Fire339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqIkjxQUuq
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemY033nwq7
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpE0t8naI9
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvh8pJOZqS
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3rs3BMDHZ
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyzjShJdxX
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RPhNASafO
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv8RDRnEAh
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcVcMZIwGO
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OjBvagZu3
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREhtLj1qoS
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR69bb46ak
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWqgLyZGoy
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwMVWS5Gbh
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0WIN4hIiF
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCYKWFWdYK
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9MEFPSssW
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FU29KHQRE
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7auoT9LQx
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq7iFxY4Ie
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJSQeBX6IG
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc21Mc4gHW5
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHsm6HCoQu
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QDxZ1EtKD
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM006c0WUR
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0XfC1bD6g
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGZGBLwGYZ
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1brH1X5KM
brown complexion for a minute before opening339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatRFXtpE6Y
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbab4mO9x3S
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisKUFCcV2q
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaVT1H9Ide
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HEDfzzpug
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfO5RGOqKC
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3mIhEbfXR
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21NECj7ogS
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycVlJqcxUS
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUBPiFwHYd
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqqUEohJ79
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zKLtivk2C
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqu758v8vt
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGk1kJSrsp
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl2A4368bF
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lqW9EVvh7
if it were bleeding.
“What339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2ASqO5IpI
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0jIuf8JNI
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLpz6QS8sm
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXe2O5Louf
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9LoBtx1NH
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznK8AMXVrR
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zxu4zqB55
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQBJZRqfRN
snickered.
“yea?339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSezFlpDg9
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PF9NovAZq
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG76VTCJdn
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ941M0ZowZ
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrXP0yABAF
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfOxZfSvAo
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7KyX6vhM3
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVciFrmaH5
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVNfOBmkhw
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoo3HjKPQO
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkNp4XNlLk
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjgAs8P7Mp
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgbKnAv7Dp
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4idP0bXBsM
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIETrDpo1wx
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsthTTJdQx
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ybMbErD2
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtWcjwG1Po
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zjBUPHQpf
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ebkFzdbSr
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ1StvLHOE
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZUQR9cX3i
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2lNeVD50S
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfZypzPSwf
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpmklRBDC9
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzrnXKC4bQ
face.
“That’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvJG9xXrDQ
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pseaOSnBS
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCvKxlg54m
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k9QrVIri4
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7JYOBqB0S
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTYo1Mb5qT
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UihMethrW
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkCXIa0AdF
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHtDKF56D0
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHUYQoyNrZ
as he noticed it.
“What’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx042C3gLX
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMtOVLg43g
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXrwgoWQJX
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSnd8BqLFE
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6C0HTI3cj
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxH2qHOtpc
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ynu7QVUlE
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOOHWJhTlZ
Isadora”
“good339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwGh6zDL5M
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwEshs5WM1
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglTQyklpW9
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTbPp24O8R
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX3lGf5MYE
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OcjyfU9I1
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfskn3repTe
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWrZ3NQp2E
sound like a woman”
“I339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMIKW9XjAf
should hope”
“that339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXKmBd8B8x
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57gLWU8RPS
her
“Wow,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1Rd9NQMmt
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5artNfPqvJ
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXP8iGHwD6
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi3dgKjXlJ
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZwoIoayqu
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDom464aHkK
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Td8vLEIHG
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenaJWYkSjQ
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjmdNYQOHX
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx56fFLKSu
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdk6Uzrx8J
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY7vvnC19S
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumoTSQe2RR
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLK196JEGm
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gxI5qM62i
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX5rXofgQ6
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvxkMeIEC7
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qRbXLRlaE
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6auV1xVmJK
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfSYkcZU2J
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZuQgzDT7v
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXKaB5BX0x
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wp6GbWqvt
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MDRApLEPX
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WReqLORKs
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlwzdA8ZJW
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtRg1O4nNL
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpUzqeh4RQ
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64WAa2Lqqd
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq6jFgj8sU
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowRinO2u0w
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT8d54nkNI
to beat him.
“Same339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj1jst6zfc
age” he said before following after her
His339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobVOcovKWe
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJdxHcxlSG
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdFAkyDRnw
than we were at that time…”
“What339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMWy2Trywf
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vv4v6FFjz
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJawpZ69xv
still haunted him.
