The crowd sprung from their hiding spots, darting to the Pillar, flailing weapons and roars. I was late to the call; even Juke went ahead without me, but once I got my bearings, I sprinted in with my tendril brandished.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlqXeVhap3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmebJLyebge
The truth was, though I ran with purpose, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. I looked left and right and observed the other members of the crowd. Some took up battles with guarding Bringers, others continued their onslaught. I slowed down, thinking of offering my help, but the crowd members made their adeptness in combat immediately known to me. As assuring as it was to see, it left me lodged in place. I looked around frantically, shaking sweat off my head with every turn.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9SIR02RSm
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH79s9zoouz
"Kid! Over here!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCAzjPxRIs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoZ10x3Ich
A voice called out to me– Juke's, and immediately I was brought back to the moment. He stood near the entrance of the Pillar, and to that destination I dashed. My head turned left and right rapidly, and I had to duck a few too many times to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Once I arrived, I skidded to a stop.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwSb9mUD4Z
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYh9UCnJLU
"Ya ready!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopXvuGJocB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgL50Jqhgi
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA5vyKwrgT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6I4RrWJ1x
We barged into the building with the rest of the squad. Nearly half of the members branched from the group to battle the guarding Bringers. I could only catch Lola and Pars before they finished their assault. Their attacks were effective and quickly incapacitated the members, if not outright killed them.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotV8dyOSx1
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsO81yEX2V
I couldn't help but avert my gaze at the bloodshed. Doing so, I noticed I was just about to ram into the person ahead of me. I quickly stopped, grazing the man's coat but narrowly avoiding a clash. I held my hand to my chest, frantically grateful, then stood there wondering why he stopped in the first place261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7GHV11iAQ
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Fortunately, I was promptly answered.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmPTJdl7Ue
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"Everyone, listen! Form a double-file line with your group! As we ascend floors, the leading team will detach and battle whoever is on that floor! Am I clear!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uOBh86lxM
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWJwGm5UKf
YEAH!261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDATy6ZUen
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h1j2Gnwil
I was ready for the roar this time, but still, I shook, because the plan Lola had just created hurled me into a spiral of disorganized questions. But I hadn't the time to even form them; the crowd moved immediately after the instructions were yelled. They went ahead of me, charging, and I would've done nothing but stand there and stare if it wasn't for the smack on my back.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BY2JXOlUc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNWclTloId
"Ack!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwRGiFccKs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGi4e3728B
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyhv9swCBv
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzSS5vFQE1
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Fr6CiTgk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BdhrZYHzz
"R-Right!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvZEi9iTic
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBvZQo7JRa
I shook my head rapidly as we followed the rest of the group, slapping my cheeks over and over. I almost folded then and there. Chiding myself verbally wouldn't suffice. I quickly resolved myself as we ascended the first set of stairs, disjointed from the rest of the squad. When we arrived at the second floor, the group was still again. I thought for a moment that Lola might've forgotten something, but as I peered around the crowd and saw who stood before us, I became just like them.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AVeL4EEpt
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVefTIaIVUF
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtXuzeyWl
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxFMFurNPP
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Pa3MU8V5
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"Crap!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wU3OcIOH4
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCNWM9vlNn
I was worried, naturally. Having fought her before, I knew of her strength. But this was a different scenario. This time, I had a group of powerful fighters with me. By our sheer numbers, she shouldn't be a considerable threat.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9izu1FiJIS
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBobOZW7T54
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgHEOEvmbz
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNGWC8FG28
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT76kLnXNzR
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUbEoweqOG
That comment put everyone on high alert, and only made me sweat more profusely. Having just been told that there is a time limit to this operation was a kick to the stomach. I looked at the rest of the crowd. They were brandishing their weapons and seemed to be readying their spells. I raised my tendril, half-heartedly ready to strike.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx1fVyU3Aw
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59IQtDSEIx
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaP0qegG37
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RFFhzN327
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ6JhdMbSU
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K0B3WiQtl
"L-Lola!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpC5yrDWlp
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That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5qZAz4Gcv
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTy2Jb9wSg
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM1PvhU5iI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c14CAPu5r
And the crowd did. It dispersed throughout the room. I went to the left side, eyeing the Bringers and preparing to respond to any attacks. The Harbinger just clicked her tongue and stepped forward.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWmNBilTyV
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpOz6hPN6M
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1vSq5BDiB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbZAtRKFIL
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbKXxLSMBr
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXTOkOM0GB
Shockingly, she ignored the rest of us. The few lackey Bringers were overwhelmed by our numbers The rest of the crowd descended, but I hung around for a moment and looked. I started at the floor. I saw blood and torn fabric that didn't come from the enemy, and as I raised my head my gaze fell on the two women.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZEV7okhc2
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchzI8SDitD
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1XwHTk22r
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–
–
–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeVnq2FYmT
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Provided that she was sober, Lola was extraordinarily talented at keeping a calm face. It was necessitated by her loathsome job. It wasn't just for fighting, but for looking good while doing it, because that was expected for someone in her position.
