We stepped out of the alley and headed south through the bustling town centre.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat7mlXRI29
The narrow streets of Oriken were crowded, making it difficult to move quickly. The air was filled with a symphony of sounds: vendors shouting their wares, children laughing, and the occasional clatter of a dropped item.
We manoeuvred through the throng of people, our senses on high alert. The market's vibrant colors assaulted our senses, with stalls brimming with exotic fruits and spices. The lively chatter and laughter contrasted sharply with the tension tightening within our group, like a storm brewing beneath a sunny sky.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the street ahead, followed by panicked screams. Lizy's eyes widened in fear, but I grabbed her arm, pulling her close.
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"Who wants to fight me?!"
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A man emerged into our view, his voice cutting through the chaos. Behind him, another man lay unconscious, crushed by a wheeled stall that had clearly been hurled at him.
In Justitia, anarchy reigned, and the public bore the responsibility of maintaining order—a harsh system that required everyone to act as both enforcer and protector. The Commune doesn't do much, but it did help the development of Oriken.
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"Go check on him, Lizy. Log and I will handle this,"
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I pointed at the man trapped under the cart. Without hesitation, Lizy sprinted to aid him.
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"It's been a while since we fought together, hasn't it?"
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Log, now fully embodying his persona, grinned. His hat tilted slightly as he spun his fruit-picking stick with a flourish.
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"Let's show these bandits that strength isn't everything!"
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Seeing two of the four Dafael angels ready to fight together was enough to lift my spirits.
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"Why not?"
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I pulled two compression cubes from my belt. In an instant, they expanded into a hoverboard and a telekinesis gun.
My composed facade remained intact, an asset in combat, much like Log's cheeky confidence.
The bandit lunged at us with a wild swing of his club, but Log intercepted with a swift parry, the fruit-picking stick blocking the blow effortlessly. With a quick flick, he disarmed the assailant, sending the club clattering to the ground. The patches on his shorts seemed to catch the light, adding a colorful blur to his swift movements.
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"We might as well be dancing with that kind of strength!"
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A provoking laugh rang from him. He easily dodged an ongoing strike and used his stick to redirect the force of the bat back to the bandit, causing him to tremble down.
I jumped onto the hoverboard, its hum reassuring beneath my feet, and activated the telekinesis gun. With a simple thought, I lifted another bandit off the ground and hurled him into a nearby cart, the impact knocking him out cold.
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"How was the taste of your own medicine, dear~?"
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I spun my gun around and shot away another bandit towards a trash can, the impact causing the contents inside to spill out and on the bandit. We two are just spouting out taglines, trying to immerse ourselves back into our stereotypical roles.
The leader of the bandits snarled at us, rallying his remaining men.
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"You think you can stand against us? You're outnumbered!"
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"Numbers don't matter when you don't know who you're dealing with!"
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Log laughed, the sound sharp and confident, his eyes glinting with mischief.
He charged forward, a blur of motion as he ducked and weaved through the attackers, his stick striking with pinpoint accuracy. I provided cover, using the telekinesis gun to hurl obstacles and disarm foes from a distance.
The synergy between us was palpable—a dance of coordinated strikes and defences.
Lizy, having ensured the safety of the injured man, rejoined us with a determined look.
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"Need a hand?"
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"Always."
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I tossed her a small device from my belt. She caught it with practiced ease, looked at the small label on it, and immediately understood its purpose. She activated it to form a shimmering energy shield around us, the barrier flickering with protective light.
The bandits faltered, their confidence waning as they faced our united front.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZACbMNmtQ
Within moments, we had subdued them, their weapons scattered across the ground and their spirits visibly broken.
Breathing heavily, we regrouped, the adrenaline still coursing through our veins. The chaos of the fight slowly faded, leaving us in a momentary calm, each of us reflecting on what had just transpired.
Lizy's chest heaved as she panted, her eyes wide with exhilaration.
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"That was intense!"
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Log chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow.
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"Not really, was it?"
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His tone was light and mischievous, the translucent cloth of his hat fluttering as he spoke, masking the exertion of the fight with playful bravado.
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"Maybe we should keep heading onward, our estatic fighter?"
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Maintaining my composed facade, I looked at Log. My smile felt more convincing now.
Log seemed to catch the underlying meaning of that comment, his eyes narrowing slightly, though a cheeky smile played at his lips.
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"Well, RoseBud, our model citizen. What if we don't?"
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"That wouldn't be very nice, would it, LoggerHead? The mischieveous troublemaker?"
