The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6mOFyv7uo
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMCCpFFqxJ
Even though Juke and I weren't affected, the other's faces were considerably downtrodden. Some members were now left without a partner and had to team up with people they weren't very familiar with. Morale was low, especially since our leaders were missing.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6U7ukGby4
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJyI9XVxha
The remaining group was small, too. Only about eight people were left, meaning that, with the five remaining floors, some were simply required to take them alone. There was chatter of moving as a single unit, taking on each room as a whole rather than having forces split from the group, but others countered that doing so would be abandoning an order and that we had to "trust our other members."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlhbDCKbXo
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxbIQGXFiz
As for me, my nerves only spiked. The image of all those fallen bringers was engraved into my mind, and I desperately tried to keep the word "corpse" out of my head. Over and over, telling myself that they were simply unconscious when the right side of my mind constantly told me otherwise–
**SLAP**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi6cpZ8Ymk
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGASy3XErL
"Ack!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02uPJFw86w
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu3aYrsDt6
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OdV6mScJt
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBPY1K9dzr
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT32YS1lOt
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9VTzJjluN
I steeled whatever I had left of my resolve and kept trudging through the stairs. I had a complete vision of the crowd, and it made it apparent just how thinned out it had become. To my great dismay, I could even see Rover.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwExkh0WXJJ
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSg3OPhJ2H
"...Useless–!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEjXIzMxm8
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp53KR3pcc6
I tried not to think about anything that. I knew I couldn't suspend it for long, but every second I could force my legs forward was valuable. So I ran and ran and ran and ran and–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ0HVADd4i
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR5jgIGfIA
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEnNjd4iQj
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeappaMSbM
And it was someone I recognized485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnr9ZNYHN4
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtgwiyYh43
–
–
–
The most grueling part of this siege hadn't been the laborious running. It hadn't been the various enemies, the threat of death or even seeing allies fall like flies in the previous ambush. No, for Rover, it was restraint.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv9iDEhy69
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImum7aOsPi
To do nothing in the face of Hard-Bringer gave her near-uncontrollable rage. Those she swore she'd see crumble, running amok and stealing lives as they always have, unable to even point her weapon at them. If it weren't for those looming words by that wimpy child, resting in the corners of her mind like spiders, she would've caved in.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U4fJqflt9
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai7UGEes5W
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ehpf8lbBk
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn6HIsQMJN
"Hi."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4oelWwQP6
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWk923tl5V
As she raced up the steps, a man in glasses only a little taller announced himself. She could see him facing her in her peripheral, and though her habits urged her not to, she matched his gaze.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEUrn9eahn
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgcgzadvp1
"What!?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iS6mvMa7I
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DVfuUnoNp
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PBnEpCshc
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t7nss8yIb
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2Nu4xNgfo
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJGngKd0Qz
His nervous expression didn't loosen one bit. When Rover tried a softer face, the sweat on his brow multiplied. Rover gave up appearances, quickly discarding dismissive dialogue before her introduction.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNrf6WzCnu
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooPhtU6BCp
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL9ZYFdMrf
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBlspKG9vK
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2c5sYMyOE
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxULi8SVLL
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZIcPVNM6m
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPKRpFUtJV
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAgmZXYiZq
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAVzBFjQ8Q
He raised his right hand, one that clutched a metal collar with a tag. Rover knew immediately who it belonged to, and the unusual idea of consolement entered her mind.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtUsgY1t31
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXevrEGTHO6
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdZcEM3RSH
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwXBa6VP9q
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwylmYNv2I
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9alMAH9z9
He kept a smile with those words, but his eyes lacked the light to convince her. He turned his head away, and the two of them kept running up with their usual worries.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHDYmbq922
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHids7LZ9I9
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9HN8ofIew
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5LWzKs4s9
"The next room's up ahead!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq2AJ2vFLa
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpD71x0Ukb
She had been in this scene nearly a dozen times already. And each time, she dreaded it. Sprinting to that door, knowing that there would be a monster in man's skin. She swallowed that dread like before, and each time, it poisoned her blood further and further.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9niFlw2kAS
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5bxMm6iPI
The crowd made it to the room. It was relatively small, but an immediate feature was the giant stained windows, granting a tinted view of the city outside. Rover gave minimum attention to the stature of the room, however, because there, by the exit, sat a man who could only be described as–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYeTg8yZqp
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDvlBGw0JT
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12xtXdQhlo
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G0PgmbcZq
Rover glanced behind her, realizing that Juke was the one to yell that. She saw Kenny near him, huffing with his hands on his kneecaps.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreRCGVoYrN
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWTddtNdKm
A titan. It was a familiar word. She heard it from the stories her mother told her. But, of course, there were no titans in King's Peak, only tales of them.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z9mg7A1oI
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUToPC5muqR
But, even if it was only in name, the titan a man was. A member of Hard-Bringer with such size, and his head nearly reached the ceiling when he stood. Such monstrous height intimidated nearly everyone, but for Rover, it was the opposite.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw7RwwHufC
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJYfRssatk
Rover recognized that height. Rover recognized that build, even though it was concealed by robes, and as the man went to pull his hoodie down, the face that appeared only confirmed her intuition.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ANZoNer0u
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfggHxXh1mM
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpFllxM0AG
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0C9KTk3gv
The towering man stopped his speech, compelled by the dashing girl with a rapier in hand. She leaped forward and stuck her foot out, but the man blocked the kick by raising his arm. Rover then thrust her blade, and the man narrowly dodged by tilting his head. However, his angled head was grabbed by her free arm, and through a feat unexpected of her size–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUsxdswNn3
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lxygUlXSp
**THUD**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JRAaaS8HS
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI3BaiQQdA
She shoved the man down to the ground. She immediately followed with a thrust, but she only caught his robe, and the man scurried away.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2OCWg3d1d
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvOsEjwdMw
"...Same tricks as always."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtFEh7yom0
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh9efzHCh5
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKXsUuqcMB
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFaqdRMQd7
"Hoh– it is you. You!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9SeGlq90s
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLFpJsoiaO
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJFJFIz3jL
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LP3QBPSN5
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGChMdTytWa
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrDxZbTTIM
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphSCmezM7A
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlWb8ssxx8
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWZ1rsNDrT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw5utcYkTc
Rover pointed her weapon at the man, a clear warning to stay in place. The man obliged without much resistance, and Rover turned her head to make sure everyone would leave. But then she noticed how Nigel didn't move one inch to that door, and his use of 'we' only just registered in her mind.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOGZaygq3b
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXOWTJMeG0
"Nigel."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYjdUHdbBn
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvpJxRAsy7
"Yes?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0CC0NXdXs
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy9BVB2gAR
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPRQZaVy7z
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzFMnNVBpT
"...You're kidding me, certainly."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLwd5MnWhV
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ds65NcONx
Rover shook her head back and forth.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7nVOV19Kp
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXs3o5BH5N
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR1l3zxPTG
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHsi1JYUfH
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7N5UGGaqu
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjY7ZDNYe8
"You fought him before, then?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LBmvIgaIT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NEBVV3x1W
Rover quickly nodded. Nigel looked at the man with a constrained face, balling his hands into shaking fists. After an irritated, almost hopeless sigh, he complied. But not before one final word.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFWBZGiY2w
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGJyhVjZj7
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H92qYMbjy
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjjMOSBHjP
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqTHsyH0hA
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA49i3nV0q
"Very well! Don't die on me!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaQWBSQ6GI
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlLAfLtlkw
His opening words caught Rover like a chain. It reminded her of that moron's scolding, forced her to consider her vow– her earnest word that she'd cooperate –and inquired why she didn't abide by them. But Rover answered that inquiry easily.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSz6Su3NHg
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsAjo3Z3gl
This man wasn't just a Bringer. She had a history with him. This man was an enemy. A bipedal wretch, barely human, who boiled her blood and furrowed her brows.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCueaMOR4nF
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLAbkGanPH
No, now she was certain of it. This monster had to fall to her hands; anyone else would just be a hindrance. So she would take him alone, as she always had.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIugEDztdG
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALztAvyEhj
She looked back one last time, making sure that only she and the man were in the room. Nigel was gone, but to her surprise, there was still another member of the crowd there. He drew particular attention. Standing between the exit, not quite leaving it, with clear indecision festering within.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOWZAMTjBC
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x3UAWZI1g
"Rover," Kenny suddenly shouted. Her eyes moved to his face, constricted and complicated. She was compelled to call it a scowl, but no scorn was in Kenny's face. Only concern, and disappointment.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD56hYgrGLE
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAdiXbsF0v
Even without hearing it, Rover knew his words. It suddenly was difficult, to see his face like that. Now, the embodiment of that vow was staring directly into her. Not just at her eyes, no– she felt the observation of her soul.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSnQTOMXrI
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAATCIpRbt
"..."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wB4hsrrDL
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L2t93sR2B
It was suddenly difficult to do anything. And yet, the feelings that burned within her formed too great an inferno to douse. If that boy took two steps further into this room, or even one, she felt like she would lash out. She felt like– she knew she would yell at him not to butt in, to mind his own business, to go fuck himself, and to leave her alone. Words that she had slung candidly before. Words that she knew better than family.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AQEKAz6Fp
