Nao: “Buy me some time Velo.” 443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsXeNwcT5z
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbsp4eA1dB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuiZEwo4Mn
Velo: “Got it.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0LoQlL7PM
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Kq78pR5Y2
Transform, book form!
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfUs1anjwV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg0i8lbUwi
Anthony: “No you don’t!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6mN9wLNQR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo56p7tryV
Velo activates his shield ring and blocks the bolts of lightning ripping through the ground towards us.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RCtczbM5l
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFpPqSh0KH
Velo: “Ugh…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdUaQKyeqX
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlerGiNf7x
Swap control water for minor illusion.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMrbZJqcc7
*Break*443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyFsTwkK5k
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9jd9biyP5
Velo: “The shield is down!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5GLNWmOsV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWC6pB929V
That’s fine I get between the next bolt and block it with my shield. I shoot 4 air bullets behind the shield that chases the fleeing Anthony.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVzpmySRQ9
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G2DC8tNEs
Anthony: “You’re not the only one with magic items.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93dirfIklg
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzKsZOEqQT
Anthony takes out that paralysis water gun and fires the 3 shots at the black listers.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWJeT1Gm7G
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR2lKiSD8F
Tallow: “Nice try!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX657hhAVpY
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91CuRhzFN7
Before Anthony even pulled the trigger, Tallow got everyone out of the way of the attack.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUYameJhj9
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6OdeBY4hu
Anthony: “What?”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflyW9J3hU2
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh6vHNWxF7
Tallow: “Nao, watch out take a step back.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6246FEfWb
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeZiCA7RTl
I do as he says and narrowly dodge a strike of lightning.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapgBjPKbJv
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6ET7DO7tF
Anthony: “Mind reading huh?”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtxszjjpaB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D4TqhTR5S
Tallow: “You won’t be able to catch anyone off guard now.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPGCKsW8ff
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jtJrM5DCr
Anthony: “That won’t last forever.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXACRXKjvH
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuyfOjKAZQ
I take the chance and blast more air bullets at Anthony while closing the distance. But right before my eyes, Anthony disappears. Invisibility…
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaVPlINCAp
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim6BfvoNgO
I quickly go back to Black Listers and place a shield over everyone. Everyone fades into silence as we keep our senses sharp for the next blow.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPifeA8T1g
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbJ8Tyaa6E
But it never comes. Tensions build and I start to lose my strength. I can’t keep this shield up forever. But that’s not all, the thought that Anthony ran crosses my mind.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGzM3Lr00V
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sXRu6ftj9
Is this shield even necessary? My arms buckle and that’s when I hear a crack in the shield.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31T6UU1EwW
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWAGrBTa3i
Tallow: “To our left!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnECDJle1EA
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ypBK8DoWy
I redirect my strength to the left in time for-
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw5rq7tO9x
*Crackle*443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVHADO7ni0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BUlfbjmgw
Purple light slams against where Tallow is. The shield buckles under the lightning barrage.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz7KBqj4yd
*Blast*443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45UGBOiKT3
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWMQyYGBDW
Tallow: “Watch out!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMqCpamlXR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnuPx72afk
I feel Tallow push me out of the way and when I turn to see what happened…
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMkrQfn3dB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVVajNr63V
Tallow: “GAAH!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldotzTZ8yl
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLWaFCZI7l
Tallow is on the ground bleeding heavily from his bloody torn apart arms. The pain is too much and he soon falls unconscious.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhtkQZ91Jv
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcU3A2CnOg
Mat & Velo: “Tallow!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xgUaJM9X5
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gcbUIg7Kw
Anthony: “Now stay down Tallow.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhJanLqZth
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qnYWQr9YR
The invisibility wears to reveal Anthony standing over me with a shotgun pointed at me.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewcOnfFcY9
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjkgmcD6Fs
Anthony: “Checkmate.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52PoNuckYk
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dGZNoZX7v
I hurry to place my hand on the muzzle and counter his attack.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGUOYuPEDi
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKj7fC90AK
Nao: “Air bullet!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7ApmOJ7XI
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ761LB6gUVU
Instantly, an explosion of destructive wind destroys the shotgun while pushing us away.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Ui793Vyg
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5rS703WLu
Nao: “Ugh…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7xxW1tBpH
