“...”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAD0Mid4v2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZR7UluGpB
“...”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bZtUHaNOh
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAOA4geOkQ
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiuGVg2xAT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzbhH99Rba
But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jn0mcdkug
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr1hr72177
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz6xwsYAwC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIh0EXG8yD
“I have a feeling–”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWG5Xkc7o3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xC2BwwNLf
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6tMPlKnWK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcgcYFb5th
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw9acTr9xY
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVMWKJJW7d
“Do you also have that feeling?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgRc8HFrW7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCgs8Qs2Cs
“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.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFVc0r8dLF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqikXLTjHf
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya9Q5BSZjW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0WZ0qvfVL
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9TtTA3Sq1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMopOo3Rxs
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyqzpBMRXy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmDUyzWzFU
“Y-You!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N2li3pmVd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspJDKsm84R
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFzNa91OWl
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6ql2h9Qnc
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhgf8a4qFq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRpYVjoBDB
“A-Alright!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PL6mv6iBJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR9VukDhOq
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyehZmEa56l
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqk9mowKDR
“Hey! Juke, what are–”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqWWBoTv3J
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvnnIEbLnW
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8pvpufjXi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUGvCZQLOJ
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbm48n1Otk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8A8gIwHQG
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXigh9mMOE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouy36YDvRu
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAXfvsVbwh
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKS2pecnBe
“He’s alive!?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76BOpLNSFv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1APb4ZBxD
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn0vZ32nmo
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FBz3AjXja
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dQYUD1Dh7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C4ceKmdqO
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIwRBa04eT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ixfZGQR6K
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62CRyyppNd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiwde6hwyP
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWGqubFrk4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBi0XLoQ6D
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq8MWfOzba
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfslr88tHr
“...Well, not exactly.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq9w4mb3je
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV2q5xC5yx
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnGJGXDBFU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1qyXTboNL
“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.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrt0UFniX3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE2ztWTsXF
“Tell me, won’t ya?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BHc526x3j
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMepC8LTzVh
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIoj3knspA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIWxLq0JdD
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODlJjKcut8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYuwtyo3am
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ6oc1Cser
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXF1dPgEEF
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFf2KvmsLi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqKQ0oqecA
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg8j67r2bb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJUONtNf0K
“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!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi2lNY3iMA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmqXT8jr6u
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcerNwssWjm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rQ5N2U5D9
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruCvaVRovq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLM37YPelw
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GGKlkxcMs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkDmVNVaya
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8QOpDlwbm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaliEay5S2O
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTs7TDgcZS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU9jE631Tw
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFijClLEIru
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziGp5LINAa
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR7G1u8xTq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFlmJ2jIMZ
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIV6h5Bs6u
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoULsJOjmB
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uBDUR9lrK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvjGhW9z2S
–
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2yBGz0If7
–
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5urTD2hsRA
–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUEaXf1iA3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMCsHBFeWa
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZyqX2CIFS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtTmplBw2o
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKP02Vq2MC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsN2DctA8z
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1r5xycT3Y
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh8yyR0yaj
“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJyQtCXzNs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm83BIiOlMm
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaT1wXiJFm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPySxjg7Up
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX2T98dVWM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6j9rFhS9T
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.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLuAU1zlCU
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.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXEoYT5vym
**CLANG**
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE5kaBeCCN
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunrP6Ovsnb
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.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJeUgNLcKl
"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5LGVNzM5C
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.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2UBp7DXX8
"I can just chip away."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4Nkplp5Eh
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.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ugtropzre
My body reacted immediately.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k3K3IYoBj
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMyszpZW1X
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7zVJAC7Lw
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3E3GhIgJn
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?
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GFSRPKTae
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–
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVLCOFaJCJ
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmUgiDWKrD
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUkM8fCXbP
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWdp51bZHi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyR8u4oLLl
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6hrZRDHm1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORsccleqQ1
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxnnssOOhG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6ArkZuzaP
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz8WKDYm19
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GaEpkPETn
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTwqhlik4u
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z7oF1AUNL
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuXcDgFyyQ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvNYaRDLwQ
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kmovH1SOt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWFkCK1z7m
And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqyPZrMlWr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbU7mt9dWQ
“Crap!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwH248FW3M
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLvB5QjbE4
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuxwAHBMBv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOC5TiMBLW
**CRUNCH**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ939jG3Ehsg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzpodCMptD
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQhe1x3mng
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjIMGAN9To
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAdnOvAB4I
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKma5607KP
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLcCPLi33C
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gDkoQEvFF
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnT7JBhoBJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡade0qgDIbS
“Child! Child, please!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pMA1QBLjI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD5c321itf
“W-What!?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxteOAz01lH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLZ9eBXpEd
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhdk5NR9NV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfdv7RlSrJ
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6FrQbfsqp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc8WYyJZ0N
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CTq8T5PJg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEyXKnjOMz
“...”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1zo8ttCep
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26StCFSx0e
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJObyZTdyx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoy4DTCO3y
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux31x5UdjN
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlte33KbfQ9
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvRBNxPR0a
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUYOoakQXn
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQTI1m1KXt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAsuyMKQBr
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWjRBqHtKV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIobztbwY59
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdYgTPp1R2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCsON2FPsL
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpcftk6Ys1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkdo6kunBj
“Kid! Watch out!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ51NUiz5wp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpseq9RAjDw
“--Huh?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1IGMaFpPK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHHv4erMtv
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvZ6iSP1xt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5rhYCSjnc
“S-S-Shit!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAdBwThwrr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXIv8ZiZ4j
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA1FSohIWS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbBCeU5Des
**SQUELCH**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKeUSUIOlA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm5El1X1rw
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPMkFTw0gr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbYqq4GLaD
“--H-Hrk!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVOnfepv19
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv9YVqsnjD
“Oh?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkexTu02IP
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUAMTOAQJr
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNQNICUyMR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyUJSD8tnx
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfH4SUGTPk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA4SdR8Qjb
“Ark… W-Why?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI4CtyV9Ex
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0b2qHnJM9
“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?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3MqDrCHJW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PSYibrrmt
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZiueeK1sI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjDjTP3jLZ
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaFcVM8Lsa
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYVtk81cDc
“A– y-you monster!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrGs5WWAac
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCUtFs4fOp
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUn5PyE6V1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksQZrJIgcx
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKIUcrpIGV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaStE4oNxQX
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDCdzaPn5i
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkLAIEFpqN
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfNdyv0GFp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvfbRr6WqW
“A-Afraid?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooQoeZBzjd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAO7HjVXZb
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFjkQDzsZn
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWMw3DrBYE
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kRH3lVNo8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2xOJCfQzc
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp4BZoueZ0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimhfDca700
“Damn it. Damn it!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT2oTEJvmD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VVLk67SZ6
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iykLwdnjs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB14bA0VtKf
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cjdIV4nf5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9TLzzPJt4
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRWiS5Vme5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9HKAJzJQK
“T-Thank you.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytt5Y0MLQm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6XBZV782E
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsShfhikmu6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBz8Yvk6cj
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6XVuAmmsS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6rM250Vlm
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPNGdp6Vl2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgAvwqhPu6
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6yCvQYITo
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwn4Rxu8hb
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc7mUUDTFX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcgzIaTOGI
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa8xlpXCRJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR3qqbV6HP
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejRhIdNXlA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KvX08q8Gf
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4o6jtoW65
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1QeG4ETPU
“Juke!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLm0EXBsct
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0Apsmg7my
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtXGI7L9iu
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ840hUqAOtk
“That kid is such a nuisance!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKopNKIZRNx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNID1yVp07M
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFkGa6W9jQ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6ghafGAkR
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjiuP4FLAd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6AcGDTDks
“Ahck!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD5KYp6AQY
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUljhjArHdv
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGaE4ON0rT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVidqC1kWxB
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8b2FEj8yn
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds1UqnMBm6
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog0dZmP0Qj
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBPIHlrpfd
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCxO4aeZaA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H83bnhYa8
But, that did not happen.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7D6ANGAoH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOSnzPFdJK
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 Bringer198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EthRFjeib
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDal9jesKxX
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW7b8qOFzS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcQQ9lqE3B
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSrUdJt0df
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiEo6ha2IC
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTCkNiKZLz
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsgrq5fRmg
And he let it rip just a moment later.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiyOIre5d2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtEUcXbzrR
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0cZ8Avge5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAEUan1Sox
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygqIprYGJi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnUOmgWLAO
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7F14LsZM6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEZifx8uvx
“...!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8dqNXvlJ8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK2ppaWabt
None so fierce to kill my plant.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxu3jr4NYt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJTA3GbfWt
“M-My arm!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUgVj4hFg3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvhvORWlCq
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABob13w5DV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJChg4Ny0I
“Juke!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sjDUogdgc
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOIGlFdi6M
“Gotcha, kid!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22XMgGasWr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBpnDm9s5n
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlqeS8ogKR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfLQPHj40W
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7wHfbZdgG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnESPLvY12N
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aekd4VGLq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuq5wzcBso
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKGqqZ9XTD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLFkItv4fD
“Hrk!”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCJwywI4rB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbZsiUCwJp
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWsCtlbFlI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZU9GMpxh7
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLXnglUBNY
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHcBHXAjRY
“...”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCcczvLrCF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DVFD7RwzH
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qo7Q5YYfx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP0aob7Aj1
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBmPWdxBIR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkva7hGHdE
“Curse…”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdDJ4E8z1v
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwPgidAsbq
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l1JFTnBD5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCntMZkGaD
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89hMGlzRCp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZAr5KndFG
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51nBVu7GcA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVma7mw4ad
“May they, be few.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH3GDjaFy5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbICZAYQRU
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRJbEcSUtK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcaQx5hX4o
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnjeYnI9U3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB4KhF2Xxe
“That was… sad.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8ttWM5Ylm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7n7Cr0VOr
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt962P5tG7H
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRXDSBJZt7
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm34bE8lGG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN86axrtej5
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF7CAIkXe4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqGNuaKgWY
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTd2NHuo7G
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtmv2GM1hG
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSXOGKlepg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLOlh1hlm1
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY87lwo0rK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eggYhiEZz
“Don’t continue.”198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf3aIJqIDi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBA3Wb2BVA
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4LreDsc30
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvIYo8NdSD
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac9qGD7IwC
