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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAXmKvuykIdz
266Please respect copyright.PENANAqO3qxuvw8d
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAKf3OkRDhUD
266Please respect copyright.PENANAHQ1EWTjSif
"Kid! Over here!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAn85l6T8jos
266Please respect copyright.PENANAiuZTNmzYGj
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAJgqmb0M3Mp
266Please respect copyright.PENANAYjtddrW0dF
"Ya ready!?"266Please respect copyright.PENANAerGuVYNWTo
266Please respect copyright.PENANAbWK9qlMF0I
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAXrWj3gwflG
266Please respect copyright.PENANAsFYBjW9kI8
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAScNHfvTCIA
266Please respect copyright.PENANAEVsb1CCm3k
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 place266Please respect copyright.PENANAlu3AcQQGFo
266Please respect copyright.PENANAomieReqiJC
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.266Please respect copyright.PENANAI75bSYtmjR
266Please respect copyright.PENANA4AKNTlPvOr
"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!?"266Please respect copyright.PENANA4b79qSN5WE
266Please respect copyright.PENANAo07HUgjsq2
YEAH!266Please respect copyright.PENANAWzl7S3gYs9
266Please respect copyright.PENANACVQwA2X2xw
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAPsTMyM8x95
266Please respect copyright.PENANAydTYQ4pRf8
"Ack!"266Please respect copyright.PENANARgKn6mywxu
266Please respect copyright.PENANARgriOp2GOG
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.266Please respect copyright.PENANAUTd5rafiti
266Please respect copyright.PENANArNhf8S7KiR
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAA5tPPB327H
266Please respect copyright.PENANAzZ6WGGSSg7
"R-Right!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAJW6HezcxPp
266Please respect copyright.PENANA0RdnJY7J32
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAuh8KuxWSuu
266Please respect copyright.PENANA5hbM3J7z5W
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."266Please respect copyright.PENANAyKDRywCd4b
266Please respect copyright.PENANAqIxvsJDL64
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.266Please respect copyright.PENANAHENuntgBMf
266Please respect copyright.PENANAQWby61XgnJ
"Crap!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAWuzBTKqoRF
266Please respect copyright.PENANASkjGfmERLY
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAqb2kK1SqDl
266Please respect copyright.PENANAZH5y3CRPDq
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.266Please respect copyright.PENANA8Coza1aRp9
266Please respect copyright.PENANAbRYaPeik6c
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."266Please respect copyright.PENANAFUV06KC2uq
266Please respect copyright.PENANAIJMDRLtYfD
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAtfchcu68t3
266Please respect copyright.PENANAY16o679dUj
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.266Please respect copyright.PENANA1FstHgyyMC
266Please respect copyright.PENANAiFzb5fkdOa
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."266Please respect copyright.PENANAVizGOUAVJe
266Please respect copyright.PENANAbj0E17GwYh
"L-Lola!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAKcgi3hYZkM
266Please respect copyright.PENANAu8MVVBwFWA
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.266Please respect copyright.PENANATyIoP2DWPf
266Please respect copyright.PENANA2pYnzAEri7
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAEW5dL7q3pb
266Please respect copyright.PENANA5MgwihG14t
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANACPUZe1o9x8
266Please respect copyright.PENANAXUsgdguzsD
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"266Please respect copyright.PENANAcVcQhG42O6
266Please respect copyright.PENANALqfAgLkn5d
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."266Please respect copyright.PENANADgkl2DWunD
266Please respect copyright.PENANAm2XAYTjARY
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAZwCGZChvZi
266Please respect copyright.PENANAEPwRjfgSak
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.266Please respect copyright.PENANAzToerQBi3O
266Please respect copyright.PENANAemtJRulUoz
–
–
–266Please respect copyright.PENANAi7aJFjNfRq
266Please respect copyright.PENANAkdBmm19iWY
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?"266Please respect copyright.PENANAsZqmRYbNhZ
266Please respect copyright.PENANAXV4fCZCBrS
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANARqhySkLUZa
266Please respect copyright.PENANA43wSWk9OXS
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.266Please respect copyright.PENANA4ylAtKuq0Z
266Please respect copyright.PENANAtzdR0623Hi
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAOiGZ5U7Utz
266Please respect copyright.PENANAZQaDnNtm7k
"Do you have something you want to say?"266Please respect copyright.PENANAgkjkHyAlAh
266Please respect copyright.PENANAPLhGwpOUrw
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.266Please respect copyright.PENANAzjxWE34p27
266Please respect copyright.PENANAYCExq0LIbk
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."266Please respect copyright.PENANARv8KLIRbYp
266Please respect copyright.PENANAnW8qbOqgyP
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."266Please respect copyright.PENANAIbYOk1ntoy
266Please respect copyright.PENANAtH77J1WaHY
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."266Please respect copyright.PENANAaAdsEk9wUe
266Please respect copyright.PENANAESh2DjKuL9
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAbEe1I2jfkO
266Please respect copyright.PENANAE838bubnpj
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."266Please respect copyright.PENANAhGCA6VrrCG
266Please respect copyright.PENANABfrRkt5oyA
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.266Please respect copyright.PENANAups9o97X5A
266Please respect copyright.PENANA35ORxJhMkS
"Call me Anima."266Please respect copyright.PENANAtUE984iIWy
266Please respect copyright.PENANAxYSCmrPfiM
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANApJDDHB7oSl
266Please respect copyright.PENANAKV33gXPNi1
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.266Please respect copyright.PENANAr9sMsVq2Po
266Please respect copyright.PENANAThgMvm3qlS
Then, the Harbinger dashed.266Please respect copyright.PENANAxoLBkOiMhk
266Please respect copyright.PENANATvoJWpHrHS
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAfBvJvtMKsC
266Please respect copyright.PENANAY8ZP7Wz3fs
"Ngh!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAdUfrJDrZ8J
266Please respect copyright.PENANAOzC4Kzwbgw
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–266Please respect copyright.PENANAWFfs3yeZJh
266Please respect copyright.PENANACIYQEsq4Th
**THUD**266Please respect copyright.PENANAG33GHgarek
266Please respect copyright.PENANAdt7CoS0erg
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANADWc1cXMTYw
266Please respect copyright.PENANA3gYekXVHcH
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA9SolmxPwTN
266Please respect copyright.PENANAcDMv88YG06
"--!"266Please respect copyright.PENANA5snpFZ2Oa6
266Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZfkWM9C7R
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.266Please respect copyright.PENANAkY8O6JXiQV
266Please respect copyright.PENANAwh9rIprwK6
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."266Please respect copyright.PENANA8iCaz6YjLK
266Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ds4CUyZ2T
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZVLPuMe7v
266Please respect copyright.PENANA9g7na4vGRM
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAgVIJvT4HwS
266Please respect copyright.PENANARmQuqSIHqs
She had hit a wall.266Please respect copyright.PENANAg3TJVVodgj
266Please respect copyright.PENANAn5MCkoz6be
"--!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAzbq5RT04VK
266Please respect copyright.PENANADHAfcZNE3C
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–266Please respect copyright.PENANAAZZ6o4Rf1m
266Please respect copyright.PENANAf1vz5kAECd
**CLING**266Please respect copyright.PENANAC4iAVgdXB2
266Please respect copyright.PENANAC6J3C1LHGb
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA0tyNpLLzUP
266Please respect copyright.PENANAmx7mWNu0HT
"Huh. I can't break free."266Please respect copyright.PENANABc2RU25Dd4
266Please respect copyright.PENANAKXoxVcbsCy
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAfwhqUEZuSM
266Please respect copyright.PENANAvNSklmDL8A
"--Huh?"266Please respect copyright.PENANAz5cPu5fAJM
266Please respect copyright.PENANAw5g9lwWSWO
"Caught you!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAT9RxSCUD8s
266Please respect copyright.PENANAEO5xUImzvv
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAV9t9OHoErq
266Please respect copyright.PENANAyRCNBJdpFK
"You!"266Please respect copyright.PENANA2SodYqNlEg
266Please respect copyright.PENANAfrzuYQgwww
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAn2wsn6MhPw
266Please respect copyright.PENANALRaoBf3Z9K
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANANCjbP3ArCV
266Please respect copyright.PENANAwASj6OCYki
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAxr0rYraHOm
266Please respect copyright.PENANAJunto3qkC0
"Hrk!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAe4ShsKCrJQ
266Please respect copyright.PENANAaoTstk88rV
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAqhkXZZkp8e
266Please respect copyright.PENANAj8Jv8irqpt
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAr4mC5QJUHn
266Please respect copyright.PENANAWo91uyLYRu
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAeK2ni9z7ON
266Please respect copyright.PENANAqNf9DXkxcQ
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAyER95XZX5X
266Please respect copyright.PENANAscvyTyNoX3
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAwf5mRGFChp
266Please respect copyright.PENANAhfoLhJIfwh
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAUegG14nlVt
266Please respect copyright.PENANA1vRb87XfoO
