MLII C4, P8- "Far Away"

"Far Away" is the eighth (and last) Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's fourth Chapter. It was released on 15.03.2021.
== Plot ==
Despite Jared's best efforts to convince his best friend that he and his allies will survive the war, it seems like his plans are about to change. Whether it is for good or bad, it does not matter. Not anymore.
In order to protect his friends and family from the worst that has yet to come, he allows them to go to Thais. On the condition of traveling there without him.
Meanwhile, he has to locate the Slithzerikai's command center, learn what they are planning and foil their plans as soon as possible. All by himself, he must fight the army that is stationed there and destroy the one who is the mastermind behind this rebellion.
Hours away from walking back into the fire, he has one last thing left to do- To bid farewell to his friends and family and send them on their way, away from danger.
The world is changing even more than it did before. And it is up to its heroes whether it is for good... or for bad.
== Story ==
Jared dreams about all the adventures that he has experienced recently.
He feels all the pain, sees all the people that he lost and notices tears on his face when it happens.
"So many people were lost because of those power-hungry fiends. This senseless violence. This never-ending nightmare."- He says to himself- "Many of them were dear to me. And I... I let them all down. I was unable to protect them, just like I promised."
He falls to his knees.
"Why?!"- He continues- "Why is this world so harsh to us? What did we do to deserve this pain?!"
He shakes his head.
"God, please. Please have mercy on them."- He says aloud- "I will do whatever you ask me to do. Just please, please spare them from this nightmare. Allow them to rest. They do not deserve to be punished like this."
A light shines from above. He looks up and sees the face of a person.
A familiar person.
The moment she gets a good look at him, she smiles. Warmth radiates from her, giving our hero the strength to continue and motivating him to comtinue protecting the innocent.
Seconds later, she fades away, her work done.
Jared stands up. He looks around and smiles.
"I... I remember everything now. I remember who is still standing by my side."- He says to himself- "For a moment, I was unsure what to do. I doubted my ability to keep my friends and family united, to fight those who would try to harm us. I doubted my own existence, why I am still here... why I am still fighting the enemies of our world, again and again. I wanted to give up, to be with those whom I lost."
"But now, I see it. Crystal clear."
He touches his chest and sighs.
Then, he looks up and smiles again.
"Mom, thank you."- He says- "Thank you for still being here for me. For showing me that there is always a path towards the Light, that nothing is impossible. Thank you for showing me love and caring about my well-being. Now I am sure of it. You never left this world. You are still here, a fragment of a long lost, beloved memory, nested in my heart and glowing in its own, brilliant light. That dazzling light, that rainbow of emotions, it has always given me a reason to keep fighting, to be the one whom the people can rely on. To be their savior, the power of light that can change the scales of Fate for good."
"And I will never thank you enough, dear mom."- He continues- "There is nothing to fear. Not anymore."
He stares at the darkness ahead of him.
"In the name of all that is sacred, we will win this war!"- He yells, draws Demonslayer and runs towards it.
Soon, a blinding light envelops him and he realizes that he has been sent back into the real world.
He opens his eyes and realizes that he is laying on a bench.
"Hmm... "- He mutters as he tries to stand up- "How long was I asleep?"
He looks around and remembers that he is in the city of Formello.
"Ah, yes. This is the day when I am supposed to travel back in the Surface to find the Slithzerikai's base of operations."- He says to himself- "But... where did everyone else go?"
He sees people in the distance. He cannot see them clearly from his vantage point, so he hides nearby to eavesdrop their conversation:
"Sir. All of Formello's residents are on their way to Thais. We made sure of it."- One of the soldiers says- "What should we do with the kid?"
Finally, Jared manages to recognize one of the people. It is his best friend- John. And the woman next to him is his wife- Uma.
John sighs and shakes his head.
"Leave him alone. I want to talk to him."- He says- "Now go. There's much to be done and no time to waste."
The soldiers salute him.
"Yes, sir!"- They say in perfect unison- "Your wish is our command!"
Then, they leave.
Jared sees that it is safe to get out of his hiding spot. He stands up and walks farther away from them.
"They look worried. Maybe I should talk to them."- He says to himself- "They are good friends of mine, especially John. I cannot leave without saying goodbye!" 
When Jared approaches John and Uma, they are surprised.
"We thought that you were asleep!"- Uma says.
Jared sighs.
"Well, I guess that I woke up two hours earlier than usual."- He responds- "There is a long road ahead of me and I cannot stop thinking about it."
John nods.
"The path that you're taking is filled with deadly obstacles. It won't be easy to achieve victory."- He says- "However, I am completely sure that you will succeed. So does your mother."
Jared looks at his best friend.
"Do you think my mom would be proud of what I have become?"- He asks him- "Will she ever accept what happened to me after she left us?"
John nods and smiles.
"Absolutely."- He responds- "Sadly, I did not have the chance to talk to her, to know her better. But I know that she is a good person, and that you're more important to her than anything else in this world. Even Life itself was insignificant for her if it meant that you would would be alive and well."
