The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW0DlyXhxu
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkai0pRjMw
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYfiEMoJoh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hw3fOEhei
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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDVQFuw4I0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyJqeXtBwd
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**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatQVlfvk5j
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEuZ1YNpg
"Ack!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSySh3xN6yU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGaFnHhJXq
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylPnqFbaIT
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN92WPARNg
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qZRE4qF6S
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXNda2h9VV
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKxznBmglU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRIu9zyTMs
"...Useless–!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32WEVQvFpK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1tWDYRBQW
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNvJjXMRGR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmxyFZKWew
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFvm6A4VN2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn3A9mE08i
And it was someone I recognized246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzavqaUt7S
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV86lYMKCWp
–
–
–
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pNnebmQgb
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVJuhTEr1t
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAmBNFGPOU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2DaW8tSnN
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDrJmFgSYK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8h8hMV0Tf
"Hi."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHbDda62OJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka1diyde3O
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2Dl8sx7Bi
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMsUOSHJaI
"What!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGY3lld3uk
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1rO3pFVce
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUggT1mP12
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTiEdY6GLU
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4nM699Wx1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4yVAbrbAb
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG8T1hRTpE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6lQXSNYCz
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsUfFXlnDe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKTburRTRm
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdApHpCVIzp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ0tsvlEqb
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Lpkcx0N9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhA1evjKOC
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeaLe8lrWu
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7plNT2m3j6
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRlheAnyhi
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nsv6DF5oL
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8BqqGPuiN
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHgg4f2Bz5
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8BCk58IeY
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNcSCcsnAV
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6KADkPN3V
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDhHZCy0l2
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVspwnDh61b
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbZQnkz7Xw
"The next room's up ahead!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMDwgqGdsx
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN9MEkYObE
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBU4RyjXGt
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgknGhWN6RX
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVODSa3XP8
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1xqVNw9qF
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG5x8yYnTs
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3vY6uRiqh
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWLlRJJmVO
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ObhSMbqvK
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMLMdgKAFO
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdq5M42ddZ
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KTBFy37Xd
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKcodjkgaw
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfknucXJIY7
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYjKnuA259
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjD4TxLhuW
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS516x5YEJh
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19xtUL5O8S
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8WopFHkgD
**THUD**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfrbLOwWU4
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4NvOBQVAY
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOnpMFPaSH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUz956zASI
"...Same tricks as always."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGNa19Uuy1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhD8AFMpA4
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ONQBub4hD
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4kywIA3U6
"Hoh– it is you. You!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmjRdytN1b
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUMj2Smedi
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM27mpUIEj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQxZx3r3fK
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbdMMdiUH0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8X1M1H1EK
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S5mPY7o2X
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy70k7WX3mQ
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBQLlADWPg
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArsdh2hCdR
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKGtu8DrME
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x1PGqQzUs
"Nigel."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjgIkXGdni
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn40x1XW6PB
"Yes?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwskJby80mK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBNHnYhcjY
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37DLmuc3zu
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvXN5CJLr0
"...You're kidding me, certainly."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLbxiOJlKJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgepcWUSOYG
Rover shook her head back and forth.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoJ8Vrk2Mg
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOACcOzD6WT
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiXVpKwPsq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5KmOhlPoL
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSI1M0OtEI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZTsipuxZL
"You fought him before, then?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCfLD2hYBh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TATk4kdN4
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwWQvJdrEV
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbm998Hk29
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuUNLxK3gg
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC80VtjlBB0
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Y0FgxxA1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtMumEIrsH
"Very well! Don't die on me!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnZ7sXiB5X
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0KKW5sdF9
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTl7fNOC8O
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5bNgk38Iv
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9v40bBWZy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCJ77pPo8B
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13h15EayPr
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv7AOlOA1u
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aGfw990Bh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4uJUsEqug
"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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5WqmvwftK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XGGkayiQj
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO6g6qJ1gy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoLVBxpmIf
"..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m7sZ6OfSz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnic5hXU6er
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyVOJzRrvG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq5DqIJE0M
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hqMuSryqw
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFoLUALHIb
"Fine. Good luck!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcopaOPN6dU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ1TJ2udPV
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tAZavFLM3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7yOnPks9P
**THUD**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFUAafdLZU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgKwfd16X4
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL343MwwjC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgprZ4odBEA
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9HbGIM8We
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjVyMQTBUs
"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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbxb23pU6L
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoY8pFGAbZ
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcb7sEXSuK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU1kVPbfeu
"Come at me, Boris!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSFIMURXml
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHnLWBRF1L
–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScqReeRfrU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h8SFvTsJP
