Miracula Luxia C4, P8- "Legacy"

"Legacy" is the eighth part of "Miracula Luxia" 's fourth Chapter- "Estavius". It was released on 19.10.2019.
== Plot ==
Something terrible happens- something that will completely change the lives of the people living in the Tower Colony.
Will they be able to handle it?
== Story ==
The trio and some of the guards looked at a wounded Kelner.
His wound was far worse than they expected.
A sharp weapon had pierced his stomach, leaving a huge, bleeding hole behind.
"We've got to operate it!"- Suggested Annie.
"Sorry, little one. My fate is already sealed."- Said Kelner and pointed at his wound.
"Look closer."
It was also covered with a strange green ooze.
"I knew of their abilities and tried to evade them as best as I could, but it seems like I was doomed to die- sooner or later."
"The ooze here, once it reaches the bloodstream, causes a severe infection which can slowly kill a person with a weak body, like me."
"They wanted to kill me and take my artifact. They thought they did, but... it was not the real one.
Having said that, Kelner revealed a shining white stone with a cubic shape.
"This... is the Stone of Endless Light. A powerful artifact, left by the ones who live under us- The Vahnatai. There are two more, guarded by the brave warriors at the castle- The Stone of Raging Flames and the Stone of Purging Water. It is said in the legends that if the three stones were ever placed in one of the ancient Portals, that portal will activate and lead its users to the Vahnatai Lands, but... we will not be sure until we see it."
"Unfortunately, I will not be, but you will. Take the stone, Jared."
Jared took the stone nervously. He had never seen such a beautiful and powerful artifact ever before.
'This... this... "
Suddenly, Jared's eyes flashed with a bright light.
Memories flashed into his mind like flares, revealing many important events, lost to the historians in Avernum and the outside world- Like how the capital city of the Vahnatai was built, how the "Tomb of Kratzoah"- one of the most powerful Vahnatai leaders was constructed and how the Vahnatai Council was formed after a long discussion between those ancient creatures.
Of course, all of those events happened many, many years ago. Then why does Jared remember them when he wasn't even born at that time?
His eyes turned back to normal. He looked at the stone.
"This artifact... must be protected."- He muttered while grasping the ancient stone in the palm of his hand.
He was feeling a great power, radiating from it. Such a great force.
It mustn't fall in enemy hands.
"Did you see them?"- Kelner suddenly asked him.
"Who?"
"The Vahnatai."
"Yes. So... this stone holds the memories of their ancestors."
"Only a part of them. Those... were the more peaceful memories. Like... what they built, who they chose for their leaders and so on. The other memories are more... complicated."
"I see."- Jared muttered while staring at the stone.
"I also want you to have this."- Kelner added while handing Jared something rectangle-shaped.
He looked at it. It was a picture.
A picture of...
His mother!
"This... this is... "
"Kelner... "- Aleks muttered.
"I know, Aleks, but I had to show it to him. He has to remember her."
"Yes."- Aleks turned to his son- "This is what she would want- to not be forgotten."
"You'll find her soon. I am sure of it."- Kelner smiled and patted the kneeling father's shoulder- "Everything will be fine."
"But, you won't be here."
Kelner chuckled, but stopped and looked at him seriously.
"Look, Aleks, I know you respect me. I know you need me to advise you. But it is time for you to grow up."
"You have a beautiful and caring wife. You have a talented son and a brave daughter. You have to do everything to make sure they're all fine. Got it?"
Aleks nodded.
"That's right. It is time for you to advise. You aren't the child that I took care of many years ago. Now... you are a man who can make his own decisions, who protects his own family and friends and has his own adventures."
"Kelner my friend... "- Aleks looked at him, sobbing.
This was the first time he has done so in many years.
Jared, Annie and Jason looked at him sadly.
"Come on, nephew. Let's leave them alone."- Jason whispered to Jared and took him and Annie to the Alchemist's shop.
"Kelner. I... I can't... "
"Listen, Aleks. You need to be a good father. Not like me."
"Take care of your son. Right now, he is the only one who truly understands you. You need to be his pillar of light, the one who he can rely upon when he is in danger, the one who will advise him when he is confused about something."
"Legacy, my child. He is the one who continues your legacy. Do not let him down. Show him that you are a strong and competent father."
With that, Kelner smiled and succumbed to the raging infection, closing his eyes and dying peacefully.
One of the guards approached Kelner and unsheathed his sword. With a single stab, he pierced Kelner's head.
"Um, why did you do that?"- Aleks asked him.
"We've heard that those who succumb to this strange infection may reanimate into zombies if not stabbed in the head. I had to do this, just in case."
"Oh... "- Aleks said and turned away, walking along the road to the Alchemy.
He was lost in thought, Kelner's last words still echoing in his mind.
"Legacy... "- He quietly repeated the same word- "Legacy."
"I've got to protect Jared at all costs."- He said to himself.
Suddenly, his son opened the door of the Alchemy and approached him.
"Dad! What happened?"- He looked at him, very worried.
Aleks hugged his son.
"We lost him. I'm so sorry."
"What did he say to you?"- Jared asked him curiously.
Aleks embraced him even further.
"He said that the most important thing is the family. You and your uncle are the only family I have left."
"He also said that you are the one who continues my legacy and I must protect you at all costs."
"I won't lose you, Jared. Never again."
"I am right here, dad. We will always be united. Nothing will separate us."- Jared smiled and placed his head on his father's shoulder.
From a short distance away, Jason and Annie watched as father and son shared an emotional moment.
Suddenly, Jason shed a tear, but quickly wiped it off.
Annie looked at him.
"Sorry. Emotions. I haven't felt any for quite a while."
"I understand."- Annie quietly replied and continued staring at Jared and his father.
"We'll also be here for you, Jared. No matter where you go, we'll always be together. Those rogues stand no chance against all of us. We'll show them!"- She said to herself.
After a few minutes Jared and his father approached them.
"We have a plan."- Aleks triumphantly said.
"Yes, my dear brother. I'm listening."
"We will go to the castle, place the last stone and enter the lands of the Vahnatai. I'm sure that if we can convince them to help us, they will be powerful allies."
"I have seen them many years ago and I know that their abilities are priceless. So if we enlist them to aid us, those rogues will surely cower in fear."
"Alright then! Let's do this!"- Annie exclaimed, ready to meet the strange aliens.
"But first, we need to prepare. Make sure you get everything we need. We may not be able to return here anytime soon."
"You got it."- Jason smiled and began sharpening his weapon at a nearby station, eager to crush some more of his former allies on the way.
"I've changed a lot since I deserted from the rogue army. Now I'm with my nephew and my brother. I also am a hero, not a villain."- He said to himself.
"And I am glad about that. I'll never be a villain. Ever again!"
== Trivia ==
* Kelner's the first good character who dies in the series.
* This Part is named "Legacy". The reason for that is Kelner's last words- "Legacy, my child. He is the one who continues your legacy." referencing Jared.
Jared is Aleks's son and thus continues his legacy- The legacy of the new Kaos family, which spreads the light and helps people instead of hurting them like the ancient Kaos family members.