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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEOzYx9czj
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bm1P5VTjV
"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbLe5AFPZa
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ygVj0kSwW
"Right on."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8MmMGZxgG
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIa9oZNyC3
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFtMBSzsEn
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUwy8lphYu
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmZc1REOh1
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBzpJtAIo2
"Huh? Oh, alright."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuc778ft4c
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45fdQYm2WU
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG7hEj0N9s
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGp4aX5vYL
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzPQkv8kwp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8un4WteFvp
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXnPlZ7BkU
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKabBA6IN9
"Luck..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ555oPR86uW
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmh9Y0y85E
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7e9Q8rLIi
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9PRfwKi2l
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89rm6T5tnJ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwDxyIluiU
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMJIF6rx0b
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuhBcepQjE
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBqVzhpV8b
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwTs3oZwPd
"You people are strange..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsosBKBdTt
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMQMNHOUNI
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fTzgdF8zh
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxb1PCCTeT
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNJKxjYYFf
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtc54b8vdc
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNp0Snj9MZ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtfOUoHlRP
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu8H5JB4qA
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94UH6v4XbU
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD4nCvHQsU
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9ihBrcMJD
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OlqEH6qyd
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5tLsnZe6i
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoifNndvGp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPImImGWGD
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy8NURc9RZ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNF50Z3mXP
"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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaXDUZ4Vhd
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiVX735K8R
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkdpjKLYXh
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqKziKKIcw
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5INKC27Gq
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFUvTPJvWI
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xVkLeWT7Z
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTVERI1iye
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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfmvW0zHdx
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2SwDst7Ad
"...Huh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkUldN4MQK
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNqo30xBDZ
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrcuXvrVUN
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm2qLivI0l
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFYObCWdMp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkol8LA5Iyl
"I can't deny that."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms24ELJck0
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOab8IMMVp
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0cOoTZPxg
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFnyhDwLMi
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wGPJuc627
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH3ppQRXms
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXOPG8xuNb
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l4xI7k4cK
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9jNaAI5CX
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLyr7IF2qU
"You're up."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXEcpW9S5P
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBd9vABmiu
"Right on."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeHShnHMfZ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk72ddOq4c
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdljlwLSO2
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRj9V2nOas
"That's... that's incredible."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UNaV6COwy
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Kzb1PKgS
"Huh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQFqCbCWXr
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRi1BRlrLH
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN4qEkYI2y
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W8N6hZ8aa
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5hoY8ul5j
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzTriXJre7
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMtAvFdhMi
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdtiKYASfb
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNffE4tCjP
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdAetsN0qR
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03Xub33I6d
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFoLFGJQfd
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapWYGnIXR4
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvYhM0ITw9
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNoptw3ad1
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7YeBHZdfB
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzrM6RRaMf
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMenBgVjEAO
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvHOgm9STg
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAZOSR7rZI
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T1gGtaYyd
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYM676fGBu
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaKw8g76Eh
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJw6M2OGhc
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiPCFh2xOm
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGhFI8Thjc
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu3v4r57oj
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGUOXCcDR0
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJMv7dpaUH
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpih50Sf1yY
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV87Y53pxX
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK1ieQAcxS
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfGQUdIqsK
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZHKgLAMdV
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApfNjuiiCx
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTQhXPi3Ct
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAnaNsRY4i
–
–
–
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSUQp9H5T9
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4T4oxuv4U
"What time is it now?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Ph50gVw2
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM50kWm8yG6
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIU4hkwOGa
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRtBxfGsZ9
"Juke?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd552HYtVje
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58J1R9y6DS
He looked at me and perked up.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSrspdQQzt
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGbk4N5Kzl
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdeUGPc91S
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Gyr6PyMZ
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNr27zcABP
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDZKusIIKl
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGEIAc3bQM
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstgXmctZB9
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD2OIvpiQL
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzLTWNSXSR
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE52ioXFsd
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNlfdTsICN
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF1HVIOUo7
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbK2UnCvoQ
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDFCDUe9lo
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncqvtR6W4D
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupUdFbq2uo
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HMm31vU8D
"S-Sorry, sorry."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqmxon8dRZ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2cL53XKUy
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtINxSSVNzI
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vP4S1xig6
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkYKh6xtPs
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwrbRCHyqx
"Ah, shit, yer right."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7t2Hlm9g3
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzxEQD8BUi
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1cHMzRnJY
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrtYBzQSHD
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVNEYd2kLM
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6DGbbsM1Y
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ1pjXhMRk
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV6HEYoVCx
"Did ya just laugh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2cu2dfdIv
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydAFiG3HGO
"N-No, why do you ask?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqVyia74Es
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EpXmhnv37
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ4iRJK3A7
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRJtwobdaY
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH7tMmvQtc
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyTaOGesaA
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycTjPjL6Yw
