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Y.C.Manga - PG-16

Zexaeon

By Zexaeon
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Zexaeon Newbie

Zexaeon

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[spoiler=Chapter 4]

 

Y.C.Manga - Episode 4: Advent of Silence

 

 

Nexev stifled a yawn as he bent irritably over his desk, scanning every bit of information the glowing screen of his computer supplied him with meticulously. As much as he would like to be comfortably sleeping in his cushy, luxurious bed, he had several jobs to do.

 

For one, he needed to maintain up-keep on the new castle - as long as The Organization wasn't moving just yet, he would probably be expected to get the castle as homey as possible in the meantime. Wouldn't want to disappoint, now.

 

He was also multi-tasking this with his analysis of the three artifacts Davok had been charged to steal. Their initial value was already quite apparent - The Cryomancer's Core personally provided Nexev with a severe augment to his combat abilities, due to the nature by which he preferred to fight. On top of that, it was a valuable staple to fortifying the castle.

 

The Midnight Shard, a pitch black stone that had been stolen from the Card Creation Tower, was a priceless source of incredible magic. It was by the power of this stone that the Administrative Cards of the Card-Maker Kingdom, cards of incomparable power, were created.

 

Then there was the Sanguiroja, the glowing, blood-red stone Davok had returned to the Tower with earlier this evening, after his fight with whomever had hindered him. Nexev was completely in the dark about this gem, and had been spending the last several hours pouring over information he had been researching. And yet still, nothing.

 

What the hell did it do? Why did Clair, Roxas, and Aeon want it? Not knowing things was often a subject of discomfort for the scientist, as knowing was his business. Knowledge in general was his business, really. As his eyes scanned over another line of text, his fingers absently fondled the small crest he wore on the cuff of his black sleeve - a small metal badge which had been shaped in the image of an open eye, with violet, wispy tendrils winding around the edges of the trinket. It was Aeon's Sigil, the item that identified Nexev as one who served directly under him.

 

Nexev bit his lap as he thought of his last task for the evening - he was supposed to also be keeping watch on all security, just in case the Administrators tried something tonight. His fingers left his badge alone, and instead began to drum against the desktop, his eyes glancing at the Gun which was only inches away from those fingers.

 

"What should I do?" he softly asked himself.

 

In the corner of the lab, Riku was quietly entertaining himself by tossing the Sanguiroja up into the air, catching it, and then repeating the process. He was beginning to feel tired, as he hadn't slept in several days, but he also felt duty-bound to keep watch alongside Nexev, as Aeon had warned of a possible attack tonight. He wouldn't be sleeping when that happened. How ever would he explain himself to Clair?

 

He was in such a state of sleep deprivation, however, that his senses seemed almost fine-tuned beyond their norm. He glanced over at Nexev, busily working on his computers, and smirked. "What do you mean, 'what should I do?'; Isn't it obvious?"

 

"Don't give me that." Nexev snapped back, resting his face in his hands briefly. "You know why we're here."

 

"I know why we're supposed to be here. But don't you think too much has happened for the situation to stay the same, Nexy?"

 

Nexev simply sighed. "That's precisely what I'm trying to figure out."

 

"What? Are you scared?" Riku asked, catching the Gem again before pocketing it and heading to Nexev's side. "Let me guess - you don't feel any attachment to the Maker anymore, as far as personal care is concerned. But you're worried that if we should happen to lose, you'll be punished for treason, right? And so you don't know if you should cut your ties with The Maker, or actually go through with your original mission."

 

Nexev stared up at him from his seated position, brow raised in mild surprise. "You deduced all that by yourself?" he asked, somewhat mockingly.

 

Riku shrugged it off. "I've known you for a long time. You know, worrying about something like this doesn't seem very like you."

 

"And you're not worried at all?" the scientist asked flatly, still mulling through his thoughts.

 

"Nope. My loyalty is to Clair, and always will be." Riku replied smugly, tapping the badge he wore on his breast - a red, teardrop-shaped emblem with crackling electricity painted into the design. "Where do your loyalties lie?" Riku asked curiously. "Because if they're with The Maker...well, I won't kill you, seeing as how we're old friends, and that battle would likely end in a draw, but I will tell you to leave, and will inform the Leaders."

