The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3NjlwLFT0
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsCbFoS6J3
Even though Juke and I weren't affected, the other's faces were considerably downtrodden. Some members were now left without a partner and had to team up with people they weren't very familiar with. Morale was low, especially since our leaders were missing.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF24BInkNAA
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbv8nTkqu4
The remaining group was small, too. Only about eight people were left, meaning that, with the five remaining floors, some were simply required to take them alone. There was chatter of moving as a single unit, taking on each room as a whole rather than having forces split from the group, but others countered that doing so would be abandoning an order and that we had to "trust our other members."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gtsBJkINK
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2RKjxbtcL
As for me, my nerves only spiked. The image of all those fallen bringers was engraved into my mind, and I desperately tried to keep the word "corpse" out of my head. Over and over, telling myself that they were simply unconscious when the right side of my mind constantly told me otherwise–
**SLAP**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSZyc8mQQq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ7jIaQRWw
"Ack!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nUvzWg1nF
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlMcqk1f3U
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdunkMcNa3J
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5IJURQiKK
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasLbfKNof5
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbuXo1MPXb
I steeled whatever I had left of my resolve and kept trudging through the stairs. I had a complete vision of the crowd, and it made it apparent just how thinned out it had become. To my great dismay, I could even see Rover.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08V08Ns7vh
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE7JqlGOB8
"...Useless–!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCmigxvPIN
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIroZfgfwM
I tried not to think about anything that. I knew I couldn't suspend it for long, but every second I could force my legs forward was valuable. So I ran and ran and ran and ran and–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnXlivQb9o
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPssigCAjgK
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdKoQVofrd
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2FLWMByx8
And it was someone I recognized459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAHYQuCe3Y
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDc3gV2rW9
–
–
–
The most grueling part of this siege hadn't been the laborious running. It hadn't been the various enemies, the threat of death or even seeing allies fall like flies in the previous ambush. No, for Rover, it was restraint.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S7CfUGYfZ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPElFB48CGv
To do nothing in the face of Hard-Bringer gave her near-uncontrollable rage. Those she swore she'd see crumble, running amok and stealing lives as they always have, unable to even point her weapon at them. If it weren't for those looming words by that wimpy child, resting in the corners of her mind like spiders, she would've caved in.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmsel9h7S5
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZv9K3AYfo
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJPsqlbBaU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ2t6vodt2
"Hi."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrLDIBjXJA
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMFV9t0KxN
As she raced up the steps, a man in glasses only a little taller announced himself. She could see him facing her in her peripheral, and though her habits urged her not to, she matched his gaze.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT57Ihlp7d
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQUDiKaE4p
"What!?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6TQVyfXz2
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFoCAO0hdd
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIANK0TRYQf
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nwX1pKxBZ
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbiGM6VZOS
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDjEz5loNO
His nervous expression didn't loosen one bit. When Rover tried a softer face, the sweat on his brow multiplied. Rover gave up appearances, quickly discarding dismissive dialogue before her introduction.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqElrNAOvM
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZtE7FBKkg
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbjMtjvCqq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTkEFp0Xx8
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSbDZk5aQr
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XwlpcMJX6
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ78ZF8SVpl
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCS7f8X9Xd
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZD32e9bAb
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRl9tQ86D3
He raised his right hand, one that clutched a metal collar with a tag. Rover knew immediately who it belonged to, and the unusual idea of consolement entered her mind.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1S8styHa9
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwPYwxhdYV
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYJDF6CRyH
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQElCj9EOIL
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkJcUJPZXd
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xBZ7KgmaU
He kept a smile with those words, but his eyes lacked the light to convince her. He turned his head away, and the two of them kept running up with their usual worries.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugWRyTooL9
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0Echv4H3q
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGrJZ61RA4
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TTRFzJ8x7
"The next room's up ahead!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdhR3zq9QE
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0RuXbiAuW
She had been in this scene nearly a dozen times already. And each time, she dreaded it. Sprinting to that door, knowing that there would be a monster in man's skin. She swallowed that dread like before, and each time, it poisoned her blood further and further.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa11pwYaMzU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBrxHcYjDm
The crowd made it to the room. It was relatively small, but an immediate feature was the giant stained windows, granting a tinted view of the city outside. Rover gave minimum attention to the stature of the room, however, because there, by the exit, sat a man who could only be described as–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe7buLdLTR
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4tNQ2ouLo
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOS2ZJTPwE
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gtZMIMkLK
Rover glanced behind her, realizing that Juke was the one to yell that. She saw Kenny near him, huffing with his hands on his kneecaps.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLidnEOY9K
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfeNbXuBtV
A titan. It was a familiar word. She heard it from the stories her mother told her. But, of course, there were no titans in King's Peak, only tales of them.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5hsR1V33V
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgjiPneCAf
But, even if it was only in name, the titan a man was. A member of Hard-Bringer with such size, and his head nearly reached the ceiling when he stood. Such monstrous height intimidated nearly everyone, but for Rover, it was the opposite.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6czh1DdWy
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8XUj4bBrM
Rover recognized that height. Rover recognized that build, even though it was concealed by robes, and as the man went to pull his hoodie down, the face that appeared only confirmed her intuition.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89dT4Jhotg
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbrjECYfcp
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYn7EXH7mq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT52NSPCLpy
The towering man stopped his speech, compelled by the dashing girl with a rapier in hand. She leaped forward and stuck her foot out, but the man blocked the kick by raising his arm. Rover then thrust her blade, and the man narrowly dodged by tilting his head. However, his angled head was grabbed by her free arm, and through a feat unexpected of her size–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJc68ze5rN
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK6sxDleb5
**THUD**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFqMzbrtsr
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH7IOB3bqD
She shoved the man down to the ground. She immediately followed with a thrust, but she only caught his robe, and the man scurried away.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2YWneNVmK
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyng9p19vWw
"...Same tricks as always."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8G2uQxtCv
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22RbyJhHFA
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNnSnjhs8O
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5CAtbbujM
"Hoh– it is you. You!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXBBfruswn
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg2rbDV93Y
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgPomp7I5g
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmBH40rUeY
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLPpdFiK3R
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwVS9Trz2m
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQuDL2o1rE
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje2QyUMQ23
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb785Mpi9wq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7gbRmFbqw
Rover pointed her weapon at the man, a clear warning to stay in place. The man obliged without much resistance, and Rover turned her head to make sure everyone would leave. But then she noticed how Nigel didn't move one inch to that door, and his use of 'we' only just registered in her mind.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAB38O4j14
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbX0wed40b
"Nigel."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB7CNDXeAw
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ238zfjANhY
"Yes?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBZOY1XKWm
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgDdRWbKvp
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKSka0wvP4
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhAyumC7hZ
"...You're kidding me, certainly."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeSttMAqvd
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2dVTrfibH
Rover shook her head back and forth.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cq297I1um
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHGMWKGajW
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN17jJUrlDU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2efMmhYGe
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrklNK7aIhR
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k2guCt4lL
"You fought him before, then?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xY9L5UC8f
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchq7FwfczT
Rover quickly nodded. Nigel looked at the man with a constrained face, balling his hands into shaking fists. After an irritated, almost hopeless sigh, he complied. But not before one final word.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBNgXuYxB4
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2jNYOfNfH
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4WPo8fXEN
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZXwzmLYYX
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZENk6yALag
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKIuFWSxwX
"Very well! Don't die on me!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbam0nqQ84
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q0qkhBeBX
His opening words caught Rover like a chain. It reminded her of that moron's scolding, forced her to consider her vow– her earnest word that she'd cooperate –and inquired why she didn't abide by them. But Rover answered that inquiry easily.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLFDCXQoWo
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F2vWeF2Ip
This man wasn't just a Bringer. She had a history with him. This man was an enemy. A bipedal wretch, barely human, who boiled her blood and furrowed her brows.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKhYR17sfv
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsmgLLFYx0
No, now she was certain of it. This monster had to fall to her hands; anyone else would just be a hindrance. So she would take him alone, as she always had.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAedY5fy64l
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdBmEI1o0g
She looked back one last time, making sure that only she and the man were in the room. Nigel was gone, but to her surprise, there was still another member of the crowd there. He drew particular attention. Standing between the exit, not quite leaving it, with clear indecision festering within.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZYEgo9276
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSc3HTh6BP
"Rover," Kenny suddenly shouted. Her eyes moved to his face, constricted and complicated. She was compelled to call it a scowl, but no scorn was in Kenny's face. Only concern, and disappointment.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX69gNSjhU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJDoqFidaX
Even without hearing it, Rover knew his words. It suddenly was difficult, to see his face like that. Now, the embodiment of that vow was staring directly into her. Not just at her eyes, no– she felt the observation of her soul.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8zyQtjPUj
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpYBa6dHf2
"..."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1q8pczism
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75uvPQTVCt
It was suddenly difficult to do anything. And yet, the feelings that burned within her formed too great an inferno to douse. If that boy took two steps further into this room, or even one, she felt like she would lash out. She felt like– she knew she would yell at him not to butt in, to mind his own business, to go fuck himself, and to leave her alone. Words that she had slung candidly before. Words that she knew better than family.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe01AaxK131
