Nao: “Buy me some time Velo.” 232Please respect copyright.PENANAJV26mkmCxs
232Please respect copyright.PENANAxu9maLxJWX
232Please respect copyright.PENANAnqcV5dxEtJ
Velo: “Got it.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAtGhh7LWILC
232Please respect copyright.PENANAhtQIszGChD
Transform, book form!
232Please respect copyright.PENANAltpMmGrwWI
232Please respect copyright.PENANAbLs5WG2mkQ
Anthony: “No you don’t!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAxfUasqpisa
232Please respect copyright.PENANAMjIXIsDfIh
Velo activates his shield ring and blocks the bolts of lightning ripping through the ground towards us.
232Please respect copyright.PENANA7ojDRjdtd6
232Please respect copyright.PENANARJWDW0JFjR
Velo: “Ugh…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAEpoi1udUTg
232Please respect copyright.PENANAy3zfxKtvUu
Swap control water for minor illusion.
232Please respect copyright.PENANABvwcWRGHnw
*Break*232Please respect copyright.PENANAp7cTsy5dfw
232Please respect copyright.PENANAf1DrcjsVE7
Velo: “The shield is down!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAZo9ohTe6l7
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfhveV8Z6nB
That’s fine I get between the next bolt and block it with my shield. I shoot 4 air bullets behind the shield that chases the fleeing Anthony.
232Please respect copyright.PENANACqTsbtfZpY
232Please respect copyright.PENANAWfocwoBHpi
Anthony: “You’re not the only one with magic items.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAm9gTYTW1l5
232Please respect copyright.PENANAyahx5m7iX2
Anthony takes out that paralysis water gun and fires the 3 shots at the black listers.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAvTl63p7Ekk
232Please respect copyright.PENANAy1iFkfRtPr
Tallow: “Nice try!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANASmXCrNPNjs
232Please respect copyright.PENANAoxAlIFNmLF
Before Anthony even pulled the trigger, Tallow got everyone out of the way of the attack.
232Please respect copyright.PENANABTInaDtGWj
232Please respect copyright.PENANA4xvn20yZx8
Anthony: “What?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAeQVQSQAdVK
232Please respect copyright.PENANAd3qeNGHTxF
Tallow: “Nao, watch out take a step back.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAaafYPf8FMw
232Please respect copyright.PENANA8hrsDLZMkM
I do as he says and narrowly dodge a strike of lightning.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAxo3scOi3GK
232Please respect copyright.PENANAXCZ93opo18
Anthony: “Mind reading huh?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAeZXMEWd3Zw
232Please respect copyright.PENANA9LNWo5Uplt
Tallow: “You won’t be able to catch anyone off guard now.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANArITJALlUuC
232Please respect copyright.PENANAGJF008NxGa
Anthony: “That won’t last forever.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANA9J1oCS4Qa6
232Please respect copyright.PENANA6KvCOLnqsm
I take the chance and blast more air bullets at Anthony while closing the distance. But right before my eyes, Anthony disappears. Invisibility…
232Please respect copyright.PENANA5HAKHG29ZH
232Please respect copyright.PENANAQAZX60cLm3
I quickly go back to Black Listers and place a shield over everyone. Everyone fades into silence as we keep our senses sharp for the next blow.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAmIHDTorJcy
232Please respect copyright.PENANAKDtXWpEgQV
But it never comes. Tensions build and I start to lose my strength. I can’t keep this shield up forever. But that’s not all, the thought that Anthony ran crosses my mind.
232Please respect copyright.PENANACcmOk7QwFa
232Please respect copyright.PENANAohImB5re0W
Is this shield even necessary? My arms buckle and that’s when I hear a crack in the shield.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAAoY4bxXjpb
232Please respect copyright.PENANAXuo7cPwJBH
Tallow: “To our left!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAARbRtF7Q6y
232Please respect copyright.PENANAFRgYitLl45
I redirect my strength to the left in time for-
232Please respect copyright.PENANAYjli4KZOwa
*Crackle*232Please respect copyright.PENANA8yg1I3KaOI
232Please respect copyright.PENANAFYtDceh4Ui
Purple light slams against where Tallow is. The shield buckles under the lightning barrage.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAx3tDaPMXKV
*Blast*232Please respect copyright.PENANAp8uI0ZzmFl
232Please respect copyright.PENANAJsY82zE2gJ
Tallow: “Watch out!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAvEFiT67n5h
232Please respect copyright.PENANAFKbBhoOxGR
I feel Tallow push me out of the way and when I turn to see what happened…
232Please respect copyright.PENANA0KpzI598zc
232Please respect copyright.PENANAcoTcAFuF0n
Tallow: “GAAH!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAZP31i8gLbW
232Please respect copyright.PENANAvgjvm13Fra
Tallow is on the ground bleeding heavily from his bloody torn apart arms. The pain is too much and he soon falls unconscious.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAe8JDQOUwSa
232Please respect copyright.PENANAm30B3ciSyI
Mat & Velo: “Tallow!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANA0N43cgQS2Z
232Please respect copyright.PENANAaE2355cXzo
Anthony: “Now stay down Tallow.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAFX0Rmn6jn8
232Please respect copyright.PENANAJVoXbkHT8h
The invisibility wears to reveal Anthony standing over me with a shotgun pointed at me.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAkfjQTuk81T
232Please respect copyright.PENANAuQBVeE8SaV
Anthony: “Checkmate.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANALWT7nJWOqf
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfh229RQmDm
I hurry to place my hand on the muzzle and counter his attack.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAjf9kMPQZoy
232Please respect copyright.PENANANfRaGcuQ7L
Nao: “Air bullet!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAdWWOsPycB7
232Please respect copyright.PENANA9nj8y6MrGt
Instantly, an explosion of destructive wind destroys the shotgun while pushing us away.
232Please respect copyright.PENANA3A1lB09RTz
232Please respect copyright.PENANAUtUygaOqGo
Nao: “Ugh…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANA6Eta47jL4y
232Please respect copyright.PENANA1gpOplCqwT
Anthony: “Damn, I had one shot left. Still worth taking the time to get it from my bag.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAQHZ9aXig4q
232Please respect copyright.PENANAgicl4EaoeG
I look back to Tallow’s broken body and everyone at stake. Maybe I should…
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfuBwPph817
232Please respect copyright.PENANAdmC3Tt3xAq
Anthony: “You’re out of options, give up now!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAnmCYmnuymK
232Please respect copyright.PENANAuW6xeyyUvz
Nao: “Not yet.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANA1u0mxCcYUE
232Please respect copyright.PENANAx3IKbXQibi
I summon fireballs and delayed air bullets. Some are illusions and others are real. I ignore my nose bleed and fire them at Anthony.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAk9ogSb3qEU
232Please respect copyright.PENANARLsnvrzqm6
Anthony: “I know the fireballs are illusions, try again.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAjzXl5LhZmZ
232Please respect copyright.PENANAl54ZnKe4UN
The fireballs phase through while the air bullets are blasted out of the sky by lightning.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfnzLiR6fAl
232Please respect copyright.PENANAI6H9wa6Cq9
I continue firing while running towards Anthony with an illusion gorilla fist.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAJlHfa8UGV6
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfbCVxgbuSM
Anthony: “Seriously?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANANvI2WP6MaL
232Please respect copyright.PENANAvf9noAMLZ3
Anthony contorts his body to dodge the strike and smiles.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAIfiQUkJXnt
232Please respect copyright.PENANAQKD01nqu4Q
Anthony: “You can only use 3 spells, I counted what you can do.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAQzYLzCWz0B
232Please respect copyright.PENANApDN2D3jLBU
I charge an air bullet in my free and aim it at Anthony’s chest. All the while, I summon 2 more air bullets aiming at his head.232Please respect copyright.PENANAyzNcxj1SBD
232Please respect copyright.PENANAsqDAaacfMU
232Please respect copyright.PENANAM0RiPzaALA
Nao: “Which of these are real!?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAdPNmpsjZMm
232Please respect copyright.PENANArBL3jP3IBy
Anthony: “Child’s play, you wouldn’t do headshots.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAPZIQy9Enyx
232Please respect copyright.PENANAodtrJhckYA
