I was set beside a wall. It took all of my will not to pass out immediately. I gave myself a minute to breathe and relax. I caught a glimpse of my legs. They were thankfully still in one piece, but several parts of my skin were charred. I put great care into the potion Juke fed me, so my wounds would heal just fine. I thanked my past self for making it pain-numbing as well.26Please respect copyright.PENANAZzhR1DCv7p
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Though my legs were fine, too much of them were exposed to the outside world. To put it bluntly, I needed a new pair of pants. I would've ordinarily been embarrassed, but I had bigger fish to fry.26Please respect copyright.PENANAstzmcmqWLq
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Juke took a seat beside me while panting, taking his helmet off, and wiping the sweat off his brow.26Please respect copyright.PENANAjnYVRbp1w9
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"I ain't ever ran that fast before shit."26Please respect copyright.PENANAkjTFdspPSy
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We took a minute to get ourselves situated. I looked up at the sky, taking deep breaths.26Please respect copyright.PENANAj1DGALotoz
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"I wish... I packed an energy potion."26Please respect copyright.PENANAvngUSvu7vF
26Please respect copyright.PENANAdmpOsV0AiJ
"Ya know how to make one?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAiyNQ9QHWrI
26Please respect copyright.PENANAgaVDCz9aQ8
"...No, I'm just thinking of coffee."26Please respect copyright.PENANAA3FveNFTDr
26Please respect copyright.PENANAC9opEnw14K
He clicked his tongue in disappointment. I made a mental note to check if things such as energy potions truly existed later.26Please respect copyright.PENANAm8VolW2wOk
26Please respect copyright.PENANAI7lgIU0rUX
"Are you two feeling well? I'm assuming a fight broke out."26Please respect copyright.PENANAgrWmvBhtXU
26Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2em9dBwZb
The man I recognized but forgot the name of walked up to us with an impassive face, making me wonder if he asked how we were only for formalities.26Please respect copyright.PENANAyZrjzLg2Vs
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"We're doin' fine. Thanks for helpin' us."26Please respect copyright.PENANAr55aw00hsA
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"Sure thing," Pars interjected with a gentle smile.26Please respect copyright.PENANA2cGLdybxMe
26Please respect copyright.PENANAQjvuHZdqxs
"So, Kenny, right? care to explain what happened?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAx9hUDCzFag
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Pars took a seat on the pavement, and the man beside him followed.26Please respect copyright.PENANAVHRcGayFPH
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"Uh... well-"26Please respect copyright.PENANAhn2HvrFthd
26Please respect copyright.PENANArjGAdOiO5Q
"Before all that, how about ya two introduce yerselves? It's obvious Kenny met ya, but I hate to be left in the dark."26Please respect copyright.PENANAsNZrORgjWD
26Please respect copyright.PENANAo3m9C6wpUM
"Ah, of course!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAWEnKhjdinr
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Pars rubbed the back of his head.26Please respect copyright.PENANAj1wkAHfD1O
26Please respect copyright.PENANAHc9mtObtsX
"The name's Pars. This grumpy fellow is Dave. Nice to meet you, uh,"26Please respect copyright.PENANA1eW280MSaK
26Please respect copyright.PENANAzB7CIR9qHB
"Juke."26Please respect copyright.PENANAxxlEgdrYyY
26Please respect copyright.PENANArutwGq19rA
I weakly snapped my fingers, almost admonishing myself for forgetting a name like Dave.26Please respect copyright.PENANAPrwcvEtuHd
26Please respect copyright.PENANA6sBY97Qios
"Juke. That's an odd name. Where do you come from?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAznKgvGQXIU
26Please respect copyright.PENANALPd9MQ8Pdf
"That ain't important right now. Since Kenny looks like he's gonna drop dead any minute, I'll do all the explaining."26Please respect copyright.PENANA5mZww9y6VH
26Please respect copyright.PENANArM3vEPjBbU
Juke gave me a sidelong wink. I gave him a fragile thumbs-up, whispering a thanks.26Please respect copyright.PENANAySVdIcSYwv
26Please respect copyright.PENANAHLaoCSKDVd
"To make a long story short, we were tryin' to escape the city. Found out that these Hard-Bringer bastards really want our heads in particular, so much so that the Harbinger lady camped the stables and attacked us. That's who we were runnin' from."26Please respect copyright.PENANATLsjD77Dt1
26Please respect copyright.PENANAUaW87K1OGB
"You fought directly with the Harbinger? You two are pretty impressive," Pars replied.26Please respect copyright.PENANAhySfqLN5pg
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"Nah, ya should've seen it. We were getting tossed around like she was playing ball. Seriously, just look at Kenny."26Please respect copyright.PENANAWocHja8uNo
