MLII C5, P3- "Dark Ancestry"

"Dark Ancestry" is the third Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's fifth Chapter. It was released on 05.04.2021.
== Plot ==
As the barbaric Slithzerikai continue to search for those who are responsible for the southernmost fort's downfall, Jared and his allies sit in a small forest, undisturbed by their enemies.
They talk about their current situation and wonder how they will escape from the hostile warriors. They also learn that Treviass, the son of Gnass's chief whom Jared rescued very recently, is a descendant of the evil Slithzerikai warlord- Sss-Thss. 
Realizing that it would be very unwise to simply hand the young warrior over to his ancestor's people, our heroes devise a plan to sneak out with him and approach the westernmost fort undetected.
== Story ==
Concerned, Jared looks at the trees behind him.
"Are you sure that we are safe?"- He asks Tholmen.
Tholmen nods.
"Don't worry. Those fiends are not going to find us. Or, at least, not yet."- He assures him- "Rest assured, though. Whatever sound is made in this forest, it will stay here. The trees will make sure of that."
He looks around and shakes his head.
"Still, it's not a good idea to stay here for a long time."- He continues- "We must sneak out as soon as possible. If what I heard from those lizards is right, then there's a boat in the fort to the west. That's our only chance to strike back."
After watching everyone sit down, Tholmen tells them about his recent endeavors. He tells them about events that happened after he abandoned the Darkside Loyalists to their fate, about his adventures on the Surface and, most importantly, about the time when he discovered a massive band of barbaric Slithzerikai, not far from the Empire's capital.
"I noticed the early signs of a war. The lizards were sneaking out, performing minor raids and terrifying the small villages around them. They were preparing for something much more dangerous. I tried to warn the warriors, but they didn't listen to me. They thought that I was not telling the truth, that the barbaric Slithzerikai cannot travel to the Surface like that."
Jared shakes his head.
"How foolish of them."- He mutters.
Tholmen sighs and nods.
"Of course, I didn't want anyone to get hurt."- He continues- "So, I seeked out the barbaric Slithzerikai as they sneaked out of their cave and killed them before they could do anything to harm the communities. The rest of their warriors found out that I killed their comrades and tried to kill me, but I managed to kill all of them. Back then, there weren't that many to worry about."
He sighs again.
"However, this battle was far from over. A few days after killing those creatures, I found out that they were a part of a simple raiding party. The stronger force was not ready for battle, not yet."- He says- "I hurried to get back into Avernum, hoping to stop them before they could do anything. Unfortunately, their fortress was abandoned when I arrived. All of their warriors had already left, ready to cause harm to the unsuspecting citizens. I found their portal and teleported back to the Surface."
He looks at the trees around him.
"For an entire week, I have been raiding their encampments, killing their warriors and stealing their supplies. This managed to slow them down, at least for a short time."
Jared nods.
"This explains why they were so disorganized when we fought them."- He says- "You managed to stop them from working on their plan."
Tholmen raises his eyebrow.
"Ah, yes. The plan."- He says- "They have been working on the so-called "Unbound" for a while."
He thinks about this for a few seconds.
"I also heard that they're looking for a Slithzerikai youth, who is a direct descendant of their revered warlord- Sss-Thsss. So far, it seems like they haven't found them, but if they do... "
He sighs and shakes his head.
Suddenly, the young Slithzerikai gets very serious. He looks down. His expression becomes cold. He does not dare to look at the people around him.
"Is something wrong, dear?"- Seiko asks him, noticing that he is worried.
Jared and Tholmen look at him. They become very suspicious.
"I... I can't."- The Slithzerikai mutters- "It's too dangerous. I can't let them find out."
Jared smiles and pats him on the shoulder.
"It is safe to tell us, friend."- He says, in his most soothing voice- "Your secret will be safe with us. I promise."
The Slithzerikai shakes his head and sighs. Then, he looks up.
"The descendant that they're looking for... he's here, alongside you."- He mutters- "It's me. I am the one that they want to complete their plan."
Everyone gasps. Tholmen draws his weapon.
"So, you're the reason why they're hunting us right now!"- He yells- "I'm afraid that we can't let you live!"
Tholmen attacks the Slithzerikai, who tries to defend himself from him. Just as he is about to stab him to death, Jared intervenes, gets between the two of them and punches Tholmen in the face.
Tholmen takes a step back, surprised.
"Jared! Why are you defending this traitor?!"- He yells at him- "Why are you defending someone who will only cause us harm?!"
Jared shakes his head.
"That is where you are wrong!"- He yells back and draws his weapon- "I rescued this creature, because I wanted to give him a second chance! I wanted to keep him safe from those who will try to kill him! And I am not going to let you harm him."
Motes of light appear in the palm of his right hand. 
"Step back, Tholmen!"- Jared continues- "You are not going to achieve anything by killing him! This is not the right way to stop the invaders. Please, see the errors in your ways and try to correct them!"
Seiko sees that her son is trying to protect the young Slithzerikai and she immediately does the same.
Tholmen realizes that his friends are not going to let him kill the Slithzerikai and decides to back down. He drops his weapon and shakes his head.
"We'll see."- He mutters- "We'll see whether he deserves a second chance or not."
Jared turns to the Slithzerikai and motions for him to sit down.
"Do not worry, friend. Rest assured that you will be protected, as long as I am still around."- He says- "Now, tell me something about yourself."
The Slithzerikai bows his head.
