"Hey, wake up."44Please respect copyright.PENANAQHrYNMLgZ9
44Please respect copyright.PENANA2QrFrAFzhO
"H-Huh!?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA2GDxomMt5M
44Please respect copyright.PENANA4Dx0pmzpLk
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.44Please respect copyright.PENANAkS7iH9IXj5
44Please respect copyright.PENANATJN628sPRa
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."44Please respect copyright.PENANAygFwYIuyMg
44Please respect copyright.PENANA4B4KW6u0b9
"No no, it's fine."44Please respect copyright.PENANACIZbLJh0TF
44Please respect copyright.PENANASL2KNbrlZ2
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.44Please respect copyright.PENANAHRVP0r7U06
44Please respect copyright.PENANA8NWDsyyzgl
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAV7HcHMQk5N
44Please respect copyright.PENANA116kM8ZXN6
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."44Please respect copyright.PENANAh1OTBDZ8Ur
44Please respect copyright.PENANAOxqkzFKk4x
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.44Please respect copyright.PENANAU8eHdj8Mud
44Please respect copyright.PENANAEIaSPP10Cm
"Are ya sure–"44Please respect copyright.PENANAuMxBGAlFp5
44Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ4tKTOBBm
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."44Please respect copyright.PENANA7Y6N9JS5GP
44Please respect copyright.PENANAadg5tnpRLb
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.44Please respect copyright.PENANADk6xBfsSTj
44Please respect copyright.PENANAnYvIDebTU9
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."44Please respect copyright.PENANABokVPuQmbf
44Please respect copyright.PENANATkEbFyqdmj
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.44Please respect copyright.PENANAZze8bFsgHS
44Please respect copyright.PENANA614o4abNGb
"..."44Please respect copyright.PENANAnocMraAhL9
44Please respect copyright.PENANAR3lA7bP9VN
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.44Please respect copyright.PENANArd3JiOrJcn
44Please respect copyright.PENANAgXbxpNhZqj
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.44Please respect copyright.PENANApjMLCPkK6T
44Please respect copyright.PENANAJNyOtPN8op
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.44Please respect copyright.PENANAFLGNhbj7iZ
44Please respect copyright.PENANAXk01oeEVGX
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.44Please respect copyright.PENANAw87eSjsNiM
44Please respect copyright.PENANAwovFbjrPTV
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAmvPQyhn0cK
44Please respect copyright.PENANAtM50KgyIHK
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.44Please respect copyright.PENANALCv1zWDiRe
44Please respect copyright.PENANAaUd1gyogPW
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAFClmJ5Nsb6
44Please respect copyright.PENANAAORnLhal0V
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–44Please respect copyright.PENANA6XMMzZonDV
44Please respect copyright.PENANAG2ao6gtw03
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."44Please respect copyright.PENANA7VeS5TDynv
44Please respect copyright.PENANAy7lELlJVFe
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."44Please respect copyright.PENANAVOsCosTpaQ
44Please respect copyright.PENANAaa2oRArJ6O
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"44Please respect copyright.PENANABUIRPoKaeJ
44Please respect copyright.PENANAyyh1PVP2Ve
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."44Please respect copyright.PENANANjdp7eAcNF
44Please respect copyright.PENANAocdOXBMrMt
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–44Please respect copyright.PENANAG46UrSLJmo
44Please respect copyright.PENANAIU6mqY3Igz
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."44Please respect copyright.PENANAQw59hMnkTD
44Please respect copyright.PENANAzvKZiJO4gq
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.44Please respect copyright.PENANAAd2vwvpp7O
44Please respect copyright.PENANAGTz6jFzcLZ
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA4GZixEpbEI
44Please respect copyright.PENANAZSYgpdUi1h
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."44Please respect copyright.PENANAb5WYT75JDD
44Please respect copyright.PENANAYTRaU6H2K7
"What?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAXAbLsMqRua
44Please respect copyright.PENANA5K1Hgcf9aY
He sighed and flicked his head.44Please respect copyright.PENANAI7qtRBZCQo
44Please respect copyright.PENANA1NEBne4wGW
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAYpqxzEFcv4
44Please respect copyright.PENANAvr9Q3Z6heC
"Last... yeah, let's."44Please respect copyright.PENANAXryBDsxZEo
