MLTO C3, P9

This is the ninth Part of "MLIV:TO" 's third Chapter.
It was released on 10.01.2023.
== Plot ==
After successfully convincing Jett Norwood to join them on their adventure, Geralt and his allies decide to make a thorough exploration, in the hopes of discovering the secret behind the mysterious entity that plagues the region.
On their way to the next destination, they encounter a group of flame sprites. The creatures have managed to cause a great deal of chaos in a forest and are planning to spead the destruction toward the rest of the woodlands, sparking a chain reaction that cannot be stopped easily.
It is up to the young heroes to stop them before it is too late.
== Story ==
As our heroes prepare to head toward a forest far away from them, Jett pulls out something from his pocket. 
Aaron stares at him curiously, thinking whether he is planning to betray them or not. However, it soon turns out that his fears were in vain, as Jett only pulls out a single picture.
"What's that?"- He asks him- "Some kind of a remnant of the past? A plot-related item?"
Jett sighs.
"Not really."- He answers- "It's just... a memory of my mother. You know, the woman who tried her best to make me a hero instead of a villain."
Aaron raises his eyebrow.
"So... you still miss her?"
Jett nods.
"More than anything else."- He says- "My mother, she was an angel. A seraph in the body of a human being. She was always such a kind and loving soul, but that wretch that calls himself my father caused her to care for me somewhere else. When she perished, I was taken to my father's home and he claimed that he was the one who took care of me."
He sighs.
"And yet, he wasn't aware that I knew better. I knew that a vile man like him wouldn't be my actual caretaker."- He says- "So, I embarked on a journey after his death. I went to my mother's old home, abandoned and forgotten. And I... I was devastated. I didn't know that they would treat her belongings like this. So, I tried my best to find something of her that I would remember for as long as I live."
He looks down at the picture of him and his mother.
"Insignificant as it may be to others, this little item is priceless to me."- He says and holds it close to his chest- "It reminds me of my mother's last wish- to change the world in my own, special way. So, I want to honor her legacy and make sure that she's never forgotten."
Aaron smiles.
"You know, your mother sounds just like mine. She always had a positive view of this world and took care of her children as if they were precious diamonds."- He says- "And I... I got her killed, just because I didn't want to join some kind of a bloodthirsty tyrant and help him conquer more lands. I was a fool, but at least she won't suffer again."
Jett sighs and pats him on the shoulder.
"Then we're truly two minds that think in the same way."- He says- "I'm glad that I met you, brother."
Aaron nods.
"Well, the pleasure is mine."- He says- "I know that people like us meet under the worst circumstances, but I'm glad that we got to know each other."
Jett nods.
"Me too, my friend."
Geralt stops for a second, forcing his allies to do the same.
"Umm, Geralt?"- Aurelia says- "Is something wrong? What did you see?"
Geralt continues to stare at the area ahead of him, worrying his allies.
"It looks like... a fire."- Jett says- "Does this mean that the centaurs actually... "
Geralt finally regains his bearings. He looks up at the sky, as if wanting to make some sort of a prayer. Then, he sighs and stares back at the burning forest.
"My fears are acting up again. This is not a good sign."- He says- "But we shouldn't back down. That forest is in danger and we must aid the forces of Nature."
He draws his weapon.
"Get ready, everyone."- He says- "It is time to fight for our future."
The four heroes approach the burning forest and notice that a group of rogue flame sprites is already inside and is causing all sorts of mischief.
"Oh no! Creatures of fire!"- Aaron exclaims- "I don't know what they're trying to accomplish, but this does not bode well for us!"
Geralt sighs.
"Have no fear, my friend. This is only a test that will launch us toward the real culprit."- He says- "You just have to... step within the fire."
Then, he takes a few steps forward.
"Geralt! No!"- Aurelia yells- "Stop! You're going to hurt yourself!"
Geralt takes another step forward.
"Take care of the escapees."- He says- "I shall handle the rest."
Aaron shakes his head.
"This is crazy!"- He exclaims- "You can't just take care of everything in there!"
Geralt smiles serenely.
"Is that so?"- He asks- "Well, I think that my code of honor begs to differ."
Jett nods.
"I admire the boy's bravery and I think that we should let him do... whatever's on his mind."- He says and takes a step back- "Come on, guys. I trust Geralt, so I think that you should do the same. There's no point in doing otherwise."
Aurelia shakes her head.
"But... the fire!"- She exclaims- "It's capable of causing more than just physical pain to him! I know it!"
Jett sighs.
"If this is what he wants, then there's no reason to stop him."- He says- "I know that you're very close to him, but the best way to help him is to let him go."
Regretfully, Geralt's allies allow him to enter the burning forest alone, running after the fleeing flame sprites to make them pay for this crime.
Meanwhile, Geralt enters the forest, undisturbed by the fire around him. His hand is close to his weapon and he is ready to fight the invaders with more than just his own abilities. His attention is focused on the fire around him and his PTSD is not triggered by them.
"Once, I was afraid of what happened in the past. I kept seeing the fires of vengeance and I did not know what to do. I was helpless back then, just like I was until now."- He says to himself- "But this will not last forever. As times change, so do I. And I will not allow the mistakes that I made to corrupt me for any longer. From now on, I will do my best to act as a figure of honor and come face to face with my own fears, conquer them, and show the world that nothing is impossible."
He clenches his fist.
"I hope that you're watching, Redmark, because you are about to get a taste of my true power!"
Pulling out his sword, Geralt closes his eyes and infuses some of his magical energy into it. After a few moments, it starts to glow blue, radiating an aura of peace and wisdom. Then, he swings it a few times, creating an elaborate pattern that is engraved in the ground below his feet.
Thinking that he is just making a futile attempt to stop them, the flame sprites around him laugh. They are not used to getting opposed, so none of them try to stop him. 
However, it turns out that their foolishness was the first step toward their downfall. As soon as Geralt mutters the last words of his incantation, the ground below his feet starts to vibrate. Then, just like that, he unleashes a powerful water spell, using the circle around him as the source of it.
A huge tsunami envelops the entire area. As the sprites around him scream, Geralt opens his eyes and looks around.
"And soon, the tainted ground shall be purified and peace shall be returned to this unfortunate world."- He says- "Master Akihiro was right. Those words truly have a meaning of their own."
Then, just as suddenly as it happened, both the tsunami and circle vanish, leaving Geralt alone in the forest that he just saved. He looks around and notices that the trees are a little bit burned, but that is not important. With enough determination, the warriors of the forest are going to repair the damage that the malevolent sprites had done to it.
As for the sprites themselves, there is no sign that they were here in the first place. The tsunami wiped out every trace that they left behind and the flames that they caused were immediately put out.
In other words, Geralt won this battle. Without the help of his allies, he still managed to prove himself to be a calm and collected warrior, especially in the face of such danger. In the eyes of tbe creatures that he just saved, Geralt is a true hero. And they will refuse to believe otherwise, no matter what the servants of Redmark claim.
As Geralt prepares to leave the sacred place, the dryad that he met earlier appears in front of him. She is happy to see that her belief in the young hero finally paid off.
"My child, I thank you for saving my troubled kind from those creatures of chaos."- She says- "On this day, you bestowed upon us an act of kindness that we shall never forget. Your courage shall be remembered and taught to the future generations and your name shall be known as that of a great hero. Thank you for everything."
Geralt bows to her.
"It was an honor for me to be of assistance to the creatures of the forest, o mighty dryad."- He says to her- "But I was not the only one who participated in this fight. When I casted the spell that saved this forest, I felt the presence of many fellow warriors. Beasts of honor that wanted to make a difference alongside me. So, those creatures should be appreciated as much as you appreciate me."
The dryad smiles.
"You have a very pure soul, my child. Your brilliant radiance gives us hope and restores our faith in your kind."- She says- "Don't let the darkness taint your beliefs. The world needs a wise and capable hero like you, so your light will always serve as a beacon of good intentions."
She starts to fade away.
"And remember this."- She adds- "Even if you are not respected by those of your own kind, other races will always remember your self-sacrifice. You will never be forgotten, nor humiliated. In the eyes of those that you saved, you shall always be a true hero."
With that, she disappears, leaving Geralt alone in the forest once again.
"Well, that was very interesting."- He says to himself- "I wonder what my friends are up to."
As Geralt leaves the forest, he notices that his allies have managed to deal with the fleeing sprites. Their extinguished corpses lie dead on the ground and the young heroes seem to be satisfied with their work.
"Well, would you look at that!"- Aaron exclaims- "Looks like our mighty leader is back, stronger than ever!"
Geralt smiles.
"Indeed, my friend. I have returned from this perilous trial, victorious and proud."- He says- "But the most important thing is that the forest has been saved. I taught a lesson to those foolish sprites, a really important one. They will not trouble the creatures of the forest for a very long time."
Aurelia runs forward and hugs him.
"I thought that I was going to lose you!"- She exclaims- "Don't ever do this to me! To us! Please!"
Geralt sighs.
"I am very sorry, Aurelia, but my sense of duty is stronger than my desire to be with my friends."- He says- "I made a promise, but I cannot keep it intact all the time."
Aurelia smiles.
"Well, it's okay!"- She responds- "I know that you're busy being a hero, so there's no reason to worry about us!"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Aurelia continues to smile.
"We're always together, no matter where you go."- She elaborates- "That's the meaning of true friendship, right?"
Geralt nods.
"Indeed it is, my dear Aurelia."- He responds- "If only other people would be as wise as you, the world would be a much better place."
Aurelia blushes.
"You think that I'm... wise?"- She says- "Aww! That's so sweet of you!"
Geralt smiles.
"No, Aurelia."- He says- "You are the sweet one."
Jett approaches them and sighs.
"If you two are finished making out in front of us, I want to say my piece."- He says- "And it... it's important. I can't hold it back."
Geralt looks at him.
"What is it, Jett?"
Jett looks back, concerned about something.
"Well, it's not anything life-threatening, but I figured that you might want to know."- He says- "When we were fighting the sprites, I saw a glimpse of something staring at us in the distance. Some kind of a horse-like creature. I thought that it might be a centaur, but when I approached it, it just... vanished. And then, I saw the same visions all around me, staring back at me as if I were some kind of a hunted beast. It didn't take that long for them to disappear, too."
