As it would turn out, Serpents and Vines was a remarkably easy game to learn. The goal for all the players was to make it to the end of the board. Each player had a turn to roll a die, and depending on the number, the player would move that many paces. However, some tiles had, as the game would imply, serpents and vines, where the former would bring you closer to the beginning, and the latter, closer to the end.
Such a simple game made me think adults shouldn't be playing it. I also felt as if such a game existed elsewhere under a completely different alias. Setting those feelings aside, I was enjoying myself.
"That's a five. I barely missed a serpent, phew."
The bearded man, Damon, was in the lead. Nigel was in second place, and due to an unfortunate series of dice rolls, I was dead last. I was surprised that something like this could make my eyes twitch, but I was able to keep myself composed.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3yPOOdPUa
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"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9qdo9TAu0
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"Right on."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupniGm7QuW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6fTJJYqzT
Turns shifted and the die rolled. The process repeated a countless number of times and the minutes passed by quickly. At some point, it stopped being that way. At some point, rolling the die and moving a figure a few paces forward became dull. Looking at Nigel and Damon, it was impossible to tell if they felt the same.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bOpdsjuqe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCwnr8GRZ9
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfisVJg7zcH
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"Huh? Oh, alright."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi0TlyVJXj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFqOruLl6C
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVrpcd4BBx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6fmPeY18d
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5waNwniLot
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AgeREbRs5
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcSRzfD48w
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hu18PZEzC
"Luck..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNqBYCTCjm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsvWdzBAxd
Damon had a point. Maybe the absurd reliance on luck to function was why this game so quickly lost its luster. I moved my figure forward and was sent straight to the beginning. I sighed as my head sank.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcpsaI73KX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hNOBGOYR6
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6FxAAQFDX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ523smLjt
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq1DL25WKh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5jzB31xnC
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnXi1qsOZX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluliKIbTVf
"You people are strange..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSFNiC5lCk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajmEdkCw5l
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3CpJutbXV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mymc4kP29
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOUal4N96N
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrDOcd1eQA
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtekQSK6Lzr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPg3ChCQ2L
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEkdpdSuoq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0EOHzQWEJ
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqvddabHuP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaG02g82fU
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSjp6WNc2r
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhDcAqyRCV
"Especially Damon," Nigel stressed, "It's only natural if you ask me. Our upcoming operation will be the biggest battle we've ever fought. I'm sure the same is for you, Kenny; aren't you nervous?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ4wXWCKNH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dKBuI9pWZ
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIPGrmZvxc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ds2sTy2Px
"But?"
I pinched my chin and thought: why was it that I had a reservation for his words? I knew better than anyone how parasitically such events nibbled your psyche. But still, I struggled to believe it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQQQjadU1n
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9IHc5Ti2Y
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQbT1QXutj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh1EBI2sQR
"The whole Retaliation Crowd seemed so enthusiastic during that meeting. I didn't see you specifically, but with how loud the room was, you were cheering and roaring too, weren't you?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI08Ek53h2l
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLjz8RjB1I
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYs3YSLJnM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1JULWrvdu
Nigel looked away and placed his chin on top of his fist.
