The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRblzRik3w
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3A6bLzsIe
Even though Juke and I weren't affected, the other's faces were considerably downtrodden. Some members were now left without a partner and had to team up with people they weren't very familiar with. Morale was low, especially since our leaders were missing.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9akfvv5m8w
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQRB66yF4E
The remaining group was small, too. Only about eight people were left, meaning that, with the five remaining floors, some were simply required to take them alone. There was chatter of moving as a single unit, taking on each room as a whole rather than having forces split from the group, but others countered that doing so would be abandoning an order and that we had to "trust our other members."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQp2O5qC2A
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxvaPyQ1KT
As for me, my nerves only spiked. The image of all those fallen bringers was engraved into my mind, and I desperately tried to keep the word "corpse" out of my head. Over and over, telling myself that they were simply unconscious when the right side of my mind constantly told me otherwise–
**SLAP**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MRHLAZRVc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ZsfWsLBK
"Ack!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjil57YkxLS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrue3sDhyJd
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCv5lUPOhF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZWYmEmrKd
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5AwRaKN7b
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29ApXid2wM
I steeled whatever I had left of my resolve and kept trudging through the stairs. I had a complete vision of the crowd, and it made it apparent just how thinned out it had become. To my great dismay, I could even see Rover.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDZM3I9obL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo9lwgGNA1
"...Useless–!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0U5z8HcxP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGunTSNqIdJ
I tried not to think about anything that. I knew I couldn't suspend it for long, but every second I could force my legs forward was valuable. So I ran and ran and ran and ran and–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyakO8eZuA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktzDStBAAc
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV4kdEawRO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAlqtOnjDW
And it was someone I recognized240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbUtAoMomS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLjs9pI3An
–
–
–
The most grueling part of this siege hadn't been the laborious running. It hadn't been the various enemies, the threat of death or even seeing allies fall like flies in the previous ambush. No, for Rover, it was restraint.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv3Kbw6CR9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R7HjAsVvd
To do nothing in the face of Hard-Bringer gave her near-uncontrollable rage. Those she swore she'd see crumble, running amok and stealing lives as they always have, unable to even point her weapon at them. If it weren't for those looming words by that wimpy child, resting in the corners of her mind like spiders, she would've caved in.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6sU6KTsYo
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql2rEGh1qa
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dtfnitQpJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VSSIjGqIU
"Hi."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVFxX094bY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0hzhR1iOz
As she raced up the steps, a man in glasses only a little taller announced himself. She could see him facing her in her peripheral, and though her habits urged her not to, she matched his gaze.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fKlCs2GCE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsEOiKXP6p
"What!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOF1UvSsXb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk6naZBEaS
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtvKzJ5rXE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpibyR3f1S
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBAEu2TcBu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAkGA1LwIC
His nervous expression didn't loosen one bit. When Rover tried a softer face, the sweat on his brow multiplied. Rover gave up appearances, quickly discarding dismissive dialogue before her introduction.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74YgqRXJ6S
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyme1McV43
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5coUVdK4d
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNvhl1Y7cX
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJXFz3VdAX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NLzXFHAqT
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj36sUt169
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW6o2SddcR
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlY2OcQxR9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVUh1ynsCG
He raised his right hand, one that clutched a metal collar with a tag. Rover knew immediately who it belonged to, and the unusual idea of consolement entered her mind.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtH2rzTrD6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIaLocOLqu
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5ZEI9XIcn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicePAGljGM
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWRs8u7J7M
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIAg6c8jH7
He kept a smile with those words, but his eyes lacked the light to convince her. He turned his head away, and the two of them kept running up with their usual worries.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVmlRoVG7f
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6zUzWPQmP
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd85Nd2gLe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIs9zEg7Pe
"The next room's up ahead!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWaciwFUDt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF60oOL85y9
She had been in this scene nearly a dozen times already. And each time, she dreaded it. Sprinting to that door, knowing that there would be a monster in man's skin. She swallowed that dread like before, and each time, it poisoned her blood further and further.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHLpTKcqYm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVBzAeSulq
The crowd made it to the room. It was relatively small, but an immediate feature was the giant stained windows, granting a tinted view of the city outside. Rover gave minimum attention to the stature of the room, however, because there, by the exit, sat a man who could only be described as–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhApombc7qM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHEh4FGwQt
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDijtUIELC
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3FCU0rXbF