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NA17i5lMI
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrhaxCIEbi
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63riY5HXEy
"Fine. Good luck!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIqiLbVkRH
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XXyj5whBo
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunbUeVsfh5
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKXVBheQbJ
**THUD**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6NOwVKFnE
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPfgu4uSIP
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLTekvg7CF
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqscxSgBds4
There came a sudden strike from her front, but it was one that she blocked. She freed her rapier from the struggle and backed away, brandishing her weapon and sliding a leg back into a stance.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknxshnJSbB
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuj2tkGSvM
"Are you ready," the man asked, a boorish smirk on his face. She could almost see the swirls in his eyes, the way they lost any reason, seeing only combat and carnage as they always had.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHASgpvQIWD
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjU5H8pk0l
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pu8fjl2vM
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ3evv3xQB
"Come at me, Boris!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXokti1t2Q
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbKKuakjEh
–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgxXQhs4id
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpnzSXNcU3
–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJjZ2LcTe4
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloeEhAAw0D
–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakAM61qFdL
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgPQaZhinw
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKCDXFJeKT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpyjFt6Dxc
Rover knew of their volatile unpredictability. But she was always prepared for it. Even on that street, when they made their audacious announcement, Rover hadn't a shocked bone in her body. But to see Boris utterly defied expectations. She wished she had more time, maybe a moment to sharpen the tip of her rapier, to check the grip on her dagger. But it was too late now, and as she took her first step into battle, she lost all leeway to care.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0hiDFD9CG
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPHZKNXyX8
Boris contested her dash. As he charged forth his smaller stature expanded slightly. He leaped forward, but it wasn't to tackle or to grab. He swung his hips and turned ninety degrees, unbending his legs for a sudden drop kick.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pK6OotqlB
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb6aP51uZl
Rover blocked it with her hands. His increased size made the blow harder to cope with, but she still only slid a foot back. Now on the ground, Rover seized the opportunity to stab at the man. She thrust once, and her sword was met with the sole of his boot.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyhFGJSDQa
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ipIjyDsxX
"Huh!?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksNdwlqlKw
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQBu5g7spP
He spun onto his belly, catching himself with his hands, using her rapier as a borrowed axel. He pushed himself off the ground with enough force that, even with his lack of leverage, he flew as a battering ram toward her. Rover's rapier nearly snapped under the pressure, but she moved it away before its steel blade turned into a wobbly tube. She ducked Boris' charge, but he grabbed onto her rapier, swinging back around and destroying Rover's balance. Rover, however, had only one hand on that Rapier.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhceOdEL91O
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc3XyV8FYE
"Hah!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllCEoT3crs
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU1f5lqEoh
She used her other to grab her dagger and stabbed at the man. He took the blow unceremoniously, even growing to lessen it, and she was sure it hurt by the subsequent grunt. He flew off her rapier a solid few meters away, taking Rover's dagger with his body.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYl7sbnaFC
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdRjCdNPwm
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjMqCcH0dq
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eAX1b907j
"Here!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r1yo35VV9
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFgnYocm73
Boris dislodged her dagger and he chucked it like a throwing knife. Rover caught it at one of its crossguards, but as she was distracted with doing so, the man performed mana spinning.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc3dasWh46
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBSnNVs9Je
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE280A6mDJn
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRjs8SgHs2
"Tch."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV5M5U7aIJ
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnEKeoG0Zb
Boris returned to his former size. He stroked his chin, tending to his thoughts as he stared down Rover. She afforded him no time and charged forth. She thrust her rapier once, met with a jerk away, and thrust it again. She repeated her thrusts, each of which dodged but less comfortably each subsequent attempt. Rover knew him better, however. She knew that right as she thought she'd get him, he would pull an underhanded trick. So she assumed the eyes of an analyst, narrowing them and gazing at Boris like a hunting cat.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06W5z5CdDq
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI2XpGKGbs
**CLANG**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QNr1dsvBj
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Tgcvvdx1
And that trick came. Boris caught her thin rapier between his hands, clamping it so fiercely that the metal would snap any moment. But Rover's stance suffered no blow, and poised to strike back, she slung her leg from her side. The blow struck Boris right under the rib, and from his obvious wince, the damage wasn't meaningless.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOHoNisxmJ
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbHca5kG0V
She struck again quickly, sliding her rapier out and using the butt of its hilt like a rock, smacking Boris square in the face. Boris reeled from the blow and took a few steps away, but Rover swung her arm back and straightened her Rapier, honing in for a vicious thrust.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY7eBint3n
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFyQg1FlNT
That thrust, however, had been dodged. And the force Rapier stockpiled only sent her tumbling to the ground. She never landed, though, because a sudden fist to the face replaced her embarrassing fall with a punitive flight. She soared across the room, disoriented, anchoring herself on the floor with her Rapier right before colliding with a wall.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKeHUrIV7G
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WfpAPnMBT
As she gathered her bearings, she saw Boris charging forth with a puffed chest. Only, it wasn't puffed, but swollen to inhuman degrees. The image of a bull came to her mind, and for a moment she was paralyzed. But she shook the intimidation off and stepped away, missing a blow that–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx9EWeeACB
