“...”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN43ew1uRF9
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“...”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ik7MREWJQ
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoj5IR3XMU
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2mI18IQNu
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iYO5Eqand
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“I have a feeling–”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWoLSXuqZz
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQPk4KYVJ1
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I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo1SazMVA4
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“Do you also have that feeling?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yDvVYasjB
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6XeTJNVgk
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS7WP0rxIL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowwnqcyPMh
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMc5MoH4ra
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But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zc07u14ez
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“Y-You!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNPetnELto
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFDzXYH2hU
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3cP9NeUZy
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“A-Alright!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR5CSwCabs
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOFXnR6ExM
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwxdimQB1s
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My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnq9FszNZN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJKkvZayvP
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHeM88cuAM
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5uPtnGzva
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIwKAYOd1w
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VMNRFxSGV
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“He’s alive!?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALGPmF43CH
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrXv9REYtT
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimNIkO3uLb
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPQ0Oro6Nn
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He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS1BDLYV3J
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7siygGzM52
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKwoJ3BZQm
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“...Well, not exactly.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PcAo1BuPS
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPPKxLRylM
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5EKshxrSV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikmIqpKAof
“Tell me, won’t ya?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLdvV7pHXe
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs9w9RLROG
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEneDamw78
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqK0WoVOJq
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeaqvqrEUf
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBPxOrwYXs
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiWvQ27GOc
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPWLsLFrnV
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k4C1uPgeC
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“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MyMsQlGtw
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO0tYGPEkx
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOomkWGy2Nj
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDGIB3gT5V
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl05sO35drP
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The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoIOQVPsJb
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2vzHnxgQ1
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tFgjIHyyx
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VrJ9jMe0Y
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbmmo95ag6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DwmJABcln
–
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–
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–314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyru9O4tek
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzgQwTUMcM
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The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7u07xGzk3
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo029gVMxV0
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzOXN5g7Om
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YJQ7aqokl
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It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32HJHCHahQ
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Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
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The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
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I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ8NyyI0xi
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS8zW80gqr
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfJEVy4LnM
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The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubmjYpFMLY
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNC5GmRuYT
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After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8c8bAYpxu
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Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvdabLiYYw
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uLFKGmYu3
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqDdtSvdgS
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uE9PXdD4M
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“Crap!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCYUDxrOB4
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I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxmFmQfLTl
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**CRUNCH**314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30CQTQJ84u
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZtF1TBiF2
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DidalGU8e
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ofz6SmBOY
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I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfxrmKXN75
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“Child! Child, please!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAREYkVsxx
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“W-What!?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSiXtCVaCY
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXNcXex4RB
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGf5ucJha0
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“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtESYix6toY
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“...”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtPniH2Bnc
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX6UoHubAw
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewCLpuUNQl
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5RYLQxGPC
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMiCwtGIMu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUcfLQzc1R
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5QDGselwp
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And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNKHS55Hnx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuowFSAWao
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPpX4U7C5J
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zpf3DNXrY
“Kid! Watch out!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtIsnH9Dj2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOENjBSmBz
“--Huh?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJh70WzHub
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5EGpIXOSq
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9MKSeppUD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA2Ds3J6yp
“S-S-Shit!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0B30tC2R5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta5RWVrMlH
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5fbo3D7bc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfGYOlphjc
**SQUELCH**314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzWjJf21JO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTlc7gN9mC
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf80ryfzEZk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHEdpRJXfA
“--H-Hrk!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn2YeHKX2y
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Aced0t1f5
“Oh?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihO4yg13sC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZH7PUnM36
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4mZSr91Pg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NkujQdcoc
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHydfOkPaRm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV76rP1skNW
“Ark… W-Why?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4xgzgRlMJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4MLspeqS6
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCzsqvNkfp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooKZnzfGW8
