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?192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVI0KRysEZ
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjBBgXZLvW
“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.” 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH4XPLR5zp
“How about creating something like that?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bsqy0soXC
“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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDSJsRmXu7
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipRyK0EyQp
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnyjLqew7c
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTezVgOnB9M
As if…192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3CRHdzeqR
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmJHwb8Nqd
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlTVQhVu6h
“N-no, you don’t understand!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjxTGDEAq3
I cut in before she could finish.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo840yLai7a
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tj18GE047
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoQeyh2nYZ
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?192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN1EPfFBZN
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qnDFaleCZ
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVQCvcfThs
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8UTn0Q3Vz
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLogvKvpmua
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEs4hEk7jQ
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HoOLEKzhK
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWCCP8YDJ4
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqu8pRPMel
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpNsCFN1Hy
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitb8qeVwTZ
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkb7Dlol5C
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8fqg2NMSY
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xCtYoqeJV
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6pH9mAbkn
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QQf4G1Jjg
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7MbIVt7ye
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MQscc8vdX
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwI3cGGqu6
“Tousa! Tousa!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0umYhO0aXK
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYGmqCUXnu
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETiszF4kKA
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjNazKuHI5
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZXHoD8s2j
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHFSZRp5E4
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNuxdRRR8E
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2zGPruKA7
“Firee!!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirXsXQV040
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fl69aWXXw
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4dvZAwcK3
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT4fxvWwBg
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT9r2cwBaz
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInMENNY31z
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2vssSjNxP
“Frigeo!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFjLZchZKM
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Wlf018eK
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDMSu71pqT
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5LfRsKbNg
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF9LohPlvD
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC7R4EdQ5F
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNPNhiHxfD
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3le6is7J6V
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyZ3ShEhQg
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBpk8Ru0tq
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyy2OH2nDD
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsymZibLTdS
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRky0pEPcz
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyK7YYx9uq
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTQRasc07D
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1WzBmcvRF
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3UzQmAlGz
For my beloved!192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiPsZZWlXD
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG72QDeWrjy
A direct hit.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb3ufm5zHy
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEnlJOjlGO
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9buT7Tchm2
I… I am… s-sorry…192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhopQg2Tvg
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoo3McO6Gr
“W-where am I?!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg44xFQB9Oh
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwQZeMpAzP
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcpvBKdU6M
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3CeuJ3tMX
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTJVWGZle6
“Wh-what do you mean?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeXi02Lc9B
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ntVJp6O67
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpEs44tzBY
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCeJUdJJq4
“Us? I am a dem-…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej8XHgjs2h
“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!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgmLtspbDN
“I-I don’t understand…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFdjxdnhgM
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6R18LlxFw
“What do you want the most?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WISFhWefC
“Huh?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NaKec8980
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SwQiuCcnl
“I… I want to save him!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8GrXsr1wH
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFiVzvEote
“Amans…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qwPDAy7N
“Huh? What are you mum-!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16FFgSvDat
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufObFRsvRL
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf0G5P4FQu
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLV2ssn64W
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelZzYrdDy0
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXHpnTu4dM
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjTgBJoe1Y
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NrsjpXcP1
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mCgRQ5MHZ
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLMnXEcG6G
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkge7rWVmo
“Wake up, Tousa.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ4MyvIVVR
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAd60G1g1S
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmCVSXLCaG
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsgrRu1qIQ
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWLx7wsd2M
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCI8c91bb5
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7yAb6U0Nv
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOoJ37vmlz
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1VntBRoUX
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMweyz1Ima
“S-son?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXCa3x9kYl
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVW5rqIqm1
“B-beloved?!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMxNSZ4GBP
“Isn’t she important to you?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF9OLVavf5
“W-well…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfOhOgNGD2
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuSfsaMrcg
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAkq3Dmcw7
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ514Kv86PsI
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE3Vb6LC47
“Thank you father.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcgoxUy4rf
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtwkGC1yzB
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lzMwMGq9y
“Not yet!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ijh0Z2bn8
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWF8cLvRx7
She really is a Halfling, huh.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9jifREqmR
“Tenna! Get baack!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOEoiAjiEJ
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLBormPTwO
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufVLoRWIjm
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDDJBV93W0
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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjvoaLyY3z
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUBp96vgrB
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XD6aZHQsK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmBhPkF2P6
