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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKkeP6HfcC
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Cspf9DhJ
"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXyAwVNQk0
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpczIQWO2OC
"Right on."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKqB5XmR7X
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPZwFPEszQ
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgraphhzKtZ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiYcgZoE8f
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hWBsCEp5C
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5jCTTPzYM
"Huh? Oh, alright."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrk5afPKh0
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMxQ5Dq5ja
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltXwxc6rp0
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURlAPmiFDW
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT70KGAkgv
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMj4xJQ4wm
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNBjsFjV4V
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon4f48TbIk
"Luck..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpYsc6nkIg
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBYxkCy6vG
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYhWtI4QXy
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xl1BgmJdc
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKXwMDvqG0
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdVbpiFRS2
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIP3pHBH4B
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h6sY1iXUL
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bKd2PMk1H
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ6hy1eMif
"You people are strange..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE9v84LWNQ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlLqMOTcx2
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKT5damfkf
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ytJdnG9t5
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iiu1uqbTu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6gb6WoVYN
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgeti7JewW
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeuVl6d1Wu
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzz6WDud2k
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJmPewUGuX
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DCl9CB423
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wLsWBRUBT
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv6YNZ4m56
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUoYRWypNv
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylAjFThkLN
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS41XaTfTOl
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv8OOPhOPk
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCME9ofOLi
"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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftlVN4YwVa
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW30nIf6kIL
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWCWAzvGQL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAf3UVwD6E
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIUaackr29
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LUHSmm5Ko
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbwvd08NBl
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L7V4aUqZF
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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MYhv1V7JW
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KTLOzwANQ
"...Huh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8RlKVflbo
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rXnGMno90
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBfLJWUMgv
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwuT77hr8I
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzKrc31x1F
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqTteCOyzv
"I can't deny that."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJwQhYQPsj
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5XSnxgkMo
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNuFWzfyap
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCZpS7nosM
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4MUkGFn7l
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfSU7OL718
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRIafvk6DE
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0FMV8yXni
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgELMUmzg8i
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUpc2PWno1
"You're up."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYOkmCYL6h
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIqPCaCv9g
"Right on."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRpzv4nYXN
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D8SOhIhd2
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6Jlm4RGsL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXOgHBkfUz
"That's... that's incredible."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiV0c41XI9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5noMNSf8ha
"Huh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQEYR1XGu9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9Zeg0LRnl
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkX5Wtq2GK
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvFTA3ktPh
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRXKtwB5j3
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuqbmVXmvM
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV2n4OZWcu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxDTQQ622F
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSGAuzIAdR
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5IZpjCoOd
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDhi32sUv4
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjQoW41T0Z
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KxLRp2XhA
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5GgpRB0xI
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nKERRpx9D
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdGRFhdlCI
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GcnUVDakM
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrO0sbfilK
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOMIdGXVRV
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDG7nfzuE3
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjjPY5Qbvi
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRT3BglEbw
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAIFFZANrc
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxcXbAiW0S
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmheswflxM
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPgjW52m7c
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDlculyUfx
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIGW4Aft2H
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgFzm0X32s
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK4NcPK31R
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAwonFxAf1
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdV9P3QNvp
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU9TVK8x7W
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNy2D8qAXG
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe41otz9I8H
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwlErZoK6M
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPj6ivgKTF
–
–
–
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0YHsve2PP
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH967J4NxM
"What time is it now?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vUIBQLkK1
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc2UxN7E3V
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQ2DzXGYg
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCxhqcNrQS
"Juke?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVv3NZNcYq
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmNTi8N6rI
He looked at me and perked up.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tRHlnsELj
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BtuRFproO
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0xrzjtpiH
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2dmddySXx
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrt7zfdrJt
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum7bRTj8NZ
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HclLv70Ri
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAYRDk5JC5
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYYKMwEpKX
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqCZ6CYgQk
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IXPB64yfF
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29xPLlny4T
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIzCyX3JfF
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXDtHRIrHY
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5xDjtpwVG
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdPilNANGK
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaYYSvLMAA
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Xmu5K8BQ
"S-Sorry, sorry."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXeN8znEtp
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Q1OphZ7r
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOx8l1TQO6
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwK4IyN6Gf
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKoSPdTeL0
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Io8bijYiG
"Ah, shit, yer right."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VITDBRqM7
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUUWius1yK
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9YBIRf88u
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2WUN2CIzm
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUdObjhzrX
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTcsworKx1
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFilGJlxDPs
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMyoQLPFB1
"Did ya just laugh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRdYxAbbRO
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVJhmX0TlD
"N-No, why do you ask?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lekgOklS9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUJNM8lXHk
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZHYGuPsFV
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOc7TkNF2K
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLvADu8PjV
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrOOjCvZz9
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yZJOiD3o6
