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?376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vZcW1IMR1
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWonthgy8H
“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.” 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vTYPSArqB
“How about creating something like that?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsF0WGXzoo
“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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaGI2yI2Lu
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD43McBN40c
“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.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA7jqmyOGh
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j00WQKZfU
As if…376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUlwnaNUBv
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGS5m2oeue
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WsXXs4SYL
“N-no, you don’t understand!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB4sciddDW
I cut in before she could finish.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIt1kvyIwX
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc07AEs5iRx
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG4T8N3r9n
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?376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhUA80zNy2
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEMhLWZyoh
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN5BKAkSYT
“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.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFKWJ2pWBH
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o0uNul8Fm
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrs1PwVvOM
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI5qfDWf08
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfasatdS6qk
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FVsBr8CRI
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaA1BFWBNK
“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.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MLkDWI3rY
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB4VAhvtdy
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JD6LbEKbg
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8NxDzFpxy
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1ACH3ryPH
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHukqtcTgod
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. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDr1J3H8rs
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg9e5rYLlu
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwaCMnT70h
“Tousa! Tousa!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm1riEXHcB
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ljZwsVwgw
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDn1iwoOE0
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2rsVSaMQt
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibAxaH1Yap
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ9KFGDdaN
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKtQz01bNu
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqfc8ewoQH
“Firee!!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nSfLIHzQl
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. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmhipuUrx7
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar6GvPrlS3
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwlXgmDCai
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I03pyM2v2
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW0CgNaMHK
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR0D2wFguN
“Frigeo!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBKbsXk4mS
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj90tBZWrS
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDSC4y0oIr
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftURyg20j6
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVww8IqdTiz
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvPpBD45tW
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg94JBfHNzU
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ytycnB3X
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Nzz60n8K
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8g3xgtsfz
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkh7EdSQNg
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShFZ8j8VSJ
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq3jWkNguB
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZfZeKd8nP
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. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR16DGpyF8h
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXC2PTNgFa
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkJWl5uU36
For my beloved!376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogk7fvF8vj
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gb9ss1MtY
A direct hit.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF5aXh6Ryl
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sVTzzYgWZ
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX187wMsS4E
I… I am… s-sorry…376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbyGr6F3jC
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmadi6jfwaR
“W-where am I?!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJaf4rk9Ml
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J2YanOWez
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y1iPfCi2x
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNONL8PxyA7
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyA1GnSfbc
“Wh-what do you mean?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutjUbIcntV
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaAZedtBc6
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufmhThZE1m
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ85XOmEZk
“Us? I am a dem-…”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIFzzcSeN9
“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!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLsuj0XD1s
“I-I don’t understand…”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDLbRgJ0ST
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk3i4EDBug
“What do you want the most?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNeyfxncjA
“Huh?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqVu6F8y9v
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHURis6pz5
“I… I want to save him!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qjd5ZiOOq
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoAPXc3aLR
“Amans…”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4HXPj4sYs
“Huh? What are you mum-!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwJOR5klcK
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwFENKIaTA
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwjHqsNTLl
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ906PzSPA
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGxlLTG8mZ
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm86qUGCtU
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vn6OM2tGp
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkwCkMRiTs
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr6q6fw3DO
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ea9QMvL6E
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMXsIyYyD3
“Wake up, Tousa.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6BBcwoU0a
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFi22EmNLS
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQBFLLAB7E
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQrfnBKtK0
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG5xg4cZNa
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB06xZC86P
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMpG81OoqC
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXgOvFvDb6
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGkZDv8ejO
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcSmg17iDd
“S-son?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nhvOzK32C
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS1R7MI6Oe
“B-beloved?!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTNwFswRA2
“Isn’t she important to you?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RdkwBLYwO
“W-well…”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSor4372F5
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9hzDfjchJ
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JImYj2ZI7
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSjRXepq61
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eqpX7BP9x
“Thank you father.”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjhnOfpsez
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHC8LQ6rEq
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBWerSJQSr
“Not yet!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5POQM9kZx
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. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdqsUHGBkF
She really is a Halfling, huh.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMje9DGaIK5
“Tenna! Get baack!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXTnBPxoYd
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYL0KZvBaa
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. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pmj2B4dSv
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyKMSLhMrw
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.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmK6AHooEF
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuZ3sS3zL6
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. 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ef68YezCz
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ385wLmCzRl
