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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BPk7zmnGo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7pPkCIPGq
"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mvWOCn92S
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSgwbkipVb
"Right on."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXukSVo4wt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BprzKnKFB
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFcAKF1rwD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv67wuqqcj
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6v32MGui1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz1GaCYqM4
"Huh? Oh, alright."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOKr81yZfn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSObFMyGhY
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrz5ONs3pg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcwt3KJ6MR
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6hJMPwWLw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJijKss655
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipavXzayNJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RoQ6dHLLi
"Luck..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhNWtmfiNw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf2Ztzd6sl
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZklX90Zht
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJgS9Utw4P
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzpWOVoqYK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C3VeYsYaE
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OTqSIoPXM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMZ61Yo16O
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1sr2dHdr1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDRFYYsATn
"You people are strange..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa293opaCd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGELsVVNITE
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv03nZ6tzTs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9UA1EUiXa
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1bt43I7Ac
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmmJiiUrO4
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKwatW1Q35
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm5fkTagoa
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobnq3T5GfT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nBFPHk2FD
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauutesOB6I
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZVL7bmSDh
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX5POZlhzk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYt4uZTwa8
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIUcacFKwJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRvRySeTkh
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxshkPTiIP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN4F8In24M
"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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkORGkxmuQ2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInxQAw7ezl
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01dapMbpPr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7zdZWvBXP
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpAJJLNMtQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS3O6U0UOs
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtGgqnBvOM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9bGR5HbYO
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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LfJJHnXXD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwa9aW6PNS
"...Huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvo04PtbLV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bg4pGfxXG
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4s84po8m1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzmPWzeg3G
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhWEQwWKz0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65AhAV9i9m
"I can't deny that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsp1emkAi6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQW5q3qq3j
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgufCNL6zCf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSo43dLwqd
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDdalDqVk6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCPiRYSzF7
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo9zY7Ax95
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph9UTwHgAr
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsYNRym03i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlRg3p7mQI
"You're up."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pIWe3VmH7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgyG35H1j8
"Right on."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU0bZdAZZC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XGRnI6FII
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXWqnOFAwW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rDT9p3qJD
"That's... that's incredible."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WZdDJl2iG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ729c7ZwUi5
"Huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bogkbKauY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWN6dGrxfN
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgB7bqdz2X
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNL2y0WuhC
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUAC2SUq6v
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQdjfdooEs
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cXvBN3p4h
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPy8C1h7ag
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayzts9CzmV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINZbyj0f4U
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45hMNYr3rX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pmb0FQw4E
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN1cPIcUOs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWDEeaQhgD
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3vQC3eERm
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9YBincUXw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphfcmTSDq5
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJYNzd5WPq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv8LClgu9J
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkIExlsk56
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTD7PWZ4uG
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG3rdraIYF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0fV70MdGL
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAVBdodTKE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRvFeQQFgb
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsfT4zxjtG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHygegk408w
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G4gKn51tg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLioQaoTsY
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZfVCzUV64
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeSpa9p7MU
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE2Icv4oGs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjwiyq0Bqx
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz27bc6Ope
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1TKjeHqwt
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZocGTULf9k
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJAOzEnvVh
–
–
–
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmgISBJ0Dh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqTRTbhq0f
"What time is it now?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjktPXy4pk6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuOPOW5VIH
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCAFNYILFJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SjeMsgR0F
"Juke?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2OsVkp2pr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwmONutFHM
He looked at me and perked up.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Nw3QvxiR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccyFZMOEOn
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYBgMnwWF6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8o2vgXUCz
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGROKT0PhSH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyquiUqcZJ
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s7DPUlqKF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1NF8x9HkY
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7DX4zSioW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBLuPKRqzw
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ1cBAMsSW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs35ydWQ4xL
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lyoW8pM1c
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzD8b0DiVL
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8cBu53zmQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO4NDdm10v
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LdXJlYYKC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcHsgMYO8l
"S-Sorry, sorry."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunz3Zx3f0d
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EuNOQE4ob
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ltQviQX2L
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpQXa5ISpi
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7wiA9ASkn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2fxk05Ksr
"Ah, shit, yer right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oPj9xIEop
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlsXc7BIz8
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95t44VK0JD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolcHZwHuiC
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAcamsCeuS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByUOZmdKDo
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduntdsbW2A
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9E71izPzm
"Did ya just laugh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHujqalK2tY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwEtAEKDe7
"N-No, why do you ask?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsQXSsWqzY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57yQszeGzL
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4jQ7fCkui
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIMVAkRqRr
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP2DcD2r7B
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeWnVWWWxB
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vt8ZOvN2D
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnah69SKTLs
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXlAlbhXfA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP8mSt7SPP
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6lsj861J0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP91XxGhW3
He narrowed his eyes at me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkKKRWu8mo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTQaSu5avS
"I'll take yer word for it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc11wQZNLA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfEM5eY66V
There was a momentary pause. I176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWJP66Gy6B
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx8MkQSfy0
"So, what have ya been up to?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5yjJVs13E
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63jPIrtu2A
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmlrlVO4j5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcYGpQlYqO
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dGtTbGRz9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vWs0EeiTJ
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfBSiSfh7h
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbWb321xEF
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC9FCvMW9N
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjQYWqNGvh
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL71AcjAMG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r2FHurjA3
"The sleeping room?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZjJSpCWGC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A2BeJCIJv
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NmUDsx4Fd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK2FYdQOi7
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7aKAEvAFT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS52l7DCV9
He cocked his head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuj2EYBEey
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxguLqGlqDJ
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPq1M0tLNX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGHC2zebkJ
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiXnaYh2q3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DS9CcFK9v
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQQrVKBJpx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6KAcGXEZ8
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKbijwjh1Y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33sXbbPnJ4
"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..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOklChgXhHK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDsdDunjSb
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52BM2g8ij4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhKYeX5mQd
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kqTMzdnnY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCCiPHkCTY
"Loose screws?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN4jxfkqix
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxprIa939u
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnWui0rpSN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjw80guddn
He huffed from his nose and smirked.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM4K5sP4Nh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ci25p5RIG
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6jUllsq6f
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1aBPqYxgK
"Boring tales..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0o9NC5msn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluFUJ8tJSW
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBxxLWaVBa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOJOFDgEWD
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTfOQ0XDzj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVdJVSinP0
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGZPXveUIc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIq6kb2gkN
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0XqvZ8zXB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjHrqfA0Qy
"What, am I too young?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJXIuAee96
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUJM0iQUCD
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yn804NG9R
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AW4rTXVKL
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKevjGIXeaP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepo3HPv1eW
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzbJcHK6XL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn696Cz9Fm
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB54YyPHMhG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT3DFTVqVS
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HTeVrWdDi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkrRJqltKW
I straightened my posture.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDJu4XTgC1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhotXXtNTLz
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUwVSqrdsT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviaqoD0LVZ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVn39avPu5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVw3rnUf4h
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZImL16fV5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRfZsKEkjJ
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFytJ1QBvLT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfMppZ32Jt
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ528FlfVemo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdnMmMTbNw
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW57OnJJYDG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZUL79ECIE
He gave me a blank stare.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvigSNsQRL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAiGeIq36P
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVTMZDN1lk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN6JBumcRH
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsndpyvxP2Y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQF6rnisPR
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQT9K3yDvC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyiMqkrVm5
"See? There ain't a difference."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW2DN8vHSd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOJEyV4RmE
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClwiq9PAmP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSGo5v3i0N
"Yeah? And what are they?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWSrqjjQsH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluvWPwSuZr
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeodNDDCNM6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSftnV85UPG
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8wFehKdN4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnvHF7d4OH
To that question, I simply shrugged.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UNuzvOCbB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3hnbJOV3U
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6InUG65tkF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni0nvpSI55
"What a load of semantical garbage."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC11J49OyT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu89RMyF8ow
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftEc22M906
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATejPLzTDB
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf60qN4Vis8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH93ea2Yyo
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ0QGplB0y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQCMdc1rrl
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH80YGCbgMV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJhBQ6LuR
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRN9Iq0he6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbI6ayh8No
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5USuewLsp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWmTJbWpdz
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0YaWLrxVo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEFB6oaJsM
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoJe93SCdJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQybrWIlflO
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdz1L8AgfX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvLSL9OpZw
"I'm starin' at one right now."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uMOlpOmIg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWP8INBPtM
"You know what I meant!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Oi4tdQP4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hb3PqJ7wP
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEB2jnJMlK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk1OwTRZj9
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBh0LJAnTu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE3oDEkvlf
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjyIHPPA2y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey6PXF0nWj
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhl0Q5P7Qt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSZTjyudVe
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG1lT8dY9N
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuboVUix6hD
"You're definitely being generous."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnkX9drm7i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2wCuc7dmp
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ2gEy8iZ5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZruVzgcoqX
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF59fWJ2Ci
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOczGKXwRYh
He nodded his head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyX68qlWdu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyenZLOVMf3
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXit4IHL7QL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkcBSOtYRL
"...Oh my goodness."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbs2nNtsIJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFac4IdXLKA
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP0yonyY02
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSxnHywo9s
"What? It's just mud, kid."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6yIu5kmZG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRoR4QQQM4
