“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna7szSxSvT
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“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDYKiy4QdW
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8KAt8ymac
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPcBOGC101
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEBjaowh7U
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“I have a feeling–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy93O39bhst
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUKVkTEqef
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiDPM6hZfm
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy0OOKhijk
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“Do you also have that feeling?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsXSN8dqbY
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“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK5urrzjt0
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjHOGW92JN
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiKMtDQ2vB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8diMzlYwDJ
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5COFs5ELm
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxobN0XtNw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrAJmmyLyg
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“Y-You!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8XZmJkupy
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiBn6JIciE
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6yEzPLIFF
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSrbkGT8nC
“A-Alright!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjZu009Di8
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkcPtOsqvB
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4s3pDzQ6N
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxvR8jBcBA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1IhtrnwDl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Mj6MKPiP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOEtbbU8bE
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALCH45LjBh
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnXsPlVW3U
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FgbpFe9cU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8qDwSGkpV
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“He’s alive!?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDrFt8b1wk
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i3QMeaATv
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhiaaQeIPW
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY98pjIHDrD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnG0sHfJhZ
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJEbZvXQpc
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznbeAWKULV
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6UfJ04mVB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhB6gdBlOG
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTP6siRfQv
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“...Well, not exactly.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64c2g3dL9t
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmbjxB1XBd
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“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5KqKGXEVh
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89XUuC9ADB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Bn83nFtu
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHUBsKNnRs
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6H5Mx8r8U
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCyEaLkkE5
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iPfl001bc
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpX33NX47C
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hMwaOjgGN
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlAXkMcbYO
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9YDLXH6br
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“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIHaEDorfe
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQWIxT0WqT
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfogxFN0kt1
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5AsbK531M
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwNU29WHuN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISMRwywZzG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrMMhwfUgu
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSg1Aq61uU
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqetEnPlZqf
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOVCP7D2Hi
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF2i70Aj68
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–
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–
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–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe48Qljk9Bu
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oC5aM7sOx
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV6GPSNY8O
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49e8FWzXpk
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuybDtYAawA
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq2pLBiBGu
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzwudVV0NL
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvqIQupvRN
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.
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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.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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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.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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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.
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"I can just chip away."
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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.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0StJTQQN3
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X2kqmFLuv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd2NTJePkv
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHWyN4Bhyt
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCYBeeQn58
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhIn51FURk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyixesYrvzO
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ2RaHARa6
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After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nU6RbCuV5
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvKGYXNxoV
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RfhPzVZbe
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KBZ9Cw6Cf
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUqLNCGxTB
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“Crap!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCzzs9oSSF
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j14PZ3vwN
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**CRUNCH**315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR88um74VCa
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgvY9IMjaC
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwD255qQAc
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab20peMeuV
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRZEHd0M6c
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“Child! Child, please!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexMuHH5YBn
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxxW78roXM
“W-What!?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndiiZ4ROGC
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtetWAQl98i
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNfovIP5D0
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPnziq3nP6
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“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQQOGPA2z9
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“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlX2YThjgQ
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMo7nl5arh
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3yacBohDJ
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpH0os4i1p
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3R9C1WV0a
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndEQeJQ69G
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkIRhCheXW
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YJNzUFF9g
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV3JO7KXSw
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nmd55y0kl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fmtOP013J
“Kid! Watch out!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH32Y9o2wAQ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPOn1jTOlX
“--Huh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkYTTEd9XS
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze7xa4wf5i
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ2AW2Vizj
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxM0SUnANa
“S-S-Shit!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFmXLWDr7J
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjUCFHTFpW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF4mPLBrpa
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNe1EzhhBo
**SQUELCH**315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwT5iTRMzb
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrVMdcIwms
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLiGJigBsj
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cKSqViO8q
“--H-Hrk!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gD27V0YAf
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL13JwO1yEQ
“Oh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUC9ZWBygB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2x8oDmZJh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrmAML2A7p
