The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvv39HjZCm
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvTdULDTVf
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1WMET8PjG
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmgib1nUp9
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."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezqZyNsJNn
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0VfrR3Dpf
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**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0ubp16Q48
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"Ack!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB8Y8U2YXU
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZPQSqVmT8
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl5SEtZWYC
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJARBaWuss
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlYkvtHIuI
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdBGcuIbjS
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL9St8HpWk
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I44ZPaErA
"...Useless–!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWTe7HwAXG
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UjjafPc9c
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–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv08AZnyxtZ
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQSd0a2NU6
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk50CVPWNn
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi4k7gJBDn
And it was someone I recognized210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjpmrg47nG
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIae71qtRQZ
–
–
–
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRe2zCdRuN
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ26pwK2Pg
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpawa5StSB
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPACWhqtCb
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsCeoJUQSB
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"Hi."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBmvAGF8Hy
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy1Rz986l7
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rzp5dgk9h
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTovCN4bof
"What!?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdSsepTg3W
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Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P8yzA31xs
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"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua2ShIG5gr
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4loerZp37o
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65LOujqAqm
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW3SmbheMG
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5rz2KP5zn
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZntmqJcQX
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVvniVnTFZ
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0UWkdyPWk
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTkVT3QP3F
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMu2Q8jKN6
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dGMhdRBt2
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveERhJQcST
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMBhPXlNQt
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJC5TaQOUb
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTdUsP8eEB
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXoL3mKNuY
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiJpdJY968
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWJZl7bHdk
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TsaBwrsB0
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdHAUpkELX
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRyf9xe9k6
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4xd0tnZ8v
"The next room's up ahead!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRNBN2rjkA
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuW3o6on6O
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLdnzyIgiT
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbNvQ6o0FL
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–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRuDR4kU5f
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BKtjmxDye
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pabyPiTod
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxCw5WUfJz
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gt5a346xX
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLy8R56fBW
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xcdFmRH8k
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiwTxE7sSO
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7n15UTWxm
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRjynBBpVw
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CCFHYd3L1
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8ck3yv9bt
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZk4GuD9qV
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkz3z1jnYo
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–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunldFEo6Sk
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb3gulN59y
**THUD**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ISzGNxErQ
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb9umyHxRs
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXUPRh0V8j
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqHM6OWhEE
"...Same tricks as always."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FvuJQphdE
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiUAZgj1Kx
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7s3F51og2
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNvpX9ktsP
"Hoh– it is you. You!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ErqlFuoZX
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF37ilInLsY
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb6WK9JLdY
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1mQbblPu9
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmuupMNn1Y
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ZrGfo6H8
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPIgkVxELO
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP3Oc7uecf
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXPSPeq6zy
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQN3hjIO2Q
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr2rDKSfcP
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"Nigel."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13PWHKtBNu
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ652X8RYUD8
"Yes?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE3sFMokiR
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklX85DD9zm
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh5Prb3XqS
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCUQFQgayY
"...You're kidding me, certainly."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qb81gSWt0
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Rover shook her head back and forth.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ9N1nrktD
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVHstcnvIS
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwWuy5ZRI5
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjMveOzebQ
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LcWKoZqIz
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe9iSI7F0R
"You fought him before, then?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE3P30tjSw
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBefwXZtpNm
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xe39KTctR
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MhdZNXq0G
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93pJDflCIl
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43fFiIZIQl
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QL6sagHhF
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOfd72bLui
"Very well! Don't die on me!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpyu4SES0Y
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k5hZ17vHG
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtarnm5wzj
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4mR4KvsVL
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDPcE0Lk5r
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFnWqfWgm6
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c1rh7X7SV
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVxcoYV6fV
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkkCyJNbA0
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOwWmiwPsn
"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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe0tyQ3FfK
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAlEvxm8uj
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYr1FjxxgR
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan0tJwHDes
"..."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkrb4S4dy8
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHRvK5KQq0
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And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd5jXGQXrH
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"Fine. Good luck!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKYz2Y3GPM
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And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJSHvJYTOV
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCe63oXTpf
**THUD**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYczbVhxIg
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"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFl4jIbq2l
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JT0oPcrXk
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITuqXfeCqV
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKMisVtlNc
"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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbpqL7luF1
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She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ldAntpa9J
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"Come at me, Boris!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FBP8UCOOp
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xgfj8iD5C
–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bjuPMRgxd
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–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFnTOoYsrM
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmgaiorK1g
–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDSXaxOC1N
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Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyed9KNFwS4
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmsFn1aniF
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OEVd5u8CO
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaNKwFMXxB
