The crowd sprung from their hiding spots, darting to the Pillar, flailing weapons and roars. I was late to the call; even Juke went ahead without me, but once I got my bearings, I sprinted in with my tendril brandished.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbYPEoaiSm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUWvNtq8MR
The truth was, though I ran with purpose, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. I looked left and right and observed the other members of the crowd. Some took up battles with guarding Bringers, others continued their onslaught. I slowed down, thinking of offering my help, but the crowd members made their adeptness in combat immediately known to me. As assuring as it was to see, it left me lodged in place. I looked around frantically, shaking sweat off my head with every turn.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zddg9nIre
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcMbzaDDjq
"Kid! Over here!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkMN35MlL6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi46v41z5M1
A voice called out to me– Juke's, and immediately I was brought back to the moment. He stood near the entrance of the Pillar, and to that destination I dashed. My head turned left and right rapidly, and I had to duck a few too many times to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Once I arrived, I skidded to a stop.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ240i1Bfd1H
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1EnEnhqS5
"Ya ready!?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb7IpAn8ea
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrFkCLY7ET
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ059PJgAqYO
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDufcnR7r7G
We barged into the building with the rest of the squad. Nearly half of the members branched from the group to battle the guarding Bringers. I could only catch Lola and Pars before they finished their assault. Their attacks were effective and quickly incapacitated the members, if not outright killed them.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEcXcQYX7A
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ440MZwdBTK
I couldn't help but avert my gaze at the bloodshed. Doing so, I noticed I was just about to ram into the person ahead of me. I quickly stopped, grazing the man's coat but narrowly avoiding a clash. I held my hand to my chest, frantically grateful, then stood there wondering why he stopped in the first place260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMKaqSbZrU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8orrkycN4
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiS38f55NO
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUrmCmDf67
"Everyone, listen! Form a double-file line with your group! As we ascend floors, the leading team will detach and battle whoever is on that floor! Am I clear!?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy5hE4ASIL
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToMqdvJQTW
YEAH!260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pQf4PlD3M
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ERaVHJRy1
I was ready for the roar this time, but still, I shook, because the plan Lola had just created hurled me into a spiral of disorganized questions. But I hadn't the time to even form them; the crowd moved immediately after the instructions were yelled. They went ahead of me, charging, and I would've done nothing but stand there and stare if it wasn't for the smack on my back.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquNQheOnEJ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8l4N6NLtj
"Ack!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEOKJPawEH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOtxWWZgYV
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtoQoHZt3l
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiQ3oHupkU
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn76FhRKIf6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rioZarVZc
"R-Right!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yvzbWXpdr
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhDcOa0y0q
I shook my head rapidly as we followed the rest of the group, slapping my cheeks over and over. I almost folded then and there. Chiding myself verbally wouldn't suffice. I quickly resolved myself as we ascended the first set of stairs, disjointed from the rest of the squad. When we arrived at the second floor, the group was still again. I thought for a moment that Lola might've forgotten something, but as I peered around the crowd and saw who stood before us, I became just like them.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrlLaQrPzq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c03Wbdi8p
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtVhiFTczJ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy84mQvIEMH
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9RjmwZTFE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFq4DJNzo7
"Crap!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQQFi42jYy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaIv5ktQ2N
I was worried, naturally. Having fought her before, I knew of her strength. But this was a different scenario. This time, I had a group of powerful fighters with me. By our sheer numbers, she shouldn't be a considerable threat.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1Ym47pkXA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTD3GEebzK
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKnZD8rnDi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxVV7lIMj0
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU01iZGaO2S
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxFXE1VcX1
That comment put everyone on high alert, and only made me sweat more profusely. Having just been told that there is a time limit to this operation was a kick to the stomach. I looked at the rest of the crowd. They were brandishing their weapons and seemed to be readying their spells. I raised my tendril, half-heartedly ready to strike.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ9xuINJj7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuukQ1jeQ2
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qke46X63i
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIOgR9xgJR
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7smGjg3Ey4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xW0xpKZur
"L-Lola!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOQhEEmFmS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t1s7sytGa
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62K0LEN8En
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoGj4nNBH2
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHD7U3f2Vw
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SbEDkA9kZ
And the crowd did. It dispersed throughout the room. I went to the left side, eyeing the Bringers and preparing to respond to any attacks. The Harbinger just clicked her tongue and stepped forward.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw49LD4pIF2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71n7grlg2f
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOuIgazRo4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IPCzr4PEU
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHZJ0RGqsC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp22DF0MtP
Shockingly, she ignored the rest of us. The few lackey Bringers were overwhelmed by our numbers The rest of the crowd descended, but I hung around for a moment and looked. I started at the floor. I saw blood and torn fabric that didn't come from the enemy, and as I raised my head my gaze fell on the two women.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuJzQ2yqYP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RFeN0mXz8
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC5pkiwkoF
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6OD5pLSqB
–
–
–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L0baRVLbC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAtTnAk5xV
Provided that she was sober, Lola was extraordinarily talented at keeping a calm face. It was necessitated by her loathsome job. It wasn't just for fighting, but for looking good while doing it, because that was expected for someone in her position.
Lola had no reason to keep that face of hers at that moment, but even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to keep it for long.
"Hah. How oh how did I wind up here?"
Through the rubber grip her dagger slowly slipped from her palms. She tapped on it with her finger rhythmically– pinky first, index last, over and over. It was an instinctive thing for her. It had to be for it to happen because all her being was focused on the monster ahead.
A Harbinger. Elusive as they were, the only thing the highly-positioned such as herself knew was that their powers were mysterious and unpredictable. Fortunately, this one was historically noisy.
"You're the Harbinger of Anger, correct?"
"What's it to you, filth?"
"It wouldn't be wise for me to speak any further. I wouldn't want to leak any secrets, would I?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2yPSh9tPM
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS4OEXF69c
By the standards of the Pillars, the room was spacious. Desks and chairs occupied space intermittently, and none were in such a position that they'd become serious obstructions. Despite the ideal conditions, Lola's brow twitched, because it was the abundance of furniture that allowed her powers to be so effective. And due to the material the foundation and exterior of the building were made of, she had ever greater restrictions.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl4NlRlQTt
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s3JcjcYA9
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ET1ehNIS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByuaxi1p9q
She shifted a leg back and shrunk her posture, pointing her dagger like a cat rearing to pounce. She didn't move, though. Her other hand hid behind her back, expelling mana and forming a mass of rock. The Harbinger tilted her head in response.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc0XHARjGB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfGAHpMsl4
"Do you have something you want to say?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhH9qnexXb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyt1kJmhnF
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNavFnqscRB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Gyjf2gsz
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7PynVwCdH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIFkgZypqW
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p00D8Vf0K
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdtnjWyZKg
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTGebJ8GRH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUN7BkyNNF
The Harbinger threw her head back while rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but suddenly, she took a defensive stance with her knife with a reverse grip. The shift made Lola jump, and her mana expulsion was interrupted.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPTmEY6oh9
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfzbnayWUE
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqiQTnGy9F
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvwzpYc0a6
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDAOudgCAm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hZ7vKKzZ8
"Call me Anima."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtaMZqJ2Ym
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZHqaz4ZKc
Her words came out of her mouth like hurled stones. Sluggish, spoken through a calm demeanor, they were laced with an apathy that stabbed at Lola's composure. A flurry formed in her chest, the one she felt every time she had to do the dirty part of her job; a putrid, crimson red. Only now, its color was blighted with a grassy yellow. After Lola's initial shock, the change dwindled in power. It was the same business as always, after all.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7ZQ4taGQj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhjaO5K2bm
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKigkA47BO
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLjPwWsZp0
Then, the Harbinger dashed.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT3XLGrW0q
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetJ7zNVTue
She charged at Lola with brisk steps, holding the knife out like it was a battering ram. Her speed was surprising, but Lola reacted accordingly, dashing backward. Anima clicked her tongue, stopped her advance, and veered to the side. It surprised Lola, but she dispelled it quickly when the image of a flying chair grew closer and closer. She couldn't duck, so she stepped to the side, but an armrest of the chair caught her shoulder.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA9elxSX6z
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCep6CZ37lp
"Ngh!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3VyvN2Yzy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkg0aF36qw
It hurt, but a bite on the lips drowned the pain. Anima's absurd move confused her and raised dozens of questions, but she had the time to answer none. Her opponent advanced, getting close enough to attempt a few swings. Lola dodged the first two, but after ducking the third, she pointed her dagger and thrust it at Anima's chest. But though it looked like it was sure to hit, Anima strafed to the side and avoided it perfectly. Lola's body committed to the trajectory of the knife just long enough for Anima to–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLB69OHQHJ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIGU9W45pn
**THUD**260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOzffDJzqg
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1ZJMuHR1w
She delivered a kick to Lola's jaw, disorienting her and sending her rolling across the floor. Though it didn't hurt very much, the hit sent her head spinning. She got up quickly, though staying on her legs was arduous.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P54ejWcb6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOWkOsalan
She caught Anima sprinting towards her. Too confused to make a complex motion, she simply fell on one of her knees and began mana expulsion.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkFwSvPHSi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQqlwT55Jn
"--!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXtDkbeejC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7Jz40GzdS
