Fire334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYBlVRCy9o
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ646Upkq0zW
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBJvOGiStB
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP1qbAFkFT
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbwYl8baNp
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ407GxgJeF0
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gMAbjHF94
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH32PiU9lEQ
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhvoMMXhpQ
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6TZA83wzN
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNf3tTNm8w
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntR6Xl39je
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxJ55cfrAo
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPvoWxLsJ6
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmmkIvyrTK
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IieR80ghL
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC69GmHXHb
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi4YR62mrY
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFBhuDmv85
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXDamdKRfS
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jTu4AM7X5
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojUiQBW98s
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdr1Ym8ZVq
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbqrBz3ewU
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8LdyXeQtM
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEyI7juekn
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcoHYESkuz
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqMHUSPeNN
brown complexion for a minute before opening334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtdENpPIPs
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxm8JQOpFw
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVfZLGwkkM
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QZqZOzsEH
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwX81MIuZi
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsS5u7HL5q
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZm5YUSX7g
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG2jnURJQ2
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqjyDTkLEQ
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1DSHTte4S
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuV8XqVIRJ
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MOPpEeApk
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAXrWbofSX
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQsxohD5gw
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHCn7fCkab
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGEfC7l9KF
if it were bleeding.
“What334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ps4YZE7AG
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMk0lSkzzs
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu2rhTU7lQ
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DJ0IjeXJ8
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa4LRnjZhF
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7FXd3yGiy
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqor4PELNcd
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARESgCy33W
snickered.
“yea?334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCRP6uNlm2
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLKZIODUKf
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIFkMdNpIg
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdILkZx6VfX
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7053oZMZa
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2GofKRTtY
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCPesU5gxw
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbzFkNcYWT
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4cGKZZoSk
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflgpnDeYt3
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LJpKNz28F
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS7gHnc2I6
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbNunr2vAw
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3BMHrwEg8
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03eDQcVrof
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkctLjFToI
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2V2JfJ5TB
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarLBgrcxdL
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxAJr1dc4e
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ8yZC6onG
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH05hkeVF9v
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxkdWo6tFM
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCivnmvdx7
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBnBYJ5cPy
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIhcchy97R
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGx2UPvcpr
face.
“That’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4070bx27e
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMpFNdrk1V
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMGdwVyaCQ
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoNbSKJ1Vk
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGVGJPd4S3
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7Bz9oMMmw
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJeKspg4Su
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqQNFVUNCb
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPwNji58Rn
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dO6XuYhLJ
as he noticed it.
“What’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbS9QoNH12
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VqQLtS8tt
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHGQkotvZr
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB0y0HQVXQ
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupSgRvVsQJ
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDNDtjbpDC
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW75MnLqN86
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JZASYvXrI
Isadora”
“good334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCWJHKPZtg
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALkMPCRS9h
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXo35cN43n
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaVUULgz2C
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ7veHAuVN
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV4r2aoGkl
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQPdN1Ufg7
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWkREaHaxO
sound like a woman”
“I334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXpVq1Vy28
should hope”
“that334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwKOOQ0Jvl
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYjSRgdKDT
her
“Wow,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOL8pkd8d
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYdQyo2OYV
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09mcTWcABF
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9kjJpQDWZ
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDva0abY4p
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cmkim5bIE
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs4JySrDdf
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyRI3DBtMq
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxvkKyWM1R
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPRFWx9Gjj
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nNTTlJj87
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxnNAnLGDf
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsQtIfwsD6
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kZ9QrWGAT
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy0YVpP9VR
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTemZBbD22
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PW8M7x4Wq
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1WL9iiobq
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07qftUTB4o
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvu4XP3ilS
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6XT7hozTQ
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6nEqyHxO9
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKAdhVcyL5
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkDqBTizIx
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaErtjRtXo7
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcHZz8Vgi6
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYL5KR32nP
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8jfOAgSIw
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nlhPB5RPI
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSvJB4a7P1
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYrYoD7wDn
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JKm4hKUBV
to beat him.
“Same334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqfgXFaQ9o
age” he said before following after her
His334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43mdmivaFT
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRRKukD348
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wuCxWRnUY
than we were at that time…”
“What334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV5j4Gy5Pu
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwisrlXVyJ
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVmDkjHSz8
still haunted him.
