The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAonIVvECX
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdGB3ZsHM1
Even though Juke and I weren't affected, the other's faces were considerably downtrodden. Some members were now left without a partner and had to team up with people they weren't very familiar with. Morale was low, especially since our leaders were missing.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjVF36R0dn
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNjxeTL6qt
The remaining group was small, too. Only about eight people were left, meaning that, with the five remaining floors, some were simply required to take them alone. There was chatter of moving as a single unit, taking on each room as a whole rather than having forces split from the group, but others countered that doing so would be abandoning an order and that we had to "trust our other members."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F1i3qgv6M
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFqiOcqrpy
As for me, my nerves only spiked. The image of all those fallen bringers was engraved into my mind, and I desperately tried to keep the word "corpse" out of my head. Over and over, telling myself that they were simply unconscious when the right side of my mind constantly told me otherwise–
**SLAP**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ut8hXPO7
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl94ZYMbHw
"Ack!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRcfKmKOhZ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZiSGt4nf0
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeGbeeAyR2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqet47t1TwE
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlo61iuuGv
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkNftWJZom
I steeled whatever I had left of my resolve and kept trudging through the stairs. I had a complete vision of the crowd, and it made it apparent just how thinned out it had become. To my great dismay, I could even see Rover.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCq0DCGJro
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpxW7XjHbY
"...Useless–!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrECFx9MoeO
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz45LQMPfC
I tried not to think about anything that. I knew I couldn't suspend it for long, but every second I could force my legs forward was valuable. So I ran and ran and ran and ran and–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqfkuePELy
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI98TgLC3jb
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc5Rbd3no7
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4tIvzvpFJ
And it was someone I recognized280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYzSJv1szM
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtWRnD4ASy
–
–
–
The most grueling part of this siege hadn't been the laborious running. It hadn't been the various enemies, the threat of death or even seeing allies fall like flies in the previous ambush. No, for Rover, it was restraint.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw21F158W1c
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FGfAbsix2
To do nothing in the face of Hard-Bringer gave her near-uncontrollable rage. Those she swore she'd see crumble, running amok and stealing lives as they always have, unable to even point her weapon at them. If it weren't for those looming words by that wimpy child, resting in the corners of her mind like spiders, she would've caved in.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirWPXIpHPu
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqJQbX9jtR
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr4IZTS7eJ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4OqgsgXWj
"Hi."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzzg6xLgDT
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYfZYaLNcX
As she raced up the steps, a man in glasses only a little taller announced himself. She could see him facing her in her peripheral, and though her habits urged her not to, she matched his gaze.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAP3Ad8DVA
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe6hGVpvi9
"What!?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bbvyb58Iu
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7qQ50NXkW
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jxm7DZa99
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3bebBO8E1
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTMsujoNA1
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2NWZ2nH5n
His nervous expression didn't loosen one bit. When Rover tried a softer face, the sweat on his brow multiplied. Rover gave up appearances, quickly discarding dismissive dialogue before her introduction.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHrSORKiUx
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC7xmUZ17P
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJW6hi1017
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfgBouZtub
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudlT4oSdiT
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSvabO0JCo
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMMGIvFs5S
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXf6vaxECo
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAOjR3Ilkp
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIsmiWs4LM
He raised his right hand, one that clutched a metal collar with a tag. Rover knew immediately who it belonged to, and the unusual idea of consolement entered her mind.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjIOrj7P86
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeL1VBbfl9
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6txZdqFi7
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7Er6OCXcQ
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2ZDLfHPBn
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTNcV2MqsQ
He kept a smile with those words, but his eyes lacked the light to convince her. He turned his head away, and the two of them kept running up with their usual worries.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbZDE82TyO
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Xzrq9q42
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWg97R4JEs
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUWsUS5vV3
"The next room's up ahead!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjeqX8EctK
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmbrNplCxv
She had been in this scene nearly a dozen times already. And each time, she dreaded it. Sprinting to that door, knowing that there would be a monster in man's skin. She swallowed that dread like before, and each time, it poisoned her blood further and further.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKTZ3bJgVa
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4637tBU6JY
The crowd made it to the room. It was relatively small, but an immediate feature was the giant stained windows, granting a tinted view of the city outside. Rover gave minimum attention to the stature of the room, however, because there, by the exit, sat a man who could only be described as–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ3UPnWhR2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbkWh1c08M
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw161kT8Uri
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAflsjuR0R
Rover glanced behind her, realizing that Juke was the one to yell that. She saw Kenny near him, huffing with his hands on his kneecaps.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V8QrvbIVL
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBaC2oDUCW
