The crowd sprung from their hiding spots, darting to the Pillar, flailing weapons and roars. I was late to the call; even Juke went ahead without me, but once I got my bearings, I sprinted in with my tendril brandished.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNWoVpCfol
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The truth was, though I ran with purpose, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. I looked left and right and observed the other members of the crowd. Some took up battles with guarding Bringers, others continued their onslaught. I slowed down, thinking of offering my help, but the crowd members made their adeptness in combat immediately known to me. As assuring as it was to see, it left me lodged in place. I looked around frantically, shaking sweat off my head with every turn.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHRycAgmcW
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"Kid! Over here!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s4c6BR2Ar
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A voice called out to me– Juke's, and immediately I was brought back to the moment. He stood near the entrance of the Pillar, and to that destination I dashed. My head turned left and right rapidly, and I had to duck a few too many times to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Once I arrived, I skidded to a stop.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm5IxmeE1u
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"Ya ready!?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08s5LfhZva
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"Don't ask! Let's just go!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7esY6omkn
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We barged into the building with the rest of the squad. Nearly half of the members branched from the group to battle the guarding Bringers. I could only catch Lola and Pars before they finished their assault. Their attacks were effective and quickly incapacitated the members, if not outright killed them.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8HWeBMRVb
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I couldn't help but avert my gaze at the bloodshed. Doing so, I noticed I was just about to ram into the person ahead of me. I quickly stopped, grazing the man's coat but narrowly avoiding a clash. I held my hand to my chest, frantically grateful, then stood there wondering why he stopped in the first place103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtjqOWR2Vq
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Fortunately, I was promptly answered.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGyr6IdtjD
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"Everyone, listen! Form a double-file line with your group! As we ascend floors, the leading team will detach and battle whoever is on that floor! Am I clear!?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72PPJYxi1p
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YEAH!103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDPmhIOake
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I was ready for the roar this time, but still, I shook, because the plan Lola had just created hurled me into a spiral of disorganized questions. But I hadn't the time to even form them; the crowd moved immediately after the instructions were yelled. They went ahead of me, charging, and I would've done nothing but stand there and stare if it wasn't for the smack on my back.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qmd4H3jTb
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"Ack!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYJKfikd1W
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I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEBLgIpvOb
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"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreSqMIUwH9
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"R-Right!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4IwkA6pnH
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I shook my head rapidly as we followed the rest of the group, slapping my cheeks over and over. I almost folded then and there. Chiding myself verbally wouldn't suffice. I quickly resolved myself as we ascended the first set of stairs, disjointed from the rest of the squad. When we arrived at the second floor, the group was still again. I thought for a moment that Lola might've forgotten something, but as I peered around the crowd and saw who stood before us, I became just like them.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfMeUVW5bS
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"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk2O35FMaY
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Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToGU6wocg7
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"Crap!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8qY4nXZDd
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I was worried, naturally. Having fought her before, I knew of her strength. But this was a different scenario. This time, I had a group of powerful fighters with me. By our sheer numbers, she shouldn't be a considerable threat.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnre5UE6uv
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However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VPRbTkFz8
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"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmVvuyKSf2
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That comment put everyone on high alert, and only made me sweat more profusely. Having just been told that there is a time limit to this operation was a kick to the stomach. I looked at the rest of the crowd. They were brandishing their weapons and seemed to be readying their spells. I raised my tendril, half-heartedly ready to strike.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTRNiemVoI
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However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjscRqxBRPU
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"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DjTgpOHuB
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"L-Lola!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ1Ioa6aGa
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That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNooU2xreKW
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"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv08HfMHUAn
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And the crowd did. It dispersed throughout the room. I went to the left side, eyeing the Bringers and preparing to respond to any attacks. The Harbinger just clicked her tongue and stepped forward.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhpmgzbDgX
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"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC3pKTyCSH
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"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha2130ot3v
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Shockingly, she ignored the rest of us. The few lackey Bringers were overwhelmed by our numbers The rest of the crowd descended, but I hung around for a moment and looked. I started at the floor. I saw blood and torn fabric that didn't come from the enemy, and as I raised my head my gaze fell on the two women.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ltt9VZoFV
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Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBEeEQG8PW
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–
–
–103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM10tazzY8
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Provided that she was sober, Lola was extraordinarily talented at keeping a calm face. It was necessitated by her loathsome job. It wasn't just for fighting, but for looking good while doing it, because that was expected for someone in her position.
Lola had no reason to keep that face of hers at that moment, but even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to keep it for long.
