Fire296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN01FGZhEf0
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHFSvZgnoP
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LkzgPXGkW
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXF3ZJkv0x
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRimHRrPKF
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeabtpavnF
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGX2UrvZkx
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvKS3irBxA
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0vndhRuXW
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8MXulkhZO
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCNbXfqqyw
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe3o10YKdW
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTeNT0cGss
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD8HsXcg3z
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fsqOEnBps
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw3WiP0pkv
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtcZeafRHj
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44rJl8TQSP
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GrtIalnQx
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPOBXGvurb
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn75BXcKbn
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0ZZR1alJ5
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvKr04iqqk
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiYSV0DViC
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFfgZINy6P
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMbGPVGJre
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCbiTEZcr1
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwUdir9mtb
brown complexion for a minute before opening296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vk51YsyFN
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYTeIaNmRi
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYD5xAFv9x
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvdMKgzFX4
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlzpxvTNIQ
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfbZlgY7YC
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GnTR5n3RB
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF1L1NEPiQ
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsaT3ki0ij
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHkCphHgUb
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLICSDnyY2Q
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABdOz9isC9
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiOoxQARyi
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxrCoRul7z
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsBd6D59lJ
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPGskmkhkq
if it were bleeding.
“What296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22Veziyzsw
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYwbyeFn7L
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5sXjziJHS
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGta8YmtaS
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx86pTWFLfE
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRiaXFIFP6
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Wy7x4WvR
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnD0sZYtPh
snickered.
“yea?296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVkyHZMKKK
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe73DI9uUxl
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBqvqYzVpx
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcnrCjF62t
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27sHzAJD2z
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPZ6Wf7Lj7
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVaQshoUVs
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy3PDj7cnc
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xv5EaQ7Xy
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ohroHzCKq
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2H7tu119g
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGCkhLn2PD
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8jFz5jJy5
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8bXWmO23b
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yeKpPvXhS
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjeGGHnMbo
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJNMWEtagh
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2FwSIAdjQ
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4oqdj0dcv
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj1n9xF4el
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNk7ESDLr5
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU00hCMx5SZ
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaRFGHxj8U
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlcgof2s3r
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxG7uzB591
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtmr6R7Rd6
face.
“That’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRhWu1QKWb
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ1RSabJhQ
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ0opJqFWk
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR9LW3E7dP
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE8PZhoQp2
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs9qH5dzVg
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMWCbvU8Ik
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTRcaZs5yq
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ358zZxLHap
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QN8BrjFw8
as he noticed it.
“What’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kPhn61YBA
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjq03KOjUU
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd7TTKbsGh
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdPNclbyDK
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZrzwDUGEL
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFR5Y1nKQk
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYnCsaqdOh
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Owfciq4vo
Isadora”
“good296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVPwUht3qX
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqESRV3Zc4e
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4BJfx2FJ5
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnABZu0W7S
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNgGAHPBFq
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHbURXc7At
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVD1N3VHlj
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn7rus6GTa
sound like a woman”
“I296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZLBCOMEB0
should hope”
“that296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EnR7kBGxs
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6SBK7mX0O
her
“Wow,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaZmyfEGDa
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3yf4eSPE4
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70mrESiuPu
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8dCtJwZy2
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AnKoxJKWK
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFi3ShzjJL
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxKvGbigTQ
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt4w2ZoEXX
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM4j3tVR1C
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6OaN8lRyV
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RFXtkr3ka
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClDzJTfY3b
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWGOIvCnQm
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE8GTNaMk5
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDVzORH2bb
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFS9elTk06
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0EUSqXFYq
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKgft2EwMg
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Z91JRAeL
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJImU0E8Y8n
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ591ME6LwPb
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44TnjNLOVR
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR49BXoHPW
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv9Jw9B1MW
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQuAwprVlY
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONtjYrHETG
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF32avDOXCj
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU2FgYXUWH
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlWa6l0Bm1
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb3CtSDKsD
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgLRfhlbP6
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltIjrfLLDF
to beat him.
“Same296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzqGrGILIC
age” he said before following after her
His296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2RpDnidzn
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxOsWP2Rqf
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zOTGcS1FK
than we were at that time…”
“What296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKgG8PXIW8
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVimuo7mA5i
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuE7YS70O2
still haunted him.
