“...”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBfq8acUjG
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VZZzBdu2u
“...”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2IXMGkgw2
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YQjHcOmjp
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalJd3FLrss
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OweLb7td8
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“I have a feeling–”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xyBuDml2m
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDgJ6U4HxT
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmPMeZSDI4
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOOlhb1nFo
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEb75nKylV
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“Do you also have that feeling?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroIOxA7BQC
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ey2owXijt
“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.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaTd3ErwXw
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqExo547POy
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHQrJwXrDy
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhN3lP2wtF
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu2HBnfyPU
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENDpbFkhih
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45HFtbVeGn
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“Y-You!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42bOd9woCv
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi40aUTp98M
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7jwoUrDsT
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzbdiAABSh
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpu4IeiheB
“A-Alright!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L5z6OIeUe
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYtr7CUuMy
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0ErSSMKdz
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XzL9O42uc
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKLXt6vOlP
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZhdbiLaCy
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWRwj5H41m
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CEKYQRGtp
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs2IPqNEC3
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALLjVOn17X
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNoTqQ0x5L
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtkbDXW1jG
“He’s alive!?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD5ldb03FJ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIjnkaitJ1
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIRAVirhaM
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzVSZN82jW
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEVzSAjVGG
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPXkvW0QAs
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPgGd4xmWN
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4d6PISvkA
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRRQQqDFJ0
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80dB5QpMuq
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz1b8cVebM
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL4uFMAtf7
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxa1HEay5j
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMm4pROZpV
“...Well, not exactly.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQhuWUgVSk
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZloybahPkS
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BrJFdIGMV
“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.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxHQIyc9jn
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6geDJLo7g
“Tell me, won’t ya?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPlYJqCho8
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOXpZp5LUr
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NyHZjD1rt
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU9D0HODb0
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhO7ZZdHxp
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIvlOOLnG6
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsTdsfcpCu
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2DvpRTDfQ
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6aazqqILG
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQchlWr8wqi
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ630TqFDtY3
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgfgMOcJIW
“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!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYdbghzld1
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygt8wN4ePh
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsxwQPl6ka
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHoEl1s8DL
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6Kzg3q5a1
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawSiOs5dvs
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iyulgPCmi
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SO23TiaLT
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgVimHBLGZ
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZWOoW1Frd
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2DPwRwHo0
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeRQDcUnU5
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAfrr7wddz
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo8t4geQ5h
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHFzztQ4IP
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbh4tbIJvZ
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dHJmaffGJ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPescgEihVq
–
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–
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–238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7xAR0JDxm
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5reWQCmqt0
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwDNIHiAMS
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkLBR8EGti
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlNemFVkxi
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8QOdOXg5T
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ52DcEazIa
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l7yAIu6Ob
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfvS22CCjq
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OyFbFgpa8
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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.
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVVMH3MW8K
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."
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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.
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"I can just chip away."
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lbFGnNwBO
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.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvwezlr0tO
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj3DGgKBTx
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?
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1sKCQ0N2l
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!"
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XxeovE3ut
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAvODiELJq
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE37Yx9ytq
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekQ4rqtuaX
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0srf8FbaM
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdpuHqfmED
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L5O6PUMBi
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6x8V9ut6A
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUZwxneVM2
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawJLbhY2sH
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y7eRHZH5P
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGzbtwodMo
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1c1A0wyvj
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUCDoZIJBB
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bwQa1yZ3P
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“Crap!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGlx0pmG5D
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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–238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPUoAfzBxV
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**CRUNCH**238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrNrT7ZP48
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHaZ6ap3GX
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYgGy1WkWy
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPkE77LPJW
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAgeGKmwl1
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ512TxPnfEf
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–238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYjv4IpnCF
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“Child! Child, please!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RRsgRaD3L
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“W-What!?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgTX8hUbKs
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eLyUMWNgH
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcLPP154sE
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4achRpLfyL
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8mfmWHMlF
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpWK5BdjM3
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnbZPacShN
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqpGT1hLi3
“...”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAK3ckyOrW
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7hoTTXMIv
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR7yhcRkhq
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzzWwGdvml
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaUsO9nJLO
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG8JTO4Hlh
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6zhAqwSnD
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–238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQUFLbr8vR
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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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxzPUj87cT
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMNYhuMx7t
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH2gclNOYs
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBdxnwhPXF
“Kid! Watch out!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7HP8wTDzd
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8I2bVEhPJ
“--Huh?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ252W6tIZEe
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvnGa08aTB
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ4WPvcrmq
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbUuLRP4TO
