Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter IX

It had been quite some time since the attempt on the King's life, and the Staav brothers had once again set past their differences, at least for the meantime. Alistair once again held his post as a watchman, and no further incidents had occurred – Yui, however, had his position at the King's Guard, which now meant he had a new position with better training (though not better education – being a Staav already gave him that, regardless of what the brothers' position in the family was).

The two were in the barracks courtyard practicing with both swords and wit when the leader of the King's Guard, Ketal Whisperwind, came for Yui.

“Vassal, there has been an incident. You must report to the Council at once.”

Yui gave his new mentor a grin. “Already? These assassins must be stupider than I thought.”

At his disciple's seemingly arrogant attitude, the great swordsman drew his blade, held it against the rock, and scraped it to cause a noise so scathingly irritating it caused nausea to all except the one who caused it.

“Alright, alright, I'm coming!” The vassal made his surrender known, coming up the stairs to his commander and disappearing into the brick alley which Ketal had came from.

After they had left, an annoyed Alistair grabbed his stuff, rubbing his ears to relieve it's pain.

 
---

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Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter VIII

Katalyn surveyed the barren ashlands known as Akira from his point atop Malaco's vista – a point notorious for being the last stop before the ash got too heavy. His companions – Dotalyn, Gregory, as well as the brothers Shawn and Sean, and Katalyn himself had planned an expedition into the forbidden grounds for quite some time, with the approval of the Royal Society as well as the Floutin Expeditionary Association. While the others were asleep due both to the early morning and long hiking that took place the day before, Katalyn found himself unable to stay asleep, and so took this time to make certain that the crew had all the items in their catalog one last time. Taking out the list. He read it off in his head:

- 5 airbreathers
- Food and Drink for 20 days (10 days had already passed, and they had intended to survey Akira for roughly another 10)
- 5 shortswords (for practical use)
- A locket (Gregory's)
- 3 pairs of clothes for each (15) (However, Shawn had lost a shirt on the 8^th day, so in reality this was 14 and a half)
- A notebook and monocular (Katalyn's)

He pointed to the items as he read them, and found that all was accounted for. Impressed with himself, he then took the time to wake up the others, and finally make their way into the place the gods abandoned.

Of course, that was all 16 days ago.

Even more days would've passed if it was not for a young midari student to have stumbled upon the logbook at the Royal Society's records chamber. Naturally, the young elf brought this to the Council, and they once again got together in discussion.

---

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Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter VII

“Are we almost there?”

“Not used to climbing, are you?”

“No – well, yes, the Society doesn't do much fieldwork – but I meant it more earnestly, like-”

“Yes, yes – I understand. We'll be there very soon.”

Alatricia smiled down upon her elven companion, seeming to glide up the mountain while Zeroi slowly made his way up, taking his time though not by choice.

“So, how well do you know these people?” the Elondi asked.

“Somewhat,” answered the Acadian, “I saved a few of their men once from a band of wilderness patrol. Gave me a feast and everything for it, told me they would do something for me if there ever came a time. Don't know if their promise counts for something this big, though.”

“Well, they are called the 'Red Bandits'. Are you sure they're not just going to attack us the second we get there?”

“Listen, I've dealt with these people before. They're fine; believe me. Fine enough at least.”

Little did the two travelers know, the group known as the Red Bandits had been listening in to their conversation for quite some time already. As Alatricia finished talking, two members came down from the shadows of the trees, weapons out.

“Oh, wonderful.” Zeroi already began to put his hands up in defeat, however the rogue had different ideas.

“I must speak to your leader,” The woman marched up to the two members, and as they pointed their swords towards her she simply held them softly by their blades, “I must speak to Reydal.”

The two looked towards each other, and nodded. “We will lead you to him,” one of the grunts said, and the four continued deeper into the forest.

“State your names to the Baron.” The same one who had spoken in the forest spoke now, as the current two guardians of Enthia stood in the presence of the legendary hunter and thief Reydal Whisperwind.

The Realm of the Red Bandits lived up to its name – though the trees they were in before all held the same green tint, the base was built upon a small patch of everreds, whose bright beauty could only be admired in its enclave. The base itself was fortified by wood – normal oak, of course – and the throne in which Reydal sat was expertly crafted, and decorated all around with the thick thorny vines of the Red Rose.

Unlike some characters we are already familiar with, the Baron of the Red Rose both spoke in charisma as well as held the desired looks of a prince, though this prince had been banished from society long ago. He wore a noble cloak of red and black, which he no doubt stole, and his fair head held fair hair, a sharp brown that seemed to contrast beautifully with its surroundings.

“No need, I already recognize the girl. This elf, however-”

“Zeroi, my lord. Or, er, baron?”

Reydal gave a kind chuckle to the remark. “I am certainly no lord, and I am only called the Baron passionately. My name does not own any real titles, at least by your standards.” He then turned to the face with which he was familiar. “So, Alatricia, what brings you back?”

“Actually, I believe the elf can better explain things than I.”

Now, with the spotlight entirely on Zeroi, he spoke once more of the terror approaching Enthia, and its need for a leader.

“I have heard these statements before, from my spies in the capital,” Reydal began to move around in his seat, “it was not yesterday that there was a conference upon the topic of the recent attempt on King Heirut's life.”

“So, you're interested?” The excitable Elondi clenched his body in hoping for a good response.

“Not exactly. There are many things that make me continue to wonder on these claims, as well as make me wonder, if the time comes, that I could lead such a group. I also can find complaints in working with the people of the cities.

“What do you mean?”

“Ah – no offense to you, my friend. I simply mean that there are people in the city in which, even if I was to save our world from such a depraved apocalypse, they would still see me be hanged, and simply pass on the credit to someone else.”

The elf was ready to continue to complain, but the young Enthian stopped him from speaking. “That being said, there are many factors to this, and I could only wish that I could make up my mind in one night. Please; I know you have had a long journey to get here, the least I could do would be allow you to stay until I have made up my mind. My people will find you a place to rest – go with them.”

And so ended day one of the trip to the Realm of the Red Bandits.


---

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Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter VI

The council that had gathered in Enthia two mornings after the death of Hrong was a site to behold. The Pillar of Time's conference chambers were likely the biggest in the Region of Spring, yet their walls could still barely hold the mass amount of people that had gathered inside.

Among many unknown men, there were many familiars. Alongside King Galacath of Enthia was King Heirut of Eyrica, and near King Heirut's side was the now knighted Sir Yui, who was to be given formal praises at this council. On the other side of Galacath, there was the High Society of Enthia who were in attendance: Kalykus, Dorido, Amani, and Vaas. Out in the crowd, there was Captain Warius with his friend Aladicci, and her guard, the Wolf. Not in attendance but nearby was Alistair, who sat at, interestingly enough, the Brothers Farmsworth.

After a long state of unrest the crowd was called to attention by the sounding of the bell, and those who could sat while the rest stood among the outside railings. Galacath, as natural, was the first to speak.

“As I am sure you have all known as of now, my good friend King Heirut was attacked in his own castle.”

“Aye,” the other king said, “I would've been shot with the arrow as well if it were not for the honorable acts of the late Hrong Golddriver and Yui Staav.” At this moment, Yui took his knights vows, the Ribbon of Courage, and then went back to his seat.

“We believe we do know what could be the source of these attacks.” Kalykus began, standing up to address all in attendance. “For a long time now, the Enthian Royal Scholars have noticed a strange increase of activity in the Falls of Anguish, as well as decaying crops and sickly animals near the former roots of the Great Tree.”

Aladicci whispered to her nearby friend, “The Great Tree, doesn't that mean-” She was interrupted by Kalykus' continued speech.

“If what all the signs pointed to what we believe to be true, then this world is in great danger. This attack – it is the first of the signs that we have to take action.”

“Kalykus, we have ignored your calls for assistance, but no longer,” The Enthian Monarch began to speak again, “The armies of the Groundlands, and hopefully the world, will be here to defend our home if it comes to it.”

A conclusion was held, and people began to leave. The Warius party met nearby at a nearby bench to debrief what they've heard.