–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NQcNnV2k8
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx9BTZLh0q
–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukHc1yyJgv
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbex3wjSXd
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxzT1BOuNl
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9LU2WSqJx
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y5gThfKbK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawZpWZ3i4x
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuwnJviHQ0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1dMTLpj80
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDhsVOMMQp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseev2a9TXV
"Huh!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdjpJsK7Y5
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydg7FQka86
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWw4qQrbXe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OHyEbjcGf
"Hah!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqSMOsasOb
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqgeSLi7fF
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e0JiKxHyn
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzcyfryLSq
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s5cUzIatY
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYxzEcmkXF
"Here!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm6cyGwAju
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UzXvJ3JqB
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrycY9NJrMJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS6H26fbTf
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM0TVpw8Hj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiilxpmcJH
"Tch."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNENOxBKDz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aKLoQbg8M
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVkhmLMul9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGNbiGh98F
**CLANG**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iROa2XDyp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUsAgt5JjJ
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVzmHSwMfR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMTzI7GncH
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlqh62xALe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7siBIdxk7T
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aEBe3eIaj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S3HOhRt2o
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxaTIIbUzs
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZjX2S59me
**SMASH**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrnPISme0Q
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjejDjMdu3U
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99eiFZTGqn
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpijBZ5Vx5
"Ack. Shit!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZafWvVzEd
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Gm6w5XpP
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDlNQ0jNz9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO2HIh5bgT
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmkWbW8grN
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Wsmimq1O
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfhsIPRtfb
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbp6KOpWjB
"But not enough."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUPXCKDrGZ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY2rARlnlb
"--!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uhZlkGFIZ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqI6Dn2vpN
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGaEAcnzN5
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF90gFLSAZ
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCi40cnTbW
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFzcxjaFJ5
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgEZOwvJVc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBOFhOfTip
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoFfZJJkci
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwbTdeSowW
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdGRCip5VS
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj53yWUadn
"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 "246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeQpdThU3R
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxXloVyQWw
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B8rfs54FJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL9XeLAepU
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0wln0d040
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVQcAxMRUG
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xXEZMdu2O
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VgKEwoJmp
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvigLYVEcm
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoxAvWGteH
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0NXBkJcCx
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7LjffO6QS
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTorYmsD67V
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScDBb2o7wa
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK5cailgi2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEtpACgyvC
"--Fine!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3d1aaxXMd
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf1zV5GnTG
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRTOR5Vdzy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsoMsSile7
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVXVvq8GwP
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQejZTNh13
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeIo2zYZM0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgObd2LLYO
"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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveZ2Siko8h
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuPrjgmSNn
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgr0OFHyYC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41CIi0Aptt
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp6EYLsoaZ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGreKG1OeAa
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXLYUvxz3y
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh3LYJrbwP
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRwLKNtotn
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxfSwnn2s0
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ111eCl1sUB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUZOLbeIw9
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFekImc4rg4
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ5DSMNUHj
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPeDec8n4N
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSxtNYklpu
"Come and find out!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBH2ByAze5
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KwDBpAj51
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRBVyOt3Mi
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ1u4Q8d0y
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ6bCDxXYK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVv6N6AQyn
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZi4qUbiEI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiT0KT0UfL
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3momoVyPeN
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfwdGmc1fH
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xJdgcVJOk
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmphMqns1d9
"Finally!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhuHZ8xdrg
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCxq8SaHoY
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg03yyjhsnC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWo7ljH6pD
"--Ack! Shit!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK92OPrZNlQ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFV4ofYZe6
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA8Lh2UVcc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcYs9hfSFI
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4pMfX8bEG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN78nYp2Yl
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qhM3ze2jc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOo7yjxp3s
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIaG63dd64
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfVtlm0iek
"...!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJS02Np263
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGleXr0TT1
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbCKQao7gy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41hWkzNAzC
"Ah-ha!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaU5lkNj9E
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgeTNUxK87
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjPwXurN8G
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJFSHEVX6u
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsxqH9UevC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJdfOTXd9Z
**THUD**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn152NJYoVI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8wtm7Cver
"Urk!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFyh3fN5XQ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD8lKJKDvl
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75MLEmjNw1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2neC2iCMN
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIuzDAFW66
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9MsyRHgn1
"Huh?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauKFTFFSOJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrzh0YKfSu
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDMX27usx0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoBOJRFklj
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm92bSJrnnM
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT19turWp1
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7uf1yccqU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuPL2tiLYW
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXuZ2zrbJ1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogAn518aN5
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnQRS58knm
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlprun9ACHQ
