The crowd sprung from their hiding spots, darting to the Pillar, flailing weapons and roars. I was late to the call; even Juke went ahead without me, but once I got my bearings, I sprinted in with my tendril brandished.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqNyv5Q9Oc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2hePOkbS4
The truth was, though I ran with purpose, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. I looked left and right and observed the other members of the crowd. Some took up battles with guarding Bringers, others continued their onslaught. I slowed down, thinking of offering my help, but the crowd members made their adeptness in combat immediately known to me. As assuring as it was to see, it left me lodged in place. I looked around frantically, shaking sweat off my head with every turn.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJpCCGr30Z
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz2gEHXuUy
"Kid! Over here!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUyXxsxn0A
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5NEWisCIs
A voice called out to me– Juke's, and immediately I was brought back to the moment. He stood near the entrance of the Pillar, and to that destination I dashed. My head turned left and right rapidly, and I had to duck a few too many times to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Once I arrived, I skidded to a stop.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOqEoKL9eu
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1KnBZYHXr
"Ya ready!?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIChOuiXsX0
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P9jbMliXu
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ftIPzkg8d
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSoDPGeOXL
We barged into the building with the rest of the squad. Nearly half of the members branched from the group to battle the guarding Bringers. I could only catch Lola and Pars before they finished their assault. Their attacks were effective and quickly incapacitated the members, if not outright killed them.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH70maybQJk
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh7S22w7mG
I couldn't help but avert my gaze at the bloodshed. Doing so, I noticed I was just about to ram into the person ahead of me. I quickly stopped, grazing the man's coat but narrowly avoiding a clash. I held my hand to my chest, frantically grateful, then stood there wondering why he stopped in the first place136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklFV3EYoUo
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4yhGa8biP
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T3XA21IPN
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"Everyone, listen! Form a double-file line with your group! As we ascend floors, the leading team will detach and battle whoever is on that floor! Am I clear!?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx0lpwU8FZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW2FFNPd63
YEAH!136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnAiMDshDW
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodIYIH28tY
I was ready for the roar this time, but still, I shook, because the plan Lola had just created hurled me into a spiral of disorganized questions. But I hadn't the time to even form them; the crowd moved immediately after the instructions were yelled. They went ahead of me, charging, and I would've done nothing but stand there and stare if it wasn't for the smack on my back.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Za5ZBuGUx
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UqiNlAGGl
"Ack!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXmyydpQk3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINsBJSnHnz
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLOpKYgqOa
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlCFu9h7ib
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmNdBRFbeZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBJl8eyUoK
"R-Right!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9RX2gXbUi
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wCwww0AA2
I shook my head rapidly as we followed the rest of the group, slapping my cheeks over and over. I almost folded then and there. Chiding myself verbally wouldn't suffice. I quickly resolved myself as we ascended the first set of stairs, disjointed from the rest of the squad. When we arrived at the second floor, the group was still again. I thought for a moment that Lola might've forgotten something, but as I peered around the crowd and saw who stood before us, I became just like them.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2g6jyxwAF
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVFpOrZwJq
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCA2jtDAdN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhIzPDUzkq
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNJgRnzfwP
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A8FEumKEC
"Crap!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5VGwVGzMn
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I was worried, naturally. Having fought her before, I knew of her strength. But this was a different scenario. This time, I had a group of powerful fighters with me. By our sheer numbers, she shouldn't be a considerable threat.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlijVXQUoZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGbnJdABnd
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpWCm4ISWR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIIIZHZyHX
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKDOFbI9Pp
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tIFczGtUS
That comment put everyone on high alert, and only made me sweat more profusely. Having just been told that there is a time limit to this operation was a kick to the stomach. I looked at the rest of the crowd. They were brandishing their weapons and seemed to be readying their spells. I raised my tendril, half-heartedly ready to strike.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwoWDBpx9F
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeniR4JG5w6
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES7fKRLGNy
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXsMg9Hqfr
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv706SdAyx
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEibQQsw6m
"L-Lola!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb81LB5MA3f
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfa6Sy8nQs
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqz7uVBWHc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTh3l1pJsC
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCttFuKN75R
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkREDeSrzeb
And the crowd did. It dispersed throughout the room. I went to the left side, eyeing the Bringers and preparing to respond to any attacks. The Harbinger just clicked her tongue and stepped forward.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4EPMLRJja
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldXS7oRfwu
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug6TScfphE
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFKC1fy2Rg
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1fOq9GZBN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmeAiC2u1s
Shockingly, she ignored the rest of us. The few lackey Bringers were overwhelmed by our numbers The rest of the crowd descended, but I hung around for a moment and looked. I started at the floor. I saw blood and torn fabric that didn't come from the enemy, and as I raised my head my gaze fell on the two women.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcceshm4vQ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdlzXpbIiF
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p5vA4eCz8
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–
–
–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmV9jMowr4
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Provided that she was sober, Lola was extraordinarily talented at keeping a calm face. It was necessitated by her loathsome job. It wasn't just for fighting, but for looking good while doing it, because that was expected for someone in her position.