"Well, don't tell anyone, since it's a big secret and all, and I don't want to be beaten for spilling the beans, but we collectively agreed to act that way."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSo0isH6uX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2X6pl6oF0
"...Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqEHcRCcR0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJFuGtTKgm
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVVypAzZr5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw86gCnneG
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vtCM6MaY0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqf57obZVa
"I can't deny that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQaWq3Imtv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHOHcdg2Lc
"Right. We figured that it would make the situation worse if they thought we were dejected too. Let me tell you, after hearing the news about the Raptors, it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTKPNOd65q
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtGeth4Qwo
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp2n1KsOEh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR9LWRzXhR
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01flNMPw6h
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng1fgs8GF5
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjciHYFjEG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53FIIhWfWy
"You're up."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eiESRbeD6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDsh9tphFV
"Right on."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7LfxzCZQx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBjTNzfYHM
They kept playing the game as if nothing happened. It gave me ample opportunity to mull over his words. I had a knot in my stomach at first, one that came from confusion, but as I mulled over it, I felt something spark inside of me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckQvMGPAgK
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"That's... that's incredible."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMEs57E6lu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzaL0MYNDG
"Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOF3Q57xij
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoTeFwMnqD
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p80H4V6Rb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD7v3yRFx3
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh71Rxoh0j
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIvBWGPp1a
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC4HtOgeZa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75O4qH3vF4
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vv6kBxOHO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6jhWom174
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEKqgdT7TD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaPHqWl2ey
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dE72eKMEq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcY5750nA9
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmRgxavl75
I sighed and clutched my head. The other two started cackling, which only furthered my frustration. I tried not to let this moment spoil the other.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToia2EXca9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dIArpmoot
"I'm just messing with you. It's flattering that you think that. It makes me feel like I'm doing this for a reason."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclQjn5V4H3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtRWJUQtyw
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb7ZyFnFmw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEITxeF8Gn
"Yeah, fighting, sure, but being a guard in general. I'm glad I'm making a good impression on the kids. I'm sure Damon thinks the same. Right, Damon?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN67bCXd8KJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem3y3nzPpi
He didn't voice a response, nor did he make a gesture. He had an eerie glare aimed at Nigel, who looked completely unbothered. As the two continued to play their game, I looked at them. Guards with a duty, poised to fight the very next day, yet here they were, playing a trivial game, and smiling through all the stress.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIukIpOBNUU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1IjfrqOoB
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c3D9LgS5p
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qr7P4SMnT
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXeXbJNQN2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QHC0RhinY
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqBWAuwboM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiST42h5Jx
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqT3neEvyL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNX8xucKnN
I had no doubts that I'd be seeing them. Or, at the very least, that they would be there. It was a comforting thought. It made me warm. Nigel patted my shoulder with a quick chuckle, and I wasted no time leaving the game room.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhirPOmdex
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYgXLwjmUY
As I approached the door, I looked at my hand. I curled and flexed my fingers. I balled it into a fist. I felt ready in mind and body, and more than ever I had a conviction in my heart.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdovIjFbQ6
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–
–
–
I was out of the game room. Instinctively, I checked my wrist, then as I lowered it and asked myself why I did that, another question barged out of my mouth.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHA7Rodiij
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"What time is it now?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBUb9PK132
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And as if someone had heard me, the door to my left opened. I looked to see who it was, and out came a person I was all too familiar with, but with a face I hardly recognized.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp0NbbfwOg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6idq1piJW
"Juke?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBovrgnDRKD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoRyKzygTp
He looked at me and perked up.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgQ4nq7fk6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99QcFPfLu9
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoQEcLWZjJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eEtyKxO8b
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW4lXU0bcU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIofEC4ceBz
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNzaXCSdzN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4QlvxVniS
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJcYL9sLCJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ia19ke9yS
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUZfTMZVNe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI8ZtN5bVC
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFb2AEIcO5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBb9x8FyzY
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28xJBTLTP0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN5F3JKZTk
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8UwZNzHYE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4GTABEKkk
"S-Sorry, sorry."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiJBS99Q6r
