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.PENANAchiyCwNTQO
215Please respect copyright.PENANAoGe7z4d3vE
"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAU7T7nLstyS
215Please respect copyright.PENANABdeo9DzTKZ
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.PENANAAikB1bEdF5
215Please respect copyright.PENANAvDsNafMQ4P
"What are you doing!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANApE74LGBEJW
215Please respect copyright.PENANAlukLTHI9jD
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"215Please respect copyright.PENANAcfZ5WzpNYi
215Please respect copyright.PENANAKyFmPbfJ3e
**BOOM**215Please respect copyright.PENANAGWzwWLMd5Z
215Please respect copyright.PENANAxc3zpsifVF
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.PENANAEmEcikzF3U
215Please respect copyright.PENANAfETBo3tnyB
"Ngh, damn it!"215Please respect copyright.PENANApfIdmJQVV6
215Please respect copyright.PENANAUJ6Cp9pkR3
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.PENANABmx2kZKzw7
215Please respect copyright.PENANAL0D9eC1YQU
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.PENANAZxDoyhqWB5
215Please respect copyright.PENANA8aLfAIEKvz
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAcxcVNEok0h
215Please respect copyright.PENANAGXBOJPdzuP
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.PENANALCl1HPFFET
215Please respect copyright.PENANA0lcZ5Zl3oY
It was like she knew I was going to fire it.215Please respect copyright.PENANA6RyufNzEtB
215Please respect copyright.PENANAs96iJksXBe
"--Damn it! Rover!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAi14Ue4K3dY
215Please respect copyright.PENANAOupnAxUnRm
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.PENANANYtA8t8e0G
215Please respect copyright.PENANAkApTiB6mv4
"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANADMnBioUCFZ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAc5extdfDLa
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.215Please respect copyright.PENANAnrcjK3ePTZ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAIS0JtRV1Qp
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAUwN9F1SqCk
215Please respect copyright.PENANA6QXK7SigR6
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAwywyuEgEcd
215Please respect copyright.PENANAH2VLeqr04x
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.PENANAG5Rcd7SA0X
215Please respect copyright.PENANAtv2LNocS11
"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.PENANAlAfQ5gFwAN
215Please respect copyright.PENANAX3bX3bXwEA
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"215Please respect copyright.PENANASSCjmVGVVk
215Please respect copyright.PENANAY5TIlgMKpA
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAHmCA8dseRZ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAoGie49KBGr
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.PENANAR3iFcyCLdC
215Please respect copyright.PENANAF97balsSrp
"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.PENANAThg7o6ActR
215Please respect copyright.PENANAoXK5vquFNV
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANA71IFe5ufm1
215Please respect copyright.PENANAeyHNfQLI0D
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.PENANAsrj5gppq9p
215Please respect copyright.PENANA9wkuU0Beoc
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.215Please respect copyright.PENANAe70GYNAEj5
215Please respect copyright.PENANAFS8WlVEjFf
"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.PENANAxqKSl9gX9o
215Please respect copyright.PENANAQQb6thsWUf
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.PENANA4tL2gYTyxt
215Please respect copyright.PENANAPIYAXbi3Ic
I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.215Please respect copyright.PENANAaL63rd0nyB
215Please respect copyright.PENANAelcZskFKu2
"Hey, Kenny!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAsdsOChcdMM
215Please respect copyright.PENANAlFUYL344sK
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.215Please respect copyright.PENANARkqpKATWdq
215Please respect copyright.PENANAAJ2j8v48mq
"I-Is she okay?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAay4M2tCwUb
215Please respect copyright.PENANA0mWJA4sAQZ
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAofvztR3wZe
215Please respect copyright.PENANAINd0OYofDu
"I don't know what that is!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAuryFDu4ypw
215Please respect copyright.PENANAoQUfZvSbuH
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"215Please respect copyright.PENANADFly85pSeh
215Please respect copyright.PENANAeZ6xbBsKV9
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.PENANAHmcTBi5eG7
215Please respect copyright.PENANAnYvPPjMUPB
Though, that did raise the question–215Please respect copyright.PENANAGOuEh7TPJB
215Please respect copyright.PENANApd9HOkl3mY
"Do you know where you're going!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANA16JeFLkQFQ
215Please respect copyright.PENANANahGkbwDIE
"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA0MvajSdQ61
215Please respect copyright.PENANAIVN6hJ2Hz1
"Ah– where is Dennis?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAOlwqCdzSg8
215Please respect copyright.PENANA2IIdXKr09s
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA6nzbAz7TVa