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They all diverted their gazes to me. I felt more inclined to correct Juke than to get embarrassed.26Please respect copyright.PENANAO5LkOI4BwP
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"I did this to myself, though."26Please respect copyright.PENANAZEszEE4umY
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"I ain't sweating the details here, kid."26Please respect copyright.PENANAF39jRFNJFM
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"You're just lying to them, though."26Please respect copyright.PENANApCbCN1svEH
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He simply shrugged. I realized that I was just sweating details. It didn't matter why, the point was that I became injured because of the fight.26Please respect copyright.PENANAk1G1V1IhcA
26Please respect copyright.PENANAnFbQNayg61
"What Juke's saying is right, though. We weren't on the brink of death or anything, but we weren't making her feel threatened, let's just say."26Please respect copyright.PENANAz4Qwsb7u32
26Please respect copyright.PENANAwWHHVY6FxY
"I gotcha," Pars replied. He seemed to be mulling over something Juke had said. I used the window of downtime to close my eyes and lean my head against the wall.26Please respect copyright.PENANAAs6hWFmIr8
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"Why were you two targeted in particular?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAZtG3HyarJs
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Dave spoke up. My rest was short-lived, but I wasn't particularly miffed about it.26Please respect copyright.PENANAcRJsZQhwIP
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"From what that mop-haired guy from earlier was sayin'," Juke started, "It's probably because of the mission we're on. They ain't cottoning to our mission, which I can't disclose for legal reasons, but jokes on 'em, we already did it!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAwle7lXg5dN
26Please respect copyright.PENANAPqHqYYdZbY
"Your mission," Pars asked, "Wait, you were also tasked with delivering the letter?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAGmWYvNI6rC
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The silence that ensued was awkward and oppressive.26Please respect copyright.PENANA6AoBzDny4w
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"Kenny, who the hell is this guy?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAikGMO5kgN0
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"O-Oh, well, he's one of the people who helped Rover and me deliver the letter."26Please respect copyright.PENANAyHbfLXuLkQ
26Please respect copyright.PENANA4EuWjF2Svd
"Ah, I thought he was some bad news. Well, even if ya were, yer helping us is enough to let it slide."26Please respect copyright.PENANA2p2fMK7Gp9
26Please respect copyright.PENANAQcEKFcNxya
"I'm flattered."26Please respect copyright.PENANAFNGqjbyOpt
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"Nah, but ya really gave me a scare, goodness."26Please respect copyright.PENANAxKWh9c7Cr1
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Juke grabbed his chest and took an elongated, heavy breath, continuing the conversation once he assuaged himself.26Please respect copyright.PENANAIexNPY2Yyj
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"Well, like I said, the mission's already over. Ya think if I tell the Hard-Bringer folk that they'll give us a slap on the wrist?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA1fVCRwNEq7
26Please respect copyright.PENANAFCVarpjyHw
"..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAHprnR4TuCE
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Pars didn't respond to Juke's playful inquiry. Dave had an even graver expression than before. Their faces were solemn in a way that radiated pity, and it was only exacerbated by Pars' pinching of his nose and subsequent sighing.26Please respect copyright.PENANAefrawZceSp
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"Just to make sure, your guys' mission was to deliver the letter, right? The letter in question had to be delivered to the Pillar of Foreign Communications?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAJtICoH8RxL
26Please respect copyright.PENANAPSTE4ioy3R
"...I don't like where this is goin'."26Please respect copyright.PENANAyJZoMBpNrg
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Juke voiced my thoughts exactly. I nodded along to his questioning, which Pars took as a cue to continue.26Please respect copyright.PENANAYiKf50kGt9
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"You're right not to like it, because I'm about to drop the worst news you've heard all week: all of the Pillars have been subjugated by Hard-Bringer."26Please respect copyright.PENANADcTadf2k3x
26Please respect copyright.PENANAbBwXrre5Pr
"...The hell does that mean?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAxbZcshNz5n
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"That means that the letter that Kenny and Rover delivered hasn't been, and most likely, won't be sent out."26Please respect copyright.PENANAhgjEwnhUnS