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzphAlpeom
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevsEdzaxpR
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEs6lWxGI2
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"Huh!?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9VZ8dX1RS
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5bJwVMIl4
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jHuUCi346
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"Hah!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCMwCa7LRZ
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LhkDJUXOa
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But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI5Rbz1K0G
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"Here!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPviXHosM8
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7TCG79Q1s
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp5qkndrSU
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYeZLOBwPT
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrxODVSNkn
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4GKibBdWO
"Tch."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R3jJtGnSG
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWvLQKYdR7
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm37m9c9nZ
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt1gD3GBdK
**CLANG**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hcPruAd7g
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGgvUeDi9Y
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekJ3JPtpra
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4Qlks736f
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGr2V8cJCj
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kAbkqnY1z
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPb61sDgb4
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–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHUGF42c8P
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**SMASH**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wPYv9k7h7
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–shook the room as it ruined the wall.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJsR43D4iL
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"Ack. Shit!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ9h2iApFz
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LsvsYwO8h
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjYro2DHaq
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI9BzhMfKi
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerK6MbgM8i
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkhxkdZF54
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JjOzoVQWM
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DWoKmfgDK
"But not enough."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAfj9qnIiT
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8fXyOpIF0
"--!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTPjMp2ylb
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yYbD04CSf
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjoggTREwX
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5lz6OvKa6
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldVNWC3J18
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaO1nffzJf
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZTNrIhHJx
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqGeEASjQO
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSXS6xsA4n
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggKRNgL27P
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni9QcNbpRW
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs0lEv9p1O
"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 "210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn42ntcWyIh
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOqdhWxrvk
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M1OsD86jC
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sAQx9rahX
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CwXiOgnIw
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRma4Ct81Ra
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp6RyLZlZD
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszGO0BgSiR
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O0Bpo7juP
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUfJBoBz5X
"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."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjip4Egu6zR
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx9l2PqRka
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXupqRijLwx
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5bXHkmW4E
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeNqw6bTbB
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqQX0yVwJW
"--Fine!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrIsbIpOEA
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEElqhlhDg
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRhIG54Cxd
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKABzw7MqyE
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8dYC0Rz5x
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM5i1TrwcF
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj01RxvwWpW
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKcfaomd0t
"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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruri88xELq
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNvWCUG9KR
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH4n0X2vIU
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnKbL3gdsy
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMu6tILENm
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ744FJdfHmI
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qkIerIo1e
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOkzGHRk7V
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTXKZondDU
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dcZtn9vRT
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5IbYd3E2B
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC4Hshp7pG
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2KWHRsEtg
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxDZ6QEjYY
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns2wtlfKH3
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmJwQGt8HS
"Come and find out!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPIxrX5tcp
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSFhYzJDZF
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn23VSZETos
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzsg35lcyD
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHNHhZWyi3
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwdKCMgR2s
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyytbQD8JMM
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBPPu7cWXU
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oIVAIyDFk
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU4vtHTAcT
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMn0XOS6ym
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl0AX33mAm
"Finally!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrykQL0ZFE
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBikV94EaU
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztIlbOyMZM
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvepfmgEJJ
"--Ack! Shit!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3ymuCpQZR
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZMb40SA09
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwCKB3TOYh
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4wrebk0Zq
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T2m2nuiXP
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7B1PODnj7
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUC62gHAAf
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZeHRhZZoT
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–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aABia6NtV
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNERr7bq7uv
"...!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89knbJ8WAM
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeQ62dDXGS
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–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXxMiNOXwP
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"Ah-ha!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLBk9RWfsw
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP5DAuGsTQ
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL0BLp3cPB
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwPDaKUGdY
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgpFUw1wub
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdeWYUDUej
**THUD**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9YORvajOU
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"Urk!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoKUTWaXJC
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVgFDeePHA
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSTfJtUXsl
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHwpif13JO
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"Huh?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLirN93g1mz
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaIyxAIHLw
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pJvl01E1S
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVWr4HSnvl
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKZP3vkfW9
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG7Np0wd8m
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8eyQfGuxT
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgDOP8aZAi
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLU625fGGE
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrHdxLiJQn
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhEnRxuUCY
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8MldjILDV
Boris threw his arms wide.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSvi3tIjn0
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiZvDbjtHl
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGrzCHuaDx
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mWTDzHKFN
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf59DQmseTe
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV86hWwP7F
And then the magic happened.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv5PgDO7Xh
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOpX6U5C8l
**BOOM**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRrRL3QSbf
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxANRmiQlA
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkX6ARP9A5
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL3kbdTJNz
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4FTgvLdQz
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVbutOTXbp
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.
