Fire338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiZ7KJPcbd
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jeZbBuu1q
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5pJO3aJW0
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EuEwcr4R0
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUwsfbFWJf
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5dfVevVJq
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p7ZuQdutw
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw8MsaSs45
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bZ3fAyX13
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkWUf7me86
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKURHGMtlt
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojMjF6iZLI
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2g5r7MHAd
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhmNtCuaIY
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDna0lO6Hz
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW096l7nsP
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1WiCMWH2o
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCI8hv0sV9
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi0tspXZsj
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0vzrwfozp
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjchR20mdmP
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mho0TN3ag
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXW8DppuZr
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TBjsKCIHS
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhinUdt2V4I
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhb5LMwmaB
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyETzVCErQ
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OUmiEnEQp
brown complexion for a minute before opening338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eDc10AD7l
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqQ3mYPuWl
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbyyMFY8n4
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIWKELfFCJ
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUDxed6FLv
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61gkO7Kr5y
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjSR0o5mFp
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UJ3ccTy6s
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO2bG6xYal
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJVIixiacG
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVVbfVgH7N
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi7rE4kMT0
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44ZEDowCPk
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T053Y51R6
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnrfrWO79l
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurlsLOz5Jz
if it were bleeding.
“What338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvXY7NaeDR
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DANB9oUVA
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvI9Qn8NlT
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMByEmfhAdt
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyduRamZNr
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTgwdQY376
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTHhlBeBC3
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLYUVwoQYn
snickered.
“yea?338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mdeSfcy4L
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w1fZwEWxf
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DfSZHcSq8
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaN7GWTvd6
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanAc8AYauK
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tuhSOC1Pz
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSc3BNqBUd
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomoNCtHy0s
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ObWIFNBkq
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGFDlpkB4I
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHI2HsW9GO
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEpJkGbbZF
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPBwTpVHDF
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4bcibOZLd
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM5Tm4kqjH
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM9hdsZfEw
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALjjv0BqtU
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQvZCFrbnU
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zFIHUKrij
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMIc0PtaGo
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoepzuMjukc
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWwjBgtsjm
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzdR0ffwsT
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbNKmHo2MN
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj9Az6Lob1
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXQQY320LJ
face.
“That’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE4qGvNryE
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaBURXbHKP
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6WrHds7O2
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoqlwGxU5J
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzU2ICApgX
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWnCe4mJtL
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEvpzAIrBZ
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0DJmLbd58
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxercrIPspH
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ioiHC1J2b
as he noticed it.
“What’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJDjGppSjI
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFU5d5JZKF
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziOWtjos3z
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H6UPEsUdg
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj3IxGq1kc
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvr8849GHL
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFVesFQXdc
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWanai60Sx5
Isadora”
“good338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBRlPGu9Ol
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WokNG5UZl
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNstCYnoMH
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ks8qse32p
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV2DkG1d15
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8sCFBxADX
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S0ibHpbQp
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mvW7cAqHT
sound like a woman”
“I338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWpVSP4Apb
should hope”
“that338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosb2iD8B3r
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD9Ntv4OlD
her
“Wow,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgb9OdNuZu
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaee0ab5U9X
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjp3Dk8Xni
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqf6IrfpKu
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCJEhqFaVr
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8i1HX3nb3
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUBnIcr1vj
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIYreiXcEO
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXcI27pwf6
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV42qrKDG0
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR2jMzqyQb
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3DIDGTOeb
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlATWRcUS9s
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVeND0vFhq
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c2ikyrnuz
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jOFVFNWqz
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0pGnQ7KDt
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWHJIjQmKM
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTCgHtjL7L
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY7cJVNU3M
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMldobpqHeh
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR34Ettd7np
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyqdkMsVdy
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YexttnC5H
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXTjKoD5gK
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZLpgRSD28
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySgkQCCIPs
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqGu9KNiYm
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLUvOTYJ00
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsLBbddcEF
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyHyuJdYK2
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOz707QtGv
to beat him.
“Same338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xyb2HL4XS
age” he said before following after her
His338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmcCrkbY2n
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2gd7sIVQh
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A8dVOL8Jf
than we were at that time…”
“What338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnJ6iZ6JVS
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFZZvy2fat
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn1Fs9jIAB
still haunted him.
