Fire368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItuFvoJiEu
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCT1SmFBBX
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGFcLF9gw5
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFozCWlSM9j
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy70XLQy7oP
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOhIH00qEa
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJYXZVR0IT
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBrxLYZoTr
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2SFrN8vop
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFuJGBhyti
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHYRqlddre
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvrZDdFRMj
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMiruoywTG
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaYPZGdxmI
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXOakts30j
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMde1t7tHqb
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1fJnepDHS
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZaQmDuIrz
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2SuBV1iKL
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS9ixoedCq
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw32e3XRfRZ
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDINR68WQG
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUARtSN1c0
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLs5oIXiMD
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzoOflWB6P
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VzDgZ7M1M
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg1Ef4J0zo
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc48i9utNo
brown complexion for a minute before opening368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94omGoI8xU
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXwbRrowri
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDAlQR6GLO
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVceUMzlhY
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG65MzPMaL9
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYBNvqTw2l
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmkfcI5jUt
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEqsPeLCmh
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVSdU6YqGN
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpcQynrsSc
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfUEhR01jg
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Xs1vfuP0
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsTPE4PUKW
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6V2Sb9T57
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvgD1KBgNw
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZecCTEAZV
if it were bleeding.
“What368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmSeATaa69
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuRIvAvTNY
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1qa5CTrXJ
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7883qZeYI
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutZahQwtGp
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg4fhVMBmN
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfkzFFxVPb
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgeKnCsm0y
snickered.
“yea?368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt97ecwGffs
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9FxNOO8Ra
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIbrqryHII
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXr5uQMtx7
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE71dfE8E6
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FrA9Pffof
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ0i59mZxm
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXn8ZBu4cP
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr0KJsDtfT
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rdXowV0jM
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJte7cEz5B
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHtM9nn32n
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ8ffvBUe8
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0d0baBOPr
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZuHDIoSJd
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicFqPnsMux
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZFK7v99mx
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthls5UYQgq
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgeyxWwn0V
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyBtQIXiVf
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfbQIApQhG
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43FXR0h332
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszdDUQq2la
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ886MQVGI6h
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelyxsJ4AyN
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y3HY1p6x9
face.
“That’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aC4L2c5uC
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeQLhKReiZ
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaLSMgZVax
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqykj9bGX1
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnlapO8wNr
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEyUAN9VZ1
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiSl726qHe
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRRX5awYM2
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM8IAW6sGe
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfUu7Shbbq
as he noticed it.
“What’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW4ZPzhzEb
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xqUUITT3P
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNLxxKnbF7
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWUGJ8seWo
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanr1MqAG1Z
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cUJTpK9wM
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h0Cp2tdp1
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk91pGaysB
Isadora”
“good368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgrTtTfTTv
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4fIStDxrm
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd2FCbiVfn
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUuh19j2MF
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp2VZvo7vf
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hx9SyT4fN
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcChOTp0vwu
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS0u6rYk4d
sound like a woman”
“I368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvK3pbaVgv
should hope”
“that368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2CO76C1vE
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6KCRRSkdn
her
“Wow,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSd8egc18d
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuuP7Tsb99
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sNUecaxoh
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJupIhvhpi
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe1xBzmY6d
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCmEyKh8OD
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLVKMBp6bl
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRysJB3q3Um
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkPEhBtcME
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG9Hrw09ZW
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Vs2nnGhW
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2zJfFnAsY
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnU7iWaJzk
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnAxImKnR6
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAhQKPjytN
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj9FdyaN0p
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9qAEbxHK1
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5I9fPGKYc
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MwPTL6r58
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyJKoeW1Zp
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyLstIWHYO
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qNogaANJY
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPDVJDB9Mt
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq7yZmM4a9
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyuIy2PJR4
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDticuTkxl8
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIkoF7boeZ
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaySQ9DAYj
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnn1GSLefw
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlCAOvzzBm
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKD5uQ2uH1
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnYZVXpU4L
to beat him.
“Same368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoSdvioIkQ
age” he said before following after her
His368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CSwu7Quu9
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkqXBruHOU
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqvduLM8W0
than we were at that time…”
“What368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZUfa2HwhO
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iDmVh2GKQ
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxpc37JrNo
still haunted him.