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4BJFp4zMt
I slightly bowed with my apology. Juke walked away and up to a couch, but before he made it anywhere, I stopped him with my words.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfenujYVGg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtRxC7wXkM
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgUaGGRFI0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi4P8iAHge
"Ah, shit, yer right."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CFpFP980k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFdj2fFQej
Thus, he walked to the door and closed it, then he returned to walking towards the couch. But neither I nor my gaze followed him. My eyes were glued to the door he had just shut.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6RTGitigp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXDe3Mjdua
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdunC3a14p
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzoPHYSJuP
I looked at Juke. Juke, who was missing his helmet. He let out a big sigh as he sat on the couch. I connected the dots, and all of a sudden, a little snicker escaped from me. Juke turned his head to me. I quickly suppressed my voice and walked up to him, sitting on an adjacent couch.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5x5EhZweD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9iWuLBcoQ
"Did ya just laugh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGbaSjWYwI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qrSzK7W6D
"N-No, why do you ask?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNKSCpokCG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOaD4K6x8g
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSoJGKaiew
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7K2vA5BYT
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRVrj20zMY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBNplkLOkz
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVi8LGoGvf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5hTksQ1iK
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQOBJRtKI3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCTR3VESXF
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWq52afdy0
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He narrowed his eyes at me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb0dlWOYLn
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"I'll take yer word for it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Uhw2hilUF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pmx6OPerH
There was a momentary pause. I235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcJ17Iy8UG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFVYEwzwjI
"So, what have ya been up to?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFUXYWOEe1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJI50GDmcV
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNhtFQzybl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEw6eoAyj7
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppR6nYaSOG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSBdKcnA0I
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTDBY4M9xF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7rDEVrDfX
"What, the sleeping room? It ain't anything to write home about. It's just a bunch of beds. They're pretty damn cozy, I'll give 'em that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe1IVENOPq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMHzzsaFpD
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTgU7rPY4A
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XbaNDJY80
"The sleeping room?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gTwd6L6sj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l7idfzznU
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixN9tN4cac
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m4Blt4fZl
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAyt71xhzm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbKk4R8MuD
He cocked his head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhqBb3Y1Ad
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnl5pRdzwz
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgthmzaV9t
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIambcjZDw
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZiCIoeKoD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZBBjk7aOy
Maybe not every member of the retaliation squad was noble and principled. Juke shrugged at my request, and another round of silence ensued. Since he had already brought up the topic, I decided to press him on the matter.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoQjbaT4Qq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp7kGE54jS
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gIcsn0ho3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxNs7zn51b
"Nah, there's more than enough beds. The room's gigantic, I tell ya. I ain't a good judge of smell, but I got no issues with it. And, the guys and gals themselves..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWlJ020hy8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVuqXVKwsj
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABuD8a78lm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKVjABE2vx
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq4M0qWZaX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BUA6e3N5M
"Loose screws?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu8vxo4M8i
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8GLRpRM5g
"They're a story-telling bunch, almost every one of 'em. And they got these crazy stories, kid. I can't tell if they're tellin' the truth half the time. Even if they ain't, they're crazy for telling 'em."
"Well, are they at least exciting?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oTPsw988I
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXR33VKfzV
He huffed from his nose and smirked.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzlkVj8rWp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQAixAmqED
"They ain't half-bad. But I can tell a better story. A weak guy like me's gotta get good at spicing up his boring tales, don't ya think?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwn2gc6n8E
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibGS4eKFD3
"Boring tales..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegciuWIZvJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXRxH57fme
The only story Juke had told me from his past was brief, but from the content alone, I would be an idiot to call it boring. I didn't bother to mention that, though.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE1muh1fLE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF4PqFF5e1
"I wouldn't know, Juke. I wouldn't know. But if you're so confident in your storytelling capabilities, why not try them on me?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Y6bCsVEC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmMzAjPdPX
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKgvO8Ulqp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgomFrR567
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYmD45aGBJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiCcKQR07G
"What, am I too young?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCBUVJLtxc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE0YyPAjfX
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc4n5Ex9MT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3vKDhkRpD
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhToN6Bnoh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyERskFKNm
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DY3XziKf0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDH28b7YYd
