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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XpKu2jl4I
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaPiMvFDD9
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc9dAaEhjE
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qyFHAeWb
"Kid! Over here!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvFRlqyMR1
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gJucSs3U7
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bxjyyfmNA
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb204FlANt1
"Ya ready!?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJk5BDsR1B
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oJrRfaRb8
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4juInvDm1C
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7suQIozMa
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5RPQdKUgB
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLIcbAUc4r
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 place274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a26LZN9d7
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrfi0utbgi
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQePztLdKG
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR6iGIQXfi
"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!?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CXFx6CZtY
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnJlRYlFeC
YEAH!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxALhwcayAE
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhn1kUF4pe
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SAeWjMZjr
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIbcnqaGpC
"Ack!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wAWwzbA7s
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPY8p6PXm5
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0ZNXOgE0Q
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpOGmlM9F2
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MVuMKKMCk
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtoDKRUeM6
"R-Right!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWBnO6bqt4
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gELp7SfFu
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8s9AfijLi
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Iudg0Kveh
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlOAu8WEW4
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbAnhUK5mR
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU6Nf93RmW
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHHnva1Rhf
"Crap!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QkkuHHbAR
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKRspoQraM
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU3K24j99q
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM52UjciBCL
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafiGxty0Bq
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTEkHDt0au
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbvLnhjEoB
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HwmqsMkLN
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBKHRk6lnQ
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdXYPdHRRM
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSsvxCgTL1
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LGaGrhWul
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARtoUM8hnZ
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgoY9NFm9D
"L-Lola!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYqgTG7Knj
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm6BbCytSe
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rtJCrjJyD
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ1dUBdpHx
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmyveeEijE
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIMoyQpcD8
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK3YHBMh7l
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp5o9bi5Jz
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hknPuXpY8
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBMejkSMBa
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8xZ5OnVJo
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAxAhYIytB
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtRPNfprCl
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxLVVsegfI
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iOrvD6jdk
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–
–
–274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfSZ9RbVs3
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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?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv6MUiLM6h
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M3I0L5qBV
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaD2wQrn0q
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAcp1D4bfh
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCB3zKV1RO
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAlVD7ZN4o
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZKGg1pwfT
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeo1q2r1BE
"Do you have something you want to say?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgxzohZ5C9
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTihXeHkNjT
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALt8qtHFX6
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXiqK5sy01
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ1fWCfiCm
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2bPFL4o9T
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoJOs9Zf9m
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZduChw7Lqe
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSUm1PmzBJ
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEOTKgKsxb
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUrZy8D42k
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI0dboGAgB
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitZzG4Xlsv
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj7BiuHM76
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWxbBTpFY6
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivsS07GzFb
"Call me Anima."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xwq0zVi6g
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr8Py5zKkc
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7rh93CNf3
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWYCHKBPyE
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBYrYiLTV0
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ1jRGheWJ
Then, the Harbinger dashed.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRpYAJ27SY
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnscaoX1G5
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GL4SOv8Ev
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr4QjoQHvP
"Ngh!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wrAFukkLX
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3W3P9BufX
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–274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDKE9aGVnW
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvUkfETfgx
**THUD**274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1dGIQMNns
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M1Lesjtoc
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx7tsby9gL
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL5d5arccZ
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSn7oeJwUV
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VlyMWQv2T
"--!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1EH4SSbI1
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDck78pbK6
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsejGhAYuS
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxWimJtOAk
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIbnEWgUdx
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpOZqOozvy
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxPy4TDweL
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZNaTu6qJF
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NlrI4OEVg
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmFnBHE3B5
She had hit a wall.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZJKANaJF0
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUVTxGWLJg
"--!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV3FysjIpR
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorcY7UfJJ8
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–274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi1XWEDsIo
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe7o1dvZ5m
**CLING**274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0dyOuzymq
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0lJSvZGpi
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE2AUROri3
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAlMQ07Mo4
"Huh. I can't break free."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb8CBP7Le7
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ZZKDp2io
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidxDC29u9L
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMbkJtrFrE
"--Huh?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5LoMcqkzG
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlcRObsNr7
"Caught you!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW8tFKemgW
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaPMBTK8ot
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbh1m6Wdxr
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKMyv9Nyfx
"You!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3nEv6pREM
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rf1JEzNdf
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvEJpAt7WS
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlaFDhRIMY
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZDezm2zHd
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6x1rVY8E3
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNuWH7P5cq
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerwO9YlmHW
"Hrk!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvtLIfu6AU
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzicaOjVqAi
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnVPTI8mGo
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeJq13lxTr
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9kNZvNT7W
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdROWU6Gne
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqehuI0bIm4
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCymxRojsQU
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fqdIlhSON
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwC7LDYGbJ
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6nHkhkC3d
