We had to assess the situation quickly. Further scouts were sent out to confirm the movements of Ken’o. Luckily Tenna brought a map of the surrounding area, it was from Haji Meni.
We were certainly sure by now, that Haji Meni was some sort of trap, but we had no idea what kind of trap. Both of us wrecked our brains around the journey to the Dwarven Kingdom, but nothing significant came to our mind. It was as if Ken’o just magically knew, that we were here.
Magically?311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXXCKweDQ3
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B7n1oai4F
“Movements? No, not to my knowledge at least. I am fairly sure if there was, Mother could use it, but she never used anything similar to that.” 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf1vhI1okf
“How about creating something like that?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RvLY8R2dN
“Spell creation? I know you can combine them, but creating one isn’t easy. If Ken’o actually made a spell to be able to track us, he must be a rather powerful magician. That is a little impossible though, he is a fighter through and through. Even though he is human, he refuses to rely on magic and always used brute force.” Explained Tenna.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqGCru5Ywk
She and the Empress collected as much information as they could in an attempt to be one step ahead at all times. But our situation now was rather suffocating.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtg3KcFuGe
“One more thing Tousa, you should hide and when the right moment comes you must run, run for your life. I don’t know what will happen.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZRZsCQmbQ
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG1Xe7sD8p
As if…311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B3JyIryVe
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwSZ9D7HLY
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQyo54ZHMB
“N-no, you don’t understand!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqAEarG3Qh
I cut in before she could finish.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCynXuxpfy
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUAuPYmJ6i
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiXC37RctQ
Before we could break into another argument the scouts returned. The army of Ken’o hit up a camp not quite far from us. Their numbers seemed endless. Just how big is the human army?311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibEuP0iKi1
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpdxiq6MUr
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YLs9D58Z8
“They probably won’t attack us during the night, but we cannot risk letting our guard down. They have superior numbers and can take turns with guarding. We don’t have such luxury.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ646DeE4pHz
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhtrnpjNDG
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3ZCi3Jrh1
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC2okunngg
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIvTsUEg5l
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnifxdC6Q7b
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVxCH2ZSDt
“I already stationed most of the dwarves around the mountain. They might have superior numbers, but this is a fort, strong enough to withstand high level magic. The walls are imbued with Ai’s magic.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ31wurHd5
We had to come up with a strategy. Even if Ken’o didn’t attack head on, he certainly head enough men to widdle us down. My magic was probably good enough for normal soldiers, but I needed time to cast it.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DdJY4WbMc
We strategized until past midnight. We felt the fatigue set in. Durin insisted, that he and the dwarves would stand guard until we rested. Even a short sleep would do us good.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVIhLG8dmq
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVCfIpAwmW
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSQdxNjwYc
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAvYXAWfmf
She sat down right next to me, but she didn’t just rest her head she also locked her arm with mine. She was trembling slightly. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaetFVD3QS7
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHII3vSeAEg
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1NnXLj9Ax
“Tousa! Tousa!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9D7TSyd1A
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsjPFRKwqa
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqILZETnkN
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEeRlg0psf
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf6hO24D0Y
Tenna was the one calling to me. She held her hand out and I took it. Our rest was short, but it felt good for sure.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VdkbGKGLl
The scouts reported movements. The enemy army started coming at us in waves. Since there were too many of them they had to split up.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBJduIbZss
The first wave arrived soon enough. Because of this sudden change in their formation a slight hope appeared before us. Ken’o was still a great threat, but maybe.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtiA6HIG81
“Firee!!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk0K4Ttjtq
A great barrage of arrows rained down on the human soldiers. Dwarven arrows were much stronger than normal ones. Many shots pierced through the poorly crafted human armour. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoKkD1p6Vf
Meanwhile at the entrance the demonic beings stood in a half circle, rendering the defending needed area half. I and Tenna were in the inner circle.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk5vW5ACmj
The demonic beings did great work and only a few stragglers came through. Those were swiftly overwhelmed by Tenna’s sheer power. Her movements were quick and swift. Every move was more like a dance move than an attack.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFeCAcDPtx
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0UMU3r6Yd
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NQleJWKdI
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo7enAwt3I
“Frigeo!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEAuBYp5MN
As previously discussed, I and Tenna would be a team while Durin manages the dwarves. It was dangerous to fight for us outside, but it was our own decision.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijNcl9dlaV
With Durin in lead soon a big group of dwarves rushed out and formed a second line of defence before us. Even with this numbers the second wave was much stronger and I continuously casted Frigeo.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SHqwlypGg
I started feeling sluggish when our biggest fear appeared. Not far from the second wave and a third behind his back Ken’o was slowly marching our way.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVNOG0iX8O
His armour wasn’t full body. He only had gloves and no arm protection and even his legs were only half covered. His stature was truly grand, he was a warrior through and through.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXvUjkx6rI
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdltldmvzlE
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayWvoK7rcn
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaQ7ppPJlS
