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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA6egYPfca4J
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"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"23Please respect copyright.PENANADxCwjVReMh
23Please respect copyright.PENANAoohRCiOXn7
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAx5Xa0cCCeg
23Please respect copyright.PENANAdcUi7ReVdI
"What are you doing!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAWNLUfVeV2H
23Please respect copyright.PENANATYPdd2lfxw
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"23Please respect copyright.PENANAqXlu43i2fM
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6EQOYeI9KJ
**BOOM**23Please respect copyright.PENANAe4NMrVAM2r
23Please respect copyright.PENANABym3QytFS2
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANARUkSEkcd4e
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"Ngh, damn it!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAySJ3s7O9Lk
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6wRvOt8V1o
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAmP6ByrFjZi
23Please respect copyright.PENANAhjxDHnWITW
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAzPs82bhPXA
23Please respect copyright.PENANAzUDObL8wQm
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAqTNSatlUy0
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4QoBnQsiTO
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANALks9ZmyrIJ
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It was like she knew I was going to fire it.23Please respect copyright.PENANA65TklubCAh
23Please respect copyright.PENANAMEG4vW4FTW
"--Damn it! Rover!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA9NGHJhKDHQ
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4YharhMGJj
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbUpoxvyB3G
23Please respect copyright.PENANAibbrLISUOH
"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAbEXW605cat
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgMeI5IhE8D
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.23Please respect copyright.PENANAAr1kAuyz5c
23Please respect copyright.PENANAv0n9oK24KF
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA5WcQO765eS
23Please respect copyright.PENANAOW7E86Bmks
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAvwr6mYCLMt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAW5lnJGZn94
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA3vC7HXxR5u
23Please respect copyright.PENANADQSmXaS8P3
"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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAQohkABnkY6
23Please respect copyright.PENANAHYKUh9vXct
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"23Please respect copyright.PENANAlIGI1Z6Wof
23Please respect copyright.PENANADs7SR4YIRe
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAGlDhGRyAz6
23Please respect copyright.PENANAW3He7noiFB
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANANDNXsfg9zt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVNNKAIT75r
"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?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAGJSuP8dTBi
23Please respect copyright.PENANARaSiziFhe2
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ck7rptnXF
23Please respect copyright.PENANAERta03jBhI
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAzh6YHvjS13
23Please respect copyright.PENANAR8xX6sE4eh
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.23Please respect copyright.PENANAKFJINbYmPF
23Please respect copyright.PENANAUeVuBKeZZS
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAGrPEC8GYF1
23Please respect copyright.PENANAvoNPTFpeiD
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAmXECY3Tj0U
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I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.23Please respect copyright.PENANAGM3LYBmnSh
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"Hey, Kenny!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAoM5Ot8tfnv
23Please respect copyright.PENANA1x6ByvwGfC
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.23Please respect copyright.PENANAdXAUU1dCEJ
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6p59XapRTP
"I-Is she okay?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAejf4QroLL9
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmZgH5njKnU
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAsiXiNVAlvH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQIovekticg
"I don't know what that is!"23Please respect copyright.PENANANwKAmTNL1h
23Please respect copyright.PENANAT0ehFCQbIL
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAsXtk1l1LJQ
23Please respect copyright.PENANA8DrfDyXk85
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAF03Qz1ZLjc
23Please respect copyright.PENANA8CSjXCbQX0
Though, that did raise the question–23Please respect copyright.PENANAPpx3xICbeU
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"Do you know where you're going!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA8uPOgMpOEu
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"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAOFgLD18KI7
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQJpRyJ3VJQ
"Ah– where is Dennis?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAdeb565wHGx
23Please respect copyright.PENANA8YUrBnJAQS
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA4oiND0YNnb
23Please respect copyright.PENANALrID0Y95fX
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–23Please respect copyright.PENANAD2PuDQm0hG
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"Shit."23Please respect copyright.PENANAH8AOojye9E
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAXHHjqFBB7I
23Please respect copyright.PENANAaz84q9Nv7t
"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.23Please respect copyright.PENANALnBt1nljIP
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwdWV5GU7ZF
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."23Please respect copyright.PENANAhVkKTC9WU7
23Please respect copyright.PENANAUb2JTQ4W2g
"...Alright."23Please respect copyright.PENANAJqqiWXlZtv
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I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.23Please respect copyright.PENANAJCoXIRDdxY
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"Alright, I'll take yer question."23Please respect copyright.PENANAesmxuEHrgv
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"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAff6touRIpf
23Please respect copyright.PENANAior2U5wfhI
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.23Please respect copyright.PENANAl8Qak1P3Kg
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"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."23Please respect copyright.PENANAQjpgbPUS7m
23Please respect copyright.PENANAbDwL0Veyix
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."23Please respect copyright.PENANAq4aT2Sq6G7
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The man stopped speaking.23Please respect copyright.PENANApSM8MZftsN
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"Alright, carry on, then."23Please respect copyright.PENANAPPlQnOd8h9
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkeceCGBHNC
"...Eh?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAgYZfnjfjrz
23Please respect copyright.PENANAxzSB9svDuV
I shared in his confusion.23Please respect copyright.PENANAdmaIFr8ejy
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"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."23Please respect copyright.PENANASRFvw8bnsD
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"I-If ya say so!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAm0Prn6mLz3
23Please respect copyright.PENANA0VNVDFaTjp
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–23Please respect copyright.PENANAGYOtW86AHe
23Please respect copyright.PENANAzQjgyUYnbF
"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."23Please respect copyright.PENANAOkf4lXr5K6
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAUejYOSr75f
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"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAdlcpgaPmgg
23Please respect copyright.PENANAryaSnuYPaL
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAoQtmfcFeIZ
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAcz6qFdpfAg
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I had spilled it in such an unfair way.23Please respect copyright.PENANA8TLsV8vrvb
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"Damn it, kid!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAClV8NugeaF
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6z5zeUBJCP
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.
