MLTO C3, P4

This is the fourth Part of "MLIV:TO" 's third Chapter.
It was released on 17.12.2022.
== Plot ==
Separated from each other by the forces of darkness, our heroes have to face different threats as the vile monk Shura Kobayashi and his wicked allies reveals themselves. As more and more of their allies perish in the distance, they will soon learn the true meaning of seeing beyond the mortal veil and the truth behind the visions Akihiro had in the past.
With both Good and Evil searching for justice, neither one of those sides shall show mercy to the other. The battle between them shall be vicious and only the ones whose will to live is the strongest shall survive this perilous ordeal.
And yet, our heroes are not alone. New allies rise from the ashes and approach the temple, in an attempt to prevent an even bigger disaster from occurring and their enemies are already showing flaws that could prove to be fatal for them.
Which side of Justice shall prevail?
== Story ==
Geralt stares at Shura for a few long seconds. Gears start clicking and whirring within his mind as he analyzes his opponent and attempts to find out his true identity, in the hopes of defeating him.
It is quite clear that Shura is not quite what he seems to be. A small amount of black substance is leaking from the scar on his left eye... and, from the looks of it, it is certainly not normal blood. Something is wrong. Terribly wrong. And it is up to him to save the good people from whatever monster Shura may turn out to be.
"You know, I never came to know you better in the time when both of us were here. You were always so quiet, so docile. And yet, I always sensed the dark aura that was emanating from you, and still is."- He says- "So, tell me. Who are you? Why did you invade our world like this?"
Shura laughs.
"You mean that you don't already know?"- He says- "Come on, Geralt! I was expecting you to be wiser than this!"
Geralt glares at him.
"Your name was always spoken in whispers. People feared you because of what you might turn out to be."- He says- "But why? Why would you dare to attack your own people? Why did you pretend to care about them, then stabbed them all in the back?"
Shura sighs.
"Those monks, they were never my people to begin with."- He says- "The reason why I came here was to search for justice. In a place where I saw none, I had no choice but to make my move. And let me tell you, it could have been worse than this."
The red-eyed monks stare at each other. They clearly didn't expect Shura to speak ill of them, but have no other choice than to keep fighting for the one whom they declared their master.
"What about the monks that swore allegiance in your favor?"- Geralt asks- "Have you ever shown sympathy toward those poor souls? Did you ever try to understand their suffering?"
Shura glares at him.
"Well, did you ever try to understand me?!"
Geralt freezes in place.
"But I... "- He mutters- "I never... "
Shura nods.
"That's right!"- He exclaims- "You never saw me as one of you!"
As Geralt stares at him, Shura walks around in circles and shakes his head.
"When you and Aurelia arrived in the temple for the first time, I tried to open up to you. I tried to be less cordial than I was with the others. However, you always saw me as a liability. A threat. You always shunned me and pretended that I wasn't there. Your eyes told me to stay away, lest I wanted to feel your holy wrath."- He says- "I was already neglected by everyone, but the way you threated me was the ultimate insult. I just couldn't take it."
Aaron nods.
"Well, there must be a reason behind Geralt's actions."- He says to him- "Did you ever try to find out why Geralt did not open back to you? Or are you just as careless as everyone thinks that you are?"
Shura looks at him.
"What do you know about it, outsider?"
Aaron sighs.
"I may be an outsider, but I understand your fellow monks better than you ever will."- He says- "When those people were still alive, I had the chance to talk to them. I shared my troubles with them and they did the same. The most common problem that I heard back then? Many of them escaped from the warfare that happened in their homelands. They wanted a safe place to stay and recover. And yet, your raid brought a swift end to their dreams, their peace. You declared them all non-believers, just because they had minds of their own. And you never, ever came to know them better than us."
All of the other monks have finally had enough. Fed up with the lies that Shura infused within their minds, they snap and turn their blades against their own master. Aaron's simple speech was enough to convince them to rebel against the hand that refused to feed them.
Backed into a corner by his enemies and former allies alike, Shura shakes his head.
"No!"- He yells- "That's not true!"
Aaron points at him,
"Face it, Shura! Or, should I say, Shura of the Dark Flame!"- He yells- "You claim that others are lacking justice, but you're the one who's being blinded by it! You're the one who never cared about anything but himself! And now, the truth has been exposed! You will always be hunted, by everything... and everyone!"
