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?303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVuc9MjAdp
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVcZSQBsLd
“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.” 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU80vSrbeny
“How about creating something like that?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12S7DqP0iH
“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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1PRfMjKtr
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9dAeasMXu
“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.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxdyKe073b
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47mgGbAAv4
As if…303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8is2I0GOU
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI6rgVZD8W
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VHynx9JXv
“N-no, you don’t understand!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncX2DfBsF9
I cut in before she could finish.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwFqjNf4wB
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSmKLe8Fqy
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6ftD8BBOK
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?303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB8ZDlJENb
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v1ckodzA2
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuw7rjadGJ
“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.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68LZseFMOj
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarmSi4KA4K
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXUabWnX8r
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORr23NX7xv
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rPy9WgNHt
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKBVKKfxbL
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsiZs1rNqs
“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.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlkqzpr6do
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOA4rJWz8h
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCy1lXgkam
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMiLtdw7aD
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh8f35kJDG
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I3lM99gQQ
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHcV5EUqGj
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZJAyoGlA4
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzAGj3usgu
“Tousa! Tousa!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIUJNbvpxZ
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX7vIRpMrb
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMAxw52UF7
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL9Fk0tIF8
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6eFlj7jQS
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlnRvYmWj4
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp5nUTMuJX
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfj8s4cnC4
“Firee!!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOBdEgnylb
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEoFAhyg77
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcRbOqRZGF
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz0pdsPPcf
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7cA5DkZvZ
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWO922tOgN
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEg25aLa5H
“Frigeo!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJoh22LMWi
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsrke5cYZi
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGGtmtz5hx
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi18gzdTr2O
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2kjJE6JCT
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj1AOBPiqm
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0XCMFWeGA
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DBAt7gjK4
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDtHZCnYNo
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnqFLcm1zj
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeEqeTjRu3
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG38dfUPIeE
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6uECQpbNg
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YH0kUKjpU
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3sTALJp8w
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUVEYhv7ED
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPg1U7iAjF
For my beloved!303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡginEDnn8eA
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gZ5ncwZUB
A direct hit.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMkyE0mVxB
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZUwvKvYra
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeJ2M2WKbC
I… I am… s-sorry…303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eQMWIed01
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp1hKBqUpO
“W-where am I?!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdqrB5RX5B
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwvtZwVlvc
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oLg05oLoh
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmotvWGgOO2
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCQmDCsY9y
“Wh-what do you mean?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdZnoiZQUQ
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvevNx5nEY0
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9pV3WCCGi
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ061zFyS3k9
“Us? I am a dem-…”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHkbHY98pS
“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!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtzj93Ppxs
“I-I don’t understand…”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h4SiW36tM
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBRx3XD0dU
“What do you want the most?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDYaBHzfoi
“Huh?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrGn0ssyqg
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn8HwA3yxv
“I… I want to save him!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW01ijlQ9iE
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSypYQqBZMK
“Amans…”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp6kzr1w5F
“Huh? What are you mum-!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tsyJc8EGl
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSbigCPQDB
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ263H2X6UqS
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomQ2C4ujNQ
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJbDFoVkT3
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXOi7RZowC
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmgVyqztfJ
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIhjG4zOO9
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6pm3eVFaS
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ugj3SP2Fq
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQkJdYwKFp
“Wake up, Tousa.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri0I5NCkMi
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjtgP8m0b2
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjODsdAMc2
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvybx2tHrE
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweC5W2c11A
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufT7wR3J9A
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliWRpNz9Dx
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORJwC2ZbdW
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxh5ORGjgP
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6znGROdlY
“S-son?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZv3zaafFo
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hs7E5KbfI
“B-beloved?!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUpdK3HZ0W
“Isn’t she important to you?”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHxpMaYkpH
“W-well…”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lfUgWc8rV
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIswCeE9BI6
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T2Ndx53ek
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP43nCBviE8
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MvR3ExA1E
“Thank you father.”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD7G75gDte
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaM0jzMFcd
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK5dw3NHbV
“Not yet!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkKV6QUyyZ
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIGs2fp8Xi
She really is a Halfling, huh.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiC7OHnCRQ
“Tenna! Get baack!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYSIobfhK4
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLdtXtXZxE
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jhZPbMVY6
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO15HfIugDm
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.
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJIRV3UdJa
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ubi5903Hz
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2y0k9Zo7M
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfa3KZVK6z
