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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDLvdm3TB8
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3Br1HiTBR
"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WvzczwSQS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV2E7pC22H
"Right on."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzElIuggu1L
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTizvUXKJj
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdabDKb3cH8
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXEgkEg6y7
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwgndXj5Hr
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZprIXBs8XY
"Huh? Oh, alright."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScI5Bjeo25
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxegZ8jkjN2
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx6tAP0xEA
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOUad9fd5d
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rxifSTriT
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kWT2C0mfI
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSYZNdP4y2
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsvfvA5bFF
"Luck..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNlWdzPXfL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVDKSjPdIY
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq9wBF6QFU
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjAGsfNJHJ
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gFiAbgBfK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgs7Wo8xZo
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKre9UCy6vd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ72KqTnw0
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyIHxSVGJB
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡainnaYsuyu
"You people are strange..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo6Ex1vc2V
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzrzAL4Jld
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN4raGbqcF
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHgxRi7Jzi
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9dbfHtToR
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaODGPowM7
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAHYCApmRq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmj0950uj6
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvhCvqKk88
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJSdd6heev
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rLQ7tViQH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpRduvLUyW
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1PQgAbqhM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWaYxCgACe
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FMGd5V9XN
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWb1nFpUzD
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer61f9UtA3
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKHNIPPalL
"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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QVACJP1sH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V6aHxfDvm
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWWqbzPTFF
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoaHZJm4H7
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArikYbaDKM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjza5H0vPhO
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriBJfVv8nz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIVAdKpfL7
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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC0K1SGUOK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9eQYg0I2V
"...Huh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw4WH4i1BS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aRKsgDxfm
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5UbkSdjOK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsVnQvgxxX
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXAgiymQzS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKCaI5KwAp
"I can't deny that."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpEZwWxwRD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqzMdJm6M0
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXadAZ9W0R
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAF1tZcb8Y
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ZyTgwtvU
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQtx6FHoPH
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnAQTQKMFh
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8HxSZwyWW
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtundhX75VS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZbmsOZHww
"You're up."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNfsNxbqvK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQMblBNlDJ
"Right on."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq9RxFFI2G
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUx7W983s9
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSGQZ1hHyr
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtmrZ55LVc
"That's... that's incredible."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1xdQ4E9W4
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYxpL0WePg
"Huh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm90VXPwsD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXuy4hCUxa
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVodbyQJJG
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReq2cOb07L
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3qW8e270g
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl8oEhTdNO
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jqn6T2mKr
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6r7asZ9Qk
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzZwzsAqvx
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8XiiLiGV5
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmHzJKADeG
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkfHCtesMV
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrl0NTrJXA
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeeOnfJNSU
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hsx98iq1G
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHZuqyiDiY
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4r6jexjwn
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmszCAUkKL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs1UK2NJ6f
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCpLbgkeNb
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetTqKzKpUi
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtwDFXTlhB
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCHVjJKYui
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd6oIrgWM1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHie6xb1nz7
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2YzSfoyeL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWqGCOWuJp
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBoHqDcEho
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKDajkcA8r
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI36XWOr5Hq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvaHN8qVi4
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEJUXLczbc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclKgQYn6SE
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3erJo6VLg4
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4pwbLbEUj
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLbLX80acy
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEL3z2FTRp
–
–
–
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1onqLceATA
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Nvo8FQXqh
"What time is it now?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlxQl3FKIz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW4qW0jaFq
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCf3a6bVgL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQCeFKajFn
"Juke?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CuENdKxcD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOUGpUupZv
He looked at me and perked up.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcbKB69l48
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN5QGFKG9Y
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ehy0feOgc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr4z95JLTV
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mafOBR5dh
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WSvJ0kxj3
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocakt4Qt4q
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo80sH96w0s
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2trZShSn6s
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k0iYt5j83
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPhBrszokT
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYhWZedA9R
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcDyO4mZYK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazYiLkmnSw
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjn8K7epdM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSsEzYsFgU
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1rtJQVSl1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0roX6Zl5v5
"S-Sorry, sorry."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JlkGYfy1N
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpiuAiPLAO
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01lKTeOsuc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ3GtSEfBW
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyMS3p0I2w
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI0XR8ne71
"Ah, shit, yer right."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5fIwxeztJ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mAkQVDu2l
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng9MHgTl9d
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUEqBMDBqN
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5yfYiAX3m
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFUsglTCQX
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu80RjumUIL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv5DTUsWO3
"Did ya just laugh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoYW9URcl6
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49kCagWnv9
"N-No, why do you ask?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OhI2bWRvc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA9E1PYeNc
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kkwchk2qx
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W2W4v9uAK
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu68rmVqDd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbupYtaSjti
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZeMXTmgpJ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7yZhARbi4
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrZYCPu41v
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu3ayUsleh
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fIYI3MwZN
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7cgA5Z3JL
He narrowed his eyes at me.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGquMsKPbS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P2DLCUyCP
"I'll take yer word for it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxPYTUFLsn
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDeRVPZ9qA
There was a momentary pause. I452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5hZOrheLK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv7DdgH5oR
"So, what have ya been up to?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj1t0mYTgJ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNXcSq0Ev3
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dcxdFHc5F
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbg5E9AqkB
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NeZXUHxzE
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbccA8XCXH
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnnaHtUYq1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A15CLdWtN
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAaw6sWdpq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFel2j9WYj
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGw71K7cQI
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQROaO24Lrc
"The sleeping room?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBpAJegeuc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCAJb6PEZK
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObIAqhHd2X
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ8iglEXZi
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkpJk3YqyN
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKMpHsaKeC
He cocked his head.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXVGHCSza5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTqXw8HuW5
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszX9JgUPyx
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvn09kNQPW
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAobRBpJ1Wh
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE5zjPVfeq
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKC9NVvHx6
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPLdNsi3wH
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwWgno4kxv
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1HbKgczmE
"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..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdFKZCnOjH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFLhfdsybm
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE9B5jv2Sp
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMVwlahadx
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxAtTjStXw
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmvNOz2pFh
"Loose screws?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SkEM1BPhz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENNPBbwvC9
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M7joQxAki
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cShSWkUCo
He huffed from his nose and smirked.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9frPykh8I
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKMrnDZSUU
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lpk9vNp06
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNcYjfp7dn
"Boring tales..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SN3oYCYNq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PkDFJuqAV
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2bxIsUXtK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HO8sR6A1I
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN6tfg6dxC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nGhlrH29k
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV0a8DikAo
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvdHpDZjse
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xc5zCHuuq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA54Yeta7h3
"What, am I too young?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWrtvk8ngJ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehjZsoN9Uy
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysvCEaJKZD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkYjIrVyrc
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEJy0iyTOp
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZVj7jqPdJ
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ148JI3zOBD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VJEVyAa6j
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CWoT2wZvu
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU5QGXLFLd
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgX36WcZcL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOwDDK4REB
I straightened my posture.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoUmNdDgNG
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXebYSDheX
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuspAI3Nszg
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvw2k0QPEe
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVc62euWlM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZltKThb7sV
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIfi2YDQAL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICm0iefcEV
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDgpFUk5EF
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BOn8iNUyL
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtprm4HO1GY
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9oQlHJmbW
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwlTrVjXTt
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvLPSSRd05
He gave me a blank stare.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHpcIGkm4g
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFgESFCuTt
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruvU4cmdgP
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYUqbWAinS
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdICQCVrwAE
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmRE5PuxAM
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlWvHhTuQB
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqSQHPF985
"See? There ain't a difference."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyYJpLLTiN
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BjnzyHrvg
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7iQvSD8oW
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSubE8DbOs
"Yeah? And what are they?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0XW0JRm4i
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXgL7K7SvN
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAKjCzuGZ3
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqByTRr2tp
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmd2nyI3PL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HfXqPyq8s
To that question, I simply shrugged.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UCTPdZZbX
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsdQ4MzC0J
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBE35z2g5s
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8jozL9ajz
"What a load of semantical garbage."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpuZ7mQP0Z
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1vz8TCjnA
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7F5UlN4oy
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeYDIIYYCF
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hAptMaIkC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaahH8XK8L
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pngSkgUzA
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXjJ7S92eY
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgn9U2oVLO
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHByKiOKAyo
"..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hu9WRa5Fa
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKM9j81sAi
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl29y7hfqL6
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjph5Ff9YCS
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNannH52hkQ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPvrMD4X5z
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm1e8d2ibf
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94GEFIRer0
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH56v6oVIyi
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcov056zhPr
"I'm starin' at one right now."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfAg5xoB6A
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0AtEzCfCV
"You know what I meant!"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVxNpLiD9i
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq5DpoRgiz
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcuyDVPgqU
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHFzL5l8a6
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkriiHMT3Ka
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCR0szbcKJ
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin031FzVaO
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4hpe2qKI3
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ul9G3gyuQ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOjE16qYtv
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJMMJdMrOn
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4OC2iyTUC
"You're definitely being generous."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflNVyl0O5d
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwgVm9Vlp5
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9wWki10ZQ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbM6twpyXq
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wB8BtNMJ9
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvOPNKeTbv
He nodded his head.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYdVTRp2KB
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkQsxL8Hob
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQS04qkeUu
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5C5yqK3So
"...Oh my goodness."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fZxKrspnC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGktKbYemo
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNjoHHzRMq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTFZmWhEWq
"What? It's just mud, kid."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qxQkY6qS5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwbYe8VgvY
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX5sdtXOt3
