We had to assess the situation quickly. Further scouts were sent out to confirm the movements of Ken’o. Luckily Tenna brought a map of the surrounding area, it was from Haji Meni.
We were certainly sure by now, that Haji Meni was some sort of trap, but we had no idea what kind of trap. Both of us wrecked our brains around the journey to the Dwarven Kingdom, but nothing significant came to our mind. It was as if Ken’o just magically knew, that we were here.
Magically?309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgZiSOnzSw
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9I4QD14VO
“Movements? No, not to my knowledge at least. I am fairly sure if there was, Mother could use it, but she never used anything similar to that.” 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6778I4SWjK
“How about creating something like that?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyu9aByAK8
“Spell creation? I know you can combine them, but creating one isn’t easy. If Ken’o actually made a spell to be able to track us, he must be a rather powerful magician. That is a little impossible though, he is a fighter through and through. Even though he is human, he refuses to rely on magic and always used brute force.” Explained Tenna.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW8L3v8na7
She and the Empress collected as much information as they could in an attempt to be one step ahead at all times. But our situation now was rather suffocating.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfSz044KfX
“One more thing Tousa, you should hide and when the right moment comes you must run, run for your life. I don’t know what will happen.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoFhrKXT0E
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5b3G1P1bS
As if…309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe6J8NM7Mn
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JIyWQQ9jo
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICOhUGGhb3
“N-no, you don’t understand!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HxpxLkAvC
I cut in before she could finish.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aZqKyMdpl
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oqM0dptFu
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KFHFbKVDw
Before we could break into another argument the scouts returned. The army of Ken’o hit up a camp not quite far from us. Their numbers seemed endless. Just how big is the human army?309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG74JlEzkui
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK61U6RzmH
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkeeyH09LF
“They probably won’t attack us during the night, but we cannot risk letting our guard down. They have superior numbers and can take turns with guarding. We don’t have such luxury.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL9n0qI8SZ
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDM7TQQL9R
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlbyqKw9ia
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2FnmdseHs
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VPYbqv0Al
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FAZoyJnFD
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUf8iIiTVm
“I already stationed most of the dwarves around the mountain. They might have superior numbers, but this is a fort, strong enough to withstand high level magic. The walls are imbued with Ai’s magic.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFE5sq0TQJ
We had to come up with a strategy. Even if Ken’o didn’t attack head on, he certainly head enough men to widdle us down. My magic was probably good enough for normal soldiers, but I needed time to cast it.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG3K7rCHDf
We strategized until past midnight. We felt the fatigue set in. Durin insisted, that he and the dwarves would stand guard until we rested. Even a short sleep would do us good.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyShih3kF8C
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLGKP4AAb4
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt3Q6W8PHg
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczo7UsASFU
She sat down right next to me, but she didn’t just rest her head she also locked her arm with mine. She was trembling slightly. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJbXOjIKuT
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7N9WQylpy
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLLMJTEhH3
“Tousa! Tousa!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqGVuzhZf2
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiCViCdESX
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwK1xHHnEg
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrLN94Jazp
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBEnWmANYN
Tenna was the one calling to me. She held her hand out and I took it. Our rest was short, but it felt good for sure.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfUI4FE0uj
The scouts reported movements. The enemy army started coming at us in waves. Since there were too many of them they had to split up.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXnGkcQqzz
The first wave arrived soon enough. Because of this sudden change in their formation a slight hope appeared before us. Ken’o was still a great threat, but maybe.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIlG2WxhLM
“Firee!!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2BMpw7P0H
A great barrage of arrows rained down on the human soldiers. Dwarven arrows were much stronger than normal ones. Many shots pierced through the poorly crafted human armour. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbYVo9I8zu
Meanwhile at the entrance the demonic beings stood in a half circle, rendering the defending needed area half. I and Tenna were in the inner circle.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MZT5c7a43
The demonic beings did great work and only a few stragglers came through. Those were swiftly overwhelmed by Tenna’s sheer power. Her movements were quick and swift. Every move was more like a dance move than an attack.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUCQY8Kjra
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Lyawl4pL
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCulewOaSs
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZNXMBSPHd
“Frigeo!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxV1Wq0tAD
As previously discussed, I and Tenna would be a team while Durin manages the dwarves. It was dangerous to fight for us outside, but it was our own decision.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEHmBVYRgm
With Durin in lead soon a big group of dwarves rushed out and formed a second line of defence before us. Even with this numbers the second wave was much stronger and I continuously casted Frigeo.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I1CYNtb0a
I started feeling sluggish when our biggest fear appeared. Not far from the second wave and a third behind his back Ken’o was slowly marching our way.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBFRcsxgd5
His armour wasn’t full body. He only had gloves and no arm protection and even his legs were only half covered. His stature was truly grand, he was a warrior through and through.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYI0eDlBfY
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA8sjUfZEK
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9otKHnSqL
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VIcXn4Z4y
