Fire376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqvfF0mPls
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp0IHhRfdD
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cICQNI8dI
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNZLWNxMQt
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdNIP2J8vv
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkDymsAPgO
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazNZ3Q4RaO
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMe2sFjUp0
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh8TmDSOgV
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OkJvuUYrb
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PMWsNSr2f
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC8WNFLF6F
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfnHgFQRjE
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYSnGoF5Tl
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGuNgi6wVI
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvAucKBVQX
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnQkzZ3yO3
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQAt47HoPN
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM45EVv47E
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXeruTE87B
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlhCtAUha7
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgqAR7Sq0F
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Os3jQspi
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMDxSwGybK
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2GNY3vHNX
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWSAX9oK6S
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgZFfYeAUy
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur4Yy0yobM
brown complexion for a minute before opening376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ01OFYvwCI
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM1fREHwVv
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rfdbiWP9w
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDnSn48RKR
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jpkLSFowB
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytDD4oj4dr
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23F90qNRhV
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnydtJZPhc
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAofajANzM
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2LNO7Z0Zn
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg711zRhN8Q
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoboWHOEMgS
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalylUmIufJ
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9qKbUgW6F
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimjleKT5zC
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0Ry4v3Mqe
if it were bleeding.
“What376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeAWgVptXv
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMC2yFRp3r
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZZjZOFNoo
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fk3yfH49m
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJ5VA4pSo
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6abzeIKYD
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp6FANYHDr
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPHV2RzsPU
snickered.
“yea?376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnbQTthHRV
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU57YEfaoTO
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA59oy1RfS
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt5LzCwFQy
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreBd6h1zeD
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUQiuPJtAV
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvEqYQgeW7
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRj9PPfkr5
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZbXtYgsTA
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAyfmNhvba
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYlKLMwdlr
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqju08TQ5Op
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIBDPbbYXR
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeiNOFGBlS
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHygyiv7Dy
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWt38unDhx
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeirKZjBpKD
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXdQ122jer
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoppi0zTNI
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjwtm16S3T
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq4fvGzA2z
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDga4MhPOU
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4MVpWAQDG
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrSCXtJkon
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUxbNOVegp
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYQaancniL
face.
“That’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSELEdG2itn
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzuZ8T3eNy
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly77y6Xxea
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR0HuYINmt
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6sh1jaAiW
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSuJomzl5z
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJpifVbSxG
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i0vCDrrsu
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TFvykBTLJ
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcrdlgxxdu
as he noticed it.
“What’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL5IamRhvX
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeakfaedxDM
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhEJlzoiIg
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLzzBZpesg
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdUjhN2SRY
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjonFCm4OQ
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAKC4kZ5cX
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kVOVxyQYi
Isadora”
“good376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHDE29SA6H
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiYVTeABLb
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNdNgAWuRy
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc0Bz7jOWB
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqYr3IDn0w
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0LdiJxhx6
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoq0wePH5L
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNh2wF7wYa
sound like a woman”
“I376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YBKrrcez8
should hope”
“that376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gOkMzvKwo
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhD8hvQxyS
her
“Wow,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtq2v0o9x4
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3CYR7Puvl
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSALGYkTMn
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNozZJz9yjH
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxUzNwcS6c
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuioVGS9o7
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2saIl5TJj7
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwFzkpEnh9
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0LjM2pPgn
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC8qaPApxR
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrSts20ofZ
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BYZdfpvwX
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8xPKGWs3d
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH1MRBi7Al
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLOkQwXF5G
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJBpZzi9sw
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0ircStKJy
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUjDuUrX7S
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra7tb2fpCX
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PnORldtOg
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJr8hisAWq
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAF3Sixz9J
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKWcNzTBN0
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvagFtlH6nE
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKHdSTGIBE
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DJcgpT3eb
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaz75Xri3V
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkQhQLFYZo
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx33bW89FTN
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6WDfKDUOC
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFY3W83igE
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTD47M35gD
to beat him.
“Same376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWK3XrjXyy
age” he said before following after her
His376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NxVdm6Fi6
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYIP9FAP18
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSM4mvBDGu
than we were at that time…”
“What376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDjZoKiOzB
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYf5RyYTWS
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbhnrD7ByU
still haunted him.