A titan. It was a familiar word. She heard it from the stories her mother told her. But, of course, there were no titans in King's Peak, only tales of them.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfChBGAXeC
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kjLnlUE48
But, even if it was only in name, the titan a man was. A member of Hard-Bringer with such size, and his head nearly reached the ceiling when he stood. Such monstrous height intimidated nearly everyone, but for Rover, it was the opposite.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U5yd59bV5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vB0iFYiiX
Rover recognized that height. Rover recognized that build, even though it was concealed by robes, and as the man went to pull his hoodie down, the face that appeared only confirmed her intuition.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPabAh0gy5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8iXIrDs3M
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UJ42F8koV
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHseIDwpF8x
The towering man stopped his speech, compelled by the dashing girl with a rapier in hand. She leaped forward and stuck her foot out, but the man blocked the kick by raising his arm. Rover then thrust her blade, and the man narrowly dodged by tilting his head. However, his angled head was grabbed by her free arm, and through a feat unexpected of her size–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjL8yvu8Ho
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK2KxQtElO
**THUD**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7F9Rr26yC
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35DCxKNxj4
She shoved the man down to the ground. She immediately followed with a thrust, but she only caught his robe, and the man scurried away.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN0HiF7s0U
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ311sgyGLTU
"...Same tricks as always."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWYMOemX2T
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29t1SWcdAp
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRGvLZJPol
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiG78Hzjgp
"Hoh– it is you. You!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl5uIeVC88
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB57da0ipy6
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY3j6w14HH
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u8aMsTOrh
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j1oNBDwFk
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5NntYt8x3
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCexv79AJTl
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBGdl31Exq
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmISPmD4mrv
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6tfCSxqkU
Rover pointed her weapon at the man, a clear warning to stay in place. The man obliged without much resistance, and Rover turned her head to make sure everyone would leave. But then she noticed how Nigel didn't move one inch to that door, and his use of 'we' only just registered in her mind.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIRXrRHbQj
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHtDYNNaJR
"Nigel."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEVWYGsvFz
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNuiZEMxdY
"Yes?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBoCgTqqgA
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4YGd7zuyp
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzxEiuRF3X
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkgAUU81Tf
"...You're kidding me, certainly."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpMcMv4rUw
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5aWPOGwkU
Rover shook her head back and forth.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2OHzhmF99
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0UdePih7m
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsxLG0qsDb
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFMq6qdqIQ
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFFi48AFnd
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEp29WXxik
"You fought him before, then?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hjzpYmvlx
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb72URSXyH2
Rover quickly nodded. Nigel looked at the man with a constrained face, balling his hands into shaking fists. After an irritated, almost hopeless sigh, he complied. But not before one final word.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpciqmZzCL
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN25iOESWOW
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0EMBLC035
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty9jcf0DIp
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXi3An9YJr
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfptWmCSKFh
"Very well! Don't die on me!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdJCI39DZ2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx1FSIRdax
His opening words caught Rover like a chain. It reminded her of that moron's scolding, forced her to consider her vow– her earnest word that she'd cooperate –and inquired why she didn't abide by them. But Rover answered that inquiry easily.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ExsfHMDg3
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ThYut8n8G
This man wasn't just a Bringer. She had a history with him. This man was an enemy. A bipedal wretch, barely human, who boiled her blood and furrowed her brows.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDPePcqu5W
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUXXX1y3li
No, now she was certain of it. This monster had to fall to her hands; anyone else would just be a hindrance. So she would take him alone, as she always had.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd1a0g8wsn
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLP7o7MNLh
She looked back one last time, making sure that only she and the man were in the room. Nigel was gone, but to her surprise, there was still another member of the crowd there. He drew particular attention. Standing between the exit, not quite leaving it, with clear indecision festering within.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6fd7zPW3T
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoKkug2o2k
"Rover," Kenny suddenly shouted. Her eyes moved to his face, constricted and complicated. She was compelled to call it a scowl, but no scorn was in Kenny's face. Only concern, and disappointment.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM8H0zA5q5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjurpK8Qpb
Even without hearing it, Rover knew his words. It suddenly was difficult, to see his face like that. Now, the embodiment of that vow was staring directly into her. Not just at her eyes, no– she felt the observation of her soul.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1vyAK7DkF
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4IJORZsbx
"..."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3flGZZGDK
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlIbgFbdJr
It was suddenly difficult to do anything. And yet, the feelings that burned within her formed too great an inferno to douse. If that boy took two steps further into this room, or even one, she felt like she would lash out. She felt like– she knew she would yell at him not to butt in, to mind his own business, to go fuck himself, and to leave her alone. Words that she had slung candidly before. Words that she knew better than family.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq8WFgIMLf
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP9WLGPdPm
