Fire367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OGjYs1FNX
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWtq5cYGzu
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwzsv6u1Mc
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIRlU0rUoL
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Ro2iAN1O
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVZAwO4bUK
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo53iF0gnp
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwoToKXi3a
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvCXomRUoZ
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDbMYGdINi
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbj1vjzPyK
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27rqKb5T11
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8f9FQuSTW
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNycczeGEm
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbteYo3cu84
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qiNWLQCeg
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz8YWZUlCp
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEaRl8LLXC
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPzk2w8fN9
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgM2i4hyKk
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtQfPwLQjU
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuemxRDdvB
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqxU72ae2e
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBjFFGnodb
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbNlM21lsN
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNEfUXhkjm
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiUXDy0oQi
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURqrWlK4y1
brown complexion for a minute before opening367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkoZHl9CmU
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBa7i4hsHS
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUr7g6SF1w
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN5SOTl4kb
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kufigezbf
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI76RB8vUQb
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5HwBxxaoQ
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ631lLu1LJl
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUkLtLcjYy
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qQbtvEA5y
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lNRJVSS4o
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkkk3JBa4H
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEc1ywaPp6
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8baktKBTKl
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt4vndiVIi
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpchNPEAnXm
if it were bleeding.
“What367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UbbnlLRKY
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwycnAIp0I
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLwjZLnAHj
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouBwTMOi4V
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIVklwjmAV
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIFGAWqpv5
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoSzrSlxE6
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycy8jQ5qHn
snickered.
“yea?367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCFtQ0RRO6
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7JHmAr3kG
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ22OtJJ2R
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCKapQFBkV
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzRep2otci
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW8KKiaGOl
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzvT101WeU
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutDzX0Jwxr
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd4MyuWuqb
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyHlCjrcKo
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rLlzWVRuJ
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhp0j6ljNg
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FCsr3i5Wr
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhreBMKnBy
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYXwu4LDu2
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrRxpt3reQ
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICK2fZNte7
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJWBm3inrj
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGJJ19hGHw
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0Fk9uS1fa
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaerqAnBC8
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTe9hHCGvt
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU1KjiqSbN
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPaaixZ3OF
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LZW7ciXxX
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz0lLyOKrJ
face.
“That’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve6eRcQjHD
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NLP2BQiwK
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPGSzECaax
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxu06GZoBJ
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiwaZdCO98
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMbR8Miw7V
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU7zkk14ze
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjyyzTMJ9q
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CccpMMrP7
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKguIJBD9iL
as he noticed it.
“What’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdUuSxqRln
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbMwk5pegq
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrvtXrmXrJ
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh0xxpUiQY
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuzI6985Eo
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssCqa8wzgP
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjoDH55s1W
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsluei1H9oV
Isadora”
“good367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkOYPF5hMi
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h4GAdJMno
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AhdWJZpNd
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4qLTK9Ms4
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOzLGr22Ss
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aUVrih8Cq
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhEDTi2D5n
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV4up5UjO3
sound like a woman”
“I367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DbGQi98X7
should hope”
“that367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf57B6Z5Ox
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoECt2IdWt8
her
“Wow,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ0eck0hLC
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWnT8aLRb0
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88IGNTlQoT
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23vxTY68Gx
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlYfGjbjvO
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRf9dudo6K
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRqnyQn5i2
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvnGPfkjsB
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeKdmPMZlU
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFQegxHbYg
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2okEFMbf6
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0O3QFsH7K
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAV9yWPWTh
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAHPapJADF
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG9AxzEFQr
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9YzzwKxH3
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmLJM0FsNC
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTGAFiksj4
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67aOVWtcuX
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpevNnkXU8K
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Ru2YAQS8
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03xL9iaWFs
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmhLP7yVcr
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPVA7VuAZV
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sLsfEclEA
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7byycbCosN
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpleg5UTbE6
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScgSo9YBz0
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVF0bFAdHN
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4In3F4khQ
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBV5EDNKny
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0ZA1lR6EZ
to beat him.
“Same367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZww6jxbcM
age” he said before following after her
His367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMkl9ssmJI
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBWX8i1kXI
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1PdXWyrkS
than we were at that time…”
“What367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQoGpeHDZa
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRHvajMdNu
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCQ0cy7Bcj
still haunted him.
