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?351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRKTWHPMR8
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsURwuB9APz
“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.” 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS4CidOHKM
“How about creating something like that?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9s7eetMEB
“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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87GSwNQ0MA
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNToqlczra
“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.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNvEb2AsHQ
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfR0xUe1m9
As if…351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pIQg6aUvR
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH0P3tHTT2
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3HJnK5tzp
“N-no, you don’t understand!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSs0VkUATR
I cut in before she could finish.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjBN1oqzw7
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJcPVvMpyp
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFImoHBvMdC
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?351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbWl7XdcKL
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ob5D8q1Qn
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIBLBE1oYF
“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.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHlcomvxeK
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoa2ZwHFu8
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfyMSIZwfC
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHPl43Ewtb
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYUhJm7ErD
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXZdCwUzN3
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdtYOiCNiW
“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.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjivWxV4qg
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqnsh9K2Gs
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9QFijV3bk
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoHlroD0Jw
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5uxKTd2sG
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm6d6Aot3P
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2MYRpswpx
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAWJ4Zh2mI
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdJsTvmtFm
“Tousa! Tousa!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7MmiF8G1c
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAeLsmf05n
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaGO8vO3Ht
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTW2DZYixb
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZta3wL2NrW
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LhL5FmnHb
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt30uxZyO7v
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f015W27ow
“Firee!!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfNp9vUP8Y
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqzjKWtVKO
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLQJexUuFR
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZYltCyZWA
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8BL44GQVS
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjruWmFDPNp
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2MnoTXG8F
“Frigeo!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4PnvsIKkH
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPA0NF19Q6
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4m7xytsIY
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Lp909Y9z
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZHgo4XNUw
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01vP3ONF30
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayPbBbTntP
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarXqciJWnf
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRtKNLVdty
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rIvGnsBQO
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGFMznQ1d2
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClblDQs3Ov
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rdk87Xw6B
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzrPsU4Gw8
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ1jS50MAn
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTygbAmOWA
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrGY05FgJ7
For my beloved!351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBA3H7P0yj
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46EAyS9IUC
A direct hit.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSBhOiYTTt
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYssiFHJoiM
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bJjkdSZb2
I… I am… s-sorry…351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsG4zZSo1z
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzRdACJW6T
“W-where am I?!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs4mIkoy8H
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RmQG33FoZ
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIWDb3ZZ0L
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoSFbxUJk7
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKF3rnqla1
“Wh-what do you mean?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pTMttr6LJ
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RbFWHlrLf
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWNgZCkOYk
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcSVC78xm2
“Us? I am a dem-…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIjz25ioTW
“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!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC49xdsjemp
“I-I don’t understand…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdrIsardBT
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9jBu2shKK
“What do you want the most?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrcBU63GTc
“Huh?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwxQOXEGPS
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGxKDYhICQ
“I… I want to save him!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYYR3Qd8H5
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4OpdtBcVH
“Amans…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1JCLmZ9dp
“Huh? What are you mum-!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH8hFtlXcb
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCzOg9Tx81
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8ryWrJbIK
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaIHMJ92MW
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfWFv094zr
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuXCB1FJsH
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95EzmWg4hS
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMcUKWPkDU
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGgURvJBXY
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCtsOcHkWR
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v6johxgnD
“Wake up, Tousa.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCXtGxbuTa
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWByhkM1GmX
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYFWVT6jrz
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVRpx2eYi1
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97MtS5caea
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhA5QwIQxH
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hcoge2UDe
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmDY14IXzC
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6TRqu80po
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMUibmonUJ
“S-son?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyVBklRODk
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMpSsBFaiD
“B-beloved?!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk4TT6vG9l
“Isn’t she important to you?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu7HBeMj12
“W-well…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TFr9duzI4
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzClbo8j7tW
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZph5ACdWw
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIqt2AQgMK
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxNLlHMVGi
“Thank you father.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsRyD50HHe
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuQHS3ymVz
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOILyHNPvog
“Not yet!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBul85GxPa
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIrp2XaKSb
She really is a Halfling, huh.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIfHLGDP5O
“Tenna! Get baack!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOPNuHt66c
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k6x1AXr4o
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33rFJogcZZ
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWoS1Xy0XX
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.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFxldumqE6
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yrNcvLhnY
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal1NpPH7qg
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmvh3C0qKQ