44Please respect copyright.PENANAwMe69odDcI
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–44Please respect copyright.PENANAgd0sHnfXW7
44Please respect copyright.PENANAzEUluIeMuO
"This is good. This is really good."44Please respect copyright.PENANAr2K5EhAqB3
44Please respect copyright.PENANAtKn1dTwUJA
"I told ya."44Please respect copyright.PENANAMOEPIBj4Si
44Please respect copyright.PENANAQbgCTBokZj
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.44Please respect copyright.PENANAtwHfoEXNq7
44Please respect copyright.PENANAvxRxiVxaPI
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"44Please respect copyright.PENANARqSzpL8DA1
44Please respect copyright.PENANAHafYUSPiEc
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.44Please respect copyright.PENANA0SiUKgIxGl
44Please respect copyright.PENANAif6FnvwWnk
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."44Please respect copyright.PENANAxgEhbYMYzP
44Please respect copyright.PENANAAdxiHK1oTN
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.44Please respect copyright.PENANASQtz7osUy1
44Please respect copyright.PENANA9LRC83jPyr
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.44Please respect copyright.PENANAN7oYJ3ZcDf
44Please respect copyright.PENANAaYO4BNfXdo
–
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–44Please respect copyright.PENANACjytPn69kP
44Please respect copyright.PENANAgteKaNU8Cu
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.44Please respect copyright.PENANAcqo7DWwl4w
44Please respect copyright.PENANAxH1jQSLTlk
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAkZSv9UUFWw
44Please respect copyright.PENANAKKvyeTX0OX
"That's right," Juke responded.44Please respect copyright.PENANAMFtx1VwimN
44Please respect copyright.PENANA5CUwL423eT
"I see..."44Please respect copyright.PENANAEO9OqTtV7c
44Please respect copyright.PENANAn1Qf3wGE8B
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.44Please respect copyright.PENANAjhKpiNjJV5
44Please respect copyright.PENANA8DPVLifGCZ
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."44Please respect copyright.PENANALH47CiCHuO
44Please respect copyright.PENANA9CytJmDNqC
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.44Please respect copyright.PENANAHrWA5bCDsu
44Please respect copyright.PENANAjYgUeNILfq
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."44Please respect copyright.PENANAXmPxu3CPoC
44Please respect copyright.PENANABn45IL1ZZK
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."44Please respect copyright.PENANAlYOs5rPogk
44Please respect copyright.PENANAbUR3EhDtNO
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.44Please respect copyright.PENANAVmMmchjgPA
44Please respect copyright.PENANAGm91aw8oAl
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAs0UqGEdUi2
44Please respect copyright.PENANAs6ghgdEimc
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.44Please respect copyright.PENANARtnuWNEHzy
44Please respect copyright.PENANAl7k5C7Yj1N
"What are you looking at me for?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA4UD5yNna7c
44Please respect copyright.PENANA2cDsmKDIZG
"Ya got any ideas?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAY5jiJlggrX
44Please respect copyright.PENANA6S21irxxOV
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA9zi1ddcNnK
44Please respect copyright.PENANAyNILpD8TCE
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.44Please respect copyright.PENANAzW45q6JTgV
44Please respect copyright.PENANAeqWpIlhPgl
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."44Please respect copyright.PENANAV4pV3QluwS
44Please respect copyright.PENANAjd9uQESmju
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.44Please respect copyright.PENANAndxvHGGJx8
44Please respect copyright.PENANAvRzwUuIwiJ
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAtgHDAzjZPY
44Please respect copyright.PENANAVCqWtRuHKR
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."44Please respect copyright.PENANAw3ErplZvHZ
44Please respect copyright.PENANA3UbzfPhKo8
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.44Please respect copyright.PENANAMjh68fZ1Ir
44Please respect copyright.PENANAxoGSfyuk4u
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.44Please respect copyright.PENANAQy7v2Nzg2Z
44Please respect copyright.PENANAzhP63hI1wE
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."44Please respect copyright.PENANA1wVcjb8bpW
44Please respect copyright.PENANA3OHlVytqtd
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."44Please respect copyright.PENANARsaXGcFiT6
44Please respect copyright.PENANABDncIGFMXt
