As it would turn out, Serpents and Vines was a remarkably easy game to learn. The goal for all the players was to make it to the end of the board. Each player had a turn to roll a die, and depending on the number, the player would move that many paces. However, some tiles had, as the game would imply, serpents and vines, where the former would bring you closer to the beginning, and the latter, closer to the end.
Such a simple game made me think adults shouldn't be playing it. I also felt as if such a game existed elsewhere under a completely different alias. Setting those feelings aside, I was enjoying myself.
"That's a five. I barely missed a serpent, phew."
The bearded man, Damon, was in the lead. Nigel was in second place, and due to an unfortunate series of dice rolls, I was dead last. I was surprised that something like this could make my eyes twitch, but I was able to keep myself composed.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp2FyIwGuW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4yCxqfrII
"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu0zxCaKrP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83PETBR1kT
"Right on."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1vUEXMHtX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDEwKRMyE8
Turns shifted and the die rolled. The process repeated a countless number of times and the minutes passed by quickly. At some point, it stopped being that way. At some point, rolling the die and moving a figure a few paces forward became dull. Looking at Nigel and Damon, it was impossible to tell if they felt the same.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgK155WLom
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYAd1ks0dE
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFeTsk0VnK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L3LE8T9QP
"Huh? Oh, alright."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQJELzWeq2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvDYxVfJTi
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMFOVHyoq7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5EkbSX7th
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUq2PFmJ0H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeofcJbOdF6
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCIuEeBeQ2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGdqRJ30ao
"Luck..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU7YfxLoT5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWYiJbOhPI
Damon had a point. Maybe the absurd reliance on luck to function was why this game so quickly lost its luster. I moved my figure forward and was sent straight to the beginning. I sighed as my head sank.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExhJSkYuT4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXsHi5lo6v
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPFEFxmRaJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnjekSsi1Z
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz290As4q4O
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu3SzRqdCF
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5cHilySpf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8Twf5Y8nz
"You people are strange..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLdcIYDP6U
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxXfVcS1ta
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcD8l1rb23
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXImQFWQ0A
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjV58ZiP6R
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxYYuRJO9U
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmvs89jmwV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpcoe7g7Ul
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3GF9nViCq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWMoqxrXrl
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2gSTxf5Xm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ4jQunbrK
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1Df4SrDVC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnoqNl6MCP
"Especially Damon," Nigel stressed, "It's only natural if you ask me. Our upcoming operation will be the biggest battle we've ever fought. I'm sure the same is for you, Kenny; aren't you nervous?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTABZmH5ne
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBcnMGhGmA
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7gfDVFobh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf7tWRD8SO
"But?"
I pinched my chin and thought: why was it that I had a reservation for his words? I knew better than anyone how parasitically such events nibbled your psyche. But still, I struggled to believe it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTHDwe1wVm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V5PwYbV5G
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjA4JC8dDz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQlHoOE3XF
"The whole Retaliation Crowd seemed so enthusiastic during that meeting. I didn't see you specifically, but with how loud the room was, you were cheering and roaring too, weren't you?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOhOztndPx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIysgH1lBLX
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA7jkMMHx1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtSin4aajj
Nigel looked away and placed his chin on top of his fist.
"Well, don't tell anyone, since it's a big secret and all, and I don't want to be beaten for spilling the beans, but we collectively agreed to act that way."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT0OEM2n04
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfA8hgCYbP
"...Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ha8plVNBI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSWv4psdai
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUauDLejR7t
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB95hIn0WU
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZCC4KjPRP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEb6dL3PQF
"I can't deny that."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tf6UaiftC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTfXQaeDKn
"Right. We figured that it would make the situation worse if they thought we were dejected too. Let me tell you, after hearing the news about the Raptors, it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSprOPM8ss
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdRHs7VVjE
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BiuwyqMJm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ2dRWeG4X
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlysAOOqRl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOisd9DIeyc
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXEUNnwF6v
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Z8ybbnSC
"You're up."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjHNKoLJLr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1o8L8YE1s
"Right on."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ8wjpWDv2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZfV1GWIxq
They kept playing the game as if nothing happened. It gave me ample opportunity to mull over his words. I had a knot in my stomach at first, one that came from confusion, but as I mulled over it, I felt something spark inside of me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7RT07Sotn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OQe1KUbhj
"That's... that's incredible."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL23ECw3n9p
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAttjVQ4c0q
"Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBaGSShXZM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tc6NoJctX
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8pNxv0P5b
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tZSfrkred
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaHJaeoNmJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwPt62sd11
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9ExchSo3C
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSJJtcgyYL
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf00g5C4av
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23VcsZ5UmS
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ik3sTkuZ4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0LJsXiSc3
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGh14sNJVt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyhZS9Bemx
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC1DiZVRJ2
I sighed and clutched my head. The other two started cackling, which only furthered my frustration. I tried not to let this moment spoil the other.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDpsFQjPAU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPROeLr7pE
"I'm just messing with you. It's flattering that you think that. It makes me feel like I'm doing this for a reason."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XoFmyiN4e
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzYxSmzHx4
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fieNthx9X
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnr9yk0tTf
"Yeah, fighting, sure, but being a guard in general. I'm glad I'm making a good impression on the kids. I'm sure Damon thinks the same. Right, Damon?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqKJtaB7iB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNJaf5QEXh
He didn't voice a response, nor did he make a gesture. He had an eerie glare aimed at Nigel, who looked completely unbothered. As the two continued to play their game, I looked at them. Guards with a duty, poised to fight the very next day, yet here they were, playing a trivial game, and smiling through all the stress.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ8Q8OLXld
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo69lqWuoE
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeVM5iVBT2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmgMv9AWqt
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx2HWHDguI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnXT13dPCy
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QGMJviQfo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIliXn3yQ5
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkEhH4biGk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBL9V7yY3U
I had no doubts that I'd be seeing them. Or, at the very least, that they would be there. It was a comforting thought. It made me warm. Nigel patted my shoulder with a quick chuckle, and I wasted no time leaving the game room.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FoKu4hazg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvugWJ0cslp
As I approached the door, I looked at my hand. I curled and flexed my fingers. I balled it into a fist. I felt ready in mind and body, and more than ever I had a conviction in my heart.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNlarBxjGl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi70bhnmGQX
–
–
–
I was out of the game room. Instinctively, I checked my wrist, then as I lowered it and asked myself why I did that, another question barged out of my mouth.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TCAey5pvR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvXtT2NaO7
"What time is it now?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPGZebf3iH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZFjsNEFNh
And as if someone had heard me, the door to my left opened. I looked to see who it was, and out came a person I was all too familiar with, but with a face I hardly recognized.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunmu9YKj3x
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFhbYu9OOg
"Juke?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEJtHCdMaE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKezdPax4t5
He looked at me and perked up.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSygh96V6KF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGopOIdzC0N
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTLM3Oe9Bm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX74x16WtV
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRF1mhXUCf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9RRD55Aql
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ429WlrCEkn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09iVj25e85
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHXHGcl79Q
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MZsHQtxWI
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVj8cWYI5s
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuVjX3Qob2
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefar28ulmY
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdpiiN2uLA
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eqYuLcGKm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWL5Bx1R2P
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzkG8KavFD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn5VHIiLbi
"S-Sorry, sorry."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZSnBg4Tf1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGClFYCLOAR