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"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCo34cgkLo
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmX8gFvsQz
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBISyvilIg
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN6MbHCfel
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerE4u72UQK
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Then, it shrunk.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRojNFbBAUB
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"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5aL6C4h6B
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0EhsVUgVZ
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubE58uTCak
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFkJIl7GlF
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWdfkDpk8f
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6zJnvxsCe
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIr4OvVT9Y
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4WKwgHkIv
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvURY7xD4N
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7ZS8Xr9er
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4y3Yed5RZ
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz8Yb3iLBM
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EzUw8AUQ4
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuTWVG5pyw
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D5jZ5H0PL
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUdzeeuR9K
"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."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNNfbMJWUM
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdRHSc4F8R
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA899qTsjfn
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRKZfxMsAT
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sF6J3PBpu
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnduIhjp357
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0092xLM6f
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWWDmCadaN
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6CJevoS1g
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxvwDohGPU
"...Freak."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s403N9Hfl
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ715G4f32Zr
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWzRpeyNtj
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnCir756ZM
"And just look at how right I was."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD4xtxVgu6
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A hearty chuckle came from him.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd7ZOuNZaa
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"Well, that won't do you any good."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHDynYGq94
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAcgDU9K8j
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ykAUg2nIF
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrPo6bdC0s
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZiMfKdLGM
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She put one leg forward.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7TsUgHvZ7
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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."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPRbTvcQP0
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5OJSnDj4G
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"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSFiM1UlK3
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACcXAO6yPe
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfXJVr8McI
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–
–
–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2t3cjyjPS
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84X4yeztpo
–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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VQfeYvBBJ
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsQPgCFzfw
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l0TIj6QKO
–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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dNAZbDMgv
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydXMy4yUk2
–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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFikhw8CDXR
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwun0VLPOp
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0Z4eATvoL
–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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiagtheXYOS
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f6F5dHtHn
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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**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AWlIOLDIA
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9drmd5zJKl
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ6cYzKQvj
–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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6nW10bFeK
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsV8JDWjCJ
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"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy79IHsyvh
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IUqetON8S
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"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnisG5c3LU
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhEwGplehl
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomsL4N9Mre
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"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRRMSIRvYJ
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"You... ass."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbpNspFsYj
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6UaNN82Xu
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"You're not crawling away?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLAUB8Exo8
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"...I'm not a damn worm."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzlQL92hES
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"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzWdlVGS0A
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzGL3ZCTjE
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLmRTDigpd
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"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhJneHAnd2
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwnkdBATtf
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR38JKHkOs
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXGHWNC5uk
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZTFmxSm8X
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And she couldn't do a thing.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzQdq9Vtka
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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:210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQt6vcEm0h
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkILoLpDTyU
Sorry, mom–210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVORzkULhT
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**CRACK**210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghlEZJZ9Mk
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"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEcEpDEVCR
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Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm98pvGR1R
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"And there goes your leg."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXaE1XUtd3
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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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwUlr9D4sA
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"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQcMxlFb1t
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq19lblB1GQ
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."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuakUCWYU3G
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p8LZ1hSP1
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BzS7JRQrK
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But those words of his stole it away.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeXSzuMzUb
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"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1o0H0iz4T
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxj7vcNzxt
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpKGa5aBem
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ostGcTilg
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.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHud1NAm3eU
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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.
