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?62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgNSkIySPj
“Tenna, is there a magic which can track movements?” I asked.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJk7w7Vzr2
“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.” 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmjTz5GG2Y
“How about creating something like that?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfdKsDkGHc
“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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMp9j4Ygyy
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDBTToQ2Gm
“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.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdaI9tw8UG
Her expression was serious, but also sad. It might be our last time meeting.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw1hFFy759
As if…62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHSnmb7a00
“I can’t and won’t do that, I promised your mother to protect you.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoj9HINh8n
Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Of course they would, I called the Empress mother after all.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9SODDP7m4
“N-no, you don’t understand!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEbg4z6fNy
I cut in before she could finish.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhSPyDtkfa
“I might not be as strong as you, but I still have a favour to repay you. Besides, I would never leave you behind.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOsqLlDo9Y
I came across a little weird, but my feelings were set in stone. I wanted to protect her at all cost.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwDstt5MIB
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?62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOmLMJvFuM
“They are trying to induce fear in us.” I said.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9naq0WajY
“What do you mean?” Asked Tenna.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1hScRGjdi
“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.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ6HRR85hi
“Even if they were to do that, what if reinforcements arrive?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC8o3uZ7oq
“I think they are still tracking us somehow and if we tried to get any help they would instantly attack.” I explained.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZNowCY1ik
Silence fell upon us until a dwarf with a breaded beard broke it.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0riGu0J9y
“Excellent insight Tousa, you have the qualities of a leader.” Said Durin while stroking his beard.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqMtTIMhxa
We went over every information with him too. Now he wore dwarven armour fitting of a king. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWK7sRcFHW
He stroked his white beard in thought, but didn’t seem to get further as we.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKRqssrFeK
“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.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37aXkJuP6m
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0NjCZ5WwH
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOWTYmzvbI
We entered the tunnel and sat down close to the entrance.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u5Pb1MkuO
“H-hey Tousa…C-could I rest my head on your shoulder?” asked Tenna slightly flustered.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAQDDE0HEE
“U-um sure, I don’t mind.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl4YCjFzQc
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. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNBPKMPycz
I didn’t say anything, after all my nerves weren’t in a better shape and her warmth comforted me. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vKehZdUUF
A slight smile appeared on her face as she dosed off and shortly I followed too.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhRJcp6Eoe
“Tousa! Tousa!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv0ZMBeUST
The same figure as my inner self was calling to me. He looked older now, but I could tell it was him.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG5JVgOYMe
“Tousa! Wake up, Tousa!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h5pH8ctUO
I jumped awake when I realised the voice was actually female.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m8JyFVN3B
“A-are we under attack already?” I asked in panic.
“No, but they started moving, so come, get up.” 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOJfGaNPpX
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcSkk3QYmh
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa03SzR5nBI
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGvI1nmBU2
“Firee!!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMKJio8THU
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. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcf8ZaHqqB
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFiLNqwAZl
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEEa4jRNP0
“Hyagh! More are coming, do not let your guard down!” 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCA650T35S
The demonic beings roared in response staying valiant at her orders.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwowEkHUBky
Soon the next wave came with double the soldiers.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6UkSiVfhp
“Frigeo!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9OOwiUE09
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7OvSf0Af1
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgHag30PQM
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSmMbOJvM4
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6piIlzSZT
Behind the shining helmet I certainly could feel a ghastly aura. He was strong, way stronger than us.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGeKyS4wvU
“Tenna!” I cried out but she realised his presence too.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUkT9Kh2sq
Suddenly he stopped and just watched the fight unfold. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwZzMbqrWQ
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV2Ci5jVq3
That is when I felt it, pure bloodlust and evil. The ground started shaking and an incredible shockwave blow me away.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYoOiPGl4c
I took the full blunt of Ken’o’s attack.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOl0qzpUYA
“Tousaaa!!!” Tenna cried out, her voice filled with despair and anger.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4nIovV3q0
She instantly leaped towards the menacing knight only to get easily parried. She flew back towards my now unconscious self.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvOeoeMccy
I kill him! I will kill this abhorrent scum!!62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRTvigAvOL
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. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRACz7S7Pok
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7D2ZXUSXw
Thrusting his great sword forward I had no choice left.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PBodOPT7q
For my beloved!62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpOTfVST2V
I clenched my teeth and leaped with all my might, the next moment a sharp and great pain struck my stomach. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVRFZ7U1PP
A direct hit.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V0iAJzwjW
“Ha ha haa! What a lovely sight! Even an insect like you can act a little human. You disgust me, diee!!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG1WH3hUFX
He trusted his sword deeper into my wound and the world slowly faded away in front of me.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOBSHZIg93
I… I am… s-sorry…62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznOqoR2zIa
“Is this how durable demons really are?” called a female voice.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYELFVs9DoI
“W-where am I?!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ueSvSEpR2
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBMmtkcUl6
“You are in your mind Tenna. You will die.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NggHaoJz7
“W-what? B-but, oh right…” I remembered what just happened.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUKYNbvc9S
“Aren’t you incredibly selfish?” said the beautiful woman.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe40EPqXBb4
“Wh-what do you mean?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFBKoguxVv
“You jumped in to save your loved one and now you leave him to his death?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTVxNuVYeS
“B-but I am not strong enough! You said it yourself, I will die.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFBydYIqFX
“Yes, you will, you alone are not strong. But you are only a part of us.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDJV1qF9Am
“Us? I am a dem-…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yOw5pQS20
“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!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8YhyA84gR
“I-I don’t understand…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjAot8cg5Y
The woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSFxUJ1NBJ
“What do you want the most?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NwPsSqzUA
“Huh?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqhNyxSJPF
“Why did you want sacrifice yourself?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMUDsfds6M
“I… I want to save him!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzfTS7Jy7z
“Then let us do right that.”
“Let go you stinking scum! How long do you want to grab onto my blade!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFVz6h9FAN
“Amans…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuauJFr29qD
“Huh? What are you mum-!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZCtCxfNQi
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIpxOmLPjG
Durin watched this unfolding and couldn’t believe his eyes.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV004lRQ3i
“T-this is… ancient elven magic!! But how?!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4CbYuWPY3
Tenna grabbed Ken’o’s great sword and slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIHdcd92zd
“Don’t… don’t… DON’T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!!!!!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9StlD0zcNx
The magical energy around her surged to an even greater height, Ken’o was mortified by the sight.
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkp1F5f849
“Amans Exsuperabilis!!!!” Tenna cried out finally.
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK5fN7BuKC
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFGYd3ofrC
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SxIKnRErR
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.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwd8VwuQZ9
“Wake up, Tousa.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfnEdIGZMk
I warm and somewhat deep voice called out to me. Slowly I opened my eyes, but my vision was still a little blurry.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvqZUNvJQo
“Wake up, you still have someone to protect.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkGbnDCnwR
That is right, Tenna is fighting alone, but I am powerless.
“You have to wake up, she is in danger.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBE1OPBy2d
Danger? No, I can’t help her even if I managed to wake up.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzenUrluxpM
“You can save her, you know. She is fighting for your sake.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbLms9jLX3
Save her? Save her… Yes, I must save her!62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVc5hcBsRH
I slowly got up, my body had a terrible wound. I took an almost direct hit after all.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAUCfn7DTY
I looked around and I was in that space again. Before me stood the now adult boy whom I saw.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIS00c2XDL
“Good, you finally got up my son.” he said smiling.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSgaJBhDsw
“S-son?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBt3TiYO3i
“Ha ha, don’t worry about it. Now go and save your beloved.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81BWfukxyM
“B-beloved?!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1rfKQ0UDM
“Isn’t she important to you?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfXqFwnPH5
“W-well…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj7VTM9xxr
She certainly is, I stayed here because of her.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTyPFoDbC9
“I lend you a hand, but it will cost a lot. Your body is already beyond its limits.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDdxtbjCL9
“I don’t care.” I answered with determination.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzZ0BuNFct
“Very well, go and call upon one of the most ancient magic. I will be with you.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdV6JHEX1b
“Thank you father.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPyKlbAR3V
He was a little surprised, but smiled with joy.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOOLEb8DMq
The world around me returned to normal. I tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. Blood dripped from my wound. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqLCgQc42j
“Not yet!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmrAF8Er0A
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. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgv5HIkdwk
She really is a Halfling, huh.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rv3JHla62
“Tenna! Get baack!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBg0q4tfzu
Ken’o looked in my direction, but his face distorted at the sight.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDfJGNn6xe
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. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSxmn08Syp
“Scum like you, should be burnt alive!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFY9YJGORL
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.
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99CjSurFSp
“Negatum Atrax: FLAMMA STELA!”
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTLNQU9BJW
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. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SbXndXhqQ
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBQrFVexuL