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfm4dBTGOy
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHJTrcHjQO
"Fine. Good luck!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJJLnXGPOa
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFECXBi2cD
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRysU1Qfgv
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3SSBwvzDg
**THUD**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyZho6fxxp
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdBPThSmE6
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF1zW9Clqu
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQG4fTsG2b
There came a sudden strike from her front, but it was one that she blocked. She freed her rapier from the struggle and backed away, brandishing her weapon and sliding a leg back into a stance.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcplRRdpj4
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBLGJOFNY9
"Are you ready," the man asked, a boorish smirk on his face. She could almost see the swirls in his eyes, the way they lost any reason, seeing only combat and carnage as they always had.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppUCO2zcSw
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9YefwvVMB
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomXi2EzynB
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7GGCHGXj4
"Come at me, Boris!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS72AXJBVg
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz6XA3560P
–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBUxcNUocm
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyutfNxc6C3
–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYooe8qh1E
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeVv7zwg4c
–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CYgeqVpeF
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xwkYSjQYu
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxhBaG0hp4
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpjlXrHA1R
Rover knew of their volatile unpredictability. But she was always prepared for it. Even on that street, when they made their audacious announcement, Rover hadn't a shocked bone in her body. But to see Boris utterly defied expectations. She wished she had more time, maybe a moment to sharpen the tip of her rapier, to check the grip on her dagger. But it was too late now, and as she took her first step into battle, she lost all leeway to care.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneZhCWnetd
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZTstM0Y9S
Boris contested her dash. As he charged forth his smaller stature expanded slightly. He leaped forward, but it wasn't to tackle or to grab. He swung his hips and turned ninety degrees, unbending his legs for a sudden drop kick.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oHjbBNOy2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEuJHaNliR
Rover blocked it with her hands. His increased size made the blow harder to cope with, but she still only slid a foot back. Now on the ground, Rover seized the opportunity to stab at the man. She thrust once, and her sword was met with the sole of his boot.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5ypLbF6HY
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23Al9RYBQT
"Huh!?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNaNeyOREC
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGQrXwbRg1
He spun onto his belly, catching himself with his hands, using her rapier as a borrowed axel. He pushed himself off the ground with enough force that, even with his lack of leverage, he flew as a battering ram toward her. Rover's rapier nearly snapped under the pressure, but she moved it away before its steel blade turned into a wobbly tube. She ducked Boris' charge, but he grabbed onto her rapier, swinging back around and destroying Rover's balance. Rover, however, had only one hand on that Rapier.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDmzJc65JI
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ScV9FC9C
"Hah!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoizBHrhqN
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BAMvmpahd
She used her other to grab her dagger and stabbed at the man. He took the blow unceremoniously, even growing to lessen it, and she was sure it hurt by the subsequent grunt. He flew off her rapier a solid few meters away, taking Rover's dagger with his body.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbzeE0YS2f
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXU73cdfhS
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xknG79y66
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HN6pwCVUm
"Here!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhDgboL84i
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkh98fDnw2
Boris dislodged her dagger and he chucked it like a throwing knife. Rover caught it at one of its crossguards, but as she was distracted with doing so, the man performed mana spinning.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqf3GwiwCx
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtCIO7E6fe
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZzxMqxe4u
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JIe1CerJp
"Tch."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfffN43G10b
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HEYmNcUMH
Boris returned to his former size. He stroked his chin, tending to his thoughts as he stared down Rover. She afforded him no time and charged forth. She thrust her rapier once, met with a jerk away, and thrust it again. She repeated her thrusts, each of which dodged but less comfortably each subsequent attempt. Rover knew him better, however. She knew that right as she thought she'd get him, he would pull an underhanded trick. So she assumed the eyes of an analyst, narrowing them and gazing at Boris like a hunting cat.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwxyw42xuS
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZToZk85XF
**CLANG**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn5FkBHw4l
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkNz6Q3X7o
And that trick came. Boris caught her thin rapier between his hands, clamping it so fiercely that the metal would snap any moment. But Rover's stance suffered no blow, and poised to strike back, she slung her leg from her side. The blow struck Boris right under the rib, and from his obvious wince, the damage wasn't meaningless.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby02AugZ6p
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN1gUaqaUa
She struck again quickly, sliding her rapier out and using the butt of its hilt like a rock, smacking Boris square in the face. Boris reeled from the blow and took a few steps away, but Rover swung her arm back and straightened her Rapier, honing in for a vicious thrust.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmxQqYIfCd
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCJ2ofA52R
That thrust, however, had been dodged. And the force Rapier stockpiled only sent her tumbling to the ground. She never landed, though, because a sudden fist to the face replaced her embarrassing fall with a punitive flight. She soared across the room, disoriented, anchoring herself on the floor with her Rapier right before colliding with a wall.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVTg3k43ok
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFuO2BctRF
As she gathered her bearings, she saw Boris charging forth with a puffed chest. Only, it wasn't puffed, but swollen to inhuman degrees. The image of a bull came to her mind, and for a moment she was paralyzed. But she shook the intimidation off and stepped away, missing a blow that–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfkzc1LYfO