 

Nexev sighed again. "I know. Shut up. When did you get so high and mighty?" he asked, standing and stretching his back, eyes squeezed tight as he yawned. "Maybe," he said in a large voice, through the yawn, "I should up your beatings per day." he finally closed his mouth, dropping his arms as a feeling of relaxation overcame him. That was a good stretch... "After all, your current level of discipline is clearly not enough."

 

Riku chuckled. "Come ooooon, Nex. You know you wanna stay here just as much as I do. Don't get worried about The Maker. Clair will beat him."

 

Nexev thought about this for a moment. "Or Aeon." he replied with a smirk.

 

"Nah, it'll be Clair. Aeon isn't tough enough."

 

"I don't serve weaklings, Riku."

 

"Never said he was weak. Just that he's not as strong as Clair."

 

"Oh? She certainly likes to do what he says often."

 

"That's cuz they're like, super best friends."

 

"Or because she's scared."

 

"You wanna go?!"

 

"Certainly."

 

The two glared at each other, both fully prepared to fight for the honor of their Master/Mistress. It wouldn't be the first time, however.

 

"Hmmmm. How uncouth."

 

Both Nexev and Riku went rigid for a moment, their argument forgotten, as they turned in the direction of the new sound.

 

Hanging from high off the ground, off of one of the walls in the high laboratory, was a figure garbed in thin, form-fitting armor. A small, almost cloth-looking breastplate, with a couple small shoulder pads. A belt which held up a red drape, which hung off the right side of the figure's body. A pair of simple red boots over black pantaloons. A bear left arm, but on his right, a red gauntlet with a hook sticking off of the side, currently jammed into the wall to support his hanging there.

 

He wore no mask, or helmet. Simply a plain face with clumps of brown hair that hung shaggily off his head. On his back, across the back of his waist, and at his waist, respectively, were three different objects that appeared to be swords of some kind.

 

Nexev's eyes narrowed in agitation. "And how long were you there?"

 

"Long enough," he replied, removing his hook from the wall and leaping to the floor. Neither action made a sound. "to know that your Organization is responsible for the thefts that have occurred."

 

"A dirty little spy." Riku mused, eyeing the guy up and down, looking for the easiest places to rip to shreds.

 

"If you were able to get in here completely unnoticed, despite how that baffles me, and obtain such vital information, why would you reveal yourself now?"

 

The man closed his eyes as he drew the sword he kept on the back of his waist-line, horizontally, revealing a Western Shortsword, and held the piece before him in the reverse position. "My method of entry was unable to double as a method of exit. I would have had to show myself eventually if I were to be able to leave here. Besides," he continued, opening his eyes. "Master Blood would have wanted me to kill you anyway, and take back the objects which you stole."

 

Riku laughed. "You think you can kill the both of us?"

 

"I do not have to fight you at once." he stated, quickly drawing out a Spell Card from his belt and slicing it in two.

 

The effect was immediate; a wave of light erupted from the guard in the form of a slash, flying through the air like a crescent moon. Nexev and Riku both performed quick side-steps to evade the slash, the wave coming too close for their comfort.

 

But the swordsman was not finished - he quickly made two more slices through the air - one behind him, and one to the left of him. Nexev realized then what he was doing, as he watched the slash-waves make contact with walls and other solid objects, only to stop in their tracks, leaving a trail of glittering energy behind them.

 

"You've created a cage." he remarked, knocking on an invisible wall beside him to emphasize his observation. "Those slashes have created a field of suspension in the air, cutting off outside force like a barrier."

 

Riku cursed, approaching Nexev and feeling for the wall that he couldn't see. "He doesn't want any interference, obviously."

 

"That is correct." The Swordsman answered. "Fights should always be one on one. This ensures we won't have any unnecessary interruptions. And when I am finished with you, I shall get to the other." he added, referencing Riku.

 

Unfortunately for Riku, the new inviso-wall cut him off from the Lab's door as well as Nexev, meaning he couldn't even leave and inform anyone. "Oh well." he stated loudly. "Guess you'll just have to kill him on your own, hmm Nex?"

 

"Indeed." Nexev replied, calmly approaching the table that was still behind him and plucking up his Gun. "I'm glad you didn't cut me off from this, Mr. Fair Fight." he remarked sarcastically. "Well then, if you're so intent on killing me, let's see what you've got."

 

 

-

 

 

Davok rested quietly in his bed in the infirmary. Around his shoulder, a large white had been wrapped, practically stuffed into his stump to prevent further blood loss. His soul was in agony from the battle he had fought. At the moment, he wanted nothing more than to relinquish his control and rest. But if he handed the body back to Demyx, his other half, the shock of the sudden pain would probably kill the fragile boy. And if he died, Davok died. Couldn't have that.

 

Still though, one thing he hated even more than the pain he was suffering was the feeling of uselessness. Until he recovered, he would be stationary. And therefore, he would be absolutely useless to do anything more.

 

Damn the foolish boy. Davok gritted his teeth as he thought of his current state. It was all because of his stupid other half. The same other half he needed to protect in order to live. Of all the bodies Davok could have chosen...

 

Well, it was certainly useful. Insanely useful, actually. And Demyx's personality made it easy for him to step aside and let Davok seize control. Everything about his choice of possession was perfect, except for the minuscule detail of the boy's heart. That damn pure heart that wouldn't yield to anyone, even Davok. It was the heart of Demyx, who had sworn allegiance and "Everlasting Super Happy Friendship" to Roxas, that forced Davok to follow these fools.

 

Several times, dozens of times even, Davok had tried to kill Roxas, Aeon, or Clair. But before he could even take one step in their direction after conceiving the thought, an impenetrable force clouded his mind and forced him to yield, refusing to allow him to lay one finger on them.

 

And when Clair handed down orders, it was that same force that compelled him to follow them. Damn Demyx and his accursed, pure-hearted loyalty. Davok would never understand it. And because of following those orders, he now lay in this pathetic condition...

 

Suddenly, he could sense something amiss. Something unsettling occurring within the Tower. He growled. He wanted to go and investigate this, but if he tried to move...

 

His left hand curled into a fist. He wouldn't even be useful right now unless he got his arm back. But shouldn't the alarm be going off? Nexev had one installed for in case things like this happened...and Davok could tell that SOMEthing was happening.

 

How odd.

 

 

-

 

 

Nexev stumbled through the darkness, clutching his now bleeding torso as his eyes flicked around for what he couldn't see. "Bastard..." he mumbled to himself, but no sound could be heard.

 

"Spell Card: Umber Cloud." the Swordsman had announced, before releasing the Spell he now held. All around the duo, light began to bend, twirl, and reflect upon itself, until no light could reach the area of their combat. Complete and total Darkness surrounded them.

 

Nexev had tried to say something then, but no sound would come either. His sense of sight and hearing seemed to have completely turned off.

 

That's when the slash came.[/i]

 

"This is ridiculous." he stated, even knowing he wouldn't be able to hear himself. "I can't see, or hear a thing. But he supposedly can." he grumbled, hand tightening around his gun. And I can't see which bullet I'm ready to fire...

 

A whoosh of air. Nexev barely managed to dodge what was obviously the man's blade, which nearly took off his neck. Glaring at the darkness, Nexev held his hand out and conjured forth a large block of solid iron, which would hopefully crash down on the foe before him.

 

It definitely crashed, he concluded, based on the air, the sudden impact reverberating through the ground, and the feel of Iron against his fingertips when he reached to touch it. Unfortunately, he still couldn't SEE it, nor could he hear the crash. So he didn't know if it had landed on his foe like he had hoped.

 

Fighting deaf and blind was certainly an inconvenience. He turned his back to the iron and pressed himself against it. There. At least that's one angle he can't attack me from, he thought as he started smackinf the base of the large block with his foot, trying to feel for any appendage sticking out that might indicate he was successful. Meanwhile, his eyes began to fruitlessly scan the darkness, hoping to find even a glimmer of light.

 

Thank goodness for the military training he had endured years ago - without those honed instincts, the sword that had come out of nowhere may just have gone straight through his head. Instead, it managed to just nick off a piece of Nexev's ear before it reverberated against the Iron behind him.

 

Nexev was actually thankful for the lack of site when he felt the warm ooze on his left ear, deciding that he didn't want to see the piece that had been cut off. Rather than scream about the pain (it wasn't that bad, right?), Nex instead reacted quickly, reaching out to wrap his fingers around a retreating wrist, preventing the Swordsman's escape as he brought his gun up to where his chest should be and (hoping for the best), pulled the trigger.

 

He felt a shock run through the body he held as it flew backward, and could feel the sudden drop in air temperature. He smirked an invisible smirk - his memory had always been good. He had been certain that he had left a Frost Shell as his first bullet in the chamber. And the second shell was a Mist Shell, which contained a chemical imbalance of Chlorine and a few "homebrewed" chemicals, separated by a barrier. Upon being fired, it would emit a cloud of lethal poisonous mist upon the enemy.

 

He stepped forward, using his hand to guide him to the chunk of ice that his foe must now be frozen into. "If you can hear me, I advise you call off your spell. There might be a small chance of me sparing your life if you do." he spoke, hoping his voice sounded casual (since he really couldn't tell for himself).

 

But his enemy was definitely here. Feeling around had found him an arm, and a face. How troublesome that he couldn't use his own Spell Cards on this menace. Without being able to see, he would just be casting them at random, not knowing what he was doing.

 

To Nexev's (non-visual) relief, a sound finally came back to him. "Despite being locked in the unknown, you managed to freeze me. And now you threaten me. Do not think me foolish - if you really wanted the effects of my magics lifted, you could simply kill me. But you ask me to lift the effects myself, threatening my life in doing so - this means you are unsure. You do not know if the Spell Card I unleashed is a permanent Spell, or if it dies with the caster. And I'm not about to tell you. Do you want to risk killing me?"

 

Nexev wasn't sure if his adversary could see him or not, although he guessed he could, so he tried not to show any signs of irritation on his face. "True, I don't know if this Spell will vanish with you." he stated, happy to hear his own voice again. "But I also know that you are in a helpless situation. You wouldn't have answered me otherwise, and would have simply left the air deaf."

 

"You are a smart one. But answer me this. Even if I were to lift the veil of darkness, what would do then? You say my life might be spared, but I doubt you're so generous."

 

"Have it your way, then." Nexev replied, aiming forward, ready to pull the trigger. Until suddenly, a searing pain was running up his arm, and he couldn't feel his fingers anymore. It took him a moment to realize his hand had been cut off. He screamed, but his cries were once again silenced by the magic The Swordsman seemed to control.

 

Backing up quickly, he hastily applied his magic to the wound, fortifying the blood he could feel draining out into a thicker substance, forcing clotting. He then wasted no time in slowing the molecules in that blood to a standstill in his wrist, shutting down the cells and initiating a flash-freeze. The pain immediately numbed into a dull ache as he breathed a breath he had been holding. There. That would stop any damage for the time being.

 

He then glanced upward as a piece of ice smacked into his face. That couldn't be good - his opponent must have been breaking loose. He had probably used his free arm to draw out the sword on his back. That was also likely what had caused the loss of Nexev's hand. He grimaced in realization; the Swordsman had properly been buying time with that small talk while he used that manipulation of Sound to yank his sword from its sheathe without Nexev knowing. Clever. Except it told him that the man had obviously not wanted to die, which indicated that he probably knew he had no sway over Nexev's actions.

 

So if the scientist was guessing correctly, this Darkness would in fact disappear with the man's death. He hastily ran forward the few feet he had backed up, feeling around for his gun with his still in-tact hand. He just had to kill him, and he would be free...

