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?394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl8ajIP5Dx
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxyn0fpmEK
“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.” 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrayrerpukh
“How about creating something like that?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNTdcE5DfK
“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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG76NPa73tS
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMpwzPNuPR
“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.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH8c47Rmht
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTA2DoZ1qD
As if…394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG8G1eAnTo
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9iLrVlTux
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEzOMcNxTY
“N-no, you don’t understand!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSEVDpnHQm
I cut in before she could finish.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhrN2XThXC
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAILT5rZSi
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBronqLgw0f
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?394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij6eijkCQD
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4CgInQLIR
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUos8gPylJ
“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.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJirRICpVT
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QtN1wuktg
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06VVdjT8hJ
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFH77UAXCh
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5cztSkKdM
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrPr9Az6tT
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTaswrc6Cm
“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.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4gCNPKP0G
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2urxySHhz8
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsndqbtWQY
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsP0cFTqTD
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlpb6QFATT
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZLu9mtjtS
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. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsuTIBuGfg
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45muCEvWU6
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcqCk7UbUr
“Tousa! Tousa!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI3DnOqa3E
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEyXgDv5YX
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFeDv3c8pk
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjotNXpbQmO
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdiaLb0ipL
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswkxEXltyc
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2weX2zxLd
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk9eBlvoS1
“Firee!!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhWtkGkXbw
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. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhiueGagde
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhur4AhnkD8
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y7co9iv70
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqBHO5ELiC
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPYk5E1E5R
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEHqMesK6D
“Frigeo!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9KpyRTHpv
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckLFkEHWWA
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WNahrcxBO
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsNofijyTI
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWmiKpibBy
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukW8838G0b
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMAZJ6C2CJ
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyJTV7l3V4
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28mkI0E89w
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z26HbRbtz
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgSz4SwQnC
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2hl0PzWO2
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6TQLZggr0
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpykLAuEoxF
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. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnRIPTmeCJ
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId6Wtrvf5h
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIwBoj8dRQ
For my beloved!394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFNrEL1cLR
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKM67Xj5In
A direct hit.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVEdGi5ax1
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz8fL5ZQkP
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIkF8yOWsI
I… I am… s-sorry…394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVVk0Zj97N
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHOXw2K7Ha
“W-where am I?!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs268SSjxQg
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRArsZt3T2z
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ndsQvy3Jp
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNpz2plXED
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Taq3MLoAM
“Wh-what do you mean?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCJghIwFFH
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJh7TAAabK
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveL27aefZs
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNKzEBHoTD
“Us? I am a dem-…”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtxsPT4Erp
“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!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPiiC1Uh1F
“I-I don’t understand…”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcYcjrTlcj
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rgUdFDMg7
“What do you want the most?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANspofCZVX
“Huh?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2XRp32Wgd
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT5MbaV7EL
“I… I want to save him!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ521QAlVuAd
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9NfzXJcf2
“Amans…”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgmsnEaWlN
“Huh? What are you mum-!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTRX3PzgQP
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHIfucUbQS
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv6Z6Vcmm1
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d23JxCzqo
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhThbfPWLkx
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QbCzLkYwO
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nsMK9YDXi
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcheT9p6GfD
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOpDNLgQ7I
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNDllhLxxD
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kJOi5UmjI
“Wake up, Tousa.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6GwbpJQma
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP7vGauH3z
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VxBwiO3Fc
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgeXHMT597
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48oljxsO4g
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy7TGaeBRg
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISxk8OeeO4
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yZpzpbE7k
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJbJya99ke
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctg9rBGEzj
“S-son?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPG7a5TAfv
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg7lyEHOzq
“B-beloved?!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsaYjbfopW
“Isn’t she important to you?”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTusNK6YAh
“W-well…”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WTUCr9n6D
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds8kyiWVt2
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2lShd7vdP
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwc3dVxd7d
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDpjD1SeV9
“Thank you father.”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4sh4jusT9
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxRVSFTcjH
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolgQYTWjTp
“Not yet!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidDp1mubim
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. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYhtVWB7mN
She really is a Halfling, huh.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBLy2PtCbP
“Tenna! Get baack!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhOHKcweKj
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7vK1WhsAh
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. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94335hKtvb
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h5eBWXy6H
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.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOtKfCA04O
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ024yyBjN6I
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. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaUQ1st4XU
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuar1CG82NF
