I was set beside a wall. It took all of my will not to pass out immediately. I gave myself a minute to breathe and relax. I caught a glimpse of my legs. They were thankfully still in one piece, but several parts of my skin were charred. I put great care into the potion Juke fed me, so my wounds would heal just fine. I thanked my past self for making it pain-numbing as well.249Please respect copyright.PENANAN1W0eE8b4u
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Though my legs were fine, too much of them were exposed to the outside world. To put it bluntly, I needed a new pair of pants. I would've ordinarily been embarrassed, but I had bigger fish to fry.249Please respect copyright.PENANAQe1eVseH46
249Please respect copyright.PENANA9BsGYDWlfJ
Juke took a seat beside me while panting, taking his helmet off, and wiping the sweat off his brow.249Please respect copyright.PENANASXQ1uc2c2j
249Please respect copyright.PENANATpEiTM8KmC
"I ain't ever ran that fast before shit."249Please respect copyright.PENANAhuBRE8E4BN
249Please respect copyright.PENANARgwYOzCJgB
We took a minute to get ourselves situated. I looked up at the sky, taking deep breaths.249Please respect copyright.PENANA6r3gVYzqe8
249Please respect copyright.PENANAB7fhxLSVz7
"I wish... I packed an energy potion."249Please respect copyright.PENANAIrm774CzZ7
249Please respect copyright.PENANA0poMyUhHMG
"Ya know how to make one?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAxU2l58GLwL
249Please respect copyright.PENANAYHsFW5pc3p
"...No, I'm just thinking of coffee."249Please respect copyright.PENANAEJdC72y01X
249Please respect copyright.PENANACe86wEVCs1
He clicked his tongue in disappointment. I made a mental note to check if things such as energy potions truly existed later.249Please respect copyright.PENANAHdT6j3vNbM
249Please respect copyright.PENANAxGCqu8K3Tg
"Are you two feeling well? I'm assuming a fight broke out."249Please respect copyright.PENANAwTcwv9dRFx
249Please respect copyright.PENANAhpTIKhjKEs
The man I recognized but forgot the name of walked up to us with an impassive face, making me wonder if he asked how we were only for formalities.249Please respect copyright.PENANARcYIaQ1C3p
249Please respect copyright.PENANAbCNX1TM1iA
"We're doin' fine. Thanks for helpin' us."249Please respect copyright.PENANA6y0u9RaAOm
249Please respect copyright.PENANAQneoFWI9GY
"Sure thing," Pars interjected with a gentle smile.249Please respect copyright.PENANAf6w9ba6M8C
249Please respect copyright.PENANAYLr8YNl0a9
"So, Kenny, right? care to explain what happened?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAy4EIRHTkeW
249Please respect copyright.PENANAeHDABJL1Hd
Pars took a seat on the pavement, and the man beside him followed.249Please respect copyright.PENANAnAxBvuUYa4
249Please respect copyright.PENANA5ADQDo7oj3
"Uh... well-"249Please respect copyright.PENANATKekLb4Tbr
249Please respect copyright.PENANAeahn4SQ1cQ
"Before all that, how about ya two introduce yerselves? It's obvious Kenny met ya, but I hate to be left in the dark."249Please respect copyright.PENANAekx1VXQWuv
249Please respect copyright.PENANAPoQfKmFWJX
"Ah, of course!"249Please respect copyright.PENANAzvOQ92SmTW
249Please respect copyright.PENANAFzenLp1awh
Pars rubbed the back of his head.249Please respect copyright.PENANAYuvq0Z0Dis
249Please respect copyright.PENANAEFDOEQU4WK
"The name's Pars. This grumpy fellow is Dave. Nice to meet you, uh,"249Please respect copyright.PENANAttkEa70c1J
249Please respect copyright.PENANAFCAA6fAplD
"Juke."249Please respect copyright.PENANA3PShLRzTtA
249Please respect copyright.PENANAPPXRGW10Ut
I weakly snapped my fingers, almost admonishing myself for forgetting a name like Dave.249Please respect copyright.PENANAGsavl1fumw
249Please respect copyright.PENANAooshLk1n9V
"Juke. That's an odd name. Where do you come from?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAryYCfIZraT
249Please respect copyright.PENANAQj1AC9Fesw
"That ain't important right now. Since Kenny looks like he's gonna drop dead any minute, I'll do all the explaining."249Please respect copyright.PENANAOQUYd1n6x9
249Please respect copyright.PENANAoKra9GJz6x
Juke gave me a sidelong wink. I gave him a fragile thumbs-up, whispering a thanks.249Please respect copyright.PENANAZE9pd32loL
249Please respect copyright.PENANAC3sAQfEC77
"To make a long story short, we were tryin' to escape the city. Found out that these Hard-Bringer bastards really want our heads in particular, so much so that the Harbinger lady camped the stables and attacked us. That's who we were runnin' from."249Please respect copyright.PENANA4504zVDuw9
249Please respect copyright.PENANA0bpGI6NX8m
"You fought directly with the Harbinger? You two are pretty impressive," Pars replied.249Please respect copyright.PENANA3sm0LXcNKN
249Please respect copyright.PENANAWhbI2gKZSX
"Nah, ya should've seen it. We were getting tossed around like she was playing ball. Seriously, just look at Kenny."249Please respect copyright.PENANAysWBeVmmWN
249Please respect copyright.PENANArWnR33Mtno
They all diverted their gazes to me. I felt more inclined to correct Juke than to get embarrassed.249Please respect copyright.PENANAYiH9KT8tXS
249Please respect copyright.PENANALqiKHHggbq
"I did this to myself, though."249Please respect copyright.PENANAUUdoQABMPA
249Please respect copyright.PENANAqvF5qoExUR
"I ain't sweating the details here, kid."249Please respect copyright.PENANAZHztDpTYMI
249Please respect copyright.PENANALXzXVuMs2s
"You're just lying to them, though."249Please respect copyright.PENANAnrJoJL0MyP
249Please respect copyright.PENANASTKIay7xQn
He simply shrugged. I realized that I was just sweating details. It didn't matter why, the point was that I became injured because of the fight.249Please respect copyright.PENANAoke52EAZy9
249Please respect copyright.PENANAzYtZzHJ4Pf
"What Juke's saying is right, though. We weren't on the brink of death or anything, but we weren't making her feel threatened, let's just say."249Please respect copyright.PENANA2ylDxKxPog
249Please respect copyright.PENANAgw0PmQPc6R
"I gotcha," Pars replied. He seemed to be mulling over something Juke had said. I used the window of downtime to close my eyes and lean my head against the wall.249Please respect copyright.PENANA1gV3mD5arL
249Please respect copyright.PENANAEjBrnOgzvR
"Why were you two targeted in particular?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAnHcOjGocrg
249Please respect copyright.PENANAxHT1GKIXRV
Dave spoke up. My rest was short-lived, but I wasn't particularly miffed about it.249Please respect copyright.PENANALO7QNf3kaE
249Please respect copyright.PENANAqqfAD9d51a
"From what that mop-haired guy from earlier was sayin'," Juke started, "It's probably because of the mission we're on. They ain't cottoning to our mission, which I can't disclose for legal reasons, but jokes on 'em, we already did it!"249Please respect copyright.PENANANHP3ZyGbQn
249Please respect copyright.PENANAKR6lFtOlSV
"Your mission," Pars asked, "Wait, you were also tasked with delivering the letter?"249Please respect copyright.PENANABwC7XVLndG
249Please respect copyright.PENANA2oWucrS2wo
The silence that ensued was awkward and oppressive.249Please respect copyright.PENANALqkvgDiVhz
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"Kenny, who the hell is this guy?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAWZp2KjOKvH
249Please respect copyright.PENANAkOjyW8qtwp
"O-Oh, well, he's one of the people who helped Rover and me deliver the letter."249Please respect copyright.PENANAfeB0pXW1tr
249Please respect copyright.PENANAaAQjoJFriJ
"Ah, I thought he was some bad news. Well, even if ya were, yer helping us is enough to let it slide."249Please respect copyright.PENANAk1ZKz6vUND
249Please respect copyright.PENANANIpvHqi4hY
"I'm flattered."249Please respect copyright.PENANABlffR02py4
249Please respect copyright.PENANAKqSnnX8vZy
"Nah, but ya really gave me a scare, goodness."249Please respect copyright.PENANArypzdbyaoK
249Please respect copyright.PENANAJIPEVfifzZ
Juke grabbed his chest and took an elongated, heavy breath, continuing the conversation once he assuaged himself.249Please respect copyright.PENANAkx4d0IHi34
249Please respect copyright.PENANA4rnBH2W77B
"Well, like I said, the mission's already over. Ya think if I tell the Hard-Bringer folk that they'll give us a slap on the wrist?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAMYfhYbcuK7
249Please respect copyright.PENANAjmK5iPrbwI
"..."249Please respect copyright.PENANA5v47B31JJ7
249Please respect copyright.PENANAbCrs8F6Tlc
Pars didn't respond to Juke's playful inquiry. Dave had an even graver expression than before. Their faces were solemn in a way that radiated pity, and it was only exacerbated by Pars' pinching of his nose and subsequent sighing.249Please respect copyright.PENANAdixFhcpseS
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"Just to make sure, your guys' mission was to deliver the letter, right? The letter in question had to be delivered to the Pillar of Foreign Communications?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAdiSq1HL4EM
249Please respect copyright.PENANAgqxQcZ0T4h
"...I don't like where this is goin'."249Please respect copyright.PENANARJWj2a23t1
249Please respect copyright.PENANAyYIDX05kV0
Juke voiced my thoughts exactly. I nodded along to his questioning, which Pars took as a cue to continue.249Please respect copyright.PENANAtHYRpKH793