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrhXC5hGB4
**SMASH**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcodBeyPuz
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkGEmfshBa
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsVJQgIY8N
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8DxBb8l7v
"Ack. Shit!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zt3nJI9TI
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqEig7GSqU
Rover realized his reckless gesture was an attempt at an early victory, but she was too energized to fall prey to it, and now Boris was only more hurt.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVc4zTggve
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98MXytfXz9
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QIIlLeRre
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyML8avggn9
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkePFfcT1a
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTRNLMfo9L
"But not enough."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzL6Ehs1y9
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYTqJU7gpd
"--!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC05ts8omo
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT82pTc3hB9
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfnsVrReVr
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT6SHI0aLA
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VFdaN4ukm
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWGCYf51bM
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdmMhBAJa9
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktIbfgiDGm
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1NW3WPgDy
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdITI7P2vm
Her jittering mouth couldn't open to respond. So badly did she want to deny it, to call him out for being coy. But to do so, would just be to lie.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksW5yumeTy
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyjQaz8KsH
"I remember when you and I first met. Back in those ivory fields, when I offered you a home, you scowled at me and called me scum. That a bringer like me ought "280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSteK8tPU7c
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Pom5JLqL
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4iGq4gaVw
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmZO4qc2cx
He smirked. He placed his hands behind his shoulders, closing his eyes. Rover didn't understand what he was doing, and that worried her. That worried her deeply because she thought she knew every trick this monster could pull. She thought she knew every ace up his sleeve, every nook and cranny of his capacity.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIkHh4yYSM
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuLoPbfOkF
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYQcCtGGyn
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtIaTfzEl8
From the back of his shoulders, cylindrical masses of earth formed, taking shapes and morphing as his hands moved outward. His arms stopped just above his chest, and as he lowered his arms, Rover's eyes blew open, her clenched throat vomiting a gasp.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SZSh7TdlV
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOdw7Kwu96
"You talked so much of this goal of yours. Of how you'd beat me. Of how you'd prove yourself to me and all of my colleagues."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv4BpTDfup
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgbFQgZtdP
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKNDPpzWkn
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcaETeWDgx
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX6Zfkfops
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHv9qi6NlS
"--Fine!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOmMx7vcbh
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7aZ5A6bMG
Though the doubling of his limbs was obviously intimidating, Rover tried not to be dissuaded by his appearance. She charged forth, dagger now firmly in hand. After all, if she fought the new Boris with a stale arsenal, she'd be crushed.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84PWmJ8VHH
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhLQ3Ncalb
She began with a thrust, and immediately it was caught by one of Boris' earthly arms, not budging an inch. He bent his legs and threw a regular punch at Rover, one she avoided with a backstep. Her rapier was now confiscated, and she watched Boris raise it with his earthen arms.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2jmj5hcE0
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6yVnb4JxO
Something inside urged her to scream in defiance. To yell at that man not to do it, but she pushed that unburied temptation down with a commanding glare. Gazing at Boris as he snapped the rapier like a twig.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tvs1Q0041
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQpVdE5JLX
"Well," he asked, "what now?" He threw the split rapier to the side and taunted Rover, daring her to come closer. Rover didn't fall for the taunt, because what she had was not rage– at least, not at the man before her.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oLnSLPO7Q
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQTRIwBOiL
Rather, her shaking fists were directed at herself. She raised the dagger and looked at it. Despite its needle-like blade, the curved cross-guards made it a poor tool for thrusting. This was her only weapon. This and her fists, anyway, but if her past had taught her anything, it was that fists were a futile tool against him.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGLZLkLx80
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08URjDMfyu
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmuIoy6rab
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH1KSHZxVx
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovOA2PWcfC
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPos9KxtlA5
Yes, her remaining weapon was better suited to defense. Yes, she was physically weaker than Boris. But if her kit made it so that she lived and died by the presence of her rapier, she would've gone all those years traveling King's Peak for nothing.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hJ8tY8Zxw
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M7SOuxHWQ
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5NJPQx8to
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnjyPZ159n
Her free hand latched onto the strap around her waist, turning it and revealing the satchel that had gone unnoticed by Boris. Unzipping it and reaching for its contents, Rover pulled out an item that made his eyes widen. A thin, elongated, but sturdy vial, one that fits comfortably into Rover's palm.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cgmUhIuQL
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODwHI6AFn3
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvdbyx5hR6
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYfOUZ3zeE
"Come and find out!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkODmjY698Q
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruwVAxv78g
And for the first time in the battle, Boris broke the neutral state, dashing at Rover with arms blazing. A result that came at the worst time possible. Because, although Rover revealed her condition for victory, not a single thought of how to use it came to her mind. And thus, she panicked.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeFP2Xry2D
