We had to assess the situation quickly. Further scouts were sent out to confirm the movements of Ken’o. Luckily Tenna brought a map of the surrounding area, it was from Haji Meni.
We were certainly sure by now, that Haji Meni was some sort of trap, but we had no idea what kind of trap. Both of us wrecked our brains around the journey to the Dwarven Kingdom, but nothing significant came to our mind. It was as if Ken’o just magically knew, that we were here.
Magically?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3y36Bp1xm
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5s30KBckp
“Movements? No, not to my knowledge at least. I am fairly sure if there was, Mother could use it, but she never used anything similar to that.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4apasJZQaW
“How about creating something like that?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Clw0Xg94
“Spell creation? I know you can combine them, but creating one isn’t easy. If Ken’o actually made a spell to be able to track us, he must be a rather powerful magician. That is a little impossible though, he is a fighter through and through. Even though he is human, he refuses to rely on magic and always used brute force.” Explained Tenna.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvCDU3L9tY
She and the Empress collected as much information as they could in an attempt to be one step ahead at all times. But our situation now was rather suffocating.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQjawDZZvf
“One more thing Tousa, you should hide and when the right moment comes you must run, run for your life. I don’t know what will happen.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKhtf6tlgL
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk5KPFDR2o
As if…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirzvUWp67H
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbldra92TtA
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJyNo54stv
“N-no, you don’t understand!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DaDDPo4bJ
I cut in before she could finish.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG7v8XHwHI
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6iipxeJls
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwjI1eUHiy
Before we could break into another argument the scouts returned. The army of Ken’o hit up a camp not quite far from us. Their numbers seemed endless. Just how big is the human army?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUOEX49rAD
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4CrktV0A6
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4UeyNCrU8
“They probably won’t attack us during the night, but we cannot risk letting our guard down. They have superior numbers and can take turns with guarding. We don’t have such luxury.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGY69eMMpw
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFZ6fjgxMQ
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu4o6OdO6r
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkxXFvVqju
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NqUngLP11
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ5WS2JfLm
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgr605seZi
“I already stationed most of the dwarves around the mountain. They might have superior numbers, but this is a fort, strong enough to withstand high level magic. The walls are imbued with Ai’s magic.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGd3EsTvFS
We had to come up with a strategy. Even if Ken’o didn’t attack head on, he certainly head enough men to widdle us down. My magic was probably good enough for normal soldiers, but I needed time to cast it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY59ZnTGDew
We strategized until past midnight. We felt the fatigue set in. Durin insisted, that he and the dwarves would stand guard until we rested. Even a short sleep would do us good.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zS8lTbsIo
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsv7RPg64a
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABoyY0Hkbx
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbr6dymCAE
She sat down right next to me, but she didn’t just rest her head she also locked her arm with mine. She was trembling slightly. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGYkmCSZfI
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3XdcAXczs
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4JW0B0z5N
“Tousa! Tousa!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI18stfKuve
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGU1kfseun
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6ASMKvBxL
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbSuIw4EOx
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudJpKxoVAW
Tenna was the one calling to me. She held her hand out and I took it. Our rest was short, but it felt good for sure.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZPwNJVtn5
The scouts reported movements. The enemy army started coming at us in waves. Since there were too many of them they had to split up.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O8XDkPT3q
The first wave arrived soon enough. Because of this sudden change in their formation a slight hope appeared before us. Ken’o was still a great threat, but maybe.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxye6vEPVuA
“Firee!!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHscfkrZSB
A great barrage of arrows rained down on the human soldiers. Dwarven arrows were much stronger than normal ones. Many shots pierced through the poorly crafted human armour. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLCTXx02YW
Meanwhile at the entrance the demonic beings stood in a half circle, rendering the defending needed area half. I and Tenna were in the inner circle.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxioKZzyuIX
The demonic beings did great work and only a few stragglers came through. Those were swiftly overwhelmed by Tenna’s sheer power. Her movements were quick and swift. Every move was more like a dance move than an attack.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDov23uacbF
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe4D5zWHEg
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN2amxNclX
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mJy05Zcy2
“Frigeo!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Jnsj3ACe
As previously discussed, I and Tenna would be a team while Durin manages the dwarves. It was dangerous to fight for us outside, but it was our own decision.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB9KuV7CaI
With Durin in lead soon a big group of dwarves rushed out and formed a second line of defence before us. Even with this numbers the second wave was much stronger and I continuously casted Frigeo.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGKje0DpEJ
I started feeling sluggish when our biggest fear appeared. Not far from the second wave and a third behind his back Ken’o was slowly marching our way.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT9LWzoVQG
His armour wasn’t full body. He only had gloves and no arm protection and even his legs were only half covered. His stature was truly grand, he was a warrior through and through.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQldftFUPsE
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qPbXO5TJe
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdKamN855W
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh52num1yvo
With Ken’o not moving I and Tenna turned up our pace. I casted Frigeo on a larger scale and Tenna leaped towards the enemies and cut them down in a blink of the eye. We continued this tactic, but I was slowly getting tired. One effect of using this much magical energy was that I started getting dizzy and fatigued.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGPmKTG92q
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oO4FZOH4x
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUyK8bBKl4
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0Z76RfT6Z
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW7vKbxJp3
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfciBX431SS
I leaped yet again forward trying to strike him from my lower right. I got only blocked this time and our difference in power was immense. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5af2qxq87
A big shockwave engulfed our surroundings and soldiers from both sides were sent flying. He easily pushed me away, but before I could react he targeted Tousa.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQh8lHZ2G3
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNdjGB1KcK
For my beloved!77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyTD9yKf8C
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWmvcZZzoi
A direct hit.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWIjyDvWPR
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsJokB0MDT
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiT8IfWUGg
I… I am… s-sorry…77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NvxrrQEas
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzZgbkRpy0
“W-where am I?!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRM21k667u
I found myself in a dark place, more like the darkness surrounded me. A sole woman stood before me. She had snow white skin, long ears and golden blonde hair. Her dress was like of a princess’s.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLv0GZwiV4
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbATdzkqLKs
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rjKLp0OgB
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sApRPL5Ud
“Wh-what do you mean?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxFWksVz4g
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zI1t8aFJf
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnC2YxVDde
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3RSCiqr4H
“Us? I am a dem-…”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrq2pq6ioa
“See? You are part elf too. Never wondered why your magic was this low? It went into the concealing of your true nature. You are a Halfling!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoggcE1PJj
“I-I don’t understand…”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM7bbC3r3j
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT8RwBDebR
“What do you want the most?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaDfS4XEbl
“Huh?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB1VIxKLjx
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQiqhnEo7X
“I… I want to save him!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAPmVoSHpV
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa340uaUeaU
“Amans…”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwceJb0gqPH
“Huh? What are you mum-!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecwqVOb0y4
An incredible amount of magic energy started emitting from Tenna. Her white hair grow longer and turned to a golden blonde. Her darker skin became a lighter tone and her ears grew longer.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43vsJCFHC4
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3AIpk7UHv
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITTCsE4aA8
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiEqKPzfp0
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRrWG8poE5
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssYoiXDkpj
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oPpHTgKyF
Bright light enveloped her and once it faded she was clothed in white and golden yellow armour. Durin couldn’t believe his eyes. The quality and design were beyond dwarven knowledge, something almost impossible.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYjohi1JQj
Tenna leaped at Ken’o who half dumbfounded and half in shock barely blocked her attack. Even with all his might Tenna managed to bring down the blade of her glaive which slowly bore into Ken’o’s shoulder.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBllnwQB8Nj
Once they parted Tenna furiously barraged him with attacks pushing him further back. With every attack more and more cuts appeared on the strong knight who was overwhelmed by the elven warrior’s speed and anger.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jw4UMjh44
“Wake up, Tousa.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92L6bXA07v
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnoT0sL2lA
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0sArMkvWb
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWVKDqXDXl
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy6skg7ry7
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIZlOrscDF
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeDONswh2W
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAneNysALd
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUKrWh5Lz
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDGvtkR7V6
“S-son?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR5vx5Btih
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ598YW93Mn
“B-beloved?!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhYOsf6wn1
“Isn’t she important to you?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ISG3LRqvJ
“W-well…”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5Rd1CuiMD
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5szoaukeK5
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGgMwCiyQ0
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02BzMvdwIl
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGR7Z4ToGR
“Thank you father.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V4vcUoX2Y
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuD9uAWhq7
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO5kXmJDbs
“Not yet!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBQPYqsEKH
I looked over the fight. All I saw was a beautiful girl fighting Ken’o furiously, but she was getting tired. I thought for a second and called out to her. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Cwn6yYwC
She really is a Halfling, huh.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe99kujmZlR
“Tenna! Get baack!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn0ojNVh6P
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7bpvXMaCN
The magic circle on my palm started changing runes. First three, then six, then nine and last twelve runes which formed a second magic circle. With determination in my eyes, my trembling hand held one of the most powerful magics. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXiyVoe9bj
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDvFZAq6Wu
Tenna moved back as fast as she could. In the sky the same magical circle appeared, but much bigger. Menacingly the runes started changing the same way, Ken’o stood frozen in shock, and all the soldiers started running way before I started.
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH765cqV0Pi
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsIkcBqNX2
Suddenly a crimson and black coloured pillar of flame descended from the Heavens and engulfed Ken’o. The shockwave was incredible and I finally lost my consciousness completely. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Np60mETH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYi3jUQ1Cr