I slightly bowed with my apology. Juke walked away and up to a couch, but before he made it anywhere, I stopped him with my words.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaGDKVpsE5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsStNKpgiH
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kyVfjWfrw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzZBuVg89M
"Ah, shit, yer right."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizIlNoO32Y
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovcQdtlaxN
Thus, he walked to the door and closed it, then he returned to walking towards the couch. But neither I nor my gaze followed him. My eyes were glued to the door he had just shut.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcJlwoZQG6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRxakiDrJv
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPQOgmJ9Zs
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo07YBXEeNg
I looked at Juke. Juke, who was missing his helmet. He let out a big sigh as he sat on the couch. I connected the dots, and all of a sudden, a little snicker escaped from me. Juke turned his head to me. I quickly suppressed my voice and walked up to him, sitting on an adjacent couch.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YC9yVUBJV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEZYHVZy8J
"Did ya just laugh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv97YTF1fQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Cp75TpCk
"N-No, why do you ask?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiJo2D6kdx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzo3QsIkvI
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRSCdbhrLj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7evMjwVXJ
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYg0rdHMxu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe3o72c9bt
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjbP480xC9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68OB0daYdM
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI84lGQPMP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSloFdlhJh
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeGofJOu1Z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi261otMrEt
He narrowed his eyes at me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc2tC69Noh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsa4ISyUBD
"I'll take yer word for it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM5k5mVt3z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAAWtGV5FO
There was a momentary pause. I242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW45tVBXRP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCJVuzCHTX
"So, what have ya been up to?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0Yy96OTCL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETArTj0VS4
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnSRzmsh78
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpx5VUhqc9
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSVr9OcvEK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34nvoE2lwp
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2BAT0CKg5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6N8DnNCcF
"What, the sleeping room? It ain't anything to write home about. It's just a bunch of beds. They're pretty damn cozy, I'll give 'em that."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo7dhRIcjg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjtF0CaTsF
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsI60rfQ0q
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuXhdiBHx9
"The sleeping room?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCcPRMnZ0n
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9aP5B99BY
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpXgYltu8K
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2FifKb5zz
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jNFWTiqlp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVCdmETJN0
He cocked his head.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbRKXtbGni
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoWBT9s3xW
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29ZR8sTOzf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpB7hkm842
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH04Drcdbda
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL32XOCZJA
Maybe not every member of the retaliation squad was noble and principled. Juke shrugged at my request, and another round of silence ensued. Since he had already brought up the topic, I decided to press him on the matter.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8w0ZBUQiF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWeMbTiNxZ
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqLQBdE3Zr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVtWcC1OZ4
"Nah, there's more than enough beds. The room's gigantic, I tell ya. I ain't a good judge of smell, but I got no issues with it. And, the guys and gals themselves..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8bljK0Eth
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nkE4TYk9Y
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsBCoq54zk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91F4OSRRNM
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TviZqQCWe
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTIWaOk6W1
"Loose screws?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSXmn31Jii
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUqdgZPOUf
"They're a story-telling bunch, almost every one of 'em. And they got these crazy stories, kid. I can't tell if they're tellin' the truth half the time. Even if they ain't, they're crazy for telling 'em."
"Well, are they at least exciting?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOPzAZfApy
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gZmFfvsBL
He huffed from his nose and smirked.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmJAdzQyXT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlewcShfvUl
"They ain't half-bad. But I can tell a better story. A weak guy like me's gotta get good at spicing up his boring tales, don't ya think?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb2oj1F2qW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQSbTQQGWU
"Boring tales..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7qVgjWzVP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAGOlhjFxq
The only story Juke had told me from his past was brief, but from the content alone, I would be an idiot to call it boring. I didn't bother to mention that, though.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezA1zvFtdC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVx9hvip2T
"I wouldn't know, Juke. I wouldn't know. But if you're so confident in your storytelling capabilities, why not try them on me?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4JmnTkerm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRDUzgtyLJ
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkzcndwSrC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXydDZlt0j
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GMphBY0gP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezb65Djely
"What, am I too young?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n1ABepg21
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Zjhp5PPp
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiL1y9ofj1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YDDDzDq6b
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwh0evoqh1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l4Gb904F3
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlUzxDfZ6X