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw1odCawSV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0REoYJ7so
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix2B1q4aEO
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WzMGzDIMn
As she regained her senses, she lamented the state of the room. Even the floor was magic-resistant, making it nigh-impossible to use her earth magic in such an offensive way. She desperately wanted to devise a plan, beginning to regret how carelessly she entered the battle, but her opponent handed her no such luxury.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6V8WAx07J
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJIh3kL5CE
Immediately, Anima jumped over the limp stone slab brandishing her knife. Lola was forced again to act defensively, backing away from the aggressive swings of the Harbinger. She swung once and twice, then followed up with a stab. Lola prepared to step back, but a sudden collision halted her.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88OpzjkBn0
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahliWP1D6b
She had hit a wall.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztIc5RhBQM
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKrL9oF4EI
"--!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFBK5iRUkT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5qznTGuha
If she opted to move her whole body, she'd be punctured. If she stepped to the side the knife would still nip her considerably. Enduring such a taxing injury this early wasn't an option. Thus, instead of moving her body–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qv1cVc2pv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRO5K9qOV2
**CLING**260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLdGKbgITZ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYFx62jQw4
She intercepted Anima's blade with her own, catching it between the dual prongs of her dagger. The Harbinger's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised. Lola made note of that as a struggle ensued.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYY0rqSvZ8
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUJjPNC61H
"Huh. I can't break free."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2SkatS1YT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkXXcWhCEv
The serrations on her knife caused it to get caught on the dagger. She couldn't dislodge it, but Lola's weapon was just as stuck as her opponent's. Anima jerked her leg, clearly preparing a kick, but Lola didn't react. The Harbinger delivered a blow to her right. She winced, but in her head, she celebrated.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbC6nTSBI0
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTiNZHVtMs
"--Huh?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDC8pnMEnI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZtFxFvcXj
"Caught you!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleHOaP2Ng4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUnr1DTVf5
She had Anima's leg wrapped in her arm. She tightened her hold, squeezing hard enough that a lesser fighter's bones would've shattered. Then, she began mana expulsion.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ282MDcfnXi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ155nw8UW
"You!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZZUAyZfWR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuDEEJUwf8
Anima's panic was clear and immediate. At first, she attempted to pull her leg out of Lola's grasp, but she could barely make it nudge an inch. It did, however, make a spell difficult to produce.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWAAUo0vEa
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZfEP9tYAK
It was laborious, but Lola was sure that she guaranteed a blow. She formed a blade of earth, focusing on width rather than length, and prepared to blast it through the Harbinger's leg. But then, she suddenly felt a force at her front, and her body jerked forward.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTzMBBBtWC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb6x6YWOcq
The Harbinger freed her knife from Lola's dagger. Of course, it was the obvious decision when she forfeited the support of both arms. Lola had no time to curse herself for her oversight, because now a blade was soaring at her face. She ducked her head in time and, acting on instinct, she tackled Anima with a headbutt to her stomach.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSjhrDjr3W
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY3gwL5CBZ
"Hrk!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6OwGK6ygz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMT6E3TYfj
She recoiled from the blow, taking a few jagged steps back. Lola realized that she let go of her leg, but she still had the stubby cylinder of stone to hurl. And hurl it she did.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iQlWeAv5S
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM31xgQCIxw
The Harbinger still reeled from the strike. Even through her rushed and lousy aim, Lola was confident that her cylinder would slug her opponent's head. Only, that didn't happen.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazRiXeu5p1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6abeTHpS4W
By an inch the cylinder missed, and it wasn't because Lola aimed poorly, but because the Harbinger let herself stumble onto the ground, landing on her ass.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7e8Z8gZgC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqnN32ZQtb
Lola's bewilderment was profound, but she wasn't foolish enough to avoid capitalizing on her opponent's state. She leaped forward and stabbed the dagger from above, but she only hit the ground as the Harbinger rolled away. She hopped on her feet and tossed a haymaker kick that Lola retreated her head just in time for. Anima's follow-up blow was too sudden for Lola to dodge.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR1UGgcqJ7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVdIGyOXEc
She ate a heel to the head, a strike so fierce she flew to the wall. Fortunately, her chin wasn't hit, so Lola avoided being dazed. But her vision was blurred and her hearing was impaired.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO68aDFXhfR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs7ZGjyGt6
