I was set beside a wall. It took all of my will not to pass out immediately. I gave myself a minute to breathe and relax. I caught a glimpse of my legs. They were thankfully still in one piece, but several parts of my skin were charred. I put great care into the potion Juke fed me, so my wounds would heal just fine. I thanked my past self for making it pain-numbing as well.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUixdtM1gf
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Though my legs were fine, too much of them were exposed to the outside world. To put it bluntly, I needed a new pair of pants. I would've ordinarily been embarrassed, but I had bigger fish to fry.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXAbpq2w58
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Juke took a seat beside me while panting, taking his helmet off, and wiping the sweat off his brow.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJZ5UIevHN
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"I ain't ever ran that fast before shit."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8NLnjKBur
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We took a minute to get ourselves situated. I looked up at the sky, taking deep breaths.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHka6FePJc6
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"I wish... I packed an energy potion."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSdz4zxLbd
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"Ya know how to make one?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdZf67qzF8
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"...No, I'm just thinking of coffee."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXNdMgsxLl
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He clicked his tongue in disappointment. I made a mental note to check if things such as energy potions truly existed later.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZBLP5CqYa
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"Are you two feeling well? I'm assuming a fight broke out."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL4EaoUzEK
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The man I recognized but forgot the name of walked up to us with an impassive face, making me wonder if he asked how we were only for formalities.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLoQ9Rh93c
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"We're doin' fine. Thanks for helpin' us."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwKCLUVLdL
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2opZ1EAcb
"Sure thing," Pars interjected with a gentle smile.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7GxUNrSsk
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"So, Kenny, right? care to explain what happened?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0BGmODImI
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Pars took a seat on the pavement, and the man beside him followed.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYerLtY78f
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"Uh... well-"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIRBZ0rHke
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"Before all that, how about ya two introduce yerselves? It's obvious Kenny met ya, but I hate to be left in the dark."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ7po0HpB4
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"Ah, of course!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrLxNfffkQ
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Pars rubbed the back of his head.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPRtU3N2i9
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"The name's Pars. This grumpy fellow is Dave. Nice to meet you, uh,"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9MjbDIA0Y
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauDONgnSds
"Juke."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3awoi1r7ar
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I weakly snapped my fingers, almost admonishing myself for forgetting a name like Dave.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Wf3efCM9
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNYVhfL4Yh
"Juke. That's an odd name. Where do you come from?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG9UyKhT3P
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"That ain't important right now. Since Kenny looks like he's gonna drop dead any minute, I'll do all the explaining."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x1QPjMD8F
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xr3Zb8XX9
Juke gave me a sidelong wink. I gave him a fragile thumbs-up, whispering a thanks.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRze06RNQz
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"To make a long story short, we were tryin' to escape the city. Found out that these Hard-Bringer bastards really want our heads in particular, so much so that the Harbinger lady camped the stables and attacked us. That's who we were runnin' from."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtadrSNsvz
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"You fought directly with the Harbinger? You two are pretty impressive," Pars replied.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1aFIaNfw9
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"Nah, ya should've seen it. We were getting tossed around like she was playing ball. Seriously, just look at Kenny."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KLk4WNoa9
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They all diverted their gazes to me. I felt more inclined to correct Juke than to get embarrassed.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkEzY6m5xt
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"I did this to myself, though."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhswL18syH
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"I ain't sweating the details here, kid."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt3fKHvCxX
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"You're just lying to them, though."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYivPwEIXJx
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He simply shrugged. I realized that I was just sweating details. It didn't matter why, the point was that I became injured because of the fight.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE8k82BQZ6
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"What Juke's saying is right, though. We weren't on the brink of death or anything, but we weren't making her feel threatened, let's just say."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9ePu0hE45
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wH6654v1M
"I gotcha," Pars replied. He seemed to be mulling over something Juke had said. I used the window of downtime to close my eyes and lean my head against the wall.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMELPudscz
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"Why were you two targeted in particular?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbc01n929h
