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?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt3ILYTZJO
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxEtcUwbFr
“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.” 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCGnoXIsX8
“How about creating something like that?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt68GYx9Nf8
“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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicC6N8Ejal
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj67xoNaTh
“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.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlhvZgyoWF
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGE7BxC9eY
As if…82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzGxIWVFut
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjoODKEjKg
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROnExGu87c
“N-no, you don’t understand!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JcoXB3Fov
I cut in before she could finish.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgc6QYpvJr
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSFO1ZQbIu
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohdYNB43JP
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?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqJJgwKOqq
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCh0T6lLb0
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1E625x3WM
“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.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGGuOwG2n6
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ruFGRZDHI
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfshLfQOJz
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8Yn1huoyH
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4968aAXX7W
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIhp210TNS
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4mI9humYP
“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.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIWI7WF9Px
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj2yjkJAaa
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96yJPQr1hS
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ96HPA2O4
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ifW777Feg
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneBKxMbOAC
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. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2PNnGZDIu
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3EwvLxRfZ
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFnBgXzt8f
“Tousa! Tousa!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktCECzR2iW
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBSCdhYLlM
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOb5Ak54re
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3m6LskyAo
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpoUuJzGWg
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuB1WmspDH
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf8bnhAIM8
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNFbKV4dxV
“Firee!!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpHUhbxKrP
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. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlsxrcTUMQ
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs85eAFZW6
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKgOZKwgVQ
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuINEM8Evf
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡety63w0Eon
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTNpgpgsFH
“Frigeo!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVvl517rDe
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGCKBCtlaE
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqaXrctn6n
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuFp9RQG5V
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJodcFOiz1t
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBNifalSeS
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OrytREgiY
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSgZ0NxNll
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ5VOzZRoM
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAAKET620p
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiPg3U8i0G
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUbPL1iVRN
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlqQBMZHqC
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMoqBDPARY
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. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGhs9ylSmJ
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqFQdkWv4I
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsASkPuN3fJ
For my beloved!82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2Ih0pJmUh
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfGjJiEYQK
A direct hit.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwysX88g4su
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTouyJAF6k
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAF6ZESFhD
I… I am… s-sorry…82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zRMfGCdEq
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XNAb3mKXC
“W-where am I?!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7s5iE1pHZ
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqwyvgGLok
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTG4QAf5zd
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUoUsFwzP3
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAvgUoW3tM
“Wh-what do you mean?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENgDm4xKzH
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m6W0sfGKn
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vn567y7Cl
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI71Hu06nU
“Us? I am a dem-…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbDx7F8UXy
“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!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QwVKfNIcK
“I-I don’t understand…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPKrq4BlCr
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yhpyl3LJF
“What do you want the most?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83qcrVZvaS
“Huh?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrK5aLQwdD
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07HtxwQtAU
“I… I want to save him!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujAjwqtLzN
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST5njD5Qds
“Amans…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3Lhorbgkh
“Huh? What are you mum-!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj6IpTZkc7
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jnD5LF7Io
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0CpmW1qLJ
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlWp728XYy
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWTKuCuYAx
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A3P138uNM
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdrJWTJoyl
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkgBpC0wEs
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j8HXl5xNd
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbRtF5N9sl
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.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxAYtEvqWK
“Wake up, Tousa.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H1gRebww7
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw9e98cbZr
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKicQ57nGE5
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy99dtQYPN6
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzCbc4CvUf
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYplf6x3nv
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ5sfA9wig
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxY5GpjOqT
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YFpUG0w3g
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjhoyVwJWS
“S-son?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzK4dxVS61
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZJvyOSpdr
“B-beloved?!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDY4TGwlCS
“Isn’t she important to you?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57gIaf20lY
“W-well…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOzysoD2mb
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MEWm8lfKM
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv22RmWQlq8
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi2CUddYrA
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLmwUQkisl
“Thank you father.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXSnjhWDXZ
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMNgF3tvju
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIkS7eP5or
“Not yet!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT8gcbkpVU
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. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdAhfmSzHk
She really is a Halfling, huh.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEOHrn90aK
“Tenna! Get baack!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nz95yuhw9
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxq4B9lUMI
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. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8cP8lxyb9
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrASoM7zuMx
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.
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflmVBgAJC1
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfcpQpnLfe
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. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrXGABDvi8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa2EtL5eea
