Fire312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PfATUmKtl
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveTLFu1giK
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvnDRkGPjB
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PQCEaLSxS
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7FqG2Yr9c
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2FFqJ6Fat
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpaZgCpGsn
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCAMeZG0Vk
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY0PQawvZI
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FVBATGLcN
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0qjQXxuFk
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr6gZHLie9
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM1nHVCP0u
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5WDWnqLld
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiwJidmb4Q
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu5JlJLwCm
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz5shHwpql
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX8GcoBRws
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBAW06SUEO
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXdkV7S6VA
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeCIoGL0Gi
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpKFszfD2E
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4rvs1aK4F
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HoFXqMLWv
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIaWCFJIwH
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiaqnNHFOg
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡintAFT0k5A
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA9SpQuCbU
brown complexion for a minute before opening312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2QLqHJPB0
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw7WJgS3KA
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSx7YivEWo
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uOu767h5v
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR2C276Rmt
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn82R5GgkJ
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1zHDt8Yfr
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa8rlU6b29
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQlemOUfN7
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ418ZUOyUtI
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypqtcB53hN
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3KKuVMhJD
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I1FQuiIOA
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd61MfsFiq
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPy4DG6Egp
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnvESLWlSp
if it were bleeding.
“What312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbeAge9QNK
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHudxgxp1io
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVwfFS0vUO
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs10vRlvUbf
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qoWTjNlb5
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbkod6jPvt
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslSTpWnOBg
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOUnSfqVCV
snickered.
“yea?312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3eICk9zeT
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaLbdgaG0r
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58OubFiZyg
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6BFDVBJDa
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKf0Ttwa5Z
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxes8eaQl8
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xuv0uVpnv
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFja1QF6E3
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne82hzOlIu
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVah4eGGlQ
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVQjcWuuoT
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz9EFaWRkn
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUbPk4Cwsu
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BIzExyxo2
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyEDvMW1nJ
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIWsnvigjG
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjTiq8E4U6
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP7cAbMfgn
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HEdtYvMm3
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iIHCUWiiw
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiQ3eM043i
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohxOCZPeHT
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU6D6Tg5dL
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI8IJJzJQ8
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpZwbmHgN5
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuwAVlXxCu
face.
“That’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3UBEJi8Sy
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRf2pCYEqi
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhWQK6lUrG
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA7vXBxEii
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHvEnSKc5y
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZzF6OABg5
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP0ywdylcl
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJI4LKjJcz
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSz72BDb7Z
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EC4oHNRSA
as he noticed it.
“What’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6vQcX9tQn
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMeUaeCie2
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QYr9xt7dA
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaijUaUHDl
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OoGs9vc2M
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzCf5GxZTU
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6yLvCLckT
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0qPqPghQj
Isadora”
“good312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGssJnWVq9Y
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx9iwpkCm2
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqojThphnMO
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ885uc1BXnU
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8aZR5Eszy
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU50oVxHCfE
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftbHWaCsTZ
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtOfj2pMVe
sound like a woman”
“I312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54qB1wiTU1
should hope”
“that312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8oLq7cYH9
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAdStviO3g
her
“Wow,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuFA4xtTBb
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxmE2XhicK
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAIXdrOnsJ
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmOO516HrR
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVOOwxmrcU
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLZxmgV0WQ
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6PR3AmuNb
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uXKWTjnVR
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8Ty2J19kM
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOs3nQRapt
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KAg7saU7z
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfN8MNjKjt
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGnzxc9wrc
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiBoI0Hu2q
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSV8y78N2Y
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDMTkJMPbi
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88CZE2GKBO
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7is5RhChl
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpdD2qPIh7
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkad3nRTuOK
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxxZmaHqnz
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JSnwiCSWL
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lfN1XVla5
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCH5AnCq9O
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx95xmx3JaE
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnPuIbij2x
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmNLPZFuCc
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ve2iETjMl
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7eumrS88K
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbW4ERTT80
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU6DGUFMAJ
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKImrucvHHC
to beat him.
“Same312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p8RKkWZBi
age” he said before following after her
His312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr9PRtr1YM
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF3eXr73NP
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbm1ClC3wE
than we were at that time…”
“What312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBPAvizBQD
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hFHeSpmx6
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLhw7eBdyQ
still haunted him.
“…It312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS70yK3iYp9
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8Qwoc34v3
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Eh9XsrIRf
age”
“Better312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl3OGkB2Ii
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNw5Db8cCk
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK65sR2luZ
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdvKAMK9B4
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJsHj7wggI
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWntqfzPZb
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubyyBb5tM3
there was.
“I312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXtkhawaCS
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRqMeEZxEH
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIgGE1w7Ux
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmlB2eWhEb
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqNeA6tKDB
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG5Q23lV65
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN9CvSS8ZW
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcTJUznXqT
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuNWxyBeVQ
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTO35ZKiAB
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUATrGeTTg
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DwRy6utMB
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnwNIZHiwU
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AR8MnpOoC
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP377JNFwHa
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA0jadKZFO
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDpPIWPqI0
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiC1xGyuc9
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtk2O80Pk3
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOe06kHFBO
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBI4jDinpS
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV00ANd0d2
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccxLg7y4Wf
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAVtwmqwh5
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VXV7iquEu
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N7MgLQYWK
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNJ1h62Vq2
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PPcDeQJ4b
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nR6Vsr2YO
up in a ponytail.
“So312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh0Tk1gI0A
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjBXPdjjmp
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwFnF2OmaM
grin on her face.
“No,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjttauwtBH
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTvesFehNK
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvbMT5vUhk
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPiyh9bpde
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHssYaGjX51
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcks0MjtHl
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9pyV19DLv
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtycqElFQ1
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR6ATi0qzy
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSAJxAruHZ
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpZrO6Ywng
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWwgaojPEG
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtaQdZzXPc
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5uWXJlXdP
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ3aAThepX
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRdrjxtf2l
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqng6fyf6KC
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEMBwMeYFE
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcb6WglUuU
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFi6u8Jd66
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKtGNl76Ql
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Z8jhE1aQ
around at the occupants who were all embroiled312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjihSzRdwcK
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGkecsQWPq
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPJECFvT60
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYntDGa5KcY
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYIkzVwLJJ
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbwK9jSIYd
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJp897mV3L
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRqNomg21M
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3tsLxKmOk
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c8Af45p38
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFNl6niWt2
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2joAnihOxV
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97cWxySbie
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiw074ud5C
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrWXGh2Uo2
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirHMyIOFVO
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab1NxUZTZv
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHBD8qwqmL
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPygM1O0Py
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpWyvIrBxV
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B2Pez6ZpL
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn0wAaFAfm
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0N0EcS4Y5
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHqWWmVOvH
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrO6RHvA9T
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRk2qhA0Ma
she bounced and grinned
“Great,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI6Pt6Y1FB
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzxiB0lQnY
robes
“Not312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k6c7O8xuW
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugLmxSPsKR
now?” Kemari sighed
“The312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPnWGwVhF1
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIKGPoLhU1
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwncdFoaUHE
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTQVsTwgHF
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4XPZcwAzT
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQLh7n9Z2L
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptVorf1zdG
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdqTkEtcWK
in the middle.
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZYx3YYPgv
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxcy5PXwRU
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgBSqmjG63
stopped at the desk and stared at the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj8GojqSRW
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGENXFQZIsE
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6P4whKVdJ
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w3Tl1ZMzx
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE835bbgLGy
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUSP0h6iL1
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnyS1SZDSh
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKxt8XRd2L
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlgbo7YBKZ
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIJupW5Onk
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaFSj9vt1m
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesBiCc16Wu
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPicZB03jv
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd3hzB2Bm3
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDu6oo0hlM
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTn9XFntg2
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl7spM5JP5
did”
“YOU312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJnRWfmy7s
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnDUStOmoM
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNppI9BYlxz
collar.
“THAT’S312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBaSh73O6d
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3netPmI708
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1D3kB9k94
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JUxHSGKpl
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAR6zwXPX0
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSypQi0zRT
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFthrQXIl2
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIlFseggQ6
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcU8ZeuNAM
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpasZJL195Z
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaDm9Y7cf3
finally broken.
“You’re312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ91TZsj8XF
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKaVXk0YoX
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctVMzS7XQK
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaHHlrTR76
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrHFH0eckk
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqY1LhaGbZ
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiSkDgJQ61
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01mjJORRDL
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZCAykHXUt
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHytaU7Z1vn
hurry”
Kemari312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyXJP5s3D2
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVhfxd6K85
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTPfweGXyf
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1FkPM9kVD
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHP2rl6o2z
ns 15.158.61.19da2
