Fire348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfG3yH5G3n
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFco75IM6oL
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluTzJsZhmp
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ9M2s3X84
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEozl6kXwLz
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42aLkCzU42
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI7CVrnU8U
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqp85Y0qS4
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilgG408Yku
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtzXR06ISj
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy9v7zPvN3
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi7IH0kQ5T
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhsFt5gBKc
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6srbr43djW
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV6qEBCDY1
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbKWWTvce9
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10OF9bhaEz
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVJbLui7mQ
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOmWR1cngn
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMMDJLKfTn
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAR6HiXvCb
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC61yGQwmmC
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg894MPaTJz
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyJo5oQQEO
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf0WKTJHOc
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUETwi9MXmD
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsk36OQyXT
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ohLtIRDEy
brown complexion for a minute before opening348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzogF4ZunrB
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA5DcYohjV
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdQOCMI8Rt
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZskDRDu9iD
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq47h7ZqJkA
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaqtvTiPGj
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMabBTTG6W
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoDF6st5pv
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7eyyZLpjh
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBAPEDTx3S
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYYiAQXNn9
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFb1Wf8YxU
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FASmgS4yz
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9gZkKjyrC
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p77pM2ys7
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbsUagF0YQ
if it were bleeding.
“What348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRvp6ECqGr
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2e2EcZMgz
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilFL1BLLdn
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO6Pwo5z4s
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYEeAzwnQA
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAePsa8M6xO
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxjGrv2pXK
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEZmQiUuIo
snickered.
“yea?348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwZTa425RQ
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmAuPn5dVR
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRfl3oUGet
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLRnjqr7A5
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A5VB3hA5j
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIwHXy0OxY
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bDQY9ht2D
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhx9FXZvPM
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz85ZsRbxbd
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbea55lNlg7
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmUtvPHg0P
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u0Hxg8jvv
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XsGryiX4m
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYTxeL1lXX
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvl740oeV3
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2qsNj0vGG
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN3KcbEBUb
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qR3hWrq2x
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfUHdpibNc
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDvlhxaaPC
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeC6geSz0S
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFJoHw0yiN
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL3xSsJFED
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsnUBYayWA
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzFNrCwWK4
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fzTI573dM
face.
“That’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrMbLt0VBF
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7fOqWRxsb
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjwfAK71VJ
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb4Jm7C3Ys
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS2S40k5Is
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7agLcIyiN
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahGAYIrut7
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudqpCmxEx1
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtY9wURi7T
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtFx5l1S4V
as he noticed it.
“What’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJY2NaGIRw
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZbIKJLHfn
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlnc0QLcY4
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQSQvKnq6X
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7uHTUNXrk
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy7PICaEb1
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCb38L6Z6v
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0ZkmJd8NL
Isadora”
“good348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tnNU5whzZ
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcQwsIuJj7
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH4w07NBGv
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDrwlOpQt4
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8oPAyX8ga
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtV6uqeSrh
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW4BDOiumo
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC28az8xtt6
sound like a woman”
“I348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstdcJGeMZR
should hope”
“that348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEURm3QYa8d
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoILuTKxDn
her
“Wow,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHafzP5DxnX
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRjuc4Jphj
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu62CKsTti9
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkZjsxPeTr
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2HJ64oHS3
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpavVKHWGTb
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2hMd9QtUQ
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZvjvPb4oz
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D2Y29tvXy
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE5vrbHbwA
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJTAs56MRY
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9iZUWGMfY
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRifaI5vPi
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlo9k6wKPT
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMPJDzWGLl
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpUuZT3onL
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXvUTfdfbI
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5n44J1rLY
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkfEQFCoYL
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJj0s5Y62L
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3furbouZ9
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFYDfyThFN
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHRprttaDk
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Hzdpl55F
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLK9PKgAhq
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGXaikz1iZ
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DAA43ltxx
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMF5PgvlZ7
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pPMzznrPs
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYpoSbGtJn
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSA0BK0D9N
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn11VXRSLl
to beat him.
“Same348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RwuylrFLQ
age” he said before following after her
His348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSKvTRwGi1
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeAzu922Kk
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYVl4ysOVF
than we were at that time…”
“What348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod76ybRt2z
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAlvNkL51G
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm7LXMTYCI
still haunted him.
“…It348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdY5Oaw8GO
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcazOCvk7B0
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n3322VBLd
age”
“Better348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfUfViZeUm
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZApe5J5oX
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitGCzL9Iaj
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYll6qltqq
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizZO9lxgeD
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OI2S9vUu7
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk34D9ps5dc
there was.
“I348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9CbTIv5Y1
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh9wcYBydJ
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgh1pL2eST
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbUyNWPAFL
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3s8AwuucG
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BzY46D48k
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nqomq0gqt
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWiNcK6ZnL
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0YS2BeosZ
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWT5SwFtLp
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KWHkGJPNN
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYiENeplXV
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKRNom7LNG
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3de6W8dDYu
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ651jP07WVB
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw92dshcjJ
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhYXijMZgP
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdbL1GO0BF
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqjSQeGY0B
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkImdN83lU
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDucTANAtt
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OAv5quDQ1
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HdvRD20Ct
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXVELEdWc5
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3II9kcn2N
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7kBAJHQuf
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvppH7kEuJ
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJC76ukwf6
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUXzTcFM4i
up in a ponytail.
“So348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhDYXY0KdQ
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtLJx0J7c5
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2Fgo7CYyP
grin on her face.
“No,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkkSiExP8J
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGcswU59sD
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFIqXJLLpI
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkeHIaWNVP
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt0ghxy5ND
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB5rm1Wq1b
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPIMKiLvrY
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Y4EgrGSl
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKDgnzxYak
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3eZZE9wTL
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT69KSdRpT
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKuZyzikiA
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQUV9L4fbH
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lI4O03WYX
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYza1T8fdgs
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHC7BRSxVR
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlp7LpCkH6
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJnGW4rODH
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Ib5anUHz
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZeh3RcFuY
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3l4G3kPAq
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJP93xYtnb
around at the occupants who were all embroiled348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRNrFYGqOg
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeet5DdoFl
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs4Up8BMya
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXOwhaF7nB
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkZYPpfGiw
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjhYBBZ1db
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtGwF7Zur8
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxGEbVe6MD
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXACek96UK
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKEI7bVpzO
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAaQ1G4TK8
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW2A7o60YV
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4SEvbx92z
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGNi4jAsgV
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmuou23pgr
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV8wTTM2or
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EF12t6asP
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dgr4jDnw6
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V1Rd6WAzn
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NWu9jr2x5
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8Tk3ft7r5
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixQSXjVBeL
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4AKJnV6d5
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeDnsaINou
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DJw1ATrdc
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD8Q8TBEZu
she bounced and grinned
“Great,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthuUzy5rOv
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ1cXlfr8x
robes
“Not348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPZ6Qt2Gol
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4JxzJO9HQ
now?” Kemari sighed
“The348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcQ5eWod47
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKglmJ0ZIj
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tE10ZBUNa
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbUibNyqWv
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxTHaXg6DV
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLHdPtMRZ7
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsYSHSLoe6
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2ZJLRy4ZF
in the middle.
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC4F7sWduR
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5TmLNEV0U
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFg6Muz8yO
stopped at the desk and stared at the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnAjfAi3T7
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kljSGN5Fv
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLkMWn4HX0
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfwN1O51lA
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4PhhDkfX1
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaOjR5huOA
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe47E9uy3C
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgw393ftiB
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ4HJ7kVXz
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOymvzwIdpx
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4JmKxjdzP
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF1Glf4meh
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd3WWZJiU5
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuseCuh23M2
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LV4bljFlt
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ivEAoq04C
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKBUtJYMp8
did”
“YOU348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBnobX1rPy
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJEFnDEs0Y
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKmUWuOOv5
collar.
“THAT’S348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZRaE81zMS
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UCFWLlAic
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQBuH8OB7s
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehBMqKCS1w
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sl0TjDk5w
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU5TVVXWS1
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW7ovlZdSt
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWLTWxE3H6
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY4E132toi
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxZuDjSA7w
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nhh3t01i2
finally broken.
“You’re348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KcTaqmICr
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQpLm996gA
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUw7Z8IPgM
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2gzLpGWP9
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SxHIeydSP
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtvMx1SSRK
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H5XbF5Cag
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA62zIdF26b
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbAubUxRsg
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo5NQEBEhA
hurry”
Kemari348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2LBi302Fq
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXzyJjMYwt
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k8YP1yarq
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tWN6ipCD9
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPypei0zDS
ns18.191.15.43da2
