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?302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK2NDJYgTP
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWij6S2kcbs
“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.” 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6sgKO92wg
“How about creating something like that?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3krUBddjiU
“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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZPmuAX02X
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpJq2a3obq
“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.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKuZM2eOW6
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl39xoJa6Ww
As if…302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstRGPNCp8B
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgu2kxrvBr
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq2ytaLZuk
“N-no, you don’t understand!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNblEJiIFl
I cut in before she could finish.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqIg7I3UiB
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdsrkGQjN5
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYxqZufANK
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?302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIesWT4dcz
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4cM2a8oyg
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiHSZSns1V
“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.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpiB8EDpm7
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjmrkpMGYr
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimxJbSjGCp
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb54ngY9xy1
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB22VyGrizZ
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwhJmAFEsY
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULZ8rSIcpY
“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.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxZ9JBXAqb
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgxzVq9iu6
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmsPdOB3Dw
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5GUhkVpEV
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UjwJYjDAY
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn9L6e1aGV
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. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsdNQ9XPqV
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8D8uJRc1E
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZaH6kGGsa
“Tousa! Tousa!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGpTTuSLFY
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX02rDEydX
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1txebPq3Ij
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHCxH6qCCw
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3ZY6rAXaV
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiUjRlcoe3
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE12i2OFrv
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m3yIU0YC8
“Firee!!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcXGAE3bDX
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. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc7o9N2pz8
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIfwGxqnbd
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75xRiJGKAR
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnbZ6PuUU0
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BM1MTotW7
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZK2tQ7HGh
“Frigeo!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD59vkgGnL
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlXDcvFJ1r
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEeoOr9JDy
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoFl9AwX1u
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRi70awxXf
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVoKR6hV0P
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jkYOrA5fb
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWmXoOMlEp
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOBb6E7XZt
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h5uyJFYsj
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aWcUyRkhI
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ415Ag6g75q
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HyExsp9Hw
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ3VmcgDfx
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. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkIKnkJA3I
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN6M1GaWR6
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA75oVqfd4R
For my beloved!302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUHkqAzFtz
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xb8v8yPSi
A direct hit.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHLCudkAK6
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFG8RUzIQS
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjy0In3S6U
I… I am… s-sorry…302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdxljar0Ps
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFCpLQyPdE
“W-where am I?!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAclR98zZC
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RhdvJwDM2
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYAaWTwF4g
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6iKUAve6l
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OCX14hFKh
“Wh-what do you mean?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdII3zKN4t
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98FumDPpPY
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QLWbfz8uE
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqonlDgQCS
“Us? I am a dem-…”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcSVP9iF4u
“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!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZA2iSU1HG
“I-I don’t understand…”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtAtMVLy6d
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ3UWDiDFU
“What do you want the most?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPMu5xWTm0
“Huh?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk0U6j9YWy
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMVXzbiINj
“I… I want to save him!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafEuEG0jIH
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTeeLPz2ac
“Amans…”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3lRzmhA3s
“Huh? What are you mum-!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPfby1k9QT
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgmpvtCygC
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8qHgPI5NK
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyEy8OEU6f
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKeKA0Ejji
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UhE4PQEU9
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNkqKPnPkE
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx9IzlW6F9
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dh9Xjd6KL
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEyInyfWbp
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.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4QwqKeIUo
“Wake up, Tousa.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQiXyA0Ic7
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v4OUhh3Nh
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLv6gnkNCc
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeiTCumRHW
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsznteeU0lc
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIoyjTdImr
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvyUZQ8PDq
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8ZmRI1GgA
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxulZCKB5W
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGV84KHUOx
“S-son?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrLZkf5ESM
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV3SkoCeiW
“B-beloved?!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGAmzmakUs
“Isn’t she important to you?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeMxEXiZiA
“W-well…”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDBrJ6lg6W
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycAHeFflo0
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0GhMbptLB
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lUfUgPPz9
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfoQGjWfWZ
“Thank you father.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5H34NOUB9
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakvmDz6qvr
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXZHLOS9py
“Not yet!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRCt7Uz5Wy
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. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87vRUvhLFr
She really is a Halfling, huh.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJO8itVGxs
“Tenna! Get baack!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzSRlMhSR7
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0LITr7Jy8
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. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DRPwJMjj0
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhTDCyuXxl
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.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRhMPZa2MZ
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiAeHpBNVK
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. 302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlexQiudm8b
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs4eHuEHl0
