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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XvqTvIf07
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII2irKLNVN
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin8Mh40uKv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkBnupRvb7
"Kid! Over here!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBMIuWdsZ5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwthbkgXCAE
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub0UdycCk0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbOxQ5iwpL
"Ya ready!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOms6GWOUZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWh1N9eFIb
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXiTnS3CM9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PwixE4lAR
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9fI9UxKf5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJbxnLgaYb
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 place189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPgAdTTrCP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGOimWa0zd
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Koe8Eoe5t
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuQLOxuNWJ
"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!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4oDlyZqkv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOmrbC12pr
YEAH!189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdrquYyOOO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpORjTZrNlS
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtEZof1hKh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsDEElEuue
"Ack!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDWG0lDx3H
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRQEjGChff
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeq1lP4KsO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk10mmCuNeq
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGClDEbB2i
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULLWBHAUky
"R-Right!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYiKMsZcSh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PImLN4tjW
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd7CZ30k5t
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BnHMyvWqu
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi53UGSQTSk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbNVISIndm
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0UN8X2B1d
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AJSEGdleD
"Crap!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUioveIzy4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuHQNfbGIs
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQxfzTrXVQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmcBnhIgm0
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fUwVqz7aT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1N5qsMK0o
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsAICJRu4r
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzri4FJN4WQ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xt5TlbL5F
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoPxq5wj5P
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7wpji9bgv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO5zkJ1TB5
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDfA0o9v49
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVctGa9zsB4
"L-Lola!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpiUSO0KfD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vajUKMEWh
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkbwmoen4o
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PwSaYCZBD
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUgKJYHfSN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbW07hmaRl
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5y6l2pwpS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxFGmsdLzK
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8B9b63ifj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy98JJnorc
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDQWdmuUDN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSyLS55ik9
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JnhL8k4XC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufVNldKDdg
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iImyFe5lj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvDtntGH13
–
–
–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1om6rj6u3j
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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?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwzAg4m8dp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLp282uFXb
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yuu2nUTOW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzusHyQbIre
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYAsHjqj65
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrHVtKFjrX
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gQiMfys13
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPX0oG9NZg
"Do you have something you want to say?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCK7h76glU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J7shEt129
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXPItC1Xpy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOTweraM8O
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE5cl15kAy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyldSQKwkKG
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepF0APMeo7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqq8pE0qht
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5hIyKJYwH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IqfVXbidF
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnb4MSl1GE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjuThFBZYZ
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Epqrgrtqo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t4xLumYuW
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1htCfpwGR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv9Sj0aESM
"Call me Anima."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxdaMalcuZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwibd23Dv7
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARjtlIbb0y
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO6PKBV84H
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGrJ7Irfs6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3AK2EW1p8
Then, the Harbinger dashed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO4xR3jKwh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsrygRZYvn
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo6i99OplC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavgydhSFvc
"Ngh!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBlTBn01aS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOaEmpPWsW
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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3d0uuIDDc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIipRYH1tiS
**THUD**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dy1cKNMVL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRETCWjoHL
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZx5wyPWna
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVgpmMFBN5
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkHwTp1C6y
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8HAUKnp9D
"--!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiPWazpMZQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm5kbiX5U4
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d90Kn8qeF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4se1aMaUBR
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UP8wLwp6W
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb91l0SWZhy
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SUn1CIKcd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BMJp7FeLg
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5V0G4KYVx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGunutAQTyn
She had hit a wall.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKn4eUSg3p
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t50N67Yq4
"--!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzOBOVgUP6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucilhsGv7O
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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GWQiaybak
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes6DT64dMF
**CLING**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWULsfqPIM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9r0YVrshn
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFGg6sp0i2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1bGprB02l
"Huh. I can't break free."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdcDRqRD8L
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9JdqRvPMR
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU2MsiCvhH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOfojHA1wE
"--Huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SXGJtN4oH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsB8r9ouLK
"Caught you!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbHkG83GnU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFHARD6b0M
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1djm9btVF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC3YGBk1G9
"You!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwZ52ZmBnd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzLCXSee5E
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DvijJCRIP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTFtQtXfEA
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLIFg08Wwb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMEHmjrvBY
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZw4JtYWUF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnnRNR1Uof
"Hrk!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnSw4axYR9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqXk4YsPbQ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAqrMluXE0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuU3G3o7sW
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrgA3yxvda
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwxS2jqcsZ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh8bnDxa1J
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCkFMbxWnm
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT2HIrHs0p
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPLaZJv958
