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“ STOP FUSSING… I’m weak, not dead, Elinor chided her husband as he tried once more to offer her anything she might need.
“ A drink is here if you need it.”
“ Are you sure you’re not hungry?”
“ I can get them to bring food.” he was stressed with grief, not able to help her. She gently stroked his cheek, tears long dried from crying, she was grateful he loved her so much.
“ Dear, trust the gods. “
“They did not curse me, it is just something that happens,”
“Even if we can’t get a cure, I can slowly build my magic and recover; beastkin do it all the time.”
“ He was not sure about her faith not in the gods he trusted but about the recovery; it was extremely rare humans did…”
“And the only alchemists have been known to not care about making the potion, no matter the money.
The rumor was he auctioned it off once a month but that was a year ago he since found better ways to profit…
“I asked Nebo to travel to the city and send a letter petitioning the alchemist. It’s a long shot, but maybe if we pay double or… more, he will help.
“ She sighed leaning back in the bed it was a nice day birds chirping she was just tired… “It’s fine.”
“There are things I will miss doing, but the girl tended to help so much, so we usually just gossiped.”
“ I will be fine, love, please rest.”
“ I know you have been up late in the night. “Bishop Light enters at that moment with a solemn look.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“ I wish to offer you privacy. “
“But I know this is just the start, and there will be others…”
“ We tend to house many here, so space is limited.”
“ I don’t want to sound callous, but I fear others will get the weakening and have no family.”
“ to offer them safety.” Justin looked at his wife. He knew the priest was right, he just was afraid to move her. he saw his wife smiling at him even with his fears.
“I can walk at least a little.”
“ and worst case you can carry me a way it would be nice like old times “ he blushed at that remembering their younger days and how he always carried her around for fun… now it was because he had to.
“Don't give that look.”
“The kids will fear the worst and they don’t know im ok. “ He nodded at that.
“Ok “ let me carry you for a bit then when we’re sure it’s an open space we can try walking a bit or resting till later.
A new voice spoke in the distance, “Don’t tell me what to do. “
“I’m here to see my family.”
“ bunssiness can wait”
“ my secretary runs things just fine one more day won’t change anything !” around the corner into the room the little gnome entered bags under his eyes as he looked at Elinor “ goodness child you gave us a scare are you ok?” He ran up to her with the power of the wind pushing him to her side ever faster as he took her hand she squeezed it while smiling.
“You both look horrible.”
“ and I’m the one that sick!” She was amused and happy to be so loved “I promise this is just a minor setback.don’t let the village fall for my sake.
“Bha, they like to complain for their own interests.”
“ But you child are worth that waiting,”
“We all knew this day could come …”
“Just tried to avoid it. She nodded at that while her husband still looked lost.”
“We need to see the children. “
“I don’t like leaving them alone; it has been at least a day, no? “
“It’s been three, I think,” bishop light interjected, both her husband and mayor glaring at him, he pulled his hands up in defense. “I’m not judging,”
“Just answering a question asked,”
“ If I could, I would gladly heal everyone and more.”
“ I lack that power. “
“All I can do is house and love them till they find peace.” She forced herself to move. Why did her body feel so weak just trying to move and stand?
“It’s fine light thank you for housing us” Her husband and mayor both feeling abashed agreed and thanked him the trip back home was a struggle and she needed to be carried over halfway.
What surprised her more was the need to sleep while being carried; why did it drain her so much? Nearing the house, they saw Nina hanging Laundry. She saw them coming and went into shock for a moment, then shouted.
“WOLF, LENA, IT’S MOM SHE'S BACK! “ The door swung open like been struck by a bolt and outran her kids.
all of them rushing to see her dad warn them to be gentle, but there was no need; she was too weak to move, not touch, and she loved all their embraces,
Even as they sobbed their fears, she assured them everything was ok; she was home…
The day passed into the night with everyone telling their side of events. The mayor was tired and defeated
said it would be a few days taking care of the events that would come, but he wished he could stay Dad and Mom eventually rested with Wolf Nina and Leeena all comforted at least for now that their mom was ok even though they still had things they wanted to do. For now, it will have to wait for another day.