“…It339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5u9uJzyZ7
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8evyOElKa
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVIeBnyx52
age”
“Better339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKVcAVG9PY
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto9DebfG9c
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvaojTBq7W
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsD1OGhV9y
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh04aP09pi6
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDWmy6knwy
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GsNjYrjj6
there was.
“I339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovIRdGUk95
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxDvgadLXb
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7heacfrSES
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrYy78hliZ
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3ivOZ5Ylt
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UHkT0qKlr
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsNAbvY5ST
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayvUYDu0eD
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEksFPDH1cp
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAvPqasDlg
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKpGSDcuFX
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSjk34YpUb
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QSbosSkCO
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1VWbKBBlE
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObFo0PWiUK
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv1suXA6so
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQOee5XuwE
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0k5naFFPv
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWpfeep1b7
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQSzuj42vF
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa8qDINOci
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE13IxmesWV
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsuWUfY2GK
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmD4Xf1Qp0
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfPC15iKoX
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBhpjFIm54
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN1sAHr70b
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnPiyad5ky
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C9vaOlPDb
up in a ponytail.
“So339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3aNcPN30p
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuM5absTGU
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKq3O3iE5J
grin on her face.
“No,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthJds7NqJ5
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvRre5A1MB
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd4YCQCVXT
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjvRENlcL7
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00F6HUgJh0
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwPhCctVh6
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NvY1PC60e
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikfAF1GSlW
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXow9Q6Hkn
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HNxRuXVe9
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu6wAq74pY
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jzOYRg7oU
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcowjsvtYHE
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBWasLXGk6
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAHlQnfCkk
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds3LANJZ6A
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvQtI5NFLH
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1u6VRnPRW
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxfhS7dM1H
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxThYQc77z
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdoMw83kYk
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJFZl60Usa
around at the occupants who were all embroiled339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaFrTdYGJJ
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7pLMhQBGG
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIqrN7WELY
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmeGR2ohOu
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yVTSIcqCG
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHOD6XEEmf
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZicxTKL0NB
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14qZ1hljdU
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CJECIEz6j
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58erlkV9jJ
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9AcPMPant
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSFR5nEmbF
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvdhoN2hI8
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpevAhT3ubf
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2SKQqHVgY
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemdQ68Z5D2
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDQpRwZEx4
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHllahxL8ir
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl9wUhgApA
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C7G2wlnK2
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBsWYSrIdo
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeHJotHdP2
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpYx8sKwU2
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcxQR0sPMn
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xruCOYtZe
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r0DiCLZaS
she bounced and grinned
“Great,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePtyGHLisI
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YliC4shGm
robes
“Not339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzaUiGxLUW
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeYmzed3H0
now?” Kemari sighed
“The339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbSZPgl1KU
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn4HyYZpva
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegeCouCMMg
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYLMaPKOQD
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHcZli7WwA
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUjciXRAsR
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PyDTa75st
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibvXeVrbYQ
in the middle.
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpULunmbn2
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvikCQxIQHV
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3qfqlXqcX
stopped at the desk and stared at the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5fHWncALA
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS40bpmd7p
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgd5IWj5Ba
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2X1j5kwif
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcNvJHngAf
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA8jF5N3qn
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTxaqwdkAy
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTCsGqURRG
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaHjK3Mnml
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAljDYVN0E
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcRjyZxRKR
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vfmYmOrcp
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6kNBFjapx
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehvhfJjSWJ
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVB6MLqayx
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3qszrwKaG
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiThhNu7zhQ
did”
“YOU339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcYevdoRl8
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHdboe6Qib
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93Xh0Pz2BR
collar.
“THAT’S339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ53z7omHM
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmsq2oCxZj
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe3eq6s38V
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ9B1gfSlz
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq5jl8TqNW
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP2w8jrDsz
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadel4FYdEe
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MxGFP97ZT
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWhhMbcpuK
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda8xyB1CmI
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h8UPAXZdU
finally broken.
“You’re339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6LwOKlyJx
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNRMx7jCQm
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUr4PjEZJ1
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVJMVouK4Q
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNO5vllONJ
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfK2H0wiyk
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZujNR0jZY8
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxHN7vNf2B
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJznIA6mqHk
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqHWW76e7a
hurry”
Kemari339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHucHGyamq
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaTtfr3bZL
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUyZbDes1F
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iZTKZJYJe
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF0PnGHHAF
ns18.189.6.59da2
