Nao: “Buy me some time Velo.” 265Please respect copyright.PENANAyJX9RQdDjh
265Please respect copyright.PENANAIjx8zPZDSe
265Please respect copyright.PENANAyKJX1nhtZS
Velo: “Got it.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAyEmuV1hj7C
265Please respect copyright.PENANAVcou8ri7Wy
Transform, book form!
265Please respect copyright.PENANACJVpuEPKe3
265Please respect copyright.PENANAKc95yFVctv
Anthony: “No you don’t!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAQjsycjPgT6
265Please respect copyright.PENANA028OWVmFRh
Velo activates his shield ring and blocks the bolts of lightning ripping through the ground towards us.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3WDZnqTkAY
265Please respect copyright.PENANAWxfTVFC65v
Velo: “Ugh…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAjCzMMy7qFv
265Please respect copyright.PENANAK4mu1ol3s5
Swap control water for minor illusion.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAU9NDGHfRY7
*Break*265Please respect copyright.PENANAjN0l8DZDuT
265Please respect copyright.PENANAdHPLURP6hU
Velo: “The shield is down!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZnKDpFnby
265Please respect copyright.PENANA7xT12ibqjp
That’s fine I get between the next bolt and block it with my shield. I shoot 4 air bullets behind the shield that chases the fleeing Anthony.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAKnjaJPzmay
265Please respect copyright.PENANAsnZC0fxrYG
Anthony: “You’re not the only one with magic items.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANABsyVP8K0mZ
265Please respect copyright.PENANAi95P5BYdzE
Anthony takes out that paralysis water gun and fires the 3 shots at the black listers.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA91o3Gpi2vw
265Please respect copyright.PENANAtwbHrccbun
Tallow: “Nice try!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANArT5Am4DADJ
265Please respect copyright.PENANAqz8zXdxFgU
Before Anthony even pulled the trigger, Tallow got everyone out of the way of the attack.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA0elgSlRVXH
265Please respect copyright.PENANAfrZO0Z3n4I
Anthony: “What?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANALIH60eMbFJ
265Please respect copyright.PENANAZAyPJlMxrC
Tallow: “Nao, watch out take a step back.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOxO7n50iGQ
265Please respect copyright.PENANAD706yXJFMs
I do as he says and narrowly dodge a strike of lightning.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA9wEfRP7mgF
265Please respect copyright.PENANAU2hcv2yLBX
Anthony: “Mind reading huh?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAf8Y4w09zVM
265Please respect copyright.PENANAaK7JVI0NwT
Tallow: “You won’t be able to catch anyone off guard now.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA1CHjuMoUb8
265Please respect copyright.PENANAPNtvB8feyx
Anthony: “That won’t last forever.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAWUkdKCM4eK
265Please respect copyright.PENANAXOjmOyJyuA
I take the chance and blast more air bullets at Anthony while closing the distance. But right before my eyes, Anthony disappears. Invisibility…
265Please respect copyright.PENANAbLP6u4qmpc
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3tFgPrUPYq
I quickly go back to Black Listers and place a shield over everyone. Everyone fades into silence as we keep our senses sharp for the next blow.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAe5kEtsfy8n
265Please respect copyright.PENANAjD9MS6rWC4
But it never comes. Tensions build and I start to lose my strength. I can’t keep this shield up forever. But that’s not all, the thought that Anthony ran crosses my mind.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAuZwdEvLzA2
265Please respect copyright.PENANAB6rYAly3wM
Is this shield even necessary? My arms buckle and that’s when I hear a crack in the shield.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAv7qT4aeJwH
265Please respect copyright.PENANAhnqkLGsr4J
Tallow: “To our left!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAg5DlWow8B0
265Please respect copyright.PENANADnF2RI8L9t
I redirect my strength to the left in time for-
265Please respect copyright.PENANAiDHDuyskUB
*Crackle*265Please respect copyright.PENANAfLTURe9hHc
265Please respect copyright.PENANAcjHVfa0NCU
Purple light slams against where Tallow is. The shield buckles under the lightning barrage.
