Nao: “Buy me some time Velo.” 456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFkP1y7b4O
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVlKkfAaRw
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8ekyIKJOJ
Velo: “Got it.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfURYRK27i
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzevmCrWQF2
Transform, book form!
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV5rWaufXW
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnC1UouGvo
Anthony: “No you don’t!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFRjp9dKzn
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bw7tEVsSQ
Velo activates his shield ring and blocks the bolts of lightning ripping through the ground towards us.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsQ1lSqxbp
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz0hYHV8Br
Velo: “Ugh…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZDBhGZzjM
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsog17hfht
Swap control water for minor illusion.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSKYAj9LFX
*Break*456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf155uMnq6
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1njvGQL2A
Velo: “The shield is down!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNI2iZP2Q6
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndlTkliihm
That’s fine I get between the next bolt and block it with my shield. I shoot 4 air bullets behind the shield that chases the fleeing Anthony.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2gixUqRv9
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhrjwr1XV3
Anthony: “You’re not the only one with magic items.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DOOeARZKh
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJRu9Y6lls
Anthony takes out that paralysis water gun and fires the 3 shots at the black listers.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7WlTterK6
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhrizERWPh
Tallow: “Nice try!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmwy5bD5qe
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb2qCbqNVa
Before Anthony even pulled the trigger, Tallow got everyone out of the way of the attack.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBczzhVwHVE
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVFLoTyocb
Anthony: “What?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGznzwOgyZ5
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkJ1sH0WUr
Tallow: “Nao, watch out take a step back.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vilDrLtad
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwxFcyLyDC
I do as he says and narrowly dodge a strike of lightning.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxAl2Bjmnt
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHo4YOl0YU
Anthony: “Mind reading huh?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY0dxM1tRH
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI4f95h4SL
Tallow: “You won’t be able to catch anyone off guard now.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0sFBqvFRA
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF4rx6e8JF
Anthony: “That won’t last forever.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtriR4U61lW
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NeNmI1BVg
I take the chance and blast more air bullets at Anthony while closing the distance. But right before my eyes, Anthony disappears. Invisibility…
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3TvGnqVS6
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJGj5SkKaq
I quickly go back to Black Listers and place a shield over everyone. Everyone fades into silence as we keep our senses sharp for the next blow.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC1zv2WexN
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ072Sc15se
But it never comes. Tensions build and I start to lose my strength. I can’t keep this shield up forever. But that’s not all, the thought that Anthony ran crosses my mind.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuUjcLziTC
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJWPwVIlXV
Is this shield even necessary? My arms buckle and that’s when I hear a crack in the shield.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdLABGAsqE
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41rGzvfCjX
Tallow: “To our left!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhXA44fiLW
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQicGsGVMCO
I redirect my strength to the left in time for-
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy4Olc2E3E
*Crackle*456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1igG4k7rPc
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutLCUtu8g8
Purple light slams against where Tallow is. The shield buckles under the lightning barrage.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOxsEdgFBY
*Blast*456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgDsgNLhRl
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JhPPdYnA1
Tallow: “Watch out!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20uf9hNLO6
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdNMKwq1J7
I feel Tallow push me out of the way and when I turn to see what happened…
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yDzYmoemG
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c6pzzexJk
Tallow: “GAAH!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK94jpjqxR
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOecIW0kcu9
Tallow is on the ground bleeding heavily from his bloody torn apart arms. The pain is too much and he soon falls unconscious.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JkNWVSxsM
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUNQQMCHRV
Mat & Velo: “Tallow!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRQCld1Ol0
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2J58gz9Mt
Anthony: “Now stay down Tallow.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fRj43twms
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMFBP7iu2U
The invisibility wears to reveal Anthony standing over me with a shotgun pointed at me.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqlu5ZhJKI
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBEYmbAMhX
Anthony: “Checkmate.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpevDcElfLG
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq0ErvrXGm
I hurry to place my hand on the muzzle and counter his attack.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusqIabd10k
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo29FD414Oh
Nao: “Air bullet!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OxEKHNFWd
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSZo0cfNWD
Instantly, an explosion of destructive wind destroys the shotgun while pushing us away.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd0mDYJQ5N
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYku3FBBW5r
Nao: “Ugh…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLVLIW5yTH
