“...”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMcs68P1qM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqMg7ZZSrU
“...”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm88ds7xcd
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PX6GYoVKQ
I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREbArVZFMl
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBHaLRrION
But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1qd1wrQ4l
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ckl5jv4sT
I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfyrG7HyL4
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFb1LJsn6m
“I have a feeling–”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi14K1POc9c
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTaZc23eSN
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIVzgCFhog
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgPzSYqGCJ
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUlHblEPPJ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfgjyIrmZH
“Do you also have that feeling?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nEvYjMPeD
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxCMU6RfEM
“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulNA2XY2Bl
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSCWVjmRtX
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcB17ZG4mw
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FEE5PqeSU
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZYeBXbhun
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTmD1kSlkh
But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xwptsg7GW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4pInKlFhO
“Y-You!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINmyzvyGJh
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzgqadGqMq
I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZBR14IbuT
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k1oEbrRQJ
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD5MbOTLVW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3z3P92FE6
“A-Alright!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKycB0Mryuj
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw8Pk8a7p6
Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDKoQJiVda
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcmlExUa8n
“Hey! Juke, what are–”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRTIJMM2Iw
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxog5ir7OeD
My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQnQQTzT6C
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Nj4KjHi0
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VQOLXxMBS
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlBptQz45g
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrHXG9FBBD
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGCW5xTYwI
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHkCIHlvo7
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK2owtHzao
“He’s alive!?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUsPXsZP5I
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvAVDXAzUW
The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTU5jTybEa
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYtTpD46cX
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwP3a5maG9
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsgrwZhdpK
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMpRxMF2e1
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dggxqGMKt
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAxMss26nT
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUKCvQ99jd
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtCBh76vS8
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr5Odhv9n4
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau0bs43wXP
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRVO2NpjDm
“...Well, not exactly.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgEcyNdRGU
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxHi0AweUm
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF8M40Hzht
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi1KiwpFn3
“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP8ItjflsW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxjJH08YtW
“Tell me, won’t ya?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtwHuj8A5j
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL84kDCbNb
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78o5RWNDMT
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v35DuY91x
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhwJg9IdEt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWz7Xj6UMB
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDfpjCvU6t
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg28eJIKZWx
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoThaTSQCl4
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK7oD4ftyl
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRknCWopIOO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8jYYI5Ed4
“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltbh7C1Wqk
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rfuCnTr6y
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfKwqeKDzR
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lCEVXVdtl
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZiRX6J4jg
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXgdGBQ3hT
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoUJkXrN1t
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXy1RlVKCQ
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBRGlDgVQD
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphJn9Kq1ym
The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOC4Sh7yq2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QZK7KLNqN
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0vBPSuk0r
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHgfJZhcZu
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTIdYkw54S
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA29TzVuogC
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjGE7RyKDt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd9kLSpEov
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWvrFAv03D
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10LVmvfzlV
–
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxlZ5IRgzr
–
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdk1uIGoWW
–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7toBVCLVCB
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLj4llBWxq
The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUXsziBVZa
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKYo4RtHwN
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqLOV3OaAT
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rg9xJgiGK
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZExUJ0TQp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiG4K14V4E
“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4HCqH34Qe
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3sA1gNsSJ
He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLJPEQBNYt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZuxRG5F7R
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZekYTx3SP
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbTWNjxZUu
Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8XqKsysmL
Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mjcRtJjzK
**CLANG**
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0x9enlKMU
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W1EXnRHzE
The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkVFFQ3VrW
"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAeZ5v0AHU
All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaSNh1oQp1
"I can just chip away."
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E7Uo3mMU3
I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zwOKk0zOG
My body reacted immediately.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QfLoJPUQm
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvad9Odtpx
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwDDSmER3y
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX600M25Vn
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3pvr2WqPf
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOn68c8G8B
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRRF3BSDFS
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTevDOFL2Xv
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBWREzDNmQ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4VOtbElau
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh2BbImbAk
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHRzfMwwCL
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcDGHDFCFq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU83MUvLniu
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU58rhAabFo
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaDHXpsWdS
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHdJyudCdu
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ywElb3E6v
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv4wCnsquW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPM2gnXJRd
Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyRpBP8UZk
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD2ly5G0w8
And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLsKLgTVVZ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf0OzjWo4G
“Crap!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnhMsNnBjX
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjDXY6YGB9
I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8s3aiEdrE
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4NBX6fUct
**CRUNCH**478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9CdgeIJTY
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhWNYAyTCq
The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM9y7MxPbg
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ho51vjfUZ
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA3owqQNLd
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVUHAuTdO3
Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oOoijIdnT
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZR5IFLDL2
I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23hfaFub34
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Yks0Qdtk
“Child! Child, please!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bl9Y6OoH8
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMfqP3KFdR
“W-What!?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvezkReuqu
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmG109jnMf
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj3RBx7Nz9
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgONRLDSK5O
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0MVUeB7lA
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRMIuio8G6
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrjMPtgFyO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsidrnM5EP
“...”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4AhxKaQAy
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdrEotnBuF
I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzKPrziIt0
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC928cTo5B
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO8WC44UNl
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Sh0IFRbA
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqeRHZbgUN
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnOI1K3o6j
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLGebtyPle
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0TdnhRs3W
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5IGo5uP9e
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2OoG2LRFl