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“ He was still tired; even after a few days since his mom came home and things settled down, things had been a struggle. He reviewed Herbert’s notes; there was so much to learn, but nothing to solve the need for a cure, and both his sisters had been doing better.
Focusing on work in the shop and at home Mom was overjoyed at all the attention but kept chiding them to live she would rest and recover it was not the end of the world; it just felt like it….
He knew it would take time, but everything felt unfulfilled, so he focused on getting herbs and making new potions just like Herbert. He will make it work,
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Arlin awoke to another day; things were better now than years past all the dungeon runs with near death barely avoided to reach this point he looked at his hand.
Easily able to shift to darkness and back he mastered the skill long ago he opened the door with the darkness and left for the day he already wished Terry well for the years he had been his friend.
Rosa, it seemed would be traveling with them. She has family in that new town, so she put in a transfer.
He was heading to the church to say his goodbyes. He visited them at least once a month when he could, but it was always strain and rock-felt distances, yet Ziala was always happy to see him, so it kept encouraging him to come back.
It was easy to hide among the crowd of grey robes even though his clothes stood out, being all black, he always seemed to blend in their shadows, surprising the priest which happened repeatedly.
They would try harder to look at him in plain sight. While amusing, he was just here for the kids.
Well, teens now but still kids to him. He found rock first in a grey robe playing his flute he was really good now and even had a crowd admiring his music.
“ROCK! It has been too long” he yelled and waved to get his attention like a flock of birds it spooked the crowd and they scattered.
Rock was not amused he was yelling in church. “ Sorry, I missed you is your sister near?”
“ I just wanted to say goodbye.”
“Even though things did not work out, I still see you both as family,” he said with a smile.
“ Zilya is here, though I wish she would reconsider, the church is our home.” Arylin was confused about what he meant by that. he knew the church was their home, so why did he make that statement?
“ Everything ok? They not causing issues for you guys right?” rock sighed and looked in the distance to their room where the door was ajar but he coundt see inside was that where she was?
“ Will you take care of her?” the question was out of the blue and threw him off, but he responded all the same.
“ Yes? “ He wasn’t sure where this was going; this was a weird goodbye He knew he was a little distant, he blamed his mother’s way of raising him and all the dungeon battles kind of made him at peace with how things were now; he was in a way… happy.
That was when he saw her she looked stunning she was wearing the same dress he bought her years ago now it looked almost like a skirt She looked healthy and happy, and when she noticed him she beem and rushed to him,
he grabbed her and twirled her a bit in the air and she laughed “you’re looking well and in a better mood then your brother” rock was not amused. Ziyla stepped away with joy and announced a shocking truth.
“I’m going with you! “
“Um… what? “ Arlyin wasn’t sure what she meant he knew he said years ago they would always be together, but that was a dream, and when he one day got home, maybe…
He never thought about it. “ You sure? “ He finally said after a moment of shock she looked hurt and Rock spoke first.
“ Told you he forgot, he made that promise on a whim.”
“ the church never left us…” It hurt him to hear Rock saying that but it was kind of true. Ziyla stared at him, confused.
“I already cleared it with the church and your mother? “She was puzzled. “Did she not tell you?”
“ I was going to work in the new guild so I could be with you?” he wasn’t sure what to say to that. He loved his mom, but she was… slow with details unless she wanted to tell it, and she relied on Terry and Rosa too much for details…. He sighed
“Is Rock coming too?'
' Will it still be in the new church you live in? 'He had more questions but least needed some answers first. “
“ No to both,” Rock said, always passive, Arlin thought,
“She planned to live with you.”
“The other church won’t have a room with a new outbreak of weakness in the area.”
“ I can speak for myself,” ziala spoke up, tired of being sidelined. “I have been mailing letters for a few months.”
“ setting things up, since I knew you had been leaving.”
“ I was trying to make sure we could go at the same time. “
“It was a lot of work, but I did it.”
