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?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZssVQrjje
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L5IMiebsm
“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.” 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2d64HKeB1
“How about creating something like that?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wxT16u70i
“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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVl0JavCoL
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBPRT679aa
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1ClmJWHGL
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU5jdjei3N
As if…195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkMy1NJEJP
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3FmaYqGox
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0zq1JBuN
“N-no, you don’t understand!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJOwL7mhnf
I cut in before she could finish.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT6rCBZhSY
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu29sRScwDk
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J98H6J1t3
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?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVruCaBAx0O
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o3eN3VZSN
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JsQPDwUav
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmIZHh4eqI
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6mopdvZVr
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu2kp1x3xP
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI2WK0GixR
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlhSCj4yn4
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Dde58ooL
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz1Qtm3YbS
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb8OVWLWvV
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSmWbw821u
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhGm1NcFIE
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZpXcJLwS5
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YJBzytdCz
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mgBtXSolA
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEaSTQgzTh
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWSSlLvdq3
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMYZnih6VN
“Tousa! Tousa!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOpKSXTvbp
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBdLivr8mY
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSFRT5nF3Q
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvPrYBToCn
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0c7kh3XOK
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyd5iTYzxh
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf5YOcb9Js
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52DqNwxSns
“Firee!!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fuJFfb1Aj
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiffPsgYQl
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdmzCG8TpC
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr9PjhTqU8
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzceer07Xf
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpjOnCRyzY
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60GUa4gD20
“Frigeo!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMznQMiVjQ
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM96VnyhcLO
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37uO1DW6EI
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwbKFCZ1sW
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9zuiG32YY
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63By5DPNRJ
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMyIvaeQeE
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddHMg58BOx
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65IIYaDpHX
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNihlzvUid
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZZ5QxAQ0y
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvOzi8qYAD
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpwm98BW7f
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSq5ZZNxCm
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sBEwPLbC7
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPXolMnCuB
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmetp6Duvjg
For my beloved!195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIPJ6uHhGB
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQorIBDlNeL
A direct hit.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHjo9hYwiu
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsynNNCaT2r
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXussVJp00
I… I am… s-sorry…195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbySqZy0l2p
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc0DFC7ndf
“W-where am I?!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrRPKGQg3q
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1GQgABXOe
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlnasdWut3
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3tFJ33yYW
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPqhDiM2aZ
“Wh-what do you mean?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFS79DddGX
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zl0btkYpB
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hv8pWKzH4
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIm2rwnd1X
“Us? I am a dem-…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK8EBnvt5r
“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!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE5XuEFQdH
“I-I don’t understand…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY5m38SPBw
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuT8amiXtC
“What do you want the most?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4sb6Ij4bz
“Huh?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs8cTIYGJu
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o95dexZJQ
“I… I want to save him!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ehTTNw26
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiWcsWU2WH
“Amans…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYmN3cR792
“Huh? What are you mum-!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj86RxmdiY
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0P0cRMOEh
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF8EUgs0Sl
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzotjv3q6mB
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFPUfaT3px
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobwrkZ0Oh3
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTj2ccDXkj
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DcerSDUOM
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNi1mZ32pk
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwYSA14YPZ
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE2vW1HQPe
“Wake up, Tousa.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2OeXg4SQ
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKQzZz8YDP
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yIlNaEsDT
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwIgH4WyBb
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IaCPzC7to
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp17U3QOFA
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bh0EbetJV
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIMeEJATBB
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzlvoGXJ0l
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ149nNsgX
“S-son?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAYYjh6LpU
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYXdF6IeJt
“B-beloved?!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuOGoy0MHN
“Isn’t she important to you?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXjTkFDvQR
“W-well…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuz9Nh54ip
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK04lxhf5kL
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6pSnPpMXi
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTOD8MfZ5h
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHx8TxEGLR
“Thank you father.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhAFM43ATQ
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3tP3DxpiV
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeRDv2RUSo
“Not yet!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZleP01HIdH
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoESAUZsxr
She really is a Halfling, huh.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpNxhvLE4E
“Tenna! Get baack!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtOCUzZfsv
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhJvnLH0R7
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLbIQLRJuo
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAPFAoPQgq
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.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vqfXoDw88
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLaUmpbtet
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOoK4Lj1yt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IP0c6H17b
