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?373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffIoO1F8QO
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBWbd56N8N
“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.” 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjgvdXcjRs
“How about creating something like that?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWTbeOwugH
“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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ExPvjM85
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP8JWUu5XZ
“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.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy1mO3Ycmf
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGVq72Gc2w
As if…373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpa5wlXsrB
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoqRka7Ynx
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqauXeqkKT
“N-no, you don’t understand!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjRXB9uAa
I cut in before she could finish.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdg3ccsRYW
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10HZQnPRNu
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUhO7ELRj0
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?373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSYO8spu6w
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBajjTWNGS9
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV5Utv1pXJ
“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.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCqUi2rKLb
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstCGNsJGwu
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy36o4t1sQE
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6XRkyyRZD
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vmqixOdBN
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Edav5WCNY
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvuolvBWF1
“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.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjGdskMMQ6
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC15fst9wL
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k6Ps2MaNP
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi7yaRk0FR
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIygqzzqTxk
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH9joZNVzx
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. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypcqFEm4DR
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb731q1vCR
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2GEPX45oW
“Tousa! Tousa!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qRj0uy0Eg
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsPxWMMZgx
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE5pagARdZ
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfn2ueCkLA
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ80QRqZv5A
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILaNU3FdGs
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HOKRX8yB7
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzLURxqi1x
“Firee!!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlKnMQ6IjA
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. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfwYBmZuub
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOmGMjJ4ii
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWc8TRimpu
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTknGkUdAlK
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFU5LjNFSr
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVToEOHXQtz
“Frigeo!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WoEoQDkkd
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPIqTR4xRh
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMABYVZMDw3
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlb7mQMpvP
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOlBCEgCGJ
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBLem8ORbF
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrisghNQYI
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4rGWf3QjN
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBviHJeKAGc
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6AqqJxwk9
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKMZ0KWvXR
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaMJUd5u8M
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT7WGupFZb
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjHq2dDv4F
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. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfROAF8U0J
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEdoKsO4f5
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcRHEgcMat
For my beloved!373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQS1FIj2aU
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1j1MrwTm6
A direct hit.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4rxgc3bgI
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq07zCSFFcD
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ndEwBTx09
I… I am… s-sorry…373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡledgpHNTXq
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3efJziFtaG
“W-where am I?!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gfzOfrhRJ
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7H82dBCAi
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFCBVgHUT1
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTPMn3d3La
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZSrYhve4r
“Wh-what do you mean?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4LTMrG0Vz
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3k2MVTvmR
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFIE42cJzo
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SohzKyEkE
“Us? I am a dem-…”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMS9Zxlj61
“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!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO3fkkULtt
“I-I don’t understand…”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcApVhwAZM
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVKwwRZ7h5
“What do you want the most?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mAaorOMhQ
“Huh?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaew6RuWPOG
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE9dlEz9QC
“I… I want to save him!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhIFLvUHdX
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9afSfrL0Vp
“Amans…”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe6yhAccJd
“Huh? What are you mum-!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwuGhGFMcz
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9CcQ5EAHo
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHQ9qxyytG
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57SnHhju2g
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jaqVBUkGn
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc0fcOXoDb
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r8va2qXNZ
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDJktv9WuS
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbEAkqqWZg
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgOHDtdaBe
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHOhLh1JNc
“Wake up, Tousa.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVp3CBYBBj
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DmX02EzNn
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF0rvBMpdN
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJha9hJuaRm
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oNJmS3F66
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vQ65V1Ox8
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTmE4s6S4T
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN8N1bmyWP
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6Ih3Vj5Qi
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkyejFZXIX
“S-son?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvNB8f3LuL
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXdaK1ERUB
“B-beloved?!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9hYMeQQsu
“Isn’t she important to you?”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeoRtfHHSt
“W-well…”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEETK1iQuDu
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdvQtmwGhM
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb25FLFafe
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgitXGwWC4J
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9eT84ztoz
“Thank you father.”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtSU7GbN3Z
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LyrtnKkkX
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYusA3pkjO
“Not yet!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSDvb0YvxG
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. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZWgNUCqMN
She really is a Halfling, huh.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkCc0sHGSG
“Tenna! Get baack!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9I3xE6hMP
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgYMkivcNv
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. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNbCM4OiZg
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvJLgJHDxX
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.
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3alCzpAIJ
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntLQkzcNz1
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. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17QJKPM03o
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkwrCHzoIw
