Fubuki: “And that’s why I won’t fault anyone for leaving. Once again, I’m sorry.”
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She takes a bow towards the members of the Blizzard Group whom she pushed away and overworked. No more will she run from her mistakes regarding them.
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They have every right to leave her after what she did. But before that, she can at least offer an overdue apology. Their response, however, wasn’t what she was expecting.
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Eyelashes: “We accept your apology, but we won’t leave.”
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Fubuki: “H-Huh? But why?”
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Lily: “Because we still want to follow you. Despite some problems, you make us better.”
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Fubuki: “I-I see… and you, Mountain Ape? After pushing aside after you simply wanted to help.”
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The giant man takes a moment after sighing to answer.
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Mountain Ape: “I won’t lie, Boss Fubuki, it did hurt for a moment. But I realize that you were simply worried about civilians and knew I was better suited for that task. You truly are a great leader!”
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Fubuki: ‘That wasn’t the reason though, still… ’
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Fubuki: “If you all truly still want to follow, then how can I refuse? Thank you all for sticking by me.”
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Eyelashes: “Of course, Boss Fubuki. We’ll be sure to not slow you down, we promise.”
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Blizzard Group: “Yes!”
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Fubuki: “Heh, I’m truly lucky to have such loyalty. Then, the first order of business for today is stopping the newbie crushing.”
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Now that got everyone’s attention.
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Lily: “A-Are you sure? Are we really stopping?”
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Fubuki: “Yes.”
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Eyelashes: “What about the rankings?”
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Maybe it’s because of her new strength? Maybe it’s because of her growing bond with her family? Or maybe she has rediscovered her heroic spirit?
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Either way, the time has come for her to abolish this practice.
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Fubuki: “I’m confident we can keep it without resorting to something like that. We’re better than that, right? We’re the Blizzard Group, the best agency in the area! We shouldn’t have to bully others to prove it!”
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Those before her burst out into tears or simply sport large smiles. The biggest of all being Lily, the one who hated that practice the most.
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Eyelashes: “Well, I think this is cause for a celebration!”
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Mountain Ape: “A party!”
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Fubuki: “Yes, I think we’ve earned it.”
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After another round of cheers, the impromptu celebration was underway. Drinks all around to welcome a new age for the Blizzard Group.
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It lasted the rest of the day, tiring most of them out. But Lily made sure to not drink too much, because she had a present to give. As Fubuki was exiting her agency, Lily ran up to her with a gift.
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Lily: “Boss Fubuki! I have something for you.”
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Turning around in time, Fubuki watches Lily hand her two coupons.
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Fubuki: “What is this?”
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Lily: “Something I won in a raffle. It gets you a free night at a pretty fancy restaurant in the city. I know you don’t… like talking about your sister. But I thought this could be a good way for you to bond… maybe?”
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If this were a few months ago, Fubuki would have accepted the gift and gone with her mother or Izuku instead. But now?
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Fubuki: “Thank you, Lily. I have been meaning to talk with Tatsu.”
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Lily: “No problem! I’m happy to help you two make up. I never had a sister, but if I did, I’d try anything in my power to be close to her.”
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Nodding in understanding, Fubuki takes the coupons and flies off after thanking Lily again.
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Fubuki: ‘I suppose this is a good time to talk with her about Izuku and Kiri… ’
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Tatsumaki: “Eh, not sweet enough.”
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Fubuki: “I know you can eat normal food, big sis. Don’t complain; it’s free.”
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To her surprise, it didn’t take much convincing to get Tatsumaki to agree to hang out. In fact, she seemed a bit… eager.
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Fubuki: ‘Can’t be. Doesn’t sound like her. If she wanted to spend one-on-one time together, she could have… oh.’
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Is is because she’s strong now? Now she’s worthy of the time?
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Shaking her head of that depressing thought, Fubuki took a bite of some of her pasta.
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Tatsumaki: “So, we have to talk about Izu and Kiri, right?”
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Fubuki: “R-Right. Thoughts on it?”
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Tatsumaki: “I still find it weird. But it’s not like I can stop them.”
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Fubuki: “Really? You?”
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Tatsumaki: “This is a bit different then… before.”
