He stands over us covering the moment with oppressive shadows. Seemingly oblivious to where he is, the man emits intense killing intent. Even if help were to come they would be too frozen by fear to step up.421Please respect copyright.PENANAwYWsbTOaLu
421Please respect copyright.PENANALi25gxHJ8x
421Please respect copyright.PENANAfcw1iQixih
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAsj3c2ojzHm
421Please respect copyright.PENANAdEvYCVQTHy
Sever: “And you are?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAozV5BGkbar
421Please respect copyright.PENANA3yOuagd3D1
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANADX5Z1aQp45
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVYapOSECZy
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOIDhI2dxVT
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVTiyjv9TvS
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9XuI59moPX
421Please respect copyright.PENANADi5NVgDhOx
She moves my arm away and stands up against Sever. Usually, Alyson commands any ring she steps into against this guy, she looks as small as me.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyoo0PZ1IbP
421Please respect copyright.PENANACiwK6H7ojM
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANArDO4p2fgRh
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPknRVZgc8x
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
421Please respect copyright.PENANArEKjgB08EI
421Please respect copyright.PENANA6AbfZG9kNF
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiS687HdCld
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIOAEoV4ftE
It’s my turn to get up and stand up against Sever. I might be taller by a small inch but I still feel like I’m still the young kid in the situation. Despite that, I puff up my chest and enter the fray.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAlarPRVNWKo
421Please respect copyright.PENANASRqG48VNnp
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHbH5Zle0wX
421Please respect copyright.PENANAJrmBxgfwJg
Sever looks me over and snickers.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAAzQhyTajiu
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgDXUZsleXj
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA2fB4yZeF4Y
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHY2ybqa8hK
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAroWwwU5Oik
421Please respect copyright.PENANAEv5dGKHieR
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgojNygwRpW
421Please respect copyright.PENANATkE3A13Vdn
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAx4C7ctXb5I
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhIuTxczCOI
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyq8UpAYV0g
421Please respect copyright.PENANAlsVR2sXjQW
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAwtj3SkbLKu
421Please respect copyright.PENANAcPnt3zYIjd
Alyson: “Less than a week and I’m sure you can’t go from weak as a stick to beating guys near twice your size.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAbH8R5UixWb
421Please respect copyright.PENANAZGqEelXbgi
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAnHAFMByOcc
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOZGs0pHbbM
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAG2xnh357Sh
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGn5I6ePMRb
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAYiD2P2xKlm
421Please respect copyright.PENANA8TFjhUyD4t
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPw21YWOF35
421Please respect copyright.PENANAG2CFDHTaGj
Sever: “That is yet to be seen. There are many ways a dwarf can take revenge on his bullies. A gun of some kind perhaps.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAF1NGIBXG5d
421Please respect copyright.PENANAvn2SqFjt0O
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoTtwSMNUn2
421Please respect copyright.PENANAmlGg2JuOyo
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANALldbS75qt9
!!!421Please respect copyright.PENANAA5QCWPEiHs
421Please respect copyright.PENANACMPBDaVZtk
I grasp Sever’s necktie and look deep into his dark eyes. I want to make his skin burn through illusion but I hold back.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAlLUyP4YLqJ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAjxqNV5dQS5
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAAP9Cqxky6G
421Please respect copyright.PENANAAhPhN9ua59
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAmxuhGhSnii
421Please respect copyright.PENANAvgrBruyD6y
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAsJD8HXNs6L
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWZuWHTJ4Lb
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAO4mSryX2XL
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4svZ07mwAj
Nao: “!”
421Please respect copyright.PENANABYNQK0teO1
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhmuGMHhotm
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
421Please respect copyright.PENANAS82cyhStJH
421Please respect copyright.PENANAnJdLMqDHsc
!!!
421Please respect copyright.PENANA13Cvl13qwD
421Please respect copyright.PENANApZD66GMez2
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiD4zNdxOi8
421Please respect copyright.PENANAP0QQzjRfV6
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUVAjOqKGdo
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9QOgYs3kH6
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAXmJWcAvwJF
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUkGVYzDBWI
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzmR1GVWWCq
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWhMTzN6OG1
He disappears into the shadows of the arena and leaves us in a darkness deeper than we thought possible. We say nothing as we took our gear off and exited the building. But when we return to the light, Alyson breaks the heavy atmosphere.
