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?173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQalr7yxq1
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C6zF0Jffc
“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.” 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMOktX9iyh
“How about creating something like that?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtKspL5g0y
“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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T0TRuyuX0
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmyGtUwImx
“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.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yvjnkOyrw
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7RApOBIta
As if…173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzKeWdqtVc
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMXPkJgH33
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hoYA5AyPV
“N-no, you don’t understand!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWYLcldUbN
I cut in before she could finish.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9YLBUpNHp
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCF5RR954U
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMl3CKaliz
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?173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A5EojAgtX
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS8IjTpztt
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiUmhCEAv9
“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.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46YpyoVZnU
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwC2PB7w7i
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsg6FX15vc
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtubk0tubes
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXmFeMUu2J
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwW3hyGWyH
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl6VmeC8RS
“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.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvb5V1iMwj
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL3GiLUXQK
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25wB4KepqC
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhg1wa0xWs
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UeZvRvyv0
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqQUIpcH1I
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. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSACuz1PdXv
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAYhjBiL2u
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL1a462H6U
“Tousa! Tousa!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRej7PJzru
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7EsmkE6Ai
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2pxrvQqlT
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE7fSXSn7Z
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvokSywmx9K
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRfsxEddiB
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE49lQIHYtC
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjpQbzxUGa
“Firee!!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnwXx4kXqg
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. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUN8NpeYRK
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacSDu5OGTp
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvYAD11p7i
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioK5F41cCn
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj1bLtf9IU
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9arQZxgaPI
“Frigeo!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDiPMvIQiO
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoPisADrAY
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsnkhpCa7Z
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfftprQmOf
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WSVnVGTJC
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacExQi8djy
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn62Bwus4jH
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesXK3MtGPC
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Uq0KbR1Um
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI8UV2CsSb
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX93dmD6AC
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgacyiuEg9V
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdxenRbJeW
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjCK09nXDj
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. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUWV17AhOP
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbpvHoIqu5
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqRTkWqc2y
For my beloved!173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESz1yzcSnC
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfaGngzP7u
A direct hit.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxETDgiWiS
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL7bgPDPJP
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vBvoqslqx
I… I am… s-sorry…173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrNcEs6atw
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5hDX7pedT
“W-where am I?!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK88tqzA6O
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLzXGsH0or
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HNy8r8id7
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1ctIHVLwl
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE73VLDWvTB
“Wh-what do you mean?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyT0QOcCua
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcrQYIS40g
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadQlNptEQH
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6IYnfckjl
“Us? I am a dem-…”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgp5J9WtRF
“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!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVB1vkaCUl
“I-I don’t understand…”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Pui3hJkY
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAll3Z0nmB
“What do you want the most?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fWjdYZfRc
“Huh?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E8QZawF6T
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9alLzTU14
“I… I want to save him!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPVeWhB4qx
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH4NjMUna1
“Amans…”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRjVg6mird
“Huh? What are you mum-!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6c4wFPESc
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuoRBCiLgH
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEd0Qsttyi
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9jusmGfnn
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD377z6Rnho
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfojSzjlpw
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIpzoG9tMZ
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6lFDEUkpr
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNEuMJkkbt
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8ZG1DDx73
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZE1xlMsil
“Wake up, Tousa.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe7AFbXZA0
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzVfbfFFhz
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhvaPMDyD0
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1tiLBgIiI
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT94OahwWP
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlrvWBtPLv
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgS0aZ53S4
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISXn6KeysY
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0oQbZuoYJ
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9v969VAlR
“S-son?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweaY6qEx7Q
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrZeht3QfB
“B-beloved?!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtXrsjdfIV
“Isn’t she important to you?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnEIzyHzIV
“W-well…”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRw1QKh2wa
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuw0ux4OUv
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdP4NqUR8D
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtLJ11JBwA
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyYqIFwiCE
“Thank you father.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZuwpBBSRW
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3mSSh5Khg
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllfSK99qDQ
“Not yet!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTOzJXd3ys
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. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RMIT7SSft
She really is a Halfling, huh.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Lybr238e
“Tenna! Get baack!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xucpl4aM1
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2breYeveL4
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. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYory9A0h1
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qqRZhTiJQ
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.
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcytQ0cYWy
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusC4bKvugm
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. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQMMqdnTOB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgILhUraWOX