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"You're right not to like it, because I'm about to drop the worst news you've heard all week: all of the Pillars have been subjugated by Hard-Bringer."249Please respect copyright.PENANAM8kMbjgxkq
249Please respect copyright.PENANARSULh61noB
"...The hell does that mean?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAdIaO8WGXWK
249Please respect copyright.PENANAj734U57iWI
"That means that the letter that Kenny and Rover delivered hasn't been, and most likely, won't be sent out."249Please respect copyright.PENANAcAIwAi8WUS
249Please respect copyright.PENANAYHHLKLyxb3
Pars articulated himself with a constant emphasis. Every word dropped heavily, and their meaning struck harsher with his heavy voice. My eyes widened. A cavity formed in my gut. I wanted him to repeat himself, only to be sure that I heard what he said, but the thought of it being reaffirmed was too frightening for me to try.249Please respect copyright.PENANAxAB3sWd6pF
249Please respect copyright.PENANAlI4m7wIFmZ
"Ya gotta be kidding me, man."249Please respect copyright.PENANAHBbZevhMkf
249Please respect copyright.PENANA5IyXVzPRET
"I'm sorry, but I'm not."249Please respect copyright.PENANAlu1EqYSRSO
249Please respect copyright.PENANApaqdhnJ4Y3
"Haaaa... shit."249Please respect copyright.PENANAcXiBORo6Sm
249Please respect copyright.PENANAVnk1SPBfrg
Juke leaned back against the wall and stared at the sky. All things considered, he was taking it pretty well. I thought it was ridiculous. I couldn't see inside him, sure, but I was astonished by how all that was invoked from his was a simple sigh. My feelings turned mixed.249Please respect copyright.PENANAgpfWkDESO1
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"What does that mean for us," I asked.249Please respect copyright.PENANAMSbkXzZym1
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"Considering how you two were being attacked for just embarking on the mission," " Dave responded, "they'd likely destroy it once they find it."249Please respect copyright.PENANAK0pkQ6S8aR
249Please respect copyright.PENANAC0upJIrXbr
"So we're working against the clock is what yer saying?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAy378FpRp2k
249Please respect copyright.PENANAgYbhbaPsKt
I was bemused by Juke's wording, but outright shocked when I saw him stand up and stretch his hands.249Please respect copyright.PENANAE5R0xBdwmA
249Please respect copyright.PENANAP53cvsrXBK
"I think I get the gist of it," he said, "If we wanna see the mission through, then we gotta kick these Hard-Bringer bastards out, yeah?"249Please respect copyright.PENANATcvmNP9eTF
249Please respect copyright.PENANAYAvMAROfkx
"I guess so," Pars replied, "Does that mean what I think it means?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAeCz7UhXaNM
249Please respect copyright.PENANAobAEXFtvqf
"Yer gonna have to do some more explainin' of course, but if yer already forming a group to counterattack, I'm all in."249Please respect copyright.PENANAi4XbRGPd7Y
249Please respect copyright.PENANAKn6wVw3UcU
"W-Wait," I said, "Hold on, give me a moment to think about this"249Please respect copyright.PENANA3fN5B33Ceq
249Please respect copyright.PENANAfhfbhhuhOr
I put my head in my hands. The state of affairs moved too fast for my fatigued body and mind. I was certain that, if I just came out of a good rest, I'd be able to think more clearly, but I didn't, so I couldn't, and it frustrated me, it frustrated me endlessly. Then there was the idea of doing this– for some reason, I sat on the fence. I couldn't say yes to the proposal, but I wanted to accept, yet I couldn't make a declaration.
"Are ya alright, kid?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAMqls9sSXgN
249Please respect copyright.PENANAylKbZzuJ6u
Juke's sudden question dragged me out of my thoughts.249Please respect copyright.PENANA2Kc7XvZRW8
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"I... I'm having doubts. My mind is foggy, I think I need to sleep."
"I getcha, but what are ya having doubts over?"
I looked at him as if he just asked an incredibly stupid question.
"Don't give me that look. This is yer job, ain't it? Why are ya doubting yerself?"
"My job?"
Juke provided me with an interesting perspective. It was pragmatic and disciplined. It caught me off guard, and it certainly wasn't something I expected to come out of his mouth.
But, as I thought about it–
"You say it's my job, but isn't this well over our pay grade?"
"Hell yeah, it is. Seriously, what's a weak guy like me doing, being contractually obligated to fight Hard-Bringer, eh?"
He took a few steps forward, pulling his sword out of his scabbard and placing it on his shoulder. He turned around and looked me in the eye.