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Dave spoke up. My rest was short-lived, but I wasn't particularly miffed about it.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMV5E8wEGY
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"From what that mop-haired guy from earlier was sayin'," Juke started, "It's probably because of the mission we're on. They ain't cottoning to our mission, which I can't disclose for legal reasons, but jokes on 'em, we already did it!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx60qA4Cr5
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7YdFxdrYo
"Your mission," Pars asked, "Wait, you were also tasked with delivering the letter?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd85CMwcr3k
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The silence that ensued was awkward and oppressive.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu89zXlgyPU
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"Kenny, who the hell is this guy?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle8KUkePwY
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9vMEif5bd
"O-Oh, well, he's one of the people who helped Rover and me deliver the letter."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIlL3mRfuw
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"Ah, I thought he was some bad news. Well, even if ya were, yer helping us is enough to let it slide."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0e2U9cjFF
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"I'm flattered."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYA6ZmSYfa
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"Nah, but ya really gave me a scare, goodness."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdMYYGm8dT
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Juke grabbed his chest and took an elongated, heavy breath, continuing the conversation once he assuaged himself.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRqFqIPy2P
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"Well, like I said, the mission's already over. Ya think if I tell the Hard-Bringer folk that they'll give us a slap on the wrist?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUOVJch3ef
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"..."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy9hjtO8kc
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Pars didn't respond to Juke's playful inquiry. Dave had an even graver expression than before. Their faces were solemn in a way that radiated pity, and it was only exacerbated by Pars' pinching of his nose and subsequent sighing.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ329wywWgLW
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"Just to make sure, your guys' mission was to deliver the letter, right? The letter in question had to be delivered to the Pillar of Foreign Communications?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZsiWvpMqt
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"...I don't like where this is goin'."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBNeVAdsZB
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Juke voiced my thoughts exactly. I nodded along to his questioning, which Pars took as a cue to continue.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUxWsBzQCD
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"You're right not to like it, because I'm about to drop the worst news you've heard all week: all of the Pillars have been subjugated by Hard-Bringer."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAlwdJhKsg
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"...The hell does that mean?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3lihDswyh
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"That means that the letter that Kenny and Rover delivered hasn't been, and most likely, won't be sent out."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OQGO4gDsU
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDVTwlbB3N
Pars articulated himself with a constant emphasis. Every word dropped heavily, and their meaning struck harsher with his heavy voice. My eyes widened. A cavity formed in my gut. I wanted him to repeat himself, only to be sure that I heard what he said, but the thought of it being reaffirmed was too frightening for me to try.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9UsC1bFgD
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"Ya gotta be kidding me, man."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK9SQTGLYg
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"I'm sorry, but I'm not."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza58O5ARGs
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"Haaaa... shit."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstZoLJyieB
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Juke leaned back against the wall and stared at the sky. All things considered, he was taking it pretty well. I thought it was ridiculous. I couldn't see inside him, sure, but I was astonished by how all that was invoked from his was a simple sigh. My feelings turned mixed.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVeGpxgTVs
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"What does that mean for us," I asked.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NR7nJhA0e
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"Considering how you two were being attacked for just embarking on the mission," " Dave responded, "they'd likely destroy it once they find it."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLBwayFcgM
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"So we're working against the clock is what yer saying?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8DFDu3dCQ
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I was bemused by Juke's wording, but outright shocked when I saw him stand up and stretch his hands.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UKZZuTvRs
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"I think I get the gist of it," he said, "If we wanna see the mission through, then we gotta kick these Hard-Bringer bastards out, yeah?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vGgILQ4xf
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"I guess so," Pars replied, "Does that mean what I think it means?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmZjATlMYg
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"Yer gonna have to do some more explainin' of course, but if yer already forming a group to counterattack, I'm all in."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxf6yD9lk8
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"W-Wait," I said, "Hold on, give me a moment to think about this"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLyoLDGWbR
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I put my head in my hands. The state of affairs moved too fast for my fatigued body and mind. I was certain that, if I just came out of a good rest, I'd be able to think more clearly, but I didn't, so I couldn't, and it frustrated me, it frustrated me endlessly. Then there was the idea of doing this– for some reason, I sat on the fence. I couldn't say yes to the proposal, but I wanted to accept, yet I couldn't make a declaration.
