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?418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVmgfmE9l2
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoJrdL0m4D
“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.” 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iyGYZVmq9
“How about creating something like that?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hbwsJETpP
“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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OjMUUfFMj
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTE6rxucTi
“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.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThESb1Opec
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d4F1dAof1
As if…418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb6jNq5iTz
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZPLs7cbem
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylIAvymOm4
“N-no, you don’t understand!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRLKge5O7F
I cut in before she could finish.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKJ0MiOvnP
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyRCRXeZIY
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlh0yZdtod
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?418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpGKeTHmt8
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dFmuZ6J1T
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB55Ngvyxn7
“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.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qn09dbNMt
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7jaq0fWmk
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWYR7X4Bso
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91T94tqRbn
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw5GGdWzMS
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6eKGts5cH
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxQ6m6iz8n
“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.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCAdJRXhgX
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna6qUaHRZB
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP1zJkmVE5
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZasvpmhLeI
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhBlmc4A51
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKDUFiWVjG
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. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X5tkRJ595
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jeNmvgU21
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGvpw7rqmx
“Tousa! Tousa!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTZ0HSMDVE
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRC7HLTIfl
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpHSCLwDA2
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rAellMj54
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYBaMFiTBc
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZETdMWzlEv
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegFcWUpLKA
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpAPyEwB85
“Firee!!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxImaTsGn7Z
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. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lcdsbBdyo
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnptKFNvK7K
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDQzVt9qbi
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVto0pvOdmp
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ex3D8i1Gy
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJMbLNqzwS
“Frigeo!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOweRF5T0mf
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKCNcfG8ew
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxCrF4NN6f
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOCYwPEDWO
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TWVP4d2Nw
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBb9YoF99Q
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9uWIlF8Ru
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mRAFesIU9
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSVFb7LuC8
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcTHAwjPzn
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSVwq0HYEt
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejo7EGkt76
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQYZG3wnYG
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh6amYTXj4
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. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj3zvxfB5d
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxH914fOeI
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkyHPoxHXs
For my beloved!418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU14uvGM07c
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBR75sym37
A direct hit.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3MZvGZ8pA
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2HsSVczND
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZzwXbr7XN
I… I am… s-sorry…418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB8z4AUvw4
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OWIMad2dd
“W-where am I?!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwkfDkuy1Z
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ycJicAqIi
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXPiO31JHx
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORl4moOfiQ
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LqFUMtJDd
“Wh-what do you mean?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fO9tiBCFT
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtHZ60RGyj
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQHLOL58cw
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c4zdwdC8A
“Us? I am a dem-…”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7GSP6k0kB
“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!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI5Q7a1ykI
“I-I don’t understand…”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ihRJyrPRx
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRk2CofNut
“What do you want the most?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaipNMyeDV
“Huh?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87QRmEcOec
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAb5FbunfU
“I… I want to save him!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNFQSJ5wAJ
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6P7vHwI5O
“Amans…”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kSl15MlXr
“Huh? What are you mum-!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCTQ3LE1g5
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG9k5MKVjD
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxucxuUY5m6
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rXsnkpQOE
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiQeSY7wQT
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41jarjpOU8
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6RGMxijFy
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwWeIUf2PS
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUOKNtHurY
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii4opbXz77
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyOEf6Gz30
“Wake up, Tousa.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoFA269AbS
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTNjoo546e
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn1y1SX0iF
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeJ0hjAz0r
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqsg3hS5rX
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBSK8r0ZNt
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfM46iCFTw
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5zPrAtPa9
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcKC1criXA
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ksQ17ARm0
“S-son?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPmG5fx7YV
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gPt5Fns1E
“B-beloved?!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIPGeCRzEz
“Isn’t she important to you?”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JHtuQ2vuE
“W-well…”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu7zk1N6kM
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tMJwBhxLs
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILaJOfdnqp
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKkB6ADXu7
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBaj6BbvGP
“Thank you father.”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSrf24yG05
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojxGf2vizQ
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi58R481K5r
“Not yet!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW7A8aads1
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. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVVz2fkjc2
She really is a Halfling, huh.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LmxRmpQWQ
“Tenna! Get baack!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIznlP4xmc
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJyHmXMr8F
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. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CrrpEF9dp
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1XX2jrA0Q
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.
418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tivHa4m9x
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbtcnXZLEy
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. 418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJHdRMO9kd
418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bg2sH5Y4i