 

 

-

 

 

Riku stood outside the invisible wall, crossing his arms in evident annoyance. After the invader had sprung that Spell Card, the entire area inside the barrier had gone black. Completely black, to the point where Riku couldn't even see the faintest indication of motion inside. He also stopped being able to hear what they were saying.

 

"You had better win this thing, Nex..." he muttered, eyes straining at the Darkness in an effort to find what couldn't be found. A sudden scent caught his nose. Coppery, salty, and warm. The smell of blood. He frowned. "And that had better not be your blood."

 

 

-

 

 

"Watcha doin' Zex?" Clair asked as she came strolling out onto the balcony of Aeon's room, finding the man lazing in a chair quietly.

 

"What are you doing in my room, Clair?"

 

"Your sofa was lumpy tonight, so it kept me up, and I decided to see what was going on with you."

 

He scoffed. That damn sofa was always lumpy. But to her, it seemed to change on a daily basis. Rather than argue that with her though, he instead decided to inform her of what was going on.

 

"Nexev is fighting." he stated, looking into a Spell Card he was holding. "And he just lost his left hand."

 

"Seriously?" Clair asked, loping around to lean over his shoulder and look down at the Spell Card. "Oh wow, he did. So, this is happening right downstairs? How come we can't tell?"

 

"Well, for starters, the lab is at least a dozen levels beneath us. Plus, Nex's opponent can manipulate sound from the looks of things - I already checked the terminal in my room, and the alarm has been going off for the last hour. If we were actually downstairs, we wouldn;t even be able to see the fight, as his opponent has casted some kind of Spell card that bends light and removes visibility. I can only see it through this Spell Card because its surveillance Magic can pierce through other obstruction magics."

 

"Wooooooow." Clair said in a falsely amused voice. "So....why are you not helping him?"

 

"Why would I?" he replied with a grin. "This fight is the ultimate test of loyalty for Nex. We've been wondering about that, haven't we? If he truly has any shred of loyalty left for The Maker, he'll probably turn traitor if things look like they're getting to rough for him."

 

"Heehee. I don't have to worry about that with Riku - he's completely devoted to me."

 

"I'm aware of that." Aeon replied dryly, sending a meaningful glance at Clair's teeth. "I don't think I have to worry about Nex, either. I'm confident in his loyalty to me, almost to the point where I could trust him with anything. This is just a formality - if it becomes evident to me that Nexev will not turn on us, rest assured, I'll be there to bail him out....however, I don't think that will be necessary either."

 

"Oh? you think he's strong enough to win, deaf and blind, and with only one hand?"

 

"If it's a question of strength, then no. But remember who he serves under - I wouldn't have chosen him if he didn't bear the signature intelligence and cunning that anyone in the Blue Squad should possess."

 

"Smartypants." Clair retorted with a giggle. "Well then, Nexy, don't let us down now." she said to the card.

 

"Clair," Aeon said, placing the card down for a moment. "Are you packed yet? we are leaving in a day or two, and you're notorious for doing things last minute."

 

Clair waved him off. "Come on, I'll do it later."

 

"No, you're going to do it now."

 

"Damn it Zex, I wanna watch the fight!"

 

"Fine. But as soon as it's over, we're packing your things."

 

"We?"

 

"Please. I can't trust you to pack your own things on your own. You'll be up all night trying to stuff all of your belongings into one suitcase because you're too lazy to get more."

 

She giggled at that. "Yeah....true."

 

 

-

 

 

Just as his hand had grasped his fallen gun, another piece of ice had flown off from the nearby chunk and had hit him again. Nexev blinked. He could have sword he just saw....a glint.

 

If he had had a free hand, he would then slapped himself on the forehead. Of course! This Spell Card steals vision away by bending the natural light in the area and causing it to reflect into itself, so that it never reaches the eyes of the victim. But water, even frozen, reflects light as well! If it just enters a patch of of reflected light, and then bounces that reflection outward... he began to think to himself as he ran off in a random direction. How could he have not realized something so simple?

