As it would turn out, Serpents and Vines was a remarkably easy game to learn. The goal for all the players was to make it to the end of the board. Each player had a turn to roll a die, and depending on the number, the player would move that many paces. However, some tiles had, as the game would imply, serpents and vines, where the former would bring you closer to the beginning, and the latter, closer to the end.
Such a simple game made me think adults shouldn't be playing it. I also felt as if such a game existed elsewhere under a completely different alias. Setting those feelings aside, I was enjoying myself.
"That's a five. I barely missed a serpent, phew."
The bearded man, Damon, was in the lead. Nigel was in second place, and due to an unfortunate series of dice rolls, I was dead last. I was surprised that something like this could make my eyes twitch, but I was able to keep myself composed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAwX38F10E
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXZRwTFt2k
"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlWNjmv2KQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgX6OyYFJW
"Right on."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgCjsey8kP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAFt78botB
Turns shifted and the die rolled. The process repeated a countless number of times and the minutes passed by quickly. At some point, it stopped being that way. At some point, rolling the die and moving a figure a few paces forward became dull. Looking at Nigel and Damon, it was impossible to tell if they felt the same.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql7jkB00Aj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zNIu9oTa0
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4JTkB5tk2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX88nWtqc2Z
"Huh? Oh, alright."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwjAR7TzRb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6APHa1Ttke
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFySlefEz3A
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA3ervxbz7
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NxV6c99qr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNa7c1pldp
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY34jSs3n0e
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQD6wKn8Ia
"Luck..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrARusbJp4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrflFuQK29j
Damon had a point. Maybe the absurd reliance on luck to function was why this game so quickly lost its luster. I moved my figure forward and was sent straight to the beginning. I sighed as my head sank.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK7m4rfuyT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArQSkTLTd4
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOTNV4aL6e
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6b9mr2wiu
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb1MMipL2D
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEI6WDr3GC
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPHJ1ut8Ol
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtRmCJZNpF
"You people are strange..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliiGJEMvmt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLDFf15K2d
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99HXgLiktl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcJJW6WXQK
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3QKnja4Sd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQQf8qv1xM
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ3vtCuzCC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2HGz7P3Ae
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyowsAcXSs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNgIhVVCL0
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLBxes9PDQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCAi3Q1OQf
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdDL40pkOG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvZmtG3Gl8
"Especially Damon," Nigel stressed, "It's only natural if you ask me. Our upcoming operation will be the biggest battle we've ever fought. I'm sure the same is for you, Kenny; aren't you nervous?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LbD6m8pok
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTG9kCg9Kd
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIoAZyBFVK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDfVMkshYH
"But?"
I pinched my chin and thought: why was it that I had a reservation for his words? I knew better than anyone how parasitically such events nibbled your psyche. But still, I struggled to believe it.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrMuTxtzrf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgUllwwtaa
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tVGSgodBp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvugzo8QT5r
"The whole Retaliation Crowd seemed so enthusiastic during that meeting. I didn't see you specifically, but with how loud the room was, you were cheering and roaring too, weren't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVhAQZOxcP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQz3CurgUX
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtCF183NdE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqEvcMEBAH
Nigel looked away and placed his chin on top of his fist.