And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid7YQpC16X
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2yqpoqyyc
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNcAsKu5HZ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUvFTW7Mku
“Kid! Watch out!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS3v3O6hjs
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9TfxpQg4J
“--Huh?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpGngQm7p3
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU2RQPJNEB
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEy5bYP4vH
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbqrclt8tP
“S-S-Shit!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K5232EJwb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4HHHpB29K
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCGFSQCV7Y
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKSq0icXl1
**SQUELCH**478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeArHAi0CZ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1tQLMFGZF
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnPO74K0E2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtangoxY8T
“--H-Hrk!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaqYisPIVL
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtPDxxtVWc
“Oh?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijIHSwngyX
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8AONDB4ow
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98ZrhpoKoj
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoCOaNdtSU
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jxIuwUdWe
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLbvhtYcMS
“Ark… W-Why?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DHm6IVAD2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc74oxjZbK
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSA8juFSJT
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwjzcgBA4L
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEKwFArb0Z
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCtvUW92Hn
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUVxGoQWh4
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUalZx8S4s
“A– y-you monster!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdXm5XhewF
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7OmKl5wBU
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZCZidfKju
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeTTsHmTu7
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl19I7gPFv
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ1mcV9bO2
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjo4rie0ug
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHkw9J76wr
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eJ8ivCyez
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTwCsR6kEd
“A-Afraid?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqAj1drNPB
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMeandVPFr
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIFrJdpLBy
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4O4wV8MnK
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs9oLg9ELy
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0kDbsFjQF
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFGv2yByHA
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtBhyuOZBg
“Damn it. Damn it!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPaDimTeMI
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzsHtmXN4s
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAiDExCIHt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnlbWOu2SH
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUGa94vUPx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSv9l2rDng
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYZoPvgUIs
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfCDLrJSfT
“T-Thank you.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdhlNeyVqQ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT7O4E3I5H
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtWYcdDBWX
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI9tT9ckPG
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlramuSNtx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTwxG77vtr
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JojaxP1pf
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPsAXE3VeE
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gl5z4hLno
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJhMFwsYvO
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo5z4nvCKw
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx07E66pxn
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1WG9rVR1o
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBYfbDaUaN
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduBzfUyHJ7
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12j0Lw42nb
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W5QHirHEJ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWMIs5zoW4
“Juke!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZJwtoICxE
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInXCyjjLpl
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduDnm45LfG
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcyZNFiZre
“That kid is such a nuisance!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoOybinDgK
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s34jDfXQl
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkjpWWal3J
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlzB0RH8dB
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9qRh4ePtg
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaXl1Mp1f1
“Ahck!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU5SpUD9vz
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRj3DJ8TOh
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9doH8pPTY
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nclnzy6FU
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahZPdu9zEW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOVXQ85lB4
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6TJJP3H46
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUndQ6OmH7s
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmxLHbB4bA
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOU3tToYd5
But, that did not happen.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiFj0VqaTW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi3OeD8rdJ
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KU5LtYTbp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvuxdCvtGV
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5rTnto0oQ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjU7L8oFiJ
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQbVIS3Wds
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2iSMVEP8y
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauuPXIzsT2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrIOOMnRg0
And he let it rip just a moment later.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqspkOZblo
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWdtaDR8a7
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhY5IZWPvz
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGdOy8uVkM
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJq0wKcX1W
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cnr4UQXXO
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlEg6YeouC
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2VYPhW2Lh
“...!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZZx0ozkEM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Bek5jerQ
None so fierce to kill my plant.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9scY5sVqi
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP0PAFi3Tp
“M-My arm!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupCdvrtu4d
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTU0Oqt1an
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm9BmWS9lx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLgJqKzTk4
“Juke!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iIHaTxXHP
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1ixbyOrT3
“Gotcha, kid!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNUB7ILoNp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQBMjh5aU3
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL55zSKHtBt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY54qJImPI
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffZ3B7my8N
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ynurSTylg
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1pMJeDwqs
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMtTI3Mwpl
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsc69HI25U
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsSIMG37x4
“Hrk!”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LdgY59paY
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOT7uNZPa0
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAMSNl1wEx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKdglak3dT
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMzlDZTkvr
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3fdSfr2Jt
“...”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Psz6zpw2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLRhJHW3AE
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh4YXBXQha
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb9ETXk7nO
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlJvRJQIid
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0SmE7TNLC
“Curse…”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtnuGYk5LO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGWOScMbhc
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUK77lBSUp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyfp4e4gKN
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZm60M1BCq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qtLp3yYR0
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtu9DiFQHF
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS6cQcX3zU
“May they, be few.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGTgje9crz
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPmSLwMyxx
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMQyojjeBp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5LdcFKOFb
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx53ShjJkND
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo7roJ43bS
“That was… sad.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rpj77151s
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zBibR73y8
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ55CzPYGY
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeUo5O8Jeu
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX02wvzdDOb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrzllgiTpw
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV4UPJeacM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemrVmB8Hgx
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB61Y32Lkz6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvpxN1LNk2
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhXSqYID0O
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AZcc3WUZe
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXR9ky2mnN
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8CejBcXFB
“Don’t continue.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuNWnPV9ob
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IczFSHtHY
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGMpNNzYzP
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpX20cy4V6
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw4aObT2Rj
and then Add to home screen.