 

Using his foot to feel around, he managed to find the boundary of the area in which he was fighting, one of the barriers. He then called upon the magic in his soul, creating a swarm of minerals in the air that bunched together roughly, hardening and shaping itself into a fine crystal. Nexev couldn't properly see his work, but from tried practice, he was sure the crystal was satisfactory. He then mentally manipulated the sizable chunk of refractory material, raising it up into the air in random directions, hoping to find....there! A glint! Smiling, he moved it further in the direction that he had found. Come on...

 

All at once, an large ray of light fell onto him, temporarily blinding his dark-adjusted eyes. Yes! he mentally exclaimed. He had found it! A spot of inter-reflection that could bounce right through the clear, angled crystal he had forged, and send light outward.

 

"Now stay there." he said smugly, his voice still silenced. Within the immediate area, everything looked regular again. Same old pale blue laboratory. But beyond the boundary of the pillar of light he had found, everything was still pitch black. No matter. His crystal would continue to float there, as instructed, and provided him with plenty of light to simply create more reflections.

 

His foe had just lost their only valuable weapon.

 

 

-

 

 

From their seat on the balcony, both Clair and Aeon smiled.

 

 

TBC

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry for the shortness AND the delay - bad things happened. This chapter had to be completely rewritten since I lost my original draft.

 

Since it's shorter than all my other chapters so far, I'm going to crank the next one out shortly - like, Wednesday shortly.

 

T-T Hope this didn't suck or feel too rushed.

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Nexev Newbie

Nexev

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Aww, I lost a hand, oh well I can make a new one.

 

You know since Nexev is the one maintaining the castle and making it it is quite feasible that he could make it collapse on itself easily.

 

I also doubt that my character would be cowardly enough to even be worried about execution, after all (at least according to the prologue I'm making) he's already dead.

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Zexaeon Newbie

Zexaeon

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@Lar: yay.

 

@Rin: He'll get one when he gets his own chapter (every character, more or less, is gonna have at least one chapter that focusses on them)

 

@SS: There's more to you than what has been shown. This is just the icebreaker to your fight. Also, glad you're liking Reborn.

 

@Nex: You aren't cowardly - there's a more selfish reason behind his apprehension than simply worrying about being found out and executed.

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Davok Newbie

Davok

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Yay! I'm the central opposing force! I hate everybody! Dost that mean I am a main antagonist, perhaps? xD

 

Awesome chapter, Zexy. Curse you, Dem! Why can't you let me cause Armageddon! All the cool Apocalyptic Gods are doing it!

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Phantom Roxas Enthusiast

Phantom Roxas

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Hurray for the Everlasting Super Happy Friendship that Demyx and I share!

 

I am disappointed that I was not in this. I had better be doing something very crucial to the story right now. I also wanted to know what my Sigil looks like. Shouldn't Davok have one?

 

This chapter wasn't that bad, but I would at least the Swordman's name mentioned.

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Zexaeon Newbie

Zexaeon

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@Roxas: xD You weren't featured in this chapter because you weren't in the lab, nor do you crash in Aeon's quarters like Clair does.

 

And yes, you have a badge too. It just hasn't been described yet. My badge represents the Blue Squad, Clair's represents the Yellow Squad, and yours Represents the Red Squad.

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Zexaeon Newbie

Zexaeon

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I do have Chapter titles. They're at the top of every chapter when you open the Spoiler. =o

 

And it's a mix - part way superiority, part way seniority. You're a new guy, so you have no seniority. But you're superior to Fen in strength.

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Dad Apprentice

Dad

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Red Squad - Roxas

+ Demyx / Davok

+ Sleeve (who has yet to be mentioned)

+ Zaraki

+ Mineku

+ Ramanga

 

Yellow Squad - Clair

+ Riku

+ Marly

+ Xion

+ Rin

+ Fenrir

 

Blue Squad - Aeon

+ Nexev

+ Raven

+ Phoenix

+ EZ

+ Bludmonkey (xD)

 

=D I r can makez appearance. But I didn't read everything 100% so I dunno where I am. >_>

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