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?387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTjsURlVPX
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eGNjjlMDz
“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.” 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPVxb57Mwz
“How about creating something like that?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekCd0neGD0
“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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkRUDdPaEX
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYsVodVGTU
“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.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM6OKUoRwv
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6ysKIwAIZ
As if…387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFz2cBuEyB
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOObOaWaSfg
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMXprqWOpO
“N-no, you don’t understand!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DS8qlv9qn
I cut in before she could finish.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE1CHNXQWU
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9czoVHJScq
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r1FjBSj2W
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?387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsAXcbWRIM
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMlVzoqo0g
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GdC0ix4p4
“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.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVt7NMoXKT
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq13y9xnB3
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYc1BLUuk5
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApTQUpl4Ld
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfTizGoR2W
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXjrSaBFmm
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdlhWiyDbH
“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.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BKnrRpFVt
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorltioKigT
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss9NrR2Jgb
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DXdCmWB6j
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuOE0uksNl
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4nFBLFlrT
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. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8LpEpUKVZ
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWqvDEKtGC
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5it7Y7wxBT
“Tousa! Tousa!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO49NGKZyn
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKFGs5xmVI
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGBJ5ouLFD
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmqfqescqB
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkfJnGDhlI
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENVzK7LJSA
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbGsa3oZaQ
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7uxnkhmtH
“Firee!!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qyJRmwVsl
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. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmeuNHgpZn
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ujTHofH9g
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnmOPeP2JQ
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi3oaV3oMU
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJVMaXwFGX
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl4n1hG93q
“Frigeo!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreVCNJfK2c
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo2LlqrmCs
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdAWqkaoFz
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dGkFNY7Mx
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y5AHteW7u
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDhNdKyQ7E
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZOxgTTSk0
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7pB91Ggxe
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf89bDSJ1J4
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4fRPOEKEL
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhiC92xa4e
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAhav3XZCw
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dypxTJxfT
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaG97fAZmV
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. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRsIQOyohL
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN52XoyH57a
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdqra7xKd1
For my beloved!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytmTzl5eXB
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo6V4nCCyE
A direct hit.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTPyJJeJas
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3G7HNmwfF
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOerD9ctjl9
I… I am… s-sorry…387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHEzAleFGo
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHdBp0MUuU
“W-where am I?!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQyKGvXurw
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9AsFMD8Ac
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQnwMjtAO1
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZEjJgG6CC
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVXqcKRetC
“Wh-what do you mean?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNfpRYMGhj
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVvoMRry26
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgip9vsiFPn
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBBB1fzmHr
“Us? I am a dem-…”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKO4fbeuT2
“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!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vC8ODLr5d
“I-I don’t understand…”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMzNCKqFMT
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5DEFKO2xh
“What do you want the most?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqbGPV0eO5
“Huh?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP7Q1vXVQA
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvz6T5fhLy
“I… I want to save him!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTCZ4Rpcc7
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1yzKDHRm9
“Amans…”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfeW74qCrU
“Huh? What are you mum-!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwc3TMVbBV
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMQCrAxaPa
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOtCNBrvs9
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6MwL0uXaS
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK33RoHYaQm
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRrB4E9uhK
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxYz0vX3Bn
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvLEa3JEF0
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNgWGcswDN
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavMtKSDpkg
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF9lNnzcLk
“Wake up, Tousa.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26LhWULRku
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2B7HjYBjI
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67r1qRzj09
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRcq71P0s9
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKDy77PZFn
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbzyXtERST
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaXdVzTZhR
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMj1jKhlR6
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst04QFBaza
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrBDsqSDMN
“S-son?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XmhIlRVIg
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBdQUcUmpq
“B-beloved?!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyjXzX8fJ6
“Isn’t she important to you?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQi40suCg3
“W-well…”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxmfpknEBy
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe1rzoXS2X
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A91bBWOdJ
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7CJixjfwu
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK5Sqzw8WK
“Thank you father.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w0YV1cgcF
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKo6F3Tz80
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XkpZzXuwL
“Not yet!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAHKUIvOes
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. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTfPX0YJTz
She really is a Halfling, huh.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVekpz2G3Bl
“Tenna! Get baack!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKUGrcEfYz
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM3iAVsojQ
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. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiJylL8nXz
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lpOvHNjGY
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB44jWKZzc
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxga6zttC4
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. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWK4yyW5h7
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeDKTGqxHT
