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?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO9SCK8Wln
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGouAWKGRv
“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.” 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvxetbCjz2
“How about creating something like that?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhgBeLb40F
“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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRya7QBUMeG
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33JZdF41OL
“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.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI0eGCf4qw
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6li5j4YEGV
As if…116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhigK9abqA
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zLKU72zLM
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sfI7WjLK7
“N-no, you don’t understand!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPYfNRoLuD
I cut in before she could finish.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbnC5snqP7
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpACFIK2hf
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU38OeG0cAK
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?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96BL6Ej2bP
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZq52rCcif
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkertBUIUQO
“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.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclEKOYoySl
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1zG1kBUR8
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDyaWqTi0k
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F8TKamnP3
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInQaBHI37l
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADbc57ne1L
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZI97jMkG5
“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.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqbCHleZJ7
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBngcVd3RTr
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEiE1dPXLS
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZrVSqXN9u
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo3ikaI7Qy
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWKNrk5p1D
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. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzTIYel3Qm
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdP4LhxjSE
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3SMAuT01T
“Tousa! Tousa!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9YY8z7D5y
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF4sv5HMWJ
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYmtVPxvP3
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6JvHzzg6B
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVI6EApwyb
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZwic9mxBZ
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1YvF6UNQA
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvxpPuxTS2
“Firee!!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK04bk6pKBs
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. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13XaLSQeXO
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQsxBInTC8
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CatYFJKc4
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1peZR6Aww
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE6xc3v80h
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaKJnYak1c
“Frigeo!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNQ4xfVig8
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n3LsqWuwG
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhaakXYL2T
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b9X4fzPjL
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyGhe8Yueo
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVHbZIYfQD
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0socUpV9V
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezxwRuDA92
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfhdAMegyW
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4tWzReUwt
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdY1xr5oEG
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U0EybMjyt
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUJ5TVinop
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mUne3lh5M
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. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpID5I7s7Xg
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv1HLANE93
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDsbxofqq4
For my beloved!116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBHSClh2D3
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWugGRVq0E
A direct hit.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWezNWtG25n
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNHDdjJG7i
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBq5YjbmA0
I… I am… s-sorry…116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax4jcI7xWj
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFjAUrlOrY
“W-where am I?!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCMqfusivD
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmtuZDKMfQ
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUuw77OYEV
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNeiAOzYMd
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudBWi7LlQ8
“Wh-what do you mean?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFZ6hQPWWJ
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzVf9iv3fK
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVyROft7J0
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpHBOh7hZx
“Us? I am a dem-…”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVEtliX2tw
“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!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ5n3AJkHv
“I-I don’t understand…”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi7rCZSE10
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG73RufO4o
“What do you want the most?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXDsRZQUIb
“Huh?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLOneo5CKm
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqBVbRenXm
“I… I want to save him!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBhF4MykYU
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnomuUgz6K
“Amans…”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAuedY93uv
“Huh? What are you mum-!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZXF2sBGM7
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqjWxVgbf1
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPmbxISp73
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCUh8lmEom
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kdty0IOAX
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OjkeWmIei
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2dTOZNyH4
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTOnMdGZgT
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aGUnOX9HS
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ715Kg7rGOA
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EtuDPWN6U
“Wake up, Tousa.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2hku7lcvn
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGrMkd6Q9s
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9asAgSk1sf
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslPwRJfblH
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx69IEO8w1
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwSlb2LNel
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOBVUgL7yM
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOGGrwN097
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVuS2Pw9VN
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB8R6q86ZF
“S-son?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODHEHgku6s
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsw5qntvVI
“B-beloved?!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FyO0mmyaS
“Isn’t she important to you?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB0AWTt9xg
“W-well…”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cPVqiApF4
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVBwStv4s0
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9anFRQj69
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKfBcH8Fcx
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDXJq8SW30
“Thank you father.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBCSmn55Qq
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZB6ZUgsWt
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvHAsmUS1Y
“Not yet!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTwbKxQ9wj
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. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeNZPHJpEZ
She really is a Halfling, huh.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO59slnvJIZ
“Tenna! Get baack!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wXGvAyooO
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme4qnaJfHj
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. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3Wvx5TfNv
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsPd5BFojx
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.
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSy8sbI0uh
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQIFL33bw3
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. 116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOU8lVJXa2
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQusMQShUQB
