Fire336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPPMOucpVw
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0UlDHqEYT
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuB0iAalE9
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLtPjeETHK
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RIzccXgvF
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHkOTQLbwn
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmdiBtUZLT
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiRV1aVyj7
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFilC9pq7aK
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl7Rq1s6fk
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR17DrzWPc
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbEXsV1sKJ
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsxJoUKkDi
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF5cy3YWXv
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbkzAgujXv
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GcS2ZphU8
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQahtOOWKER
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyKOdvBRCa
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj0EXttoRb
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2FDvQRWhp
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfsziCpvxM
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTOXgs7vUU
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHz0MOPwGc
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtjlhFvKGd
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTvDKxWPAS
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ0QGH40dl
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgLGoyBBg1
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmAPO1oyJK
brown complexion for a minute before opening336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3KmmjumBg
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9CgcXhBxU
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBjNSkMwW9
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteied6hCb5
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyuzBjJN32
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafMQMYd4AB
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDazFC3Wdl6
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9lOIAmMfp
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XgLJPlgFz
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMutn0Px4pa
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lRox6RBvz
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XyQXpZArP
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDzz95LAnV
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzQbZMlnMU
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylzIaitUEA
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeujZ3iYcNO
if it were bleeding.
“What336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qW3vQZJwn
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN5nUS5fU9
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjEm2DbSwZ
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ1MPDOT40
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxoX8503ng
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7si7qjgdm
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIKcGV8JNZ
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ebI0WkA5R
snickered.
“yea?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn63tPaydoa
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU4dXVYSyN
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEkQfM0VAR
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2LqiZgwXE
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0tGZTuHm
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZoGtOfIoU
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi3Uqm0mL6
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxiXRx6Kxe
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhq3DQuZJp
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0RT2KHDxu
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAcYa7ljCn
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk3LSUrxHx
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon20ChUYDO
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkck0T2f0y0
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKwc8tOfsy
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iVSIo92fr
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimOMfqCTjr
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgyHsIhA6t
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk3ozA4amH
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu032eeeo7F
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjLfQJaV37
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjO8rmg60c
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllogV8aGP5
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxtJ1gqArT
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMJbp7Fgsb
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWx1b8LzWY
face.
“That’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDWc1UynTx
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppfLx6ZHaB
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChAJoHEmd4
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIV7OzDukJ
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz4NW47IOH
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2dHM7xgR1
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg1CayZ66G
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtcWvlnjtO
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j44QpxqYN
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqyLVytdAv
as he noticed it.
“What’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCQo0yFfiQ
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YM85c06al
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X7WXeUJnz
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1WFF7RuKZ
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqW0Zsi5rf
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dRvzAlI6q
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzFoM7yULS
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcImeZIuyp0
Isadora”
“good336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5pzZ9iCZL
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8kYsQ0a1z
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyNsxsUEmL
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf7or5o3Qq
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zBaKYz7JA
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBNXolOnMV
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64xuPHjPMJ
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktpvRGikej
sound like a woman”
“I336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZefhsFGDqV
should hope”
“that336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEodgwq87cs
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzshmolfTpv
her
“Wow,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMP7A5z55H
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW5DWbZYdT
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwdIZjex67
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWx87ir3zz
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M0wg44mks
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO9d2zhMVX
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqTJRv8mkZ
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9av9fArOb
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrAKkUYU8D
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooVS9b4Wxq
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GcEKrPIot
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq09TensCI
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSauIfp11YW
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmpYo23GDU
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSUck8fW0U
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWZYicib6y
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbCcrrH1cW
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQrGQpeB2L
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiYjX0LVZL
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeyK5LuWNv
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnCBO7F5gj
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdBUPqu7kN
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImMZnecDUE
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzIr4Iptfj
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgmhdy6GQD
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgMQrys5Kf
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXinPJiV3xA
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzipWeTF112
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZoIziMTOK
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIs2bvD1q1
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmS8vGlK2q
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGERLPHbY0N
to beat him.
“Same336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhIU45qrnZ
age” he said before following after her
His336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV0Stdgyt5
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotmUBgqi48
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b8UDMKRac
than we were at that time…”
“What336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFde85VoEQP
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzJQG4W6ZQ
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbsJ8USI7g
still haunted him.
“…It336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YMBhiDoHm
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaMawvvLzn
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxHQ95aqDq
age”
“Better336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXnwrPZhmQ
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngtf5OXM7w
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWJDX0Ydjj
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkxb428UFu
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlSmZMIIY8
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV4vkrHbvH
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqLtMTO2dN
there was.
“I336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tNaM0RyzB
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweZglflZ1o
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCRlujwLJf
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWnkLrJZaZ
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIBRI2jL24
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx8wgmMwxh
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VSOdAFRQQ
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXYw6rBagi
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIt2ryDi4L
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZk96WRBS4
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kk4qHGEsg
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHQeV99Jah
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQAhhzzgT5
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfaRduQiOl
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59yDLlpHUk
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoqvXAubDj
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamvckGUdoc
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMhFeCEAXo
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW05lzNHrDO
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn5VB6UF7T
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRSY2PMH8y
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKrzptJOhE
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VB17F2oOW
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8fan0D0g8
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnVLWcrM5e
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJAvfV2l9t
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvngoHziaM
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yu2wAwhJK
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f58jR9Wgx
up in a ponytail.
“So336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9f62hqvXl
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJiihh88lt
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1exi6xsBw
grin on her face.
“No,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLGRbKJTIK
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMn7rfDaxr
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9x5cGEls6
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBj8FpyKrE
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJawkhhD4b4
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEvqMUHCAa
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC3h7x98nO
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk382oWNIql
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMYUUQfYZk
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk6eLnl6b3
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa1aLCsfx7
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJdGlURjRW
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuJpwSJVOm
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfR9xwvnM7
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5bs82h0uO
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOrHDsejDq
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFdZE5CKCt
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fQs0mh5Q0
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxQyb0sNd3
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvyYTeWfhy
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBhSi9HJKR
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslCFlpYF7H
around at the occupants who were all embroiled336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5XbB2Ggat
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmsnEGUGbV
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKIfux5fON
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ex3qhhRa9
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9kPYti05d
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVnCziagvH
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb64TJXsnX
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe8SfhjE9E
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG78Iizbml6
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgKs1BCHAi
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTIJnYqvCV
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWMCjyI11S
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rMXlFvQIU
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtFK41vCuw
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxNl4EaADg
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMACKgJIxM2
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDd7n7QzID
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJstDds1IUd
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVgH3HZ7zh
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcekovnI5L7
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1K7zFkOpJ
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvkzIKrwyP
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0YNQLTbgF
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPMA67iuKf
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VIizmrMDR
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8B6JHOjGm
she bounced and grinned
“Great,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0Q9R8ZW4O
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvhGZ8WNNs
robes
“Not336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEvBYp81jW
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmLf8v6y7O
now?” Kemari sighed
“The336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN49v7QoLuR
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6v5LEVk0L
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluDjE6ggVS
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRq7Ohg8Pk
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkccoj3rE6
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrTSfRDxIO
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpDWI0vbhr
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0geokrwofW
in the middle.
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna1A6dCcbP
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRiYpStaHC
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Eukq1XJej
stopped at the desk and stared at the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hIIE9yEH8
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7fJGcaJep
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyye3LoryC3
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZeAHmcIJo
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHn66MCzRo
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VJTx7v8hI
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqowf0y7nw
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohArAeCDWj
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFru65dGKs
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4gR2L0Ny1
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFor6IzMM4A
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FkROC46zV
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmfEL8PI1o
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IpzUDdk8M
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs0Z6hWfTG
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAc1yEyaKV
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cmqQrzqS9
did”
“YOU336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qIdgwVDJm
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kelds17KB
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLIL9djmH9
collar.
“THAT’S336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWG6I8h99n
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u7ntKDMfE
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOqTJjQT49
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sZPTE36WG
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu73pnG3b5
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VXuOY4eOL
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgavLimQPcz
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovE8HUzu2X
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPODYFACmgi
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrPqGcoZPZ
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuZhnYLtZY
finally broken.
“You’re336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSvtxzf4c2
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4yZNu6iiz
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXIad6MenB
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpChQtGG6Ht
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW97zEEOnC
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLB8x62HST
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmsPG2lGZp
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUFCYCCsc6
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYQTMZpV34
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIB2EjDBdO
hurry”
Kemari336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN6nboroYe
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9INX34RvF
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmJTdpWqkQ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa4e4pRcGL
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDh5V9YjQo
ns3.145.209.229da2