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0h6Xr124W
**SMASH**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G8IAsAlfl
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqOizUDIpu
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6ENqMyIeY
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkf7oe2vaY
"Ack. Shit!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiSlotuYUX
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbzRzufnyo
Rover realized his reckless gesture was an attempt at an early victory, but she was too energized to fall prey to it, and now Boris was only more hurt.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcORPNa7tx
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4ZLofVTMG
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbwnrwaXgN
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8kgmc7616
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8qJ0igDMe
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypzbsKyVnO
"But not enough."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK5Ss8Uv07
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21vK6tH6co
"--!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFrD2d4Sa1
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyNB0z2wfG
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfNEhbz7pB
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk16ltGA839
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOCIzzjQtv
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeGV6aUj6U
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsce0nqIWb
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQgIZ0NnH0
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2WJliyefs
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrK2WUhTBU
Her jittering mouth couldn't open to respond. So badly did she want to deny it, to call him out for being coy. But to do so, would just be to lie.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZCn2Pl9zd
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCrmadMxAR
"I remember when you and I first met. Back in those ivory fields, when I offered you a home, you scowled at me and called me scum. That a bringer like me ought "485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KIuKdWS3Z
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNE7QWbiv0
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc0ITcUJOu
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3XT9NmogZ
He smirked. He placed his hands behind his shoulders, closing his eyes. Rover didn't understand what he was doing, and that worried her. That worried her deeply because she thought she knew every trick this monster could pull. She thought she knew every ace up his sleeve, every nook and cranny of his capacity.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqL6WTJO6c
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN7HQDbJ6x
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLSI38GfqR
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzekX1DXSlF
From the back of his shoulders, cylindrical masses of earth formed, taking shapes and morphing as his hands moved outward. His arms stopped just above his chest, and as he lowered his arms, Rover's eyes blew open, her clenched throat vomiting a gasp.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqqDs6qhI4
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOUuTMZuEK
"You talked so much of this goal of yours. Of how you'd beat me. Of how you'd prove yourself to me and all of my colleagues."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOolWGMtuT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF0LpkDBQm
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR3GtAjc6J
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGj3hNPHWT
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo4NvkMoD6
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F2rbLD9eh
"--Fine!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd71ba2NLSb
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR80anhHOH
Though the doubling of his limbs was obviously intimidating, Rover tried not to be dissuaded by his appearance. She charged forth, dagger now firmly in hand. After all, if she fought the new Boris with a stale arsenal, she'd be crushed.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIysDg28C5
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIblgPU3Mt
She began with a thrust, and immediately it was caught by one of Boris' earthly arms, not budging an inch. He bent his legs and threw a regular punch at Rover, one she avoided with a backstep. Her rapier was now confiscated, and she watched Boris raise it with his earthen arms.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDvCs7Cmyd
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutr1v0sYGs
Something inside urged her to scream in defiance. To yell at that man not to do it, but she pushed that unburied temptation down with a commanding glare. Gazing at Boris as he snapped the rapier like a twig.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFs5VEMz7S
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWHWaVAQh0
"Well," he asked, "what now?" He threw the split rapier to the side and taunted Rover, daring her to come closer. Rover didn't fall for the taunt, because what she had was not rage– at least, not at the man before her.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNcLwfIJcy
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJYLmMVu02
Rather, her shaking fists were directed at herself. She raised the dagger and looked at it. Despite its needle-like blade, the curved cross-guards made it a poor tool for thrusting. This was her only weapon. This and her fists, anyway, but if her past had taught her anything, it was that fists were a futile tool against him.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfsRA7VcMc
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH058pQN1Q
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1qjWbFjTD
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBPzIhWqbv
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyZ9hAwxOh
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Lvy71J08
Yes, her remaining weapon was better suited to defense. Yes, she was physically weaker than Boris. But if her kit made it so that she lived and died by the presence of her rapier, she would've gone all those years traveling King's Peak for nothing.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzxQvpGoil
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdjpKnfiw5
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SJxRJNF1y
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWHhwZt1gt
Her free hand latched onto the strap around her waist, turning it and revealing the satchel that had gone unnoticed by Boris. Unzipping it and reaching for its contents, Rover pulled out an item that made his eyes widen. A thin, elongated, but sturdy vial, one that fits comfortably into Rover's palm.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpQEVWsRr7
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny5TZwYIXC
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bsDTXbFTA
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzYSZo7Zxg
"Come and find out!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFsWJLR6FK
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6382mJhSM
And for the first time in the battle, Boris broke the neutral state, dashing at Rover with arms blazing. A result that came at the worst time possible. Because, although Rover revealed her condition for victory, not a single thought of how to use it came to her mind. And thus, she panicked.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XdHkvji3e