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NWVpRzeIS
Anthony: “Damn, I had one shot left. Still worth taking the time to get it from my bag.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbt0fxbtcb
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuGjN9yjJt
I look back to Tallow’s broken body and everyone at stake. Maybe I should…
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFxZ8NQK89
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFvQt8jgQV
Anthony: “You’re out of options, give up now!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExtks3rFNS
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDlfm2blFb
Nao: “Not yet.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuuh61y1XH
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXiCpsJIdX
I summon fireballs and delayed air bullets. Some are illusions and others are real. I ignore my nose bleed and fire them at Anthony.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23JCxfZqtX
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60upGEWJDD
Anthony: “I know the fireballs are illusions, try again.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYMoxQ4wg1
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIRDwfxamG
The fireballs phase through while the air bullets are blasted out of the sky by lightning.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo2nY4SNJK
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7seBWT48SS
I continue firing while running towards Anthony with an illusion gorilla fist.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjc8nIf9e8
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhxitHL3Nt
Anthony: “Seriously?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8TXwOtLPN
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLrEUuFx7K
Anthony contorts his body to dodge the strike and smiles.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT8M64WVzx
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYCpnv68iK
Anthony: “You can only use 3 spells, I counted what you can do.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNsAGMU9EW
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhnGTVr3vr
I charge an air bullet in my free and aim it at Anthony’s chest. All the while, I summon 2 more air bullets aiming at his head.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaDG6NkLfY
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz84cqHsNx
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DKeluosQ5
Nao: “Which of these are real!?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKGzMWVOHx
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXzsJk96vc
Anthony: “Child’s play, you wouldn’t do headshots.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVurfmuJDjE
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8jxZaBzK0
Anthony meets my charged air bullet with a lightning fist.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bvq3TYVR5
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98UXYXInPy
Nao: “GAAAH!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnnu6iOzwh
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLBSaXfvYd
My entire body begins to burn from the inside out. But-
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifKPtYq60t
*Strike*456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcAVYZ6kfO
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5nrQdckxW
Anthony: “Ugh!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMNLdCbR3l
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnZfLvoIWB
The two air bullets graze his head but that was enough to knock him out for just a moment. But that’s all I need. I rip away from his hand and form a magic shield bubble around Anthony’s exploding body.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTr9mVDlmH
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96X1opsaxt
He shocks himself to wake up but it’s much worse than usual. The shield cracks but remains strong enough to contain him. I collapse on my knee while blood streaming from my nose. But I’m not the only one.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlODFndd5jU
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eS8LTXYpa
Anthony: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3wZkxnTMr
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W8VxjCO8f
Nao: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZjpe6oohh
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB2UIKUKcV
Anthony: “I can…break out of this…eventually.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6TVO7ML4a
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfODr85NWyx
Nao: “Fast enough before the police come.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zpXfLWcM4
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1TBgYkV6U
Anthony: “I’ll defeat them too.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG6Rilj50c
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGc819BTJc
Nao: “There’s too many and you’re too weak. They just need one or two bullets and you’re dead.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYqRQtxtvO
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdng4ygvr0X
Anthony: “…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjiXKF5hoB
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDq7TBJPyk
Nao: “Give up Anthony, you’ve lost.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0JdFil0mF
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU1UNsMddl
Anthony: “Why are you so hellbent on sparing me! Didn’t I say your goal is just as valid as mine? Don’t force yourself to try and make an impossible world!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi988fOsaU
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFe5I1XRO
Nao: “I just want to save you!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZQEBowjB4
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KMovazv4k
Anthony: “!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEqXkXIC6G
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLovIKGm5zO
Nao: “That’s it. I don’t care about all of that stuff right now. You are one of the first friends I ever had. And I don’t lose that.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71kqEXCANj
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10wU9Rimay
Anthony: “Nao…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlKfXYL03O
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhvGrIemYG
His body loosens and that once solid determination shakes a bit.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwphCPIdmK
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cfoKvO5Y9
Anthony: “Mayb-”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYXDEH5cjx
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc0MvwJ7Xw
Anthony: “!!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseUkzu5yE7
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQASBj2hkn
Anthony: “Artemis wai-”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz5X6ycNVc
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJUr9ImZUy
Anthony’s eye glaze over but soon returns as a savage purple.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t85Ws8W4m