Rover glanced behind her, realizing that Juke was the one to yell that. She saw Kenny near him, huffing with his hands on his kneecaps.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp1R5KOQTN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOOCXNSHEF
A titan. It was a familiar word. She heard it from the stories her mother told her. But, of course, there were no titans in King's Peak, only tales of them.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu6SW26As0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT55EnrgudM
But, even if it was only in name, the titan a man was. A member of Hard-Bringer with such size, and his head nearly reached the ceiling when he stood. Such monstrous height intimidated nearly everyone, but for Rover, it was the opposite.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO1mdK2yOm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlYetUJEOO
Rover recognized that height. Rover recognized that build, even though it was concealed by robes, and as the man went to pull his hoodie down, the face that appeared only confirmed her intuition.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wEK9w5Zjf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNCDpGszn9
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn9k98WWAK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPYQlKqIZj
The towering man stopped his speech, compelled by the dashing girl with a rapier in hand. She leaped forward and stuck her foot out, but the man blocked the kick by raising his arm. Rover then thrust her blade, and the man narrowly dodged by tilting his head. However, his angled head was grabbed by her free arm, and through a feat unexpected of her size–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwbpS1IOcQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwj7UvppAs
**THUD**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zZLYSOpWc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64njj1pVj1
She shoved the man down to the ground. She immediately followed with a thrust, but she only caught his robe, and the man scurried away.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNoJfhGQbC
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8kt20D0wp
"...Same tricks as always."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj8XHwustL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hGDYh9ksZ
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11tJWcHnQp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFUYYVZO0l
"Hoh– it is you. You!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEelRXSXq0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwALACx7eVT
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWwqSX5nr1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5GZOR6GM3
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk32KLgraR3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB31cIhKDGt
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zGcwFLVtI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPcxZsyH7K
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWY4wZl9ir
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0UVRrAkrn
Rover pointed her weapon at the man, a clear warning to stay in place. The man obliged without much resistance, and Rover turned her head to make sure everyone would leave. But then she noticed how Nigel didn't move one inch to that door, and his use of 'we' only just registered in her mind.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN77lGNSGQV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvDvWjT976
"Nigel."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrJYY6WdRp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteLdATFKk0
"Yes?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGyG2blp3d
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOg9BH4pAJ
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaqYB0yMbs
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j7imcoTNL
"...You're kidding me, certainly."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1PkrPxRkn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPywoW35Qg1
Rover shook her head back and forth.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQZbhnUhSD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW07tcaDgeG
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7OjikCzBn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFoXkoqmFs
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUf1bW4Sx5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oACdFgQtZ
"You fought him before, then?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMI5N22ayR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjwjlXvH9m
Rover quickly nodded. Nigel looked at the man with a constrained face, balling his hands into shaking fists. After an irritated, almost hopeless sigh, he complied. But not before one final word.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK2E1e1L9r
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP0Rg50HN5
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AVwh1VysJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJwjxHkWfO
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfELSTneYJH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oEaJrWYHx
"Very well! Don't die on me!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUYQMsjEBW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDFmF2PAwi
His opening words caught Rover like a chain. It reminded her of that moron's scolding, forced her to consider her vow– her earnest word that she'd cooperate –and inquired why she didn't abide by them. But Rover answered that inquiry easily.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAvV6RCdR2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFChi31s8M7
This man wasn't just a Bringer. She had a history with him. This man was an enemy. A bipedal wretch, barely human, who boiled her blood and furrowed her brows.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AZRKCcXRe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKdDGoO4Vw
No, now she was certain of it. This monster had to fall to her hands; anyone else would just be a hindrance. So she would take him alone, as she always had.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH3EL1ZKH1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSgkE6OrDh
She looked back one last time, making sure that only she and the man were in the room. Nigel was gone, but to her surprise, there was still another member of the crowd there. He drew particular attention. Standing between the exit, not quite leaving it, with clear indecision festering within.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvst5flZs5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMaF3aHkAT
"Rover," Kenny suddenly shouted. Her eyes moved to his face, constricted and complicated. She was compelled to call it a scowl, but no scorn was in Kenny's face. Only concern, and disappointment.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3HYBSzyZi
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3B8Ma9hJS
Even without hearing it, Rover knew his words. It suddenly was difficult, to see his face like that. Now, the embodiment of that vow was staring directly into her. Not just at her eyes, no– she felt the observation of her soul.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUEEy4BYzx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sw0nBj7Xx
"..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDz5KcFU4r
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktKxiT4krx