He shook his hands frantically and.44Please respect copyright.PENANACVaMUxO6xT
44Please respect copyright.PENANApxfwuaJkjw
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."44Please respect copyright.PENANATNsrzgzHF8
44Please respect copyright.PENANAv2x8Siie2s
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."44Please respect copyright.PENANAWDVs5HpK1H
44Please respect copyright.PENANAt3C94pFhB6
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.44Please respect copyright.PENANAfuCeS4dUQp
44Please respect copyright.PENANAHndsc27KV3
"Pray for me."44Please respect copyright.PENANA3GjFlkTe7t
44Please respect copyright.PENANAA9TFF7075F
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."44Please respect copyright.PENANAZKf8ixXvm3
44Please respect copyright.PENANAEeqYXPHW4K
"Juke!"44Please respect copyright.PENANA27Q9t5IfmK
44Please respect copyright.PENANACkzTSmDE4O
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.44Please respect copyright.PENANADLdJT6HuQg
44Please respect copyright.PENANAypB952KrRA
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."44Please respect copyright.PENANAG7LHWxZqTg
44Please respect copyright.PENANA31K1eHgf4X
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.44Please respect copyright.PENANAj8MZSpenWm
44Please respect copyright.PENANAX7NqDrn50w
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."44Please respect copyright.PENANApT0LZXcnkY
44Please respect copyright.PENANAaElaNZo9Dk
"Still, I appreciate it."44Please respect copyright.PENANApAASNo37Z4
44Please respect copyright.PENANAXO1qgjq6s9
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.44Please respect copyright.PENANAGoCErW8z0w
44Please respect copyright.PENANAR2AazavmJ4
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."44Please respect copyright.PENANAUtTcKDN71J
44Please respect copyright.PENANASGYoLqmds4
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.44Please respect copyright.PENANA6vv4OUE0sT
44Please respect copyright.PENANArFYHRRUNzK
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.44Please respect copyright.PENANARHsRNXk5Kf
44Please respect copyright.PENANAgxJ2rXREwy
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.44Please respect copyright.PENANAcJcGsOT8SB
44Please respect copyright.PENANAln2M2oDpSi
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.44Please respect copyright.PENANAFdhRkrUjhW
44Please respect copyright.PENANAKNhCZxUcA6
"Thank you for your help, Hank."44Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ3WL7MnYJ
44Please respect copyright.PENANA5tkcLRAPNB
"Yeah, we really of ya."44Please respect copyright.PENANASRZ3SCLDiJ
44Please respect copyright.PENANAqNrxZaFUZj
He gave us a light smile and waved.44Please respect copyright.PENANANh0pKaCoUO
44Please respect copyright.PENANAuB0nBPykf6
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."44Please respect copyright.PENANArRfYlUYtPv
44Please respect copyright.PENANA2XMpwxzMCH
"...Y-Yeah."44Please respect copyright.PENANAS1fOz4nfT5
44Please respect copyright.PENANAnl1zbBcllt
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.44Please respect copyright.PENANAeduOBKIMJt
44Please respect copyright.PENANAkvnzqiIaPX
–
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–44Please respect copyright.PENANA5LER0uIveH
44Please respect copyright.PENANAh1PNHlC4w7
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.44Please respect copyright.PENANAe2dcgRvv79
44Please respect copyright.PENANAPC1lun1keU
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.44Please respect copyright.PENANAhF3GacK6Bq
44Please respect copyright.PENANA6soPHPQXB8
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.44Please respect copyright.PENANA5klZV8f0kZ
44Please respect copyright.PENANAkMaouoU4CX
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"44Please respect copyright.PENANASlerMvdD0Z
44Please respect copyright.PENANAT8cXXC0Uar
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."44Please respect copyright.PENANAG0ZemarsFR
44Please respect copyright.PENANAHelVvWqCT5
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.44Please respect copyright.PENANAw2RP2LiuAc
44Please respect copyright.PENANALLMAxb2odC
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.44Please respect copyright.PENANASHwgUrdYGm
44Please respect copyright.PENANA3ylYNis3Fe
"--Crap!"44Please respect copyright.PENANABR76xVaUU5
44Please respect copyright.PENANAZFlhnfEJCU
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.44Please respect copyright.PENANAatPABCKooH
44Please respect copyright.PENANAZCXxA7l9ia
"Crap. Crap!"44Please respect copyright.PENANAtEL1UYIOBE
44Please respect copyright.PENANAKkiRUP7El7