Lola, however, had a spectacular guess as to what her opponent would do next, and so she retaliated. She placed both her hands on the ground, carelessly expelling mana and producing not a slab of earth, but a wave of water.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP4MtKsfCd
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWA3MmlK12
A few seconds passed until her senses returned. When her vision was clear, she was pleased to find herself still alive, but now the entire room was damp and flooded. Anima was on the other side, similarly drenched, though she clearly suffered no damage.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht3JpbbdGh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB81joT7kL
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzfqwzmd90
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8grJKETvM
"...This is irritating."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1x0iiqvUR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31R6l8xof3
Lola got up to her feet, contorting her face. She made sure to at least keep one eye open because the Harbinger wasn't someone to be lax around. She found it difficult to keep her focus, though.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqn6MIhxTT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gfyghIxvB
This moment. This eternal, present moment; how she loathed it. Her opponent was slippery in figure and form, escaping every jab Lola threw her way. And now, the entire floor was ruined. The furniture was maimed and jumbled by the force of the water. The carpet absorbed so much that it looked like it would burst.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr58LQoXWe8
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIhcv02S3M
It had barely been a few minutes, but Lola was beginning to get tired. Her stamina was unusually low, but with how much she drank to suppress her stress, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. She chuckled. For a moment, she had an awful load of clarity.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1LbR9IptV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhZjIIKnXN
Giving up became more and more alluring.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEb9PB0Gy5
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkl3kIfYpx
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiOLpJKFjV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI9ciejAYh
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AYbYKAHNb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCWooiYIoS
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVEAsrmTiY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3Z7qVOe5H
The Harbinger looked at her with vigilance. Lola suspected that she had earned some respect from her, but she doubted that would make the fight any easier.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarLLGGs0L9
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZIuEMRL6u
As it was right now, she couldn't make any progress. Anima hadn't even used her magic yet, and yet Lola struggled to deliver a meaningful blow. At the rate she was going, she'd be whittled down, engaged in a battle of attrition she didn't have the mettle to endure.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOVOjNZkVN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW0Dc9EYSf
But options were scarce. Any direct attack would either be dodged or countered and any spell was either too weak or suffered the same fate. With how aggressive Anima was being, she had no time to imbue the room with her mana.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8wO0fGXMP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIhxP5BF2o
"...Unless, of course."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYmnBBdOqL
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6Mil2YflC
She had to concede that her opponent was the better fighter in hand-to-hand combat; those few exchanges were all it took for her to realize. But it seemed to Lola that she was the far better mage.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcPj8V5oYB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hOh9eHqqA
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbv3Dw9vlD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO5XNXDs9V
"I don't like what you're planning!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZU0VKapgL
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy1oUgaDAj
Anima was an opponent who had an impossible ability to predict actions. Anima was an opponent who was cautious about and loathed being confrontational. Yet despite this, she was a skillful aggressor. But she was not impenetrable.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Vu4ameAq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQUbEx47qm
As the Harbinger charged for the umpteenth time, Lola remarked at how inconsistent her ability to predict was. The reason for the discrepancy was unknown to her, and she had no opportunity to ponder and deduce it. That, however, would lose all its relevancy if every inch of the room was a weapon.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrwg90dnQZ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iIb97OWRo
Her approach changed. Anima threw a small ball of fire at Lola, but expecting divergence, Lola was unfazed. She smacked the spell away with her dagger, preparing to back away again, only to hesitate once she noticed how close the Harbinger was. Anima thrust her knife– an action parried by Lola's swift movements. She attempted a riposte, but with a reckless motion, had her dagger countered with a resounding clang.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAiawNSdf4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDq066KckU
It became clear to Lola that knifeplay was inimical for progress. Thus, she backed away, a motion that took advantage of Anima's poor posture. The Harbinger clicked her tongue and prepared another spell. It wasn't a haphazard product this time, but a sizeable, dangerous wall of flame. Lola had a skulking smirk, but a telling sea of sweat.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZIi6xtQ4c
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2S4yqCSmg
It became time to set her plan in motion. She released the bubbling mana in her hand and suspended it behind her back, then formed a mass of water of similar size. She took great relief in seeing Anima's eyes widen, reeling her arm and flinging her spell.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSBJtj9ShA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0R9jxCv9h