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fda0ZMTaH
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGKEga2M31
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatbPIBV035
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyLOAPoTRl
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC6F7dli8s
Rover dismissed those venomous words. Or at the very least, she tried to, but its potent bite was felt throughout her body like the mountains of sweat her brow was producing. She had no idea what to do. For a moment she doubted that she remembered what the vial even contained. But one look at it, at its orange hue that signified distinct divergence, assured Rover that much.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJrdOBLBKu
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqM6rZZ12j
And then, the answer came to her. The wave of panic crashed with the gentle grace of summer water. She stuck the dense vial in her mouth and turned around.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP996IgTYvk
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkaCNIdppl
"Finally!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkHp9iRYH8
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JpTrtjCf7
Boris threw his earthen arms directly at her, which Rover dodged. In a bent position, Boris brought both his arms up to uppercut. Rover blocked one fist with her palm and stabbed through the other.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgatu1SmnFz
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV2dD7laUs
"--Ack! Shit!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrQtcFOuYf
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjRZtlzwFG
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa21bakU6X
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2w8WxU6nH
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvdUiwtCfG
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzJLxpfJkR
And then a profound smile found itself on her face. He backed away to perform mana spinning potent enough only to close his wound. Those broken fingers were just what she needed.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl4xIh0YIy
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpQcRoC5Mp
She performed a swift dash, closing the gap between Boris and her. He immediately put his earthen arms up as a guard, disjointed just enough from his body to make an attack impossible. Rover thought this sudden focus on defense as suspicious, even as the mana spinning on his hand gave her a reason, so she dared not approach without caution. After all, with how volatile his size changes were, he could–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkozc0sPhcu
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl15C48xpc
"...!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBNpjwRhzk
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbQxWIQHlt
Her past experience came to the forefront of her mind, and now she observed her reality with a perplexed perspective. He barely altered his size throughout this fight. He stopped only when–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM15s4OCOEM
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ360MWcxTg7
"Ah-ha!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3N3OTxmNI
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79PX2DgbbN
Though her profession of understanding was muffled by the glass between her teeth, it made the rise of her confidence no less explosive. She seemingly threw all caution to the wind, charging forth directly into his earthen arms. Boris dashed away, keeping Rover at a distance, but to no avail. Her speedy struts caught up to his back peddling quickly, and instead of attacking, Rover grabbed the earthen hands.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF8VEGlkSv
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK1fJdd6Ho
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeRqc4m5yj
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3DVGxd5hu
**THUD**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSqXj9cPE7
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AhQXFR5V8
"Urk!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBYrwK4PVo
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy28fTwJof
Using those arms like a swing, she propelled her feet into Boris' gut. But she didn't stop there. Because there was no better opportunity to do this than now. She pulled the glass right out of her mouth and popped the lid open, throwing it at Boris as she fell to the floor and rolled away.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcbJv2CszY
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOagmoYfshh
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXSCkk5BXq
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm6i60h6KI
"Huh?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNp90S44a5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gtJqnQCcz
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo6F1eIJ2f
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bQaSPmwHk
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrggPdAPmK
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWC97yVouT
Boris broke into a bellowing laughter. He held his gut not only to soothe the pain but to hold back his chuckles. Rover knew he would've pointed at her had one of his arms not suffered damage, and though that made her bitter, she kept herself composed for the moment.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS7elxx4SI
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnXz6llRqP
Boris quit his laughter, wiping a few tears out of his eyes. The orange cloud permeated slowly, so it still was rather thick, but that didn't dissuade Boris from sticking his head in and smelling it like morning air.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjOU4gy50I
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODz6YV6jvs
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUPz8MnRig
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPZBXA3Rxp
Boris threw his arms wide.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vaMUCqyMx
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTWXOq50f4
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84IJYxMDt2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuTsD8eqHT
In a flash, as he spoke, as the spit flew out of his face, and as the lids of his eyes closed to blink, he raised his leg one step forward. With that leg, his body followed right after, crashing into the dust of orange, spreading it just far enough that it contacted the earthen arms.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSo5e9Wj7t
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7QYjnWRVk
And then the magic happened.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FKEZFs7Aj
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKYNAzxlj2
**BOOM**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus865ibroM
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRIoufhNM3
That cloud of dust erupted with volcanic ferocity, an explosion so small, yet so extreme that Rover struggled to keep her footing. A great cloud of smoke took the place of Boris' body, and Rover looked on with the slimiest grin she had ever worn.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dQDYGBHhD
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTVIXYIUos
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3nudFeHbv
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoD8flab8S
She stood up and wiped whatever junk found itself on her shoulder. She approached the site of the explosion, and just like in her memories, it was near heatless. She didn't get too close, however. Just close enough to see Boris' crisps, when that cloud of dust would eventually fade.
