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?284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJmR2cDyqK
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR5VrSU20c
“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.” 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89XdSFtyAk
“How about creating something like that?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMRH8a5n7J
“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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpSgohaNZZ
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao7MsVt7Fk
“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.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdphSNuayIa
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyQfqMkgu2
As if…284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzWLxdleEU
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOSNtO7bb6
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboAQBcjEWU
“N-no, you don’t understand!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggCOZwOs7r
I cut in before she could finish.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzt3pgMHc1
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawRgd3YCPm
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIlSQODizs
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?284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzmSY3H8dK
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxRYaOEm0Z
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYylJB8A6t3
“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.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9KToX7myI
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNWbUTiAiP
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsigDfUE4pb
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pRxP7Nmvs
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F7FLa89GH
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABjx9lUpT9
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxw7NrvF48
“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.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0yhgHigfr
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcYozL3FJM
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ujPUpDJyi
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2ke4nyiTi
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonKjuh6THE
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTnWHvd5Gn
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflSLRRUqcL
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyznMYPtI1l
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtUb08VihF
“Tousa! Tousa!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAewQDz8kh
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARlkYh2lVo
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCcJSd9mzz
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNB0ZQWISv
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ji8kkKR6n
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTSjqI0v1b
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI6kWLPeDX
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvqPkGUudw
“Firee!!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfCIVms54T
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGfjXj4NCf
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUTE1giRWw
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1gDVP18pI
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE23HfTHd7
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiKbqKGMUC
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeXV3KnAGH
“Frigeo!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJsjPYZNld
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugZI4St2gk
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcTomkpH6i
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLHjnKa2AJ
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aGiShkkuE
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07okqjvHbF
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrTDr3eBlc
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhL5NC9Pcb
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd7TeZNaPO
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34Rw2vb8gM
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaqspW7HjM
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pmNmNoORs
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tdec6oxl8
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiC9h2MprB
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtB2VIuhLe
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFJWbZBizG
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBzvdOyuGe
For my beloved!284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00SjGbC5Vm
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULig9oiCNR
A direct hit.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJGHFvpdzw
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KQFkm286M
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzi0yy5yTN
I… I am… s-sorry…284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUPLRR2LXn
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYahm3sTVPG
“W-where am I?!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhio4aPSdy
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7oaD47JmU
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfphMqjkA9
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3282zFFWtv
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfr1uWvKAL
“Wh-what do you mean?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKpSXdVmR5
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElPWXw6BKG
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o7htUvh7t
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNTBOF5TQs
“Us? I am a dem-…”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL1vsJV5ld
“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!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix74W1R62U
“I-I don’t understand…”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wqckViGKj
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB7Jmh3Yhl
“What do you want the most?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotdarUFz1e
“Huh?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyHBs9gpgK
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsuhrgLmOB
“I… I want to save him!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYa7AshhNj
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaal1Fhp0n
“Amans…”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbawSBbmjy
“Huh? What are you mum-!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fHQ8o8wKK
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySLnx90n4Y
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAInRUeG9TR
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOps4qc2Rz
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5pBG2NAJD
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtf5loUIl2
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ZdehbZpP
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAusegdE5s
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQSJD4gZeB
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kkIytomhL
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IGwY7D2LV
“Wake up, Tousa.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCLlLUP71d
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiA109kJFL
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqLKD0BmMB
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrxugPeWBa
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp6cMWKjHV
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPtbkz2v0Q
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivfGBUHmhd
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaXLiRpbdi
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SgI6IUd7j
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BZLau15Fj
“S-son?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobuygr4bsK
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGySOeKo1t
“B-beloved?!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPFgoYziX0
“Isn’t she important to you?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWv8ygnQuc
“W-well…”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsQ2Jw4LrQ
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFKmeFkW36
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcivYlk36mI
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVLIJGX3L7
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCbYabUcRU
“Thank you father.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yV6lf8uQN
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fMQZcjoWa
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVxOEnvByS
“Not yet!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPhicDNYPp
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3WkbD6ixQ
She really is a Halfling, huh.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKvIYhPpSm
“Tenna! Get baack!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWraVltfmDo
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlzrnFipz2
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4s6wmfUpc
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSobeyQqt7
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.
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68xtFcy8gp
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwFjux7A90
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgylHHmI9p
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc6or8hfSq
