Once I uttered that connection, my brain fused into one, and then I caught what the woman had just said. I was struck with even more disbelief, and looking at my teammate, she had an extreme reaction.215Please respect copyright.PENANAbvldsCaxTS
215Please respect copyright.PENANAWbxEd5Ilnb
"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAEDMWtAMHsa
215Please respect copyright.PENANAKHBRUFhJ0g
Confusion, rage, and fervor overtook her whole being. Even I had a similar reaction, though on a smaller scale. I could tell that she wanted to jump out, but I wrapped her around her arms.215Please respect copyright.PENANAWrYdVE6mI4
215Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZLLOTCW6h
"What are you doing!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANASnUrtK6h8R
215Please respect copyright.PENANATVfSEX3yGb
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"215Please respect copyright.PENANAtVG3gig59D
215Please respect copyright.PENANAoqEavTUjs4
**BOOM**215Please respect copyright.PENANATwimcB0yZw
215Please respect copyright.PENANAzwd49uPMv2
My hopes of this being a farce were instantly shattered. To our right, the top of a building blew up and caught on fire, and then an adjacent one followed suit. The crowd panicked and a cacophony of voices blasted my ears, deafening me. But it didn't paralyze me, and the same went for Rover. My meager grip couldn't hold her back, but I wouldn't let her face this chaos alone, so I followed her into the plaza. The people dispersed like a flock of frightened chickens, trampling over any unfortunate souls who had tripped. Eventually, the wave of people came to me. I lost sight of Rover and the speed of my chase slowed down considerably. It took my whole being just to not be knocked over, let alone move forward. I was shorter than everyone in the crowd as well, so I was unsure if I was even facing the same direction.215Please respect copyright.PENANAvCl3VVYWY7
215Please respect copyright.PENANAvtdll0i9pK
"Ngh, damn it!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA9lkRGEDXlZ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAhwNJhdcSaX
Eventually, the wave of people thinned, and I could finally see what was happening in the environs. Buildings were still being destroyed. Some citizens fled from the plaza successfully while others were trapped by the plummeting debris. I spotted Rover in the distance fighting Hard-Bringer lackeys. The woman was still on the sage, and beside her were three other figures of varying heights and builds.215Please respect copyright.PENANABaBVWpcFkH
215Please respect copyright.PENANA7rPwd2HilO
I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone and gradually amplifying it in rotation speed and size. Before I even threw it, the woman hurriedly ran from the stage, and the other three dispersed in different directions.215Please respect copyright.PENANAd6Y554E4SL
215Please respect copyright.PENANAatDBb0kZhQ
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAnH0ppheZQI
215Please respect copyright.PENANAhub2MxHAWx
With their clothes, it was impossible to tell who those four were apart from the rest of the lackeys. All, aside from the woman. She ignored all other combatants and rushed toward Rover. I raised my hand, trying to align my spell with her. It was difficult with all the shaking and sudden surge of nerves, so I just simply shot it out, closing my eyes as I did. When I opened them, I saw the woman stock still, waiting for my spell to pass.215Please respect copyright.PENANAz5IVkmKMaI
215Please respect copyright.PENANAEUGcD7rLJ1
It was like she knew I was going to fire it.215Please respect copyright.PENANAh5uFHuzCwL
215Please respect copyright.PENANAkK8biOAFCm
"--Damn it! Rover!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAWVz3LGvMTp
215Please respect copyright.PENANAFGfYeyUKns
I took out my tendril and was about to rush forward until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I turned around half in fright, but a warm feeling permeated through my chest when I met eyes with the person.215Please respect copyright.PENANA8c169jXf05
215Please respect copyright.PENANAfSAIZAOybB
"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAfksCJu9LRV
215Please respect copyright.PENANArFujBP9LLT
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.215Please respect copyright.PENANA7e8LidDtnE
215Please respect copyright.PENANAVuUTWt7Rj4
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAoGAejl3OKn
215Please respect copyright.PENANAkuJoXKUlLu
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAMuewxr7JY8
215Please respect copyright.PENANAEKxzBdOhln
Despite his complaints, he put on his helmet and drew his broadsword. We zigzagged through the crowd of combatants and lackeys easily, but by the time we reached Rover, she was being beaten down by the woman.215Please respect copyright.PENANA6BLf4tuW7W
215Please respect copyright.PENANAkRWBm2fJ5F
"Ack, you– how the hell are you doing that!?" She yelled. The woman didn't answer her, but simply stood idly by, allowing for Juke and I to get by Rover's side easily.215Please respect copyright.PENANAIplMCePOn2
215Please respect copyright.PENANAIjYn0G6kwZ
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"215Please respect copyright.PENANApFteO2xuX6
215Please respect copyright.PENANAgUoJlZy4qa
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAvX1h5JHATV
215Please respect copyright.PENANARwEQRe35y9
Reading between the lines, Rover faced the woman yet again. The woman took out a short sword and spun it haphazardly, looking at us with what I could only describe as disgust.215Please respect copyright.PENANAWtzpRau5MH
215Please respect copyright.PENANA64kkyifmJo
"Ah, so you do have allies. Tell me, are they as trashy as you are, girl? Or are you just using them as tools for your survival?"215Please respect copyright.PENANA9AAwBNWeoD
215Please respect copyright.PENANAhiUeqTv7eV
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANA535pA2QeSb
215Please respect copyright.PENANAlEHi8dG2dl
Juke yelled, and Rover rushed forward. After her first couple of steps, the woman kicked the air in front of her, and Rover flew to the side. I widened my eyes. Juke and I both stood there, shocked. Rover struggled to rise to her feet, rubbing her face and panting vehemently.215Please respect copyright.PENANAfj3hJXg3fv
215Please respect copyright.PENANAkJNrt1PkSr
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.215Please respect copyright.PENANA7qgMUWnXrj
215Please respect copyright.PENANA1NyIYHzSC2
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"215Please respect copyright.PENANA7fyKe5j93v
215Please respect copyright.PENANAXtIxOs9jG5
Her taunting words invigorated something in me. I began mana expulsion, creating a ball of fire and splitting it into four smaller orbs. She didn't look intimidated. Rather, she was amused. I ignored her expression and flung the orbs in a scattered pattern. She dodged three and cut the fourth one with her sword. I didn't let up, producing a Freeze-Dry from my tendril. She widened her eyes and backed away before I even aimed it, a slab of fire forming at her free hand. I didn't mind it, shooting and encasing the area in front of me in a giant block of ice. However, only one-half of what I intended had formed. The other was liquid and vapor.215Please respect copyright.PENANAJOXqNjt29S
215Please respect copyright.PENANAkueV3svHs9
I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.215Please respect copyright.PENANAmYMVPvXnGu
215Please respect copyright.PENANABMc8pq5buj
"Hey, Kenny!"215Please respect copyright.PENANABjHIpSGSyJ
215Please respect copyright.PENANArGqrKhSC3I
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.215Please respect copyright.PENANAzCrRxYQai2
215Please respect copyright.PENANAPKpsNxlnxx
"I-Is she okay?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAKUCvj0rdMX
215Please respect copyright.PENANAVexJi2O5Cf
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAVxETauO07R
215Please respect copyright.PENANAueleA26OIQ
"I don't know what that is!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAhqh6ofs7pi
215Please respect copyright.PENANAy1deMHHNqe
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAL4MY8Oj6Yu
215Please respect copyright.PENANAEh21jRnDp7
Truthfully, I agreed with him, so I had no qualms with turning the other way and running. It was a nightmare navigating past all the lackeys, combatants, and confused people, but Juke ran confidently.215Please respect copyright.PENANARaLi8DWop6
215Please respect copyright.PENANAWNs4suGi9a
Though, that did raise the question–215Please respect copyright.PENANAiKB8yZj0nh
215Please respect copyright.PENANARW1cqdqK99
"Do you know where you're going!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANApuw097WILq
215Please respect copyright.PENANAot3zd9C25G
"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAULFhvk9ZKG
215Please respect copyright.PENANAQogpbRFA59
"Ah– where is Dennis?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAGQYlquFm0z
215Please respect copyright.PENANAETukL1f5dK
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"215Please respect copyright.PENANArC7Vd50U4T
215Please respect copyright.PENANAu8LW8gruE4
That declaration made my heart sink. I almost froze in place there, but Juke narrowly avoided a stray fire spell, so I set the thought aside and kept moving. We made it to an alleyway, running through it without much hassle until–215Please respect copyright.PENANAGbk30YvPJW