Boris threw his arms wide.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskCo3uf1cm
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsLUgib88Q
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZPUNSp3R3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhFNeGQ4tP
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeofV7sM8M
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NeSjbwP3K
And then the magic happened.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvyyb3kERW
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK2dpwzLL7
**BOOM**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hdbYGuHq1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmA3yIYO1L
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZycOjOxbK6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hecjvlovp
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7bRFevLQP
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHPENJa9wj
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.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeichATPyfg
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYPBhr4TBj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmXeW6Bvxj
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDfKe9JWh6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNneCNxkzo
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Wb607yI6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUIoFXPMlc
Then, it shrunk.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3UjyChieb
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvsIISbziT
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRRSEuEvnd
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBaeNjiIrS
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACwq3yYSMf
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyCYM66Px2
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8anveMxKI0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWTM1FMITa
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0gRCgzYbl
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH2h6ak9yJ
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfmvnJ1N4I
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41JF2fypK0
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaocrr8CTy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2T5RV87Jg
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPuG0fXvFs
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxhc0sSK7H
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq46yCzA8yy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBES6INCKFH
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQimX8avbJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gCt7Rn1e7
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBjrsSiWAZ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDFORnC3MU
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsro8ePGeX
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl0yh8hZh9
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkMlU7CHCq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx0xeTodjx
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP88PS4NAfy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SXYhSqaal
"...Freak."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5cceMzta
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zI59I9H2n
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy41AZrVz6S
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeQzO07PrL
"And just look at how right I was."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3nRfUCJ1o
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuueCjixFDH
A hearty chuckle came from him.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2dTCsiVAR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDpQtzoMXv
"Well, that won't do you any good."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYb1M1fht6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx4QezdlFG
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixO2XxOE0E
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRuObDlbrb
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwheovTR1Cc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0lC4g8Z2z
She put one leg forward.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1nMsLWta3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZNZhfCHNZ
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8iICBHbmL
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7VE2DpcoU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1kx9tuMhs
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxAKZB01CK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34EbFDCKoL
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbHlQ5691v
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–
–
–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9HKuzDlJh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIBs7O7WUS
–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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoqjs4xHPu
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9aiSQxhZk
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvW5ApcGgQ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAltIgqKva
–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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPiwFFS4Rx
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyKX7P4Xok
–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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpteKRFoKZi
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkvMWwuicc
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLfhFNMs1I
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2PmFryzSJ
–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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrq9x4TrGz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JtHwOy3T6
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTEf4CJCfK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1HSFVm4yB
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**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlejYEekzZI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtgMSYs84Q
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ4M8Z1u1A
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0M4NoVB7I
–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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqgXm8TmfC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0SL3Fki6R
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OHva0LUYj
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"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibSOqIiuI3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamZxCNGyLF
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1FR93UaHx
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWioW6DTid5
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0ADYJHSz5
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NRQz5FvU7
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LQyVbwupJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlm05oXQ7N
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAuapHTCTl
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zqTPSPsuH
"You... ass."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN49ZkIy33v
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjYK7q0QF8
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHITu9NrLJg
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"You're not crawling away?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiuJKOsrUh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5SV9keeJG
"...I'm not a damn worm."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP24pkOaZZA
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpPVx0ij9p
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaWGOSfbVW
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4FudMyAji
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9luNHQ88hH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4Hp6sZiU8
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUPjLPJLbv
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVp3kq4t5z
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBTGLoRN9c
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6nUwaWK2q
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBZZXzesv7
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And she couldn't do a thing.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Qzte2NTQ
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–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:246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvrAtc1a4U
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWlXGw8rRa
Sorry, mom–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL8F3bExBU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwwSviXW62
**CRACK**246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Lh8Ka6fe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSe3v6T16b
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8vxZVwGPj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic7jUGPv6F
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQdIyYquMM
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"And there goes your leg."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu9VY7S1QS
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLQ3Yxm79K
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9p61oxVO2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFHGkOetln
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeg1EnpcQN
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4q9g6AZO9
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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeeGkwMvu1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cey2G3uiB
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmZ9utiC4v
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But those words of his stole it away.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZiOGeb5UX
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcFTSYKymo
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4egkbg2wI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEyTctKtBM
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsGUTUcyV3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdYgappoOe
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNQJzPtXD3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rce5KpdXX
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.
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