“ I got a job, and securing a place with you isn’t that great!” he wasn’t sure how she did that, but he guessed he was happy she was there. He was used to being alone, so this was different. She saw he wasn’t sharing her joy and got sad, “So it's true.”
“You never wanted to be a family? “
“ NO!” he panicked, “It was just a shock.”
“ A surprise, I thought I was coming to say goodbye.”
“Not bring you with me, I am happy, I swear !” he was happy, it just was throwing him for a loop this change. She hugged him, happy things were working out, they both said goodbye to Rock, he had already made his peace with this long ago, it seemed, as well, as his sister planned to be with him…
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A few days passed before they got their wagon transporting them to the new place, Rosa, with part of another caravan group since it required a few workers and supplies.
His mom, Ziala, and he shared a coach. He wanted to ask sooner, but everyone was busy. Now they were stuck in one spot, he had time to ask for details. “So when were you going to tell me?” His mother drew a pipe and was smoking again, a habit she never stopped.
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“ What do you mean, son?”
“you knew we were coming here for a while this is nothing new?” She played coy zyila, looking concerned, but just watched as he sighed, knowing she wanted to force him to be blunt.
“I’m happy my adopted sister loves me and wants to join me on my new adventure,”
“But she spoke as if you knew and never told me why?” She blew the smoke out the window, slowly watching the trees go by. She sighed and pouted.
“ You kids were always trouble.”
“ I did try to get Rock to join, too he wanted nothing to do with us.”
“ he preferred to repay his debt to the church, he said.”
“ Ziala, though, was more than happy for a chance to be part of the family.”
“Why is that a bad thing? “Zylia looked at him with concern. And he forced a smile, patting her leg.
“No issues,”
“Just the dungeons will keep me busy, and I won’t have time to watch over you.”
“HAH, please,” ziala said in a retort,
“No offense, but you have been there for a while. “That hurt more than he thought it would even if true, “ but” she went on, “That’s ok, this… is family rock knew it too.”
She got a sad look at that, and mom brushed her fur gently while looking out the window, slowly blowing smoke. It seemed they talked more than he knew. “ I want to work and I want to help you, so this is how I can do both.”
“ and still be close”
“It was worth it to me.”
“We will see Rock again, I know it, “ as she watched in the distance
“Ok…” he said, smiling
The rest of the trip was uneventful; there was a lot of tedious work getting everything settled, but it was easy once everything was settled he worried about the dungeons later now they had time to enjoy their new freedom.
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Nebo was exhausted from the trips and letters to the city that were only dead ends for weeks…
He finally got an official meeting with the head alchemist, they met before, but it seems over the years he distanced himself more and refused most direct business…
Out front, there were thugs for lack of better words guarding the place he even had to wait to be let in, though not surprising to him it still was annoying.
After a long, drawn-out process he finally was able to see him again he looked the same. Maybe slightly aged and tired, but that was only if you knew him well; anyone else would say he was the same.
“It’s been too long, mister Tommy, sir. “Nebo started trying to be formal, but Tommy just looked indifferent and then spoke.
“Tom is fine and it has… “
“I vaguely remember you. You’re always trying to sell cheap alternatives to alchemy and poor man's ideas. “Nebo did not like how he downplayed Wolf’s work, but it was true that he tried to sell cheaper things.
“ While true, that’s not why I’m here.”
“You know we need a weakness potion, right?”
“ We tried many times to bid for one.” he was hopeful he was just busy and not indifferent to their plight.” Tom sighed
“I stopped making those years ago.”
“too unstable, not worth the cost; personally,”
“The only reason I’m even giving you the time of day is I heard you made a cheaper mana potion.” Nebo wasn’t sure how he knew about that and frowned…
“ O, please, don’t act so shocked “
“people talk”
“Word got around, someone can make a cheaper product and mass produce for a fraction of the cost?”
“ Well… now I'm listening.” Nebo did not like where this was going
“ I don’t mind working out a deal, but the potion? “ Nebo wondered
“No…”
“ I told you it’s not worth the effort, now if gold is the issue name your price.”
