Fire331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMDvNyYx8G
and smoke, corpses burned beyond recognition, blood splattered streets. It was331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zAW4Gc4m9
all around him, he stood in the middle of a burning village, watching as more331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfxLGfZbF6
people were butchered by the horsemen. Arrows plunged into some, while others331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWKCXdaIdr
were struck down with swords. The boy did nothing, only staring in horror at331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBjisVLob0
the scene which played before him. A group of horsemen started to approach him,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQofQZKxUz
he watched as they got closer and closer, the boy thought of running, but his331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oXhZe089o
legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen, he was afraid, he would soon be dead as well.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lVf6Kwnjn
The horsemen stopped, and their leas dismounted and approached him, the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nsPJoNzQ3
reflection of the flames danced along the silver longsword in hand. The boy stared331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqSN65rm9G
wide-eyed at him, he was an intimidating figure, larger than any man he had331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfYsIeepbG
ever seen, with a long scar running diagonally across his face, stretching from331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbcGQkF5Cj
his right eye to the side of his mouth. The man grinned as he lifted the longsword331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoWwyXbiDM
with one hand and swung down with it.
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TbwMH5mCG
awoke suddenly, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was drenched with sweat.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT3szBTSIe
He sat up in his bed and put his right hand over his face then screamed loudly331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOojBOExvb
into it. He stopped and caught his breath for a minute before swinging his legs331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawUS6Dix1s
off the tiny bed, looking around at the wooden room he sighed. It was tiny and331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbOuIgTjQi
the only furniture were the bed crammed up against the wall which he slept in331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciE7USFE4X
and a small chest tucked away in a corner, above it hung a small cracked mirror.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWlREX8GtW
Kemari got up and tentatively walked towards the mirror and looked at himself. He331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUsrkPoBL0
stared at his reflection for a while, waiting for his heart rate and breathing331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySuYtGrA9S
to steady. He brushed his locks out of his face and tied it behind his head,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACyoOXmcOK
leaving two strands to remain at the front. His two crimson eyes stared back at331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuhnSnCp7Y
him, and as usual he felt like he was sharing his vision with something else,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zN7H2cds1
as if there was someone else inside him using his eyes. He ran his hand over a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr20ONWjp0J
long scar that stretched from his shoulder to the middle of his chest, images331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CzOjGKEbH
from his nightmare flashed before him making him sigh. He admired his dark331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8DMnaxwlO
brown complexion for a minute before opening331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bllGrTTXe
the chest and getting dressed in his purple Mage’s robe.
“Time331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ksos811BX
for another day of failures and being dependent on Isadora” he mumbled.
The331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwZJfNU6Tk
Dragon’s Tongue was a small run-down Inn and Tavern situated in the slums of Lanatheas'331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc91w4jnJCV
royal capital. It was a place only frequented by the poor as well as a variety331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5Q1aJ4Myj
of unsavory types, it was here Kemari called home. For unlike all the others331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCLVonoXTt
who were members of the Adventurer’s Guild, he was incapable of earning enough331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXc9iUxMKd
gold to get himself a room in the richer districts, this was something Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlTrXkwYQp
despised and always swore he would have to change. He sat in a corner, alone, with331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnzxk3dbbk
a book laid before him on the table, the common room was lively as server girls331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P2CjbzhQO
carried meals and ale to various tables of loud customers. A server walked by331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqDT4bH7LP
him and the smell coming from the tray made him gag. How do they eat that331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjehTzDcFii
filth? He thought to himself shaking his head. He was about to start331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDJ9XZ3xDs
reading when a rusty iron sword impaled his book and lodged itself in the table.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYXwjZxdgD
Kemari heard laughter from around the room as he looked at his book in horror, blue331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlHDYGGRYk
mist rose from it in a puff of smoke as the contents spilled out of the book as331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiYpI0lW59
if it were bleeding.
“What331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjqquzgcof
the fuck!” he heard a figure beside him exclaim. Kemari looked up to see the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBTUAQcDmt
man who was holding the sword, he was muscular looking fellow who wore a rag tied331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxdBjaUGnJ
like a mask around his neck, and was wearing tattered clothing under a rusted331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AFdUI1Jrg
iron chestplate, which had its fair share of dents. “do you have any idea how331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LitEJC8NF
much this book cost me?” Kemari said as he clenched his fists. The man looked331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLwaQg5GBh
at him and laughed “would you look at this fool, boys” his laughter was echoed331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctqttwH0LV
by the other people in the room “ha, looks like he wants to fight you” a voice331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHlT6qz8fW
snickered.
