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDUQ6KsUNn
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–259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HFJM4ujQi
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpExhiIWy8k
**THUD**259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGmKkRi1o9
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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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vFE6BTBrK
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc7v0n6H7v
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdQv6oZo0D
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPQXK3YIiX
"--!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxkGx1961X
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUnhLHWGMx
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kmAVeErxe
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7bpgiuFlz
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDalubJHGGB
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54hSpzZhYI
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQB38vZ4Nh
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvd6MwPae4
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONBeipIIgu
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3fJpa93AK
She had hit a wall.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxh4FOF8I9
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXIHje9vcW
"--!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP9MBV9PbB
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VVNOQhYey
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–259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZfEasxF8p
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7WlwlYOsN
**CLING**259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbdlF5cSWD
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CRz0DkBhs
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4LL0ql9Cp
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOEj8IeHMu
"Huh. I can't break free."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLmJSO38Wt
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZDTLAvDkf
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hcEo1fCSz
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aUpJAujDe
"--Huh?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbfEHmQVqQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhIFPC2LYT
"Caught you!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QgsLwUjcu
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPUZmf4QuD
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm7yVqiVnw
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQMIjKlFMe
"You!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DX6kA6JD7
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZTZH6K0Aq
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypP4JCX6UR
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo46xQFvwy
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGbXLeVCWN
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w7jahJRM0
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqmAmSRP1g
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77qpJJPB5l
"Hrk!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YXD9FyKha
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebwjzZuwme
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU53mwwaSn
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBfilnhyeJ
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9FDYcrxtY
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO9Y1s1oJL
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk6LBoPRAK
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZP713qJ2W
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPe0yGX8gM
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2RrWhRjph
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qpUPMn4TC
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckjdXk3uHI
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFIEKMLHBt
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhLKJFH7CV
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgHQ4vMo2r
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lg51Absqm
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh3IAnAEiJ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6c4n2YPlC
"...This is irritating."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwJ8XYJvvb
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sGj7gzpri
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbEVyHXJnm
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a2bFIRm9r
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi2kLpHP7C
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIn4605S6u
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7a2XIhWkA
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTerRZZW0vk
Giving up became more and more alluring.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniXjtRIxHt
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSac705RO6i
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA6vjgdEQ8
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvevBEY4tj1
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6go94AJPaa
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbTGBoqcPL
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFd8XV65z4
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EdRVWYYMz
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tLJIMvjVP
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxMMyasUpq
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6BplqFrPo
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiKwAsB6d5
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoTHFwMPrI
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaSGpITaup
"...Unless, of course."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3oZMnrlbG
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXM9E0RLjG
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pMQSPOOnV
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DQyHJurMJ
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BEmvwxfu1
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQyfraNwj8
"I don't like what you're planning!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFwcCDgwwf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLqOSyh1Vi
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJAYKil9eM
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQjAB2HNmh
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf0mHBfQ5S
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacPZUWbfwN
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AyC2c6Apf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GYM4DUJ81
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbmmB3fuqV
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiJBy874Eo
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40XxoSkTTG
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNCYgeO3Nd
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–259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoocGrDjpX
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ1IXIVAoZ
**THUD**259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MBZ8M5xZY
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU05CbE1xX6
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL4pDlHtX4
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbERpfpkEzf
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–259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJvgIFwvog
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1szacIksa
"--Hrk!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFQuKL2DUh
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tWfYOq1RH
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWeF4xkfEY
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmtj9NxZsw
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQAEkHlzQn
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjcu60OFlN
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjaHPiNJIV
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dEzdYCIPw
"This..."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO3Z4sflum
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvDggHj6jW
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWsVtmNNtZ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1xYdwepR5
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R4rFn97WO
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzrUdiykhN
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmYfKbinrs
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfQrkLMx0n
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnWraG20GT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNlgOQOAJi
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwaenTYIQa
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XR0DH6AsH
"--sneaky!"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWbUqmXCso
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmnIeP7g66
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjz3jzx3UY
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ48KDVG5C
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb14idMRk6
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0ufrXxwCV
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW4MU3N5tu
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWZC25FI2m
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeYB6wQsVU
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OFIpjfJSS
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XdskuC4qq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUmt2yUGAM
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqkfkpzyUA
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb9kZePZtj
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVlC9WeqGN
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgpi0jL3nx
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc0WjPvxtQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fHnxLcE1J
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKOIs0bpeD
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KHp3q1xWJ
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMt8H3WfYy
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNg8dSq4AD
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8NugtkZEl
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvjDCbul7X
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyPZSUhhKY
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzdi4PCcDv
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1YBMLLhp7
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPpYEU4XH0
"I win, though–"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8KoLOUlrh
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhBaRKXvK2
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3hjYYwBh0
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Cx6veCPG
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuAZ2XkIOF
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vOimmfGZL
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG2qRmWHcS
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtJxLGtXvc
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3oWzkNZt6
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISpocw4m6f
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh2eQZGsJT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Btf1ZoLdz
"Can't move your legs?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacrSudulLv
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvJx7ZHi4s
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUespI5Q9S4
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHtTzNMWCG
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx30x1wwOax
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEoEzgHuPZ
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn27QAPPL9
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvCZz1DFgo
"Aren't you going to do something?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n2ZcRvnPP
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpQYlnWcri
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoas3aVmta
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQftd723Qu0
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1KfWcDVbL
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfuCoF4MWb
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfIVH89sVq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxG46jzOTe
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLcApnFilG
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQm7M6ukfz
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–259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdPP4La7Oh
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqM9QV8zmj
**BOOM**259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZboT7ANSk
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuBSXFr1Fc
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpZODT4KUV
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1akckQcD5
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBuMltfvy8
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLTHRgwo2h
"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."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawOSCCHfrV
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYuv7KHroB
"--?"259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvk4RRSqP9
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGe4ZIrdH7
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdXVcWjDrf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56OkaK2LV3
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMVWVCYpbp
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7lnVEYOiM
"...Ehh."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMAtpu9WGz
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvKEdw9bSo
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yCcbxmipF
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh7cYYylaN
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEVE8Jfluc
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGyGr3TqTw
"..."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPVRQXxWk2
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3FYOJuB2W
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfIxRwWFxC
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8EgYVHJTX
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTJUwr8HPq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLcCWBIhn2
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTD3lcISLo
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr78fQMTIw
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRpPhufbAZ
