Once I uttered that connection, my brain fused into one, and then I caught what the woman had just said. I was struck with even more disbelief, and looking at my teammate, she had an extreme reaction.25Please respect copyright.PENANAn07Fm9LqIK
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"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAIhFgafMc5a
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7psQjsoMfq
Confusion, rage, and fervor overtook her whole being. Even I had a similar reaction, though on a smaller scale. I could tell that she wanted to jump out, but I wrapped her around her arms.25Please respect copyright.PENANAQvs3h42oWN
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzDxqauK8F9
"What are you doing!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAp8iZ1l5fSZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqdpz5IkrUO
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAALZRmbGbSC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAyaUBLY00kQ
**BOOM**25Please respect copyright.PENANAb4FArL581V
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3lSRuD0fs4
My hopes of this being a farce were instantly shattered. To our right, the top of a building blew up and caught on fire, and then an adjacent one followed suit. The crowd panicked and a cacophony of voices blasted my ears, deafening me. But it didn't paralyze me, and the same went for Rover. My meager grip couldn't hold her back, but I wouldn't let her face this chaos alone, so I followed her into the plaza. The people dispersed like a flock of frightened chickens, trampling over any unfortunate souls who had tripped. Eventually, the wave of people came to me. I lost sight of Rover and the speed of my chase slowed down considerably. It took my whole being just to not be knocked over, let alone move forward. I was shorter than everyone in the crowd as well, so I was unsure if I was even facing the same direction.25Please respect copyright.PENANAlDHmpwTvh6
25Please respect copyright.PENANAemMNoqNJbM
"Ngh, damn it!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAXWLYZmexke
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnCbwIyYx9O
Eventually, the wave of people thinned, and I could finally see what was happening in the environs. Buildings were still being destroyed. Some citizens fled from the plaza successfully while others were trapped by the plummeting debris. I spotted Rover in the distance fighting Hard-Bringer lackeys. The woman was still on the sage, and beside her were three other figures of varying heights and builds.25Please respect copyright.PENANAAIhwqKetRm
25Please respect copyright.PENANAB9fcNNVRRu
I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone and gradually amplifying it in rotation speed and size. Before I even threw it, the woman hurriedly ran from the stage, and the other three dispersed in different directions.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZrb78wXWjR
25Please respect copyright.PENANAL4snYoN7qs
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAO9S5hByI3Q
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFGnF59bqik
With their clothes, it was impossible to tell who those four were apart from the rest of the lackeys. All, aside from the woman. She ignored all other combatants and rushed toward Rover. I raised my hand, trying to align my spell with her. It was difficult with all the shaking and sudden surge of nerves, so I just simply shot it out, closing my eyes as I did. When I opened them, I saw the woman stock still, waiting for my spell to pass.25Please respect copyright.PENANA4M13ncCQ1O
25Please respect copyright.PENANAH9Un5L2dlo
It was like she knew I was going to fire it.25Please respect copyright.PENANAVTxU17zBIw
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjaOHWVQej4
"--Damn it! Rover!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAwXmtc0GfBt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdc8b3xVlHU
I took out my tendril and was about to rush forward until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I turned around half in fright, but a warm feeling permeated through my chest when I met eyes with the person.25Please respect copyright.PENANAEwkiUItyju
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqMaW78XYzR
"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAM5Xk5eHbiV
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWDGrk7kypL
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.25Please respect copyright.PENANA7mDTSaeQeZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVEJsUCcPDW
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"25Please respect copyright.PENANA8dUuHUaeiX
25Please respect copyright.PENANABALT93JKgg
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAwwAdP0CkoP
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHL5QRoO0rk
Despite his complaints, he put on his helmet and drew his broadsword. We zigzagged through the crowd of combatants and lackeys easily, but by the time we reached Rover, she was being beaten down by the woman.25Please respect copyright.PENANAOS1SNY40uO
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPmtJ4VMC1Y
"Ack, you– how the hell are you doing that!?" She yelled. The woman didn't answer her, but simply stood idly by, allowing for Juke and I to get by Rover's side easily.25Please respect copyright.PENANAujJP7MHV37
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtvtgQJzICL
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"25Please respect copyright.PENANABJhcRB0ybZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUQHfI0r6vm
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA6NODibDoQs
25Please respect copyright.PENANAF2edDeNsDV
Reading between the lines, Rover faced the woman yet again. The woman took out a short sword and spun it haphazardly, looking at us with what I could only describe as disgust.25Please respect copyright.PENANAr0apZFQwhI
25Please respect copyright.PENANA34HE17IJdN
"Ah, so you do have allies. Tell me, are they as trashy as you are, girl? Or are you just using them as tools for your survival?"25Please respect copyright.PENANADUhbS0z6AV
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4hW8lUhKei