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP03Ik75cNP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhM3jpXTrQ
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P2895DCkX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWMdoB4UHu
I straightened my posture.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VWL6IhHij
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAsghAnbaj
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ySEeg1oyN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K0vQ24O6o
With all the balderdash I'd faced since our arrival here, it hardly shocked me that I couldn't remember such a detail. It didn't make it any less frightening, though.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzauJa41ziS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1YmZViwZJ
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnCt92lGZ9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjZZ5VYn6n
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdefy15ut1H
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCYxF3BGLZ
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQCb18P3k1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAFV2tWVks
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyXvjcFjKc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BmdptQcx0
He gave me a blank stare.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ04h5vCpe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x1ZctECIO
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhxOkhEJpd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbzz7Qws4n
I opened my mouth as if I had the answer at my beck and call. All I had to do was run my mouth and it would come out effortlessly. That was what I thought until I made a light gasp, and followed it up with nothing. I retracted my head and lowered my gaze to the ground, suddenly deep in thought.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhIFz2jqGh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJivIt6g1e
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPPWL0nYg9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qOlc4pEDj
"See? There ain't a difference."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIMHHsvzSS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJww7cJKLSj
"Well, of course there is! When you think of a wizard, you think of someone who is dignified, powerful, and above all else, modest. That's a stark difference from what ideas the title 'mage' gives you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nCyNKVyig
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCh9w426M1
"Yeah? And what are they?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeLtZwHWij
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mtPpO54Fd
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhgOcEcrRl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxOYP3XsSt
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG9DEX3pJX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGYqSGAIq9
To that question, I simply shrugged.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V0SD8gXqi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9vDZchLFr
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtXUz3ROWk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWvMvSUn3t
"What a load of semantical garbage."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdjY8v2m69
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlbGAkIqb3
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG2vfx2ZBQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2LXwuoS5i
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUghSlpNTXc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7hlVPeEaM
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6taUc4qyX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTSENhtQIb
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3w4HinAs4
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDamUwHzpDR
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5USVbRndL7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsxoqpkQsb
I thought long and hard about it, scouring my memories like I was going through a book. Certain segments made my head ache, but for the most part, I recalled all I needed to reach a conclusion.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03xIKazAaN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oeuJCDyoZ
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT9EKevwa7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJokmwbT6J
Juke nodded along to my words, which confused me, because he had no idea who Skylark was. He shouldn't, at least. I put that detail aside and fired right back at Juke.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBYUvK4AHg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G2i7XFU21
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtfzN7bm7Y
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf69afuqL7Y
"I'm starin' at one right now."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnMAkzxEoP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ERLI5KbAd
"You know what I meant!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLABmEtUDJi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac56rvXM0a
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKWl6TX17R
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HZSkoVlfS
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jjk28Zdn0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1tlftGHxX
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE2QmO5zMj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zrzbMm120
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwumZQuwEJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrxdCyfGgX
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCdyF8CVZy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp2r5YS73M
"You're definitely being generous."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQgqYYdiKD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm5A9ogjpk
"Nah, see for yerself, kid. Those folk call him the 'Mud Wizard.' Sure, I ain't seen him fight, but if all these strong folks are calling that guy a wizard, that's gotta mean something."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4mFmjnQtf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6yL3BQSXH
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9hmaByIc2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjnXbfCpeI
He nodded his head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4NbQCSq9I
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXSY9SjySa
"I saw that bastard do it. All he did was make some dirt in one hand and water in the other, and just like that, mud."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFafAIwAiS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaco1CWnesY
"...Oh my goodness."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VyVPMxJsy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOqGt5THe0
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIy7g5TCwm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvoGf6Aryk
"What? It's just mud, kid."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oNoqTE7M9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5Hjt50WxC
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkatw2TTi2G
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdNmZC11xV
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVo9BFGTMr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb04js80Wgz
"Yes. I hate it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkNjqFKo3X
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYomzg5Zcsr