26Please respect copyright.PENANAyaBBv2wQC0
Pars articulated himself with a constant emphasis. Every word dropped heavily, and their meaning struck harsher with his heavy voice. My eyes widened. A cavity formed in my gut. I wanted him to repeat himself, only to be sure that I heard what he said, but the thought of it being reaffirmed was too frightening for me to try.26Please respect copyright.PENANAxVJGQGZkK5
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"Ya gotta be kidding me, man."26Please respect copyright.PENANAvmJhDXZTPx
26Please respect copyright.PENANAVXCY5Regew
"I'm sorry, but I'm not."26Please respect copyright.PENANAOQaGlZ5Hnu
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"Haaaa... shit."26Please respect copyright.PENANAcle3SxQPQL
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Juke leaned back against the wall and stared at the sky. All things considered, he was taking it pretty well. I thought it was ridiculous. I couldn't see inside him, sure, but I was astonished by how all that was invoked from his was a simple sigh. My feelings turned mixed.26Please respect copyright.PENANAhsHsOCxuXv
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"What does that mean for us," I asked.26Please respect copyright.PENANAXpcVIr1WA5
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"Considering how you two were being attacked for just embarking on the mission," " Dave responded, "they'd likely destroy it once they find it."26Please respect copyright.PENANAGqboljnmpM
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"So we're working against the clock is what yer saying?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAkUY0R88XFR
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I was bemused by Juke's wording, but outright shocked when I saw him stand up and stretch his hands.26Please respect copyright.PENANA4nh8Bolxoe
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"I think I get the gist of it," he said, "If we wanna see the mission through, then we gotta kick these Hard-Bringer bastards out, yeah?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAtooZCx2uTV
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"I guess so," Pars replied, "Does that mean what I think it means?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA2nd47vF1KE
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"Yer gonna have to do some more explainin' of course, but if yer already forming a group to counterattack, I'm all in."26Please respect copyright.PENANAZZRkDYg8bj
26Please respect copyright.PENANAb9IQXUrSba
"W-Wait," I said, "Hold on, give me a moment to think about this"26Please respect copyright.PENANATrwFKJTl0P
26Please respect copyright.PENANAdDq5MXyfN5
I put my head in my hands. The state of affairs moved too fast for my fatigued body and mind. I was certain that, if I just came out of a good rest, I'd be able to think more clearly, but I didn't, so I couldn't, and it frustrated me, it frustrated me endlessly. Then there was the idea of doing this– for some reason, I sat on the fence. I couldn't say yes to the proposal, but I wanted to accept, yet I couldn't make a declaration.
"Are ya alright, kid?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAlhR433QVuV
26Please respect copyright.PENANAb9TbIr36Ii
Juke's sudden question dragged me out of my thoughts.26Please respect copyright.PENANA9E1lF2QCQt
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"I... I'm having doubts. My mind is foggy, I think I need to sleep."
"I getcha, but what are ya having doubts over?"
I looked at him as if he just asked an incredibly stupid question.
"Don't give me that look. This is yer job, ain't it? Why are ya doubting yerself?"
"My job?"
Juke provided me with an interesting perspective. It was pragmatic and disciplined. It caught me off guard, and it certainly wasn't something I expected to come out of his mouth.
But, as I thought about it–
"You say it's my job, but isn't this well over our pay grade?"
"Hell yeah, it is. Seriously, what's a weak guy like me doing, being contractually obligated to fight Hard-Bringer, eh?"
He took a few steps forward, pulling his sword out of his scabbard and placing it on his shoulder. He turned around and looked me in the eye.
"I think it's a perfect excuse to check up on Dennis."
He offered me a hand.
"..."
His declaration made me smile. It dispelled all my doubt instantly. I chastised myself for even thinking that way, even with my haziness. When I thought about it that way, it was the perfect excuse to amend that dreadful feeling I gained last night, all that guilt and shame, even if it would continue to creep at the back of my mind.
So, I reached for his hand and–
"I can't even lift my limbs anymore, Juke. You're going to have to carry me."
My arm dropped a second later; his did too.
"I think ya should go to sleep."
"Out here on the street? That's impossible."
"Fair 'nough.'
"Lucky for you guys," Pars interjected, "Dave and I set up a bit of a haven nearby. That should be the perfect place to rest, surely."