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAmrwWp0LvMP
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWQV076IlIM
Juke yelled, and Rover rushed forward. After her first couple of steps, the woman kicked the air in front of her, and Rover flew to the side. I widened my eyes. Juke and I both stood there, shocked. Rover struggled to rise to her feet, rubbing her face and panting vehemently.25Please respect copyright.PENANA3jCbgJu9F0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfJLdx6SeI3
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJP9XkjE6A0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWZm4XG11cO
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAbuNuB1H4kg
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYFnVPwSS28
Her taunting words invigorated something in me. I began mana expulsion, creating a ball of fire and splitting it into four smaller orbs. She didn't look intimidated. Rather, she was amused. I ignored her expression and flung the orbs in a scattered pattern. She dodged three and cut the fourth one with her sword. I didn't let up, producing a Freeze-Dry from my tendril. She widened her eyes and backed away before I even aimed it, a slab of fire forming at her free hand. I didn't mind it, shooting and encasing the area in front of me in a giant block of ice. However, only one-half of what I intended had formed. The other was liquid and vapor.25Please respect copyright.PENANAxdhryc30zG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAa32ivNTJu6
I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZgfDImVIga
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlA3NWxuFs1
"Hey, Kenny!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAGwcxIVgrsl
25Please respect copyright.PENANASnacRlGSv5
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.25Please respect copyright.PENANAOataJ1aCFC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPtcz5u74z7
"I-Is she okay?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAZcZLmDru88
25Please respect copyright.PENANABk7r0tlidG
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAmv3ErVxbVp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjBNw5ivv4J
"I don't know what that is!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAEEmebXzuWF
25Please respect copyright.PENANAAFvjUfoXik
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAnyI4h4Xj5q
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOx3ghufdKW
Truthfully, I agreed with him, so I had no qualms with turning the other way and running. It was a nightmare navigating past all the lackeys, combatants, and confused people, but Juke ran confidently.25Please respect copyright.PENANAlViPMnSOfy
25Please respect copyright.PENANAq3Yo2lKKw0
Though, that did raise the question–25Please respect copyright.PENANAKx7k42kSQ5
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4TpArKTyKf
"Do you know where you're going!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAaLBQ69AqKD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAcxWs9DDGxU
"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAaSueUDGF7I
25Please respect copyright.PENANAp29Q8rCohv
"Ah– where is Dennis?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA9Mhmjiq51h
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlO3zP801G6
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"25Please respect copyright.PENANATDyT9MkgT4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgueahOiuIN
That declaration made my heart sink. I almost froze in place there, but Juke narrowly avoided a stray fire spell, so I set the thought aside and kept moving. We made it to an alleyway, running through it without much hassle until–25Please respect copyright.PENANA4jtF8Q8E8K
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"Shit."25Please respect copyright.PENANAa86xLG1wtJ
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Juke ceased his escape and so did I. The end of the alleyway was blocked by a robed figure. I recognized him to be one of the ones on the stage. He took his hood off, and there stood a man with terribly fuzzy and unkempt hair.25Please respect copyright.PENANAy57jhbRtHr
25Please respect copyright.PENANAsIXFVKIZuH
"I have a question for you two," he spoke in a raspy voice. I readied myself to perform mana expulsion, but Juke put his arm before me, signaling me not to. He stood in front of me, blocking my view of the man.25Please respect copyright.PENANAHuGqEr1dJj
25Please respect copyright.PENANAavnYOgFB3U
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."25Please respect copyright.PENANAWucDRroMW6
25Please respect copyright.PENANA05H3gJwdRL
"...Alright."25Please respect copyright.PENANARV00fNAAKD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqpCBYoZojN
I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.25Please respect copyright.PENANA1faIkGf4uD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKy9mcYaAFX
"Alright, I'll take yer question."25Please respect copyright.PENANA5nlsPtPxZb
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3XRISOcpwZ
"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAL5gSQR9XFu
25Please respect copyright.PENANApGmh4dZ3Uz
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.25Please respect copyright.PENANAvjCH3uWKI4
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"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."25Please respect copyright.PENANA4oF8XMVsC5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVJvzYVIDqS
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."25Please respect copyright.PENANAt1ekTlWflo
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJljAHtU9V1
The man stopped speaking.25Please respect copyright.PENANAoAUJ5PbdoE
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdJJAwHaYLq
"Alright, carry on, then."25Please respect copyright.PENANAbz0uGNPpds
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWW3FthFmOh
"...Eh?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAZryaOYGS4U
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUS1ouWMV9E
I shared in his confusion.25Please respect copyright.PENANAAFjtXJwRo2
