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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6srBlX6Rv
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfBk3yWo9a
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kFt2W0hY8
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiGUCReNoL
"Kid! Over here!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpCfFJN2Ak
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFo4DG8eXv
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTSz3sjV65
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKVT15izVB
"Ya ready!?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFJBUMMByZ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF5Ja65oIQ
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi94KDc6qv0
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvIRQ50ucI
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv15hleu5CK
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ6vRLJskF
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 place115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WzVpppxhw
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkqGl2ByhK
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJxzgcu6gf
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdhYWw6puQ
"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!?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsZAYqFqhv
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRfAjKx9ri
YEAH!115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwBgZZkKNK
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvUyUl9GOM
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UASZqLBuW
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYvvABU1i2
"Ack!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT5XpSwID1
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofU1IazKsd
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ40icNIvxQ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfNb2u5492
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y5A0ODrwU
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMZZo3qGAK
"R-Right!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb6Lm6aGwP
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWxEdMkSsd
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wS481tzAG
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHgKSpNdzo
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI450DeAP8Z
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zDO4hjVaG
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd2FqhtLvh
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlGAyGoyIt
"Crap!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lgtG6Erjq
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNKoCuiwTE
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXrSFlHK6w
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCLXn4uUxy
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX8nEvSH6u
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtylFC94Kn
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxShCAFw5j
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmAIPPFqkt
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bJlgHTO6q
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirvErUSHWQ
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANumuxvpws
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0m0sA4btY
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLQ66ozpll
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmq45Lu7P3
"L-Lola!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeRAz1mA1s
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DgENVOaUK
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhjMC7z07C
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHwBPNNvlp
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLw8HCfv3H
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpOgohtqAu
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgxDmWKASJ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGroDzfZrpM
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSWsHsvLFp
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ378oQwuX4D
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBil0Nfkm6
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJNjNBclwo
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90FrTKoJhM
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURwCItA2cf
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSAb6cGxHz
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmB2xu63SZ
–
–
–115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAXfP60paT
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq41sR4L9Yl
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?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrvhrxl4zs
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEC9hlkQF0
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjAqveJWgG
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz4gbEceoz
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BcKRGOToT
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBh6Vn55qc
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzyFIk7mHX
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKnF9oHOw5
"Do you have something you want to say?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTaRZXarkn
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2n3s2K3nK
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIKmkVmzmD
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ww3DRHxtw
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnD4myygwg
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSHBS7HhXG
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriP8PuRrI0
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j6uukTxqH
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6aSFAR0Ur
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZLH8kgp5I
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZw7d6nbp4
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2VUSH08mu
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJsRgEFS2f
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen1kyt0ecR
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeTqNRWTTD
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfzgdzj5M6
"Call me Anima."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIckI6A2B4x
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp2yCDB6TE
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcliJIw7ZDq
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3CEpCquYe
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizonPB8Ms3
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZqb26di8E
Then, the Harbinger dashed.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx3pOOKBha
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxuWvCPWEP
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N8pm2Mmy2
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0SsnnYEJW
"Ngh!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTw49EJc0J
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIYQWA828t
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–115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTOUAbwfWI
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnwaSTI3c6
**THUD**115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiDCazzWdJ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxyq1xUHkB
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT63fKlgBa
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nAnp0TqBX
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsBGONhySA
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKngt6Bib6
"--!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZjyQ1edRL
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeuTVErU5t
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmAP7ebEor
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm86RuROhOB
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5WbZPw6Yi
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw9uKluxPF
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs6ffmRJXD
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8FQhnTBw9
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOzjgkMada
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVEgN0nK5Y
She had hit a wall.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3nPrRidQg
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfohxCKvEc
"--!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemSFLIrJS9
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCv1BvlxIg
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–115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ekzo5VoTu
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DEgLHCyXN
**CLING**115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4cY4NIHDe
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmBX3h9dXH
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVePCh3utb2
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHfcrdJZtX
"Huh. I can't break free."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yzKwvA36N
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvF5hm9j1A
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJdhwZMU0Z
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4bvsA2uqq
"--Huh?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPlZPKsH2x
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDhViHQVA4
"Caught you!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0bx6yl6Hb
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXhK7Eh0XB
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkgSnTAQre
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZblU5DLGh
"You!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtY061nKq5
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVr0xPuz1O
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJnCySGXUL
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXlRT6RdxH
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpju3IskcV
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8uoXFCjOH
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuS5yxx9H0
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jh5x9jzg2
"Hrk!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfktZnHKwB
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt5fim1Tc2
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG2alSGsY9
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHvFx6whwO
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNPViUGwHh
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKilEQYeLN
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoZUiVWdN2
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxSkiG613Z
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LxWokSZid
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LrBZwFMKm
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQWumZ9kli