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZJa8wFpYU
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NIfrSlxVb
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wz4C1deDo
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDybJsaxlBh
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOjJyCYZHV
He narrowed his eyes at me.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4fWRgIffI
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPVUyc9O1H
"I'll take yer word for it."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M9g3TLQyL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCHWHMD5Ux
There was a momentary pause. I159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkKDAbMlhP
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohdvkYL3rJ
"So, what have ya been up to?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORnn0HdSrr
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhan7fy9IYr
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9wihdg7HZ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww9QCKRDue
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgMcRAKjyi
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEQ4G6OIa2
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj3pYgkuhg
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP0lzLpX3X
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfQIlzgrIb
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnMrnFp1oz
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8yZFc4YRb
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb8Ghnypzl
"The sleeping room?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIOTmPmHIx
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57bL9m75Ez
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV3ZRLNGUE
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO9QG5hWOO
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFsFczQslY
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oCOmXjlR5
He cocked his head.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ucuqYTHdS
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMxrkooIoc
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl99ozDR3tu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrNW8DRr7N
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdRnH2HiUA
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2BEXuitb7
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1lhH5bW6G
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZhthdMU03
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7QWiKPjWU
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVooxTobPaB
"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..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYefTFaNJY
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJoxaq2ZQN
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUCMCZb38x
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz4FBdNykh
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzJOw6oJzu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsCwbIKQyI
"Loose screws?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0svvnTD9pr
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qzvMUuvxF
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIyLX7i6Wn
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2e7ZLZpNZ
He huffed from his nose and smirked.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5kVfbxvwU
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoZsoVVHrM
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntvzmKx4gB
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4eLWmbD8s
"Boring tales..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaxWMsVPgR
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss3SZEIuCt
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhoWIXfUlL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rB03HuSll
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0biybf6pB
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr11lcsIw5
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwknlJJ6lZ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3249tUS7RS
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT49xNMJs7O
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HNHiyuQYy
"What, am I too young?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GSL6CiOwk
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGnAzrDvK7
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanZeEF25zo
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWzLKTuBcM
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUV450uRnI
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FqOa8fAXY
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT21FvaNMpN
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqcUDpz6e5
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM5iJlQjRS
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaIWy9JDww
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI859H8yYuo
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2oHHw0Byt
I straightened my posture.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCYzXF8Csl
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDsIkVKfIm
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtp8jDyDnL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSymA8SNS4c
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHg0pZIh00
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kDnNipblp
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7U2cTHtPY
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd04UTybbc
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA0q2ESrY2
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WS4OXLZhL
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hyPPYb9y7
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT8jRM6L5H
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrC6UEmIBu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn2XbsRjfJ
He gave me a blank stare.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0ymFPZ9Mn
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVcoP193oz
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxI1dhLgcQ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l8B7wEBIJ
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcENdUTyyS3
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTptwF00Kc
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP7ojyfIC0
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25n4SBNJB0
"See? There ain't a difference."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWM8KoTfmI
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnhX9NkTf7
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3wkbCXMiB
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid8bJ1IalN
"Yeah? And what are they?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8IFt0fI6B
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYDerkOBta
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSonf2NdCuI
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ7JlxxL8u
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ES1Lm0PgN
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVfKJ39OgO
To that question, I simply shrugged.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfha7nuecVB
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DRYBs9QTH
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfZAhxvr9B
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS7ntLVOQO
"What a load of semantical garbage."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY66eJmOfc
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu1jpetnfs
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuQx5FKQiZ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZWm4FITkS
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVuFKmFgvH
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOQBXe2TBO
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTP6hlby80
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEhE3vKuuq
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEq0N3iA5P
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eUifN3geO
"..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmrPIuDLDz
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZSAwwejks
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA2bgOGbBk
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hSXArbWqr
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnDDdg98Cr
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3bGW5obWE
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSATw6arWZ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVmQC3QfpR
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9IyxxHV77
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVCoTmmz8V
"I'm starin' at one right now."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTc14Hw7dP
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnxLLKrpmr
"You know what I meant!"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfw0oN0vXt
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB8GqpJw4A
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAc0qimFIC
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS8Qn9J8BG
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgiH3SOQzo
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOoiJxfdpr
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqrs4pnLCY
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGpNBHkqnh
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEP0NXnMdp
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGUF6AxzoT
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkNxa71EjK
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH5hYwllgG
"You're definitely being generous."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nmwN6VDHm
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xSxmJW8gT
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYACquhBNsQ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkAt7EGxqz
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmGh57mxCc
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEDxU75x8Q
He nodded his head.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvAhhza7fa
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iKDthc8jN
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhyaEp2iNU
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVQF0oDEzd
"...Oh my goodness."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1QGGb8xDF
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHMbUkkOwk
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsuwp6Ilwg
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkntwoS2i2
"What? It's just mud, kid."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYqfyIHQxt
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm55N4Rq9E
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT935CkSWq
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbXlrJtgd2
