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?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTBUCmfALQ
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLk6uWtiOe
“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.” 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbebzR8wEi6
“How about creating something like that?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4luFksmHiR
“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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYppK6jXXJ
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtnengZvIb
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4GyVhR0uk
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkMmQh37jg
As if…190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMxqOvb5Zh
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZF8hvqL88
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ630NtaywT
“N-no, you don’t understand!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YqEpl110O
I cut in before she could finish.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW1PhkL8Po
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6GlG40Er6
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12z4AJoH9g
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?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4cxcEx4a1
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEna7bZurW
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcEnjKJin1
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3oJwLl7WH
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZvpLxLc1N
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mvsNy8VK3
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FBebPlUb5
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcrYRgh6KN
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi22yjaAVJC
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjvVH3BSof
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSVcYfTDwG
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwWyabIVvg
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgPbXvxym
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRInYf6P5Uj
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQSQ5PHBJO
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg3ZRogCkZ
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI6E1313Lx
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IcBpEgDYr
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwMA2WJTK9
“Tousa! Tousa!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnulSyohIdT
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuEJSdBXYG
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn64cJd3zwC
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bGHyg0Hg7
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81qNDpOFot
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl0LlD7xtW
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3mjoIiG2z
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l0OOaYi8R
“Firee!!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rUgO9z6dO
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr62uavANDO
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l7Rh37Oza
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BRje5ME5H
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXBk9oMN4p
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnlcoRmzuL
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAI20RWn9E
“Frigeo!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfFdbpvdBl
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjdrS4YMTE
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5eEUl8GOJ
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFOigcjs2U
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CQVCkcW2T
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9QU9o33Ne
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZXEklXuCk
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJu9nggEgm
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz4kNgV0Ge
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NgMAzYEZ7
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18htVWGS5P
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFqeAcjnq9
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchTqBRmyRH
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NpI24qRdN
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ZDYKkFyg
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmceCKsCts
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjSegC9lCb
For my beloved!190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKVVZVQRwb
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zqDkhOYqd
A direct hit.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIahzOaTJ1
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC2tDG64zp
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXZDTWPsfO
I… I am… s-sorry…190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlNzogvcEe
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlya63wqcjy
“W-where am I?!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw48CB9QcC
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsKyM0EhXg
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZajtHoU1QO
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5BAm2C0VT
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekkMSMZOx5
“Wh-what do you mean?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul47d1MJpI
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU64WwoSOps
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgedzlGnVoT
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcDzFZLLVv
“Us? I am a dem-…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURIYjnFESa
“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!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cqs0ebyWK
“I-I don’t understand…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vaFPyLVrU
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyDBYToKsJ
“What do you want the most?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtS2zRpoeP
“Huh?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3lKP32SHE
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwigsnyg3V
“I… I want to save him!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzuJ5gwNqX
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1iUOXx6YT
“Amans…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUmWNeOUCm
“Huh? What are you mum-!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmU4t11Kp3
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HfwcdRk1g
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZzVvahQ1n
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjhQRhhxFo
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5nrrFotxI
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrd2udmZtW
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecVo7s0lM2
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9AXHmJBbt
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznrv64MgcB
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm6lGey3ja
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8AiwEu2Hm
“Wake up, Tousa.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNlDaOb8fc
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcMfHELsKa
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPBRaoFBl8
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zYIp6e8j4
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZls0PDS2b
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWxk2J1sCZ
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvrSTDPuIk
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkj8n8v2Kh
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm1DETSUw7
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ESnd0vzAr
“S-son?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MLfpltT9L
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIOHb5wPPA
“B-beloved?!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uVsI5gB3K
“Isn’t she important to you?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNByR1dM8Eh
“W-well…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhMvCPPsJc
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MOeUiCmE7
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADVxw8Nhgx
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ph6bFxxsm
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleqLyrEmOg
“Thank you father.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZbRzClrYV
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43F655zLxT
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i6SKDKcbs
“Not yet!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbvUrgKSBt
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL6WVj7QFs
She really is a Halfling, huh.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D4NwLdfup
“Tenna! Get baack!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGSSlRVywZ
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcyCKXqbAu
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVaUfvFE9U
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V5eHPnYQ7
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.
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXv8838XnL
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUNnjQOoEb
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSG1BWT7fX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSvDdVpTv1
