Fire404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2hsiAo3Aj
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdjkvtT9Uk
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlotph9Q9JC
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Y974XfNu
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk5FYgcZ9h
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb2EdKUNIF
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzsPgw8z2e
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSonQbKWfqF
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2xOTLr5fF
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqcvFTBpUh
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqmoiQXMUp
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQlRzOiu5G
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyudEeBaLAT
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukm312fd5A
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIWVbsQM8s
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vniLnjvvy
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNCvB4hnYU
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HXJNrnY2I
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyId8P16eMn
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3As6HLLBOk
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0ajHl3QLW
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdydw4qoTD
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67BkvWiiZS
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PDvNgUbTd
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oisdtEpZJ
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmTJiLTuJA
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZmOPHB2YE
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt4mNjgCAP
brown complexion for a minute before opening404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL8NkOXWHO
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4qap6g4RW
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UWRqgE0xm
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EM8YoFVlA
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNDW5n1IjM
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFR2icB3Jg
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdkJIbVzPw
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLBHyYxyUp
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbIGheOZIw
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFPPehUPXl
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHDk1N8AFF
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF6zIMJoAV
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99aX8Nzd6R
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJKt5Fc7Y8
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxPVM6OiPS
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoMEh7pCsx
if it were bleeding.
“What404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxhSt45qap
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTECqQBRfYH
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXmN5r7f41
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEssDlzI5jN
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNn6ELtnYr
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TkvvvS5TL
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhawvfyhXU
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5PPE6YB4K
snickered.
“yea?404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNibpdUABI
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ofvaLrnI
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JChpYLruH
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe4XBW0cHx
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFebZ0Puisj
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0AcoLclS5
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYtBarpace
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLGHxD2Qlk
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtWPXSIp1S
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvwfW5xJf6
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTlMiSEHah
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTPJTHOU1f
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SesfKYIxb
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny29uLYsSj
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKG4z27JpN
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmUeOLHGm1
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J8TqTk7kM
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrJxaAzSYd
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR9RrktV2t
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETTDh42dLI
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMAchkBZG5
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHgNLhFztO
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcVxuJXyNf
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv5z4mq6nD
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixN2fc8dyU
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2giqWgYaMU
face.
“That’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrN0nDlmXa
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0WzSFEvp6
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMMoCPSnjb
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlcVt5h6Jt
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OqeAlMvB1
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaZHFpKCVy
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPESCu29MS
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljAq92E5b1
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEtlhZ7uRM
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2wHwr3kEw
as he noticed it.
“What’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCxpOWC3mg
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Afnj4rtJ
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3uj17Qzqw
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCTn2Ikr7x
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OfbfhyIbO
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOADrA8iL8
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtNQqzgqEJ
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJDmxHCyG1
Isadora”
“good404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EOzCQylYD
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN408FXu9lV
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKg3nrYnkO
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSf9OLBp6y
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHq0uSGkOf
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Vh0YxkLP
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQJ67NNoQT
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67ZUVm2S1T
sound like a woman”
“I404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCXqzAf5cj
should hope”
“that404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrkzSPivmG
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR1pBwuClk
her
“Wow,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L1vlOjWE7
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiZ3C1s9Do
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d7zI9vmbJ
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVto09fh5z
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVO5850YNM
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4npSHdqj7l
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfJLco4LA2
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LMrrl01Vz
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvdUgrYqGw
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpj9OGQArM
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nTHXShSAZ
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM465Ce4L1v
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXZHLAjKes
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dAPLMYSEP
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzDufUTWSZ
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwM1lCHbiX
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kDphpIhog
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi4iyFadA6
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c5KBwmylA
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3vw2a5ymv
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFgnQC5N0i
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV8iIgwQRT
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojTlIWnWeJ
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7UZDinYUQ
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXshfVR7Cej
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz9Wt3TGjx
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP24kZHSGo
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirlhVBag1B
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnW9OqDN2K
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXanYTN0ze
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkSzhgACUF
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftVo0eSAQj
to beat him.
“Same404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fDsN4zw7N
age” he said before following after her
His404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E2ClVqrpg
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd4Qtpi8tt
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXISt52uleH
than we were at that time…”
“What404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuQqXpL74i
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BXnQQRbqU
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG3sdhATeF
still haunted him.