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVBbRvAZDf
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVx90HjN8w
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8azegYGel
"Fine. Good luck!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRCHZY2hYk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH2TV5zBQx
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NnenxUWJk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZjtiO0Zf3
**THUD**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHQFSYCQOG
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNemiRbVv5x
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD7nwnwsQo
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyElrxeFne
There came a sudden strike from her front, but it was one that she blocked. She freed her rapier from the struggle and backed away, brandishing her weapon and sliding a leg back into a stance.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOehMVioN8Z
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CPufyhEgT
"Are you ready," the man asked, a boorish smirk on his face. She could almost see the swirls in his eyes, the way they lost any reason, seeing only combat and carnage as they always had.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrOucnZp5a
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNjsvZEd7J
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzj6JLUgEp
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQr7ZBTp2G
"Come at me, Boris!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aAffYAEZD
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhrKEF1gQP
–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSat0khd5d4
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEaagwxSB3
–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5WLx0kCs7
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LqGbtgJVU
–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPJyjIM14H
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ4Sb1wrP0
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kAIWH6pIM
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HP6oDQ5Lv
Rover knew of their volatile unpredictability. But she was always prepared for it. Even on that street, when they made their audacious announcement, Rover hadn't a shocked bone in her body. But to see Boris utterly defied expectations. She wished she had more time, maybe a moment to sharpen the tip of her rapier, to check the grip on her dagger. But it was too late now, and as she took her first step into battle, she lost all leeway to care.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLKQU54PSz
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZCJzqZrD0
Boris contested her dash. As he charged forth his smaller stature expanded slightly. He leaped forward, but it wasn't to tackle or to grab. He swung his hips and turned ninety degrees, unbending his legs for a sudden drop kick.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS6lP4pydv
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKzRM4tI6f
Rover blocked it with her hands. His increased size made the blow harder to cope with, but she still only slid a foot back. Now on the ground, Rover seized the opportunity to stab at the man. She thrust once, and her sword was met with the sole of his boot.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmotSiytsHe
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErSej2fbdW
"Huh!?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh2tZPLiyx
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwQIGtc5dm
He spun onto his belly, catching himself with his hands, using her rapier as a borrowed axel. He pushed himself off the ground with enough force that, even with his lack of leverage, he flew as a battering ram toward her. Rover's rapier nearly snapped under the pressure, but she moved it away before its steel blade turned into a wobbly tube. She ducked Boris' charge, but he grabbed onto her rapier, swinging back around and destroying Rover's balance. Rover, however, had only one hand on that Rapier.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC1a1xy3m5
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHPnFjI5KJ
"Hah!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBflP8GGOSH
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OSSQivgtV
She used her other to grab her dagger and stabbed at the man. He took the blow unceremoniously, even growing to lessen it, and she was sure it hurt by the subsequent grunt. He flew off her rapier a solid few meters away, taking Rover's dagger with his body.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Sj1RLCJW
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXSmnnqnge
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgDVr5SfP6
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhbwsv5Pam
"Here!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR70Wg6yFTm
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViEn0etvmA
Boris dislodged her dagger and he chucked it like a throwing knife. Rover caught it at one of its crossguards, but as she was distracted with doing so, the man performed mana spinning.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xMiNIJpFl
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBIA48JV3C
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4wVsFEITz
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFpxPuQfEw
"Tch."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrqWsTpqee
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyEGFi8tV5
Boris returned to his former size. He stroked his chin, tending to his thoughts as he stared down Rover. She afforded him no time and charged forth. She thrust her rapier once, met with a jerk away, and thrust it again. She repeated her thrusts, each of which dodged but less comfortably each subsequent attempt. Rover knew him better, however. She knew that right as she thought she'd get him, he would pull an underhanded trick. So she assumed the eyes of an analyst, narrowing them and gazing at Boris like a hunting cat.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyExKGMm5A
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs50ZcX7N6
**CLANG**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYFVmMaXhZ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Dbg2rcgz
And that trick came. Boris caught her thin rapier between his hands, clamping it so fiercely that the metal would snap any moment. But Rover's stance suffered no blow, and poised to strike back, she slung her leg from her side. The blow struck Boris right under the rib, and from his obvious wince, the damage wasn't meaningless.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuAAe7fgcs
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgrJ5am7Fy
She struck again quickly, sliding her rapier out and using the butt of its hilt like a rock, smacking Boris square in the face. Boris reeled from the blow and took a few steps away, but Rover swung her arm back and straightened her Rapier, honing in for a vicious thrust.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0De4c6sJ42
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAFdnLQjRs
That thrust, however, had been dodged. And the force Rapier stockpiled only sent her tumbling to the ground. She never landed, though, because a sudden fist to the face replaced her embarrassing fall with a punitive flight. She soared across the room, disoriented, anchoring herself on the floor with her Rapier right before colliding with a wall.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchMtBlmbNf
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kPgxZwiWK
As she gathered her bearings, she saw Boris charging forth with a puffed chest. Only, it wasn't puffed, but swollen to inhuman degrees. The image of a bull came to her mind, and for a moment she was paralyzed. But she shook the intimidation off and stepped away, missing a blow that–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xTTfQ7BWP
