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?236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqmdp7OMCi
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkceiqkOPR
“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.” 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7hBY9EZvm
“How about creating something like that?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYGQ1rLKEQ
“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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEQAU2NqV1
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2RkACrs7o
“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.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTLH0NjGTz
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthoKNfaw56
As if…236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWstQudA2N
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1i7C2gv36
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu3lLGAxlS
“N-no, you don’t understand!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4cvByikU1
I cut in before she could finish.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHChhDQbzYU
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KJWDjOPsn
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlV0H12QaD
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?236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOVCvvMQFJ
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUeDkqOsRS
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYfK4T0vsI
“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.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfHKLe5ujF
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2uniEkwgs
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zt5HQvbpa
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvP3fETd2o
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpGuqJijXz
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNyuWxrqqi
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpwqC9xxVV
“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.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEodMgJGRh
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL6a0t9ONj
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVLIV4uQdT
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4ZwFbYjgs
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyC8vtBucS
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZwsiX0RKu
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. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPIPxkbjAG
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk2lOLKtfS
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzKid6pJ5V
“Tousa! Tousa!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tap1NucNx
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofcTnEdn4U
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrz0L0lboG
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0shHvT6u4
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT49il5U1S6
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0RUTNiLlo
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i41aY7oJc
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VcCslBs9T
“Firee!!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiFRYI8Jm6
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. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm34mX4vfwl
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0ljzVMLlB
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTivyT4hcD
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs9EKfXuNx
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvu109Ksbn
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0de554t6x
“Frigeo!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrUBg5t2qY
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e262gq33e
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeITBJA27Hg
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3eP28VKm5
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFbnJ0lEaj
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNVcZA4OWi
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVt9I0d5kk
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RSQqUACED
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32mNubHCq0
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfyXQGeHgE
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFbkJY2BcC
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kO7tfrfDJ
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4qe8sgjQv
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m6tZCSwH2
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. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fnjNzeesL
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAYc635qkc
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkdJmsdfPj
For my beloved!236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA6YYmYUaM
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRKTWN8Wzu
A direct hit.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhZqxp7Rnc
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A0ik65LcE
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh19EOQDiE
I… I am… s-sorry…236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKm4izZu4b
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTTBco1gmg
“W-where am I?!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpFXn9xrpj
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DP4cf72Gx
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcMEAVr4Rd
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArNB4rUUay
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A9Elfvjgf
“Wh-what do you mean?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HqC78s6IA
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXowocEqSJc
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pYqMU0ChP
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVSg60dT5O
“Us? I am a dem-…”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpAfcNBWt2
“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!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy8PKmEzD9
“I-I don’t understand…”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3g80vx72n
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7VHL0Bfxl
“What do you want the most?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QhaCloD3I
“Huh?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqTte4Y3iE
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE4ANDmH0N
“I… I want to save him!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlPz3QGi9B
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm8fK7DzBw
“Amans…”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG90fXskKb
“Huh? What are you mum-!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqU0TAjeTy
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9cRnbZ8US
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7nC7oV8L6
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAescinGiJL
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAdiUBGQiN
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECZrE4gQJ1
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoiGb5ulPf
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLZIWW0WEE
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMCeTb5euY
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5y0e5NNPE
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.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAicK3XauY
“Wake up, Tousa.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOk0gYGwKO
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OquQ0KWAP
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUqWhIJxV3
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAd3VQP3d1
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H8GCjhSUr
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwduJpqveu3
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNi2tn59qU
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aj5FTW0HN
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRNUDZkleE
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhjtwSQcJ5
“S-son?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZeoG3m2Rj
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVkHxSYL6o
“B-beloved?!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIogxAVXDsx
“Isn’t she important to you?”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYPl0gEkEL
“W-well…”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXMkQTGjB0
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNoodc12w4
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygGHYVpfvC
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo9gSBXOEd
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXAG0esvFO
“Thank you father.”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE59GWKLlR
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwg0zwGmIy
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hgcfwmvIq
“Not yet!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMg23BzHon
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. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55EjAP3IfL
She really is a Halfling, huh.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPL8IJBg4W
“Tenna! Get baack!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCOKIDnkn1
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRZ6RB8bsY
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. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIrWBmg6o6
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUhyVIYMjZ
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.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxq2D3wjYt
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0ZpnkYM5F
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. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbCqiq5vLq
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxcSJpLJhK
