The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuZvb6uKsT
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9WP04JmrY
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9g1asltbJ
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"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzvoZPBXgM
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"That's not true at all–"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX3DgdXfyr
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMEvFNbQLR
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YoMJC0wit
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"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR0w02R3fr
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I fell to my knees.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsfOjMT0JC
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3WSytT6t6
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I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGAE86Z0u4
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"...Kenny."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuZJ3OkuJ1
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"What!?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1W8BRhQvS
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZgxSGAgw9
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcCTaM5v9U
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlqzC2wltd
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpNE4yFsvr
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTVMMTFmWg
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7byysapkhZ
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSwcj7eWnP
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWNpZuovZR
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsx9v30WrD
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"N-No..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPmXlELZ86
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJQwVdy3Rf
Oh, God.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmsYlNW3GK
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEl1Fbkqeh
Oh, God.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPXkGJSbaf
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhECFPqGH8
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF62epRYTj5
Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSk95FWMj1
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCxyVzFDMz
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BXQPbZSvu
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrRqJy3pHB
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7d1dS4O3g
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKuOTMRL2k
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But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMBEs6rUOb
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"--Hrk!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPk5pPX6sY
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyXQvvbrYs
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMWwxj0PXL
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"There you are."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLVRlTfa7v
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Ng already found me, huh?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVkNIEGmCH
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgqWhsJ11g
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlxeji4TzZ
I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSiF8wVl28
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"...Fine."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP3becArHM
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He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjGsIsVeQm
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJZRytBDBn
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Nevermind. What a strange question.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLNgggKZ4r
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"No. They died a long time ago."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBYR4kzdLh
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"I see. You have my condolences."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcp1ExjqEm
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"I don't need them."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhav29atJf
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A pause.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmj1Gr6dtz
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhZpljDNoD
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6Z2p9Oc1D
"..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh2KyM6HAb
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjp36vaIUP
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovtCFXO9mj
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YtlB11rPW
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"Did I–"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGItqj0oLP
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSidgv12eH
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cW5kkxzd8
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I had to make sure I heard him.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY4DPoGNO5
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"Assistants?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hs1gmF1QD
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78VKyxLo9U
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjfWMWjSkn
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfRkGXvWQ6
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjurbR3IQS
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuQx1f75EK
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjSVwPyOD9
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqdn4QbHtE
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiov4Caz4l
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHSfMjoqN4
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BSgqm2SqH
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKb6jbr9qH
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoSgJwi7Ao
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"Of course."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPetluxc04
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXFJM61os8
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"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwfpVLUWqq
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjwfHabhDr
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But, no, something else was bugging me.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlJkOH5Esy
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"How did you know where to find us here?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRfoHeiczO
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"I simply spent the day searching."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ58cFRY5B
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"The whole day?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXgHJCl6ow
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxjifb73Mv
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlVOaacNvk
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8yeRgBOCq
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He sighed.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBEJ1MFPUU
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUNMjgC8AR
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ztQUifUuZ
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwV8ZNYIDY
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFOCoCbSs0
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFIYr29SJK
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"...Why do you ask?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9JbciEBnh
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq6lMHiwJd
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5P9jIxNFj
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymOQkQmxj5
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUKplycWFC
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfVoCK4OnP
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62QfDEviYu
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEyS1zpvAb
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y2NgvFXOl
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY7bkj7x2g
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLStCpyyGcH
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5zVsvkBPc
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n3tyCXxNf
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ3wM55G84
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhh2RyixJH
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOaxRzICAP
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFPY4LTURz
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlMg0J4xqE
He put a hand to his chin.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c0eyQePZB
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMzMX0mY6R
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDfLENhJzj
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3S5xBTbnn
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ746GwUNgL9
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lyTluI0wU
"No."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aJF9tfZBx
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjfQ1ZDhAe
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8kQqbxswT
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFidSim3nr
"Do you mean in the woods?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cs3q2LdCY
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHFDTV9vmt
"Yes. I'm just curious."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOOauI5kjA
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBub4Qg1FvR
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseQ6bu8HZL
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOCBE5arzh
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLXZ8LBAT2
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWNQtwmBY4
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6vWUozGvQ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcR4iJvmMp
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4lfDLeAHy
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7hPueB84J
"Me too."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5PwiJNTh5
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLIdhqONCd
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6aYw4oScX
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzfsgPRQzI
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7HW2pMBy4
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70zCQw4Jmq
"Yes. For now, at least."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPUAypLYp9
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EdtjtMUG4
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5upBfsWrY
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN7mhlgjA1
"..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiKRZj19GQ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvNpNi9k7f
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07IofEWTER
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyoEe1dUNX
