MLII C3.1, P3- "On The Road"

"On The Road" is the third Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's third Chapter (Episode Two).
It was released on 18.01.2021.
== Plot ==
Now with a goal in their minds, Jared and his allies begin their journey towards the uncontrolled territory that is beyond Fort Remote, hoping to find Rentar-Ihrno and end her reign of tyrrany.
Unfortunately, their journey is not going to be pleasant. An unexpected twist of Fate prevents our heroes from getting past the fort safely as the Vahnatai drive the soldiers out and seize the land for themselves.
However, this fight is far from over. And whenever the main route is blocked by an impassable obstacle...
... there is always another way in.
== Story ==
Having secured a large amount of supplies for the journey, our heroes decide to not waste any time, because every second can be vital for Avernum and the Surface if they intend to defeat their enemies.
And so, they walk on the road towards Fort Remote. Old, but still intact.
The journey to one of Avernum's oldest settlements is not without its risks, of course. Bandits, slimes, the occasional goblin...
... but nothing like what our heroes are about to witness.
After a long walk towards their new destination, they reach Fort Remote. What they see is completely unexpected and catches them by surprise.
The settlement is abandoned, but not empty. Many guards protect the walls from invaders. The streets are bustling with activity.
However, the residents are not humans.
Many questions have yet to be answered, but one thing is clear:
Fort Remote is now a Vahnatai settlement.
As soon as they see our heroes approaching, the guards draw their weapons and shoot arrows at them.
"Look out!"- John yells and pushes Jared out of the way.
Our heroes draw their weapons as well and shoot most of the guards down.
However, they soon hear the alarm coming from within. Seconds later, more guards appear on the walls, ready to repel the invaders.
The gates are opened. Warriors emerge and charge at our heroes as they prepare to stand their ground.
"There's too many of them!"- Marinette says to her brother- "Are we sure that we will succeed?"
Jared scans the area in front of him. He realizes that the chances to retake the fort by themselves are very small.
However, our hero does not want to give up. Even the tiniest bit of hope is something that he is ready to clinge onto to help the humans win this endless war.
He turns to his friend, his eyes flashing like tiny stars. His expression alone says it all:
"We will never back down from a challenge."
Severely outnumbered, our heroes fight the evil Vahnatai valiantly, refusing to abandon Fort Remote and run away like cowards.
Many enemies fall in this battle. Others are injured and left to experience a painful demise.
As the Light starts to pierce the Darkness, however, the shadows cast a darker veil upon the world.
In other words, the battle becomes even more futile than it was before when more Vahnatai warriors join the battle.
Now surrounded by their enemies, the heroes quickly realize that there is no hope.
"Why were we so foolish? Why did we have to fight them?"- Lethal mutters.
Matthew shakes his head.
"I... I never knew that I would die like this."- He says- "But, if this is the day when it must happen, so be it.
Jared looks at them angrily.
"Do you really think that this is over?"- He asks his allies.
John raises his eyebrow.
"It's clear that we are surrounded, Jared."- He says- "Why do you still believe that we can win? It's over!"
One of the Vahnatai grins.
"Yes, Kaos. You were foolish enough to fall into our trap."- It says- "And now, you will face the consequences like all of your friends!"
Jared smiles and shakes his head.
"I was born an optimist. Whenever I fight, I always do it valiantly."- He says- "Because I know that, even in the darkest corners... there is a Light that is patiently waiting to shine and illuminate it.
The Vahnatai raises its eyebrow.
"Lies! There is no hope for someone who is-- "
"Look behind you."- Jared interrupts it.
The warriors comply, but fail to see the approaching threat. Laughing, they look at our heroes once again.
"You're just being delusional!"- One of the warriors says- "Nobody is going to save you! Nobody!"
John sighs.
"Well, there goes our last chance for survival."- He says.
Jared stares at the area ahead of them, listening to something that the others cannot hear.
"Three... "- He mutters.
Marinette looks at her brother, surprised.
"Jared? What are you doing?"
"Two... "- He continues.
Lethal looks at his grandson and realizes that he has a plan.
"If he still believes, it's the same for me."- He says to himself- "You can do it, child!"
"One... "- Jared mutters.
Once the countdown is done, he swings Demonslayer a few times and rises it in the air.
"Attack!"- He screams.
Soon, his call is answered by the screams of what sounds like hundreds of soldiers. Slowly, they get closer.
