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?275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V63mPGbPL
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc21YLo6Vwx
“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.” 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdDsuhsukC
“How about creating something like that?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYSaCSdtur
“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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2fZjp5FqG
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAm8s5MVwR
“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.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVYssJ1ceN
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqmTMYymZS
As if…275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEplIj2wXX
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOaW57vl91
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xVYK7hLwp
“N-no, you don’t understand!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm5CMRYKns
I cut in before she could finish.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGn2JzoQbK
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ogo64jmml
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Am0QEGADf
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?275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmfrbl6kUp
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupx0X1EZ98
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa2o4cuBey
“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.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfGEyBguuK
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY61u89vja
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b6CMS7I2V
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzd09lD233
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7NpEEIxTs
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR61K865Oy
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudZm7uIO8H
“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.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI6DjSSVgO
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe2KuE98WK
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5VPQ3mBoX
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB0ZzrEFQQ
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliusM0oo4u
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eDsxv9qYT
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. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKvagzK8Tl
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cn366rlyZ
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk9jpAb0gU
“Tousa! Tousa!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8PGsPvGAP
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0UbPrxAA9
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUrxRxcCD9
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMIOwl4UxV
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHFnz1ii5N
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyerSzaky2
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86HvQ1JGc1
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8e1oE2wT0
“Firee!!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pSOY5V0oW
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. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduoGrm25Ay
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs1tVun2ks
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8OwR3R48Y
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiGyBnJAWP
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF95XEmMdL
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVhVRgUZbz
“Frigeo!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN59f9BjPo
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP330QRjgsl
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFRBJEkT8L
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq3FTpzUpF
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpGmOGcQHu
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB1feFqOZW
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn31UNsoCb
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxYDyTzELz
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP5DxXjRdH
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbvdaq2mbA
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8MCXCoc19
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWOj4D2H0Z
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vmkQFcztZ
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJNUSwmgAC
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. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJaCjHu2IH
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl55tcUCvU
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtYIfIyqRl
For my beloved!275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CVdiAdurR
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5DpjPRPSV
A direct hit.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh0S5JVju0
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3fx11yTGl
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFhmlZPWQa
I… I am… s-sorry…275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfGF29heYc
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyt1cNpnwV
“W-where am I?!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVELrlCAWRu
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6w8ch88WY
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9Kpdl8TRu
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj7IrDxr0p
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqySNRNuyo
“Wh-what do you mean?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsQNXVUu6m
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xTNNZeoCL
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEiNSLD9Ri
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFkWRvDPir
“Us? I am a dem-…”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoiua2EtUK
“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!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidHvWqVaHv
“I-I don’t understand…”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3Si3RsCNg
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOae0viisBj
“What do you want the most?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KbGRRQZxz
“Huh?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj57wdgTeJN
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXRfBvHKNf
“I… I want to save him!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Uy29NDqV
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0lEUwxKsb
“Amans…”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRg0AGqjTD
“Huh? What are you mum-!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOdFKcX7c5
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz2K9VLd5a
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqqudLfdNd
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsgrRJPkh4
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5wTWEzNVo
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SU2Wv9P0o
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlXZYr8NWu
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrNcJwbYic
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxjDqFIuKM
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPERkEfDvO2
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.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R119ak42P
“Wake up, Tousa.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJNUm3YRuG
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETeQWCy0Rm
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsjXHDmhdU
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6wS1RF2j1
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSJE1OnR0o
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsvTxz7GoO
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe3oaIh70E
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpqFDGm6CT
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkKk66qORu
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmYPHqUfmu
“S-son?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6gKwdmfPO
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgMkNkc0pt
“B-beloved?!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTFL2S0IRh
“Isn’t she important to you?”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwAQxqYtEb
“W-well…”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXBs9kmspe
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrENOBxjyw
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97RzooK2gn
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdG901tGf4
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPgu346omS
“Thank you father.”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlfkPJ81wK
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB3WCuLH4L
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58chqLbroc
“Not yet!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDegk9XZG9
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. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZDoYW9LkZ
She really is a Halfling, huh.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5dEJPAtDI
“Tenna! Get baack!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUEEmjNNwk
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkxHGKlvse
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. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRs4TfUqNZ
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByJofr1agh
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.
275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5K2SQEz7c
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WUPwQYui4
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. 275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnWCHfwnE6
275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0hDEOxOvc