Lola had no reason to keep that face of hers at that moment, but even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to keep it for long.
"Hah. How oh how did I wind up here?"
Through the rubber grip her dagger slowly slipped from her palms. She tapped on it with her finger rhythmically– pinky first, index last, over and over. It was an instinctive thing for her. It had to be for it to happen because all her being was focused on the monster ahead.
A Harbinger. Elusive as they were, the only thing the highly-positioned such as herself knew was that their powers were mysterious and unpredictable. Fortunately, this one was historically noisy.
"You're the Harbinger of Anger, correct?"
"What's it to you, filth?"
"It wouldn't be wise for me to speak any further. I wouldn't want to leak any secrets, would I?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8uOjzLoIT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkMf6O2reN
By the standards of the Pillars, the room was spacious. Desks and chairs occupied space intermittently, and none were in such a position that they'd become serious obstructions. Despite the ideal conditions, Lola's brow twitched, because it was the abundance of furniture that allowed her powers to be so effective. And due to the material the foundation and exterior of the building were made of, she had ever greater restrictions.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuAOFOT9yo
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj37ydn4tNq
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVicC1qKVc
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She shifted a leg back and shrunk her posture, pointing her dagger like a cat rearing to pounce. She didn't move, though. Her other hand hid behind her back, expelling mana and forming a mass of rock. The Harbinger tilted her head in response.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwuOZbjHSg
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2x577QBn6
"Do you have something you want to say?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElQ2P75hLG
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Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm93hI7zVmF
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"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkf4jtuVuF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDdJzk7Xse
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KzXUZ0YZb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnUc8U9wdL
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGnd9jiaqI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6SHXG6AXl
The Harbinger threw her head back while rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but suddenly, she took a defensive stance with her knife with a reverse grip. The shift made Lola jump, and her mana expulsion was interrupted.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zgWMPSuTr
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdVbKwv7iy
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbG0r1eS3m
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7nCAC683M
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6RW7vi7ud
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C9gA92VzG
"Call me Anima."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vwozX0ghN
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaHHeMe5Ol
Her words came out of her mouth like hurled stones. Sluggish, spoken through a calm demeanor, they were laced with an apathy that stabbed at Lola's composure. A flurry formed in her chest, the one she felt every time she had to do the dirty part of her job; a putrid, crimson red. Only now, its color was blighted with a grassy yellow. After Lola's initial shock, the change dwindled in power. It was the same business as always, after all.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECYc5lbSVh
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH48LhpD8F
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT09aflppj
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Then, the Harbinger dashed.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfemeiUDji
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCrcKt0U2p
She charged at Lola with brisk steps, holding the knife out like it was a battering ram. Her speed was surprising, but Lola reacted accordingly, dashing backward. Anima clicked her tongue, stopped her advance, and veered to the side. It surprised Lola, but she dispelled it quickly when the image of a flying chair grew closer and closer. She couldn't duck, so she stepped to the side, but an armrest of the chair caught her shoulder.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBhFsDRfMc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajiBKp3Fft
"Ngh!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6SP1d0rnd
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSFBQgZmXh
It hurt, but a bite on the lips drowned the pain. Anima's absurd move confused her and raised dozens of questions, but she had the time to answer none. Her opponent advanced, getting close enough to attempt a few swings. Lola dodged the first two, but after ducking the third, she pointed her dagger and thrust it at Anima's chest. But though it looked like it was sure to hit, Anima strafed to the side and avoided it perfectly. Lola's body committed to the trajectory of the knife just long enough for Anima to–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLfeLeZcf7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxCoXrDtyS
**THUD**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQACy2By0X
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She delivered a kick to Lola's jaw, disorienting her and sending her rolling across the floor. Though it didn't hurt very much, the hit sent her head spinning. She got up quickly, though staying on her legs was arduous.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJRb2n59Mt
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidUbbER70C
She caught Anima sprinting towards her. Too confused to make a complex motion, she simply fell on one of her knees and began mana expulsion.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMDb8QPm6n
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"--!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi0GjQfVAo
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBwJvGYSqi
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGoR7mpKnl