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbzdjiphDj
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqJHw0qcZi
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE11Ua1I6iQ
And indeed, that cloud of dust faded. It faded rather fast. But then Rover realized it wasn't that the dust faded. Rather, something had stolen its spot.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY8GsEHt5Z
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGmOK98SFL
The arm of a titan, reaching out for her, with its open palm like a claw. Rover's instincts forced her body to dash away. Then she stood and watched. Watched as a hulking mass exited the site of the explosion.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlmtYTdby3
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2A1C68cQ9
Then, it shrunk.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85DICbEJYD
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJivdygROR3
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOphBcrcrop
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeARJf6I67i
Boris' robes were gone. Cinders, undeniably. Then was the leather armor Rover knew he always wore. That was gone too. The only article of clothing that remained were his pants, and even they were hardly intact. He was covered in burns blistered the likes of which she'd never seen, and his earthen arms were now missing. By all strings of reasoning, Rover should've dashed in and dealt the final blow. But she couldn't.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYugOntrQ5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfqpolIXlb
Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd seen a part of his body aside from his face. And now she felt as if she just discovered a new man. Because all around Boris' torso was a carpet of gaping, sporadic holes.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqinT5bUK6H
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXuz0W3eAZ
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNmFFnXyms
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLuE4v5URK
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhieB38uIk1
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSyfumNS57
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukIgg9PieA
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBvusivTwV
Boris raised his unbroken arm. He began mana spinning, forming a brick of earth in his hand. And then, from the large hole centered at his navel, the very same brick spewed out and plummeted to the ground.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS8dLARZWf
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mWqaljHBZ
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbYTkKEiEG
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlW5C9wWGS
"Those arms I formed made for a dandy shield, wouldn't you say? Though of course, you hit me in the last place it spawned. Lucky you."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfAAexgIdS
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIePXSvIpz
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxAh4Y3RCQ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIG3ES3w6i
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsV6VNDO8q
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvu51pRV1N
He dropped the brick in his hand right as another spewed out. He wound his arm, as if to stretch it, then gazed at Rover with the eyes of a monster.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9GjhGQhxB
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeL82BkBVw
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlNZV2aCMV
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcodQBjlAAi
"...Freak."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB801yOBpp3
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVUUglqpxF
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgjFm3UVPA
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbqxSR3NFj
"And just look at how right I was."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5omcjmKUil
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZGcz7HvI8
A hearty chuckle came from him.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiM7Qmy9PT
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTR0oKItlr
"Well, that won't do you any good."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiiI2dX5oW
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLD6iz5bSK
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxnd6U7d1m
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdEMpHammB
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBwH8dNto8
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJAtLvUsaD
She put one leg forward.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t39lI0ve2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXZCxWJIiY
"You've got brains since the last time we met. At least, more than I expected. You used them well. You're still worth keeping around."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiqDIthmbo
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dnDqvHnlO
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SHP3oJLZZ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87I5KThaT2
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OwxmI1dck
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLJI0IQ1CY
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QsDJj447H
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡastzjGyWSy
–
–
–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOMFmZdYQ3
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidfpwvvv8H
–From an onlooker's perspective, Rover could see why she'd get concerned stares. Even though her body locomoted tactfully in the fight, the windows to her mind made contorted, bemused shapes. And the removal of her dagger compounded that contortion.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQF0wWZ0CL
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3UR6q7W6u
She threw a fist forward. It was slapped away by Boris, and he attempted a counterattack. Rover tucked her head just in time, and with the tiny space between her skull and his arm, she jumped. Boris avoided a dislocation, but Rover kept the assault with a kick from the side. It was blocked by his other hand. She slipped away just before it got caught, and using her right leg like an anchor, delivered a flurry of kicks at Boris, who went to block them.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FaEXNhPtN
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMSORE0Xe2
–Rover's kicks were laced. Whether it hampered or bolstered them wasn't something she knew or cared about. At some point, she forgot all about the process of kicking, her mind wandering to holes in her gut. The oozing pastries behind the glass, unable to snatch that gilded stash.