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BeAZKEaOy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ufE8CF4WT
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XV9mf10nI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOrbYOZXiY
"Yes. I hate it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunaKkFQgN4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51k7qwSBcq
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHMfsJuvpo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh3IREwgca
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UKRVhvw71
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XmpVFc4x6
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX08xwT9ZYO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UKZVsyLJ8
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBIeA26BlH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWCIzCvRxH
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanEIwL9x6l
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FhzpwzErh
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrVQg9zkoK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8Uf8A5CLY
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIy6CVW3ZS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD8OxWgsJG
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BAovWpUqp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkYlme10FM
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB52nHQADGf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4rtDr2Z0b
"Nah."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHFJqYTSlb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXVEfuz29u
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeim5GHevWd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnJMKwy1Nu
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyxOOAlUMY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli0h4MR3RR
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YMqPxLWXo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVY4Tk9uAJ
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1kgGphvk4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFo2pKNxiA
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHaG985frf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPnD233fYt
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJNG5IXDxA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3Mq2jTIP5
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmapjDa3Bk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPmJzWToYz
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0aPuycRBo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSVjDQhkEK
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqMfEKgmK5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvraxdoHqjL
"Huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NL1WhcY81
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnPDpBz3rJ
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe22DL4fVBr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhK6g3rn0E
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF1nHj6RC4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWLEazh3GP
"So someone told you as well?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNGsXgpGBI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlBACrzNmx
He nodded with a smirk on his face.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeRcSY5zi9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAON8cA3HLj
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllIRP5MMU8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gZJ3BFXT3
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT7m6xlSgo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOBtgYczK
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L6gExadoU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHMm8mhDXf
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2vvHCCDKX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTTJVPi4AP
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63NzZp5xn6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87usyRobOW
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5mmZbLGRw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrwJgpBd09
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VQV6Sf75o
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHxhVu3NYo
"Strong?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg30EIzU6mZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6StPtIeNZ
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFaZWAk4iQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ68WKuo3ll
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYoZEh7km7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH4BIOwckb
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?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9FmkjchId
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ319yUFBDL9
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwYLy57jHw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMBskh2aiU
"Brat is certainly new..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwZbCwcAQg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kgyq0zaUx
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVzKnXVPBo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv5VGN7SUM
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsATdQQ4G0e
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLtMSXUJel
"Think like what?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLncgaWYi0P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XQkMJMxqP
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMloOSj0jI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yvVS04f3e
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle8F849EzD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSwwPfA83l
"J-Juke...?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gtshb68mx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXaceKioIv
"Do ya think I'm strong?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O9bhYuy5w
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVGuAz4gDb
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq92NN2ALEs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBkILDW9Lv
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvawtXW0G6T
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4luKshnor
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzSWgilXFu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr7SiFSk6Q
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1hRUT2irY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf45TjikeUK
"Yer a moron."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoJByyHc4V
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncyfapsE4d
"H-Huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy0o3nEizW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWxlJJqwOD
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dcxBO9sJF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywr55w2ZvR
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFm2rJrVbk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgPytTJ0Vh
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1JQgc3Voc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47wjTOf7Cp
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghb9uB0cKU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pqWGiMoLx
"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–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jwrlNSm1S
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aD2YygBpp
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcp8l119eT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCIJsKqMAT
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUd5329QXQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx2XrUltFs
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrAacnYCCi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGitohuYFU
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6wzB54rZW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ074PYZXyXG
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZn6kxQHbW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA62YSguZ3
And so, I spoke.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT6NOSveKu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILcQ3SS0wY
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNsZww5KTa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7D7Vr0S16
"...Yer just like that bitch."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZPsCkuuqx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjqeS0wqAR
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP43IlZjCd2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ8no9kven
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV9t4oz1fW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyj6X1LKyo
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpXskl6d3s
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW8pljaZy9
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a1RELREVC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Dh6zOJ7r
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtSo5sY521
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtIbTNWtlV
"You're missing the point!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlH0HWQMXu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvtoyRr8tg
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMdc9jEa74
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorIgduVQRX
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdBMb5ShgD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqxAygQ7X2
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg12YAeF8M
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPJfiSYKu1
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh6UhV1smG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbdGbTP9UR
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBju5pGPGz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cg7qUqm88
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwCq2IdafU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtvjPNNmtp
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSlD4OTms5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rUe7JhHWE
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzBIYmuFXu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIb81Twqim
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg3O56rUO8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQN9rTV6Od
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZYu1AZIsO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyBLLa6yI4
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRAlB2pPGT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa13K0uAZN
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