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45HqUR2fwl
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvIYkxiHsL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sErM3xFy3
"Yes. I hate it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LBloBVii5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4UcZwjWgS
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIlgBPcSjS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aObQkOU9k
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafjG6PIKDf
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjoDm7kyiS
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WsGnF31Fd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6KymQ08Kz
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdwZMksUpD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2oMy4Gyjv
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmrjBCou0N
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnVPHTG6US
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfsEfHSlJF
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfba8VDnIA
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9QbOmahN2
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHqdhefa7W
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0WZ7yDtgz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVnRS7lHab
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXWNfTlOsf
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPd1PkFixw
"Nah."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzpM1iWyh1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7kbb90ZTH
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNjYJDk27O
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T4jeoURk1
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJDckA0pFL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEeNqJ3cIb
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEidBzkTwb
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8p19dz2Ac
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQoIJa0v6t
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOZDxwksxo
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0xl9DIMOz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUsYk4Hpfm
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFw5L3z30P
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GbVzqTjiw
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAnrmSgdX9
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPxguouoje
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRxHJeybOp
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmP1sEwsNk
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmHHbH6TdJ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVa1bc6qeh
"Huh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI84CsFUqcK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuCFD5GjtE
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KbndfYoou
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh0H6pxiNo
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d7356mIXl
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjBGDJTHID
"So someone told you as well?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJieFSwbFu
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhgdAmawaY
He nodded with a smirk on his face.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMihMTj44p
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyvX0ZTFPS
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3EBsKTmqL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2CPvnJQ9Y
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJG0wumdPL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyIXvXHYky
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71bvP26ADw
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBMbdeQAde
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YmOojsH1h
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhiN5cgNgW
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZrUxq7VAn
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjkPiFxhTC
"..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N9q9enGFH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxmLeZRE5v
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyYu4gOlvH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNuj2qMOGv
"Strong?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZoAOzrwuI
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjviHqP7Co
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCS5hkrmNj
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBeUS0mgdn
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0dvwakPVd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhEtmp1sSE
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?452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL8u6lFZAP
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xjJnjP6AG
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukrgobFLDW
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOSgZKSBfk
"Brat is certainly new..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDIeHPFGuI
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaiUsyY55Q
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uj3Tc7wOU
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFauyl6H8p
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnqNNDUL1k
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzItQd1AlxB
"Think like what?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFotVyDMN7
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BaNha0KB3
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7D9CP6l5G
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKRXbytQzA
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNpA2fQNCI
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8FS5dABcU
"J-Juke...?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvGuyiajGr
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUMHn2Inz8
"Do ya think I'm strong?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQClOCArS6s
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU94KLi3RlD
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r0BFRqkgk
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LdqdeyXed
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ44xFxG2dd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz1i0sanKn
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNvK8HsBAi
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIpdsIkkfZ
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp6VfxxPG5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c6QBLz9cP
"Yer a moron."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz798DdqJc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ658KDejZMP
"H-Huh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrO7TMu4rK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSkgq9hyR5
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY57iFwoAH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwYC6jgROE
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7cpwI0AHA
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAOGzxXMdm
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK2yBBd50h
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWcWKACHbq
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtqpRVdTtA
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxMxMuqCBI
"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–"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI9guN0YLW
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDbvQ4O7F0
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcZEWv7FXz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLrqs5yT6j
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBdaWxzjMW
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgETQem4E7L
"..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAmqz4SKGw
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR88wKZ1dc
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH7Bds6G0n
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXKqXSyo61
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMghyEO18J
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dEirHgYK4
And so, I spoke.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOIHmAJGwW
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78uA91pmTz
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXJYrWGwhR
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWHtMv0JYG
"...Yer just like that bitch."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmvJAahdFD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp0wOvc9LN
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuPZx1Pn98
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwNBOGyBsP
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa99LC4dzb
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf1T04AKfg
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYlLQoxvEk
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROV9UoJ7n4
"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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9PP9MZeqi
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGttS5d0un
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y1N3Ye0lq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdiURc1eKM
"You're missing the point!"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3FlXQr3SN
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMVMh1DkXk
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6vbIx6vrS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgN92VByRD
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2HKwz8Bo1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfCk0nE2rT
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fkyvXiFKl
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2HVoL1p39
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2W3d9dWgN
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu22ynhllia
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTbOxgrXA1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrStEA61mh1
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6WfSsSrac
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdUlxTNWZD
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGhLGBdR83
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUuyDw8zZn
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnZdlh2R6N
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4plObUTFDr
"..."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTq6gDL1oz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Pc5x5cj6
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieg7F7Zn8D
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8uE42IUio
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRoUBP7ghK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnbMpyJ3qU
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
and then Add to home screen.