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ66SHzLxiZ
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCRDoXIcms
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBekXxhknD
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBchSRRL3I7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtlW8TsKU6
I straightened my posture.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMKBEBtDNn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdyGFmsNXZ
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVajMRC0Ag
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1ceWiyIrr
With all the balderdash I'd faced since our arrival here, it hardly shocked me that I couldn't remember such a detail. It didn't make it any less frightening, though.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGV83MMblc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchgRmI93nG
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9plS35CG0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1VPkBDDPf
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNO8VN5sHP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYTGNwYqwc
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdntdt32Kp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWGROLySK2
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoZiwnV7LC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sP3co2Txa
He gave me a blank stare.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yETilrdvY
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn22IlAeIxa
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwKJcXTFty
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdMYfXJFri
I opened my mouth as if I had the answer at my beck and call. All I had to do was run my mouth and it would come out effortlessly. That was what I thought until I made a light gasp, and followed it up with nothing. I retracted my head and lowered my gaze to the ground, suddenly deep in thought.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK3omM69sN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94JsslzDkj
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tniaz7BvD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtZtF9c0oF
"See? There ain't a difference."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8gCHnfeRj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqKIEfWlEX
"Well, of course there is! When you think of a wizard, you think of someone who is dignified, powerful, and above all else, modest. That's a stark difference from what ideas the title 'mage' gives you."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0jEC7ThBF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBCeDbdhHx
"Yeah? And what are they?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c7Rb41gID
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXMlHbcU5V
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmU0Xshw7e
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYZHDVvOzD
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D3aYUoLlg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98eivU40Bi
To that question, I simply shrugged.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhl9D7D2Qn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIIYKOB3B3
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiIpE4CjNh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy5G7tguEm
"What a load of semantical garbage."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHcoF7F6sY
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2F2XdZotg
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUypVclaPH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVypriCK7pj
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzx5P1kltV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXFCjHZmjh
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA8CmsyQwu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO0OggEkVj
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcsgkReXzR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlXj8QIARL
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q6VsWFMfq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QnO5HYFGp
I thought long and hard about it, scouring my memories like I was going through a book. Certain segments made my head ache, but for the most part, I recalled all I needed to reach a conclusion.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILPNLMKQI4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPdwAuXKHI
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ007wXyyZ9q
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjStBkDfVD
Juke nodded along to my words, which confused me, because he had no idea who Skylark was. He shouldn't, at least. I put that detail aside and fired right back at Juke.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg8ZcJjfjb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyJWwxM7bn
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK4ky0XAPn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuU4k1JQRb
"I'm starin' at one right now."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd42LlqDJ7e
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9KpYnEgUg
"You know what I meant!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS10y1L2BVi
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLodfN312MR
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV5SXShMOo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc3oioH6XS
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqqujpUNcc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8O47igedr
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQexhFgO5PB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UrOUqxlFX
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcOIRejePQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUVLy1OdCr
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY2m7IIFno
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OArxjEs5t
"You're definitely being generous."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYbUckDmA9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLSMdLfkj5
"Nah, see for yerself, kid. Those folk call him the 'Mud Wizard.' Sure, I ain't seen him fight, but if all these strong folks are calling that guy a wizard, that's gotta mean something."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qERZ4k5qF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPmKXgobHh
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis1ZIdf2Hd
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpLVln7vlK
He nodded his head.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsiCZRQJZv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3soNuIlyxV
"I saw that bastard do it. All he did was make some dirt in one hand and water in the other, and just like that, mud."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnSvOOewCp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Qv00gqaq
"...Oh my goodness."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKFaJ4zsiK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaMmFYUmPk
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBjf6OPM7g
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUvSepGUr1
"What? It's just mud, kid."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2fhxisRys
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq51HZ3iDSf
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6VV5mQau6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yhw79AfHR
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE7MYKL2kF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S3zBpk86D
"Yes. I hate it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGYznYwONG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh7M1i595J