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WdfsPdsWJ
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Mwpep2iKE
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzja7QNoTLv
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yA1JVbRQM
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xYjUUNxBD
He narrowed his eyes at me.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeblzghNuo
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH4QtEU8g4
"I'll take yer word for it."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwBBaXSbix
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNt9Mw8CL1
There was a momentary pause. I454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE190DXOUAf
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSlAPsXkRP
"So, what have ya been up to?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kwdmHEuhN
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPjl8MZGxG
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp26BPJtpy
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvEkv9Mw7v
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX15MicsoRy
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSeoxDetYx
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEg62wPPKl
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY2k4U7469
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsHgy13JV9
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF1jRIHaq2
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKpMId0hR2
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pe2L53ceW
"The sleeping room?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qpmz49mSw
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL44LRoIFuI
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wOFaJgOqU
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9sYAyYzL2
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYbCVcrfvt
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9989iHRLoy
He cocked his head.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx39i0xOavJ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2YybeKjHg
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEdi08uNUf
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92g8ZnQe7l
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUvWmj6Gnk
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZNmB9AD1q
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4tT083v8d
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAazpyye7Bh
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevScyihoF1
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4yB0SoH9k
"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..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NXkneJwxk
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxNaZq1tCd
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21fdqlgkkp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5IUDwIwlQ
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTXPicqpMA
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fQLQagWO9
"Loose screws?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW7E7K4fIe
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExYwHCUzoN
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUGsDPP4Ny
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXYg8o4O6X
He huffed from his nose and smirked.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblgbL96jxn
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBNlGcES07
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaIT0wDcBx
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Rhbkk2Hw
"Boring tales..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8PiuJc5zQ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H9f4lDj7L
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPTZ2fFoxA
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPo3gI940N
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3k2ZJtEyh
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpkTcVY8Nc
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW7UfumrYP
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfP3CI8BF3
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRTgAi1Jpd
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElkKtMVWIu
"What, am I too young?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nAGk5bldl
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGmrdXSBlU
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EIfmu7Zu3
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA09fLBgJV5
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJI0xXZZQ8
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1AKBN2d08
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe4nsxTgQr
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzk1zBgIrV
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERGaibH1ad
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaIfKcEAD0
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0tPrYnBiL
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OxmdN0ILK
I straightened my posture.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmpFKOfRmc
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyGbaA3wOy
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSqQ8pnHs3
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZkX9VCJOA
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcMjWjQqQC
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ldFk4rzc6
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTKN8MgBWy
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm9uQe10tw
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwpz2m2YGu
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrnJa5Jssx
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7DtzgYHcQ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYfei6BHIm
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnWYYkc5wg
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVppdBZXUUP
He gave me a blank stare.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeZxY5fvmK
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aWGofA2Gk
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9cCrxDZsD
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK7RL83PnC
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4sn51vZUb
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAf5muxjOS
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD7kPA6U0x
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsgZNDJ0S8
"See? There ain't a difference."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1oCCQrQKX
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnC9c9ZxZ2
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOp9R2l1He
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrDlotqPMc
"Yeah? And what are they?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aUrpgdZXI
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH4lvV0nzF
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvmzoVi45A
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5zur6p4Go
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8EfjHbsZK
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbIX2wGhKI
To that question, I simply shrugged.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SqyS9RKYT
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxzRG5v0d1
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiX1SriI6Z
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJUWxBYaAQ
"What a load of semantical garbage."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS5W4FWQ4w
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEhJdAJE0x
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9KhoJAGMK
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskby40eFsO
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhLkhuR8Cp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUWQKaXZ0j
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zLhdBEBLA
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPgXIk5FjK
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8PyoKDIwc
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dYDO52oBB
"..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMKJlkVv6T
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXiUuc2lHe
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmZ4fU70U9
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mBMJhZJ7e
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScooNdwuFC
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhZgHpTIH9
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxgenN3CSB
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZUYwH5l5Z
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd83wnhlCTX
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFsesu4dUe
"I'm starin' at one right now."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHGcIHu3s1
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnrmKodliH
"You know what I meant!"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoBmTNNWs5
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvakzI67bce
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeiT2R1UdB
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSLIIYkAGW
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvEHFbSvRl
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0NLtlw4rX
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6shHdBk5O
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6BlltQqE3
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aQdMtQrGa
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL7PlH0ez4
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6KpoC5vgB
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZX07uZ9SV
"You're definitely being generous."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46URyV4rQV
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjS3YYt1Wm
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSJQRoIzsV
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMWNRMxVKs
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKypZs5dQCO
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHKVlm4CKC
He nodded his head.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSfsqSDhIg
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnsOWCMVk6
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30UsO4jf9j
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKQil6o6Kq
"...Oh my goodness."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22g8pegMfT
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUxKEREKNs
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7gxVmMvlH
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr4ZecSfr4
"What? It's just mud, kid."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNroxjxzmm
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yRiaZlAqp
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0KH4R3yyY
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECVIe5T6l7
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuxAuIAJKm
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMeOE3ZmMY
"Yes. I hate it."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4G4lHxqPm
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMnXUBVWGC
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hBaRvNZdt
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHwA3RRXzL
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAxjl4Rbaf
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4QT67s7Kq
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLd1uldtH3
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HLVUcRgC7
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4Cu6hDS5i
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CZJgWJF1K
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15AMFeswjD
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfbvDCrujp
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuDS2ZpEtf
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5njq4QvMH
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO9fFpVdwI
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bUFRPnykG
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhuZCFrHqp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e6QTEdizf
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGwIjBEiSq
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6Iqid5U2E
"Nah."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGntPPN3uX
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviRGnHRixg
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUALlGmp3q5
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PAZ8YMYT8
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwgXwlIaZo
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJERUXvOKn
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuQCIUlzYx
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ0DEmeK1U
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6MqheUf3k
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ757J3mmjcu
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YTOuc73U8
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL4lGjbujm
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G83St0MBb
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDDmmdnWmd
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiueWLnns4
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ3TWBTITS
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0mnybQ3sl
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3gu1hYEv6
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8doOIq4yp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dBUrFig6o
"Huh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvopiTkUUgK
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIDyuIqYqU
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGCRR6JzYL
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ZQxrlJkG
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfSRNLSOqW
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUYViNXBrr
"So someone told you as well?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCxvGlKP56
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfCZAkxM4h
He nodded with a smirk on his face.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayv4bmB5tw
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc8yer3jSa
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK58ACZQHD6
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g4EmdWl1O
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiysKC7hIe
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQTMULq1Pd
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrW4NzDiq7
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AWxpgtiUZ
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIrhEFZlaM
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8YPG2mbzV
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1AIeShs1h
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9DUDfp4Bn
"..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhFACVajix
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e4wMcuOy9
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0szRanvHB
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcUidJWW43
"Strong?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8CTfYhwFK
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y16DawMzS
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCVy3iY9vv
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWQNe8HpL0
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxqXl1nYdm
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11WqXVtDDm
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?454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz4VDjYNjA
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ056PuS9bbc
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcD1Wxeo1Y
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtJhHFgG9Z
"Brat is certainly new..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TNYuJ85bl
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXVyhszCHD
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoMl8YLXUa
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecWCK3bZwi
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ODhwY2WQp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwjqhCWg6R
"Think like what?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3TgoDYcfx
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0E1vFXywV
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriyvnHf2dC
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOah3sfciPk
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VSaRCmcPp
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UrYnJqgoV
"J-Juke...?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpXm1GZAxJ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGym3uLh5FX
"Do ya think I'm strong?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLwPvD9GnG
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzHAezCAgJ
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CJ2vDqM0P
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaBlsP8374
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAmfWiRZG2
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ypHSN8eEA
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5x2RmFUCy
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tBYEyGGqu
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOszpksnUZ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtfTDS5lNZ
"Yer a moron."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKk6NjgP8y
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUZvPDhfcy
"H-Huh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKLAvk2jPr
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTfxW8D4h4
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQkop7Zzuy
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkh61hqOvi
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZgsO1zNXU
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroO1upJLMf
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvI0pybuvw
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGuDNjGKoS
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAaOQYVUfV
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14cQjLwHu1
"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–"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAH2xPEU9y
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P1YSwVWGF
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeZBUP0F3y
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVjNelsnCT
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkM0adduEN
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvyFkZ3bKt
"..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFPUZbrj91
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe7AKnpmxl
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJO42nQMIw
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEYGjfA0bP
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVECcB6WoP
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF60O720ME
And so, I spoke.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifBKutPyGZ
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2WvRTCAj3
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDLnYmvLnq
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2VGXj8sq1
"...Yer just like that bitch."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiIiesSqmo
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwZVthjX0A
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEadavHPWd
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitxkwmDUR6
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZcA6FCsY3
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfTdhM5mqe
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bEfj3eK1H
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNta7bHlrTF
"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?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPXe57QHL3
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCgPnUEY7X
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxB4a4AWo1
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd52JeRqlTl
"You're missing the point!"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sj0qgWj3y
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzyTmFS47J
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6QIintVK1
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF4gT1dwv8
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO0ndd4vyv
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkh5wOgVhG
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdBCwzlGjK
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttcNZtoVg1
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlyIKjxRD5
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzYVXJj2Vh
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaekeFEH8b5
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4IlSAOtm5
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN7w82fJfT
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE6sre7WkH
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpjzUDZgtI
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmtmhOBzkm
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPnQyYhpNP
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSu8ASS8JX
"..."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3LPcojKwS
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd510onynVY
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.454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnNOxYiiKe
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOZjSgsMGo
"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."454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1WWuVP1eE
454Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0l8N4rPFT
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
and then Add to home screen.