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Fubuki: “Right, I suppose.”
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Taking a moment for the effects of their brush with the past to fade, they continue to enjoy their fancy meal. After a minute or so, Fubuki says her piece.
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Fubuki: “I think I’m getting used to the idea. I think they know not to do anything weird in front of us. So in the grand scheme of things, nothing has changed.”
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Tatsumaki: “Right. So it’s settled?”
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Fubuki: “Yeah, we can tell them after they come back from their trip.”
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Tatsumaki: “They’re going on another trip?”
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Fubuki: “Apparently, I heard about it from Emory. Don’t know where they are going though, confidential.”
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Tatsumaki: “Good. That way no villain can get to them like before. Well, even if they did, I have a feeling Izu has become strong enough to handle it.”
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Fubuki: “Really? You… trust him that much?”
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Tatsumaki: “Something changed after he came back from I-Island. I can’t put my finger on it, but he seems stronger. Not as strong as me of course, but impressive.”
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Fubuki: “I see… ”
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Seeing her little sister getting self-conscious again, Tatsumaki finally took the initiative.
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Tatsumaki: “He’s not the only one. I’m pretty sure you would do… fine if those villains attacked.”
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Fubuki: ‘Just fine? At least she’s trying to keep up with what she said before.’
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Tatsumaki: “But you would do even better if you gave up that silly group you created.”
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The goodwill Tatsu just bought starts to slip away due to that comment.
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Fubuki: “What do you mean?”
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Tatsumaki: “Like I’ve said before, you’ve grown strong. It’s time to lose the training wheels and go solo like me.”
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Fubuki: “You have Arashi.”
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Tatsumaki: “T-T-That’s different!”
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Composing herself, Tatsumaki took a breath and continued.
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Tatsumaki: “Be honest with yourself, Fubuki?.You beat Kiri in her Valkyrie form. I don’t know how, honestly, but you did. Does anyone in your group even come close to that?”
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Fubuki: ‘No…’
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Tatsumaki: “You can’t baby them forever. And if you do, you’ll only stagnate.”
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Fubuki: “Such a big word.”
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Tatsumaki: “Fubuki.”
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Fubuki: ‘Oh… she’s in big sister mode. She’s serious… ’
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Tatsumaki: “You don’t want to fall behind Izu or Kiri, right?”
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Biting her lip, Fubuki replies.
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Fubuki: “But… I don’t want to just leave them. We just got done celebrating a new era for the group.”
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Tatsumaki narrows her eyes at her hesitating sister. She won’t let that group ruin the growth she finally sees in Fubuki. Sighing, the eldest tries another tactic.
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Tatsumaki: “Technically, you don’t have to leave them.”
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Fubuki: “R-Really?”
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Tatsumaki: “Yeah, it’s your agency. I’m saying you shouldn’t spend so much time with them, and you definitely shouldn’t be patrolling with them.”
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Fubuki: “And why’s that? It’s just patrols.”
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Tatsumaki: “Because you can use that time to train or deal with problems they can’t handle. It’s like… a high-level character only playing a low-level area. You can’t improve that way.”
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Fubuki: “… Heh, you still play video games?”
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Fighting down the blush of embarrassment, Tatsumaki struggled to get out her next words.
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Tatsumaki: “S-Stop changing the subject.”
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Seeing that her big sister would not let this go, she said the only thing she could.
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Fubuki: “I’ll think about it.”
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Tatsumaki: “Good. And you don’t have to train alone; you can go to Izu, Kiri, or… me… you know. I wouldn’t mind.”
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Fubuki: ‘Kiri or Izu maybe. I still don’t want you mastering what makes me unique.’
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Fine, she could admit that her mental abilities are… above average. They have to be if they affected Kiri. She also has good control over ice and snow.
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But she has no doubt Tatsu could replicate those abilities and do them far better if given the chance.
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Fubuki: ‘Yeah, I’m not experiencing that again.’
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Tatsumaki: “Okay, enough serious talk. I want to finish this pasta.”
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She says while using her quirk to control the noodles, moving them into her mouth. Fubuki smiles at the action and does the same, a bit more elegantly, of course.