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioTJnoKz7B
Anthony: “Damn, I had one shot left. Still worth taking the time to get it from my bag.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCrHcVJ5ID
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9mr0UXkep
I look back to Tallow’s broken body and everyone at stake. Maybe I should…
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11kCZz6VIu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuctcAJe9p
Anthony: “You’re out of options, give up now!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu6OIyWexw
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5G641jvdw
Nao: “Not yet.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwMCVuKzrc
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj51lIkxBLI
I summon fireballs and delayed air bullets. Some are illusions and others are real. I ignore my nose bleed and fire them at Anthony.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAPKj1QRxC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3su4keTQPj
Anthony: “I know the fireballs are illusions, try again.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdPtpaqwOA
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0vdTxrUl2
The fireballs phase through while the air bullets are blasted out of the sky by lightning.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRc4KRUBtO
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ChqjZwS9h
I continue firing while running towards Anthony with an illusion gorilla fist.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJUmJoGpXj
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Fa2l9f0j
Anthony: “Seriously?”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuVbVVIrkQ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLfrRNGZnm
Anthony contorts his body to dodge the strike and smiles.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFohoMwNVvX
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa5eUOu3vL
Anthony: “You can only use 3 spells, I counted what you can do.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw05swD9w3T
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtr7dRIYcD
I charge an air bullet in my free and aim it at Anthony’s chest. All the while, I summon 2 more air bullets aiming at his head.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyvW4AOanO
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcNsw2vPq4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuMqnEZ9XE
Nao: “Which of these are real!?”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8mN0pMavR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dqXPkdKey
Anthony: “Child’s play, you wouldn’t do headshots.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKJ4C4vIAv
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4l9SYLdkR
Anthony meets my charged air bullet with a lightning fist.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwPFXFngKV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6I3rsz7ZW
Nao: “GAAAH!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OThOnxdum
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsWMCKMOOK
My entire body begins to burn from the inside out. But-
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mpd6oP7U8
*Strike*443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtfZCXDboa
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K2mTezrLh
Anthony: “Ugh!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTgdPQycGR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ls5pRl1v9
The two air bullets graze his head but that was enough to knock him out for just a moment. But that’s all I need. I rip away from his hand and form a magic shield bubble around Anthony’s exploding body.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2WVcpS5Hc
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRBhuY240m
He shocks himself to wake up but it’s much worse than usual. The shield cracks but remains strong enough to contain him. I collapse on my knee while blood streaming from my nose. But I’m not the only one.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uiXBILmeC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVCUFH3PYA
Anthony: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhJk6Ek14R
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpYghcK5Ru
Nao: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQIrXTqMDN
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpqJQ4Lbjj
Anthony: “I can…break out of this…eventually.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMSkXdpoY9
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqaXyVcHRi
Nao: “Fast enough before the police come.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYICiMGB9V0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qP7GGuAtL
Anthony: “I’ll defeat them too.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUyWbbjhDK
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEYmn5u1yt
Nao: “There’s too many and you’re too weak. They just need one or two bullets and you’re dead.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstzr48g7cV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yO2jj3pZn
Anthony: “…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mfQn3cGWO
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tX8pcrySv
Nao: “Give up Anthony, you’ve lost.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaFQuHibqe
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDkVazFRqR
Anthony: “Why are you so hellbent on sparing me! Didn’t I say your goal is just as valid as mine? Don’t force yourself to try and make an impossible world!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyhOBKlwNs
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54CuRczlBx
Nao: “I just want to save you!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOh9pQIZwr
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXMg0adxPd
Anthony: “!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJU6igTfsb
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1kFb5ExrU
Nao: “That’s it. I don’t care about all of that stuff right now. You are one of the first friends I ever had. And I don’t lose that.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtEk8ab1NE
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QG62T5mQS
Anthony: “Nao…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgoLFbq914
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30CJYJfFMM
His body loosens and that once solid determination shakes a bit.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5E1aC66x0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnkWrFAMXH
Anthony: “Mayb-”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojGpQZh1zF
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq55EqdspoH
Anthony: “!!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUiXxBiLpR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewUa1js7dU
Anthony: “Artemis wai-”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG2STXHu5R
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc5CWeQkDl
Anthony’s eye glaze over but soon returns as a savage purple.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK5oKs59dC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjngK88frJ
Artemis: “No! I won’t let it end this, even if I have to break our body!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNjAFaJNSJ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9KvtW9t89
Lightning explodes out of my shield and scorches the air. I’m blown away and Artemis falls to the ground. Both of our bodies are ruined but mine more so. Artemis gets up and drags her body to mine while gathering power.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7mX87MmZu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZgJxkYj36
Artemis: “Don’t worry…love I’ll…take this nuisance out and then we’ll…finally get back to the bloodbath. We will have our vengeance…right?”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuNgqQbmVX
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5W4ADaouD
I…can’t move. I watch as Artemis gathers enough energy to end my struggle.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsyMC2SHW8
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugDQiT7kyi
Artemis: “Finally, this fight is over!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKFFYqcXSL
*Explode* 443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2ahkqxMoI
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq83cvOml26
Alyson: “!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQvzQWjlKv
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVeF8JT4r1
Am I…dead…
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXpBwBs3rk
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAhqHsMWuE
Alyson: “Mom!!!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfVtiEmzwh
!!?443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu3tYB1hwc
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYfDT84PYS
I open my eyes to see a person protecting me from the blast. That wall and sanctuary that’s always been there, begins to fall.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDtiUrvcge
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUjMEM3phA
With a thud, my mother falls next to me…this can’t be happening.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxoeHSwpnl
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1neFszgD3r
Artemis: “Mom? That’s your…mother…I didn’t mean…not again…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyWX7oGbKf
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC15rq6UCk
I ignore Artemis’ words of apparent confusion and drag myself to her. Alyson rushes over and cups mom’s head in her hands.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJZrHrRrhr
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor3HvICMPB
Nao: “Mom…why…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIrhyfCDxs
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIfqy1LIfi
Nell: “You’re my…children…of course I’d protect you.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPnobI42Be
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TXzudFpRR
Alyson: “Not like this! Not like this…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7IJJ9CIzP
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxaqmhleqq
Nell: “You…finally…called me mom.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGSqzA9BJM
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC31rtPzo2d
Alyson: “Mom…Mom, I’m so sorry I was stubborn. I should have….done so much more for you.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcxURiGaH0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXvMvDeYTh
Nell: “Nonsense…you’ve done…more than enough. I’m just glad…I could hear it…at least once.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh6gzusq53
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRMbp6X5jh
Nao: “Don’t talk like that! I can heal you!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFOdVndNd4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zIRfO1n41
I swap out illusion for healing and begin trying to save her. But…I’m too weak…
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmnUtvgKPI
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjawAWGjpTo
Nell: “It’s…fine…Nao…listen to me.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJnY8Z4aXC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55UeHNj311
My mom looks deep into my eyes and pleads.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ9ZWlr2dB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgRo5P5jkB
Nell: “You have…the power to change the world…and with it a responsibility…to heal it. Don’t be a villain…be…a hero. Protect your friends…family….and the innocent….promise me…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVqhrHZTC4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigSFREKsQz
I look to everyone here and internalize what I must do. Her final wish.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqEpsdUyOX
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajUWihyZQm
Nao: “I promise mom.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6agt8JEaZ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdnObF82VE
Nell: “Then…I know you two…will be…just…fine.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTVtail5hy
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNManrPZEGn
And just like that…my world grows darker.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNtK57X74Y
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ796vk9zwa
Alyson: “Mom? Mom!”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28qoyrWps0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcVebYjpUg
Alyson cries harder than she ever has. She holds mom’s lifeless body and wishes for this to be a dream. But this…is reality.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuNxOOrRJC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYsMlYAlg9
Artemis: “…Why did a mother…have to jump in front of that? It’s…not fair…”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnj9gpLLiC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqon8lf7za
I hear Artemis and I remember who punched this hold in my chest.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHAxPoNrZJ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFh8smJGzU
Nao: “Put all 10 points into endurance. I will survive to kill Artemis.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmULZXIvXLG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSGddbahsG
Arc: “But you’re bod-”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFJYxprmwD
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKldi1kymr0
Do it! She won’t get away with this…
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2vkrw8I2A
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOVwCQqQub
Arc: “Okay.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3eOPLTYSa
Endurance: 27.5443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIhHIr6AuL
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm1DCQD6AE
Instantly, I can feel my body break apart and convulse wildly. No! I won’t pass out over this! But as I think that, the breaking sensation stops abruptly and hear that familiar sound.