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAaWgmn8nPGT
44Please respect copyright.PENANAPeU1IqW9xa
"People are heading our way!"44Please respect copyright.PENANAKY5OqUlndu
44Please respect copyright.PENANAgazy4zyFtb
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.44Please respect copyright.PENANAUriAaLZAgg
44Please respect copyright.PENANAapwpG7crha
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."44Please respect copyright.PENANAjZ9HaDkJpw
44Please respect copyright.PENANArkdhSb1Js5
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"44Please respect copyright.PENANAYjHsmOArBd
44Please respect copyright.PENANA5eiatxKmYn
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.44Please respect copyright.PENANAOwYEXehCbr
44Please respect copyright.PENANA16iPJvt9YU
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."44Please respect copyright.PENANA6HVkci6hx5
44Please respect copyright.PENANA1L8nmb2Hzd
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."44Please respect copyright.PENANAJdqKeBwH6J
44Please respect copyright.PENANANyMu4rXAZe
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."44Please respect copyright.PENANAiZtcEUrzYQ
44Please respect copyright.PENANAHonrBV7nV3
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.44Please respect copyright.PENANAXobtV3jFze
44Please respect copyright.PENANAsjxuNfkXkp
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly44Please respect copyright.PENANAVbtvAKNQeZ
44Please respect copyright.PENANA7q0OizPHDD
"Ack!"44Please respect copyright.PENANA194uNevqa7
44Please respect copyright.PENANALsgwyG1K7F
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAKwmntadAM2
44Please respect copyright.PENANArl9NlkMnAH
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"44Please respect copyright.PENANAKcfD9uC3fB
44Please respect copyright.PENANAhldSFIuTul
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.44Please respect copyright.PENANAkPF0SXVS5T
44Please respect copyright.PENANAmSBCGHwnmk
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."44Please respect copyright.PENANAVSfk1ccUOS
44Please respect copyright.PENANAiHTgmqCkcX
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."44Please respect copyright.PENANASilywMgRQc
44Please respect copyright.PENANAtaOpe5M9NP
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.44Please respect copyright.PENANAEirAxgOt8M
44Please respect copyright.PENANAJVIykyeCfv
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.44Please respect copyright.PENANA6B4fSjIy2W
44Please respect copyright.PENANAxyJwR8sOYg
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAah7sZYCOLA
44Please respect copyright.PENANANMZCY5n2lj
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.44Please respect copyright.PENANAKZow1gd1Zp
44Please respect copyright.PENANAAqn5GO20QG
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.44Please respect copyright.PENANAKFt1NuZjsU
44Please respect copyright.PENANABU4mWlty4V
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–44Please respect copyright.PENANA3I3aFoVUqY
44Please respect copyright.PENANA97JDItH4L3
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."44Please respect copyright.PENANAK7NKLdxVFA
44Please respect copyright.PENANAzaCWhgulGO
"Huh?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7jjj7dROy
44Please respect copyright.PENANAcU8yE7GWiv
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.44Please respect copyright.PENANASyEIn7R4rX
44Please respect copyright.PENANACwCR03veDT
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."44Please respect copyright.PENANAzZPNaJuqOB
44Please respect copyright.PENANAzXywqJgw7m
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.44Please respect copyright.PENANA2HkfXJrllw
44Please respect copyright.PENANA1njNAUMYaa
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAhyS1PLb65e
44Please respect copyright.PENANAOiOiRDz1am
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."44Please respect copyright.PENANARabMH2Kqzk
44Please respect copyright.PENANA50V1pszvMJ
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.44Please respect copyright.PENANAkbOxp4Mx2k
44Please respect copyright.PENANAUgH1wXZW1N
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."44Please respect copyright.PENANAE8tJamxHNY
44Please respect copyright.PENANAHgvJF35CgO
"..."44Please respect copyright.PENANAvK0VW1rouI
44Please respect copyright.PENANAWK0ZUkdRQU
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.44Please respect copyright.PENANACgHtLHlZ5R
44Please respect copyright.PENANAzIK8B4dwg7
So, I let my mouth run amok.44Please respect copyright.PENANAbLaUxVowKF
44Please respect copyright.PENANAkk8VV8a2Kb