He sighs, turns around and stares at the gate behind him.
"And, if she ever had the chance to tell you that she loves you, that she is proud of you, I am sure that she would do it without thinking twice."
Uma pats John on the shoulder and whispers something into his ear. He looks down.
"I'm afraid that our time is up."- He says- "We must go and round up the rest of the refugees. Time is of essence and we don't have a lot of it left. We must do whatever we can to protect those people. At all costs."
Jared nods.
"I agree. This is a noble mission and all of us are a part of it."- He says- "Let us keep this world safe."
Uma takes a step forward and looks at him.
"Honey, we talked about this for a whole day. There's no point in bothering him anymore."- John says to her- "Let Jared do whatever his heart tells him to. He's not a child anymore. He can be a hero and he has the desire to help the innocents. We're only hindering his progress."
Uma listens to her husband's words and shakes her head. She looks down.
"We... we just wanted to tell you that we can still take you with us."- She says- "There's a long and dangerous road ahead and we think that it's better if we fight side by side, not divided."
Jared sighs and shakes his head.
"I am afraid that I already made a decision. I made a promise to my father and I am not going to break it, not when there are people who still believe in me."- He responds- "Until now, we fought together. Side by side. However, I am afraid that I must take my leave. Not because you hurt me with your words, but because I do not want to risk the lives of more people with my mistakes. I do not want to see them suffer because... because of me."
He shakes his head again. At the same time, tears start falling down from both of his eyes.
He is clearly traumatized by the painful events that he experienced in the past. And he cannot hold his sorrow back. Not anymore.
"I do not want to see more people die to those savages."- He says tearfully- "Please, respect my wishes and go to Thais without me. I will do my best to protect you from them, just let me do my job. I beg you."
Uma starts to cry as well. She approaches Jared and hugs him.
"I'm sorry, Jared. I'm so sorry."- She responds- "We just... we just want to protect you. We don't want you to suffer because of the mistakes that others have made. We don't want you to walk towards the path of oblivion and risk your own life. You deserve the gift of Life more that any of us ever will. All that you have done for this world, its inhabitants... you don't deserve to die like this."
She looks up at him, tears still falling from her eyes.
"To me and John, you're like a little brother. A sweetheart that deserves all the love a sibling could ever give to you."- She continues- "And when your younger sibling tries to be a hero, you want to protect them. You want to provide them with both physical and emotional support, to steel them for whatever comes next. But, when they are about to do something that would cost something more priceless and important than the largest diamond in the world... "
She sighs.
"Your heart breaks into a million pieces."
Jared looks at her.
"Do you feel the same way about Devin?"- He asks her- "Does he see you as a role model, as someone whom he can trust in a time of despair and turmoil?"
Uma nods.
"I... I never had the chance to talk to him for a long time. Family duties were always getting in the way and I regret the fact that I was born a princess. For me, it's a curse, not a blessing."- She responds- "Sure, he may not be the best brother. He may be hotheaded. Indecisive. And, after what he did for Dorikas, too trusting. However, I still love him with all my heart. He's my little brother and I would do anything to protect him from evil, just like your big sister is trying to protect you. I want to see him happy. I want to see him smile. To kiss him on the forehead and tell him that everything will be okay."
She looks down.
"He means so much to me."- She mutters- "Why was I so foolish?"
John shakes his head and hugs his wife.
"Everything will be okay, my love."- He says- "You will have the chance to talk to him soon."
Uma nods and looks up.
"Good luck on your journey, sweetie."- She says and smiles- "We'll be praying for you."
Jared looks down and shifts from foot to foot nervously.
"Uma?"- He says- "Umm. If you do not mind... "
Uma seems to understand what he wants. She smiles.
"Of course, sweetie."
She takes a step forward and hugs him for a second time.
"I love you, little one."- She says to him.
Jared is about to cry again. However, he quickly holds back his tears. He knows that he must be strong for his loved ones and that they still depend on him.
"I am ready."- He says.
John shakes his head.
"Hold on!"- He says- "There are three people who want to see you before we take our leave!"
Three people approach them and stand close to him. They are Jared's father, his good friend- Annie and his other, dear friend- Devin.
Devin sighs.
"So, what Uma said is true?"- He asks him- "You are going to travel towards the Surface... alone."
Jared shakes his head.
"I am so sorry, Devin."
Annie hugs her friend.
"I'm going to miss you very much."- She says- "Please come back safe and sound. Don't let those monsters drag you down!"
Jared smiles.
"Me too, Annie."- He responds- "Me too."
Aleks takes a step forward and looks at his son.
"I talked to everyone that is going to be taken to Paris, son."- He says to him- "It seems like all of them still trust you, despite the fact that you're not coming with us. They still believe in you and hope that you can emerge from the darkness as a winner."
He stares at him.
"You're not going to let them down, right?"
Jared nods and smiles.
"Of course not!"- He responds- "I will do whatever I can to keep the promise that I made."