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"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."25Please respect copyright.PENANAVTuZKfotgm
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"I-If ya say so!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAD853flOLBe
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGTmmkhV1lt
Juke and I hurriedly scampered by the man. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with him until we made it out of the alleyway–25Please respect copyright.PENANAgV3qRPycyL
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkQqtC9ggqU
"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."25Please respect copyright.PENANAdsFaq4osmd
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And then, I froze. I didn't turn my head to face him, but I had my ears open and my mouth ready to run.25Please respect copyright.PENANAwgXgqJ5EXc
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5Wi7poutse
"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"25Please respect copyright.PENANALqRGLIfeFf
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtIWRrStvnw
In that instant, I felt as if the pace of the world slowed to a crawl. My mouth was ajar, it produced a sound, but not one of coherency.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJs63Upjiww
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdzJLDLQcPw
I didn't say anything. I didn't even show him my expression. I didn't have to. I was stuttering and gibbering for far too long. My eyes met with the man's; his pupils had contracted and his calm mein mutated into a face of rancor.25Please respect copyright.PENANA6GccO9WAGE
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I had spilled it in such an unfair way.25Please respect copyright.PENANASFJRQPnph0
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"Damn it, kid!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAS0ML0rs920
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbCWFUZvcmq
Juke's vexed yell brought me back to the present. He shoved me aside and sent me plummeting to the ground, and he narrowly evaded a ball of fire flung from the man's palm. I unfroze, drew my tendril, and swiped it at the man. He blocked the strike with his arms but crashed into the alleyway wall, forcing the air out of his lungs. With the man dazed, I got up and joined Juke, and then the both of us turned around and sprinted in the other direction, casting occasional ganders by looking behind me. The man recovered quickly and broke into pursuit, chasing us into the populated and rowdy street.
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGFz746RNId
I noticed the man performing mana expulsion, and from the lack of any tangible objects, it had to be a wind spell. As they were quick, dodging wouldn't be possible. So, producing a Valencia-Bloom, I skidded to a stop and veered to face him.25Please respect copyright.PENANA2qW0AdQ5Sd
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6kqDyH8seU
**SMASH**25Please respect copyright.PENANAheAqoYkhBu
25Please respect copyright.PENANAuQXmSorUdY
I blocked the spell successfully, but though I avoided being damaged, the force of it sent me to the floor, and at a tremendous distance. I discarded the Valencia-Bloom and produced a Blover, aiming it at the man, but I didn't utilize it. That was because he was engaging with Juke.25Please respect copyright.PENANAuZ74XzF6T4
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"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"25Please respect copyright.PENANA4R2g5J35f4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhQr16MWiNK
Juke carelessly threw Rover my way and pulled out his Broadsword, gripping it in his left hand. The man reached into his robe as he ran and pulled out a dual set of curved swords. Even under his helmet, I could see Juke's lips shrink and his eyes enlarge. I ran to the unconscious Rover, throwing her arm around my shoulders and struggling to lift her. Then, I eyed Juke's bout with the man, waiting for an opportunity to interfere.25Please respect copyright.PENANAEmb5Fk6Hlc
25Please respect copyright.PENANA28YnatDTla
The man raised his two swords and leaped at Juke, bringing them both down like they were hammers. Juke blocked the strike easily. It was obvious from their builds alone that Juke was physically stronger, but the man had a freakish dexterity. He retracted his blades and swung them, spinning around as if he was dancing. No, he was dancing. It was at a level of elegance unexpected of a man as shabby as he. The flurry of strikes quickly overwhelmed Juke– but, he didn't get hit. Though his sword dance was trouncing and enchanting, his speed suffered considerably, so Juke quit his parrying and ran backward, flipping the man off.25Please respect copyright.PENANAWmwtynD0fg
25Please respect copyright.PENANARaj9qxWQs0
At that moment, I began mana expulsion, conjuring up a dense rock the size of my head and throwing it as the man reapproached Juke. However, the man managed to jump over it. I bit on my molars and tried again, but his battle had resumed, making it impossible to safely shoot another one.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZQwUk7wK64
25Please respect copyright.PENANATbuSUOihMB
"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAR5bXbAnr7g
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHdCxQS1AA0
The man sliced and hacked at Juke, each swing of his either being blocked or narrowly avoided. It was clear that Juke couldn't keep up with the man's speed. Sweat ran down my brow, and at that point, I started to believe that just throwing something out would be better than waiting.25Please respect copyright.PENANAwLVlgJ6csx
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Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.25Please respect copyright.PENANAxWopIuEMrE
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwEqKjTDFP8
"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"25Please respect copyright.PENANArWFWehvORu
25Please respect copyright.PENANANwt9b8OUmA
Dragon-Maw Jr. followed my command perfectly, snapping his jaw at the man. Though he wasn't struck, the man was forced to evade Dragon-Maw Jr.'s attack and gave Juke air to breathe.25Please respect copyright.PENANA01cNFqLEJs
