MLII C8, P2- "Spirit Within"

"Spirit Within" is the second Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's eighth Chapter. It was released on 03.08.2021.
== Plot ==
Still searching for a way to redeem himself again, Jared finds a small cave that is not far from his home- the city of Paris.
What he is not aware of yet, however, is the fact that this adventure will bring him much closer to his goal. But this victory won't be achieved without a cost.
How will he handle the dangers within?
== Story ==
While walking towards the north gate of the city, Jared is joined by his father who wants to help him out.
"I don't know where you're going, son."- He says- "But I want to come with you. I want to redeem myself. As a guardian. And as a father."
Normally, Jared would refuse any help. He is too kind to ask for it.
But here, he understands that it would be foolish to refuse, especially to someone who is ready to give his own life to protect him.
"Alright, dad."- He says- "I am going to explore the area outside while the sun is still up. Are you ready to go?"
Aleks nods.
"I'm ready when you are."- He responds- "Let's do this."
The two of them go outside and wave to the guards. They wve back.
Once they have made sure that nobody will bother them today, they go on a small adventure, far from the safety of the city's walls.
While exploring, Jared feels a disturbance. An evil presence tries to invade his mind. He kneels and sits on the ground, grabbing his head with both of his hands as he does.
"Jared! What's going on?"- Aleks asks him- "Are you feeling something?"
Jared nods slowly.
"A dark... presence."- He mutters- "It's trying to... wear me... down. Help... "
Aleks remembers a holy ritual that Seiko taught him before he left Paris to find Jared. The last one before she died.
He puts a finger on Jared's forehead and mutters a few words.
Suddenly, his entire hand starts to glow. Magical energy creates a ward around Jared's mind, protecting him from the evil presence.
"Leave my child alone, evil one!"- Aleks says- "Begone! And never come back!"
The change happens immediately. Jared's mind is strong enough to repel the evil. The presence subsides, but not before trying to attack Aleks.
Fortunately, Jared's father is prepared for this counterattack. He swings his hand and envelops himself with a protective barrier. Once the dark presence touches, it coalesces into a pitch black mist.
"So, you're the one who's been trying to take control of my son for so long."- Aleks says- "It's over. You have been found."
He lifts his hand in the air. Slowly, the barrier fades away.
"Now show us who sends you!"- He commands it.
Surprisingly, the words have an effect on the mist. As quickly as it came, it starts to float away.
Jared and his father follow it to a small, dark cave. They go inside and find out that the torches have burned out.
"It seems like someone built this place to preserve something. Or someone."- Aleks makes an assumption- "But why would they do that?"
Jared sighs.
"There is only one way to find out."- He says and casts a fire spell on the nearest torch.
Suddenly, the area around them is illuminated. A beautiful, white light reveals the way forward.
"This is it."- Jared says to his father- "Whatever is in here, it wants to keep us out. But we will keep pushing forward. We will find the answer that will reveal its heinous crimes to us."
Aleks nods.
"Step forward and have no fear."- He responds- "I'm right behind you."
A few moments later, Jared and his father move forward and light another torch. And then another one.
Soon, the entire cave is illuminated by the torches, leaving no stones unturned.
Having secured this part of the cave, Jared and his father proceed to walk into a cave.
A few minutes of tedious walking reveal only a single dead end.
"I guess that this place was not completed."- Aleks says- "Jared. We should turn ba-- "
Suddenly, a black portal appears in front of them.
"Wow!"- Jared exclaims- "That explains the dark atmosphere of this cave. It contains a Portal of Shadows!"
Aleks looks at him and raises his eyebrow. He seems to be confused.
"A portal of what?"- He asks.
Jared turns to him and sighs.
"A Portal of Shadows is an ancient device that is used by creatures of pure malice that leads to locations of interest to them."- He says- "Unlike the portals that are created by humans or other similar creatures, those portals cannot be entered by mortal beings like us. Thus, we can only stand here and watch what is on the other side. Stepping through it means certain demise."
Aleks nods.
'I understand."- He says- "Let's see what it's trying to show us."
Jared and Aleks peer into the portal, trying to find the source of this anomaly.
"I see... an ancient fortress. But it's a ruin. There's nearly nothing left of it. Surrounded by lava at all sides. Unaccessible by anyone."- Aleks says- "Yes. It seems to signify that we are looking at something truly ancient. Something that's really dangerous."
Jared is still analyzing the area at the other side, looking for something of interest. Soon, he sees something that intrigues him.