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."44Please respect copyright.PENANA44Dhlw2eZH
44Please respect copyright.PENANA2nEnXZfWx9
"Yeah, I know."44Please respect copyright.PENANA4td5TnvGr8
44Please respect copyright.PENANAbOwXtggph0
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.44Please respect copyright.PENANARiVFSTbBBb
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"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."44Please respect copyright.PENANAhLd8gGcVSP
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I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.44Please respect copyright.PENANA6JCQ6QbDRI
44Please respect copyright.PENANAJU0nujnySY
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."44Please respect copyright.PENANAgsWJyEaBR3
44Please respect copyright.PENANAjrmyqa2lR0
"That sounds familiar..."44Please respect copyright.PENANAXQyxDcRG2H
44Please respect copyright.PENANAewG63c1W5U
"Huh?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAsdDQ4cQhW3
44Please respect copyright.PENANAgoOsu1R2Kk
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."44Please respect copyright.PENANAC1KgDquYkR
44Please respect copyright.PENANAsfgLXNTswL
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAwU2d4wYUIT
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."44Please respect copyright.PENANATWwgDU3yD0
44Please respect copyright.PENANAfyL1sUuHzX
"Well?"44Please respect copyright.PENANArraBGXuoZe
44Please respect copyright.PENANAt9yLouoPw5
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."44Please respect copyright.PENANAqyn4XFoOI0
44Please respect copyright.PENANAB0A0eqBxLP
"Ah."44Please respect copyright.PENANAdmjrZMZdUV
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Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.44Please respect copyright.PENANAMmjTIBKNvn
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"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."44Please respect copyright.PENANAuMMA2h97IC
44Please respect copyright.PENANA5eAJksdb1M
"Ah, the Lionant?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAPqxywWRt42
44Please respect copyright.PENANAR3vMUbxV4B
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."44Please respect copyright.PENANAMyTNGyX9ut
44Please respect copyright.PENANAsTznyx86LX
"..."44Please respect copyright.PENANARZT8DsgFAM
44Please respect copyright.PENANAl5YGtAZ3c1
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.44Please respect copyright.PENANASeFp4QBEqK
44Please respect copyright.PENANA2DB43YwqhN
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"44Please respect copyright.PENANApQbYNQWR3w
44Please respect copyright.PENANAyJ7N5aTQvJ
"...Yeah, why did I?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAQmM0MKUZk4
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I didn't expect to be met with another question.44Please respect copyright.PENANADJcG0gL9VW
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"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."44Please respect copyright.PENANAIjN6oURxgT
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I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.44Please respect copyright.PENANA2akZHpN6hR
44Please respect copyright.PENANAGjvuZOuK8l
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."44Please respect copyright.PENANAqrcfEJydDL
44Please respect copyright.PENANAYvpciruPWd
"..."44Please respect copyright.PENANAZbA6yHiuhc
44Please respect copyright.PENANAakUdkx858Y
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.44Please respect copyright.PENANAeQB5QoX0Iz
44Please respect copyright.PENANAbPUlgoxxVL
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAYG8z2klDSN
44Please respect copyright.PENANAtM2qX9TNQo
"What?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAp6QOX4bwbp
44Please respect copyright.PENANAJbmeiBjJzt
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."44Please respect copyright.PENANAtihcroZl49
44Please respect copyright.PENANATFhjxHaR4b
"That sounds... boorish?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAE8nGZiTRE3
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"Pff, yer just too young."44Please respect copyright.PENANAuVMLoJYRcP
44Please respect copyright.PENANAdYD2zJEc3E
He paused for a moment.44Please respect copyright.PENANAhDtPwxKSdJ
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"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAlFF1HOhAJe
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"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."44Please respect copyright.PENANAO0ctWUGK4a
44Please respect copyright.PENANA0FSGDs1xJF