"Well, don't tell anyone, since it's a big secret and all, and I don't want to be beaten for spilling the beans, but we collectively agreed to act that way."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUnP3GSKE3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PY0UZjq56
"...Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKPZl76IFY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQytCDP89R
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3rakFUEzT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxoMXstwVr
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGw9p51UAZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9oQuzx389
"I can't deny that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjONqv4dkak
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZgZoWhIyc
"Right. We figured that it would make the situation worse if they thought we were dejected too. Let me tell you, after hearing the news about the Raptors, it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPkCx6H58O
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT0d0uLIRf
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN0b7mfBJg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX835Cj5svU
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tr9Kaq5gK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2WyOxpw6a
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34caUyeBeN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYcCcxp709
"You're up."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HXTuVzC1k
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxM9xgRdVC
"Right on."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rCoUwjUlg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8DMbhWn30
They kept playing the game as if nothing happened. It gave me ample opportunity to mull over his words. I had a knot in my stomach at first, one that came from confusion, but as I mulled over it, I felt something spark inside of me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTpN31wjwg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0KqVKFQxn
"That's... that's incredible."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWAzXxgL80
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrm5QjQmDT
"Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnLc1j1G7u
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73eznCtwQb
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVNQh26OQR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRyo62NmwI
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIXeWjMDZU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmereJGRxX
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFh3Qt1wZ5
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXFd4nQaaT
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgkBkZdKrl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4pjOfSTF1
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKFmAaWRla
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8ZRDL57xH
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaYLAS2rnP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflf5UF8Hxb
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOcZhva4Wy
I sighed and clutched my head. The other two started cackling, which only furthered my frustration. I tried not to let this moment spoil the other.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0RERb2jXz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGaqZzp30E
"I'm just messing with you. It's flattering that you think that. It makes me feel like I'm doing this for a reason."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYhPMQXhgQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzoPzcUGXQ
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSxV2sw9kn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAxa6dpxnk
"Yeah, fighting, sure, but being a guard in general. I'm glad I'm making a good impression on the kids. I'm sure Damon thinks the same. Right, Damon?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYbS4TCShf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MoKkEHpBT
He didn't voice a response, nor did he make a gesture. He had an eerie glare aimed at Nigel, who looked completely unbothered. As the two continued to play their game, I looked at them. Guards with a duty, poised to fight the very next day, yet here they were, playing a trivial game, and smiling through all the stress.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvQHD1uiQx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvduRwtUjsK
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMdejgzIhZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDGrkyIQak
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTmTju3JQa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXKsmlEpTQ
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPirSJmycx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFlBW4xqzV
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVbhMznKQN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YWqGzuGwK
I had no doubts that I'd be seeing them. Or, at the very least, that they would be there. It was a comforting thought. It made me warm. Nigel patted my shoulder with a quick chuckle, and I wasted no time leaving the game room.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkctuPN9DYm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDc01wY9q0
As I approached the door, I looked at my hand. I curled and flexed my fingers. I balled it into a fist. I felt ready in mind and body, and more than ever I had a conviction in my heart.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEpX9Gl7DB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ388O5lzIvR
–
–
–
I was out of the game room. Instinctively, I checked my wrist, then as I lowered it and asked myself why I did that, another question barged out of my mouth.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvhMcyL1hD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgVe5Yuq49
"What time is it now?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtfFAUOWIi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mWXGjD7wS
And as if someone had heard me, the door to my left opened. I looked to see who it was, and out came a person I was all too familiar with, but with a face I hardly recognized.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedVue9nsvP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o45N6pzPx
"Juke?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJOShHms1E
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb8wIXAAd9
He looked at me and perked up.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcabNxg01KE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxLlRwghzN
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzIZB98Mfa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yxk2E1hpI
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQVU1wqcHu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKKlTC4qdl
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi9x0SkL89
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZAW8UEm71
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjEBfDNla5
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwizTI8SRk
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gy0vOQire
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDVRMvLbop
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkpa2C12Nr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZujCfWapKx
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9j9huuJj0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VKddxCjsQ
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE97amDete2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5JGfUgBc4