“yea?331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfL4iwYyQM
Is that true, brat?” he lowered his body into a crouch and stared into Kemari's331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROQwVh3ica
eyes “you want to fight, you little weakling?”
“Go331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OsKq38wvS
fuck yourself” Kemari spat in his face.
“Aargh!”331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0TmuIbEW4
the brute grabbed him by his temples and yanked him from his chair then threw331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTUFHg2MxM
him across the room in one fluid motion. Kemari crashed into chairs and tables331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x2exMDJvp
as he flew through the room, and coming to a stop as he slammed against the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQqGDXVBS0
wall with a thud. His assailant pulled his sword out of the table and pointed331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWplhByXhbE
it at him “I think it’s time you learned your fucking place, trash.” He walked331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3rwWMWA0s
forward slashing his sword through the air as he moved. “You might not have331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbhlr1HYht
realised it as you were coasting through life in your peaceful little village,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fnuKuXVJr
but we live in a world where the strong eat the weak” he paused slightly then331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6abyZmheP
continued “There’s no place in it for pitiful, weaklings……... except for food331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1teFbdhQl
that is. So do tell me mage” he was grinning madly by this point “WHAT.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJJWHj73tF
PURPOSE. DO. YOU. SERVE?” he punctuated each pause with a slash of his sword as331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6dk7L1WNH
he stopped over Kemari, who was now propped up against the wall holding a hand331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDWkTBVBfC
to his side while his other began to move in motion weaving a spell.
Despite331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yw8YtmCU8
all that had happened, Kemari was not afraid, for he had faced down bigger and331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwVTCu41PW
more dangerous enemies and lived……never mind it being because he was saved by a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5P5SgdSc2
certain someone most of those times. He held his hand before him and smirked as331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoadj5Xycii
the spell was completed, he was shocked however, when the brute grabbed his arm331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc7DT6Ec77
and forced it downward right as an ethereal arrow shot out from his palm. He331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rym76sGUr
grimaced as he suddenly felt a kick to the gut, Kemari doubled over in pain and331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA63W0FPDai
coughed up blood. His assailant released his arm and placed the sword against his331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTliCT5H7dG
neck. Kemari glanced around the room, hoping someone would come to his rescue, he331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0B3fQi5SQ
soon realized that would not happen as he saw the twisted smiles on everyone’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaZPYnyoHK
face.
“That’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7mbyEhBcx
enough Ivan” Kemari’s head snapped in shock towards the rotund bartender who331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA5DOTTJnw
had spoken. Unlike the others his face was written with concern. “.......I331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocT6fxsCL4
think the child has had enough of your lesson” he hesitated
“Is331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqw9LuIFFP
that so?” Ivan punctuated his question with a severe kick to Kemari’s side,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLkmNd8klp
causing him to hit the floor. “Well what do you all say?” his question was331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnajSgO03fm
directed at the other occupants of the room and Kemari cringed as he heard331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXd9ejoJDl
their replies: “kill him”, “rip his guts out”, “show him who’s boss”, “Finish him off” they cried.
“As331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYER4MKo8F
you command” Ivan sneered as he raised his sword. Just then a figure wearing a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhKtI09kIr
black hooded cloak broke from the crowd and walked towards them, Kemari laughed331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazDCAI64TS
as he noticed it.
“What’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpBmqFMQF3
so funny?” Ivan said, his sword still held high.
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUz6X4MJ2j
heard the bartender sigh “You done fucked up now Ivan”
“Huh?”331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsplpgpJru
that was all he managed before the figure slammed a powerful kick into his neck331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SV092iSVZ
causing him to drop the sword as he skidded sideward before falling. “You ok331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRfPlxScxQ
Kemari?” it's feminine voice asked without looking away from Ivan who was331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQoniApIam
already back on his feet and holding his neck.
“yea”331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqDaDsLHvK
Kemari wheezed “Nothing a little healing magic can’t fix……and thanks by the way,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiuVLn5Ks2
Isadora”
“good331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUHxIANVrf
and don’t mention it, just stay right there and watch as the greatest monk in331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTt4nNVFjn
all of Lanatheas kick ass” the figure giggled.