“If it's true, your visit is going to be a lot shorter than we originally thought.” Warius began, “Your father will call you back to Acadia, and I will likely be drafted to lead the Skyranger out into fighting.”

“I don't believe so; in fact, I may be able to draw my father's attention to this matter. If it is as serious as it seems, which it does seem like it, he'll be a fool to not trust it. My father is not a fool.”

“Still, Akira is not that far away. He'll call you back to your home so you'll be protected.”

“Then I'll hide on the Skyranger among the world's best captain and the Martyr of Blackboar. There's no stopping me.”

“My lady,” the grizzled veteran chimed in, “please, here what I must say: as my number one goal is to make sure of your protection here in the North, I implore you that, if it comes down to it, you follow your father's orders and return to your home.”

Now the daughter of the Desert King seemed to be noticeably agitated. “Ifs, whats, whens and thens – none of it matters now. We'll decide upon it when it happens.” Seeing that the young girl was no longer interested in council, the two men gave up and began the trip back to their headquarters.

At a nearby pub, a newly honored member of the King's Guard sat at the seat next to a man who looked awfully similar to him and began the following conversation.

“So, did getting suspended work out for you like you thought it would?”

“Oh stuff off, you cunt.”

“Good things happen to good people in the end, you should know that.”

“Oh, whatever.”

The two continued their conversation and life in Enthia continued as it always did, the people unknowing of the things that were happening below.


---

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Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter V

An Eyrican we all know by now slugged and slooped as his dreary eyes looked onward toward the castle of his king. His senses were temporarily excited when he heard the boards of the watchtower creak, but ceased once he heard the voice belonging to it.

“Alistair?”

“No, the other one.”

The figure had finally climbed its way to the top of the tower along with Yui; a bald man with a red beard and a glass eye that seemed that it was once the target of an agile blade.

“Ah! Your his brother, is you not?”

“Yup, that's right.”

“Heh, probably out on his suspension because of his little trip to the prostitute house. Damned bug, that one is.”

“At least we can agree on something.”

“I was the one that reported to Monty you see, wanted to get him what he deserved, yeah?”

“I take that back, I hate you too.”

The two did not talk up until a peculiar incident only a few minutes later, in which a strikingly black figure seemed to make its way to the castle.

“Eh, Hrong,” the older Staav began, “you see that guy come in?”

“Y-yeah?”

“King doesn't have anybody on his place today, does he?”

“N-...”

Upon their sudden revelation, the two brought their weapons and hurried down the tower towards the castle.

Inside, the court was in session; ironically about cutting the city guard. King Heirut sat at his throne in the center of it all, clearly bored from the talks of the officials.

Hrong and Yui let out a cry to get the officials out of the building, while they looked for the one in black. It was when Heirut himself however began to make his leave, that a figure appeared out of the dust with a bow ready.

“King!”

The bow's twine was released, its arrow striking the Eyrican that got in the way. The figure itself, realizing its failure, disappeared once more.

Yui moved towards his fallen comrade, noticing that the arrow had hit it's accidental mark sharply. Hrong was already dead.


---

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Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter IV

(View the Guardians of Enthia page for a complete list of all chapters so far.)

The first stop on Zeroi's grand trip was probably the most popular tavern in all of Enthia: The Brothers Farmsworth. Though this perhaps was the best decision Zeroi would have the knowledge of making, in retrospect it was a pretty lackluster idea. More so, he decided to go in still wearing his High Society regalia.

If it wasn't already assumed, High Society members are not exactly welcome at the tavern. In a world full of pirates, displaced convicts, and men with fairly shady personalities, you could see how a man such as Zeroi would not be welcomed; and he was not.

From the very moment he walked in, scowls and angry looks stared into him. As he moved down the hall to the center more and more looks were given, and turn the halls grew more and more quiet. The tavernkeeper himself sulked back, not wanting to be responsible over whatever was to happen next.

“Hello, I am here-”

The young elf was stopped by a sharp shot of spit onto his forehead by a buccaneer who was interested in hearing no more.

“Har, shihnty! Ya think we're gonna lissen to you?”

'Shinty' being a very profane, derogatory word for elf, you can see how Zeroi was offended, and instantly went on the offensive.

“Well, it's clear to see that your kind is fairly uneducated, but I have the means to change that – don't worry.”

The buc's hatred was intensified to molten levels upon seeing the high scholar's smug look, and unhooked his axe from it's hold on his back.

“Wot did you just say to me, ya damm'd shihnty!”

The case would've gone that the elf's head would've been cut clean off from the brute, and though in response the brute would've been properly hanged and the establishment shut down, the High Society itself would've been under much scrutiny. Fortunately for the High Society, the owner of The Brothers Farmsworth, Zeroi, and probably the brute himself, the attack was stopped when, just before the swing, his weapon hand was impaled into a nearby column by a cloaked stranger.

“God, Gods! What in da... what in da hell!”

Before the brute could recover from his injury in which the dagger used was already removed, the owner of the dagger rushed Zeroi off the premises and out into an alleyway two blocks away, for good measure.

“Well, sir; thanks for the help back there-” It seems this was not Zeroi's day for finishing sentences, as the mystery itself began to talk.

“Has the Society decided to step on the lower class a little more, or are you just mad?”

To the Elondi's surprise, the voice was feminine; yet the owner of the voice was still covered in a dark cloak, and as it was late it was hard to see any face.

“N-no, neither. You see, we – the High Society – believe the realm may be under attack soon, a-and so we need able bodied me- people, to...”

“An attack? Who is attacking?”

“Demons. Ancient Demons. Well, I mean, it's a long story.”

The cloak was finally removed, and it was revealed that there would be no more tricks – the figure was indeed a woman, and an Acadian woman at that.

“The name is Alatricia.”

“Zeroi. Mine's Zeroi.”

The rogue seemed to inspect him closely. “Well Zeroi, it's clear you're not used to the low life. You'll need a street urchin like me for help in your recruitment, though I'm not sure I myself , nor anyone I am connected to, has the ability to fight ancient demons.”

“Well – well, that's the plan. The Society still has books from the ages of the first invasion, that tell us of the creatures. We can train you – all of you.”

Though the young woman seemed eager to bring some excitement into her life, she sighed. “One thing I am sure of is that most are not going to like doing the work of the Society, and my voice is not one that they would listen to completely, I only know who they are.”

“Do you know one?”

“Yes, I just said I did.”

“No, no, not that. Someone who they would listen to.”

The handstabber thought for a moment, before finding the spot in her mind she was looking for.

“Yes, I think I might just know.”


---

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Official Guardians of Enthia Wiki now live!

That's right. You've heard it first here, folks.

Now, we all love Guardians of Enthia. But sometimes, the lore is just too damn complex. Like, who is this Staav guy? What is this faux-Bible shit? Why are fantasy black people so damn racist?

Fortunately I have now developed a way to answer all these questions and more using the *Official* Guardians of Enthia wiki. Use it as your guide through the Region of Spring, with either new pages added or updated every day! (Just look out for spoilers, though. Currently I am working on making the wiki as spoiler free as possible).

That's all for now. Either take it with you on your first journey through GoE, use it to clarify details of what you've already read, or use it as a podium for your fanfiction. The possibilities are endless!

Haven't started reading GoE? You can start it by going here.


---

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Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter II

As Princess Aladicci got off the zeppelin, she was met with three things – the autumn breeze of the Enthian dock, a marred man with a greatsword holstered on his back, and a naïve yet charming young man she knew as Warius Skyranger.

“Need a hand, mi'lady?” Warius extended his hand to the gowned princess as the other man in attendance watched carefully. She graciously accepted his hand, and stepped off the boat. A few Kharidi guards stepped in behind her.

“It's been a long time, Warius. Too long.” She offered her childhood friend a warm hug, which he gladly accepted.

“Actually, it's captain to you,” Warius grinned, as Aladicci's face lit up at the notion. “Got my own ship and everything.”

She congratulated him, but stopped as to look at the man off to the side. Suddenly, she had an epiphany – “Wait a minute, I do believe I recognize you as well.”

“Perhaps you do, my lady.” For such a tough look, the scarred man's voice came out as fairly soothing.

“You're the Wolf, aren't you?”