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZAXm2MlVP
**SMASH**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXeWCR0Laj
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJlVmvNNbp
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYwxLFQUbR
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64qrxz0UVb
"Ack. Shit!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2lBcnyWPt
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXkxi7Yotm
Rover realized his reckless gesture was an attempt at an early victory, but she was too energized to fall prey to it, and now Boris was only more hurt.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vKlaottZI
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPMOTCx1yt
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASHpZZP9r8
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFiu2brjBK
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatjGpX8iTF
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyopE1hr3iN
"But not enough."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKzUPTcqxy
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc8VljOGd6
"--!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVytwwcxWoH
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VUWACtSSb
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeKMeD0gcJ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHaynSKhXP
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2C6oYaTye
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMq8KE3R1i
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviBOtsgvnJ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CNE24DvDr
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNTCJ47mY9
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeaA7o7gat
Her jittering mouth couldn't open to respond. So badly did she want to deny it, to call him out for being coy. But to do so, would just be to lie.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh7suGNPKN
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjfBCKuNKn
"I remember when you and I first met. Back in those ivory fields, when I offered you a home, you scowled at me and called me scum. That a bringer like me ought "459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmAlBI25St
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vmBKVKHhz
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbSi86tuGr
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHQhl2ijBV
He smirked. He placed his hands behind his shoulders, closing his eyes. Rover didn't understand what he was doing, and that worried her. That worried her deeply because she thought she knew every trick this monster could pull. She thought she knew every ace up his sleeve, every nook and cranny of his capacity.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaDQ56Gd8h
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZlTHBjZfq
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r1R1Kcfek
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUrcPN5cXZ
From the back of his shoulders, cylindrical masses of earth formed, taking shapes and morphing as his hands moved outward. His arms stopped just above his chest, and as he lowered his arms, Rover's eyes blew open, her clenched throat vomiting a gasp.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotutRt9j1F
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxeQ11kCZM
"You talked so much of this goal of yours. Of how you'd beat me. Of how you'd prove yourself to me and all of my colleagues."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uKXRYWABy
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rm8e6jnK0
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZZVYa3qe6
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySgLe31P56
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE6SJuZWpl
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfGxB14ltr
"--Fine!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL9P4baVv9
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iYWyRBvAA
Though the doubling of his limbs was obviously intimidating, Rover tried not to be dissuaded by his appearance. She charged forth, dagger now firmly in hand. After all, if she fought the new Boris with a stale arsenal, she'd be crushed.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaEVpwl0le
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxShjMIyBXG
She began with a thrust, and immediately it was caught by one of Boris' earthly arms, not budging an inch. He bent his legs and threw a regular punch at Rover, one she avoided with a backstep. Her rapier was now confiscated, and she watched Boris raise it with his earthen arms.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27vZlukWtC
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozSMxtwiO2
Something inside urged her to scream in defiance. To yell at that man not to do it, but she pushed that unburied temptation down with a commanding glare. Gazing at Boris as he snapped the rapier like a twig.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1P3Q2nQpM
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuUgPKcMwC
"Well," he asked, "what now?" He threw the split rapier to the side and taunted Rover, daring her to come closer. Rover didn't fall for the taunt, because what she had was not rage– at least, not at the man before her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OFlEcUKyx
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaDl1fLrgW
Rather, her shaking fists were directed at herself. She raised the dagger and looked at it. Despite its needle-like blade, the curved cross-guards made it a poor tool for thrusting. This was her only weapon. This and her fists, anyway, but if her past had taught her anything, it was that fists were a futile tool against him.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUJiMXhUIa
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkd1fqveQC
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj2QtrhApN
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDATkaBdiKZ
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKkhYfqCiU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ8sOvfSCN
Yes, her remaining weapon was better suited to defense. Yes, she was physically weaker than Boris. But if her kit made it so that she lived and died by the presence of her rapier, she would've gone all those years traveling King's Peak for nothing.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2jbHO2od2
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVL6g01XjG
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡairpbS0rxG
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdsGbf0kyk
Her free hand latched onto the strap around her waist, turning it and revealing the satchel that had gone unnoticed by Boris. Unzipping it and reaching for its contents, Rover pulled out an item that made his eyes widen. A thin, elongated, but sturdy vial, one that fits comfortably into Rover's palm.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPNETQl8Jk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr0k4BpS96
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5EbUmUAeS
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wn04nUbRQ
"Come and find out!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF9DJnW2xo
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GrOjsJo6o
And for the first time in the battle, Boris broke the neutral state, dashing at Rover with arms blazing. A result that came at the worst time possible. Because, although Rover revealed her condition for victory, not a single thought of how to use it came to her mind. And thus, she panicked.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2DV0lbwN1