With Ken’o not moving I and Tenna turned up our pace. I casted Frigeo on a larger scale and Tenna leaped towards the enemies and cut them down in a blink of the eye. We continued this tactic, but I was slowly getting tired. One effect of using this much magical energy was that I started getting dizzy and fatigued.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkwWOW62BT
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b3F16Z85p
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpMqVZaOLw
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNxK6VUVFB
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUb92SAn4Z
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQbOncDO9b
I leaped yet again forward trying to strike him from my lower right. I got only blocked this time and our difference in power was immense. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufDcZrO92v
A big shockwave engulfed our surroundings and soldiers from both sides were sent flying. He easily pushed me away, but before I could react he targeted Tousa.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0hAzNQnDu
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFyPAo4Tlz
For my beloved!311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPEFjKtj8P
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZpNk03AKE
A direct hit.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC68BIB7Rj3
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFJFEpUEra
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fcb04GWIl
I… I am… s-sorry…311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76aJa2RDRj
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XSnTDVBcQ
“W-where am I?!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpHCVZfRuL
I found myself in a dark place, more like the darkness surrounded me. A sole woman stood before me. She had snow white skin, long ears and golden blonde hair. Her dress was like of a princess’s.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEKbavKRBM
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RIhPWMBqx
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFctY8b6M1
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7mcxXdD9Z
“Wh-what do you mean?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRwdtVEBfY
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgZpu09DEB
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrLaVuDMMI
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbJP47m28K
“Us? I am a dem-…”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWzfXWInvh
“See? You are part elf too. Never wondered why your magic was this low? It went into the concealing of your true nature. You are a Halfling!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bkqOkw9BG
“I-I don’t understand…”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbpqfY0mGq
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovRAQzCQkO
“What do you want the most?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz7a6u6FQU
“Huh?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP0AIEPqN6
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2A82slWyR
“I… I want to save him!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nL4HSTi3S
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmug6MH6a0
“Amans…”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTSl9Q3GVq
“Huh? What are you mum-!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq4u1blPId
An incredible amount of magic energy started emitting from Tenna. Her white hair grow longer and turned to a golden blonde. Her darker skin became a lighter tone and her ears grew longer.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK2hmatoCU
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeW7GHAaNR
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn433RuMBYg
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JwgubIwyF
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS7ex1aRBZ
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILlf3eSBvd
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoxAKOPKTg
Bright light enveloped her and once it faded she was clothed in white and golden yellow armour. Durin couldn’t believe his eyes. The quality and design were beyond dwarven knowledge, something almost impossible.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9qcBAEDpG
Tenna leaped at Ken’o who half dumbfounded and half in shock barely blocked her attack. Even with all his might Tenna managed to bring down the blade of her glaive which slowly bore into Ken’o’s shoulder.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YENTV3Lwp
Once they parted Tenna furiously barraged him with attacks pushing him further back. With every attack more and more cuts appeared on the strong knight who was overwhelmed by the elven warrior’s speed and anger.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PkAkRO849
“Wake up, Tousa.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALZPUMsU52
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vZmZOCwxa
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhePMEhc25
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEcVRTuyaL
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ19aZQgJdD
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcas7PTsdfD
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV96KxYDdt
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7ZEyUj6B3
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8NaADVM3D
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuffBhBIVt
“S-son?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC11gOXxjt
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5xRmnmcdE
“B-beloved?!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5gogcm6KS
“Isn’t she important to you?”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAknErF9gWw
“W-well…”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6DfFOzEwx
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxqfLh4j11
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmIXo2QOLf
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1oMGhWYAQ
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFqLtCjSqK
“Thank you father.”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yv4TC8nuw
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp0vePPBZY
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKCV2l4aEm
“Not yet!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXNK7fyiXj
I looked over the fight. All I saw was a beautiful girl fighting Ken’o furiously, but she was getting tired. I thought for a second and called out to her. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjdNPE12Sr
She really is a Halfling, huh.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Vztqv5S0
“Tenna! Get baack!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6rF1hHERS
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCdRK4mwlo
The magic circle on my palm started changing runes. First three, then six, then nine and last twelve runes which formed a second magic circle. With determination in my eyes, my trembling hand held one of the most powerful magics. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVpMOrB8o3
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxm5DyPQxh
Tenna moved back as fast as she could. In the sky the same magical circle appeared, but much bigger. Menacingly the runes started changing the same way, Ken’o stood frozen in shock, and all the soldiers started running way before I started.
311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXT2NUMbns
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSmutNNkMW
Suddenly a crimson and black coloured pillar of flame descended from the Heavens and engulfed Ken’o. The shockwave was incredible and I finally lost my consciousness completely. 311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3wPy7lwmQ
311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HiYRrWper