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik1DAxG3HE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0VrKqUUQe
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z3y1ympud
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5wP913Tvl
“A– y-you monster!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgLQr2q873
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu4wHVJqKm
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2bG2dmgIx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8QmNFhLcE
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bpMxe3Hni
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6ntxRJVid
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RRcyw9xww
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqZ2KQqTSk
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4pkMScNCp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2lhZobYCP
“A-Afraid?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTsllOBzn6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsozNxe337e
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLdJavWwNH
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4m0BS9Yw3
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRcpKv9i79
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgycjXanm4
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpJ5AJJY86
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnSAbcVXKS
“Damn it. Damn it!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VnefR95P2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCLyppQaCE
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCF9tTwBuL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5HO5NbOT8
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TkZvSGZjs
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNeyBLgGRx
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoNhez6nNG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCeU0ltfVb
“T-Thank you.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwvfPSiOlM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdjhAnCk8I
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZTZwd43l9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvczwtEGj4N
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fl5MC77Qx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcrrni2CwF
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8RUILKD8G
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeH5xg2VMX
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqYYN6NNRk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLT2aJZzx3
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qQ9GDNzsJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvOzagWKwp
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6JsKzOL88
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRprqLenYbf
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl07l7gTbxT
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfnl3BtguY
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGWmVgweeb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCjtVfvplg
“Juke!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzX0HkQxk1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznFOkNgTjF
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNxz1QZARL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCku9v9fjc
“That kid is such a nuisance!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvXbg14H6k
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQMm44ph33
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS8SgNLvDU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1WzPHK86V
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rd85LFvYt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIprCCNyg1H
“Ahck!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynM90n3D5n
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZHSqnJeLY
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsQdvAXJPg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gcHLspK27
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThB7jO4tvP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb7dbinpre
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCOtW7riKn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZSO8v09LJ
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYfBjzLaae
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx5S8jIgve
But, that did not happen.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LkgebLVJf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDB0kuVUbB
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC9sMeKQLS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYufrVtMnS9
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UaaCCGbY1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcbwdjTpko
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSvFCayM8r
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitPoIwapSz
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBe9bx5SIj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4RtwNiCfP
And he let it rip just a moment later.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOdy4of4qf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW0eys9TH7
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2OCrkdE0r
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIu6J9o0QR
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4021N5cUA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd419a0Hwqa
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKGIEKFALd
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHQWPrivRA
“...!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg33358VX7Z
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdPgg6ZllX
None so fierce to kill my plant.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWa4Lr6OMA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ55wEzw4Kj
“M-My arm!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvgpjGrz7T
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwKp0CKUZ3
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AK91wYmCA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVKKQqNJzm
“Juke!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuwsO3LouG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakoOV2I0e2
“Gotcha, kid!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMFaDPkmpb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ycbuK5cuQ
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8bwCqqpwU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysaBYjHFW0
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nfJ9aiFRO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBBdOIRShk
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFUGiac89i
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6K7WL656y
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETdfNi2LqR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0P2qVH4bU
“Hrk!”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgeRmvEkgl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxVDnZVEea
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ0rhgFOVK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx3jVE765T
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfxhrgVTEi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3xjFVYTUK
“...”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8UwaIqlHW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CvvPX7Exf
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP3VR4JBwc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZY1T10bzc
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuccW2RDmN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWyHlKnfV1
“Curse…”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlv4qzEoZp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsARhc045p
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzsjsUUctS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKTRAxx9Fi
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPBsQC0DSh
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2XYH0XgkN
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrEeiKk2yf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡays8RDUHbY
“May they, be few.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwiUyYnql8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ok7jFyywd
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP15UskPLpf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb13LUVG0tq
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlKkFKWuIK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5OuKfmcke
“That was… sad.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYbB0UvSD6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZlhUmVVKY
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgno7wRtpu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOV19gsrKU
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGucNJHH2sD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfdHfwt8Qa
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrVfesRQys
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTJohaJ0u8
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUusJOFiPOG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bLS71jNaD
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LhO6WuCI1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSpdBLKK2F
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCphbBI3C6l
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad6EHfZvhB
“Don’t continue.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAZNFA5OrC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTwQrKASfj
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bcmmhJS74
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ivIMriVRX
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9fQfp1MUo
