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?406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa39GV0g1Ff
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL092CcmIW
“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.” 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2oYhvXCmn
“How about creating something like that?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOENHFqrHz
“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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwnIfJnoSK
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U6AUVE1eR
“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.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Gc2R2PoX
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RDCBGArxZ
As if…406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqJwXB9O2I
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11UUTJy2D5
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnCs2mx0c3
“N-no, you don’t understand!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDZKkxDP1P
I cut in before she could finish.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1hO6RPLUg
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDnBNwBJSX
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQncNMGfAh
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?406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNGCvhwVF9
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUN5Ymn242
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9ROkoqu7g
“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.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGBUUCSk6T
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnJNSjUxTT
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrJY5OmZuP
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmILtzMzk8L
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HqR49NBRK
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD3u5hfQ0W
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNP8A5FQnK
“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.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBOdxunBfp
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jIvTscfPI
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfmkgdLIFm
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjMwlgC80o
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7izP74xBr
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIymBQpXI5f
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. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3fXR89HI2
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45Dx9H25g8
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ0qoG43cF
“Tousa! Tousa!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGEkAq5xFU
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylXYuSMamt
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdnOLQAbSk
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZcl92JEYq
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmwIMPQUax
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5Gn1AuBSM
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquk7QS6uJB
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLggiDgyIk6
“Firee!!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ywLQyRJgG
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. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA6SZ7DwiC
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59xDzHIaI1
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgXlj7YLOt
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjIf22VzZ8
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ykGibV6gf
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedpknce3Oj
“Frigeo!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQMA1lMiZ6
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H6CwUq3Xn
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtQr8aHT9e
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGSCQISEBX
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8vpEM7sbc
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NKRA1wFeb
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pkr3bTJDv
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWsCgD4FpA
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J06g1uea5
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqC1bKYtfC
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KItBmdg7c
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNukdHUcpJ
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfspGsG9tEi
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1slqqYsfQ
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. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91Uyz3Xm7U
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4YzdiosxD
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eZ9KjMeOc
For my beloved!406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyFc9y4nNz
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1PHpGJThm
A direct hit.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83QHbzlFC2
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmryz2g36C
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaAlj9AM3C
I… I am… s-sorry…406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubx7g20vvD
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySkOPDbyvR
“W-where am I?!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkcW21h5au
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKlz10ILti
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcvUkZSjSE
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9ziCxG5Gd
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09lNu9IRoi
“Wh-what do you mean?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDYuoNUtU4
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WywheBTnZ
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnugjyFUdNo
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko8JwIYJFB
“Us? I am a dem-…”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8owNn7BthR
“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!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZViApbphS
“I-I don’t understand…”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCinlP1ROq7
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsNIaP6FWC
“What do you want the most?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQsp4AYpcK
“Huh?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNXcWM9On8
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oI1oM2we7
“I… I want to save him!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUlywuBJRh
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq70xcFBrmC
“Amans…”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvJZpOv9jn
“Huh? What are you mum-!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZCgLM7H3E
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQkpBFmNPX
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLqY4TunBu
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXlXH5XVp1
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKyEacD8X7
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn4P5HE4HW
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXDClRcd5C
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHkQw8SZPU
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj0yr27dUF
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aorza2iVv
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XUGtVP2us
“Wake up, Tousa.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua2MB7CrhY
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEsZnSYx2u
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCeOnfhgae
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7icCFXbUE
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjcwYBOfqX
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvWD8Gf1gw
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIAi8z1sis
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYdGKeDk7q
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqvjmyZpxy
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfyIRXvGdd
“S-son?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJllelEgybK
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz48GBNSK4s
“B-beloved?!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuztPaxWmMi
“Isn’t she important to you?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WL7Yc9aI7
“W-well…”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG28bdG51X4
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEkHfQfoib
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6iKuGHD4a
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIJh3xJF8L
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH62vLMHfIX
“Thank you father.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaRFkodIWs
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUYGCXMClb
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ0JvxZyIc
“Not yet!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNTqgZ4rU5
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. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7j90jAvrb
She really is a Halfling, huh.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W7oAmHATt
“Tenna! Get baack!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDGM3zDfIy
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmaVB2HFlZ
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. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZUzzkh5B0
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWlr8ZBewN
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.
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs4nLc76D3
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYcNPTeh6i
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. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqItRNoxrXC
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL8bW7y6C7