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGhIkfitHY
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFdP2QGdT5
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0XAN1q8DQ
As she regained her senses, she lamented the state of the room. Even the floor was magic-resistant, making it nigh-impossible to use her earth magic in such an offensive way. She desperately wanted to devise a plan, beginning to regret how carelessly she entered the battle, but her opponent handed her no such luxury.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreuUHK26qf
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtGsWTcls0
Immediately, Anima jumped over the limp stone slab brandishing her knife. Lola was forced again to act defensively, backing away from the aggressive swings of the Harbinger. She swung once and twice, then followed up with a stab. Lola prepared to step back, but a sudden collision halted her.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagArEJ0kLS
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQL7w4wGMR
She had hit a wall.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddi2lWY5Ag
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGjBQdCftI
"--!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rN8HCUnav
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN1skxaVkg
If she opted to move her whole body, she'd be punctured. If she stepped to the side the knife would still nip her considerably. Enduring such a taxing injury this early wasn't an option. Thus, instead of moving her body–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9nPa1UWYB
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**CLING**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSULWXn4sr
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She intercepted Anima's blade with her own, catching it between the dual prongs of her dagger. The Harbinger's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised. Lola made note of that as a struggle ensued.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJcPv8tUwI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqnYK7jwBH
"Huh. I can't break free."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0keYbnRxI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b4qzUKHzr
The serrations on her knife caused it to get caught on the dagger. She couldn't dislodge it, but Lola's weapon was just as stuck as her opponent's. Anima jerked her leg, clearly preparing a kick, but Lola didn't react. The Harbinger delivered a blow to her right. She winced, but in her head, she celebrated.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDlMDB18gd
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi8sFo0YZG
"--Huh?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRh1RqSE0u
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"Caught you!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9arsVr6eb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeujr1iAEuE
She had Anima's leg wrapped in her arm. She tightened her hold, squeezing hard enough that a lesser fighter's bones would've shattered. Then, she began mana expulsion.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nm8CaWBHv
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItEpnetTQA
"You!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LrbCvF6Eo
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Qlt4UPJv
Anima's panic was clear and immediate. At first, she attempted to pull her leg out of Lola's grasp, but she could barely make it nudge an inch. It did, however, make a spell difficult to produce.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpgyjMZnYW
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiWN8e8Dpa
It was laborious, but Lola was sure that she guaranteed a blow. She formed a blade of earth, focusing on width rather than length, and prepared to blast it through the Harbinger's leg. But then, she suddenly felt a force at her front, and her body jerked forward.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt9n0lwQ5X
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Vf0DQOrh
The Harbinger freed her knife from Lola's dagger. Of course, it was the obvious decision when she forfeited the support of both arms. Lola had no time to curse herself for her oversight, because now a blade was soaring at her face. She ducked her head in time and, acting on instinct, she tackled Anima with a headbutt to her stomach.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7BdPD73wh
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEQnlMzPQr
"Hrk!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAhB9edopl
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67pauhNyor
She recoiled from the blow, taking a few jagged steps back. Lola realized that she let go of her leg, but she still had the stubby cylinder of stone to hurl. And hurl it she did.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfJplrTakn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Np3zHOFGL
The Harbinger still reeled from the strike. Even through her rushed and lousy aim, Lola was confident that her cylinder would slug her opponent's head. Only, that didn't happen.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eqv8Z6vdj
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc8oYCtNJt
By an inch the cylinder missed, and it wasn't because Lola aimed poorly, but because the Harbinger let herself stumble onto the ground, landing on her ass.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfruv84nUf
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZat8fz9zB
Lola's bewilderment was profound, but she wasn't foolish enough to avoid capitalizing on her opponent's state. She leaped forward and stabbed the dagger from above, but she only hit the ground as the Harbinger rolled away. She hopped on her feet and tossed a haymaker kick that Lola retreated her head just in time for. Anima's follow-up blow was too sudden for Lola to dodge.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH1vOT6RmQ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe6uv84P2G
She ate a heel to the head, a strike so fierce she flew to the wall. Fortunately, her chin wasn't hit, so Lola avoided being dazed. But her vision was blurred and her hearing was impaired.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAKXk7jRSN
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJinNt90Ff
