Ronan: The Unseen Conundrum [INV]

[17:39] The growth that concealed a terrified Erétria was more than enough of an indication that he was still effective -- Though, he had always forgotten - something.
Of course, this was the first time they were allowed the escape his immediate gaze...
Of course, it was this time that they'd finally try to find help...

Thus, to her cocooning fungal growth, he encroached...
Slowly, casually even...
As he had to her, so many times before: Less so, as one in pursuit and moreso as to emulate a waking force of nature.

"Eretria~." He sung out to her. "I'm being nice... I was giving you the liberty because I entrusted it to you... Are you going to betray my trust like this? Do I have to make the decision for you? " He growled, shifting his eyes over to the adolescent that posed themselves as brazen.

They may've been a child... But certainly, they knew the nature of this mountain.
If they were confident enough to make demands, certainly they were confident in their ability to enforce it.
Right?

Why was it that the natural chill of the air warped so harshly? Growing so much more intense.
The very air was getting heavy, weighing down at even shoulders... Was it getting too thick to breathe?
The closer Ronan got, the more prominent his originally brown eyes shone their crimson hue -- Likely from his signature arcanes at-play.

The footsteps he made were pronounced...
Getting louder...
Closer...
He wasn't approaching her directly though, but the individual that claimed to become her savior.

" You made the mistake of assuming you were the hero of this situation, child. Don't make me have to make an example out of you... "
(Ronan)
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[17:43] Ursha glanced at Eretria giving a few shakes of his head, but he soon traveled pass her leaving his gaze on Ronan. He was found of the treatment his Retainer has been subjected to for the pass year, and now action would be taken on his part.

The dark flames surround his body while he approached Ronan creating a whip of flames he used to crack the ground. It was clear that there was frustration building up within Ursha.

"Hero? This is my Retainer which I earned, but if you truly wish to make me angry then I shall cast judgement down upon with the power of the star."

Ursha inched closer.

"Cease talking to her now. She's with me, and with that information I'll give you the chance to walk away before I make an example of out you."

Ursha took a deep breaking about his cosmic energy to flow from his body, slowly forming a smirk upon his face.

"If you really wish to see the power of freedom than allow me to make you an example. I rather not have to hurt you, but you leave me little to no choice."


(Ursha)
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[17:53] Their head ducked down. Both hands lifted up, as they curled up in their own little bubble of nature. Slim fingers grasped and pulled at their hair, their eyes wide as they listened.

A sing-song voice. One they'd tried to block out so many times before. Muted, but still audible through the spongey walls of their tiny fungal fortification. Sing-song slowly dipped into a growl. They tensed.

Each breath was shallow. The pace erratic. Hyper-ventilating. And in the enclosed space they had made? They would've run out of oxygen, were it not plantlife surrounding them. How exactly this mushroom-stuff made it work? Well that was just magic.

No need to explain.

The thrum of his magic on the air brought them to whimper. They pressed against the inside of their fort for what comfort it could bring, little though it was. For all they had been, prim and proper a majority of their life. Now? It was just a bit pathetic.

Their tone was desperate when they called out. A faint, somewhat strained voice. "D- don't.. Don't get hurt for me Ursha.. don't.. I'mnotworthit.."
(Erétria Fengari)
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[17:54] Shadowflames? From someone so young?
Certainly they were a prodigy.
--and a cocky attitude to match? They must've been amongst the most powerful magi across the lands of Agartha!

Though, what would bring them here?!
He inched closer with confidence, with raw potency... With all of that bravado.
Though, something about the air felt different -- Around Ronan, as though the very illusionary arcane was at work. It should've been noted!

The air was colder than usual, but perhaps it'd slip past one's notice. Though the thickness of the air? Surely, it was a sign...
Yet, there didn't seem to be anything manifesting to Ronan's person.
What was he up to?

There was no weapon to his person, to contest with the child's whip. Truly, not in his best interest!
Yet, Ronan seemed to chortle at his claims.

" Certainly... Let's play our little game, child. "

Something was off here, but whether it was slight-of-hand or something en route? It didn't proclaim itself to the scene.
Ronan taunted them with open arms, as though inviting them to make the first strike.

" Show me your, 'Judgement'. "

It was a trick... A trap...
It -had- to be.
Why else would he be unarmed? Not even posing up an aegis of the magical domain!

(Ronan)
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[17:57] Ursha says, "Whatever you say."
[17:57] Ronan grins.
(Ronan)
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[18:10] Ursha didn't care if he used a staff or not people were going to learn that every action has a reaction. Eretria didn't know what she was talking about when she asked the boy to stand down, but he promised to follow his goals and take what he wanted.

The cult has a way with words, and they make good on their promises no matter how small. The boy dash at the male with his cosmic force coming from the red star, a grin slowly forming upon his lips.

He'd charge fire into his palm while blasting the man into the mountain wall followed by a cosmic blast. "It feels good doesn't it! The hands of Belial force cosmic power into your body. The power granted by a true deity while you just pretend." Ursha would cast fire, and cosmic magic alike bringing the man to his knees.

"You fall victim to the power of Belial. The sealed God looks down upon my worship while grating me the power to punish those that I see fit. Freedom to follow my own path, and achieve my goals to my hearts content that's what I will continue to live by.

Eretria belongs to me, and I don't want to repeat myself again she will remain he as my Retainer or something bad might happen to you. Get up and face me again I promise I'll be the only one laughing in the end."

He'd crack his fire whip again leave various lashes in the snow, and there a heavy amount of cosmic energy building up within his body.
(Ursha)
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[18:20] Cosmic forces launched the image of Ronan into the mountain wall, combusting into an impressive burst of radiance. The misty plum of snow and frost in the wake, nicely complemented the dust and raining debris of stone.

Ursha had his moment to speak his piece, unabated...
Uncontested...
Truly, this battle was not one he'd have any trouble with.
Ronan was eating his words, suffering so -- But in silence...

For he did not cry out, or even seem give an audible cue to agony.
… Certainly, for one known to be an illusionist, shouldn't it have been heeded as a red flag?

"Belial, huh?" The illusionist's voice spoke back to Ursha, but lack a presence in space: Omnipresent? No, just another cheap trick.

"Belial is the god of your faith?" He prodded, taunting him further... Did he simply not know when to quit? Did he not learn his lesson?! Truly asinine to the end? How did such a fool manage to best a Neries like Eretria?
Perhaps, no one would ever know?
… Perhaps, no one would ever care.

He simply... Stood back up, and proceeded to dust himself off?
No, something -had- to be wrong here.
Was the cultist having his senses altered? Being misled? Was there... Another presence nearby? Lurking?

"Your god may grant you power, but it is certainly not one intended to phase me. I promise you that, child." Thus, he approached... Again? Just as callous and stubborn as before.
Perhaps, they'd have to crack their whip harder?
Perhaps, they had to burn their flames hotter.
If the simply goaded their attacks like this, they'd eventually wear down... Right?

… Or was he... Holding something back...
He chortled... Soon, evolving his laughter to reign for the heavens. He hardly even paid attention to the boy!
It'd show in battle at least.

It was subtle, but there was... Something... Nearby... Probably just another traveler passing through. It was faint... But there, out of view.
(Ronan)
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[18:38] Ursha cracked his fire whip again while starting at the man, the longer the battle went on the more his Occult rage fueled his beliefs. Ursha cracked his knuckles looking relieved from all the tension that built up form this better.

He being to sprout horns those of his Draconite heritage. The comic energy begin to overflow his mana critics causing an overwhelming amount of energy to show. Ursha dashed at the man again even while blinded he punch the man in the chest with a powerful blast of occult energy in the form of spear.

Walking towards the mans body he'd raise his hands towards the skies calling forth the power of Belial again. Cosmic energies form within his hand again, "When will you learn that Belial is almighty, and the follows are proof of the sealed power." He'd put the bema in the mans chest though it wasn't enough to kill though he might be a little sluggish as the fight continues.

Ursha blasted him away with more of hisdark flames, cracking that whip again.