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7d3m6aDjik
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAINQ3CcrUkS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAoznjanZyoS
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.25Please respect copyright.PENANA9M4jRgH1WO
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"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm a pretty weak guy. Frankly, I ain't got a clue as to why I'm the one fighting, but I've accepted that these kids just operate like that."25Please respect copyright.PENANA6YdD4yIrpz
25Please respect copyright.PENANADiTg3joXF7
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.25Please respect copyright.PENANANG4c2mU76s
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"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANArdS6rUGaTo
25Please respect copyright.PENANABk2JKoWKBf
Juke altered his line of action and rushed at the man. He swung at him, which the man blocked with one sword, and as he went to counterattack with his free sword, Dragon-Maw Jr. nipped at him. He backed away and clicked his tongue.25Please respect copyright.PENANAu9FUwzwDKQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANANzkIqAr6nY
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA4rFiUy1klS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtf8beu8Fxk
His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZX18kIibaI
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"Like I'll let ya do that!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAKxA9NrDyYI
25Please respect copyright.PENANASziNVjwvpo
But Juke interjected, throwing a soft wind spell at the man and making him lose his balance. Dragon-Maw Jr. took advantage of his disorientation and nipped at him, this time, successfully tearing a piece of off his robe.25Please respect copyright.PENANAQIHEEsLNsA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbtvehgHiDP
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8UsyNW8kG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvfefkbBL9L
Offended at his insult, I let go of Rover's arm and began mana expulsion with my newly freed hand. Juke and Dragon-Maw Jr. changed turns attacking the man, and though it was assuring to see him on the defensive, progress to our victory wasn't being made. Thus, I created a spell of water. Instead of amplifying it and shooting it at the man, I spread it across the ground.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZdgjFRxQvp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtJzcchlQ5Q
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhbZb9zOj8x
25Please respect copyright.PENANATI96yP0Lzx
I didn't respond to Juke's complaint, but I understood why he made it. The newfound slippery ground didn't just affect the man, but Juke, too. The two were disengaged but Dragon-Maw Jr. had free reign to wail at the man. And, indeed, wail it did. The man couldn't back away from the plant, meaning he had to challenge every crunch. I smirked at the development, sure that man would be done in.25Please respect copyright.PENANAoInG1tKKST
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYBmR6FktVy
But, that hadn't happened at all. The plant clasped onto one of his swords and the man used his free one to cut it off.25Please respect copyright.PENANAw35yVP0VKi
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWOkHadeJQz
Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.25Please respect copyright.PENANAurLGvuzJpl
25Please respect copyright.PENANABn31o9N6pC
"--Hrk!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhry5IYyDll
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYAnzd8QhqD
Then, a sharp, overbearing pain permeated through my body– but I could immediately judge that this was nothing like my time fighting the beast, meaning that, even though I was still grasping at my chest, feeling the purple fluid leak, my tendril remained.25Please respect copyright.PENANAPrLgovXPEg
25Please respect copyright.PENANAq5QPRAesat
With the man free of any pressure, he took his shoes off and dispelled wind from his feet, blowing away all the water and dousing the surroundings.25Please respect copyright.PENANAhzKMyJP09W
25Please respect copyright.PENANAaWFOoy91OT
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAEqcD80eWgz
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjF1uFiXcEq
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAY45t7XJCN9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAT5ZvLs0TET
"Whatever!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAjVmzQlK2I5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAcW9juCywXu
The man pounced at Juke, who barely blocked his attack. They returned to square one, Juke and the man engaged in a lopsided dance of swords.25Please respect copyright.PENANAD4svOv6m29
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdIjHZRrERR
I began mana expulsion– but the creation of my spell ceased. As I watched them battle, Juke progressively getting weaker and weaker, my body froze.25Please respect copyright.PENANAra963rEqRq
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I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.25Please respect copyright.PENANA902Cu7t3pi
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Dread, worry, guilt–25Please respect copyright.PENANAaTo3HWcX5O
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"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAaEpYq3ZlKG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAcaC0HRM5LG
"...R-Right!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAzPOG55CHvG
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2OUvVRPp6f
Juke's frantic yells yanked me out before I sank too deep. I shook my head and thought calmly about the situation, taking deep breaths. It wasn't over yet. Besides, if something did go awry here, it wouldn't– it wouldn't really be my fault.25Please respect copyright.PENANA9HjNlxs1s6
25Please respect copyright.PENANAyjOHsNc4e8
With that assertion, I resumed the creation of my spell: a sizeable chunk of water–
"I got you!"
As I was forming the spell, the man had finally bested Juke's defenses. He broke his stance, and Juke momentarily lost control of his arms. That moment was all the man needed. He spun a full circle, slicing into Juke with both of his blades.25Please respect copyright.PENANAg5sslm0Z6d
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEUXyu9JCmB
**SLAM**25Please respect copyright.PENANAn6K6OPx8yj
25Please respect copyright.PENANAe8QXo6xEkE
That was what should have happened, at least– no, saying that wasn't accurate. Indeed, the man's blades sliced into his body, but Juke's skin was not cut, and the noise produced wasn't appropriate for an object hitting flesh.25Please respect copyright.PENANAzSzEoznwnD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKyIVS2vbO8
The man looked just as perplexed as I was, stock still as his mind processed what had just occurred. Juke directed us to a conclusion by raising his right hand and tapping on his helmet twice. Our eyes directed themselves to his metallic apparel, and I noticed the two narrow dents at the side.25Please respect copyright.PENANAArRvIcPEci
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVcQuEO4XPK
"How did–" the man began, but Juke raised his sword before he could eke out his sentence. The man noticed the action and backed away, but he was too slow.25Please respect copyright.PENANAc2tImfArUQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANA57UktIAHWQ
"--Ugh!"25Please respect copyright.PENANArVLtAOjPA2
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His arm was rendered a bird by the speed it flew off. Blood splattered and gushed onto the pavement. The man clutched his missing limb, gripping the air twice before connecting with his body.25Please respect copyright.PENANAzxVhPgMT0U
25Please respect copyright.PENANAujoCuDVOSl
I felt the bile rise to my throat, but I couldn't afford to let this moment pass. I aimed my palm at the man and shot the ball.25Please respect copyright.PENANAfZqbByBnxG
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6nAd5t1zpB
**SMASH**25Please respect copyright.PENANAFpRATv8OVT
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWb2mwTrqXF
The man collided with a building. Juke ran up to me and took Rover out of my hands and ran away, but I didn't immediately follow. I stared at the cloud of dust and debris, waiting to see what would appear once it cleared.25Please respect copyright.PENANADFUYUowlym
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.25Please respect copyright.PENANAQhtbZkdevU
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAjgX4fLXpYk
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"Ah! Sorry!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAwoBCK7Gcm8
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Then, I turned around and joined Juke in our escape. The chaos on the street had cleared, and judging from the lack of noise, the one just a block away was dying down, too. But, I knew that didn't mean that the situation was over. That would be just plain stupid.25Please respect copyright.PENANArRIYcEKOWa
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"Ha, hell yeah, we're still kicking!"
Though I shared in his enthusiasm, I struggled to even nod along.
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"Ah crap, are ya alright? Don't tell me yer bleeding somewhere."25Please respect copyright.PENANA6qiqw3Vksn
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"N-No, that's not it."25Please respect copyright.PENANAoj5bq57coD
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Admittedly, I felt queasy. It must've shown on my face. In fact, thinking about it, my hands covered my mouth instinctively. I was able to suppress myself, however.25Please respect copyright.PENANAU8KB6709zF
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"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."25Please respect copyright.PENANAeqqXMjsiOR
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Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.