Lola, however, had a spectacular guess as to what her opponent would do next, and so she retaliated. She placed both her hands on the ground, carelessly expelling mana and producing not a slab of earth, but a wave of water.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYXkEBQtwT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49osgKiQ9K
A few seconds passed until her senses returned. When her vision was clear, she was pleased to find herself still alive, but now the entire room was damp and flooded. Anima was on the other side, similarly drenched, though she clearly suffered no damage.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAt3odbnKe
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksqCz9t6oK
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCqddgWUjT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBJs8dEpBN
"...This is irritating."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NifoGQz4I
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFMtIz33aV
Lola got up to her feet, contorting her face. She made sure to at least keep one eye open because the Harbinger wasn't someone to be lax around. She found it difficult to keep her focus, though.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFQ7VcLJT3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn5Y3mBSMz
This moment. This eternal, present moment; how she loathed it. Her opponent was slippery in figure and form, escaping every jab Lola threw her way. And now, the entire floor was ruined. The furniture was maimed and jumbled by the force of the water. The carpet absorbed so much that it looked like it would burst.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmWWJ5hpto
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3QoBz7ujW
It had barely been a few minutes, but Lola was beginning to get tired. Her stamina was unusually low, but with how much she drank to suppress her stress, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. She chuckled. For a moment, she had an awful load of clarity.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5EMTkXN4l
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Giving up became more and more alluring.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOkFS7xIVY
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh5uh2dZsd
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5LBXsLdU
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQmKTlGju0
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacOz8GESOH
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCUEpVwbDa
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0gT9p2axO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9LEHlcRle
The Harbinger looked at her with vigilance. Lola suspected that she had earned some respect from her, but she doubted that would make the fight any easier.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVUhEAj3mO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpZZwvYBSy
As it was right now, she couldn't make any progress. Anima hadn't even used her magic yet, and yet Lola struggled to deliver a meaningful blow. At the rate she was going, she'd be whittled down, engaged in a battle of attrition she didn't have the mettle to endure.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPbwipd27S
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sW2fyFGZv
But options were scarce. Any direct attack would either be dodged or countered and any spell was either too weak or suffered the same fate. With how aggressive Anima was being, she had no time to imbue the room with her mana.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqe7rSeiis
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"...Unless, of course."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0la5Oh91B
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhypJhsRmcJ
She had to concede that her opponent was the better fighter in hand-to-hand combat; those few exchanges were all it took for her to realize. But it seemed to Lola that she was the far better mage.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ026dCpJn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo6uongyOs
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIQCFeQjQO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MRYfGMwlq
"I don't like what you're planning!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1bnBKsSYY
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79iYgc231a
Anima was an opponent who had an impossible ability to predict actions. Anima was an opponent who was cautious about and loathed being confrontational. Yet despite this, she was a skillful aggressor. But she was not impenetrable.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNdr6nJI7e
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdolI0Fv9w
As the Harbinger charged for the umpteenth time, Lola remarked at how inconsistent her ability to predict was. The reason for the discrepancy was unknown to her, and she had no opportunity to ponder and deduce it. That, however, would lose all its relevancy if every inch of the room was a weapon.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWwhYcJn6W
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqfy7a3rCM
Her approach changed. Anima threw a small ball of fire at Lola, but expecting divergence, Lola was unfazed. She smacked the spell away with her dagger, preparing to back away again, only to hesitate once she noticed how close the Harbinger was. Anima thrust her knife– an action parried by Lola's swift movements. She attempted a riposte, but with a reckless motion, had her dagger countered with a resounding clang.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVCPeRvAdz
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl7iInR5L7
It became clear to Lola that knifeplay was inimical for progress. Thus, she backed away, a motion that took advantage of Anima's poor posture. The Harbinger clicked her tongue and prepared another spell. It wasn't a haphazard product this time, but a sizeable, dangerous wall of flame. Lola had a skulking smirk, but a telling sea of sweat.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhJvAzuGJD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm9mFj7CC0
It became time to set her plan in motion. She released the bubbling mana in her hand and suspended it behind her back, then formed a mass of water of similar size. She took great relief in seeing Anima's eyes widen, reeling her arm and flinging her spell.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMhStUTm9h
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaaiUOdgds
The Harbinger hastily threw her own spell to match Lola's. The two met, and a cloud of vapor burst from the collision, spreading through the entire room instantly. The haze was surprisingly thick; Lola knew that staying in place would only hurt her. She grabbed her suspended mana and continued supplying it, running through the steam and keeping a watchful eye–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2PPqJdZie
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsfOs1Gflc
**THUD**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp7WHqmLKm
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But then she felt a great force slam her stomach. She rolled across the room, clutching her gut. It wasn't even remotely a fatal blow, but she cringed as if her organs burst.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfv2EkVhTL
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaWpCoAtvV
She tried to stand on her feet. She was only halfway stable before she caught something shifting in the fog. She jerked to avoid it–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzA51CHidi
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgTLd5BfEX
"--Hrk!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioX4TJGggS
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W2tM9vSHU
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowoKTmkvMX
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXjthmaNs0
Her reaction wasn't a result of instinct, but a habit acquired from her time in the field. She lifted her foot and swiped it in front of her, connecting with something. The steam began to dissipate, and she caught the Harbinger several meters away from her, but now her right femur felt one nudge away from being dislocated from her hip. She dashed away and looked at the new source of pain: her sizzling gash.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSgk4J2yro
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQj29inAxl
It was on her right shoulder. She was thankful that she wore protective gear, because otherwise the cut could've net her a lost arm. Though, with how much it bled, it was still nothing to scoff at. She collapsed for a moment, scoffing.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFQGjOawCH
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLV3kmwnNg
"This..."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg8v5uXDip
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTQ6pjndp4
She hardly had the strength to verbalize her complaints, but her ire wasn't her denied by her sudden dumbness. She paused releasing mana into her spell, suspending it into the air again and performed mana spinning on herself.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfZ4pAOWe5
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI14OthzNTU
She could only do a little before her opponent returned to harassing her. Lola clicked her tongue, but got on her feet and brandished her dagger.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6vt8OuQZ3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv8qgkflr7
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXdX9lfqlp
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2uimRHyVR
Lola realized just how much trouble she had keeping calm. It stunned her for a moment, but ultimately, she still decided to challenge Anima's approach.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTPAHhyrUV
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJqV1zyn9U
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXW0FCMEDn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVSzeurPSj
"--sneaky!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjGTg9eHk0
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlviOw8YHfo
Anima thrust her knife again, and again Lola parried it with her dagger. It wasn't as impactful, having it be done with her non-dominant hand, and Anima took advantage of it to try a slash. Lola moved reeled her head just in time and retaliate with an upward kick. Anima blocked it with her forearm, though it was only so effective, and since it was Lola's right leg she winced from the move. The Harbinger tried thrusting again, but had her blade caught in between Lola's.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsfrHoRoef
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zBflOWtgJ
Instead of baiting a grab, Lola acted fast. She twirled her wrist and jerked her arm to her, weakening Anima's grip, then hurtled her arm the otherway, and Anima's knife flew across the room.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5M6T8YNBj
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpVGgN1KXN
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ51jvfH8qe
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlDyC6qfR8
She managed to brace her jaw before the impace, but it still made her head ring. She was met with another one, and then a third one to her chest.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS2U3zOEHC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgVXJUjDX2
And of course, none of them were strong enough to send her flying. It was only after a short flurry, a storm of blows and jabs, that the Harbinger hit her hard enough to create distance.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mLrBvexSy
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5Oon3Xzvi
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ONdNinAFo
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDp6gVhpsC
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek3XsWc5wc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bU2gftXOE
She checked her spell and determined it still wasn't ready. Only a little more– only a little more and the battle would finally turn to her side.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjtSTOhr8a
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswEJfX4lsM
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Z7fU4oNn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm0wB7vBYN
Even as the Harbinger went to grab her knife, moseying as if she hadn't an opponent at all, she had no drive to stand.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBp2EN05Ed
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH2uewpQya
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1VfjX8si2
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFt9poYULf
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaT7onS4Zc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT178ziPEG0