Shura shakes his head.
"You can't do this! I'm your master!"- He yells- "Those wannabe heroes are spewing lies left and right! There were never any pure monks in this place!"
Geralt looks up.
"It's true. None of us ever dared to call ourselves pure of heart and soul."- He says- "And yet, we always strived to achieve something in our lives. Day after day, we trained to make a difference. And that is the kind of purity that you will never have!"
A magical stairway forms below Geralt's feet as he rushes toward the top, intending to finish Shura off. And yet, ever as he gets closer, the vile monk does not move out of the way. It looks like he is ready to accept his fate, but his expressions tells otherwise.
As Geralt's blade pierces Shura's chest, he smiles. Black, tainted blood oozes out of the wound as he looks up and cackles maniacally.
"You fool!"- He exclaims- "I may have lived as a human for decades, but this body serves me no longer! I have no need of this mortal shell!"
As Geralt begins to ponder what Shura just said, the vile monk raises his hands in the air. His eyes start to glow black as his entire body starts to shine. The force of this transformation is enough to throw Geralt back and make him fall down, but Aaron manages to catch him in the last moment.
"Woah there!"- He exclaims- "Are you alright, partner?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"The darkness has begin to infuse this poor soul."- He says- "We are too late to save him."
Shura laughs.
"You speak of the shadows, right?"- He asks- "Truth be told, I never found them."
He grins.
"They were always a part of me!"
With a massive blast of dark energy that annihilates everything around it, a mysterious creature appears in Shura's place. Its skin is black and it wears a black robe- a conduit of its own, tainted soul. Its hair has gone completely white and its eyes are glowing silver.
"Ahh. This is much better."- It says- "Now, where were we?"
The creature grins.
"Ah, yes."- It says- "It is time for me to properly introduce myself."
Geralt stares at it, shocked by its sudden transformation.
"Who are you?"- He asks quietly- "Or rather, what are you?"
The creature smiles as its eyes start to glow ever brighter.
"I am the one known as Shura of the Black Flame. The vengeful spirit that has been searching for justice in a span of time that would seem like an eternity."- He says- "I am your worst nightmares come true. Your fears jumbled together into a single, perfect being. I am the Law and Chaos."
Shura raises his hands in the air.
"All of the power and glory was stripped away from me when you arrived, but that doesn't matter!"- He exclaims- "Because I... am the Chosen One!"
----Akihiro rushes forward and tries to stab the undead Ryozo in the head. However, he soon notices the amulet on his neck and stops in his tracks.
"Master?"- Aurelia says- "Is something wrong?"
Akihiro looks back.
"That amulet, it belonged to Ryozo's mother. She gave it to him shortly before he left to join me on my journey, with the promise that he would always be safe."
He looks down and shakes his head.
"I failed that child, Aurelia."- He says- "Everything that happened to him and the others, it is my fault."
Aurelia shakes her head.
"No. You were never guilty to begin with."- She says- "What happened there was truly unfortunate, correct, but it was destined to happen. And we can't change our destiny, no matter how hard we try."
Akihiro looks at her.
"So, our destiny is... to perish in the dark flames?"- He asks- "To become one with the light that we have always adored?"
Aurelia sighs.
"Well, not always. Sometimes, we get to live as long as you and meet many wonderful people along the way."- He says- "But Ryozo's fate was already sealed. He did his best to help in whatever ways he could, but it was only a matter of time before he would need some help himself.
Akihiro sighs.
"And yet, we did not provide it."
Aurelia shakes her head.
"I regret it as much as you."- She says- "But we must be strong. Our allies need us and we shouldn't give up. Not here, not now."
Akihiro nods.
"Then let us try to be heroes."
He raises his staff, but cannot find the strength to put Ryozo down.
"But I... I can't do it."
Aurelia takes a step forward.
"Leave it to me."- She says- "I've got you covered."
As Akihiro steps away, Aurelia rushes forward and stabs Ryozo in the chest. Since she cannot bring herself to do it either, she musters her strength to pin him to a nearby wall with her staff, making the undead harmless in the process.
"There."- She says- "This should buy us some time."
As the two of them regroup, they hear someone clapping above. They look up and see an elven man who is clearly amused by their performance.
"Now this is a thrill that I haven't felt in ages!"- He exclaims- "Such loyalty! Such dedication! You, my friends, are the cherries on top of this performance!"
As he jumps down, the two of them draw their weapons and prepare to fight.
"And who might you be, mister?"- Aurelia asks him.
The elven man smiles.
"I am known as Zeno. Zeno Zumdan."- He says- "I used to be an elven man who lost everything during Redmark's rule. I was forced to live on the streets and pray for my god to bless me one more time. And he did, as Shura came to recruit me as a part of his noble cause. He saw me as a valuable component of his imperfect machine and wanted me to be there when his worst fears came alive."
Zeno looks.
"And I'm glad to be here, as I will soon join the fight between Shura and the dreaded Geralt Kaos."- He says- "I shall help my master destroy this temple and take down everyone alongside it, your dear hero included."
Aurelia points her weapon at Zeno.
"What you're doing is absolutely wrong! Killing innocent people just because they refuse to submit to whatever regiment you've formed against us? Setting an entirely peaceful temple on fire because it stands against what you believe?"- She says- "I don't know much about what you might be, but it seems like you're the real monsters here!"
Zeno clenches his fists.
"How dare you speak ill of of our holy leader and his plan to cleanse the world!"- He yells- "All of you are a bunch of heatens! I shall make you see the truth in this fight!"
Aurelia raises her eyebrow,
"Is that so?"- She asks- "Then do your worst! The power of light shall always win in the end, one way or another!"
Zeno doesn't respond. Instead, he forms a ball of dark flame between the palms of his hands. As it grows in intensity, his power also grows. 
And then, as Aurelia charges, he launches it toward her, causing a massive beam of darkness to emerge and attempt to strike her down.
Fortunately, Akihiro is there to save his student. As she wonders what she needs to do, he pushes her out of the way, creating a magical shield that absorbs the dark energy and sends it back toward its caster.
Zeno is struck in the chest, screaming as he is thrown back by the massive impact. He clearly didn't expect that Akihiro would have such incredible power and it shows.
"You know, Zeno, you were much better than this. When I allowed you to stay in the temple with us, you showed much more initiative. You were so talkative, so hopeful. And yet, now you dare to betray your own kind and tell a story that never was true in the first place."- Akihiro says- "I don't know what the foul Shura might have done to you, but this is not the Zeno that I used to know."
Zeno looks at him.
"What do you know about me?"- He asks- "I am unique! Perfect! My master told me that I'm greater than those fools and I believe it!"
Aurelia shakes her head.
"You sound like a truly megalomanical and brilliant soul, but your eyes betray just how much of a blind you are."- She says- "You claim that others are fools, but the truth is different. The only one who's the biggest fool here... is you, mister!"
Zeno gasps.
"I have never been a fool!"
Aurelia rolls her eyes.
"Only a true fool would ever dare to say that."
Zeno glares at her.
"And how do you know if you're not the fool?"
Aurelia glares back at him.
"Because I've always had a clear purpose, unlike you!"- She yells- "Not long ago, I was the slave of a truly evil being. I was always beaten up and mistreated by her. I hated her, but I was forced to withdraw my own anger to survive. And yet, I still had my goal: To bring the light back to this world, with or without the help of others. But when he arrived... everything changed for me. I was forced to accept this new world as it was, because it's my home and I still love it."
Zeno raises his eyebrow.
"He?"- He asks- "Who is he?!"
Aurelia smiles.
"It's Geralt- my one and only savior!"- She exclaims- "And together, we shall defeat your dark regiment!"
Zeno laughs.
"I'd like to see you try!"
Having said that, he pulls out a pair of shadow daggers out of nowhere and smiles.
"Now dance!"- He exclaims- "Dance, my pretties!"
As he throws the tainted daggers toward Aurelia and Akihiro, the old master tries to stop the attack with his magical shield. However, his attempt is cut short when one of the daggers pierces its surface, nearly plunging itself into the master's eye.
"Those things are wild!"- Aurelia exclaims- "No kind of protection is capable of stopping them!"
Akihiro nods.
"It's true. Those weapons are infused with shadow magic, capable of piercing through the hardest armor, be it physical or magical."- He says- "But there is one answer to this problem. And it can only be brought to light... "
He readies his staff.