"Don't speak with such uncertain language, Pars. The haven is safe, that's why we call it a haven."26Please respect copyright.PENANAidT9ug8YYP
26Please respect copyright.PENANAPDVqjWp06F
Pars leaned in and placed the side of his palm against the side of his lips as if he were whispering to us.26Please respect copyright.PENANAfPIvhIr3bJ
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"It's just Dave's shop. It's a pretty crummy place, believe it or not."26Please respect copyright.PENANAIe0DmIkD94
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Dave stood up, brushing dirt off his pants and adjusting the collars on his sleeves.26Please respect copyright.PENANA4ARuiiUO1g
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"I'll make sure to blacklist you once this is over."26Please respect copyright.PENANARQgyGoaFlv
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Pars stood up himself, rotating his shoulder to stretch it.26Please respect copyright.PENANAqx7sLrHsyQ
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"Come on, I'm just joking around."26Please respect copyright.PENANAasweVgSriJ
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"I'm not. You're annoying, I don't want you near it."26Please respect copyright.PENANA0Lbefr4Cmd
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"...You gotta work on your jokes, Dave."26Please respect copyright.PENANAehrdqv7YLi
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Dave didn't respond to Pars. He turned his gaze to us and lightly bowed.26Please respect copyright.PENANAEjEcuE56NL
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"Once you two are ready, please follow me. Pars, make yourself useful and watch out for any incoming Bringers."26Please respect copyright.PENANAxjx7eweEoX
26Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7kmjXpuC4
Dave stepped away and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms and tapping with his finger. Pars gazed at him incredulously. Upon realizing Dave was entirely serious, he walked in the opposite direction, surveying the streets at the alleyway's entrance.26Please respect copyright.PENANAHraWWvXXLh
26Please respect copyright.PENANAUuXDEE6rKv
"...Bringers? Is that what they call them?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAkExVn3Igqb
26Please respect copyright.PENANAb3932DRKeY
"Ya good to go, kid?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA5kvDD03sup
26Please respect copyright.PENANAld0zQeVCR0
My attention returned to Juke. I nodded at his inquiry, but the previous problem persisted.
"How are we going to go about that? Even if I had a cane, I don't think I can stand."
"I'll just carry ya like before."
That statement sent a quick shiver down my spine.
"Don't carry me like before, please. I'd much rather ride on your shoulders."
"On my shoulders? The hell are ya, some kind of kid?"
"..."
"Ah, shit, forget I said that."
I was struck by a frothing curiosity. How was it that he constantly forgot my age? I realized in seconds that it wasn't just him; seemingly, everyone even a tinge older than me constantly forgets it.
I didn't make mention of my question, though. Juke crouched down and slapped his shoulders. I practically crawled to him, and climbing his body so I could get in a good position made me feel like a bug. Fortunately, Juke made no comment about it and simply grabbed me under my thighs and lifted me. I wrapped my hands around his neck.
"We're good to go, haven-guy."26Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7BdB0HgSF
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"My name is Dave."26Please respect copyright.PENANAT7NhYpVghE
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"Dave, my fault."
"Right. Follow me, then."
He waved his hand, gesturing us to pursue him. He walked to the end of the alleyway, stopping just short of reaching Pars.
"How does it look," he asked.
Pars winced a little and spun his head to look at us. He drew a quick breath and nodded his head.
"The coast looks clear to me, but we should be on guard. The Bringer who chased our guests is either hiding or calling for reinforcements."
Dave gave a stern nod at his statement before stepping forth and spearheading our group. He stepped into the street, looked both ways and waved his hand, motioning to follow us. Juke and Pars broke into a sprint, trailing Dave as he zigzagged between branching paths and alleyways. Uncomfortable as it was, we traveled quickly. I envied the lengthy legs of the adults.26Please respect copyright.PENANAGEIsPMyKCZ
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But just as quickly as their legs moved, they were forced to skid to a stop. Dave started the chain, quickly pushing his back against the wall as he neared the end of the alleyway. Startled, Pars followed suit, and Juke awkwardly stood around, unsure of what to do with me on his back. He crept as close as he could to the wall without squishing me, which I whispered a thanks for.26Please respect copyright.PENANAB3F8mqNgW0
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We were all against the wall now, but that begged a crucial question to be asked, and Pars was the one to do it.
