“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMiTkR1cNw
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“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI55u3jo0wV
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlPtSevuCo
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOrid7go9r
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGp6oBmVXI
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“I have a feeling–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS6YHyHQ7s
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKqAFgkaLo
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttDHIbv21P
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt2J3OWwn2
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZxni02Mds
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“Do you also have that feeling?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhWbvYzWdk
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ibwgj1fav
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a92Z4a5wb
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWYRe1s0J6
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwvEyI9vN7
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxptLlRfE8
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B1QR6Wzen
But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfykfzuJ5Z
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“Y-You!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSnJv7XKHl
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV4KGQlgdp
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiLJrYz1zt
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUFUfB3UDD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SVL7vba2i
“A-Alright!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlVf3q7Kan
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJv1mAX5SN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LXQSb79Yr
“Hey! Juke, what are–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OKHxXlj32
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRM8T0CPGL
My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYUOyGpFrC
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASY7zqIlGm
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vj6oeqCBT
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RLYLOdi2d
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz1BZnOzE3
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA0DNO99FO
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd8ysvFQwq
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca8HcIH1RO
“He’s alive!?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fURW53u4n
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpkRmV0qDG
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLQNkLuCNj
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpcBNj6E0W
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYHgNcStqF
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl86Tu4q16C
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUG29nIiFO
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlZpO3RGJm
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOQcvxmGNd
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Oi14mzrB
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“...Well, not exactly.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NIbHp4xJy
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uJMIAZdou
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuJ8aH4lII
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKTQjYceBr
“Tell me, won’t ya?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMuplzRvma
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAvUliKQ78
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8AqaEuBZE
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGzDwz6sfX
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNhtQXUu3S
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXdznVe1wK
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX2SfXFBPe
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsmJJQ7xSY
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFQki3J9U0
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHCiPhltk1
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“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgnQxnCaUS
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN35aCb26q
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8of59ByEbI
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgFqKjTLJ8
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuNywP3iRr
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVckRG1PPy7
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyfJlUr3Nr
The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrGuo0uAUJ
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cqAYI1Mtj
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPfLBJ8eAD
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Ik1tgOIw
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kXc8wJBQp
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeNA4S92cV
–
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–
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yloWFittE
–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOGtFALL20
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTlnVJ5pC1
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5c7YFo1A5
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFFFUy8RYH
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1slVm1ulW
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uGl4LptvW
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7DrkLydXs
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo25RSoVU8
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO71SCuSaQI
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Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjqxDyFDH9
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAJafgEm6F
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalFNeXCma9
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLocTonM3DR
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeUHa66OyB
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoiTdrxn5r
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWfa5ovjwk
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcB88pocED
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPJ7DTPV3j
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfLWqbgGUK
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8PvhUz9qA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjcHPW7T4S
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN60pEfAHy
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdJp2EJvAD
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaOCfbyPaM
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PsPxX9PCJ
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuDPSZ2OQT
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CxORCNH64
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“Crap!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCjIO53syM
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUdAOuKM3L
I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ajEGt74CK
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJkMXHWFhQ
**CRUNCH**315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSVTRgB2T4
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKcK2UlsJf
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eb8mWulBA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaEh6fsffU
Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKegwAUp88U
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoirTy9ewed
I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyay9Djm2hV
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“Child! Child, please!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6sIq3Ql4Q
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aG50DFqLv
“W-What!?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmiF3Td7Ye
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE2AkTHJfH
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKesh3HxHL
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtTBdiftjJ
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRQR8e58nt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHq59xv5Bw
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPUBPVIVDx
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eHmOtVk02
“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcI2ClHBYF
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasyfQWhn1S
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACkP9dyrHf
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFjBxzuYGY
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtat3NEXDAB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bKw62Oui5
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIPo7CMnnv
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And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfJdEhRVaj
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN5FLdeytt
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ap9dWCkxn
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaof1D5Sv3f
“Kid! Watch out!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWbalJrKx1
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zSyT4IyH0
“--Huh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0VfiGObnw
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE0XfO84VP
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykeeZUVvlJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9k3w7boJw
“S-S-Shit!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7agABE2LS
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ttt1TS9Ms
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH91tZj9uJn
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FHVgT7FaT
**SQUELCH**315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZSBUPfFVh
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnZ1wb3dFl
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGma5Z45dG9
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi9R9lnRpm
“--H-Hrk!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2lyQfiN7m
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP4oXCfE1U
“Oh?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdNoXXF6dq
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3zaf4vPTM