215Please respect copyright.PENANAnXiGBF94jN
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.PENANA6Imcmh1HNZ
215Please respect copyright.PENANA2hZnJbfIvT
"Shit."215Please respect copyright.PENANACxxMjTd88n
215Please respect copyright.PENANApeiZ4F9aHh
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.PENANAWxhHxVYJ7Q
215Please respect copyright.PENANAiqHjFMT9x2
"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.PENANATzLj0V8z9i
215Please respect copyright.PENANAMa4l5qCJo9
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."215Please respect copyright.PENANArvPFDKelYQ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAeEgcGUudeS
"...Alright."215Please respect copyright.PENANAY6CU05UGDh
215Please respect copyright.PENANAESsvnW9upk
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.PENANAhS3Arxz3Be
215Please respect copyright.PENANARuBkzqcun4
"Alright, I'll take yer question."215Please respect copyright.PENANA1wvGtFu0zD
215Please respect copyright.PENANA6rTC5FN3Ht
"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAqImXaMCgYp
215Please respect copyright.PENANA6FLmgUevLC
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.215Please respect copyright.PENANA64CI2JXvw6
215Please respect copyright.PENANAcxMjOWTFwZ
"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."215Please respect copyright.PENANAh5e748xT1w
215Please respect copyright.PENANAaXLsdEfNEC
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."215Please respect copyright.PENANAu1DO61Fift
215Please respect copyright.PENANA6xmdk6DJDM
The man stopped speaking.215Please respect copyright.PENANAzoUsGCwg75
215Please respect copyright.PENANAsBGvlo65Ac
"Alright, carry on, then."215Please respect copyright.PENANAsxSrNmkOic
215Please respect copyright.PENANAWQQRToNMNh
"...Eh?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAWZoHLIqcCM
215Please respect copyright.PENANA3AJszdUUtg
I shared in his confusion.215Please respect copyright.PENANAtW8tkZD596
215Please respect copyright.PENANABJOgwXGBfT
"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."215Please respect copyright.PENANArRZzF7W7z9
215Please respect copyright.PENANAZuB4TUkjHm
"I-If ya say so!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAYwrd2hBkns
215Please respect copyright.PENANAzPAzKlt4wD
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.PENANAs6Xp6rsnAe
215Please respect copyright.PENANAZrtjFoWUt7
"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."215Please respect copyright.PENANAdfyUqOaaLX
215Please respect copyright.PENANAoYyRzu98c2
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.PENANA5YKhWLKdxF
215Please respect copyright.PENANAzPnI7NFjiz
"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.PENANAPqIIql0V2s
215Please respect copyright.PENANAotQtgeIVlf
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.PENANAY6lJvrSzRF
215Please respect copyright.PENANAVk9fTBipbz
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.PENANA1uJuDTDvQq
215Please respect copyright.PENANAxnJn8NZJAD
I had spilled it in such an unfair way.215Please respect copyright.PENANAxVLNoMLWQ7
215Please respect copyright.PENANAnMSC9qfabB
"Damn it, kid!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA1BCETczykj
215Please respect copyright.PENANAwMK801oOPc
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.PENANAcWFlXsAWcJ
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.PENANADoJK4o2xLV
215Please respect copyright.PENANAY2BYkvpkFg
**SMASH**215Please respect copyright.PENANAgYtspJ89M1
215Please respect copyright.PENANAlRlMlxkDLp
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.PENANAyfm3FzRbbJ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAx6x5HIth0o
"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAxhDSvS3OpU
215Please respect copyright.PENANAOrf6IwXO19
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.PENANA0jG1nVMpqr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAsxXMt4Z1up
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.PENANAKoUvza9MbC
215Please respect copyright.PENANAEXv5aiDHIs
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.PENANAHOqshojawL
215Please respect copyright.PENANAqnAoaGBvAN
"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAA71feoYibP
215Please respect copyright.PENANA4U2LT003hh
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.PENANAlpfcfNAK2m
215Please respect copyright.PENANAKBf3haxAHV
Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.215Please respect copyright.PENANABFcrh8H3fj
215Please respect copyright.PENANARqAWBwviBv
"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZvW8WJXr6
215Please respect copyright.PENANAP0WsQd0CLk
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.PENANAbr9c5eXntE
215Please respect copyright.PENANAxdzHeBl7Zg
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAaKtrAptRyq
215Please respect copyright.PENANAWpDkQD172d
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.215Please respect copyright.PENANAe8u8UuIqaB
215Please respect copyright.PENANAUzyA7NMRNO
"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.PENANA5ZqeNt9RvU
215Please respect copyright.PENANALMUAM7L2G5
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.215Please respect copyright.PENANA2XsOJuBYBl