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYgYTBqKQZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXTXOywNv7
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaNR1tW6YN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz6XkUuBiQ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcltTSYSmO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5dy4xaMKo
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsN8nuC5kM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCrKBC91Wt
"...This is irritating."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy36bYb2lRC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiSzjxorSp
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZwB9EvnoT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdevpMTJFmL
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2U1IPolcy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI11EmQjf2o
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF8UYmR2YD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi1oeWwtdY
Giving up became more and more alluring.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMpEc7JCWs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rx0ax34Vz
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdY82qLlwS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjAbvaVMve
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Qf9z6s3O
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa3BWNdUlS
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx8oWCmmQY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuji4Tc6ee
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGWiY3XvHn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxIiLKLFS6
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpClVJP3CC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG2JXV2akJ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdXzcqGaKt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq3h1aOJHq
"...Unless, of course."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPfM79qFKL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pp82bv7JN
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbRDcDCPE9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGQdDbr4ak
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkOBEXk7NX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURqzHJRelv
"I don't like what you're planning!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOivuKIVQsE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PtuRjD09x
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm42KqC8nid
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZSWViMlaQ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSFMDTKj4F
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqLtKwFpPk
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhDUsxQ80p
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMtXK2v76H
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V6bP28jZD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaVMlEGtpS
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkHL20lwvZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuGb97zzTT
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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhsUvLr65w
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx830PvzlSO
**THUD**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmhG8AAvFe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0o0xMwmo5
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPZRsO0vA2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hWpT0bjZE
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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyLmzVMGm5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6n0nF8AGl
"--Hrk!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdAkB4IxnP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn77tI0hbO
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDczJ2uLiY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmf8Hw08Ho
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl9kxGT8gP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGAWtsRlUp
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxubPyDgOE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAJIFfCty2
"This..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChHVhgX3R4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtZk5tuYwk
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrRFsHbWsS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBO7i4v5NR
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZ6VFIEYF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAjq2TMRcY
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXXxcarwBc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxfQifPJVG
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyTXNE7fve
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QLMdJAGIw
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJPtcvItIQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpktZSU4k9
"--sneaky!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07ztxJMo9h
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8BLIIxMu4
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe1NkyHXbg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDu8mwm1wS
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ5kFPBm35
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVJPG0r5bf
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BmWplOnjR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw2uOWp3ck
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZHzO5pROZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx0QRBbT56
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0bCaHFvin
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU56Lney6o
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QF38ARI6e
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UwhVBmnEk
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipfv2MvzvH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1XFIxEX01
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeRfGp8hb3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnA41Vga3r
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFLsKsxmEv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqUBdzhBNg
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo3Jvm8OgG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4b8ypIHSe
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTaQJoI4cQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJZzLSsQlE
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5SKVVOFEW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxaWkAI1cC
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsSps281nB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuLRFOrfif
"I win, though–"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZQNVaeVWb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu9d7XIpdW
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7gJklH5sZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iwcSCF3Yh
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjm4Gc5MMA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1eUsxSoZc
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxa2OWd7Ai
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b83dX0dpv
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMwPsRBrTz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4xiMUliTx
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kMd0kCQNH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmEKUUJro5
"Can't move your legs?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMfog6tTAc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBDfC4JK9h
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOgwpuvtar
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uf0GH0WYk
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17AxsdiL89
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM13COL2RkU
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcliBfhFmcg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9vVdySe1D
"Aren't you going to do something?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcsFAYAcmp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UMjGnFIY0
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1IVfnMKc6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWSOOA02B8
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPozEayIOIR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMPX9NFO7S
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pE5ATF73Q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98C8gf07Jv
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQY2ZdSsQK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQwo0jA98c
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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmA3FgI0xM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnPzI4PLRL
**BOOM**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTECiowgrD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNqlC7f7ki
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjChvX3wiHq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XAAnHBLqv
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXONWrce18P
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7NKD6cPeM
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbdUj3IpLm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxrn0yCoLP
"--?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1WQIg3RM9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLhoxarM9y
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTMtJXVM9T
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGRnjflGV3
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPKFTE9gwB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiWBTxFLb7
"...Ehh."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSqIzq3Kj9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nDdiFZy1v
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54XZP2KMBs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK20867jldT
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUhqGuoVzZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHY9uq1Jw9
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6RbVDuQfh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhepqzTQo3
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJogBzvM9s
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo46JqEW9et
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCMuEP3pXC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy6kEsmWJ7
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96MNfT9BOf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZW5lZE2zX
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJruGwrE7hh
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