"S-Sorry, sorry."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5ufT0f5Mf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX7VofDzqF
I slightly bowed with my apology. Juke walked away and up to a couch, but before he made it anywhere, I stopped him with my words.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSchaIszwD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nD2omRHlb
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPkoG4oz4U
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXPVHahvwO
"Ah, shit, yer right."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZvMYgwvRc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoflXxu9R9r
Thus, he walked to the door and closed it, then he returned to walking towards the couch. But neither I nor my gaze followed him. My eyes were glued to the door he had just shut.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JIjMIMIVr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqBb6Mh4d7
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkI7OlwZrI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2JB33Bawf
I looked at Juke. Juke, who was missing his helmet. He let out a big sigh as he sat on the couch. I connected the dots, and all of a sudden, a little snicker escaped from me. Juke turned his head to me. I quickly suppressed my voice and walked up to him, sitting on an adjacent couch.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVKBvj8ZC3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1SbuDW1hj
"Did ya just laugh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL4WR3BoDl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ck27XpR1
"N-No, why do you ask?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurBLoZYQAO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmYVLY3UtC
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuvAHPlyQl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvA2oD126f
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQkzmVJ9mL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sSWC5IZxb
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BuzlgYh8v
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyR0ne8USH
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mE6qYPAHM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRSB2wt2tY
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkyru6J4Rd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeoeCSPtB4
He narrowed his eyes at me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStusErM9B3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRyftmwbK7
"I'll take yer word for it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAe16aL54V
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY36XthTCpu
There was a momentary pause. I166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ2Hsnt5Lo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqA3zwsfFn
"So, what have ya been up to?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHKy8WTdFO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz1rSf4S9U
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu8oxrn9Dd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEoqCWbnYr
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDAMuxiJm6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFGtRzklNA
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6YPAOrBvt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeT0en8u7x
"What, the sleeping room? It ain't anything to write home about. It's just a bunch of beds. They're pretty damn cozy, I'll give 'em that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi5kRcXAOC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMKlaWQgT9
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06UjT81pwF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7QgFeaPOl
"The sleeping room?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pcEEhHNFG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDTZJWVPW9
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YOwqsRgB0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGSsD0M52f
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpSVEItymw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMq6LNtCEr
He cocked his head.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfOHWVBbvN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNQlFlRSuY
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBDJSCmvzn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEfBZcCK99
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfOtU1Lvu7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Tf3fmMaj
Maybe not every member of the retaliation squad was noble and principled. Juke shrugged at my request, and another round of silence ensued. Since he had already brought up the topic, I decided to press him on the matter.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAay0QgMS0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7A5kH2hQt
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSOYlagwFD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4a219cShS
"Nah, there's more than enough beds. The room's gigantic, I tell ya. I ain't a good judge of smell, but I got no issues with it. And, the guys and gals themselves..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw9loOw4z1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKjmbBYTQD
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfowUOvjD2Z
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASvComGvpH
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPez2UZ4TBV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP0Wuzw9ak
"Loose screws?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN8vTXceQ7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvNEbzgOID
"They're a story-telling bunch, almost every one of 'em. And they got these crazy stories, kid. I can't tell if they're tellin' the truth half the time. Even if they ain't, they're crazy for telling 'em."
"Well, are they at least exciting?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpczczJhfi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs1Ku9LCcw
He huffed from his nose and smirked.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjydcHWJ5BS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDmNxGyB00
"They ain't half-bad. But I can tell a better story. A weak guy like me's gotta get good at spicing up his boring tales, don't ya think?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC6biJyvqI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcvwrqoghB
"Boring tales..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawENBTYpDg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sNsWzsSsX
The only story Juke had told me from his past was brief, but from the content alone, I would be an idiot to call it boring. I didn't bother to mention that, though.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LZQMM33n1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndBrAov88j
"I wouldn't know, Juke. I wouldn't know. But if you're so confident in your storytelling capabilities, why not try them on me?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt7pi53rrx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L1MNusQrZ
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6pe88EUwx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsA5pnnUeY
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN54KX3XL2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhMymKEL3I
"What, am I too young?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AL8ffJ6Ve
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUdUcS8CO1
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNjEVeo8D0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzYURFJT6n
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihijorklTH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv47P0pvFi9
