MLTO C2, P2

This is the second Part of "MLIV:TO" 's second Chapter.
It was released on 26.10.2022.
== Plot ==
With a large horde of undead approaching the camp where Geralt is being held, the young hero has to fend for himself. There are many obstacles in his way and he must endure them, for the sake of the ones who are so worried about him.
At the same time, his family arrives at the edge of the woods. Backed up by a platoon of archers, they intend to find the boy before it is too late for him.
However, a sudden incident will leave them torn and unable to decide what must be done next. The flames of justice shall burn bright, but the fear of being immolated by them burns even brighter.
How shall this scenario end for the troubled family?
== Story ==
While the warriors outside scream at each other, Geralt sits in the tent, all tied up and helpless. Or at least he tries to look like this for the time being. Without a doubt, he has the strength to break himself free at any moment, if he wishes it.
"Isn't it weird how the tables have turned, mom?"- He says.
The spirit of his mother sits beside him. She is very worried about her child, but tries to stay positive, knowing that their family will find them sooner or later. 
Looking back at her son, she sighs and shakes her head.
"I can tell that they're not very bright. All that they've done so far is to push you out of their way."- She says- "And yet, I think that they have some sort of a fear inside of them. You are the son of legendary hero Adam Kaos. If they somehow managed to kill you, all of the world would go against them. Even the ones who pledged loyalty toward them."
She looks around.
"Thus, the only legitimate way to get rid of you... is to leave you here to die."
Geralt sighs.
"I can tell what they really are. As I stared into their eyes, I saw one feature that was far too distinctive for villains like them- foolishness."- He says- "Emperor Redmark and his lackeys are just a bunch of cowards. They drag people to their doom just because they feel like it. And I became their latest victim."
He looks down at the crystal rose, the precious artifact that saved him from certain doom. It now glows with a pleasant white light, keeping Geralt calm and giving him the motivation he needs to survive this perilous encounter.
"Or so they think."
Aalia looks down at the ropes that are binding her child,
"Are you sure that you know how to disarm them?"- She asks him- "They look quite complicated. And the runes make it even worse."
She shakes her head.
"I am no expert in the secret arts of magic, but I'm quite aware that this will cause you a great deal of harm."
Geralt sighs.
"I shall take the pain. With dignity."- He responds- "I have already lost a lot. I am not afraid to lose more."
Aalia gets close to her son and shakes her head.
"Please, dear. Reconsider it."- She says- "I don't want you to hurt yourself. You're my only conduit left to hang on in this world. My most precious child. Do you know how heartbroken I would feel if I lost you to their trickery?"
Geralt looks down.
"We all take our risks in life. Some have to risk everything that they have. Others- only a certain amount of it. But we all do. We all do."- He says- "Kiara took the risk and saved me when I needed her the most. Kaiden has risked his own life so many times, just to keep the spawns of evil away from me. And now, it is my time to shine."
He looks down.
"Every step that I took so far, I was forced to feel the dirt in my eyes. To judge the people that I met. Even though I never wanted to experience it in the first place, it was all still there. Still waiting for me. Searching for those signs of weakness, of incompetence."- He says- "I may become food for the fierce predators that are hunting me out there, but that doesn't mean that I will simply let them rip me apart. I shall make sure that they feel every single bit of the vile poison in my bones, the substance that they injected inside of me with their horrible actions."
He looks up at Aalia.
"Mother."- He says stoically- "I am ready to prove myself again."
Aalia looks down and shakes her head.
"It's not right. We should have been a happy family. Me and your father just wanted to stay away from the chaos that was stirring everywhere."- She says- "But I can see that there's no stopping it now. Everything that we do is done for the good of this world. Even if our family must suffer, we're forced to move on, and on, until the end of time."
She sighs.
"Very well, dear. Go ahead."- She says- "Snap those chains and break the vile magic loose. I will not stop you."
Geralt nods and prepares to concentrate almost all of his energy into breaking free. He is so busy that he does not notice the lone warrior who stumbled into the tent.
"Ugh!"- He exclaims as he gets rid of two undead with his daggers, stabbing each one of them in their skulls.
He turns to the young hero and shakes his head.
"Hey. You're the person I'm supposed to guard, right?"- He says and nods- "Just don't cause any trouble and we'll be fine."
Startled, Geralt looks up. He expects to see another soldier, a dirty traveller with steel armor whose mission is to make his life miserable. He's already gotten used to that in the few days he was here, so it's just regular routine to him.
Instead, he sees someone whom he has not seen for a very long time. Someone who was once dear to him, but became quite distant.