“…It338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCL0pGJAYY
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf75HBNp1bR
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16ivi5D2ND
age”
“Better338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYYcAvvuAE
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44MbSEl6Vm
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8NWnhROo0
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65PHJkXnGf
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcptqKsLgn
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi8OsznumZ
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcZMIV5eyl
there was.
“I338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCxjqscLDT
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnt4UWKdA4
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtboLXihNln
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv4PmWwy9x
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPlsh1Fcf7
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEgzCgJ0rn
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88TLtVRzHW
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax9mbEqcj3
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCMrZjSAYy
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1VOuZ4fjs
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2qHXNr78N
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgOJVqqqGD
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1OHeJhk7m
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV6JnjVrwh
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13vZnNEinh
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjLiO6GHpd
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2Q2ilU8O7
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E5TzF43R8
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgloEnvCgj
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjIE0pZ7ib
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKuqh6g70q
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBir1UPVeeq
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14stY54YFr
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5GzvQrIpg
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxr3z78d46
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiqejaBvT4
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQWvPKI93d
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZOIaMYvUi
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1jTNg2SeV
up in a ponytail.
“So338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kd4nZMPa6
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlZCpKdvck
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16OCeJ5j8s
grin on her face.
“No,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnsd7ZD5CK
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM5SqdnKAv
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5oAiMVnrF
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjRwTrUt6i
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPetlmZv0mS
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpu0SfvfCa
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIGAEx3UrZ
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMRxnfunRA
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqbEg7ybyT
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20uupk157f
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cZKb2jl4Z
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfQYmtCB5x
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGV5pgseeb
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXZNo2KZ8O
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpgyBmpcNS
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpTQxGWejN
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q9GiHeOoD
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf9MIXGSDu
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvrcjuIIUn
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHREreEfYJ0
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkBnIv5o4f
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxmD1aQDZh
around at the occupants who were all embroiled338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlXgu6xmaa
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuNPb3hbOS
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yoNHDGdf0
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfND9piQYLM
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyFvVpGVEq
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmRGH2VKdR
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWohJCM9QC1
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z8ATd12kL
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRd4W7dnoe
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5PcwAnnFo
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2innT0wDv
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F5Xpdx6v4
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomuFUP79Ee
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN1HuukBaW
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWRnqZqTSz
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTd5cxFDov
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4h50Q7wru
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN5rnUiS63
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb7pNh9Q4k
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8eXqtsmEs
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCcxxRYv8L
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJpb7Gru07
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Yt1ht3IV
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnYMjwTW2P
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6XBF4BzFb
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfCZXbcxzw
she bounced and grinned
“Great,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0yOeyHdhx
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakZgo5eySS
robes
“Not338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy10MlGVRp
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6bEbqhouG
now?” Kemari sighed
“The338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqTRbE39sr
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBEf9OSzXX
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xXP4l19VM
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUJzeCGkdn
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8YlmEMGA0
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70IqkLwWjH
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V7NsQJ0Xj
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvkzZpBCZL
in the middle.
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopt501i9UW
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAWNJiV82l
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbq19aePIV
stopped at the desk and stared at the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEK0iUn6p8
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ryaIcZ2lS
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ietgxdoU4
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSaefSoUNV
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPQixEZfvw
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeWOTp6joP
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGraJFuOed
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPeeexVNqS
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdV1bUMaPa
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaqTcgHUK8
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1L5y6XdA0
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEUie5a2KM
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnR5Qwlpc1
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZaA4rYgBK
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KxLEt4RbO
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSseWI7qg0
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9UaLptZYD
did”
“YOU338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxMPUFhF85
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZg4UrQrJE
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRWbJ8CZXm
collar.
“THAT’S338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbwIa90jes
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ595i70O3US
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUCsVWpPWa
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsfffcEVpQ
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmYP53xSlV
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K8dHzEj3o
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtz6FM5Q9P
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IJFdRX73V
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7ty6jdPjZ
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXNRMiAVuc
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXFxIgSqIU
finally broken.
“You’re338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsNGoLPtHi
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTOu6enAaQ
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulz67gtS2c
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4zJirrFNM
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ckE07YLV4
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjykrKk4ERO
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwm70qXz0v
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ce41OO0J
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcbBIR7DP8
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwpu8qfbRN
hurry”
Kemari338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLuEpcnjjU
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMECsfYVR1
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ojAdvjWx5
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdcf7nqoxS
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdKoBmJd27
ns18.116.26.90da2