"Hah. How oh how did I wind up here?"
Through the rubber grip her dagger slowly slipped from her palms. She tapped on it with her finger rhythmically– pinky first, index last, over and over. It was an instinctive thing for her. It had to be for it to happen because all her being was focused on the monster ahead.
A Harbinger. Elusive as they were, the only thing the highly-positioned such as herself knew was that their powers were mysterious and unpredictable. Fortunately, this one was historically noisy.
"You're the Harbinger of Anger, correct?"
"What's it to you, filth?"
"It wouldn't be wise for me to speak any further. I wouldn't want to leak any secrets, would I?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIB6IYIq0S
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By the standards of the Pillars, the room was spacious. Desks and chairs occupied space intermittently, and none were in such a position that they'd become serious obstructions. Despite the ideal conditions, Lola's brow twitched, because it was the abundance of furniture that allowed her powers to be so effective. And due to the material the foundation and exterior of the building were made of, she had ever greater restrictions.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI205IjS9ew
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Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNTz5nDcY5
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She shifted a leg back and shrunk her posture, pointing her dagger like a cat rearing to pounce. She didn't move, though. Her other hand hid behind her back, expelling mana and forming a mass of rock. The Harbinger tilted her head in response.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcwe3UDvaE
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"Do you have something you want to say?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ456hFG2RpK
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Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDN65ywFYO
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"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxpSmDqGgz
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"Oh, please. You should already know my name."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMcfOSm0L3
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"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3iw7JsxRY
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The Harbinger threw her head back while rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but suddenly, she took a defensive stance with her knife with a reverse grip. The shift made Lola jump, and her mana expulsion was interrupted.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQS6uktSqM
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"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7KC7gOTxH
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The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ2KMybOvv
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"Call me Anima."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjjJW97UHN
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Her words came out of her mouth like hurled stones. Sluggish, spoken through a calm demeanor, they were laced with an apathy that stabbed at Lola's composure. A flurry formed in her chest, the one she felt every time she had to do the dirty part of her job; a putrid, crimson red. Only now, its color was blighted with a grassy yellow. After Lola's initial shock, the change dwindled in power. It was the same business as always, after all.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMhqFUkR2F
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The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXTrM9Kyty
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Then, the Harbinger dashed.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNbStzJ7Gx
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She charged at Lola with brisk steps, holding the knife out like it was a battering ram. Her speed was surprising, but Lola reacted accordingly, dashing backward. Anima clicked her tongue, stopped her advance, and veered to the side. It surprised Lola, but she dispelled it quickly when the image of a flying chair grew closer and closer. She couldn't duck, so she stepped to the side, but an armrest of the chair caught her shoulder.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75dEj92aSS
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"Ngh!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYHMLEPkXX
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It hurt, but a bite on the lips drowned the pain. Anima's absurd move confused her and raised dozens of questions, but she had the time to answer none. Her opponent advanced, getting close enough to attempt a few swings. Lola dodged the first two, but after ducking the third, she pointed her dagger and thrust it at Anima's chest. But though it looked like it was sure to hit, Anima strafed to the side and avoided it perfectly. Lola's body committed to the trajectory of the knife just long enough for Anima to–103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5UAshASNP
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**THUD**103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WaHviE8t0
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She delivered a kick to Lola's jaw, disorienting her and sending her rolling across the floor. Though it didn't hurt very much, the hit sent her head spinning. She got up quickly, though staying on her legs was arduous.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgvOrlfjhN
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She caught Anima sprinting towards her. Too confused to make a complex motion, she simply fell on one of her knees and began mana expulsion.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2dy0Wg0cK
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"--!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZVimDZxiC
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Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwl5b9fqvh
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Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrduitM5gId
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As she regained her senses, she lamented the state of the room. Even the floor was magic-resistant, making it nigh-impossible to use her earth magic in such an offensive way. She desperately wanted to devise a plan, beginning to regret how carelessly she entered the battle, but her opponent handed her no such luxury.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjpjWhRywk
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Immediately, Anima jumped over the limp stone slab brandishing her knife. Lola was forced again to act defensively, backing away from the aggressive swings of the Harbinger. She swung once and twice, then followed up with a stab. Lola prepared to step back, but a sudden collision halted her.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgzq1oMO7T
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She had hit a wall.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgQfgAi1yZ
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"--!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkg1Iu6SJY
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If she opted to move her whole body, she'd be punctured. If she stepped to the side the knife would still nip her considerably. Enduring such a taxing injury this early wasn't an option. Thus, instead of moving her body–103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3frvraxwP
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**CLING**103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgeeyBaQDV
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She intercepted Anima's blade with her own, catching it between the dual prongs of her dagger. The Harbinger's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised. Lola made note of that as a struggle ensued.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGliEKMmif
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"Huh. I can't break free."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmbMjN0Rhu
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The serrations on her knife caused it to get caught on the dagger. She couldn't dislodge it, but Lola's weapon was just as stuck as her opponent's. Anima jerked her leg, clearly preparing a kick, but Lola didn't react. The Harbinger delivered a blow to her right. She winced, but in her head, she celebrated.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr91MidYXi
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"--Huh?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIqLZxUKLD
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"Caught you!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkDqM0DeOU
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She had Anima's leg wrapped in her arm. She tightened her hold, squeezing hard enough that a lesser fighter's bones would've shattered. Then, she began mana expulsion.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD0Wul93HX
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"You!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopy1V4AgnM
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Anima's panic was clear and immediate. At first, she attempted to pull her leg out of Lola's grasp, but she could barely make it nudge an inch. It did, however, make a spell difficult to produce.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyOmOHPw2u
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It was laborious, but Lola was sure that she guaranteed a blow. She formed a blade of earth, focusing on width rather than length, and prepared to blast it through the Harbinger's leg. But then, she suddenly felt a force at her front, and her body jerked forward.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQbGfYEpPN
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The Harbinger freed her knife from Lola's dagger. Of course, it was the obvious decision when she forfeited the support of both arms. Lola had no time to curse herself for her oversight, because now a blade was soaring at her face. She ducked her head in time and, acting on instinct, she tackled Anima with a headbutt to her stomach.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRglCl9rpBU
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"Hrk!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhO9d0kJkj
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She recoiled from the blow, taking a few jagged steps back. Lola realized that she let go of her leg, but she still had the stubby cylinder of stone to hurl. And hurl it she did.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttpzKwWqdM
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The Harbinger still reeled from the strike. Even through her rushed and lousy aim, Lola was confident that her cylinder would slug her opponent's head. Only, that didn't happen.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbMAqm2iYT
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By an inch the cylinder missed, and it wasn't because Lola aimed poorly, but because the Harbinger let herself stumble onto the ground, landing on her ass.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyluLv9GWru
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Lola's bewilderment was profound, but she wasn't foolish enough to avoid capitalizing on her opponent's state. She leaped forward and stabbed the dagger from above, but she only hit the ground as the Harbinger rolled away. She hopped on her feet and tossed a haymaker kick that Lola retreated her head just in time for. Anima's follow-up blow was too sudden for Lola to dodge.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopQi0WP3SV
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She ate a heel to the head, a strike so fierce she flew to the wall. Fortunately, her chin wasn't hit, so Lola avoided being dazed. But her vision was blurred and her hearing was impaired.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnAXmbD10F
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Lola, however, had a spectacular guess as to what her opponent would do next, and so she retaliated. She placed both her hands on the ground, carelessly expelling mana and producing not a slab of earth, but a wave of water.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojJNPFS7Y0
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A few seconds passed until her senses returned. When her vision was clear, she was pleased to find herself still alive, but now the entire room was damp and flooded. Anima was on the other side, similarly drenched, though she clearly suffered no damage.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIphPx5bSoF
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Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jMUsXYpA6
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"...This is irritating."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVlkNUgest
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Lola got up to her feet, contorting her face. She made sure to at least keep one eye open because the Harbinger wasn't someone to be lax around. She found it difficult to keep her focus, though.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM0GlGLx2F
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This moment. This eternal, present moment; how she loathed it. Her opponent was slippery in figure and form, escaping every jab Lola threw her way. And now, the entire floor was ruined. The furniture was maimed and jumbled by the force of the water. The carpet absorbed so much that it looked like it would burst.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4k1UvR4yH
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It had barely been a few minutes, but Lola was beginning to get tired. Her stamina was unusually low, but with how much she drank to suppress her stress, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. She chuckled. For a moment, she had an awful load of clarity.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucSmqV8SUw
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Giving up became more and more alluring.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhY1KNQzQe
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"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeAlDE5VqN
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"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYne8pVSLA
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But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvyQeX7xKg
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The Harbinger looked at her with vigilance. Lola suspected that she had earned some respect from her, but she doubted that would make the fight any easier.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2HDNXa2vP
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As it was right now, she couldn't make any progress. Anima hadn't even used her magic yet, and yet Lola struggled to deliver a meaningful blow. At the rate she was going, she'd be whittled down, engaged in a battle of attrition she didn't have the mettle to endure.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqTqXlHHOf
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But options were scarce. Any direct attack would either be dodged or countered and any spell was either too weak or suffered the same fate. With how aggressive Anima was being, she had no time to imbue the room with her mana.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdluUMDj96
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"...Unless, of course."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D2UYZRNaE
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She had to concede that her opponent was the better fighter in hand-to-hand combat; those few exchanges were all it took for her to realize. But it seemed to Lola that she was the far better mage.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RnVivKXBf
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She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH2AKQ4VCC
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"I don't like what you're planning!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8pp5rGLxX
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Anima was an opponent who had an impossible ability to predict actions. Anima was an opponent who was cautious about and loathed being confrontational. Yet despite this, she was a skillful aggressor. But she was not impenetrable.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzoGPPHF39
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As the Harbinger charged for the umpteenth time, Lola remarked at how inconsistent her ability to predict was. The reason for the discrepancy was unknown to her, and she had no opportunity to ponder and deduce it. That, however, would lose all its relevancy if every inch of the room was a weapon.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALWOKt7F8k
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Her approach changed. Anima threw a small ball of fire at Lola, but expecting divergence, Lola was unfazed. She smacked the spell away with her dagger, preparing to back away again, only to hesitate once she noticed how close the Harbinger was. Anima thrust her knife– an action parried by Lola's swift movements. She attempted a riposte, but with a reckless motion, had her dagger countered with a resounding clang.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWQ2CjVIwB
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It became clear to Lola that knifeplay was inimical for progress. Thus, she backed away, a motion that took advantage of Anima's poor posture. The Harbinger clicked her tongue and prepared another spell. It wasn't a haphazard product this time, but a sizeable, dangerous wall of flame. Lola had a skulking smirk, but a telling sea of sweat.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYRTLQKBIA
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It became time to set her plan in motion. She released the bubbling mana in her hand and suspended it behind her back, then formed a mass of water of similar size. She took great relief in seeing Anima's eyes widen, reeling her arm and flinging her spell.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN6F6eUGxY
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The Harbinger hastily threw her own spell to match Lola's. The two met, and a cloud of vapor burst from the collision, spreading through the entire room instantly. The haze was surprisingly thick; Lola knew that staying in place would only hurt her. She grabbed her suspended mana and continued supplying it, running through the steam and keeping a watchful eye–103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLrfxGUVlD
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**THUD**103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSAHhgJuzT
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But then she felt a great force slam her stomach. She rolled across the room, clutching her gut. It wasn't even remotely a fatal blow, but she cringed as if her organs burst.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6F8uBiCaf
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She tried to stand on her feet. She was only halfway stable before she caught something shifting in the fog. She jerked to avoid it–103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj4S8QMc8m
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"--Hrk!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQDnxDTA3n
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–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumoS9nfWAM
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Her reaction wasn't a result of instinct, but a habit acquired from her time in the field. She lifted her foot and swiped it in front of her, connecting with something. The steam began to dissipate, and she caught the Harbinger several meters away from her, but now her right femur felt one nudge away from being dislocated from her hip. She dashed away and looked at the new source of pain: her sizzling gash.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68pq3cuTK7
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It was on her right shoulder. She was thankful that she wore protective gear, because otherwise the cut could've net her a lost arm. Though, with how much it bled, it was still nothing to scoff at. She collapsed for a moment, scoffing.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu9RfqOSIs
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"This..."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOIbkx80J9
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She hardly had the strength to verbalize her complaints, but her ire wasn't her denied by her sudden dumbness. She paused releasing mana into her spell, suspending it into the air again and performed mana spinning on herself.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVI4UEaB75
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She could only do a little before her opponent returned to harassing her. Lola clicked her tongue, but got on her feet and brandished her dagger.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RVBjF7KY4
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"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn8CpNGoqq
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Lola realized just how much trouble she had keeping calm. It stunned her for a moment, but ultimately, she still decided to challenge Anima's approach.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDNCsPaN0k
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The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNv2ibCQs2
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"--sneaky!"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7565VQK9ah
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Anima thrust her knife again, and again Lola parried it with her dagger. It wasn't as impactful, having it be done with her non-dominant hand, and Anima took advantage of it to try a slash. Lola moved reeled her head just in time and retaliate with an upward kick. Anima blocked it with her forearm, though it was only so effective, and since it was Lola's right leg she winced from the move. The Harbinger tried thrusting again, but had her blade caught in between Lola's.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJd8ayRb8s
103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Z4k8vK8Q
Instead of baiting a grab, Lola acted fast. She twirled her wrist and jerked her arm to her, weakening Anima's grip, then hurtled her arm the otherway, and Anima's knife flew across the room.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLtrLOcdDD
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Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtoYop5fW5
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She managed to brace her jaw before the impace, but it still made her head ring. She was met with another one, and then a third one to her chest.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE8P1MwowB