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX3Y3OPp4Q
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgmNlq6SXi
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNlYrH1anX
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5hBYPKLzJ
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2jGXwbwRI
Rover dismissed those venomous words. Or at the very least, she tried to, but its potent bite was felt throughout her body like the mountains of sweat her brow was producing. She had no idea what to do. For a moment she doubted that she remembered what the vial even contained. But one look at it, at its orange hue that signified distinct divergence, assured Rover that much.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtxjeksYZj
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUHHLEXoH0
And then, the answer came to her. The wave of panic crashed with the gentle grace of summer water. She stuck the dense vial in her mouth and turned around.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeMaBDCAX4
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG5DzS7GY0
"Finally!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhyF1Wk5tr
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SccihfEem
Boris threw his earthen arms directly at her, which Rover dodged. In a bent position, Boris brought both his arms up to uppercut. Rover blocked one fist with her palm and stabbed through the other.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReXaiauqdT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmDflKsWC4
"--Ack! Shit!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJweEeARvBA
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTnVqBgVCR
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxzy7fVQ3u
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6BRtnYpR6
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqSRoH02RP
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2yuoV4Xmi
And then a profound smile found itself on her face. He backed away to perform mana spinning potent enough only to close his wound. Those broken fingers were just what she needed.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Ck8q9pSc
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7TgEIY35u
She performed a swift dash, closing the gap between Boris and her. He immediately put his earthen arms up as a guard, disjointed just enough from his body to make an attack impossible. Rover thought this sudden focus on defense as suspicious, even as the mana spinning on his hand gave her a reason, so she dared not approach without caution. After all, with how volatile his size changes were, he could–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCPeut8gJi
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l7PNqEJZB
"...!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBaTZ08xPI
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFLDCWi09q
Her past experience came to the forefront of her mind, and now she observed her reality with a perplexed perspective. He barely altered his size throughout this fight. He stopped only when–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJTqLoq2sV
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nRwv6PEFB
"Ah-ha!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1MgkVNucL
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrowVL4mU5O
Though her profession of understanding was muffled by the glass between her teeth, it made the rise of her confidence no less explosive. She seemingly threw all caution to the wind, charging forth directly into his earthen arms. Boris dashed away, keeping Rover at a distance, but to no avail. Her speedy struts caught up to his back peddling quickly, and instead of attacking, Rover grabbed the earthen hands.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl2jNqPKJT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDPcdMmVbG
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa8EFEOLiM
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ng9TOnXfJ
**THUD**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2rEL5xfMA
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzcFSplckt
"Urk!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vx9U9f3ub
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL095Ocilj
Using those arms like a swing, she propelled her feet into Boris' gut. But she didn't stop there. Because there was no better opportunity to do this than now. She pulled the glass right out of her mouth and popped the lid open, throwing it at Boris as she fell to the floor and rolled away.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J4lHvV86U
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8NRzGu0JH
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcwmRxkaTt
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO7JHwLNvc
"Huh?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWwxQ6pRXR
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XV7bojvjP
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhKQ8wQHx1
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXHjb4Qkmn
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoL7aDmV7j
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtERYd7QzA
Boris broke into a bellowing laughter. He held his gut not only to soothe the pain but to hold back his chuckles. Rover knew he would've pointed at her had one of his arms not suffered damage, and though that made her bitter, she kept herself composed for the moment.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9m6y85ohG
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFq4oJVt6s
Boris quit his laughter, wiping a few tears out of his eyes. The orange cloud permeated slowly, so it still was rather thick, but that didn't dissuade Boris from sticking his head in and smelling it like morning air.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3w0KMoMLh
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVZYR2Keg7
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3bGxdcen3
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl1K9PBWe6
Boris threw his arms wide.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQUwxROsZT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjaCYfzOkv
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcECUXzD2x
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURYqCMP1Kh
In a flash, as he spoke, as the spit flew out of his face, and as the lids of his eyes closed to blink, he raised his leg one step forward. With that leg, his body followed right after, crashing into the dust of orange, spreading it just far enough that it contacted the earthen arms.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjfRfNUumc
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivqWSCcOBr
And then the magic happened.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yQxU7S762
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X0lVppigz
**BOOM**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0js8mrQXpy
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChSTUUSnKL
That cloud of dust erupted with volcanic ferocity, an explosion so small, yet so extreme that Rover struggled to keep her footing. A great cloud of smoke took the place of Boris' body, and Rover looked on with the slimiest grin she had ever worn.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbFhUCfN1i
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16uA6VbHX1
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxMXVtS1qz
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFueuI5rMk
She stood up and wiped whatever junk found itself on her shoulder. She approached the site of the explosion, and just like in her memories, it was near heatless. She didn't get too close, however. Just close enough to see Boris' crisps, when that cloud of dust would eventually fade.