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Despite the previous heavy subject, the rest of the night was, dare she say it-
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Fubuki: ‘Fun.’
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Not something she could have said months ago if they had tried this then. So maybe all the scars of the past they both bear can one day heal. As long as this trajectory can last.
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The boy wishes he wasn’t getting used to it, but he is.
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Every night, he fights within his mind against hordes of creatures from his worst nightmares. Powerful, grotesque, and brutal.
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Worst of all, mercy wasn’t an option.
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He had to kill them. Sure, technically they can’t die. They respawn like video game characters. But it doesn’t change what Izuku has to do to them.
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Crush.
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Cut.
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Explode.
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Mutilate and tear apart.
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Such death and violence has become far too common.
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Izuku: ‘I’m… becoming numb to this.’
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Cecelyne: “But you’re growing more powerful, my prince.”
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Currently, the boy is leaning against the wall of a window within an extravagant pyramid within the endless desert that is Cecelyne. He looks out to the sandy dunes and sighs.
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Even now, he can remember when those dunes were filled with the demons of the entity. Thank Cecelyne for breaks.
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As for the entity itself, she chose to not appear as an avatar. Instead, he speaks to him as the desert, emitting sounds that don’t exist, yet somehow he still understands.
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Izuku: “I’m already going to training camp soon.”
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Cecelyne: “That mortal activity will do little for you as you are now.”
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Izuku: “I figured.”
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The boy lays his head on his knees and again sighs.
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Izuku: “Aren’t I strong enough?”
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Cecelyne: “No. To my surprise, you’re not even the strongest of your world yet.”
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Izuku: “Azrael?”
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Cecelyne: “Yes. He, along with your big sister and the one they call All Might, are still beyond you. For now. But it won’t be long until this world will be too small for you.”
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Izuku: “Seems unnecessary to become that powerful.”
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Cecelyne: “Do you not want to be a great hero?”
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Izuku: “I do and I will.”
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Cecelyne: “Then more power will only aid in your goal. In fact, I think you’re ready for another aspect of your power.”
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Izuku: “Really? What else can I do?”
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Cecelyne: “I’ll think you’ll appreciate this. You’ll be able to… save many with this.”
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Izuku’s head rises as she appeals to his reason for being.
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Izuku: “Tell me.”
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Cecelyne: “It is the ability to exercise your right as our prince. To bring to your world the many legions within.”
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And just like that, his head falls.
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Izuku: “You can’t be serious.”
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Cecelyne: “Is this not to your liking? Would not soldiers under your employ allow you to… save more?
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Izuku: “Yes! But… ”
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Seeing them in his mind is one thing, but in the real world? Having his friends and family see them?
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How could he unleash such horror into the world?
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Cecelyne: “Feel no fear over what you command. The world will accept their presence, with time.”
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Izuku: “I don’t know… ”
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Despite the horrors, he can’t lie and say it wouldn’t be useful to have an army at his command. But he would have to be strategic about it. Otherwise, he would inspire fear instead of hope like All Might.
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Izuku: ‘All Might… I’m so far from that, aren’t I?’
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Cecelyne: “You should be you, my prince. Not a mortal past his prime.”
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Izuku: “… Can you stop reading my mind?”
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Cecelyne: “Hard not to while you exist within my desert.”
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Tired of talking with her, Izuku got up and stretched.
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Izuku: “Let’s continue training.”
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Cecelyne: “Excellent. But we’ll change things up a bit. As punishment for… ill-spoken words, I’ve banned Slaanesh from my sands for a while. You’ll channel Adorjan this time.”
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Izuku: “You two really hate each other, huh?”
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Cecelyne: “It annoys me. But more than that, when it profanes my sands, it makes me feel… things I shouldn’t be able to.”
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Izuku: “You do seem more… human when Slaanesh is around.”
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A low rumble echos across the sandy plains.
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Cecelyne: “The focal point of the problem. We are far beyond such things. Yet, due to the nature of those chaotic four, such things infect us occasionally.”
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Izuku: “You know I’m human too, right?”
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Cecelyne: “For now, my prince. For now.”
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Unable, and frankly unwilling, to delve into that implication, Izuku focuses on what he can understand.
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Hard work and training.
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and then Add to home screen.