“...”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr58ZtRrHET
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“...”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb7o9t8cXm
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU81NkvlVNh
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfWMFIwjIJ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsIG2IOnpg
I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtU8rd51gm
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“I have a feeling–”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuYtvYEhBj
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ3FC6B064
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTZLJdCuS2
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaX671XGt3
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWv4FOgm4d
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpItpRVlo3
“Do you also have that feeling?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq49fyU1kU1
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtayOWKzxR2
“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmY8gJzuBC
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP6b2DDOsQ
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4JAFb7MqT
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnLHSq5uLm
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVrEYuaTbL
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoFFOSjosN
But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgUuzqjWJO
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ758DX1UfTH
“Y-You!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4sHzgwsZW
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaxYZD9YV9
I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5IZHFaWCW
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChSFEcF4zC
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK4Tqzhqa2
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMm1TC1XQK
“A-Alright!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAXHdqy5pt
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs38RNlsDs
Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJC9jjFoFA
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvKiLRt1sf
“Hey! Juke, what are–”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCQB2pQcSn
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7h73xfPVY
My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtYVYUKgIi
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O53t2zh0V
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwulOlsH8e
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXJCIPAlx4
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3JQQfERvI
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbQF7B2El5
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiqy3FStWN
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DPxhy6dWu
“He’s alive!?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF84KbPQTg1
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaP9CEOz4s
The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64M4rwzRuy
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgt9ne5rge
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZMjvi42jg
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLlD9aOhEp
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4vfgq6qTZ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XSNhdPcn4
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjT9lkY9AT
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGAAJGPXTi
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIArOnbzxmD
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dgfekv4TN
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUgMIA95sA
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtoU15htGH
“...Well, not exactly.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX65EvqWYZ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr5yOobTwm
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYCFTSxaNC
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs9yAtAm9C
“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjofNusqumA
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEXlZXltyV
“Tell me, won’t ya?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45nmWkq1Fl
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqi6zEQRYm
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9RXSV4MPJ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpprYpasuH5
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmzI3OB7km
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpaaybokU8
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6M8TKBY8J
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEZeEAfV0g
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYmkZ558jH
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9MeZ3T10U
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQnnuZT4LC
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFSzkf3oPC
“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwuIPdRGJB
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwqSxPRkc9
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSC9Vzu7Y0
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOcNLETV53
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfCb2Sg9U5
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqslkAYuGLh
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQyRUvAY2V
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQQ6KoBZbO
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcA4N1szAs
The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADV8UkhG7X
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVH2Pnzljz
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey3jkYgcSa
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VqeJ3Rlq9
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy52vXKDOck
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADEydPQgux
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4onhknacP5
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL6yd1CdHJ
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFr5lCau5C
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu49URZVX9
–
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–
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj2LPArOTQ
–343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoyz2VydhD
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmjraCUtRL
The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9OFOUR7cS
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEQ4rzG8Ep
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7msvABgpr
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPhVfMyqgP
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t7SIwRV57
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5xLX1mXdn
“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPuw2vdj10
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWk6TWU8ej
He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpoV9Hq9E3
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEq9RAl3Hq
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4TM4p6EAK
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaVQzjholH
Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIVmeySdI2
Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvRHseYNld
The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr94CqP6Dp
"I can just chip away."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcihB6ONw34
I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lwm4sjo6Z
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX32Aa6ZXJM
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVsMcWAyde
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MMulsApXr
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYqcIoeWla
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4MrtAzbok
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRpCFfgg1N
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz4WgAXijR
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzOlwRXXYF
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryA0tL57Zv
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv3FlK0rBd
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uscW3VTYo
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP6Byak3X8
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOSec6UEq4
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEV3NF5WXZ
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwZHAwxUBn
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug08S9YKh1
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmB1xgY5h4
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTALDvQ9yu
Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaGhCX79WV
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl32CsEqsmj
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“Crap!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZvEHsJ9Qn
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEeeHSFgKY
I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lf6BCrmZn
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLwsB997Td
**CRUNCH**343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWFNBicR5m
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DIU790Wfh
The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbRkYxzx1z
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2S6HNFNqE
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeq7KcmPuS
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9OvXW7jmw
Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNzAOk5gkY
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJX74YTbYH
I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rmboQa0D4
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“Child! Child, please!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SiF7RJLtv
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9gwu83LSY
“W-What!?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92slOMfrHC
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoCP6C7hVt
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJvCOcuQ8J
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhBVHtN6ss
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFmYkJxo8x
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K2J378J6d
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndrI0HZfq1
“...”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfhD8GOTXV
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9kGIMmMpd
I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzaNRnYhQl
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcHAVEDvlG
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ7tuLjvCO
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRaVn4pdQI
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9usJtDBi4
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7I1PBB248
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBmsTcjqDl
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP2taPbhHZ
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c5vSHAwjA
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ34ciGfUz5
And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf4TxCyw5i
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHYCsiH8EJ
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu2Iio002A
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacVEh1OPRR
“Kid! Watch out!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkNgXMpVRS
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTy8LmB86q
