Fire370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbSJ5gv4Ay
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1u9cOpm0r
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDL23MLAmv
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXvtswxeOD
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPMGWdifCt
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSv1UuPrj3
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q5IMW9ArV
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVPEmRpIf7
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnwHXK8o9W
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlws3PeWGZW
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaxjZTX9dG
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ7Qq2G3Mo
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kMuHeesPU
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVWLTi0nGv
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFVvZy9gB9
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfO2XN848V
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEL5anpjrg
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7ou7bh6OY
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOIPMTXX9L
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEvfgnWJvS
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTCSz10cqP
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcwRoczkD9
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ79iJgsqic
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aNtbn6WeH
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sGDfcLjX4
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPhRpHlKIw
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPqUcsvPjV
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHEulhIXXO
brown complexion for a minute before opening370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmC74kudi9
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxEo8dSZS9
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPFVcJGEBc
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcmt7P7bAQ
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6OWEaL8ga
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb0iMmIDoo
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHcax13igA
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmS4QYBy3f
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh2z9fMHJE
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3dAIjAfcR
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8UDa6rnMK
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xi04FdDhF
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlFjgkCXDP
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf5ISrOB3S
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiufTdymKSh
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabPlpzzHHq
if it were bleeding.
“What370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtFTBRkGtF
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ZHnoTrJQ
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxwsaPBJgb
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMR2oDM4uN
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM9JxqnfVv
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN38ATyBXkM
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKcM0EsdPy
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcea3pDcepm
snickered.
“yea?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XpqwOvG9S
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqcg5d0NYn
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Wtf61N1R
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8wQxym118
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAFsc5FD6P
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCsmxBDY2Q
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P25r0lQqa
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ3aORbnZz
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpTDXqz8iY
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPkWOvtrYm
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gfekW9K0H
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLo3pQdYyY
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VschwKYiT
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVNcsLiNCn
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwBgss19ft
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8kJ0eRpq6
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhPtNFfgBo
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBnGrtu4P5
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39q3k1iyB9
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUWbcERr0n
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuebQLxedHn
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdXcM22P67
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8JZSeLpCy
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQoWu6Z5yF
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiuRuhVvpb
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qOyai97ie
face.
“That’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8nWhsDYON
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5Hi1y4Kcw
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzqu2c9YXP
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLk7YrbEAI
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoxUHXrGTm
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhXv29tjEG
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmsBuf2w7O
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhCkcOmlYd
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmmG8RvEFs
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TmmXCEJnH
as he noticed it.
“What’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9t9yeBYiC
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgSEe0v2w2
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fuP4fkaCe
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYLdegsQsA
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh83RIlqzf
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmgJTOTubQ
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbkYCdge4c
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU43f1qsL1n
Isadora”
“good370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVhGOCVm0l
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz9Nsz5aIQ
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefyMkdsOCF
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3gaHquzDp
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6igc9Xs2T
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z7qVm33ZI
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd8IS4prTx
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZY5YYStzL
sound like a woman”
“I370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6ESfP8EMp
should hope”
“that370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiHkysJelY
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVTqSM3k3U
her
“Wow,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhTVfMmHrG
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDrUM1HV0U
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg05zPJofqr
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7FaHIDYFz
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZrRKgo8dd
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NiYc6XPgc
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIF9mkGdv3
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQMOtf9vqO
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6t5fuEWkl
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW900a9jGU
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi7qSwvYF1
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7weSe1Mrw7
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS14DabICF
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrgnZ5H9hR
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXTG8DKNXh
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYy2TSIEwZ
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI5NdDkXSt
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36bF0L3WCB
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaViV3Afgw
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfCHaq9DIu
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEoSmyxzJc
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFga3hhvrIM
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPsc3qeoVH
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwCvj4QZcj
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ7eFQgMhS
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQktNZgBtR
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpMGw1z5Av
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyzK3Ohokz
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN8uNqklwB
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdUBFyiK5G
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71nvfTzneU
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSVrvFF4ZJ
to beat him.
“Same370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQA4YpAtLx
age” he said before following after her
His370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0LG9Kd4g0
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHoN6mmvLG
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrLgc3m3RE
than we were at that time…”
“What370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3Ww7vetTB
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx67DrOlLv
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rU3YMJURX
still haunted him.