Aleks smiles and pats his son on the shoulder.
"I see that you still have your mother's spirit."- He says- "That flame of yours... it's always burning. I'm glad."
Jared looks at his father.
"Dad, I can sense something within you. There is something that you want to tell me, but you are too afraid to talk about it."- He says- "It is alright. I am a good listener."
Aleks smiles.
"Well, I guess that you're right."- He says- "There is indeed something that I wanted to tell you before you go to that dangerous place."
He sighs.
"I wanted to tell you that... that I love you."- He continues- "I know how much you loved your mother and I'm trying to do whatever she always would have. So, I want you to know that I will always believe in you, no matter how far away you are from me and how many enemies you have to fight. I know that you will succeed. You've done it so many times... and you can do it again. I have no doubt that you will. And no one will convince me otherwise."
He pats him on the shoulder again.
"We will await your return. We will welcome you with open arms and gladly listen to the tales of your exciting adventures."- He says- "Until then, keep fighting for the good of this world. Never give up. Make everyone proud and show our enemies what the Kaos family's most valuable member is capable of. Be the hero that this world deserves and needs in a time like this."
He smiles.
"Now go."- He finishes- "The world needs you. Don't keep it waiting."
Jared nods and smiles.
"Thank you, dad."- He says- "I will win this war, for all of us. You can count on me!"
Aleks smiles again.
"I definitely will."
After bidding farewell to his son, he gathers everyone else up and says:
"Come on, everyone! Move it!"- He yells- "We've got a city to protect!"
Jared gets out of the city and sees the gate that leads into it get closed. He looks at the empty streets and remembers how there used to be people walking on them.
Now, it just doesn't feel right. Not anymore.
"One day, they will return."- He says to himself- "And, when they do, they will feel safer than they ever have before. I will make sure of it."
He watches as his friends and his father begin their journey towards the Castle- the place where the portal to the city of Thais is located.
He looks at Formello one last time, sighs and walks in the opposite direction, intending to find the portal that leads to the more unsettled region of Valorim.
"The elders were right!"- Jared says when he finally finds it- "Now, it is time for me to finish what the others started and defeat the Slithzerikai. Once and for all."
He takes a step closer to the portal and looks at the ruins around him.
Then, he takes a look at the area behind him- the one that leads out of Fort Draco and back into the area around Formello.
"Ah, Avernum. What a beautiful land."- He says to himself- "No one ever dared to call this place their home. But for me, it is home. I am glad that I kept it safe for so long."
He sighs.
"One day, I will come back here and admire its beauty. I will take a walk, explore its settlements and praise the people who were brave enough to settle this little piece of wilderness in a world that is filled with law and order."
He shakes his head.
"Until then, I will fight for it."- He finishes- "I will fight for its people. For its landmarks. And, most importantly, for its existence. I will never allow those savages to destroy it and mar its beauty with their dirty hands."
Having said that to himself, he tries to step into the portal.
However, someone taps him on the shoulder in the last moments. He takes a step back and looks at the person who is trying to get his attention.
It is Boutell, the old blacksmith that is responsible for repairing the Demonslayer twice. He seems to be worried about something.
"Jared, my boy!"- He croaks as he approaches him- "I'm so glad that I managed to find you!"
Jared smiles.
"I'm glad to see you, sir."- He greets him- "Is something on your mind."
Boutell thinks about this question for a few seconds. Gears grind within his brain as he tries to comprehend it as best as he can.
Finally, he remembers why he is here and says:
"I just... I just wanted to say goodbye. To the young man who defeated Dorikas and Rentar-Ihrno. To the one who is going on another adventure, to save the world."
He shakes his head.
"I thought that I might never see you again. It pains me to let you go without saying goodbye."- He says- "So, that's why I'm here. Farewell, kiddo. Good luck on your future endeavors. I hope that you will succeed."
Jared nods.
"I should be the one to thank you for what the things that you did for us, despite your old age."- He responds- "I promise that I will come back here, safe and sound. I will win this war."
Boutell smiles.
"Go get 'em, kiddo!"- He exclaims.
Jared waves Boutell goodbye and enters the portal. The old man watches as our hero is teleported somewhere else.
He sighs and shakes his head.
"What a good kid."- He says to himself- "If only all young people are as kind and respectful as him, the world would be a better place."
Having said that, he slowly walks away.
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And so, our hero goes back on the Surface. Once again, he will fight a new evil and protect the world from it, doing whatever he can to succeed.
However, this sacred mission will be much harder than before. Now, he is alone. Walking into enemy territory, his only friend being the legendary sword- Demonslayer. He has to face all of his enemies all by himself, without any help, as his allies in Thais try to keep the citizens of Avernum safe and sound from the incoming invasion.
But this does not mean that he won't show bravery in a situation like this! Just like he did before, he will fight valiantly until he finds who is responsible for the occuring chaos... and make them pay for their crimes.
The end of the line is not far away. The question is...
For whom will the bell toll first?
END.