Boris quit his consecutive parries, realizing that such a task was a fool's game. He backed away, which took a moment to compute with Rover, and Boris used that moment to charge in and deliver a quick blow. Rover fortunately blocked it, and as she didn't slide across the room, she had ample leverage to pull a maneuver. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Boris, turning around and putting it over her shoulder. Boris was bigger than her, but that mattered little with her strength. She threw him onto the ground, and his back's unceremonious clash with the floor made its effects apparent on his face. However, Boris pointed his vacant hand at her and out came a burst of wind. Rover didn't have the reflexes to dodge at such a short range and went flying across the room.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lXxDhjKup
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zzaYV9lIw
–Those morphing cakes reeked of red. Its verdant smell commanded her to smash the glass, but she was smarter than that. She knew that if she broke the shield, she'd lose on the spot. And that couldn't happen. Her blood boiled to steam. Her teeth ground themselves to powder. It was inevitable, seeing as that's how it always went.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1NR0TSGJh
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXL6zXy7gQ
Boris jumped up from the floor right as Rover landed on it. She struggled to get back on her feet, as the blow from his spell sent her head into a frenzy, but she made do with her wobbly knees. Boris charged forth and tackled with his shoulder. Rover tried to block it, and though she avoided any serious damage, she was swept off her feet yet again. Boris followed with a kick, but right as his foot was about to connect, another gust of wind blew from his chest. It saved Rover from a painful blow and sent Boris soaring away, but the edges of the gust still connected, and she was back on the floor.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl9ELUzoLz
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9SoLuFhxr
–When things get at arm's length, they become untouchable. But the obstacle isn't always a protective pane of glass. Sometimes it's a shelf, one just high enough so it's out of your reach. Rover jumped for years, but every time her legs grew stronger, or her arms grew longer, the shelf grew with her, but always a little more. Eventually, her fiddling fingertips couldn't even brush it.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbURyic6gZ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYq10C9My1
Rover fought yet again to get her feet to the ground. She wiped her mouth with her arm and spat out blood-infused spit. She must've cut her inner cheek.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSisicIUpV
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIRdnjXV8P
Boris was far away from her, but charing with full awareness. His pace slugged from before, it was clear to Rover that the explosion still affected him. She used that thought to muster her remaining strength and met Boris' charge head-on. The two entered a series of throwing and avoiding fists, and Rover's superior speed gave her an edge. She landed blows square in the chest, and as she hit his pores, they immediately constricted. Rover cared little as to what that meant and kept bashing, but then Boris landed a fist into her cheek. She rolled with the hit as well as she could before rounding back with her strongest punch yet. It landed right into Boris' palm. He twirled his arm, a clear attempt to break Rover's own, but she had experience with such tricks. She put her free hand onto Boris' and jumped, countering his rotation with her own, and kicking him in the head. But Boris didn't release his grasp, and instead threw Rover up and punted her gut.
–There was almost no doubt in her mind of what would happen. It was inevitable, in spite of her struggle. She was going to lose. Would she die? She knew Boris well enough, and so she knew she wouldn't. But to her, no future existed beyond the time of her loss. No prospects are had at the precipice of failure. It was like the blackness of recollecting one's memory as a fetus. But if these rotten thoughts were all that were within her, then maybe she could've squeezed out a tie.