“--Huh?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV9N99XAyr
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTjrJdZOrE
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BGII33Vcx
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVynrluvPyt
“S-S-Shit!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAESof1AQN
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjkb94xeSa
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWPj0WTJ42
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhuG8z39ZF
**SQUELCH**343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffKRwHZfZf
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc28FiAyIe
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYM1M16TVv
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCfCEjG0ST
“--H-Hrk!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFk0XCPUj1
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVXFXn1FPe
“Oh?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziTCoPyFaL
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLEfpLzpd3
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cJJyRg5V7
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWH87YyElL
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRH1LMBMPD
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW88MwOsCeu
“Ark… W-Why?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCniGIOJs2
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF70hMjZ59o
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPoAHVOmot
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8JvBYLP6d
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVpLqSAoF0
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AY8NkleRn
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzPpfN57Uq
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqG29elMSA
“A– y-you monster!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFAjSVriML
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAzR14xkMt
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWw3uGeceK
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSn9K31Q5I
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9reEXly39
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmViMhd4AGU
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAlX45qHJc
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kBklpXSc3
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDWgFAVhzu
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyfWGaTeGt
“A-Afraid?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xGrPZot1z
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYaayWbxAs
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueNELAOeSB
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeNhJdlLpR
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR9NpphvGX
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA73hW9X2oB
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNbAGZW0br
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh60UfDipD
“Damn it. Damn it!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aAwWm7J0t
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEdgGXQ2uC
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweZRbcCt9c
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LE2kIUXYt
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3GQQldVsX
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboOalkBozr
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD46ZnaR8q
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV6t4CiCJs
“T-Thank you.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxoarqxpUs
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYB8VXbiGl
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2idJlyZ5a
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiINUfhUyc1
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zD44q6rDP
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBFvy6V5t9
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBvi22tyvB
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTQKpDne2G
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7OyJbGBKD
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDchi7SndN
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE9ELlFF2C
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ORa4br6rT
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHmiqWMrVF
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1RdrOPD8G
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7XfMfYYxe
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp43elZ4THa
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI0ke6yWmp
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6maOREn45U
“Juke!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOazgQXbOSQ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNi4b0Rw2m
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEzugqxB2Y
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHoPoIKpJ9
“That kid is such a nuisance!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8byFdbHl0Q
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMCwP4FgJd
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNWtYlpGMK
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW0DIiFCWy
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GMNB0J6Zw
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf0ltfvLQz
“Ahck!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpLqHATaTS
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3gqYwJGxs
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDipCf0ysQ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU8dF8dQ8D
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmU7RJvZcH
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCscBCrhpK
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXW1xMefom
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdEUkMd7B8
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6SFHPVfkc
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOuomwO1vg
But, that did not happen.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3geSSp5uk
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngwtNYsPMq
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7V8uoZVXW
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WFmSifida
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2fsIAr4Fu
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqDj0JyG6P
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQL6q6vkMo
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWggpMqDIKU
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz6jAUGkXw
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6yjgNM6vc
And he let it rip just a moment later.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9MOLSIxjB
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWHrh2Z7bL
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpMnkIHLCN
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkaUFqaJ63
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdXSdfNPDm
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1D8l2WpSL
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qGJERvUgK
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7ksz7hKOC
“...!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0YDxCfCbk
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYbpKpHZcS
None so fierce to kill my plant.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2ykWYJEci
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8NBwx5Fop
“M-My arm!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD6aT1OaGM
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6U3C0rWcx
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRRm2dsvMl
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSoX6760ZR
“Juke!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpZdBLnDmJ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTbMIfBTK1
“Gotcha, kid!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueqgVIFiws
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTa8Yn1KO8
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PHrh6RiY9
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BmoPLg08y
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mp7YnulcE
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3syHWM0e5c
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKyua4by8H
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjMJdTel9f
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCPngl5Meq
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENOveAE8aX
“Hrk!”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyZpBDzPF4
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhcBCuSJlY
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1WRLUhdNJ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvtvzRicfG
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaUklRZuil
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09NwE7Ucxy
“...”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxS7rYYeTq
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBIhUgm55j
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaPTm9u7zk
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tg0rPi6ix
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ejAMSGTWU
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIKVOISYBH
“Curse…”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYygWQE1JqJ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV8bfdzD5s
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDT1jEN3gl
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCv3ClgPXm
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcurMFhRipn
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBdA3YLsNB
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJO8roeYBJ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3DdeAWXml
“May they, be few.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4xoymU9Wu
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePMuel4sXI
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6rTPrNdMN
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YbA4ia3sj
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRpWLkUiRB
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu6abk8Rre
“That was… sad.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vd9sB6Wmr
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHIc0l3nFJ
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwmDbeAXQR
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAVPpaN4Yg
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrIxxxPDpO
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWLAu47WII
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGqmyoYwkB
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dUl0uSPAy
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv5C0lZyce
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRcWpGH1XA
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT4vFYbCfp
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbnOL5OYWw
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSNS5s2dYX
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3vVlCrAe5
“Don’t continue.”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0mAzzYwrD
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclTV5U5KTB
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEioVWoI6t
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqjXN3N4d6
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwvmZyaoOX
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