Our conversation came to a short halt. There was something I wanted to ask Juke, but he posed a far more interesting question of his own.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tfd0Yac3e
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5JVjnfthk
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwnDdAzatn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2loj680jrf
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp60eXJyAX0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdBEmnv48r
"They aren't driving me crazy or anything, you don't need to worry. Honestly, they're an inspiring bunch of people. A few of them, not so much, but as a collective group... I think they're admirable."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEnKdHaDVV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsq9gBWzRT
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrpoLc5JlQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtgmoMHXDK
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaoGbAz8n4
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzUi4VUVt1
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFiSawH4Qt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh5ykVg3Hl
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuqILFH59V
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHtdDKTGs8
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKdThxGEPQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPTjbd3iYB
"Nah."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJidL9vMo3o
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNDgBaanhN
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt9Uadlbft
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0UJNlIYbE
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmTyc8hb0p
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLsgzt7kSD
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2HSwf06QW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb6gvkM43j
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9RnWAcTR7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSXsIY5q38
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9laJ5TRWH5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKODbTOCkFk
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl4QF0YQTc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1VcnbDjEJ
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4AUM82Mxm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahdrtuG8I4
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ty9Y3qCGG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLKLa3n6EZ
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvWtOO15D6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCufF3lNQWB
"Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI4p8Ctf10
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LQ37BTS0s
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48mqJNRHa3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9pjIwkItW
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ3nztk4Zk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZnZWfnHFT
"So someone told you as well?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUTgaOI9wY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRUcGLucVa
He nodded with a smirk on his face.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rl0HU1nFB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCq3m3wk3l
"They're tellin' me it's a big secret and all, but they're telling this junk to chatterin' fellas like yerself. What a bunch of show-offs."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cum1Akp6f
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqR9hmTBOD
I responded with a nervous chuckle. The idea of them being show-offs wasn't unfeasible, all of a sudden. But I still held that conviction in me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG1ekBiaNg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgCpHgt2xi
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJYCUsPe2T
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI3Ac7P65d
He kept his eyes on me, indicating that he was paying attention. I was beginning to get cold feet, but since I had already thought it out, I kept talking.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCopybuXrOg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmTkKSrQBC
"It's their attitude that I admire. At least from the few I've met, they're determined to see this mission through. And they have all that determination despite their fears. Despite the fact that they're afraid, through the foreboding tingles and tremors in their fingers, they look at the task at hand, look at what must be done, and declare that they will do it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY3r716R0Z
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzJElkUYO5
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ARoZdZXg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UYsj47IjA
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvAtIDMXs2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SgOOxUZ0t
"Strong?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR7dUzNbXg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL93IwY25o
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBDyNk5nQf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfiQui3nn5
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIEHZnEfEr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFlLzngyJm
Juke looked away and at the fireplace, slinking and sinking deeper into his couch as he released a heavy sigh. It was an unusual feeling to say he was 'wistful', but what else could I call that sullen look on his face?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YYWZQZl15
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr9rZ2gOHx
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFauWQSkgZg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkbv2tVswV
"Brat is certainly new..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx3U8T6twS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeCvzCk2fK
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDr6CGNWOv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2HoZ8MtxT
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ08sCKc3W
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzHCcg6qMI
"Think like what?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F0MHDUT9P
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEnzN3Kgab
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxNmni9fMF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53rwOcIRf6
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3OhyNS8Ux
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx1E6L09gi
"J-Juke...?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwrrzqksF8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSWtdASeW2
"Do ya think I'm strong?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6OlhZmzPK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPov5p0yZE
With what he was doing, this question kicked my perplexion into a nauseating fierceness. I felt inclined to pinch myself to check if I was dreaming, but I was long past hoping that I was asleep.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYA6IIt2NV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM8YScPZEA
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR0KBtwr9f
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ256Z2nTFlh
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DsiFbQ6lQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYhjFI0zfo
I couldn't help but remember the times Juke was there to save me or to fight alongside me. Without his help, I'd likely be dead. Despite his nonchalant disposition, Juke was someone I could rely on. In that manner, Juke was one of the strongest people I knew, and someone I was proud to call a comrade.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlEVAKne8M
