We had to assess the situation quickly. Further scouts were sent out to confirm the movements of Ken’o. Luckily Tenna brought a map of the surrounding area, it was from Haji Meni.
We were certainly sure by now, that Haji Meni was some sort of trap, but we had no idea what kind of trap. Both of us wrecked our brains around the journey to the Dwarven Kingdom, but nothing significant came to our mind. It was as if Ken’o just magically knew, that we were here.
Magically?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSsZAZxPsE
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKHjRtyUgm
“Movements? No, not to my knowledge at least. I am fairly sure if there was, Mother could use it, but she never used anything similar to that.” 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn2Ge28SfT
“How about creating something like that?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVGYhJnSe9
“Spell creation? I know you can combine them, but creating one isn’t easy. If Ken’o actually made a spell to be able to track us, he must be a rather powerful magician. That is a little impossible though, he is a fighter through and through. Even though he is human, he refuses to rely on magic and always used brute force.” Explained Tenna.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mL97aZE20
She and the Empress collected as much information as they could in an attempt to be one step ahead at all times. But our situation now was rather suffocating.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXBN6muYgu
“One more thing Tousa, you should hide and when the right moment comes you must run, run for your life. I don’t know what will happen.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYBZyx8PHk
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEPOON1DlX
As if…174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV7Tf4cdPv
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhzNZdG449
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2JetqtZ3n
“N-no, you don’t understand!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4nwLEu19G
I cut in before she could finish.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ABIecRCpp
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhQR7Oj5dI
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgRYRNiXTr
Before we could break into another argument the scouts returned. The army of Ken’o hit up a camp not quite far from us. Their numbers seemed endless. Just how big is the human army?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76UMhSI6c3
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGVFohp1rz
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyMnyNr4hq
“They probably won’t attack us during the night, but we cannot risk letting our guard down. They have superior numbers and can take turns with guarding. We don’t have such luxury.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zoRu2ylmw
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uhQsQxM83
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjT7bceAkQ
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lsnMaCBVI
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz53iyldVjq
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J1fKMvBW1
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBo597bptu
“I already stationed most of the dwarves around the mountain. They might have superior numbers, but this is a fort, strong enough to withstand high level magic. The walls are imbued with Ai’s magic.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFFSUIbDb4
We had to come up with a strategy. Even if Ken’o didn’t attack head on, he certainly head enough men to widdle us down. My magic was probably good enough for normal soldiers, but I needed time to cast it.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROvpmGyfDR
We strategized until past midnight. We felt the fatigue set in. Durin insisted, that he and the dwarves would stand guard until we rested. Even a short sleep would do us good.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHHCYEb5PI
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvH03HGm0y
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK73kPRb7ZG
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl4fCSMmQ0
She sat down right next to me, but she didn’t just rest her head she also locked her arm with mine. She was trembling slightly. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZjkIVe5oX
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinh3zokN61
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoixgOY13bz
“Tousa! Tousa!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEZN5ChTrh
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPsaSEhmzS
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtB4zqs5Kt
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rVVfNTqFU
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaJ9eo9lBi
Tenna was the one calling to me. She held her hand out and I took it. Our rest was short, but it felt good for sure.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCjkfeVBFd
The scouts reported movements. The enemy army started coming at us in waves. Since there were too many of them they had to split up.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmRJTrxtLg
The first wave arrived soon enough. Because of this sudden change in their formation a slight hope appeared before us. Ken’o was still a great threat, but maybe.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkifEVi8J8K
“Firee!!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHT34KQWSG
A great barrage of arrows rained down on the human soldiers. Dwarven arrows were much stronger than normal ones. Many shots pierced through the poorly crafted human armour. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ABGP0sc1z
Meanwhile at the entrance the demonic beings stood in a half circle, rendering the defending needed area half. I and Tenna were in the inner circle.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezzPm0BXi1
The demonic beings did great work and only a few stragglers came through. Those were swiftly overwhelmed by Tenna’s sheer power. Her movements were quick and swift. Every move was more like a dance move than an attack.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0aL2FZx7k
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO5IBN1qg9
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nuiIpBeGc
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZb59ziCq7
“Frigeo!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrAKaHo5ga
As previously discussed, I and Tenna would be a team while Durin manages the dwarves. It was dangerous to fight for us outside, but it was our own decision.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCL0SX0aMI
With Durin in lead soon a big group of dwarves rushed out and formed a second line of defence before us. Even with this numbers the second wave was much stronger and I continuously casted Frigeo.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pqkm2jK0z
I started feeling sluggish when our biggest fear appeared. Not far from the second wave and a third behind his back Ken’o was slowly marching our way.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGm0hs3ehf
His armour wasn’t full body. He only had gloves and no arm protection and even his legs were only half covered. His stature was truly grand, he was a warrior through and through.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9dzeyaiVx
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyVsSupWM5
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLsrsTRS4i
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UDsagTy0Y
With Ken’o not moving I and Tenna turned up our pace. I casted Frigeo on a larger scale and Tenna leaped towards the enemies and cut them down in a blink of the eye. We continued this tactic, but I was slowly getting tired. One effect of using this much magical energy was that I started getting dizzy and fatigued.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD2SkJ21fK
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5BJ1dBFZa
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJXIwEkW6w
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUWMQV7IHd
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Q4bGiDTl
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUlRBNCb5x
I leaped yet again forward trying to strike him from my lower right. I got only blocked this time and our difference in power was immense. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NnWi6fGm9
A big shockwave engulfed our surroundings and soldiers from both sides were sent flying. He easily pushed me away, but before I could react he targeted Tousa.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbvnvNeYWZ
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDMD4IRBJV
For my beloved!174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp2d7YVRYq
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX91bRMXEL2
A direct hit.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9dM14NBPU
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEe6k6ciuE
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmWcoEWzQ9
I… I am… s-sorry…174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Ggbk3jjS
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm59egFBYUW
“W-where am I?!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkqkeH9MDq
I found myself in a dark place, more like the darkness surrounded me. A sole woman stood before me. She had snow white skin, long ears and golden blonde hair. Her dress was like of a princess’s.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNr7aJHRDZ
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL7pSW9yus
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC2jm14BGI
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr6TSjd7SS
“Wh-what do you mean?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0IAC5eXg1
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSXfxTXVbS
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5sKC0f6un
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphuvUbLamT
“Us? I am a dem-…”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDEL6EuQ71
“See? You are part elf too. Never wondered why your magic was this low? It went into the concealing of your true nature. You are a Halfling!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8qEvY8Hgg
“I-I don’t understand…”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHO2HnUOxE
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByUfIXXhZh
“What do you want the most?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBxsMRuFxl
“Huh?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tcZknxMkA
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAeP7T8aLk
“I… I want to save him!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ22AVyPkD
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY4gn3Vln0
“Amans…”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MfAb0Whwg
“Huh? What are you mum-!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE86lMYMud3
An incredible amount of magic energy started emitting from Tenna. Her white hair grow longer and turned to a golden blonde. Her darker skin became a lighter tone and her ears grew longer.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAKt1myyFF
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp36xx4ko32
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4gA9g8dqZ
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6g6gpdewn
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUabBksa3jx
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU4o6eG7dd
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUi2PGpKOk
Bright light enveloped her and once it faded she was clothed in white and golden yellow armour. Durin couldn’t believe his eyes. The quality and design were beyond dwarven knowledge, something almost impossible.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0PrB7Mpg2
Tenna leaped at Ken’o who half dumbfounded and half in shock barely blocked her attack. Even with all his might Tenna managed to bring down the blade of her glaive which slowly bore into Ken’o’s shoulder.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfSWF5Ip6N
Once they parted Tenna furiously barraged him with attacks pushing him further back. With every attack more and more cuts appeared on the strong knight who was overwhelmed by the elven warrior’s speed and anger.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtski1SZzHH
“Wake up, Tousa.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9p7uh9DAX
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPmyAD2jON
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x2Q8M72D5
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEATKWB3Je
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHBX3b8rpX
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmFl3Ui7VV
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbzB3Wk6HE
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLIBJVPYWy
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpqp3el8hH
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiGDXiwK6S
“S-son?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYr94tibdy
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV8l8Hy326
“B-beloved?!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzznWo7RHc
“Isn’t she important to you?”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbEgTgLP3p
“W-well…”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSUjXxRepz
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGhsbMcf6G
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D4oSjmYlo
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wZtFtWrTV
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzAnGseKix
“Thank you father.”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjU9MkHL2x
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLL6OiAMzZ
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyRypzMFpY
“Not yet!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFucFRrEG73
I looked over the fight. All I saw was a beautiful girl fighting Ken’o furiously, but she was getting tired. I thought for a second and called out to her. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhA5vdIb7E
She really is a Halfling, huh.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rVk2ZCPIz
“Tenna! Get baack!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxYHkOgWSr
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMZkXb7oU1
The magic circle on my palm started changing runes. First three, then six, then nine and last twelve runes which formed a second magic circle. With determination in my eyes, my trembling hand held one of the most powerful magics. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm9FA2CrWY
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCuzyAwr9o
Tenna moved back as fast as she could. In the sky the same magical circle appeared, but much bigger. Menacingly the runes started changing the same way, Ken’o stood frozen in shock, and all the soldiers started running way before I started.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOoh7azfKz
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEMkymVtYt
Suddenly a crimson and black coloured pillar of flame descended from the Heavens and engulfed Ken’o. The shockwave was incredible and I finally lost my consciousness completely. 174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrrgKWGl86
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lIN24MXiX
