“...”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLucAq6fLb
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5JWuVq6b0
“...”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LsoxYyqPJ
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqzJdtWIG7
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zMgieyF7x
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLjKxYMNJ6
I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8hYgEB6Cc
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“I have a feeling–”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm8bhxavtS
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqUqlL2nsi
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SIXjHnM87
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfGC8fTF2i
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yY9u0Ypa8
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“Do you also have that feeling?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3A8x04wsM
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VsSXW4V2S
“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxvZ2tT3Tt
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MXynyZWTq
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTOpyyu5ye
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidJLRYYgXz
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡragqLTXp1r
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbCwK90si2
But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZzULSJCgt
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“Y-You!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7BQlBsaI0
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o7Fl4pMNk
I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc637kBbjpn
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQni2cDuvHD
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf7KF3gK1U
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYtxtQ6eFy
“A-Alright!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciiO1KUr6X
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd2Up5dbQK
Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g8Eecs5um
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv9MDUfLBI
“Hey! Juke, what are–”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJPfw6e0qn
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfXE0fflMB
My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSta003Jceo
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYSekLvjCK
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINAy18Uhzs
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cBAN3OO9J
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9ykPotsUr
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAoJ80AmsQ
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgrjRn84yL
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zClleYAzy
“He’s alive!?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMafl8aa68x
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZp7ZAuRpO
The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhP55mhMRh
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT1TUc36XR
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdkYlTcpUI
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqK2ngmaPD
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkFTDtP6cg
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9kmLgAg0O
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXamlIXD2l
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpd0bUaIwe
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOCsgavx8B
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIgXQa3ejX
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0cO3Sumqo
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t7REgi2Mf
“...Well, not exactly.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6ePMW4WhD
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYst72Hk1Nv
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YLd92r6AL
“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAcP9aLvI0
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7uAc2CA7f
“Tell me, won’t ya?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0rErHx0Bw
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uZJum9dE7
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1FxKmBBM4
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKc8wiuE5X
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1NUhAMNwm
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprSAeWqTzQ
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIe1bGf5lh
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CzeWRMeQ5
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q7jDIgXNP
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKNYEOf70t
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RbcCcwmXG
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhnk9OZ8av
“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrsffMM5nu
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFOsV58dSh
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSthQeRPJ1
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi2ECuUBxl
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAuC0tz68r
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLSZ2SqqRB
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxEq3BN9zY
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPJS9ZiJt1
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ycg8Myq3D
The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CfLq5VaVg
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZVLRTk8Ap
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWbpCceveK
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlSSZiEcv6
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBS7chxiZa
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANXLWJeLfH
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6sz8lpt5i
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjEVy8qxwo
–
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–
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–148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm3gLI5gXN
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy4JCjMomL
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflci2c8WfK
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o12wyQ8LA
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCnbg7eqwR
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen8jby8xxF
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdGM0uyRkS
He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l2vTRL6xK
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABNVeTx2v6
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEpF8Jx6Tv
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02cKE0uhh2
Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSeYLer6wq
Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT4jaSpwRB
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuApd3DR5CY
"I can just chip away."
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo7LgsuTXf
I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTlJ55glxL
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMcB0nybLY
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7y9O82iWW
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBySFwc407e
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilZe0KBp5b
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1oQpeAwLj
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKL8Y9HXbq
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0aTObwfb8
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlZx2w6W4J
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9r36Uc1Bu
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3UEiEEmzx
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRchrzzfrB
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT7kcwZRYF
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVuC0j99Xj
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3DfAiqQIG
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktp1hWH8mb
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIC6uQw317
Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ndSKSQ4Mp
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRswKV6djA3
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“Crap!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S9Nz5VG94
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlAOIO3oC9
I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGOhnoXBpN
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wzKYX64fV
**CRUNCH**148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BgIbKGrkt
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLaODkYNHO
The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM1K7eCU1D
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0kEN2eY5x
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ331t1eofkn
Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDpfWo4bnt
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx6WC0Z8h8
I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAYhhHjm5f
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiWmRMy0Hb
“Child! Child, please!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7wwvvipN5
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kiC8u5TNr
“W-What!?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FLfRNmJ4l
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiBIAYzk13
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eohUgsUcM
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlIa1mc7yO
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjXkUfVztI
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrQwqUpqqh
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIfopCJk7l
“...”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDIqjGLyVm
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAUpEP3SMq
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkUnEhXfT2
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfcPgG197t
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfV4vTplDO
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwNLuIJ9ZE
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTdmx1w9PQ
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf5iSxKz7p
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVrd6Uq8LX
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq7klp3TAy
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QwO2ci5WV
And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVGhmQW1td
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrTFLsXJlN
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCTx4o5C7e
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh7CItfEwV
“Kid! Watch out!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPSj4GS0ZJ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v94uKjRWm
“--Huh?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsk1xDmUF6
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXjk6o0UCs
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn5m5U3SBl
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTgwk3jDVA