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiUQLb61fx
"Yer a moron."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESAoFAw6D7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4aQ819UW3
"H-Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZJMZuHodl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiVkLAoxQD
But my resolute answer was shot down. I composed myself quickly, and with a will I didn't know I had, faced his scrutiny head-on.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXctJli0vhA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpX5FHXkq1
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhru9cx1iXt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN8umrkf4n
"In front of ya is a guy twice yer size. I've got muscles and a sword on my hip. I'm a guy who's been doing missions and fighting monsters for over half of his damn life. Yet yer the bastard who tore a Lionant apart with a flick of yer finger, like it was instinct, and ya ripped a hole in the ground so large I thought I was gonna drown in all the sand that fell to cover it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYuaDjSjbb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkokLlZVKl0
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXm6isB6eK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdVoj5Hxyt
"If I fought ya right here, I'd die. Ya already know my tricks, yer already experienced enough to where a big weaklin' like me can't just swing his sword and cut ya. If ya really wanted to, I bet ya could destroy this whole building, what with yer plants and explosive magic. Tell me, kid–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkqk79pgJO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7n8AaJCBL
He took a step forward and drew his sword. He didn't brandish it, only used it like it was a paper with a speech on it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA1UHwD7fN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G51bEvnu4
"How the hell am I strong? When I'm faced with these Retaliation Squad maniacs, when I'm faced with yer power, when I'm faced with that girl, Rover, who moves like a damn monster, when I'm faced with the fiends and beasts at Hard-Bringer, how the hell am I strong?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchzBkIIJ90
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGpZLDp7su
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1yXkmE8by
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnChGb8wrfs
Time wasn't an issue. Juke looked at me with patience he had never exhibited. This was a question he wanted an answer to, though the look in his eyes told me that whatever I said would matter little. I had no space to think, though. Something grabbed my throat and squeezed it hard enough to where the air couldn't reach my mind, and to where the words couldn't form. I was in a box of some kind, though I couldn't see it, and the couch, a comfortable surface but a moment ago, exacerbated my feelings by locking my movement.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrF4QeJELd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEYEWfrDZW
However, these feelings were irrelevant. In front of me was someone that I wanted to help, and if I couldn't start now, with nothing to inhibit me but the mood in the air, then I was hopeless.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57nOtGSn80
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRdPdWCTT6
And so, I spoke.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUCnzpHE98
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTupBwKo1z
"Y-You– You may not be the most capable, but if it weren't for your decisiveness, then that Lionant would've eaten me long ago."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P5Iljcadt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI1z4BUKGh
"...Yer just like that bitch."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYWUCtLA0o
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsrGI5kRfv
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCseLUEbywr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgyRptvcQ6
"Ya yap about things like will and determination. All yer lofty ideals ya strong people put on a pedestal and teach to everyone else, turnin' them to morons. Decisiveness? The hell's that any good for when the most I can do is swing a sword, eh? Courage ain't gonna brave the storm of an armada, like I saw yer kind do so many damn times."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡannDf5lS7J
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xjM9FOmAG
He took another step back. His face was contorted. It was difficult to look at, and looked difficult for him to have. I snatched the moment to make my rebuttal.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nU313VtPJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNXvTnOtB9
"S-Such traits aren't useless! It wouldn't make any sense for it to be! I-I mean, what good is power if the one who has it is too scared to wield it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JJE0UrEmQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSpv7SAwtx
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiPxetfEZu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte0aDnQAIw
"You're missing the point!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFWoBzBqby
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ0CvlmXGi
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABRM5zx5zk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf8M8TMi5c
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqBjJMeXrq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYbIU85Khj
His comment struck a dissonant chord with me. Time stopped for a moment, and by the time the world around me flowed again, Juke was out of my sight. I heard his voice beside me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu7A8JbBfE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwhSGhXLAl
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGYi1qLrQc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkupgHBaA5
And he walked off, towards the room. I couldn't let him do that. I couldn't let this end on such a note. But, I didn't know what to say. A part of me was flustered; another, angry. But all my being knew I had to say something, anything.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse2B4ZFcyS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4AftRwmGg
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ398UJj7jW3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXImMGSUv2
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbgaIhbGZM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsRAb1IE6Z
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2PSvQusvU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyspFH13DT
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwdO3OMNvX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo74sXCc2b
I wasn't looking at him, but I heard the soft thuds against the carpeted floor cease. He let out a grunt and gave me his final words.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69uaXt93N5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jsAfmlnzO
"That was just luck, kid. That's all that's keepin' me runnin'. Has been from the start. It's gonna run out one day, ye'll see. And when it does, my ghost will find ya and all the strong folks who say the same shit, and laugh at yer damn face."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxJ2MrZV2T
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt20Sj9CWBi
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