"Hey dad, look at this."- He says to his father- "There is something over there!"
Aleks takes a look as well. Sure enough, he also sees it.
It is a medium-sized jar made of black glass. Even though it is nearly impossible to see what is in there from this angle, our heroes see that something is swirling inside.
"This thing... it is an item of pure evil."- Jared mutters- "We must destroy it. At all costs."
He tries to use his magic to pull it closer, but his father stops him before it reaches the portal.
"Jared! Don't you see the truth?"- He asks him- "This item is dangerous! We must leave it where it is!"
Jared shakes his head.
"No, dad. You are the one who does not understand everything."- He says- "I saw the same jar in my dream. I heard grandma and mom talk about it. It cannot be left alone. Not anymore. We must destroy it before it is too late."
Before Aleks can say anything else to stop him, Jared starts to pull it even closer. Soon, it is on the edge of the portal.
"No! Stop!"- Aleks yells, but it is too late.
The jar appears on the other side of the portal with a loud clang.
Jared takes a look at it. He seems to see something that his father is failing to notice.
"Fallen lord of the Underworld, I have finally found you."- He says- "You thought that you could defeat us, but you made a huge mistake. And you are going to pay for it."
He takes the jar in his hands and tries to burn it with fire.
"You will pay for your crimes, vile fiend!"- He yells- "You will pay for them! Here and now!"
Aleks notices that someone is coming and turns to his son.
"Jared, you might want to hurry with what you're doing right now."- He says- "People are coming here. And they aren't friendly."
Having heard his father's words, Jared doubles his efforts to break the jar. Sadly, his attacks have no effect on it.
"Why are you still alive?!"- He yells- "Begone! Begone!"
Aleks tries to warn him again, but it is too late. A small group of bandits arrives in the cave and surrounds them.
"That's enough, heroes."- One of them says- "You've done so much to stop us, but we won't let you take our master away.
Aleks raises his eyebrow.
"Master?"- He wonders as the bandits attack them.
As Jared is still preoccupied with breaking the black jar, Aleks is forced to defend him, as well as himself from the incoming enemies. He manages to slay five of them, but soon finds out that the rest are enhanced with some sort of protective spells.
The bandits laugh.
"You'll never defeat us!"- One of them yells- "No matter how hard you try, you will always fail!"
Aleks soon finds out that he is fighting bandits from the former groups that he and his allies fought not too long ago- the Darkness of Duskwood and the Darkside Loyalists. It turns out that they have decided to ally themselves with the Haakai lord and benefit from the protective spells that he cast upon them. Therefore, this makes them much more formidable enemies than they were before.
"I see."- He says calmly and listening to a fire that is slowly spreading and approaching the black portal behind him- "But there is still one thing left for me to do. And I'm not going to let you stop us."
Suddenly, he takes his son's hand and forces him to run away with him.
"Later, fools!"- He yells as the fire reaches the other side of the portal.
Soon, the entire cave is filled with fire. Whoever was left within dies in a very painful way.
Fortunately, both of our heroes escape and watch as the entire cave is engulfed by the unholy flames.
"That was a close one."- Aleks says and looks at his son, who seems to be lost in thought- "Are you alright, son?"
Jared looks at his father and nods. His eyes are a little unfocused, but still clear.
"I am doing fine, dad."- He says- "I am still unsure whether we did the right thing. Whether it was a good idea to take this item away from its rightful place. Was it really worth it?"
Aleks sighs and shakes his head.
"It doesn't matter. Not anymore."- He says- "We have it. It's ours. What is left to do now... is to protect it from those who try to take it back."
He takes a step forward and takes the jar from his son's hands. He looks at it and sees the dark essence moving within.
"If this is what I think it is, then we have found much more than we asked for."- He says- "Let's take it to your grandpa. I'm sure that he has a lot to say about this new problem."
About half an hour later, the black jar is in Lethal's hands. When he sees it for the first time, he gasps.
"My goodness!"- He exclaims- "What a spectacular find!"
Aleks nods.
"Do you know anything about it?"- He asks him- "We tried to find out what it is, but it's too difficult to make sense."
Lethal looks at him and nods.
"Why yes! I do know about it... "- Lethal says- "... because I'm the one who sealed this evil spirit!"
Jared and Aleks nods.
"Wait."- Jared says- "You sealed the spirit within?!"
Lethal nods.
"indeed I have."- He says proudly- "Dear children. Meet the mighty Haakai who is trying to destroy our world- Grah-Hoth."