“…It334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDPUOeHAHG
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNO6cE8OaM
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC0uBvvxrY
age”
“Better334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhCF1PFli8
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4syP53x4O
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUY6dsFmTE
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2gZXfKpir
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkH7FLSBBd
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczXyttvgQS
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2WRs7tAFF
there was.
“I334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjFxJKnKWG
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTpfPv3orC
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj4b3V9yoU
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENcaP6CL5b
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAfyC1drXk
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQaVmHOf03
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPuVdZla2F
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJheiIKbtNp
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ754c0ow5K
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwl6K27idf
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFD5Q5YtFi
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcapY6aaaqP
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc5ot4W4CE
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54Owy5YQ3q
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio37oGMIuz
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob9MRtkzex
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ6WhoZgK9
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyFvZkT3EK
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs3wTmEioF
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPWnvkcjUc
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hGORBnYqN
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SdJOVcdG9
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRJVRtVXIx
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25SPPzypZd
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4yUWxxsgx
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bwM9jvth9
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MG8ht4rkA
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC11YpQ0lz
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQfFFPJIRA
up in a ponytail.
“So334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQpbGWJsVr
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1haEc4cNcZ
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5zNthd0RL
grin on her face.
“No,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm4qxOl2tM
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WlVmxECA3
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbtDqR6EuM
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N76OKL3sC
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHKqFPq2Ct
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4zsWxkfGN
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2gKkHAnF0
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL7KoAh1FZ
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPpmaxuniA
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4NuaBjGu1
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzdumYuG2i
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppkrKKAENd
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4zGbclkKc
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ibnyrD43S
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzb86E551X
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmqIeWme1Z
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqS53Pxp1e
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedx8osWPzr
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzxveUJXhp
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp9FKfq7XP
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzXtxVeZur
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpJUt7P2vU
around at the occupants who were all embroiled334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wwr0xrrH6
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlXiqrYEFs
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqYPVwvTgr
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqoRYqzv1L
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVWq3aWezs
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlykKQPMt26
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSeck4hbrd
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ABE623u68
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNCujIxkeL
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXU9rbkxig
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lHMmnttR3
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT3fyXWZCN
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlEWZXt2iG
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiJcg79r9B
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJOAFBMXRI
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kunJ3fn0f
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWHqZ9iUab
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEjgh5xjpU
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhlZxE5J3p
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfrF0Zw9YF
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeeaLjJep9
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0GBubpzXl
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGpq9PHAFE
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTeSt3ZsvY
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnUV6eaIMs
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmFH9TOZ0r
she bounced and grinned
“Great,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRDUPCRJRa
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPECgnKd00a
robes
“Not334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyedoQ2YDlG
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyySdQmULKI
now?” Kemari sighed
“The334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mVjFn2ANK
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRwDaQCFaI
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLmcqUr6ej
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXKHpuKbpm
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzv7cw1Hth
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuGz2pnoRj
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQAcwg9Nx6
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf54jERyJll
in the middle.
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJhHCTGv6q
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cTmETyXpT
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1MRq8U99f
stopped at the desk and stared at the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpTmmw4CTL
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKCKZYoQPg
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS0qzqrcia
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs8y7hSc0K
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EGqa95Krb
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbekbjiJmR3
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW9yZjIA0i
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFBlkSAZKf
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KIjuJflQj
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jBgBGo7CE
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fKOTKDkt2
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SovyV6fjl
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9GwTsSMMC
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eVigKkhf7
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7u9ecQrre
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd3x0EMxQd
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmP1u4bNqx
did”
“YOU334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjFajyK2Kp
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CvYTX5a6c
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V4I2ghlaH
collar.
“THAT’S334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcamV7AQtZ
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCoPdWYDP2
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7XtmF4Bag
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubMZYnxBT1
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASlbVgLuDl
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWcZkECYP9
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gY9uke6Mk
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQYPw6s91g
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNPZdRpVLq
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYaWqT25jk
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVsECzAbby
finally broken.
“You’re334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMi4uLNewT
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdqxwwb0g8
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh2ixzslTM
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXqCZrHzDe
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lidYJylR8
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VZnYK0kyC
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSkRiQgiyt
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCmLNQpt54
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVDhFPbup4
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZTyIZCxzm
hurry”
Kemari334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSPxVA2vu7
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZwhvJwzCm
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtlXOKInq6
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bCDmuejsg
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhxq7fh2Rv
ns18.222.28.236da2
