Fire448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PmKhqqZr7
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfxJjQ7ZPn
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpwFULYEHb
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMT6m59jBD
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBt1uSEEKK
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TpnbWkhKp
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd4yDFyxOK
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkjebfRc9X
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC0L1jRQNO
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O9XCZO7YG
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguQ6qt0RwQ
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU8zMt9Ze3
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmdUgbZWUr
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxnjeBKuGr
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKgNoPO6qb
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06LdLMeqMc
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUTHJHTvSs
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HHBIgnLit
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlRQB1xt15
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OZ3PiZwCt
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73cEoB6Bxl
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAHxgSw3Zf
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNk2LoYbhN
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ494GMwl9Ny
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QHmTF15sS
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKkAkRZdqa
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWbbbFutzq
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2aih1MznP
brown complexion for a minute before opening448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRH9VSLvRj
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUicVFBAuUB
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFoHEJoNbt
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRwzPuwi5I
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1r4yBOFj1
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuWgbQ5kts
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuaAIfavLN
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL3VpPAQ0v
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKO8xhabTc
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEO7PjYO5A
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q0ecoyv84
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1MwZdE9M4
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLKltZ96YA
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nw8v7GMaq
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Rc7JyAtx
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW30oPT8awf
if it were bleeding.
“What448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyV0UsF0rL
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZKzl2RM5m
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9movMwrCv
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvAtp7jtiN
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RJrVCl1Xk
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxWYKhpvNP
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJZfUgoMc8
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uJmGHaK6t
snickered.
“yea?448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPM2N21Uox
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZAKaKwe4k
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtaGzKO19x
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZARFowvn6B
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0PY31Ie52
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ema1LK2QH
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsDK5e9HX4
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxNW0N2bZG
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCgZO3Gyf9
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQsA3cxM3t
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pcBcpXbgp
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVrsUdtpAo
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB5t5ianTm
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdzJdKWmps
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOs9kADb4v
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzViUprhqNG
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQvNMKyChj
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGotCS9w9ka
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqd4Ke49Xh
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJsOIBH8Nf
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9G6CtpO36
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPQANw1xca
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7VaMk5hQQ
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYT7hwUfYJ
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRERaWRtutN
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBEmt0FFRr
face.
“That’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWKxofUMZq
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15QYkWnh0O
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtcImoZdtP
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9o8fazx5h
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QISN7S4d7
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtnZtZjIRA
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wXYkXTcOu
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAycV4QoSZF
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65lc0fasw5
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw3oWi0Prw
as he noticed it.
“What’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjGOGk04WA
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMdeFZCEvf
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnDPMNh9mw
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5JzgRhO5b
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rA1Cx9bTS
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GMV2SbZ49
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms8gEj0Lbu
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zHQkSii18
Isadora”
“good448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD5aGRPnQs
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHGBLwVpPy
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKtokVGFuz
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o0U2kO1Pn
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vTH8rryjB
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrgwxe0dwK
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvRkPTZbwr
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxl28bfnfb
sound like a woman”
“I448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo3EGJeJkr
should hope”
“that448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9fZEIf7P0
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAauQMjcRVM
her
“Wow,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoUTHpkahj
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMcz7sTJGb
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchAkzZg095
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80lLYIBR68
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyzfCOB5L1
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA4rJwHpR2
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwxpeKhqbG
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8w670mTtA
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yycEazi86
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI2kWPCRGM
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGZBrQHRDQ
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkgba35khq
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViaH3PtI9Z
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYhaYtPfma
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSeDXTDuAu
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7ADAsSzI8
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx6E8wQ27A
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNiFutDmxT
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxauyNRiCJ
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBSPDYbljp
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp02BMdSlb
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGlPiwDCWl
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUasfzmB79
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1vdUpx7xu
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vJhzy30Wm
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDy9q2x6NX
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRRzSEqITD
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrgol59Sx0
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lm83h52Jq
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth4vmnEqvg
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJnlINTORV
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWgGIxEHXk
to beat him.
“Same448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ942Rs9MhRg
age” he said before following after her
His448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5kK2Fcllu
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBenyBm2Yz
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETT1UkGxLN
than we were at that time…”
“What448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EuBCxI4h0
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg3VmJBanp
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2djhJboBN
still haunted him.