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v8usEAeFB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnhZ57nYYt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODkc3cHvry
“Ark… W-Why?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMqB1RRNbO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11cSGq31Qy
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn0qJchg1c
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd2HeMBVSe
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQbFUQroK1
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc2vfnG3mL
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzxvI35QS1
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg4waj0qhR
“A– y-you monster!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD8GEec9my
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nut3TmEpc
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhwWBSLW2E
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoTkQP0EJK
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1181YWys0n
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGiDpMiZLw
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiANjMIyovJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd2Rrpfgu3
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk5HGb6se4
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsydc8I5kl4
“A-Afraid?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUoF52fq7g
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkYkDfGnzp
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLsEzp3oLt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZLfw5I3w7
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1m5brwsOr
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yUkCIbeAl
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MlgWeWEoL
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wZMB7ZQYh
“Damn it. Damn it!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc86TcwOlN9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhgjpRh6Qo
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIa1QpohPr
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqGQkNdKFT
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiDBbziaxy
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavIhWcWjYZ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mjj9pNWYZ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3xF90bz9o
“T-Thank you.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nwOMBoWU3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi5fLCL3vA
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dLyvPrksF
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaKYZhOMl7
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lvg1MZO69
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44qHvyuZ6m
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3MOKNdXZW
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui81iopc6Q
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyqRqpsBvt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKKPjj4866
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaPhvUw8cM
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTznr8r6LPh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBinKPtMbWA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1zDwW9Syv
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Fsa7js14
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymzpWXgrrR
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiAarYxkJ2
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmWikZWReC
“Juke!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ2gcvrFoJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76vONemD7o
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDr929v03M
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbShX8eDH7
“That kid is such a nuisance!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuVEDrUdg9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XtVdDVBdV
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncsI8YkMnd
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Fortunately, it didn’t have to.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCS7xE3c0m
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoBklfGhBj
“Ahck!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ0BipmMXF
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqbFaZ1c8f
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JMEhZvnDg
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QsnTopuyP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V6A1tVyaY
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTstzdiDij
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmWkgzdezs
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7ToVEbm05
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ytJwhqVcY
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But, that did not happen.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyzL1tzj9j
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty4fsUJuoY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxzoFTceDg
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6Xy8RfueQ
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jG4ZDzGwz
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAJS5jhnuZ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDbIIbacjN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHHxpv9Mqg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS6w9JtRVP
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And he let it rip just a moment later.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVd5omax6x
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxErVLHzKyH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfxdlNJ99k
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9u9EDYTSr
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfkgqY47Xf
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Yw2H8LyT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIrQT1KQw6
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“...!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzSKGGAQjl
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None so fierce to kill my plant.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSWN2LqGaN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgCkDwPOcs
“M-My arm!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WKZ4wAjov
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebVeDwU91E
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLDMVapyE3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsL0os4dKM
“Juke!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wl4pG9DVw
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnojviGqjZR
“Gotcha, kid!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKALUpOaJpu
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVCxxp2RVF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj7YiZFizb
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1OJNpfDPL
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufBEarFXeV
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPvMO995fo
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENHAHTurpv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0zTu1ck0M
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“Hrk!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFLL2YVCC3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3FF0iZfSU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF2RFfZ1DM
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc5sE6kPjV
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlhGQFHlIt
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“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFcVnOMYQl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOsPaBSa67
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrqaGx663H
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4h9AThTD7
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqnEfWuWCZ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSxmxJGbqj
“Curse…”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrhhAgU6zD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER52F2FI7B
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURP4r6HlAk
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBvi9b5ln9
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBPPwS00yS
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKrblxvbpM
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc9Oug9jZs
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAqbjRLeiQ
“May they, be few.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBZ2maoinm
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dLmfh1fB3
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rrfnw6SG4
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8tMD1jWhc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1B0lIIWee
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“That was… sad.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr74GKTdlV
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGynfkZOXf
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEGHTZ2cV4
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UbnDRnVfc
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa24Lm9v5zF
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtcmrD7APd
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b7aIikDjN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd8NOCA5aL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFKJbIbknO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMDuqQFf0w
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglBLiIlTQm
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4kKUFRD2o
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvCARW6EzW
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvGU7NRwBD
“Don’t continue.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaDliO4sLc
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWSZCurnkR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPkqGWTqzr
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0kQi0zeHp
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAz6uFPGVY