"I think it's a perfect excuse to check up on Dennis."
He offered me a hand.
"..."
His declaration made me smile. It dispelled all my doubt instantly. I chastised myself for even thinking that way, even with my haziness. When I thought about it that way, it was the perfect excuse to amend that dreadful feeling I gained last night, all that guilt and shame, even if it would continue to creep at the back of my mind.
So, I reached for his hand and–
"I can't even lift my limbs anymore, Juke. You're going to have to carry me."
My arm dropped a second later; his did too.
"I think ya should go to sleep."
"Out here on the street? That's impossible."
"Fair 'nough.'
"Lucky for you guys," Pars interjected, "Dave and I set up a bit of a haven nearby. That should be the perfect place to rest, surely."
"Don't speak with such uncertain language, Pars. The haven is safe, that's why we call it a haven."249Please respect copyright.PENANA8BNnXQxQEJ
249Please respect copyright.PENANAhdZi3RNfLc
Pars leaned in and placed the side of his palm against the side of his lips as if he were whispering to us.249Please respect copyright.PENANAqHg49iFp7z
249Please respect copyright.PENANAnl06tUjLkv
"It's just Dave's shop. It's a pretty crummy place, believe it or not."249Please respect copyright.PENANAkcYhniEx5c
249Please respect copyright.PENANA6GAeHXdWE4
Dave stood up, brushing dirt off his pants and adjusting the collars on his sleeves.249Please respect copyright.PENANAuUPFNbL9Sc
249Please respect copyright.PENANA0RvJU32FO4
"I'll make sure to blacklist you once this is over."249Please respect copyright.PENANAAxpBcVMsWD
249Please respect copyright.PENANADVsX4pIAKa
Pars stood up himself, rotating his shoulder to stretch it.249Please respect copyright.PENANAX88DWtlzU3
249Please respect copyright.PENANAPXILLlsQGn
"Come on, I'm just joking around."249Please respect copyright.PENANAOnweMB5FK9
249Please respect copyright.PENANAEi6zIHWzVR
"I'm not. You're annoying, I don't want you near it."249Please respect copyright.PENANAqpGsTQYXXZ
249Please respect copyright.PENANADnwpRfg7Xm
"...You gotta work on your jokes, Dave."249Please respect copyright.PENANAuyNwu9WcYb
249Please respect copyright.PENANA4h03adnTV3
Dave didn't respond to Pars. He turned his gaze to us and lightly bowed.249Please respect copyright.PENANAWcKkmNAffx
249Please respect copyright.PENANAurjXkteamc
"Once you two are ready, please follow me. Pars, make yourself useful and watch out for any incoming Bringers."249Please respect copyright.PENANAsW88ifHuqX
249Please respect copyright.PENANAf9tQtlZDkT
Dave stepped away and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms and tapping with his finger. Pars gazed at him incredulously. Upon realizing Dave was entirely serious, he walked in the opposite direction, surveying the streets at the alleyway's entrance.249Please respect copyright.PENANA66bSMyy1S8
249Please respect copyright.PENANAmjCgfxXY9q
"...Bringers? Is that what they call them?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAKpxfDA3q8Y
249Please respect copyright.PENANAul2aRSJbbn
"Ya good to go, kid?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAbDLvHJdqKs
249Please respect copyright.PENANA8tiBZfEgPh
My attention returned to Juke. I nodded at his inquiry, but the previous problem persisted.
"How are we going to go about that? Even if I had a cane, I don't think I can stand."
"I'll just carry ya like before."
That statement sent a quick shiver down my spine.
"Don't carry me like before, please. I'd much rather ride on your shoulders."
"On my shoulders? The hell are ya, some kind of kid?"
"..."
"Ah, shit, forget I said that."
I was struck by a frothing curiosity. How was it that he constantly forgot my age? I realized in seconds that it wasn't just him; seemingly, everyone even a tinge older than me constantly forgets it.
I didn't make mention of my question, though. Juke crouched down and slapped his shoulders. I practically crawled to him, and climbing his body so I could get in a good position made me feel like a bug. Fortunately, Juke made no comment about it and simply grabbed me under my thighs and lifted me. I wrapped my hands around his neck.
"We're good to go, haven-guy."249Please respect copyright.PENANAXRoHoEbQKx
249Please respect copyright.PENANA8SjQNBDxMA
"My name is Dave."249Please respect copyright.PENANARIV1t62NT4
249Please respect copyright.PENANAiDvCyftk0P
"Dave, my fault."
"Right. Follow me, then."
He waved his hand, gesturing us to pursue him. He walked to the end of the alleyway, stopping just short of reaching Pars.
"How does it look," he asked.
Pars winced a little and spun his head to look at us. He drew a quick breath and nodded his head.
"The coast looks clear to me, but we should be on guard. The Bringer who chased our guests is either hiding or calling for reinforcements."