215Please respect copyright.PENANAhdIZfA5oEk
"Shit."215Please respect copyright.PENANAM98bfwq15M
215Please respect copyright.PENANAR8hWnWCPuj
Juke ceased his escape and so did I. The end of the alleyway was blocked by a robed figure. I recognized him to be one of the ones on the stage. He took his hood off, and there stood a man with terribly fuzzy and unkempt hair.215Please respect copyright.PENANAfIgIrRYrSk
215Please respect copyright.PENANAyARZ9BF0aI
"I have a question for you two," he spoke in a raspy voice. I readied myself to perform mana expulsion, but Juke put his arm before me, signaling me not to. He stood in front of me, blocking my view of the man.215Please respect copyright.PENANANh8Myq0D8P
215Please respect copyright.PENANAK873mrDVgD
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."215Please respect copyright.PENANAmiO6etaizm
215Please respect copyright.PENANADZZq0ciqrP
"...Alright."215Please respect copyright.PENANA2qY8kRnFmT
215Please respect copyright.PENANA2wlM0gXE09
I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.215Please respect copyright.PENANA338v8Y8SiP
215Please respect copyright.PENANAgT55Agm54y
"Alright, I'll take yer question."215Please respect copyright.PENANAQZtEJy8Uiv
215Please respect copyright.PENANAHk5O3aB3lO
"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAqWXwHSdtbr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAwkYfbAV9Nn
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.215Please respect copyright.PENANA10CC0Liofk
215Please respect copyright.PENANAFyhWAfUcMM
"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."215Please respect copyright.PENANAmgcib1iuXi
215Please respect copyright.PENANAIZ6xOVsFgC
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."215Please respect copyright.PENANAAzmzlkDZWd
215Please respect copyright.PENANAd8ffZVcIgO
The man stopped speaking.215Please respect copyright.PENANAPWVyrthDgn
215Please respect copyright.PENANAWhgJAxkvdl
"Alright, carry on, then."215Please respect copyright.PENANAMaTELK03Mr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAgji1WnjAdY
"...Eh?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAMqZYHGMyFN
215Please respect copyright.PENANA3iNMLWEPje
I shared in his confusion.215Please respect copyright.PENANAn5naYLIYaN
215Please respect copyright.PENANAU401BXTWEb
"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."215Please respect copyright.PENANAA0esNWyakT
215Please respect copyright.PENANAJsvZtUIh0J
"I-If ya say so!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAbyb4E3G1Zs
215Please respect copyright.PENANAgKJf2ZbLQ7
Juke and I hurriedly scampered by the man. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with him until we made it out of the alleyway–215Please respect copyright.PENANA53EWhE0har
215Please respect copyright.PENANAwSyAHNRqNd
"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."215Please respect copyright.PENANARK95lPUfss
215Please respect copyright.PENANAdOsnetOb04
And then, I froze. I didn't turn my head to face him, but I had my ears open and my mouth ready to run.215Please respect copyright.PENANAsnBLIYO7mY
215Please respect copyright.PENANAQXDEvwszZV
"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAY7wBox5LlI
215Please respect copyright.PENANAVdMHXvfu8N
In that instant, I felt as if the pace of the world slowed to a crawl. My mouth was ajar, it produced a sound, but not one of coherency.215Please respect copyright.PENANAhrtRMDInqm
215Please respect copyright.PENANAm3sHcOjR25
I didn't say anything. I didn't even show him my expression. I didn't have to. I was stuttering and gibbering for far too long. My eyes met with the man's; his pupils had contracted and his calm mein mutated into a face of rancor.215Please respect copyright.PENANAOSWrNyp7dN
215Please respect copyright.PENANA34r25m73sO
I had spilled it in such an unfair way.215Please respect copyright.PENANA3WP5uNVEFI
215Please respect copyright.PENANADpnH5E4p58
"Damn it, kid!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAngoo2WSEQw
215Please respect copyright.PENANAJwYHhSIeaG
Juke's vexed yell brought me back to the present. He shoved me aside and sent me plummeting to the ground, and he narrowly evaded a ball of fire flung from the man's palm. I unfroze, drew my tendril, and swiped it at the man. He blocked the strike with his arms but crashed into the alleyway wall, forcing the air out of his lungs. With the man dazed, I got up and joined Juke, and then the both of us turned around and sprinted in the other direction, casting occasional ganders by looking behind me. The man recovered quickly and broke into pursuit, chasing us into the populated and rowdy street.