“…It404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0t16ld3B6
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORKJG4y6rp
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSThUKrXHe
age”
“Better404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1l20lBLc5
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPaHZgLvVs
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwHtmAS09D
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgAH5dklHw
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVfmpMGRDD
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYoEDYuEfv
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDPhZWCWpg
there was.
“I404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4Hg2zeVgm
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOZ0bgGe7X
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrrnpVYubp
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRIjy3f2B3
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6T0jYz6O6
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkMMzRf8mS
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufrFkLeU33
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8r3VPzE1H
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdl4LmOB0l
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVgxvNgj2U
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMAWrGyzmA
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL2liPmG7c
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eJ89wINLb
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBAwdZtJwE
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2RxkS9FsI
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNkwrT3dYl
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP9tV19i33
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm8TizIXNm
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllKxZYVxFI
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdUUtiNMTi
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlHe4PETJb
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr8t49y3dM
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMVNqxzcr0
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2prSQWguy
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh81fkvgsZ
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOt7qSYvHp
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd4Wd4EICs
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI5e4BtSNh
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA2620tPHI
up in a ponytail.
“So404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz2tWk8K2u
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB98opJI7TR
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hMdsa8FxG
grin on her face.
“No,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB58lnBo08
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOokomdCrg
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepNYX0HmPs
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyGrwRSqqe
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHwL52Mo3G
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI3xNoqVWh
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrybLrKze8
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvnofA1jmI
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa8k3WZhbs
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTZwhQXhub
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLC2vJpELZ
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNBIxKz3Dx
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaUyeK00dK
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVlSHA5vi3
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfujwWvV88
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XvdYqxuEa
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbS6qWmyIG
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJPq51csVn
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2gu1Whm95
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Wgajt6rj
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGuqhmFJUh
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F5gQEsi9p
around at the occupants who were all embroiled404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDG0kcpFRH
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzJyfUzbVQ
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjR734A9RS
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60U7B85zDA
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hI6bDzEc2
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VTSYcVlij
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmstgj2Azl
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWhrFh0ktn
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7a28ydO0M
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tm3xAW8hF
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmkWuxbqGA
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7GFjmBWxX
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozQ7hlDZ9R
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1TK88tz8G
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR5W6ZzkUE
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWMZB7XqTS
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIEwiELsqn
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK7AtArYLW
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUTbtp4NPI
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8rVSDD68f
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYfsApkPM2
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEiTM5lNhk
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw8rOkVFLv
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8t814G03x
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oush6XXMW
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSulhGwEDq
she bounced and grinned
“Great,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt45YLiO0NU
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHMDAi8pu6
robes
“Not404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoe8svQvmA
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqVuDXHMDc
now?” Kemari sighed
“The404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Uf7pd0dN
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl3UBYK0ZH
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SB8Hh0BLa
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFsTmRaLe9
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq7sovdozU
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkxntLz8VY
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIJHTPkT4J
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyJI9ICCIU
in the middle.
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyZE6VLrLc
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ8srOFO36
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sIwx9MPru
stopped at the desk and stared at the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatxXkzs8cO
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0oFXo8l7A
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5Rms70OjK
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZyls9isAt
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvfQ1WZhn6
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm2ACFfTWf
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcslvqY7Se
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIaKXrGvx4
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o6Ztm7c2n
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPaSsHrpo9
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHinxHtVbb
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52CoXGZpHh
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3PKQnTmx8
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h8IcCFqBk
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnlBLhQHjA
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBRnTxi3x1
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXRRNFjLsX
did”
“YOU404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWblFIGIEb5
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbUDHfbMKM
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3csltD938
collar.
“THAT’S404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8VpOiPmhz
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5992ecpnuV
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXPcg8Lwdj
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPha63MgXXN
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvX80d6sZe
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHrqqzfjJm
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6qJrAMITL
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC7pl5KOGh
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooc1Oju2bK
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIWeYlSDUG
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuer8nrCR2
finally broken.
“You’re404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAPwxTUHgQ
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciQdIAwXWK
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpCnLSG9CB
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9ZUxhMRR5
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtSvF9HH07
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSaaaGhkgR
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiT7kHRZko
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBAigQgEGX
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgEyqruaZ6
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2cjrYKPUt
hurry”
Kemari404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mTIhqzThi
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd1odtp6wJ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMxj6jvySj
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jw2gVJxME
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQkReX9l7C
ns216.73.216.0da2