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I understand that our souls cannot hold any longer if this mask falls off, and I think he understands that as well. His eyes gleamed with a bittersweetness I cannot even describe with words, but it probably showed on mine too.
Log chuckled in return, the sound almost jarring against the tension in the air. Despite the gravity of our situation, his eyes sparkled with amusement, but I could hear a bit of pain behind the laugh.
Lizy quickly caught on to our banter.
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"Let's go then!"
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I shrank my gun and tucked it back into my belt bag, then hopped onto my hoverboard. Log made a series of hand signs, and with a flourish, a pair of wings sprouted from his back, their iridescent feathers catching the light as he took to the air.
Lizy mounted her scooter, her eyes gleaming with competitive spirit. Her triangular brown cape billowed behind her, and her red strangs of hair streamed in the wind.
I adjusted my belt filled with gadgets, my tightsuit feeling snug and ready for action.
Log's hat fluttered slightly as he floated in the air, just about three stories above us.
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"First to the port wins!"24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTi3qoNwV5
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With a shared nod, we took off at a breakneck pace. The thrill of the impromptu race invigorated our steps, propelling us forward through the narrow alleyways and towards our destination—the Scengal ship dock.
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The cityscape of Oriken blurred around us, the vibrant colours and bustling activity melting into a tapestry of motion.
Log soared above, his wings a blur against the sky, giving him a clear advantage.
Below, Lizy maneuvered through the winding streets with impressive agility, her scooter zipping through narrow gaps and sharp turns.
I leaned into my hoverboard, using its manoeuvrability to keep up with my friends.
As we neared the port, the salty sea air filled our lungs, and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore grew louder.
We reached the dock, and Lizy was the first to arrive, her scooter skidding to a halt on the wooden planks. Log landed gracefully beside her, folding his wings with a satisfied grin. I glided in last, maintaining my composed facade despite my competitive spirit.
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"Good job, guys!"
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I landed next to them, and put my hoverboard back into my little bag.
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"Here is my boat,"
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Lizy gestured towards a sleek vessel bobbing gently in the water. The boat, though modest in size, looked sturdy and well-equipped for our journey. The deck, however, was cluttered with supplies hastily packed all over it.
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"Impressive."
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I tried not to comment on the mess.
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"I gotta hand it to Lizy, she's outdone herself this time.
Of course, it takes a discerning eye like mine to truly appreciate the artistry at play here."
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I shot him a quick side-eye, and he responded with an even wider grin, clearly enjoying his moment of playful banter.
The dock was alive with activity, the sounds of creaking ropes and seagulls overhead blending into the background.
Without wasting any time, Lizy began organizing the deck, her nimble fingers swiftly sorting through the gear with practiced ease. I joined her, helping to tidy up and stow away the necessary items.
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"We need to get everything in order before we set off,"
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"Absolutely,
Organization is key to a successful trip."
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I admittedly wasn't sure what it meant either. If you are disorganized, the trip isn't successful? What makes for a "successful" trip? I tried not to think too hard about it, at least it sounds like wisdom in some twisted way.
Log, on the other hand, was already checking the navigation equipment
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"Oh, we're gonna be more than ready,
I've got my eye on everything, so rest easy, ladies. This ship's gonna sail like a dream!"
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My side-eye has probably gotten more extreme.
After a few minutes of swift organisation, the deck soon transformed from a cluttered mess to a well-ordered space, one that I at least could accept.
Lizy nodded in satisfaction.
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"All set!"
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We climbed onto the boat, each of us taking in our surroundings. The deck was now tidy and ready for our adventure. Lizy went to the helm, her hands steady on the controls.
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"Back home I go!"
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She looked out the water in anticipation
Maintaining my cheerful facade, I smiled warmly,
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"Yes, it is time. And we're ready for it."
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Lizy started the engine, The boat roared to life with a gentle hum, the vibrations traveling up through my feet and into the air. As we set off from the dock, the horizon stretched out before us.
I kept my facade in place, a mask of calm determination. Beneath it, a storm of doubts and fears churned, my hands clenched into fists to suppress the trembling. . My breaths came slow and steady, a practiced rhythm to maintain composure.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNFNjVQQak
But I knew that my optimism, real or feigned, was the glue holding our fragile hope together. I stole a glance at my companions, their eyes reflecting a mix of trust and trepidation.
My shoulders squared, my posture straightened, and with a deep breath, I pushed forward, ready to confront whatever awaits us
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