Lola had no reason to keep that face of hers at that moment, but even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to keep it for long.
"Hah. How oh how did I wind up here?"
Through the rubber grip her dagger slowly slipped from her palms. She tapped on it with her finger rhythmically– pinky first, index last, over and over. It was an instinctive thing for her. It had to be for it to happen because all her being was focused on the monster ahead.
A Harbinger. Elusive as they were, the only thing the highly-positioned such as herself knew was that their powers were mysterious and unpredictable. Fortunately, this one was historically noisy.
"You're the Harbinger of Anger, correct?"
"What's it to you, filth?"
"It wouldn't be wise for me to speak any further. I wouldn't want to leak any secrets, would I?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhO4Tgw3vN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8DCxGakiF
By the standards of the Pillars, the room was spacious. Desks and chairs occupied space intermittently, and none were in such a position that they'd become serious obstructions. Despite the ideal conditions, Lola's brow twitched, because it was the abundance of furniture that allowed her powers to be so effective. And due to the material the foundation and exterior of the building were made of, she had ever greater restrictions.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD6ha6u1Zp
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Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZQwDrr9wQ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oVreGcCo0
She shifted a leg back and shrunk her posture, pointing her dagger like a cat rearing to pounce. She didn't move, though. Her other hand hid behind her back, expelling mana and forming a mass of rock. The Harbinger tilted her head in response.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V05zOZMKT
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9phCVe28SQ
"Do you have something you want to say?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2BYfjIULM
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttnzBYMMho
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5sZQsor9E
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQws69TleOR
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFsxn9VRfv
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmRec9yfQj
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjAVE8zyBQ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS775gXuNaS
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahE4Y5g9g5
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa0yGRK82f
The Harbinger threw her head back while rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but suddenly, she took a defensive stance with her knife with a reverse grip. The shift made Lola jump, and her mana expulsion was interrupted.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEYguoGZ8q
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq7gaSSwCd
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBxci9bN14
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCfm67RGJz
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGFDuAJ8S3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmJu7ZkmfE
"Call me Anima."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B0tCH9ooT
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m6rA3pUnn
Her words came out of her mouth like hurled stones. Sluggish, spoken through a calm demeanor, they were laced with an apathy that stabbed at Lola's composure. A flurry formed in her chest, the one she felt every time she had to do the dirty part of her job; a putrid, crimson red. Only now, its color was blighted with a grassy yellow. After Lola's initial shock, the change dwindled in power. It was the same business as always, after all.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MKjWxI3mX
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZBCbNPsbm
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmhuA2JnuU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC4FUVGExR
Then, the Harbinger dashed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIqmvpIhTF
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ8bqLLXHY
She charged at Lola with brisk steps, holding the knife out like it was a battering ram. Her speed was surprising, but Lola reacted accordingly, dashing backward. Anima clicked her tongue, stopped her advance, and veered to the side. It surprised Lola, but she dispelled it quickly when the image of a flying chair grew closer and closer. She couldn't duck, so she stepped to the side, but an armrest of the chair caught her shoulder.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifZgvc5crq
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rZob715us
"Ngh!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh419lo4ynZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmsyncz7JA
It hurt, but a bite on the lips drowned the pain. Anima's absurd move confused her and raised dozens of questions, but she had the time to answer none. Her opponent advanced, getting close enough to attempt a few swings. Lola dodged the first two, but after ducking the third, she pointed her dagger and thrust it at Anima's chest. But though it looked like it was sure to hit, Anima strafed to the side and avoided it perfectly. Lola's body committed to the trajectory of the knife just long enough for Anima to–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvIsEYjFHy
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB3vjk20bo
**THUD**136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKEZUnjsOU
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She delivered a kick to Lola's jaw, disorienting her and sending her rolling across the floor. Though it didn't hurt very much, the hit sent her head spinning. She got up quickly, though staying on her legs was arduous.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8eRVsw0CH
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtnErQZHul
She caught Anima sprinting towards her. Too confused to make a complex motion, she simply fell on one of her knees and began mana expulsion.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYs3z00Rk8
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq8Oykcsvk
"--!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyJ0C6qVdG
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXaphHOZaK
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8LmgBbvm3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HTZwJf4ic
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpCAIahWyQ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WuPEWnEDs
As she regained her senses, she lamented the state of the room. Even the floor was magic-resistant, making it nigh-impossible to use her earth magic in such an offensive way. She desperately wanted to devise a plan, beginning to regret how carelessly she entered the battle, but her opponent handed her no such luxury.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGwpYhHUF9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfHKSm1tPA
Immediately, Anima jumped over the limp stone slab brandishing her knife. Lola was forced again to act defensively, backing away from the aggressive swings of the Harbinger. She swung once and twice, then followed up with a stab. Lola prepared to step back, but a sudden collision halted her.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GS8T5dF9j
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She had hit a wall.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bwj2USBbM
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb83xNVKhsK
"--!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwmaN2gRWp
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If she opted to move her whole body, she'd be punctured. If she stepped to the side the knife would still nip her considerably. Enduring such a taxing injury this early wasn't an option. Thus, instead of moving her body–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WFSRDv0Xy
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**CLING**136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokoOaE26L5
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She intercepted Anima's blade with her own, catching it between the dual prongs of her dagger. The Harbinger's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised. Lola made note of that as a struggle ensued.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxxdS9WYeV
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"Huh. I can't break free."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSopMPDsnk
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TToJNTC7w
The serrations on her knife caused it to get caught on the dagger. She couldn't dislodge it, but Lola's weapon was just as stuck as her opponent's. Anima jerked her leg, clearly preparing a kick, but Lola didn't react. The Harbinger delivered a blow to her right. She winced, but in her head, she celebrated.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTHVdCsVCf
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92Gtwy9797
"--Huh?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rjA0ZH0AO
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"Caught you!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvx8j0GCdT
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdq569IB5p
She had Anima's leg wrapped in her arm. She tightened her hold, squeezing hard enough that a lesser fighter's bones would've shattered. Then, she began mana expulsion.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBZHEYwU8w
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhGZTRIOz4
"You!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonlI6vw3bo
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOLE67jLg8
Anima's panic was clear and immediate. At first, she attempted to pull her leg out of Lola's grasp, but she could barely make it nudge an inch. It did, however, make a spell difficult to produce.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSeBVGfu4m
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LLzb53kJk
It was laborious, but Lola was sure that she guaranteed a blow. She formed a blade of earth, focusing on width rather than length, and prepared to blast it through the Harbinger's leg. But then, she suddenly felt a force at her front, and her body jerked forward.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpjLOeyTsV
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaEgmAhNjb
The Harbinger freed her knife from Lola's dagger. Of course, it was the obvious decision when she forfeited the support of both arms. Lola had no time to curse herself for her oversight, because now a blade was soaring at her face. She ducked her head in time and, acting on instinct, she tackled Anima with a headbutt to her stomach.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquaJUVuspw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErBsnyTf6C
"Hrk!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyWlwciu72
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wSwMIDDjn
She recoiled from the blow, taking a few jagged steps back. Lola realized that she let go of her leg, but she still had the stubby cylinder of stone to hurl. And hurl it she did.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AcBPD2reh
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheUduJHEKX
The Harbinger still reeled from the strike. Even through her rushed and lousy aim, Lola was confident that her cylinder would slug her opponent's head. Only, that didn't happen.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tvbrV4zgO
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDnof0KpxU
By an inch the cylinder missed, and it wasn't because Lola aimed poorly, but because the Harbinger let herself stumble onto the ground, landing on her ass.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj556BLOq9o
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BqcFikdsm
Lola's bewilderment was profound, but she wasn't foolish enough to avoid capitalizing on her opponent's state. She leaped forward and stabbed the dagger from above, but she only hit the ground as the Harbinger rolled away. She hopped on her feet and tossed a haymaker kick that Lola retreated her head just in time for. Anima's follow-up blow was too sudden for Lola to dodge.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW16i3ENok
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQaIHHc0bE
She ate a heel to the head, a strike so fierce she flew to the wall. Fortunately, her chin wasn't hit, so Lola avoided being dazed. But her vision was blurred and her hearing was impaired.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJHaOuRPGo
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZkEWeMrHP
Lola, however, had a spectacular guess as to what her opponent would do next, and so she retaliated. She placed both her hands on the ground, carelessly expelling mana and producing not a slab of earth, but a wave of water.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhPaw62WSG
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qy4GNaJmZ
A few seconds passed until her senses returned. When her vision was clear, she was pleased to find herself still alive, but now the entire room was damp and flooded. Anima was on the other side, similarly drenched, though she clearly suffered no damage.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3oWXGA2os
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTCg3jNcWb
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC0YYSbueR
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"...This is irritating."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMel7bEpDZx
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiFYY2dJfh
Lola got up to her feet, contorting her face. She made sure to at least keep one eye open because the Harbinger wasn't someone to be lax around. She found it difficult to keep her focus, though.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAmJ77VWHH
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxgTXwIZkj
This moment. This eternal, present moment; how she loathed it. Her opponent was slippery in figure and form, escaping every jab Lola threw her way. And now, the entire floor was ruined. The furniture was maimed and jumbled by the force of the water. The carpet absorbed so much that it looked like it would burst.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj2dzaEO6S
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEIsiw5Q55
It had barely been a few minutes, but Lola was beginning to get tired. Her stamina was unusually low, but with how much she drank to suppress her stress, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. She chuckled. For a moment, she had an awful load of clarity.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukzZz2aa5g
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Giving up became more and more alluring.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzmUQKMCaP
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeEC134NYT
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRZOeXUWfN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP5hoecVaL
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSJaX8dwJP
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55rhTTbKRt
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS5FUUqojJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMqg2pxImD
The Harbinger looked at her with vigilance. Lola suspected that she had earned some respect from her, but she doubted that would make the fight any easier.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4UOZnjfa5
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeuB18OM9P
As it was right now, she couldn't make any progress. Anima hadn't even used her magic yet, and yet Lola struggled to deliver a meaningful blow. At the rate she was going, she'd be whittled down, engaged in a battle of attrition she didn't have the mettle to endure.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Py8MsNzG
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNYZkiWs3t
But options were scarce. Any direct attack would either be dodged or countered and any spell was either too weak or suffered the same fate. With how aggressive Anima was being, she had no time to imbue the room with her mana.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1ZAI0JuBL
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ASslY37J
"...Unless, of course."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekDlXh1tc4
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH4Z5WItov
She had to concede that her opponent was the better fighter in hand-to-hand combat; those few exchanges were all it took for her to realize. But it seemed to Lola that she was the far better mage.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmXWr5JsqW
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZUAXaWSYr
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjD9ZqHF8q
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8mVOub4eb
"I don't like what you're planning!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjkGhuDawK
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzqgv9o2ff
Anima was an opponent who had an impossible ability to predict actions. Anima was an opponent who was cautious about and loathed being confrontational. Yet despite this, she was a skillful aggressor. But she was not impenetrable.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwXmoKRYox
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdcdPXG0WV
As the Harbinger charged for the umpteenth time, Lola remarked at how inconsistent her ability to predict was. The reason for the discrepancy was unknown to her, and she had no opportunity to ponder and deduce it. That, however, would lose all its relevancy if every inch of the room was a weapon.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1SInEzuu7
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PmJLx8Mz6
Her approach changed. Anima threw a small ball of fire at Lola, but expecting divergence, Lola was unfazed. She smacked the spell away with her dagger, preparing to back away again, only to hesitate once she noticed how close the Harbinger was. Anima thrust her knife– an action parried by Lola's swift movements. She attempted a riposte, but with a reckless motion, had her dagger countered with a resounding clang.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgxV2HpEZ6
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNtM0IZdjV
It became clear to Lola that knifeplay was inimical for progress. Thus, she backed away, a motion that took advantage of Anima's poor posture. The Harbinger clicked her tongue and prepared another spell. It wasn't a haphazard product this time, but a sizeable, dangerous wall of flame. Lola had a skulking smirk, but a telling sea of sweat.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMh7J824zQ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvI2JjwHw8
It became time to set her plan in motion. She released the bubbling mana in her hand and suspended it behind her back, then formed a mass of water of similar size. She took great relief in seeing Anima's eyes widen, reeling her arm and flinging her spell.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRPZQ9o4NK
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jabxswNca
The Harbinger hastily threw her own spell to match Lola's. The two met, and a cloud of vapor burst from the collision, spreading through the entire room instantly. The haze was surprisingly thick; Lola knew that staying in place would only hurt her. She grabbed her suspended mana and continued supplying it, running through the steam and keeping a watchful eye–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Yh1caRoz
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5pnTsn7ii
**THUD**136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0MqmUQh4o
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDECvNzH9by
But then she felt a great force slam her stomach. She rolled across the room, clutching her gut. It wasn't even remotely a fatal blow, but she cringed as if her organs burst.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRk9usAMWC
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwxJtz7kLE
She tried to stand on her feet. She was only halfway stable before she caught something shifting in the fog. She jerked to avoid it–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK3dTAbbUA
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3HKZznmD6
"--Hrk!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x73DP5eXb
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMH5MLkAIL
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhB7TwLipZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NhaCvf8G8
Her reaction wasn't a result of instinct, but a habit acquired from her time in the field. She lifted her foot and swiped it in front of her, connecting with something. The steam began to dissipate, and she caught the Harbinger several meters away from her, but now her right femur felt one nudge away from being dislocated from her hip. She dashed away and looked at the new source of pain: her sizzling gash.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1pRipvgye
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1yRr0dOsp
It was on her right shoulder. She was thankful that she wore protective gear, because otherwise the cut could've net her a lost arm. Though, with how much it bled, it was still nothing to scoff at. She collapsed for a moment, scoffing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv39GAsDi1
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe7NomxX3k
"This..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLP1fv1WXR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GmdeQfVeh
She hardly had the strength to verbalize her complaints, but her ire wasn't her denied by her sudden dumbness. She paused releasing mana into her spell, suspending it into the air again and performed mana spinning on herself.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUrhFuO7jN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ1oxIhbUz
She could only do a little before her opponent returned to harassing her. Lola clicked her tongue, but got on her feet and brandished her dagger.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uGifPCFZr
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf68NqNK2A
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg80qxXXos
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKKWqX20E2
Lola realized just how much trouble she had keeping calm. It stunned her for a moment, but ultimately, she still decided to challenge Anima's approach.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo68AR3PMi
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9yqECuz0M
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDDn1Q6Een
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6yEaM8VWg
"--sneaky!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoZVcruk2o
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2bSfEMe6m
Anima thrust her knife again, and again Lola parried it with her dagger. It wasn't as impactful, having it be done with her non-dominant hand, and Anima took advantage of it to try a slash. Lola moved reeled her head just in time and retaliate with an upward kick. Anima blocked it with her forearm, though it was only so effective, and since it was Lola's right leg she winced from the move. The Harbinger tried thrusting again, but had her blade caught in between Lola's.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC9rz1TfXk
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcknyV1Qjq
Instead of baiting a grab, Lola acted fast. She twirled her wrist and jerked her arm to her, weakening Anima's grip, then hurtled her arm the otherway, and Anima's knife flew across the room.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZPcvBmW7I
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3nE5dHsXA
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3jtRU3uAq
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PHPXUKqLB
She managed to brace her jaw before the impace, but it still made her head ring. She was met with another one, and then a third one to her chest.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0avbBqDfB
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSSwhWvIbj
And of course, none of them were strong enough to send her flying. It was only after a short flurry, a storm of blows and jabs, that the Harbinger hit her hard enough to create distance.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIetsrXMvn
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLplj5QYnE
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOzIlQ7Tix
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB6GeNAWMS
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfXvDh67Nk
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfj77QrYg9
She checked her spell and determined it still wasn't ready. Only a little more– only a little more and the battle would finally turn to her side.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbwZZs6QVy
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxci5025epK
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwhezSH2d0
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wwUal8hIE
Even as the Harbinger went to grab her knife, moseying as if she hadn't an opponent at all, she had no drive to stand.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ18uCE1uY
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdw2roFQMu
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPT7JlHQtg
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuvdhdZuJa
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOUf6Ugf43
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sUvh5KNWd
