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?265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6coIQiuCUr
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YT0v9PGFx
“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.” 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Ty0EqHqF
“How about creating something like that?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAXoeWqFzN
“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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCxGoEXanF
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ27bACXg1
“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.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSG3ACTbAb
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBdLU61dom
As if…265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYZIDidqQ3
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt59UCWiUq
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWLxMnzqcj
“N-no, you don’t understand!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnc8LB6Co9
I cut in before she could finish.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSJdlfnvlo
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteG409xFTE
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nu86Cv4wg
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?265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp3wPpzPqc
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQgLwvX4g9
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDdViE9si3
“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.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWA9N8to77
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5rNdFcNuG
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EX7SIcpMD
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o0QqdntxJ
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxYKgwejAy
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEQuBifbsF
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQuEwdNcYS
“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.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5jwbPNB3c
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BFYeASlbK
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQGL95Mibd
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kTq3jYszs
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsdQbCxha2
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1rtFYFjXw
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. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ0dVwGzQr
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6HPCkEA3u
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn1lEAFF3j
“Tousa! Tousa!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOTV5V0i8a
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSilDGoGIou
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxzOqJBlcH
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLIH4OPZjF
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpDFrgYlEB
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK7UU3f3xD
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nQcDukluP
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu4MNcgy5I
“Firee!!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFPhwGgJLb
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. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2trMjftEc
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCqvPrHwNd
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtBJu7t5aN
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsl99SGRnE
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDK5JNwcIR
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bnvnhb82P
“Frigeo!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWZnOYobv4
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFiQrbGhTV
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7u8Cxj359
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmlCf7rnjc
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJbOWk78Bn
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2paUMmg9g
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhfTMUOVv3
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAKMZhJFVj
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV8O6Hw4rM
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sXULr9pN8
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FNvxEhlGr
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZD0vvmpj9
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUToeN5lUgO
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDecwZPeSW
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. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT3siYGEuu
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb54axWac2
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYWv5gmmdA
For my beloved!265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ7qjw6ksL
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraJ4Mg20jn
A direct hit.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCZylZekuV
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf51aQrSAJI
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAoztUIFdB
I… I am… s-sorry…265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp004yicCw
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtAAhSlMLL
“W-where am I?!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC6MBCD9OE
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTjmhSFpSF
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbAyj59szZ
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfJCMl5VHA
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMunjRFfPmC
“Wh-what do you mean?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTYtZBGG88
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQQ01KH5FA
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA6aFasVvo
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xqt9cYBY6
“Us? I am a dem-…”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpkKPNRC4v
“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!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIMXQV92ym
“I-I don’t understand…”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjPdEkK54o
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeup8WLg7x
“What do you want the most?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBT2OZxXkF
“Huh?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjNDVoF3LN
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXz8MtcW7y
“I… I want to save him!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITS1HE1nBb
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HDi1IQ9NB
“Amans…”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrlERhqUyM
“Huh? What are you mum-!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHOZFDqsps
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEshaEyh5nX
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaBxpA6Qcm
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvNNJzKtSx
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jl6nRDk6z
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91stGMt8tz
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9004f13yBn
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TFbc5d6Xi
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx0P8GB3j8
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADuWHtuVRl
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DUKZmipdR
“Wake up, Tousa.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTOh3qgnhd
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyb9NXW02U
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtPZoa49K
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfcMSYpO8W
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv3Cr3wNFJ
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NIengNHeX
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLx1bPQc3H
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVUdjlrxVq
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q8wLcAiin
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCmJSptrym
“S-son?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VvYS135RB
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4V3R0GWFx
“B-beloved?!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxDfsSrRHA
“Isn’t she important to you?”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsbJXNIUeU
“W-well…”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6JxkSSikE
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2udmC8vyj
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANL1k3IvMP
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1aQxhCRfk
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3IXS8moA9
“Thank you father.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5qo2oCkMW
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U3FN9D3Dz
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1sZr9hYqk
“Not yet!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTuuf7lXky
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. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhujsKRBvF
She really is a Halfling, huh.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomOfLG0H3w
“Tenna! Get baack!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrz8ORzsNe
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLapBqHFt7
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. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpt6X82GHd
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Uz0o1r0b
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.
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhOgfPSrzE
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvL0BV419x
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. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXK5zWzIW5
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ma1m5cpYX