It was suddenly difficult to do anything. And yet, the feelings that burned within her formed too great an inferno to douse. If that boy took two steps further into this room, or even one, she felt like she would lash out. She felt like– she knew she would yell at him not to butt in, to mind his own business, to go fuck himself, and to leave her alone. Words that she had slung candidly before. Words that she knew better than family.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ErIbWL5Lw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jvcQGO6Xi
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN0fVOeS1z
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB9OjKdmbw
"Fine. Good luck!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs8GfxoXax
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKQJEE1rSH
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxLmSd2KJW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o0GzEZvuv
**THUD**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhOEfF6Jsc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9AATnxBKR
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZyzgqoZEv
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8XywTdZl1
There came a sudden strike from her front, but it was one that she blocked. She freed her rapier from the struggle and backed away, brandishing her weapon and sliding a leg back into a stance.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiHgsCLq4k
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAW2bdLI22
"Are you ready," the man asked, a boorish smirk on his face. She could almost see the swirls in his eyes, the way they lost any reason, seeing only combat and carnage as they always had.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn8PzyFmpK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIIgkb0Zu3
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZVsZV5H2R
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYZNaYXv53
"Come at me, Boris!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlcOiOs98Q
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3yzcnOWwb
–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2gXSR8lq9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gv3kQ7mSz
–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7npvEh26dO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRdCrpmnnC
–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneZmPNnraF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwINlWt9rL7
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrqbFO0GIQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhBuzWb42B
Rover knew of their volatile unpredictability. But she was always prepared for it. Even on that street, when they made their audacious announcement, Rover hadn't a shocked bone in her body. But to see Boris utterly defied expectations. She wished she had more time, maybe a moment to sharpen the tip of her rapier, to check the grip on her dagger. But it was too late now, and as she took her first step into battle, she lost all leeway to care.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKr68Who85
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb8VTk8LGn
Boris contested her dash. As he charged forth his smaller stature expanded slightly. He leaped forward, but it wasn't to tackle or to grab. He swung his hips and turned ninety degrees, unbending his legs for a sudden drop kick.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6VlHCEVAt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePCT9lowVm
Rover blocked it with her hands. His increased size made the blow harder to cope with, but she still only slid a foot back. Now on the ground, Rover seized the opportunity to stab at the man. She thrust once, and her sword was met with the sole of his boot.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgz5dXD58g
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ3LdEdE2b
"Huh!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSseWDnCMQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzavwqLYPM
He spun onto his belly, catching himself with his hands, using her rapier as a borrowed axel. He pushed himself off the ground with enough force that, even with his lack of leverage, he flew as a battering ram toward her. Rover's rapier nearly snapped under the pressure, but she moved it away before its steel blade turned into a wobbly tube. She ducked Boris' charge, but he grabbed onto her rapier, swinging back around and destroying Rover's balance. Rover, however, had only one hand on that Rapier.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYtYKnqLib
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvo0JRTTxe
"Hah!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0QPc7vyvA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H4Kk2tGtO
She used her other to grab her dagger and stabbed at the man. He took the blow unceremoniously, even growing to lessen it, and she was sure it hurt by the subsequent grunt. He flew off her rapier a solid few meters away, taking Rover's dagger with his body.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LWa8NXOM2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbxvtkCLs6
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4HCwehbkW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOaDYOkYLr
"Here!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzS1HqwqWb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L6TLxWGUV
Boris dislodged her dagger and he chucked it like a throwing knife. Rover caught it at one of its crossguards, but as she was distracted with doing so, the man performed mana spinning.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowBOSDHbIJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1zjFdn4Pm
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27KWoEIy6P
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGWQXbQPkL
"Tch."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulxwTb0Hp8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh8VW6myGE
Boris returned to his former size. He stroked his chin, tending to his thoughts as he stared down Rover. She afforded him no time and charged forth. She thrust her rapier once, met with a jerk away, and thrust it again. She repeated her thrusts, each of which dodged but less comfortably each subsequent attempt. Rover knew him better, however. She knew that right as she thought she'd get him, he would pull an underhanded trick. So she assumed the eyes of an analyst, narrowing them and gazing at Boris like a hunting cat.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xo2FPAN9V
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9c2GGEYzw
**CLANG**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZAmjrU4dx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnHph3LnSf
And that trick came. Boris caught her thin rapier between his hands, clamping it so fiercely that the metal would snap any moment. But Rover's stance suffered no blow, and poised to strike back, she slung her leg from her side. The blow struck Boris right under the rib, and from his obvious wince, the damage wasn't meaningless.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKK6ZkfqbX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy01qmtt0N
She struck again quickly, sliding her rapier out and using the butt of its hilt like a rock, smacking Boris square in the face. Boris reeled from the blow and took a few steps away, but Rover swung her arm back and straightened her Rapier, honing in for a vicious thrust.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVGb5n1pJL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnzbnSFfwJ
That thrust, however, had been dodged. And the force Rapier stockpiled only sent her tumbling to the ground. She never landed, though, because a sudden fist to the face replaced her embarrassing fall with a punitive flight. She soared across the room, disoriented, anchoring herself on the floor with her Rapier right before colliding with a wall.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqbqbsLpWN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9UBCzEAr7
As she gathered her bearings, she saw Boris charging forth with a puffed chest. Only, it wasn't puffed, but swollen to inhuman degrees. The image of a bull came to her mind, and for a moment she was paralyzed. But she shook the intimidation off and stepped away, missing a blow that–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiv8krlPDI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgaq8kTkWC
**SMASH**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iGjoEtLwy
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vRi4J3Rbk
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj52ubqoKu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡounTxlYHeJ
"Ack. Shit!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn13E9GMxK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lrrU5g7cU
Rover realized his reckless gesture was an attempt at an early victory, but she was too energized to fall prey to it, and now Boris was only more hurt.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zo7SZlaUj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZqhAr8596
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHecbJ8R8VF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkin8lcdGl2
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3xCPKRwdr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YEb6dwLGb
"But not enough."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoFee35Shi
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fS9NqaKBb
"--!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOQ4zkhvpz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizzLH5cihT
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n1ynIuqaD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHjPkZ8aAE
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcQuJdS23K
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M79g915Sd
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQd8uCF2wr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9zaI9PZ6N
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9litfJBGM3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGAZqAm6aj
Her jittering mouth couldn't open to respond. So badly did she want to deny it, to call him out for being coy. But to do so, would just be to lie.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6MJAmqgPe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhsQ6D3daq
"I remember when you and I first met. Back in those ivory fields, when I offered you a home, you scowled at me and called me scum. That a bringer like me ought "240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIAGFaO1By
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNc11YfImy
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF047SoJpm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzsUXmYscy
He smirked. He placed his hands behind his shoulders, closing his eyes. Rover didn't understand what he was doing, and that worried her. That worried her deeply because she thought she knew every trick this monster could pull. She thought she knew every ace up his sleeve, every nook and cranny of his capacity.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42kfS5Jz5v
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvywcH7N2h2
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTcBgxYYqH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgTKeR6anV
From the back of his shoulders, cylindrical masses of earth formed, taking shapes and morphing as his hands moved outward. His arms stopped just above his chest, and as he lowered his arms, Rover's eyes blew open, her clenched throat vomiting a gasp.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6prKgEQ7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOokqr3GGH
"You talked so much of this goal of yours. Of how you'd beat me. Of how you'd prove yourself to me and all of my colleagues."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscORXQtVye
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nZ4S48vTU
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEyS5gC4Im
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjOhiligqD
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJDy5eCpVu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNrxG13Ajg
"--Fine!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRWjkcbT36
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoe6IeYa7r
Though the doubling of his limbs was obviously intimidating, Rover tried not to be dissuaded by his appearance. She charged forth, dagger now firmly in hand. After all, if she fought the new Boris with a stale arsenal, she'd be crushed.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMYFw3zKVX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiTgqhtVpr
She began with a thrust, and immediately it was caught by one of Boris' earthly arms, not budging an inch. He bent his legs and threw a regular punch at Rover, one she avoided with a backstep. Her rapier was now confiscated, and she watched Boris raise it with his earthen arms.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrFIRSFrtT
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoHXTrgqq4
Something inside urged her to scream in defiance. To yell at that man not to do it, but she pushed that unburied temptation down with a commanding glare. Gazing at Boris as he snapped the rapier like a twig.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO34O0Qsf1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadSapgZ4nw
"Well," he asked, "what now?" He threw the split rapier to the side and taunted Rover, daring her to come closer. Rover didn't fall for the taunt, because what she had was not rage– at least, not at the man before her.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDdTKLLsD0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrJx0mv6hi
Rather, her shaking fists were directed at herself. She raised the dagger and looked at it. Despite its needle-like blade, the curved cross-guards made it a poor tool for thrusting. This was her only weapon. This and her fists, anyway, but if her past had taught her anything, it was that fists were a futile tool against him.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZcQ1PtpBC
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXaYG0qhro
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IojuvoTMt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG1OzQVgyk
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEfzgcUcMl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTOC8qTEIj
Yes, her remaining weapon was better suited to defense. Yes, she was physically weaker than Boris. But if her kit made it so that she lived and died by the presence of her rapier, she would've gone all those years traveling King's Peak for nothing.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YFm61eVin
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2HV3B4gH4
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn85r616okO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk44Ov8f7c
Her free hand latched onto the strap around her waist, turning it and revealing the satchel that had gone unnoticed by Boris. Unzipping it and reaching for its contents, Rover pulled out an item that made his eyes widen. A thin, elongated, but sturdy vial, one that fits comfortably into Rover's palm.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zcqjygtgd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmJ8VHebHU