"Are ya alright, kid?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRUK9sszwd
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Juke's sudden question dragged me out of my thoughts.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGMTTsHH8D
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"I... I'm having doubts. My mind is foggy, I think I need to sleep."
"I getcha, but what are ya having doubts over?"
I looked at him as if he just asked an incredibly stupid question.
"Don't give me that look. This is yer job, ain't it? Why are ya doubting yerself?"
"My job?"
Juke provided me with an interesting perspective. It was pragmatic and disciplined. It caught me off guard, and it certainly wasn't something I expected to come out of his mouth.
But, as I thought about it–
"You say it's my job, but isn't this well over our pay grade?"
"Hell yeah, it is. Seriously, what's a weak guy like me doing, being contractually obligated to fight Hard-Bringer, eh?"
He took a few steps forward, pulling his sword out of his scabbard and placing it on his shoulder. He turned around and looked me in the eye.
"I think it's a perfect excuse to check up on Dennis."
He offered me a hand.
"..."
His declaration made me smile. It dispelled all my doubt instantly. I chastised myself for even thinking that way, even with my haziness. When I thought about it that way, it was the perfect excuse to amend that dreadful feeling I gained last night, all that guilt and shame, even if it would continue to creep at the back of my mind.
So, I reached for his hand and–
"I can't even lift my limbs anymore, Juke. You're going to have to carry me."
My arm dropped a second later; his did too.
"I think ya should go to sleep."
"Out here on the street? That's impossible."
"Fair 'nough.'
"Lucky for you guys," Pars interjected, "Dave and I set up a bit of a haven nearby. That should be the perfect place to rest, surely."
"Don't speak with such uncertain language, Pars. The haven is safe, that's why we call it a haven."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1uJyZo0XW
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknSoaifHFP
Pars leaned in and placed the side of his palm against the side of his lips as if he were whispering to us.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Y3oM4s0o
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"It's just Dave's shop. It's a pretty crummy place, believe it or not."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzorKpH5tqx
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Dave stood up, brushing dirt off his pants and adjusting the collars on his sleeves.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlNxSSiVwP
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"I'll make sure to blacklist you once this is over."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gjry1Aocv
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I6d2vtkN1
Pars stood up himself, rotating his shoulder to stretch it.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkJMH6C9Pr
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"Come on, I'm just joking around."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ540jpYQiMC
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"I'm not. You're annoying, I don't want you near it."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oR0z4azwK
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"...You gotta work on your jokes, Dave."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeXxAjXA2P
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Dave didn't respond to Pars. He turned his gaze to us and lightly bowed.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Np8YRTlSk
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"Once you two are ready, please follow me. Pars, make yourself useful and watch out for any incoming Bringers."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISOdZy5Lch
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Dave stepped away and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms and tapping with his finger. Pars gazed at him incredulously. Upon realizing Dave was entirely serious, he walked in the opposite direction, surveying the streets at the alleyway's entrance.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P29TJStYv
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"...Bringers? Is that what they call them?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZha6Gg4vz
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"Ya good to go, kid?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrrZXAyGeV
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My attention returned to Juke. I nodded at his inquiry, but the previous problem persisted.
"How are we going to go about that? Even if I had a cane, I don't think I can stand."
"I'll just carry ya like before."
That statement sent a quick shiver down my spine.
"Don't carry me like before, please. I'd much rather ride on your shoulders."
"On my shoulders? The hell are ya, some kind of kid?"
"..."
"Ah, shit, forget I said that."
I was struck by a frothing curiosity. How was it that he constantly forgot my age? I realized in seconds that it wasn't just him; seemingly, everyone even a tinge older than me constantly forgets it.
I didn't make mention of my question, though. Juke crouched down and slapped his shoulders. I practically crawled to him, and climbing his body so I could get in a good position made me feel like a bug. Fortunately, Juke made no comment about it and simply grabbed me under my thighs and lifted me. I wrapped my hands around his neck.
"We're good to go, haven-guy."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh3Grus6dW
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SHclebl3t
"My name is Dave."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsxNTponMW
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"Dave, my fault."