"What'd we stop for?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAhtWfFtmLKO
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Dave had his head pointed at the nearby street. I saw his eyes narrow from the side.26Please respect copyright.PENANA74k9U02mf8
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"My shop is just around the corner, but Bringers are guarding it."26Please respect copyright.PENANAUgZP5F2hJ4
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Immediately, the air around us stiffened. Pars' expression contorted to one showing unease, and even Dave's stoic mein dawned a blanket of sweat.26Please respect copyright.PENANAwTQVWnVZyl
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Pars cracked his neck and knuckles, reaching into his coat and withdrawing a knife so large I had to do a double-take.26Please respect copyright.PENANAoskD7XfFer
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"How many are there?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAwoS0mgvimW
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"Only three. You should be able to handle them, right?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAxEMMCXg4Bf
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"Depends; are they just lackeys?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAstYQ7eM0Aw
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"...Come and judge for yourself."26Please respect copyright.PENANAzI4JtRJJ3x
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Pars crept beside Dave, peering over the corner. He looked for a few seconds before retracting his gaze and cracking his knuckles.
"Don't harm them conspicuously. If others find bleeding bodies by my shop, it will probably be sieged."
"I gotcha. Those oblivious morons won't know what hit him."
He stuck his knife back into his coat and began mana expulsion, forming two skull-sized rocks before his palms. He stepped away from the wall and crouched down, aiming his arms at the sky. Then, with a faint gust of wind, the boulders flew into the air. They soared dozens of feet, but their launch angle was steep. As I watched the rocks plummet to the ground, I furrowed my brows, wondering what Pars' strategy
As they went past the building, I lost sight of them, but the sturdy crash and subsequent twin thuds showed me what happened. And, to the event that just occurred, I only had one question. Dave was kind enough to ask for me.
"How on earth does that work?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAyPRPIyHO8m
26Please respect copyright.PENANAgJMOJ19DiK
Pars uncrouched and brushed his palms against each other.
"It's just a skill I've picked up over the years."
"Ya really like showing off, don't ya? Strong folk, I swear..."
Pars veered his gaze to Juke, a subtle smirk plastering itself on his face.
"Cool looks are just a bonus. Seriously though, it's a useful skill."
"Are you sure?" Dave asked, "Because their skulls were a lot more liable to shatter with a stunt like that."
"...What's that supposed to mean?"
Dave sighed and pinched his nose.
"Let's just count our blessings and chalk it up to them being dull and stupid. Now come on, let's hurry."26Please respect copyright.PENANAAcxE8lbmPe
26Please respect copyright.PENANA8xHc01NPN1
Dave stepped foot into the street, looking both ways and jogging to his store. Grabbed one of the bodies under the shoulders and motioned Pars to join him, which he did. The two dragged the bodies into another alleyway, disappearing.
"Those two look like real shady people. Ya sure we can trust 'em?"
"After what we just saw, I wouldn't blame you for thinking that. But, they're good people."
"I'm just pulling yer leg. I know they're good folks."
"Pulling my leg, huh...?"
Finding a strange humor in his wording, I chuckled. Juke walked closer to the entrance of the alleyway, giving us a better view of the street. I looked both ways to find that it was clear.26Please respect copyright.PENANAAYnWL3dCEp
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"They're okay, right?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAaitlD2fsUF
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"Yer getting nervous?"
"When haven't I been nervous!?"
"Good point."26Please respect copyright.PENANAX4R84MoJdM
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I eyed the alleyway the two waltzed into and felt a weight form in my stomach with each passing second. To my relief, they walked out just a minute later and judging from their leisurely gaits, they didn't run into any trouble.26Please respect copyright.PENANAq2MeMAVKbR
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Pars walked up to Juke and me while Dave meddled with the shop door.26Please respect copyright.PENANArH46eplOcD
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"The coast looks clear. Once we go in, we gotta head right on upstairs. Dave will act like a frontman for us, shutting any trouble out."26Please respect copyright.PENANAMhR7SMA5KS
26Please respect copyright.PENANAIyI2dh1vzd
We nodded at his statement and went to wait beside the door. To my surprise, Dave was fumbling with his keys. He opened the door just fine, but seeing such a slip-up, minor as it was, gave me a daunting premonition.26Please respect copyright.PENANAWhm9lTY2Ky
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I set the thought aside as we entered the shop. From all the interior architecture I've seen thus far, my expectations were low. However, the inside of the shop was orderly and ornamental. Antique lamps, though snuffed, were sprawled on various tables lined with products and price tags. I could infer from the pottery and other ceramic objects what Dave's shop was all about, but I still felt inclined to ask.26Please respect copyright.PENANANS0DlJnXwQ
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"What do you sell in the shop, Dave?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAi5WtC2GEMC
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"Decorative objects, as you can see. They're brought here by potters from neighboring areas. Very few of them are reinforced with mana suspension, so I wouldn't go touching them. In fact, don't touch them at all, any of you. Especially you, Pars."26Please respect copyright.PENANA1HXJCtar5h
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"You're a bigger enemy than the Bringers at this point."26Please respect copyright.PENANARV0ZG5dS9G
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I blankly stared at their exchange before returning to the conversation.26Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2CizqCHrm
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"R-Right. Have you made any of these yourself?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAgTMjznh6fG
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He stopped by the counter and leaned on it. He turned and looked at me with an unreadable smirk.
