“...”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSv5RvPVrO
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“...”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9hkwMpsJp
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHErM869PT
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OfiWK7tLt
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYCbhGq1wg
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“I have a feeling–”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9uJnDNj2X
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLszS3VyLqE
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8udz1W5YxN
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa447WBeok3
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“Do you also have that feeling?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6yzY3KB3p
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiS6yGPzqL
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsop3AmI4Kx
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uHNhaTbc7
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His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw8pRQjPNv
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7maiQ94gA4
But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteXsEh1I2H
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“Y-You!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BuaI0O6fj
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDDer6HtAn
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbMiafehR6
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“A-Alright!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7cRvngXew
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq5db0mUR5
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a0BTfiWR6
“Hey! Juke, what are–”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUce35R9puR
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My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzhBLzGt85
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCPSu8FHID
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO8me4iGXC
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSZ45v6JL8
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc43mHFjnMU
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBJON7loSW
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmdPPxdv6v
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“He’s alive!?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V5ajYyJTx
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9oE3zAoxJ
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt9jh3MNoa
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNrKe84lWt
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIpGGmZhqi
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJpbDZBfNy
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuL8V3KdS7
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P3im6DUwP
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83bUNhJUar
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN4ulmDlzk
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“...Well, not exactly.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBuQfyEMYN
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurJIfp1DnF
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7mLY1oYPg
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3RBuOBV1K
“Tell me, won’t ya?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsC1UegDv9
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfFzBgzfjJ
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidMHFSJDKQ
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnRpuZcjkS
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK6LoP4OeM
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUCyPi37Dz
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsgWdzW9wB
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DuxC1R2bU
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm0Ctmtaf4
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEmkp6edaZ
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTeBvdr0R0
“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHjn1bZXYQ
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMdb1zm2X0
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HP2XvH6NV
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CzKHJqBzH
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjETpuPHbl
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtsNgse0R8
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The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEEWesGyYc
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbvMBR9Taf
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVo1IFYaOL
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeL5go56GN
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JTfUd40yh
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjSwVHsAWI
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSXXJVPCcs
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–
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–
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–337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHuHDbQ9NL
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpx5KD0RHF
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30Jsmemhkx
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkSqK2xPSk
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7O7LukLXz
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPf8Rzcn3w
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qcbmFmLj6
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZhQqbe2Gq
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURc9LIWLMA
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzm1Nectko
Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
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The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUpO03Hslo
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MZlGIYNyC
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaAaOymwQv
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23tRDEsoMF
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb2Tg0XN0n
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MplsIIPQ9
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXQ0eAG1Ys
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxWoM7rnLU
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOXKSQE3Zg
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09SId8gLHw
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j191OtiOw
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYhfJc6ZHM
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpRDHPHBxA
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBZzsXSjO7
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1VPukCgtz
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡridOsE0lBq
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“Crap!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqTXgLP2ni
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I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6pdk6CfMM
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**CRUNCH**337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa14ByylLIR
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3LC4sfgkd
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGaKE57O8T
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDLxGTuAKy
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwO3rMkQs5
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I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t8CJWy6M6
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“Child! Child, please!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGYAD5TqUJ
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“W-What!?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIvXiN9gBx
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZcupbVyN9
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUWFByTIcM
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“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1SWhXhIbi
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“...”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs4pP3mWVf
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbeiqxGIIr
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDNFZHbHCd
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEthT9faK6D
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGa5NRJyu4
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEpRlRsGHM
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxyEemDs3j
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2YmPbIyxj
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsiJwgghgN
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qPuN2439b
And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinPqePTaK9
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsIMc30o7T
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimsXc2j9mv
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JH7tJy3l1
“Kid! Watch out!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7bvhJN4DR
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvNWS1MSBF
“--Huh?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlafqKAiZBx
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkputeECkz
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGuEF4Kvr1
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7d5KMXqQ9
“S-S-Shit!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqD3TWdrkY
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOT6kkdoVD
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvEgr0vOBv
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNUYuOP0Ud
**SQUELCH**337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0gQP5Bhbk
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII2CECvYg1
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2wUCaJ6eW
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYD3LFzdIC
“--H-Hrk!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNIC7gnJux
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDy0vR0k91
“Oh?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy62WPvDhM
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb4Nkq63XO