“…It376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZYIw2HjOV
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D2wPdd0Qn
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsNgr9ab3v
age”
“Better376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSIRYLpQeI
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQTSAnqAz5
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FtCzRorg8
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTZ2XsH7Lk
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OW8KkFW0W
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj7yeDOFiu
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewoeUesA7b
there was.
“I376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXu6DbdYVw
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz6KhQAwbC
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20RiBZJkln
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAHahgPA2h
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfaMxMrTRC
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuQOAO5TtD
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lme8r7E16
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcM7snNjt5
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDFE240W3Q
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6NalB62CN
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTTGMFamFL
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAbXBjEAN0
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sDhylDTZP
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH1tRBAsjJ
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHhNgRlh5W
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX2OOKkjRL
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMV55Lri4n
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSdprOHUvh
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbwsIAZWmY
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2ebfAEBqc
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW6hyUHMch
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhT9xzqMXv
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdVucYr3ZF
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNhHoYKQsT
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw3b4hp5OW
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWkILdHs7I
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwfeQ6F0yk
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrQxqCnLAw
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PyLytmcRr
up in a ponytail.
“So376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkudATjeld
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmWwe4Jcqo
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GJbgfs3Gd
grin on her face.
“No,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDoXOqqnCR
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2pocVNyiJ
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6afoM92mv5
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUjQ4rmtG7
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNGmTcB0LN
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSJiezdYaK
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bCX6SaTlu
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsw3C0vjh7
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2l3D0rhYg
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8qPri8yMe
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CC1eLjNmV
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH2UF2I6tD
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6off2Xmmv
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI61vA8RFRx
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeRx3eWPyd
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGp5EDfrKC
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI5iwOjQD8
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0E8eLc03p
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5AC3e409i
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyKZmj0Rag
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejW2nYWWDl
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO02HcJAex
around at the occupants who were all embroiled376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYw68uNibg
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMalQhnYeV
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGBjpuxzvH
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw21U5eoM0R
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSRU5F0ybo
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsDByM7RD8
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv8va3kkGO
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLr8lMOS9G
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0XZuHAFQl
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIFkwgwCcL
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeZLpJc7IL
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftlI5u4PFw
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvINE1h632F
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8riIr4iM67
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYHe4Weo7R
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzgVz0hqxk
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuscZ0iJmIf
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvz6QqAPby
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf1ahlcEJy
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyYjsKYdpW
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehKzExZuGf
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsK6mg9cUl
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSDwY62kMb
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF9znBcuLY
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDZ3qJTE3g
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KQpT5ZQgr
she bounced and grinned
“Great,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmX1jfM1zQ
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxUWjyLwvM
robes
“Not376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDnCqiEaVo
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAwYGndIDJ
now?” Kemari sighed
“The376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHBm0kT6ms
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdfZjokYyF
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHebJECj4tV
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g8SGv340L
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQIu8QEHRY
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumh0dvveaa
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBdUj63gjV
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqHpIOSef0
in the middle.
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG3xz4X2NT
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEepnttnuV9
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhuOhT39nr
stopped at the desk and stared at the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eN82dmmFJ
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrQ8TE1pnX
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUOUcdiA1N
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24w785rGGZ
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbHz7f6eiO
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dTvXGzImU
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm8fi3dez1
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lct6VGsP1
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMdoT9jpnf
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9FcMOyNMO
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqTLrunfWn
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabMgS9rTOw
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Tfn5SBgY
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt83oyyEqZ
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY6fcmnRsr
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJwi6SElWa
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KyErv0F3p
did”
“YOU376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvDE2M6vTJ
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHREG5ifEd
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWKXhmLt43
collar.
“THAT’S376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66DorbHYtE
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FdDo8rR4g
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQADiB3qR0
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5orBx6lTNs
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhC0yVJCcy
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJIiE96wxX
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5la0fq3qW
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaaCF7v4y6
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP7l3Z09LE
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2qhon7vU8
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviZZrFkOSm
finally broken.
“You’re376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNORlC70yFm
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsA3jFbdup
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqkrv2TXI0
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LELytWO5Y
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2mzy78Vob
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDD7tYuKfF
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqlXeMtBOh
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiJek33wdr
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5pr0TzEAB
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkkWVsehCp
hurry”
Kemari376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOXj7dflrY
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOxIgnNfP9
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCMZQY1RjS
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVNrN50XGj
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdCRLYeWSA
ns216.73.216.80da2
