Nao: “Buy me some time Velo.” 373Please respect copyright.PENANAY4adrE4Bd1
373Please respect copyright.PENANAQ72vK4Kxm2
373Please respect copyright.PENANAZxMa8hnVwo
Velo: “Got it.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA0xvHJmmtD4
373Please respect copyright.PENANAl4eNjjHCv3
Transform, book form!
373Please respect copyright.PENANAaxhfURMDHx
373Please respect copyright.PENANAGiKnrzhwpX
Anthony: “No you don’t!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAnJzJlsJhZ5
373Please respect copyright.PENANAqL9sqy9877
Velo activates his shield ring and blocks the bolts of lightning ripping through the ground towards us.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA8a6m4iLvZZ
373Please respect copyright.PENANA83Np4adpcb
Velo: “Ugh…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAMX70UCWTJZ
373Please respect copyright.PENANARQFaXvtng9
Swap control water for minor illusion.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAzFIWesCaE4
*Break*373Please respect copyright.PENANAudecYgn0k3
373Please respect copyright.PENANAtHitlcwwOG
Velo: “The shield is down!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAJTUBJwIy0J
373Please respect copyright.PENANAbDwr4MvGUS
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyOtpRbo3ek
373Please respect copyright.PENANAakroB5rupx
Anthony: “You’re not the only one with magic items.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAIPTx5hB2Qs
373Please respect copyright.PENANAAKlviHQYJV
Anthony takes out that paralysis water gun and fires the 3 shots at the black listers.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAWbUT3d9QTd
373Please respect copyright.PENANA9sucSdWxLF
Tallow: “Nice try!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAVxUGrmvVQQ
373Please respect copyright.PENANAhpWJLkk9T1
Before Anthony even pulled the trigger, Tallow got everyone out of the way of the attack.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAEvLbKBRThL
373Please respect copyright.PENANA7DjHKjoaxK
Anthony: “What?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA0IzXJuJlKe
373Please respect copyright.PENANAhyFgrpKhBP
Tallow: “Nao, watch out take a step back.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAZJZi7fGIcx
373Please respect copyright.PENANANFZPqiFqa2
I do as he says and narrowly dodge a strike of lightning.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA1i4RN60SGc
373Please respect copyright.PENANAIctW7BWwkM
Anthony: “Mind reading huh?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAYkQGs39d07
373Please respect copyright.PENANA7hD6r32lhN
Tallow: “You won’t be able to catch anyone off guard now.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAwR1LFLaK3G
373Please respect copyright.PENANAeRsQj7HpHv
Anthony: “That won’t last forever.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAzpJXWKq37A
373Please respect copyright.PENANAGIG9VmLDUW
I take the chance and blast more air bullets at Anthony while closing the distance. But right before my eyes, Anthony disappears. Invisibility…
373Please respect copyright.PENANAzcmOGjX4eD
373Please respect copyright.PENANApjIV29kgKB
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANATdKZf8E33C
373Please respect copyright.PENANAUDiFAlGQE7
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAh6HQmTWbrm
373Please respect copyright.PENANAx5VVirz9V1
Is this shield even necessary? My arms buckle and that’s when I hear a crack in the shield.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAx8zGiu7SlC
373Please respect copyright.PENANA0bbTrpG8wZ
Tallow: “To our left!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAsuhTX5UKxQ
373Please respect copyright.PENANADQSjHnXTjX
I redirect my strength to the left in time for-
373Please respect copyright.PENANA4shuz3HGuM
*Crackle*373Please respect copyright.PENANAwvCTf2vhYf
373Please respect copyright.PENANAiGx3HEnmOj
Purple light slams against where Tallow is. The shield buckles under the lightning barrage.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAEqXW5yZVL1
*Blast*373Please respect copyright.PENANAhLWa4HaktQ
373Please respect copyright.PENANAjwAQoiKfFQ
Tallow: “Watch out!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA0ehs9ejSMd
