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?378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRqY6Ze29H
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdrIs7WBS0
“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.” 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfWp8MyyUJ
“How about creating something like that?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf2tExwQaw
“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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bT0N0ZBnC
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOtpcZDXIN
“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.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELnKNDnPxk
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ749eVqyyib
As if…378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyARMtIkUHS
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGMb6HBWhh
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUhxn3dTUA
“N-no, you don’t understand!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRBryOud0p
I cut in before she could finish.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdbEZkXQKh
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc14HuBdzdf
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3KEkn6xn8
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?378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB5nACqsIU
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YxHZR8BVH
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FsZX2IXOJ
“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.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSzW0NJE39
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJHSOAHYWt
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7DAWy8ESe
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqxLmQGkox
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh59UWW5mWy
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR59bmDtIM6
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUTixSDAAi
“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.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCCp9zWuQq
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLlKsuSWAE
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb09gwIkbz
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EK3sJNBrv
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlWuxfOZzE
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G5dFWGqwz
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. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqurO2dr6Zb
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRMiC3zZNy
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoHhwYFht3
“Tousa! Tousa!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSze2OnVVr
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUK1fOMvsp
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvXUofCyEj
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20L72C14xH
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHO72bua3X
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfCrGy2T1h
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNKTkmyZPw
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse9hl5T2U7
“Firee!!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHuKKLJ48e
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. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXneNw1ZzK
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMb7QSzqIU
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhyGqb2Fay
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcI1KkLeTB
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCgyA6x1x6
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDEImawWMS
“Frigeo!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vor7uZ7wO
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxBdXML4UU
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE64SJ6t7da
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1KyQN1Z5r
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gxRRRvnBm
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcYTExJJag
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0QHbsZLxw
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlD15ngnOD
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasoPutLlPe
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuOGn6Gd2k
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKeAdKuKFS
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiTthpgzKJ
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCEBIjQryS
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4LgT6KK9M
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. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLolwMcPvSz
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KiVLY83AL
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZCWYMwggX
For my beloved!378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim9aTtlr7f
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95fIYpNkIo
A direct hit.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8juv9NdN3H
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W8Tfw1kXX
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJSKGWAauY
I… I am… s-sorry…378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP1nKzYr4h
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFJI9eICgm
“W-where am I?!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9MCW3HqQg
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL5vCGkjie
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItNF6L0cgO
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRvIWbvVVb
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJs4KDJZXT
“Wh-what do you mean?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrN24OwlGu
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg8hoZ5G9K
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4mo2Chllp
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp6G25GQip
“Us? I am a dem-…”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6JKcZBmmz
“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!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLSVWVguGP
“I-I don’t understand…”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35KFGMeRDr
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5sXPJKLrQ
“What do you want the most?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JTVEXqOAl
“Huh?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMG0frEtN2
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8R0Ptkufu
“I… I want to save him!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxffgcUIaNF
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sFBtm1yXA
“Amans…”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGnSMsz69A
“Huh? What are you mum-!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MmCS3NUA2
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZCtVmsQET
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKSJjcqVSx
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvGtdbWNJ6
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa9cQ64iOm
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xrYz9VUJx
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag122UhiNC
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QFc0q7l4J
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ9dV0c692
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxphMQsdRqt
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VXnF8cncO
“Wake up, Tousa.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH5IG1JlCL
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuA4rJuggO
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TAXf3tyyS
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBo3x9gWBX
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY28PiD2C6P
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbqI5MCyS3
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk7ivyu8VM
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ppJoGgmnp
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL6XuLm9vj
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYkTAPT66T
“S-son?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyGKmXmG92
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVqZnMiUKq
“B-beloved?!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomtJsFpw3S
“Isn’t she important to you?”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4VBwUNX4d
“W-well…”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0TKtoiQBT
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEDnYOQlyT
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYOSRBFsiM
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKmjtwINvh
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrAinGhvg3
“Thank you father.”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84V1ks8CPi
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMKuTcrU6U
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQoRZDF8KG
“Not yet!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AnGw12beQ
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. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAryQAcC19
She really is a Halfling, huh.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgQAdvxlg4
“Tenna! Get baack!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxDTe3B8wM
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4SJ3mYvlE
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. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0bYHc9wqF
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUTjpb4jai
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.
378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLXAmNCZ0F
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtaFNz84q
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. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18O3msS1Nw
378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa7VHC8hvl
