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
