Fire292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTMKtrIb7V
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn3RkTndS7
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxzK2Knr8Y
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDNugBYBvq
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN14tJxjGt
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71nV6Jdp3g
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf4urTquM9
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmekvVTo9k
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZrs3aE3ik
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ34GYRlewB
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe4XG4MY2V
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8okTQNNrrT
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqgIDExlNv
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqs5weVBLf
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz1iNk6pfP
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmtgN0uFW1
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN5xXUzDWs
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfADSDexBO
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtdrcGfHkF
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jFrVtPQVs
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5cgPtUoMs
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7Pw3JE0Y8
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytG59WzyOE
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i7wsOl1fg
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTIBttTuVt
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89knrwmPQM
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9B8848sTr
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhk3XTFnJO
brown complexion for a minute before opening292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHrltvgFGC
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jPHfhNNSc
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWgGeMokN3
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesXuCWynjg
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrRqOOIQ7S
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu4I6Zu2ov
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhts07Wl1q
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmG1ggLuO1
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBEibPZ1bv
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9FSMEDGt7
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70TIdEhEp6
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy0hHWluod
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn33Zm44Zvu
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1ToiEbL9L
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6noZEXEG7
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhL37pBO2d
if it were bleeding.
“What292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj5U41lmtf
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ryptsW6Wp
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDOgucxmkj
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm5W0JHWIf
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47RxskM4oV
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVlbC7WqRr
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVzUKr8QOf
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnNszC34ia
snickered.
“yea?292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjQC2Ie6mz
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5WoMbWeHh
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhSsnbmDz7
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4VunszDXE
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE1VL2Tf3b
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAk34VNB0a
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqV7ejRaeC
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjm9vUbOc9
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXPVq3UDuC
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHKoDYwlUg
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjhVR90XLX
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5MH40WaTK
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9IbQe8suX
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlECyKGzoT
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjmjRL4Uxm
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIpceTm5LS
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUJ5JECmH4
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU7fkWMrwR
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGd0szP0Pc
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPw7zx1W5c
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX6A9vNVVI
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXMYgZawil
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzqyZxjKLo
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJaUWoiybY
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGciqU3Ebm
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPLZS04Ajv
face.
“That’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8beOV9gOH
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdLLGBhp8w
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKS4BingY9
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV3dGhjDVN
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ3zIZR2lU
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3N9bYq0II
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfeNFbDe8W
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZRx6ccn0m
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGk1HgPReU
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl4mc8Qwqm
as he noticed it.
“What’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JDCYXUx3Z
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslI7TBs3VX
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeQfSi0ueY
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsufNQDFOza
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP5VgOMSJ3
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoITjF5jj9p
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ftq5zZLjp
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdzDd6qPW7
Isadora”
“good292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTwvxxTcCR
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYROKGknPC6
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxQunu7IK4
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjQ0e9ZAlE
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjbkyG3qZt
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir3qafIhml
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM689LyV4o
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAEgaNJa05
sound like a woman”
“I292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK9BoRUTDu
should hope”
“that292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNIfnHSzDB
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TeeJ3msDC
her
“Wow,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUArsT2JYI
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7dv24S7Iz
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb4yfVd0Gp
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCoUskiJKL
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSO5Fy6Uc0
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXE4Z2cFwv
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojFF4oBctl
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bRatE5qUY
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWfotRThPA
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWFuNRtXVi
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0WcSML31q
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfRgcQErXH
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyDtblT6Aw
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesC8JyWFUS
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawuz4lSmhH
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyYVnCvnxS
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Dj1h5QpBS
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OOpCQbkJ1
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqqM8dBMNZ
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9S6Y31VVu
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae94pM7SFc
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7jiLsq6Or
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpLRFrxvkk
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7hCh4ir8S
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IoqPiUd0I
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhEt2eLVg7
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk8RnIvmCf
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip8Zai33AJ
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup8aHmiqnp
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjXLCKptP3
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AnEMbKPMI
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdIPi5J5ql
to beat him.
“Same292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsxwUGAZFH
age” he said before following after her
His292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoXbDcJ3Yb
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd6XxVCLxy
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo7brYYvJe
than we were at that time…”
“What292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B2qoHp57f
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOf4R9A4mW
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKC4pnYREK
still haunted him.