421Please respect copyright.PENANATp9HE1Czgj
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgkHCweBdKm
Alyson: “I want to say thanks for standing up for my family back there. I don’t usually open up to someone this quickly but, you’re a good guy Alphon. I trust you and want to keep this relationship going.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHdmG7beiRJ
421Please respect copyright.PENANABEwwYUioDG
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAQPRmuWiHPs
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGegiNh2ach
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANArFrVx2WJ7u
421Please respect copyright.PENANATjPmEICJlc
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAp6fDjTgsra
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhQEbpp48i1
Alyson: “Haha, yeah.”
…
…
Nao: “I can see you don’t have the best relationship with your brother but please, try to get along. He’s family and you can’t get that back if you lose it.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANApVePKfv83Q
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWJCutmC4TJ
Alyson: “…”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA2tiNg9wc9w
421Please respect copyright.PENANAMV9Q2BnIhw
I leave Alyson alone at Crimson Battlefield and stalk the streets. What the hell am I supposed to do? My eyes dart to every person I pass and every shadowy corner.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAibNAljvr3p
421Please respect copyright.PENANAb3AEMMTjoP
My breathing becomes haggard and my head begins to pound. There’s nowhere to run to that I feel safe from eyes that haunt the back of my mind.
421Please respect copyright.PENANABZChVjDBez
421Please respect copyright.PENANAfe3P45UdsH
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGXfC5Gfrdr
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4wQ4LiyYhl
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAcOkKXtW3RK
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9sRXe8KiEI
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANArKOI0vJUPo
421Please respect copyright.PENANAno5ja8CH4s
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAxKMkCbMygn
421Please respect copyright.PENANADhu1cX2sWO
Arc: “Get stronger.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4tSJqJO6bX
421Please respect copyright.PENANANt18kgiJ8x
What?
421Please respect copyright.PENANA6ATbbWGJmE
421Please respect copyright.PENANAcyAXSxyyIQ
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgmAiLDVXAo
Death…421Please respect copyright.PENANAzfjVMkAXZB
421Please respect copyright.PENANAMTuHwWJ0ai
I’m only 17 and I never had to really face that concept before all of these. But the shadows threatening to consume me, It’s really starting to hit me.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAY7Hg9igTmG
421Please respect copyright.PENANAJmoBMzzwr3
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*421Please respect copyright.PENANAq8QyJBcwXY
421Please respect copyright.PENANAsQbZe2HylX
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]421Please respect copyright.PENANALtKmDwxvss
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
421Please respect copyright.PENANAaFE6uWIhTa
…What is an invader?
421Please respect copyright.PENANARAHnUVRGD4
421Please respect copyright.PENANAb9WlfldlYO
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAX4ZZxwEZVX
421Please respect copyright.PENANAa12mqst2L1
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA2oNgyhHsye
421Please respect copyright.PENANAmT4C1Ei0ue
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA0aGqJnpXHL
I can do that?421Please respect copyright.PENANA3Mqtb2xQfP
421Please respect copyright.PENANAw3Qkj9sNin
Arc: “Yes, but you need time to focus. It will be…very painful the first few times. Pick something not too small but something people won’t question.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAg94riPhvjQ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGyHog8rXud
Yeah, maybe Sever will think Alphon is just a werewolf or something.I’ll go through the upstairs window somewhere. Need to find a good place to do this.
