“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE8tT8v6bQ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxytRJz7gg
“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgWoHwrbiZ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0Sy2PD3R6
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30XBodrdsO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidI9yFS6FQ
But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y0DLDeFpB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0tVZGh5Pm
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cbPCAH2A9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcVtv9DLgf
“I have a feeling–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA579W7HVz
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOX01IIVH3
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoswOpxLFa
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqcvbXpOdw
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv5FnWvYBM
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzHuOu8Fua
“Do you also have that feeling?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOntIjXh648
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPHClAOAVs
“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.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqyIx1gFZu
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHWcvEUZQU
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sS68bandH
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo7mPC2hyi
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiHwL27DYX
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5lEzGma5h
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqbBjy6Rb8
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtF2zB2Rsz
“Y-You!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN74wtZitQ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5dqxt54Vl
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNp9KSLzXl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmxosf2xcC
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBiEyI6UMf
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcnCoDwizU
“A-Alright!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Pl1Gl2OH
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ1Fdp7sWU
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y7rHhTzGw
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTuHO5hLlh
“Hey! Juke, what are–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvRWZjK6jl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88KKMbQtKu
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc39hLV21Fm
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC1yLQvg8f
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQyGiF3x1p
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBQBf2Fye7
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2pjP8adJP
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6zGXq7yGb
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9MolQ1v1x
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbbMio5mvJ
“He’s alive!?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGEzdjzyRB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZrKXWPahN
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7RT3n0Ynq
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4jB6I9IPd
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9LUfnfGkk
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XgQgznEFi
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sAg0vI3qs
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFnXxbObmk
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9yClJtWG3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSqdAu7bvE
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExMd7eWgi9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqzRCMTUua
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVGamijXiW
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcMUg0jNRx
“...Well, not exactly.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1V3lRNj7Y
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78yo0aPTH8
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WODAMnEmU
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4ovCo3dIA
“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.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDiHJvZWTQ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMWPsKzjRU
“Tell me, won’t ya?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs1LCvqWk6
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlTI4KC9mN
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvkSUKFQzH
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHfaksriC3
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBGncdjerg
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgqtTw2oPR
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYLotWRGA2
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNEI8yxtoK
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVRioe53qD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIOYwMpvP1
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTlcZvDF0S
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzTKgYIvj4
“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!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOTLPFHWE3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5coSmV4dGh
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoY3Dn2yBP
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8fQCBeYP9
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAf629dUPN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bzs4uMobh
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8koJsrGAOe
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINyZU17XhR
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3avGZMI6k
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiNlGgnPUC
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYkg4jyfZD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECJ3AflOea
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyvKCFh8tw
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLouJK4Lzm
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvqq6Wgogj
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZyRWe5jo6
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycNEr6LE9i
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSJADJWCwv
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL21tJzPwyn
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRnY9ZoJod
–
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQzYEDfEQK
–
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3GRLMBNzZ
–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9N2lYpn4V
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz1EWfbnAq
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PpEFEAb8I
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jlPjl1PVR
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cdOnjeVdl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD94i42G2K
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZO2WplnLE
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToYfUXUFHU
“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFuGUEjvch
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsYe1DhVZy
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWBPDJvu3s
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT35OKq70UH
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9tLg5MpgX
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVGH2Nbg45
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.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ok8HiRsRq
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.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7PB3mo3Sm
**CLANG**
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rCj1R0jcA
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLrXHlvpBl
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.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciYvccuSNJ
"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWVXVYie3a
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.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4XT5Qdclj
"I can just chip away."
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQanArnfm08
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.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oQ8AWjTdm
My body reacted immediately.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG7ZVMvJTb
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLXFzuCR9D
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrwH89iD47
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUHFKXhoOS
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?
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANFLET3GVB
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–
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE1PQcqoQX
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqBgmYFZOi
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2YLv4NaU2
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PXA7oW88F
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmwbcMiZoU
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCfYUssM2H
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBCU2AUVbn
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw9CcByWSq
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk20ay0e2hQ
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwV6JoZnt9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnFyH5EgM9
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzlhU5uKJa
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtcVuA0jIJ
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0m5iaGy6Y
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTni93QgsRj
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOr9WKFO1U
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRF5sNhDFE
And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifLtFC0CzX
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY188SpwNSO
“Crap!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFfY4idMzT
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGUNIzXvDn
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–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPUayIf31r
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmrfFtz4lw
**CRUNCH**315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kkwEN1PQo
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMXHR4zt8d
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6fZr3G5Lg
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ3mQZmDgk
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEmz1LGfUa
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXduqqmXYH9
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo67tNusmF
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgK0Wgh2pb
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–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HCgnzfTxt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0Ie79owS3
“Child! Child, please!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6bud43LT9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNXC56mHfE
“W-What!?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ynogAQl4d
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR4XHUoi4R
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRowktWgOJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L1CH8VFn8
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsKN29dDcN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JRzGplr02
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpAx0bT9jZ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j8aZvtaMj
“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPKikC7t7C
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz7okxe0v7
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQmitrtDUJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUgoHQWqve
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUkI1YPnCf
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlPgIRwRhA
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIrUqh4DEf
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYRqlvFImv
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcgI2F1D3J
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQwDfn611S
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–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3N0jtLrBW
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sTTLfwS9y
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNRobsBIUW
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMABitHdSIH
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7oFF4gBEt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHokjXKg0IA
“Kid! Watch out!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPmDjCuvrw
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzk8ayOBKe
“--Huh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV0SLLzdk2
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU0ZVXgnSx
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxfnjd5kSX
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM58HcjSwr
“S-S-Shit!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvXIVOsdi4
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLKblq0QVc
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O57ewKGJL
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZpjtclCyy
**SQUELCH**315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SpKgIA80v
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOlSuTk81I
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7nl1yb2Vr
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppZEvNgMRH
“--H-Hrk!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYpOlkm6qM
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH4OjDVjWO
“Oh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz25cleKWe6
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN6Mo8xitr
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6paEn0JcB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcEiinANhL
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgkdCxegE3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnopUdPHGB
“Ark… W-Why?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgUtyfIDCh
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlHQ620pDE
“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?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DqaX2r6oG
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciZ0e41jm4
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj20vLJyUm
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHWWounQRN
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkLgwEphCl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A2Sv9Xb2n
“A– y-you monster!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZB8Te0cqA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagQrEoCJ1N
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HYcAXyld0
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmDmTctz48
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz9bTrUydz
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAB7CHmeNA
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7nbUdqmZl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJirajAArO
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBX4irViB1
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEql1mnyFS
“A-Afraid?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFgcGS3R8s
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPxo4Nmgpn
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcgPsOpkmD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItG2HEvy0m
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5w9Hv1Ul9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxDp22kYOo
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubiBxjvj0R
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfMv5NnuMi
“Damn it. Damn it!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97LOyPcDtz
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUzzoiAIq6
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJvkeRyWsX
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKSupO5e8S
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2PCWAF5R8
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxruJ6VUBh
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlN1IdwqKK
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX49qK3lxx
“T-Thank you.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1ItpNbkMb
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArpocFucPr
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL7rvW93I4
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhRqG04EUc
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ISrzV5PLa
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeJf8jyuKs
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD41gkNIgF2
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bsw7EEjzT
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ85ejTWvFe
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbODGrVfZG
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1npn1z2NB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvljFAQxjnd
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6VHKUtRzx
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrctuzz237r
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDReBuMXi8t
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjlR9kpI83
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsIvTlAvzK
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAQft2OV3p
“Juke!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUIuliXZZs
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5alrGRfl1k
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUlh20722Z
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTif753CYIz
“That kid is such a nuisance!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4UYpYIKuz
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zl5jYYR1S
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq1JF1zhZ8
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuIRRlvYTT
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HuSwbVuZV
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGpu8hDbac
“Ahck!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi7nZjuYDi
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCVZfH2ntG
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7XOe9sV1I
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDVtNoD9E5
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqH2GatOZu
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaktfljDiZL
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qnX7FJmLU
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlqE8CD9E2
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHEZp3q5uR
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEc0e0M0wV
But, that did not happen.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAxda1jTXm
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4gYfBD5Ai
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 Bringer315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wsuCeqBpV
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbGjYrLIM3
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZzJkDhLBt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFj9VJkcJv
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8YHL6SWqz
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWUZf7iqUA
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z6LDSGjCi
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSQ8pdCDc1
And he let it rip just a moment later.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8GW76m7zp
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjXPTAVmAE
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VTmRYfkrl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLX3yINyLh
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBwrw1dSXK
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhUMsJpEfa
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayIIgPRfLV
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu912ZK6UZG
“...!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrNQamEbRk
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2udGcT6Utv
None so fierce to kill my plant.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJooLa1Zm3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIRqakW3b0
“M-My arm!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0xeHk0puA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYIXMjotpc
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtLXu87lWw
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fvkMGjUrH
“Juke!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVVY7pZfKp
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkRYLesICo
“Gotcha, kid!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2XDwKjGT3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLJw6sWRrY
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRKqXzpE7T
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfYUeDYEXs
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z2hU5AiGg
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5NHGx1IZ1
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldj0C6ka8U
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqQcW767vg
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtrHusVUx8
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SVRqv6S0J
“Hrk!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0N52U6Ssp
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FilPLjByb
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwtGrU9jTY
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXckD26OGFM
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ukMY8OQEt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45SkBezYjb
“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl40lvKzBJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUemuCUgIO
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDo4LKkC8x
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9isu5tA9zz
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11DgeUSRzq
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlAqlo4Vkh
“Curse…”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEvV73OrdY
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxo6vH2YEn
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1BLTlAp1n
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUdJLb0C6W
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32eOnZYCOO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJ2i70RGF
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuyki3UVDu
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49vC63IDbp
“May they, be few.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEllwcAJgZ9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfaBjr2yPO
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECuwBMwoIU
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqzNVKlqRS
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dTQ6jFSrq
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5QxPxYdOg
“That was… sad.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj21BFtHS4
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fThuGrgrw
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpBmMr92Aa
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xEmWHiz75
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYFUpAsVzO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabV3Lumu3w
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabOCDQ2QGu
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWJOv5Jqfm
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzbvxuSWw5
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQe4opgb6r
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy7aLUaSTD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxaLYsDb4g
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdB2aqxfZh
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtceXVQ82M
“Don’t continue.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5JhOsKVlz
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIkTFuTAsP
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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETII5PMFdI
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtqlR4b6Cg
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbntKnRKQP6
