Fire290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbRnz8gzVW
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e2u8jjJiv
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYDYn2yGYT
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL7hN2lk1V
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDLtOiOXX0
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK7vGZwJOn
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZFJC1Pdjx
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCGI77AuDY
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YSYXsI0vv
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAfhBv5ND0
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJej31TtywG
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmWsCLs3ih
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6rpTuEXf9
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIlJ5dqCrT
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnfF3Uij25
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4OSCafJc6
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQIAxHkp2U
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLixeHqxaQ
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2ykqYoyv0
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vOqF6r7Z7
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDjg3r8mos
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIAciNhwvo
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpY0FfHcA9
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vXWgFcn41
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCLdqUtom8
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpMhRQSBOQ
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOfILJvLOV
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz5tGJ4tre
brown complexion for a minute before opening290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHc2XzoEbE
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdILeuaYTJ
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNUYXH0BeW
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIPyB4KTeo
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRevOA52b9
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUdTKcsecB
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlprujLK631
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc2VoXKF2l
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD3Px2WAzU
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wvC8SzYCH
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rzzZ6tsgB
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1n1POappo
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDLpuwTxmR
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lsyYceJe4
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO3VtvGWi0
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U24LbcCJn
if it were bleeding.
“What290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2e5EhMw2h
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SYmCQ3l8N
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkZjywrvtq
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms4sswMYTw
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5QAKvaW3p
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKWmasP40S
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBIXXcjsZM
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWButPq82p
snickered.
“yea?290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSFEXGbwDl
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rejwswhf2
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dduuwakYZ
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiEjCXABzz
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpaMG76vbJ
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ieMRTgFDh
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjpJOUGLDA
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlxC7LTmha
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg4ozqmCGF
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5OokjshN3
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaYPcRKrJR
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UFx3oaHIT
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Q67NtcM7
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mPVwOhKET
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoRaKufWqe
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPu5umjfPc
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F9Vq6dDGy
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLGg7kayu4
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hV09if8p2
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj5nmgZE7e
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAhwZWmW1g
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX43q7oCKz
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHJ2Wyb7Ow
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGLJAjPz1Y
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMbAAuIxnX
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti5mC6ZSXg
face.
“That’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuXBIbpups
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQJzjfzerV
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t4ykxqgoO
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfNQOrijbh
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf474hnmYo
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1RsK1VodU
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjPJyiGf1Y
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR8RsQ0njt
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhgem78Vs0
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgOqc4IyOw
as he noticed it.
“What’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpBt8IX04U
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGIqNdVSdZ
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7umhtQz0Vz
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nlW6rGxMh
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nVS8jewjn
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KzmazOaTZ
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Io3TTqW6p
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FRUgntnR8
Isadora”
“good290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeUaTR4eoR
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KWTTW7j6z
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CLMObBcEm
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItWnR70ecS
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVcKqevfYY
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX40Xsd33E9
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHaR1qpzyB
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0XGKteQeg
sound like a woman”
“I290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3NpOgBAuX
should hope”
“that290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1iD24GlKw
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i4vXRvPMp
her
“Wow,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DKfdvQlQ3
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnes35NqOF
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHVDaXdzoZ
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUhfi205P8
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUoSFruQMS
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaa8OzPqTK
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NryeOOy0s
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLxEJUWgQi
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjeQ0o3Z36
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmJz83K3Ve
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq3DMM7L9b
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpkWSE40Na
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclUGpX6xl6
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle8jzgFk7v
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkgku16TkB
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnAATJ4xRd
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYDcxwwiUU
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6oCAYiWV0
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyi9ADOf7l
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEgzmnCveO
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdDr40xO5y
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98fYm65qeu
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25HvatEA08
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspNF4yqWJF
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9PShxJy80
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs4Fjo8Bzf
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyae3ta9tRu
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQLBNIpHxz
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp18itJFQyi
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUuv6tDk0t
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zyCadT2UC
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTawykqgJH
to beat him.
“Same290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwAzlE3jTv
age” he said before following after her
His290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkwu7h7Eqp
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlJc3iWSeW
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77rLyikOw4
than we were at that time…”
“What290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg7nPFFBWz
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYdzda1FCZ
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkfz0vYdT7
still haunted him.