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB6FR4MzT2
Artemis: “No! I won’t let it end this, even if I have to break our body!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRxviKcgqI
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkoPUsgEZV
Lightning explodes out of my shield and scorches the air. I’m blown away and Artemis falls to the ground. Both of our bodies are ruined but mine more so. Artemis gets up and drags her body to mine while gathering power.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9fFux8FV3
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipyeQDQB2r
Artemis: “Don’t worry…love I’ll…take this nuisance out and then we’ll…finally get back to the bloodbath. We will have our vengeance…right?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR159MZXfFc
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp9fOBpWiL
I…can’t move. I watch as Artemis gathers enough energy to end my struggle.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IH2zaw4Sx
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa0LiljN2k
Artemis: “Finally, this fight is over!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8VquM0kWl
*Explode* 456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53xo2SxvGB
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsZnt0uKr4
Alyson: “!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysMQhGc6Rm
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGeStNdzue
Am I…dead…
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp9QRhI1Au
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyFrHz6hYG
Alyson: “Mom!!!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqZ151M2Un
!!?456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMNZx8oEiU
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hRssxTxCA
I open my eyes to see a person protecting me from the blast. That wall and sanctuary that’s always been there, begins to fall.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbGwdwmwnr
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuS6uG9299
With a thud, my mother falls next to me…this can’t be happening.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUQbGWLzXn
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYjj2DAlrB
Artemis: “Mom? That’s your…mother…I didn’t mean…not again…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GyU0W9c4O
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWJT9MJNJP
I ignore Artemis’ words of apparent confusion and drag myself to her. Alyson rushes over and cups mom’s head in her hands.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPljKjo6Dn
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFkCnhkhDb
Nao: “Mom…why…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcnDgW5rFC
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g8QqjySuS
Nell: “You’re my…children…of course I’d protect you.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOUMYypz6a
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeWKDNRzer
Alyson: “Not like this! Not like this…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ipuEEMuZ0
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquW16AYO3y
Nell: “You…finally…called me mom.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R0rSmYbYa
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d97hFAKcv
Alyson: “Mom…Mom, I’m so sorry I was stubborn. I should have….done so much more for you.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycXJtMO2PF
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIOGroyqhX
Nell: “Nonsense…you’ve done…more than enough. I’m just glad…I could hear it…at least once.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEjWKjWzSY
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevvugCo848
Nao: “Don’t talk like that! I can heal you!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY2hYUBYkm
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsaDbYCibs
I swap out illusion for healing and begin trying to save her. But…I’m too weak…
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC4E292iaa
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGjIdHgjzV
Nell: “It’s…fine…Nao…listen to me.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXirbX7duAW
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqktIFr4pK
My mom looks deep into my eyes and pleads.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG480PxT6Rr
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikXnFaYBg6
Nell: “You have…the power to change the world…and with it a responsibility…to heal it. Don’t be a villain…be…a hero. Protect your friends…family….and the innocent….promise me…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7tHsvayrp
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V2dCbAlQN
I look to everyone here and internalize what I must do. Her final wish.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlrybiCsfK
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqljbgjVBQ
Nao: “I promise mom.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxBdTkPe1x
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVaCrURHlV
Nell: “Then…I know you two…will be…just…fine.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAZ4CeFYEA
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeACUGC1S4g
And just like that…my world grows darker.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRow4Izq97
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgYpH32p3C
Alyson: “Mom? Mom!”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsconHqSjdz
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrowsWVYznv
Alyson cries harder than she ever has. She holds mom’s lifeless body and wishes for this to be a dream. But this…is reality.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ce3GA79DC
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiimpMefBEP
Artemis: “…Why did a mother…have to jump in front of that? It’s…not fair…”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SCvYzZAS7
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAkiWpKBm7
I hear Artemis and I remember who punched this hold in my chest.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfF3pkG7FQ
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnFROLHJDK
Nao: “Put all 10 points into endurance. I will survive to kill Artemis.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOdw3loNrW
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOl5uiVE1A
Arc: “But you’re bod-”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyiLSbBeQh
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XTzyjBhJy
Do it! She won’t get away with this…
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBluE1h1f0
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Thnd0eNBs
Arc: “Okay.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rVv9A1oFT
Endurance: 27.5456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrlHzjNkKF
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0M9bSN0d9
Instantly, I can feel my body break apart and convulse wildly. No! I won’t pass out over this! But as I think that, the breaking sensation stops abruptly and hear that familiar sound.