Dave gave a stern nod at his statement before stepping forth and spearheading our group. He stepped into the street, looked both ways and waved his hand, motioning to follow us. Juke and Pars broke into a sprint, trailing Dave as he zigzagged between branching paths and alleyways. Uncomfortable as it was, we traveled quickly. I envied the lengthy legs of the adults.249Please respect copyright.PENANA1SfP3A4EKa
249Please respect copyright.PENANABRs7Roggbt
But just as quickly as their legs moved, they were forced to skid to a stop. Dave started the chain, quickly pushing his back against the wall as he neared the end of the alleyway. Startled, Pars followed suit, and Juke awkwardly stood around, unsure of what to do with me on his back. He crept as close as he could to the wall without squishing me, which I whispered a thanks for.249Please respect copyright.PENANAVFTGNYxHfL
249Please respect copyright.PENANAgTnnAjq77O
We were all against the wall now, but that begged a crucial question to be asked, and Pars was the one to do it.
"What'd we stop for?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAJPDyDiqCk0
249Please respect copyright.PENANAPnvbJaEhFx
Dave had his head pointed at the nearby street. I saw his eyes narrow from the side.249Please respect copyright.PENANAAq768q0yI8
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"My shop is just around the corner, but Bringers are guarding it."249Please respect copyright.PENANAijDokKMLiz
249Please respect copyright.PENANAiCWUxNzJLm
Immediately, the air around us stiffened. Pars' expression contorted to one showing unease, and even Dave's stoic mein dawned a blanket of sweat.249Please respect copyright.PENANAemCGGkSJot
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Pars cracked his neck and knuckles, reaching into his coat and withdrawing a knife so large I had to do a double-take.249Please respect copyright.PENANAwlPAJhK5gu
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"How many are there?"249Please respect copyright.PENANA65BuiQbd4x
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"Only three. You should be able to handle them, right?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAGFJsFYEX4H
249Please respect copyright.PENANA7FVi5pAtrH
"Depends; are they just lackeys?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAikDxkIwyxA
249Please respect copyright.PENANADnIFsVAaeS
"...Come and judge for yourself."249Please respect copyright.PENANA9LbyxyhBuA
249Please respect copyright.PENANAoNhLsIlawU
Pars crept beside Dave, peering over the corner. He looked for a few seconds before retracting his gaze and cracking his knuckles.
"Don't harm them conspicuously. If others find bleeding bodies by my shop, it will probably be sieged."
"I gotcha. Those oblivious morons won't know what hit him."
He stuck his knife back into his coat and began mana expulsion, forming two skull-sized rocks before his palms. He stepped away from the wall and crouched down, aiming his arms at the sky. Then, with a faint gust of wind, the boulders flew into the air. They soared dozens of feet, but their launch angle was steep. As I watched the rocks plummet to the ground, I furrowed my brows, wondering what Pars' strategy
As they went past the building, I lost sight of them, but the sturdy crash and subsequent twin thuds showed me what happened. And, to the event that just occurred, I only had one question. Dave was kind enough to ask for me.
"How on earth does that work?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAmxI2xP6vFj
249Please respect copyright.PENANA29pFFXrJBs
Pars uncrouched and brushed his palms against each other.
"It's just a skill I've picked up over the years."
"Ya really like showing off, don't ya? Strong folk, I swear..."
Pars veered his gaze to Juke, a subtle smirk plastering itself on his face.
"Cool looks are just a bonus. Seriously though, it's a useful skill."
"Are you sure?" Dave asked, "Because their skulls were a lot more liable to shatter with a stunt like that."
"...What's that supposed to mean?"
Dave sighed and pinched his nose.
"Let's just count our blessings and chalk it up to them being dull and stupid. Now come on, let's hurry."249Please respect copyright.PENANAMcbdgS2dc2
249Please respect copyright.PENANAJrG9wol3b7
Dave stepped foot into the street, looking both ways and jogging to his store. Grabbed one of the bodies under the shoulders and motioned Pars to join him, which he did. The two dragged the bodies into another alleyway, disappearing.
"Those two look like real shady people. Ya sure we can trust 'em?"
"After what we just saw, I wouldn't blame you for thinking that. But, they're good people."
"I'm just pulling yer leg. I know they're good folks."
"Pulling my leg, huh...?"
Finding a strange humor in his wording, I chuckled. Juke walked closer to the entrance of the alleyway, giving us a better view of the street. I looked both ways to find that it was clear.249Please respect copyright.PENANAO8NRXspUZM
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"They're okay, right?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAuFbq1RdIEd
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"Yer getting nervous?"
"When haven't I been nervous!?"