"Aaron? Is that you?"- He asks, barely able to believe his eyes- "What... are you doing here?"
The young man lifts the visor on his helmet and takes a closer look at him. He is quite confused by Geralt's question.
"Yes. I'm Aaron. Footsoldier Aaron Dawson."- He says- "But how did you know my name? Are you some sort of wizard or something?"
Geralt looks back at his mother.
"Can you please reveal my true identity, mom?"
Aalia smiles.
"You got it, dear!"
With a few motions from her hands, she washes the dust and grime out of the boy's face, revealing the young hero who was hidden under the guise of a simple prisoner.
Surprisingly, this has a dramatic effect on Aaron. He takes a few steps back, unable to believe what he is seeing.
"This... this can't be."- He says- "Geralt? What are you doing here, man?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I would ask you the same thing."
Aaron slumps back against the tent and sighs.
"I made a bad bet with destiny. After I left town a few years ago, I've been working as a mercenary. I tried to make a living and hunt wrongdoers for justice, like every other hero that I met during my travels. I aspired to be like them, so I took whatever perilious missions I could. But Redmark's empire was looking for new recruits, fresh youths from all over the Known Lands. And I was unlucky enough to be one of them."- He says- "When they found me, I tried to run. They wouldn't let me. I tried to plead them to have mercy on me. They threatened to torture my family if I refused. So, I was forced to join their forces, as much as I deeply regretted it. And now, well, you see how it went. I'm as stuck with them as you are right now. We're both prisoners of the empire, in our own way."
Aalia sighs and shakes her head.
"So he's no different."- She says- "He's like the one that Adam worked so hard to root out of the ground."
She looks at her son.
"I guess that the old saying about villains is true."- She continues- "If one vile creature falls, there will always be another to replace it."
Before Geralt could say what he thinks about this situation, another man barges into the tent. He is a tall, imposing man with a face that strikes fear in the hearts of those who stare at it. Immediately after entering, he stares at Geralt with cold, uncaring eyes, carefully evaluating him and judging how useful he could be to his master.
Then he turns to Aaron and stares at him in the same way.
"Move on, soldier."- He says- "Your work here is done."
Aaron shakes his head.
"But boss!"- He exclaims- "You said that it's my turn to guard the VIP!"
The man shakes his head,
"There's a change of plan."- He says- "I'll take care of this myself. Go outside and play with your toys or something. I'm busy."
Aaron sighs, nods and stumbles out of the room.
Meanwhile, the man looks back at Geralt. His eyes are still cold and analyzing. It is as if he knows every move that he could make, as if he has studied him well. But a single tick reveals that he is as afraid as everyone else.
Still, he managed to maintain a great deal of resolve. He doesn't want to show that he fears the boy. It's not the way of his people and it's not how own way, either.
"Does this face seem familiar to you, Kaos?"- He asks him- "Do you remember me?"
Geralt glares at him, his eyes meeting those of his enemy.
"I overheard a few things about you- the new show-off that tries to please Redmark with his nonexistent skill."- He says- "You are Caleb Carter. Am I correct?"
Caleb nods, but continues to stare at him.
"You should know that name well, kid. I was the one who brought you to your knees and I'll be the one to get the world rid of you."- He says- "Many brave warriors from our empire have been hunting for your head. But I was the one who answered my master's call. I was the one who subdued you."
Geralt shakes his head.
"All of this boistering will not get you anywhere, Caleb."- He says- "You dream of seeing me hanging in chains. And yet, you don't realize that you're already in chains yourself. You are bound to the wishes of your evil master and have no free will of your own. You strike with a lust for greed and vengeance, yet you don't do it for your people. You do it for youself."
He fearlessly stares into his eyes, ready to deliver his next response to Caleb's mockery.
"You only managed to get elevated to this post because I allowed myself to be your prisoner. I was the one who took you all the way to the top. And now, you collect all the credit for yourself, thinking that you're the man of the hour."- He continues- "Face it, Caleb. You're a sly hound, but your bark is the only thing that is bad."
Caleb is tempted to draw his weapon. He is ready to end it all in an instant and report his victory. And yet, a strange force of nature prevents him from doing so. He simply continues to stare at his victim, as if he is playing around with him, not knowing how dangerous he really is.
"Your threats do not scare me, child of Kaos."- He says- "It's true. Your status as a prince shall fetch us many sacks of gold from your troubled relatives. Redmark thought that I was competent enough to be elevated to this post, so he promoted me for my bravery. And it's all thanks to me and my desire to be the hero of my people."