Anthony meets my charged air bullet with a lightning fist.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAmafeJnG82a
232Please respect copyright.PENANA5e9s8KadTn
Nao: “GAAAH!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAh4JDqTzUpj
232Please respect copyright.PENANAi9XMmQos6D
My entire body begins to burn from the inside out. But-
232Please respect copyright.PENANAwnX8RDai4w
*Strike*232Please respect copyright.PENANABsYXWbUJLZ
232Please respect copyright.PENANAn4bNatK9Y0
Anthony: “Ugh!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAdTBL7dmRxt
232Please respect copyright.PENANAMzNJEuvQc2
The two air bullets graze his head but that was enough to knock him out for just a moment. But that’s all I need. I rip away from his hand and form a magic shield bubble around Anthony’s exploding body.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAuWjenOnz8b
232Please respect copyright.PENANASCuBfpttL2
He shocks himself to wake up but it’s much worse than usual. The shield cracks but remains strong enough to contain him. I collapse on my knee while blood streaming from my nose. But I’m not the only one.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAeoKL1k5HSC
232Please respect copyright.PENANAVxKzFc9PUZ
Anthony: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
232Please respect copyright.PENANAKEkA3lTBI1
232Please respect copyright.PENANAMlLqf5NhsR
Nao: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
232Please respect copyright.PENANAl0ArjyrXA0
232Please respect copyright.PENANAH4aVV5B0H0
Anthony: “I can…break out of this…eventually.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAkYWHmAFUSU
232Please respect copyright.PENANAtPjrmKIGbe
Nao: “Fast enough before the police come.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANALxJQXdM1bQ
232Please respect copyright.PENANAKl1roIqDvI
Anthony: “I’ll defeat them too.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANA5jt4HVvJlg
232Please respect copyright.PENANAevMKg00Q3A
Nao: “There’s too many and you’re too weak. They just need one or two bullets and you’re dead.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAysoMnE67Qg
232Please respect copyright.PENANA68tERzDp5V
Anthony: “…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAmBHoctv2bw
232Please respect copyright.PENANAoheiNkKXYB
Nao: “Give up Anthony, you’ve lost.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAUpNPNp9pIU
232Please respect copyright.PENANAXvFKX8owNI
Anthony: “Why are you so hellbent on sparing me! Didn’t I say your goal is just as valid as mine? Don’t force yourself to try and make an impossible world!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAVTW2S8Bt37
232Please respect copyright.PENANAZNTDjfntzn
Nao: “I just want to save you!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANApyh3Ywo3O1
232Please respect copyright.PENANASb29XdwHVP
Anthony: “!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAzn15sINaeb
232Please respect copyright.PENANAH4MZYnuDaR
Nao: “That’s it. I don’t care about all of that stuff right now. You are one of the first friends I ever had. And I don’t lose that.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAO7y7qWYD48
232Please respect copyright.PENANAW83pKJHCKD
Anthony: “Nao…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAvD5TeSJu6r
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfl3pnfiCGf
His body loosens and that once solid determination shakes a bit.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAq0qb4DKEKt
232Please respect copyright.PENANAqqS8xReYf3
Anthony: “Mayb-”
232Please respect copyright.PENANADhnFrCOaj2
232Please respect copyright.PENANAPdyNFFG62I
Anthony: “!!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANADdGj4MQUba
232Please respect copyright.PENANAYhP5mziQEs
Anthony: “Artemis wai-”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAlfpzj7OaEw
232Please respect copyright.PENANACMm5kPpRgx
Anthony’s eye glaze over but soon returns as a savage purple.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAdXPfnX7zB2
232Please respect copyright.PENANAug3LV1cqBU
Artemis: “No! I won’t let it end this, even if I have to break our body!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANA9lNUbM5EUW
232Please respect copyright.PENANAHKTJSTrDNm
Lightning explodes out of my shield and scorches the air. I’m blown away and Artemis falls to the ground. Both of our bodies are ruined but mine more so. Artemis gets up and drags her body to mine while gathering power.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAeBAwGU7vbZ
232Please respect copyright.PENANAy2TDZhh3TK
Artemis: “Don’t worry…love I’ll…take this nuisance out and then we’ll…finally get back to the bloodbath. We will have our vengeance…right?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAtUke0k9UcQ
232Please respect copyright.PENANA6rrZCstJE1
I…can’t move. I watch as Artemis gathers enough energy to end my struggle.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfaDI3JWt3m
232Please respect copyright.PENANAX7qvFyQkKq
Artemis: “Finally, this fight is over!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAWd8BLMt7Nv
*Explode* 232Please respect copyright.PENANAvekJBAFrQF
232Please respect copyright.PENANAk4vrLnL3Oq
Alyson: “!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAVcpPcoOKtS
232Please respect copyright.PENANAoBhDUrb5dn
Am I…dead…
232Please respect copyright.PENANAwg2bZLrezA
232Please respect copyright.PENANA3DVM6fOrao
Alyson: “Mom!!!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAoTquTVkL37
!!?232Please respect copyright.PENANAUFqoDYjlRo
232Please respect copyright.PENANACCg6SLZfn9
I open my eyes to see a person protecting me from the blast. That wall and sanctuary that’s always been there, begins to fall.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAtAl3ll4RV5
232Please respect copyright.PENANAtETU72P5WR
With a thud, my mother falls next to me…this can’t be happening.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAPKI9kGGNMH
232Please respect copyright.PENANAPDDxL2oGIC
Artemis: “Mom? That’s your…mother…I didn’t mean…not again…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAAuqIjlm7aK
232Please respect copyright.PENANAmoKhKMEW0z
I ignore Artemis’ words of apparent confusion and drag myself to her. Alyson rushes over and cups mom’s head in her hands.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAXOlJF5dquM
232Please respect copyright.PENANAVLuQk9vZw5
Nao: “Mom…why…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAOTVeYFZUHw
232Please respect copyright.PENANAsUMZ0a7w8e
Nell: “You’re my…children…of course I’d protect you.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAhwmfZO0lJK
232Please respect copyright.PENANA2moBN3XKaM
Alyson: “Not like this! Not like this…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAhKYOivOv9O
232Please respect copyright.PENANAAT7JJi7ZDs
Nell: “You…finally…called me mom.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAc1TTUQSMq7
232Please respect copyright.PENANA6w67Bkj2Nj
Alyson: “Mom…Mom, I’m so sorry I was stubborn. I should have….done so much more for you.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAKRl8nu6rTt
232Please respect copyright.PENANAGpEMjr5g87
Nell: “Nonsense…you’ve done…more than enough. I’m just glad…I could hear it…at least once.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAMQ3Xmhxilj
232Please respect copyright.PENANAhjRNR6NZHN
Nao: “Don’t talk like that! I can heal you!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfRcJmThqOP
232Please respect copyright.PENANA4lYqn7GUmD
I swap out illusion for healing and begin trying to save her. But…I’m too weak…
232Please respect copyright.PENANAK36yfQlrxY
232Please respect copyright.PENANA5k0fLqaQ6f
Nell: “It’s…fine…Nao…listen to me.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAKqwAIhbETb
232Please respect copyright.PENANAniMKnpoaLb
My mom looks deep into my eyes and pleads.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAwsJximHCYG
232Please respect copyright.PENANAJfXb6xk1Bc
Nell: “You have…the power to change the world…and with it a responsibility…to heal it. Don’t be a villain…be…a hero. Protect your friends…family….and the innocent….promise me…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAcEMjfOL6Ox
232Please respect copyright.PENANAQcOEMH6nuL
I look to everyone here and internalize what I must do. Her final wish.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAi2u2eeICmw
232Please respect copyright.PENANAax4XoFMdzM
Nao: “I promise mom.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANA4XNCY2GyAG
232Please respect copyright.PENANAfvHHjJOzVg
Nell: “Then…I know you two…will be…just…fine.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAz792FO2Efs
232Please respect copyright.PENANAM1Hon8sFPX
And just like that…my world grows darker.
232Please respect copyright.PENANArZlQtZjO5d
232Please respect copyright.PENANA3eyGd2JTdi
Alyson: “Mom? Mom!”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAL1LkSRLEOY
232Please respect copyright.PENANAs5LQiesFQh
Alyson cries harder than she ever has. She holds mom’s lifeless body and wishes for this to be a dream. But this…is reality.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAybLY7c6BiP
232Please respect copyright.PENANAbwuOeardbN
Artemis: “…Why did a mother…have to jump in front of that? It’s…not fair…”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAvUrw11i6c4
232Please respect copyright.PENANAoZTJrT6tTn
I hear Artemis and I remember who punched this hold in my chest.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAaiOGtYZryU
232Please respect copyright.PENANA3T2YEdvfp3
Nao: “Put all 10 points into endurance. I will survive to kill Artemis.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANATxiDh5hM3v
232Please respect copyright.PENANArglqMVxCPh
Arc: “But you’re bod-”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAgpxM4rNQzs
232Please respect copyright.PENANAN1FJsJvfa5
Do it! She won’t get away with this…
232Please respect copyright.PENANAbJ8nU68sX6
232Please respect copyright.PENANANLfToSFhFX
Arc: “Okay.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAVzKEUNZOiz
Endurance: 27.5232Please respect copyright.PENANAelmNKX9e0u
232Please respect copyright.PENANA9KL4MfiZcv
Instantly, I can feel my body break apart and convulse wildly. No! I won’t pass out over this! But as I think that, the breaking sensation stops abruptly and hear that familiar sound.