265Please respect copyright.PENANASdF6w0aN0A
*Blast*265Please respect copyright.PENANA8Z2h6d3rOY
265Please respect copyright.PENANA2kSdQzQti1
Tallow: “Watch out!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANANZIpmAtFn4
265Please respect copyright.PENANAI0xgW3HdWj
I feel Tallow push me out of the way and when I turn to see what happened…
265Please respect copyright.PENANAPgEc6NeLRL
265Please respect copyright.PENANAMxU8HrdThK
Tallow: “GAAH!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAotWCMmDNLa
265Please respect copyright.PENANAF6YDhc6GPT
Tallow is on the ground bleeding heavily from his bloody torn apart arms. The pain is too much and he soon falls unconscious.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA0GbhVGD6H1
265Please respect copyright.PENANAoxPK8kg8Y8
Mat & Velo: “Tallow!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANApyBZzek5fe
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3YXZNMYH8b
Anthony: “Now stay down Tallow.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA66hdWLa3Bh
265Please respect copyright.PENANAra2vPeBVPg
The invisibility wears to reveal Anthony standing over me with a shotgun pointed at me.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAqIm8Gar03X
265Please respect copyright.PENANAHXhJCG8Rip
Anthony: “Checkmate.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7mOJ9eD50
265Please respect copyright.PENANAJm8mRsYJLS
I hurry to place my hand on the muzzle and counter his attack.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAidn9Z6QrHg
265Please respect copyright.PENANAdmw3vTj9RD
Nao: “Air bullet!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3eb3pP1Wll
265Please respect copyright.PENANABmNdcUheID
Instantly, an explosion of destructive wind destroys the shotgun while pushing us away.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAhcXUzW26R2
265Please respect copyright.PENANAIozxfoU5RT
Nao: “Ugh…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3SI2NZfzdN
265Please respect copyright.PENANANfOUiZXbC2
Anthony: “Damn, I had one shot left. Still worth taking the time to get it from my bag.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANATrCUhwF7nW
265Please respect copyright.PENANAqFrsmiqv6B
I look back to Tallow’s broken body and everyone at stake. Maybe I should…
265Please respect copyright.PENANAXrhQbi1Ib3
265Please respect copyright.PENANAz51dQlZh8p
Anthony: “You’re out of options, give up now!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3SDDQAlsbL
265Please respect copyright.PENANAPWIUkY4nXW
Nao: “Not yet.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA4RInrNlNal
265Please respect copyright.PENANANZNoSoZ5Lx
I summon fireballs and delayed air bullets. Some are illusions and others are real. I ignore my nose bleed and fire them at Anthony.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAmIDaxM3NZ0
265Please respect copyright.PENANA6k6Wuh6k63
Anthony: “I know the fireballs are illusions, try again.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA4OrA0ygHl0
265Please respect copyright.PENANAfvgzInogd5
The fireballs phase through while the air bullets are blasted out of the sky by lightning.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGZo7ImVQvG
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOms6vIbJXv
I continue firing while running towards Anthony with an illusion gorilla fist.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAvFtdvg1tNJ
265Please respect copyright.PENANAmxPR1YbXos
Anthony: “Seriously?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANATj4DLkdtj9
265Please respect copyright.PENANABjTL3Nid7c
Anthony contorts his body to dodge the strike and smiles.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAAJVaBZffhf
265Please respect copyright.PENANAMTmdXWSxHc
Anthony: “You can only use 3 spells, I counted what you can do.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAakIN20w7Fx
265Please respect copyright.PENANArAsWMgReuv
I charge an air bullet in my free and aim it at Anthony’s chest. All the while, I summon 2 more air bullets aiming at his head.265Please respect copyright.PENANAb9zahT4qmv
265Please respect copyright.PENANAT5RNupUknp
265Please respect copyright.PENANAefm3riL9Zk
Nao: “Which of these are real!?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAtqKEHb1RkK
265Please respect copyright.PENANAtbrrkkUCgl
Anthony: “Child’s play, you wouldn’t do headshots.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAE6RzuczNIK
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOiUHfiUS1x
Anthony meets my charged air bullet with a lightning fist.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAxlVO2CK2DB
265Please respect copyright.PENANAiyHFpUWjrb
Nao: “GAAAH!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA43JtZLJr0o
265Please respect copyright.PENANAyKDzMFcxwi
My entire body begins to burn from the inside out. But-
265Please respect copyright.PENANAtTpFdDpf4l
*Strike*265Please respect copyright.PENANAcXlNAJviwa
265Please respect copyright.PENANAQpg2U4iWh8