“ I want the mana potion…” nebo wasn’t sure how to handle this he knew wolf would give it free… but would he still if he knew this man refused to help his mom he was conflicted.
“ It seems we are at an impasse, Mr. “ Tom wondered
“ Nebo,” he said in a low voice
“ Well… nebo.”
“We both have something the other wants and won’t budge. “
“How can we work something else out?” He knew it wasn’t what Wolf would want, but he figured at the very least, more herbs could work.
“Supplies us with more herbs and lets us purchase more to search for a cure.”
“Tch, your kind sure get persistent trying to save the poor… “
“It’s a waste, but I’ll allow it.”
“In exchange for a copy of the recipe, “Nebo wasn’t happy, but the world was full of compromise vs are desires and left to work out the details.
Tommy watched him go, a thug walking in after he left, making sure everything was ok.
“ You good boss?”
“Fine”
“ Ok, boss,” he turns to leave
“Before you go, what is the most important thing? “
“Um, money boss? “ He smiled hearing those words.
“Thank you. Take the rest of the day off, treat your men to food and drinks, you know what matters in life, and you all deserve a treat for being smart.” The thug wasn’t sure why this turn of events but shook his head, happy all the same
“Thanks, boss!” and left before he could change his mind as Tommy sat in thought about how sad it was the poor and weak begged those in power for more… if they had money they wouldn’t need to beg; they could do whatever they wanted, just…like….me…
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He poured over his new notes, trying to find something, but everything was failing.
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The mixture doesn’t matter; the magic effect distills to water if there are too many effects or not enough magic in the brew. It requires more mana to counter and will make more potent effects. Side effects are still based on based herbs used, if any exist.
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Many versions of healing, mana, or buffs can be made regardless of the mix, an antidote almost always works but also can destabilize depending on the herb mix.
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Dungeon crystals are a catalyst that makes many potions easier with the same effects and even removes side effects from herbs. No cures so far.
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He was tired, but he kept trying. It was odd he was so sure the god of balance forced a balance like the books said, but he kept finding new ways to make healing and mana potions or even variations of antidotes, but nothing new…
He found notes from Herbert for buffing potions but he ignored those that would not lead to a cure. Herbert looked till exhausted down that path he was sure of it.
The biggest surprise was the mana crystals the stronger ones you used the more it shifted effects. Regardless of herbs used, though he theorized intent mattered which was odd why would that change things unless…
He started a new healing potion, one of the first he made, and tried willing it to mana using the feeling of magic. The feeling in his hand returned he even saw the red brew starting to turn blue, then grey. He failed?… no…
This can work he thought he could do what no one else could! He can shift mana! He wasn’t sure what grey was, or if it was even safe but for now it was a start if he kept doing this he make something he knew it.
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Days passed he visited his mom when he could when she was awake to tell her he was close and his sisters encouraged him as best they could not trying to give him false hope even nebo brought him more herbs this…will… work.
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A few more days pass, no closer to a breakthrough, and the herbs are gone.
He had many concoctions he set aside to test based on color, but was worried he couldn’t recreate them without hurting others, not knowing their effects.
So it was more of a test sample to keep. Nina started visiting the dungeon bringing him herbs the moss was very helpful and was the closest to a new type maybe even a cure!
She even brought him random dungeon crystals which helped him understand his magic more vs potions when he compared their effects it was helping him narrow things down but she was busy and he was desperate for more samples.
Maybe he could go to the dungeon if his sister could handle it he could… true she had power but he could run if bad too and he could find a strong staff-like stick to knock them back while he ran if bad…. He knew it wasn’t wise but he hated seeing his mom suffer so he went….
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When he found the dungeon it was near the lake he was surprised everything seemed so calm… Nobody was around he thought there would be people everywhere; it was odd, but maybe they were inside? He gripped his stick tighter no answers out here and he wanted to find this cure and did not want to wait for more herbs so he pushed inside…
It was odd; even inside, everything was calm. He wasn’t sure what he thought; he found it was just a long, deep cave As he went deeper, he saw a few side tunnels but was worried he got lost, so stayed in the main walkway.
