Keeping up with the crowd was nigh impossible. Juke was saintly enough to wait for me, but I could tell by how he clicked his tongue that he was getting annoyed. Or was he getting anxious? I couldn't tell.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DZtKoE2q5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpseagxzBPf
We arrived at the third floor. Another duo split off and the rest of us ascended. My poor stamina gave me difficulty, but I was riding a wave of adrenaline and anticipation I'd never felt before. Each step came and went without me realizing it, and soon enough, the floors whizzed by like a faint image. It was not until the seventh floor that I acknowledged what I saw again.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZn4U2L8V7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzIkyqpbSU
As it had gone since this started, I arrived last in the room, taking a moment to pant and catch my breath. The floor this time didn't have a straight shot from the entrance to the exit. It resembled the first floor more than anything: a large surface area with a foyer-like zone and branching paths, its size made possible only because there was no hallway transitioning from the stairs.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThIIkPmWDI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclFOqVmeWs
What was truly worrisome, though, was the lack of Bringers.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7bFjVED4G
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAqGNgDfAv
Though the floors flashed by, I never failed to keep my eye on the danger that resided in them. Not seeing them right away immediately put me on edge, and judging from the sluggish pace of everyone else, I wasn't alone. The crowd practically prowled the room. Some even checked behind furniture.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz96MtITKHV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBf4Gc4vfB
A minute passed, and the foyer was pronounced empty. The crowd left the zone, but I had to shoot one last scanning glance before I followed. They all moved to the left, and moving in tow, I turned the corner.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4C4rR4vQM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBsyE3qpG3
Though the entrance was similar to the first floor's, the primary chamber was different. Instead of a bulk surrounded by a circling hallway, it was four evenly spaced booths, forming a diamond, on a carpeted floor. The exit was placed stiffly by the topmost box. I noticed it before anyone else, but I was too nervous to point it out. It barely mattered since Pars noted it just a second later.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznZJBDjO6H
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"Exit's here! Let's roll!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKccyjMTEE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohAzReDTcr
I had a perfect line of sight from where I stood. Pars' forge ahead, and the sudden figure that sprung from a blindspot.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJiNndLmCd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTVcukcT9j
Everyone was caught off guard. The figure wore a familiar robe, one I loathed to see. Pars managed to block his leap, but the man had a cylinder resting on his shoulder. He pointed it at him and–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6eXWjyUbp
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErDeLlCwWi
**BOOM**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A9pBeThPb
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7IqMmrGps
A cloud of debris burst throughout the room. I closed my eyes in the nick of time, but the dust pricked and pinched at my skin. At least, it felt that way at first, until the squeezes transformed into burns.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxBWiTNqXl
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"Ack!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1dL2jodZ1
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I brushed my skin with my hands but it was futile with how thick the cloud was. Too afraid to open my eyes, I moved my feet backward until I collided with something. My back hit the wall, I fell to the ground, and only then did I work up the nerve to see.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhppLcDUxaD
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The room was a catastrophe.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sBJfAMK8u
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt9AMSSk2q
Bodies littered the floor like wilting flowers. The warriors still moved and breathed but they writhed and gasped, clawing at their faces and limbs. The dust cloud was fortunately settling, and in the midst of nigh-cadavers was the robed man, lying on the ground.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzboVOFDx5u
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht7G3CZY77
Pars was on him. His coat was seared and his face was scratched, but he still brought down punches as if he suffered no injuries. After a few to the face, the man blocked one and shoved Pars off his body. He got up to the ground fast and assumed a fighting stance.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Ip9LEGDs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpLMG6hDRL
"Everyone," he shouted, "if you can see, help the blinded! Get a move on!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBLOebQlnH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9DsKA7eEH
Through the pressure of the situation, his commanding words resonated with the crowd. People followed his orders to a tee; everyone but me. I stood there, not from terror, but indecision.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l9XY4aJTx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdI4KsmZOQ
I was behind the robed man. His backside was perfectly exposed. I was stuck between running or sneaking in a strike. But, once the two started exchanging attacks, I quit my vacillating and propped up my arm, beginning mana expulsion–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFeDJpyLAv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wrW6PIoPr
**STRIKE**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9XoQBcQ4Y
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–only to be immediately interrupted.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnViFHSMRq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMSSfaWDb2
A metallic clang blew out and shook my body not because of its ferocity, but because it happened right behind me. I turned my head a second after and saw two clashing swords, forming an x.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05Ej9SEvPe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDEklWTqE0
"Stop standin' still kid! Move!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0qUF0c6nH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rwD2UVWmO
Without a second beat, I scurried away. I continued mana expulsion, partially out of instinct, and weakly lobbed a sturdy stone at the swords.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUFaafL8r4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsLKno0GlK
I didn't hit them. They separated, and only then did I see who wielded them. Juke on the right, and another robed man on the left.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsvB9v1z9r
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeWCRoi9qB
I've seen those navy motifs enough to have them evoke a fighting instinct in me. I quickly regained my composure and got in a stance, taking my tendril out. Juke ran to my side, but he didn't stop.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPeZqfVYJ7
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"C'mon!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedqXmT6vvv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw5mlxonUL
"--Ah!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YGVgh49Pm
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I was quick enough to realize that this wasn't my fight. I turned tail and followed Juke, noticing that I finally wasn't the last to leave.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRFeloDmtH
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I made no effort to inspect the ones who weren't moving.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa14XMuzACQ
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–
–
–
What a moron.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbJ9UUr1Yz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCxAVqTDus
It was to be expected– it should've been expected. The signs were so obvious that he knocked himself for being so remiss.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIwfMT1EhL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTaaZ8Rz9r
A large room, utterly silent until the decisive moment. An ambush in a guarded building; what a concept, wasn't it?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FyBr2f94v
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xZiq3J9VA
**THUD**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hqV1pjhT7
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"Ngh!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uFXqXISZl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuMQqOKgZv
That quaking strike brought him out of his scolding. He slid across the floor, biting his lips over his bruised arms.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FJQN5hcZp
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7PfYeel6P
"That thing on your shoulder's a real blowhard–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTt88qhG4Y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e2rf5LIuU