“…It292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClK81O8jcM
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOBnToNGuS
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9UDX8n5B5
age”
“Better292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55blYUIbzh
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17zj3v6zJR
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKHGaTMY4M
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNt5CoDiPf
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkywR1Gm6z
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN0oGSKFIL
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGty3tCqYG
there was.
“I292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj0daj5bPQ
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOHscdxmYX
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUVrpPyNkB
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuooB0sJep
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNt0zzpm2f
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlASXcBaAw
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4YQigbhJG
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4wvlYvvDX
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0670xQcZo8
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbk19sSvTX
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9NRJSKDL2
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIEvn9eFB1
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVLo61lI07
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHBbkHzPfo
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SXNE1a1Si
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkIdrzZSNz
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLXnHMoVm9
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6pkI6kyAK
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujEiliFJU9
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvH8J2IUwI
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihd4om8ZgZ
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3tWpZT56N
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyYM6O1WYa
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIlG0Sh8l6
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAFOYhXAVG
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxpllnVOVH
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9M9mWceYx
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFKN6GEe8K
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeiIoPXldt
up in a ponytail.
“So292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCb32SsdCD
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxDxs9IPZU
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vy9z6grcn
grin on her face.
“No,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXnQVJ0pa4
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAZXypadnu
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv23CNQ88j
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkSRB1Kkx7
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG7Y3blldu
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ce51OJgoD
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpuQkJCyyn
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsVuKzEONt
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp09jiAXUE
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRABKBCKYo
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeDGVusZ5X
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRljRbtm7q
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2LVg8GZh9
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YEANXQsBT
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuyFy4iQNK
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXpwxnxmqZ
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDxikpyKyK
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXiLNvkIl8
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k14fHlnYb
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVUlK0VQVR
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID5gcVzery
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxzUy5KxPg
around at the occupants who were all embroiled292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQC2RWU8VG
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3hQoBiWXh
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRxDLMW0hs
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9febkldEw3
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbFya8RCkd
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8m6qSFVpg
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIW2mKcXCm
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYI7R8x1Mh
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4pV2jYoCT
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CESQjuRJj
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuI1oiphmc
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DDSiuT77I
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x4YEVas7O
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OoQi5wCN2
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2QuaMk72Z
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk0G05oQyV
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2X7F3k2GA
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTcOaYcHPz
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHnru4XIfD
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvyE8vEXpJ
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHc6cJMKjA
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWbM1KC0Hy
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQMUmibe2n
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD9t3rD6t5
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogZrYaWUQ7
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE4rXYSYOb
she bounced and grinned
“Great,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ340BHK1o6o
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9iUAs9BsR
robes
“Not292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp3ILG30vL
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJrFZY47Qi
now?” Kemari sighed
“The292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5BZlyNMoj
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSjuEN7baz
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVdkr8C6PL
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yugWUaWPK
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcvM93u2tS
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fG5n0fuLL
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGEWhfHWFr
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlIThIcCEf
in the middle.
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HdQJk5xQ0
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNIvOIejRk
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpmhFOmDqW
stopped at the desk and stared at the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWmGOIXvyD
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAScwPTf4w
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQx5oVtoHO
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb7e3n5XbR
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6fNeMqjg2
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFKYOuKDIw
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPoMwnW7Jr
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG6ZKkgy3t
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcVTZy1adz
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymXQ1K8JPk
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgIbMvTOqS
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1eyEUgiEK
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HhJTFEKGo
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUMuDbGKEW
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR1Co1GG8X
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMchysLxGMF
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRFF0NPCkh
did”
“YOU292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LgLiUKAKP
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr3cxfoICO
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjom9zcxYB
collar.
“THAT’S292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCb88aAjpd
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5at2uLMkr
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl369bIPz0Z
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87icy0ZhMi
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27xgoaG6ir
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzkfha2MJb
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg4OK9MaXn
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVtdRLjNDv
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs5ngog8jZ
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG08kPhrns
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJn6Rt32hN
finally broken.
“You’re292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsnCLZp2kn
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQshVOoa38J
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4Ly2i0NAG
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ydcJkX1m
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fp4w1VUS9
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoc58RUGez
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMNfl3QV28
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoRvWZMKqz
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYUgwOy7MO
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIwjzVooxD
hurry”
Kemari292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1ITfw6loc
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRTMSMENy7
292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEjE5gruGO
292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoNrEQCEdf
292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NaIiiFfPt
ns 15.158.61.51da2
