Fire373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8beV4H9mx
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeMwArKtya
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatXee3w6TE
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU2LOqTICU
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GiUwYTR9i
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkxw9vGSES
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijn0SGfSyF
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHBuLXL3qm
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0qcclzfi5
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs7RjOjkwO
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN4eJPnRTY
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLbfDKkZ1e
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea3TC87uD0
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYOblPo2PU
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxIJmBYP2Y
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7Igw5e5Xz
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzvqzb9RDd
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jc8GB8lEP
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt4LstOiWs
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ8vGF3Uby
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPW3qxY3qZ
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn7oXpNh9K
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAB5TwFbqo
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNenxtLwmz
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVbOq1HrfY
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIp9y8RxyC
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzywqEIX0v
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eJy8bF3X4
brown complexion for a minute before opening373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuqr8lQxNr
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6ntG9IoBG
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi6UqYynFp
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSRzdU2bO6
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV7VNGyJhK
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKHvmFgXIc
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnPo8nKtW5
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdEG42dNwZ
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHTzgJsUXu
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqMgON2kqj
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBmidsoLtR
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc3ng6wxu3
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfUtoeLFYx
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ktsluk5RX
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6oSrGF6XT
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j7DZJEfkG
if it were bleeding.
“What373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqnJe8W9Rw
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT2W0x06r9
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEbRJrYimo
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGmWCgxBp7
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzScN0Bqs03
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudEdrX0INz
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Z9SzxGBW
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51X0dWiKvS
snickered.
“yea?373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayfavgjeMU
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8Jow6l4bR
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qdc1hRTZO
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBcKBKwoVw
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER3Qbkpcpo
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrXhNBipkv
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdGAUlreH6
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8biVfsa3H3
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryfsbXCwgd
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZpQ9odlrH
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34HxU9cFLz
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n8hrDrwQp
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuHHxxW4tX
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqVnebOirN
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo9nSEyOjv
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Le4P5kCs
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIWxJ3hyp2
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpyzAFtR2o
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CstcjR8gC
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKb1sPYFFg
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPwYow4Xvr
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vjFIB7rRi
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeyiqcqrAi
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORS7p8x18F
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2siSrjMvi
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq4gkJz78Q
face.
“That’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPpti0CWnw
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOK7dL9Wb3
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf47LgChhmu
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmkOTyY83B
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwccWaK8Y6z
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvg1swMziY
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EZfeSWZ0H
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2Uw6iae7Q
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZZPVHLzb8
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RHTtzUSmh
as he noticed it.
“What’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpnol6sy3A
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDGX5kercR
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiJ4FTFGaE
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfJ5ZW9JEB
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xfZrq84AM
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eIa62sxi3
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcJNCwhmwC
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABHHn817gJ
Isadora”
“good373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2qfIFK0LR
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZEsHdKCel
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn2P2CIZ0Y
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6wB6B5rL8
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPouCCODSrB
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfycUGJ6oGV
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK5edvIwM3
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HDxuXKZhs
sound like a woman”
“I373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6C53qLO50
should hope”
“that373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdMzI0zzdZ
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeky373pBp
her
“Wow,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IRatK8nGa
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHimODSC69A
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bkx5pRVSf
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzJRS2T6WX
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8PBI7HJuP
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0TaSOwWGt
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tQVXGjbUC
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmKiPSae1J
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh32XRo72Tx
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKIqtWsMuX
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCj3X4mByc
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ90dqUjPmm
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCfDRwN2gP
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChYM4O9E3m
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0vbIsJSoX
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0BxzdLOLN
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QSPMY7Saj
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KkGkDyda8
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D9vo6IZYK
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYpi7iujX4
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4QyTBDDMf
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaffrw5K6D
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlI3YRMm3L
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9APLrbj4ZG
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2bzu3AW4l
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGOfNvXVer
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2dUbM70Gn
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjZr2FxPcT
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcyg2ZMH5J
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlxMZLDA80
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UZn4y8Wfe
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sMNAqGNAp
to beat him.
“Same373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadzGL7NOpQ
age” he said before following after her
His373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQpn2czkaP
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcklInKGGt
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCVHulIxPR
than we were at that time…”
“What373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOzAr6uURC
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU36JVyQ6e
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9zYW4ah5c
still haunted him.