The Harbinger hastily threw her own spell to match Lola's. The two met, and a cloud of vapor burst from the collision, spreading through the entire room instantly. The haze was surprisingly thick; Lola knew that staying in place would only hurt her. She grabbed her suspended mana and continued supplying it, running through the steam and keeping a watchful eye–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH79BE3eR74
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZL19aLafc
**THUD**260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84SwdRX2tv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFqLEvQs7f
But then she felt a great force slam her stomach. She rolled across the room, clutching her gut. It wasn't even remotely a fatal blow, but she cringed as if her organs burst.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexjDLwonP3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeezuveD3E
She tried to stand on her feet. She was only halfway stable before she caught something shifting in the fog. She jerked to avoid it–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AaKbvIYC8
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9icTkGaZ9
"--Hrk!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf5pqim0II
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuPvXZQEU3
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz4GeJTBhb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNuXjWacMn
Her reaction wasn't a result of instinct, but a habit acquired from her time in the field. She lifted her foot and swiped it in front of her, connecting with something. The steam began to dissipate, and she caught the Harbinger several meters away from her, but now her right femur felt one nudge away from being dislocated from her hip. She dashed away and looked at the new source of pain: her sizzling gash.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakUKyn86yP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8rEkwV9SP
It was on her right shoulder. She was thankful that she wore protective gear, because otherwise the cut could've net her a lost arm. Though, with how much it bled, it was still nothing to scoff at. She collapsed for a moment, scoffing.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiDW6UHsg7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJBxwLq2UI
"This..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0emGd0i6Eh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW4GqwI95c
She hardly had the strength to verbalize her complaints, but her ire wasn't her denied by her sudden dumbness. She paused releasing mana into her spell, suspending it into the air again and performed mana spinning on herself.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMrsUyVG1w
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzazhoztLk
She could only do a little before her opponent returned to harassing her. Lola clicked her tongue, but got on her feet and brandished her dagger.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKXOw27IJ6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9aV4GbEKe
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwY7pezhjI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwwZQYKx3d
Lola realized just how much trouble she had keeping calm. It stunned her for a moment, but ultimately, she still decided to challenge Anima's approach.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAfxEhGtmr
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K4wLl39Zm
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7ZK5FTkLA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUvK3T5zQ0
"--sneaky!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKiaI9BMGD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthAO4r57qM
Anima thrust her knife again, and again Lola parried it with her dagger. It wasn't as impactful, having it be done with her non-dominant hand, and Anima took advantage of it to try a slash. Lola moved reeled her head just in time and retaliate with an upward kick. Anima blocked it with her forearm, though it was only so effective, and since it was Lola's right leg she winced from the move. The Harbinger tried thrusting again, but had her blade caught in between Lola's.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVliSqfUHRA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQevuoW21r
Instead of baiting a grab, Lola acted fast. She twirled her wrist and jerked her arm to her, weakening Anima's grip, then hurtled her arm the otherway, and Anima's knife flew across the room.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGfNdUBPlH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1uH5iNCgM
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPoOlpzT0z
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPshPeQBSs
She managed to brace her jaw before the impace, but it still made her head ring. She was met with another one, and then a third one to her chest.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFTgpkExaN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8XeKaHeHS
And of course, none of them were strong enough to send her flying. It was only after a short flurry, a storm of blows and jabs, that the Harbinger hit her hard enough to create distance.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaNbbNClRx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGOjGcgfUR
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkHlVnCnXd
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75opldC3ll
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1swiOf5Gfi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmjHCYI209
She checked her spell and determined it still wasn't ready. Only a little more– only a little more and the battle would finally turn to her side.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOD1VZpXPf
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LolJrvtLS
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYOKj5b0GV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLABsMal27
Even as the Harbinger went to grab her knife, moseying as if she hadn't an opponent at all, she had no drive to stand.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYqBRJDWZV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsxYe1ZuRy
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUexIQeo4C2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbTTJZ0CWI
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsX71lQes9