"You must think this a joke? You'll learn what true pain feels like by my hand. You dare attempt to take what I've earned? You're spitting on my freedom, and that's a fucking no, no.

I've been told to deal with people like you, and I will continue to as I see fit. You better squeeze a win out your ass or you better leave her alone like I suggest.

You're stepping on my goals now, you're slowing my own progression. I already had plans for her, and I don't plan on you stopping them."

He'd take another deep breath.

"Come face judgement for your actions."
(Ursha)
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[19:02] A slow clap...
But, it was not where Ronan had fallen.
Was it the growing audience further west?

"Bravo." Ronan's voice called out to Ursha, congratulating him at his progress so far.

" Surely, you put up quite the spectacle. " He continued... From above!
A shot glance in the direction would reveal... Another Ronan? A clone? A doppelganger? Wait... No, what would be the point in that?!

" You put up a good show, enough to entertain at the least. " He claimed, "--and while I, and the others took observation of your efforts, I must say... " His hands clapped for the last time, resting together as his tone dipped for something more solemn.

" Playtime, is over. "
The original image of Ronan had withered away... Banished to oblivion.

" A hard-copy clone... Did you like it? It's a combination ofadvanced illusionary and gravity integration - A technique I've been working on for a while now. " He boasted. It'd make sense...
A normal man would've at least had scars and scathings despite all of the scolding strikes forced upon them.

" I'm surprised... Really. More skilled magus would've at least felt my presence idling nearby, but you? You just kept toiling away. Maddingly... As though incapable of exercising enough control to realize where your target lies. " He descended, slowly to taunt his person.

" Judgement. " He repeated, softly prodding at his lips with a digit of his.
" Judgement. " He tapped at his lip, " It's a funny thing, really... How it works? "

The presence he radiated... It was depressing the tundra beneath his feet. He didn't even make landfall!
The sickly murmur of bass sounded off now - This was him: The real Ronan, no doubt.
" It never sways in the favor of deities, and their intents. It betrays justice... It betrays that of the righteous... Sometimes, even working in the favor of the wicked. For the damned? They see judgement, for sins they'd never commit. " He monologued.

"These martyrs go... Vanquished, in silence. Doomed to never see a life of hope. " He opened his posture, " Which is why -I- am here... It's why I've dedicated my life, to fixing this wicked world. Educating its members... And you? You know not of anything greater than yourself... Only that something beyond you, grants you the ability to further feed your gluttonous selfishness. Never satisfied. " His expression tensed up, disgusted by the content of his own words.

The hush of the wind, seemed to precede only the gurgle of bass through the subtle ambience -- superseding it entirely. The battleground, softened and melted at byshadowflames of the adolescent, were now warped upon, twisted and shattered... Before rising as chunks and pillars of ice and stone within a veil of gravitational influence.

" Your freedom, as you claim, is only your attempt to take what is rightfully mine. If you wish to steal from me, one who seeks to cure this world of its sickening unbalance? Then, you will see... True Wrath, boy. "

The cackle of bubbling energies etched just beneath the surface, complemented by the rising shout of this adversary to the heavens. As his battle-cry sung out, incrementing in volume and pitch, so did the strength of summoned gales.
--But this was not the magic being summoned - no... This, was merely byproduct.
A flash of light, and soon-after? A pillar that spiraled for the skies above. The shriek they manifested shredded at the soils around him, launching shrapnel in all directions indiscriminately.

Few propelled stones pelted into the mountain side nearby, bursting in an impressive display of dust and falling rubble. Some of which, striking dangerously close to Ursha!
The very image of the illusionist had become naught, but a dim silhouette within his rising column of radiance.

This energy, was his mana: Tainted by the very arcane of Time, a metaphysical magic that was never intended to meet the physical domain. The atmosphere yearned for the transgression to cease, but it'd only coalesce down to the epicenter...
His battle cry, had hushed...
And there he levitated... Stoic, within his own aegis.
His right hand rose out to his side, spawning a ball of alabaster light. Through his squeezing fingers, it molded, before contorted at by his mind's volition.

It stretched out on its own, taking the form of a cylindrical object? No... A staff? This was illusionary magic, was it not? No man could create matter from nothing! This was nothing but a trick.

The cackle of fulmination dancing across his body, jolting in violent fashion. Fingers toiled at his staff to spin it in baton likeness, before pointing its sharpened end for Ursha.

The real fight was soon to begin.
(Ronan)
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[19:18] Clearly, the magi was toying with Ursha up until now. Though, it didn't mean that they'd not make their mark against him!
Flames rushed in waves, battering down the battlefield with energies of warped cosmic energies. Yet, for every strike, Ronan's image glitched -- Fizzled upon contact, as though Time was constantly attempting to correct the very conflict he imposed upon it.

That was when it came to close distance.
"I've got you now, child!"
He reached out for him... But, was too far... Too slow...
And soon, bathed in the child's energies. The occult had pushed him far! Though, was he... Making an impact?
Occult twisted flames roared in a pyre where Ronan should've been -- He wasn't flying in the skies anymore.

Was he grounded? Finally consumed within the mage's flames? Truly, he was persistent if he thought he was getting through this. The battle seemed too even for him to wager a decent chance against the cultist.

Yet, the mastodon of flames stirred... No longer raging for the skies, but swirling akin to a whirlpool at a lake's center.
But, he was beaten?! No... The flames were called upon, by an overwhelming pry of gravitational forces. They were collected, pried with the ignited debris and compressed into a single point within his open palm.

Extinguished?

It didn't make a difference when soon to be contested by a rush of cosmic energy empowering the boy's form!
Though, as Ronan charged forth, the fist he called to his side pulsated with shockwaves under the induced strain.
The flames... The mana... It was not gone.

He had learned, from the fight with Yasuyoshi, and was executing his technique now!
The fist opened up, aimed at Ursha to unveil all of the pyromantic energies summoned to his person all at once-- Intensified several fold by the illusionary prowess at Ronan's disposal. The surge of energies were intended to launch them away, toiling them for the cliff-side where they'd roll slower.

More than likely to catch themselves before falling off the cliff.
… And from that vantage point, Ronan proceed to walk, boasting his victory through his approach akin to an unstoppable force. He had some soot on his person, but seemed more than capable of pushing onward.

" I shouldn't hold back on you any longer... You're beginning to get cocky. " He claimed, closing the distance. If the boy didn't pull himself back up soon enough, he'd certainly have to contest more than natural gravity prying him down the cliff-side!
(Ronan)
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[19:30] Ursha was blasted back by the mans magic though he did notice the man was slowly down quite a bit. Who was the cocky one here? It was clear that Ursha would have to put everything in this this last fight so this big man could shut his trap.

Ursha slowly picked himself up from the ground his body was fragile due to age, and if this continued he'd probably end up with a few broken bones. He coughed a little blood up in the snow though he chuckled at that.

"This blood. Not as beautiful as the crimson power, but still just as wonderful to see."

Ursha finally rose to his feet forming that fire whip again before strike the snow again. He form wasn't the same it was clear he took some serious damage from that last battle, but he wasn't about to back down.

Not many works were spoken at this point, but he shouted towards the man.

"Belial gives the power to bring you to your knees come so that we many do so."
(Ursha)
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[20:05] Ursha couldn't fall victim to the man after he fought forever he believed in his goals, dream, faith. He wasn't about to let this man spit on everything he preached here today no matter how young he might seem. Ursha raised a single hand, created a fist while slamming it down on the snow causing a star to explode crashing down into the snowy area. "You shouldn't over a teen that trying to achieve his goals"

Ursha eyes engulfed in flames, his body begin to emit cosmic energy and with a swift motion he'd dash towards the man again. The same cosmic beam from before there being shot into the mans chest for the final time. He'd send the man flying across the field with a grin on his face, but the fight wasn't over.

In the other hand was the fire spear again pushing the man further into the mountain again. He stood over top of the man dropping a mass area of fire onto of the man.

"Belial gives me the sight of freedom, and I'll achieve my goals no matter who might stand in my way. You'll head by my words carefully, and I don't want to hear anything else about it or my quest for my goals might bring me in front of you again.

