“...”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5E63hDxRK
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsBEl7xjPk
“...”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZV24f9eBq
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FiNxK12lO
I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8pWadvSlp
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN92vWMxeEw
But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP09j1dqEGr
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuNULs57uL
I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfWtrn9UJf
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2vvyPPzT9
“I have a feeling–”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60oA0z6XvQ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4gJyuWs5N
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPLcV6aAgN
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aUEakmaC2
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwultRcc5z
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaHub6c5NB
“Do you also have that feeling?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNB3veQvmw
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUzFjLEMCm
“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Zg0RGHQe
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVkoElIOsP
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd4EnLwhh1
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV69AqcMQM0
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaSQuVew5p
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ0LjRGKHq
But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfji1MoB027
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnzxndA0zM
“Y-You!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz2PxsXRFk
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ql2qK1qaA
I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡratvgpcek8
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIbVV5gxbm
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8KDvP2SUp
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAj018QP3F
“A-Alright!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdnvxsqyz4
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW08K4J3P8G
Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorxPXQiLYv
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbnT2qy0lh
“Hey! Juke, what are–”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyLTrsdWwR
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr63FOb7a0
My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP0Iihl9Ds
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwQFHa0owz
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU5NRTdwTg
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsMIk9OURa
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9RoC44cYr
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfotWdYnTWV
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0uYSYrQhT
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6bwuHfxBL
“He’s alive!?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FSGQcbvuX
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbF77VHjOe
The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfr1amCTFJ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyspu3QWCkj
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQeUrfmlaB
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKZWHWjCb2
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyVhgOGJNM
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpag3EhMFr
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0RvhG2EIm
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56hbmBOxVI
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkT99avy4i
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO68jUz0w6o
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg3Hg7jPZp
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8KCxACBZj
“...Well, not exactly.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVxHag3tYf
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4vuXR08Ka
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnqOB9XEVV
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0XfD5k3ha
“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRIsZf3KWK
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SNSAmXxR4
“Tell me, won’t ya?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneSj39mrkr
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GYgbNO6FM
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrkOpp8SSc
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbXaDhLNuY
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbGAlYn4Kx
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7GRnEeupa
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbkGaf73PN
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncONAX6JsI
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f1Ug1QdHx
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEBaQg4lvY
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQBNESMCmP
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrCALhPBFA
“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwRpWyhz6x
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwrCuDff1n
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBKg2bmqmo
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwslSykAMn6
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC98ET80RfI
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECPAy401bw
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqI7AjuSeX
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB7akw8552
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR6PoBxRSU
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeZleTO6D5
The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CAqPo4s8o
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OBVKTb5z8
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JWh04ksqQ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHif9huUVYR
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVmnxxLnf3
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91TpenJSPS
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdC2e1w2Ni
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjE8zR13g5
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamhY3tqeSt
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mp9kA2MAH
–
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6V1WW4drB
–
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwEDN08EKe
–276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkORpmDXxUE
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9og5GBHe0y
The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzIdZeKeTF
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKzwnnlYYP
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Y0Ww0faY
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO5x7ZwLwh
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78HCQLEqmF
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gDOyED3PW
“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGufehzQwEr
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CVPmVcxLe
He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3adYVTgNJA
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBkhUlTrTg
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJGZMN2AzU
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVZDguo96S
Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ8YkPKIqe
Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70TvRC2Ih9
**CLANG**
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dq0LrBSmc
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CSn2kH82T
The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkuZThngQj
"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1jlzc86ec
All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz38PzzxGwg
"I can just chip away."
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99rZOz5JPS
I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOpWgX6AK6
My body reacted immediately.
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsfvVS6VAY
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8OnAKTtOw
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuyFlJEIwu
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr4zCdard4
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcGoYe2Ujx
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhZuz0jqnP
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OkG5wo1t3
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kVBz8mOBu
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9KGlBCgdY
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdzNBr55wX
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWeg2O1F6H
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUS4bgJvlP
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNI725dWm1
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOWZndQlw1
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tgHOCCIs3
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNdDr5oXLE
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhezTFofyG
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZxMUAQbuf
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ1HDQ7dBh
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5tTyZZ3GV
Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKC9wZp6CZ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGa0qWVO0K
And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnC4btJNj9
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ht41zXcIh
“Crap!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfeMNZu4tT
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIQW47fk6V
I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5mR6KuWFN
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPpLtLYYJA
**CRUNCH**276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOc82A8F5T
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KB8j8Z0DD
The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TdBSIJhGR
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6RXGmeqH6
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Iz2P1xVvX
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yn9vdlj1q
Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CDfoITl1U
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCimYCqoXLb
I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j2pCAKncd
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi75BBu0xAR
“Child! Child, please!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYzqsK7KGS
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP5lbF8s06
“W-What!?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YKKhTrD0o
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOeP5MIHfz
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH7vz3mu4n
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv24D2ytzwP
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRliXzdCcxZ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxhvxhS6jM
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXY2YFThxu
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJnD5lXyfX
“...”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS9FEIw2PS
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNcTaAWap7
I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI2loBAe5u
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxgLaeqWQ3
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmhxhgdBzf
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJJ6fewLHi
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xPGJ7iT5r
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCstfUQht2u
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PZtHX8aLC
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl2hVDWxBs
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8KpeQZsP0