"Good point."249Please respect copyright.PENANAYNmEpRyAQ6
249Please respect copyright.PENANA79dKaoS9lE
I eyed the alleyway the two waltzed into and felt a weight form in my stomach with each passing second. To my relief, they walked out just a minute later and judging from their leisurely gaits, they didn't run into any trouble.249Please respect copyright.PENANAPUR5yvBhS7
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Pars walked up to Juke and me while Dave meddled with the shop door.249Please respect copyright.PENANAwHXMmJzNkB
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"The coast looks clear. Once we go in, we gotta head right on upstairs. Dave will act like a frontman for us, shutting any trouble out."249Please respect copyright.PENANA1E1OB1kBw7
249Please respect copyright.PENANAWjP9K1rHPZ
We nodded at his statement and went to wait beside the door. To my surprise, Dave was fumbling with his keys. He opened the door just fine, but seeing such a slip-up, minor as it was, gave me a daunting premonition.249Please respect copyright.PENANAZfrIyYNzg9
249Please respect copyright.PENANAoA54AJn8RE
I set the thought aside as we entered the shop. From all the interior architecture I've seen thus far, my expectations were low. However, the inside of the shop was orderly and ornamental. Antique lamps, though snuffed, were sprawled on various tables lined with products and price tags. I could infer from the pottery and other ceramic objects what Dave's shop was all about, but I still felt inclined to ask.249Please respect copyright.PENANAF1IINQQeFV
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"What do you sell in the shop, Dave?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAQ99TvErkVF
249Please respect copyright.PENANAhTvEPxETYC
"Decorative objects, as you can see. They're brought here by potters from neighboring areas. Very few of them are reinforced with mana suspension, so I wouldn't go touching them. In fact, don't touch them at all, any of you. Especially you, Pars."249Please respect copyright.PENANAmKltR7xKTp
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"You're a bigger enemy than the Bringers at this point."249Please respect copyright.PENANAgXCG8awDAN
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I blankly stared at their exchange before returning to the conversation.249Please respect copyright.PENANAXB91iRuoJC
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"R-Right. Have you made any of these yourself?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAFnzVyv1nkB
249Please respect copyright.PENANAyjCLLNnFVD
He stopped by the counter and leaned on it. He turned and looked at me with an unreadable smirk.
"Hell no. Anything I could make would be too grotty to sell to the inhabitants of a communication city."
"That is... an awfully good point. But that begs the question–"
"And I'll answer it for you happily: the administrators and officers here love their decoration. You won't believe how much they've paid for some of these products. Frankly, I overcharge for most of these products. I don't get many sent in, obviously, so I need to make them count."
"I see. But I feel like I'm missing the full picture ."
"I haven't the time to explain it."
He stood up straight and looked at us intently.
"Go on upstairs now. Pars should explain the situation. Should. There is food and water, so rest. Once you're ready, we'll meet up with the Retaliation Crowd."
"Retaliation Crowd?" Juke asked. Dave nodded in reply. Juke sighed and shook his head.
"What did I get myself into...? Alright, Pars, ya better explain what this Retaliation Squad's all about."
"It's crowd, but sure. Follow me."
Pars turned to the stairs and began to ascend them. We followed, but I made sure to wave to Dave before he left my sight. Then, just as I finished, Juke spoke.
"Not to spoil yer mood, but that talk ya had with Dave bored me to death. Didn't help that I had to carry ya the whole time."
"Ah, sorry. I'm not being too much of a hassle, am I?"
"Nah, yer real small and skinny, it's just that I've been carrying ya for too long."
"Right."