"... with violence."
Aurelia grins.
"Oh, I have a lot of violence penned up within my mind, master!"- She exclaims- "I'm ready to unleash it!"
Akihiro nods.
"Then go, my child!"- He says- "Go, and don't be afraid to try!"
Aurelia nods and rushes forward. She avoids the daggers that are being thrown at her and uses her sword to create a vortex that is capable of disorienting Zeno for a while. Then, just as he backs away and attempts to recover, Aurelia jumps in the air and strikes him with a graceful, yet vicious blow.
Zeno coughs blood as he stumbles back.
"You... fool."- He says- "How did you do that?"
Aurelia smiles.
"The warrior princess has her ways."
Zeno shakes his head.
"And yet, it does not matter."- He says- "The show is not over until the last trick is revealed."
Akihiro raises his eyebrow.
"What does he mean?"
He sees that Zeno's hands are glowing and gasps.
"Oh no!"
He rushes forward.
"Aurelia, my child!"- He exclaims- "Watch out!"
Aurelia looks back.
"Master?"
Before they can even try to back away, Zeno unleashes a massive blast that nearly incinerates them. They are thrown back by the sheer strength of this raw, uncontrolled energy.
As they stand up, Zeno walks up to them and smiles.
"And so, the great heroes have fallen."- He says- "What a shame that the curtains close so fast."
Bloodied and battered, Aurelia stands up and readies her sword.
"Don't count us out yet."- She says- "We're still in this!"
Zeno nods.
"It's true. You have a spirit of fire and thus, you cannot give up so easily."- He says- "But do remember that I was trained by the Dark Flame himself. I was given powers that are beyond your human understanding and I am not afraid to use them."
Akihiro looks up.
"Then why don't you finish us off already?"- He asks him- "We are already fairly weak. You have got us backed into a corner. We are like mice in front of a gigantic cat. We cannot fight back."
Zeno smiles.
"But what would be the fun in killing someone if it happens way too fast?"- He says- "That's not my way. When I intend to finish off someone, I make it slow while I enjoy it. I make them regret the mistakes that they made in the past, force them to watch as their life oozes out of their wounds. It is truly a joy to watch others suffer."
Aurelia gasps.
"What kind of a monster are you?!"
Zeno smiles.
"The worst one."
Suddenly, he makes a series of motions with his hands, creating a black mist that chokes Aurelia and Akihiro.
"I can't see anything!"- Aurelia exclaims- "What about you, master?!"
Akihiro coughs.
"It's black as night!"- He exclaims- "It is as if my whole life was just tainted by the darkness!"
Zeno laughs.
"And it will, because you shall soon become a part of it.
Zeno continues to laugh as our two heroes continue to fight back against this mysterious and malevolent force, attempting to survive against it. From the looks of it, they might not have enough strength to outlast it. And, even if they do, Zeno will eventually finish them off.
Before Zeno can make his final, triumphant speech, however, a single javelin flies through the mist and pierces him in the chest.
"Surprise!"- A male voice is heard from the shadows- "Did you expect this?"
As Zeno pulls out the javelin, he looks around.
"What... what is happening?"- He asks- "Who's there?"
A lone man emerges from the mist and smiles.
"The one and only Zachary Bourne is here to save the day!"
Zeno laughs.
"You? A petty merchant with little to no skill in combat?"- He asks- "You're nothing compared to me!"
Zachary frowns.
"Well, you're no fun! You might be all evil and stuff, but you could at least try to be nice to others!"- He says- "Oh well. If you don't want to change, I just have to kill you."
He throws another javelin that pierces Zeno in the neck.
"Agh! You petty human!"- Zeno exclaims- "Your human weaponry may be sharp, but your mind... "
Zachary smiles.
"... is also sharp!"- He exclaims- "Unlike you, I have seen the world through many different perspectives. I have traded with many people and I never gave a weapon to someone as lawless as you."
Suddenly, Zachary gets very serious. His eyes betray signs of determination, despite the fact that he was so cheerful and outgoing just a few seconds ago.
"With people like you in this world, there will be no fun. No games. No parties and no pretty girls to talk to."- He says- "What you're doing goes against all principles that the heroes in the past forged with their own hands. And I will stop you!"