Our conversation came to a short halt. There was something I wanted to ask Juke, but he posed a far more interesting question of his own.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtREOnHJXzL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PnahB3eHY
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruvEILNcGv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjZfId84gq
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcolyYE76bh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3FbQWRciM
"They aren't driving me crazy or anything, you don't need to worry. Honestly, they're an inspiring bunch of people. A few of them, not so much, but as a collective group... I think they're admirable."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT4LXBves5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcK1UpusoH
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgGqEHzdii
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyxiDUGY2H
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaFbYTp7zc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcldvrBta4
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT3WZmB3LD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzFmeRKqVg
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK70mHhcN6f
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfmUGRozPz
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0eM9JBSqU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8FaW7933Z
"Nah."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTezvQr5Kb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfqkJT8ALU
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer5tSabVJN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBFXQma4xW
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC34zX7NNzP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUD00sBnzA
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nmcw3y8tI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5TcOdIIl0
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8H19w652S
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk9PJhH2nV
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVcefCcQfD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxB8iTNftw
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dXZwRYnxj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHhcAkSHVM
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPIq5WZujJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68B85Qp216
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaksWaYEqZe
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUbE1eDuQF
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB64aSten6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnDnKM98FR
"Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTOl1miQwR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS9ATmylOI
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXzMrK7aLg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fCFTMPNeU
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0LAZ4duQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuXNylhqhY
"So someone told you as well?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0X9ApeWwB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOjqvDKcHQ
He nodded with a smirk on his face.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXjC5nq2g8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH3gKMZKvy
"They're tellin' me it's a big secret and all, but they're telling this junk to chatterin' fellas like yerself. What a bunch of show-offs."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltvRYU253Z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU6Ga55PS4
I responded with a nervous chuckle. The idea of them being show-offs wasn't unfeasible, all of a sudden. But I still held that conviction in me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6qEAaGzB4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtAXxqCA56
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0bG2u9Dn9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDoovav35d
He kept his eyes on me, indicating that he was paying attention. I was beginning to get cold feet, but since I had already thought it out, I kept talking.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVmUwoJIHF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1zRmLOttU
"It's their attitude that I admire. At least from the few I've met, they're determined to see this mission through. And they have all that determination despite their fears. Despite the fact that they're afraid, through the foreboding tingles and tremors in their fingers, they look at the task at hand, look at what must be done, and declare that they will do it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwywsV35sS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3F2xlNZ2T
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtp2j0Rmqf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTskHQLTQh
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TN0O51ZAC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjmhSlBKGr
"Strong?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTAbFuMZUA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpM516hm5k
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynFgq1Qe1P
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE7PB2CX1E
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXauF7M3chH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLZFNVAmiR
Juke looked away and at the fireplace, slinking and sinking deeper into his couch as he released a heavy sigh. It was an unusual feeling to say he was 'wistful', but what else could I call that sullen look on his face?242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM0fZQVE0m
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRihS97YjF
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06vemk5k7H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQSxnIQ5to
"Brat is certainly new..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPcpYugKTz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NHZMVWWn5
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzlZ53NO1M
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenNWEifff3
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudIvyzIjTX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KjALf0fFo
"Think like what?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5tGz51dsT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRXGJoomUi
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf6bD2Ht25
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDxjgBPWBQ
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiny7ILWlP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLqsnmefzg
"J-Juke...?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFa2eMicZs
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93dSRYS9Pd
"Do ya think I'm strong?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAS3R6YiwV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4Ov19ZZvU
With what he was doing, this question kicked my perplexion into a nauseating fierceness. I felt inclined to pinch myself to check if I was dreaming, but I was long past hoping that I was asleep.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU6GRXMh9p
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkiAbp0qRG
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MW23pyGXZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YNjJYMZEk
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuMjkEaArj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ866kGeFSob
I couldn't help but remember the times Juke was there to save me or to fight alongside me. Without his help, I'd likely be dead. Despite his nonchalant disposition, Juke was someone I could rely on. In that manner, Juke was one of the strongest people I knew, and someone I was proud to call a comrade.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySzX8NvZSF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF1buG404g