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClkNR7Tugb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBCCPbZRk4
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y9yanhSwL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMPkRroHl6
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwA6jJiM4S
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcUFP0WKII
I straightened my posture.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcEwtlGtBe
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWCLvvwP1x
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttCw1U36Xd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nWSMPG5up
With all the balderdash I'd faced since our arrival here, it hardly shocked me that I couldn't remember such a detail. It didn't make it any less frightening, though.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRWLUFgivu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1E1JM2vh7
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmejhNlbI2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn8WyYLBlz
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDSG2vrsHG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9erpgAUTF
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSk0SJH0CG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwNi5FCA9B
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALuJiavq8r
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRRr7T6vub
He gave me a blank stare.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJIFBZft6I
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6qACJlFRY
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdIzBaIIGk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9CZyXMtYB
I opened my mouth as if I had the answer at my beck and call. All I had to do was run my mouth and it would come out effortlessly. That was what I thought until I made a light gasp, and followed it up with nothing. I retracted my head and lowered my gaze to the ground, suddenly deep in thought.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3La6evisV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK32WBIKsre
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY6AqoujsA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsETHo98fv
"See? There ain't a difference."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdabvsBYyKV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6IPxrGndY
"Well, of course there is! When you think of a wizard, you think of someone who is dignified, powerful, and above all else, modest. That's a stark difference from what ideas the title 'mage' gives you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCvOYcTNmN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAqI8pP33X
"Yeah? And what are they?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv70wV4pvs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx5057G8UV
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJNR0OBbIK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmGGfLWDmt
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4F7VegZbs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKct6ruOW7
To that question, I simply shrugged.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3egtUAbmt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtHucySh7C
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOMstebET2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTavP2ip2yA
"What a load of semantical garbage."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NRyjoEc2S
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0ukuVvd4B
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtiXY6YJjR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TSksPvFes
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz03EJ4UDB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ1cKKw36e
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru5VdTw0Hx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOicMCNrnL1
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsj254zB8s
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5JNVcmgat
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OLl0hN03N
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO9VBWYIax
I thought long and hard about it, scouring my memories like I was going through a book. Certain segments made my head ache, but for the most part, I recalled all I needed to reach a conclusion.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWrH0dLBII
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG8MLrBlfh
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pQSihXKQa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST02b9Isq1
Juke nodded along to my words, which confused me, because he had no idea who Skylark was. He shouldn't, at least. I put that detail aside and fired right back at Juke.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef0HzfZxfT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SukQwg8tG
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYATbcGLpg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAT2L8Z1qJ
"I'm starin' at one right now."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gLVlVJxTW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvY6r1piOX
"You know what I meant!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXK5kgS2uv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSJhm2Yq2Q
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ34DNxM9Y
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBH4Obvd0N
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtun65MImRW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5iP2IavIA
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xbzszGxRp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3hmEVCp0h
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQZAKgV3Ex
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDCaDRSqDN
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jCVjgiWvn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNhHRQJwnH
"You're definitely being generous."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6Up1TyoJN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilh28Fo0ag
"Nah, see for yerself, kid. Those folk call him the 'Mud Wizard.' Sure, I ain't seen him fight, but if all these strong folks are calling that guy a wizard, that's gotta mean something."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU4QCUy9Yr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIiLBExhFF
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgQmIYrKRs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk1efYA064
He nodded his head.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL68I8AR871
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15rhBHUFAX
"I saw that bastard do it. All he did was make some dirt in one hand and water in the other, and just like that, mud."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gl3pIXph2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd6rGAILz4
"...Oh my goodness."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUdgVhMn28
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4h5nzN4gd
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ycBinLr0B
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3b448dA7q
"What? It's just mud, kid."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T8o1eYUBv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aaIMIQ48R
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDUGVZMdnw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53x5VU0sIU
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR6vUkHBii
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbmCuNzVDb
"Yes. I hate it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCHwU6ixw5
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXgVxNfdGm
Our conversation came to a short halt. There was something I wanted to ask Juke, but he posed a far more interesting question of his own.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3rgx60xUG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bNttzi3wq
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z5D9omd2V
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45KNQ32sU6
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2tzI0RyOP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo139FyM7r
"They aren't driving me crazy or anything, you don't need to worry. Honestly, they're an inspiring bunch of people. A few of them, not so much, but as a collective group... I think they're admirable."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVrPqFZxsw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycrjYC5m4P
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMnOBpFA0v
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HJyXuBKpN
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1GzlK2mww
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZe6ORdIc7
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGOPsItg7Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxbA7d4z2V
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrT7dmK5Dz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeTGJDBNsm
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImcufIqjY0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV1n3uKuhk
"Nah."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHIue2l2RB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6kSlEXlec
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCuekoVbHo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1vE70RSJv
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuusyTEtJe
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo949awqH5
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6JUM6zXIz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7q7MeiUCs
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqpmuAc9PZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywM3yXXjnw
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiFHis50IA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6m5yihxs
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcP34DIUYZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXkd2Sq8Jy
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhQbfkjgnF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOzm9kS3oE
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegQtOXxRSS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvidyhD5Hl
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeCADSYKO1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcwW7WrZWZ
"Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICns7iJNfC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSHSALlRC8
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zbqwkUJl2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ670yI2UKTu
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o7MpaljZf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQGUpp43oZ
"So someone told you as well?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0ppu0vwWG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUWWPSKzGw
He nodded with a smirk on his face.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtuqBrSNkW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjksjeJiCj
"They're tellin' me it's a big secret and all, but they're telling this junk to chatterin' fellas like yerself. What a bunch of show-offs."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUch4gx2l7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ec5ZlJ5sM
I responded with a nervous chuckle. The idea of them being show-offs wasn't unfeasible, all of a sudden. But I still held that conviction in me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom5Iv6nXrD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscmcZDFuFX
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGutIR8rMf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3nn8mNRjs
He kept his eyes on me, indicating that he was paying attention. I was beginning to get cold feet, but since I had already thought it out, I kept talking.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepk3hqXmSV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcSrMmmuiX
"It's their attitude that I admire. At least from the few I've met, they're determined to see this mission through. And they have all that determination despite their fears. Despite the fact that they're afraid, through the foreboding tingles and tremors in their fingers, they look at the task at hand, look at what must be done, and declare that they will do it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87VbgmlvPP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63rMwMiNlv
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKJOEFLisV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjfPnulBKT
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSB9khKlVX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5TtqWV7F7
"Strong?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAOHjjnsjZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeUe3Nei1e
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnKGdXtERK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TiPhIHQlb
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH5d0QYqas
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT74fno7I9
Juke looked away and at the fireplace, slinking and sinking deeper into his couch as he released a heavy sigh. It was an unusual feeling to say he was 'wistful', but what else could I call that sullen look on his face?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzijreY6Yc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH0YU55VAB
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fU7WpkEFI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9CmFxm5z8
"Brat is certainly new..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAcw9EaQpc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv61dxo9Jy
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD8A0fpl37
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO84psmt7PN
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUX86K39n0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOQsp9cNwV
"Think like what?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D8PRVaUpV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxFv22XqiU
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLZ8cogHSq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Yv7CkULa
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVPohmQNqs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKr228zPWI
"J-Juke...?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJLuwTgdU6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk09MW8cj9J
"Do ya think I'm strong?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Ac7WwTEs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkCcQyocNU
With what he was doing, this question kicked my perplexion into a nauseating fierceness. I felt inclined to pinch myself to check if I was dreaming, but I was long past hoping that I was asleep.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B4vZDeyIW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmjzDpOAJU
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw52LaQHX6j
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7mItWWzg7
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrBbFGScYM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fon9Y6eVu
I couldn't help but remember the times Juke was there to save me or to fight alongside me. Without his help, I'd likely be dead. Despite his nonchalant disposition, Juke was someone I could rely on. In that manner, Juke was one of the strongest people I knew, and someone I was proud to call a comrade.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzMzMatxVA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp5sqaL6TI