“…It296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoryXGvgvV
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx7dVODypO
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQZSw6wXMY
age”
“Better296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84zMUu3svl
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiOqYbHbpk
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh9WgWkRht
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoWHTxQtci
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjuwT4eDf2
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubES2PMaqZ
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsk3kIvBcP
there was.
“I296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXU8Dfl17t
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZA7CGrjsA
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDMEkGszvZ
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2McArZGpLq
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvBnPvQ60N
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM01o6E7Xj
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34H8PofwXV
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54oJxFk89z
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL5CcMoovZ
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVDt9CTH8b
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRutXRhM37i
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rybnj9E61
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx3z8Fvwmj
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMekOh2AFic
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIHjjOSXfg
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58FgcPuIDG
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwTYo1GAcF
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgSbJ7GLOV
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZZPxHq0FP
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQbr7t3QTo
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJKCcHsB1T
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO386Adxkb
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItAFNeeyF1
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLYQiXb21P
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm72wgvVtiT
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9Jtza448U
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqfXZG3Fyj
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5flQRZcy0U
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jMDRTULGT
up in a ponytail.
“So296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWIpTclbWk
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2BiFkivnZ
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cqZUR374D
grin on her face.
“No,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjfAALb3iv
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ47aQlT508
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoRg2BARhK
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUB6CXLFdn
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVvPoXsVDJ
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgWmMBwl4g
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFGsOvCGAc
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVCIli0uGy
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpc24JLiR2
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRR0LhdnuD
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hdnrlMyHU
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHlGZvvoq6
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRCd5CglxT
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5MZFsrHsi
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJntKC63Nr
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD3GVhPTva
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm61iwUjJsL
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoIeNC9mZi
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvyrrktmH7
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaKUYTDR1F
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX8rAYEhoc
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUHDcOv5WW
around at the occupants who were all embroiled296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWBneedY6h
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRfAeOT52S
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGIgPuu4KZ
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMtBkprXPO
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSStQXg5eaH
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3koc5eyR3
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ2xFpKcN2
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznkGvUEEir
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCN8DC7w7K
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p1FAHk0DS
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNbG5ohkJo
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLb1GwqgBO
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdtvEDIjwR
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ772pu7PeuY
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumlVVEe1Mt
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j70eKglaL
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr9vYRdYOZ
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSKZl9p77v
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbmNdgoN6X
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpBxfADF77
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t9X6ytlMD
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrQAWZuggg
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TT8a2LxbX
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwTlZMrdhb
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tu4URtSSV
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yYVsf9tqh
she bounced and grinned
“Great,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV4iKh8MFx
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzjSajxfPX
robes
“Not296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGLh5ZCVwT
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizjnm0CpIH
now?” Kemari sighed
“The296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPxcHhTckZ
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMtZu6rkqD
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPjl2Ert08
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodUe5WYps3
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZWQkG7AqW
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbimcR8zXPC
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VqWjN7goF
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOiHyqMFTt
in the middle.
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenwuY7IbDG
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAagxLYLA5
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySL6nVLsDd
stopped at the desk and stared at the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVijZcdc1Z
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy2iUwhbbj
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInjvDUQWAz
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9xBApm2ix
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtImgLjXdBe
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYE5wdOQbi
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0T507kpKl
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq871B1lQVo
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A4RwjERHb
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasgOaCrVzV
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1S6lYL53v
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUs4vkCpCp
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfsJPCHiAs
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgZBhzND5G
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS78ecAkyjG
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ5wey5Zco
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YtZdIjdxo
did”
“YOU296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrP8qfGYza
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin1fx2gd8p
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8zuoJdlU1
collar.
“THAT’S296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVtjL95Vsj
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw7k95sJOV
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldaix7wRBO
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOFdkwsgTf
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEzpiQMyxV
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlhwvfAyWE
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5mgCqSamt
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeheiR7gmZa
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgHtXr3B75
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJXubeeq0y
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKSW3vRAYR
finally broken.
“You’re296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFQaLZIkzQ
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GaStFWXpt
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKDQ3ovddD
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1bAS5fN1A
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTE0Lfw5dl
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmuYuStyfm
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIOEczmcE4
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S55bS1lM6
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrZxfHOXTk
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdnJafDPAB
hurry”
Kemari296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByg7Vfhik9
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR99rZFx74t
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt3FXMrBN5
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoPpp89qzQ
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY45Mg4AnI
ns 15.158.61.20da2
