MLII C5, P6- "Castle Of Glass"

"Castle Of Glass" is the sixth Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's fifth Chapter. It was released on 09.04.2021.
== Plot ==
After saving his grandfather from his maddened, former best friend- the renowned soldier known as Allister, Jared continues his adventure towards the central island on the Surface. 
Now reunited with his dear father and the soldiers that he gathered, he decides to finally finish what he came for- reach the barbaric Slithzerikai's main base of operations and defeat their wicked leader- Ess-Kalyn, the Manburner and prevent her from finishing her plan- to create a powerful race of creatures that has the potential to destroy the entire world.
With the boat that Aleks and the warriors under his command have been provided with, this mission is indeed possible. But not before Jared and his allies safely reach the central island and secure the way to the Slithzerikai's Stronghold.
== Story ==
Aleks turns around and sees the people behind his son. He smiles.
"It is good to see you, too."- He says- "All of you."
He points at the battleship behind him.
"This wonder of technology is able to take us to our destination without any problems."- He explains to them- "Sure. They may be prepared for a naval assault, but we're always one step ahead of them."
He thinks about what he just said. Considering how well the savages are preparing for every kind of assault, it is unlikely that they will let their guard down that easily. Still, there is a small hope that there will be a tiny gap in their defense.
And when there is hope, there is a light that will shine bright.
"We may be well prepared. However, we're not out of danger. Not yet."- He adds- "Still, if they want to stop us completely, they have to send their best force to sink us into the depths of the lake. Which is unlikely, seeing how much they try to harass the towns in Avernum and on the Surface."
He smiles.
"In other words, we still have hope on our side. And that's what matters the most right now."
Lethal nods and smiles.
"Well. What are we waiting for, son?"- He says to him- "Let us become the Slithzerikai's worst nightmare!"
As Jared's allies enter the battleship, one after the other, he and his parents talk to each other for a while.
Aleks is surprised to see his wife.
"Seiko, my love!"- He says- "I... I thought that I would never see you again!"
Seiko smiles sadly.
"Yes, honey."- She responds- "I thought so, too."
She sighs.
"Sadly, I'm still dead. That war was indeed the end of me."- She says- "However! Thanks to the efforts of you and our brave son, you managed to bring my spirit back into this world. Thought you didn't manage to revive me completely, I'm still here. Still among those whom I love so much."
Aleks smiles and hugs her. Surprisingly, he is able to do so, despite her ghostly appearance.
"I fought so hard back then, sacrificed so many things to succeed. I even neglected and got angry at Jared, something which I still deply regret. I am glad that not everything was in vain."- He says- "Thank you for coming back to bring us joy and hope, my gorgeous angel."
Seiko blushes.
"I'm glad that you still love me so much, even after everything that we had to experience together."- She says- "I'm glad that I'm still helpful to you."
She turns around and looks at Jared.
"And, most importantly, I'm glad that our priceless jewel of a child is still alive and well."
Aleks nods and smiles.
"Of course, my dearest."- He responds- "He's the most important thing in my entire life. I would never let anything happen to him."
Both Aleks and Seiko approach their son and kiss him on the forehead at the same time.
Jared wipes a tear from his eye.
"Mom... "- He mutters- "Dad... "
Seiko smiles.
"It's okay, sweetie."- She says- "Mommy and daddy are here. At last, the Kaos family is whole again."
Jared wipes another tear and smiles.
"I love you."- He says sincerely- "Mom, dad."
Aleks smiles back.
"We love you too, child."- He says.
The three of them hug for a moment, temporarily forgetting the problems that they have and letting their minds wander away from the real world. They forget about the nightmares that they had to face and enter a world where they can finally be at peace. Even if it's for a very short time.
Sadly, the world still needs their help. They quickly forget about that and focus on finishing what must be done.
"No more distractions. Not anymore."- Jared says- "Let us close the final curtains of this meaningless war!"
Aleks and Seiko nod. They completely agree with their son.
And so, the three of them enter the battleship. Aleks approaches the captain (Who is, much to Jared's surprise, Commander Gareth Jones- the current leader of Formello).
"Take us to the island, my friend."- He says to him.
Gareth nods, turns around and nods to Jared. The boy nods back.