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIBXCwGlI7
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX93w2LWDv
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSg1uGJcdX
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzTJNkZkHQ
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhXQ1LWcJD
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1Nh1n4jdN
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"...This is irritating."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHDrIxGBh1
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qE2lL7wdB
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfbeVwiS4S
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnLkbnqUkY
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7MSFQSaAF
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1sx1Dlguv
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj518rT4XK
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpbZxwqJZq
Giving up became more and more alluring.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhUdPSynI1
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznyH2MXyOq
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzcmh1TNCq
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgZwMPxryJ
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalFraINX3J
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRzqEH2Ry7
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7cgDlArWK
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYdtoqs7SC
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP2wuHv0t2
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVbvkfpJVa
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsapO0eUed
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaPM7BPOKk
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN06Vbi9PtZ
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVRXAA11kr
"...Unless, of course."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCeqO1isfd
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1tq9SNNXg
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzsyJ6gQnQ
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBikr7Nieh
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAUWcKkgCE
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyZKhlHOQj
"I don't like what you're planning!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP8ejI5l1N
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1yahH8fxi
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkJsPE9aDm
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoELrvrHWQV
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MY4FD9ykh
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXE3LT5Rqz
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg4LcUGzMh
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSV7wkXRIg
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDOTFTOxIP
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4YefcIvHY
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOirnVHCdty
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG6Jt3WIVo
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–274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh4AJsVCvT
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCcAfJGiJ1
**THUD**274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJno5JrGbG
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6QI6BclUt
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJxzueVfLI
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCdjPrfYPT
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–274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDF920ByCK
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzYuJVD78R
"--Hrk!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfcS50sFGt
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ29Gzwy8D4
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCX8CXRL1Q
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5coUlDwTjU
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rvwXn9F2S
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrdnqcO9EG
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDUVIkVtpL
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGnQkpaIXU
"This..."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yTMoGoksg
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0xnQonaxj
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUljJGPWPDr
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Fo1cnit8
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLS61SCltC
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTqLl2lKb4
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nR3eZIIKM
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmry9eMQUt
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR2nZV1j8g
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqBN300FvY
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEGg1AIWBl
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wWvzEyj1e
"--sneaky!"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLLPvDema3
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mC3UEkMsL
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs20A5GBmB
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6adW4Rjd1
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfYVcMnzoc
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjN2UGTlA9
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddpCbIjGpY
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GdqfBAHIt
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eptgTjmUE
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE60x3RfnAV
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl769myKo6
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfArN2IYsn
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonrS5fBOdV
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHGKZ2aiiQ
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOWCb2xIhM
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteDNh0y02U
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmtDX2KKdG
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzFizmfrli
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWORZhRWeaM
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsjOMyzm8s
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d6DyjDKDn
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcD912XMGN
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjgkjT9SOe
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvD2FQUKNU
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH0CeHAAIK
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjoi6NSOG3
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMqaiHa5J8
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf5ZnDgEpZ
"I win, though–"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr5nD8fvBA
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYcoGGAWzQ
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2KmqiACcg
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROSsZMVauJ
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEboE5D4XTb
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD8UdKWNC3
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkaIpqJwQo
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKKdxpbxGS
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HDcQ5WxZh
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbqflS43zE
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn42yNkzTI
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc16cRfATHE
"Can't move your legs?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqhIgGYZsk
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ5GrBaDHo
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtOGcXXLW0
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqvxtCjj9A
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBQ9kaWe19
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHZbXd13tT
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnkl7sW6D6
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBdk1Y5UXx
"Aren't you going to do something?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqX6UNi7bS
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaEdKTF9Pr
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qGnNZqCzu
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrVXU2Jfkm
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH7mBatvhv
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSxyuFYkqF
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUvQhYCoI8
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGouutc8BTj
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7DsECMGtv
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZDtav4S2U
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–274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMB6PwgTku
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZeJkHihMa
**BOOM**274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbVQlXxEHn
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oGpuo0cyz
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cAgTmC2hq
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuBQ0cPbr7
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P0UAxOU9d
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf9zxTGjsC
"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."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHY9IrrXQP
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyj689mKFi
"--?"274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3DrfYxVW8
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2pLRyw9JD
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjherX8ZSmB
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHblTmJDKGL
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjjke94Kjo
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bw9kMDIWe
"...Ehh."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVBaZEjmZ7
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHrned5xIq
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSumUCww9Bq
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8tYaNZ57K
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8he4PoLrD
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMe51sQpeC
"..."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwprI0cPTBM
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicoAWcz2AM
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHk4faAn3P
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IPrxOzk3K
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFfK23kGwx
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeE6ZK7ieK
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBJjKa7Viz
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGirXHZQnI
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiVEU4yz9l