My tone quickly lowered when I heard his roundabout insult. We arrived at the second floor shortly after. I immediately drew similarities to my apartment; analogous doors parallel to each other lined the albeit short hallway. Pars placed his hands on the door to the right and entered it.249Please respect copyright.PENANAIPWeLoBK8y
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"Wait here just a second, I need to grab something."249Please respect copyright.PENANACFGTA7RIiH
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Pars entered through the door. A few seconds passed, and he peered his head across the threshold.249Please respect copyright.PENANAoN4A6BnDTj
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"Nevermind. It'll be a lot easier if you two come in."249Please respect copyright.PENANAqo3MW81VKc
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He motioned us to enter. Juke began to move, but I quickly realized that it was a bad idea.249Please respect copyright.PENANAxHauCPuzFe
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"W-Wait, put me down first!"249Please respect copyright.PENANAy6Nh67HDRe
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"Eh? Why?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAEj2qUtzcNF
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"I'll hit my head on the frame. No, my whole upper body."249Please respect copyright.PENANAVczUadueAE
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"Ah, my fault, my fault. Here, I'll getcha down."249Please respect copyright.PENANA5QMVAHOsrm
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He grabbed me by the side of my chest and hauled me over his head. I grazed my hair on the roof, but I was set on the floor without much issue. Once I got my balance, we entered the room.249Please respect copyright.PENANA1FbzlLbQwz
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"This place looks nice," Juke said, "Is there where yer living?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAMGIYPoyDm5
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I glossed over the room in search of a place to sit. Once my eyes landed on a chair, I hobbled to it and slowly set myself down.249Please respect copyright.PENANATJEVAQvprh
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"Only for the time being. Also, how on earth do you think this place looks nice?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAAywBSxaa7B
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"It's got a bed and chair and everythin'. What's there to hate 'bout it?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAhT6O1DdjbV
249Please respect copyright.PENANAfKSIXnqwBY
"...It's dusty and shabby."249Please respect copyright.PENANAAGUeilEFjl
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"That ain't the room's fault, that's yers."249Please respect copyright.PENANAXR9PWGL7XV
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Pars raised his finger and opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He sighed and leaned against the wall, holding a thick paper in his hand.249Please respect copyright.PENANAnihugl3cGP
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"Take a seat, Juke. There are a few things I need to relay to you two."249Please respect copyright.PENANAkKEbUgVSfw
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Juke nodded and picked a spot on the bed. He stretched his arms before giving Pars an earnest look.249Please respect copyright.PENANAOw1HI4fYSY
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"You two ready?"249Please respect copyright.PENANA7yrtXB3HfZ
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I nodded.249Please respect copyright.PENANAgveRug86eh
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"Get on with it already," Juke blurted.249Please respect copyright.PENANAIYTauCkthI
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"I'll start you two off easy. As you two know, all of the Pillars have been captured by Hard-Bringer."249Please respect copyright.PENANAmXZ0JRYMgN
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Juke and I nodded in reply.249Please respect copyright.PENANAj4xfJkjra8
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"Well, since these are the paragons of the city, it's pretty important to capture them. Of course, the Retaliation Crowd is planning on capturing them all."249Please respect copyright.PENANAwg2rwC8QOB
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"If I may ask, where is this 'Retaliation Crowd' right now?" I asked.249Please respect copyright.PENANAcWvskIFSuQ
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Pars shifted his pose and rubbed the back of his head.249Please respect copyright.PENANAIvGXy0ijjj
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"They're in different buildings. The Retaliation Crowd is split into five parts. It's a pretty big movement, so if we tried to group everyone up in one building, we'd be too obvious."249Please respect copyright.PENANAPvmDV0u6zm
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"That makes sense. I'm assuming this isn't one of the buildings?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAm9fqdXro0N
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"Of course not. Why'd we be talking about heading somewhere else if it was?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAEWURskbzXI
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"...Sorry, I'm just tired."249Please respect copyright.PENANA40T0ZSxCqa
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"Don't sweat it."249Please respect copyright.PENANAQeeX3ZoNBO
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I sighed and rubbed my temple, deciding to hold the reins on my questions.249Please respect copyright.PENANAL7dKNFRnuk
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"Back to what I was saying, the Retaliation Crowd is split into five buildings, but they've all got something in common, and that's their proximity. They're all close to the Central Communication Pillar."249Please respect copyright.PENANAA20RSVMMs9
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"Are ya gonna say what I think ya will?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAWSSm5th7oU
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Pars sighed and smiled dryly.249Please respect copyright.PENANA4CTdJJyxk0
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"Yes, the plan goes like so: we all storm the Central Communication Pillar, overtake it, and make that our new base of operations. It will put a huge target on our back, but if everyone in the city learns that we've taken the Pillar then–"249Please respect copyright.PENANAjDY8fwKXFG
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"I don't care 'bout yer reasons, I just wanna know why ya coerced us into doing this when ya know damn well our business is with another Pillar."249Please respect copyright.PENANALGIstPXADo
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My body tensed. The weight of the air multiplied tenfold. I felt like I had to rebuke Juke's statement, to tell him that we were trying to help the city too, but I stopped. I couldn't push the words out of my throat.249Please respect copyright.PENANAibEdRM2A0k
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Pars, however, seemed unfazed, almost as if he was expecting a rebuttal like this.249Please respect copyright.PENANA6HlVMhMHAn
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"I ain't trying to attack ya, I just don't get why we can't start with the Foreign whatever Pillar. Why are ya taking us for a ride with this one first?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAE57xAF81qZ