215Please respect copyright.PENANAmq7qvBLxY4
"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANA8wkrr4kolf
215Please respect copyright.PENANAFLj7ibKJZ2
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.PENANACbykGjrStm
215Please respect copyright.PENANA4YR9HJAtCU
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"215Please respect copyright.PENANA2V3hUb6U6B
215Please respect copyright.PENANAcDDd5xCGr2
His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.215Please respect copyright.PENANAy7kYAoJgQr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAvo5f4iOJcX
"Like I'll let ya do that!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAczlnrGf42O
215Please respect copyright.PENANA9f1Nq4m7Cc
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.PENANA5gDlxeQwHr
215Please respect copyright.PENANAHp4h0BKHbY
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA8trpXRJ5oI
215Please respect copyright.PENANAu2s2MxOWx1
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.PENANAh8qKkX46lA
215Please respect copyright.PENANA9SFejpuuxp
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAbhxNlcbceC
215Please respect copyright.PENANAUtVZhsiX21
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.PENANAxXMyqqE4AM
215Please respect copyright.PENANAc2RJZquqdc
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.PENANAndSbEA8QSn
215Please respect copyright.PENANAcAYMUC2R6p
Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.215Please respect copyright.PENANAwnFguMnrpj
215Please respect copyright.PENANANQ3NcFNq15
"--Hrk!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAPhinDycWiG
215Please respect copyright.PENANAjeuH6l18MV
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.PENANArkPEM9NFGA
215Please respect copyright.PENANAyn7tHjJpFC
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.PENANAzCod613CV6
215Please respect copyright.PENANAElbk5ogmOm
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"215Please respect copyright.PENANAtcdfE15oZs
215Please respect copyright.PENANAG7cf8aRfPG
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"215Please respect copyright.PENANABlXxlrAeJB
215Please respect copyright.PENANAogCA1Undh4
"Whatever!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAKkpb9mMIsg
215Please respect copyright.PENANATXM2FHdZeJ
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.PENANAobdDApJm8C
215Please respect copyright.PENANA1dSfOawTz0
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.PENANA9jr6CE2iXz
215Please respect copyright.PENANASabKKMymzE
I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.215Please respect copyright.PENANACXpYo4An6E
215Please respect copyright.PENANAvWmP8XXwoT
Dread, worry, guilt–215Please respect copyright.PENANAq3YDlOiW4q
215Please respect copyright.PENANA7SaAU02vbP
"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAkPOaENWriq
215Please respect copyright.PENANAUlTKgvqGoR
"...R-Right!"215Please respect copyright.PENANAgK0w0MyctQ
215Please respect copyright.PENANAgKO7X1TOuu
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.PENANAIX9JvodDcO
215Please respect copyright.PENANA5PWFkq261F
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.PENANAtcxyoi7z3I
215Please respect copyright.PENANANjXSUkO7ST
**SLAM**215Please respect copyright.PENANASmRd6nhMve
215Please respect copyright.PENANA1MeP45xsNF
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.PENANA8Dndw15H7I
215Please respect copyright.PENANA6CavFycU2L
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.PENANAj5TIEFm90H
215Please respect copyright.PENANAKz25noAoHy
"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.PENANAEN6CuxA7jf
215Please respect copyright.PENANAbdRMFZHfiq
"--Ugh!"215Please respect copyright.PENANA6jA53tMb2q
215Please respect copyright.PENANAVEf16aLC6x
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.PENANAsWoecVIlVx
215Please respect copyright.PENANA3PC3X2w5RA
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.PENANAsD5YwKidEd
215Please respect copyright.PENANA3wMm4dE2oX
**SMASH**215Please respect copyright.PENANAJzRERqmUvD
215Please respect copyright.PENANAaH5MaKAAqS
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.PENANARuQFYPkBVw
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.215Please respect copyright.PENANAwnuVc8hiJw
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"215Please respect copyright.PENANASakhFMgCZK
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"Ah! Sorry!"215Please respect copyright.PENANArrTEo6YF9b
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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.PENANAPuUYH4hRDn
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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.PENANAl5KNXw8ray
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"N-No, that's not it."215Please respect copyright.PENANAQGEd5pSHuX
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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.PENANAFV7vBt5BmY
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"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."215Please respect copyright.PENANAIkko9jIOaY
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Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.