Fire415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYULLbnUBt
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0LE4Vsq5O
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6r2kJndtv
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE54XeeRKh
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq5LEk3Ktl
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tur3WC4MV
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83hZ94PIOm
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWfKAIrrZZ
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vPd8hBCjk
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN283RWaeSn
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0O0wusQb9
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVzOheKiN4
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeCwAdQ9Ex
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFjdo8gaw7
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthYGI7wU9C
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtZKq39pmL
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdhyQ5xbLu
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFCmDowDPw
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZvkAZxnUs
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjW5deQnzo
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHbayfoOH2
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoUbQ28QlN
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiLngsoZ3X
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Dfxu7Ypw
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMcLy5LaUQ
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq8VSBrgTp
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDssYOzz3C
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rH45CbhLp
brown complexion for a minute before opening415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPiAihaBMF
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiS47bdB19
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChaj0YV7ci
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLutkAQnqw
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnO4xtBjjU
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IgvUCDY1f
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDcx6lPfjw
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Cng37ISc
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NDjFJqCvc
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLeqO4tnMh
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz1nnVf15J
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fcpdGndsG
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyM5UZEbZa
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94XKvnPFBn
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nbFtubUyd
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMFPDCgVEE
if it were bleeding.
“What415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33Vultw6oi
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMcXHSgMkj
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6BzW335nZ
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUNpRmvsC4
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtepWRlh73A
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49eTyprlcd
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9eBnUhXe5
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYl7SkVeNw
snickered.
“yea?415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdM4JMJE0L
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwEiBfX9Ic
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvkhJ5CnjN
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyhQC9KmjH
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIqqrHF8Bp
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzBpgcwNs2
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wuF4kiwf1
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJMwkRwmt3
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfy2QG991b
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2WVpFgUKc
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpAU7RLLz1
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofVKrckLYW
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGZk0n8Jcn
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbitfErJo9x
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOObdgPERwi
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWyjrRESAg
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6EXEvEeWK
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4vCjz1RSr
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyht7z6F4Xb
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TG6HdXoIr
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJJR5oFtzI
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJacbEkD0c
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh9v2UgypC
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c9A7MlpTr
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoGuBIDYcW
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh7XzL0KWj
face.
“That’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecvLsnWmjb
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1iXgOaWRB
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoTxn6iimM
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFUHCbxsFA
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnczUz9xNTC
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQilezVbM1
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj16u40HNV0
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk2sE5wBxy
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYicAft1p9o
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNxhz6b7X2
as he noticed it.
“What’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1alo9jf9bF
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86sDttmxyF
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fPb9iaygP
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNsaXUZ2Ql
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo2cieLUb1
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVThOnesLzB
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrENPYcAj6m
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAymzJxwUf
Isadora”
“good415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3enrjnNLyQ
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtnTlVIemF
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK509DGNAD
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9E9RPUXuU
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFShM2yYWA
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLDUMZDFtG
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcAoT3ixK0
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRmaCdu3Gr
sound like a woman”
“I415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGAxpRuBEI
should hope”
“that415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYV3vbjfu8
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctiPH2na9E
her
“Wow,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdKPjpFV4x
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu96KLVUzd
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVcZOpPpRR
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqNb9sZkpN
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0eWwamSV2
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEu5nI5rao
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Ne8b3l10
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3PhiBdpwX
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLmm5rVKEF
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9XfO7Zwwc
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LammphAwf
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCzlGXmy0A
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaunzDFdRo
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPj5HwMicj
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeNXkAb5cu
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lxr1RisDG
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o3egQdAzz
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQkOZbFFwM
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd1LKtJCCq
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1OnypkwyV
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4bqmFtKX7
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBFrpth6N6
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc2L0Osl4t
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWT9HQ5NKM
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSHn9szJje
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2us4JBTG9W
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIEJkz2FtP
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Z06gsAA7
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtFvs6Srtu
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaCgDfFhla
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj4ZFLD0Nk
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlhq2ksU9x
to beat him.
“Same415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDxGs4PWkS
age” he said before following after her
His415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIRJMenhGx
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88dbzbMtpm
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZPQ84joRH
than we were at that time…”
“What415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0anunPWDOd
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKnNez99NT
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx8EZxG7A6
still haunted him.