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuonHypr8fT
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JfCGTlG19
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0kGOFAzxv
And indeed, that cloud of dust faded. It faded rather fast. But then Rover realized it wasn't that the dust faded. Rather, something had stolen its spot.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiz8BfLJZW
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e91yU9kMq
The arm of a titan, reaching out for her, with its open palm like a claw. Rover's instincts forced her body to dash away. Then she stood and watched. Watched as a hulking mass exited the site of the explosion.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUQCPv6FrT
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt23l8CaEg
Then, it shrunk.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwmxLssbQP
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jYgy3ZgxV
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgmFTk6P65
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTp3R9eDGk
Boris' robes were gone. Cinders, undeniably. Then was the leather armor Rover knew he always wore. That was gone too. The only article of clothing that remained were his pants, and even they were hardly intact. He was covered in burns blistered the likes of which she'd never seen, and his earthen arms were now missing. By all strings of reasoning, Rover should've dashed in and dealt the final blow. But she couldn't.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2Ugx9BKs4
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP823ar8iVH
Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd seen a part of his body aside from his face. And now she felt as if she just discovered a new man. Because all around Boris' torso was a carpet of gaping, sporadic holes.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIVhOFO19N
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G3juWdUXs
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ15upjHB3P
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4oraBphZv
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAqJ8QQClY
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvjEVPi8Lb
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyaFB2Phq2
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZDkkCjh4j
Boris raised his unbroken arm. He began mana spinning, forming a brick of earth in his hand. And then, from the large hole centered at his navel, the very same brick spewed out and plummeted to the ground.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI9s5XIdJs
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGKROkJiv9
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPBvhPzmUw
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2gHGNTQ3C
"Those arms I formed made for a dandy shield, wouldn't you say? Though of course, you hit me in the last place it spawned. Lucky you."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ362KFU3K82
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12DOwIUBOU
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi6HuST5L8
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHNnwu62HC
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2CExPuZpZ
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWyblOxCUh
He dropped the brick in his hand right as another spewed out. He wound his arm, as if to stretch it, then gazed at Rover with the eyes of a monster.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMZZoqCn9b
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG7rBW3Y66
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLrikppbJm
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAAL9LuaN1
"...Freak."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cnkT1562u
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6rN4ivmtj
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAL5OyrVWb
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIIjXzWxoH
"And just look at how right I was."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBrooS9Fbw
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEA610AEjc
A hearty chuckle came from him.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUuVQjmtH4
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAeC8TFAvI
"Well, that won't do you any good."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSj8BBkXGC
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLVlYBkS7H
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkCbZQWYXp
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpd1P5T12V
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWf413hNnb
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIhUzSDB7R
She put one leg forward.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25oeySYeRM
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKYUGE4TaC
"You've got brains since the last time we met. At least, more than I expected. You used them well. You're still worth keeping around."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnpzYcrpIW
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48qtpSoOEU
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"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNJKB8JJ1i
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And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98lyk3SqeR
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–
–
–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vWlvGFFfU
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCQHEUnvH6
–From an onlooker's perspective, Rover could see why she'd get concerned stares. Even though her body locomoted tactfully in the fight, the windows to her mind made contorted, bemused shapes. And the removal of her dagger compounded that contortion.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZlSOqcbzi
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7q6FgdjDN
She threw a fist forward. It was slapped away by Boris, and he attempted a counterattack. Rover tucked her head just in time, and with the tiny space between her skull and his arm, she jumped. Boris avoided a dislocation, but Rover kept the assault with a kick from the side. It was blocked by his other hand. She slipped away just before it got caught, and using her right leg like an anchor, delivered a flurry of kicks at Boris, who went to block them.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx8Z1Q004g
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNEpuou8bZ
–Rover's kicks were laced. Whether it hampered or bolstered them wasn't something she knew or cared about. At some point, she forgot all about the process of kicking, her mind wandering to holes in her gut. The oozing pastries behind the glass, unable to snatch that gilded stash.