“Yes, mi'lady – that's me.”

“They say you killed 20 people at the Battle of Blackboar with your own hands. Is that true?”

Though the notion gave the Wolf a grin, he nevertheless answered piously. “I don't tend to listen to what folks say about me, good or bad.”

Aladicci smiled back at him, before turning towards Warius yet again. “Well, shall you show me to my room like the peasant you are.”

Warius grinned yet again. “Peasant and poor, my lady.”

As Warius left with the princess and a battalion of Kharidi warriors, the Wolf simply watched them until they were out of view, sighed, and began to help the zeppelin prepare for its journey back home.


---

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Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter I

Start from the beginning

“So, do we have a list of possible applicants yet, Kalykus?”

Dorido was a stout man, at the greatest height he could currently achieve as a dwarf. Dwarves were a strange site around the Pillar of Time, as the generic stereotype for them was that they were never as interested for reading books and scrolls as they were for cutting things open with an axe, and as a response he received many strange looks for newcomers to the society. However for the seniors at the Academy, they knew Dorido and his family as a long lasting dynasty tightly connected with the binds of the Society, and therefore was treated with respect by almost everyone.

Kalykus, sitting on the other side of Dorido, was very much the opposite – A midari, also known as high elf, was just about sixty percent of the members in the Society. Tall, with great green emeralds for eyes and a blonde mane for hair, these elves had been studied for years for their learning prowess and magically potency. Unlike their ancestors the Kalari however, they were not wise and were mostly arrogant. This made them hated by most outside of the Society's borders.

“Be patient, my friend.” Kalykus said as he read some words in his magi. “We are not even sure if the king will take our worries seriously.”

The magi (pronounced mag-ee) were actually quite interesting – and no one is certain who first came up with them. Any time an owner of a magi stumbles upon the words to a new, legitimate spell, the magi will automatically write it down itself with the help of a few words spoken by a scholar. Every member of the Society, once they proved themselves, got to own a magi, and it was considered one of the greatest gifts of all. It tended to stay within the confines of the Society, until the Calygeas Separation; then anyone with enough work could get their own.

Across the room from them, near the door twiddling his fingers, was the nervous Zeroi. A Elondi, or common elf, he was the newest member of the High Society (in which the 63^rd story housed) and was not accustomed with waiting for new information to arrive from the king. He made it clear he would be the first to know the news.

After an eternity from Zeroi's perspective and a mere few minutes from Dorido and Kalykus's perspective, Amani and Vaas came back with the news.

“He says that we are permitted to raise a battalion, but with one condition.” began Amani.

“Yes, go on?”

“The king states that any gold used must be from the Society's vault; and any recruiter must be either hired using the previously mentioned method or a member of the Royal Society itself.” Vaas ended.

Kalykus sighed, putting his magi on the table and looking up at the other two members of the society.

“Well, this is it. If we go through with this, we will have to be sure its what we want.”

“I don't see any problems.” Dorido said calmly. Zeroi's reaction was a bit more excited.

“Of course! Of course, yes – you know if we need any recruiters, I know a man up in Pam's Way who knows a lot of sellswords and he-”

“No.” Kalykus interrupted. Zeroi looked up at him from his game of thumbs.

“No?”

“The society has little spendable money as it is-”

“But this cause, it could effect the fate of the entire-”

“And, sellswords are not as trustworthy nor motivated as volunteers. We need people who want to be apart of our guardians.”

Understanding his mentor's reasoning, Zeroi nodded.

“That's why I want you as one of the people to find the guardians.”

Zeroi looked up in shock. “What, me?”

“You have a way with people Zeroi. Your a commoner – one of them. I don't remember the last time someone listened to me, being the high elf I am – and Dorido, no offense to you my friend, but little people in the republic tend to take dwarves seriously anymore.”

“No offense taken,” Dorido answered back, “I know what you're referring to first hand.”

Zeroi looked up at his compatriots with only one thought in his head.

“Of course I'll do it. For the society, and for Enthia.”

And so begins Zeroi's journey through the five worlds of the Region of Spring.


---

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Guardians of Enthia -- The Prologue

The Prologue.