He was pleasantly surprised that he could smell the grave moss! It was right on the edge of a corner and went deeper. in there were many patches of it just growing away.
He was so happy this was what he needed! He quickly started grabbing as much as he could, ignoring his surroundings, and did not notice the skeleton standing in the same hall he was now picking from, but it sensed him and started to move…
Lost in thought, how close he was to a new breakthrough, and grabbing as much as he could, he did not hear the slow steps getting closer.
It was only after it was less than a foot away he sensed its presence. He turned to look and was shocked to see a 5-foot Skelton. With eyes like the abyss staring down at him.
By the time he acknowledged it, it had raised its fist and smashed the side of his face. He skidded slightly in the dirt, shocked at the pain.
They were supposed to be weak?! He tried to focus, feeling disoriented. When he saw it, look at the weapon he dropped in his haste for herbs, and once more, he froze, unsure what to do, unable to think, lost, but the skeleton wasn’t.
It slowly bent down and grabbed the weapon…
Then slowly moved to face him…
slowly raised the weapon…
before shattering his leg, and he screamed….
Even as the pain consumed him, he was forced to stay awake and watch as it lifted the weapon slowly once more with indifference.
To finish what it had started with his last thoughts, where he wanted to curse the gods.
He just wanted to save his mother, even the people, and he was to die with a power that let a skeleton kill him with indifference.
Before the final blow was struck, a blur smashed it like it was nothing, the only thing keeping him watching vs. passing out was the force they used shook the ground, causing tremor pains that kept him lucid. It was then he saw her “ sister ?” as it all faded to black
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Nina was depressed; she wanted to help her brother, she hated seeing him suffer, he was so full of hope now… it just was lost trying to make new potions, not out of love of the craft but a desperate bid to help his mom… are mom.
She asked at home where he was since he wasn’t crafting. Len heard him saying he was going to the lake, but she wasn’t sure he was in a hurry when he left.
Nina wasn’t worried he had always explored there in the past maybe he needed a break… but just to be safe she wanted to check on him she missed his smile.
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The lake was clear, it was a sunny day and the wind blew slightly it was a good day so why did it feel off? Was it because she did not see her brother?
That had to be it; he would not lie, so where was he? She looked around and remembered the dungeon, and her blood went cold No… he wouldn’t
Then she remembered she loved saying how easy the dungeon was and being able to get him herbs. Then did he take her words to heart? She wasn’t sure what to think
and started to make her way there when she heard the scream, and her mind went blank.
It was an unconscious act, but she formed rocks under her feet to push her forward each step was a leap forward and before she even really landed she thursted once more.
The walls of the cave passed in a blur, and she saw him.
Her heart skipped a beat a skeleton was above him holding a weapon and raising it to smash him again….
AGAIN?! she screamed as rocks formed in her fist and she smashed it with ease …
TO EASY … it was too easy to break.
She wanted it to hurt like her brother.
She wanted it to suffer, but it was already fading.
So she smashed the fragments that were left.
A low voice wept from her side.
“ sister? “ She froze, she wasn’t sure what she thought; she only knew the truth now; that he could have died finally set in; she was just desperate to save him; she did not know it was him that screamed, but when she did know… she lost it…
She gently lifted him; he was heavy, but she used the stone to reinforce her body and to balance the extra weight.
She would get him to the church; they will make this all better.
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Aryylin was chatting with his stepsister. This wasn’t a bad place; it was nice.
They’d been enjoying the shade near the front of the church, and the bishop was explaining how the weakness curse was coming, causing issues.
He felt bad knowing he took two potions that would change other’s lives, even though he didn’t regret it. Ziala, too, was shamed knowing Beastkin recovered within a year vs a human it made sense why Rock felt a need to atone Arlin swore to himself he would hunt the dungeons and help, too.