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlyicYAPOX
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSbB0Z0XRa
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN71UkEtrg
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfSENRwCtP
“Ark… W-Why?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1k0fK9Tri
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZourxEnqJS
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDpEqecKOq
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRUX2tjHpG
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rZBHTvn9O
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhmQpiKgaN
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q8fG1UdXn
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56cO8PXUdX
“A– y-you monster!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqoFiBV12H
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJlD0IHbhm
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUH0bxGG1E
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ5vLRUoRQ
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksubHdqaOA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGuiHEZN8D
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLF5rDttFy
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyZsNHxBj5
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDVhzSU30E
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zTPCzevIv
“A-Afraid?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQQe0vzUQA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqSYzoQiob
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluknR8gheF
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoMJMb7mke
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6E3Ynro8O
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Zsr2RHHw
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNxDVHEKRK
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91dlUtKD1Z
“Damn it. Damn it!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10KYeOptbE
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnRBcN11F4
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR7Hyx5xIj
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y3J0LkrTH
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgXvzFLbxg
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZfaUxxqUn
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksMhnDoryY
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbYuvCz38r
“T-Thank you.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2rPyGiBkn
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswlIlSRLE8
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAML40FL2Z
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5IeDrdVcP
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAy7me96Xk
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5npQk5w0k9
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ654AwWIcvt
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMhpTR1aA7
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW5lH43CAZ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO32gLw5DL
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02dRKvMXgV
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMYqYAO1cz
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmsNeV4Lry
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL7UVK1YLE
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqe8AUoLrB
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKyfR6plaX
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8KScZ9sQp
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFNHfmaTw8
“Juke!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKz631BELv
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdIvRfMuIF
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1refKpEgYV
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uniUMByyd
“That kid is such a nuisance!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U8PokX5aa
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJu7ojCwIH
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG5IW2V3Xr
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSXmScZ4RL
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmow7hmnTP
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MIfD8samC
“Ahck!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh49R8vsDM
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPa8Otx5OT
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb94mjEf3Ba
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvNjKJNuNS
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ab735YLKF
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc7xrWw4U5
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0PkXntsUJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm8DWgDNMh
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTogwjJP03M
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzKSqEou2d
But, that did not happen.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzRmbk9EEf
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YB7jd01Oq
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbmidH7hE1
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC96vPP4Zvu
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxeZPbx0zr
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBVnO99kOL
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavchCsDmDE
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2vr44WgfP
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpjUzIQsrO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RjYllOAbS
And he let it rip just a moment later.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaChVwQS7I6
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His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcuchvIAQJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljDufPEwbL
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPalVnLny81
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy8tgrq3k4
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw5CaYnk9J
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkxjn9mktD
“...!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Az94DirlU
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagwZ1l4fUH
None so fierce to kill my plant.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1qFVgsekO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Oqd3JB6Kc
“M-My arm!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0eBbSkgiO
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzpNRuZQz7
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoYOh20Ymj
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW3NwY4Mv4
“Juke!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2fZbyAROi
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIprpRCJ10e
“Gotcha, kid!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUIGh45AzD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzM3AeOlz9
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKVlu13s22
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfantp9RKH
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwvW5TQCsG
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sv2HyJ7DR
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEc1jdk7pK
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwudYrfz98V
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD7IrCQpUd
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIifCIM2GrB
“Hrk!”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zdFr51pL6
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LmxwoD0u7
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEOVNZ2MfA
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAsfVWcJvE
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR5NIgSpmm
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOww4g60jSF
“...”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGc5uGQPhl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1GJcSAxS5
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3km6pE0ppT
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n2hvLHLZb
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89qS91dz0l
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFzyLVDQ13
“Curse…”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YX4efuIUl
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe53Ysv0gq
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoogJKP508
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAkIqpDYoI
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk6yYKATkY
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9mxG4uufl
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8N1bRQMN6
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZc0TmL1G
“May they, be few.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2ntpK43EX
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS1SNiJmVX
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCje7ZgIH4z
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarFMzHpPEy
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2W7KyWMOp
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvdXvXR24g
“That was… sad.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLmiiSvKX0
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwBsRXxSgm
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkb60htRLD
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4WOYVJdps
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN25YlIEo6
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb3EmIF02a
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzMAyoGQla
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsHWwjcMLf
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4X7mjf1qi
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRlMOyTBGd
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEngNcRXFJ
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n2cbkVqr8
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJaxZXJ8UN
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hyaL4CfnT
“Don’t continue.”315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO0NsyYg9J
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9yd2pE3kD
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAOXDJQwdP
315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGQVoK0yrE
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjxdbP3laE