“…It415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOtOJUTObv
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvSQcoynsb
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgdiZmnf9N
age”
“Better415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcP43iHs0n
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3Fz4IQyxY
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiblsuRxTD
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORzIvB5Ugh
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqKoyHDiMu
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJxTZENeld
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yczYNqs6Z
there was.
“I415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUqVfteQLH
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCId4SEE3OL
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGiaLVYnVe
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP8sWLi6K4
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS6ZaU5hkD
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSacrNpEHin
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuOiRrnsPW
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ErLVUOtUA
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrFBCH0lkL
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ydC9Prqg
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVhV3cOQt2
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsXDWtSVOP
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv9nO2XAYF
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJaJdjacvG
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRmXxWnX5o
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9MPwbPaEe
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsemyLGET71
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgUBZC3BeW
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPCBThymJ0
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEPgVFzljR
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TQxle37R7
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXxF1UFuqn
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RW2MZzcbu
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuDQQlyGGQ
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wMoN7N3zl
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCw2omVO5F
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Trg40jhK
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9GPscR7E2
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1xg9w57lR
up in a ponytail.
“So415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sm6p8YUCA
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVXzRv8iyv
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKcAztfO3v
grin on her face.
“No,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcY1gdgcsz
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7phbpEOVQG
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9BFLMqzti
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TJaVmC4hP
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSnD6BxctH
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEvXrbwpB5
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5pBUUub2g
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nqVbHcgGh
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbgwMZ8WoO
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz8di6HqL1
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSDEb3z8p8
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA8nTAJ1YO
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6BbgOU12C
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R1DdCW8LS
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ83v1nw7ty
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSruIWn3aQx
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU7ssCRgKs
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwaUb6pMAq
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcYiegpbC5
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4GJ0XiuwC
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0uInpmI8D
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVXa4vKiPd
around at the occupants who were all embroiled415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPeQiacYzw
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSLYStiW3I
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNGO2tHEYs
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe8Kr6gyFe
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7q3tFkHI2
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6y19Nly9y
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Awz4fehhf
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiOw172z2H
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleHVFzn9p8
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw39mY99XL
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOICJtbkOo0
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kz6Zknh98
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyQribaJkY
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXkfNtPkwp
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw3HztQbJZ
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cJXuNU6Yu
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU3Aw4YvTc
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkfFSXrYBs
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptFzhtDk0X
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mL04fZSn6
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6DpMcFCBo
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n7tueVrXC
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ozprZ6d5U
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lu3O6enDo
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqWIdWFcdl
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBdf61xgbQ
she bounced and grinned
“Great,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQqfNA9Cpc
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHZyQAXQlU
robes
“Not415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCwU6ZFuDg
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQNTHJOGgU
now?” Kemari sighed
“The415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw1WmqNq8Z
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTqOeuVdUa
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0HYtj63El
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6mID2laEP
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzjWdiIrph
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yLD8l5d7A
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PovIl55Im
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkWFI1SNrf
in the middle.
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVIbHR1A4q
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qWQfTLilp
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdOD2iudh8
stopped at the desk and stared at the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6Ejwyg2XA
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamFtP087jX
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabC5pdhOO8
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2SBSUk5xg
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDc3w4neb8
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaw2O94v2c
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTxb4DlPH7
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFq18qrDYp
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtKymRlYJZ
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWqwVutVyI
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEJZWZqHsS
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzfEBhZ284
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYut0Fey1WC
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8OT2z1iDy
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ey97pQinV
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxDkHbHBlM
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrvvrrMlW0
did”
“YOU415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrubsRD2dc
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdQCJ1hoCP
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlqwAS3EB6
collar.
“THAT’S415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF6BYk8GOB
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58tGRhARZJ
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xtd727nMV
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrUQu12172
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvawbO5UgYz
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SWfAC4ls2
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpiO4KLOJD
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNBb3fz4fc
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJcvCjpA16
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerIzjVNupu
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB3fOAqiBv
finally broken.
“You’re415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd67uGgivs5
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8atkXaPDyt
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMkXPQuMQL
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LNlFSxkC9
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3x8XxaED7
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CMUbdnnlG
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsniVO3EuQQ
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAWxzTVuZZ
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkpUetF2ji
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvkdXRBmSt
hurry”
Kemari415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a8aVzOH4U
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0y4R0E1MT
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1K7l8OOK9
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kfP1q3JPr
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpIk12CgsK
ns216.73.216.94da2