Rover fell to the ground, wheezing and panting, remnants of her stomach escaping from her mouth. She expected an immediate attack and braced herself, but such an attack never came–
**THUD**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KUkzAbWqx
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORZYhC0RXM
Rover ate a kick to the face. She rolled across the ground but stopped herself quickly. Her right eye was covered in red, but she could see Boris even through a blizzard. He stomped to her, but Rover didn't move. She reached into the sheath and grabbed the hilt of her dagger, and right as Boris was in range to attack, she threw the weapon at her.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37d3LDYEHQ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt79Dp8Fct
–There were chains around her arms, doubts in and out of hiding, pouncing and making escapes with military expertise. There was guilt in her limbs, the ones she used to seal the oath she carelessly shattered. There was anger in her stomach, the one that was always there, residing like a parasite but pulsing now as if it was bound to burst. There was sorrow in her heart, the one she used to fuel words about things she just didn't understand. The one she used to hope. But one affliction was chief among them all.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jw9IORcLo
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAZlfOBUzy
Boris was caught off guard, but not as much as Rover hoped. He just raised one of his arms and let the dagger pierce right through. Boris' screaming was nearly musical to her. Blood leaked from the edges; it was clear the dagger was like a clog. But even so, Boris pulled the dagger out of his arm and sealed the blood-spewing hole with his fingers, performing mana spinning.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACNmsNLigf
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRXhvOrLPG
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiromQ1VTPS
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBOjthBRuS
Rover tried to get up and attack. After all, he was right in front of her, making himself vulnerable. She tried, and she was able to get her upper body off the floor, but Boris kept her down with another kick to the chin. Any strength to rise departed, and all Rover could do was watch as Boris approached.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4ml7T1I1h
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D3x5BAXcE
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5EkpZvkRx
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEUG32bBX7
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDyy3gSubc
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvwU1zFful
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfOLO9oGI0
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PEeFSmuIF
"You... ass."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7F2YXTan1
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpClfZt98OF
Boris stopped before her legs, staring at them while pinching his chin. Rover couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head. But she kept on scowling, even hissing at him as if the action would deter him at all.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJgNdvopoQ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6LJ9Ii18a
"You're not crawling away?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrTns7RKub
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAS60q9jp6
"...I'm not a damn worm."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfhvOE1TAV
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBb7QLu3fR
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK029rFafi
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNGQlaarPA
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzlWcdrNXU
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr4de2lHAm
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF15xX6vZg
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzdwA0bn68
He grabbed her left leg by the ankle, and as he did so, he began mana expulsion. He formed a great club of earth in his hand and walked over to her hip. Immediately, Rover knew what was going to happen. She moved her arm in an attempt to slap it away, but her hands couldn't reach him.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvlfJbvhG2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuMI2DpOYW
But, she still tried. As Boris raised the club above his head, the corners of her eyes were taken by darkness. More and more area, subjugated by black until only the very center of her pupils had the ability to look. They stared at the club, as it stood motionless above his head, and she knew any second it would come down, and she knew any second she would be made a fool.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCmqNp1y4K
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPjrpCLA43
And she couldn't do a thing.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaINHHa3N5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRVBK0v3q9
–Frustration. It was her frustration. The object of her long-lived hatred, its ambassador stood right there. But she was being beaten down like a dog. An injured mutt who had to limp on all but one of its legs, even unable to beg. At the edge of achieving her dream, her ultimate goal, she was forced to watch it slip further and further away. And then she realized, she couldn't destroy Hard-Bringer. And then she realized, she couldn't even scratch it. And then she realized, she'd have to wait again, and then train again, and then search again, and then despair again. And as the final blow of the battle came, only two words sprung from her mind:280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUCMrLRU2d
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOSO5Vn4yp
Sorry, mom–280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3WBASPd4V
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdsTVTZkjB
**CRACK**280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eixlwHDk5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfeMI2Pjb1
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoiqW94UE9
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRROPN4z67J
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Sii8i15R
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ0MPqVkxl
"And there goes your leg."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH1puQWPrI
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHYD4KhM9K
She knew of no word to describe the sensation. Seething, writhing, pounding, shocking,
burning, aching, twitching, pulsing, churning– nothing came to her mind to describe it. The shattering of her femur, shooting fragments of bone like shrapnel to the lining of her skin, but not enough to pierce it. As if dozens of bugs drilled through her flesh, as if an entire home landed on her leg– that's what it was like.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9dsnLWhkj
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFsgqFL8Zn
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaPSRvYCJ1
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ196GdGDyRD
She couldn't even move to clutch her leg, to soothe it in any way. The most she could do was groan and yell and grit her teeth, but none of that was possible at once, and when her focus got captivated by his words the way it did, the pain exponentiated.
"Dogs like you– they like to hunt alone. But the moment they face something threatening, they bite just short of drawing blood. Maybe then, you're a defective wolf."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wltI8sgbz
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyEYlzCWFh
Boris uncrouched and stepped away as a club of earth spat from a pore. He was clearly haggard, limping as he walked away, hardly able to move one leg before the other. That was the only consolidation Rover was afforded; a tiny solace within the sea of agony.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdaSGOj4Ux
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V9h1WSjZA
But those words of his stole it away.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNQXOb5clp
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4lNxnG4Uq
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqPMNJ1mbQ
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXmMY68Bcj
Boris continued limping away until he reached the wall. Then, reeling his fist back, he smashed the glass panes open. He looked down and whistled before turning around and looking at Rover.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrchDVCB0XW
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaHHUARACz
She wanted to scream, but all the efforts of her throat and lungs were channeled to ease her suffering. And oh, how she hated it. How she hated the grin of his face, an arrangement of his teeth and mouth designed for eating feces. He waved her goodbye and jumped off while cackling like a witch.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjfb57nQDW
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLESlnoZ8H
No strength to draw, no will to push. All Rover could do was lay there and cope, lamenting her loss and that wretched monster's words.