“…It448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZR1XwCuhB
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ734jHwskOX
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQmQSFlYji
age”
“Better448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieDxz0YVsB
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTIyF0SeqW
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZChata1CS
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiyDTRZ53Z
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8oyxAZVSC
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQw0IMlmg0
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpISHRFnNZX
there was.
“I448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX0pECofeD
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaep3erEm3
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRBeEXeQzd
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ew2zTVJKN
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqT6K4woxf
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPP33G2ixM
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtT4JjjvJq
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1AdRnbkam
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0xBiz557Q
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3bIYGjGsL
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5ZnUXJXiS
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYard334d8
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sGHVJ5sw9
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwybR6HQmxe
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq35i5nAMjW
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFUjLLmvU8
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazrkncqsA9
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0yAhw5UWP
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKXW5sc8oV
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi9K6Y6tYM
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMOJOlKaZh
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9IQHuG3Ch
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAHgGdqlVi
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN5c8vZyt3
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxWn6Pldvm
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdecBlXgDH2
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfagOpDtvi
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN8uHrnp4T
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8op2uSwFi
up in a ponytail.
“So448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAmcTUGY3W
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmp079ylnz
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVq8v6FEwW
grin on her face.
“No,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnQA7mDI5p
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX4wNB2LKd
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJwzYYrvVH
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RYPezW2xa
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DLfvWYa0e
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn89Cg3TgwE
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MhxRjB3lU
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJhPDPQuWL
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rqHlyPHrn
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH4Ff3ktGd
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFFQfYx8aT
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAInxg6xmH
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrZONvvPvq
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0NcG3iyhu
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvirMK0vBQQ
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQfkn4UVIX
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFlI6Kw22L
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddZ5rfQuHq
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ytjJyLduQ
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpntRXLZbz
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWq2sCFnzN
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKUUs2zFko
around at the occupants who were all embroiled448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1elqzwIWEs
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tr8WaJ1Cd
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTl1uiiWhQ
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJCj6tu8tn
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f4mnSHWUD
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1n04DN4Zv
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAP64M7Z5g
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4suR1sx9jV
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLxXnlXCRo
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrndhv6Xg2F
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu2fJyRMfF
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiiR4qMGYf
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnovmiIKZS
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzlyJApebh
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLzyA7PLOW
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHknOdiZnDJ
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRv4eq5rxh
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yi2VJh5ug
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTktdo3Zqc
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNggC03cgt
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilJzQGwAQx
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lXk4uAG1t
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qhGTmnmaG
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC84kPwQ2d
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwZI22nWxn
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzISuPBjvO
she bounced and grinned
“Great,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqPJynIiS6
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXgEECTNPV
robes
“Not448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrqCNvR5mu
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEop4YdDVBw
now?” Kemari sighed
“The448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDKGavNKjq
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqHIHT7sCQ
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAQFpgZvmu
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0XaHsriqF
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsXNOh87zu
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lzQdaqtts
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZmZK7IRUO
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1q8JXlbGs
in the middle.
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf75kzn6cL
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs144ia8sRT
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw0NiGZdQT
stopped at the desk and stared at the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQhUBCOXIA
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrDeN9CKew
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr5w18VCuv
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiDd3IVcg7
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbK68ejWXX
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAVdT8SJWc
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF4KkUay9t
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSJAo1MLaB
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB64Ilv7otW
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQkyjf4deh
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhIEcJTgei
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsqboyq0Xs
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6urdAM6d8
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XAujlGr2u
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8ILtOiOdy
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJs9o8O79l
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmmrAVi5Nv
did”
“YOU448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7HLxWgZaM
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTyotrcV4d
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXQ2sHUVCl
collar.
“THAT’S448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUV2dBCQJe
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagrMHgQfuw
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5nVf7dojU
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd7ztEx1F7
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1nj9LIt95
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRE52bDk68
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71FHeW7OrG
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxLQ0wJDqd
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1nfCbQ1Ni
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9zpa3UTsB
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuoAKdTkZv
finally broken.
“You’re448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlepIZy9Tn
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZqVTlVEvI
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXjT6cy9sa
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAZRdYw28d
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSAnFOaKeu
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKYzXXD72F
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gKADbN89N
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkIaAoNzS2
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwap3QGTos
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMjcrjPMXg
hurry”
Kemari448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BkheHa7hK
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEktuTxOsy8
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDoDhgj88P
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpmIx4i3Gk
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UBmtXKFLm
ns216.73.216.82da2