Anthony: “Ugh!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOzZ5yS7Ox2
265Please respect copyright.PENANARi7UE4WrCg
The two air bullets graze his head but that was enough to knock him out for just a moment. But that’s all I need. I rip away from his hand and form a magic shield bubble around Anthony’s exploding body.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAcaUNLJAZNV
265Please respect copyright.PENANAYkZKflfLI0
He shocks himself to wake up but it’s much worse than usual. The shield cracks but remains strong enough to contain him. I collapse on my knee while blood streaming from my nose. But I’m not the only one.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAUP7N1hzUtP
265Please respect copyright.PENANAo0D76WjDux
Anthony: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
265Please respect copyright.PENANA0S6t69nAgD
265Please respect copyright.PENANAAHQk9uID4w
Nao: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
265Please respect copyright.PENANAer0N5HzBAx
265Please respect copyright.PENANAgB8BLCH2X3
Anthony: “I can…break out of this…eventually.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAre72W2fKN2
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOtHJQBpepb
Nao: “Fast enough before the police come.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAnxKcOJBckL
265Please respect copyright.PENANA078lykw3To
Anthony: “I’ll defeat them too.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAg6zuHvLKVX
265Please respect copyright.PENANA0pLUf81eIZ
Nao: “There’s too many and you’re too weak. They just need one or two bullets and you’re dead.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAWOZrxLn1hy
265Please respect copyright.PENANAMu3vVlNIQi
Anthony: “…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAaY0AMdFHsM
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3Hwc8gNkTd
Nao: “Give up Anthony, you’ve lost.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAwoqti9YUjZ
265Please respect copyright.PENANAMDgom2s7a4
Anthony: “Why are you so hellbent on sparing me! Didn’t I say your goal is just as valid as mine? Don’t force yourself to try and make an impossible world!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA01KHLs2nec
265Please respect copyright.PENANA95DwaGuF41
Nao: “I just want to save you!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAqHmUPfpvsP
265Please respect copyright.PENANA8q4p6BIS7J
Anthony: “!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAt3q7Bf2Oby
265Please respect copyright.PENANA9wMBSNDzmL
Nao: “That’s it. I don’t care about all of that stuff right now. You are one of the first friends I ever had. And I don’t lose that.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAYsG3GjkqSx
265Please respect copyright.PENANAdCNbTbQtTp
Anthony: “Nao…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA9EYLOeoOEb
265Please respect copyright.PENANAZtbRpMM6ZL
His body loosens and that once solid determination shakes a bit.
265Please respect copyright.PENANASpSCDp9lD9
265Please respect copyright.PENANAUQmD5msHtl
Anthony: “Mayb-”
265Please respect copyright.PENANArRYK4GLJo5
265Please respect copyright.PENANAxDjLyEOI0C
Anthony: “!!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANARjPgqNGsUX
265Please respect copyright.PENANAX2U2vRi45s
Anthony: “Artemis wai-”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAanFliEq3JC
265Please respect copyright.PENANAEbXJNcEvfi
Anthony’s eye glaze over but soon returns as a savage purple.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAnHxJHEu4W0
265Please respect copyright.PENANA8V0I1EwTtU
Artemis: “No! I won’t let it end this, even if I have to break our body!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANALIvhRbthKo
265Please respect copyright.PENANAG7HPeU3id8
Lightning explodes out of my shield and scorches the air. I’m blown away and Artemis falls to the ground. Both of our bodies are ruined but mine more so. Artemis gets up and drags her body to mine while gathering power.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAsuTF4m3gaf
265Please respect copyright.PENANA6r4f3xds4h
Artemis: “Don’t worry…love I’ll…take this nuisance out and then we’ll…finally get back to the bloodbath. We will have our vengeance…right?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA2yfhgWh7Zd
265Please respect copyright.PENANAAA7cTxSmNh
I…can’t move. I watch as Artemis gathers enough energy to end my struggle.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAqTnErLg32o
265Please respect copyright.PENANAP4olmJHgJ4
Artemis: “Finally, this fight is over!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAIJByAiOLH8
*Explode* 265Please respect copyright.PENANAmsbyulGXwD
265Please respect copyright.PENANA27plr5cc0C
Alyson: “!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAPTVuUB6xka
265Please respect copyright.PENANAwCDIMtPIUt
Am I…dead…
265Please respect copyright.PENANACNcR4t8N4Q
265Please respect copyright.PENANAM3bHwVpH7z
Alyson: “Mom!!!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANANDQ21LcTPe
