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?84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Un7tQxqG
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62miH5lSsQ
“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.” 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56CSfYcEQm
“How about creating something like that?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhLbId5SBG
“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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ8x37ZpE0
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDthYMnN0bN
“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.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Bp8BZcai
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt7TquJbLc
As if…84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp8a7lEJG1
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t9kByRUCu
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevYw3AttEc
“N-no, you don’t understand!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMVxXAnigc
I cut in before she could finish.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6B1NEnyh4
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG8s55QMb4
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C78R5vYXy
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?84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSduZBwQIy
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn06rBFIIY8
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1oQRpHesN
“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.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMkZci0isI
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyGWaIvVql
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo8WCGiIDH
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTyy21LP8B
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4H5Ss0aIu
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaP6SDGrrb
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaf9JZiTy5
“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.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavq4aZuHOh
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfi1yu4Jh5
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tQAS28xAL
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFBtzyH1nL
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJtda85CQf
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqBTkWq9KP
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. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0xds7AXTt
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLEQ3J4eol
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlO7Ug1mrk
“Tousa! Tousa!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ijs1hRUk
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DRMuRluJJ
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDRfLq0ggy
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyUEPp79RC
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpynBuFRKJ0
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYysfaPgBe
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0NhjHxrNs
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4snrualxWm
“Firee!!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP8YGl7DzJ
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. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZY98Yn1vv
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa3jWzpHfh
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFHNOjocvt
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxvi8CfEA6
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVrHBdibzc
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ364TAh0klt
“Frigeo!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWriVtUm0s
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdeo7w1oJA
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApVXSO9fi7
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qpoInzZD5
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK6l4J5X2w
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZi7G0AwcQ
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA9foxWk1b
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgiXxyimzV
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonqyhV7EAZ
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8x94RoB6X
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyIC8qkJfx
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb4icki43I
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCJHWo0WnC
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIKCmkSzNj
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. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzEKdwivhx
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC1hF8tU7e
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXISNYJmc1
For my beloved!84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeBx0b3pPM
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI6XJCwkVl
A direct hit.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KSYXg0Nt1
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE05d5u6mPW
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkDhIGeG97
I… I am… s-sorry…84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fN0f87XjO
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3LSTytT5B
“W-where am I?!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgQ07CC5Hy
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XVg15PQPm
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QAuO7hFCv
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVedCBuJtl
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lRYamRbra
“Wh-what do you mean?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwEZ38q9RJ
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrpsGPINPB
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWooTENHv0
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoft4Y9wBxR
“Us? I am a dem-…”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9SaU43qSa
“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!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgvh7xxDgt
“I-I don’t understand…”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SkJGxZkBo
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIKV04tMhK
“What do you want the most?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8wO5Ge9QU
“Huh?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmhl7H58QI
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHrOicAtxk
“I… I want to save him!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr12xkg3Qz
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw7BC10zol
“Amans…”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoR72uFGI3
“Huh? What are you mum-!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNZ5InOB4L
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvyyKHJKEI
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRkl8By2ih
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UTzrnWzT0
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbif8AwyZN
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqu5xtrZkU
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz31k1M4TV
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT9URbBFOf
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdfPL9Qn8T
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuquWhp8DY
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ycpF5Dcz0
“Wake up, Tousa.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwOCGBTF5C
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohx1ICN18n
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEKkF9rm6Y
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDXvm2slV4
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcQujfEs7x
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLZeuCBiw8
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvaZkRb4Jt
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKeSV13LK7
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcZo3fmENl
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCot6n4aM1E
“S-son?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uqn2uByxk
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhgYoGrL6g
“B-beloved?!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWvT4Ra9QR
“Isn’t she important to you?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZR4BTV4Zv
“W-well…”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt59YPjTb8
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmkAFw1AaM
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHboQGXMw6D
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmpQM7KUtR
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFJElvZyll
“Thank you father.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF8L6ApsxY
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgZiLVWr5g
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFpX7uIjem
“Not yet!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUokxe5v6HF
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. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsRX8G2ZfD
She really is a Halfling, huh.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsdaw4Yh7
“Tenna! Get baack!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSxrliCCgT
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNx8GDUilI
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. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJNngpgtkG
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU36dwt3VS6
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.
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOW0ee4gp2
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVdTw5Ykp4
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. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r7NdUNpcM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDSVn903XY