"Yer a moron."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5d3Uo8msC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hgHyEOCgb
"H-Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUmJcnCzyP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInZDjhvleq
But my resolute answer was shot down. I composed myself quickly, and with a will I didn't know I had, faced his scrutiny head-on.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUBjjogLpb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12KZtP484u
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu2RE7JW3n
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNxxYUmNqh
"In front of ya is a guy twice yer size. I've got muscles and a sword on my hip. I'm a guy who's been doing missions and fighting monsters for over half of his damn life. Yet yer the bastard who tore a Lionant apart with a flick of yer finger, like it was instinct, and ya ripped a hole in the ground so large I thought I was gonna drown in all the sand that fell to cover it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjprhFaEN4S
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlSFAx4gDt
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ivbcqj4yf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHahheMCpSJ
"If I fought ya right here, I'd die. Ya already know my tricks, yer already experienced enough to where a big weaklin' like me can't just swing his sword and cut ya. If ya really wanted to, I bet ya could destroy this whole building, what with yer plants and explosive magic. Tell me, kid–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBit3PXNtV3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEKj8Dl8ti
He took a step forward and drew his sword. He didn't brandish it, only used it like it was a paper with a speech on it.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNnYjnJNaq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwbrTVu1A6
"How the hell am I strong? When I'm faced with these Retaliation Squad maniacs, when I'm faced with yer power, when I'm faced with that girl, Rover, who moves like a damn monster, when I'm faced with the fiends and beasts at Hard-Bringer, how the hell am I strong?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSoTEKIHiC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG1XTrxFFx
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn2TyU420E
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TW2NgL4bp
Time wasn't an issue. Juke looked at me with patience he had never exhibited. This was a question he wanted an answer to, though the look in his eyes told me that whatever I said would matter little. I had no space to think, though. Something grabbed my throat and squeezed it hard enough to where the air couldn't reach my mind, and to where the words couldn't form. I was in a box of some kind, though I couldn't see it, and the couch, a comfortable surface but a moment ago, exacerbated my feelings by locking my movement.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYRpChL93X
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AEHG3xqKV
However, these feelings were irrelevant. In front of me was someone that I wanted to help, and if I couldn't start now, with nothing to inhibit me but the mood in the air, then I was hopeless.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qlwpnTuri
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ165mgxuVJ
And so, I spoke.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XpJuBjTTV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqMTsCnVP4
"Y-You– You may not be the most capable, but if it weren't for your decisiveness, then that Lionant would've eaten me long ago."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP62Ntm52zn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIeJp7FVWZ
"...Yer just like that bitch."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPF9SGNeKf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwexGUeMu4
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14aDTCeQBm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLajRs7gXro
"Ya yap about things like will and determination. All yer lofty ideals ya strong people put on a pedestal and teach to everyone else, turnin' them to morons. Decisiveness? The hell's that any good for when the most I can do is swing a sword, eh? Courage ain't gonna brave the storm of an armada, like I saw yer kind do so many damn times."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutHQyPo9a9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxcS4PwlSR
He took another step back. His face was contorted. It was difficult to look at, and looked difficult for him to have. I snatched the moment to make my rebuttal.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVFhtDBvHu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawUPb1GOQe
"S-Such traits aren't useless! It wouldn't make any sense for it to be! I-I mean, what good is power if the one who has it is too scared to wield it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvboHKdgw30
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXC4ikYmDQ
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAO8Hvu5kY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZFNT6hyfk
"You're missing the point!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMefHXUopv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPYyXttZBD
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclIPDfaBGN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ngm2WBGHS
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOHFOOTurq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitUmuYAyR7
His comment struck a dissonant chord with me. Time stopped for a moment, and by the time the world around me flowed again, Juke was out of my sight. I heard his voice beside me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUKb3fwRkc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9jLQ7pcc4
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e05wLZQtx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqmbwn2Sxi
And he walked off, towards the room. I couldn't let him do that. I couldn't let this end on such a note. But, I didn't know what to say. A part of me was flustered; another, angry. But all my being knew I had to say something, anything.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QLJAPVPpf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF8ydd2I22
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRom0NUiPS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5exwHeLmr
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCt4w3UIAR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYXwFsVf1Z
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTUAHWaDd4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCBE2UeORT
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ0u7NAN74
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD3hy29aEO
I wasn't looking at him, but I heard the soft thuds against the carpeted floor cease. He let out a grunt and gave me his final words.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhwPUz3aq7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIGULwprSi
"That was just luck, kid. That's all that's keepin' me runnin'. Has been from the start. It's gonna run out one day, ye'll see. And when it does, my ghost will find ya and all the strong folks who say the same shit, and laugh at yer damn face."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooZTJwsGVC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUcN8geRO7
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