The Region of Spring was one with a peculiar history. For starters, it was an entire planet – similar to Earth or Annoa. It was concentrated into one giant continent in which the “Region of Spring” came from, and a small island by the name of the Summerset Island. Summerset Island was a fairly exotic place comparative to the rest of the world; there existed animals and plants that lived no where else. There was a single volcano there named Ironblow's Fortress (named after the man who discovered it) but beyond that the place was not of much interest, especially in this story.

The continent was a whole other story. It was separated into three distinct areas – The Groundlands, The Deep Woods, and Acadia. The continent was concave, and filling up the area in between was the Gulf of Meria (named after Meria Skyseeker, an ancient who first discovered how to get across the gulf). The Groundlands, which resided north of the cove, consisted of five subareas – The Groundlands (not to be confused with the entire area name), Goldun, The Eastern and Western Tribes, and finally the Falls of Anguish, also known as Akira in elvish.

The Groundlands subarea consisted of multiple city states. Although they were all independent of each other, Enthia was considered the capital due to its cultural significance and standing as one of the first cities. Other notable cities in the Groundlands include Summeria, Eyrica, and Kathara.

The Groundlands, being the most populous area due to it bordering the water while still having a habitable landscape, consisted of all different races of people. No particular race ruled the Groundlands, and no particular race was cast out. This made it a prime spot for refuge from many famous exoduses and genocides that had happened in the less developed parts of the world.

The most northern area, Goldun (Dwarvish for “Golden Earth”) consisted primary of, you guessed it, dwarves. After the dwarven race was exiled from the Eastern Tribes due to the crimes of their leader Regedum Kolotro, they made there way up to Goldun and settled around an area named Barad Dun. All was in peace until a necromancer came and seiged the citadel with armies of the dead, but that was a whole story all in its own and won't be covered here.

Regardless, the dwarves stayed strong and separated into two separate cities on both sides of Barad Dun – Frostgard to the west and Nergord to the east.

The eastern and western tribes, as have been mentioned before, mostly consist of elves and are among the oldest sites in the world. Places like Havensward and Elvesward are extremely holy and sanctimonious places, with many of all races taking the pilgrimage there to pay respect to the elven god Therita.

Lastly, there's Akira, or the Falls of Anguish. This is where Crutia kept his base of operations as he lead his fallen (Siima) to invade the Region of Spring in the First War. The area was never healed from its taint, and is now a world of ash and fire. Many expeditions have been attempted there, but its lack of oxygen and common ashstorms make it practically impossible.

Going down to the middle of the continent, there lies the Deep Woods. Unlike Akira the land is very habitable, and some of the oldest elven races live there. However because of its dangerous and unmapped landscape, most from the civilized areas dare not explore it.

Last, but certainly not least, there is the land of a thousand deserts – Acadia, the most southern point on the continent.

With Al'Kharid as its capital, the empire of Acadia is lead by Emperor Belut XIV. It is the richest of any of the other places on the world, as is filled with talented mathematicians and inventors due to Acadia's focus on technology that the Groundlands tend to ignore. Even though the two areas have had no wars against each other, most of the people in the Groundlands sees Acadia in a bad light due to its alleged treatment of the poor and racism towards many races of elves. Regardless of this, the people of both the Groundlands and Acadia trade between each other often.

The only problem with this world is that there is, ironically, too much independence. During the First War, the elves and humans were able to combat the rise of the Siima only because they were united under one banner. And even though at the time of this story they were in an age of peace, they were separated. City state politics stayed in the city state, no matter how many other people it affected. Frostgard and Nergord have had rarely any communication since the Barad Dun exodus. The Western and Eastern tribes remain split. Acadia has a massive class system problem.

These, among the various tensions between both races and peoples, city-states and civilizations, are only just an elephant in the room for most of the people who lived in these cities. However, to the Royal Society of Enthian Scholars, they realize that if there people are not able to unite when another world invasion strikes, the whole world will be in peril.

In the large conference room on the 63^rd story of the Pillar of Time, this group of Enthian Royal Scholars would end up setting the fundamentals for the Guardians of Enthia.

---

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