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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTbczPEfNx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV9kvmzd3w
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aNLol8AoL
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bbcU5x7eH
"Kid! Over here!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbIS4va08W
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBxHmrfiKg
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n3K7KKCAd
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"Ya ready!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA3zdlRyiC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gedrcCTg4
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ8B2CIYV6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xlCMWTBjx
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItbnpZOveo
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboWrNd00xK
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 place208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEQeE6H1dc
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Fortunately, I was promptly answered.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ286Z0789LS
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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!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nRmdyZvAt
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVymgwfS62
YEAH!208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSeHRcsX9P
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6t3tCf78r
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E7h8YiZqf
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"Ack!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6n198IxTC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU9DJcBMkg
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHx8LuSOia
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD8izOz1yU
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h0o70xJ7d
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDXew82CcH
"R-Right!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIabmPOd5ir
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm9xSPyaOm
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfhK71MYKK
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2niYXi3Wr
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v7HU7R4SC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCE55wjYlg
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9lfFcmNMJ
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"Crap!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVv2R89Bnu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxZXM8MFnP
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQCqSwMBlR
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOGyaiFvDR
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm61gIUww2
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"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNV1xBLtA7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp9jPBSJFJ
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmvRvhTdfw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcrwEMu57P
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRSVSavEiP
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOEORSA3pB
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaAG6dM5qA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHJZqqHLPH
"L-Lola!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkCKtCHj7i
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMDP4CRVzX
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gqDjPLaFg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkIyyv00Pg
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrs6b9DlZq
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgDSd3ePBP
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNukOxslkw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukk21KpqTA
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHkjKhBTqY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAZt31J5zI
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyPTAm7DHo
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM0u4rTzE4
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUsoOx6cIl
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ENRIcSGI2
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLDEzoDppU
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–
–
–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLzbUOQh9b
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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?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXuDy2DTw9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSc4wl7tmp
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBff5VTU4LV
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Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMyKcTfntY
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfLhVAtVnn
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"Do you have something you want to say?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe87H1l2Vt1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ655VaSmQPI
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei6qsrs5uH
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"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR0Pem0gAp
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWs26kOZ3s
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEVxfaKlgX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16jvZejcmn
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHro4XH74m
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvjAppLqOK
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGBkQtLb3z
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkCSjvIo0G
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAnidicLRb
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxP7t6FBKF
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi3QCPvV56
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAeFTmgPRp
"Call me Anima."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxiVFZT3ef
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeXTdp3E1C
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KbzVaKkHb
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The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Nf95DsiV3
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Then, the Harbinger dashed.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAZcuReAUC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbMpFabae5
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF7GbKCmjr
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAndlfeu7ET
"Ngh!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZv5pke8xg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYvWNg1Qz3
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–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h7ptWYcQk
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BeuaR4HEd
**THUD**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNYWMdAFSt
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWujS99fZ6V
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTEimY3vpH
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqV4PyXV8F
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"--!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXdt4b8haj
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx82FJtIzi
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls6aM3llAj
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ6LP4y9wb
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIEBjNxk5N
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPOL12KEKT
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqHzENAVur
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbD8Gfyoz9
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxsIXUwj4r
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs7Sp4ixiw
She had hit a wall.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pdL1Cvyo6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCRDEge5sJ
"--!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENiVA9kk4i
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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–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hWOn0LN05
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPKKdMDFTj
**CLING**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr751UeSopA
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY9ZKpSM3l
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"Huh. I can't break free."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZTGUjI6IK
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkTdLPJTys
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eRmg1KyW4
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPLtGQnwLD
"--Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiZSF7RtPO
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"Caught you!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8e6PgU8FI
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYBa0b71AZ
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH63tV9YnUD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECVuX4Zwuu
"You!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxHp9JD9Wa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k9LF5VT0v
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC9pV8POYI
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTpjEoEYDL
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAQ5cmt7TO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzs3mr2BZK
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvR9hT2uLm
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"Hrk!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp06LWfNy8M
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRbYsGDDp5
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhfaeT2s6z
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI4298UOZF
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKDGqoLNwk
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuzY5DyDuT
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBNwbRDfr4
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPln4XhT3f
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySM8h3Egwx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQabAtxNydy
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS2yBOfZ81
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucYvuRgMCb
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfb0o3vf6V
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUHdJXLFRy
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vRSGlr72f
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIXTvL5DLI
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsrXseqK9S
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVRDahuKE7
"...This is irritating."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXQ76PjBMv
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemfTsdBC6Y
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlsep8bDkn
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHBQCWqOu9
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJrJU9WdaT
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEQ7RmgNf1
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUirScaYoM
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Giving up became more and more alluring.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCIz7hjl7T
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKrT8C7taI
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkI3bLtR4s
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDtzTu907i
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx8t29zUu0
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUihp1Q7Cd
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56BjwQtPkA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg5Tej1g0l
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxY4Eejo11
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRLyvFXNCj
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0qJQy9Fp1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BbpbfXRSE
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzfzuGm2V2
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeIkiBXUyh
"...Unless, of course."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KtdbNlXHX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcb2xiiCKW
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlvMx21Gv6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW6BF3xS9m
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJErseFVMp
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4A5nwiLiC
"I don't like what you're planning!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZVXlKTIgd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHUUJeNx5z
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKc9mQLVn8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEKF4k4rIu
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nPFP7NdQE
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa8N7Q4FHh
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktA1CxA9rP
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwCJdzbJGV
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB6Nh0Fsw5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiVfyD3Rhk
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICFPXi8ux9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSR80oud36
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–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH6LaGtN3u
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFFN6S5M9T
**THUD**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2JSlx4KTp
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkJ6bGV4CY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmw8G22YWl
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–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbQj9AnKQC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgVbzE6BKh
"--Hrk!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsMjLUC2KN
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibkYYfLuLb
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa5b2UnOAy
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jx2lN0PP0
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SMqUavULp
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTQJDx2qWL
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt14z5aE1a0
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyXNM8GAJ6
"This..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg34hpuSvX1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupSw8zqnUI
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfflK08yyq
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRKyrTP0Ox
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hPocHRgTd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENCBQ9U6xL
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVQYHsWgZy
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBfg1tKmys
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQo5pZIMgY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FC27kmiUd
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYpf4R9nqw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf97EEGIMcH
"--sneaky!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6pB2UIfJx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzuOhiFvIP
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWCKCqGYWm
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OelxBx3JO
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKiX3Ptfc6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEdN31zcUQ
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GJzEsPIbJ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DN9E3BP2C
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsv4U4ePWq
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kXIeD7WgV
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSWEkSWu45
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IILcoLMDx
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlj3tg4VSU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmSDDdO0il
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMAaV8sazO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xb65T9pAO
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8SewB5Cyw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNQTJPthlr
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzns915KxI
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iOrYoqNVS
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw611pnl9RM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlUgXJxEep
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZYmdLXxQU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcpXRykaFv
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzaXvBXvwe
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXQLj7CV8x
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZY3S0uvt3
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcITI8ggUbg
"I win, though–"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWisE0rrKM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySY4L1JozI
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiSH0536YJ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp05RcnoM74
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g8EoIyjzj
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi6Bk5l1jr
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUOMwzvge5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5vPkbC3EN
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEaKacwQUS
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxdUK5Myra
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo7WSwbKN4
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWkkbBSPL2
"Can't move your legs?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63dljziuzu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaKiHgffUe
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3GLvcGZJF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLOtPpamSc
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuadp4tRDm
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3diK3hOOO
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDFRYkyyTm
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gdMowtS0E
"Aren't you going to do something?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPqrMgDtLH
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEjTMZx8lZ
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuMrAzTsfA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8wzzs43lo
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENEPJgipMO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4YmYrW7No
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK4jCOne8s
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMO63XF6A0
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84vPel1boC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgmcTlZV0e
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–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZxb5CJZ6v
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzLNEjh8GH
**BOOM**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX0N89beyo
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACLE7kYYgm
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QNMxePuzx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jBh8aYVAF
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xCepZaBvR
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hVPfifUyK
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkokmj8SALE
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCzLe72b0U
"--?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsm38Am35E
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQhsWJ8k7s
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh6IIoLE3z
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV9ubQw1Pg
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrOzc5by6U
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTqJe76dmV
"...Ehh."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u72SCPIro
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP3IZBc2xv
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSJqxSx58X
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF3bDnhVe8
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhSsyOueZb
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwIVu30rU5
"..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtROHqUg3O
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She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI10p8fOktF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckUed3OFYL
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGryJTt1oUw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqstvc3bT8T
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfuGDBuCX6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvFT3eFCOV
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfBhdksTCD
