We had to assess the situation quickly. Further scouts were sent out to confirm the movements of Ken’o. Luckily Tenna brought a map of the surrounding area, it was from Haji Meni.
We were certainly sure by now, that Haji Meni was some sort of trap, but we had no idea what kind of trap. Both of us wrecked our brains around the journey to the Dwarven Kingdom, but nothing significant came to our mind. It was as if Ken’o just magically knew, that we were here.
Magically?191Please respect copyright.PENANAoHZkP5xov5
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.191Please respect copyright.PENANAT0C8AeNB4b
“Movements? No, not to my knowledge at least. I am fairly sure if there was, Mother could use it, but she never used anything similar to that.” 191Please respect copyright.PENANAJIpUPWJpDa
“How about creating something like that?”191Please respect copyright.PENANA8jSKxR6uK4
“Spell creation? I know you can combine them, but creating one isn’t easy. If Ken’o actually made a spell to be able to track us, he must be a rather powerful magician. That is a little impossible though, he is a fighter through and through. Even though he is human, he refuses to rely on magic and always used brute force.” Explained Tenna.191Please respect copyright.PENANAddbHEy6r0M
She and the Empress collected as much information as they could in an attempt to be one step ahead at all times. But our situation now was rather suffocating.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQXTqiMWBwR
“One more thing Tousa, you should hide and when the right moment comes you must run, run for your life. I don’t know what will happen.”191Please respect copyright.PENANASepIezHszY
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.191Please respect copyright.PENANAnKONaZrxRB
As if…191Please respect copyright.PENANAf37mVQdYWx
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAgQeaZRYdml
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.191Please respect copyright.PENANADSydaF4utH
“N-no, you don’t understand!”191Please respect copyright.PENANARMXkKmcINW
I cut in before she could finish.191Please respect copyright.PENANAwcb5Wko3eO
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAOGcmuouE0J
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.191Please respect copyright.PENANAFA4YrvlQ6b
Before we could break into another argument the scouts returned. The army of Ken’o hit up a camp not quite far from us. Their numbers seemed endless. Just how big is the human army?191Please respect copyright.PENANADOWEPNGPEO
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.191Please respect copyright.PENANAhcN20sQkh7
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.191Please respect copyright.PENANA2XmX2fCSSl
“They probably won’t attack us during the night, but we cannot risk letting our guard down. They have superior numbers and can take turns with guarding. We don’t have such luxury.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAN9dLArdCbW
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”191Please respect copyright.PENANAlZMfqtKQNI
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.191Please respect copyright.PENANARJOlR9vZ39
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.191Please respect copyright.PENANAlrQ4tUhWN6
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.191Please respect copyright.PENANAk7T8Ibsuwo
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAvzh8l4XXuF
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.191Please respect copyright.PENANAmGzYk0RIa5
“I already stationed most of the dwarves around the mountain. They might have superior numbers, but this is a fort, strong enough to withstand high level magic. The walls are imbued with Ai’s magic.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAetYHS3mJDB
We had to come up with a strategy. Even if Ken’o didn’t attack head on, he certainly head enough men to widdle us down. My magic was probably good enough for normal soldiers, but I needed time to cast it.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQhiJOgOUOE
We strategized until past midnight. We felt the fatigue set in. Durin insisted, that he and the dwarves would stand guard until we rested. Even a short sleep would do us good.191Please respect copyright.PENANAmSDbSAGSHC
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.191Please respect copyright.PENANA6H6bOR02vf
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.191Please respect copyright.PENANAb0hXMXNiEL
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”191Please respect copyright.PENANA68Malu83Ev
She sat down right next to me, but she didn’t just rest her head she also locked her arm with mine. She was trembling slightly. 191Please respect copyright.PENANA42eFKOCV5d
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAtjDB1jrvf5
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.191Please respect copyright.PENANAtYOyoan1gh
“Tousa! Tousa!”191Please respect copyright.PENANAQV20NH9P0p
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.191Please respect copyright.PENANAW7C4bIOFqE
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”191Please respect copyright.PENANAmEIbkJBfTr
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.191Please respect copyright.PENANA5GCoqZ2N2I
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 191Please respect copyright.PENANAxtcsI8DjQ6
Tenna was the one calling to me. She held her hand out and I took it. Our rest was short, but it felt good for sure.191Please respect copyright.PENANAgJhuNrTKBp
The scouts reported movements. The enemy army started coming at us in waves. Since there were too many of them they had to split up.191Please respect copyright.PENANAJPgioPOMIk
The first wave arrived soon enough. Because of this sudden change in their formation a slight hope appeared before us. Ken’o was still a great threat, but maybe.191Please respect copyright.PENANAqmYsRAZRf6
“Firee!!”191Please respect copyright.PENANALQb5n7MOkH
A great barrage of arrows rained down on the human soldiers. Dwarven arrows were much stronger than normal ones. Many shots pierced through the poorly crafted human armour. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAVZJa8otI4M
Meanwhile at the entrance the demonic beings stood in a half circle, rendering the defending needed area half. I and Tenna were in the inner circle.191Please respect copyright.PENANAKsnSuyBUWl
The demonic beings did great work and only a few stragglers came through. Those were swiftly overwhelmed by Tenna’s sheer power. Her movements were quick and swift. Every move was more like a dance move than an attack.191Please respect copyright.PENANAD5i3D4sYwN
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 191Please respect copyright.PENANAKevHdubXUC
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.191Please respect copyright.PENANAeXpXdPdH2F
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.191Please respect copyright.PENANAtZsCFz8XbN
“Frigeo!”191Please respect copyright.PENANA0JoJeJaEv5
As previously discussed, I and Tenna would be a team while Durin manages the dwarves. It was dangerous to fight for us outside, but it was our own decision.191Please respect copyright.PENANAHMhiyNOWXU
With Durin in lead soon a big group of dwarves rushed out and formed a second line of defence before us. Even with this numbers the second wave was much stronger and I continuously casted Frigeo.191Please respect copyright.PENANApFv9d4F7i4
I started feeling sluggish when our biggest fear appeared. Not far from the second wave and a third behind his back Ken’o was slowly marching our way.191Please respect copyright.PENANAcSW745qI5Q
His armour wasn’t full body. He only had gloves and no arm protection and even his legs were only half covered. His stature was truly grand, he was a warrior through and through.191Please respect copyright.PENANAhnySHZW6Xs
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.191Please respect copyright.PENANAraZYBgEnkG
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQnyB982ctV
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAFExQIpFm0b
With Ken’o not moving I and Tenna turned up our pace. I casted Frigeo on a larger scale and Tenna leaped towards the enemies and cut them down in a blink of the eye. We continued this tactic, but I was slowly getting tired. One effect of using this much magical energy was that I started getting dizzy and fatigued.191Please respect copyright.PENANA77C5qDy9Iq
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.191Please respect copyright.PENANASsD7I7L2E7
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.191Please respect copyright.PENANAUD4AkdMz61
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.191Please respect copyright.PENANA6StnEYFETQ
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.191Please respect copyright.PENANAGRMxktLVQw
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!191Please respect copyright.PENANA0EdNhdHJ60
I leaped yet again forward trying to strike him from my lower right. I got only blocked this time and our difference in power was immense. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAQSIP89XL24
A big shockwave engulfed our surroundings and soldiers from both sides were sent flying. He easily pushed me away, but before I could react he targeted Tousa.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQvrTfGYPcB
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.191Please respect copyright.PENANArmEKzpuAL7
For my beloved!191Please respect copyright.PENANAlxD4Gz70pZ
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 191Please respect copyright.PENANA3sec3aXoW1
A direct hit.191Please respect copyright.PENANAYihaT3iq4x
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”191Please respect copyright.PENANA0FsnsGsqQb
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.191Please respect copyright.PENANAGfRGiAbP1I
I… I am… s-sorry…191Please respect copyright.PENANA6KXY16uvHI
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQnMtG1wxmc
“W-where am I?!”191Please respect copyright.PENANAyFNC3xPxJg
I found myself in a dark place, more like the darkness surrounded me. A sole woman stood before me. She had snow white skin, long ears and golden blonde hair. Her dress was like of a princess’s.191Please respect copyright.PENANARPbqVKVwcb
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAIHRJgs1sT7
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.191Please respect copyright.PENANAn8r5llvhiO
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.191Please respect copyright.PENANAF8BB7BqXC5
“Wh-what do you mean?”191Please respect copyright.PENANAH4XOgTn3F6
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”191Please respect copyright.PENANAvpXPMH3rY0
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAtAUuj72cOu
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAmsYoUoi1Bi
“Us? I am a dem-…”191Please respect copyright.PENANAEoPKByRlO4
“See? You are part elf too. Never wondered why your magic was this low? It went into the concealing of your true nature. You are a Halfling!”191Please respect copyright.PENANAJtjjfdzx4S
“I-I don’t understand…”191Please respect copyright.PENANAzO0yDA8ODQ
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.191Please respect copyright.PENANAdwLkV18XKA
“What do you want the most?”191Please respect copyright.PENANAfPiw8QHcMw
“Huh?”191Please respect copyright.PENANAJz0YzKbztz
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”191Please respect copyright.PENANAfmfLylGzxD
“I… I want to save him!”191Please respect copyright.PENANA5UxaC2iDZV
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”191Please respect copyright.PENANA0vrhdiMDHc
“Amans…”191Please respect copyright.PENANAksj72PWO4b
“Huh? What are you mum-!”191Please respect copyright.PENANAVnomiKIabP
An incredible amount of magic energy started emitting from Tenna. Her white hair grow longer and turned to a golden blonde. Her darker skin became a lighter tone and her ears grew longer.191Please respect copyright.PENANAuAfQuJHEiu
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.191Please respect copyright.PENANAzVo8zv7FOD
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”191Please respect copyright.PENANA4MiA7awMwS
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAjopkJ6yqck
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”191Please respect copyright.PENANAy64t5JAxZL
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
191Please respect copyright.PENANANEweunTLlU
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
191Please respect copyright.PENANAjJSeqKVgLH
Bright light enveloped her and once it faded she was clothed in white and golden yellow armour. Durin couldn’t believe his eyes. The quality and design were beyond dwarven knowledge, something almost impossible.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQNhWH7LHuM
Tenna leaped at Ken’o who half dumbfounded and half in shock barely blocked her attack. Even with all his might Tenna managed to bring down the blade of her glaive which slowly bore into Ken’o’s shoulder.191Please respect copyright.PENANAuFwQxlFC1O
Once they parted Tenna furiously barraged him with attacks pushing him further back. With every attack more and more cuts appeared on the strong knight who was overwhelmed by the elven warrior’s speed and anger.191Please respect copyright.PENANALxqtkSxpfZ
“Wake up, Tousa.”191Please respect copyright.PENANATp1rRqfzhE
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQFgB1i3TMN
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAmjreGdOv3U
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAN2d8muSpH6
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.191Please respect copyright.PENANA72kcaKH0jT
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAc5s1HahB6Z
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!191Please respect copyright.PENANAXxTKaSv9QP
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.191Please respect copyright.PENANA9tZKYjocXW
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.191Please respect copyright.PENANA9QSIuTLYQe
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.191Please respect copyright.PENANArMml8Biao3
“S-son?”191Please respect copyright.PENANAT0Vkgzai2P
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAIpZpNuZBOi
“B-beloved?!”191Please respect copyright.PENANACXoGlhwLRQ
“Isn’t she important to you?”191Please respect copyright.PENANARUjGMEEZ2J
“W-well…”191Please respect copyright.PENANA6LyQgUA9am
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.191Please respect copyright.PENANArSxodG2r3C
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAIY27mo2gm1
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.191Please respect copyright.PENANAEAGbYejd22
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”191Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8JxRkd3vx
“Thank you father.”191Please respect copyright.PENANA3OaSnwaKG5
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.191Please respect copyright.PENANAjwYmldZ0x5
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAKlNcGr8lrM
“Not yet!”191Please respect copyright.PENANA7XVfB2Q5sG
I looked over the fight. All I saw was a beautiful girl fighting Ken’o furiously, but she was getting tired. I thought for a second and called out to her. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAIE3OvG0pMW
She really is a Halfling, huh.191Please respect copyright.PENANAqzrM0P090d
“Tenna! Get baack!”191Please respect copyright.PENANApR6kbbsgwU
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.191Please respect copyright.PENANATrT4Q1L5Zx
The magic circle on my palm started changing runes. First three, then six, then nine and last twelve runes which formed a second magic circle. With determination in my eyes, my trembling hand held one of the most powerful magics. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAfZHZk5GVTo
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”191Please respect copyright.PENANAXw89fwmG4R
Tenna moved back as fast as she could. In the sky the same magical circle appeared, but much bigger. Menacingly the runes started changing the same way, Ken’o stood frozen in shock, and all the soldiers started running way before I started.
191Please respect copyright.PENANAHhbuZjV6yq
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
191Please respect copyright.PENANAE6FOwa5SfG
Suddenly a crimson and black coloured pillar of flame descended from the Heavens and engulfed Ken’o. The shockwave was incredible and I finally lost my consciousness completely. 191Please respect copyright.PENANAucj3eE7QKp
191Please respect copyright.PENANAmGbvuGo0Fv