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?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9A8kqyMgd
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsMlayIxIl
“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.” 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfyzVAOdHG
“How about creating something like that?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMyxbETvWO
“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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9Gs40Kiav
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsuVwtd8EQ
“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.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXEc6HAjvA
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrfU9DrMuD
As if…232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNlSysuPGY
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku5yCR2uVW
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6PhKmNLPB
“N-no, you don’t understand!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggWE2fnGIy
I cut in before she could finish.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6qew4clYa
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq0w4QnnVK
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfLcvX3cIW
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?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKejHx92z3h
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinASUtzNNT
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOWVCpOauw
“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.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSuWGMzyA6
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeKxzrfvLU
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7TwLwqSIp
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHAwdWmS7n
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aw6yVLyPd
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66veZruJ5F
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31p5wnv5M5
“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.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3wtMRKg5H
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltsJQK5frk
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1xHJZejr3
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJzxKWp2NU
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLOv1i5tjH
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd7pug4N01
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. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jQFZp2AXq
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gzKEP7WXt
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJb3uWpGFZ
“Tousa! Tousa!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX8z0uK1Mr
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg63IlCVKSe
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHuF8pDBX4
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIqlKRsUwt
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCXEGuUV8Y
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvitQoE4Dum
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTM0vUaMM4
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQeAlDAfpR
“Firee!!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLy8xHacnF
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. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpnC6LRRxK
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSxZke7RrB
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uEsNtrchM
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkwDZ40DzF
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcSEPTIve0
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfJUxcdjCc
“Frigeo!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9Et9ZGKhV
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiwGfhg7Vi
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsCCW6a5r7
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1CU4suNub
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak3Hylk7ug
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAL7I2f3br
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPC8IVy0NE
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm11BN7Iu8
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHQ8oB06nY
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwSFjt2ycm
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhTQGJNXPm
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEjQ1jN8tt
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC0w3iVyhQ
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPW43p7MQg
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. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr612ZZS0w
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDr4efR7vR
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46n2sdEmXz
For my beloved!232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ErgX9ov3M
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRewfSRVESy
A direct hit.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03L7d121AN
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKw8NhMKna
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHCvGw16FW
I… I am… s-sorry…232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmAI27u3l4
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMf7U7gTT9
“W-where am I?!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHdn2oSBb9
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCirwC55VNj
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfc7eoCrrx
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoVdBdGqPL
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSu5N6IZXA
“Wh-what do you mean?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN6iImr5mp
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8MmFYEK2n
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IPeoE18U4
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWT8MYbhVR
“Us? I am a dem-…”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cIWHIxKto
“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!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxyuSKjFRX
“I-I don’t understand…”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbJOxum7OA
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5SUBo9yD8
“What do you want the most?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulj96YKe1D
“Huh?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo0sm6vrjT
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQwcRrLTxC
“I… I want to save him!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOxSqwwJ64
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXART2evyS
“Amans…”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYbsiRafuk
“Huh? What are you mum-!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET7tsSqyZw
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYsL85Nqzg
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6QUTttzNY
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtM8ijrWXZ
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuofuwkR3C
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGMnqxTcU1
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbElTrMgMj
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqddhR7xi7m
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRY0anK4X1
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNucYOY9GtL
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXqrxzBURT
“Wake up, Tousa.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVMyzPLXWo
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolf3ipEKrL
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJpKbvP2YX
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Ly5sYKjP
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSjweInLsE
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXzXvAXBZ0
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78KLifCSH9
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NBZL4gLIe
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymbwITqht7
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDcgfygyIZ
“S-son?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ6cziV2Kk
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nlxMF40CU
“B-beloved?!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7boxR4aQwN
“Isn’t she important to you?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL1qA4z9IY
“W-well…”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg1CIcHU4i
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAvBl3fJvP
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpoTlnoAOW
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5uyCgqHe3
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPjfjLZ5kM
“Thank you father.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqGZwmZWHe
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bTp9KbnG7
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNsDFOMlCi
“Not yet!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQZNmLIUof
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. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFVdZeieLc
She really is a Halfling, huh.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20sREaFbqg
“Tenna! Get baack!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl4G5Z9kHC
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qj3ZZa4Ma
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. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgfgHHj3LB
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZTxCinrPp
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.
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYuDykpgBo
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzi7QLtgY5
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. 232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yXMYTTTu9
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoibPV7cZ5l
