Fire355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkODwm7lOq0
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQa5tLuRFl
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkKibCAODy
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevxOgl6baR
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHZKHNDajl
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDkbgcKKXf
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmCYIgJNLf
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPBU9A33cb
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffFv8AWgNV
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIySFo0c6Qb
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8YGmq9Y8o
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5V1EfTxk2
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAu9Jm0eMR
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCGfwW6Iyp
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFBlv5tPoY
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoG39VtRlL
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBJAC9gzwJ
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWg8tvNptz
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFo2Dgu07y
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5Vjxuf8v0
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DDKox1Jju
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFsKKP3lxH
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo0pbWxpHW
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxUAWEvatg
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNJx9kiAZe
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF4Puh0he0
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SnRuFhVeF
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aQpaiz6WH
brown complexion for a minute before opening355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZaSJZ4H0A
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU92CJJb6k
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXfJi1Ylzj
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1DFjcqoW6
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYXkfhDDfk
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBzxpsI1Sh
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrWS5y4s9h
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ZHFkIUG4
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGXsExesj9
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jHbhgGaVr
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa8W4ZCHi6
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ2hKQy4ol
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk4QnR9Elp
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiongHVAvjA
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKPjCJdFtl
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qgFtpQs0w
if it were bleeding.
“What355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs60W1peBR
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEBms8uZ5g
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTR18k0JHZ
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBZjmy0cS6
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviwFDbjBXt
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp5RawtDwk
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4cCi5EE55
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab97yBHKHi
snickered.
“yea?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRorRgYzfB
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdNClUnmJz
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigxvfQnYGt
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQekU0hYeK
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggTqF5YdjI
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfvtWIJJ36
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57g7vqzq4D
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SkXd98CMj
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYa7yhnw77
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxlzpTtDoO
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OFPpoucYX
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOiI2cwLQ9
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtZi3PFaBm
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCzVGPcY5J
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK637fecyW
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DuCmuQfGR
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0P5mG2osV
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sjyvQJSgv
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFq4bg31oM
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR8nX9m53u
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfq2LEBPfw
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e8HzT5JDZ
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3DQ5820QX
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINfNtQqwmt
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIRV2ga0TT
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkghOBLPY6
face.
“That’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikh8pObxXb
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnrQRPYBEC
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb62mvV73f
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ7crVUrl2
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Am4VbleqH
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1pSmHeLmp
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL5DAgybBV
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr8QDxfvhz
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tTy1LbUtC
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQakxWSIZJS
as he noticed it.
“What’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVbiKiPk9j
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JKS1yse2e
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTTrlGncw3
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X6TjHMHWR
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54qrqwX1cv
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcO52vOyiO
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRJ5CcaWiM
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH1BOzPWDn
Isadora”
“good355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCebKS0UeuO
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJoWE6rBbb
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQPdJWKu0U
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdUF3RJv7X
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvaIVxzT87
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8EURnQWoV
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bjaM80XBL
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS0iMf2TIz
sound like a woman”
“I355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1inW05QzS
should hope”
“that355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVviWXbllS
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM1T9rpD5W
her
“Wow,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDZ2KcM9Td
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX1C7GsXtR
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J9YMh8BEg
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnhyfwCNih
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAFkK8vrRU
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtmSJeES9X
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O8CSJNfvb
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2EJSBaoVY
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanocmCKK9t
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoKDV5UEyU
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyHwTI4uY4
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE8aK7Jzf3
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86GmVju49O
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsbKLKrG3A
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdKt3YM3jU
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHA7taZk3k
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxVyrkUwYH
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTRjfgsBNG
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ8Nfe1vzU
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm9SEahvtN
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrKxGxNK8c
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUa5dGSyFO
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheoGe4Yuxm
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRpkFmAAZk
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCdrWOr1og
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUpMVpf9qB
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK66fYGx55w
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5bPmVHusq
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPe6zbo5hB
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEiJOySXVz
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT5pddy3tP
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIFGMerZvH
to beat him.
“Same355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94jjIhcFW1
age” he said before following after her
His355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDdCYfIvP0
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hnpYTnz17
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCii2uhgni
than we were at that time…”
“What355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4oumexlFT
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZKg77xRfh
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCk3fddSwi
still haunted him.