421Please respect copyright.PENANARfUqDwhjca
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWNIkezzyq0
I search around for a bathroom or some forested area. Both have pros or cons in the situations but I’ll take either way. Eventually, I find a nice area with enough trees to cover my transformation.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOqgQ77MTYl
421Please respect copyright.PENANApbRBy5g6V0
I want to glance around but that will give me away. I enter into the thicket as if it was the most natural thing. When I was deep enough, I focus on a big dog. 421Please respect copyright.PENANA4gAJpW7NxX
421Please respect copyright.PENANA2Jcf205k7n
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
421Please respect copyright.PENANAagUmxcP4Sx
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhJNKTmXhCC
Instantly, I could feel my bones break and rearrange themselves. I almost blew my lungs to pieces with my scream but I muffled it by biting my hand.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhKdZLMNPsX
421Please respect copyright.PENANAxrAMQfEfPY
I bit down so hard that blood starts to feel my mouth. Anything to keep quiet. My body begins to shrink and shift into a dog. A muzzle, my ears, fur, and new legs. And unlike last time, my clothes don’t shrink with me.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAn1p0umE86l
421Please respect copyright.PENANAFn5BpLDh27
I has to be almost over, it has to be! I close my eyes and pray for this to the end as my body heats up from the transformation.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4pta0OldC1
421Please respect copyright.PENANAxZWVUDYrcs
To my surprise, my hand slipped out of my mouth. I couldn’t bite down anymore when I started to get on all fours. This released a torrent of tortured screams but thankfully, it sounds like a dog instead of a human.
421Please respect copyright.PENANADjwT0HYPkO
421Please respect copyright.PENANAcpC129k3kz
After what seemed like ages of being ripped apart, it was over. My body cooled down and could finally open my eyes. The world looked…different and my body…felt foreign.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAmkugRODZbP
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVh7zF5pNHA
I pushed myself up on all four paws and started to walk. My balance was terrible and I fell a few times but I kept pushing forward. I finally got out of the thicket and was greeted by a few curious looks.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA03FAMLwzes
421Please respect copyright.PENANAdbIuWL4yHL
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIckDL6CbD7
421Please respect copyright.PENANA3zzVkSQlLo
“Hey, are you alright?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIa2SoMoWea
421Please respect copyright.PENANArZP7fbRnrZ
One of them tries to pet me but I’m not into that. I force myself to learn how to run fast as I take off toward my house. I can tell this will confuse those people and anyone I might come across along the way but I don’t care.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAi1J0c0HMXl
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGVtbPHyzdG
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkA7Ic0xNIP
!421Please respect copyright.PENANAUKVEwjGMgI
421Please respect copyright.PENANAAYOv0al2ma
“Ow, what the hell?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAtzEIfPDhUd
421Please respect copyright.PENANA0KHeepT7T5
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAZ57SAYEhcu
421Please respect copyright.PENANACsU2T1eqh6
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAG7n8hleEBz
421Please respect copyright.PENANA85MWraJSuZ
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
421Please respect copyright.PENANALFPjmLcJpk
421Please respect copyright.PENANAQTuCpGKabG
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANACaNnU9Gc3V
421Please respect copyright.PENANAG0VWlCFyDq
Wait guys, take me home!
421Please respect copyright.PENANAx7L1WV4oAQ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAi6vzmpiuk9
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAfAZTMk4GEl
421Please respect copyright.PENANAH4Pjna986H
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
421Please respect copyright.PENANAAjfHOqPZix
421Please respect copyright.PENANAuRO4B8mVsW
Tallow: “Wait look.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAxXnDdKrczn
421Please respect copyright.PENANAKVf0KMKJ28
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgokOHlhs5t
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9k6Qo4IgL2
Valo: “N-Nao?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAvvV4XiEXwP
421Please respect copyright.PENANAA9HdjF76f5
I nod my head as hard as I can.
421Please respect copyright.PENANABfJesIKbrE
421Please respect copyright.PENANAP3hQPMb1hl
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAlEkQ5H48PN
421Please respect copyright.PENANAscb0LzOyU5
Mat: “Damn.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAs1s63fTBfC
421Please respect copyright.PENANAYD28J8nwDa
Velo: “But why?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAU4E6Y6BYlc
421Please respect copyright.PENANAXFe4J4rU0f
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyizbEn01Vs
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVaaluah3s7
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.421Please respect copyright.PENANAjR1L3l6jqm
421Please respect copyright.PENANADUhW8XzDpb
421Please respect copyright.PENANAU9EmYsak8p
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANABOnGzIlaTL
421Please respect copyright.PENANAEtJn81Iz61
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANATGyukOdO8Y
421Please respect copyright.PENANAFhxG92k5Au
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGWAufL6vHD
421Please respect copyright.PENANAtHtAGJEnfv
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAtC121g39a0
421Please respect copyright.PENANAueMor4Hur0
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiMJEr99VkP
421Please respect copyright.PENANAStSxXpIpDD
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPqsil3KcrW
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUJtY1iBi4c
Everything smoothly from there all the way to my room. Once inside I run around to find a towel or something to bite down on. I find one and look at Anthony, hoping he understands what to do.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAE2874E6hrU
421Please respect copyright.PENANA32SlKObZGx
Shape shift!
421Please respect copyright.PENANAQyH3g4nUR1
421Please respect copyright.PENANALQkHl1ZdUO
Immediately the pain returns as I bite down hard on the towel. Hot Steam escapes my body as the fur melts off my skin and my bones reshape.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkD7vOG8Cgf
421Please respect copyright.PENANAxgSFGzq0Os
Mat: “What the hell!”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAfRZE3BFnAa
421Please respect copyright.PENANAMkPQGVURhG
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAQFBfE6TBMD
421Please respect copyright.PENANAB5uErsvQFb
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAnSydw2Pqvg
421Please respect copyright.PENANAouyaNIxBIC
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUKI4e5UZgk
421Please respect copyright.PENANA6pQihZ1v3J
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAMoThrkJ0OB
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVk7fO3pA2b
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoslp5285tU
421Please respect copyright.PENANAV1PsUO5uj9
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAv6KPhIhneX
421Please respect copyright.PENANAofS7jR9mCK
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzjrgyf5hFq
421Please respect copyright.PENANAu5c75oOF19
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAa1WkIgfCyZ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAwGFhk3PbXQ
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIQeLmpfsa0
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzMV4gvXBi5
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAJfHbrA3zth
421Please respect copyright.PENANAYhbaI684eG
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHpzpKMajC3
421Please respect copyright.PENANA0iADdhPtwU
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
421Please respect copyright.PENANATOpDf54K45
421Please respect copyright.PENANAb0iRiSMxgJ
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyjeTF2Npd6
421Please respect copyright.PENANAteQzsGCHnx
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9jpXXGO0AN
421Please respect copyright.PENANABo8OW2ilfh
Everyone: “What?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAocuh2gUz9K
421Please respect copyright.PENANAaKeTOJsU4l
Anthony: “Of course, we’re easy scapegoats and were bullied just like Nao. Anton may have bullied Nao the most but we felt his wrath too. I’m sure they suspect.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOhFWCDE0jV
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4x1Zbp6kp9
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAp4bik8bGzz
421Please respect copyright.PENANAFeyzRJiyrp
Velo: “What do we do?
