Miracula Luxia C4, P7- "The Past and The Present"

"The Past and The Present" is the seventh part of "Miracula Luxia" 's fourth Chapter- "Estavius". It was released on 13.10.2019.
== Plot ==
Jason arrives at the Tower Colony thanks to the Portal Pylon that is installed there, but realizes that the attack has already happened. The guards are barely holding off against the last of the attackers and Kelner is mortally wounded.
Will Jason and his family save the Tower Colony- One of the most important magical centers in Avernum? 
== Story ==
"Nephew!"- Jason exclaimed upon seeing his nephew and ran towards him.
However, he was stopped by an overprotective Annie who pointed her sword at his chest.
"Stop! I won't let you hurt my friend! I'm ready to give my life to make sure it doesn't happen!"- She yelled.
Jason was confused.
"Hurt him? But I'm his uncle! I would never do that!"
"Lies! Put down your weapon!"
Jason placed his sword on the ground near her.
She stared at it for a moment, as if to find ny clues which might identify the person in front of her.
Then she pointed her blade at his chest again.
"I guess I have to kill you. I'm not going to take any chances here."- She coldly muttered to him and raised her weapon in the air, ready to kill him.
Suddenly, Aleks realized who she was talking to.
"Annie! Stop!"- He screamed, but it was in vain.
She swung her blade at a defenseless Jason, but before she could kill him a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
It was Jared. He held her armor with his hand, forcing her to turn at him.
"Don't you DARE hurt my uncle!"- He told her in a very serious voice.
Annie looked at him.
"Your... uncle? But he... "
"This is my uncle! And I will not let you hurt him!"'
*!*
Something clicked in Annie's mind. She came back to her senses.
"Okay! Okay! I won't! I'm so sorry, Jared! I didn't realize!"
Jared released her. She was relieved that Jason wasn't an enemy.
She looked at him.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Kaos! I didn't realize it was you at first but now I... "
"It's okay, little missy. Your apology is accepted."- Jason said, smiling from ear to ear.
He hugged his nephew who was still very surprised that his uncle was indeed still alive and well.
"Uncle, I thought that I would never see you again."
"But here I am! You never expected that, did you nephew?"
"Uncle... "
"We- The Kaos never die easily. We put up quite a fight before that happens."
"I definitely won't let myself die knowing that you still need me to help you."
He looked at his brother.
"But I see that there's someone who has been helping you in my absence. Thank you for keeping him alive, brother."
"It's my top priority to protect my son, Jason. And why wouldn't I? He's my son. A child, grown with love and care which holds the blood of the Kaos and me. He is the person who will continue the new legacy of Kaos. My son. He is my everything."
"Dad."- Jared said to his father, smiling at the thought that his father loves him so much.
However, befor they could continue their Father-Uncle-Son bonding they were interrupted by a loud explosion.
"Duck!"- Aleks yelled at his family and Annie.
The explosion slightly singed Aleks's hair, but didn't hurt him.
"Dad! Are you alright?!"- Jared asked him, afraid of his answer.
Aleks brushed his hair sideways. 
"Just like your uncle said a while ago, we of the Kaos never die easily. Same with me!"
Jared smiled. He never noticed the entusiasm that was shining from his father's soul like a bright light.
Jason looked up and noticed a gap in the wall.
He looked at it.
"Well, this will be a problem. And a big one if we don't protect it."- He said to himself.
"Come on, family! We need to keep them outside at all costs. If they enter, the Tower Colony will fall apart."
Jared and his father nodded. The two of them, along with Annie stood near the hole, ready to intercept any of the rogues trying to break in from there.
The guards noticed the hole as well and some of them came to assist with the defense.
"For the Colony!"- They yelled simultaneously, a powerful war cry that can make even the strongest of foes consider before attacking.
Then they noticed that their enemies were carrying a really powerful tool of destruction with them.
"What in the world is that?!"- Jared wondered aloud.
"It's an explosive ballista."- Jason responded- "A powerful mobile sentry used for effectively destroying stone walls during an assault. Its explosive bolts give it a huge advantage against defenders with strong armor as well."
"So, what do we do?"- Annie asked him.
"Destroy it before it can reach any point that is further than that!"
They aimed their weapons at it and tried to do so.
However, the thing repulsed their shots with ease.
"It isn't taking any damage!"- Annie exclaimed- "We're doomed!"
"Wait!"- Jason stopped her from panicking- "There is a way to destroy it."
"While it is pretty durable and able to reflect projectiles, this ballista is just like any normal ballista- It's made out of wood."
"That's right! Fire is what we need! Only fire will be able to damage it enough to break!"- Jared voiced in, excited by his uncle's idea.
"That's right, nephew! I'll let you do the honors."
He stepped back and let Jared fire a flaming shot from his bow.
He did so and stared at the ballista as the arrow landed right on top of it.
Suddenly, it started hissing violently.
The rogues noticed that, but too late. The ballista exploded, effectively killing them and all of the rogues around it.
All that was left was a few terrified rogues. They tried to run away, but were easily shot down by the guards.
The assault team was destroyed. Another victory for the forces of Avernum.
And the Colony was still intact! Well... mostly. With a few exceptions.
Jared, Aleks, Jason and Annie let out sighs of relief. It was over.
"But... how that happen, uncle?"- Jared asked Jason.
"Well, the ballista had a few explosive parts. Those were needed for it to properly operate. And it seems like you got your arrow right onto one of them."
"When ignited those parts explode after a few seconds, leaving small craters in their wake, effectively destroying the rogues' hard work."
"So, something like fireworks?"
Jason chuckled.
"Yes. Like fireworks."
Aleks patted his son's shoulder.
"Remember when you were a child, Jared? You really loved to see the fireworks in the sky back then. Do you still love to do so?"
"Yes, dad. I do."- Jared smiled, reminding himself of better times.
"Hey, brother."- Jason asked- "I just wanted to tell you that... I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not finding you earlier. I knew that you and Jared needed my help, but I was so foolish to assume that I'll never find you."
Aleks hugged his brother.
"Jason. The past is the past. The present is the present. We live to make a better future for our children and to help them feel safer. Happier."
"And don't think I've even forgotten about you! You've always been on my mind, little brother. I was always wondering where you are. But I always knew that you would eventually find your way back home, sooner or later. And today, you proved me right."
"Welcome back, dear uncle."- Jared added and hugged them.
Annie looked at them, a sad look resting in her eyes.
"They're so happy. They're all together, happy, united. And I... I am alone. I only have my grandpa. Who is a ghost. Nobody else."- She said to herself, tiny teardrops rolling down from her eyes.
Jason looked at her.
"Hey, sweetheart. Why are you standing there? Come join us!"- He exclaimed.
"Yes, Annie. Come here!"- Jared added.
She looked up. She knew that she had finally found people who will truly respect her.
She joined them for the group hug.
"So. Me. My brother. My nephew. And... "
Jason wondered what to call Annie.
"Nephew's... girlfriend?"- He said jokingly while grinning at them/
Jared and Annie looked at each other. They blushed. 
They were unable to say anything.
"No, Jason. Annie is just Jared's friend. Nothing more than that."- Aleks said and smiled at his brother.
"There must be something bigger between them. I saw them blushing. But... I guess I'll never know."- Jason said to himself, still believing that there is a spark between his nephew and the girl.
They saw Kelner nearby, still mortally wounded. They approached him, fearing for the worst to happen.