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdAAnvtk7x
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"I win, though–"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrcbl9D2fY
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeln6Ys62Dw
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhWWqH1bsC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1WWdFR6R7
Anima didn't even spare her an insult, she darted her head to the walls and sprinted. Lola eyed her and noticed she was heading to the exit. Then, listlessly slapping her right hand on the floor, her mana permeated throughout the soaked room.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpnVEh5AJg
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G67o9fnNL
The effect was immediate. The room's stern architecture dawned a sludge-like form, one that slowed Anima down instantly. She threw Lola a look of scorn and raised her knife, hurling it at her. A piece of the floor rose to intercept it.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5hUOV9LAo
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC497dWxUSW
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVlmgqt03p
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p8zJrtX1n
She got on her legs, using a half-broken chair that slid to her as a support. She eyed the Harbinger, who, though still looked furious, was surprisingly calm.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iRKXvQa23
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAYBsKxfYP
"Can't move your legs?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cbkQisrNs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHwQBexBIz
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4vSfh4xuh
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkBeUBwAzE
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmz6W8g5Zs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uc7BU86Cz
Even Lola was surprised at her laughter. It detracted her from her disgruntling situation for a moment. She gazed at the Harbinger. She did nothing more but gaze.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsvCCnomAB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9nfQ6vk1F
"Aren't you going to do something?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce8w4igRE9
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuYvTN5lQd
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa399XSGk6U
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXI02KEhW5
The Harbinger rolled her eyes in response. Lola commanded the room to form a spike out of the furniture, then created a mock catapult out of the floor.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq92OzzTc9o
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgcSOWXxKX
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5umWF1GBT0
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxTat6DqYU
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEjE4aUGWD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZjdxLxVCN
Anima suddenly ducked and extended her hand, firing a ball of fire that had little time to form, but was strong enough to blast the catapult. Lola was brough back to the present, and again she commanded the room to attack, but as she did, Anima pointed her arms in the opposite direction of the wall, and then–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnq7neGO4f
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtO51GKCX0
**BOOM**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZEaDxWEor
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom5mZaTMQm
A gust of wind powerful enough to send every unfixed object to the opposite side blew in the room. Lola was sent to the wall, which cushioned her collision instead of exacerbating it, but it still hurt. When she opened her eyes, she saw a giant hole, and her opponent on the other side.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo7oOt1OAr
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDviCqSLII
Anima stood up. Even from this distance, she could make out all the scratches from the debris. They exchanged looks. Lola expected Anima to turn and run, but she approached, stopping short of the hole in the wall.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nE1SmLEHk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxBBlj97PL
"People like you," she said, pointing her bruised finger, "people like you. You fill me with putrid disgust, so loathsome I oughta spit at you."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CGRgcpJwJ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnHBkhdZTg
"--?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvngO3YxiZ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRfo5yJLhx
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgBT5FatqN
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DulhanorV
She withdrew her head, turned around and ran. Lola was stumped for a moment, but she discarded her words. It was just the deranged ramblings of a Harbinger, after all.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGKo4muE5c
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJqaZV5TSy
"...Ehh."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEfvfOfLfG
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr0hG9bkaH
She shook her head. She focused on what was before her, what was relevant. She succeeded. That thought rang in her head through the various junk she was preoccupied with.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNOzcZ99DJ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW6mZkkdD1
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtEIzNzFvB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtUOLy12WU
"..."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9cjoN95iQ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUToAjZ6Cg
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N6gL9nVRn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnj5LRZ29Q
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DGSpSJmY6
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ohcLpHafQ
The wound on her shoulder still gushed blood. Her energy drained faster because of it, but she had to tend to it to live. She began mana spinning. Still hurt, still tired, still doused.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhPBkFHEr0
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VcvhfQpm2
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq2OCoxruF