*Ding*
232Please respect copyright.PENANA2ymPrMj2cE
Arc: “Congrats, you just leveled up.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAzEpsKM1Jfm
Level: 2232Please respect copyright.PENANAPuCivVFhYh
Strength: 27232Please respect copyright.PENANAhAaqvFmCLa
Endurance: 31.5232Please respect copyright.PENANAhR9sUHvtHS
Intelligence: 23.5232Please respect copyright.PENANAiKmqIFVMIQ
Charisma: 21.5232Please respect copyright.PENANAEVHo2FVGkE
Agility: 20.5232Please respect copyright.PENANAs66YWNydXf
Magic: 29232Please respect copyright.PENANAyY7ShIbbha
232Please respect copyright.PENANAf7lbvWzHiW
All of my wounds heal and new strength flows through me.232Please respect copyright.PENANAzNOd1ca90D
232Please respect copyright.PENANAYMsNouBLmO
Artemis: “…No way…I didn’t want this!”232Please respect copyright.PENANAUHSJCDbNtU
232Please respect copyright.PENANA9tLwRI4xpg
232Please respect copyright.PENANAy0pGL14um1
She shoots out several bolts of lightning but they bounce off of my renewed shield.
232Please respect copyright.PENANA1p4N62hQNF
232Please respect copyright.PENANAjC9BKQzShR
Arc: “You have a free spell slot, what do you want?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANApWYfgmUOd5
232Please respect copyright.PENANAuSItSNHdmk
Nao: “…Magic Missile.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAg7yqZHrhh9
232Please respect copyright.PENANAWqCWMRWaXI
I transform Arc into book form and make the change while the storm still rages. I transform Arc back, get up and walk towards Artemis.
232Please respect copyright.PENANALgOMaJn8x7
232Please respect copyright.PENANAE3f8Dvkq8I
I walk through lightning bolts, balls, and whatever else she can throw at me. It doesn’t matter, my shield blocks it all.
232Please respect copyright.PENANASixf2fFbVA
232Please respect copyright.PENANAVuQY7im3aB
Artemis: “Damn it all! Not again, not like this! Am I still this weak?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAvZ63II7r2v
232Please respect copyright.PENANAKFnmqWsQCY
I break through the lightning storm and grab Artemis’ throat. I slowly squeeze and enjoy her gasps of air.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAiEq0xRsyI8
Artemis: “You…kill me…you kill….Anthony…”232Please respect copyright.PENANAw77gTMdLfD
232Please respect copyright.PENANAWIh5v1obYN
232Please respect copyright.PENANASwCodJNYIi
Nao: “I know.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAF3btpj6aqK
232Please respect copyright.PENANAuXtR1Sh3uK
I raise my hand and gather magic energy into my palm. She fights back by screaming and shocking us both with lightning. But I feel nothing…
232Please respect copyright.PENANAbWZW1VFPdp
232Please respect copyright.PENANAgDxFDvRdc3
I aim at my target…and fire.
232Please respect copyright.PENANA3icTUkLity
*BLAST*
…
…
The screaming stops and the body goes limp. I let Anthony fall to the ground and walk away from it all.
232Please respect copyright.PENANA24Ne8jKt9D
232Please respect copyright.PENANAO9RVLVExly
Anthony: “…Why?”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAiMV7nQy6Gq
232Please respect copyright.PENANArKcZpjGHzL
I look back at Anthony’s missing hand and the still intact ring smoking from the blast nearby.
232Please respect copyright.PENANA2tEnHtz0ow
232Please respect copyright.PENANAJms06hbE94
Nao: “You didn’t do it.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANALnjklbrawZ
232Please respect copyright.PENANAKudQuQLISo
I grab the ring and can feel it lightly shocking me. I clearly can’t destroy it yet…but one day, I will. I pocket it and return to my mom’s body with Alyson still crying.
232Please respect copyright.PENANARRzgNvlr30
232Please respect copyright.PENANAorbWiQeK8u
I stare down at her and find her strangely…at peace. But why? I failed her and my sister. I look up at Alyson who’s still crying. So I hold back my tears, for her.
232Please respect copyright.PENANAPZWjVXGEZm
232Please respect copyright.PENANArdZOcvAb2Q
Anthony: “…I’m…so sorry.”
232Please respect copyright.PENANAyMax7YCDNd
232Please respect copyright.PENANAL8oJ9xeiwm
I ignore it. I’m sure the police will deal with him, I don’t care. Right now…I just want to bury my mother.
ns 172.70.100.117da2