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAm0hhl4Owfd
266Please respect copyright.PENANAURFHeg0Z17
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.266Please respect copyright.PENANA5r15x7k0U6
266Please respect copyright.PENANAjbn94C3S8b
"...This is irritating."266Please respect copyright.PENANAwf6UY1yIwl
266Please respect copyright.PENANAvn0JRRE4d6
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAOBOmKjCFHm
266Please respect copyright.PENANAtVCUotFdA7
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAfkEofopiCu
266Please respect copyright.PENANAIqMHAKenpV
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAN91Yrk7JeQ
266Please respect copyright.PENANAbHoprraZ8D
Giving up became more and more alluring.266Please respect copyright.PENANAEp7XfadPxb
266Please respect copyright.PENANAdWg89O895V
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."266Please respect copyright.PENANAhTZlPdTpKy
266Please respect copyright.PENANAh7znJMDKA1
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."266Please respect copyright.PENANAngTfXQEsFl
266Please respect copyright.PENANA0uqjq4aZwz
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.266Please respect copyright.PENANAeNhQGPcqlg
266Please respect copyright.PENANAs5IRTxC6bA
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAc4GWcbIVfK
266Please respect copyright.PENANA7NPPRPzVmq
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAOe33iYC6Uh
266Please respect copyright.PENANAKVvXWWXwic
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAk6maoCRyc7
266Please respect copyright.PENANApFHG2ONq6v
"...Unless, of course."266Please respect copyright.PENANAdDb3oCyU88
266Please respect copyright.PENANAKvw0CspRCm
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAtE3PPMRoGw
266Please respect copyright.PENANAqIUbK0pKbG
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.266Please respect copyright.PENANAu2mWpIntot
266Please respect copyright.PENANAVlJzV8GUKI
"I don't like what you're planning!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAbPg8kIkF6Q
266Please respect copyright.PENANAjeZi0MpiBg
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANABPkfzpJzMA
266Please respect copyright.PENANA6zqSYHeuOT
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA4vldplhh9P
266Please respect copyright.PENANAWjC2jiwCnL
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA0RKbdFyTfg
266Please respect copyright.PENANAOsoqOHXpI1
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAnZiafh1HyB
266Please respect copyright.PENANAb5ETJ53Fqx
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANADwLTC4S7yq
266Please respect copyright.PENANAHWG6NtCsMD
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–266Please respect copyright.PENANAG5xiPte7qr
266Please respect copyright.PENANAr4bwFCj6su
**THUD**266Please respect copyright.PENANAOR1WYWW5vP
266Please respect copyright.PENANAbwrvFFQb8f
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAZwJHtUxMpl
266Please respect copyright.PENANA6zvp8q2M4p
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–266Please respect copyright.PENANA5LvLrAZELr
266Please respect copyright.PENANAnnqgUV6WQf
"--Hrk!"266Please respect copyright.PENANA59Qinwwo4k
266Please respect copyright.PENANAUSG9Gfit2g
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.266Please respect copyright.PENANAnDm56TVcSp
266Please respect copyright.PENANAhf5qTOO1p5
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA1welJbwTjn
266Please respect copyright.PENANAacLB8XEV3U
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAD8nQowoJ1q
266Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ii0wHedoa
"This..."266Please respect copyright.PENANACrQJxkJJK2
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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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAWPlDxCWb6u
266Please respect copyright.PENANAPFc9jXFBys
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAnibc2pFveN
266Please respect copyright.PENANALSLfiJuk3E
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAOs5xC6zN9D
266Please respect copyright.PENANAduEBCaZGIy
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAoODNIDjKyF
266Please respect copyright.PENANA2rvhEaiGLP
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.266Please respect copyright.PENANAQrtSjE6UUD
266Please respect copyright.PENANA6m4JJ7dRcd
"--sneaky!"266Please respect copyright.PENANAPS4bQUEDqH
266Please respect copyright.PENANAePe7N24IXf
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAVnxiSvZcwh
266Please respect copyright.PENANAkBh45AgUrD
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAoOjodKmhOE
266Please respect copyright.PENANAmuQqtunrxM
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.266Please respect copyright.PENANArJvf365nha
266Please respect copyright.PENANAz8vHOWe1B6
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAjoM8PM9cJG
266Please respect copyright.PENANAN03CcavuVv
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA35J9nDOWxu
266Please respect copyright.PENANAg9ePC6lDp8