Geralt shakes his head.
"If you think that the world will think that you are a hero, then you are a blind man."- He says- "But I will not stop you from burning yourself. If you really think that you are ready for what is next, be my guest. I am not the least afraid of you or your henchmen."
Aalia glares at Caleb as he prepares to respond.
"And our family will make sure that you pay for this insolence!"- She yells- "The honor of our people shall remain untainted!"
Caleb sighs and shakes his head.
"Yes, yes. Empty promises. I've seen them all."- He says- "But the cold touch of despair is always in the air. You can't avoid it, prince. It's your destiny to be born in this world and your destiny to fall. Just like your weak sister."
The mention of Kiara makes Geralt very infuriated. He prepares to break the ropes and lash out at Caleb, but soon looks back at his mother.
"It's not worth it."- She says and shakes her head- "Don't fuel their idiocy."
Regretfully, Geralt looks back at Caleb. As the tall warrior gets closer and looks down at him, he spits as his boots.
"And I could do far worse than that, servant of darkness."- He warns him- "But I am a person who values good attitude, so I shall be a good little lamb. For now."
Caleb smiles.
"We all know of your tricks, prince. Your father must've taught you a lot when he was still alive."- He says- "But the fires of doomsday are spreading. The undead are not the only thing that is screaming for vengeance out there. Soon, you'll realize how chaotic this world has become."
Aalia sighs.
"You're not telling us anything new, kiddo."- She says to him- "This world has been filled with chaos ever since the very beginning. It's all written in the stars. I can see it myself. And the only vengeance that's burning is the vengeance of those whom you wronged for so long."
Caleb shakes his head.
"You're both very persistent. Your spirit's not breaking down."- He says- "I guess that I can respect that. Few of our victims are so resilient all the time."
He looks at Geralt.
"I know that we may be enemies, but know that I still have some respect for you."- He says- "Not as much to let you go, but enough to refrain myself from shooting you dead on the spot."
Geralt sighs.
"I suppose that I appreciate it, Caleb."- He responds- "This is the kindest response that I've received from anyone in your kind."
Caleb smirks.
"I guess that I'm better than them."- He says sarcastically- "That's great news. They really flatter me."
He shakes his head.
"But I didn't come here to talk with you, like a friend to a friend."- He adds- "No. I'm here because my master called fo me. He wanted me to be the one to take you to the river and plunge you in there until you stop breathing."
Geralt sighs.
"Your master is a cruel man."
Caleb nods.
"The world made him this way."- He says- "So he shall do the same to the world."
Geralt sighs.
"I guess that I have no choice but to wait for the inevitable."- He says, still looking for a moment of weakness- "But tell me, leader of Sector Beta. Why would Redmark send you to finish me off? Why did he run away like a coward and allow others to do his dirty work instead of him?"
Caleb clenches his fists.
"This is none of your business!"- He yells, finally losing his composure- "You have no right to say anything like that about my master!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"This is a free world, my friend."- He responds- "Anyone is allowed to speak freely, as long as their words do not harm our society."
Caleb glares at him.
"The only society that will still stand once it's all done is the one that's built by my master- the perfect world."
Aalia sighs.
"You're just like a mad wizard that we met many years ago."- She says- "The madman wanted to have all of the world for himself. He wanted to make a perfect society, guided by his dark order. Everyone was supposed to be under his command. No exceptions at all. But then, he made a huge mistake. He allowed the flames of vengeance to spread deep into his heart and became a victim of his own hatred."
Caleb shakes his head.
"We shall be different!"
Aalia sighs.
"I really doubt it, kiddo."
Caleb prepares to argue with Geralt and his mother. However, he hears the screams coming from outside. He hears the growls of his undead as they rip through his allies. Even though he was trained to endure such distractions and ignore them, it is becoming more and more difficult with each passing second.
Placing his hand on his weapon, he stares at Geralt, contemplating whether it's worth it to finish him off now, when nobody's looking. He wonders what kind of consequences he will be forced to face in the future. Ultimately, he decides to break his pretense and aid his allies.
"Forgive me, master. I must defy my order."- He mutters- "My people matter more than this brat. I must save them."
Having said that, he glares back at Geralt one last time, draws his weapon and leaves him alone in the tent.
"Do you think that he will return?"- Aalia asks.
Geralt sighs.
"Judging from the look on his face, I highly doubt it. He will be too preoccupied to keep on living and will ignore us until the camp is cleared."- He says- "In other words, we have out chance to act."
Aalia nods.