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyIkfWHP3Hk
I feel Tallow push me out of the way and when I turn to see what happened…
373Please respect copyright.PENANADwwP0cCpO5
373Please respect copyright.PENANAfn1YDZsiFY
Tallow: “GAAH!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAkIFmaTdlXz
373Please respect copyright.PENANAdbrRMJCDpd
Tallow is on the ground bleeding heavily from his bloody torn apart arms. The pain is too much and he soon falls unconscious.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAI39S3MLPW8
373Please respect copyright.PENANA75nrEVLapP
Mat & Velo: “Tallow!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAel7p1GAp3s
373Please respect copyright.PENANANeIhaJWuax
Anthony: “Now stay down Tallow.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAROCK9ZhNJs
373Please respect copyright.PENANAUZYXTn23nq
The invisibility wears to reveal Anthony standing over me with a shotgun pointed at me.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyjcXkqCXBM
373Please respect copyright.PENANAdMosFa90D6
Anthony: “Checkmate.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAeMhH1BOnvr
373Please respect copyright.PENANAXfd9jWKSQf
I hurry to place my hand on the muzzle and counter his attack.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAzi6hfLAsqm
373Please respect copyright.PENANATiLRA1pead
Nao: “Air bullet!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAubCu8s3DOm
373Please respect copyright.PENANAqG6PsIMuTA
Instantly, an explosion of destructive wind destroys the shotgun while pushing us away.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAQsTYIB91rL
373Please respect copyright.PENANALj7LbQjZ7S
Nao: “Ugh…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA4NbCL23jUc
373Please respect copyright.PENANAMNJFu0VS1q
Anthony: “Damn, I had one shot left. Still worth taking the time to get it from my bag.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyqvn2cOxol
373Please respect copyright.PENANA0t5BAw7xaO
I look back to Tallow’s broken body and everyone at stake. Maybe I should…
373Please respect copyright.PENANA2ArYx2DW7X
373Please respect copyright.PENANAwFEkgoa7kW
Anthony: “You’re out of options, give up now!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA4kZgBRulln
373Please respect copyright.PENANAtjve5rwKDt
Nao: “Not yet.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAhlIuxnIUZy
373Please respect copyright.PENANAeWABCCyRIl
I summon fireballs and delayed air bullets. Some are illusions and others are real. I ignore my nose bleed and fire them at Anthony.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAXSkuYk0Z3i
373Please respect copyright.PENANASHSKf5TOdG
Anthony: “I know the fireballs are illusions, try again.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAVNG1hwzdLU
373Please respect copyright.PENANA28MamGPZ7Y
The fireballs phase through while the air bullets are blasted out of the sky by lightning.
373Please respect copyright.PENANALnWuXSDgYW
373Please respect copyright.PENANAPxkca0HX1g
I continue firing while running towards Anthony with an illusion gorilla fist.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAUr793ujpSW
373Please respect copyright.PENANAg1snOCekt7
Anthony: “Seriously?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANACCumnKnbmA
373Please respect copyright.PENANAa390jmPUfE
Anthony contorts his body to dodge the strike and smiles.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAZnATaZwVi5
373Please respect copyright.PENANA6U7fUL2txX
Anthony: “You can only use 3 spells, I counted what you can do.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAp1GgWEkZYf
373Please respect copyright.PENANAYshQK5rQ7B
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.373Please respect copyright.PENANA8ltChmHhgl
373Please respect copyright.PENANAx7VT7Am7JA
373Please respect copyright.PENANAxj9yncQKGs
Nao: “Which of these are real!?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAzBFCeARoDP
373Please respect copyright.PENANA7kB6yBxGSC
Anthony: “Child’s play, you wouldn’t do headshots.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAKmYVcijGNZ
373Please respect copyright.PENANAqUVl686lNE
Anthony meets my charged air bullet with a lightning fist.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAl9skH4vgTn
373Please respect copyright.PENANA92i2xc0qkM
Nao: “GAAAH!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANACY2RSC0zTi
373Please respect copyright.PENANAxGvEf1atLO
My entire body begins to burn from the inside out. But-
373Please respect copyright.PENANAv2SGElSqf3
*Strike*373Please respect copyright.PENANAI523yD304Z
373Please respect copyright.PENANApGxrWVuSLh
Anthony: “Ugh!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANALRM1w1dbJr
373Please respect copyright.PENANAXK4QmSc1OY
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA1MnLchzL6R
373Please respect copyright.PENANANfjhxe4UZI
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAmLYySRbA3M
373Please respect copyright.PENANAiSibQqCsD7
Anthony: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
373Please respect copyright.PENANAVTufVw4y8j
373Please respect copyright.PENANAuROeqpGN82
Nao: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
373Please respect copyright.PENANACZNZphpww4
373Please respect copyright.PENANAiYrmdLI5dl
Anthony: “I can…break out of this…eventually.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAPbrRi3D8Mt
373Please respect copyright.PENANAhBppvs6YZA
Nao: “Fast enough before the police come.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAS0JaaVmM7X
373Please respect copyright.PENANAaOLDhmfUde
Anthony: “I’ll defeat them too.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA6CvJuRqgRk
373Please respect copyright.PENANAMhivaBvo5s
Nao: “There’s too many and you’re too weak. They just need one or two bullets and you’re dead.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAaalzBvJoHi
373Please respect copyright.PENANAnKgtgQQDpD
Anthony: “…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAWzD0xt6rTb
373Please respect copyright.PENANAsplHwXt6Ie
Nao: “Give up Anthony, you’ve lost.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAmDEkSBa0pj
373Please respect copyright.PENANAnzJpLUYiuT
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!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA13iPR0rPTw
373Please respect copyright.PENANAsIr47BFXa7
Nao: “I just want to save you!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAurUNSHjJsc
373Please respect copyright.PENANA5fSLeZ2amF
Anthony: “!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAawT53J1bdd
373Please respect copyright.PENANAeqExISvMaX
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.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANABIZpudicXk
373Please respect copyright.PENANAJahp2bUyBt
Anthony: “Nao…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAtZ04IL0YmA
373Please respect copyright.PENANAJxyi45GrVk
His body loosens and that once solid determination shakes a bit.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAzaMjODPLn4
373Please respect copyright.PENANAue3MOzqoUr
Anthony: “Mayb-”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA1iGSDIzX2t
373Please respect copyright.PENANALYQPpQAZia
Anthony: “!!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAOZMewNLsHY
373Please respect copyright.PENANAi8CoKeb5jt
Anthony: “Artemis wai-”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA4aPx3y42dO
373Please respect copyright.PENANACj3IVuBl80
Anthony’s eye glaze over but soon returns as a savage purple.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANARhS5d6LU4l
373Please respect copyright.PENANAMAk6xOyNrc
Artemis: “No! I won’t let it end this, even if I have to break our body!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA9zhfFb0zZa
373Please respect copyright.PENANAosbzNqJtT0
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAnqyv4G77Ji
373Please respect copyright.PENANABFjIDACImk
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?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANACwRsTPmynG
373Please respect copyright.PENANAw6ym2rSEJo
I…can’t move. I watch as Artemis gathers enough energy to end my struggle.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAVLhKwu7hQp
373Please respect copyright.PENANAmaP2hYNaaV
Artemis: “Finally, this fight is over!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAjqxoGLXkIb
*Explode* 373Please respect copyright.PENANAMpSotM2we4
373Please respect copyright.PENANA1wn5KeMAGV
Alyson: “!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAeahSnXEt06
373Please respect copyright.PENANAsgYG72aKBQ
Am I…dead…
373Please respect copyright.PENANAEk4aS8f4fj
373Please respect copyright.PENANAdGUYwBzjdu
Alyson: “Mom!!!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANASK2MgdIO36
!!?373Please respect copyright.PENANAEwKorgtydJ
373Please respect copyright.PENANA2Xyi2X5b2Y
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAOMVuagJep6
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyyLuXCHsvl
With a thud, my mother falls next to me…this can’t be happening.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA23VKGbyazf
373Please respect copyright.PENANA5IykC12VYv
Artemis: “Mom? That’s your…mother…I didn’t mean…not again…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyoBVwFaoXx
373Please respect copyright.PENANAfBto1lSwj9
I ignore Artemis’ words of apparent confusion and drag myself to her. Alyson rushes over and cups mom’s head in her hands.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA8Fi0OGS2DO
373Please respect copyright.PENANAvmw50VvTSt
Nao: “Mom…why…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAuyC5T3onWg
373Please respect copyright.PENANA2hh04DChgk
Nell: “You’re my…children…of course I’d protect you.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAIcdAdYUUHz
373Please respect copyright.PENANASuRWQROnWA
Alyson: “Not like this! Not like this…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAb4vU82TMXx
373Please respect copyright.PENANABwuTN8RJEp
Nell: “You…finally…called me mom.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAYPTuZac3CG
373Please respect copyright.PENANAbkiRCgK94E
Alyson: “Mom…Mom, I’m so sorry I was stubborn. I should have….done so much more for you.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAN7xG3p7hxw
373Please respect copyright.PENANAFHo684Bea0
Nell: “Nonsense…you’ve done…more than enough. I’m just glad…I could hear it…at least once.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAHkdtLd4EfU
373Please respect copyright.PENANAf6RZYyGRq0
Nao: “Don’t talk like that! I can heal you!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANADYz6Hym4EC
373Please respect copyright.PENANAT9QIppGBk2
I swap out illusion for healing and begin trying to save her. But…I’m too weak…
373Please respect copyright.PENANA4IgdPYJSrc
373Please respect copyright.PENANANlwzBgsFqm
Nell: “It’s…fine…Nao…listen to me.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAStsbtW3jme
373Please respect copyright.PENANAkUMJZmpdP8
My mom looks deep into my eyes and pleads.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA5Qa8IG2wID
373Please respect copyright.PENANAIhzcS69ypT
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…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANArF9Cv184hH
373Please respect copyright.PENANAIFGTZ8oGEE
I look to everyone here and internalize what I must do. Her final wish.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAN4B2gET2xY
373Please respect copyright.PENANA2Fh6urDekj
Nao: “I promise mom.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANASFZtDhuQRH
373Please respect copyright.PENANA0jZG3J1ex9
Nell: “Then…I know you two…will be…just…fine.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAVvakIkL6hc
373Please respect copyright.PENANAmXg29kVVmX
And just like that…my world grows darker.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAdC9KnFEkb0
373Please respect copyright.PENANAti4wmTAKCU
Alyson: “Mom? Mom!”
373Please respect copyright.PENANACAp7HgGY6F
373Please respect copyright.PENANAMdrVoJA2WB
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAulPuPVyo7Z
373Please respect copyright.PENANAye5lVPLPej
Artemis: “…Why did a mother…have to jump in front of that? It’s…not fair…”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAgQ1hZyg9yt
373Please respect copyright.PENANAAPEIeViVgT
I hear Artemis and I remember who punched this hold in my chest.