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7VA1UD0Fc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdMQ4DJOhU
"Come and find out!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugJAIpl5Sw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImJnwv4xKr
And for the first time in the battle, Boris broke the neutral state, dashing at Rover with arms blazing. A result that came at the worst time possible. Because, although Rover revealed her condition for victory, not a single thought of how to use it came to her mind. And thus, she panicked.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyH2ygnsHt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQNlDj1sdo
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb9LK7nuLA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvOgd4WDXH
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzexdYsA5tM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEfPSFlWR4
Rover dismissed those venomous words. Or at the very least, she tried to, but its potent bite was felt throughout her body like the mountains of sweat her brow was producing. She had no idea what to do. For a moment she doubted that she remembered what the vial even contained. But one look at it, at its orange hue that signified distinct divergence, assured Rover that much.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv6iQsIwUp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EanL77N89
And then, the answer came to her. The wave of panic crashed with the gentle grace of summer water. She stuck the dense vial in her mouth and turned around.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpHXFyCZOS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3WHk9ujdy
"Finally!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuXdsEFSpM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGbt79yoaN
Boris threw his earthen arms directly at her, which Rover dodged. In a bent position, Boris brought both his arms up to uppercut. Rover blocked one fist with her palm and stabbed through the other.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtjvAxhXhY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6tBjpGb9M
"--Ack! Shit!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZONVR7KUE4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVXKCZywVN
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7y2r3p3Fs
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjhzWmQa1F
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8AoNk7QMh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD19HEannL
And then a profound smile found itself on her face. He backed away to perform mana spinning potent enough only to close his wound. Those broken fingers were just what she needed.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt7pNjBv97
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQteaovZvn
She performed a swift dash, closing the gap between Boris and her. He immediately put his earthen arms up as a guard, disjointed just enough from his body to make an attack impossible. Rover thought this sudden focus on defense as suspicious, even as the mana spinning on his hand gave her a reason, so she dared not approach without caution. After all, with how volatile his size changes were, he could–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHEI8216F1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYMiZ6NbHG
"...!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH1O4j1RtY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVNoxaCrBo
Her past experience came to the forefront of her mind, and now she observed her reality with a perplexed perspective. He barely altered his size throughout this fight. He stopped only when–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt8fpV0f8E
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5taX2MZoMD
"Ah-ha!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXIryerqOh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAl3hZEpAa
Though her profession of understanding was muffled by the glass between her teeth, it made the rise of her confidence no less explosive. She seemingly threw all caution to the wind, charging forth directly into his earthen arms. Boris dashed away, keeping Rover at a distance, but to no avail. Her speedy struts caught up to his back peddling quickly, and instead of attacking, Rover grabbed the earthen hands.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCHundOsUz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigQN2ZloY1
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EnnXDEusl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiDwyETPIT
**THUD**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFpWLx48DP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tGFXlKkAc
"Urk!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHlhajqfTr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYd3nlXG9J
Using those arms like a swing, she propelled her feet into Boris' gut. But she didn't stop there. Because there was no better opportunity to do this than now. She pulled the glass right out of her mouth and popped the lid open, throwing it at Boris as she fell to the floor and rolled away.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGGLhkQ8B3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s4HRZPpuK
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU4IGDBY0u
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EuNK5wobW
"Huh?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLbYB4rA9P
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdirGPdjnzk
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQwwZWE8kv
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFX6t7t5dU
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEQg96T4AV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRn8rIjK4z
Boris broke into a bellowing laughter. He held his gut not only to soothe the pain but to hold back his chuckles. Rover knew he would've pointed at her had one of his arms not suffered damage, and though that made her bitter, she kept herself composed for the moment.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD6RAGUq8o
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEx5yhX21l
Boris quit his laughter, wiping a few tears out of his eyes. The orange cloud permeated slowly, so it still was rather thick, but that didn't dissuade Boris from sticking his head in and smelling it like morning air.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCbD52Sjag
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5hWPT5nbo
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhINkD3ddA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9DRvYKF0H
Boris threw his arms wide.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ZBqu1VCp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV9W0vJiyQ
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVce0pGWrBE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndso5X3oda
In a flash, as he spoke, as the spit flew out of his face, and as the lids of his eyes closed to blink, he raised his leg one step forward. With that leg, his body followed right after, crashing into the dust of orange, spreading it just far enough that it contacted the earthen arms.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JznKV5lBM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCCPmiiupv
And then the magic happened.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS1V6oK3af
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGGT3kaMa5