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgnC5RlyJw
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu3q5WgKFE
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDZcxck3k9
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJpoJsf18O
“Ark… W-Why?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wf4kzqMMa
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc5UK2iwun
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAXuJ7ZAKf
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYljbi40QS
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy2hgxs9VU
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu6bHBLD3j
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM97iDR9WH
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa26xUI1l2
“A– y-you monster!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQr6RuCGMr
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKigezFNm6j
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIXz5d3SKW
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhsRCQZpPl
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj64Nw7RBX
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtektA9Su5o
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNB2QRwrzy
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBenUMPb14
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89pqzcDM7S
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0vwoXB607
“A-Afraid?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nvKxh8lnV
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JW4ToVCxY
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYHgnG6GeK
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR24lRq8dSx
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD9gmKVvDA
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPn7xwIoNW
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzTYutO5qd
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9DaMx1GwK
“Damn it. Damn it!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViIEniWLLj
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK5nAMro3B
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetQnjxCoXm
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mfPdIAh4g
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG997sVeiW
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl27Lrr9gwM
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRwNT0VtzW
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxw9U6evXo
“T-Thank you.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdiT1ZJEgf
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDwxii9SmJ
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvzXgA4IiR
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cD5ReQdbW
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDBfIBpVbT
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIQUEtWTqW
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2VS1qrUET
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYDXQVLt4p
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydCqsuEGX8
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh9RUEEhI7
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplgDu8Vzbd
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqi1ALFHZs
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlV9oLeKph
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnjGxpoyIl
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHRPn6Oica
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn6KjgtP2U
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT9LmCEdt9
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7RCbE6c78
“Juke!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb2j8LRM6K
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcTciLiIEO
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcmvPz3iR3
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRlmflc7nW
“That kid is such a nuisance!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVI8cil0Fz
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo126pUi08C
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WiG5Xku0W
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj5lIPNrAL
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNeRIat7mD
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2gZolOOwe
“Ahck!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaS2dplmYt
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX8CJ7FMH7
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTuhToKEfk
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn9x7udLMr
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL4gY6FR6Z
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXCmONJC2n
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp2EDvRy6Y
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs62vKvtHbi
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KZxNZjENi
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FIoydTm81
But, that did not happen.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0CGi2cnQU
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzZxW82wfw
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKi7mJpNjx
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkWvUyB4mV
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIsdbmRJL0
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iiNv8jWWu
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34p8EyTpza
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHR1Zz47ra
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFq1jtxQut
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfGrWSFxrC
And he let it rip just a moment later.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PW3uDP1og
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO59Gzxs6f
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakprTyxAmm
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYNPtWxKeD
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvsIT6qNYw
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxFa1Sm56n
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdspqkKnF56
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23hGkl6HRG
“...!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhTa5XREP6
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkn3Vj0Eda
None so fierce to kill my plant.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8b0HoMUih
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtWNzbPYaw
“M-My arm!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoAtXNp8Dp
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnEIFgeuhD
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIskmbOYNBE
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdkwcFIpsD
“Juke!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQ4qvoovq
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D80yMrjZg
“Gotcha, kid!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBhKz4yJee
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0TBMt01II
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOETpeGV0li
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvolqPVIrNv
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcAbpO6bTE
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfiaxVfuo1
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FutpPmOxa
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2CftuNz1h
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOLZ8fw98v
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNOBbQULvU
“Hrk!”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh429iBCgvo
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdybwKfPGK
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJvMl8Ksfc
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpPuuxEEMy
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLP2HQyIKa
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZbIO2HxD5
“...”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLet1JFjho
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQoCa8kyVD
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XZxrK3Lob
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4Pw73rn5d
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwernqzKYlS
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsEI0z6sra
“Curse…”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1KCTUQvzx
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyNRgRgX5r
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsDtuNfvVw
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZLl63Vltb
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8GCQW2nF4
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEQLDkBd5d
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdmhNx6Bdo
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI5Qogo0gi
“May they, be few.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdvxXG8INO
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwm1CUGqeJ
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3XmR8Juio
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrAVDnDQG6
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8726MXxY8
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozcJANv6cM
“That was… sad.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkifVGPuiM2
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlngJdpB8n
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mebCokmyG
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhp0Rbm1bq
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmePQVTL948
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFZruFuj8Q
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLxKl1mSJo
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvydyuSZvL
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX1acsEuSz
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfQnhX2U53
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91ijYt1Xbg
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOftW7gB7CZ
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt5BRyXWe9
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfOzfq8Ylz
“Don’t continue.”337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A04WxXtar
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUnOVUwgT9
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbjxojTspR
337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErlFv3c5PI
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gzAkpIhTw