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeuZtUvoYf
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNtXsRl7Nm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1ZAWgQZv4
"I win, though–"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k9Bw8bFDw
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRuzkBCGqk
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAX1TrddZb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMar8z8ziY
Anima didn't even spare her an insult, she darted her head to the walls and sprinted. Lola eyed her and noticed she was heading to the exit. Then, listlessly slapping her right hand on the floor, her mana permeated throughout the soaked room.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswD5XZ6gq4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5o1Q0tHIB
The effect was immediate. The room's stern architecture dawned a sludge-like form, one that slowed Anima down instantly. She threw Lola a look of scorn and raised her knife, hurling it at her. A piece of the floor rose to intercept it.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxSxxpHJho
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gHgzgwM0P
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg9u4uB24i
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJZaEXV2ln
She got on her legs, using a half-broken chair that slid to her as a support. She eyed the Harbinger, who, though still looked furious, was surprisingly calm.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5K7LEJnEZ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE5G4xK8Gc
"Can't move your legs?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfxpe3qQkJ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ10HOlcYG0
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5GqxH2FBO
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuksylKvWD
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiHW2UhUNq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC2zc7yCWE
Even Lola was surprised at her laughter. It detracted her from her disgruntling situation for a moment. She gazed at the Harbinger. She did nothing more but gaze.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXO6L7mDei
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBIuWaEePk
"Aren't you going to do something?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh6nFRNNKe
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDKVrmVhMt
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM8YgvNH3t
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEayPCtHEQ
The Harbinger rolled her eyes in response. Lola commanded the room to form a spike out of the furniture, then created a mock catapult out of the floor.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vLm3OZANy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwihxpeVjzq
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp1u49LGPm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPFI17Srbg
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GMqS9W8fd
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpecqio4Lz
Anima suddenly ducked and extended her hand, firing a ball of fire that had little time to form, but was strong enough to blast the catapult. Lola was brough back to the present, and again she commanded the room to attack, but as she did, Anima pointed her arms in the opposite direction of the wall, and then–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeVO3LYBlT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SfrT8hqcT
**BOOM**260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNEWb7vJXA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjx2AmzkCh
A gust of wind powerful enough to send every unfixed object to the opposite side blew in the room. Lola was sent to the wall, which cushioned her collision instead of exacerbating it, but it still hurt. When she opened her eyes, she saw a giant hole, and her opponent on the other side.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WuW7zGXrs
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM24AhQUVZ
Anima stood up. Even from this distance, she could make out all the scratches from the debris. They exchanged looks. Lola expected Anima to turn and run, but she approached, stopping short of the hole in the wall.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0g1lsYclz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnmz6jMyJo
"People like you," she said, pointing her bruised finger, "people like you. You fill me with putrid disgust, so loathsome I oughta spit at you."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAutqmmZzI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMEjHTCeIZ
"--?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWuieQJIYn
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqakID344f
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGHsu6QwVE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOrXkBUz0o
She withdrew her head, turned around and ran. Lola was stumped for a moment, but she discarded her words. It was just the deranged ramblings of a Harbinger, after all.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsBvxZYsTD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbTDycX0Qe
"...Ehh."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW6UaRato2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxmOabfUzo
She shook her head. She focused on what was before her, what was relevant. She succeeded. That thought rang in her head through the various junk she was preoccupied with.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9jzco73LK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVexnNIlJi
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzYDnrSOBu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfiZb6qF3K
"..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc8HzRCemP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EimqaTH3C
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZsgF4eXMY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeWdFMDBjy
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplch7TbRj3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FeOYbd3o1
The wound on her shoulder still gushed blood. Her energy drained faster because of it, but she had to tend to it to live. She began mana spinning. Still hurt, still tired, still doused.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqMkc9PWLi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsCReYdS7b
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PhmGP4PtH