215Please respect copyright.PENANAw6DExJ8ERx
I noticed the man performing mana expulsion, and from the lack of any tangible objects, it had to be a wind spell. As they were quick, dodging wouldn't be possible. So, producing a Valencia-Bloom, I skidded to a stop and veered to face him.215Please respect copyright.PENANAzTrcSnnWHr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAO56PkSoI45
**SMASH**215Please respect copyright.PENANAKiKB6TJgoG
215Please respect copyright.PENANAmGysnsBHj3
I blocked the spell successfully, but though I avoided being damaged, the force of it sent me to the floor, and at a tremendous distance. I discarded the Valencia-Bloom and produced a Blover, aiming it at the man, but I didn't utilize it. That was because he was engaging with Juke.215Please respect copyright.PENANA4OuTXT0OSG
215Please respect copyright.PENANAEbKsjhtOE4
"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAI2b9os7RiF
215Please respect copyright.PENANAMl6fPCnl68
Juke carelessly threw Rover my way and pulled out his Broadsword, gripping it in his left hand. The man reached into his robe as he ran and pulled out a dual set of curved swords. Even under his helmet, I could see Juke's lips shrink and his eyes enlarge. I ran to the unconscious Rover, throwing her arm around my shoulders and struggling to lift her. Then, I eyed Juke's bout with the man, waiting for an opportunity to interfere.215Please respect copyright.PENANAF84tqHXLZy
215Please respect copyright.PENANAxMxnZUHf4p
The man raised his two swords and leaped at Juke, bringing them both down like they were hammers. Juke blocked the strike easily. It was obvious from their builds alone that Juke was physically stronger, but the man had a freakish dexterity. He retracted his blades and swung them, spinning around as if he was dancing. No, he was dancing. It was at a level of elegance unexpected of a man as shabby as he. The flurry of strikes quickly overwhelmed Juke– but, he didn't get hit. Though his sword dance was trouncing and enchanting, his speed suffered considerably, so Juke quit his parrying and ran backward, flipping the man off.215Please respect copyright.PENANALMIQk7Pifr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAM9cE4hBn46
At that moment, I began mana expulsion, conjuring up a dense rock the size of my head and throwing it as the man reapproached Juke. However, the man managed to jump over it. I bit on my molars and tried again, but his battle had resumed, making it impossible to safely shoot another one.215Please respect copyright.PENANAf23Nbx2F2C
215Please respect copyright.PENANAV1fchSX3vG
"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAyiRz313xK1
215Please respect copyright.PENANAVDWwzQYARN
The man sliced and hacked at Juke, each swing of his either being blocked or narrowly avoided. It was clear that Juke couldn't keep up with the man's speed. Sweat ran down my brow, and at that point, I started to believe that just throwing something out would be better than waiting.215Please respect copyright.PENANAAjNGQSCjrR
215Please respect copyright.PENANAA1FoOuo0mD
Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.215Please respect copyright.PENANAZqGQTHdl87
215Please respect copyright.PENANA3LtzAYygIb
"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAdRDS9m1l1Z
215Please respect copyright.PENANADi4oWTz8I8
Dragon-Maw Jr. followed my command perfectly, snapping his jaw at the man. Though he wasn't struck, the man was forced to evade Dragon-Maw Jr.'s attack and gave Juke air to breathe.215Please respect copyright.PENANAORnXyJT5O0
215Please respect copyright.PENANAnxfwilL4an
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA8rsJkmGrrx
215Please respect copyright.PENANAnm0385OvRD
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.215Please respect copyright.PENANAWZknp6XxnI
215Please respect copyright.PENANAVGdKvxAkqG
"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm a pretty weak guy. Frankly, I ain't got a clue as to why I'm the one fighting, but I've accepted that these kids just operate like that."215Please respect copyright.PENANAvWgC6haRVJ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAdd5OLuI84U
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.215Please respect copyright.PENANAf4SlRGkLy9
215Please respect copyright.PENANArcSZYkxAMP
"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAsdqoxTwlzo
215Please respect copyright.PENANAWlDhd00XQF
Juke altered his line of action and rushed at the man. He swung at him, which the man blocked with one sword, and as he went to counterattack with his free sword, Dragon-Maw Jr. nipped at him. He backed away and clicked his tongue.215Please respect copyright.PENANA4d1QE3lVGt
215Please respect copyright.PENANAYLpZgNSMUt
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAKGemkQ1hED
215Please respect copyright.PENANAYWEnekxSnt
His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.215Please respect copyright.PENANALqYMuHx44c
215Please respect copyright.PENANAYECC0ZGUvZ
"Like I'll let ya do that!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAIrUUegP3Fp
215Please respect copyright.PENANA5p8q3Y6CmD
But Juke interjected, throwing a soft wind spell at the man and making him lose his balance. Dragon-Maw Jr. took advantage of his disorientation and nipped at him, this time, successfully tearing a piece of off his robe.215Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ao4h8kd3J
215Please respect copyright.PENANAzmYNdKMr7P
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAGuu7HBTvTw
215Please respect copyright.PENANAgHM4xssw8v
Offended at his insult, I let go of Rover's arm and began mana expulsion with my newly freed hand. Juke and Dragon-Maw Jr. changed turns attacking the man, and though it was assuring to see him on the defensive, progress to our victory wasn't being made. Thus, I created a spell of water. Instead of amplifying it and shooting it at the man, I spread it across the ground.215Please respect copyright.PENANAhX1PHVbcg6
215Please respect copyright.PENANATVG3IFK7zC
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAfwRdGUOYgG
215Please respect copyright.PENANAhGSEnfy7WM
I didn't respond to Juke's complaint, but I understood why he made it. The newfound slippery ground didn't just affect the man, but Juke, too. The two were disengaged but Dragon-Maw Jr. had free reign to wail at the man. And, indeed, wail it did. The man couldn't back away from the plant, meaning he had to challenge every crunch. I smirked at the development, sure that man would be done in.215Please respect copyright.PENANAJoaVTKOFal
215Please respect copyright.PENANAClLnU2L2kS
But, that hadn't happened at all. The plant clasped onto one of his swords and the man used his free one to cut it off.215Please respect copyright.PENANAFvKRbVgQBt
215Please respect copyright.PENANAJPDWy5gpHf
Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.215Please respect copyright.PENANAtwYG9yCNLv
215Please respect copyright.PENANATidCqFUinS
"--Hrk!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAiXLcHitiEK
215Please respect copyright.PENANApPHrNZEEEC
Then, a sharp, overbearing pain permeated through my body– but I could immediately judge that this was nothing like my time fighting the beast, meaning that, even though I was still grasping at my chest, feeling the purple fluid leak, my tendril remained.215Please respect copyright.PENANAbEOmIBClBY
215Please respect copyright.PENANAyegB7kWZLk
With the man free of any pressure, he took his shoes off and dispelled wind from his feet, blowing away all the water and dousing the surroundings.215Please respect copyright.PENANAS2oEI4mzRX
215Please respect copyright.PENANANS59g3IraF
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAkOj3O4WTYu
215Please respect copyright.PENANAxbspmlY2N7
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA4RMEyH3CD0
215Please respect copyright.PENANAa2x1klVUUE
"Whatever!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA7aRYU9SPcC
215Please respect copyright.PENANAkXSZN2cOrl
The man pounced at Juke, who barely blocked his attack. They returned to square one, Juke and the man engaged in a lopsided dance of swords.215Please respect copyright.PENANAfYVDpOv1AZ
215Please respect copyright.PENANA0yzV4hK1mI
I began mana expulsion– but the creation of my spell ceased. As I watched them battle, Juke progressively getting weaker and weaker, my body froze.215Please respect copyright.PENANAGMqImiTd9J
215Please respect copyright.PENANA6EIbJWnjeg
I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.215Please respect copyright.PENANAI2tuc7J3uz
215Please respect copyright.PENANAqY3uwaiIKS
Dread, worry, guilt–215Please respect copyright.PENANAfckdQzYvxo
215Please respect copyright.PENANAWCTCrXUB3r
"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAHVNQ7IKEeP
215Please respect copyright.PENANAz9QZjvt9h0
"...R-Right!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAcYS4MxTxOr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAxKnhRUUgeT
Juke's frantic yells yanked me out before I sank too deep. I shook my head and thought calmly about the situation, taking deep breaths. It wasn't over yet. Besides, if something did go awry here, it wouldn't– it wouldn't really be my fault.215Please respect copyright.PENANAEX1Eujqsew
215Please respect copyright.PENANAwloG0xeHin
With that assertion, I resumed the creation of my spell: a sizeable chunk of water–
"I got you!"