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumBqiDRU13
And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpUUpKmyhS
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvkLcdxkTu
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rVrlbJQVz
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbpJGOfEe9
“Kid! Watch out!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi6dsnHhQ4
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF95xWujgUu
“--Huh?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQfKv3TKbG
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExD5dWYDqS
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3alGG4hXOp
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA3luoo7P3
“S-S-Shit!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMry62oUQo
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DyEYUe4CP
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bT2M79Pg9
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXriyPGTLqx
**SQUELCH**276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOcY1v8inp
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDEo3om7ZG
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqem67MvvHm
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hOUZ5DfGR
“--H-Hrk!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS4VjkpiNs
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PsvycCnEt
“Oh?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56MdcAI74P
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKZYiffHAD
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl9Ruum57p
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lWzTe03o9
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3n5uIICCj
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V85rhyyOn
“Ark… W-Why?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUbYnD4RYd
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd0F6kWL0Z
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDWiMip1QW
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFma5slJlN
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF9aUZfeHn
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHKf05ft1Z
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkENrubxS9
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwe3sIuWse
“A– y-you monster!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFM5VL79X8
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFAymCAvyv
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33wlKZg8Lu
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg1lwWUmHy
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonBzmpIc3h
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12HhzBD8O0
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7dAjufGKT
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRgzaaLBUp
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TRxl4R5bb
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJE3AjsMvS
“A-Afraid?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQyovZbIR7
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7epMmoI4l
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAGnXrTOGW
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzOgQqlSUI
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYVeEyYio2
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuWdxFpaAQ
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VOMFOfLFp
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xeGMy4f0u
“Damn it. Damn it!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQuPf3blJy
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LV5cOfOMA
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJro3eyyQIO
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF76pM17GBd
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIwWB5kHZA
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyOXPBPUkF
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21qHKxpJrq
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbNhlK1D0Q
“T-Thank you.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hlfag3Aa3
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivuEOdmdMH
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah4AhLxh4N
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99XNvgMXVV
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZueL7Qw4n1
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Yz9pLLH2
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCGlCV446a
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKw8OwqI2h
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl737pSd2P8
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR38dkjIkhA
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ26XhCpZnF
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uK27XjAo2
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9gDejc1qp
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhRE3c6OsF
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm1HKWhR1d
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEHz8vAJt1
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniwmoEzYh3
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtuUR0I6Wh
“Juke!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ46tTXJfSQ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB7P0QKlSj
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVlFioZ06y
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y1AYfxwfQ
“That kid is such a nuisance!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcODL2YxnOe
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9qIkGWxbB
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ447j2oKmRI
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsmEY10d8m
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA8aNN1qK7
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyObkmyksYv
“Ahck!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFBIuTMlWk
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9cmiRzgrH
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EoMu8YP21
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfS8aV1quG
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRYKQ82LM4
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduaBe7dZh4
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ620D1Ewf
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXMmxSywbS
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajLbU6zsGz
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcil2Oqvrfx
But, that did not happen.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi3xbkdhbB
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKwo9h7vcg
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaOSeTnuw4
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlmadm3qDg
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZShPbDqLKc
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn8tSaNFke
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmLU6pnAbA
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiJjAq8avL
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe1bBIUMw2
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V4qdUx1sd
And he let it rip just a moment later.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Z3EKy4Xt
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKxqbxFMKW
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXSToyFvS8
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51eBvcYajf
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nZbpk0aay
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWK4QZxAB0
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eNtO9h686
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBHRtr1PDE
“...!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNydc1n7Lpk
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42jCXiF5hI
None so fierce to kill my plant.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n7ad54tee
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO14L3EWUO
“M-My arm!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4lw0Debjc
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekJv13HsHc
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCwGYgHkPN
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjTIIvNbht
“Juke!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fYMnbrJnQ
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hTVIg6Qul
“Gotcha, kid!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKW666tiEd
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HwEiY9ZDM
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyevbYhOxVA
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gr8jAOh4k
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndtM0e6HLI
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoWmKUN9wo
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHjOHD1Crt
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjraQKjGUng
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHotI7Zf67
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG3i1ZmaR8
“Hrk!”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAn8VyBosK
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi3yRMzGKT
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6XE082oiL
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Rf77Gjj7
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCcg799HVv
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT3Wa0UwVZ
“...”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBCSpSxh1M
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdB1LDTP1r
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDBatKHezU
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tJBzbXEED
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FCeaxZyZU
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2mMOUFjYD
“Curse…”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLNprn8dKv
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtx1NWFEKO
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA6BQxmpjG
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrh2xenC30
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuciaYTWRC
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav6biwB5C6
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxZehRh0DL
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkJoX2BCFy
“May they, be few.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UoOntyxQT
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAuElkF2t4
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7qOVZVJXw
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqrH0CNgVZ
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52dCnsJMlX
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdszgmExt7O
“That was… sad.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVflGe7kul
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDQ4F2bAWR
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BMeYib6NB
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JuQR1AVHq
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUauw4DW5y
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrSsEf8DHz
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjQ8rmSFmv
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3mA7XL8LG
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr8UTEmKwH
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwGW3yEtVh
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCmnIanKzo
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6arTNwcZW
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKF8RpM2ou
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rNUy2HEtm
“Don’t continue.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerCga7B9jD
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYu8zfkvZg
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZeZXcxteF
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKVOk49ZOM
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTdn73hUIE
