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?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVpeOii0ok
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5SYYTmWes
“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.” 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrU2cdTGM8
“How about creating something like that?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwk9EkO6Ei
“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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyJZpehkY7
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd9ckcSrJM
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DpvQsJiOk
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1r0x3Jg0V
As if…63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FcQTpD6zS
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAoYhhXbdc
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ulw0TBjM
“N-no, you don’t understand!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwjvS1dwQT
I cut in before she could finish.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg6XaREdTs
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiG7cBGMxd
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75BZSFryxU
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?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaorz0dcZo
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm0oFnsN2C
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvBOX59QXF
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7DmBICeqQ
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtbR10u8nx
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo6aPTMlon
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQODn5LEhFC
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxrKCd5RVA
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLM8daIugE
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l9k1Uegz6
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAiaTcJZ4T
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdUWXag780
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim27FkkWMh
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSIv2LehOB
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfUPgWXlTn
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHAJ8QbULi
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA94Z8I9OU
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKqtIcESsF
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DGdBDNgwv
“Tousa! Tousa!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiesCiF3km
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekOb4zco1U
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FtLT6Usmu
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblgWLLMBqW
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTe9AyrimH
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV4hQokVgA
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaP4JMp0qK
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkoU8xQmx3
“Firee!!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Gw3LlBVQ
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpFbgku0wg
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mH3xFOXCh
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Buk7yiOTB
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRLx0jk8OV
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx6b79iG2Q
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78KGt3NIV8
“Frigeo!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMpikSdTMX
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TY6SnyOWW
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWnhA6BSjb
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QHJakUgna
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcv0McK1oB
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwIs2rGQnA
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjjnNI7vaq
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpKLZUNXML
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQUjQt19K8
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIMNUUGc9y
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiDSGwcnIl
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AHc9MJdPs
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcySJXLPolJ
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCxPOZpOdb
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHNZuXDCOZ
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53eqw22nkR
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg8YZhhcGx
For my beloved!63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdZs7yCTGx
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYuCYMMy2Q
A direct hit.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTttY2pzHCb
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOfrVds1Ed
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKMNL3gPuk
I… I am… s-sorry…63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBjQlG7x8e
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHohd79fDq
“W-where am I?!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhFjNPwevp
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcSCyiO3h9
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX8ipwlnOc
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdZcyCvcGA
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4H8rtAN5p
“Wh-what do you mean?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW95XRgpiyE
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCAAcDHThn
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jb5LKNGG5
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUArdigEVG
“Us? I am a dem-…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOtJGgu99M
“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!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUVZctTrJ0
“I-I don’t understand…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf59RFkVMLN
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c31geNFoJ
“What do you want the most?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWr7n3A7zA
“Huh?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomdqvbubIm
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUQsHNdhnK
“I… I want to save him!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpbVrxSHSH
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX327jo3ogN
“Amans…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi2KjwjfbJ
“Huh? What are you mum-!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdiI5LzYWB
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRfNde7j3M
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0y7u1f1C8
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSM5YbDv2r
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVO1IOYNlL
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSoYEB04BD
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiD3jHCald
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl23tPf7VC
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NWi3N9jrE
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV4KWbUUfc
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJDAnEQ24C
“Wake up, Tousa.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl47hDVzf9
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszgw8aZu6y
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnr7ucQKX9
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOGQnsbM07
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyStlYwPkvh
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfqQl04UbA
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFaUYuPXtr
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJP6oVq4ZB
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnefHdzVCj
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWXxVYtGxJ
“S-son?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyLxtxQdJc
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNi0iEumtR
“B-beloved?!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiIaPmnTSs
“Isn’t she important to you?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKVSKN1GHA
“W-well…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJHBTfXNZc
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJLMKRbTy4
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p1wyDAKdn
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgbnlALov4
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02bWzyIvxE
“Thank you father.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81IbHn5YvQ
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUInGLb9Ce
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwC9PDDY8M
“Not yet!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSOatxOIwL
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFch9sFwfmr
She really is a Halfling, huh.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyLnBnSq6x
“Tenna! Get baack!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRBLiR9BYe
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeXwmZo8zj
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65smjl5Yzh
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc0JbRwjEc
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.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ356IHOlplf
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwQ2o7uiH5
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU9JTeqwC8
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1FPZHFL1Q