"Hell no. Anything I could make would be too grotty to sell to the inhabitants of a communication city."
"That is... an awfully good point. But that begs the question–"
"And I'll answer it for you happily: the administrators and officers here love their decoration. You won't believe how much they've paid for some of these products. Frankly, I overcharge for most of these products. I don't get many sent in, obviously, so I need to make them count."
"I see. But I feel like I'm missing the full picture ."
"I haven't the time to explain it."
He stood up straight and looked at us intently.
"Go on upstairs now. Pars should explain the situation. Should. There is food and water, so rest. Once you're ready, we'll meet up with the Retaliation Crowd."
"Retaliation Crowd?" Juke asked. Dave nodded in reply. Juke sighed and shook his head.
"What did I get myself into...? Alright, Pars, ya better explain what this Retaliation Squad's all about."
"It's crowd, but sure. Follow me."
Pars turned to the stairs and began to ascend them. We followed, but I made sure to wave to Dave before he left my sight. Then, just as I finished, Juke spoke.
"Not to spoil yer mood, but that talk ya had with Dave bored me to death. Didn't help that I had to carry ya the whole time."
"Ah, sorry. I'm not being too much of a hassle, am I?"
"Nah, yer real small and skinny, it's just that I've been carrying ya for too long."
"Right."
My tone quickly lowered when I heard his roundabout insult. We arrived at the second floor shortly after. I immediately drew similarities to my apartment; analogous doors parallel to each other lined the albeit short hallway. Pars placed his hands on the door to the right and entered it.26Please respect copyright.PENANABzfJiDFLzG
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"Wait here just a second, I need to grab something."26Please respect copyright.PENANA7JEZggndaf
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Pars entered through the door. A few seconds passed, and he peered his head across the threshold.26Please respect copyright.PENANApKHqrpumLk
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"Nevermind. It'll be a lot easier if you two come in."26Please respect copyright.PENANAlrEnWtCXBe
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He motioned us to enter. Juke began to move, but I quickly realized that it was a bad idea.26Please respect copyright.PENANArTHVQCgEdy
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"W-Wait, put me down first!"26Please respect copyright.PENANA6bXEmvmpM7
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"Eh? Why?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAmTC9vQikcQ
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"I'll hit my head on the frame. No, my whole upper body."26Please respect copyright.PENANAa6JNzlUqfj
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"Ah, my fault, my fault. Here, I'll getcha down."26Please respect copyright.PENANAaav38VQwgh
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He grabbed me by the side of my chest and hauled me over his head. I grazed my hair on the roof, but I was set on the floor without much issue. Once I got my balance, we entered the room.26Please respect copyright.PENANAffjYx9UAF4
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"This place looks nice," Juke said, "Is there where yer living?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAGD4skLDgZ2
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I glossed over the room in search of a place to sit. Once my eyes landed on a chair, I hobbled to it and slowly set myself down.26Please respect copyright.PENANAPeCT02CyAb
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"Only for the time being. Also, how on earth do you think this place looks nice?"26Please respect copyright.PENANANBcwOmxWtX
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"It's got a bed and chair and everythin'. What's there to hate 'bout it?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA46atrxUrzE
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"...It's dusty and shabby."26Please respect copyright.PENANAeIoUJmzZBd
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"That ain't the room's fault, that's yers."26Please respect copyright.PENANA9oV6QulXFg
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Pars raised his finger and opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He sighed and leaned against the wall, holding a thick paper in his hand.26Please respect copyright.PENANAiUGhhHWJhJ
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"Take a seat, Juke. There are a few things I need to relay to you two."26Please respect copyright.PENANAWfJAC7SBAF
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Juke nodded and picked a spot on the bed. He stretched his arms before giving Pars an earnest look.26Please respect copyright.PENANAJyQCuLzIqf
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"You two ready?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA096mlgQRZe
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I nodded.26Please respect copyright.PENANAIiJpVeqfHt
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"Get on with it already," Juke blurted.26Please respect copyright.PENANAWEJtOdoK5s
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"I'll start you two off easy. As you two know, all of the Pillars have been captured by Hard-Bringer."26Please respect copyright.PENANAvCOglyUoqO
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Juke and I nodded in reply.26Please respect copyright.PENANALmxvO7ixjQ
