Fire383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8syJGXzM7x
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFJUNRkCeS
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngN86U9QwI
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCn4tdhaII
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMznMStNDJM
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhE0ofOOnr
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qDKmUJocp
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYSBFfKoSG
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxffXPFYmGQ
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIXfbffDXC
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6xe4EBDNZ
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKkuXxjVOX
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYmuJ99FOc
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrH4AMvK1P
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SJQEhshgl
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRrUE4ZRVV
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd20HSYciUu
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdW4mYKgV0
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAv1JjNUoy
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnDJA75MXN
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5l6tH4zl6
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaif9dYktSw
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy0u5g10IY
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewhmBfMsbc
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IHBIHM1Wv
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7FsYJkKh1
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAFLSg4WVG
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC2T1IkmG2
brown complexion for a minute before opening383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIjT0jMgK3
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Pqc1Lpoa
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QavROZuuU
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jxw99EORO
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fnMejaCjf
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWABXNgtNF6
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l6mjbzDQO
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7047LlfZX
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HM2M1VAJV
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yXl5LHq13
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1YXXUxveX
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW9Imfl3Sl
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H22yZwb5l
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ526mrY2sSE
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8MhO7lxkP
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wx0jmHfVz
if it were bleeding.
“What383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bHBOcamys
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3taBkWkjy
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E2XxY0UlX
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTRz8nTeim
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBZzQEFoCK
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD7B8TXjb6
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYGRjmGZlt
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq3GBS72Et
snickered.
“yea?383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3vtNWq6Fl
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQBoOCqRhw
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdtVNWQu5Z
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAYavEpvWS
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdNohzWVvt
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqQ6zqubwf
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQnwwHHuJT
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWukio8jHu
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNbjqDAT5q
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeKfxAXNjw
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBB0nFZnv5
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgsdltT9Vk
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio7KLJKrST
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSumDoSNQL
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzvEgG686J
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuroW6pNPZ5
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KkJGBL2SP
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdFgugRbxR
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSxy57KWOe
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJt09vEw0a
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaCrhad9IW
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ249IR5BKU0
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW2B6vVQ3G
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILmUmnQtYn
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmWFFsDjXK
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS1N1jqSBR
face.
“That’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9NA6sWe4K
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXVDEVCtNs
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iOLaIkSCj
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgJLZUWQKd
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHlgMgcw5m
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFxEbvPP8o
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaMioYlOyB
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1ETUPNRpe
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES7baqcbBY
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOQGWD5DSM
as he noticed it.
“What’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaxZeCHE6l
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7lVy8lnL1
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7QAalr45W
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5SHhq6yKa
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjZKk7gnhz
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8holbHW4CY
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtijPQnC4p2
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFmVVGCElF
Isadora”
“good383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRccPS4pRg
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUanWfZjZ0r
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx1MjknrRQ
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMUFceoNGR
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHOlzMUp3C
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzezlVB9J8
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6u8aQM5hp
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwKiGIfabn
sound like a woman”
“I383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6tg5NWeD1
should hope”
“that383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TfQZddsnm
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe6m3bnGFK
her
“Wow,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPddap2QykX
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYuQjbu1gH
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFTcedmeLS
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs7bycoNWZ
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdICSyHzGV
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq5CSpH9AR
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEhBRyxtWH
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ku7AySRNy
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IKr6IOv83
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIjPzEPeTP
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSfJ6drmTe
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOC3SDpFY4
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8D4uxsrJU
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCgrePU96F
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNSgPCFdAc
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcS1xY3yZ8
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfopB0Wtpc
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqKwGcJBge
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNirbfTA9N
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD77L9Cmui
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BSed2xD84
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XOFSbo2u2
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh88SkFrXw
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYewDv7yZD
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZuT2Cm5ks
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlEt3rB52q
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq43hVMafj
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrYoQMNvnW
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWlKQzawg3
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm8AKKJ9gA
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LzpBuTPze
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkt2AkpNO3
to beat him.
“Same383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYmB7KAV9O
age” he said before following after her
His383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCvvoM39LM
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6PPaG6jlJ
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yami6IhEU
than we were at that time…”
“What383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH5M1WKSEk
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSlM0oqSUa
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5amXPv2Em
still haunted him.
“…It383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMXlBemfHP
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rja9KKmDl
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVGlTaB8qz
age”
“Better383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlc1KIsmky
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYRBT8yeWj
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaJXp7GNoa
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIR6k5UIwG
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM0VwuN4nk
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ezBPW9hk
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpbnx3MEN9
there was.
“I383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVTE2szBbS
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT23mhhJK5A
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz454nJUX1
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsg2Lwvx6p
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdIqkgqHia
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw250DMUYwW
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR4acG0Rsn
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFrySUEfTb
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJymCmreTwt
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW2VrBC7AK
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2ohOm3tlO
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbrQ4UTZqI
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9CmTZAhnC
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UvcL0WR8X
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57GEGZIV0Q
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs3BvEqNHQ
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBYxp8UlNK
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcgMBX0JWg
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspaBBt45qH
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF6hlLCC17
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDi2BlZ4iS
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUKk9T1pC5
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhptWNoqiTi
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYJzQGL0da
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOp7nXIUZU
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWToUO4maa
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52MtSJOBSP
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4bLgNL0rD
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NBKGDmERI
up in a ponytail.
“So383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ye1PNy6nk
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94cW8waH78
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ujaD397wZ
grin on her face.
“No,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4mkOvlKoD
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJgRGUsgCV
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpH8Mpi0fh
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRiRlC8iVG
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXpMTqLSh3
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hITrWQe7a
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K5TSXoCUQ
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivpsjui5eK
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeELzBT9u2o
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u5L3I0yDJ
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZozKRG2eJH
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcyqg487wu
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi8R75ORBl
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzQaKTQZ5Z
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp7Mp65cYO
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSY53S4Tne
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tzeitwrow
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpCLWCTqMm
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5cEVim2iq
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0YKzoJBl9
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqYIVM5suT
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXZrydnEfW
around at the occupants who were all embroiled383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmqXs2BZE6
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqTX7NcDgc
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3S51JzNbZ
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R8IYennXV
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6zlzsvjI9
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ7vuqxPpf
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbJbtPzZ4q
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QW0oKJZKx
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqGWRIzqDH
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnOqD4JysV
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uVfmN4KQy
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzED1lbbXgT
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxxrpvTUrZ
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfj3bmUxyI
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyDZ7QLjWK
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RbZr1zRKZ
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyuDELmQVB
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wbFrhSlwg
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhlL3RoVSe
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakwFdC4bbp
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zBatRZp01
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjya3zMeNb3
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkVNZEQdeL
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVisg1P1UJ
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMUKvpeKjs
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoE0XdSMP0
she bounced and grinned
“Great,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8MopFgCUR
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2wcM4s2Tb
robes
“Not383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXpGr1VxfU
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08p8rzo9c5
now?” Kemari sighed
“The383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgmZ5RVFrK
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTR8scyhIf
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO2xzPEukO
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgciFyUdsYr
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNIKj9Xemr
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4JBUZxfkP
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpVUQn7HBA
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mFScMuaq8
in the middle.
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICzQylB1TH
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUraZjfjGd0
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8dTS2g6vF
stopped at the desk and stared at the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXn7oifddI
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd163py69f
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIOyxzuWZx
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn2W4ujmdt
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc40ui0SGi
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcznYKZDjYV
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YwKHYkRJ3
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGAjWiIiJV
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa6X1VzyT1
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzPYTDeHVT
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVW6tPjJTX
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCua7YC7iJ
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg13UUjNi7W
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgUIT1BBRv
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGGneotK0o
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3r0pJmSpv
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRNgNhGeWR
did”
“YOU383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1s0LP9ANn
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplXxzjlqUn
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmutD1DelY
collar.
“THAT’S383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kr8oUZFXN
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jrhqL8lBO
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLnHGp6c9w
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0U71hyCOT
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqJKildlYj
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8xkb6SnVL
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aIWmnGEre
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGsh0gBmdq
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHWNFclslN
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfmNn1qbm5
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzotap7Vo07
finally broken.
“You’re383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0uYbOJORk
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5GmoI2paX
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW6TrWry0K
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWdjI4fQ1K
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOgLDdGIGq
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmHl3o7wEk
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvUnrZdVNr
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVH4Ud78Mw
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoJCbLKrAP
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFeYoZWEix
hurry”
Kemari383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjWjEq0cxG
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3FtDKFpRI
383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTif8hjL0eA
383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk0b8BAA3t
383Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCphn0ibNOE
ns216.73.216.155da2