Boris quit his consecutive parries, realizing that such a task was a fool's game. He backed away, which took a moment to compute with Rover, and Boris used that moment to charge in and deliver a quick blow. Rover fortunately blocked it, and as she didn't slide across the room, she had ample leverage to pull a maneuver. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Boris, turning around and putting it over her shoulder. Boris was bigger than her, but that mattered little with her strength. She threw him onto the ground, and his back's unceremonious clash with the floor made its effects apparent on his face. However, Boris pointed his vacant hand at her and out came a burst of wind. Rover didn't have the reflexes to dodge at such a short range and went flying across the room.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz0AOU1sns
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr46Z81ae9g
–Those morphing cakes reeked of red. Its verdant smell commanded her to smash the glass, but she was smarter than that. She knew that if she broke the shield, she'd lose on the spot. And that couldn't happen. Her blood boiled to steam. Her teeth ground themselves to powder. It was inevitable, seeing as that's how it always went.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTW2Dte4WG
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Boris jumped up from the floor right as Rover landed on it. She struggled to get back on her feet, as the blow from his spell sent her head into a frenzy, but she made do with her wobbly knees. Boris charged forth and tackled with his shoulder. Rover tried to block it, and though she avoided any serious damage, she was swept off her feet yet again. Boris followed with a kick, but right as his foot was about to connect, another gust of wind blew from his chest. It saved Rover from a painful blow and sent Boris soaring away, but the edges of the gust still connected, and she was back on the floor.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHYaYvHEbm
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvTL0A5BpU
–When things get at arm's length, they become untouchable. But the obstacle isn't always a protective pane of glass. Sometimes it's a shelf, one just high enough so it's out of your reach. Rover jumped for years, but every time her legs grew stronger, or her arms grew longer, the shelf grew with her, but always a little more. Eventually, her fiddling fingertips couldn't even brush it.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBetsA4nlzV
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpdsc9fAfd
Rover fought yet again to get her feet to the ground. She wiped her mouth with her arm and spat out blood-infused spit. She must've cut her inner cheek.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54Zwy80b1Z
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Boris was far away from her, but charing with full awareness. His pace slugged from before, it was clear to Rover that the explosion still affected him. She used that thought to muster her remaining strength and met Boris' charge head-on. The two entered a series of throwing and avoiding fists, and Rover's superior speed gave her an edge. She landed blows square in the chest, and as she hit his pores, they immediately constricted. Rover cared little as to what that meant and kept bashing, but then Boris landed a fist into her cheek. She rolled with the hit as well as she could before rounding back with her strongest punch yet. It landed right into Boris' palm. He twirled his arm, a clear attempt to break Rover's own, but she had experience with such tricks. She put her free hand onto Boris' and jumped, countering his rotation with her own, and kicking him in the head. But Boris didn't release his grasp, and instead threw Rover up and punted her gut.
–There was almost no doubt in her mind of what would happen. It was inevitable, in spite of her struggle. She was going to lose. Would she die? She knew Boris well enough, and so she knew she wouldn't. But to her, no future existed beyond the time of her loss. No prospects are had at the precipice of failure. It was like the blackness of recollecting one's memory as a fetus. But if these rotten thoughts were all that were within her, then maybe she could've squeezed out a tie.