**BOOM**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8uqyeUkhz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWgTFD92cJ
That cloud of dust erupted with volcanic ferocity, an explosion so small, yet so extreme that Rover struggled to keep her footing. A great cloud of smoke took the place of Boris' body, and Rover looked on with the slimiest grin she had ever worn.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvRyQmtt6Y
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR0SxN8lVN
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcRVGh1PPM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ8NG39QEM
She stood up and wiped whatever junk found itself on her shoulder. She approached the site of the explosion, and just like in her memories, it was near heatless. She didn't get too close, however. Just close enough to see Boris' crisps, when that cloud of dust would eventually fade.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuURMZdM74S
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhcmazNwMc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOvsNi07bw
And indeed, that cloud of dust faded. It faded rather fast. But then Rover realized it wasn't that the dust faded. Rather, something had stolen its spot.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLQ3a1npSe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHwanJBGCi
The arm of a titan, reaching out for her, with its open palm like a claw. Rover's instincts forced her body to dash away. Then she stood and watched. Watched as a hulking mass exited the site of the explosion.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaQ3ixWsgM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFnRxBa3a0
Then, it shrunk.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq4trHLUr4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8BOwLOaLa
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vjzIZXALb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG5pvpP5aj
Boris' robes were gone. Cinders, undeniably. Then was the leather armor Rover knew he always wore. That was gone too. The only article of clothing that remained were his pants, and even they were hardly intact. He was covered in burns blistered the likes of which she'd never seen, and his earthen arms were now missing. By all strings of reasoning, Rover should've dashed in and dealt the final blow. But she couldn't.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZuXs58UpI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg0SHAQA6c
Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd seen a part of his body aside from his face. And now she felt as if she just discovered a new man. Because all around Boris' torso was a carpet of gaping, sporadic holes.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQLVz2Sju8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74HiP6vVMQ
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE3rLJO2OV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10QASwcdn6
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjf7J86ocS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNYYLPfNXb
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NMueJJRZd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwAzSY7lHp
Boris raised his unbroken arm. He began mana spinning, forming a brick of earth in his hand. And then, from the large hole centered at his navel, the very same brick spewed out and plummeted to the ground.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUjhd9HkNx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSJXHbwI3o
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunbxZkTZSn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucri48EQyK
"Those arms I formed made for a dandy shield, wouldn't you say? Though of course, you hit me in the last place it spawned. Lucky you."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUomGhiFXO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAHqA2vdzh
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYTgW1nmxS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSmMgnlHd4
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcS1FVUuU4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO39YWhFPrC
He dropped the brick in his hand right as another spewed out. He wound his arm, as if to stretch it, then gazed at Rover with the eyes of a monster.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XzCBAMWzj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRlBiyMlIn
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu8Y1KkCML
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7M4HyldQc
"...Freak."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwROoU0IoDL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLaUMtq1cS
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGfabZktZK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0cjtaOFUg
"And just look at how right I was."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql4E7nMTC8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YnAqenmHP
A hearty chuckle came from him.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocCMDJfot4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TePLwFkjs
"Well, that won't do you any good."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KdAhIJs3k
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDm2Y2xYqL
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6XVZ7wO44
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQSftRwXVm
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29i4tj5biE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW1YGgkSqm
She put one leg forward.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzMaMLjnxg
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"You've got brains since the last time we met. At least, more than I expected. You used them well. You're still worth keeping around."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zxm2aetRF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5KHUGsnim
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLTsOYHNP0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKbpueUtim
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UH9JIVJuw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83CbD68HCl
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3oKFcFP6p
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoxiyspwpe
–
–
–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnbm4gNS31
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz1C8ycYoZ
–From an onlooker's perspective, Rover could see why she'd get concerned stares. Even though her body locomoted tactfully in the fight, the windows to her mind made contorted, bemused shapes. And the removal of her dagger compounded that contortion.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOEoDYlfbk
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WjgOa30Uo
She threw a fist forward. It was slapped away by Boris, and he attempted a counterattack. Rover tucked her head just in time, and with the tiny space between her skull and his arm, she jumped. Boris avoided a dislocation, but Rover kept the assault with a kick from the side. It was blocked by his other hand. She slipped away just before it got caught, and using her right leg like an anchor, delivered a flurry of kicks at Boris, who went to block them.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T8WQ3waeu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cNZrNT6zO
–Rover's kicks were laced. Whether it hampered or bolstered them wasn't something she knew or cared about. At some point, she forgot all about the process of kicking, her mind wandering to holes in her gut. The oozing pastries behind the glass, unable to snatch that gilded stash.