Then, he turns around and begins to drive.
Now travelling towards their final destination, our heroes take a moment to relax.
"So. Who are those brave gentlemen?"- Lethal says to his son, noticing the huge amount of soldiers sitting all around them.
Aleks smiles and says:
"Those fine soldiers are under my command, dad."
He looks at them. They nod at him, but don't say anything.
"Why are they so quiet?"- Jared asks his father.
Aleks smiles again.
"That's because I've selected some of the best warriors that Avernum has to offer."- He responds- "The most, brave, determined, serious and loyal soldiers that will never turn a blind eye on a problem, like this one. They are ready to sacrifice their own lives, if it means that we will succeed in our quest."
Jared nods.
"Speaking of loyalty, I remember that I left you with our friends."- He says- "What happened to them?"
He sighs.
"I had to leave them back in the city of Thais, along with the rest of Avernum's citizens."- He says- "Devin did not want to come with me and he forced Annie to refuse the offer as well. John and Uma tried to stop me, but nothing can prevent a determined member of the Kaos family from performing good deeds! So, they sent me on my way and released some of Avernum's best warriors to help me out. Gareth, my good friend from Fort Duvno, also wanted to help me out, so they allowed him to leave. Everyone watched us as we left the safety of the city and entered the wilds. They were saddened that they had to let us go, but I promise that it's for the greater good. We must defeat those villains at all costs!"
Jared shakes his head.
"I will have a small talk with Devin once we are done."- He says- "I am not going to allow him to trick anyone into doing what is wrong!"
Aleks sighs again.
"Don't blame it on him, Jared."- He says- "He's just a kid. His sister is the one who leads the Pendragon family now. And, if he wants to maintain his good relationship with her and the rest of his family, he must listen to what she says to him. I'm sure that he would love to join us, if he had the chance."
Jared nods, but does not say anything else.
He looks at the window and notices an island not far away from the battleship.
"Here it is."- He says and draws his weapon- "Get ready, everyone! This shall be a rough ride."
As the battleship is about to land on a nearby dock, several Slithzerikai archers appear on it and start shooting arrows in the vessel's direction.
"Looks like they mean business!"- Aleks says- "Let's take them out!"
Jared approaches one of the cannons and lights it with a fire spell.
"Take this!"- He yells and shoots a cannonball in their direction.
Just as it is about to reach its destination, Jared slows it down and empowers it with an earth spell. The resulting impact manages to kill all of the defenders with an earth-shattering blast, but it also shatters the dock.
Aleks sighs.
"You win some and you lose some."- He says- "Let's find another dock before their reinforcements arrive."
With some difficulty, they manage to steer the battleship away from the wreck and remain undetected while landing on another dock nearby.
The warriors draw their weapons. One by one, they leave the relative safety of the battleship and approach a nearby wall.
Jared and his allies do so as well. When they arrive at the location, they are amazed by what they are seeing.
The wall that is blocking their way is massive. No way a soldier will be able to climb it without a risk of falling back down.
Therefore, the only way to get past it remains to be the gate below. Guarded by a large band of Slithzerikai warriors on the walls.
"Ssss."- One of them says as he aims his bow at Jared- "We are surprised. We never thought that Jared Kaos himself would be the one to fight us today. Nevertheless, we are still going to win."
Jared smiles as he cautiously aims his bow at him and his allies, ready to fight this army of hostiles.
"I am sure that you are aware of what happened to the Slithzerikai to the west and south of us. We will see whether you will survive longer than them or not."- He says- "Bring it on!"
Both parties start shooting arrows at each other.
While they are distracted, Jared aims an explosive arrow and the wall beneath the Slithzerikai. He shoots a fiery barrage at them, shattering them in mere seconds.
Slowly, the Slithzerikai start falling to their deaths, unable to do anything. A few remain on top of the remaining ruins of the wall.
Jared notices that he used his last explosive arrow and realizes that he has to take out the remaining Slithzerikai with another tactic.
He puts his bow on his back and starts to hurl fireballs in their direction.
While some of them are foolish enough to not get away in time and die, most of them manage to avoid the huge balls of flame and shoot arrows at Jared and his allies.
Jared sighs.
"Well, I tried."- He says- "Here goes nothing."
His options in this battle slowly becoming less and less, he aims his bow and starts shooting normal arrows at the defenders while his allies attempt to distract them.
Seiko watches the battle from afar, unable to do anything against the enemies on the walls. However, she manages to quickly formulate a plan.
She approaches her son and whispers something to him. He nods.
"Alright. I think that this will work."
He turns back to his allies.
"Everyone, stand back!"- He yells- "This will be a powerful blow!"
Jared unsheathes Demonslayer and gives it to his mother. She touches it with the palm of her hand and closes her eyes. She starts to mutter something that is incomprehensible to anyone, but Jared.
Moments later, the blade begins to glow with a dazzling, white light.
"Prepare yourselves, Slithzerikai!"- Jared yells- "This is the end of the line for you!"
Slowly, he begins to fly towards the top of the wall. The Slithzerikai try to shoot him down, but they are too distracted by the soldiers below.
Soon, Jared reaches the top. He looks down, smiles and lifts Demonslayer in the air.
He jumps in the air and yells:
"Feel the power... of Ragnarok!"
He slams the blade into the wall. Slowly, this huge piece of architecture starts to fall apart due to the sheer power of Demonslayer.
With tremendous speed, Jared manages to break the wall and gets away just as chunks of it start to fall down.
In just a few seconds, the massive wall shatters into pieces. Whatever force of Slithzerikai was left alive, it is swiftly crushed by the falling rubble.
Soon, there is nothing but ruins of what used to be the Slithzerikai's most powerful defense.
Jared sees that one of the Slithzerikai is still moving. He approaches him.
"You are wounded, but still alive."- He mutters- "Impressive. Most of your kind would die from such a huge impact."
The Slithzerikai hisses.
"The Manburner will avenge usss."- It says in its peculiar, sibilant voice- "You will burn. Burn."
Jared shakes his head and points Demonslayer at him.
"There is no way to recover from this grievous wound, friend."- He responds- "It is over. We have won."
Having said that, he mercifully stabs the creature in the head and turns around.
"The end of this nightmare is near."- He says to his remaining allies- "We have only one thing left to do... "
He turns around and stares at the ruins ahead of him.
"It is time for the lions to finish off their cornered prey, once and for all."
He and his allies start to pick their way through the wreckage, being careful not to make a mistake. Doing so will make their adventure much harder... and possibly fatal.
Soon, they manage to leave the ruins behind them and approach the huge keep ahead.
They soon notice the total lack of any living being in the houses around it. It is as if all of the Slithzerikai have disappeared after hearing the sounds of battle coming from nearby.
"What a bunch of cowards."- Aleks mutters.
Jared nods. He completely agrees with his father.
"Their end is near."- He says- "The fires of Justice shall spread and engulf them."
They approach the gates that lead into the inner part of the keep, weapons drawn.
Soon, they notice that their good luck is not fading away. The gates are open, as if they are inviting them to enter.
Before they are able to do so, however, they are stopped by a Slithzerikai who appears in front of them. It is wrapped, as if by the shadows themselves and it is hard to see whether it is male... or female.
"Welcome, heroes."- It says- "I am sorry for being such an inhospitable creature. My servants must have caused you a lot of trouble."
It grins.
"Though I don't think that it matters anymore. Now, you are here. At long last."- It continues- "Therefore, I formally welcome you. Welcome... into my home!"
== Trivia ==
* "Castle Of Glass" is a title that foreshadows the fate of the Slithzerikai at the gate, how the walls break (as if they are made of glass) and how everything that they have worked so hard to protect shatters in front of their eyes.
* Some of Jared's last words for this Part ("The fires of Justice... ") are a reference to the game Geneforge III, where Litalia- one of the main Antagonists (Or most trusted allies, depending on the path that you choose) in the game, mentions the fires of Justice. This refers to the rebellion that she and her masters are planning to start and how it will take over the world and eliminate the Shapers (A large sect of peacemakers, whom the Rebels see as the world's real enemies. Though it is not entirely true, they have indeed made mistakes in the past, some of which have caused a lot of trouble for everyone throughout the entire Saga).
** Unlike Litalia, Jared plans to use the "Fires of Justice" to cleanse the world of real villains, not of those who are responsible for keeping its balance intact.