Geralt nods.
"So, you say that this might be some kind of a prelude that warns us about an impending event, right?"- He asks- "Some kind of a... vision of the future?"
Jett sighs.
"Now that you mention it this way, I'm starting to get a little bit worried."- He says- "But yes. It must be a prelude of some sort. And we're in danger. Big danger."
Geralt nods.
"If that is true, then we shall do our best to prevent it from happening."- He says- "Even the most inevitable events can be averted with enough patience, so let us steel ourselves and prepare for the next challenge-- "
Suddenly, he feels like some kind of a malevolent presence has appeared around him. He feels the touch of its dark blade, even from this distance. As the mysterious figure approaches him, Geralt jumps out of the way, saving both himself and Aurelia.
"Agh!"- Aurelia exclaims- "What was that for?"
Geralt looks back and sees that his fears were justified.
"I had to do it, Aurelia."- He says- "If I did not, this man would have killed us."
Aurelia gasps,
"Wait."- She says- "We've got another villain on the loose?!"
Geralt sighs.
"It looks like it."
The four heroes stare at the mysterious figure, blades drawn. Even though it clearly has ill intentions, it doesn't seem to want to kill them immediately. It just stares back at them, evaluating them and judging how much a threat they will be to it.
"Who are you?"- Jett asks- "Speak up! We don't have all day!"
The strange creature wears a long, red robe. Its face is black, with nothing more than a single red eye that stares at our heroes ominously. When they look at it, they experience fear. Pure, uncontrolled rage. Endless hatred for everything. Even a little bit of undiminished passion.
It seems like the four of them just met some kind of a new entity. A powerful villain with malicious intentions. This can't be good for them.
"Umm, Geralt?"- Aaron asks- "Should we... be worried?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"There is no reason to worry about this."- He responds- "No matter how powerful this creature may be, we will defeat it. Eventually."
The strange continues to stare at them. Then, it lets out an otherworldly laughter.
"HAH! YOU'RE SO PUNY AND PATHETIC, LITTLE HUMANS!"- It says- "EVEN YOUR GREATEST HEROES ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO OUR KIND!"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Your kind?"- He asks- "You mean that there are others like you?"
The creature nods.
"YES! AND WE ARE THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE! WE CANNOT BE STOPPED BY THE LIKES OF YOU!"- It says- "SO, I SUGGEST YOU GO BACK HOME AND KEEP PLAYING WITH YOUR LITTLE TOYS. THE WORLD IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR YOU."
Geralt shakes his head.
"That is a very generous offer, villain, but I am afraid that we have to refuse."- He responds- "We have gone too far to be scared off by some kind of an alien being!"
Aurelia looks at the creature and then at Geralt.
"Umm. I'm not an expert in alienology, but I think that this, umm, thing, truly means what it just said to us."- She says- "Maybe we should... lay back for a while? Go somewhere else?"
Jett raises his eyebrow.
"And for what? To stay in some kind of an inn and reminisce the events that we couldn't change?"- He asks- "No chance, girly. I'm not going to listen to this weirdo."
The creature laughs.
"VERY WELL, HUMANS. YOU HAVE MADE YOUR CHOICE AND I SHALL RESPECT IT."- It says- "BUT BE WARNED OF THE EMPEROR, BECAUSE HE... IS COMING FOR YOU."
With that, the creature disappears, leaving the young heroes to ponder his words for a while.
"So. What do you think?"- Aaron asks- "Could this be the culprit who caused all of this chaos?"
Geralt nods.
"That would be the most obvious answer."- He says- "But maybe this is just a futile attempt to mislead us. To turn us away from the right path. If that is so, then there must be more to this mystery than we had anticipated."
He looks up.
"My friends, we are dealing with something very dangerous. Something that might or might not be out of this world."- He says- "I know that it might not be wise of me to say this, but I think that it is best if I proceed alone, for the sake of keeping all of you alive and well."
Aaron raises his eyebrow.
"Are you crazy, buddy?"- He asks- "Fighting against an army of those freaks won't be an easy feat, but I'm not going to go back, just because some kind of an alien creature told me to do so! I'm staying with you!"
Aurelia nods.
"Remember what we promised to each other before we went with Master Akihiro? That we would always be together?"- She says- "I still haven't forgotten about it and neither should you."
She wraps her hands around Geralt.
"We're in this together, Geralt. Even though its not just the two of us anymore, I know that we can still continue being who we are."- She continues- "So, don't you dare think about leaving us behind!"
Jett sighs.
"Well, it's been quite an exciting adventure so far. I think that I'm liking it here."- He says- "I shall stay with you guys for a while longer and see whether I can help you out. Being an adventurer really suits me and I think that we'll make a great team together."
Geralt smiles.
"I am glad that you did not give up on me."- He says- "If you want to me with me in this battle, then I shall make sure that it is this way."
He takes a step forward.
"But now, we must continue helping the people of the forest, in whatever way we can."- He says- "Let us proceed toward our next destination."