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And of course, none of them were strong enough to send her flying. It was only after a short flurry, a storm of blows and jabs, that the Harbinger hit her hard enough to create distance.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGexTqoTlP
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Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi3h0Q1Xhz
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...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL7AmeJ9SS
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She checked her spell and determined it still wasn't ready. Only a little more– only a little more and the battle would finally turn to her side.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuCLEU8oNa
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She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9IjyGEFyZ
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Even as the Harbinger went to grab her knife, moseying as if she hadn't an opponent at all, she had no drive to stand.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBh8hLt0jl
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So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdpUT8azGE
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"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK395bxyc4o
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Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIvpRTA80P
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"I win, though–"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHvPJXL7Ed
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Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ328whrWS8j
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Anima didn't even spare her an insult, she darted her head to the walls and sprinted. Lola eyed her and noticed she was heading to the exit. Then, listlessly slapping her right hand on the floor, her mana permeated throughout the soaked room.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBbHQf0eLM
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The effect was immediate. The room's stern architecture dawned a sludge-like form, one that slowed Anima down instantly. She threw Lola a look of scorn and raised her knife, hurling it at her. A piece of the floor rose to intercept it.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrQONPBhR7
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"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsCaAu17kr
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She got on her legs, using a half-broken chair that slid to her as a support. She eyed the Harbinger, who, though still looked furious, was surprisingly calm.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MpodsvvX1
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"Can't move your legs?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxujVaCpkVo
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"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm94AmVa27
103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgmN28I6pL
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps9nXkQonn
103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHIrlTN7HF
Even Lola was surprised at her laughter. It detracted her from her disgruntling situation for a moment. She gazed at the Harbinger. She did nothing more but gaze.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBzdY00RYA
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"Aren't you going to do something?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHbItVTUx9
103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpBkW9H2qj
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QGCVXT38g
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The Harbinger rolled her eyes in response. Lola commanded the room to form a spike out of the furniture, then created a mock catapult out of the floor.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjhVhvSfcl
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It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XsSEA2ryX
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That would reveal itself to be a mistake.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcOGecHytv
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Anima suddenly ducked and extended her hand, firing a ball of fire that had little time to form, but was strong enough to blast the catapult. Lola was brough back to the present, and again she commanded the room to attack, but as she did, Anima pointed her arms in the opposite direction of the wall, and then–103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wYy4W0pGC
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**BOOM**103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaFefxgrwS
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A gust of wind powerful enough to send every unfixed object to the opposite side blew in the room. Lola was sent to the wall, which cushioned her collision instead of exacerbating it, but it still hurt. When she opened her eyes, she saw a giant hole, and her opponent on the other side.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78OkC5YNwR
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Anima stood up. Even from this distance, she could make out all the scratches from the debris. They exchanged looks. Lola expected Anima to turn and run, but she approached, stopping short of the hole in the wall.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvVIeO72Ll
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"People like you," she said, pointing her bruised finger, "people like you. You fill me with putrid disgust, so loathsome I oughta spit at you."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6RWWyFN0O
103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBit9lc3r24
"--?"103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJx8ir5XsO
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"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN5gXZxZfb
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She withdrew her head, turned around and ran. Lola was stumped for a moment, but she discarded her words. It was just the deranged ramblings of a Harbinger, after all.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xJxBIIHdX
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"...Ehh."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWRRmqkmbS
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She shook her head. She focused on what was before her, what was relevant. She succeeded. That thought rang in her head through the various junk she was preoccupied with.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeQ48XYu0f
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Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKaNePXXYp
103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsfVeWHhhQ
"..."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlVZDXpBfB
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She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC4nrzwvlv
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"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5wSNFaGEI
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The wound on her shoulder still gushed blood. Her energy drained faster because of it, but she had to tend to it to live. She began mana spinning. Still hurt, still tired, still doused.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSvxBnoHvw
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A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
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