!!?265Please respect copyright.PENANAvFy9DJVhQ5
265Please respect copyright.PENANAO3Ntof9uB0
I open my eyes to see a person protecting me from the blast. That wall and sanctuary that’s always been there, begins to fall.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAmCadWfrLo5
265Please respect copyright.PENANAHxGZmbZb5P
With a thud, my mother falls next to me…this can’t be happening.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAutsm0Y5J5X
265Please respect copyright.PENANA7rbmmtHrZy
Artemis: “Mom? That’s your…mother…I didn’t mean…not again…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGl4g3hxeuZ
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOM0KKpHXje
I ignore Artemis’ words of apparent confusion and drag myself to her. Alyson rushes over and cups mom’s head in her hands.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAsaQ6vUM8xh
265Please respect copyright.PENANA9j9kku5gWN
Nao: “Mom…why…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAhWMJWdxjSY
265Please respect copyright.PENANAsxJX5DOKBr
Nell: “You’re my…children…of course I’d protect you.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAWgCA6AGBVp
265Please respect copyright.PENANA5caexVmqLS
Alyson: “Not like this! Not like this…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAXZel95ktZs
265Please respect copyright.PENANAbE4TagdWXS
Nell: “You…finally…called me mom.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAv97KA23Isu
265Please respect copyright.PENANAwFAFaE3Vzv
Alyson: “Mom…Mom, I’m so sorry I was stubborn. I should have….done so much more for you.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAX6g44vz9KP
265Please respect copyright.PENANAnBta7KKgQg
Nell: “Nonsense…you’ve done…more than enough. I’m just glad…I could hear it…at least once.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAWxaNT981hF
265Please respect copyright.PENANAkaQshdgYWC
Nao: “Don’t talk like that! I can heal you!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANASFTxSp1apA
265Please respect copyright.PENANAvBRERNytiL
I swap out illusion for healing and begin trying to save her. But…I’m too weak…
265Please respect copyright.PENANAD0uGxanfIX
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOjeqem4762
Nell: “It’s…fine…Nao…listen to me.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAytyw1S3LWP
265Please respect copyright.PENANAmOopTOzceU
My mom looks deep into my eyes and pleads.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA1TUNGglBos
265Please respect copyright.PENANA39k8Mjlikf
Nell: “You have…the power to change the world…and with it a responsibility…to heal it. Don’t be a villain…be…a hero. Protect your friends…family….and the innocent….promise me…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAYcXBduK9gC
265Please respect copyright.PENANAauVjhyIO45
I look to everyone here and internalize what I must do. Her final wish.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAlJezxPG6zT
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGMUkpTYXKB
Nao: “I promise mom.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAraNSwY5y4m
265Please respect copyright.PENANA8sFFBfb4kH
Nell: “Then…I know you two…will be…just…fine.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA5eDMv6kamf
265Please respect copyright.PENANAg1UfatBoGN
And just like that…my world grows darker.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAFPpXDx7Fn4
265Please respect copyright.PENANAvMKcqy5Gwm
Alyson: “Mom? Mom!”
265Please respect copyright.PENANApB0fbc0gzy
265Please respect copyright.PENANAsIaI4297Oy
Alyson cries harder than she ever has. She holds mom’s lifeless body and wishes for this to be a dream. But this…is reality.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA79mWHxV14n
265Please respect copyright.PENANAPU4eZYrT8r
Artemis: “…Why did a mother…have to jump in front of that? It’s…not fair…”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAOtMJaKj0Su
265Please respect copyright.PENANAARN2MsxMyw
I hear Artemis and I remember who punched this hold in my chest.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAfD9kcB4QCj
265Please respect copyright.PENANAulgm3R4exI
Nao: “Put all 10 points into endurance. I will survive to kill Artemis.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANADB00stZklC
265Please respect copyright.PENANA1Xp9lPIWJQ
Arc: “But you’re bod-”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAxKFlZRmTZT
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGnNZf0I2dd
Do it! She won’t get away with this…
265Please respect copyright.PENANAKz2Yx2ryIV
265Please respect copyright.PENANAUCzo8XzE5Q
Arc: “Okay.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANALjeM0EQVNj
Endurance: 27.5265Please respect copyright.PENANAgzp1yXhAUr
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGX6yVJKSoO
Instantly, I can feel my body break apart and convulse wildly. No! I won’t pass out over this! But as I think that, the breaking sensation stops abruptly and hear that familiar sound.
*Ding*
265Please respect copyright.PENANAcF9jbSOlXf
Arc: “Congrats, you just leveled up.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAqjdJDpdLxX
Level: 2265Please respect copyright.PENANAI0pdEjly74
Strength: 27265Please respect copyright.PENANApys4QjnbqV
Endurance: 31.5265Please respect copyright.PENANAb1Ir6FPbzy
Intelligence: 23.5265Please respect copyright.PENANAsgHiLRdoCh
Charisma: 21.5265Please respect copyright.PENANATBfyHJXnev
Agility: 20.5265Please respect copyright.PENANA2q5RzgX1iE
Magic: 29265Please respect copyright.PENANA6VA8ckHPgn
265Please respect copyright.PENANA0AVNNnHN9L
All of my wounds heal and new strength flows through me.265Please respect copyright.PENANAztP2sPe2PC
265Please respect copyright.PENANAPiUFalGEbq
Artemis: “…No way…I didn’t want this!”265Please respect copyright.PENANASGMJrplvX2
265Please respect copyright.PENANAcUgNBevflu
265Please respect copyright.PENANArdvARVofXM
She shoots out several bolts of lightning but they bounce off of my renewed shield.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGyRavSloxq
265Please respect copyright.PENANAtsoONntgKK
Arc: “You have a free spell slot, what do you want?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAJLbW1IJn3q
265Please respect copyright.PENANAL8XQnJAKQh
Nao: “…Magic Missile.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAj9nnM46vf1
265Please respect copyright.PENANAjvKwcGlOB3
I transform Arc into book form and make the change while the storm still rages. I transform Arc back, get up and walk towards Artemis.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAuoGBumMzOl
265Please respect copyright.PENANAIfgZXAfit5
I walk through lightning bolts, balls, and whatever else she can throw at me. It doesn’t matter, my shield blocks it all.
265Please respect copyright.PENANALejULHAy2h
265Please respect copyright.PENANAPhBF7akn0b
Artemis: “Damn it all! Not again, not like this! Am I still this weak?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANABxCw6w0S9G
265Please respect copyright.PENANAKUppgpZZPw
I break through the lightning storm and grab Artemis’ throat. I slowly squeeze and enjoy her gasps of air.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAoB9qDewNIB
Artemis: “You…kill me…you kill….Anthony…”265Please respect copyright.PENANAuVEyDtj1Cq
265Please respect copyright.PENANADIVDkVPT2e
265Please respect copyright.PENANABy41i80byT
Nao: “I know.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANA7A7QpKfDTg
265Please respect copyright.PENANADYqPu0rzsf
I raise my hand and gather magic energy into my palm. She fights back by screaming and shocking us both with lightning. But I feel nothing…
265Please respect copyright.PENANADYZOWPMccA
265Please respect copyright.PENANAuZDmUhqTCf
I aim at my target…and fire.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGligkfYoOO
*BLAST*
…
…
The screaming stops and the body goes limp. I let Anthony fall to the ground and walk away from it all.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAGwp2fDvMLo
265Please respect copyright.PENANALrqpj1yZD1
Anthony: “…Why?”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAb3YfH56XHf
265Please respect copyright.PENANAgJ8SY2FqEb
I look back at Anthony’s missing hand and the still intact ring smoking from the blast nearby.
265Please respect copyright.PENANAlc70qraQHE
265Please respect copyright.PENANA5UYjTXS6BN
Nao: “You didn’t do it.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAG6OgwX62wC
265Please respect copyright.PENANAwmb8Lofxg7
I grab the ring and can feel it lightly shocking me. I clearly can’t destroy it yet…but one day, I will. I pocket it and return to my mom’s body with Alyson still crying.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA3oYAw4S5G4
265Please respect copyright.PENANAohCmyEU1q6
I stare down at her and find her strangely…at peace. But why? I failed her and my sister. I look up at Alyson who’s still crying. So I hold back my tears, for her.
265Please respect copyright.PENANA9udmWMUgwn
265Please respect copyright.PENANAUFrIuTgyrh
Anthony: “…I’m…so sorry.”
265Please respect copyright.PENANAIgi0oVMERh
265Please respect copyright.PENANAR5X6F1dkob
I ignore it. I’m sure the police will deal with him, I don’t care. Right now…I just want to bury my mother.
ns 15.158.61.36da2