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?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnXZ1sCfK1
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvd1ckSdxA
“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.” 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz6MeWRwrF
“How about creating something like that?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WqUzS4NoH
“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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirbl3wEGcZ
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX1xhgR2fP
“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.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgM3DkmO90
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4DjOlrHGd
As if…175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tpYaxRt30
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFfZL583xu
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysCNBmtmXz
“N-no, you don’t understand!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiCYDSBJDL
I cut in before she could finish.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUILYHZvbJ
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ol6fA2kSC
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrr2wXrVMX
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?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQtpNfC0ps
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDzrAqFb6M
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4sA3uM1La
“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.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpwyY5qI6A
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIwbWuqo3n
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ov4Z11zHT
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO7OqKB2XP
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy6WD3GbUu
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbloFmGwoFp
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMO0TPNJBv
“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.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JkG2vNGt7
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKGBhJ1gdU
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTHr3EwUws
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpqzW5lbFw
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJToRFWEQE
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknVeWAchPy
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. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBR7EcHdwI
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvQHUw7rUf
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNn2wn8GpR
“Tousa! Tousa!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHuE40GPTA
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFsRpwEmmN
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8jC737kFM
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO0C9EMEqR
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bfLzRMVAy
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoPeQXQGnv
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXPZW0htiF
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcGeVwyx8d
“Firee!!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolEQjab9LJ
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. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEFjtppiBp
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT66U6TmmEd
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CFcoNL91b
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkMRztt8B5
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI53eGdj9b
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpc9oUuf2O
“Frigeo!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tQQnYEwNh
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz67H7Ym7kA
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tNR1oMAnr
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXhN3OnD1D
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeRRygRHx2
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsgKu2Xvxb
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyFAOdHfZY
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdQfHhsVGq
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxwenwkxRn
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhDCWKtpbn
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEBPnRVOWb
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO9whOS1NL
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbgMMCPmXC
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gacZGkEkK
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. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPDGOwPx49
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLgc3hcoUg
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf2zNMAe3p
For my beloved!175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBP3MCkOTe
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ916GHc19
A direct hit.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziLmeyyErL
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQTWESLi4r
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNhHawQfKC
I… I am… s-sorry…175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh03ntLyre
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB6bbfrz5E
“W-where am I?!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1Cezd89Dw
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhfoQlXIej
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU6WLsIO8P
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFJtJ4rLeY
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnOCptTq2k
“Wh-what do you mean?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMUNWQwwPx
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIAkGgxd6B
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspIIzVhTuq
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVtfvQquBZ
“Us? I am a dem-…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p9bfUv0Mh
“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!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIGsVLZNLB
“I-I don’t understand…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg5MlZ8eZU
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2vfpt0woI
“What do you want the most?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2mMs6ZPGQ
“Huh?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcVaDFN3GA
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RWmJNz6th
“I… I want to save him!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzwVv1qvLn
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jJoZeXcaW
“Amans…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRHgA68w1I
“Huh? What are you mum-!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHvjK4c0BX
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGw8oPoRql
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHrs62lRfx
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtIVhVaiaq
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs0jfzEeTC
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjfrFvgCXf
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0zy0HOXrd
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUPBLk41q8
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb3OGrAzrm
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCjxQMNJHk
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinhAOyuhCp
“Wake up, Tousa.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8Cm46sCvj
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGHAa7pDiu
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwpHCmiGgu
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F4ScdyvxA
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiZClF9kPt
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtqIpR8dL1
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu0no0uWOb
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtpiq4MJAq
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeYQJXySYD
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iIV21d3U6
“S-son?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFriTuFeLuC
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsfjoASoId
“B-beloved?!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG8w4RMBPW
“Isn’t she important to you?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo873OWburv
“W-well…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaHUfz2zxz
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo8SZnBuJU
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuEtgJqTyL
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFA6jSpGKf
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufzijFsleW
“Thank you father.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs71hm2ii3
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFjCb6PJJz
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x0szVTjCc
“Not yet!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsteovzp9ul
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. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVJyvKDmgU
She really is a Halfling, huh.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHPFvzUo3k
“Tenna! Get baack!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQa144Ky1j
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunKiMGN4sb
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. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL1vKFfrdg
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxxEgsSFgK
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.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0rtkrefTb
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAgOneNZGx
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. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltk4MTcHRC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oI9XsquUT