"Right. Follow me, then."
He waved his hand, gesturing us to pursue him. He walked to the end of the alleyway, stopping just short of reaching Pars.
"How does it look," he asked.
Pars winced a little and spun his head to look at us. He drew a quick breath and nodded his head.
"The coast looks clear to me, but we should be on guard. The Bringer who chased our guests is either hiding or calling for reinforcements."
Dave gave a stern nod at his statement before stepping forth and spearheading our group. He stepped into the street, looked both ways and waved his hand, motioning to follow us. Juke and Pars broke into a sprint, trailing Dave as he zigzagged between branching paths and alleyways. Uncomfortable as it was, we traveled quickly. I envied the lengthy legs of the adults.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugTZQ39kkl
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But just as quickly as their legs moved, they were forced to skid to a stop. Dave started the chain, quickly pushing his back against the wall as he neared the end of the alleyway. Startled, Pars followed suit, and Juke awkwardly stood around, unsure of what to do with me on his back. He crept as close as he could to the wall without squishing me, which I whispered a thanks for.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aSjfPkyME
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We were all against the wall now, but that begged a crucial question to be asked, and Pars was the one to do it.
"What'd we stop for?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogbdWb9kli
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Dave had his head pointed at the nearby street. I saw his eyes narrow from the side.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GZHJUG2nc
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"My shop is just around the corner, but Bringers are guarding it."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ciV4wcVom
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Immediately, the air around us stiffened. Pars' expression contorted to one showing unease, and even Dave's stoic mein dawned a blanket of sweat.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27w5UBUVla
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Pars cracked his neck and knuckles, reaching into his coat and withdrawing a knife so large I had to do a double-take.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mPq2pmuqy
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"How many are there?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmtzuODFmU
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"Only three. You should be able to handle them, right?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyafytUGQ1
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"Depends; are they just lackeys?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kAVMHBYg3
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqUfwblSPH
"...Come and judge for yourself."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMzX3DcqvS
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Pars crept beside Dave, peering over the corner. He looked for a few seconds before retracting his gaze and cracking his knuckles.
"Don't harm them conspicuously. If others find bleeding bodies by my shop, it will probably be sieged."
"I gotcha. Those oblivious morons won't know what hit him."
He stuck his knife back into his coat and began mana expulsion, forming two skull-sized rocks before his palms. He stepped away from the wall and crouched down, aiming his arms at the sky. Then, with a faint gust of wind, the boulders flew into the air. They soared dozens of feet, but their launch angle was steep. As I watched the rocks plummet to the ground, I furrowed my brows, wondering what Pars' strategy
As they went past the building, I lost sight of them, but the sturdy crash and subsequent twin thuds showed me what happened. And, to the event that just occurred, I only had one question. Dave was kind enough to ask for me.
"How on earth does that work?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBywbuOJM1
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ085cD3uQEa
Pars uncrouched and brushed his palms against each other.
"It's just a skill I've picked up over the years."
"Ya really like showing off, don't ya? Strong folk, I swear..."
Pars veered his gaze to Juke, a subtle smirk plastering itself on his face.
"Cool looks are just a bonus. Seriously though, it's a useful skill."
"Are you sure?" Dave asked, "Because their skulls were a lot more liable to shatter with a stunt like that."
"...What's that supposed to mean?"
Dave sighed and pinched his nose.
"Let's just count our blessings and chalk it up to them being dull and stupid. Now come on, let's hurry."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5gD5xSKRZ
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Dave stepped foot into the street, looking both ways and jogging to his store. Grabbed one of the bodies under the shoulders and motioned Pars to join him, which he did. The two dragged the bodies into another alleyway, disappearing.
"Those two look like real shady people. Ya sure we can trust 'em?"
"After what we just saw, I wouldn't blame you for thinking that. But, they're good people."
"I'm just pulling yer leg. I know they're good folks."
"Pulling my leg, huh...?"
