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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUGMi61kIY
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBua83W0cAm
“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.” 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL6oNxEohV
“How about creating something like that?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoGMS2sQWr
“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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCiuvYM6qG
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfPfIGxiRU
“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.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F8p8ujh38
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBwlpsrIrL
As if…388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuGhhOULY8
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWPtTV0BFi
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6yiVpUKsn
“N-no, you don’t understand!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb5wo9lWkt
I cut in before she could finish.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd1McTUwMY
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhZp0cNPbU
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEWNScVi2l
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOuFliQtgW
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBLuI8XjUm
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Faa3DyEz
“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.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNDpfNganh
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LAYkBkpHu
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy6pXmcihJ
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45EWlDppd7
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oZdutpQ1I
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0IVPv8bza
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLfMxakOwJ
“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.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xGYDVaWLj
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo0X4NaOF4
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN39n0nlWJ
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEvN4mfrmN
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M33lCis1O
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCWd1PVG1o
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. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcKsU0IRGV
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYYpGYxkqD
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ONCz7LBcH
“Tousa! Tousa!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlWEBCXo6s
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvhLi1RX4N
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DmLxv3uDV
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJZ17BgVrb
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGjaLmuam8
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bOxSpTIBM
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Q4h4IEeA
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4lv9O8Lh2
“Firee!!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSZHVKeL4P
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. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ782Fqh9MQD
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkZmPfbWa8
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfrXZ3qc4N
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA9GENRsj0
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IaNmAnzls
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0HZ5OZivo
“Frigeo!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWFdP3Xdb5
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUnNN49sez
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg14lTFppD
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWFv8mZCvF
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYD1Oc4Dkb
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcjYdc1Fm0
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfSGZVgNom
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4tdpHJcYH
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVhBuAOOL5
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRUq5hrNME
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFklTtDzZWw
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6KJ2bV7L3
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN567ab3wBQ
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE1QXz0rgH
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. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGHUMwnuQv
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomMLS4UA7u
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG2xRtGlye
For my beloved!388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPpSTqaaQ1
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBpH2MKv3f
A direct hit.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzCz3GYphn
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8fOgk84RN
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwvYkTd43K
I… I am… s-sorry…388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgAPMTk9bg
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipkwEf5zw
“W-where am I?!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAJrmdFkuW
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXAaQj5lbm
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsQab5fhLn
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUEXox0TiQ
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr3jSdWqqh
“Wh-what do you mean?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t0KcTXFfg
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHDYIMg8J6
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb4pkWFfUp
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tT6apO3nP
“Us? I am a dem-…”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGXeoE1JxC
“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!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAyYqDPlE6
“I-I don’t understand…”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUafjcAy2q
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIv6rzCRl7
“What do you want the most?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh9DJ4TIUC
“Huh?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNipC0UcFwN
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmTGMq9vfD
“I… I want to save him!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY3QPaboW7
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SmDBqPodL
“Amans…”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw63LBrEXf
“Huh? What are you mum-!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyINsVBKgQe
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGqIzXN8Qk
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwC2KaQKOJ
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe4Snla6AF
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1d4ZopQ7G
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtUBfZAPff
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq79Q5CiIw4
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfPoWObutB
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBTKtvIPzE
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GOhPSqlpZ
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41IwrOmHld
“Wake up, Tousa.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGgmxLIDDi
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQSm6vQItI
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYnHVM3p6w
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFEQzjmXm1
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1lWAZBdcH
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtntt4ae8g9
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB7nPYGAPX
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNps3PIYcxo
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n9AcpXFIG
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo7nTc2e3K
“S-son?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee19QkCj2i
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lzNxHHKCx
“B-beloved?!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5VOCZzsiP
“Isn’t she important to you?”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1hvhWy1ta
“W-well…”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gz8k8I3jb
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRWUlRBIcg
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1nlc6c1mo
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHHxvgjgUP
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtms9hz38d
“Thank you father.”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNWSqS4XMQ
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2ubZjKZ77
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs3S4My1xO
“Not yet!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKg1FSpAvX
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. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAJsplSDqi
She really is a Halfling, huh.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIELgaOO6y
“Tenna! Get baack!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo61FIfNk6R
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd92rpGJqDH
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. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ63xBV0vS
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduMx4I6DmC
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.
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYyuwkwfy9
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhh1C3iSnW
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. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhrlAOVa4C
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnalCK5QOqf