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgVPakFKwU1
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9LEtbhK52h
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgodXna0TsD
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiOAog5GEv4
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAn4IgA0R5rQ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUKd5w7woxb
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAqJGfrO1Y6t
421Please respect copyright.PENANAZjzH8WwnhW
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAvjD83YuahB
421Please respect copyright.PENANACtNrjIUZVY
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAN4qesa46uk
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVQgCsTcdlj
I freeze when I remember what I did with that spell. It’s powerful enough to blast a hole through a person’s chest. To think that’s the weakest offensive spell…
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiW1USXSKIg
421Please respect copyright.PENANAbPGdwziXF7
I can’t give that to Anthony but if I don’t…I’ll have to explain why. I…can’t do that! They’ll leave me for sure if they find out I’m a killer.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAfkk87Amg8C
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIUdfEiCpxh
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA873Z3HRLx4
421Please respect copyright.PENANAaljhUjIxxU
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAqosODw5pTk
421Please respect copyright.PENANAcwOa63FwVK
Anthony: “Why?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAeyw80Cao48
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyEGWJ2MOGJ
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAtOHfiXwIWs
421Please respect copyright.PENANA6T113wik9e
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAtnmBdsjqE2
421Please respect copyright.PENANARr6W4Qy1oq
Nao: “Ummm…”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAA5C7cDTId1
421Please respect copyright.PENANACziX08UwLY
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIMXm4QxLEJ
421Please respect copyright.PENANA6AlfwMUKHJ
Air Bullet (6)421Please respect copyright.PENANAYqhCdQL63A
421Please respect copyright.PENANAsTAUgwliyE
421Please respect copyright.PENANAgFSv817hbD
That doesn’t sound too bad.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAeNZSY3ixy4
421Please respect copyright.PENANA3DBUxYtqIq
Nao: “Air bullet.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVuWp8JJKDd
421Please respect copyright.PENANArmiPhyAJf3
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAsI84SU2hvj
Points: 1421Please respect copyright.PENANAjyoSsjJjQY
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyFddHXaRU7
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWRDrUhbiTs
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkuwRiSvW95
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZOKYtYm38
421Please respect copyright.PENANAD73B9HywOq
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPKqvb2CRDW
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGFDOCtR5U7
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhPpyDJNodx
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiaLWoLuBpY
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOBbGXad8NW
421Please respect copyright.PENANA2KZBzNAqE4
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAf16fy2aRhm
421Please respect copyright.PENANAwOQmAQuLR7
Nao: “Illusions.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzop07JFdrs
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIXyG5xud6a
The plan was set and executed. Valo went out and told mom to check the bathroom. Anthony kept an eye on the situation through the cracked door.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoB3XyZHqsI
421Please respect copyright.PENANASWjEStN6mF
Eventually, he moved his hands signaling me to go. I go as fast and quietly as I can to the front door. I open it and close it loud enough to catch mom’s attention.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAo0MrM1AB2H
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGtOcNGCPno
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA50YWrSuMqW
421Please respect copyright.PENANAT1hSuk1sWT
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAjaZzgODybj
421Please respect copyright.PENANA2oxxyvIYUM
We?
421Please respect copyright.PENANAd9v9CeoThO
421Please respect copyright.PENANAK044Kop7YE
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA8avX3D7Ynn
421Please respect copyright.PENANASGDSLBqVjL
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWSboacDaR7
421Please respect copyright.PENANA3i7XKYnuzE
Nao: “I was fine, just taking a nice stroll around town after going to the book store. Sorry for not paying attention to the time.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAaZEkXzL7MN
421Please respect copyright.PENANAq8RASWwG2x
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAg4hTQvT1qP
421Please respect copyright.PENANALHRuKzwWC1
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA95F14kkjgR
421Please respect copyright.PENANAskOcJAyNKf
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAthMjgZazRZ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAvPfCbCKep7
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWijNizDNyA
421Please respect copyright.PENANAdjOnsJvkBg
Nell: “Of course.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAy4AV7haeEu
421Please respect copyright.PENANAQsRS8AIsvg
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhHzPqb7UcI
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVTQT27b8yW
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA5wYVUoD3eT
421Please respect copyright.PENANAmHKvtOosHe
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANACUFmPPKmXb
421Please respect copyright.PENANAJOcw8CaVbi
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA88HIMKoRyJ
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4Nd2odSUJW
She leaves back into her room with a slight blush. I can’t help but smile at knowing that I’m the one that caused that.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAnYwJFJ80gl
421Please respect copyright.PENANA6hEqmLGix3
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAW8sJ7R5Q71
421Please respect copyright.PENANA5LNItcRg7x
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAZNUOR3wxGL
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGoR13xF6U3
Nao: “Sure thing.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA8hDfIoElv5
421Please respect copyright.PENANATScC1HwAZE
I take the toy shotgun and start infusion. My mind wasn’t really in it though. Alyson, invaders, Sever, and what I’ve done. So many things race through my mind that destroys any focus I have.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA05XJvZ4FBt
421Please respect copyright.PENANAsjPtRWbFpJ
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
421Please respect copyright.PENANAma43PmVwqZ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAYhcthAZfh9
Arc: “Do it.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAq47RGLTH9j
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4BJbqPPzoL
But-
421Please respect copyright.PENANACIlZSNSjd7
421Please respect copyright.PENANAXuGpPGtTAp
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUNJPvBQk8w
421Please respect copyright.PENANAs0PT6tkR7Q
My mind drifts to those voids in reality and Sever hunting my friends. I can barely protect myself, let alone my friends. Maybe Arc is right.