Zeno tries to fight back, but Aurelia rushes out from the shadows and grabs him. After a brief struggle, she finally subdues him and looks at Zachary.
"I don't know who you are, but we truly appreciate your aid!"- She exclaims- "Now go! He's all yours!"
Zeno thrashes wildly, just like a kid in a store.
"No! This is not how I, the mighty Zeno Zumdan, shall be defeated!"- He yells- "This is ridiculous! Let me go!"
Aurelia smiles.
"You know, I've been waiting to make this statement for a long time."- She says- "Now, I finally have the chance to make it happen."
As she prepares to make her move, she takes a deep breath, as if she is about to say something that will change the world.
"Your mother is ridiculous!"- She exclaims as she pushes Zeno forward.
Zachary laughs.
"Yeah!"- He exclaims- "That was a nice one!"
Pulling out his sharpest javelin, he hurls it at the unsuspecting Zeno as he stumbles forward. Unfortunately for the vile elven warrior, the merchant's accuracy proves to be his undoing, as the weapon easily pierces its way through his delicate skull, killing him on the spot.
As Zeno's lifeless corpse falls on the ground, Zachary pulls out a small white crystal and uses it to dispel the magical mist around Akihiro, saving the old master from choking to death,
"Well, that was a close one for both of us."- Akihiro says- "Thank you, boy. We are truly in your debt."
Zachary smiles.
"Aww. Don't mention it. I just came here to help and found you two."- He says- "So. How are you doing?"
Aurelia sighs.
"We could be better."
Zachary nods.
"There are a lot of goons walking around the temple."- He says- "It was hard to get in here."
Akihiro looks at him.
"Tell us everything."- He says- "We have been stuck in this place for way too long. We would love to hear news from the outside world."
Zachary smiles.
"Well. For starters, I met some really nice people on my way to this place."- He says- "They claim that they are members of the Kaos dynasty, but I'm not sure if I can believe them. I mean, my mama met one of the patriarchs of their family when she was younger and she was in awer with him."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"Your mother?"
Zachary nods.
"Yes. The legendary trader known as Yu-La. A wealthy member of a Sholai fleet that tried to seek her fortune in the endless seas. But then, her people discovered a mysterious island and tried to seize the forbidden powers left within."- He says- "Of course, my mother never approved of that, just like yours truly. So, she organized a small rebellion after my uncle died to a vile Sholai leader's hand, vowing to exact vengeance upon him. And that's when she met Adam Kaos and his family, in all of their glory. They were trapped on the island because the Sholai gunned down their only vessel. The two parties formed an uneasy alliance that soon grew into a combined army that took Trajkov down."
He smiles.
"And that's the end of mama's story."- He says- "Shortly after she left with Adam's parents for the mainland, she settled there, carefully avoiding Trajkov's remaining allies. She eventually met a brave paladin, my very own father, and settled down. Then, undisturbed by anything, she had me and trained me to be a trader, just like her."
Akihiro smiles.
"That is a truly heartwarming story. Between the way your mother formed an alliance with one of the greatest heroes I have ever seen and the way she values her family above almost everything else... it truly makes me happy to see that there are people who don't consider their job as their most important virtue."- He says- "I applaud you, Zachary. I will make sure that your mother's story is heard throughout the Known Lands!"
Zachary smiles.
"And you won't be alone, as I'll also be doing the same."- He says and extends his hand- "It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Mr. Akihiro."
Akihiro raises his eyebrow.
"Hmm?"- He says- "You wanted to meet me?"
Zachary smiles.
"Of course I did!"- He exclaims- "When I heard that the world's oldest master lives here, I wanted to take this valuable chance to visit you and see your view of the world. You're a legend amongst everyone, you know?!"
Akihiro smiles.
"I am glad that the people of this world still respect me for who I am."- He says- "It is true. My views of this world have changed a lot. But now, I have achieved the purity that I needed. My clarity shall bring wisdom to the souls who desire it."
He shakes Zachary's hand.
"And thanks to good people like you, we can be free of the darkness again."
Zachary nods.
"Then it's settled. We'll fight together and save the world!"- He exclaims- "But first, I want you to meet someone special. Someone who changed the way I view this world. Someone who risked everything, just to be with his family."