“Didn’t331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNN5V1VgWv
you drop out of your training?” Kemari smiled.
“SHUT331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPN4YLeXMh
UP!” she took a fighting stance “it was a mutual agreement”
The331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64pHVWldnS
two laughed as everyone stared at them in bewilderment. Ivan, who had finally331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGhFtRZnff
recovered from the blow looked at the figure as they sized up each other. “who331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbKLWou73G
the fuck are you?” he finally asked the figure.
“irrelevant”
“you331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0zvFitOdi
sound like a woman”
“I331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFxyML9bhY
should hope”
“that331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9pSAOaYAd
was a magnificent kick, for a lady of course” he rubbed his neck and grinned at331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxziYKjRif
her
“Wow,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXkFZV9U3q
that was a bit sexist don’t you think?”
“Sex331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J2CrW41rb
what?” He shot a glare at Kemari who had laughed a little at his question.
“are331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugJwcEGz1i
we going to fight or not?” she asked sounding irritated.
“heh,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJSAWGEfyD
I wouldn’t want to break your fragile little bones miss” Ivan smiled and the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4djgRM4OVT
crowd chuckled, the bartender only shook his head. Kemari sighed to himself as331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0Y9latSIo
he saw her dash toward Ivan with uncanny speed, he was barely fast enough to331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM07D7kirR
block the kick that was aimed at his face. Isadora spun and delivered a kick to331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cMPYC1urG
Ivan’s abdomen which forced him back a few steps, before he knew it she was on331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi4qyR3TAr
him again, firing a quick jab to his nose followed by a myriad of blows to his331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoglHQNXezw
face and upper body. Ivan wobbled as the hits connected, he was unable to331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQdkRX9lga
block, dodge or even see them. The onlookers watched in awe as Ivan was beaten,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLa70rrpsC
unable to defend himself against the sheer powers of his enemy’s blows. Kemari,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzH93lyX75
who was now back on his feet fully healed looked on smiling as his friend331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2lPDFEmA5
finished the fight by palming Ivan square in the chest then walking away331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEoNlTIsqF
towards Kemari. As he looked he noticed the man’s chestplate was even more331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqzZxeWk2h
dented than it was before and there was a hole in it where he had gotten the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlg1fTSURn
last hit, his face was twisted and bloody. As she walked by him, he turned to331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWtHA0gZUb
follow her and heard a metallic clank as if Ivan’s body had finally registered331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGSYQSlX8Z
that it was no longer living. The people moved to the side as Isadora walked past331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hkmJWGjp5
with Kemari in tow, they stopped by the counter where she fished a coin purse331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mvMLUfUmR
from somewhere in her cloak an handed it to the barkeep.
“Sorry331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFw0Zo4w2C
for the disturbance big guy.”
“No331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyq1kca8qy
worries little one” the bartender replied.
The331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSYUDIbV9D
two walked down the streets of the slum districts. People in tattered clothes331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXiiMotSYl
walked along as if they had no purpose, while others looked out from alleyways331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySn0MczTTv
and the insides of broken down houses looking for unsuspecting prey to rob,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEHbfdKLiP
abduct or kill. They walked in silence as they passed by buildings clumped together,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxA30RdiJM
some even looked as if they were about to topple. They stopped as a group of boys331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxvcQ30GIh
ran out In front of them chasing after a smaller one who was running with a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g34fqyirS
huge rat in his hands. Isadora started walking again as Kemari stared after the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlXK9RYHWD
children as they caught up to the boy and took they rat from him then proceeded331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxkGZtCfhv
to beat him.
“Same331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTgr28JEiF
age” he said before following after her
His331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf603P2Dub
friend looked at him as he caught up with her “said something?” she asked
“I was331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg5w2dIp3z
just thinking….” He paused “those children just now, they don’t look that much older331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bZDJuz91X
than we were at that time…”
“What331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsGTfV85i2
does that have to do with anything?” she was curious, Kemari rarely mentioned331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESD7a6ijug
anything about their past. He tried not to show it, but she could tell that it331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlmKUfn4FK
still haunted him.
