The crowd sprung from their hiding spots, darting to the Pillar, flailing weapons and roars. I was late to the call; even Juke went ahead without me, but once I got my bearings, I sprinted in with my tendril brandished.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoW9xld5a6
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H9ANdOEBi
The truth was, though I ran with purpose, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. I looked left and right and observed the other members of the crowd. Some took up battles with guarding Bringers, others continued their onslaught. I slowed down, thinking of offering my help, but the crowd members made their adeptness in combat immediately known to me. As assuring as it was to see, it left me lodged in place. I looked around frantically, shaking sweat off my head with every turn.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZc3OXCnkh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapxZKOAGsN
"Kid! Over here!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt90GnN43b
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHQf1SJCPm
A voice called out to me– Juke's, and immediately I was brought back to the moment. He stood near the entrance of the Pillar, and to that destination I dashed. My head turned left and right rapidly, and I had to duck a few too many times to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Once I arrived, I skidded to a stop.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZUjKLFo0v
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvHTb9Br24
"Ya ready!?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmxmRlUwLz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXlWbx7PLG
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXKSYnB21U
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E876Eopf7
We barged into the building with the rest of the squad. Nearly half of the members branched from the group to battle the guarding Bringers. I could only catch Lola and Pars before they finished their assault. Their attacks were effective and quickly incapacitated the members, if not outright killed them.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9B6dLXigH
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeDtduCgNk
I couldn't help but avert my gaze at the bloodshed. Doing so, I noticed I was just about to ram into the person ahead of me. I quickly stopped, grazing the man's coat but narrowly avoiding a clash. I held my hand to my chest, frantically grateful, then stood there wondering why he stopped in the first place413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0xcLWFXKw
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN0zQLRILI
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GmHWGalnR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGrDDCKPdg
"Everyone, listen! Form a double-file line with your group! As we ascend floors, the leading team will detach and battle whoever is on that floor! Am I clear!?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNhhogeGJ0
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTlUFwXWqd
YEAH!413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0DmeYZafC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVSXk4sRme
I was ready for the roar this time, but still, I shook, because the plan Lola had just created hurled me into a spiral of disorganized questions. But I hadn't the time to even form them; the crowd moved immediately after the instructions were yelled. They went ahead of me, charging, and I would've done nothing but stand there and stare if it wasn't for the smack on my back.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzjkG8jXOB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlgDacHUiQ
"Ack!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39CbIcJq5S
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPum5tAk5s
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrW3ByQrei
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9DtQFj0fL
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyZC3cNxMB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYecP2rWpQI
"R-Right!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsr8JRcRAG
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LyMeCGJQQ
I shook my head rapidly as we followed the rest of the group, slapping my cheeks over and over. I almost folded then and there. Chiding myself verbally wouldn't suffice. I quickly resolved myself as we ascended the first set of stairs, disjointed from the rest of the squad. When we arrived at the second floor, the group was still again. I thought for a moment that Lola might've forgotten something, but as I peered around the crowd and saw who stood before us, I became just like them.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE3GkONseR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8px6sECdn
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdpLKtcdYK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKOTaZNIYP
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8vmyMDwUM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9kfTBdWQs
"Crap!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7c3Bp4Yei
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54lslsM8cc
I was worried, naturally. Having fought her before, I knew of her strength. But this was a different scenario. This time, I had a group of powerful fighters with me. By our sheer numbers, she shouldn't be a considerable threat.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB83kUmNDI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wfoQciKBg
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eyBaMpJcK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWORN5CDpkQ
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn8NUeOwN5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNXhQiIYDu
That comment put everyone on high alert, and only made me sweat more profusely. Having just been told that there is a time limit to this operation was a kick to the stomach. I looked at the rest of the crowd. They were brandishing their weapons and seemed to be readying their spells. I raised my tendril, half-heartedly ready to strike.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKloMOpKO9
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJUZo6M6qW
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW3QrRtLUr
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6YxQrqkuN
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa3R7BpB83
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAZnriwTZK
"L-Lola!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SvRWZ3qOA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6uDTfY99Y
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX29RLZ44x
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS5qqoPhPn
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS3cL3ojhy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdnHNlTPfo
And the crowd did. It dispersed throughout the room. I went to the left side, eyeing the Bringers and preparing to respond to any attacks. The Harbinger just clicked her tongue and stepped forward.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjFYwIegOu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdEnA7zS7c
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxy5Sgch3a
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqwnso96Tb
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01gg1RZqX7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBbZnnhEM3
Shockingly, she ignored the rest of us. The few lackey Bringers were overwhelmed by our numbers The rest of the crowd descended, but I hung around for a moment and looked. I started at the floor. I saw blood and torn fabric that didn't come from the enemy, and as I raised my head my gaze fell on the two women.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJStFFI6jl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP8TKjfdyv
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeCFPbFv9E
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxybpRo9qjY
–
–
–413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVMBHpbnCv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexJPDQ1aMm
Provided that she was sober, Lola was extraordinarily talented at keeping a calm face. It was necessitated by her loathsome job. It wasn't just for fighting, but for looking good while doing it, because that was expected for someone in her position.