*Ding*
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjoiIaz1YE
Arc: “Congrats, you just leveled up.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxBq4DOBQp
Level: 2456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YDs1h9NXD
Strength: 27456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBmuNPzALN
Endurance: 31.5456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ2wOTU6Tj
Intelligence: 23.5456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU3BJnwqFS
Charisma: 21.5456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03tB0dUMCN
Agility: 20.5456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K22kPmiSF
Magic: 29456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZZGqm1UFs
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CraeXV541
All of my wounds heal and new strength flows through me.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsOuagALgX
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1rhvJgSA9
Artemis: “…No way…I didn’t want this!”456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd94fFySpWK
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ9wKrcNiL
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jsorin1do
She shoots out several bolts of lightning but they bounce off of my renewed shield.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwL6aBOST5
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6cnxW1V4q
Arc: “You have a free spell slot, what do you want?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0nuFkmqFK
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAl5lwk930
Nao: “…Magic Missile.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvMEDyGtpO
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZsKCwu1u8
I transform Arc into book form and make the change while the storm still rages. I transform Arc back, get up and walk towards Artemis.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPdsuagIS8
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5O0sCjptM
I walk through lightning bolts, balls, and whatever else she can throw at me. It doesn’t matter, my shield blocks it all.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNkGE1pNmj
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKJfVnKWp8
Artemis: “Damn it all! Not again, not like this! Am I still this weak?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o29lCnPsH
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2NEmPS6HG
I break through the lightning storm and grab Artemis’ throat. I slowly squeeze and enjoy her gasps of air.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZEYDKnxN1
Artemis: “You…kill me…you kill….Anthony…”456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JsC8j5Uig
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEssFeX0UtX
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9AOtyDN7J
Nao: “I know.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaswxabnsBX
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUKHzlU2gM
I raise my hand and gather magic energy into my palm. She fights back by screaming and shocking us both with lightning. But I feel nothing…
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxW3cmW5dg
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpB0QeagvW
I aim at my target…and fire.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXSWyjya3X
*BLAST*
…
…
The screaming stops and the body goes limp. I let Anthony fall to the ground and walk away from it all.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UxeJjCyz8
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZe2njTrm7
Anthony: “…Why?”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTxqNwN5Il
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNuv2bSrDp
I look back at Anthony’s missing hand and the still intact ring smoking from the blast nearby.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0GmGRIHBn
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhURQdA542o
Nao: “You didn’t do it.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRmiaH2u3Y
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54qhAe9S9d
I grab the ring and can feel it lightly shocking me. I clearly can’t destroy it yet…but one day, I will. I pocket it and return to my mom’s body with Alyson still crying.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1wMB5d9bI
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mRPjiupUG
I stare down at her and find her strangely…at peace. But why? I failed her and my sister. I look up at Alyson who’s still crying. So I hold back my tears, for her.
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahUcrjeDMi
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SPpmHE2A4
Anthony: “…I’m…so sorry.”
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ6v0ChYni
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTUstVS2g0
I ignore it. I’m sure the police will deal with him, I don’t care. Right now…I just want to bury my mother.
ns216.73.216.73da2