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"Well, since these are the paragons of the city, it's pretty important to capture them. Of course, the Retaliation Crowd is planning on capturing them all."26Please respect copyright.PENANAAuR5tMeUhv
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"If I may ask, where is this 'Retaliation Crowd' right now?" I asked.26Please respect copyright.PENANA4Rs3S8RrMP
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Pars shifted his pose and rubbed the back of his head.26Please respect copyright.PENANAVelceqsuR7
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"They're in different buildings. The Retaliation Crowd is split into five parts. It's a pretty big movement, so if we tried to group everyone up in one building, we'd be too obvious."26Please respect copyright.PENANAW9bO9gArSZ
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"That makes sense. I'm assuming this isn't one of the buildings?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAbMyUJp4Jo3
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"Of course not. Why'd we be talking about heading somewhere else if it was?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA5cfRyvwsRS
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"...Sorry, I'm just tired."26Please respect copyright.PENANArMdxBd49yZ
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"Don't sweat it."26Please respect copyright.PENANASOt28KLFgM
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I sighed and rubbed my temple, deciding to hold the reins on my questions.26Please respect copyright.PENANAqkS5hnOv9V
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"Back to what I was saying, the Retaliation Crowd is split into five buildings, but they've all got something in common, and that's their proximity. They're all close to the Central Communication Pillar."26Please respect copyright.PENANAx8A1JOpijg
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"Are ya gonna say what I think ya will?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAx7ikLJdvdm
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Pars sighed and smiled dryly.26Please respect copyright.PENANAZnzxdo38nc
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"Yes, the plan goes like so: we all storm the Central Communication Pillar, overtake it, and make that our new base of operations. It will put a huge target on our back, but if everyone in the city learns that we've taken the Pillar then–"26Please respect copyright.PENANAa7wRb2eodg
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"I don't care 'bout yer reasons, I just wanna know why ya coerced us into doing this when ya know damn well our business is with another Pillar."26Please respect copyright.PENANAKOvNg81t8h
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My body tensed. The weight of the air multiplied tenfold. I felt like I had to rebuke Juke's statement, to tell him that we were trying to help the city too, but I stopped. I couldn't push the words out of my throat.26Please respect copyright.PENANAtDqpqakTvm
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Pars, however, seemed unfazed, almost as if he was expecting a rebuttal like this.26Please respect copyright.PENANAozN8HtlqMr
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"I ain't trying to attack ya, I just don't get why we can't start with the Foreign whatever Pillar. Why are ya taking us for a ride with this one first?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAJLiOpKZyL7
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"I get why you're frustrated, and I'll explain it to you. We're storming the Central Pillar so we can call in for backup."26Please respect copyright.PENANABSWqQkY42o
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"Backup?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAfNzzpNp2i3
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Pars nodded.26Please respect copyright.PENANASQhvAP1vUb
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"Since the Central Pillar deals with communication across the Southern Country, we'll send an SOS message. Afterward, it'll only be a matter of time until all of Hard-Bringer will flee."26Please respect copyright.PENANALbuWoy2Zan
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"A matter of time? How long does it take, huh?"26Please respect copyright.PENANALIMTzeCGfF
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"...Well, as long as the raptors are still alive, it should be a day or two at most."26Please respect copyright.PENANAC28AfaVQE8
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Juke gave me a stern gaze, and I returned it. We nodded at each other, and I took the responsibility of breaking to news.26Please respect copyright.PENANAKe1Ejq1YkU
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"Juke and I were at one of the stables earlier, Pars. All of the animals there were slaughtered."26Please respect copyright.PENANAy6aERAt58s
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Pars' eyes widened. He leaned forward.26Please respect copyright.PENANABpGfCLKWfA
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"A-Are you serious?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAX0w4zJVNWL
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"Unfortunately, I am. I doubt they spared any other animals either."26Please respect copyright.PENANAtU2FsopI0k