Lola had no reason to keep that face of hers at that moment, but even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to keep it for long.
"Hah. How oh how did I wind up here?"
Through the rubber grip her dagger slowly slipped from her palms. She tapped on it with her finger rhythmically– pinky first, index last, over and over. It was an instinctive thing for her. It had to be for it to happen because all her being was focused on the monster ahead.
A Harbinger. Elusive as they were, the only thing the highly-positioned such as herself knew was that their powers were mysterious and unpredictable. Fortunately, this one was historically noisy.
"You're the Harbinger of Anger, correct?"
"What's it to you, filth?"
"It wouldn't be wise for me to speak any further. I wouldn't want to leak any secrets, would I?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamx6pfRzfJ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKBRGoyvW3
By the standards of the Pillars, the room was spacious. Desks and chairs occupied space intermittently, and none were in such a position that they'd become serious obstructions. Despite the ideal conditions, Lola's brow twitched, because it was the abundance of furniture that allowed her powers to be so effective. And due to the material the foundation and exterior of the building were made of, she had ever greater restrictions.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FzKagxn4y
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8GdX8IuRf
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUAMbehujS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QyYICH58l
She shifted a leg back and shrunk her posture, pointing her dagger like a cat rearing to pounce. She didn't move, though. Her other hand hid behind her back, expelling mana and forming a mass of rock. The Harbinger tilted her head in response.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrdjIlgxWt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfHQdQpCtk
"Do you have something you want to say?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrKHyUktMN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzY37T2QXd
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkvmx27hkG
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv82WMazlTP
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILfeBlavDn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitJeUhT4Rx
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg88vqPTki8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuANXqeOw4
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxBJGELUKC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqhYIO1wGU
The Harbinger threw her head back while rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but suddenly, she took a defensive stance with her knife with a reverse grip. The shift made Lola jump, and her mana expulsion was interrupted.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKjU9M9pLE
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlIwvVZAkR
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwpX6RfgR8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI6qBtFsAh
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLFLWmjTrx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkJn5u0RdN
"Call me Anima."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MrIVPW8rz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqnInYL1Ir
Her words came out of her mouth like hurled stones. Sluggish, spoken through a calm demeanor, they were laced with an apathy that stabbed at Lola's composure. A flurry formed in her chest, the one she felt every time she had to do the dirty part of her job; a putrid, crimson red. Only now, its color was blighted with a grassy yellow. After Lola's initial shock, the change dwindled in power. It was the same business as always, after all.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl8jRXKMRX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyFdUVjOLZ
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIDPUcpEAt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i8NwZHWo0
Then, the Harbinger dashed.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXB13ORmnK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKPakPP0eQ
She charged at Lola with brisk steps, holding the knife out like it was a battering ram. Her speed was surprising, but Lola reacted accordingly, dashing backward. Anima clicked her tongue, stopped her advance, and veered to the side. It surprised Lola, but she dispelled it quickly when the image of a flying chair grew closer and closer. She couldn't duck, so she stepped to the side, but an armrest of the chair caught her shoulder.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8S8CHog9M
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE5WozVmR1
"Ngh!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjs7sVyqJP
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNgUpMKuZP
It hurt, but a bite on the lips drowned the pain. Anima's absurd move confused her and raised dozens of questions, but she had the time to answer none. Her opponent advanced, getting close enough to attempt a few swings. Lola dodged the first two, but after ducking the third, she pointed her dagger and thrust it at Anima's chest. But though it looked like it was sure to hit, Anima strafed to the side and avoided it perfectly. Lola's body committed to the trajectory of the knife just long enough for Anima to–413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIojPWs0bV
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXgUWQCkzd
**THUD**413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXCKQdkotO
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMKpG6ulMq
She delivered a kick to Lola's jaw, disorienting her and sending her rolling across the floor. Though it didn't hurt very much, the hit sent her head spinning. She got up quickly, though staying on her legs was arduous.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEnkHcx84h
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOQPpEK62y
She caught Anima sprinting towards her. Too confused to make a complex motion, she simply fell on one of her knees and began mana expulsion.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pzMT6o53i
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq894WeAmD
"--!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1pXC4un63
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VcbHJEF1m
