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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b2q8ukRQ3
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVDuxzFZqN
“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.” 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeIDdnCSSs
“How about creating something like that?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7p1O0ClcW
“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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1BS6eotOi
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBDbpkmPZD
“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.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsjd5DkHvz
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKf1SHYYvo
As if…233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XxcgODAWB
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dzaW7dHKh
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn1rxFXWSI
“N-no, you don’t understand!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVtiQvuq7B
I cut in before she could finish.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIIm9QJR6E
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNppTRmwTAt
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraLEBbHsoX
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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxltyaxOVtK
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15d4KY84cX
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJwTmnhIsD
“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.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZufVwBaOi0
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd8xtxSNiw
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyQOXiaSZp
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfwpSqxcW4
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgUxM6xKBZ
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE67Cy4n9iT
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o6UBqZhjz
“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.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgRnJUTNRv
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUaKqNRukd
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco1wKvMLLd
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94qYD4RbtV
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgihstWUVDR
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk2fIBW4b1
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. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfKnLPtzRE
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBzCLTNgdy
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBZxiYJgyW
“Tousa! Tousa!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrYxLhQy3w
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWtjRebwwA
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R22TfHzWY
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9lVsMGGi3
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9gVEad9bx
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXYMhiPyk6
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx5dHhw3Zd
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmMze4bRNB
“Firee!!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN5bn0HCuJ
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. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII0h1XyXul
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO5FXSvlHE
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIJAfkVQI7
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveGqxojzt4
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIZVAEg4FC
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRrRO5QJTv
“Frigeo!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjcNtZ1nem
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaKqapCT2G
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQKAhQiLNc
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D0GBGjTeT
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p78k7k51J
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzzBBM40gN
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpygr02quNt
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsx8OX2wNN
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgcWFVVDQD
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnKE78x9hT
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxBUrRIFxq
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv6wJmBHmM
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRR25VcrMU
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8suyVDDiHY
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. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd87pu6aw8
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf8aCjpGHp
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecBSQe7JQ9
For my beloved!233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUBUVYyA38
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GHNUhLcvq
A direct hit.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL1R0tlBnR
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLqn5rnRuW
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxvm2iHKrW
I… I am… s-sorry…233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGtLDNIrbA
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zzasJ64a5
“W-where am I?!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKjxKDu4Qz
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwljHg4TzP
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nwGsLiNAQ
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeGCOttqsk
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNmWgb979k
“Wh-what do you mean?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeADHOsinz
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDV7czL7Zw
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsPJgqYFvy
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzsSDSnHTx
“Us? I am a dem-…”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58tSWkPHiT
“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!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy3DiprhTQ
“I-I don’t understand…”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CsFjDkCWn
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1hmcWzYlF
“What do you want the most?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek1c9ofs16
“Huh?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTajPlXjB5
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt6AaMdnbc
“I… I want to save him!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEYuYlVgNV
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4TJ485T7d
“Amans…”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8O7idEZ9z
“Huh? What are you mum-!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0aJFlrgN4
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jajj46K0P
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9urRN2jV3p
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrmIUjzmcQ
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JqUHi90q2
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5jn21J7tb
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpPQVn9r2E
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvie2NoVG2
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TfAOFIua1
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5rSycbwTo
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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYayxw1sJV6
“Wake up, Tousa.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyasdFgGrWl
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k3SyrEIfE
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dTr8nf9Kk
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWqBSSfjtS
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMZrmBGN4m
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPVg7d3ghP
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF7rKBCJWs
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmtRzWqj1L
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoBrNhZsIC
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycSdmCykcf
“S-son?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTljQapj6NX
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMoD4BZViQ
“B-beloved?!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EGoMZIytc
“Isn’t she important to you?”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iKxn4bCka
“W-well…”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M0xtwU7Q7
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfGl4aNcox
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO2ZpUKA6L
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVq9HsGkk6
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwleNUVbuAm
“Thank you father.”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3d7w2uaoH
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0CCqe4Zb7
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUMIMJeSd0
“Not yet!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYqaff8ejT
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. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DIZY6RNAI
She really is a Halfling, huh.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcSVlJd3N8
“Tenna! Get baack!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgIwtxKPIw
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSLRPJ9Qmb
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. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKooZNdgXC
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzh7Tqej28
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.
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkwqTECwEi
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlafz4GS32G
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. 233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFuJDnrL20
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUQGqpx22B