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsstUqEgyH
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGddUyr2Ew
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAwJcbadPw
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlvmHUiCQZ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOCBqyb9EX
Rover dismissed those venomous words. Or at the very least, she tried to, but its potent bite was felt throughout her body like the mountains of sweat her brow was producing. She had no idea what to do. For a moment she doubted that she remembered what the vial even contained. But one look at it, at its orange hue that signified distinct divergence, assured Rover that much.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVn74scCBR
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7dRSecDlr
And then, the answer came to her. The wave of panic crashed with the gentle grace of summer water. She stuck the dense vial in her mouth and turned around.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKyH8ZjWkH
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMIoqWU258
"Finally!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBnDw99ZwD
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7LZsqjFJ4
Boris threw his earthen arms directly at her, which Rover dodged. In a bent position, Boris brought both his arms up to uppercut. Rover blocked one fist with her palm and stabbed through the other.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAWuWxHrni
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA0jq7V7G0
"--Ack! Shit!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KrJVOXTKQ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9F3F6dprI
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9U4hCeL9V
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8grSoqFEg
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UI3gdtuzc
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeE86JwItU
And then a profound smile found itself on her face. He backed away to perform mana spinning potent enough only to close his wound. Those broken fingers were just what she needed.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLGiNzoSiV
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kYKwQLmtA
She performed a swift dash, closing the gap between Boris and her. He immediately put his earthen arms up as a guard, disjointed just enough from his body to make an attack impossible. Rover thought this sudden focus on defense as suspicious, even as the mana spinning on his hand gave her a reason, so she dared not approach without caution. After all, with how volatile his size changes were, he could–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNOzDR9oJW
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpIRpGvl3G
"...!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mpiooAHDe
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdveMQHbly
Her past experience came to the forefront of her mind, and now she observed her reality with a perplexed perspective. He barely altered his size throughout this fight. He stopped only when–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaI5hGzI8S
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxdyqXDJV3
"Ah-ha!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0sbJAYfQx
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5cxAHJgSc
Though her profession of understanding was muffled by the glass between her teeth, it made the rise of her confidence no less explosive. She seemingly threw all caution to the wind, charging forth directly into his earthen arms. Boris dashed away, keeping Rover at a distance, but to no avail. Her speedy struts caught up to his back peddling quickly, and instead of attacking, Rover grabbed the earthen hands.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyah6Re7qr
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA2dmAHuEz
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxzQRgCtKY
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtww3TfYTAA
**THUD**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4v47yIoRc
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWFjolDBTu
"Urk!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gBj1sr9Wv
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvCXvyxBzT
Using those arms like a swing, she propelled her feet into Boris' gut. But she didn't stop there. Because there was no better opportunity to do this than now. She pulled the glass right out of her mouth and popped the lid open, throwing it at Boris as she fell to the floor and rolled away.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjFOedkLMP
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlrj7ODj5F
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnqwlgEppm
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB30OnvPfE
"Huh?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Sb4zlVbs
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCA87AOTpl
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5QTEjM4qI
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGjEnRSD21
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV0k5fo2rY
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHU21JtwBh
Boris broke into a bellowing laughter. He held his gut not only to soothe the pain but to hold back his chuckles. Rover knew he would've pointed at her had one of his arms not suffered damage, and though that made her bitter, she kept herself composed for the moment.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXAbv6fetK
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUf7VV8d3j
Boris quit his laughter, wiping a few tears out of his eyes. The orange cloud permeated slowly, so it still was rather thick, but that didn't dissuade Boris from sticking his head in and smelling it like morning air.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuOdMNpf4i
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZX0OpyEA4
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClvzi71aGl
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkbFa4n7aS
Boris threw his arms wide.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC4kyZliPj
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFe6hHPLE9
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLdvlcIWc6
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkPn6Am3yw
In a flash, as he spoke, as the spit flew out of his face, and as the lids of his eyes closed to blink, he raised his leg one step forward. With that leg, his body followed right after, crashing into the dust of orange, spreading it just far enough that it contacted the earthen arms.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqFsnmVWhp
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzUjnKh0np
And then the magic happened.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwSQR3G0rg
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuPv1MTz55
**BOOM**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qK0r8InY9
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf8D2eEnXk
That cloud of dust erupted with volcanic ferocity, an explosion so small, yet so extreme that Rover struggled to keep her footing. A great cloud of smoke took the place of Boris' body, and Rover looked on with the slimiest grin she had ever worn.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSH1GM7tvW
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts1fnYPD73
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAs68NBarg
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwZBZ4Ywhz
She stood up and wiped whatever junk found itself on her shoulder. She approached the site of the explosion, and just like in her memories, it was near heatless. She didn't get too close, however. Just close enough to see Boris' crisps, when that cloud of dust would eventually fade.
