Fire399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZdd27N0ln
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtLda8GHd9
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpE8pliBJV
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40GkD6hp0O
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHlu0qVued
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3teydpzpiG
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDDLNIhdnR
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkFAJJ0EgM
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeHVpPHJk5
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tIcFwySEV
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhe6SUjVCa
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQRktuyHrZ
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZbcv4SGbH
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4wg7mpvss
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoTe6GhVfl
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRb1iqdUTx
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrWOkJd6a1
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfDdysWtW0
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQRpQNV0Tk
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaLfr7DfHu
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtMRvCKwyw
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhcXm4Kz8J
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY0Cs4lewJ
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB27UDddSj
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1RC8caBvL
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT45nZ2eFE
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMrpbaMyRR
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A4lNfYEWu
brown complexion for a minute before opening399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwoipI7SZ8
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGDY7zQ21C
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamG52Kk1QR
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oSEdZekvb
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBrDSJ84Sv
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNU7Vqb0S0
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKi2p35F84
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q8gOvdWAx
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHYqT01cEy
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVWIILDN93
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVvZaa9dpd
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXLZAl7vPI
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefvfvefPu0
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit3nUMSoVg
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzpWLXiO3E
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX0mpaZ5eE
if it were bleeding.
“What399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDWYdoeWk1
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQNk3dSDsK
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHGou7MpqA
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4pWVb4bQr
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N5McxHeKw
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxJZHhT2ez
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVasrqbYWe
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwsRmPPRSn
snickered.
“yea?399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVKFkWhrPC
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmuB5HDJWF
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUKewsULjQ
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedcFuFhiF4
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSf7HxhZIP
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBc7MKy1aA
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIST3oXutR
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAQ4UMcTBA
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpSBTk3R3R
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmkpfcVeYU
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrehrPTJJU
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNynPH8Y32q
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjXPjIk17z
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYHDK4c1kj
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCjsV3Eibt
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWpfZouJAI
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAklk8P6dQ
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYC2Vd7lFE
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM7zvo8sMK
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPAmMyoOTW
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR5gUqoK2H
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkeo1MTUNh
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqVVyh8vyC
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGmeh2DzGz
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzbyw8zOin
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88M6TBZqSL
face.
“That’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt0Gdpckrw
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rsMfMJF8n
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIzJlWfQTu
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoqOapSq4t
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIVxIACvBv
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaVPtUJC7U
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZRcWJIzMQ
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpuX4yqQ6h
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoSQKMNXVN
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbto3coWDw
as he noticed it.
“What’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXawJO3XbK
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsAoe4UWhb
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqtdfGYALg
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE1DnKkNJN
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsusNQABOae
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmIrVlS49l
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHC7OhLUbu
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF2qG7y2Nh
Isadora”
“good399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOURuYD4GOj
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjgfwQmQ4A
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3WehmgCG4
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR1weDtkeg
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmfyyssnDs
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchkuH5Y662
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoKuxmYcdV
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4sAIsb0oK
sound like a woman”
“I399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3OYHgPrL8
should hope”
“that399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZob13sziwe
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8twxJKreU
her
“Wow,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvrVeGR19r
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNgatNkYy0
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4eaRPvo56
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiEbsX5IUt
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgAqmoorFY
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYtzLqTvA7
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIeMguqdRy
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbCcIfxfsp
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYvc01SJNW
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBMCuQ1yYG
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV6ahwGvP5
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtnEiZ4i32
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxwErZ72TD
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkRHEAoCes
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzpko3Xonq
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIX4S9fAdG
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKJuGJ8kUD
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r3dvqtn8O
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F6FXhem7g
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IItZKDVQd
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTtDW49FZ4
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78iGgzCJs2
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTnlp1oobS
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEg82WRfa7
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeAMuif9iw
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w5qsY7NqW
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Coai2BklV
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsSKX3Wnyb
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnVdZL4mLl
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd6JBKGET9
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7F8KkHasI
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALztNRWS1C
to beat him.
“Same399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEK29LEkbr
age” he said before following after her
His399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGitP9L0bD
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x11lF0o2o
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojRDlly6s8
than we were at that time…”
“What399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA568DxVGsc
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd0uBWVLgb
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W4KWdUUIs
still haunted him.