Unable to finish his line, forced to roll to the side to avoid a devastating projectile. It shook the room even through the magic-resistant skeleton. He got to his feet and reached into his torn coat, pulling out a single crossbow and shooting.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjV0yBkvsk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTONRaNnD9J
To his surprise, the bolt connected. The Bringer was too slow on his feet to dodge it. It didn't connect with his body, however.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjh1YGSW4A
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"--I should've known!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS3PKUlT60
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChF5mPukPY
Instead, the bolt lodged into a plate of wood, one thrown from the side. Pars darted his gaze and saw a second Bringer. They quickly rushed to the first one's side.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwKsTwhVBL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELdWoILfy1
"Two against one, huh? I should've expected such dirty play, but–!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n5paybzKG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y1gUN8qKl
Pars had a tool in his disposal to even the odds.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt0cAlbyKp
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoDmi0qmqU
"DAVE!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnu5wbqgJJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKck36XLG0
Shouting the name of his colleague, he turned his head this way and that to see where his partner was, making sure to glance back at his enemies occasionally. The Bringers didn't move, but they exchanged looks. Pars understood the meaning even with their faces covered. He ignored that, focusing on his unsuccessful finding of his friend, and so–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF41s2iCw5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYRSaW3C79
"Dave! If you can hear me, I need some help!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8N1vx4R8h
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n7xCySnkd
He shouted again as he eyed the Bringers. The two got in a fighting stance, brandishing their respective weapons and preparing to dash. But, they didn't.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqUWTLSCnn
It wasn't out of trepidation, of fear or anything of the sort, but because they noticed something Pars didn't. He glanced behind him and spotted the man he'd been looking for.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3sX9TVQy2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrT36xqSgf
"Dave? How'd you get over there!? I just checked that place!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJpePGxge1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qFLOzi20W
"Shut up, please. From now on, talk only with regards to the battle."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21IPUv4RmS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkfyohVxRn
He stood up from his crouched position. Pars noticed that he was standing beside a body. It was motionless; completely still in the limbs and the chest. Had he not noticed that, Dave's face would've still given it away.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXSKFEb5lZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNwgcaREbq
"...Those are our first casualties–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAbPU0kf8Z
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNOY4lTrlx
**BOOM**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELzLcpyGZg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCN3liaqFk
As Pars was making his remark, an ear-shattering blast materialized before him. His eyes looked away from the blast, as his head was turned to Dave at that moment. When he jerked back, all he saw was a floating, crumbling piece of pottery.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJX1y0Lqlg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLmvc5t4NV
"--Shit, I lost my focus! I owe you one!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyty9LlYdqF
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO4LK7Jgfs
Dave slowly strode to his side. He snatched the grains of the pottery, and as he held them in his hand, they shrunk into a pulp of clay he promptly dropped into a sack.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXoAIxGiEd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzfcSCM7TM
"I'm here now."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxJbqyTxPZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIARoluEU6
Leaning down and reaching inside the sack, the two warriors now mirrored each other's stances. They glared at Bringers, anticipating a jerk, a dash, a shot or a swing or a slash. All the Bringers did was reciprocate.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPItqkUyIf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZeKuNqtp7
The clashing duos stood stock still in the silent room. Maimed by magic, coated in blood, reeking of death. His pounding heartbeat– the only sign he wasn't like corpses. Pars knew that losing would only lead to more.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OP7q93Scp
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHiLfYcolq
And thus, he dashed forward, reaching in his coat.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvnRScnCgB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbFiDwoi8s
–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZje8aEQ6Dt
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyWvGBY3Ki
–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmJNgkW4Sk
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnRAZi6kZc
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By some force of nature, the two men split to combat their respective opponents. Pars thought of stopping for a second, calling for Dave to help him team up on this one or something of the sort. But Pars knew they didn't have, nor ever could have a relationship like that.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dsyeWy5tg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhnHdsB5Rf
He thought it strange that these were his thoughts right before the fight. Pars pushed them aside, but they already left their mark.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwzN99vEGN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP5rJHq5kx
He drew his knife out of his coat while putting his unloaded crossbow back in. The man he was fighting with was the one with the explosive cylinder, a weapon that succeeded in range just as well as it did in close quarters. But from its size alone, Pars could tell it was unwieldy.
So he flipped his knife in a reverse grip and slashed at the Bringer, who stepped back from the attack. Pars followed with a spin and a kick, but his foot was just short of making contact. The Bringer retaliated with a small dash and a kick of his own, which Pars had to raise his chin to avoid.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX08s0fGdU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHda9F2JrqE
He slashed again, a horizontal one this time, and when it missed he tossed his knife to change its direction and slashed again. It missed the Bringer, but it caught his robe. It cut open, revealing what looked to be–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTETKw47Gc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfEQtR9QM7
"Armor. Much like the others, huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sTWEM00qC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv1naRM8qE
The Bringer clicked his tongue and backed away. Pars didn't chase him. He reached inside his coat and took out his second, loaded crossbow. He aimed it at him, which caused the bringer to panic and shield his chest with the cylinder. Pars didn't fire, instead, he began mana expulsion through his hand.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDROxc3DeOm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScFPetBHaY
The Bringer realized he had been tricked. He raised the cylinder and hoisted it on his shoulder, but by the time he could, Pars had already made his earthly contraption: A vase of stone, latched to his back and connected to his crossbow.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7viGKIjpn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU86adbz7d
One loud boom sounded throughout the room. The air around him, now dappled with cinders, guided the blazing arrow right to the Bringer.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWdPaXkBfb
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf48DMBK01m
But the Bringer's contraption fired as well.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTge1HzUg6j
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM1NuNRrjP
**BOOM**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSZ4ljGSGY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvBxageIjv
The two projectiles connected, but their crash was closer to the Bringer than to Pars. Still, Pars was forced to step back from the blast, and the now ashen air forced a couple of coughs out of him.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cKATOkVOq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtroz7NkzU
"Pars!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ982aWh64P5
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"Huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0vD6D9UzA
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVpJxNxTDG
–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmJjBaDgoC
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTQGAyYTdz
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleiflxza7B