As I was forming the spell, the man had finally bested Juke's defenses. He broke his stance, and Juke momentarily lost control of his arms. That moment was all the man needed. He spun a full circle, slicing into Juke with both of his blades.215Please respect copyright.PENANAcNC3w4e5Su
215Please respect copyright.PENANAE5kePaWw1c
**SLAM**215Please respect copyright.PENANAmBvg3xgE6Y
215Please respect copyright.PENANA9wmm8aowuH
That was what should have happened, at least– no, saying that wasn't accurate. Indeed, the man's blades sliced into his body, but Juke's skin was not cut, and the noise produced wasn't appropriate for an object hitting flesh.215Please respect copyright.PENANAJhPLIhT8XO
215Please respect copyright.PENANAmkIIef6o8Z
The man looked just as perplexed as I was, stock still as his mind processed what had just occurred. Juke directed us to a conclusion by raising his right hand and tapping on his helmet twice. Our eyes directed themselves to his metallic apparel, and I noticed the two narrow dents at the side.215Please respect copyright.PENANAKXltXR21IO
215Please respect copyright.PENANALlN7TLeuNq
"How did–" the man began, but Juke raised his sword before he could eke out his sentence. The man noticed the action and backed away, but he was too slow.215Please respect copyright.PENANAG3GYl5TS4L
215Please respect copyright.PENANAtAF0d3vLIh
"--Ugh!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAMvGpthI9xk
215Please respect copyright.PENANA164PA6eAAU
His arm was rendered a bird by the speed it flew off. Blood splattered and gushed onto the pavement. The man clutched his missing limb, gripping the air twice before connecting with his body.215Please respect copyright.PENANADFs8vwMibG
215Please respect copyright.PENANAMazN46Bhrj
I felt the bile rise to my throat, but I couldn't afford to let this moment pass. I aimed my palm at the man and shot the ball.215Please respect copyright.PENANAdHyh2sGgjo
215Please respect copyright.PENANAmpnasCtIPS
**SMASH**215Please respect copyright.PENANAH6uy5xRHxD
215Please respect copyright.PENANAwBBguxT0JN
The man collided with a building. Juke ran up to me and took Rover out of my hands and ran away, but I didn't immediately follow. I stared at the cloud of dust and debris, waiting to see what would appear once it cleared.215Please respect copyright.PENANAZXTTIUa4os
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.215Please respect copyright.PENANA8RlJmeINOY
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAvziIWZvtB6
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"Ah! Sorry!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAnsiY2U1fxl
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Then, I turned around and joined Juke in our escape. The chaos on the street had cleared, and judging from the lack of noise, the one just a block away was dying down, too. But, I knew that didn't mean that the situation was over. That would be just plain stupid.215Please respect copyright.PENANACIlPgYNKeh
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"Ha, hell yeah, we're still kicking!"
Though I shared in his enthusiasm, I struggled to even nod along.
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"Ah crap, are ya alright? Don't tell me yer bleeding somewhere."215Please respect copyright.PENANAmYr88gVD2B
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"N-No, that's not it."215Please respect copyright.PENANAkHKaJATWbT
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Admittedly, I felt queasy. It must've shown on my face. In fact, thinking about it, my hands covered my mouth instinctively. I was able to suppress myself, however.215Please respect copyright.PENANA2JIKitxW9L
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"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."215Please respect copyright.PENANAQm5QlH7zQJ
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Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.