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAYtY4RkoaAw
23Please respect copyright.PENANAeEXGLxxgvG
**SMASH**23Please respect copyright.PENANA8NqbcgFelG
23Please respect copyright.PENANAKz8SvolXDx
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAnyJkMhxOyu
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"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"23Please respect copyright.PENANASNb9LU5uf2
23Please respect copyright.PENANAOJT9FpyBBe
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA0IgZ4ZIMdU
23Please respect copyright.PENANAIzaD8shfFt
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANATlyOFlHFsG
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAHol8dHSPZq
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"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAHmpfMbsyZR
23Please respect copyright.PENANAXws9kiOhri
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAZgvUDnTwkb
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Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.23Please respect copyright.PENANASy1rwfAjRz
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"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAZnBbNKyCes
23Please respect copyright.PENANAMqbp45K1Xe
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAVUubRH7Ikf
23Please respect copyright.PENANADTms5lYr5i
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAylHkm5viBA
23Please respect copyright.PENANAx9LAKZxQuT
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.23Please respect copyright.PENANAa9F7sfMnmh
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAK61wJuWYyi
23Please respect copyright.PENANASk3Th6UaSa
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.23Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZoBsFGbHt
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"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANARdwZcM0IqS
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgXcaaj2MeG
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANASFsbYKBVQj
23Please respect copyright.PENANAjyXxsKt136
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAENiJYd2oPc
23Please respect copyright.PENANArdcVbeMIDA
His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.23Please respect copyright.PENANAiPfsHpYHvA
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4DV285XhhL
"Like I'll let ya do that!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAsmEdRlR3pM
23Please respect copyright.PENANAuvHzaGX8Go
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAX6aULmlnWt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkxZgmqVxUW
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA1beTFN6BTX
23Please respect copyright.PENANABAOmhm1ohD
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA2C250sZQv9
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"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAfqRNCNxjuZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAZgsLnqA27O
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA4zwOiRgseH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAJJA5DOLNq0
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAaTRKDaP4BI
23Please respect copyright.PENANAGkUP71r57U
Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.23Please respect copyright.PENANAYPcuMo4vZc
23Please respect copyright.PENANAariBg8DxzH
"--Hrk!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAmvhlZms0m1
23Please respect copyright.PENANAzy3aJd4M2e
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1eh7RraT9S
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVhoUcF3O8i
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA13YVm9xb6i
23Please respect copyright.PENANAR5EZOMfv2v
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAOcKdGqlw6q
23Please respect copyright.PENANAyGXx75ehrM
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAWPrXb3kJm7
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"Whatever!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAnc1t5Erd6K
23Please respect copyright.PENANA1VrB8KazTn
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAAsXNquj0B1
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmdI0yVZNkl
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA7WVgvJQ6FM
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I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.23Please respect copyright.PENANAFwzKaNPnox
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Dread, worry, guilt–23Please respect copyright.PENANAZAFdqwKNny
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"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA0MeH0xV3JE
23Please respect copyright.PENANACmhpnq0XNW
"...R-Right!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAz5FUoguC8V
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWWL4VhCjzX
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANApx0wkBqDsl
23Please respect copyright.PENANApHn46anjxk
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA320uO1zhRK
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**SLAM**23Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZzragGZ8G
23Please respect copyright.PENANAdtLX0BbQRR
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANASRgHRAKZeO
23Please respect copyright.PENANADAYkg45Ki6
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA6jdRqqesz0
23Please respect copyright.PENANAf2yuFhrtNP
"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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAWVtBwduRJP
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"--Ugh!"23Please respect copyright.PENANASiyzpV2sQF
23Please respect copyright.PENANAUpcA0rXnoE
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAh38H67O3ZL
23Please respect copyright.PENANAHEgjtM67Q0
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANArbIzJ7ZIBU
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**SMASH**23Please respect copyright.PENANAtuczgeIWaD
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgLSKAnnomM
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAT62fwQvRNJ
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.23Please respect copyright.PENANAc90aPgKVAJ
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA06HjhoB2EI
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"Ah! Sorry!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA5Yo98abLU8
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAoybjtmnlSZ
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAF0xZXLfyLX
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"N-No, that's not it."23Please respect copyright.PENANANDh5Rs6dG6
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAajSRmXfyrW
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"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."23Please respect copyright.PENANAA70gDy9l6S
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Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.