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?115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlWXqaTo0Q
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vynZg5bke
“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.” 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml5QqvT3GC
“How about creating something like that?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD44JjMmypt
“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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2nRl9TwPl
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVlRXDaMt0
“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.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXVtnEgG3D
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0waLvNHre
As if…115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGciohYRTfI
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbKjPeBJTV
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjikkaHRbqd
“N-no, you don’t understand!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oxhcQG6e3
I cut in before she could finish.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq09uMWf5P
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSY2cpXJ71
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTc1llWyXk
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?115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mmeU5tYl9
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcmRh5liyY
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0zQ0quA64
“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.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu2mqnW1Ke
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsPEhnKOUa
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfXhGoA8zb
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HIhdZHK1O
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj9b8kW1ij
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhkGXPmu7A
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbu5v9yBmC
“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.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShTGJWRpwf
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY6d7TH9Ce
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVWGekirWc
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2dsun9Hl2
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrsLdr231I
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBys4h1FAp2
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. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQcPL9Ystk
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoXqvtsQrz
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rKHVHcvo6
“Tousa! Tousa!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfI6MRjLRK
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSiwJqUc2E
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhKFYGy2bc
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWHcZTBVkW
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLN7IiPXtS
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmCitONtO3
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyqNxoMz5b
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrA5gaKv26
“Firee!!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFYv1Y3CaD
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. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyWSp2xeiF
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiNLBD2eEG
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpBqB6hgC0
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZauZSOSxG
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeSAzJiAyP
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjlFPl05ec
“Frigeo!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0aBmImS5v
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRTEdd9ftj
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICakWi7V8M
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVi6hLkxn8
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVowaGL9M2
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2znsiyeXL
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dFZnIvJgS
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWXUzhxqyp
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkrwnRR8nZ
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jXDYnPnWr
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FWM1kaurY
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3uPcv6sw3
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFu6u0Qg7K
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYWLMBaTPP
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. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPhtiJDb5P
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwOYG76Vet
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctjSX57NuX
For my beloved!115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LLALyrw4B
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwniL615j0
A direct hit.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukWH73P7sm
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVwcBtqQis
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YfVkhSZUK
I… I am… s-sorry…115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrISy2qcel
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv3rfSSiSA
“W-where am I?!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vdvm35RF3
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX5QAucTwD
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLNZGrGi9e
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVzdovs5bm
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZCzV9yGlO
“Wh-what do you mean?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QSNilXC0L
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxermcNT3h
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnkOJZeEVT
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq2WjGZdqJ
“Us? I am a dem-…”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugTSFx7qAf
“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!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGkmbE0K1N
“I-I don’t understand…”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQOCWkSldL
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbles84ojw
“What do you want the most?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUbOySXhvV
“Huh?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWsNQzPqkY
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalUalb0vAW
“I… I want to save him!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7z9XmTQPU
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERMYkJz19T
“Amans…”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF5nv6ckwR
“Huh? What are you mum-!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPd7rzWd6g
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb83Yi6fmzD
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhCJ7tyKk7
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCSKVSYppw
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCjbxbof5U
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3MNmb86Zq
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgSisXXrK8
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9hfc1f1gW
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8OL2PRbNl
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTcRTVf2rg
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.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrDPLxqiP5
“Wake up, Tousa.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhTCPdjGl5
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYoxPObKy2
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneqrd8cyfL
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe06mfrlG4Y
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqU7zgeU0a
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4CXMBHOuH
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmO257hd2M
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB62PVkN1a
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivR2jZynmT
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvlBPwAmcw
“S-son?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0XlHyWweE
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiFVJxjYqG
“B-beloved?!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjjCM18atS
“Isn’t she important to you?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfl4bMt3QW
“W-well…”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a524HIIJ4
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEAeULLV8K
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6eZU0ay2a
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOnp8TmHAU
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3cuzhWnsg
“Thank you father.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVdmw5i3lj
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmadYUBVLPk
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LZXr5cfxT
“Not yet!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDXGRryM0t
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. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7R0EPVseY
She really is a Halfling, huh.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP5eeCzvTS
“Tenna! Get baack!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGzowpJIV5
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3SPsS27FE
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. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8V76cEsHr
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk36DZStjM
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.
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7DM09tB6F
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC8LP18eza
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. 115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkcjiiffgU
115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUsQaE2ucZ