421Please respect copyright.PENANALnl2Ya8Mom
421Please respect copyright.PENANAto7d8LBC7z
I redouble my efforts and focus on creating Anthony’s weapon. After about an hour of attention, the shotgun glows bright enough to feel the room.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAebcnZXvkxn
421Please respect copyright.PENANAFnapTgxt1f
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANASVfT5V29XI
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoEOCSrwIPv
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAnm0KvIqmJ9
421Please respect copyright.PENANAaJQVVayncl
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAChjJU4WwkG
421Please respect copyright.PENANAIw6sivHO6X
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
421Please respect copyright.PENANALhuobhaK40
421Please respect copyright.PENANABliVPEAXHQ
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAD3hCqH3RKM
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiGJoo20hV2
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAiuuvmERqVq
421Please respect copyright.PENANAhs2oOczXm8
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkEWFRk3U9c
421Please respect copyright.PENANANtYnXZ0m8p
Valo: “You should take a break.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA1spya6wl2V
421Please respect copyright.PENANABlIJukP1Ls
Nao: “Ummm…”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUM8nDAGlfN
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPWR8YTXJaR
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAFIqgJNCwLy
421Please respect copyright.PENANAnwUiVth0qk
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAAHwIVemyvU
421Please respect copyright.PENANAXOKI3kkwwb
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAJEDIofjmY0
421Please respect copyright.PENANA2naSQRru7U
I nod and followed the group out the door. Mom was still in the living room so I made an illusion of the dog appearing next to us. It didn’t have a lot of detail and didn’t have feet but it’s good enough.421Please respect copyright.PENANA23gCN9ywHj
421Please respect copyright.PENANADDoITnGYH8
*Ding*
421Please respect copyright.PENANAEUcbGXJ8No
Points: 3421Please respect copyright.PENANA1JEDbEmFiz
421Please respect copyright.PENANABTVomPLBCR
And that’s 10 spells a day!421Please respect copyright.PENANA7Lun9xAGTi
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoyaDqPiTE1
421Please respect copyright.PENANA1JaElgAYBm
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
421Please respect copyright.PENANALaGCA1NVS4
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOpESy7IFtN
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAC9EVHyW6hn
421Please respect copyright.PENANABCXBU57Z9s
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA0qMMoDWWax
421Please respect copyright.PENANAKHBwFBbc56
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkbHtzjI9vX
421Please respect copyright.PENANA0jMPJ68gbI
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAXyGLF0LioN
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzlP3U0715a
I go to the bathroom bandage my hand and slip back into bed. I tried to take a nap but my headache and worries prevent me from falling asleep.421Please respect copyright.PENANAEab0CIKq8m
421Please respect copyright.PENANAQnIq8pZWub
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPgzYhE2Osc
Arc: “You know what to do.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAxvrqnJIBrJ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGC3kOf8P1J
Nao: “…I know.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoM7lupgiH9
421Please respect copyright.PENANAM9ubRYXyyM
I look at the clock and it lingers around 3pm. I have plenty of time, to rest later. I push myself off the bed and get ready to work out.
[4pm]421Please respect copyright.PENANAQHxoRS7G5E
421Please respect copyright.PENANAdF89BsuTkj
*Ding*
421Please respect copyright.PENANAKzT9aZM1my
Points: 6421Please respect copyright.PENANAlij9vSog8e
421Please respect copyright.PENANAaKEa57W7Ox
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoxGqwVlldS
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkINveAMxJr
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAS0WBHPuaCk
421Please respect copyright.PENANAsl3OekEenH
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAcGS1RQpZWO
421Please respect copyright.PENANAf1DSG14A6f
Thinking that, I go to the bathroom mirror to make sure there’s no remaining hair from my hair.
…
…
Well, it won’t take long. I deserve some recognition for my efforts. I put my shirt back on and knock on Alyson’s door. She actually opens it up pretty fast.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAJgUMeitSAO
421Please respect copyright.PENANAvV56ts6vYx
Alyson: “Yeah?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAVQmhoHwI2V
421Please respect copyright.PENANAdAC3Xwm1fE
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA3zGPqPGa9i
421Please respect copyright.PENANA1FHF3RnHVq
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAwI5jZVOpvV
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzoURF4PckZ
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA7xPTcQK2vo
421Please respect copyright.PENANA7EGyjkQ137
And she closes the door in my face…
421Please respect copyright.PENANAONHYzsgbhD
421Please respect copyright.PENANAr6bEJBPP28
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkKnz7KNJHS
421Please respect copyright.PENANAKlDI3pQEQ9
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAtGExxocDdn
421Please respect copyright.PENANAz0wipVHl6S
Nao: “Okay, how do I practice offensive spells? I can’t really do it here and I won’t be able to leave the house today.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHYogFc5p6j
421Please respect copyright.PENANAr29ANdBP5o
Arc: “I have a function dedicated to battle simulations but I don’t know if you’re ready even for level 0. Find a place to practice, it doesn’t have to be today.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAS5tjsNQAPr
421Please respect copyright.PENANAK4TPXTtpet
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAr4BE2N1PND
421Please respect copyright.PENANAuFwoogdUTJ
Arc: “No.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANACcjK8vLn7p
Learn Meditation (+2)421Please respect copyright.PENANAhUclimGwPv
421Please respect copyright.PENANAuFYXZNrZ5l
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANApMuCrescdr
Points: 3421Please respect copyright.PENANAp8kFCfeHSg
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4x2k3S343v
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANALLsH0vg2Bb
421Please respect copyright.PENANA5V4Mv66kcV
Arc: “Be glad it was just a headache. If you actually tried to use that spell the backlash would be comparable to when you killed those bullies.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA7HeBpSTVIG
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGXPM9NCHCd
Nao: “…I rather you did not bring that up. So infusion doesn’t give such a bad backlash. Good to know, I thought I was just getting used to the pain.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANALMgwo4SZMC
421Please respect copyright.PENANAFAtBCt1ukY
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAN6E9vM7unz
421Please respect copyright.PENANATXWVFBIUfU
Arc: “No, mediation is a bit special. It’s not really a spell but a training technique. Your body can already handle the effects, learning the skill was more for me. I’m now allowed to handle more of the mana inside you.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAy5011T9X99
421Please respect copyright.PENANAatbsnRM1Hf
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA1m0CPwI45O
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkQfUDu354D
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPxsfkRuqHR
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUXr2KZQVzi
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANATHOgd4OHkW
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyTj0Y4FAPl
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAEJh9ntpXBa
421Please respect copyright.PENANAcDhnMzAFQE
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzwDhido4oS
421Please respect copyright.PENANABss97LJs50
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANApmyxScZrpk
421Please respect copyright.PENANAT9mff83fhV
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAyAgptW3bXz
421Please respect copyright.PENANAmvLfUL7o8i
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA4c7xfpdIYP
421Please respect copyright.PENANAC5ru8ZbQKl
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPvzRV2KNby
421Please respect copyright.PENANAGzacRMm3C4
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAEoNOGMsvUU
421Please respect copyright.PENANAzVAO2iIhOp
Got it, I focus to feel the magical energies throughout my body like blood. I read it about this a few days ago but this is the first time I’ve really felt it. Even my breath feels different somehow.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAoh86M9lpMy
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOEGXnnKEGA
Arc: “Now it’s time to create your mana energy center. It can come in many styles. A heart, core, spiral, circles, full-body, etc.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANA0TEL3YiHmL
421Please respect copyright.PENANALHnUf3EKGt
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHEfaE3bUp5
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUzdP4ZaoIt
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAbo83aBQAeW
421Please respect copyright.PENANAI7eVyYDPCJ
Nao: “I want the best.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAB3IsVHssxv
421Please respect copyright.PENANAjGoyLqOGzJ
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAu4UNaYixoG
421Please respect copyright.PENANA1pRdhcdJNR
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANANMHF3ukyIA
421Please respect copyright.PENANAOocde3IpRt
Nao: “Can I know why?”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAAqohxmkFaF
421Please respect copyright.PENANAw0PlnHEAEJ
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAmdZUreOmqY
421Please respect copyright.PENANABxLdAa1mc8
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHKrLKekx4I
421Please respect copyright.PENANASA57NoLfUL
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAxb6ULYclOv
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkxnwBtKYbC
Arc: “Nice, now imagine heating the mana and expanding it. Good, cool it down and shrink it. Repeat the process as long as you can.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAkKXZ3prdeu
421Please respect copyright.PENANAPQ9XVBOSGb
I do as I’m told and at first it was easy but eventually the strain starts setting in. Despite sitting still, my body starts sweating as if I’m exercising. Then I began the heating and cooling of the mana.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAykOPGRjYyH
421Please respect copyright.PENANAY19PEZpZdB
Arc: “Don’t hesitate to breathe in and out. This is as much of an exercise for your body as it is for your mana.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAlUncQ5H2hV
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHmdgK1kxaY
Yeah, I can feel that. A squeeze in my abs and stomach tightening every minute. I keep this for as long as possible before tapping out due to exhaustion.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA50fxP6VqjA
421Please respect copyright.PENANAYW2n3xi0es
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAEXnwluOrXp
421Please respect copyright.PENANAHBnS6zb7RJ
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
421Please respect copyright.PENANAUAJhiLmgvk
421Please respect copyright.PENANAZtfWT9k4vz
[9:00pm]
421Please respect copyright.PENANAH6OYfRP6PM
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9lKtFlA7NJ
Even dinner couldn’t help restore my physical energy. I never knew mediation could take it out of me so much but I can feel it working. I feel that tiny bit stronger and my control over mana has improved.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAC3BL2Z8sGi
421Please respect copyright.PENANA3GDSZrHYB3
Buuuut, I’m done for the day. I can barely move from my bed. So I close my eyes ready to get my well-earned sleep.
…
…
You know what, I haven’t increased my size in a while. I’m working so hard, I deserve a height to match my improving body.
421Please respect copyright.PENANA9r3TLTMEGD
421Please respect copyright.PENANAZN96Nxc86C
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
421Please respect copyright.PENANAELT0USMbwa
421Please respect copyright.PENANALDzLMRKiCL
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
421Please respect copyright.PENANAWbpRuw4ypo
421Please respect copyright.PENANAMtamdUsopj
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5421Please respect copyright.PENANAM2CIukAFFs
Endurance: 11.5421Please respect copyright.PENANAI12RPVXfX0
Intelligence: 15.5421Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0aDfYb7eo
Charisma: 18421Please respect copyright.PENANALkXcvBfnjj
Agility: 12.5421Please respect copyright.PENANAB6VPe5TGxi
Magic: 18421Please respect copyright.PENANAEQaEvvi8UZ
421Please respect copyright.PENANAFiAhkHBbDy
Spells:421Please respect copyright.PENANAzef4f9FCoP
Scan421Please respect copyright.PENANAEYuAwnssfa
Minor Illusion [Active]421Please respect copyright.PENANAJHNHWs4LBG
Magic Missile421Please respect copyright.PENANABaf1S6476R
Control Water421Please respect copyright.PENANAg0eyPKWQ2s
Acid Blast 421Please respect copyright.PENANAcW8gc0uuqs
Shape Shift [Active]421Please respect copyright.PENANACSBdbrw4BJ
Mind Reading [Active]421Please respect copyright.PENANARhzNSB9V71
Paralysis421Please respect copyright.PENANAdCazRVTeF1
Basic Healing421Please respect copyright.PENANAhquHD7bTL0
Air Bullet 421Please respect copyright.PENANAvlvqR9M4on