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"I get why you're frustrated, and I'll explain it to you. We're storming the Central Pillar so we can call in for backup."249Please respect copyright.PENANAVFGUjFeBeW
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"Backup?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAvUrlQ8DL5Z
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Pars nodded.249Please respect copyright.PENANAR9T8WirlFG
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"Since the Central Pillar deals with communication across the Southern Country, we'll send an SOS message. Afterward, it'll only be a matter of time until all of Hard-Bringer will flee."249Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0IP6Oglow
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"A matter of time? How long does it take, huh?"249Please respect copyright.PENANArUGsd1ygNs
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"...Well, as long as the raptors are still alive, it should be a day or two at most."249Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7bSr2CKyu
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Juke gave me a stern gaze, and I returned it. We nodded at each other, and I took the responsibility of breaking to news.249Please respect copyright.PENANAN4ciYn9urp
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"Juke and I were at one of the stables earlier, Pars. All of the animals there were slaughtered."249Please respect copyright.PENANAKHyDIXpGso
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Pars' eyes widened. He leaned forward.249Please respect copyright.PENANADUsiccQirH
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"A-Are you serious?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAv2Asuoqg2k
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"Unfortunately, I am. I doubt they spared any other animals either."249Please respect copyright.PENANAPD5CtpPSgU
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"That... shit, that complicates things, doesn't it?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAzkssBqqUS7
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He pinched his chin and gazed at the ground, his eyes twitching as sweat washed over his face.249Please respect copyright.PENANAesQcYGFMlV
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"Means ya got a change of plans, eh? That must be a blow to the gut."249Please respect copyright.PENANAeAL2q7N96o
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"That's one way to put it," Pars replied, "Crap. We were banking on only having to retake one Pillar, too..."249Please respect copyright.PENANAX9hjT0U0HJ
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With a strained face, Pars induced himself to rumination.249Please respect copyright.PENANAAl3ZVebkHM
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"Since yer plan's ruined, does mean we can go straight for the Foreign one?"249Please respect copyright.PENANAjj0ABlcsdN
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"Well, that wouldn't be a bad idea and all, but–"249Please respect copyright.PENANAydTbjQukJ6
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His face stayed rigid. After a while, he just sighed.249Please respect copyright.PENANAx7NAKj5nvR
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"I'll have to discuss it with Lola. She's the head of this whole operation, but she also knows a lot more about the Pillars than I do."249Please respect copyright.PENANA9IcrRljoAh
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"...Gotcha."249Please respect copyright.PENANAd63Imj7twN
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Juke meekly replied to Pars' conclusion. Pars fixed his posture again and pushed his hand through his hair.249Please respect copyright.PENANAibzYxA0qFW
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"Alright, that threw a wrench in what I was gonna say. If we still go to the Central Pillar first, will you two still help us?"249Please respect copyright.PENANACNM4uSMN9J
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Before Juke could give a response, I opened my mouth.249Please respect copyright.PENANAk9sOujtEVf
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"I... I will. I still want to help."249Please respect copyright.PENANAH5vn995Zmf
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"...I can't deliver the letter without yer group anyway. It'd be a pain to have to fight Hard-Bringer even more, so I'm prayin' that we skip to the Pillar we want."249Please respect copyright.PENANAAFzQL9aDjP
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As Juke proclaimed his thoughts, he walked over to Pars and offered his hand, which Pars almost instinctually took.249Please respect copyright.PENANAG56ZtCXo99
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"I'm glad you're on our side. I'm expecting big things from a big guy like you."249Please respect copyright.PENANAcHFnJGi6Zd
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Pars slapped the side of Juke's shoulder. Juke stopped shaking his hand but didn't let go of it.249Please respect copyright.PENANA7lZcPUCJOh
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"Ya really shouldn't, pal. I'll do my best, and that's all I can promise ya."249Please respect copyright.PENANAIkploJxhDG
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He let go of Pars' hand.249Please respect copyright.PENANAX1tU9gXu7m
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"I'll crash in one of these spare rooms."249Please respect copyright.PENANAnBrGqVoL63
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"Go ahead. We'll be leaving in a few hours, so make yourself at home. There should be food and water in any of them."249Please respect copyright.PENANAYjkqbdvd3N
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Juke gave Pars a nod and left. Pars looked at me intently. He seemed to be insisting on something. Then I remembered whose room I was in.249Please respect copyright.PENANAF6qR5BIwBm
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"Oh, sorry, I'll go ahead and leave–"249Please respect copyright.PENANAUvglTzs3wA
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"No no, stay here. You're exhausted as is. Plus, I'd feel bad about kicking a kid out of my room."249Please respect copyright.PENANAdKwEluoXOZ
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He crossed his arms and nodded to himself with a satisfied smile.249Please respect copyright.PENANAJoIbrjvLy7
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"Rest up. I'll be seeing you soon."249Please respect copyright.PENANAEy5S7w76wb
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"Right. Thanks for the room."
Pars turned the other way and exited, closing the door behind him and leaving me alone.249Please respect copyright.PENANAwGp2CLgR2y
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"...I shouldn't waste any time."249Please respect copyright.PENANAd0KOuRgeVq
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Before plummeting into another spiral of thoughts, I got on my wobbly feet and limped to the bed. I couldn't fall on my back, nor could I roll on it when my body hit the mattress. The moment I landed, my eyes closed.249Please respect copyright.PENANAILGtpU6nMC
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Uncaring of the soreness this position would bring me, I immediately succumbed to sleep.