Boris quit his consecutive parries, realizing that such a task was a fool's game. He backed away, which took a moment to compute with Rover, and Boris used that moment to charge in and deliver a quick blow. Rover fortunately blocked it, and as she didn't slide across the room, she had ample leverage to pull a maneuver. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Boris, turning around and putting it over her shoulder. Boris was bigger than her, but that mattered little with her strength. She threw him onto the ground, and his back's unceremonious clash with the floor made its effects apparent on his face. However, Boris pointed his vacant hand at her and out came a burst of wind. Rover didn't have the reflexes to dodge at such a short range and went flying across the room.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw59P3IyGT
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2pO4rVRqc
–Those morphing cakes reeked of red. Its verdant smell commanded her to smash the glass, but she was smarter than that. She knew that if she broke the shield, she'd lose on the spot. And that couldn't happen. Her blood boiled to steam. Her teeth ground themselves to powder. It was inevitable, seeing as that's how it always went.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVstnz4NUrc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N8iucn9Qz
Boris jumped up from the floor right as Rover landed on it. She struggled to get back on her feet, as the blow from his spell sent her head into a frenzy, but she made do with her wobbly knees. Boris charged forth and tackled with his shoulder. Rover tried to block it, and though she avoided any serious damage, she was swept off her feet yet again. Boris followed with a kick, but right as his foot was about to connect, another gust of wind blew from his chest. It saved Rover from a painful blow and sent Boris soaring away, but the edges of the gust still connected, and she was back on the floor.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGAph3iAOU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsd69lxWIE
–When things get at arm's length, they become untouchable. But the obstacle isn't always a protective pane of glass. Sometimes it's a shelf, one just high enough so it's out of your reach. Rover jumped for years, but every time her legs grew stronger, or her arms grew longer, the shelf grew with her, but always a little more. Eventually, her fiddling fingertips couldn't even brush it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WFLMORUCL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXeoSMAedx
Rover fought yet again to get her feet to the ground. She wiped her mouth with her arm and spat out blood-infused spit. She must've cut her inner cheek.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeTYaJQQYf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y5ycDedJI
Boris was far away from her, but charing with full awareness. His pace slugged from before, it was clear to Rover that the explosion still affected him. She used that thought to muster her remaining strength and met Boris' charge head-on. The two entered a series of throwing and avoiding fists, and Rover's superior speed gave her an edge. She landed blows square in the chest, and as she hit his pores, they immediately constricted. Rover cared little as to what that meant and kept bashing, but then Boris landed a fist into her cheek. She rolled with the hit as well as she could before rounding back with her strongest punch yet. It landed right into Boris' palm. He twirled his arm, a clear attempt to break Rover's own, but she had experience with such tricks. She put her free hand onto Boris' and jumped, countering his rotation with her own, and kicking him in the head. But Boris didn't release his grasp, and instead threw Rover up and punted her gut.
–There was almost no doubt in her mind of what would happen. It was inevitable, in spite of her struggle. She was going to lose. Would she die? She knew Boris well enough, and so she knew she wouldn't. But to her, no future existed beyond the time of her loss. No prospects are had at the precipice of failure. It was like the blackness of recollecting one's memory as a fetus. But if these rotten thoughts were all that were within her, then maybe she could've squeezed out a tie.
