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?43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIq5yQy9He
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4UUlQ8gF7
“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.” 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmmkhBmCle
“How about creating something like that?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPI34Q7sH3
“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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIffSI4I9w1
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHmYgv3Fqd
“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.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjugQKSIK6
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r7J9qXkfh
As if…43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ0HiNxBaY
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4FOtyeoxv
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6cviXv0v2
“N-no, you don’t understand!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fjx03UbTD
I cut in before she could finish.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA0asxcvRc
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZmzT2PqXk
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LDlyFY0Rv
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?43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D6sWMap6Y
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ZpzCoEsx
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcSunDxEK5
“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.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU3Gwp6t3s
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJA0xRGGhp
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t8KITiR4j
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ1jzbeQK1
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z4CTPzj5N
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7PwF32ynh
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR90Kr2ej3
“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.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnLCHRkLuD
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51raezIZNn
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEZEgaliFi
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXo8tGeidI
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJsnfYUeIB
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna4rlavi8s
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaSxqVKev9
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpIphcwZ97
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4opoTYUexB
“Tousa! Tousa!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx57pDsj9Ec
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTC51rzSCA
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mkj3djgPw
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrwsNx2UkV
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRmoye2J3Y
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrLhAKu6co
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ozofJYny
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4uVmkDn1K
“Firee!!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcKgfwf4dB
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX0gDEtdMA
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXJblFrXe9
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SOny6D9kV
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqwdnh6Thx
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqNo8LqAnC
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM41kCQL1lF
“Frigeo!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qOvwXo2pV
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTM4ASc3B8
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJAiixL7zu
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIMmvbi2iu
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUq5MLxXr8
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj79RevSNkj
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SRywTbmRs
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo6eJADyox
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLLBivPOzJ
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPa9scphTg
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkbnh7X2n9
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJYRz1SuRh
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9GSIcfRHX
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW3XeOsMiR
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAvIZFEWXe
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqlSvDg51R
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnrTg2oeeA
For my beloved!43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5liGFk2Zt
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VF2b9SSRO
A direct hit.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7lOO1JLTh
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6bBcqvpPT
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhO4CVICqV
I… I am… s-sorry…43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9EYJrUsVE
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgo75IpynD
“W-where am I?!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzdLNJXw7R
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg89XAZWRyi
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5zvKNDkm7
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVTDIt45gO
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeDezgzRit
“Wh-what do you mean?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLkG2qmvED
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcFlE8aovL
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjYx9FUxvw
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlXDMSAxBx
“Us? I am a dem-…”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvdElOUdE7
“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!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4jiFMTbEg
“I-I don’t understand…”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHRaBqruj8
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK4Gd0x180
“What do you want the most?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDWgKh20Ep
“Huh?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEEFH3fN2p
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87RohPMYiw
“I… I want to save him!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9utY4EFTmb
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmh3kwZjn2
“Amans…”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixiFZyKzOw
“Huh? What are you mum-!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyWJliSALL
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXVM9BtWZ9
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlfREdXvv8
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIup7ybHNU
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwUvLnNWhe
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUpugvJXsB
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAShYs9Q2z
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HIwyVDQTC
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiJiec8vGT
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqAAjSuzZA
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1rH5jcUVb
“Wake up, Tousa.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V6vSdiHPk
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAvHJyi0bZ
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMwwBlHFp
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqniGcjs2II
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubXHd8MeX9
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj9JGosTon
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz0uIT0Q9x
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQtOvtzNSh
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWcY3qD1Ck
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyzHfXX4cE
“S-son?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxTeEqOMys
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcAsafGYTW
“B-beloved?!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4OXu3ocsK
“Isn’t she important to you?”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7HEj0PeyC
“W-well…”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE7kbsoRD0
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnEf0kkD0r
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywT3yHJBA4
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMuWCEgJyj
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcWPyp7cKB
“Thank you father.”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM65NHJPep
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhk3CXyi9z
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvqB6ZrwQB
“Not yet!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLshPHTdvnC
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dWIRPIB0u
She really is a Halfling, huh.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RvIookmlT
“Tenna! Get baack!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw10F4kyU2
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHwum2TAZn
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74qIKqSC7Z
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavqW7v5uc8
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.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhRPgsLFV3
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgD9OOwgkP
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDvDUjAcX5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qs8L9iTo6