Rover fell to the ground, wheezing and panting, remnants of her stomach escaping from her mouth. She expected an immediate attack and braced herself, but such an attack never came–
**THUD**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oRmnDbXsX
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaNxUW4sFH
Rover ate a kick to the face. She rolled across the ground but stopped herself quickly. Her right eye was covered in red, but she could see Boris even through a blizzard. He stomped to her, but Rover didn't move. She reached into the sheath and grabbed the hilt of her dagger, and right as Boris was in range to attack, she threw the weapon at her.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LOIw7XBNP
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmke5dFUqh
–There were chains around her arms, doubts in and out of hiding, pouncing and making escapes with military expertise. There was guilt in her limbs, the ones she used to seal the oath she carelessly shattered. There was anger in her stomach, the one that was always there, residing like a parasite but pulsing now as if it was bound to burst. There was sorrow in her heart, the one she used to fuel words about things she just didn't understand. The one she used to hope. But one affliction was chief among them all.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJYIS6j6EF
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Boris was caught off guard, but not as much as Rover hoped. He just raised one of his arms and let the dagger pierce right through. Boris' screaming was nearly musical to her. Blood leaked from the edges; it was clear the dagger was like a clog. But even so, Boris pulled the dagger out of his arm and sealed the blood-spewing hole with his fingers, performing mana spinning.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvAtBdKAWH
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"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk57sqrHTx
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Rover tried to get up and attack. After all, he was right in front of her, making himself vulnerable. She tried, and she was able to get her upper body off the floor, but Boris kept her down with another kick to the chin. Any strength to rise departed, and all Rover could do was watch as Boris approached.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NoER8WR3U
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"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ357OMZHsKm
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2akxhJtNS
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6jUzxgOLt
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"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6drhs7boV
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"You... ass."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtBIbGTRUv
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvuQWYlJIw
Boris stopped before her legs, staring at them while pinching his chin. Rover couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head. But she kept on scowling, even hissing at him as if the action would deter him at all.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5J3T3u8CK
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"You're not crawling away?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQli8FUj4v
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"...I'm not a damn worm."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG5qYeFX7i
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"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03iKuwZtlv
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ufkop7iP3
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUE97xnqqR
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"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5KAz9s6FY
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87kNAXBL61
He grabbed her left leg by the ankle, and as he did so, he began mana expulsion. He formed a great club of earth in his hand and walked over to her hip. Immediately, Rover knew what was going to happen. She moved her arm in an attempt to slap it away, but her hands couldn't reach him.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNFXb5IuiJ
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCXSA1peq6
But, she still tried. As Boris raised the club above his head, the corners of her eyes were taken by darkness. More and more area, subjugated by black until only the very center of her pupils had the ability to look. They stared at the club, as it stood motionless above his head, and she knew any second it would come down, and she knew any second she would be made a fool.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg5Ir6uxdJ
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And she couldn't do a thing.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1wqFryckN
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–Frustration. It was her frustration. The object of her long-lived hatred, its ambassador stood right there. But she was being beaten down like a dog. An injured mutt who had to limp on all but one of its legs, even unable to beg. At the edge of achieving her dream, her ultimate goal, she was forced to watch it slip further and further away. And then she realized, she couldn't destroy Hard-Bringer. And then she realized, she couldn't even scratch it. And then she realized, she'd have to wait again, and then train again, and then search again, and then despair again. And as the final blow of the battle came, only two words sprung from her mind:485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75Dt42dwn6
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqidWTeJEeL
Sorry, mom–485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM3AnoApGf
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**CRACK**485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj6b1KM0PO
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"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5KDSIGgy3
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Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc4NGdkWJB
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"And there goes your leg."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNqOtIIq1V
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She knew of no word to describe the sensation. Seething, writhing, pounding, shocking,
burning, aching, twitching, pulsing, churning– nothing came to her mind to describe it. The shattering of her femur, shooting fragments of bone like shrapnel to the lining of her skin, but not enough to pierce it. As if dozens of bugs drilled through her flesh, as if an entire home landed on her leg– that's what it was like.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWzGZW2FWC
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"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI062MUMe9b
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kSRxVqlOv
She couldn't even move to clutch her leg, to soothe it in any way. The most she could do was groan and yell and grit her teeth, but none of that was possible at once, and when her focus got captivated by his words the way it did, the pain exponentiated.
"Dogs like you– they like to hunt alone. But the moment they face something threatening, they bite just short of drawing blood. Maybe then, you're a defective wolf."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3GP0fsyDO
485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGAyF4gJpC
Boris uncrouched and stepped away as a club of earth spat from a pore. He was clearly haggard, limping as he walked away, hardly able to move one leg before the other. That was the only consolidation Rover was afforded; a tiny solace within the sea of agony.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdTWmgExyE
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But those words of his stole it away.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKEExCgWHN
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"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLnfmZ54Nu
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Boris continued limping away until he reached the wall. Then, reeling his fist back, he smashed the glass panes open. He looked down and whistled before turning around and looking at Rover.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8jucddyL5
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She wanted to scream, but all the efforts of her throat and lungs were channeled to ease her suffering. And oh, how she hated it. How she hated the grin of his face, an arrangement of his teeth and mouth designed for eating feces. He waved her goodbye and jumped off while cackling like a witch.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliWvNtHHfS
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No strength to draw, no will to push. All Rover could do was lay there and cope, lamenting her loss and that wretched monster's words.
and then Add to home screen.