“…It331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdzarKW9Ni
isn’t right” his voice quivered and was almost a whisper “children are supposed331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWgUL9I90x
to be safe, they shouldn’t be exposed to these harsh realities at such a young331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYiBLprHGP
age”
“Better331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK046lv2L9
now than when they’re older and are incapable of dealing with the shit the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg12qM47Sj
world throws at them, because of the sheltered pampered life they lived” Her331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF3spHzawi
reply was blunt and harsh, yet He knew she had a point. He had lived a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj4URbRQay
sheltered life while she was always fighting for what she wanted, and now years331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWFQoH6TWU
later she was an accomplished Monk despite being a 'failure' to her mentors as331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qb5QM6NfF
well as a 'B' ranked adventurer while he was stuck at 'F' the weakest rank331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJUVhfQdCa
there was.
“I331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR859HTtf3I
wish it didn’t have to be that way” she suddenly continued “But this is the way331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf77wFyj4w
of life. With death lurking around every corner, we can’t afford to be weak” she331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoafq5eA1c
looked to the sky as she spoke.
“Like331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz119z1CZZ
me Huh?” Kemari chuckled lightly
“Pretty331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplQjgnEWvu
much” she laughed and punched Kemari in the shoulder, he flinched as she hit331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hAtu3jRSt
him and that only made her laugh harder. He rubbed his shoulder as they331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtgMzhpDRW
continued their walk in mostly silence.
It331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqSESNchhU
was almost noon by the time they reached their destination; the Adventurer’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXjhdPTWGr
Guild. It was a large imposing structure which stood at the top of a grand marble331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaP1mtcYc7
staircase, Kemari stopped and stared in awe at the high walls that shined in331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxx2ot3a0q
the midday sun. No matter how many times he visited, the sheer beauty of it331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87EJYfDBui
always caught his eyes . He smiled and walked up the steps where Isadora waited.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CSjBg6kv8
They approached the large Oak double doors together which swung open as they331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOO7lgnoYa
got close, stepping inside Kemari looked around the huge open area they now331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwejqIdigBF
stood in. The floors were made of a dark reflective surface that absorbed mana331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcWWiWrbhV
from it’s occupants, making them weaker the longer they stayed, which Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqHRlzwDmM
believed to be weird, but apparently the GuildMaster had done this to prevent331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgnOZTosEc
fighting in his hall “can’t fight if you can't freely manipulate your body’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwMxRAPY4F
ambient mana” the receptionists would repeat. The room was filled with a variety331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1mmOPhRSW
of adventuring folk; some wore bulky, heavy armor and carrying massive swords331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oySq5BSTq
while others dressed lighter, wielding bows, staves, or much smaller swords.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAnfIlPwhD
Two adventurers caught his eye, as they seemed to be out of place, one of them331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NDbZCTjRM
was a green slightly muscular being Kemari assumed to be a Half-Orc who leaned331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu2wvgagNT
against the wall with a heavy looking broadsword leaned up next to him, and was331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsnLO0AzRg
wearing a brown tunic over black leather pants and boots, on top of that he331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v7XRKmjRo
also wore a pair of silver pauldrons and and a half chestplate, His hair was a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5dKov7rZR
greenish untamed mess from what Kemari could see. The other person was the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc1EMIFVwe
second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, an Elf with long silver hair tied331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj9YqbyUN4
up in a ponytail.
“So331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnaV4o6a3I
that’s your type hmm?” His attention was drawn from her before he had a chance331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF26lxUHRv1
to observe her fully. He turned to see Isadora staring at him intensely with a huge331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM6ktCX4Nj
grin on her face.
“No,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZopCYE21hd
that wasn’t…….that’s not…” Kemari stumbled to find words.
“Don’t331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiDuGzFYsg
worry my dear sweet companion.” Isadora laughed as she leaned in close and331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGnkOcdAbl
covered her mouth as if to whisper to him “I SHIP!” She bellowed, attracting331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15UykdAbRi
the attention of the entire room.
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5cTB4vJvr
looked around nervously and hissed “what are you doing, you idiot?”
