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?37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo1zXI6tJD
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMfWQXNIEn
“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.” 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhPsreA1ur
“How about creating something like that?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXukMrlZyM
“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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhYoPC0udb
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqURYcVh2bG
“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.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLOrmQ347H
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCBjleEb4g
As if…37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWAk3F8B1v
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oB7K5KPad
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Qi2KUxJh
“N-no, you don’t understand!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSdT0pZKUA
I cut in before she could finish.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzcrbTZHN5
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzdCXeV52L
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunTozHjwiV
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?37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV7itYacYc
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncX493EdRg
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDbm0rgB4k
“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.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPHi6tnCi4
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNF4yV4Iy7
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0th9UxX3Q
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhXVaFTga6
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptpSi70Q8S
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATyQ4YJ3nr
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy12Bw75teb
“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.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNkxGonvqN
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBuhd1UA9T
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZPKR9hZiX
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9ThOueele
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmut6Wzvu6w
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGKwu6uGWo
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. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdP2CvQ2Cx
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdWqO30RPK
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyQoJoiueD
“Tousa! Tousa!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eZv2t7W3r
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5DFBZDkwM
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgt6ZIae7X
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgoIsRG8wo
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGQl2wsMu3
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYj5XoNMkY
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EBXoaVwL6
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhKj5Oc43l
“Firee!!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCjzZCMGRV
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. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikejug0mdW
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f33V89wvw
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntAoP039Ou
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVusPBPNLd
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUnCpRIwdc
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J64zVI9aL
“Frigeo!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJMQWVdHc3
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMJ0OmRZGx
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjze0qQlAT
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH746zGABbl
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5wqpHAYqB
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKWkMr5Iki
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tz9qhaLQu
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc6vyab6zD
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PA2mvzR8y
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaWee2zdVH
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEEX0hqJ3s
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKXXAYiZGj
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6eXjDrPQt
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8DIUshwS1
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. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH8xKCdNCp
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyXKh8PprW
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh6gui9dO1
For my beloved!37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwXCumSfmd
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq3Lk5BfnS
A direct hit.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuqBKwnJio
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcuBlbpAGl
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo210y4RMZQ
I… I am… s-sorry…37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6AX1btt4o
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1URjkro8DY
“W-where am I?!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhEMN7KHPV
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzCTbp0gox
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyVVKUuNGA
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOAFaJyy7d
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLcoGErLOZ
“Wh-what do you mean?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBJWTT6jsE
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1oMSk04Qm
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMJfoT1oh5
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxc57TCqs8
“Us? I am a dem-…”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI8lxBBmt1
“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!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDimF6WPXsA
“I-I don’t understand…”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz7205Mq0y
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHly9ComYei
“What do you want the most?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3aPFuBeAF
“Huh?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgijyKznFcx
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtCducAfDV
“I… I want to save him!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpw6BokYVf
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE6Rfn7d1J
“Amans…”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXGLpRLBYv
“Huh? What are you mum-!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E1FMnJzJp
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKKImbQ7bS
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzrYeHFluQ
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8XBUVlOAg
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLb0HCrSxS
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOxIiH8MpZ
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0LSQpvmgO
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1kLrgHWQv
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt9VncsK0i
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ3txhR2BI
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDat9R8Wrm
“Wake up, Tousa.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKCX2RuLab
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcSRP9aYoU
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiKUkZaSlw
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaUoTZE2Ji
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZSQInSXH8
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd22RyMm7Ah
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5ymH72JeF
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaafYztSQqd
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDNMrAU55I
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dyoOIQ37G
“S-son?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCMm21qfZq
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje8Ry1nhQi
“B-beloved?!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SVDGufJXD
“Isn’t she important to you?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv375JjuFGO
“W-well…”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtrOGovoxS
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0CS4shRSa
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAKaNH9Jt7
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyBSvwMQFA
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyjIDCiciI
“Thank you father.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYVtlXVrXF
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQwwc44iyP
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJGShU8EUJ
“Not yet!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGC8w2VN9P
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. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMrZE1UdD3
She really is a Halfling, huh.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWzbKMGbBf
“Tenna! Get baack!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt1jevFJIv
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJOTaRxuLu
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. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35tVHjV0SR
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQIeZT1ApO
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.
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89teZnZFsN
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbBp7ORnpP
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. 37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYauTBNaZSr
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwluAjfjU7