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulMCPHxjkS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iOomiCWDP
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRecixrv34P
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGtrpHZH2d
As she regained her senses, she lamented the state of the room. Even the floor was magic-resistant, making it nigh-impossible to use her earth magic in such an offensive way. She desperately wanted to devise a plan, beginning to regret how carelessly she entered the battle, but her opponent handed her no such luxury.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tEw1SQTuH
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0fESEbOF4
Immediately, Anima jumped over the limp stone slab brandishing her knife. Lola was forced again to act defensively, backing away from the aggressive swings of the Harbinger. She swung once and twice, then followed up with a stab. Lola prepared to step back, but a sudden collision halted her.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRmD8fL8Xl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BWigZgc7u
She had hit a wall.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmnBh21j5v
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOr9puv6uP
"--!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr6QfzxQnP
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki6eY6t55Q
If she opted to move her whole body, she'd be punctured. If she stepped to the side the knife would still nip her considerably. Enduring such a taxing injury this early wasn't an option. Thus, instead of moving her body–413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DDzYzpRGx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nQYrooDMO
**CLING**413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSSFNJNdYb
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdfT3AKeHz
She intercepted Anima's blade with her own, catching it between the dual prongs of her dagger. The Harbinger's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised. Lola made note of that as a struggle ensued.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyFmzCOqDy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalAh15LFRq
"Huh. I can't break free."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtef7mmQqhZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjvyCQcyr3
The serrations on her knife caused it to get caught on the dagger. She couldn't dislodge it, but Lola's weapon was just as stuck as her opponent's. Anima jerked her leg, clearly preparing a kick, but Lola didn't react. The Harbinger delivered a blow to her right. She winced, but in her head, she celebrated.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaVAlOWjxy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4td1PguL6
"--Huh?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgOWJo7aO0
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC9sK6Z9e8
"Caught you!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNOoqM4FT2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r6qd5rmiH
She had Anima's leg wrapped in her arm. She tightened her hold, squeezing hard enough that a lesser fighter's bones would've shattered. Then, she began mana expulsion.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppX9VM8L44
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljrcAzE6CW
"You!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDEtl93OnR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1GOHUvZxe
Anima's panic was clear and immediate. At first, she attempted to pull her leg out of Lola's grasp, but she could barely make it nudge an inch. It did, however, make a spell difficult to produce.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GvT9gT2B7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMB4eM2Jyk
It was laborious, but Lola was sure that she guaranteed a blow. She formed a blade of earth, focusing on width rather than length, and prepared to blast it through the Harbinger's leg. But then, she suddenly felt a force at her front, and her body jerked forward.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3Ci0220TQ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiWl0bSSVZ
The Harbinger freed her knife from Lola's dagger. Of course, it was the obvious decision when she forfeited the support of both arms. Lola had no time to curse herself for her oversight, because now a blade was soaring at her face. She ducked her head in time and, acting on instinct, she tackled Anima with a headbutt to her stomach.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1wF8cfScn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0llzGltMWJ
"Hrk!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI7oWSix64
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rx6hoEQdx
She recoiled from the blow, taking a few jagged steps back. Lola realized that she let go of her leg, but she still had the stubby cylinder of stone to hurl. And hurl it she did.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLrArXMcS7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7IAKy4N3w
The Harbinger still reeled from the strike. Even through her rushed and lousy aim, Lola was confident that her cylinder would slug her opponent's head. Only, that didn't happen.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSxJgblOOC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwUamZOYCG
By an inch the cylinder missed, and it wasn't because Lola aimed poorly, but because the Harbinger let herself stumble onto the ground, landing on her ass.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupvvhzgFEM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMK50pR1Gu
Lola's bewilderment was profound, but she wasn't foolish enough to avoid capitalizing on her opponent's state. She leaped forward and stabbed the dagger from above, but she only hit the ground as the Harbinger rolled away. She hopped on her feet and tossed a haymaker kick that Lola retreated her head just in time for. Anima's follow-up blow was too sudden for Lola to dodge.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss2GLeuhTp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxxcONM40N
She ate a heel to the head, a strike so fierce she flew to the wall. Fortunately, her chin wasn't hit, so Lola avoided being dazed. But her vision was blurred and her hearing was impaired.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa8oi6Jxrv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30Ofty48La