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI11UODkIO
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJUO8evlLI
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pu4hhYlBC
And indeed, that cloud of dust faded. It faded rather fast. But then Rover realized it wasn't that the dust faded. Rather, something had stolen its spot.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixxAnRtZvd
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU9oINEAPy
The arm of a titan, reaching out for her, with its open palm like a claw. Rover's instincts forced her body to dash away. Then she stood and watched. Watched as a hulking mass exited the site of the explosion.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gEeCkvBSS
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHNmsqHoyv
Then, it shrunk.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErmiO7Xnmf
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXunwU3aRqT
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3So1Qms5M
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssdketM344
Boris' robes were gone. Cinders, undeniably. Then was the leather armor Rover knew he always wore. That was gone too. The only article of clothing that remained were his pants, and even they were hardly intact. He was covered in burns blistered the likes of which she'd never seen, and his earthen arms were now missing. By all strings of reasoning, Rover should've dashed in and dealt the final blow. But she couldn't.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPPtJxaWk1
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh9CmBjZV1
Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd seen a part of his body aside from his face. And now she felt as if she just discovered a new man. Because all around Boris' torso was a carpet of gaping, sporadic holes.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rSx6BHHmK
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlah9Ceajkc
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjSxINlVQ0
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG1qIGfAaf
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWD9kmABBT
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3H1e7LTCF
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvCHvRy0Ma
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFUg4fiaxq
Boris raised his unbroken arm. He began mana spinning, forming a brick of earth in his hand. And then, from the large hole centered at his navel, the very same brick spewed out and plummeted to the ground.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx9uD1WAak
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjLo3d71BM
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam6TNf1Xyf
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB3YGwNVPz
"Those arms I formed made for a dandy shield, wouldn't you say? Though of course, you hit me in the last place it spawned. Lucky you."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uxb3G7y1Y
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW9nO7lsOe
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMshHLOE7IC
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePl0BQHc6C
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9FfgeYeuH
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHC0psaZid
He dropped the brick in his hand right as another spewed out. He wound his arm, as if to stretch it, then gazed at Rover with the eyes of a monster.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojRZiCMf64
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIMMZPfOkZ
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5YZeg9YYl
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEFWadrPaJ
"...Freak."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3yykJKL9u
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vs18CLKs1
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELIgSKj2lz
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXNId2ddZd
"And just look at how right I was."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUAQri5QPU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecxVY7Wu8t
A hearty chuckle came from him.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBUopAW1JT
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX7QD07uM2
"Well, that won't do you any good."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExQHrrCFwU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6RzC8GyZm
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC3S6Dh5R3
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwhbinpamU
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL5XOaLFJS
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZNTZlR3Gg
She put one leg forward.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhsdhDWk1S
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmmBo9jP9B
"You've got brains since the last time we met. At least, more than I expected. You used them well. You're still worth keeping around."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwgVKu9aqz
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mE6BnulHQ
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdVKxXnGPq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuBQbvvtuy
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAdulRtyGE
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaZinsAs9s
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNajgr6VRhf
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–
–
–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyww4grjpr
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrUKHKmeZd
–From an onlooker's perspective, Rover could see why she'd get concerned stares. Even though her body locomoted tactfully in the fight, the windows to her mind made contorted, bemused shapes. And the removal of her dagger compounded that contortion.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw8NhcNlbn
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F5oZIYzq7
She threw a fist forward. It was slapped away by Boris, and he attempted a counterattack. Rover tucked her head just in time, and with the tiny space between her skull and his arm, she jumped. Boris avoided a dislocation, but Rover kept the assault with a kick from the side. It was blocked by his other hand. She slipped away just before it got caught, and using her right leg like an anchor, delivered a flurry of kicks at Boris, who went to block them.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb0Nb9lr4S
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJSdQ6mwfw
–Rover's kicks were laced. Whether it hampered or bolstered them wasn't something she knew or cared about. At some point, she forgot all about the process of kicking, her mind wandering to holes in her gut. The oozing pastries behind the glass, unable to snatch that gilded stash.
Boris quit his consecutive parries, realizing that such a task was a fool's game. He backed away, which took a moment to compute with Rover, and Boris used that moment to charge in and deliver a quick blow. Rover fortunately blocked it, and as she didn't slide across the room, she had ample leverage to pull a maneuver. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Boris, turning around and putting it over her shoulder. Boris was bigger than her, but that mattered little with her strength. She threw him onto the ground, and his back's unceremonious clash with the floor made its effects apparent on his face. However, Boris pointed his vacant hand at her and out came a burst of wind. Rover didn't have the reflexes to dodge at such a short range and went flying across the room.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexMvEY19Gz
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ424n1pGzKt
–Those morphing cakes reeked of red. Its verdant smell commanded her to smash the glass, but she was smarter than that. She knew that if she broke the shield, she'd lose on the spot. And that couldn't happen. Her blood boiled to steam. Her teeth ground themselves to powder. It was inevitable, seeing as that's how it always went.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMqzT7oja8
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbBbhR1MjT
Boris jumped up from the floor right as Rover landed on it. She struggled to get back on her feet, as the blow from his spell sent her head into a frenzy, but she made do with her wobbly knees. Boris charged forth and tackled with his shoulder. Rover tried to block it, and though she avoided any serious damage, she was swept off her feet yet again. Boris followed with a kick, but right as his foot was about to connect, another gust of wind blew from his chest. It saved Rover from a painful blow and sent Boris soaring away, but the edges of the gust still connected, and she was back on the floor.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2t8O0V4I1
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJsBWZApy5
–When things get at arm's length, they become untouchable. But the obstacle isn't always a protective pane of glass. Sometimes it's a shelf, one just high enough so it's out of your reach. Rover jumped for years, but every time her legs grew stronger, or her arms grew longer, the shelf grew with her, but always a little more. Eventually, her fiddling fingertips couldn't even brush it.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pntwJmB5U
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcikqH5f2TT
Rover fought yet again to get her feet to the ground. She wiped her mouth with her arm and spat out blood-infused spit. She must've cut her inner cheek.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMVypF9Svj
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyGiTajYbS
Boris was far away from her, but charing with full awareness. His pace slugged from before, it was clear to Rover that the explosion still affected him. She used that thought to muster her remaining strength and met Boris' charge head-on. The two entered a series of throwing and avoiding fists, and Rover's superior speed gave her an edge. She landed blows square in the chest, and as she hit his pores, they immediately constricted. Rover cared little as to what that meant and kept bashing, but then Boris landed a fist into her cheek. She rolled with the hit as well as she could before rounding back with her strongest punch yet. It landed right into Boris' palm. He twirled his arm, a clear attempt to break Rover's own, but she had experience with such tricks. She put her free hand onto Boris' and jumped, countering his rotation with her own, and kicking him in the head. But Boris didn't release his grasp, and instead threw Rover up and punted her gut.
–There was almost no doubt in her mind of what would happen. It was inevitable, in spite of her struggle. She was going to lose. Would she die? She knew Boris well enough, and so she knew she wouldn't. But to her, no future existed beyond the time of her loss. No prospects are had at the precipice of failure. It was like the blackness of recollecting one's memory as a fetus. But if these rotten thoughts were all that were within her, then maybe she could've squeezed out a tie.
Rover fell to the ground, wheezing and panting, remnants of her stomach escaping from her mouth. She expected an immediate attack and braced herself, but such an attack never came–
**THUD**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyz9902sa7
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk3mdWJCFh
Rover ate a kick to the face. She rolled across the ground but stopped herself quickly. Her right eye was covered in red, but she could see Boris even through a blizzard. He stomped to her, but Rover didn't move. She reached into the sheath and grabbed the hilt of her dagger, and right as Boris was in range to attack, she threw the weapon at her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cEjMY93Oc
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kWtqnqcRg
–There were chains around her arms, doubts in and out of hiding, pouncing and making escapes with military expertise. There was guilt in her limbs, the ones she used to seal the oath she carelessly shattered. There was anger in her stomach, the one that was always there, residing like a parasite but pulsing now as if it was bound to burst. There was sorrow in her heart, the one she used to fuel words about things she just didn't understand. The one she used to hope. But one affliction was chief among them all.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQpdU4eDOe
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RW2vQudJt
Boris was caught off guard, but not as much as Rover hoped. He just raised one of his arms and let the dagger pierce right through. Boris' screaming was nearly musical to her. Blood leaked from the edges; it was clear the dagger was like a clog. But even so, Boris pulled the dagger out of his arm and sealed the blood-spewing hole with his fingers, performing mana spinning.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26VSnntT4j
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcOhJQxVDI
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWVTWkbXCV
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjx6ZdIRKs
Rover tried to get up and attack. After all, he was right in front of her, making himself vulnerable. She tried, and she was able to get her upper body off the floor, but Boris kept her down with another kick to the chin. Any strength to rise departed, and all Rover could do was watch as Boris approached.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarMHJCEw7B
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BKr5ZvKoP
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzvNQDh3cM
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3YeasyLEn
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPR3O41lOk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2xjLzA795
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAkp6PrxaY
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9of5LBTTZ
"You... ass."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz9uGk4B90
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC6UO7n2wn
Boris stopped before her legs, staring at them while pinching his chin. Rover couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head. But she kept on scowling, even hissing at him as if the action would deter him at all.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL55nvANCL
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhOOY0eKtu
"You're not crawling away?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQk4nsgCWJ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NgJHh80wy
"...I'm not a damn worm."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QG7exIyNZ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5Q4Q71fFZ
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQTqObbqbp
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf25C7iYWZJ
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoKNP2AAr1
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vXas2Ntsr
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmddT4zZ6iU
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbEI4Tbzcy
He grabbed her left leg by the ankle, and as he did so, he began mana expulsion. He formed a great club of earth in his hand and walked over to her hip. Immediately, Rover knew what was going to happen. She moved her arm in an attempt to slap it away, but her hands couldn't reach him.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviRZ3O6S3c
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zH3jVURAg
But, she still tried. As Boris raised the club above his head, the corners of her eyes were taken by darkness. More and more area, subjugated by black until only the very center of her pupils had the ability to look. They stared at the club, as it stood motionless above his head, and she knew any second it would come down, and she knew any second she would be made a fool.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYEciXZsg8
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrzdM2bWu7
And she couldn't do a thing.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb2E88JA6s
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uteQ46KUs
–Frustration. It was her frustration. The object of her long-lived hatred, its ambassador stood right there. But she was being beaten down like a dog. An injured mutt who had to limp on all but one of its legs, even unable to beg. At the edge of achieving her dream, her ultimate goal, she was forced to watch it slip further and further away. And then she realized, she couldn't destroy Hard-Bringer. And then she realized, she couldn't even scratch it. And then she realized, she'd have to wait again, and then train again, and then search again, and then despair again. And as the final blow of the battle came, only two words sprung from her mind:459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX1P1Zxbnn
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkLMSevqsR
Sorry, mom–459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ktzEsvfK9
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**CRACK**459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIVpwe64ML
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyEglhkoe4
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFiZn1vXoX
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWc5P10esc
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKjK54O0a5
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"And there goes your leg."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4bqramWxk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheVck1VQlq
She knew of no word to describe the sensation. Seething, writhing, pounding, shocking,
burning, aching, twitching, pulsing, churning– nothing came to her mind to describe it. The shattering of her femur, shooting fragments of bone like shrapnel to the lining of her skin, but not enough to pierce it. As if dozens of bugs drilled through her flesh, as if an entire home landed on her leg– that's what it was like.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnC5DFoxuR
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MAEQ2TJnF
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1VZMs6oIM
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctEDeZpxH5
She couldn't even move to clutch her leg, to soothe it in any way. The most she could do was groan and yell and grit her teeth, but none of that was possible at once, and when her focus got captivated by his words the way it did, the pain exponentiated.
"Dogs like you– they like to hunt alone. But the moment they face something threatening, they bite just short of drawing blood. Maybe then, you're a defective wolf."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO8TFWmG5Y
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGRUDngjwM
Boris uncrouched and stepped away as a club of earth spat from a pore. He was clearly haggard, limping as he walked away, hardly able to move one leg before the other. That was the only consolidation Rover was afforded; a tiny solace within the sea of agony.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzPcUdm3gc
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But those words of his stole it away.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJcQqLyc2z
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3fKL5geTV
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aemlOvu1b
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0y2TwvF9X
Boris continued limping away until he reached the wall. Then, reeling his fist back, he smashed the glass panes open. He looked down and whistled before turning around and looking at Rover.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARxZp4CLmc
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03f7fNNSyg
She wanted to scream, but all the efforts of her throat and lungs were channeled to ease her suffering. And oh, how she hated it. How she hated the grin of his face, an arrangement of his teeth and mouth designed for eating feces. He waved her goodbye and jumped off while cackling like a witch.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUVcF2QbeR
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGDqc1xB1u
No strength to draw, no will to push. All Rover could do was lay there and cope, lamenting her loss and that wretched monster's words.
and then Add to home screen.