“…It355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuJYsevaVH
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu3G64jPFi
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYPCOkbCCB
age”
“Better355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEwezXQpo5
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmoUX2OOlf
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnjcbrfiqB
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpprwx1q2p2
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ka07m5HIS
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngCRpAyANi
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ICTmxVkX1
there was.
“I355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5Brq8nxXz
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TC4lkZU2x
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEH0cbT0tF
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu0v21pC36
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMVyA4yRig
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeTnWROCVK
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao49KYhJQm
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB1W1BunMH
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAD7WDw3uS
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqLXTe1q2P
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4IsA9mfB1
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4oZsOlvAn
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BTmsIqCz7
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJiTvunFgl
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxtmDS1hHi
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUHSPYA2bp
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdgg1ogzCE
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2SRTigo5m
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH3AjyeoYD
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywPOcanvG0
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU0TM2ZtzW
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMenKguhBug
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3GOiWfde1
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZGBkwA50a
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFphqf6q1el
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQfgxbfpd4
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm2bSG0QwQ
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiszyj8oTA
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RdSSEzcxu
up in a ponytail.
“So355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdnQCLSPFf
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYm2VeAWc4
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1V4bEy2BZ
grin on her face.
“No,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iT8JkX3gK
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KxB8UlM9l
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2benVz9zl0
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzvNLaaTXK
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B88fmDDXe
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLH6yBx2X7
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHpYfXgGgW
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhIBVOB8GQ
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA03DHG507r
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwsTkTncO6
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yoOPWvfxJ
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTckpH9RU68
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxNZgJM98x
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPvfqRtzly
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJBm4ccF7i
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPpwQxQkJU
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE7npkwFzz
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Rpe0ftDn
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YbCeMPhWG
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMhrWqzekn
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxba4GMsH2
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4LRuV94W8
around at the occupants who were all embroiled355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwC536CwVD
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4avpKzm0dW
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rB7XeaXYZ
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayIBhnM5oS
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0667ViAwP
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0A72Ey4QC
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sC0MLkfrW
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudl4ijXD34
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhdc1rEakb
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBiSbgched
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhZ3UfKuYc
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7efml4j96
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlfMmD9Obf
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGn34itt3O
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt0D16IJ1w
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTklwfXdXP
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6TDalppUH
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnk7yTYaPE
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99CVYZjQd7
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmFPVA49hS
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDI9MtMLqO
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEjsijCaN4
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdivwQ7EeO
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzzduCgGIK
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxhW5WhfLs
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO2C69uR78
she bounced and grinned
“Great,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpme72yDqj
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon2AeW9VaJ
robes
“Not355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNhFLy7CXy
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJdd4cUQDF
now?” Kemari sighed
“The355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6tzxbiIe1
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjlOh751Q2
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AePDXPV5d
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnyOj3yH05
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qzr7Fkgcs
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyOPh9u7bH
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmRHeR2krV
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0xXar2Nna
in the middle.
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WipUsaaak
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3kouZ1T92
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZeFzBfA8o
stopped at the desk and stared at the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEHVfZRfzg
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbAVOHbX8s
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc87xUzeQ1t
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzrqAqchv8
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy5CRYupNl
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dROskgGoH
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GJUAloVv3
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMApdHUCsOF
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HkURhjcjb
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4aGFTDu8I
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNvT13RfmV
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6JPoO4uY6
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSNGMfFmp8
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbeGEuHNoA
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyf25mrCEO
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTxJ7GLEPU
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1zFZVXtgi
did”
“YOU355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvtwprh1K2
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuJrbX3SCV
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNU944tcov
collar.
“THAT’S355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkwY0pAAg0
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLxRM7vHYe
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vAAunCmhl
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNSZ0pXdqE
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcN9zk6rz3
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGtzIJ3kBj
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWS4IyNcyO
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2F80d8SZ9
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yw1zE2RT1
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxgRig1At3
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswUAb1cY30
finally broken.
“You’re355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9ZnTdnGkx
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWZzUcGgPD
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6av5T3R4x
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDnGDE8Tkz
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOjeEc0KIR
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEFG7aAYm3
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYML9swWIe3
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHdcTI3POi
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT0qr2YHTs
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbQO81vLUA
hurry”
Kemari355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHT6IFaCN8
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNxzDSpo3c
355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A7rokHWeN
355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9WRoBeDj5
355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFqaX89WWq
ns3.21.125.194da2