"Oh. I'm sorry."- He says- "You don't even know who I am."
He sighs.
"My name is Treviass."- He begins- "I am the son of Gnass's chief- Gless-Thsss. I was born in the village and was raised there. I lived peacefully along my fellow Slithzerikai, until the age of 18 when a servant of Krezz-Yss the Shadow came to me and told me that I am destined for great things."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Krezz-Yss the Shadow?"- He asks him- "You mean the Slithzerikai leader who is responsible for the war between the barbaric Slithzerikai and Avernum a few years ago? The one who was slain by the Avernites shortly before the war was over?"
Treviass nods.
"At that time, I wanted to go outside. I was bored and I dreamed of fighting for a certain cause."- He says- "Unfortunately, I fell for it like a complete fool. I accepted the spy's invitation and joined their forces, to the south of the village. I fought the Avernites alongside them and I angered my father."
"However."- He adds- "A small force of Avernites invaded the lair where I was staying. They killed the Slithzerikai within and attacked my employer. I fought alongside him and watched him die. I was ready to give up on life, to let them kill me. But, in the last moment, they decided to spare me and told me that my father misses me, that he wants to see me alive. And so, I ran. I decided to take this chance and leave this nightmare behind. My father forgave me and allowed me to stay in the village."
He sighs.
"But that peace did not last for long. After the war was over, I found out that some of the barbaric Slithzerikai were located in Avernum. I told my father about it and he sent a large force to take them down. I joined those warriors, hoping to kill some of them in the process. Unfortunately, every single warrior was slain. I was captured by them and forced to fight against my will. Soon, I rebeled against them and I was captured by their warriors, thrown in the prison where you found me and left to rot."
Jared nods.
"They were keeping you in the prison, hoping to use you for their plan."- He says- "It seems like we foiled it when we freed you."
Treviass sighs.
"Maybe."- He says- "But, if we don't do something about it, they're going to find us soon."
Tholmen nods.
"I may not trust him, but I completely agree with him."- He says- "We cannot stay in this forest for long. Not when we have such an important mission on our hands."
Jared looks around, making sure that nobody is spying on them. Soon, he hears a sound coming from the underbrush.
"I have a feeling that it is not safe for us to stay here."- He says- "We must leave and invade the fort as soon as possible."
Tholmen nods and notices a Slithzerikai sneak into the woods. He draws his sword and stabs him in the head.
Soon, many pairs of eyes stare at them from outside.
"They're here!"- Tholmen yells- "Let's go!"
Without wasting any time, our heroes leave the forest quickly, killing as many of their pursuers as possible.
Soon, they are surrounded by them. They fight valiantly, but they are too tired to kill all of them.
Treviass sees that his new friends are in danger and decides to let go of the guilt within his heart. He lifts his two-tined spear in the air, screams and charges.
Without any mercy, he manages to kill a large amount of his former allies and allow his friends to fight back. His interference turns the tables almost immediately.
Soon, the slithzerikai scouting party is defeated. All of the warriors lie dead before Jared and his allies.
Jared pats Treviass on the shoulder.
"I knew that you are competent. I am glad that you proved me right."- He says- "Thank you, Treviass. You are such an ardent warrior."
Treviass nods and smiles.
"Thank you for trusting me, fellow warrior."- He responds.
Tholmen sighs.
"We did not count on this."- He mutters- "We thought that the forest would protect us."
He turns to Jared.
"I'm sorry, my friend."- He continues- "I was a fool. We should have gone farther."
Jared smiles and points at something in the distance.
"No, Tholmen. You should not be sorry. Not everything was in vain."- He says- "Look closer!"
Tholmen stares at the area ahead of him. He tries to focus his eyes, hoping to see whatever has gotten Jared's attention.
Finally, he sees something interesting.
"The fort."- He mutters- "It's empty. There's no one in there."
Jared nods.
"This is our chance to strike. We can do a lot of damage while they are still weak and disorganized."- He continues- "We might even find a boat to the central island!"
Tholmen smiles.
"Ah. Enthusiastic as always, I see. That's the Jared Kaos whom I've been respecting for so long."- He says- "Very well. Let's leave a sour taste in their mouths!"
He turns to Treviass.
"Young one, I admit that I underestimated you. I thought that you would never help us out, that you would simply abandon us when given the chance. But now, I see that I'm wrong."- He says to him- "If Jared trusts you, I shall do the same. I will keep you safe from those barbarians and I will gladly fight alongside you. I can tell that you're honest with us and that you want to fight to protect the innocents around you. Well, you're not alone. We will do the same."
Treviass nods and smiles.
"I'm glad that there's still someone who trusts me. Thank you for accepting me."- He says- "Now, we must carry on."
Tholmen nods.
"Agreed."
He turns to Jared.
"So, what's the plan?"- He asks him- "How will we enter that settlement?"
Jared smiles.
"Most of their forces are gone, so the rest should not put up too much of a fight."- He says- "For now, let us stick to our initial plan- surviving."
Having shared his plan with his allies, Jared starts to walk forward, intending to find as much information as possible before the Slithzerikai return. His friends, seeing what he is doing, start to walk forward as well.
"We may have doubts sometimes. We may not trust our surroundings, become mistrustful of the information that we are given. However, there is something that I cannot doubt right now."- He says to himself- "Whatever... or, rather, whoever is in that fort, it is guarding something important. Something that can help a band of dedicated infiltrators take advantage of the Slithzerikai's weakness... and strike a decisive blow."