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."44Please respect copyright.PENANAr0mMGv5EJT
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He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.44Please respect copyright.PENANAMi90uZ7KJ8
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"That's silly... O-Oh–"44Please respect copyright.PENANAerDSbKSQUP
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I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.44Please respect copyright.PENANArERdMa6E9V
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"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"44Please respect copyright.PENANAehGoUCH7sE
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"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAqLuDxuWjik
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"I... yes, I suppose so."44Please respect copyright.PENANARlaNjlUheU
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Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.44Please respect copyright.PENANAqkV13o2ZwP
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"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."44Please respect copyright.PENANA43ES9Q28qd
44Please respect copyright.PENANAWEneN3N5w2
"Yes, I know."44Please respect copyright.PENANAshDxz4HOR3
44Please respect copyright.PENANALcl77NUXt8
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."44Please respect copyright.PENANAl5aTyVKACl
44Please respect copyright.PENANARc9qySJxdS
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.44Please respect copyright.PENANAaffT3gZMfF
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"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."44Please respect copyright.PENANAcQakuYEReG
44Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7vlfaSTkD
"..."44Please respect copyright.PENANA2TFsrmTsFd
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I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.44Please respect copyright.PENANAtM0mrotQOE
44Please respect copyright.PENANAUZPtou81nv
"Ya hear that?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAGshpeJi1Tu
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"Huh?"44Please respect copyright.PENANASsYisAPX1B
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I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.44Please respect copyright.PENANABCyCDh24lO
44Please respect copyright.PENANA3coRJkZ1UN
"They passed."44Please respect copyright.PENANAEEmJa52Wco
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"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."44Please respect copyright.PENANA9zvyonJjZB
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Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.44Please respect copyright.PENANA6oJXPHz3pc
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"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."44Please respect copyright.PENANAozc72KxaRe
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I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.44Please respect copyright.PENANAPJM0nXwIED
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Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.44Please respect copyright.PENANAhY1tyOKy7J
44Please respect copyright.PENANAc0Ngdfhprl
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."44Please respect copyright.PENANA5G0oWpcKHy
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"You've been saying that a lot."44Please respect copyright.PENANA4qcvFZz4lS
44Please respect copyright.PENANAm4jSPU2rmZ
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."44Please respect copyright.PENANAKdILtQVGt7
44Please respect copyright.PENANAUIXqL4gdnJ
We stood stock still in silence.44Please respect copyright.PENANAwixpJVLIRm
44Please respect copyright.PENANA6rSggTLwqq
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."44Please respect copyright.PENANAJS0PA4xBVI
44Please respect copyright.PENANAYqxNgQj3le
"Are ya sure?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAqXFinE1Jlo
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I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.44Please respect copyright.PENANAMRO4lOsEMU
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"I should be asking you that."44Please respect copyright.PENANAg8jmLSMLXh
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"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA20DYbIuHEw
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"Yes. You get it."44Please respect copyright.PENANA2dyIrCSCLf
44Please respect copyright.PENANAxx6XdMX02r