*Ding*
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Arc: “Congrats, you just leveled up.”
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Level: 2443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj0QnfOGM4
Strength: 27443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJQaNf31kz
Endurance: 31.5443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9rdmxQY7a
Intelligence: 23.5443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRB1yI2d6S
Charisma: 21.5443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBKPU9Hwnu
Agility: 20.5443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHrjpbudHt
Magic: 29443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQc7GOq8t3
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrN9WeEGbq
All of my wounds heal and new strength flows through me.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55tPxGKZbD
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15rrnY7nTp
Artemis: “…No way…I didn’t want this!”443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBHfpObtuJ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeWeIoOupQ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjHFxtVj14
She shoots out several bolts of lightning but they bounce off of my renewed shield.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKAN5YyOWP
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65T0KT6IDY
Arc: “You have a free spell slot, what do you want?”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmaAO7EyAM
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I4OU7gYuU
Nao: “…Magic Missile.”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jr1fUMg6S
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Fm9HTQt7
I transform Arc into book form and make the change while the storm still rages. I transform Arc back, get up and walk towards Artemis.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlSW7ZubaB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKEmr2qySh
I walk through lightning bolts, balls, and whatever else she can throw at me. It doesn’t matter, my shield blocks it all.
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBOHXkQQFC
Artemis: “Damn it all! Not again, not like this! Am I still this weak?”
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhssj2AyOu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyykIV5Swe3
I break through the lightning storm and grab Artemis’ throat. I slowly squeeze and enjoy her gasps of air.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEISSGoqFLd
Artemis: “You…kill me…you kill….Anthony…”443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlNQdZwa2t
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj1nLcidLV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOq4qFbFzU
Nao: “I know.”
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdScSFglSL
I raise my hand and gather magic energy into my palm. She fights back by screaming and shocking us both with lightning. But I feel nothing…
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OEDVr5DLt
I aim at my target…and fire.
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*BLAST*
…
…
The screaming stops and the body goes limp. I let Anthony fall to the ground and walk away from it all.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JUH6ozC89
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpzH68sTcj
Anthony: “…Why?”
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeTrd7mgjN
I look back at Anthony’s missing hand and the still intact ring smoking from the blast nearby.
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wudq20DLU
Nao: “You didn’t do it.”
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmX4U28Q6p
I grab the ring and can feel it lightly shocking me. I clearly can’t destroy it yet…but one day, I will. I pocket it and return to my mom’s body with Alyson still crying.
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3GqZBFFDI
I stare down at her and find her strangely…at peace. But why? I failed her and my sister. I look up at Alyson who’s still crying. So I hold back my tears, for her.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yHuooZ0eq
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GVEJhGFwc
Anthony: “…I’m…so sorry.”
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443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhJdR5nsoC
I ignore it. I’m sure the police will deal with him, I don’t care. Right now…I just want to bury my mother.
ns216.73.216.210da2
