The mist began to fade—slowly, eerily—like a curtain lifting before a play.
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And when it did…
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Eleo’s jaw dropped.
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“WHOOOOOA…”
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Before him stood a massive metal gate, stretching for miles in both directions. Towering pillars framed it like ancient gods guarding a sacred path. Its surface shimmered with glowing runes and rotating spell circles, etched into its steel like tattoos of power.
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It looked less like a gate and more like the entrance to another world.
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As his boat drifted closer, Eleo spotted a lone figure standing atop the gate—a tall man clad in black, wearing a fearsome red oni mask with jagged tusks and glowing eyes. His long black coat whipped in the sea wind, and in his hand, he held a magical bow with a glowing arrow drawn and aimed directly at Eleo’s head.
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"STATE YOUR PURPOSE." the masked man bellowed, his voice amplified by magic.
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Eleo blinked, looking around as if there was someone else behind him.
“Wait… me?”
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The masked man’s glare intensified. “Who else would I be talking to, you fool?!”
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Eleo stood up awkwardly. “Oh! Uh—yes! I’m here to… uh…”
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Inside his head, Grandpa Gou’s voice echoed like a warning bell.
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"The Supreme Council will hunt you down if you try to fight the strongest, ya dumb bunny."
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Eleo swallowed.
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“…I’m here to, uh, look for someone! On Kaurna Island! Yep. Totally normal traveler business. Nothing suspicious here!”
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The masked man stared at him for a long moment…
Then lowered his bow slightly.
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“Very well. But if you become a terrorist… or try to challenge the strongest without proper sanction…
Everyone will be after you.”
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Eleo nodded, smiling nervously.
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(In his mind) Yes! I did it! I knew it! He’s one of them! The Supreme Council is real!
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The massive gate slowly rumbled open, heavy steel shifting with a deep, magical groan. Runes pulsed as they unlocked the barrier, and Eleo’s boat drifted forward.
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The moment it crossed the threshold, the gate slammed shut behind him.
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Before him now was the vast landscape of Kaurna Island—a sprawling continent surrounded by magical barriers, cliffs, and floating platforms. Towering mountains pierced the clouds, rivers of light streamed through the sky like magic veins, and in the distance, flying ships zipped through the air like birds made of steel and flame.
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Eleo’s ears perked up. “Wow… This place is HUGE!!”
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His boat glided smoothly along a narrow waterway—until suddenly, it jerked to a stop.
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“HUH?! What the—why’d it stop?!”
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He looked down. His tail was wet.
“…Okay, that’s not a good sign.”
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Drip. Drip. Drip.
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Water leaked through the bottom of the boat.
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Eleo panicked. “No no no—NOT TODAY, OCEAN!”
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He pointed his finger and shouted, “INK SPRAY!!”
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A stream of black ink shot out from his fingertip like a water hose, splattering across the crack in the boat’s floor. It sealed temporarily with a magical squish.
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He gave it a proud nod. “There! That should hold. Stupid leaky boat…”
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Then he looked forward—and paused.
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“…Wait. What’s that?”
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Stretching across the water ahead of him was a railroad track, built from enchanted steel and glowing softly. His boat had stopped because of a metal rail crossing the water like a bridge. And coming down it—
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CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA—
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A massive, high-speed train came barreling down the tracks, steam hissing from its vents, enchanted wheels sparking with blue fire.
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Eleo’s eyes lit up.
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“Ohhhh! That BIG thing’s coming! That’s gotta be my ride!!”
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The train grew louder and faster, magical sigils pulsing across its engine like a heartbeat.
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“YEP! DEFINITELY MY RIDE!!”
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Eleo bent his knees.
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BOING!
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He launched himself high into the air, flipping once, then landed perfectly on top of the train with a soft thud.
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He turned around, waving wildly at his boat.
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“BYE-BYE, BOAT! Thanks for not exploding!”
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The boat bobbed in place as he rode away.
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Eleo sat cross-legged on the train’s roof, wind blowing through his ears. He patted the metal roof beneath him.
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“Heh. Now I’ll be riding you, Mr. Big Thing.”
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He grinned wide.
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"Let’s see where this crazy place takes me next."
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After a few minutes of rattling and clanking, the train screeched to a halt at a small station on the edge of the island.
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CHHHSSSSHHH!!!
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Steam hissed from the engine as enchanted gears slowed to a stop.
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The doors opened.
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Passengers of all kinds—beastfolk, humans, horned warriors, even a few slimes in cloaks—poured out onto the platform.
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Eleo popped up from the roof, stretched his arms, and grinned.
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“Ahhh~ So this is it… my first real adventure!”
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He leapt off the train, landing on the stone platform with a proud thud.
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Looking around, he took in the scenery: crooked old lampposts, colorful market stalls, run-down metal rails, and a weather-beaten sign above the station entrance that read in crooked letters:
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"Koorked Train Station"
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Eleo nodded to himself.
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“Wow… This place looks awesome!”
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He spun around, arms outstretched, taking in the moment.
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He wasn’t in Coco Village anymore. This was a whole new world. The sights, the sounds, the freedom. His ears twitched with excitement.
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He threw his head back and opened his mouth wide.
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“Time to breathe in that exotic, mystical Kaurna Island ai—ACK!!”
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A fat fly zoomed straight into his mouth mid-inhale.
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“MMMMGGHH—PTHHHK!!”
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Eleo collapsed to the ground, rolling in circles, slamming his head repeatedly on the stone floor.
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“GET IT OUT!! GET IT OUTTT!!!”
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Meanwhile, a young girl stepped off the train with not even a glance in his direction.