“why331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIEN71tLSj
I’m just so proud of you Kemari” she spread her arms wide and squealed “You’re331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicSUDhV9r2
finally interested in exploring the lush flesh of a –“ she issued a yelp as Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ79Fb5odlf
grabbed her cloak and dragged her away to the reception area. He blushed331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7heKETmkUN
slightly as he stormed past snickering adventurers. The reception area was a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XP2MvQ4hj
long counter towards the back of the room, behind it stood the guild’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjuaOoiSra
receptionists, all of which were identical women. The two approached the one331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv7mnZR96J
closest and exchanged greetings, it wasn’t until then that Isadora removed her331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTleEV419GQ
hood, revealing her face. Her skin was a smooth almond complexion and her light331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiGisy7fVs
brown hair was cut short in a close cropped style with the sides faded, her331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHQrYJpKhM
eyes always took Kemari’s breath away, they were also a light brown with331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzGp2DdFbT
matched her skin tone and hair color and always seemed to sparkle. “keep331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFnzaKS7Wp
staring at me like that and I’ll steal your heart” he was so engrossed in331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWrhrBk0Fv
admiring her that he didn’t notice that she had stopped talking to the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM4Rq3kzFl
receptionist and was now starting at him smirking. “And I meant that literally”331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWjbaddkqI
she said teasingly before returning to her conversation.
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYam7uy12l
gulped and then sighed as he went about observing the room once more. He looked331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6twiSMFXQ
around at the occupants who were all embroiled331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEh5DKqEMI
in conversation amongst their companions, the elf he had seen was no longer331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8af8qOJ5eP
there, but the Half-Orc stood the same place leaning against the wall; this331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2ryeQnIZW
time he was staring right back at Kemari who quickly turned away. In the centre331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcRflmpHbT
of the hall was a giant golden statue of the legendary GuildMaster himself: Gaelin331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNpg3t9PLM
Branandor, who had faced down the Black Dragon in the Arena pits, gaining his331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEZY9nGZyO
freedom from slavery in the process. The statue featured Gaelin in nothing but331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmwQ4lsbY8
a loin cloth, with a broken sword in his left hand and the dragon’s head in the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoJEyqHZvD
other. The statue was of a powerfully built man, with long golden hair hung low331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mbvgZL9Cj
behind his back. That looks nothing like the old fool Kemari thought to331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEsD1G20O5
himself as he shifted his attention in scorn. The walls were a chalk white, and331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV8i2muhGM
were decorated with long portraits of the Twelve Knights of Lanatheas; the only331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27u4d0dSLt
'S' ranked heroes Lanatheas had to offer. They were the strongest and their331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Iwp5xpdR
names carried a lot of weight. Kemari only knew three of them: Markus The Bear,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgqpyhVRFX
who was a savage Hulk of a man who never wore anything apart from his brown fur331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYvUE2DjJm
loincloth and the pelt of some unknown beast around his shoulders. He was known331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lgxgb0NRK
to tear his foes to pieces with nothing but his bare hands. Next was Lucien Arengar,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YBFkY1UJZ
leader of the kingdom’s Dragon Knights which was an elite unit tasked with high331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wcwbW7ww6
priority quests from the Crown itself, he wore his signature red and gold331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFCQuO5D2d
armour with his sword held high and his shield to his side. The last was the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyAjJLwtY0
rogue, the assassin, and the fastest of all the 12………fuck, what was his name331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekcAYARfiB
again?. Kemari stared at the portrait of the man who stood completely clad331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AWAdzBYmB
in black and covered completely, hiding his features.
“Brinn,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0EFtc9Z6u
I think” Isadora said from beside him. She had turned towards him and noticed331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJPCiv7kc9
him staring with a puzzled look on his face.
“Thanks,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNGT19obQ7
don’t know why I keep forgetting his name” Kemari replied “You finished?”
“Yuuup”331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlwjyo3tdu
she bounced and grinned
“Great,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaJvSgKhyu
let’s go then” he stretched and started to walk away when Isadora grabbed his331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PR7n6iKRe
robes
“Not331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HbIrMAb9r
so fast, my dashing knight”
“What331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4hOqEaQmQ
now?” Kemari sighed
“The331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P53Q4rK56
GuildMaster has something for us”
Kemari’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpHOVv5aex
demeanor changed upon hearing that, he spun around and grabbed Isadora’s331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UkNNkWm4p
shoulders, she shuddered when she saw the cold look on Kemari’s face.
