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?351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EwbshUZYH
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOQeIdAnfp
“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.” 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkdHl8Xje7
“How about creating something like that?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsMgLOlNBP
“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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQhOnlpc9U
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3jRsVFFoo
“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.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVYyXFdnlK
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dry2T48gC
As if…351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9SdeiiZkJ
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1vEwzwKE9
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbdaOdpJXe
“N-no, you don’t understand!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoGfS6LayR
I cut in before she could finish.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM3jKHEqbL
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b6zfV1Q6j
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfZG8ezGzK
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?351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3a8JsPBYn
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLVBhDqnOd
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZwFdqCic4
“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.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSFLgEvBwI
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RTUewxzeH
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ454eeXMkOR
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2VmZcHnAE
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaf8tcgqis
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbfHUmnZiM
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NoSCevZkM
“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.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixJ71tE4LC
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMiGyADTlf
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrXmWFvAeZ
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqISQ2B67ii
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpZXoBAHRv
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOPnG2i23u
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqJO5NPGJX
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8T6E42j5T
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydVMm9tbIM
“Tousa! Tousa!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNelSToHKa
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhvNp9d8Dy
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8HUxhy0d9
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7qtACDU78
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMUP8BdqT1
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxkV9yzBVC
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Txe4bpz6
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW4nYkTfjs
“Firee!!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1gNpWaA2W
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSBAamOvJx
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7utM1D1zm9
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkMOZ8lcDM
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrl27Tg6IV
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB8KxAbByj
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMovKzGnxG
“Frigeo!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAHAB8TWpd
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hx0b4JsU2
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07rJkKCiPb
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6VdllZEiV
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FWwcHB3s8
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEYVG62tkO
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBn55Wpzpa
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweGSpPNyZg
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76TSrUm4CS
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewTGnB2PDc
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ7O14QCiF
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae8ZMJJWHj
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx2T9GCUXE
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkrX8flkRm
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldMk4SsOWr
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeLey9yXOg
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3cqO7DbbS
For my beloved!351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQzIqz3xGJ
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4adW7Y9mN
A direct hit.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7gst00ge8
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GQvN7WtuX
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n5krJxKTH
I… I am… s-sorry…351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgppzTMmK1
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzypiJWTS8
“W-where am I?!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHHqzvyCBZ
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyj52pPwEv
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODUIthr50t
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTeeYXhXw7
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV99a98yYRy
“Wh-what do you mean?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBSqI5zz5U
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8JZ4IB8h0
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPypGt9Wd1
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDxRt9hpEl
“Us? I am a dem-…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc60wdIb0QT
“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!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iW6Zx67QK
“I-I don’t understand…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQityRWb48K
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKroNBHQ0d
“What do you want the most?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAQY2IgWXk
“Huh?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdLw6LYti2
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcwrV10H2l
“I… I want to save him!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgp43tFTmg
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6hSa1RIw0
“Amans…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uhTO9cnLb
“Huh? What are you mum-!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oB4YUHFrG
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d5LdHUNlo
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYRKDxnsUb
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELmG0UtPfK
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqyb8XN8Vw
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV8p42meWu
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ooGTvo0Uq
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkKrSXPqWk
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd2DLtAnZz
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR1N0oUivx
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.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfmyDoaXkS
“Wake up, Tousa.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8md7USSA1q
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNAzT3d8fO
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIThBxMlTA
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQclIKPaQf
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZBoJlj9bt
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDf7BivV5v
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPheKhv2o5R
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPyFogHXzC
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPEq0jUF0Q
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB4x0matAh
“S-son?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOFIET7DzA
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FWnQsdKli
“B-beloved?!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KZOYAzrHD
“Isn’t she important to you?”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynMOqPid2N
“W-well…”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1taK1OuPTg
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYPhbqzPDP
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkyzPlZhUF
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNRMQxIrZW
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5rCIvbYxU
“Thank you father.”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9v5HpoaFB
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP49xsPM2A
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSB20tt2ke
“Not yet!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyGraJJFDa
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCAgkcyS34
She really is a Halfling, huh.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMSWxFdZfS
“Tenna! Get baack!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeL8IXA8SB
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o5p3iG1OG
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnE9zrHmTl
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2JhTEpfYe
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.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2dWU6DOaK
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb0CUZHsrI
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. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug7r9twudI
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Ca4R1uDQ
