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?38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUkhzCK9pk
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rox4grpvT
“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.” 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEOlPR6EKL
“How about creating something like that?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu86AtfLcjd
“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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x9XubMbrk
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYuJxP5VLB
“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.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77uLwFnsfa
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKJkrmI3xI
As if…38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWAi3D4JVp
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TXzjaQbBg
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v0eWSKuo5
“N-no, you don’t understand!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmo8cANJgj
I cut in before she could finish.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xi0I6nZE0
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr8wEEmZ0V
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFQU5aXqW9
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?38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc283kjpgFw
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjXadb0PzB
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvQLj8Rev9
“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.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ04xF4Mi61
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhghywyeq9
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFSIvY3NOI
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1XAJ9jEkL
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8EelYK2cK
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1sLIgQVHu
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoHEBdZsqF
“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.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uQSA4y88K
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBtRQEPO8M
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j8FUpHENU
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz8EN73alp
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkjMXF9KnL
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SnIWpAXCW
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. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HxHd8lTnS
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEiMxHMF5U
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r8uEVDeJ1
“Tousa! Tousa!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT72SgxnCla
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtL5ayBjox
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGYIKYZw43
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzZeHPDHoF
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWsuVolqaQ
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyCArotLFR
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQThCObknt2
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9ChygaKfn
“Firee!!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgYccAWWrh
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. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXvgBv0cRs
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf2JQWxa4o
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjeZSh2u2v
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hzNgTp7jw
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG55p4fVgx
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp6Q7yCpkB
“Frigeo!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2wDyI0FEv
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mMxY7vIJA
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwiblOnH1o
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuBLzkfhDQ
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUJtqWKofD
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtwfl1XsmI
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHR0hkAArQ
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMefAKUwbTB
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbwIUjZrEZ
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQMXUTkk6v
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHtLdFZWk0
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOuLZuP58N
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nZ5krpJ2r
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6RIIdpZlH
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. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnihqa7UZ6E
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVcLLAvMyJ
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2Q1LeFYGQ
For my beloved!38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gxGf19zeH
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HLv4rAsyC
A direct hit.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpil4W9ukSy
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBJCv4JGbL
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yFQAogaOH
I… I am… s-sorry…38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKbOZy2QRH
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrozlFTu4RM
“W-where am I?!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKr9JcQKIF
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne5REsCuzc
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ313vCYIckB
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW2UBLmreJ
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBAEdD1wNC
“Wh-what do you mean?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh56Q40JHV
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0bNuepgyp
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD1SN2KJAv
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQubiWS849A
“Us? I am a dem-…”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT0zMKjBJR
“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!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmllGiTCbY
“I-I don’t understand…”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNyH2BGKz8
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbWL2VdPGE
“What do you want the most?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI37zn8X9HU
“Huh?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7TzUkyDNn
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWKRtgpptr
“I… I want to save him!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAdyzIwQ39
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4u1ByXvyB
“Amans…”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ41pzVM7X
“Huh? What are you mum-!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cjyQDh3p7
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjGWoS0aH3
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDZWOMdn9F
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0pFuBHtG9
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8k2hzrpwm
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJRq9hMCQ5
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthypGR9cmJ
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcgeTfzMYs
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjy8Dvbrdd
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxjlWzvTz4
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ice1dqugu
“Wake up, Tousa.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs6oR7ejfM
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjUo2jhpbD
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaHt4f7HVz
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupEv2R9THS
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtRemdYJen
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82MzX8Vhvj
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xUqiDriiR
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5skPLknvU
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1gQDeI9fj
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO0DxkCt9o
“S-son?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRJK5ewEjS
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj97mMcDZh
“B-beloved?!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLqnbsS6L6
“Isn’t she important to you?”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeJrRPanT6
“W-well…”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLAnKi3O4m
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z3jFT5kP2
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvq3mU3e0o
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs3tTZE63W
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUdYznmjNP
“Thank you father.”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PgXru85bk
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWViSycRbX
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWJ4QfnpiM
“Not yet!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPqxv3MdLV
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. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA6yAc5BXx
She really is a Halfling, huh.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxDhmO1LhR
“Tenna! Get baack!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgJG3puYXJ
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc0E0T2uaU
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. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztyf3AXjUW
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi708hCGdjU
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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5fXyJX9xK
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gLSX48wdK
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. 38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbD9ahp4uV
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ4YmMRxQ7