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3zAsLWKmT
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMxCsnzQ1F
"...Huh?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts5S7mlaRQ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdoF3wkSSa
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8nC5OrgBU
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB78YfTVSmV
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO3itpbI8a
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9zcKob8LI
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmnNymysMb
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpUYBV3yFJ
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u3cWfbeG8
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl7AlA3Kq7
"Good morning, Kenny."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYkTVMFs1W
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl5xek9JyJ
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCKjLCPmwV
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8cLyBPzdx
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aAijIT5Q4
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5lhdtDS5J
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGhIZ8fRde
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcuo9jmCg4
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gf0MGbC9B
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwn4R4p5yU
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwgyPN6qCc
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhGOXPQ6f1
"Yes! I have, ha!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkGgMjlIVe
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI95XxhiYmO
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLHisYj1R2
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNuQ9dhgEY
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmE2D9R837
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q7OUoLwao
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyhz1JYCNu
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qd10XyiS0
"Thank you, teacher."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5R0vvGKcd
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3r28WCzwW
"Yeah. Don't call me that."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlDfbb7Wdq
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtbU6lzIk5
"Okay."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhyWold6xl
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EIS91hV5j
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpa33tOm3R
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX3ySv1doc
"Hm? What's wrong?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFw1uGd5uZ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQs6XdLH2D
"Um..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdQKRoYMS6
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ybBDLU5sn
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX2RHhOgEt
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkVpLvy4hv
"Here. Have it back."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmSycl6JKl
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfsVA8BDQB
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZWsDmEz5V
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD1OKchmh1
She shook her head no.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMQ2zg6vAS
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKJzHme436
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw31oCEQ4NJ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HE2oSkhV8
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvihLggvyL
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy4PLnAbHu
"Thank you, Flinty."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI43N80vtw
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVrBJDe2Ju
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6ddkNKPOG
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SvU5P2FWq
"Kenny, do you feel better?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HxiFPSWil
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8iUQB83PN
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhMRw9hphr
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uSt8BSu0p
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp2QWUyipu
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFLOZMISbT
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs55kddO6Qp
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqXmhYYnAC
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6Ac8Bj6Ye
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemEQz6OE86
"Good morning, Kenny."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5n7TPPWoS
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyXgafyY6A
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOw4XBS4C0
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL3GrPA74X
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneCTB9Z5lK
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocnUiYwrMB
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqFkqGgSPL
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4DlFTgcHv
I scooted closer to him.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxKMPGA69E
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxNRGCvzZU
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMCXwgLsRF
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MGeI5NOq2
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsED4zDSgk
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnarbQImdHw
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9VrrZTX0A
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBJAJZrGKH
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmuYcVaTIH
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GkYHCBRYv
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4MsJH2jSP
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVCK6gxuwG
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ8yakyuUn
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmis7EO88Zs
"What?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yTJHGMYLE
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRNGqW4EtD
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsbJBRhQmv
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVqmR8nJ3o
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iWrDSrAwi
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWS5uWke4Q
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlFzgkgMM4
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRIX6I2EON
"R-Right."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wt6d12X0z
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD121cbOGD
"Well then, shall we go?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzGESPUGMJ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEHHH736Jz
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwAoGBn2KF
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYigVGbAVS
"Alright."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBwg8QuF42
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHuw797jlK
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkKTSTSXFn
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao2oaIhtNk
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdxVAVwgBW
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And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScbTmaCicl
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKQBnjKlvT
"What?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8UBimxq5m
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY6Gfly5Pg
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPiAsUz8tu
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwQbM1IART
"I know he will."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI4spCsWBN
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtFYsWdhHJ
"Then why are you shaking?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK6gFD2MwI
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0pyd83rvx
"...I just can't help myself."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqMJoEfFPp
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbxImdLAjk
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP8hIzknnM
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ9zfEs9fA
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx0cnQ1DiE
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNPDqmSl9X
"What do you want to talk about?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgWb0nNYV9
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4U8vlZv0O
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnfxnLE0Ia
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYFW6snzcf
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrGja2Fdjw
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OPT5g5Z0W
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI7sIDcdrC
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgX7EstnMn
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM1Bol9X4S
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKul8NnjPP
"Ha!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKeeSce5pi
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLB4gOqUuK
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjCa23Jhz1
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeAGdqwRAg
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN5MA0thzl
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q6AysWbir
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6C2Ye6K7S
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcAAKtp5Fd
"Hehe, something like that."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOMt9RapUH
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLB2MSV0rM
She didn't sound confident.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1yiNFOEfJ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjqXPNiYyz
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE61eatqGLZ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8rbE3Twzi
"Ah. That makes sense."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrt9WNDkmX
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMe8JjqNSg
I was very close to saying something insensitive.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVN3HIPGZW
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"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qt6YWNUft
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfewTvDsSPK
"...Wolf?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46aNA52bNn
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFBdzwwwzE
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHax6OXeBs
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDeLXM4Gac
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0lsn4DdI5
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9MzriYYHD
"Kenny?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMkARPC6LZ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV9bmoKRIl
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOtD4aLxY2
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I9Kt0cGUX
I stood up and walked forward.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz5JGsLdvj
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZHmqisvBk
"Kenny? What's wrong?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRickySKxYW
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdtwhl81m8