Eretria is my Retainer before you were in the picture, and yet you disrespect me by trying to take her away from me. You don't do right by her, and this will be my last first and last warning to you leave her alone, and she will remain here."

Ursha turned towards Eretria moving her to come by him.

"I told you what I'd do, and it'd done no matter how much doubt you might have had in your mind. You need to give yourself more worth, and I'll keep my word regardless.

Welcome back, and you don't have to worry about being taken away from this place again."

The flame finally died down as he turned towards the man again.

"I didn't plan on killing you, so go on and find another person that you are trying to keep by your side. She will not be one of them though if you continue to try and take her away from me I will have to consider it.

Take this as my kindness, and thank Belial that you may live another day. I've shown my freedom, and my will to achieve my goals I hope this is a lesson enough for you."

Ursha didn't feel like talking anymore he was just about worn out from the entire battle. Hopefully this would be the end of it for now at least he wished to enjoy the rest of his evening.
(Ursha)
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[20:32] Flames...
It was always those Damned flames...
No matter the flavor: Holy, Occult or Pure...
The raging pyre that singed him, taunted him... Goaded him...
It always oppressed him, yet it was through only the purest of flames would drive him back.

These flames... These occultic tainted imitations … They were not what fueled his rage, but certainly, they irked it.
What had happened? Did he get too cocky? Did he simply, decide not to take to the skies this time? But... Why?
Certainly, it knocked some sense into a man who had been consumed at by his once-amassing god-complex.

He was not invulnerable... Unlike a God? He could bleed.
No illusion was strong enough to mask that fact.
… Not yet, he thought.

Not, strong enough... yet.

The aegis forged of time allowed him to see within short proximity of his place in time: Mild favors of precognition, bestowed unto him.
Though, no matter what short-decision he made? The end result, was the same.

All of these futures, and he couldn't find the one in which he stood victorious... Was this fate?

"N- No... I'm just... Not strong enough yet." He thought to himself. He lied within the pyre of flames, feeling so numb to him amidst its grandest wrath.
Humiliation never got old for him - Though, this was not the place to show weakness. If anything, he'd only find himself suffering further if he didn't gather others to his aide.

Other followers in his cause!
… Where was Sylirei in times like this?
She should've been up here, waiting on him.
She should've made her way to his weakened form, to spare him of this pyre that ebbed at his flesh, boiling at what was once ice, and blistering at the skin.

Clothing was ignited, and set the image of Ronan totally engulfed in flames. Yet, he couldn't find the will to even cry out. He had, for whatever reason lost that much resolve in the past.
Pain, was his reward.
Loss, was his motivator.
Hatred, was his fuel.
Ursha had reminded him of that.

Certainly, he was downed, but not out... He could pick himself up, back up to his feet. He snarled, drawing his staff to his hand through his gravitational prowess. He didn't care if the boy had offered him this 'mercy'. To him, it was humiliation...
He picked his staff up, readying to make another strike at the boy's back as he turned away.

A coward's move!
But granted the gravity of the situation, wouldn't it only result in his damnation?

-- That's when, he heard his voice.
No attack came from his person to surprise the boy... Only a shot glance for the audience, amongst them?

The unmistakable image of the pyromantic kitsune himself: Yasuyoshi.
The sound of his voice drew his attention, but the image of his person incite an insurmountable rage beneath the surface. He wanted... Nothing more, than to have him suffer.
In his current condition though? Surely, he could give a fight? But he'd lose, he knew that much.

It was best to flee: To live and fight another day.
Ursha could be found again in the future.... And Yasuyoshi?
He'd be reserved for later. When, Ronan was ready.
Within his free-hand, he clutched at his palm, tightening at it -- Daring to draw blood under the strain.

Magical prowess summoned the hissing gales of a singularity within his opening palm. It spawned, as a blackened point in Space, prying up at small debris and dust to hypercompress it down to the single point. Though, it was not unleashed unrestrained upon the scene to reap havok: No.
It was suffocated...
Starved...
Forced to pull only at his own person, yet tempered to keep from actually ripping Ronan apart. The very picture of his person forged visible lines, twitching in adverse manner. Even glitching, but this was not the likes of Time magic - No.
This, was raw... Gravity? But how?