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It was some kind of instinct, or maybe a habit, the way Dave split from Pars and took up his own opponent. Pars reciprocated, which he appreciated, though Dave had no time nor humility to say as much.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgdrWjCn5M
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUVbmVBLoj
Had it been up to him, Dave wouldn't be in the Pillar, fighting a circus of lunatics who wore gaudy garments. He'd likely still be in his store, crafting and staring at the pottery on his shelves. Imports wouldn't have come for a few days, but Dave was crafty and spent years on his contingency. He wasn't as proud of his works as those of others, naturally, but it mattered little when it was so fun.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrrRteSFNd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslp6Ek72P0
No, truly, it was that silence that he valued most. That quiet building where nothing but creaking wood and muffled chatter reached his ears, with the occasional customer. It would've been even better in this scenario. The worst he'd have to deal with was a barging Bringer, but his barbed tongue would be enough to deter them. He was sure of it.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZviNRTE7v
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDiPVv56bH
Though, as much as he'd like to believe that, he wasn't so stupid.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWHU8aUAQc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpXMsPDdVh
**CLANG**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnLhJVAwjR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiBzJdHxwE
Swords clashed and chattered. The other was steel, while dave's was one of clay, but molded and braced with mana. It was still, however, a weapon of clay.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcwlvggmq9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yvAMHwNpa
He looked at his weapon, a coarse curve where the gallant tine used to be and sighed. Had it been him from the past, it wouldn't be such a sorry show. The rigid structure dissolved into a mushy clump. He reached into the sack wrapped around his belt and took more clay, mixing it with the pile in his hand.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlQGjKRijo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZQM0u71oP
The Bringer gave Dave no easy time doing so. He rushed forward, both hands on his longsword, and swung at Dave. Holding the clay, he threw it forward, and it mutated into a great shield which the sword bounced off of like a ball off the ground. The Bringer staggered, and Dave grabbed the clay, transforming it into a thin battering ram.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR59FWoREEz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeWBNJVxWg
**SLAM**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY1MOrZFjX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1OVLWWm1h
He ran and bashed it into the Bringer's stomach, who let out a breathless retch. Dave kept running, planning to pin the Bringer to the wall, but the bringer grabbed onto the ram and stuck his feet into the ground. Dave's advance was stopped, but that dismayed him little. The pole of clay retracted and morphed into a ball. Dave dug his fingers into it as it hardened, and then he swung it across. The Bringer barely raised his arm quickly enough to block it.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf3vKBpM3K
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyni4ur5fZ6
Though, by the way he was sent to the floor, it would be a stretch to call it a block.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r6ojfK0mt
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mIIYD2IjN
The Bringer tried to get on his feet but kicked him in the chin, sending him rolling. Dave morphed his clay into a sword and approached the Bringer with steady steps. With how much he struggled to stand, Dave was sure that he was done.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMhcLHqcnM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedca9MVVfd
But then, the Bringer reached into his robe. A barrage of little knives flew his way, and dave couldn't morph his clay fast enough. He curled up and blocked what he could, and though it missed his vitals–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqTVXEVZ2V
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppIvuNCsc3
"Ngh! Shit–!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXlZG62mdZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj99DkSn6b
A few knives scraped his, and another violently lodged itself into his leg. Dave stood up quickly and attempted to run, aching to finish the still floor-stuck Harbinger.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HFmh0hQEM
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But then–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyttYRiaxLx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitUFquZIJI
**BOOM**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfyZpTgJW1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNwKuou43K
A ring in his ear followed by an eruption of dust, one that prevented him from seeing his target. Dave clicked his tongue and backed away, paying heed to his impaled limb. Seeing no better alternative–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0bGtZTnY0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBEM9MgHSG
–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYisHWEbu38
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRPkbER5nr
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsTMvncYbw
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Pars heard Dave's voice through the thick smog. He assumed he wanted to regroup, a prudent decision with the low visibility, but yelling would reveal his location to his opponents. He had to find a way to reconnect, or at the very least, keep his eye out for the Bringers.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpjhBftNWf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8ZuePG3ZA
Though it was impossible to see, Pars knew that staying still was a death wish. He dashed back, careful not to go too far to avoid crashing into a wall, then quietly tiptoed around the parameter of the room. Where he was, Pars was out of the clutch of the smoke, but that made seeing inside all the more difficult. However–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bVOZ18qbX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBio8BHEGaT
"Gah–! You scared me!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISv6mDuPPo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9LJovRWO8
Dave burst from the smoke, exiting it so fiercely it rippled. The smoke began to clear shortly after, and the two men eyed the room for their opponents. A few seconds passed by, then a minute; nowhere to be seen, there was only one possible option.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3mEH2PlvD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh1smhjOnE
"They're hiding," Dave muttered.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklngCokE4T
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5zJCppnaN
"Yeah. We're at a good vantage, though. After all–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hs8VLQfFx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzx9n9lzMQ
"No, this is terrible."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadgRdwq4NP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3RSX8CB6k
Dave interjected with a rival statement, giving Pars a confused look.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQZ42gADFg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtHMCS0AhZ
"Of these four boxes, there's no telling which one they're hiding behind. They can wait there all they want and we can't do anything about it. We're the attacking party, after all."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFEbTwYlNM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM2a6pnqWf
"You're... you're making a good point. Tch!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFsQLI1BRV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmtF1ps7it
Pars took on a defensive stance, raising his arms and darting his eyes from booth to booth. He looked at Dave for his reaction, but he showed no concern. In fact, he almost looked annoyed.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB8CiEqUjC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRl62hQWWl
"What do we do? I have a suggestion, but–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11QTm7DL37
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSscs2aSH77
"No. No suggestions from you, please."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeDl8pwhV9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ6bZTol5C
He put his fingers on his temples. Completely discarding him, closing his eyes, and locking himself within a chamber of thoughts. Pars was permitted no entry, no involvement, and no influence.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFkcVjXQNO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDuCfQc65L
It was standard proceedings, as far as Pars was concerned. But something about it, something about this instance, made it utterly insufferable.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2HFAB6FwU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS2ejK4uEy
"Why not, Dave? Why not take a suggestion?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBTOCAgWF6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQyF2YmN3y
Dave's eyes twitched, but he still held his head.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOWPLSYO3d
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLOFpAW5Pm