Finding a strange humor in his wording, I chuckled. Juke walked closer to the entrance of the alleyway, giving us a better view of the street. I looked both ways to find that it was clear.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24EVLKFBWI
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"They're okay, right?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt78ZlVTngB
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"Yer getting nervous?"
"When haven't I been nervous!?"
"Good point."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3gPocQMSU
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I eyed the alleyway the two waltzed into and felt a weight form in my stomach with each passing second. To my relief, they walked out just a minute later and judging from their leisurely gaits, they didn't run into any trouble.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE2KRcDzL2
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Pars walked up to Juke and me while Dave meddled with the shop door.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdwXhZh11t
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"The coast looks clear. Once we go in, we gotta head right on upstairs. Dave will act like a frontman for us, shutting any trouble out."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ogh5EuXEd
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We nodded at his statement and went to wait beside the door. To my surprise, Dave was fumbling with his keys. He opened the door just fine, but seeing such a slip-up, minor as it was, gave me a daunting premonition.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEPn050xHI
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I set the thought aside as we entered the shop. From all the interior architecture I've seen thus far, my expectations were low. However, the inside of the shop was orderly and ornamental. Antique lamps, though snuffed, were sprawled on various tables lined with products and price tags. I could infer from the pottery and other ceramic objects what Dave's shop was all about, but I still felt inclined to ask.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zrBQ4lzpv
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"What do you sell in the shop, Dave?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg84ym6Lc6P
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"Decorative objects, as you can see. They're brought here by potters from neighboring areas. Very few of them are reinforced with mana suspension, so I wouldn't go touching them. In fact, don't touch them at all, any of you. Especially you, Pars."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUGR3F2oOF
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"You're a bigger enemy than the Bringers at this point."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAYuM5pIz2
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I blankly stared at their exchange before returning to the conversation.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj89xMCyHaS
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"R-Right. Have you made any of these yourself?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5ahK6RhZf
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He stopped by the counter and leaned on it. He turned and looked at me with an unreadable smirk.
"Hell no. Anything I could make would be too grotty to sell to the inhabitants of a communication city."
"That is... an awfully good point. But that begs the question–"
"And I'll answer it for you happily: the administrators and officers here love their decoration. You won't believe how much they've paid for some of these products. Frankly, I overcharge for most of these products. I don't get many sent in, obviously, so I need to make them count."
"I see. But I feel like I'm missing the full picture ."
"I haven't the time to explain it."
He stood up straight and looked at us intently.
"Go on upstairs now. Pars should explain the situation. Should. There is food and water, so rest. Once you're ready, we'll meet up with the Retaliation Crowd."
"Retaliation Crowd?" Juke asked. Dave nodded in reply. Juke sighed and shook his head.
"What did I get myself into...? Alright, Pars, ya better explain what this Retaliation Squad's all about."
"It's crowd, but sure. Follow me."
Pars turned to the stairs and began to ascend them. We followed, but I made sure to wave to Dave before he left my sight. Then, just as I finished, Juke spoke.
"Not to spoil yer mood, but that talk ya had with Dave bored me to death. Didn't help that I had to carry ya the whole time."
"Ah, sorry. I'm not being too much of a hassle, am I?"
"Nah, yer real small and skinny, it's just that I've been carrying ya for too long."
"Right."