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kSvD8Q3vC
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0qc0FL097
"I win, though–"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxfdBbp70S
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mCvfV3yls
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD1ScTA9vN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVGKrWQ089
Anima didn't even spare her an insult, she darted her head to the walls and sprinted. Lola eyed her and noticed she was heading to the exit. Then, listlessly slapping her right hand on the floor, her mana permeated throughout the soaked room.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03BedTdDI3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw8XcUCc7d
The effect was immediate. The room's stern architecture dawned a sludge-like form, one that slowed Anima down instantly. She threw Lola a look of scorn and raised her knife, hurling it at her. A piece of the floor rose to intercept it.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4vm5gJmmT
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ki98iQ2c
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZgSv3FAB
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyctN1gHAk
She got on her legs, using a half-broken chair that slid to her as a support. She eyed the Harbinger, who, though still looked furious, was surprisingly calm.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhIdueBCHy
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfPbctHNus
"Can't move your legs?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPy8yE3a37
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS7qqhxzja
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV2iIg0zOZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOwKaOj6le
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qI3yj8IOZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4gEmkTPIJ
Even Lola was surprised at her laughter. It detracted her from her disgruntling situation for a moment. She gazed at the Harbinger. She did nothing more but gaze.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcENXc5oTI9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaE140CASR
"Aren't you going to do something?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbCrTTisQh
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h9CSheovu
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfasPzoaorL
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T6OaDKTKp
The Harbinger rolled her eyes in response. Lola commanded the room to form a spike out of the furniture, then created a mock catapult out of the floor.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiingaVcqb5
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0QKdEao7v
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQBbRt3fQ5
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C9wTBxjMl
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ERXW5GXv3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAVG0dGnCl
Anima suddenly ducked and extended her hand, firing a ball of fire that had little time to form, but was strong enough to blast the catapult. Lola was brough back to the present, and again she commanded the room to attack, but as she did, Anima pointed her arms in the opposite direction of the wall, and then–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zQx9xsUol
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5lPR8mvfs
**BOOM**136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtx8gLBZxq
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVPHPGPHtS
A gust of wind powerful enough to send every unfixed object to the opposite side blew in the room. Lola was sent to the wall, which cushioned her collision instead of exacerbating it, but it still hurt. When she opened her eyes, she saw a giant hole, and her opponent on the other side.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ox81A4DU8
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJgYwmVXwr
Anima stood up. Even from this distance, she could make out all the scratches from the debris. They exchanged looks. Lola expected Anima to turn and run, but she approached, stopping short of the hole in the wall.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf9KL0hnHP
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4IoL1VPld
"People like you," she said, pointing her bruised finger, "people like you. You fill me with putrid disgust, so loathsome I oughta spit at you."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LshrkhLsZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoAHVz4Y6a
"--?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsREchbK1il
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEW4g0A0ev
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJZU5io2h0
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgT1nGpdgt
She withdrew her head, turned around and ran. Lola was stumped for a moment, but she discarded her words. It was just the deranged ramblings of a Harbinger, after all.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqWusXn5C9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMa69po07N
"...Ehh."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe28KNuxI9a
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvDoxPzlQE
She shook her head. She focused on what was before her, what was relevant. She succeeded. That thought rang in her head through the various junk she was preoccupied with.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NdPypcyXq
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzAFgQRwRD
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ6XHTCk5f
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDcr9tualZ
"..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZoYSn078s
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmXN4rvYWU
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLJrMmQG6j
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp8DZMK5cL
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zY6MnNMAz
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJbs8YpYTR
The wound on her shoulder still gushed blood. Her energy drained faster because of it, but she had to tend to it to live. She began mana spinning. Still hurt, still tired, still doused.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32pwfeTVEe
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLri529K3UQ
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35HyvVohdq