“…It373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCTN2Nzvy4
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHVOcamrh1
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZglpyRjsKF
age”
“Better373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwX6JWLBuL
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74oM7Aa5Xx
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhQaMypUIT
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu5vLt2lOU
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mvKcfpxES
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrlhwMUdnz
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mmj95zdGq
there was.
“I373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVu0WsrJil
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxNjxhYbg4
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jN3xwis4W
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OxpYPYZqp
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQpIOvS0cd
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5s4vhXGpD
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpva6FuIGr
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLpKmGkLiY
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerBpUCIAWe
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds3niuoET3
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jYPtM1iUn
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzTi8J4P0Y
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcbJ8J0LkM
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NXPHi7zlI
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk0saqDE2X
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXrxsDj3cE
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixkOw3VIsJ
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpirooAfZN
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ404lixsvBk
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicF8rDobWi
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY23KtlBpQ
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KuAPzuWzz
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwoBlAHqEX
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5WnHByQdb
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIGqFGk15c
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjlfJNo7wl
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ahs71a0Ni
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB3T5QzjBr
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2qkIZu6gj
up in a ponytail.
“So373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyb2wrvV1A
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVVImrOdED
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8W8Z0xybH
grin on her face.
“No,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6GTzJNtK4
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzOS0MZkmn
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS4Ush8bYk
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC2ub8rYxA
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGISMd9Eyq
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yk7G7AVva
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2jPZjGv9N
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHww8BPNrha
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJQ3UQ5pWs
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajRG9KMlVa
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9fPOA6sET
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPcg2JYqX4
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTQGycDfcR
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlrQbpk6R9
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT5Wtr5ChH
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX30NBDXZH
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloMvYnZM1b
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U9dIX6MCi
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkV3oa7Szg
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNbhFoqAHJ
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiwP8paVkf
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQqSf2wB6l
around at the occupants who were all embroiled373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuwKABslkp
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktBcbR37Ix
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWgmDrFYr9
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfmYvR08GP
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSJO7c6SqW
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8n6ItcNDK
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDfpNeJmq4
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgbF2KTco4
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV7HnoF8qa
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O4Kcuto9m
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMk04CN4ek
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7BWCeB6Ww
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIy9sGB0Z3
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmDzC3BgRk
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu5MwzYD9l
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbw6UhgBBu
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCy6ClmQyY
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikrTn2Klro
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVsYbfD2U9
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJJP9pvmoN
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANxWR5gzco
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdJ8I3lv7I
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM8D0Zjl71
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy3cD82WQ3
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt8PWkiHNn
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ852nz4bkfO
she bounced and grinned
“Great,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzrIMZ0LKG
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMqNExNhwj
robes
“Not373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkH5eY7uQI
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkZXRO1kQh
now?” Kemari sighed
“The373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lI0zKlxbw
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTKVplYWJQ
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHG9D4cBNw
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgegHkmLyzw
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc4CthSsfw
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuoe6DRr0x
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg5GoqQJym
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuCQOMHcED
in the middle.
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4C9zmiJkG
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVdQDEDsg1
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpjyivjJFa
stopped at the desk and stared at the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uz2He1xBA
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWA5ztHarS
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBbLDw16t0
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe8e8v529C
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cct8BJEWy
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh79kh3RXtZ
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nezfvTWQG
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOTOREYlKI
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyUSPOlTi5
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsKRlv8Myj
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo5EpYbNPF
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl1vmTOIcW
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCve0dynYO7
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPZIIdPyOR
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvPSFl2YQs
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FzTAnjUiN
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXQXsReBSF
did”
“YOU373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAKdb2Daip
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i8OomBqxI
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIoFPzPX8D
collar.
“THAT’S373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnlOeUHc9E
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJaIyQVcw5
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CTQyUp1t6
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK56wkvR1RE
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJOnHQh8vd
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJdDvf0AGh
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwOGXOqh0Q
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjeiJrtEWZ
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalEXlKjaW3
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMhbeqWFd6
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtDzvHHrzE
finally broken.
“You’re373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgBOlekzgK
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvasDM6KOv
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxww14pBYBe
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL36vaFnw0
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOAVvhRrsL
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHySExonzc1
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM45syZ1Hi
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRfVYWQ6Io
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvvOtE9Dvt
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5JjI3p65z
hurry”
Kemari373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDlDf23B8S
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnbpgkxnOO
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59AY1yowTr
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwb3FQSdBE
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITtfkqW353
ns18.221.248.199da2