Rover fell to the ground, wheezing and panting, remnants of her stomach escaping from her mouth. She expected an immediate attack and braced herself, but such an attack never came–
**THUD**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAnm7tpQMM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUjoD1eesf
Rover ate a kick to the face. She rolled across the ground but stopped herself quickly. Her right eye was covered in red, but she could see Boris even through a blizzard. He stomped to her, but Rover didn't move. She reached into the sheath and grabbed the hilt of her dagger, and right as Boris was in range to attack, she threw the weapon at her.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6emzGCnbl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpGjsOoIfE
–There were chains around her arms, doubts in and out of hiding, pouncing and making escapes with military expertise. There was guilt in her limbs, the ones she used to seal the oath she carelessly shattered. There was anger in her stomach, the one that was always there, residing like a parasite but pulsing now as if it was bound to burst. There was sorrow in her heart, the one she used to fuel words about things she just didn't understand. The one she used to hope. But one affliction was chief among them all.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNY8DZPHtZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kApiRSzjC
Boris was caught off guard, but not as much as Rover hoped. He just raised one of his arms and let the dagger pierce right through. Boris' screaming was nearly musical to her. Blood leaked from the edges; it was clear the dagger was like a clog. But even so, Boris pulled the dagger out of his arm and sealed the blood-spewing hole with his fingers, performing mana spinning.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiCcvxEuED
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV0dQvh4T3
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo74CnIge7e
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4f0Z0Cm9r
Rover tried to get up and attack. After all, he was right in front of her, making himself vulnerable. She tried, and she was able to get her upper body off the floor, but Boris kept her down with another kick to the chin. Any strength to rise departed, and all Rover could do was watch as Boris approached.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCC7PF84qp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiak4EpdqIo
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79p33uzQFh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNY4ZzjzXE
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjO1k7eSaH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt5BgG79eH
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7vpKwmj3E
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUueQ0ksd0
"You... ass."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TVpUm4WHd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLF2MqxmYZ
Boris stopped before her legs, staring at them while pinching his chin. Rover couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head. But she kept on scowling, even hissing at him as if the action would deter him at all.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh62SddhHx
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"You're not crawling away?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDYxF4a6sN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpU9dNRKbF
"...I'm not a damn worm."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xcXFuv3kp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZEt0n3gCg
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWHCMkXXqN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu4Qk1bxCA
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNYodBNktz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgqsAdtyj2
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR0hezxcz2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRzpEVt8zg
He grabbed her left leg by the ankle, and as he did so, he began mana expulsion. He formed a great club of earth in his hand and walked over to her hip. Immediately, Rover knew what was going to happen. She moved her arm in an attempt to slap it away, but her hands couldn't reach him.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRQeQibxYg
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNTscOYVPL
But, she still tried. As Boris raised the club above his head, the corners of her eyes were taken by darkness. More and more area, subjugated by black until only the very center of her pupils had the ability to look. They stared at the club, as it stood motionless above his head, and she knew any second it would come down, and she knew any second she would be made a fool.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofhAwpqldB
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And she couldn't do a thing.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ZcsfOb3s
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–Frustration. It was her frustration. The object of her long-lived hatred, its ambassador stood right there. But she was being beaten down like a dog. An injured mutt who had to limp on all but one of its legs, even unable to beg. At the edge of achieving her dream, her ultimate goal, she was forced to watch it slip further and further away. And then she realized, she couldn't destroy Hard-Bringer. And then she realized, she couldn't even scratch it. And then she realized, she'd have to wait again, and then train again, and then search again, and then despair again. And as the final blow of the battle came, only two words sprung from her mind:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cFWFkfCaE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCngS5ckgz
Sorry, mom–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7q3XdieTP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i3kDhDg7Z
**CRACK**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVN8sR8CVf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP7BzCUyiJ
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOrgFRDTDO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnDDOPrkSI
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1loiMklm7a
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"And there goes your leg."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMj1LbZxhl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih4Wgu8NCC
She knew of no word to describe the sensation. Seething, writhing, pounding, shocking,
burning, aching, twitching, pulsing, churning– nothing came to her mind to describe it. The shattering of her femur, shooting fragments of bone like shrapnel to the lining of her skin, but not enough to pierce it. As if dozens of bugs drilled through her flesh, as if an entire home landed on her leg– that's what it was like.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg6IYQdSaI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkzsDIFtX7
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwlMZpcTBO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsUJOJUNBr
She couldn't even move to clutch her leg, to soothe it in any way. The most she could do was groan and yell and grit her teeth, but none of that was possible at once, and when her focus got captivated by his words the way it did, the pain exponentiated.
"Dogs like you– they like to hunt alone. But the moment they face something threatening, they bite just short of drawing blood. Maybe then, you're a defective wolf."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQoVa4Gb0Z
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdIwPpQmw4
Boris uncrouched and stepped away as a club of earth spat from a pore. He was clearly haggard, limping as he walked away, hardly able to move one leg before the other. That was the only consolidation Rover was afforded; a tiny solace within the sea of agony.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2MmI4CBqX
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But those words of his stole it away.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dXwaattgN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2goruymgyg
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFQkzhvHEp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuis6bPRSc
Boris continued limping away until he reached the wall. Then, reeling his fist back, he smashed the glass panes open. He looked down and whistled before turning around and looking at Rover.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kexOQpMWS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSxz0zheEx
She wanted to scream, but all the efforts of her throat and lungs were channeled to ease her suffering. And oh, how she hated it. How she hated the grin of his face, an arrangement of his teeth and mouth designed for eating feces. He waved her goodbye and jumped off while cackling like a witch.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O7gP0OtW7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTx4WYuise
No strength to draw, no will to push. All Rover could do was lay there and cope, lamenting her loss and that wretched monster's words.