“S-S-Shit!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3gZe2k81W
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyLa5UC5OV
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6M654nTGd
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRwr3HW1cl
**SQUELCH**238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNwfESTkUZ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgduNQ4VfJw
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEdmIHSevv
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCNGbtK3wh
“--H-Hrk!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvG7YTPcXN
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24haNKgbp0
“Oh?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCZtUmwPTX
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTZJI15Xkt
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlE3OpPHnb
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6M2WLAHgz
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNRqYSCZr0
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEqJlye9Ik
“Ark… W-Why?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMyH8w4kQf
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj64cVcA1t
“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?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbQovwv1jq
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb2xc4umXg
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8Z3WAFtbQ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSIMdcqm8Q
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PcDB7Uit2
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCD79AJLIJ
“A– y-you monster!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDUQA43R7t
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtmhu150IM
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbf8CvWte0
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtZoNFIqu7
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUdFGUzOJB
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oRtWIPRnr
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuurnZSNYI
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLRn44daWr
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LZNWoOHYM
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR0vnq5BxR
“A-Afraid?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbRSnxShJi
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPBBQf4pGu
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DE3G5M0gt
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwvKHGiUHR
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRua69ksTV
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpqjy3Lfzp
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLsMVKUBdr
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMa9ADChMh
“Damn it. Damn it!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgCkKMEJ30
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZASzmtE2r
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ72dUr6hjX
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT4mVY8XzE
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakROU5cdN4
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp3jCyBGSt
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmOormZnaA
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7hqnzgK2B
“T-Thank you.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WdSabW9Jv
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDloG2XR8T
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPx9VHICLN
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlB5zfqhfK
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt60kYTWOXh
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcpIzoQJuA
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgfsrdYkJq
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5finviHPev
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48cUd4tZxc
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOPv1YKc66
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF1RipjlJh
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QjqRHAge9
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkotuH9fvX
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgCc3miuRz
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSny83HadQ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHoXUJsZwu
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGx4No7Rbp
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5cqNwahEl
“Juke!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6TCGSpDzQ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgyINWhA2H
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyt0b0Phf1
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizSNGPBxmy
“That kid is such a nuisance!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAGF50vMBN
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmecAoubTk
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CmQtiDszq
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAUkWX49DJ
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwx1rI2Pd5
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO10M3vB3v
“Ahck!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeryTbDQiV
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRgqDQtIoI
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh3Qn9Rx1D
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdv9wN9Hya
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnsi96VnTP
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCxU3vHNA5
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKBZ0hxpQb
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BxYhHLDgS
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMdCd5IijR
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAAPoI0Ge9
But, that did not happen.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgKGc411F1
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDaSbMgkeU
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 Bringer238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZisbpdwwGr
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYstxsVbbX
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXJhIY4Kr4
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LExONP8z5
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2ZhG92Fbv
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisGENY4RW7
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ7fc18Fdt
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOejLp0atrK
And he let it rip just a moment later.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O710As1dg
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo6orbmvfO
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43pyrrDYt1
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0k3OSR1h7
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb50G0dgWY6
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRsvaYfpU9
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTDjhTIult
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCCWSasjwW
“...!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTAaCBNXbt
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqVS8av3YP
None so fierce to kill my plant.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7RDu0mm4N
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzcCToItPW
“M-My arm!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJvTmMBjD5
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AGwQfTzjk
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe97qoWboMk
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5RWDB25CN
“Juke!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B8EoWqgqQ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm7tXbFgPV
“Gotcha, kid!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTasQckR4w
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW8cT8ZNJg
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNKWi42W84
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4oysThdp9
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2mWR17AmT
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRYY7baOST
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclsHRAxWVn
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPaUyoBHqt
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpkDhWvFnH
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIwo5qQgy3
“Hrk!”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDWYn3eq3Y
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t3oF8A30C
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9bFbhipS0
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6JrrCVsJz
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqyOKEH11F
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO05FjekBY3
“...”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64vPxntbA8
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeHuqNyitM
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt7QUqa6P6
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHv6xSmKMd
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3W89nCTEQ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIucttlOpxs
“Curse…”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHIyWPWCg8
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatjUz74RC1
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrdnPnWwly
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO07IlVf4T5
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZntdFWoscF
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX1B7pAvEe
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1wUypqMEJ
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePgqDLaROG
“May they, be few.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNZNy0rTN6
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCdMj9egDm
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRx52W7dxh
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT6fxd1fpM
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WF11mBvYP
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wbiXL99jI
“That was… sad.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozct2YrlBa
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZCeU1z5LV
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1RyoBZfg
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiIMooJfm5
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW92TWOvBUK
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAWZ7lTZ4g
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgAjdz8Qug
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhinLR5SuR
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLe7Fe2WtW
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxgK0lpcbw
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eClxxS6QE
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v9ze7T1yT
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhpAhuFyiP
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxmjYdf3GL
“Don’t continue.”238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ2bvY5OkD
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp59hcZzep
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.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoc6peJD2F
238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGG8j2u2o7
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPM7iukFAn
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