Miracula Luxia C4, P9- "Mercy"

"Mercy" is the ninth Part of "Miracula Luxia" 's fourth Chapter- "Estavius". It was released on 22.10.2019.
== Plot ==
The trio begin their journey to the glorious Castle where the king lives and guides his warriors.
However, their journey does not go without violence and they are forced to fight their way into the area nearby, killing spies and helping guards while doing so.
They also have an unexpected encounter with a strange creature which they have never seen before. Well... at least most of them.
Who is the creature? And will it help them reach the Castle safely?
== Story ==
Jared, Aleks, Annie and Jason left the relative safety of the Tower Colony on the next day.
They learned that a man named "X" is going to lead the Tower Colony after Kelner's death.
The man is very, very old and has the aura of a powerful wizard who must not be underestimated due to his age.
He also claimed to be a former member of a powerful organization of wizards who were responsible for the creation of the civilized part of Avernum.
The old man taught Jared a powerful spell known as "Soul Shield" which he described as "very useful in nasty moments".
Now, the four of them were on the road. Again.
Hoping to find the way to the Castle soon.
"I sure hope that this so-called "Castle" is as well-protected as the people in the Colony say! This means that there will be actual comfortable beds there with bearable food and drink!"- Annie exclaimed excitedly.
"And weapons. Don't forget weapons."- Aleks added.
"What do you think, Jared?"- Annie asked her friend, excited to hear what he has to say about this.
However, he just nodded and continued to look at the map that "X" gave him before they departed.
"According to the map of the area there is a town called Almaria to the west. We must pay a toll to cross the bridge."
"Well, they have their own reasons to ask for tolls. For example, they have their own families to feed."- Jason noted.
Jared nodded and looked ahead. Almaria was just ahead.
Five minutes later, they arrived at the toll bridge.
A guard looked at them through the gate and frowned.
"Travelers. You know the rules. Five coins or you have to go back."
Aleks started reaching for his purse to pay the guard, but Jared stopped him.
"Wait! We are carrying an important item. Can you let us through for free? We have to deliver it to the Castle. Urgently."
The guard raised his eyebrow, surprised.
"Depends. Can I see this... item of yours?"
"Sure!"- Jared exclaimed and pulled out the stone from his pocket, nervously handling it to the suspicious guard.
He looked at it and let out a surprised gasp.
"But this. This is... the stone!"
"So the legends were true. There is another stone!"
The guard quickly opened the gate and handed the stone back to Jared.
"You can go through. Quickly! The fate of Avernum depends on you!"
"Um. Why? What is happening?"
The guard was very surprised.
"You don't know about the war? Between Avernum and The Chaos Alliance?"
"Wait... Chaos Alliance?!"- Aleks exclaimed, remembering the name of a deadly enemy that he fought many years ago.
"Yep. The Chaos Alliance. Bunch of rogues and miscreants who have very powerful weapons for some reason. And magic. They've been trying to take out our forces at the Castle for a year, but they still haven't succeeded."
"Please, bring the stone back to the Castle! This is our only hope!"
Still nervous from all the talk about the stone, the guard stumbled back to his post and closed the gate behind the heroes, stopping a caravan of merchants from coming in.
Jared and his team walked forward to the next gate. The citizens of Almaria looked at him with pure awe, realizing he is the one who holds the stone which will save Avernum from certain destruction.
The heroes left Almaria behind after a loud cheer from the townsfolk who were excited that Avernum could be safe at last.
As Jared et all approached the outskirts of the Castle, they were attacked by a bunch of spies, sent by the Chaos Alliance to infiltrate the huge fortification.
However, they were easily defeated thanks to Jared's smart use of the new spell, protecting him and his team from the enemy blows and striking fast afterwards.
They proceeded forward, killing any rogue that tried to stop them.
"I'm feeling much stronger and safer since we teamed up, Jared. You really are a great leader!"- Annie exclaimed.
Jared smiled (and slightly blushed).
"I'm doing by best, Annie. It is definitely not easy, but I know that I will save many people if I succeed. So that is why I try and keep trying... because I know that the safety of everyone is the first thing that I must think about. As a hero and a leader of a poweful team, it is a must to do so and motivate my team to do the same. Right, dad? Uncle?"
His father and his uncle looked at him and smiled. Then, they braved forward with even more motivation than before- The motivation being Jared's words.
Finally, they reached the area near the Castle's outer gate- populated by a few guards and merchants.
They were close. Close to the center of Avernum. Close to the heart of civilization.
Before they could talk to the guards, however they were ambushed by a creature which brought Jared to the ground by surprise.
It tried to stab Jared in the chest with a wicked blade, but the young hero evaded the blow with ease and used a fireball to bring it to its knees.
"You took me by surprise there, my friend. Good job!"- Jared complimented the creature's quick moves, but it shrugged.
"I'll do anything to keep the Castle safe from you, rebelious scum!"- It yelled.
The guards tried to intervene, but Aleks stopped them.
"It's okay. My son will handle this."
They stepped back, but were still watching Jared's moves warily, ready to take him down if he showed signs of a rebel.
Jared's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait, nephew! Don't kill him! He's not an enemy!"- Jason exclaimed and lowered Jared's weapon as he tried to attack the creature.
Jared looked at the creature. It was a tall, imposing figure with nimble legs and a powerful blade in it's hand. It was wrapped in a strange, beautiful cloak.
"You're... not an enemy?"- The creature mumbled.
Jared realized his mistake and helped the creature stand up.
It looked at him and realized he was carrying a stone in his pocket. 
It gasped.
"The stone. It is here!"
"So you are the Chosen One!"
Jared stumbled back a little bit, confused by the creature's statement.
"Chosen... One? What in the Seven Heavens are you talking about?!"
"Come. I'll explain everything to you in the Castle. It is not safe here."
The creature led Jared and his team through the camp of surprised guards who let the hero pass.
To them, this was an unexpected moment. They did not know how to react.
"Thank you, kind warriors."- The creature smiled as they proceeded through the gates.
Soon they were in the inner part of the Castle. 
The creature led them further in and they arrived at a little room with a strange door.
It opened it and they entered the room.
Jared was amazed at this stunning sight.
The room was made in a beautiful style- strange white walls, two doors leading to inner chambers and astonishingly pretty and clean furniture (also white).
The center of the room was dominated by a beautiful white throne which was sparkling. The sparkles illuminated the room even further, making it look like a mini Heaven to a someone who has never seen such architecture before.
Jared and his team looked around, amazed as the creature sat in the throne and motioned for them to approach.
"This is my home. Welcome my friends!"
"I have s-so many questions."- Jared stuttered.
"I am sure that you want to know who I am first, so I will tell you. I am Deimos'Bok- One of the three great Vahnatai leader who are still alive."
"Vah-Vahna, what?"
"Vahnatai. We are, as you humans would say the "aliens" of the underworld. We were living here ever since the beginning of time."
"We were fighting for survival, defeating any who would try to destroy us. We became stronger with each passing year... until our supplies ended. A hundred years ago."
"We had to hybernate in order to preserve our strength and keep ourselves alive. When we returned, we saw that a new civilization had settled the lands- the civilization of the Humans."
"We found out that someone had stolen our Crystal Souls- the crystalized forms of our former leaders and assumed that it was the humans who did this."
"It was indeed. However, we realized that there were many factions of humans, as there were many factions of us. One of the sides was Avernum- the people here and the other was the Empire- a bunch of Overworlders with a powerful army that tried to invade Avernum."
"Fortunately, we managed to stop them- with combined forces and we continued to march into their lands. We made a peace with the leader up there and we created a few cities which still stand at this time."
"However, it seems like there is another threat endangering not only Avernum, but many more nations under and over the world. This is why I have been sent by my people- as a diplomat and fighter who has to help repulse this sudden threat and keep the world peace intact. That is why I didn't realize that you were an ally at first- because I strike before I think."
"I know that there might be horrible consequences if I don't do so. Forgive me, young one."
Jared smiled.
"I forgive you, Deimos'Bok! You seem like a nice... err... creature. And you only wished to protect our people."
"I do not blame you. It is a hard job to keep the world peace intact. Fortunately, we're on the same side- the good side which fights for peace and justice."
The two of them shaked hands.
"I knew it, Chosen One. From the moment that I saw the sacred stone in your pocket, I knew that you would be a valuable ally to my people. And the humans here, of course."
"So, welcome to the Castle. I am going to talk to the Captain. He can reserve a bed for you in the Barracks."
"There is so much for us to talk about. You must also talk to the King. I think that he is expecting you and I don't think he will be very patient if you delay your visit to his Throne Hall."
"So, have a good rest and remember to wake up early. The King wants to meet all of you at... 9.... 9 AM tomorrow. Do not be late heroes and good night!"- Deimos'Bok exclaimed and left to talk to a man nearby, possibly the Captain.
The man smiled and approached the team.
"So, you're the people who can save us, huh? Well, let me tell ya- there's always a place for the heroes of our little nation to sleep. Your beds are in the guest bedrooms to the east. Good night and see you tomorrow!"
They left to the east and found a beautiful room with two nice beds.
"Only two? But this means... "
"I vote to sleep with you, Jared!"- Annie exclaimed almost immediately.
Jared blushed. His father noticed his frustration and chuckled.
"Oh, come on, Jared! Are you scared to sleep with a girl? You will have a wife in the future, you need to learn how to sleep with one. You can't always sleep on a bed with your daddy."
"DAD!"- Jared yelled, clearly annoyed and embarrassed by his father's words.
Annie grabbed his hand.
"Come on, Jared. Just one night. I promise that I'll be very quiet- you'll think that there's no one next to you."
Jared sighed and sat on his bed.
"Okay then. But don't you dare hug me while I'm asleep. We're friends, not a couple."
Annie raised her eyebrow.
"But why? What if you're cold? Or scared?"
"No. I will be alright. Don't worry about me."- He responded and laid on the bed, lost in thought.
Annie let out a quiet sigh.
"Fiiine, M'Lord. As you wish."
Jared and Jason laid on their bed as well.
"Remember when you used to sleep on my bed, Jason?"- Aleks asked his brother.
"Yeah. We were so little and I was so scared. Like... really scared. Of monsters unded my bed."
"And now you fight monsters."- Aleks giggled- "Oh, how the times have changed."
He noticed that both his son and Annie were already asleep.
"Must be quite hard for the little ones. Such a great duty is not worthy for a normal person."- Jason muttered to his brother.
"I know, but Jared is not a "normal person". "
"He... is a Kaos. And a Kaos is born to take responsibility for such great duties."
"Mhm."- Jason nodded, also half-asleep.
Aleks looked at him and smiled.
"Sleep well, brother. Because tomorrow will be a great day. The King, the Vahnatai and even the whole nation of Avernum... they're all depending on us. And we will not let them down."- He said to himself.
"Tomorrow, the most serious part of our quest will begin. We will take the great mission from the King and show the foolish Chaos Alliance what we're truly made of."
== Trivia ==
* Originally, the Vahnatai Council was supposed to be the one who was going to tell the story of their race to Jared in a future Part, but the idea was scrapped before the Part was created and Deimos'Bok was chosen to do so instead. The reason is that Jared needs to have some basic knowledge about the Vahnatai's history before entering their lands.
* The Part was named "Mercy", because of Jared's actions towards Deimos'Bok after he attacked him near the Castle- How he spared him, even after the Vahnatai tried to strike and kill at first sight, without even glancing at who (or what) he was actually attacking. This is an act of mercy- to spare your opponent, even if he is your enemy.