He looks back.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"- He says- "Meet Mr. Jared Kaos!"
Jared enters the ruins and approaches the three of them. He sees to be rather battered, but still ready to fight.
"Mr. Kaos!"- Aurelia exclaims- "You... came to save us?"
Jared nods.
"When I heard that my family was in danger, I could never rest. I just had to make my move, to save all of you as soon as possible."
He looks at Zachary and smiles.
"But I was never alone. Far from it."- He says- "I had the help of this handsome young man who truly proved himself to be pure of both heart and soul."
Akihiro looks at him.
"Is it true that you know when others are pure or not?"
Jared shrugs.
"I never came to understand it as a talent, but I have always had it."- He says- "I see inside the people's souls whether they are good or not. And this young man, he's just like his mother- good to the bone."
Zachary nods.
"Well, I do my best."
Jared looks around.
"Anyway, it seems like my dear grandson is not with you."- He says- "What happened to my boy?"
Aurelia shakes her head.
"It all happened so suddenly. A magical portal appeared out of nowhere, whisked us away, and separated us."- She says- "That foul Shura used his tricks and nearly defeated us."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Shura, huh?"- He says- "That name sounds way too familiar... "
He thinks about this for a while. Then, after finally discovering his true identity, he gasps.
"No. It cannot be."- He says- "The person who you are fighting is Shura! Shura the Dark Flame!"
Akihiro gasps.
"You mean... the evil spirit that seeks justice in the form of vengeance?"
Jared nods.
"Exactly."- He says- "My son fought this foul being in the past and managed to lock him away. However, it seems like the fiend finally fled from his ethereal prison and used his human form to fool others."
He looks at the exit.
"I long to make him pay for all the pain and suffering that he caused, but I know that Geralt shall do an even better job than me."- He says- "But we must be there for him. He needs our help."
Zachary nods.
"I don't know Geralt personally, but I would love to meet him!"- He says- "Come on! Let's help him out while we still can!"
As the heroes prepare to leave, Aurelia looks back and sighs.
"Excuse me for a minute."
Zachary raises his eyebrow.
"Where are you going, girl?"
Aurelia sighs again.
"To get rid of some unfinished business."
She walks on and approaches the undead Ryozo. He is still pinned to the wall, unable to harm anyone else but himself.
"Hey Shu. Good to see you."- She says- "You know, I never came to know who you are. You were always so talkative, so understanding, but you were still a mystery to me. I don't know if it was because of how different you were from the other monks or that crazy haircut of yours, but I still couldn't understand you that well."
As Ryozo continues to growl, Aurelia looks at him, trying to find signs of intelligence within his eyes. Seeing that there are none left, she leans back and sighs.
"Me and Geralt were new in this place. Everyone shunned us, but you warmed up to us from Day 1. We became friends so easily and I thought that we still had someone to trust us."- She says- "But then, all of this happened. In a flash, you and the others died and we were all alone against. And yet, I can still feel you out there. Are you trying to warn me about an impending threat? Or are you just trying to comfort me? Either way, I want you to know that I truly appreciate it. You were a wonderful person in life and you'll always be."
She pulls out the staff, freeing the undead Ryozo.
"Farewell, my friend."- She says- "We will miss you."
As Ryozo shambles toward her, she swings the staff, slicing his upper head off and putting him down with ease.
Looking back at her allies, she drops to her knees and starts to cry.
"What is wrong, my dear?"- Akihiro asks her- "Is there something that you regret?"
Aurelia shakes her head.
"The only thing that I regret is that I allowed this to happen."- She says- "Shura the Dark Flame is the most vile being I have ever seen. We shall make him pay for what he's done."
Jared nods.
"Rest assured that I will make your promise come true."- He says- "Shura is our enemy, as well. We shall fight him and, no matter how hard it may be, we shall make him regret his decisions."
He looks at her.
"So."- He says- "Are you ready to go?"
Aurelia stands up and sighs.
"Yeah."- She responds- "Bring them on."
Jared smiles.
"That is the spirit."- He says- "Now, let us proceed toward the final part of this perilous challenge. The light awaits us."
== Trivia ==
* The words that Aurelia says around the end of the fight between her and Zeno Zumdan are a reference to the legendary "Yo Mama" jokes.