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD4ib9Hoj1
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxUooRsXiU
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5IDtgZJBj
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BtpPeJp80
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySQW0cO60m
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhVu4BNkEW
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18ohkL0jL4
"...This is irritating."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxeFkDcaPa
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0HkSpOh1w
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmXxTDBwIa
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GtcBdYWua
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dAKarBDaV
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtbNRRZiso
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOgQPdkQQo
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwOzyyk5ld
Giving up became more and more alluring.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9s1wiWUAL
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVahnrtFkUv
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EM7xorrl2
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SS1OzbPBG
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8zSJeeNMZ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaJyQLgd5A
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqILvGDyQln
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA23Qu8Ktki
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsNlpfA3Ti
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SOg6f4VNB
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb3IWMuDXU
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo2RRwKMcz
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY9Bs1L82X
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwntqAU1Mya
"...Unless, of course."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpxWrr4Iyh
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRaNzm1azh
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Bo4Bv1J5
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oZdNdBmIn
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwLTZ2nq7H
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52wwGJVFgO
"I don't like what you're planning!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6auMbPZyw
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu1aeDd3pj
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gbRUdUlV1
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6QSPuckYq
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwphtzasxmI
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJTSOvK9j2
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a1WzdOEgg
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk6gcwNGEg
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLakabpHD1X
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcJBitYWQ9
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHbQpzuMpR
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rrR0FoCn8
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–115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSX136rRMm
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofK79LP1Jf
**THUD**115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATrhAlgEgn
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXe4iTbVkC
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5wMQRN4dl
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZXXiFr8zP
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–115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonQHagfge9
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGQlHe0EWt
"--Hrk!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAPTxHDLbI
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQzkyMY5cF
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqhax8hDw3
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWSCNbrvpY
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2o1Hp2oTD
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKym30WPV6K
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPNjx9Bwg8
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDIT0XX1L4
"This..."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MEMeZvrBI
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1ptRLNAlp
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCCeGno8Y8
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPP6ABGFiJ
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAGhsdK1pl
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhDpvQQtzP
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamI2WxoUzI
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv9nNwYg0V
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdSYcpo2My
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlmLjSULPc
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZglSz3d0s
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85rmk4vOlg
"--sneaky!"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPoTxSaVNo
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj52rcJeZMC
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJl9N6scU8
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zf2K4MVxF
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHQtQJbU07
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTjUtGOG1O
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcOoB76vtL
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMgIlyvFEb
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuuREDc2XL
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPDKzseJTp
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVhrjze4JN
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3EEO9jRff
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqteFK15XG
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndU70sP4kU
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje2DI3GsGv
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRV5AnsvYR
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQYU3lMWHh
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5dJRAuWaY
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWsvjmWWl2
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzM8uIi9qu
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvno76IA1wH
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI8rv80SkV
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroEIiY8QH4
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF6tUQx9JJ
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVSJicXr3Z
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGucAd00KU
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qMgXj3flh
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohbFOsu2bb
"I win, though–"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49UpfqUIC2
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86ithEOktP
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaYQ5n3syF
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvwrpMowbm
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKawhDciPY
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRtgeBORqA
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudeTDRPoV6
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeng8grelA
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWU5yNN0WH
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQaPw8pJtf
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLBmYbPWye
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOpoYbMCj2
"Can't move your legs?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UAcHFdjSL
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUUkpI2nnu
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwNDIDikei
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPjdWxMiKH
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31OMMxoHS5
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujzdT9aYmP
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmQMk4VOSJ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzQ5207A4y
"Aren't you going to do something?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP7Trl1BDn
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2oGy3qxgF
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wEFNlxW87
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxX1dMjKXZ
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni4djzdN7Y
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMFqpS66D2
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0KutnCPg0
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheA88NwRwN
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9jHxhU8wc
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVQTN89Idj
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–115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibktgBFvhb
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTKpohEftM
**BOOM**115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7eBsaCxwU
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12LV3ZVfQq
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYeAjSMIAJ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX5SJ38GjZ
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlXtRjX1kx
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIjWSJs4rl
"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."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3MlqSP0Qp
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtv1DTiiTv
"--?"115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6IyiwvvGz
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3xjx5XWUJ
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB9ayuawTb
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8uQrQwABP
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JRvE7YNyp
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsQDEPM5uu
"...Ehh."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqAb5kfWkg
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYi8mNOKts
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnCrbBTOcP
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i4dxfI9lC
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgDl2WGcgA
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7uX8oytDh
"..."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrQecig9MV
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek8ElSLtnb
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkidscbDMn
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0LAyZWIS3
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRMfdkiALQ
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9J6iicP5s
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8xbWF9HNd
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDh1X7qzSF
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJThcBxE4d
