Fire359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuPtre17CD
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDe19gvIXQ
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PEhQDzd5L
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsdChjuO7x
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h2HEdiY6w
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LsEeqTJwU
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG26wgKhaX
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikXxLIuApR
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi67KuKlccd
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUuIJC6qR9
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsLCtAQNzz
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgvxPFkoNL
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrNZ1LAceg
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5fc2Dw3kS
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5puaR9PLJG
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFRhg3dvf1
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wZPq1REUb
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQhbH1hTCF
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6ZSR3o0XW
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KYwWsOkes
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl7NphlcTd
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXpiKXDB3i
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DjI0SNAQD
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyWfAiur5z
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7X3eUBFyL
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg96pynWPuG
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxmUlae6tR
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jealXTx5r
brown complexion for a minute before opening359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoJDJb59rZ
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMye0sFjtr
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW9fQKwstU
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgzMqtC5OE
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoQd3HrVk8
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8OC5zWVNJ
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeNnaKikZU
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ6EisJyaI
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbLlPzyR9w
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtfGza4VKj
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AxGY3R6dy
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxdBEYKsTT
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR48toigLBJ
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna3et1IZjv
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FXs4400m9
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIRkJnW4ev
if it were bleeding.
“What359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuj2wXVcAC
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Aes6mIfa
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr8eaa3a6X
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUdniP0vk1
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVEXGy6pxR
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegdLTDusC0
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfBt3o5sy8
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQPpElo9rz
snickered.
“yea?359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AuvZc9YzQ
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N4cFDphYu
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qeb4X4ALb
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjib4c0AQfJ
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyNPhtL9YU
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ438Veo6bQ6
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFevGyc6My
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVpAvyYVMQ
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLSHMvtiuJ
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFnyOsdgUp
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI7G3VsKQG
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAqxVOzPj5
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuSSPj4u4x
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGldcCgCPG
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcJiQijdoc
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgjHxBsUJL
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2cWfLjBW1
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ltVRHdCg
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh9CnRmg8F
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSoX3NLRJQ
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxAjfzkPdB
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHveI91LDI
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5haORXReP
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpklmJ1DiVb
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJjNROoBrl
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh6Ei3W5TI
face.
“That’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b06F2vv9b
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9Tz6zv1HN
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIlzW2aoJ7
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR3eho0f1V
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCFzpKY6iW
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNxtsOyx34
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXYBXTyp4Z
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBVWPow6B2
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRagQzw1OXD
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cbRGy4wEI
as he noticed it.
“What’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41OAUptypc
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchhmK8fPgz
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry9eK7xMQ3
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPTpI2P30H
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ166TdGy7vh
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM58UtMZxhK
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9lcjP8Qj2
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2wLc5FPip
Isadora”
“good359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEILIInLgk
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZaAFxfCMY
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiKkkmY8xN
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgnk5VLFXi
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyygiBi76N
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNePhDIPyq1
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kZzsaO5yZ
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tm29jYm8C
sound like a woman”
“I359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J387kwhg5
should hope”
“that359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCHI5qmpZH
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi27pdcFYj
her
“Wow,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUycjwxOA40
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlNjI0nsj9
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEVKqveQUs
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZkXl74WB1
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIDo4gfvjI
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx3yrMN9uF
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTPDLFDohx
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8feys4LDeN
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T5PaWx2TU
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgxxGnDMAs
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9smsdXVtGT
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi39hXhegBb
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuLtO1lNvH
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SKbBUjxt7
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ787gSBf07f
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvspDgYr2H
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrtZHa3nCm
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25jRvg3bri
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktU7U329rD
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK59PdF3U5Z
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiWUd2LyGL
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq86MRhfHI
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4akws7Xm7w
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89OKpOyi4o
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwTly3Oh0C
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi0EDGKrhA
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufK1f5vl7I
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rrh8Wd7qF
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXspviObUz
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B2MV3za4m
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYOBL3RU6c
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpe1B76Vrf
to beat him.
“Same359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpj4eomwVg
age” he said before following after her
His359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfrjyYEloJ
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET4BfJvHBg
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eJILNGgq5
than we were at that time…”
“What359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctPcElQlnI
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumriJ839FG
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkhb4t3bef
still haunted him.
