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?299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINXf63h58c
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKean26ia23
“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.” 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dLcZe86yi
“How about creating something like that?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD3cyJRtjK
“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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU69yATkGBY
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTVn7kozhl
“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.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4raXfgpo2X
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm1RL2tnqP
As if…299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWmDt2tobA
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScklToEHUW
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hYFRg6WSS
“N-no, you don’t understand!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLJc3eW5DD
I cut in before she could finish.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8H6moC84G
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccwBpOOTX4
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9UD9QBSxR
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?299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg9KuJPrRK
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hAnCcMMAv
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ059ci2bilx
“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.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLrU6Ob8LP
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnZxzdVuQu
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIz38fMTL9
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKU01in0Ms
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl4891bj8O
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzD3uXeLvh
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW79MvdE7zJ
“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.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrdpAtZG6f
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowgrNuq7XL
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvs34eLUHN
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa3gP8TrVc
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSH5OM2pFb
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIFysdN2IV
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nlFpgF5Ql
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHG7jJglyc
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S1ORyrirZ
“Tousa! Tousa!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYjiatOVkg
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE0hZ043j6
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRH2wZ2Asp
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSlsGlip8i
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9VIPeB8IQ
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDZuYJtNG4
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMC7y8IcYo
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUxONf4hUP
“Firee!!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZk0UFk0G0
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuU2KH9TGY
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKoP3tpAsG
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXEgZyyM8l
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZT9dVRZR2
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiImqeJ59fm
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7WKFynh65
“Frigeo!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN2IEArrmM
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLwXkyIrim
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27aAYeRstO
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIcd9nzBpz
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8WUEGxlxj
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ5gzc3wCh
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lBUwHuaUn
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBjUJTV4hQ
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYNIfHmjU7
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI3gDH2KoX
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVnC8qnSw1
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZueZjHiLmG
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhZZ0D65yx
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xJ3QlFlx9
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSimblLvGB8
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYB41jyNk9
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV42CvCbS9v
For my beloved!299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KwuK4DHXN
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBjqdPnCKA
A direct hit.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmeyTcqyqr
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4iSHo7DaW
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEjLOLmzmi
I… I am… s-sorry…299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGxXMGX94s
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtKc0CTode
“W-where am I?!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51WmElNlyx
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pyaO0L1yZ
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2be3bIUWx7
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVHueZ4U7e
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwYDJpMr3H
“Wh-what do you mean?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv15WApzab
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFiaquKhCU
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM6a1Wc152
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I4Hv4MQhX
“Us? I am a dem-…”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35nO4jcspU
“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!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ4YDxf41u
“I-I don’t understand…”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87khUrCBsz
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcRz7n9WNv
“What do you want the most?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJDZlPb4p5
“Huh?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlqhEs4pdA
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEm2XJHP6T
“I… I want to save him!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ028S46xRHM
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlazAM1CA6o
“Amans…”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPfgWS3r1s
“Huh? What are you mum-!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDyxM8XKvt
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3S8cxrWkx
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3IVeBIqTM
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEDoIUFUIs
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywUBBqzn9B
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1GXLxTqhW
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoxOv5ON46
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgGcmNFRyO
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGM24CGb8Q
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAfTWijo1e
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90wJRbX9bT
“Wake up, Tousa.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCrWY7McSO
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIxJ5yFr3x
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJDGFOWfqc
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg57ExAFvFy
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZH9gEhQZs
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwYIRJENGj
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEAZyJIhg0
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m6RKa7nHo
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0PDtFPATh
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4rBqfQtNo
“S-son?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFTMhMSyts
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPVlz8pKT8
“B-beloved?!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtrzecX4Dr
“Isn’t she important to you?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk19JtAwkOA
“W-well…”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfExaKCiBzW
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRD8X67Ptz
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs2lLuxHwL
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WLaryUiRZ
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwnWmYlML5
“Thank you father.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNo6u70VQN
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeo5fViijo
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvnRQVRV4p
“Not yet!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOR4Fd9xIe
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ewFylrY6S
She really is a Halfling, huh.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjstrNY3e0
“Tenna! Get baack!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiTDBEvPrX
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5MiTtjnWR
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKWIwLA0NB
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFSo7Y1PHI
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.
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXaA5eqbsQ
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7d4TppkO5
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeavnqS9cV
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldCV6LPJYJ