"Aren't you and I a team? Aren't we fighting while staking our lives? Fighting the same enemy!?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVzlBD8HX3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kdjzNX6MW
Still, no response.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdriMpvorY5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RryOKonoe
"Can't you jerk out the wax from your ears and listen to me for once!? Why are you still being so damn stubborn!? Why are you–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxAps1rlR4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv7XLbs3F3
"Because you're entirely incompetent."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDk0CMytdE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtclDWVEgq
With a low, but stern tone, Pars' rant was cut short.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbljMXDnYaU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDinbWaq0x
"Because people like you care too much for looks. Because people like you want to garner laughs and smiles but yield when the situation demands sincerity. Because people like you can't gauge to save their life. Like a tool, only useful when something pilots you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4xP1MoXuk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEBQKxNCP7
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0gNh5kTLQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpdEOHJqqT
"I can't deny your fighting prowess, but your idiocy makes it all useless. Look at this: your ridiculous need to use two crossbows. Your unsuitable equipment. Your sagging coat. Your dull knife. Your dearth of ammunition. Do you use such bootless tools just because they're flashy? All of this focus on image, and look at what good that's done for us. Look at the position we're in now."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRfEAtsNk3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP93YIQZY3
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNSlwCCYzc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t2q2RFq5M
Dave stopped his speech. He sighed and grabbed a chunk of clay from his sack, transforming it into a heavy sword. He took a step forward, but suddenly stopped to look behind him.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyzprqjisw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAsqmhNLnL
"What?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkljmpb5zO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIc8uZwmGb
Pars was still. He tried to move. Even his mouth would've done, but his lips couldn't open through the spiral of thoughts he'd been thrown into. Dave lost his attention quickly. He turned around and brandished his weapon, and seeing that, Pars gagged the words out of his throat.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh2ZicZHwv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTraPFuQ6sU
"...You think I'm doing this only for reputation?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgorDtf7dm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEgDn8h4Tr
Dave didn't even grant him a nod, but his silence was affirmation enough.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wBDQkqRr4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrwOzIPHoS
"...I see."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTq27PgdTV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSRDyfabyC
He assumed a fighting stance yet again. Only, it wasn't held with stride and trust, but with shaking limbs. A pose done only as proof of effort; a pose done for someone else.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7znuYqUFqj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZirodGaOaR
Pars realized how pathetic it was. He dropped it instantly and pinched his nose, releasing a lengthy, laborious sigh. A moment's pause passed and he took a step forward. He grabbed his coat by its collar and slowly took it off, dropping it with a clatter. He balled his hands into a fist and narrowed his eyes at the room before him.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SgnMNzgQr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPsIUt7uWd
"Maybe you're right, Dave. My get-up is a little ridiculous. The way I fight is a little strange– who am I kidding, it's plain stupid to someone like you. Maybe something has to change. Not maybe, you're right– something does have to change."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5awUGrZclZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbNShFzaRF
He reached into his coat. He took out a crossbow, his knife, and his last bolt. He kicked the coat aside and loaded the crossbow. He had a view of all four booths of the room, and angles just wide enough for something to strike them all. He hooked the knife on his belt and held his hand out, spreading his fingers apart. Sparks began to form.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSDd49GF6P
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2O92yDudO
"But what really matters to me, is that I've missed the mark. I know you're especially stuck-up, but it's exactly people like you that I do this for."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjuSyA80SL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bwYtf8onA
A restless, pulsing blaze formed in Pars' palm. He held his arm up and split the flame into four.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdiMMIG3lJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh2NDbiPWf
"I want to inspire. I want to be adored. I want to calm people down just by being there. A beacon, to signal that everything will be fine. So, if I can't even earn your respect–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHJJBfAhOS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GenfzHyPV
He slid his feet apart, reeling his arm back and aiming at the booths.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wXCVzx4mY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKKaroVpld
"--then there's no hope for my wishes!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6KXItzyqU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV0t1wr10h
He flung his arm and the flames followed, striking all four booths and engulfing them. The architecture of the building would snuff the flames out soon, but that didn't matter. Before even the paint burnt off, the Bringers soared like flies. Dave rushed forward, but before attacking, he yelled:149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWM3iU06OG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcJtqvcbIM
"I'll take the one with the cannon!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7kU6wvUGI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk8qJXHtba
"Alright!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuRfZYe6rQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2cP04h9Pb
Pars thus ran opposite of Dave. It was strange; they weren't any closer to working together, and yet, Pars felt satisfied. He had a kind of drive that warmed him and a feeling in his chest that told him he had taken the right step.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVowMHVcHwM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6An9uw4CSV
He brandished the crossbow and ran at the Bringer. Pars lost all his worries– he steeled himself, to prove his words, to break through and shine.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AUnL5yvu2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLTSYI93AU
–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YhytmYUjt
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TVB07IONE
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRhmZcq6vS
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He couldn't catch anything from this opponent when he fought the one with the blaster, but a sword-wielding man wasn't a riddle. Pars fought and sparred with dozens of them, so he still approached with brazen moxie. The Bringer, still running from the flames, didn't notice Pars hot on his heels. He took advantage of that; instead of a furious, direct sprint, Pars veered to the side and ran around the Bringer's trajectory. He came to a stop and turned around, brandishing his sword directly behind him, but Pars hid behind the bottommost booth, letting a single eye peer at the Bringer.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMDglhPwDn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdAXbjDKbO
He thought of firing his crossbow but that man was likely more armored than the other. So instead, he began mana expulsion and formed a cluster of earthen spikes. He moved his hand just over the edge of the booth and fired.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70bZod12cQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkBgeCnww0
The man noticed the spikes instantly, moving to block with his sword. Pars' volley was too vast and quick for success. The spikes tore and scratched at his robes, but none of them wounded or penetrated. A great deal bounced off like the man was of rubber, and the ones that didn't were shallow in their piercing.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFrADxwB2j
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4CnT7hIbp
Pars clicked his tongue and kicked from his hiding place, charging at the bringer. The bringer didn't challenge his approach but took a stance with his sword in both hands.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1uKNncMKi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36sRfMSFez
Even though his dagger was hefty, it would be a sure loser in a clash with that sword. Pars ran his brain with every step, sifting through whatever options he thought of first. A direct approach was dangerous, a contest was out of the question, and Pars had too much skin exposed to dance and stand with limbs.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7eSbNdJWe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zzm6tZ0tK