"You better not regret it, though."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Heroes would never do such a thing."- He responds- "Not in a situation like this."
Once again, he continues to focus his energy into the ropes that are tied around his hands. This time, there is nobody left to stop him from setting himself free.
"O, great rose of the ancients. Give me your power."- He mutters- "Show me the anger that was once held inside of you. Unleash it at the bonds that are tearing us apart. Give me the chance to find tyranny and be like my father."
The crystal rose responds to Geralt's command, as if it has a mind of its own. Having glowed with a dark blue light until now, it suddenly shifts its color, just like Geralt shifted his emotions. It starts to glow with a red, fiery light, signifying the anger of its holder.
Suddenly, the flimsy ropes are set ablaze. They stand no chance against the pure desire that resides in the young hero's body. Soon, there is nothing left of them, but a pile of grey ashes.
Unfortunately, Aalia's greatest fears soon become a reality. The ropes were enchanted with some sort of bonding spell. Once the victim forcefully frees himself from them, the trap is triggered almost immediately. Geralt only has a small fraction of time before the ashes explode, throwing the boy back and filling his nostrils with the charred remains of the bonds that restrained him.
As he stands up and coughs, his eyes start to fill with tears. Apparently, the smoke coming from the burning ashes is hindering his eyesight in a very cruel way.
"Watch out, honey."- Aalia says as she guides her son through the exit- "We're not out the waters just yet."
Geralt nods and coughs.
"I thought... as much, mom."- He says- "Just stay with me. I know that we can... escape. Together."
Aalia nods.
"I never stayed anywhere else, love."- She responds- "I don't know how far we have to go. But I'm ready to walk a thousand miles, just to see you safe and sound."
She stares at the encampment ahead, listening to the screams of both the perishing undead and the emperor's men themselves.
"Keep it up."- She says- "Salvation is close to us. I'm certain of it."
----It takes a few hours for the rest of the Kaos family to arrive at the forest, but they come prepared. 
Once they are at the exact spot that Kaiden entered during his visit, Linus turns back and instructs the many archers who came behind him. The men soon line up every corner of the forest, aiming their bows and patiently waiting for the villains to arrive.
"So."- Akira says- "Does this mean that we have to stay here?"
Linus shakes his head.
"Far from it."- He responds- "We're the main reckoning squad. We'll make sure that there's no hostiles around the perimeter. It is our job to secure it."
He turns back to Kaiden.
"As for you, nephew."- He says- "It's your missing to go in there with your grandpa and drag Geralt out alive and well."
He stares into his eyes, trying to draw out the answer just with his look.
"Are you up for this task?"
Kaiden nods.
"When Kiara died out in the middle of nowhere, I was forced to stay with Geralt. I admit that we didn't get along very well after this chain of horrible events. We were quite distant, at best. We didn't trust each other. But we soon warmed up to each other. Our bond became stronger and we felt like we would do anything to keep each other safe from the bonds of evil."- He says- "That's when I knew the answer to all of those questions- "When in doubt, listen to your own heart". And my heart is telling me to be a hero once again."
He clenches his fist.
"So, I'm not going anywhere!"- He exclaims- "I won't allow myself to rest until my brother's away from that rabble!"
Linus smiles.
"That's the spirit, young warrior. I knew that you were ready from the moment you spoke."- He says- "Very well. Then I shall put all of my trust in you, my boy. Even if everything goes wrong in there, I know that you'll always make it right."
Kaiden nods.
"Thank you, uncle."- He says- "I won't betray you."
Having said that, he looks back at his grandfather. The two of them nod and proceed to walk into the dark woods, intending to rescue Geralt before the darkness consumes him for good.
On their way to the camp they stumble across a small group of imperial guards. Apparently, they are still unaware of the undead invasion and are taking their time off, away from the center of chaos.
"I still can't believe that we're sitting in this miserable place."- One of them says- "Why would anyone even consider stepping into this forest?"
Another guard sighs.
"Our new leader's the tough type. He listens to his own instincts and goes wherever it's the creepiest."- He says- "We've always dealt with stuff in a similar way. But to have it go like this, it's ridiculous."
The first guard shakes his head.
"We're not fit for this job!"- He exclaims- "Sector Alpha are the ones who do all of the dirty work! We're supposed to simply leave our victims to die, not to personally execute them and watch as they suffer! That ain't our thing!"
The second guard frowns.
"Relax, dude. You're thinking about it too much."- He responds- "Maybe they'll promote us for our loyalty to the regiment. The new leader isn't the coolest guy in the world, but he's still better than that show-off Axel Evans. I never liked that guy anyway."