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDgTgN8kME
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCgy3EgnJm
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ZOtWRRMr
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5DQbPjs6x
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY8sehUmuK
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigjl6Eq0Hv
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdSJt1cYoO
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwybFbwf6G
**BANG**405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecin18yFEx
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OesPgfGUM
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraOdPiDFIE
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMC3UgFpwR
"Victoria."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wFkDopk7B
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkNDXSE4XG
"Right."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtX5uHFBrS
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAKWd3NoYy
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0YsaqQJWm
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ni69hWZJg
**SMASH**405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFqj6ykKrO
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO459n1rVH
There he was.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw58zd8ZAj
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT498FsKCE
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbBqgW1TOR
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTJK9YmRUG
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VKnOZmvvR
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtX6OIKMcm
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6mynIoMm2
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZOH5IMdmY
"Right."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BCIjPRjuJ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUyIEZz97V
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwNatcVhaX
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDwBwEsIkt
"Thank you!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK5hnsQmyU
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbJaJsF3SJ
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMoQMMSDvR
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vwf2la8yn
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZusBQcl1Dy
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmV7LgeL5R
"Huh?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuV0nCHyDL
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBx8eUE1vZ
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK0xikpt9J
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO3VyzxhSI
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI4PiqYGhE
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1VxVc7Bqj
"Shit!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLsl896q7R
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecEEUbwfti
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKqIixahKN
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRepnZl3sq1
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8pKnbQXLx
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbXePrVZqM
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMXlhGY2sT
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M1RorZbHs
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8bwW5gsU3
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCwXUNhTTu
"I understand."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LMbAF2Yk9
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMRe500lJI
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtRHK89Qhk
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiWwHDuBhh
"Uh oh, Kenny."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENscRsJonT
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEZKUPcRMV
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJmf9TDsvS
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoFPRWYEku
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhavb3QfEGo
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWeYr5DFAU
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmEV2dfjZT
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpGSbEhXsB
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPfAokiRx3
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE6OkInCBd
"Hrk!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZgGZQNquy
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaJ1eTIUH7
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyqn69xnXg
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58icFMGIEC
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam2bhNJTbR
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5KA7SItK2
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaJJuXj9lg
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnZPOAfFdo
"Victoria!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNaZ6V2vtY
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQd4mI0bwO
"Right!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoJPC6UhqQ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjisvhFawI
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK9tUAMySJ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiLbUuzoFY
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YfIZGsFJO
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv9qbgQL2f
"GRAHHHH!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgmWi5Ep8L
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV59dAl3W2h
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIRJMZeUCX
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCGb9akpfE
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ275SMmHgzI
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5u7DlWSD1
"..."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPs7hWFJNg
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLdLCEZxRp
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡife4u9ubnW
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5BgkfB2Nw
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk6cBw5jYa
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0TyiRHwui
We did it. We really did it.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfHade8DyU
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsNL1NuVZ6
"Kenny!"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAPeMqhIaM
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWdFVnW88l
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiGEpwF1hB
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ353BtxaeNv
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrRxVbjTsE
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13YSVaoU1c
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuz4CAez0W
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRAI8x2CPj
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuF8Do5Pww
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZl5j2YmKG
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNwm8Uhi6f
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNl38MAcLq
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXDy5fpFmC
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQfjX0sMyQ
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN326dbhMA9
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vIlbSOIAL
"We did it," I muttered.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5VRsXwbgz
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpPPlvEkSL
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXv2GPPuY6
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMKVciv7kF
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64YISSl5Lt
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1RxqOZCyV
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDedRaYc1n
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouyc8cXnfb
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwma7xm5WS9
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v0Ie89fsf
"...It could've been a lot worse."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF9u4IZf5J
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsdchyhMIl
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuy6DBe4hx
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjI0M8fXZ5
Victoria looked at something above me.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Hgvun8TJ
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA9UtyMMwJ
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D35wVpIMH
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv8f4dzk7z
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9zqzmKvwW
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolDy6y67x0
"No. Why do you ask?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg18iRts6Qs
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8vQuefliW
"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMDlrndnzP
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zU8IAV8zQ
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkUDanAKTK
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBPM79xwV5
"O-Oh, sorry."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqUM9XQE5j
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWlw13S44C
She scratched her cheek a little.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQcg9Sxri6
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qeblWMZC3
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6rbsNGLEL
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ380bIJCpNO
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tAuRfs80F
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuPN5SsFQh
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCmRmW7LGI
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq60Lvy31s
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ikxSJ5OF
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fIHByluzk
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJYs4sXaOI
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbJH1wlB0a
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJwIrt7REO
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwNAc2PdkF
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxFTsezy57
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlKAu7ptXK
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCkfp6kS3f
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKGkTxvGI3
"We fought something, Kenny and I."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAx08yTK69
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzaIfrQ1of
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBwMQ3nfyj
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX4ozki9d5
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUp6qKzxXk
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznWlI0bdx2
"How is Kim?" I asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NUsYWZ8MI
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQStLckNYy
"She's fine, just unconscious."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtOfI1Tun8
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFcTdt4him
I could only say one thing.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNahg0RLf8
405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNfrHD3E7P
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
and then Add to home screen.