Lola, however, had a spectacular guess as to what her opponent would do next, and so she retaliated. She placed both her hands on the ground, carelessly expelling mana and producing not a slab of earth, but a wave of water.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4re0NuaKdw
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg7zvVrdEr
A few seconds passed until her senses returned. When her vision was clear, she was pleased to find herself still alive, but now the entire room was damp and flooded. Anima was on the other side, similarly drenched, though she clearly suffered no damage.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH1O7ok8uH
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiTjD7MEQv
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFdJryCL2B
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUmOcwCqpI
"...This is irritating."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiepVZMjFI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqUpLN8eaO
Lola got up to her feet, contorting her face. She made sure to at least keep one eye open because the Harbinger wasn't someone to be lax around. She found it difficult to keep her focus, though.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWz8yY0cMa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxw9DQgewh
This moment. This eternal, present moment; how she loathed it. Her opponent was slippery in figure and form, escaping every jab Lola threw her way. And now, the entire floor was ruined. The furniture was maimed and jumbled by the force of the water. The carpet absorbed so much that it looked like it would burst.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyELATHpDLA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVvDouQ1pn
It had barely been a few minutes, but Lola was beginning to get tired. Her stamina was unusually low, but with how much she drank to suppress her stress, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. She chuckled. For a moment, she had an awful load of clarity.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1nVSR8cXo
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e86wFo6Kx
Giving up became more and more alluring.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPvSQsuaBw
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqnAF2WJ4k
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxfaHdTxhH
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtROA0lkgWx
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglm1EOS4LP
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpjLVFuBm2
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rw9bhEbGM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CJwynTv7G
The Harbinger looked at her with vigilance. Lola suspected that she had earned some respect from her, but she doubted that would make the fight any easier.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ1XJqjHWF
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdvYjUbI92
As it was right now, she couldn't make any progress. Anima hadn't even used her magic yet, and yet Lola struggled to deliver a meaningful blow. At the rate she was going, she'd be whittled down, engaged in a battle of attrition she didn't have the mettle to endure.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23cY49lDn2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeneA68Ogq
But options were scarce. Any direct attack would either be dodged or countered and any spell was either too weak or suffered the same fate. With how aggressive Anima was being, she had no time to imbue the room with her mana.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1dA390hBx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedllCxlffJ
"...Unless, of course."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbzkBT0Plj
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCQ9gJg85M
She had to concede that her opponent was the better fighter in hand-to-hand combat; those few exchanges were all it took for her to realize. But it seemed to Lola that she was the far better mage.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxHKcqHcjs
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgvtcLqkjw
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmPwZbuctE
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5GxLiaGcS
"I don't like what you're planning!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyNdR3p1R0
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3F1fEtUTW
Anima was an opponent who had an impossible ability to predict actions. Anima was an opponent who was cautious about and loathed being confrontational. Yet despite this, she was a skillful aggressor. But she was not impenetrable.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aqJ8ny6ZN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pfsEUoZ08
As the Harbinger charged for the umpteenth time, Lola remarked at how inconsistent her ability to predict was. The reason for the discrepancy was unknown to her, and she had no opportunity to ponder and deduce it. That, however, would lose all its relevancy if every inch of the room was a weapon.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqgf7OzJoW
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqaPQaJAYe
Her approach changed. Anima threw a small ball of fire at Lola, but expecting divergence, Lola was unfazed. She smacked the spell away with her dagger, preparing to back away again, only to hesitate once she noticed how close the Harbinger was. Anima thrust her knife– an action parried by Lola's swift movements. She attempted a riposte, but with a reckless motion, had her dagger countered with a resounding clang.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ785DoWF0Pk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY4S3DMMCd
It became clear to Lola that knifeplay was inimical for progress. Thus, she backed away, a motion that took advantage of Anima's poor posture. The Harbinger clicked her tongue and prepared another spell. It wasn't a haphazard product this time, but a sizeable, dangerous wall of flame. Lola had a skulking smirk, but a telling sea of sweat.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZc5X5jzPx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wyLSvaalQ
It became time to set her plan in motion. She released the bubbling mana in her hand and suspended it behind her back, then formed a mass of water of similar size. She took great relief in seeing Anima's eyes widen, reeling her arm and flinging her spell.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L1wQxzYGk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjfJ47Tgty