“…It399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ4hZiicOc
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjrdxpmLqx
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsscWmOq1UY
age”
“Better399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoXieQF48C
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OYtvasgTb
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmW4HKSO6B
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRmXL1JaP2
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh5AmfIhRd
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsOe3jc5k6
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy5cS9i41s
there was.
“I399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8HyUg9RdD
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6oAFUbvWi
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrNLUk94xD
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8MgB48mgc
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDuwOnQnkv
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3AOCg1yCD
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgOCDpfkkj
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV66gA2hKB
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYVnQDlqow
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVSRqzYTqq
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvnEpa25K3
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsCYAIzOR
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ877laquwA1
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxgIYBualL
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq50hIyp0Kc
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt79fpuZi2O
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAHIMh2zZP
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUya35CXyN
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLTOXRm6Rl
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDsjgx3nJL
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvANUhiBp1d
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPRqM1bBP9
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj7MrWGbKP
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByXI8pBSY5
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCWToxNfAz
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr1bQPlvjz
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdOdWhe9QV
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4fj8oAnco
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vHnS00uGi
up in a ponytail.
“So399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3wzpxTNSl
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVjDLfvICw
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw6XPU7yQZ
grin on her face.
“No,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl4oIFAwVY
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87QjQFNDVM
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxLN0fAk1O
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiiElroy1H
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktCWvM8GUa
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV1AV8BBHS
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6asAvdwBUd
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QO7u15xgz
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswvxlPUlM2
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1ohAP1qza
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oq0fuzjFT
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu7YFnlpvg
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ058KbyjyDQ
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26JkvjOTP3
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1UnF37Nj2
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gi5oRhvCN
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQJ9GOppYX
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIZxigi0EV
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl9DlUVBd7
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuMZx84hVe
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3W81OdwHz
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM7YREDfsM
around at the occupants who were all embroiled399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWTS1YEO53
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lrvirmnsY
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH72SH8qKwS
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IEADZm703
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6VUXfgxWJ
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbmFPCXNpc
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbm5dddVYh
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwy72LhBEi
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSIzRQsiqX
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMakbUbwyjz
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD2D8JhYoF
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSH3vO2TJ1
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyG3c9t92Z
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hKNKjeZmi
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MgpGm7tOO
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsSBONt8GL
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rfSYtlyxY
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8hR6yOUvi
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLrRywDE6e
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2jFjbfQhF
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveXPO0i4ls
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xObTXHAhV
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS0hDUYtfO
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER1cshhtmr
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9ssqfsdp1
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5h5bmeQua
she bounced and grinned
“Great,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qNMcKXgRB
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKeu5Z84bo
robes
“Not399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrqg11Dvo1
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9anvrPiaD
now?” Kemari sighed
“The399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28y8Fwm2Zm
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyhBbkQXzu
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKrEvcsuVR
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b6trYCR11
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr32xHRRskP
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlleVhF3un
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3pCbDcQDR
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lixyDBErA
in the middle.
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02YHe4cUMh
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEJ4cUizoM
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X0NqPvNrU
stopped at the desk and stared at the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir0zaewqHR
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEw1kmHvMa
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCU9ERcXCp
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGydrKm5fav
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpLrdDDyud
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6K8qd7yWe
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcdfigCXKN
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrObm1j3z5
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWfW14quiM
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvHn3KW6mp
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNGtL87Db9
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWrrIEkvpM
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4T57R4SM1
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0Y5hajIbN
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyLeCz7MUq
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xbx9nm2KI
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdhwtiMpNc
did”
“YOU399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OszySqzGC
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYekdtH4Jxk
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat02P6Ysfp
collar.
“THAT’S399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ1Vxhx1eZ
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7hVVJyl6T
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl9bM4idMa
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt04sDxriHm
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDeZ7J9Vv9
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ONdQR8aeK
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuRQ8bUWWD
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtspLWkwm1
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cDbATTr6U
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyYHr72twp
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3qwBrZLfa
finally broken.
“You’re399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTAXWHhydh
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg3PmC3eXC
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lb5G2XOHO
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBnjwIPDtT
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIAnfRgjz7
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iP6V4ShGX
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CJ5AHahZo
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3KwkpGnBL
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwRAcVgutR
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VsZxNCqJk
hurry”
Kemari399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WqY6naRyH
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmN8q6BX3P
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DEDsMhDUZ
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCPBTU2Wo5
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMFrEbG2aU
ns216.73.216.10da2