And closer...
Finally, they arrive to the scene. A large and well-trained army, ready to fight against the forces of evil.
Without wasting any time, the warriors strike most of the Vahnatai down in what seems like only a few minutes. Arrows and fireballs are launched at them, easily piercing through their delicate bodies and sending them flying.
More warriors arrive to help their remaining comrades, but they are easily slain by the army, slowly exhausting their numbers until they are completely depleted.
Having taken care of the soldiers, the Avernites enter the fort, ready to repel the Vahnatai citizens from within.
The rest of the Vahnatai decide that they value their lives more than the fort that they have conquered. Screaming, they flee the scene and leave our heroes alone without initiating another bloody fight.
As the warriors patch up the walls, Jared surveys the carnage. He sees the Vahnatai who attacked them- most of them already dead, but some of them still alive and dying on the cold, hard ground of Avernum.
His sister joins him. He looks at her, then back at the carnage and shakes his head.
"It did not have to end up like... like this."- He says- "Why did they bring this upon themselves?"
Marinette looks down and shakes her head.
"I know how it feels. We all have a grain of sympathy for every creature, even if some of them try to kill us."- She responds- "But the hardest part is watching them die by their own foolishness."
Jared sighs.
"It is unfair for other to suffer because of one's past mistakes."- He mutters- "For such a foolish and hopeless cause that will only bring them ruin and despair."
Marinette looks at her brother.
"I... don't want to educate you about Life. Not when something like this happened in front of your very eyes."- She says- "But I don't want you to suffer because of them. It is what the sister within me wants you to hear."
"Now, listen closely."- She continues- "From a young age, we are taught to respect and protect every life that is around us. Especially those who are miniature and thus, defenseless against their natural enemies. But there is a cycle of Life that can never be stopped, as painful as it is to admit it. Everyone has a reason to fight, to keep their pace and stare at the future ahead, in the hopes of finding a mote of light that will keep them afloat. However, there are creatures like them... "
She points at the dead Vahnatai.
"Creatures who wish to bring nothing but ruin to the lives of others, all in the name of a deity than can abandon them in the blink of an eye. And when they realize that their lives are forfeit... they keep fighting for their hopeless cause, wishing to satisfy their dark queen. They are ready to give their lives away, if it means that others will succeed where they didn't... "
Jared sighs.
"I see it now."- He mutters- "I see it, Mari."
Marinette raises her eyebrow.
"Yes?"- She says, curious.
Jared looks around once again, his eyes expressing a rainbow of emotions that has never been seen before. Determination. Anger. Care.
And, most importantly, a newfound piece of hope.
"Those Vahnatai, they were stuck into the depths of the Abyss ever since they joined their leader. Their goal, it has been futile from the very beginning."- He says- "With every single failure, they were stepping one feet deeper into their grave. And now they are close to the end, standing on the edge, unable to move forwards... or backwards. Soon, they will face the consequences of their own mistakes."
Marinette nods and smiles.
"I'm glad that you see the truth in my words, dear brother."- She says- "So, are you ready to take our lands back from them?"
Jared smiles.
"Let us teach those old dogs some new tricks!"- He exclaims.
Together, Jared and his sister manage to help the soldiers take out the pests that are still within the fort and secure the perimeter once and for all.
Meanwhile, the rest of our heroes return from the west and get Jared's attention.
"Sir... "- The captain says, choking with grief- "We went ahead to scout the area, but... they have blocked it."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
The captain looks down.
"There... there is a wall."- He says- "They were already one step ahead of us."
Marinette gasps.
"So, this means that... that... "
The captain nods.
"Yes."- He says- "We cannot reach them. Not without weeks of hard work."
Marinette looks at Jared.
"Our efforts to reach them were in vain."- She mutters- "What's our next move?"
Jared shakes his head as he looks at Demonslayer.
"No. I did not come here for a tie."- He says- "I did not come here to watch them stand behind their wall, laughing at us as we try to reach them."
He turns to the captain and points at the huge wall ahead of them.
"I want you to bring a large amount of workers in two days. The best workers."- He says to him- "Destroy that sorry excuse of a wall and squeeze through. Once that is done, prepare your strongest force and launch an assault at the Vahnatai's fort. This will keep them distracted, at least for the time being."
The captain nods.
"It shall be done, Sir."- He says confidently- "But... what about you?"
He looks at the eastern gate and sighs.
"When I was exploring Avernum alone, I discovered a tunnel. A tunnel that some Avernite explorers dug a few years ago, in the hopes of making another path towards the lands beyond Fort Remote."- He responds- "Those brave souls are long gone, but the hope to finish it is still here. And I am planning to finish what they started."
Marinette gasps.
"Jared! Are you aware how dangerous it is to do something like this?!"- She yells- "What if the whole tunnel collapses on you? You're going to suffocate in there!"
Jared sighs and approaches the gate.
"Remember what you told me about those Vahnatai- how they fight for a cause that may be futile?"- He asks his sister- "Truth be told, I feel the same right now. But this does not mean that I will let fear overtake me. Not when so many people depend on my actions and believe in me!"
He looks back.
"If anyone wishes to join me, feel free to do so."- He mutters- "Otherwise, I shall embark on this journey alone."
John takes a step forward.
"And leave my best friend to fight those aliens by himself? No way!"- He says- "You helped me so many times. Now it is time for me to help you."
Lethal also takes a step forward.
"When you left Paris, I made a promise to your father. To always be by your side, whether it is physically... or spiritually."- He says- "We're so close to the end. If we managed to live through this, then the rest of them are surely doomed and holed up in their pathetic excuse of a fort."
He looks at Marinette.
"And I am always confident in Jared, no mater what kind of a decision he is forced to make. So, I shall go with him, whether you want it or not."
Ghall-Ihrno nods, quickly seeing the wisdom in Lethal's words.
"I may be an alien. Humans do not trust me, not after how the rest of my kind treat them."- He says- "But that does not mean that I won't help a human in need. Especially someone who is a dear friend of mine, whom I respect for everything that he has done for me. So, bring it on!"
Marinette sighs.
"So be it."- She says- "But what about the rest of us?"
Matthew takes a step forward.
"I want to go with my brother."- He mutters- "But... I want to be useful for once. I want to be a vital part of the team, not a weight that slowly drags them down. So, I shall stay and help the soldiers assault the fort!"
John nods and smiles. He approaches his brother and hugs him.
"That's the spirit, little brother!"- He says- "I have always dreamed to see you as a brave and fearless hero. And now, that dream is finally a reality. I... I'm so proud of you."
Marinette wipes a tear from her eye. This moment is truly heartwarming for her and she feels the same way about her sibling.
On the verge of crying, she approaches her brother and hugs him.
"Forgive me for not believing in you earlier."- She says- "You want to be a hero, just like me. And, for all these years, I've been neglecting you. Making you feel uncomfortable. Crushing your determination with my words."
She sighs.
"But now, you have grown. You're independent and capable of making your own decisions, saving the lives of others with the good deeds that you have done... and have yet to do."- She continues- "So, go right ahead. Explore the cave and remember. Even I am not standing beside you, I will still support you. Even if it's from the other side of the world. Now go there and make me feel proud!"
She looks back at the soldiers, turns around and smiles.
"Make us feel proud!"
Jared hugs her back.
"I will never let you down, sister."- He says- "I will win this war in your name!"
Having said goodbye to everyone else, Jared and his allies leave the fort and travel north, hoping to find the cave before the Vahnatai collapse it.
Half an hour later, they arrive at the location. The cave entrance is clealy visible just ahead of them.
Jared turns back and looks at John, his grandfather and Rentar-Ihrno.
"Well, this is it. I know that we have been through something like this in the past, so I am positive that we will succeed."- He says- "All I ask from you is this: Will you stay with me, even if it means certain death?"
John nods.
"If today was my last day, I would be glad to spend it with you, my friend."- He says.
Ghall-Ihrno smiles.
"Friends would never abandon each other, especially not in a time like this!"- He exclaims- "Lead the way, my heroic friend!"
Lethal sighs.
"A family is formed by a strong bond. We always protect each other and care about our well-being. Doing otherwise means that this bond shall lie in ruins."- He says- "And, when something endangers us, we fight it until the very end. It is something that I learned when you were born, my dear Jared."
He looks at the cave entrance.
"So, what are we waiting for?"
Jared nods.
"You are right, grandpa."- He responds- "Whenever you fight alongside those that you love, there is nothing to fear. Even Death itself."
He takes a step forward.
"Well then."- He continues- "Rentar-Ihrno, here we come!"