He sighs.
"But my point's that everything will get better for us soon."- He adds- "Just nod and pretend that you're content. No one can see through your lies if you never stop lying in the first place."
The first guard shakes his head.
"I never wanted to be in the sectors at all."- He admits- "I tried to enroll in the guard academy. However, they directed me to Sector Alpha to work as a spy, just because my grades weren't high enough to qualify. And you know what I think about this? Well, screw their laws and their incompetent sta-- "
And then, they see Kaiden. They are startled by his presence, so they jump back and draw their weapons.
As Jared steps forward and attempts to cool down the situation, he notices that something has fallen out of the first guard's hand. It is a lighter... and it is still running.
It doesn't take long for the flames to spread through every inch of grass around the group. They shriek in terror and attempt to flee, but the flames consume them before they have the chance to warn everyone else of the impending disaster.
However, the flames are not satisfied with their current victims. Not at all. Instead of withdrawing, they set the nearby trees on fire, spreading the source of terror with incredible speed, just like the darkness in a lost person's heart.
"Oh no!"- Kaiden exclaims- "Grandpa! We have to put them out!"
Jared looks down at the flames near his boots and shakes his head.
"I'm sorry, my boy. There's nothing we could do about this."- He says- "Those are magical flames, emitted from one's will to cause destruction. The lighter must have had a bit of sorcery inside of itself, so that's why it spreads so fast."
Kaiden looks at him.
"Then what can we do?!"
Jared stares at the road ahead.
"Run to the encampment!"- He yells- "And don't ask any questions!"
It takes very little time for Kaiden and his grandfather to escape the source of the flames. However, they continue to pursue them, like a large group of lions that seeks their cornered prey. 
The two of them know that there is no escape, so they keep on running. And running.
Until they finally reach their destination. Or rather, what is left of it.
Unfortunately, it seems like the flames were faster than the two of them. Now that the camp is being attacked by the undead, the imperial soldiers are too preoccupied keeping the creatures from devouring them than to put down the raging fire that their own people have caused. The situation has grown even more chaotic and there is still no sign of Geralt.
Kaiden and Jared yell for Geralt, in a futile attempt to draw him out of the mess. However, their efforts are met with disappointment as they only thing that they hear are the growls of the increasing number of undead and the crackling of the flames all around them.
Jared looks at the burning encampment. He wants to believe that his grandson is still alive, but the odds are against him. No mortal person is able to survive a danger so severe and he knows it well.
As Kaiden wonders whether his brother is still in there, he places his hand on his shoulder and shakes his head.
"I'm sorry, my boy. I know that I said that we have to save Geralt, but there's nothing else that we could do. It's all over for him."- He says- "We must turn back. Our mission was a failure and everyone knows it by now."
Kaiden shakes his head.
"No, grandpa. You're wrong."- He says- "I can feel Geralt's energy! He's still in there!"
Jared looks at him.
"But what if your brother was killed in the massacre? What if he became one of them?"- He asks him- "Do you really want to meet the same fate as him?!"
Kaiden raises his head and puts his hand close to his weapon.
"If my brother is truly gone, then I shall be there to put him down!"- He yells- "I will not let him suffer anymore, grandpa!"
He stares into his eyes. undoubtedly resolute in the face of certain doom.
"My brother shall come back with us, one way or another!"- He continues- "I will not let him down!"
Jared takes a good look at his grandson. Then, he finally realizes that there is no stopping him anymore. After Kiara left this world, he changed a lot. He started to truly value what he has left. His brother is his primary source of motivation and he knows that it is for the best if he risks his life to save him.
Resigned, he steps out of the way and allows him to go further.
"I shall return to the camp and tell our family about your heroism."- He says and hugs him as tears start to fall from his eyes- "Stay strong, my boy! We believe in you!"
Kaiden rests his head on his grandpa's shoulder for a few moments, just like he did when he was a little child.
"Thank you, grandpa."- He says, trying not to cry- "Whatever happens from now on, remember that I love you all. And don't you dare forget it."
Jared nods.
"We'll never forget it, my boy."- He says- "I give you my word. The word of a true hero."
Having said that, he hugs his grandson one last time and escapes to the north just as the flames start to reach for the two of them, separating them for good.
With no other way to go, Kaiden draws his weapon and rushes into the burning encampment. His determination is burning as strong as the flames that try to devour him and his desire to make a difference is even stronger.
"Brother!"- He yells- "If you can still hear me, I promise that I will find you! Mark my words!"