“S-S-Shit!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2uwoLqCsZ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A7RRpCM6I
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaHXNociSj
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcESMUCXUeb
**SQUELCH**148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn93JTTnNKo
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1E82TXnsC
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk4robw7kE
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnis50OUb1
“--H-Hrk!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN996iQ0tz
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2686GjPWa
“Oh?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL2Qv4j5QB
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNViunangS
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaiCIeT5vS
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhsQ4hPSFD
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9CIAPB1Tq
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8kMa40oEl
“Ark… W-Why?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvWTYlqDSp
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0USWtCVdL
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97x8Gr5fQX
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruXKtgmrRZ
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC08QWzPJr
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn53SrBN5k3
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bqOVb4XWM
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs8TFcb11m
“A– y-you monster!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx89jwIWon
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIzGUp90vV
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeK9hdcIvt
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGPreKmsRX
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iEc4vCbtI
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO0GevHcJO
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4noHb8gCN
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl8a2sDihf
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8ORcn8vh8
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBFqjjAlU7
“A-Afraid?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKrahowFZs
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQHT6pFle9
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh1HpgB6DN
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5vL9rNX0f
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o8BxFDTT2
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRNqAz9OZX
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSjpZxfZLe
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9oCSq1gCg
“Damn it. Damn it!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyquJ67I6D
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4dxJA5wte
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDppNYsOwni
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtQBsqLdwI
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDyzJZD75p
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk5cRTeF3I
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PmBCkTdge
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJQ74QNZ1t
“T-Thank you.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ572V4BGhEc
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhdBJhv7SM
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJtVBcVnvx
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNHqUd82vb
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJS1nnnXSZ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMtSBrhZFr
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVu24L4wnS
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStsSw25Ge5
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNw5j5eufA
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz8cHlwSCS
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKdaMrrLKS
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkh8TdOn4L
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly6LELihKa
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv0teNXUwl
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd74Yd9ldP
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65hck2MKm4
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6tSR7mTI9
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2iSPGxkgg
“Juke!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpNp2IltPE
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZyC9XPSn2
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9fLC2HA3B
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RyKZmwCTC
“That kid is such a nuisance!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHJvaVTASD
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCk2fz9AI9
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXndRk536E
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yJWGE4nTO
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pyoy417i8
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcKXWBauQ4
“Ahck!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRqstbEQiD
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2Z7rGj5Dz
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLEVkkPU3n
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYhuk0LHUp
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNkk5AewVh
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9WXPjVxvT
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8VukNj3Po
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1zIpLAKHP
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjxzWmw5ad
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKG4zFwFuK
But, that did not happen.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8u3xhimaL
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8yn86qMyE
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIoz1KGBEB
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0zK6ElUKn
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFD93sypdC
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyf9jbhERT
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMedFmZrHgM
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WoAP3go62
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZJsWm1Odt
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWvqfFGmuB
And he let it rip just a moment later.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuxU6iivmZ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34CEBGgf5L
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpudfN8WV6B
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9ZwQW19xB
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq0d99dvuD
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4S3vy8vkX
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmAmb7XukI
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn7WydXlD8
“...!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85cJAQTh1X
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ESFVHxlQj
None so fierce to kill my plant.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUKDK4S2i7
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUylbdSI3Re
“M-My arm!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjlPRrL9OQ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSdVBPWZEd
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPNUq0imSi
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN22rWQ7BLI
“Juke!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgJknzStua
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hchzmS1py
“Gotcha, kid!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfu5DcRe85
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV6T8W9FEA
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd16Jw0z9SL
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcQxySfTir
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqyZPMYsP0
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOPnTuz2pp
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQXfJzzHyY
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw2hq3eMmR
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89NSTzOBZy
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb8Isusl00
“Hrk!”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tJ3D9nCbt
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnQR87H1iB
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpxWXPwLmP
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3LB5aa7AS
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyBh5viB77
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXdQouU90n
“...”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9hWNw3HHN
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjocxaQkuJ
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1woUXgGasx
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTcJKEBvuh
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsAA0gmLLq
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzefh6PXqC
“Curse…”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFctrDuddN
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00F91p9kYW
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5tnDENFNK
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27quNDAehU
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBsPMQs29l
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoeIG6k8Ih
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKtkHYETTe
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLr70Hqz76
“May they, be few.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWF3f8wXnH
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6A5rt1mzC
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVcI89nxee
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeueFh4Xp0
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xYgPMCw8J
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3EavuV95T
“That was… sad.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEVxYbWan3
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvGhKz6vxD
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGy8lhkgAj
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaH7mZh2rv
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLefOs58ivR
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv1vXXHO52
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQRgfC4PhU
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi6k1K19vH
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ31UFicB1
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f9wN95AdN
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaR0ZL3tMl
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLEptVSzkj
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4NIK52fBF
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq3yvqcxjU
“Don’t continue.”148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t3jqx3vgd
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLMNkMrzDf
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6puWvI7DMz
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvzYxMkY1g
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNOe35ViQK