"Yer a moron."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKIThQcyia
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojZ87IaK4p
"H-Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs6EuwphvV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6959R5uWS
But my resolute answer was shot down. I composed myself quickly, and with a will I didn't know I had, faced his scrutiny head-on.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDjWtjFoEM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOcKfeWVmF
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5nPq96No8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkZh9ShTle
"In front of ya is a guy twice yer size. I've got muscles and a sword on my hip. I'm a guy who's been doing missions and fighting monsters for over half of his damn life. Yet yer the bastard who tore a Lionant apart with a flick of yer finger, like it was instinct, and ya ripped a hole in the ground so large I thought I was gonna drown in all the sand that fell to cover it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pZs7IWdxc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0XarKhhDh
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauT1raNCNp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kBCyIhTTv
"If I fought ya right here, I'd die. Ya already know my tricks, yer already experienced enough to where a big weaklin' like me can't just swing his sword and cut ya. If ya really wanted to, I bet ya could destroy this whole building, what with yer plants and explosive magic. Tell me, kid–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHP8Eu5zkc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A7CeYgrPE
He took a step forward and drew his sword. He didn't brandish it, only used it like it was a paper with a speech on it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhE0izjodT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmeXaTEkgQ
"How the hell am I strong? When I'm faced with these Retaliation Squad maniacs, when I'm faced with yer power, when I'm faced with that girl, Rover, who moves like a damn monster, when I'm faced with the fiends and beasts at Hard-Bringer, how the hell am I strong?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW98yioDBnh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn930xEM6N
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWINbZj0yK8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrjgLz5hwp
Time wasn't an issue. Juke looked at me with patience he had never exhibited. This was a question he wanted an answer to, though the look in his eyes told me that whatever I said would matter little. I had no space to think, though. Something grabbed my throat and squeezed it hard enough to where the air couldn't reach my mind, and to where the words couldn't form. I was in a box of some kind, though I couldn't see it, and the couch, a comfortable surface but a moment ago, exacerbated my feelings by locking my movement.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB6AfVoyVK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzjpYb3gTn
However, these feelings were irrelevant. In front of me was someone that I wanted to help, and if I couldn't start now, with nothing to inhibit me but the mood in the air, then I was hopeless.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KjqQFWJKf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghAvJWSX4E
And so, I spoke.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5WPCS6Spi
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ93J06ul24
"Y-You– You may not be the most capable, but if it weren't for your decisiveness, then that Lionant would've eaten me long ago."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcoPlj6P2w
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHvPjoX8nt
"...Yer just like that bitch."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLbDb6JTO4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRKlYXaYle
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIltAqZ2KW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ8QOQjaPh
"Ya yap about things like will and determination. All yer lofty ideals ya strong people put on a pedestal and teach to everyone else, turnin' them to morons. Decisiveness? The hell's that any good for when the most I can do is swing a sword, eh? Courage ain't gonna brave the storm of an armada, like I saw yer kind do so many damn times."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE98umBWKlf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTHZNFNDIr
He took another step back. His face was contorted. It was difficult to look at, and looked difficult for him to have. I snatched the moment to make my rebuttal.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaTsAMzZ9o
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaK2eG9ucx
"S-Such traits aren't useless! It wouldn't make any sense for it to be! I-I mean, what good is power if the one who has it is too scared to wield it?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB7LVb5Ww9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0zVIUkF0e
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjej1yzTBbE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eR4XL10cX
"You're missing the point!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDGglSTSgN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1nSdWSB3D
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabedrRMBly
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4216M9q9E
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3T0MmVlYV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXA2eUvu9l
His comment struck a dissonant chord with me. Time stopped for a moment, and by the time the world around me flowed again, Juke was out of my sight. I heard his voice beside me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNn5JOFJib
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvHofweGKN
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iLH5VCFz2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhaFsaVz0e
And he walked off, towards the room. I couldn't let him do that. I couldn't let this end on such a note. But, I didn't know what to say. A part of me was flustered; another, angry. But all my being knew I had to say something, anything.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtRg8SlQLa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU8AvbOztl
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDPVedEujn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ShMIL1Tna
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY4vAIc076
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz2PNDyORO
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ln0sM48S
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmdbg5ngwt
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXFS6JKJBE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ejo5RtWat
I wasn't looking at him, but I heard the soft thuds against the carpeted floor cease. He let out a grunt and gave me his final words.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdkCVn9JVl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m9QUJME0E
"That was just luck, kid. That's all that's keepin' me runnin'. Has been from the start. It's gonna run out one day, ye'll see. And when it does, my ghost will find ya and all the strong folks who say the same shit, and laugh at yer damn face."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjuWz8TgAs
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEXJJqADBW
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
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