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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQQ94ckfwp
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOAijdJUR7
“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.” 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE0XtqU9fp
“How about creating something like that?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLU9ON9QHj
“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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmr6RU5Qy6
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhAdyO9GMe
“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.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzgvSgJqOT
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MyuEUefSl
As if…354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EA4JA70Ud
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uea4VhZ7D
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Pqs8ROKP
“N-no, you don’t understand!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OMC9hp4bq
I cut in before she could finish.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt0G4NqGWd
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rn7kpfWZ2
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UXmoXHdVq
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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSK321eI09
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3MTI3perN
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7P7rblMa1
“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.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5ALQjqoeH
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplRrCpRfgO
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh6Q0Gwsu9
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZxuMJgGW4
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tuZaeZ2Nw
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsq1kthKOz
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX85Bme7ACJ
“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.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgyRxg6ybY
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqykguyjvAQ
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuZWRVoDJ5
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjVlp3LFiQ
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9OoFdlaY6
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXARmkkDzfV
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzFMrJvIqy
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBJTocb7Ng
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek2rABAPZc
“Tousa! Tousa!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCzK45aFp7
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyCFqnoLLo
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFNSUPvYzn
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv40xXH3Pky
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfKfJcJUki
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqgJdv4VnG
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0DRhiVo0K
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloAUlYt78w
“Firee!!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzIdHXT4hQ
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10GhQdGNpq
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiZbQc997d
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP4vJ04ENC
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhFXYti2Gd
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gFwasaYPx
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtxDPTtpgk
“Frigeo!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx8pSlWklh
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSSqme5sjf
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgLSOqtHxZ
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyhaAzGC71
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaY8KAB9gd
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0kAsLZjfx
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqUvf2qCRe
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97524jrCAY
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdyLGd2Nbg
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aVeaoB1cQ
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJLSBspVs8
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagXFAbf7RZ
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEzf1yD1mn
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBkWi97reb
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUG8a0UkWz
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4uIayDpjV
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7epEyiv9X
For my beloved!354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzvJNKejA0
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH55VbCvEsB
A direct hit.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDibQBuidcp
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskYj8SUGty
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNBxS3ckJj
I… I am… s-sorry…354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe0KnH32ZQ
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleYpaNtnIq
“W-where am I?!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaSQmN61Pp
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFZKYS9apY
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRTqWbPC3w
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0lvngLffJ
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOKeXnLAqi
“Wh-what do you mean?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4P0OwzyM4
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pYAN7P2p0
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxj6Mp8AhK
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hkH08AkHG
“Us? I am a dem-…”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvivNE0TpYI
“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!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg5dwinIGd
“I-I don’t understand…”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1BnAAuHGG
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDcAa5Yqlr
“What do you want the most?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1BQQD5AQP
“Huh?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe52A7k4sAB
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdQzyhhPWL
“I… I want to save him!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXqSh5PwzX
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0BtsYjnP3
“Amans…”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrV1BzExb2
“Huh? What are you mum-!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6955mewRa
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRQbnIJm0F
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ky7PzF0Yl
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3bblwITIM
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY3NXidWRs
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl514nSTII
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaCGJCl9KF
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIjsyJrxLl
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkWFRqAMv1
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5g7Bs2TAB
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDHrCVJUfL
“Wake up, Tousa.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXjOgBZg3x
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNoRZ6mody
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMOVa3aVdM
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh0iJtRWRf
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomC7SQJIhQ
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXvlR9be73
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H0IUYmErX
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVwsecnFqm
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVdENHBfPS
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2wE9zXpjI
“S-son?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdbSvbWXVU
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiz51wXM24
“B-beloved?!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQnYDsSkhP
“Isn’t she important to you?”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbO2ea7qED
“W-well…”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNFefcmF6Y
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZZFliWyQg
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFmV5I9qKz
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8rZ5PLLU2
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GZTee4NIK
“Thank you father.”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHtF5LVN0R
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw56hd5Ovn
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQvoIE8Epj
“Not yet!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J0qyRyI88
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZLY5NqjP8
She really is a Halfling, huh.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1eWloPjCR
“Tenna! Get baack!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBbI4QuaE2
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCsIesw4e9
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7B0sKSzsj
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4F5WffjHH
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.
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBBAgHvCYI
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApOQpWjbqE
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Qo36pONO
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NLxMeC0o1