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She looked to be around the same age—twelve or thirteen—but carried herself like a soldier walking into enemy territory.
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She had long lavender twin-tails, bright violet eyes, and smooth brown skin that contrasted with the glowing black horns curling slightly from her head. Her pointed ears twitched as she walked. She wore a white off-shoulder dress lined with black ribbons and black boots—elegant, but with the quiet threat of a knife in a teacup.
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Her expression? Stone-cold.
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She paused briefly to stare at Eleo, who was still on the ground, gagging and flailing like he was being exorcised.
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“…Tch. Idiot,” she muttered.
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Then she stepped over his twitching body and walked into the train station without missing a beat.
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---
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Inside Koorked Station, the smell of metal, moss, and musty spell paper filled the air.
Behind the dusty counter stood an old, tree-man—literally. Bark for skin, moss for a beard, and sleepy eyes carved into a wooden face. He wore a cracked monocle and chewed slowly on something that looked like a root.
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The girl stepped up to the counter, tapping her fingers.
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“Hey, tree-face,” she said bluntly. “Where’s the nearest town from here?”
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The tree-man blinked slowly. His voice creaked like an old floorboard.
“Ehhh… I could tell ya…”
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She leaned in slightly.
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“…For a price.”
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She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t have any money.”
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“Then I can’t tell ya,” he said, already turning away. “Bye-bye now.”
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She twitched.
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“...Oh, I swear, if I get in there and find out you were holding out on me—”
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The tree-man raised a barky brow. “Was that a threat, missy?”
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The girl’s eyes gleamed, and a crooked grin tugged at the corner of her lips.
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“Yeah. That’s a threat.”
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Her voice was quiet—but venomous.
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For a moment, the air tensed. The tree-man stared at her. She stared right back, unflinching.
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The tree-man leaned forward, mossy brows furrowed. “Well well, you rude little brat. I think I ought to report you to the Ascendants for threatening a travel official.”
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The horned girl’s violet eyes narrowed, and she slowly raised her hand.
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Middle finger.
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“Screw you, tree guy.”
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The bark-faced clerk sputtered as she turned and stormed out of the station.
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Outside, Eleo was still flopping on the ground, slamming his head against the platform.
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“ACK!! IT’S STILL IN THERE!! I CAN FEEL ITS LITTLE LEGS!!”
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He rolled in a circle like a dying fish.
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The girl stared down at him.
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“…You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
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She let out a long sigh, walked over, and grabbed him by the scruff of his hoodie.
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“Hold still, moron.”
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SQUEEZE!
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She jabbed her fist into his bloated stomach.
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“BWAAAH—!!”
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Eleo spat the fly out like a cannonball. The little bug zipped into the air and flew off, traumatized for life.
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She dropped him. “There. You’re welcome.”
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Eleo coughed violently, flopping onto his back. He looked up at her, eyes sparkling with relief.
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“…AH!”
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He suddenly jumped up and hugged her tightly.
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“THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! That fly almost ENDED me!! I saw my ancestors, lady!! You’re my hero!!”
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“W-Wha—HEY! LET ME GO!!”
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Her cheeks turned pink as she flailed.
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Eleo finally released her and beamed. “Thank you very much!! Anyway—I’m off! BYEEE!!”
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And just like that, he turned around and ran off at full speed.
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“WAIT—!”
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Too late.
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He was gone.
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She blinked, baffled. “…What the hell just happened?”
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Eleo ran through the forest, weaving between twisted trees, ducking under thick branches, and hopping over gnarled roots. Strange glowing plants lit his way, and the air shimmered faintly with leftover magic from old wards or ancient battles.
He stopped suddenly and looked around.
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His ears twitched.
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His smile faded.
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“…Wait a minute…”
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He turned one way. Then the other. Then slowly turned in a full circle.
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“Wait a minute…”
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“…I’m…”
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“…I'M LOST?!”
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He threw his hands into the air.
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“WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW?! HOW COULD I GET LOST THIS FAST?! OH MAN OH MAN I REALLY DON’T HAVE A CLUE!!”
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He looked left.
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He looked right.
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He looked up—
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FWOOOSH.
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A shadow dropped from above.
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He turned around just in time to see the same girl—but this time with giant black demon wings unfurling from her back.
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She landed gracefully in front of him, dust swirling around her boots.
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Eleo stepped back. “W-Whoa… Wait a minute…”
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His eyes locked onto her horns.
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Then the wings.
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Then the tail he somehow never noticed before, lazily flicking behind her.
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“...Oh no.”
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The girl tilted her head. “I’m a demon. Pretty sure you figured that out already, since y’know, I have horns, wings, and a tail.”
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She crossed her arms, looking slightly annoyed. “Anyway, I need help. You see, I’m—”
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Eleo wasn’t listening.
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He was still frozen.
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His eyes twitched.
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Grandpa Gou’s voice echoed in his head...
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"Now listen here, Eleo! Never trust demons! They'll trick you, eat your soul, and sell your carrots!"
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She paused. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
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Eleo slowly raised a trembling finger at her.
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“Y-YOU'RE… YOU'RE EVIL!”
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She blinked. “What?”
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“GRANDPA WARNED ME ABOUT YOUR KIND!!”
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She frowned. “Yes, some demons are evil, but I’m not one of th—”
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“RAAAAAHHHHH!!”
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Eleo lunged.
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Before she could finish, he sucker-punched her in the face.
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BOOM.
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She went flying back, flipping through the air like a ragdoll.
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She crashed into a stack of tree's with a loud SMASH.
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“…Ow.”
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