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?414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2Nb0x4bxZ
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eTfXDvZZC
“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.” 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonbU8k7JRX
“How about creating something like that?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVmo16orRT
“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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhazkXIVq5u
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlDvDAuxYV
“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.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X0CVSZBnV
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkb7LQNH6p
As if…414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18X4IQPaIf
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTMiEt5har
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x3cp0HhQn
“N-no, you don’t understand!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGyZcybodn
I cut in before she could finish.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY4ik7SXVL
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnm3GQYQRf
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7lmOsFtbH
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?414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M2l3Iw1cK
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3TXdYm8Ti
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsec80yjvPr
“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.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNCxpkjNEj
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5udQq8CnmI
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJrNVJIyHA
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjKggOREt7
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmtbnOryb9
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbMc6NQWOC
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv2HJ2gir0
“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.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdegtUM9Kiq
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNVJesdcIa
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqrqxVLV0W
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYfRmHrgV3
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN2QTXYMZj
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDbDeMpqoS
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. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dNVDC8mMN
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp57O8axL3
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8TciRa7MQ
“Tousa! Tousa!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyqHHyAflR
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w5nR69vSW
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMXChpxvxX
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkxcP6Uw04
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBEEM1qzWG
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QlJHCr9h7
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJZG46nbrH
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsU2BnuWuw
“Firee!!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf7NQunPnL
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. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtZ1XrEi5Y
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xVUykziKh
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5FWqkoxaz
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUscefF2Rpk
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMbX17wb4e
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqvsXxYb17
“Frigeo!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZDjnyCXMG
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAR2AnIycq
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMcXEtiK9n
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm6rmEuF1K
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHLjQBnmAx
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2qsXGV5gW
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHrsHwcYl2
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI5C1VXV1c
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmPx5KCmqX
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSueBplqJcD
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdb1DnRNqo
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmppBoWW7C
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjucCZFouI
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c0RbfNMgX
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. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1C0x4XpUH
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nmGCPDLFt
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZUPDOEBvR
For my beloved!414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcGBQ4xl0o
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOR3qSszMI
A direct hit.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n6Tl8fJXs
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBJGpDUAKC
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSVMvKVUCw
I… I am… s-sorry…414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmWyjzIbEL
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmlGqI8xCW
“W-where am I?!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0b1Wgk1Mc
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpbqGHIsf7
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY8t4vDKVw
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURP0LrVnCo
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvIXwdpXPN
“Wh-what do you mean?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FMJlscqvb
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvrGKvEaiC
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0RXVxl8aH
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuasC3b4pL
“Us? I am a dem-…”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNo6ODnIVN
“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!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6jVXIgKE5
“I-I don’t understand…”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqmv73TavX
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFfAOGO4TE
“What do you want the most?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2B0UMJVKH
“Huh?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmu7lCmsHV
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyOF344NN8
“I… I want to save him!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjcKM0CnjT
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ixG46AT6J
“Amans…”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusf0kw3kuy
“Huh? What are you mum-!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdy4Qb6tih
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOER6MxUJG
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpDGwGeO8H
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBjVEMECQ7
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ssGuFvpCG
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5PtGzzd16
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xSdmbSYKI
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLKhlvLqVZ
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUaECxJ5UI
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEmqbCPv62
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKEXe8cYqm
“Wake up, Tousa.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMRxlaoCqQ
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrRb77pMPq
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU06MbgOPm5
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CFO06Cok6
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOnuxgtfBy
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QeUhBgjkc
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZxqlwE91U
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuLS6pQsHH
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBiVwc6ygF
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE157lniw9
“S-son?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdi583uPQB
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ893UBD7Duq
“B-beloved?!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XjGx9BOmO
“Isn’t she important to you?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxIkDhBrHI
“W-well…”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ut82OIpU
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqKNhW1UuU
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MeqX3UL5S
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA6pHAbmBT
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlvAw2pi9u
“Thank you father.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTXR5bI6HS
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsApeKV7WX
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpfwrkV8aJ
“Not yet!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliV6hRMxFe
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. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWJzKooeNc
She really is a Halfling, huh.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVz8yxBb42
“Tenna! Get baack!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalYVy9MZYD
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhJ8Um8AGz
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. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3I5fqOfOi
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLAjI5rn9w
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.
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e645SNwHy
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzZ00jFfc4
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. 414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH4DgS5CIW
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNyijJi1aI