The Harbinger hastily threw her own spell to match Lola's. The two met, and a cloud of vapor burst from the collision, spreading through the entire room instantly. The haze was surprisingly thick; Lola knew that staying in place would only hurt her. She grabbed her suspended mana and continued supplying it, running through the steam and keeping a watchful eye–413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxyUBnN59k
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0tunMooCw
**THUD**413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp2yi58fR5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWlYJEOQ3R
But then she felt a great force slam her stomach. She rolled across the room, clutching her gut. It wasn't even remotely a fatal blow, but she cringed as if her organs burst.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKZaMc858P
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RBxcCnwO2
She tried to stand on her feet. She was only halfway stable before she caught something shifting in the fog. She jerked to avoid it–413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBieB6GAKJq
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUazhUwKOn
"--Hrk!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUeD3Z2Xym
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDNnXY5Hvq
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7e5XyCHoO
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuQF0i4roy
Her reaction wasn't a result of instinct, but a habit acquired from her time in the field. She lifted her foot and swiped it in front of her, connecting with something. The steam began to dissipate, and she caught the Harbinger several meters away from her, but now her right femur felt one nudge away from being dislocated from her hip. She dashed away and looked at the new source of pain: her sizzling gash.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQucxKLpu7z
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPnLDUZk1Z
It was on her right shoulder. She was thankful that she wore protective gear, because otherwise the cut could've net her a lost arm. Though, with how much it bled, it was still nothing to scoff at. She collapsed for a moment, scoffing.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefyNpIairZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLytIJefSPq
"This..."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xAuFgbhqU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOAc6oT8Ye
She hardly had the strength to verbalize her complaints, but her ire wasn't her denied by her sudden dumbness. She paused releasing mana into her spell, suspending it into the air again and performed mana spinning on herself.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFgSoKAgqy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyHAT6iT9B
She could only do a little before her opponent returned to harassing her. Lola clicked her tongue, but got on her feet and brandished her dagger.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOGJSF5Gjt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRn5HHw6Ss
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MTtzvuxuG
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubxF4p6JQy
Lola realized just how much trouble she had keeping calm. It stunned her for a moment, but ultimately, she still decided to challenge Anima's approach.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrgRi6Yx03
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCxU6trOGk
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuL8NkufyS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJkOMd37Xx
"--sneaky!"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoOZhsn3pY
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRkMXLrH2F
Anima thrust her knife again, and again Lola parried it with her dagger. It wasn't as impactful, having it be done with her non-dominant hand, and Anima took advantage of it to try a slash. Lola moved reeled her head just in time and retaliate with an upward kick. Anima blocked it with her forearm, though it was only so effective, and since it was Lola's right leg she winced from the move. The Harbinger tried thrusting again, but had her blade caught in between Lola's.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK12u78eAcz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFD37N4SpE
Instead of baiting a grab, Lola acted fast. She twirled her wrist and jerked her arm to her, weakening Anima's grip, then hurtled her arm the otherway, and Anima's knife flew across the room.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ibIU3PnRR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbabW6LR1e
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxWSH0iMZ7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrekxl3Cfx
She managed to brace her jaw before the impace, but it still made her head ring. She was met with another one, and then a third one to her chest.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCk1mQ9fVH
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXT4Xt2pEn
And of course, none of them were strong enough to send her flying. It was only after a short flurry, a storm of blows and jabs, that the Harbinger hit her hard enough to create distance.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhI5605r4b
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCnCqSYegf
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdirrDnKm1
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDBg1KPv0h
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTo5jSGlhz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdYtOQRKIV
She checked her spell and determined it still wasn't ready. Only a little more– only a little more and the battle would finally turn to her side.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsOEYdb4HC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN8gUFPkRh
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe7ciMtLA7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJppFomC19c
Even as the Harbinger went to grab her knife, moseying as if she hadn't an opponent at all, she had no drive to stand.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9pNncx9bM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDdLw51fqp
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmA4LVDGIF
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEA3ltJqdt
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G4fi8ceRT
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtVHdVMYSG
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHsk9DlCUs
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfMd62PiwZ
"I win, though–"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlDk2IFuwT
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplVhxa8JNA
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe9ufgN0XC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgOGNC4Rxk
Anima didn't even spare her an insult, she darted her head to the walls and sprinted. Lola eyed her and noticed she was heading to the exit. Then, listlessly slapping her right hand on the floor, her mana permeated throughout the soaked room.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscNEwW4lEy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lxdCNSQo1
The effect was immediate. The room's stern architecture dawned a sludge-like form, one that slowed Anima down instantly. She threw Lola a look of scorn and raised her knife, hurling it at her. A piece of the floor rose to intercept it.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbw4oig01s
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLIp7m2tI6
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaVsCh4bPV
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE4GVcXh2m
She got on her legs, using a half-broken chair that slid to her as a support. She eyed the Harbinger, who, though still looked furious, was surprisingly calm.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdbEIV7eZk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPXWod3Wt1
"Can't move your legs?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZG50eFyxh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHh3AWzf1p
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2kAXU4qIU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefCYYdNVld
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDOScswn9l
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2PvRworwF
Even Lola was surprised at her laughter. It detracted her from her disgruntling situation for a moment. She gazed at the Harbinger. She did nothing more but gaze.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V7Hxc9lTf
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkhgMBYJgr
"Aren't you going to do something?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeyZ1YiXMi
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuHvjxRVvY
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIR21nrxlN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESy3gd9hy9
The Harbinger rolled her eyes in response. Lola commanded the room to form a spike out of the furniture, then created a mock catapult out of the floor.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG9CuixQdY
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANi8CvW502
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpk5KSILbM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxKHgEQy3d
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lh7MeMHgY
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRqSXyMkKm
Anima suddenly ducked and extended her hand, firing a ball of fire that had little time to form, but was strong enough to blast the catapult. Lola was brough back to the present, and again she commanded the room to attack, but as she did, Anima pointed her arms in the opposite direction of the wall, and then–413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTlESwGPH6
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY76AR8UsN
**BOOM**413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3iioGRnwv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPzBAuX6dA
A gust of wind powerful enough to send every unfixed object to the opposite side blew in the room. Lola was sent to the wall, which cushioned her collision instead of exacerbating it, but it still hurt. When she opened her eyes, she saw a giant hole, and her opponent on the other side.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ794392lCTf
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ7ui7doav
Anima stood up. Even from this distance, she could make out all the scratches from the debris. They exchanged looks. Lola expected Anima to turn and run, but she approached, stopping short of the hole in the wall.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2w47lYLBt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5DMmgTWlA
"People like you," she said, pointing her bruised finger, "people like you. You fill me with putrid disgust, so loathsome I oughta spit at you."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaePTKwmBXv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1miePqy2jV
"--?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O1dNBQDko
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99BbgstO7P
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeafIPRNfb
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkWrGnPaWx
She withdrew her head, turned around and ran. Lola was stumped for a moment, but she discarded her words. It was just the deranged ramblings of a Harbinger, after all.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVUveMWDN5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYAAPJ4qNe
"...Ehh."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGiNdBbX3P
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT69XpHIL0A
She shook her head. She focused on what was before her, what was relevant. She succeeded. That thought rang in her head through the various junk she was preoccupied with.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTtk1JSLKm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9iuyx3f2k
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MUZWmnzaE
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYM4LywxIO
"..."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcvBHr2ci8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu54O8mwJd
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ2m5B9oev
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHZkxeE7mS
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZdK1nl0tH
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHDpeZ5ad1
The wound on her shoulder still gushed blood. Her energy drained faster because of it, but she had to tend to it to live. She began mana spinning. Still hurt, still tired, still doused.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01rX3ANlOj
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EUDRvx4Z6
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnptkjlonFE
and then Add to home screen.