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.266Please respect copyright.PENANAJIf209GwgY
266Please respect copyright.PENANAaTrMEsJVDs
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...266Please respect copyright.PENANAmiCzlw4jSJ
266Please respect copyright.PENANAEct8hAHcZS
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANATci6XdnIBY
266Please respect copyright.PENANAa2bIGsLkUe
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.266Please respect copyright.PENANA1FzRkYcSvM
266Please respect copyright.PENANAxiWVKUcaDw
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAUIdXw9IGp2
266Please respect copyright.PENANAPHdknNvBYq
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–266Please respect copyright.PENANAHwPRJEOuGR
266Please respect copyright.PENANA28XryyBv9H
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."266Please respect copyright.PENANA1t4YlZiVwQ
266Please respect copyright.PENANAvXICyPLYPp
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.266Please respect copyright.PENANAVwK1k7U1gt
266Please respect copyright.PENANAEoNFK1fOp4
"I win, though–"266Please respect copyright.PENANAY7FSgF5dSA
266Please respect copyright.PENANAXOJxwG6bSE
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.266Please respect copyright.PENANANwk3S61Dc8
266Please respect copyright.PENANA9H7QbgHgIV
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAwSQERYNeeq
266Please respect copyright.PENANAirDmBNwTuc
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAdFD4x2l3c6
266Please respect copyright.PENANAoJjokymOIM
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"266Please respect copyright.PENANAIPBz2n4JXL
266Please respect copyright.PENANAEXj61GY15d
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAPbu7QoMFbC
266Please respect copyright.PENANAz0xkyz0BTi
"Can't move your legs?"266Please respect copyright.PENANA1a3YSi33XV
266Please respect copyright.PENANAC3ZsjEYWzQ
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."266Please respect copyright.PENANA3bi8gAedvO
266Please respect copyright.PENANAU6lv1puUZK
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"266Please respect copyright.PENANA1mC0M5LrpS
266Please respect copyright.PENANATLagRTxUbC
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAMQ2d9fAVv9
266Please respect copyright.PENANACmzdhcc4pa
"Aren't you going to do something?"266Please respect copyright.PENANANHG3RHkwCM
266Please respect copyright.PENANAYhja8LYdtw
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."266Please respect copyright.PENANA9nlwAFgWP6
266Please respect copyright.PENANALUPJyRnU5p
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAfY3czLmoJ1
266Please respect copyright.PENANA3Gy8VH3KRP
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.266Please respect copyright.PENANAeJ0Y4ApUc5
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That would reveal itself to be a mistake.266Please respect copyright.PENANACqPjGSTwSj
266Please respect copyright.PENANAhcixwne1ax
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–266Please respect copyright.PENANAndacUGzhUP
266Please respect copyright.PENANAfYGG975WQ8
**BOOM**266Please respect copyright.PENANAqKt1buXCWq
266Please respect copyright.PENANAE0PjoOt5an
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANA0RW6iHdsnJ
266Please respect copyright.PENANA4qcHO58exC
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAqprWfkTyEp
266Please respect copyright.PENANA6miBkUY6Bp
"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."266Please respect copyright.PENANACezACnH67t
266Please respect copyright.PENANAnivnz0VJkc
"--?"266Please respect copyright.PENANAD8r63E1SNA
266Please respect copyright.PENANAG8c0Tge3ns
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."266Please respect copyright.PENANAaRsw3pGDB8
266Please respect copyright.PENANAdDgQxcG40n
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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAmGNpHqv51C
266Please respect copyright.PENANAkF8OpM1AAh
"...Ehh."266Please respect copyright.PENANA9j453TS6M9
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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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAiR4Uq418Z4
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Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.266Please respect copyright.PENANAHFP1k9U5Sl
266Please respect copyright.PENANAIhCWmteLly
"..."266Please respect copyright.PENANA40L3GQvVUw
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She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.266Please respect copyright.PENANAxXdETLodsC
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"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."266Please respect copyright.PENANAbRXQ5CFpjj
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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.266Please respect copyright.PENANAe6rxaoZxHz
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A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
266Please respect copyright.PENANAN1vZxkwuHc