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.44Please respect copyright.PENANAXyBfgUeSy2
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"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.44Please respect copyright.PENANA5SXG4CXrYj
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"Fine by me."44Please respect copyright.PENANAIgDEkv8csg
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I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.44Please respect copyright.PENANAU1OBvmQZcp
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–
–
–
"Ya see that?"44Please respect copyright.PENANATnksK6yFak
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"Yeah, we're almost there."44Please respect copyright.PENANAF4nrRlA6V7
44Please respect copyright.PENANA793HQWl8c6
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.44Please respect copyright.PENANAKH2rOpK2D1
44Please respect copyright.PENANAATjiaPJWEK
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.44Please respect copyright.PENANANJhHyoPwG1
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.44Please respect copyright.PENANAVfB1c6JBI1
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"Blurg, what was that?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA1ljELu2T4h
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.44Please respect copyright.PENANAzpgx29ADIM
44Please respect copyright.PENANAjhlKUBdSyq
"What was what?"44Please respect copyright.PENANADtmAmCxQqs
44Please respect copyright.PENANAgQmqGUIE7w
"I caught a whiff of something."44Please respect copyright.PENANAt4LWTgHXZ5
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."44Please respect copyright.PENANA7Zzg7OiFQR
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.44Please respect copyright.PENANAErVgTmlGPQ
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.44Please respect copyright.PENANAfgSAUgujU8
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAMKaN6bPXGk
44Please respect copyright.PENANA6jQJBPov8t
Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.44Please respect copyright.PENANAGcBkv1aU6M
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.44Please respect copyright.PENANAjqfgTIPlHd
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."44Please respect copyright.PENANAZrTEeKrHXG
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.44Please respect copyright.PENANAHPKayIYFwF
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.44Please respect copyright.PENANAX3iNVixKaZ
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.44Please respect copyright.PENANA9s9pVeUAeN
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."44Please respect copyright.PENANAwaFDEhgo0o
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA4FOIoF59YH
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.44Please respect copyright.PENANAKApRJFckWE
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAEOmorASpJb
Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."44Please respect copyright.PENANAGzud0Jn0tC
44Please respect copyright.PENANAxAognxVWb6
Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.44Please respect copyright.PENANAPBJMKpuBxX
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–44Please respect copyright.PENANAecFKJhEG4m
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.44Please respect copyright.PENANALXQgsQlp9Z
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.44Please respect copyright.PENANABjBLwTOARv
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"Who are ya people?"44Please respect copyright.PENANA7SsDodlp7U
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."44Please respect copyright.PENANA5z8fg5Jnv4
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"Buddy?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAQzJ6IxqQtu
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.44Please respect copyright.PENANAygq5l4xvtt
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.44Please respect copyright.PENANA6zTYAJiINp
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"Quiet now."44Please respect copyright.PENANA9b8TILwwzu
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.44Please respect copyright.PENANAzs1PotALnV
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.44Please respect copyright.PENANAmAOPojx39y
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"44Please respect copyright.PENANABGJYTaQ20W
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.44Please respect copyright.PENANAaU4oveBeeS
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"44Please respect copyright.PENANAa3eKwmtE7c
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.44Please respect copyright.PENANAznfm0MefZy