My tone quickly lowered when I heard his roundabout insult. We arrived at the second floor shortly after. I immediately drew similarities to my apartment; analogous doors parallel to each other lined the albeit short hallway. Pars placed his hands on the door to the right and entered it.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ813sot0UV
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"Wait here just a second, I need to grab something."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ODkJ3041R
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Pars entered through the door. A few seconds passed, and he peered his head across the threshold.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB49I8i560
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88DTZeYQLD
"Nevermind. It'll be a lot easier if you two come in."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQYTIBRTeg
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He motioned us to enter. Juke began to move, but I quickly realized that it was a bad idea.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfeUM4SmeV
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"W-Wait, put me down first!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhLwkCe4mM
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"Eh? Why?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dkiKVZmzi
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"I'll hit my head on the frame. No, my whole upper body."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOvKZsHI5Z
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVizQyfGl4
"Ah, my fault, my fault. Here, I'll getcha down."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxcGm6ftNr
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He grabbed me by the side of my chest and hauled me over his head. I grazed my hair on the roof, but I was set on the floor without much issue. Once I got my balance, we entered the room.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsiJfMM26O
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"This place looks nice," Juke said, "Is there where yer living?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvyxiJTHNT
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I glossed over the room in search of a place to sit. Once my eyes landed on a chair, I hobbled to it and slowly set myself down.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZZ4E9bfHj
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"Only for the time being. Also, how on earth do you think this place looks nice?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo8dV1poe3
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"It's got a bed and chair and everythin'. What's there to hate 'bout it?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfx2MDQOvm
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"...It's dusty and shabby."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDBnbTRAtC
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"That ain't the room's fault, that's yers."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1UsaOXpKo
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCavyUSFTzb
Pars raised his finger and opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He sighed and leaned against the wall, holding a thick paper in his hand.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJGPOB0mC9
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"Take a seat, Juke. There are a few things I need to relay to you two."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDx9EnUXIN
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Juke nodded and picked a spot on the bed. He stretched his arms before giving Pars an earnest look.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9URRq3hSyo
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"You two ready?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10CdUuPGrl
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I nodded.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6UqPtLsMp
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"Get on with it already," Juke blurted.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd5jcMWYQP
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"I'll start you two off easy. As you two know, all of the Pillars have been captured by Hard-Bringer."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLsMSAMsNo
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Juke and I nodded in reply.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6Gmmq2vZx
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"Well, since these are the paragons of the city, it's pretty important to capture them. Of course, the Retaliation Crowd is planning on capturing them all."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8UU9tmxDl
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW10okLW9il
"If I may ask, where is this 'Retaliation Crowd' right now?" I asked.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD21XEAKziH
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Pars shifted his pose and rubbed the back of his head.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamvdczmbBD
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"They're in different buildings. The Retaliation Crowd is split into five parts. It's a pretty big movement, so if we tried to group everyone up in one building, we'd be too obvious."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRbD4IJKdm
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"That makes sense. I'm assuming this isn't one of the buildings?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D8579ZW4n
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"Of course not. Why'd we be talking about heading somewhere else if it was?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bfPOPgJCc
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"...Sorry, I'm just tired."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXeY1qBQ3n
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"Don't sweat it."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cu46e38J3
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I sighed and rubbed my temple, deciding to hold the reins on my questions.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ54AagXq5
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"Back to what I was saying, the Retaliation Crowd is split into five buildings, but they've all got something in common, and that's their proximity. They're all close to the Central Communication Pillar."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlhrpKX4bv
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoRKYflkvu
"Are ya gonna say what I think ya will?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn557XVqhC
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Pars sighed and smiled dryly.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5mba4H3Ab
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"Yes, the plan goes like so: we all storm the Central Communication Pillar, overtake it, and make that our new base of operations. It will put a huge target on our back, but if everyone in the city learns that we've taken the Pillar then–"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlyEzCuxqM
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"I don't care 'bout yer reasons, I just wanna know why ya coerced us into doing this when ya know damn well our business is with another Pillar."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGxluD6rSc
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU9gr3HOF4
My body tensed. The weight of the air multiplied tenfold. I felt like I had to rebuke Juke's statement, to tell him that we were trying to help the city too, but I stopped. I couldn't push the words out of my throat.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgZcnHWeEY
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Pars, however, seemed unfazed, almost as if he was expecting a rebuttal like this.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkUSjjRbYj
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"I ain't trying to attack ya, I just don't get why we can't start with the Foreign whatever Pillar. Why are ya taking us for a ride with this one first?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIZ0joJmb9