Ronan's study had been theorized and tested time and time again, and this, he felt as though his life depended on it -- To evade Yasuyoshi's detection in the immediate proximity...
And soon, the very color within a small rift of his control dwindled for an off-gray.

He was using the power of gravity to siphon away light, itself from his image. For those encompassing the scene, the very sphere of his conjuring grew, stretching out his image in a demonstration of spaghettification. Though, his person did not budge, holding himself still by countering his own art.

It took more than power...
It took will...
It took determination...

From the black orb of intensified gravity en flux, emerged naught but a hollow outline of Ronan, utilizing the arcane of illusion to blotch out the imperfections of the art.
Vanished? No, he was still present.

Through Gravity and Illusion magics combined he sought to disappear from the scene and make an escape. Though, there was a flaw in his technique. By denying light to reach his person, and molding a clear image around and -through- his form, no light would meet his eyes.
He blinded himself with his own magics.

To others nearby, a light halo of dust and frost spawned from nothing upon the ground, dispersing almost as quickly as it formed: Ronan had taken flight, blindly soaring south.

… Then, silence... Before some crumbling of stone shattered just over yonder by the nearby cliff's edge.
Ronan had flown through it, bashing himself against the stone lining in the escape endeavor.

--But to those present, would it be detected as anything outside the environment settling after a long testing battle?

(Ronan)
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[20:36] Yoshi was simply minding his own business, casually strolling through Argatha looking for something, looking to fight.

Huangzhou was magi-less like always, and everyone in Gehenna seemed to be missing. He didn’t like Levengard, simply because Lea was in it, and he refused to fight around them. Yet, something was crawling up his spine, triggering his brain, and telling him to just go around and hurt someone. Why did he want to hurt someone? Simple, because he wanted to.

Alas, for the people on the mountain he came. Flames were around his person, forcing him to actually burn through the snow. Greenery would be underneath it, letting it rise before it turned to ashes. Even though he was flying, it seemed that the temperature that he was giving off, was simply just enough to burn it all to black. And in his little bits of destruction? He was able to see something that he simply couldn’t believe.

Two boys, fighting over a seven-foot-eleven giant woman, over who can take her as a retainer, girlfriend, all the same.

On one hand, he could understand Ronan for wanting someone, because he took everything from him. It was the most enjoying thing that he may have done. One by one, Yoshi simply took lives of the cult members that he deemed family. And even in Gehenna, when he simply took Alberit and Azera with the help of Famfrit, it was simply fun to just watch him come in despair. It was fun, it was way too fun.

On other, there was a pink-head kid, screaming Belial, and screaming retainers, gross.

His mind was in the gutter when it came to retainers. All the things that Suke said about being Calista’s retainer only made him want to vomit at times. Not only did they claim that she was theirs, but they said other things. Things that made him tingle with the urge to literally burn everything to the ground and rise it up properly. So, when he turns to Ronan, he says nothing, but to Erétria Fengari? He only had a few things to say.

“If you’re letting a sixteen-year-old midget, actually claim you as his retainer, I want you to take a knife, and I want you to ram it into your jugular. You disgust me.”

As it turns out, it seemed that Ronan fell victim to the same, fucking, sixteen-year-old. “And this is the one who says they are serving under Ultovex himself? But can’t beat a simple child to claim a woman that was his?” He shook his head. “He’s lowering his standards, and making a fool of himself. You honestly deserve to die.”

He simply lingered towards Ronan. Hands curling with claw-like finger nails pushing entirely. Claws as sharp as a sphere ready to go into the skin, rip away the jugular, and watch them choke on their own blood. “But not today, you’re not worth killing at the moment.” He finally switched his gaze to the Fengari once again.

“But you just simply disgust me. You make my entire stomach swirl and I really, really dislike you right now. So, I will give you a choice: Get the fuck off the Island with that little shit. Or I slay you for your weirdness.”
(Yasuyoshi)
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