“Did331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnmK8hx5xu
they find him” he tried to ask as calmly as he could, but his voice was instead331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbRcnbdLp7
cold and tainted with anger. She nodded and turned then waved towards the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKFUNJGidx
receptionist who was weaving a spell, she smiled and in an instant they were331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoesMGCL5FL
standing in an empty blueish space which only had a small desk and a few chairs331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHrdzhbPnf
in the middle.
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X2pawn0IK
rushed towards the desk leaving his friend behind, he caught a glimpse of a331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44dlw29NMl
giant ogre wearing full plate armour as it vanished from the room. Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz2vc3M2ou
stopped at the desk and stared at the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmKD2BhEna
small sinewy man behind it. The man wore a black vest over a white buttoned331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P7SatJHi5
down shirt, his head was completely bald and he seemed to be well over 100331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fLLLjoqh5
years old. “You stare too much Kephirian” the man said without looking up from331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1c56IiTeB
a paper he was scribbling on before him.
“Where331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7LQAqmCLq
is he!” Kemari slammed his hands on the desk
“Have331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUnd0mR82Y
a seat first” the man gestured at a chair before the desk “you too monk”
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWLVrqkw3v
looked and noticed she was right next to him now, she plopped into the chair331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBadL8bSNdF
and placed her feet on the desk, which evoked a glare from the man who made to331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOgPUP5ClL
say something before shaking his head and changing his mind. “please?” He331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmS6bRLeQ7
looked at Kemari this time, who sighed and sat in his chair.
“Who331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfd7qf9CHE
was that just now, GuildMaster?” Isadora spoke first
Gaelin331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA9MVGvQqr
set down his quill and leaned back in his chair for a few moments before he331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI32hGZEkOw
finally responded “Targoth IronHorn…..” he hesitated, pondering how to continue331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3bkadCExv
“He looks for the same man as you do”
“Did……..did331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznA5WXsNyx
you tell him what he wanted to know?” 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8otCdRgB7o
Isadora glanced at Kemari as she asked
“I331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBZ40M6xj9
did”
“YOU331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIrbVpTitF
HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME” Kemari flared up “WHAT THE FUCK? WE HAD AN AGREEMENT331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTCkcgeuxd
YOU OLD FART” He reached across the table and grabbed Gaelin by his shirt331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmGhNsmHV3
collar.
“THAT’S331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGW1bKozQ5
ENOUGH KEMARI” Isadora shot up and took his arm, he looked at her briefly and331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8BsxqAV5v
saw the disappointed way she looked at him. He grunted as he let go and paced331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZapasIdEgV
around the room “Great, so now we competition….”
“Does331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHFtaGIV78
it matter Kemari?” She paused then continued “We just want him dead, so we…….you331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pyOuDrQBt
can be free from your burden.”
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS35RN2n0Pv
stood still with his fists clenched “How in the world would that relieve me of331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZzQYXlrDU
my burdens?” he looked at Isadora and said firmly “I have to be the one who kills331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GIO32afbh
him...…..I won’t be at peace unless I am. Why do you seem to have a problem331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJinlt2TUe
with that? You. Kill. All. The. Time…..so what’s the fucking difference here”331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf5hxL2gZS
she didn’t answer, and the room stood in silence, waiting, before it was331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB2c1GV77E
finally broken.
“You’re331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jeezKqr0C
a fragile one, Kephirian…...” The GuildMaster smiled “Do you honestly believe331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3agE4I0B1I
you have what it takes to kill this monster on your own, or will you need the331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRpmJCjdE4
monk to do it for you?”
“…..” Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnEvk8z4UH
stood there in silence unable to answer.
“Nevertheless,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nvtQ8EVUT
we have a deal. The man you’re looking for is known as 'Vanther The Bold',331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXODdzInS1B
everything you need to know is in this” he handed Isadora a small scroll.
She331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuuw2pibjy
muttered a 'Thank You' as she turned to leave
“Oh,331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGejNmZh78
and one more thing” he said stopping the duo in their tracks “There was another331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvN3qJ5fZ2
person besides the Orc who came for information on him, so you might want to331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNUT0ShQ5X
hurry”
Kemari331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gCfTyHJPI
and Isadora then vanished as they once again teleported elsewhere.
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTZJhCj369
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx7ce2UCnG
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX1ZOzmCtA
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw4KVjBD7B
ns18.217.108.153da2