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"That... shit, that complicates things, doesn't it?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAevFA0uhDkz
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He pinched his chin and gazed at the ground, his eyes twitching as sweat washed over his face.26Please respect copyright.PENANAUjuBkWGl70
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"Means ya got a change of plans, eh? That must be a blow to the gut."26Please respect copyright.PENANANkWCv0el6j
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"That's one way to put it," Pars replied, "Crap. We were banking on only having to retake one Pillar, too..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAQZPdx9yiSN
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With a strained face, Pars induced himself to rumination.26Please respect copyright.PENANA7B0WZAoxO9
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"Since yer plan's ruined, does mean we can go straight for the Foreign one?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAtEvNVrINaR
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"Well, that wouldn't be a bad idea and all, but–"26Please respect copyright.PENANASnC4FSi91E
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His face stayed rigid. After a while, he just sighed.26Please respect copyright.PENANA7X8bYnQMIT
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"I'll have to discuss it with Lola. She's the head of this whole operation, but she also knows a lot more about the Pillars than I do."26Please respect copyright.PENANAzpSEvFIIov
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"...Gotcha."26Please respect copyright.PENANApVNy8p0hF0
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Juke meekly replied to Pars' conclusion. Pars fixed his posture again and pushed his hand through his hair.26Please respect copyright.PENANAATRLpEuv56
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"Alright, that threw a wrench in what I was gonna say. If we still go to the Central Pillar first, will you two still help us?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAJXq7tKUWz1
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Before Juke could give a response, I opened my mouth.26Please respect copyright.PENANAXmwEKbz9r4
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"I... I will. I still want to help."26Please respect copyright.PENANA8jPnFyK8yA
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"...I can't deliver the letter without yer group anyway. It'd be a pain to have to fight Hard-Bringer even more, so I'm prayin' that we skip to the Pillar we want."26Please respect copyright.PENANAKbwXOYSsrM
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As Juke proclaimed his thoughts, he walked over to Pars and offered his hand, which Pars almost instinctually took.26Please respect copyright.PENANAkIEWL3imt6
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"I'm glad you're on our side. I'm expecting big things from a big guy like you."26Please respect copyright.PENANAWTUer2AYvC
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Pars slapped the side of Juke's shoulder. Juke stopped shaking his hand but didn't let go of it.26Please respect copyright.PENANAzcnjaMunun
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"Ya really shouldn't, pal. I'll do my best, and that's all I can promise ya."26Please respect copyright.PENANA5DY0llHR87
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He let go of Pars' hand.26Please respect copyright.PENANACJ3iPbim64
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"I'll crash in one of these spare rooms."26Please respect copyright.PENANA57KyWgAi9u
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"Go ahead. We'll be leaving in a few hours, so make yourself at home. There should be food and water in any of them."26Please respect copyright.PENANA6qEnZvMEbc
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Juke gave Pars a nod and left. Pars looked at me intently. He seemed to be insisting on something. Then I remembered whose room I was in.26Please respect copyright.PENANA24cjGTn0fx
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"Oh, sorry, I'll go ahead and leave–"26Please respect copyright.PENANAP5D3Lr5IDA
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"No no, stay here. You're exhausted as is. Plus, I'd feel bad about kicking a kid out of my room."26Please respect copyright.PENANAVdydCAvc3t
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He crossed his arms and nodded to himself with a satisfied smile.26Please respect copyright.PENANAzt60OzfkSx
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"Rest up. I'll be seeing you soon."26Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZcOc9EvyF
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"Right. Thanks for the room."
Pars turned the other way and exited, closing the door behind him and leaving me alone.26Please respect copyright.PENANAgMZvG6bdtR
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"...I shouldn't waste any time."26Please respect copyright.PENANALGNm5DqDTa
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Before plummeting into another spiral of thoughts, I got on my wobbly feet and limped to the bed. I couldn't fall on my back, nor could I roll on it when my body hit the mattress. The moment I landed, my eyes closed.26Please respect copyright.PENANAsYaMtvHiDT
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Uncaring of the soreness this position would bring me, I immediately succumbed to sleep.