A loud thump was sounding in the distance followed by tremors. Something heavy was hitting the ground and shaking the earth—a monster? Here now?!
He wanted his sister and the bishop to get to safety he was used to fighting alone and they would just be casualties.
When he saw a weird fox beastkin rock girl?
Carrying a young man with a bleeding body, slamming into the ground, pulling the earth to push into a run forward, he was shocked and speechless till she spoke.
“Please,” she begged, “save my brother. “The rock fell like rain around her body, and she collapsed near the door.
Unable to move, the overuse of her mana was catching up with her.
Arlin turned into a shadow and gently lifted the boy.
“It’s ok. We got him, it's ok. Do you know what happened?”
“I dunno, she said with tears
“He was in the dungeon.”
“ I think… it was a Skelton that got him.” Arylin flinched at that. he knew the pain from underestimating them, he had a few broken bones from them…
If not for his mother, he would be in the same situation or worse… Bishop Light started healing him, but his healing was weak. He removed the worst of it, but the boy needed rest, so they found a spot for him inside while other grey robs helped the fox girl.
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Nina wasn’t sure about the event that followed; it was a bit of a blur. She was offered a drink, and helped by a young wolf girl who stayed with her and offered comfort.
While the man is someone made of shadows. Helped her brother; she knew she needed to tell her sister she would demand to know, but with mom being sick, did they need this added on too?
Did she have a choice? She sighed, unsure what to do when the wolf girl spoke up from her side.
“You ok, want to talk about it?” she gently reached out her hand, taking Nina in her own
“He was trying to find a way to make a cure for Mom.” She looked over at the bed he was resting in.
He looked peaceful, like he used to when she sneaked in to check on him and find him asleep, but the vision of him bleeding with a monster above him was still too fresh…
“Does she have a weakness, Curse?”
“Yeah, it happened recently.”
“He is an alchemist trying to find a cure but with no luck.”
“So he risked going to a dungeon for more herbs…”
“My brother cured me and my other brother too., sorry it got wasted on us” nina was confused why would a cure be a waste?
“What do you mean?”
“If it saves you grief?”
“It's not a waste; you owe us nothing.” Zylia smiled sadly at that she knew this wasn’t a time for self-pity but she felt they added to others suffering all the same, it was why she was so proud of her stepbrother for not stopping trying to pay back the debt of those potions.
“My name is ziala, what’s yours? “
“Nina, and this is my brother Wolf.”
“They let me join their family, and I have been happy with them since.”
“ I have a brother named Nebo too, he's working now…”
“And I have to tell his…. Real sister.”
“She won’t be happy.”
“But mom is sick and I don’t want to leave him.” As she said that, tears flowed freely once more from her eyes. ziala moved closer to hold her, letting her know she wasn’t alone. Arlin entered with a grim look.
“I tried to get hold of my mom; the weaker potion won’t work need top-tier stuff for smashed bones. “
“I know from experience”
“If the bishop wasn’t strong enough to heal him.”
“Nothing less than a high-quality potion will work. The good news is that given enough time, he will heal naturally.”
“If money is an issue, I will try and I’ll help with a potion.” He looked at both the girls, they were listening but neither seemed to be hopeful; this was a sour first day he hoped it wasn’t the start of more people getting hurt or worse killed…
“ I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself. I'm Arli,n and she’s my step sister, Ziala. We just got her today.”
“Nina, “she said in a low voice.
“ That her brother wolf he was trying to cure his mom, she has the weakness, “ his sister chimed in
“Aha, that’s….bad. “ Arylin wasn’t sure what to say. he knew how it felt to be powerless to the point he made bad deals.
It seems this guy did the same, but he didn’t have Arlin’s power to fight. “ We can watch him if there’s anything you need to do, or I can leave if you want space.” He had never been in a situation like this and was having trouble reading the room. He heard her sigh
“I got to let his sister know; please keep him safe.” She slowly left; they weren’t sure how to handle this but they stayed with the boy while the priest went about their day helping not only this boy but whomever they could.13Please respect copyright.PENANA1L6SaRPWun