With Ken’o not moving I and Tenna turned up our pace. I casted Frigeo on a larger scale and Tenna leaped towards the enemies and cut them down in a blink of the eye. We continued this tactic, but I was slowly getting tired. One effect of using this much magical energy was that I started getting dizzy and fatigued.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmzfNvcqiY
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdfkrBCgc6
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ExOzH6UPF
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFnkD4StHm
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkym4PacezA
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0oe1Doi70
I leaped yet again forward trying to strike him from my lower right. I got only blocked this time and our difference in power was immense. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaorJmKtFm
A big shockwave engulfed our surroundings and soldiers from both sides were sent flying. He easily pushed me away, but before I could react he targeted Tousa.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9IJdBigg6
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHDVhd9RHH
For my beloved!309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstSWxQKqAo
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlofq5ZAeDR
A direct hit.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U1xJOUy1e
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHUVxS1nbU
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiis1ysZgx
I… I am… s-sorry…309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq5ylwZ8fz
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v7TppLgIX
“W-where am I?!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGlblLWviI
I found myself in a dark place, more like the darkness surrounded me. A sole woman stood before me. She had snow white skin, long ears and golden blonde hair. Her dress was like of a princess’s.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtb3Uamb1q
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBDZ4oB0Wi
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLkTFm7ZPn
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNtJ8sg81U
“Wh-what do you mean?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KxZpnzyCw
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IQM2LsLwn
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe5tsgo9MW
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRDYEqbYo3
“Us? I am a dem-…”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4RNoKulAZ
“See? You are part elf too. Never wondered why your magic was this low? It went into the concealing of your true nature. You are a Halfling!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Yjhy3IKH
“I-I don’t understand…”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14UKSDs66y
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqXQ8Qbbjv
“What do you want the most?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2V4ps8JRp
“Huh?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamfkVyLgFK
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ZgLoCARO
“I… I want to save him!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ57bpF1uud
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSen537M7B
“Amans…”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxUuJIJx9K
“Huh? What are you mum-!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWaZkjxLI1
An incredible amount of magic energy started emitting from Tenna. Her white hair grow longer and turned to a golden blonde. Her darker skin became a lighter tone and her ears grew longer.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnFPFnAUEk
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCJn3fU6qv
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmyEhOBF0J
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcwDf1mLup
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ5FzW9UlO
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRq7HkSt0R
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cCWweCZJK
Bright light enveloped her and once it faded she was clothed in white and golden yellow armour. Durin couldn’t believe his eyes. The quality and design were beyond dwarven knowledge, something almost impossible.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfSgjuYBVe
Tenna leaped at Ken’o who half dumbfounded and half in shock barely blocked her attack. Even with all his might Tenna managed to bring down the blade of her glaive which slowly bore into Ken’o’s shoulder.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCD4el0Q2b
Once they parted Tenna furiously barraged him with attacks pushing him further back. With every attack more and more cuts appeared on the strong knight who was overwhelmed by the elven warrior’s speed and anger.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPnG4Jh5Ip
“Wake up, Tousa.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFy1FOX2h2
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq6n0pKQm3
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDixJ9pVM0P
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ9VCrLmgg
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3QSex0Vd8
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAwwtA76ZT
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhRDWp7W9f
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDjByOr7GY
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxwPWHTier
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gcHJzSMnH
“S-son?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FubJNkKFu
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUw33jwrlA
“B-beloved?!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr6UtFIsu2
“Isn’t she important to you?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rnIE967YI
“W-well…”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerylio5rxl
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWoXkaa9oL
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs2ibBeW3N
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rZVjedtsD
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eKyBAIT0P
“Thank you father.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIA7Tzc12R
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW7BmrTYnf
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejP0tnDVTZ
“Not yet!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYdqvBOziM
I looked over the fight. All I saw was a beautiful girl fighting Ken’o furiously, but she was getting tired. I thought for a second and called out to her. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh848R3xfJM
She really is a Halfling, huh.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWkIe3XXpB
“Tenna! Get baack!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MolXm3S98
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RgWTzrsle
The magic circle on my palm started changing runes. First three, then six, then nine and last twelve runes which formed a second magic circle. With determination in my eyes, my trembling hand held one of the most powerful magics. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwI79UkdEG
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2NEnCjWTy
Tenna moved back as fast as she could. In the sky the same magical circle appeared, but much bigger. Menacingly the runes started changing the same way, Ken’o stood frozen in shock, and all the soldiers started running way before I started.
309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yBFaNNSiS
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ML6gcRdE
Suddenly a crimson and black coloured pillar of flame descended from the Heavens and engulfed Ken’o. The shockwave was incredible and I finally lost my consciousness completely. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBvMjLqxd7
309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FVXtvcJII