“…It290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv23OeOxNHG
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA5UaJViBa
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fvDUeMNxR
age”
“Better290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lO1KBjEcj
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJZZOKEpBj
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4KbB3E4Pu
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYYF7kxmr6
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgMwj2grm
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oImSTNtyu
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRzWqbJTtB
there was.
“I290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLoIKgzpOa
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjavqCMoUDK
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdpD8uu9Nd
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkiYO2qmwq
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8y6sbSO7a
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wtfrl6aPe
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1ByM7NhtI
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF3qkgydKt
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMlaF6VglJ
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOxDLHxMsJ
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5EOG2eSoS
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhr4foiI98
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPBIt2qIfH
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MC8LCUXZR
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOF3AhraEF
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqHcyiJFIx
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP6YyYsZDd
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NAXHgAjip
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzMjni7NbI
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAGUZogK1s
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX9vhZz0iA
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg91OmxfAvU
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3POdiwcEk
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBRaH7NvDO
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy1jb8NjFx
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL0GBhXC3z
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cqVFh56ud
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwZbqbvRdw
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o6wad4XKk
up in a ponytail.
“So290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRieDLTCpx
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ8kl8gTWs
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3DPoZMxTC
grin on her face.
“No,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkf3femM1P
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG3CRYgjCB
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblxnspzowR
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnygV6gNhBr
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0aWuEclH0
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlIk2hIOq3
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwRELOEaRq
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvaPVJ3b6W
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHZaUTCtwL
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgDCS3sLML
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UCRxTN1aK
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7gf71cStF
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtp6h6eDtv
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgd0cqBWLI
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWSExYStcg
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXItZr4nCW
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU1tMvnu8N
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePquBhDSlS
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWzaQw4Kwd
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcYIkDzQWu
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq5Ei9UN9j
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L80a9UqnK
around at the occupants who were all embroiled290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHg2kfUp2i
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXEtZlOsWT
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87utaLChvo
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUr6KZ81l8
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LFGqGnlwd
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycVXFId4Es
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFboHSqY8cQ
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdhEtbPY6R
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX5iHvGNab
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbfTWMLhzJ
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtEX74DIUs
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLjkXxrl4w
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkB2nUiEhf
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNVlVL3dJz
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeDuQh9RLY
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUYjJgcRu9
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdaTlbe6N9
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3vbf2UiL9
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp0IocYvJ1
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkGJ3sJv4v
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJqQrBDqlb
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC7IRrQL92
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ecUtoUMlf
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n3jg6SzC5
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCGHshpyKb
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pPzjtTTfk
she bounced and grinned
“Great,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBtWhX8lSi
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0cCyCHsK8
robes
“Not290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7uutRklPt
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ245lNK6G19
now?” Kemari sighed
“The290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DdADz8q37
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYtjtUgSjV
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5vClSS00Z
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByhRChs1RV
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnbXPgLNQm
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGHmzt1vZj
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ6WhbKkq2
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxR8lz64jm
in the middle.
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKC3Hegq1D
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlQ93ZvO0h
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQNZY9L2UX
stopped at the desk and stared at the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1kPa2gupw
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aN6PKKHW6
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xZhVohWU2
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgLeOhMilN
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSQTCRuwSI
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyclrvUDMa
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLyQBdRQFy
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QHfpB9ITj
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffSVxCIkCt
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkMwOYs2U7
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYWwSvQFy0
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppo2l4f7tY
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiKAsg4hDD
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0vE3g6nBT
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I70agdTTy
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKGeBQFX6k
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMW00sFEwe
did”
“YOU290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX5BEEojDV
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOkPdwy3KB
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cVucjrTN4
collar.
“THAT’S290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDnXj2PiQc
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRziSfhwL5f
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBoJjcVzqc
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ5wEthjUU
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡognX27jPhy
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6qw76CvBw
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewxyptIWbG
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvwTNg260V
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtjWbHGUOx
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGXhEr35dC
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9aC7ze1DV
finally broken.
“You’re290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVnJd1eDsm
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWZckIuS8d
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdSa6ZCZEJ
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLeuASHH2q
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V7Ttb6pvU
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxRZvOEV8s
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaZneCI6nr
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxTemloS6c
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oGSzAGmUW
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4tb6JF99v
hurry”
Kemari290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjWQI7dIvP
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZchgMbNgWp
290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDA6g2JtjO
290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDblAzyL6JU
290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlHzCh59Wk
ns 15.158.61.46da2