Thus, he skidded to a stop. He flipped his dagger and jumped back, spinning on a foot and kicking the weapon with the other.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cAdVyGcev
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP4AaKTD8B
The Bringer jolted, and his surprise netted Pars a successful hit. His eyes widened when he saw the dagger embedded into his shoulder. Shallow as it was, it didn't matter to Pars. After all, such a flashy move managed to–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJvqHk2CU1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSgAwXRENZ
"--No!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7Sx5t9o1l
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxxgaFffLH
He hit himself up the head and bolted toward the bringer. That split second was enough for him to dislodge the knife, and Par's blade was thrown back at him. Its speed was too sudden, so he jerked his head as it whizzed by, chipping his ear and forcing a hiss.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuq9D3tZN0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIny58sQcK
Pars continued his approach. The Bringer reacted by reeling his arms back and swinging. It was completely horizontal, leaving no room for a reactive step, but–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Z8Ek4XSR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyCjtSnTpp
"Hyua!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM7Bm19vQf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHD06qi9bl
Pars dove forward to the ground and latched onto the Bringer's foot. The swing naturally missed, but now Pars was stuck in an unsightly position with no easy counter. The bringer violently shook his foot but pars lost the dagger to quiet it down.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFWVM9933P
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvZKxk5P7P
However, he did have another sharp object.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAQLJDH2xb
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAkcfNLES5
He raised his crossbow and stabbed the bolt into his calf. He pulled it out and did it again. There was resistance, but Pars' quick thrusts pierced through the shoddy leather armoring– an easy weak point, and one he didn't pass to abuse. But Pars' awareness didn't narrow with the opportunity. A few stabs were all he wanted before letting go and rolling aside, missing the hunk of metal that clanged the ground he had just been on.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIrEeRVoVv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx6mb03v2C
He got to his feet and lunged at the Bringer. Unable to defend, the Bringer dragged his cumbersome sword as he dashed away, but it all played into Pars' plans.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS9ewP4Q3E
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkp0YrKxJy
Gripping the crossbow with both of his hands, he raised it and aimed the bolt at the hooded face. Through the shadow, Pars could see the white from his shrinking pupils. The Bringer jerked to block the bolt, releasing one hand to cover his face– but a bolt never came.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zqDj7htgq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnjUyCWFpZ
Pars lowered the crossbow and freed one hand. It was a foolhardy move with an immediate toll, but in under a second, Pars formed a mass of flames. Irregular in its shape and wavering in its form, he pressed the mass against the stomach of the Bringer. The Bringer only just began to move his covering arm. Pars felt inclined to smirk, but in that split moment, he resisted.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Yb0jv9sv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXZAgfG3ZS
And what came was–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvffiDaUmgv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBvpoYlZWF
**BOOM**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK1CZBWZUz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnIGlc00FG
The blast seared his vision first. His body launched with violent spins afterward. A swift collision against a hard surface stopped his flight. He let out a leaden groan and rubbed his eyes before opening them again, but the aftermath was much more painless than he expected.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMPkayck9u
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynQd1OyJ47
Pars stood up. He looked at himself to assess the damage and found his skin black as charcoal. It made him jolt, but a quick shake of the arm revealed that it was a blanket of burnt fabric. He shook his head and returned his attention to the battlefield, but his ashen vision made it difficult to see far. He saw two figures in a duel– likely Dave and the other –but the third was–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQnMPoserw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTzmRFb4AD
"--oop!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBG26xgQVv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws0dZSjyd7
Instinct commanded his body to move. He jumped to the side but was still blown away by a furious gust. He stopped himself from rolling, noticing his knife nearby and scampering to grab it. After his snatch, he gave his eyes one more rub and observed the scene.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Cea08I7l
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPC0LnQFeC
"You... you're a sick jokester."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCacMr6pHb
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XEjn30UX2
He lost the energy to click his tongue. All he could wage were weak words of wrath. Words that left with ebbing air, the panting of a hog before a gliding spear.
The Bringer from before had their robes charred, revealing a blackened plate of armor that covered his chest. But those details came secondary to his erratic nimbus of wind.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH3lq5hVwT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjlPe7liVH
Pars brandished his knife, ready to charge. He had no opportunity to, though. A bend of the knees was followed by a soaring dash. The Bringer turned into an arrow, and. Pars raised his hands to block the damage. But he wasn't hit.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9PFjPq9Lk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauXEwNZkh1
A blast of wind erupted from the Bringer that cocked him back and pinned him in the air. His hovering body left Pars' mouth agape, and he had it shut as it was kicked.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXws9hHa3QE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BxFKLkAVd
The kick wasn't strong. It shouldn't have been, because it didn't feel all that painful. But the ferocity by which Pars flew compensated for the painlessness.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRgKtbK2qC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoNV92klXY
His head bore into the wall. His heartbeat rang in his ears and head, a frenzied demand that Pars responded to only through reflex. He felt a liquid trickle down and down his body, and he didn't have to wipe it off and look to tell it was blood.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WuGrylbBW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe5OxcihyE
"What the hell... what the hell!?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsaaIPgRYx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6WpTBPOIR
His knife locked within his palm, he eyed the Bringer. The nimbus was gone now, but the bringer had a wide and stretched pose and performed expulsion from all possible orifices. Any moment that coat of wind would cover him again, and in that moment he'd be struck with another gusting bomb.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDqnzYA6KA
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJzSVAaKrK
Pars grityed his teeth and wiped his brow. The blood was getting cold. If it was on any longer, he would shiver.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6vU6CP72p
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVcbsMOuqS
Though, his body took those measures far sooner than it should've.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXdZi9kDBk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18lZEuHHXe
"...Heh."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXItfloJZ2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3YCeXJ4V7
He clicked his tongue and put his blade in the holster, creating a hunk of stone with a handlebar with his free hand. A crummy, clumsy cover– the only thing he could make before that Bringer flew again.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMDvEKAnrn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVPP4mRXQI
–
–
–
Dave was pricked by the blazing booths. That heat reached his head like a sucker punch, and like a sucker punch, it was a blow that damaged more than the body. Though, it was clear to him that what was happening inside was irrespective of that.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW9t96eXUf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKv9tmFIOj
He couldn't pin that feeling down. Not with the time he had, though that troubled him. Time wasn't a problem before for situations like these. What changed now? That feeling seeped through and danced on his skin. It had to be because goosebumps were forming.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuU2hx95v7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRnGksXtN
**THUD**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiUeJXabPI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFxkqt4B7W
His clay sword clashed with the Bringer's cannon, letting out a clunky sound. The scuffle lasted for a moment until Dave kicked his foot. He struck the Bringer in the leg just hard enough to loosen his grip. Dave won the struggle but reaped no reward; the Bringer merely backed off the moment his weapon gave way.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJp4Vj4ahl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw23x8ioaU
He scoffed at the result. A part of him had hoped that would be the end there, but he knew an opponent Pars struggled with would be no walk in the park.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXZsZGEFpd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHIWqUi9OA
"Though I have to wonder–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32bbx5GTRr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh5ILoG3ks
He closed the gap with a swift dash and thrust his sword. The bringer didn't dodge the strike, but rather, blocked it with his forearm. The sword didn't penetrate– it nearly bounced off.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRWYXe7ViL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsX1eYtPWm
The sudden backlash left him wide-eyed and his stance awry. He tried a quick correction. The Bringer shot a cone of earth from his cannon, and Dave moved fast enough to escape with just a graze. But the top of his blade had been caught by the projectile.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeJajS9in2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5q3IAhu3O
Dave stepped back and disassembled his weapon into simple clay. He tore the pile in half and created a small round shield in one and a spear in the other.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQvZuuQ03T
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHhSZoFX6B
However, after its creation, Dave realized that such a puny shield would only be a liability. Amending it was locked by the advance of the Bringer. Dave acted with his defensive arsenal at first, sticking his shield out and gripping the spear. The Bringer aimed his cannon and fired another drill of earth. Dave contested it with his shield, and though the force pushed him back and tore at his arm it was enough to stop it.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSe2pRXrqi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrHE4dbJ36
The Bringer kept up with his assault. He forewent the cannon and rushed with an earthly dagger. Dave had a moment of perplexion, one that lasted just long enough for the Bringer to aim his launcher yet again. Close enough for it to reach, Dave simply stabbed his spear. But the Bringer stepped to the side and snatched the shaft.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLF2oUic6A
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5nAbvKRaJ
With his movements constricted, Dave had an immediate thought: he let go of the spear and bashed the Bringer with his shield. Even with its dent, it was strong enough to shove him away, but by no means did it do any damage.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyr8CWKWOH
"Irritating...!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGA3v3ZVFh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCtwwElQ80
He dissolved the shield and picked up the spear. He grabbed the weapon with both hands, and though he was fixed to rush, he stood still. Dave knew keeping his distance would just give the Bringer more chances to shoot, but this was something he had to spare. Something dawned on him amid that fight, when his spear was caught and his shield became his weapon. It was a question, though when it gained form, it didn't appear as such.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGKZA2t7hk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEtOHiHFUf
Dave didn't like to use spears.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5SWafiPTt
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"...Haaaaa."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SuhBabXe5
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He released a tired sigh. He returned his attention to the Bringer, who naturally took advantage of Dave's pondering and made himself comfortable across the room. Dave charged forth.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuVN02yLes
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx3nE4YfCu
It was strange of him. Back then, his versatility was the root of his pride. The crux of his proficiency and the agent of his title. An 'Officer,' he was labeled. He retired it long ago.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUCq7lFFJr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2P4WDRtzP
But, he didn't let his skills lie and rot, and it was precisely for situations like these that he practiced swings and ran around the city. That he made those vases despite thinking himself scanty.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJYc6AdEr8
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That's what he always told himself, at least.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5hQUNKvrD
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**CLASH**
He couldn't help but see a bit of Pars in himself. It wasn't his bravado– goodness, no, it wasn't that. But it was of a similar substance. The root of both his and Pars' bizarre tendencies, an attribute admonished and attacked by Dave.
**CLANG**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnReKHboeW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1ZCFqWg4X
Foolishness. It was plain human foolishness. And though it pained him to confess it, he was as much a practician as anybody else.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f5XiEBffu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv26d8dkeyd
**CLASH**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7v9tZt3Zx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm8ikUjYhV
Dave slid across the room, reeling from a blocked strike delivered by the Bringer's cannon. Though his body was untouched, his muscles twitched from the force. He fixed his stance and steeled his composure. He opened his eyes and gazed at the Bringer, then sprinted while forming a new clay claymore.
**CLANG**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOSRpegePM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI5icN1xqN
The strokes of his arms, the swings of his blade, the stomps of his feet, and the sting of his wounds. Why was it that all of these, these things– why did they make him feel so much?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam11HT3Brz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFf23BihXQ
**CLASH**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3hUZbvBmO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHM4Z04EJO
Frustration, fervor, fury, ferocity–
**CRASH**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34hrT6MEPe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapCfabSkOh
Adrenaline, adamance, anxiety, anguish–
**CLASH**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyT6ennWwv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvm6kEyEvt
His chest was a twister that forever picked new debris.
**CLASH**
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAD5fLO2rN
Confusion–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVavefgMZQZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4no7FZAD6
**CLANG**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctB9J2oQoI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JGFoUigBA
Delusion–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iyWYqtSqq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH9JTBuSNc
**CRASH**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6jR78DdEi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bVG9blqBQ
All lead to one conclusion:149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxR5CBZu5E
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDws545Yxj
**SMASH**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnAhyuMz0c
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkxIvJxLaB
Followed by the shattering of his blade, Dave rolled across the sullied floor, pushed further by a sudden gust of wind. The blast at that time was too fierce for him to block. He got to his feet, looked at his palm, and wondered if his blade truly was to blame.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQjgKSa4jK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ638JybsUy4
"...No, of course it isn't."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAl0RloBXT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7jTg6w269
Dave had a smirk on his face. But he was a torn man under that expression.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rcl5Sd8TI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG473jhyP5L
Because, didn't he long for a more peaceful life? Is that not why he made that pottery shop?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8WXA4Ehw6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnzlArgtdQ
Then why were these blasts of nostalgia laced with such regret–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPxMD5es6h
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZU7HB1L8E
**THUD**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuiKMS0Tci
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A sudden force hurled Dave out of his muddied mind. He tumbled to the floor, striking his chin against it and prompting a thorough rub. He turned to see what had hit him, and found the coatless body of his teammate–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIm62wN1vc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7MTc1rMoy
"Pars!?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39VfQE7jIK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnO7g9D687
"Ack... quiet down. My head's spinning as is."
–
–
–
The two men stood with their backs against each other. They eyed their surroundings, landing their gazes on their debilitating opponents. Dave still ached from the collision, and Pars didn't fare any better, but their stalwart stances still intimidated.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAokcqrCffw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WTCwoSDEQ
"How's it on your end," Pars asked, his voice cracking on every consonant. Dave didn't fancy telling of his inner turmoils, so he told of his physical state instead.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfoRDsqtC8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIutiksYxJx
"Fine, but injured. Their tricks are starting to exhaust me."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhlvA8Sz9k
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll8Ewop3ty
"Likewise. When I think I get 'em, they just pull another thing out of their ass."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTwdRg0pDk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8s4LhbmFB
The Bringers began a steady approach. No flexing of their muscles nor narrowing of their eyes would deter them now; they had to think fast and act just as quickly.
"I'm getting pretty tired of these two, you know."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKpyQli1av
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA8cqULse4
Dave sternly nodded at Pars' assertion.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1bd3yRPty
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"I'm getting tired in general. I've been hit too many times, and I'm not built for battle marathons anyway. We need to finish this fast."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdCLfTvNga
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCdp8qd1kZ
"What do you propose?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu9scobF0x
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfcMTDsbMO
Pars closed his eyes and took a deep breath.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCDDc4ddUK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT27JwEG9sY
The truth was that he had nothing. He was enamored with the idea of cooperating since the beginning of this fight, but he barely had the strength to throw a punch at another person. All this fighting up until now only to prove a point. But Pars realized, in his battered and weary state, that only damaged his performance.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9dHT09OQd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2YCQg5Toe
To be competent. To be confident. To be strong. To be a man who inspires others. To be a man who saves the helpless.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO0aHV5Nss
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIUpMe9Nge
It seemed like these were all contradictions. Nobody could maintain being that way. His heavy breaths told him so. His failing limbs told him so. It was impossible not to slip into poor habits, to make a fool of oneself, to fall into the mendacious hands of ambition.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBINED8QIU6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXeUAEDRwN
A part of him knew better, though. But that part was tucked away from the forefront of his mind. And in his weakness, Pars lamented only one thing: his inability to–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5slPyhSb5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb8K3mKKCK
"Whatever we do, it would be... smart of us to do it together."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY97iJ1Bzfl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDMbwv3cDT
"--Huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hpGZzh75p
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgdHA0jSHk
"It's loathsome to admit, but you were right. I was stubborn, and I can't refuse to tolerate you this time."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7pyIk53Sq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiStTH8fvWu
"...Always backhanded, huh."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYqpSkmuEc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKmey5VL9l
But Pars muttered that with an idiot's grin. To hear those words, and from that individual, from the person who sent him into such a mess in the first place. It almost made him laugh149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fWhjHckFH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Mln22lDK
"Just like the old days, huh? Alright, just give me a second."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtmEPpx00D
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNs0g8wx5C
"We likely don't have one."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6slOZrH3s
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRixyETcFv
He locked himself in thought, into a zone of his mind that split his focus and sense of time. He opened his eyes so his instincts could at least defend a surprise attack as he turned the cogs of his brain. He churned and churned and hoped for a bright idea to spawn from it. Something came of it, but–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUCbTsgE14
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfaSDo2ZWi
"It's gonna be an uphill battle."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0bK25fenV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Fe0FgJhd
"So nothing has changed. Go on, spit it out."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMpCqoWcv8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3WP7S9djw
"Well, if you insist."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzYgU7w1G9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqkN0ifwBs
–
–
–
Dave and Pars reinforced their stances. They moved their retinas to the corners of their sockets and nodded at each other, then swiftly swapped spots.
"Go!"
Pars and Dave burst into sprints, charging at their respective opponents with nothing but their bare hands. The Bringers inched to challenge them but hesitated at the sight of their armlessness. That tiny moment was all that was needed.
Pars' opponent dashed back, but it didn't dodge any attack. Pars never made one. He kept sprinting and sprinting, and his ceaseless charge compelled the Bringer to keep backing away. His opponent eventually got his grip, because he planted his feet and brandished his lethal fists, ready to counter.
But, just short of arm's length, Pars lunged forward and tackled the Bringer. But not to the ground, because he made damn well sure he kept a foot on the floor. His right foot as an axis, he spun his body and released the Bringer.
The Bringer flew just a few feet away. He was completely unharmed, and only more cautious now. He dashed forward to hit Pars and struck him directly in the stomach.
"..."
His looming silence professed his query. Pars answered by grasping his arms, and with a toothy smile that leaked bile through its gaps–
"Gotcha."
**BOOM**
–A great gust of wind erupted from his palms.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUo8Lch85e
The bringer soared, rendered a bird by the speed that he flew. His attitude never decreased, he only moved further and further and further, completely opposite of Pars' direction.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweoP5v6BGh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqvgBgTTfR
There, Dave sprinted from his pursuing enemy. His speed just outpaced the Bringer's own, a fact made possible only by his lighter baggage. He clutched his clay in one hand and shielded it with the other, darting his eyes behind him every other second to make sure he was at a comfortable distance from the Bringer.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0w7FXrVAx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU2t7PHEhb
And then, that's when he heard the explosion. All of a sudden, Dave skidded to a stop and spun around to face his adversary. The motion confused and intimidated his opponent, who slowed down initially. But he saw how Dave still hadn't conjured a weapon and quickly returned to his blitzing pace–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2MgP1eA5c
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRVDiqeAbD
**THUD**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQFlyXQHFv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03aqdFyAWo
And then it came to a halt. Or rather, it was a boost. After all, this burst of speed was impossible by ordinary, human means. A feat that made it appear as if Dave was being pulled toward him. But this speed came with a blast, and truly, what good would it do if it meant his feet dislodged from the floor?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3914bVIkeH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVuC4EFb09
"--!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPkl6DdNDj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq5m7npmuw
The two Bringers tumbled towards Dave. Dangerous dashing, utter discombobulation. The Bringer's heads hadn't moved an inch, yet it felt like they were closer to the floor than their legs. Flying and flying, but finally, they began to fall.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLoHkSnWsi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XaJ88tvR2
But then Dave put one foot down in front, and all their dismantled attention unified to that appendage. Dave began mana spinning, forming a tool out of his clay. A lengthy shaft with a pointed head whose tip grew thinner and thinner, because this tool only had one purpose: to impale.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfLy8unaht
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICpK0J1EFH
Forgoing a spear, forgoing a dagger, and creating a great pole that would pierce even their plated armor. Within a second, their graves had been marked–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhHGPKzj4V
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdCfbhSlsK
**SPLICE**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ8yjqXDGz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4u9uhw7l0
And it was that clay that became their stone.
Dave glared at the Bringers. He couldn't hold them long; his paltry tool was a terrible skewer. He released the two to the ground.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlHngkDxnC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdz1KpoWFh
"I missed one."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QCdf09AIJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaucN6Jkm7
He took the end of the shaft and quickly transformed it into a sizable needle, then thrust it directly into the neck of the other. Then for good measure, kicked the two away so their sides touched the floor. Stuck together, bleeding together.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WPHD6pkOx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW9sNCoaZv
At that moment, strangely, Dave wondered if they were good friends.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvq49eiS9p
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6JJ41Sdbm
"Hey!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Jkta8iJj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1vh0otWtT
The voice of Pars roared from his side. He turned his head and saw him clutching his ribs, panting once he came close.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhClHcus3G0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsOAfXG1Nk
"Nice! You really got them in one hit."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGmfeXS95y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuzGUEAEBq
"Of course I did. That was a specialty of mine."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOowJ65qVC1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MzSl1mNYQ
"Well, it's as you said, rust can make anything dull."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJqGnIf5ED
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89uK7S0jfL
"I never said that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBSDXAwkt0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R2QiVZ1lQ
Pars turned away from Dave, looking at the two new corpses on the floor. He had a smile on his face, but it wasn't one wrung from the joy of victory but from the ability to still breathe.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeG7BOtRjB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d4vDipdNZ
"It looks like working together was all we had to do all along."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQkzLNwnj0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9VmepDkgE
"As if. It was your weakened state that let him underestimate you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHToAJ5FBy
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt1uGsjXFV
"...Are you saying it wouldn't have worked if I didn't get my ass kicked?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU5ZvbASnC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixmtfS9SGF
To that, Dave merely raised his hands and smirked.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yInrSTBnj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T4pGMS6vu
"Haaaa. Damn you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNds6bRuLZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZWha6o1N7
Pars plummeted to the ground. It was clear that his legs were failing, and all those beatings were catching up to him.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5irWdJk60d
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRk1zJcIVd
"They are dead, right?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadzdSa7e9e
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuFRl4PZRE
"I pierced one's heart and slit the neck of the other. If you doubt that, you can confirm it yourself."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGspK8zuZs6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvrI3HLlGE
"I can't muster up the strength to stand. Seriously, I might even pass out."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHK5XI1qRJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9fCtoW7yw
"I–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVhyX8ZW38
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknXs8Hh2Gq
Dave opened his mouth to offer help, but a sudden wave of pain told him that carrying a live body would be practically impossible. So instead, he sat on the floor.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XcCp2FJA9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3xj5d180v
"Huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn5rvOf15X
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6CshpUiKE
Pars looked at him with a raised eyebrow. David replied with one of his own.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkD8Moa66F
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLP3U2vrqz
"I thought you would leave the room. Not join me."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKCPlw2Epk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzOD8wm89s
"And leave you here by your lonesome? Why would I do that, anyway?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyfGElZis8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4SseuYNL2
"Well... there's bodies we need to bury now. Or at least tags to be collected."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuh11edbU1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA2w8mFWWW
"That can wait. I'm too weary and weak anyway."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmUE2swfS7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHeJD2VGwD
"Oh... yeah, that makes sense."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGPxl8qq0o
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj92NnCd9O
The two men's gazes rested on the bodies of their enemies. It was gruesome, certainly, but their heavy robes hid any trace of their humanity. It was akin to being around a fire rather than a couple of corpses.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwq2ujaJwI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW051Wbq6o
"Do you think everyone else is fine?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWAKqrqsbR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgP4CJJd77
"I don't know about the ones above, but the ones below are likely well. These two were exceptionally difficult."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtyyhMqi50
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VkseO09lk
"Huh? And what about Lola? She took on an entire Harbinger!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONUW3KmM3a
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFwFyrdjQB
Dave tilted his head and stuck his eyes to the ceiling.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncuIEnGcnS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPr1wSMLm3
"She wouldn't falter so easily. Not in this situation. And I know, because we haven't seen that Harbinger's face yet."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z3GOX9JC2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GBMeFZgc5
"You raise a good point."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWLWow0zoI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tKQfCJQgP
"But, I must admit that you impressed me, Pars."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC87aon66Fj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7zND2SsXB
The sudden shift of topic caught Pars by surprise.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWgT98e9Fb
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuEz0UOEai
"H-Huh? Hold on, where's this coming from?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA2se8RjCn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6vBBR9E9C
"Nowhere but my sincerest thoughts. I didn't think you had it in you to abandon that charade."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy6I9NWb5Z
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xk0JnvElA
"Ha, abandon?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7ufutIx21
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaoaUhn8B7
Pars' gaze sternly hardened.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxACYAwpooe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDx9eyVDiF
"I didn't abandon anything. And this isn't a charade! I don't want to be a man who inspires just to get girls or something."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UYPg0F05g
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLbUhDHugz
"If you were, it was backfiring."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEUA6MrOWP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaVz4afPbp
"Harhar. Very funny."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKbEp9qYAa
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiz5IN0tGd
Pars rolled his eyes and continued speaking.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccsUJ22Ou7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWs1FfWeeg
"No. This? This wasn't working, you were right. But I can only give up so much of my attitude. Otherwise, the kids of this city will look at me as just another cranky soldier, and the members of our force won't have any beacons."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzziLhF553R
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU3xQanE4h
"Aren't you conceited."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAPkLotg9h
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxOiiu4FD3
"You think it's arrogance?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXuUGSG8Yl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oNWSSdIhL
Pars began to stroke his chin.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5HfdoImjd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp6pwdRoTS
"I don't see it that way. Greatness inspires, y'know?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW7RRcsrZ0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhxVoD3BHY
"But what you want isn't just greatness."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDldI6NEC1z
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbAD9rU0Oq
"...Yeah, you're right."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yq0F6Qrs8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeDBdrannK
Pars slacked his arms and stared blankly at the Bringers.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6re38Cmi7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRB1yzTIbs
"I guess what I want, is to be a hero."