“…It367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkATzQ585q
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVnR8lX0om
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogTi2wxPEJ
age”
“Better367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkWc0TGPcO
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFjH2AcdM5
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ETSJ7Wmr
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQq38lPQZn
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGcNDFwxEH
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52CvnMqxqK
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOQPJkE8Ph
there was.
“I367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0UREflFhw
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhYQtJ48Kz
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyBB5a4WCV
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSCi2MEYuq
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbFKfr9DyW
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzIXHNTCoi
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoMkSDLNx4
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PANY74Wr6
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflft184riX
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XzaNXvacT
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FiSvYNJf0
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEguswatupo
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphngAnJBAq
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rle9mQlBf
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6JEpc03W9
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk0WxuTIdd
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat9Z8nLloA
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXqlNl8Mpw
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pEzJII9QP
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFcIwvrp1m
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzg7J2EeyY
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuJdqkr1SP
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIYp3AYdNV
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFKOlJh96b
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTIV4eYYMg
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N0eYpMeDB
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrtxkXx59c
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwbqa9ChD4
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgsWrhABvy
up in a ponytail.
“So367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkBcnoB4la
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6NrNWWaTy
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lN6uFRq8T
grin on her face.
“No,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiTdKmqedY
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA1nnoocHJ
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluDvwFX41I
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSOogAvy2V
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBtyw7CzgA
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBefc7eCerV
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45kFfNmrKl
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE0ranbvp6
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJXcf7HMMy
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsHQ6SrAa1
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mStWAAsfH
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q5Bm1pCYs
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kPwgzXBGP
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrAJgCheVg
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGJlLyfAVH
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2svB7tqL7
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd6hQlH4af
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42qxVyMZ3x
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0hfwFWI2a
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmglBUrxQN
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2Wz6kfnv4
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhngrOxQHpT
around at the occupants who were all embroiled367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy21pNLZgGH
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE9DtzcLSv
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nCo8tF9MQ
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfcwosDpj6
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgoMGI8Nwa
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7F2SLKiRK
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxlED0gbFv
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOPstpqFIG
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqXosPNXwd
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8BEONTNr3
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TkPWN1ved
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lLdft8Nll
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56dEUzR0SG
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeTSlPzIFO
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dPJ5BpFVa
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBxPqeIdhM
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDsbciuBcM
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03CwQlIzTt
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ReMfDXKgk
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXiMMl9OTf
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA94kiNJwL
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljQ2QMPF6H
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh32RESWF5
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6apxRoXlTZ
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSY1QFfi6u
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9eONPQgfl
she bounced and grinned
“Great,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0vNl1B7qR
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWaYKyidQ8
robes
“Not367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7tPnweZeS
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71kRqQu1e9
now?” Kemari sighed
“The367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGIZBNtegF
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShtexZenR5
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaBrFdSiQu
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa2uYcy2Nc
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsPd2JrQDg
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkELIaKMine
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iOBbnvCfJ
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLNCYHpZSi
in the middle.
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOkcqU1mOQ
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOVJOu8yJi
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvmVC4kkU8
stopped at the desk and stared at the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpndV79h6J
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SvBuL9l4t
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgJNCQb0jh
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhkY67tA4X
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm2HeXVcCL
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOsbJ4sbP2
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2yaAPZDXb
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJazYDsXmSD
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcDQe1xT6D
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyK3fcNBEC
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc34uP8Nih
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsURLyUUE3
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsUjQWiIDb
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIkwAk9O0b
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTX8fm722Y
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn6EthaHYB
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4MAwxVUjz
did”
“YOU367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOFchCNnEk
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oqANqLUEe
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGEYWkBDIB
collar.
“THAT’S367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACZvsDSUpN
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkalwOYPdF
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO3kBJYsg2
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNN8XM3WEe
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUosioS8eBf
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbvdS6GHhh
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0xHgGXZAG
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dmaeULVnv
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0h84aRj4N
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8etyY9Ol8
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l0LjdSWfL
finally broken.
“You’re367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUGUNeuIdn
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlSaWplDbP
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6V7wcN05e
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8u2ImQp3c
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TMMy3G8Aw
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGRLqMAENb
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡealBpkMgLg
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEPXd57Xi1
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGQXMVlNeF
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsu8zAXstO
hurry”
Kemari367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR0nJelyUO
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyz5D2vFK4
367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHIAdLiU9v
367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDBuzzPyia
367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwW5t2h7Es
ns3.14.133.138da2