373Please respect copyright.PENANASNNHhQYkhy
373Please respect copyright.PENANA0WPl5m6RWL
Nao: “Put all 10 points into endurance. I will survive to kill Artemis.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAvZZrGT7jub
373Please respect copyright.PENANA9mM9cophyh
Arc: “But you’re bod-”
373Please respect copyright.PENANA1FlAUHT9Lv
373Please respect copyright.PENANAsYNwLGuUj2
Do it! She won’t get away with this…
373Please respect copyright.PENANAeanPktoTRk
373Please respect copyright.PENANAJbWYENNkYF
Arc: “Okay.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAQBVzjnIbp2
Endurance: 27.5373Please respect copyright.PENANAmfVwUUM9iD
373Please respect copyright.PENANAHyimj2gGMY
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*
373Please respect copyright.PENANA9VRGzPyxNs
Arc: “Congrats, you just leveled up.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAT90d4KDWTO
Level: 2373Please respect copyright.PENANAhYQBDeQpkc
Strength: 27373Please respect copyright.PENANAUUAksCCKkP
Endurance: 31.5373Please respect copyright.PENANAXbWKkQbd0l
Intelligence: 23.5373Please respect copyright.PENANAntMQvSlR6Q
Charisma: 21.5373Please respect copyright.PENANApS8Vm6tXKb
Agility: 20.5373Please respect copyright.PENANAAl5B9KX0bc
Magic: 29373Please respect copyright.PENANAY9N3L50J1J
373Please respect copyright.PENANA9IZyVATagk
All of my wounds heal and new strength flows through me.373Please respect copyright.PENANAbnclC792QJ
373Please respect copyright.PENANAy9pmyShMIY
Artemis: “…No way…I didn’t want this!”373Please respect copyright.PENANAmY3TOTSfF5
373Please respect copyright.PENANAszEtFtbdw6
373Please respect copyright.PENANA9Eyrc4SwGz
She shoots out several bolts of lightning but they bounce off of my renewed shield.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyfRKt1vD3I
373Please respect copyright.PENANARZXL2emFCT
Arc: “You have a free spell slot, what do you want?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAYkbnvigpha
373Please respect copyright.PENANAlqGMA2WlMS
Nao: “…Magic Missile.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAK9cBoTaCOW
373Please respect copyright.PENANA132rP3W1PN
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAX41UCdmZOk
373Please respect copyright.PENANArgV8wCbVT8
I walk through lightning bolts, balls, and whatever else she can throw at me. It doesn’t matter, my shield blocks it all.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA5qUc6wsHzA
373Please respect copyright.PENANAEmwddcuPpQ
Artemis: “Damn it all! Not again, not like this! Am I still this weak?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAOHEjpxbSKs
373Please respect copyright.PENANAU6iLm2VFSz
I break through the lightning storm and grab Artemis’ throat. I slowly squeeze and enjoy her gasps of air.
373Please respect copyright.PENANALHtpwg6l5Z
Artemis: “You…kill me…you kill….Anthony…”373Please respect copyright.PENANAZYjyllqFcf
373Please respect copyright.PENANAK1CwffUrFi
373Please respect copyright.PENANArY3psfthSH
Nao: “I know.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAwzoigOOpAb
373Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7L3JaVOBo
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…
373Please respect copyright.PENANAJstqLjdfRN
373Please respect copyright.PENANA7CFLgqc3UP
I aim at my target…and fire.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAymwYW0d5BN
*BLAST*
…
…
The screaming stops and the body goes limp. I let Anthony fall to the ground and walk away from it all.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAKpnK4QnFit
373Please respect copyright.PENANA4b164LlF3S
Anthony: “…Why?”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAq45RqeOU67
373Please respect copyright.PENANAAoSicbZltQ
I look back at Anthony’s missing hand and the still intact ring smoking from the blast nearby.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAYRkld5VGIH
373Please respect copyright.PENANAqNw8JrheEf
Nao: “You didn’t do it.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANAqZMFROr5Lx
373Please respect copyright.PENANAyAzWJEGxid
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANA73i21psA0F
373Please respect copyright.PENANAWaTJQ0Toiq
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.
373Please respect copyright.PENANAinPcUQBXqs
373Please respect copyright.PENANAY7GISoHjhi
Anthony: “…I’m…so sorry.”
373Please respect copyright.PENANALY0BOqNJBG
373Please respect copyright.PENANADXFyrywqdV
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.
ns3.138.175.178da2