“…It359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgxCKYoZTW
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKebHHjYs9
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbMwJseZA9
age”
“Better359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUH5Je0j13
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0wjZrmJfd
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRi1BZOKxv
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh966XZQNjK
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWvqpXc6lj
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVxZ5kU1co
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRx8yD0D6l
there was.
“I359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoYzI1rMQn
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsDY89FCcf
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe25OATkER
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CThQJXk55
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYUWbVSUn6
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXTrlEz7V0
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJCqJbuaRz
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNt4utAdxf
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpFYq071T8
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvF48nqZ7t
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUOrE6peH7
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCtoCZa143
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l3AACg2pQ
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDhgcMIZPG
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhXi3lhGvT
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSFGT6SPU8
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAYm9BfYHa
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxtwuBDMQg
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHa4JRzv3V
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXeelee22i
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTjMmZKTXT
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGqO1XV5pE
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzdNtKpjnt
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAICYNf4t3A
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Tjots1M7
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OT2oj2h3d
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkWIn3STU5
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OVXvKqOCm
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayRSbNXP1P
up in a ponytail.
“So359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJHQDCo6VE
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqYQx57R2s
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0QLtzbRfJ
grin on her face.
“No,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnb6pSX5yE
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQUwZk6HHV
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBNUS9HzaA
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZhpJR0zgq
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfknvWyyO7E
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBumPIAyPdj
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sBhoOGoID
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGddtgs5PJp
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANCdQZBLaT
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGwt88KQHt
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3VRZCXQ63
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA6VDKMm3I
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4TmrsoH5M
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTHwDAbQnS
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy4mqTxEbp
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3qZjdp3Fg
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzmAszkkc5
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeAr5NWLz3
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AeE8NsjE0
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXjZuV3B63
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkT1mqbY6L
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rknCJEKHH
around at the occupants who were all embroiled359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEqtbueCOT
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbaT8aQFWj
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYqdOpCxOw
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uw7EGirmB
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjzMFhUKoN
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyP4kaniml
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte3Zip3FrT
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5bdlaGijV
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4zqp5hhdc
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReiAv1L5PH
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS358im2v0
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzqvBazI88
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllu2eZaxPa
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS15h8OxKT
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahKiJtJTVh
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQy0I2SUz3
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIF4xPIbBq
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsyuxdrwKt
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sn711amTK
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTgSqfQ8ow
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15ha1IW4lQ
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJUZxOEM7j
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0vPqt9oii
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUJKVGpfSl
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX5H2g7YZT
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6IEajHl5J
she bounced and grinned
“Great,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cinMxtq7U
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwpeZx1I3b
robes
“Not359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyGTPGyuPB
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPmOsdfrzD
now?” Kemari sighed
“The359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTgt4exehw
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJNgVe5PrG
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXjS0bWkZe
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTdi5XBk6c
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4sANrhNUG
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzRwfOAfrv
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBwz1l7QZo
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUdBzz1s4i
in the middle.
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCKyPrjDoC
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ39d6qwU5J
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyuYaVMp9B
stopped at the desk and stared at the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLuOpiZPLU
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vbSI8Zuy7
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqEmhgJEHn
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5m4rNCnqY
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXPrtVfxlW
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdVZvpQVak
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkFdDK9PKb
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZtS1PN850
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyoqgKziYd
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8GbX4PDzG
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMghxrieegu
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHeuf5iB6n
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNmYngt9no
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lFjbsvgUT
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHb3KKVfYJ
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yoOVFTg2P
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyJ2ZHoTCc
did”
“YOU359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWz3FViIlB
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNed9dw9Zl
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ9j7VQsfJ
collar.
“THAT’S359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MFUEVmDyL
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL6lwLpGdU
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdWBjuRQ42
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ZvGTmqjS
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES8ag4ARSY
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA85i1jXzgN
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9phAZH6cI
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcR3G9OSX0
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoEhKmNcbj
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HuaYGalfx
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZZMw9nWxr
finally broken.
“You’re359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7zFP2AzOy
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJWfZyhW2p
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6FLqtg23w
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYejqsCjEfI
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoK4BxT9lz
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBunBvgDFt
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43dVHSUOgA
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLmZ8oVcJe
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSonAoj8lY
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pW10CdM7h
hurry”
Kemari359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5vayfX2Nl
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWX9N1b2BN
359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9WHqXmx2e
359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P1gagS8Ow
359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpViNu2aFbW
ns3.148.162.188da2