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHmYByKU0h
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Pu8qG67G
"Yes. I hate it."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4S8KvXRZX
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmUBB90JWs
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj5BHDhZxE
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTqiJlHHox
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzJaLCgDQf
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfHIdotjJG
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4J4xQTi32
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwsPQ0JMae
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV5i7G0W5L
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmct9624tBB
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam5AXi999W
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxwKZpHII8
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBufNjoIgw
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpKDR2ooVh
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORa1Np8XAt
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQIDtZQuaw
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5PabUmtuR
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3YnoIJLXY
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK1DMmgvi8
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSnbuYMzEM
"Nah."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlJ5EZXYXn
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hP1bWbyZg
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYi57Dbk7H
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq6Q8nNN50
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8bpdHy9LJ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnihLR7mHw
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFzQSpi5x5
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPXaKBhpth
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk63mj8ZTz
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJwxMQW631
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl157eRjADr
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn0eKFtLiF
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJVB07DAL9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddNTfXpP9Y
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOt75jQ2Tp
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz8x0UIynv
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48AZc3P1D4
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUF2Rnqeef
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1mnsaz0rG
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0lOvkBKDQ
"Huh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz4mPjERGF
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zp8PnvSB4
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0uyqG19ye
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8Iw982eNY
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCPgWf6FkW
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJa2LbF0Ye
"So someone told you as well?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRIu4uFwEh
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6fdlGC4jb
He nodded with a smirk on his face.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphdCTJrEfU
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bwkKFqnyY
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkRDW22Y7W
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSVbk1FwgJ
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzTHlzh3AU
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAulgqUohmc
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLMf614upy
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3QUy04dwz
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRmpDuIrE9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMrpqHn57E
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AzYWc91Bh
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlIwHDUOaB
"..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMCRob4f3P
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0wmSLcQhX
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw39nNUbtA
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7SKFcen2b
"Strong?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCV5Dem0rO
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2beWf5i4Y2
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbLF7USSYe
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkScPGAl2YH
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAL6JKhg1v
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkIyobK68t
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?159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FfunyeIZT
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck51RJxFzt
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoA5C4gaBK
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9wUSkuhbZ
"Brat is certainly new..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dvV8BEoU5
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0wa2GMWPl
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki3b3AELbu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kHis6GLch
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdDBjP7AhZ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfCe0LyGvR
"Think like what?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuYFgH6imX
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKbf0dCl1q
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWWQUN6kDR
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9R9Q1U4nC
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmQXe8MysY
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYENa3dmxy
"J-Juke...?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4prJagNqt
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7VzKC1cQp
"Do ya think I'm strong?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYpPYNqppd
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJh5uDYLa6
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6im6H3BQd
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL6bviwnEo
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUNqdmBZty
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhHeA4YwqJ
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClNgsVZc3f
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0xfMPeNme
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk6iuYUKZc
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYcGgY1fgG
"Yer a moron."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH64RjbZVy
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGpp0isZJg
"H-Huh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkoerAQOwF
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQEJJVjXo8
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbaGcCtHvN
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVitcWSRaa
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsFjUikaVa
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz31jLwoBU
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wg1swLeH2
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJVvJw3N5f
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXjiUSIkSj
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABkL8yMYeK
"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–"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8wduIIO9u
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk2ZomXlgv
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nOJN933hS
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyCXNmrAQs
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGCQqdjGnL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwwiYPcJN5
"..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVqmYMbtPu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfEV1mgi4b
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYEnyRPdfQ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiSsRYdaAv
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iNTENFBuJ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMogdO2tG1r
And so, I spoke.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gIdO6giWx
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXXGjGvSpi
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7zas5q0p2
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDY5U1FNdU
"...Yer just like that bitch."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYXdZIB990
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GaSyThorb
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NGwc2Weet
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73qVA9D0Ol
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fqsDtbdF4
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UUXTNeA7b
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2MT3ffFYP
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zfrgvBuWD
"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?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmKbnPELg9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr80ETTnwFe
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAktEoJTDLW
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcsXg3fQIO
"You're missing the point!"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCgaFHsfoO
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf89Geacgz
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUItbAaj5T
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx5xz2ajNe
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQCXPzRVVp
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVBY0g4AFC
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoem7pc6DW
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvID7fw7KGO
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi3w5eFG8u
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx77SK95yi
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsrOntGOCz
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOTtzykKng
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTr0kgHtMu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tD8xgXrnN
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPNkiZ6DD9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkqAVX0Znk
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30oNPPtXEa
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbMvXZ1B1f
"..."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWdrNB6yem
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe0N5VjT8U
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUikVozwMh
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LK2pGHP9u
"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."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkzVDKso2F
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFpNoJ1ZDW
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
