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?243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5weXmaHSW
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFKKOjc8IV
“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.” 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIZgj8WJLb
“How about creating something like that?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQrP0ZAxJy
“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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Xu99WP3h
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC0CEfba9t
“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.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwZdHlPnCF
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoxO5zC6nf
As if…243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zbuuKP75W
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPSTdfMw0K
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNNQP2q0pM
“N-no, you don’t understand!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GlicpYD53
I cut in before she could finish.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3H4SE9Roc
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDBBb5aaRQ
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgd9lYZePR
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?243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYWdkZpSOa
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAwWXsFmrk
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPVOVphV1l
“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.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOrhXi9Hm1
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyOUtaN756
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbUlUoYrbn
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFlfeL5Vd8
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWuWsPsVjP
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP24hPuTHD
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidb1NmUaBo
“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.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqKQlbtS5S
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xyOFjlxk4
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiKsLoBUi0
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ7eu0r1Za
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCA6xph3Qq
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz82gLU2um
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. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoTqXL1IS5
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUni8nm4SY
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xVsLMptQ7
“Tousa! Tousa!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwJumrtxky
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJe66BjSWz
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny7AuKr8F0
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RcAANj3ol
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IUCqr4IpJ
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9XEcgSLVd
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgifQVY9JgN
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymMYw9sXXK
“Firee!!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtOWQRz8ee
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. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSXbTT4JuQ
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhymugFLPd
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAWmi5IQ7F
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDM70O786H
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLL4pab8Rj
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECKf5dLywe
“Frigeo!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iDMpNvZG4
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOet2aklgDu
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ3DnnkMEN
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA0NpRwx1W
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4oVLSseJ1
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCgFu6k62h
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eKjzddUb4
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwP55OFM3I
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPX2dd8Npb
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg0kmvTXDL
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cEGO1V5lU
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuBfODrpUS
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2kKs5q5bp
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bypOvtToU
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. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDDB5Im5La
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y4UUoNKzq
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ277RUzcRl4
For my beloved!243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l1Z2YLV3u
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgZr8L22zC
A direct hit.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMeRGH9LZB
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8OemDiaC4
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPS3DFqWg2
I… I am… s-sorry…243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qMenkqZ9p
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG4gNNZhME
“W-where am I?!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBuBu3pg0V
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJomkSH2Mnu
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwirtB6pcrN
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6QTLu6tu
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxCEVrMWu6
“Wh-what do you mean?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMtpwfr5D9
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0EN0cBl2q
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3pjKMLybG
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu1d9WnGVG
“Us? I am a dem-…”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDdqxGvzuV
“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!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMIQtylHgG
“I-I don’t understand…”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXEnsmzsdL
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4oPzUJyoz
“What do you want the most?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg8M4Q7d49
“Huh?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzETbn7TyQ
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhupVXquvrr
“I… I want to save him!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaNfzV1thc
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ2fWsTlOn
“Amans…”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY05Jjb4hy0
“Huh? What are you mum-!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAfJvf4IPl
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLABAYegh8C
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Si4YhSUet
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIVxJJ8vuc
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09IjfWDAkW
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq0viQn82R
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabqcmyg65Q
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zKwhmqdem
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaxWxRFmDN
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVgAvsqmOj
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oAbun46Qk
“Wake up, Tousa.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeXrN4WBwq
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPYIbeII43
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2RDngs50z
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqthBxJ2zGr
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuC4ruXpXv
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy29QFDnNpg
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakmpWcaN1f
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDOQSLI8Nf
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX17oZYE0w
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV03ADcw8cw
“S-son?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhoyBNZvhN
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRnMM9DJYJ
“B-beloved?!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzsn3ZAauq
“Isn’t she important to you?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXxrervqpl
“W-well…”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXKV4wleVK
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwFRUHXhCK
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xt4L0DaCp
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l33lJmhFz
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb3C7LmKYm
“Thank you father.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQMsH3BxyV
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjviKbkVix
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnqBLwvAnP
“Not yet!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4yeibwW4r
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. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U7f96Ksc6
She really is a Halfling, huh.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRKMXG9E6N
“Tenna! Get baack!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHKV8GVkSR
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Msctp0Zkn
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. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38N9IS3CLl
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zTBqIvHi1
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVjxxt9LH9
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcwacHAkSe
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. 243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRZhZJDEbo
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt2jiahcpt