“…It370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ9xu4yaL7
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr31gw7yYa
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcNdM5Pu3g
age”
“Better370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP875UgzlKD
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1Bl393yv6
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B0RWW86O4
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrboJorXVl
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iLcvssYiD
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI3rIdgh12
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxSl0BVl4a
there was.
“I370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53OFvksTBc
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob8lQ9nnSe
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxhTP26MmX
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjoYAm3q03
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qfcbva5SI
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UPQ6WSMlj
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w702OraXn
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67QS5CFRBp
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8lmulTcpq
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqEY3F7K2k
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWP1NoHiJT
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9hPyveX4k
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL9pITr2LF
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRq4PDscnZ
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb7O72eghF
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiaeAGSTXc
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANvEIwn7Qt
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbviSPOSKA
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfp9frroqY
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWf0NVQ3MK
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttYYj2ZBJ0
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM2IPxBM3s
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwSsouQfYg
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8TX7V9Vyf
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIkxNmG8Ii
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGloEQCw4c
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWavn9XVpz
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSenEhDpH4R
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkELcnPODND
up in a ponytail.
“So370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY0ku114AP
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJlJqoWBot
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf5EdvYlbU
grin on her face.
“No,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuafyQRFVli
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUACVdElKz
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbENZ29n4Xr
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaywotiwHPr
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfhuCDo76p
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKFDArpjjl
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptMYFpqtOM
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVlrscBpUR
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVNC1Im2mF
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxDPRGMR2l
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7wFe7oXB9
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBLRdd8v5y
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd5SYUYqWu
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ufSETZKh8
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN40YRsM2Gn
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrUuhxoCGM
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rlu9ngehi
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha87onpVOg
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GoBFSpk3e
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AUV1aRoAh
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJU7OqH9o3
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRqkh4YLhU
around at the occupants who were all embroiled370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wZGn6eJ08
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wR50iiXj5
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZrX6bLB5v
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPa61NMIuN
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTzQY78M3Q
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdz7Cq9J59
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqsVemWVWA
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcbnF1RzRq
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBJykWnasW
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoSLdtgwgc
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG9ziHAkxR
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLhYmYR9rO
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV20AbNZJWf
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Exl4c2H7k
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqhiyGQGtB
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0vVtqm4m7
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4CM0tI6eL
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ7itHuyXq
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jvPCQXw7g
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2UNXuWadT
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbcmyuyDqG
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBWejMTtxv
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuc1BYZ69N
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziWzl2LSXB
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fBFPV6gKL
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB6Ac75ZcX
she bounced and grinned
“Great,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqTVC6akuC
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgW0A4Kgbb
robes
“Not370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlbkdYtbON
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevO1bn4fGW
now?” Kemari sighed
“The370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxE6ERODti
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡospuypDSIw
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERGhbnpkfQ
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r1fG89rDi
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqigEcl71qL
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi0SYgN29k
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNbR8NFpaS
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoav4IZMlXn
in the middle.
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd1c8AibqU
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDInt8OilyG
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzn8WqFhtZ
stopped at the desk and stared at the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjNQhe7gxl
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTin5ZI6PG
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzXiJ1o1s3
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAEuSQspDD
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnjhkadUjJ
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zCrY7edFn
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX5xzkPLSI
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH4hAgSoGd
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKibt49oYX
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJPwAq3oNT
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaWG9nfogo
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNGURTm2j8
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UzoeU2UKk
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjKIsGu61D
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaqtVUJqkK
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZBZ3sLqbx
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBl3pywupk
did”
“YOU370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH4RffL4o8
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi2j886Oeb
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODkS6T3ehm
collar.
“THAT’S370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2u55cFkij
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7dUtGgZ7A
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGW1HAPVAX
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzmqsNAmK9
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv3fG6nLk2
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVoGjp6abe
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuSHon3Woq
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t2ZoKKcC8
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbZebtz5O3
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SBiTF02db
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj3F3XWJPk
finally broken.
“You’re370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lra70NZhB
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUMKRjLEBQ
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAraT0eUzh
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGp6AYOV3u
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGNrBz5DBz
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0Lu6W9A8V
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShrfTzmfzU
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdoM6ksJc1
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaUrJHsALM
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDKqVN2Bh5
hurry”
Kemari370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy1Z28RdDF
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pCcLNZk1j
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMhxYgCY7W
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l1C2pvdN7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkgGxIZ4ch
ns3.128.78.43da2