“…It368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGve0AdnqmD
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8anQujyAnV
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtskjEp9Jp
age”
“Better368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLxjKoLN5w
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNvcKcg1p9
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL81EA4WcAg
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvWYGbok9k
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zHGqHTrc3
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIfAAjAT8J
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqHttWitkq
there was.
“I368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp73xAQPnMM
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgkxBYLyJ9
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjombwDCeGR
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsXd0oKgKC
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvGVhM2uo3
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoJW2jbaM2
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJYAXuzLRT
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAWoC6ytMs
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIkt1al7zF
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yc4Pdo5CH
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKxljRk0TB
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO9OWh6OzH
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh30K3YsKz
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn8bdxMInM
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFdtow2OR2
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWynjKdS5IX
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwyC2Owtwb
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BKMJJTxUG
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GpXQRZOAh
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSEcOvr4tX
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPFSnWGo1S
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb7suSw6TB
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNYerRHahD
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaEGwNz25d
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWQhg0HY1z
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQuXHlfUuK
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc0hGGJNMn
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpElGyv023i
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKFSjzEaEt
up in a ponytail.
“So368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdotWB6WUZD
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoNIdQ4xWn
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfY6bxF4Pv
grin on her face.
“No,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUG1Abr8ZF
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCRWMnloxc
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSwZUruJEa
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEKtkpU4sB
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFyqhEppX3
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwAxDxWtaB
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPe8IV0DSf
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ44OgvGt8V
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKCfMH8Ist
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoJQZq31O8
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3u5Swh1B7
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00NkaJvloa
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvube4I2XuS
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvcdOtrsL3
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC4dbzAgkQ
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxGRzIZNrf
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRHiXMm0jH
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXdkMINZ5d
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vYPihvM7x
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlMIc7JumJ
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHADyCkU0G
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH5dng4teF
around at the occupants who were all embroiled368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXIJgGMQDJ
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGHMppU1o4
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS6eGcnU62
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEmduUOip6
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtRzDJGDID
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzq1dZOjkm
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAvb52YTn3
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTFz07liT0
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhq8PPcY8l
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafhklBfkwL
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQgU3jF92h
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2vJUnegfJ
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jth5Zg6nY
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9OeD3dbPj
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkqquxI2Jv
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljdQqMb5s5
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJNgi0Yb3m
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznMWmaFWea
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOa2fk5qBP
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCA7DZ5RBX
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcHNlpxics
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHTkSK6psx
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukmFcfxdCD
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOXBS5x3CK
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHoLsg9Ahl
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfR032z4wn
she bounced and grinned
“Great,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByMRywkc71
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyKqjuuhvZ
robes
“Not368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG7Csdk4aH
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaysHkf3rX2
now?” Kemari sighed
“The368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnWkxgTpAj
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYfoL1et1K
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnlnHprk1c
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU4VuIBQpp
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAoogEZige
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOdWurk9Fl
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1x4nhIy4o
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0xWHxqM83
in the middle.
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOCMXNPQME
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pwXqDpo4g
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSgxoipqsi
stopped at the desk and stared at the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7FIDXEUVr
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoeN0T4mRG
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzRXa0q2Id
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG9eTzv3dq
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrOEtOA138
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjKphzJyw5
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdrzloIs5h
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlv3HSenzR
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa8rLYQRKh
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsvTo11LcB
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6n3VapxZH
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXW0W0eh47
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu7FXpz8lh
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixl9L6d3Ps
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxowez9SmX0
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDyylGvawv
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ8oX5jX5S
did”
“YOU368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXwssLLrio
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gOQtO2GkC
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2kMZvcUyw
collar.
“THAT’S368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0vrXzv7Lb
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlj0I1DXkM
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0i1Hb4drJ
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdHpmjMrXF
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBDL988Zqj
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cSLoWp5op
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86suRgRHe4
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLukfzR4KP
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsAgdV307m
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENefWhYR9g
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6N9uA5368
finally broken.
“You’re368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBpPAfmy1u
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQulAEszgW
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeRlafYHzl
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VvlzLkJrC
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWxOsGc3HC
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhKWKZIq5I
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY0LNS3fTj
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx4PpY2uUN
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwc5oTGm5z
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BPdqTIt1D
hurry”
Kemari368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi7OhFsFCk
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm4z2zBQVD
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbWwY7RJLy
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IzSrHJTkh
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJILIiS1d3
ns3.128.247.220da2