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeEgANMalX
"I get why you're frustrated, and I'll explain it to you. We're storming the Central Pillar so we can call in for backup."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVimc5LcsoO
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"Backup?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYOjt2MvVF
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpOyvPH959
Pars nodded.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoJFfRyeRb
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"Since the Central Pillar deals with communication across the Southern Country, we'll send an SOS message. Afterward, it'll only be a matter of time until all of Hard-Bringer will flee."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYdMkBjvvC
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"A matter of time? How long does it take, huh?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYklqpXWvSE
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"...Well, as long as the raptors are still alive, it should be a day or two at most."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli2Jeydpm9
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Juke gave me a stern gaze, and I returned it. We nodded at each other, and I took the responsibility of breaking to news.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwltmOzax8
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"Juke and I were at one of the stables earlier, Pars. All of the animals there were slaughtered."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qTiG4FdtW
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Pars' eyes widened. He leaned forward.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CKc7HwUdC
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"A-Are you serious?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKvYraaYYX
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"Unfortunately, I am. I doubt they spared any other animals either."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7ERPGJzNd
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"That... shit, that complicates things, doesn't it?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc0m0dl2bi
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He pinched his chin and gazed at the ground, his eyes twitching as sweat washed over his face.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztiS3Rt0oL
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"Means ya got a change of plans, eh? That must be a blow to the gut."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1NrlZUCaj
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"That's one way to put it," Pars replied, "Crap. We were banking on only having to retake one Pillar, too..."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6doTVZPgS
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With a strained face, Pars induced himself to rumination.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vf5LEiBDJ
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"Since yer plan's ruined, does mean we can go straight for the Foreign one?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKsMUo0dyO
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"Well, that wouldn't be a bad idea and all, but–"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqxtyrD6e5
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His face stayed rigid. After a while, he just sighed.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps2xeCMfG0
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"I'll have to discuss it with Lola. She's the head of this whole operation, but she also knows a lot more about the Pillars than I do."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmBP7o3Cha
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"...Gotcha."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyBfbUHcy6
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Juke meekly replied to Pars' conclusion. Pars fixed his posture again and pushed his hand through his hair.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqBsq4BvWF
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"Alright, that threw a wrench in what I was gonna say. If we still go to the Central Pillar first, will you two still help us?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTnlbQ7UW6
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Before Juke could give a response, I opened my mouth.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgx4d9yLx1
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"I... I will. I still want to help."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2lZUnSH70
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"...I can't deliver the letter without yer group anyway. It'd be a pain to have to fight Hard-Bringer even more, so I'm prayin' that we skip to the Pillar we want."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7B2d6mJov
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBOW1ehvDO
As Juke proclaimed his thoughts, he walked over to Pars and offered his hand, which Pars almost instinctually took.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUuGARHgte
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO2iseGmnb
"I'm glad you're on our side. I'm expecting big things from a big guy like you."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFpZOPkzHS
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Pars slapped the side of Juke's shoulder. Juke stopped shaking his hand but didn't let go of it.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme0LLqhqAH
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"Ya really shouldn't, pal. I'll do my best, and that's all I can promise ya."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoCnsC9iuW
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He let go of Pars' hand.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNUShBSmXs
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"I'll crash in one of these spare rooms."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcW2U7GMX4
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"Go ahead. We'll be leaving in a few hours, so make yourself at home. There should be food and water in any of them."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKvrxXwtlQ
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Juke gave Pars a nod and left. Pars looked at me intently. He seemed to be insisting on something. Then I remembered whose room I was in.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThz3VL3P6t
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"Oh, sorry, I'll go ahead and leave–"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ390Ltyu9TW
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"No no, stay here. You're exhausted as is. Plus, I'd feel bad about kicking a kid out of my room."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoFS26LVNR
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He crossed his arms and nodded to himself with a satisfied smile.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FXQE3PADi
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc9Z4PPjYE
"Rest up. I'll be seeing you soon."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEpo76W9I7
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqh3G4DfjF
"Right. Thanks for the room."
Pars turned the other way and exited, closing the door behind him and leaving me alone.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eVo2qMtIU
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY3irMRCI0
"...I shouldn't waste any time."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c9uHKXKuD
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcOXHchmd7
Before plummeting into another spiral of thoughts, I got on my wobbly feet and limped to the bed. I couldn't fall on my back, nor could I roll on it when my body hit the mattress. The moment I landed, my eyes closed.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSLWIxNTti
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FbcH18Dyb
Uncaring of the soreness this position would bring me, I immediately succumbed to sleep.
