MLTO C5, P9

This is the ninth and penultimate Part of "MLIV:TO" 's fifth Chapter.
It was released on 17.03.2023.
== Plot ==
After a series of arduous challenges and a lot of learning, Geralt and his allies finally reach the lair of the fake vigilante gang known as "Avernum's Saviors". Now as a team of two, Geralt and Kaiden cross the entrance to the lair, go straight into the side passages and soon arrive at the heart of this unfriendly settlement, eager to meet the notorious Baron Bridges, at long last.
But the man has been expecting our heroes to arrive ever since they stepped into the lands of Avernum. His hatred for them is absolute and he actually wished to see how powerful they are with his own eyes. Unbeknownst to him, his wish will soon be granted.
This time, the light law shall face the dark law. The warriors of true light shall battle those who pretend that they help the world. Betrayal is already running deep inside of this organization and the only thing that must be done is for our heroes to deliver a light push to plunge everything into a state of total disarray.
Will this be the last challenge for them?
== Story ==
Geralt sighs.
"Well, I am sure that you know me. You are sure that I know you."- He says- "But there are still many things we should talk about. Our knowledge of each other is vast, but not absolute. I am sure that you're aware of that already, though."
Bael smiles.
"I was expecting that, of course."- He says- "What do you want to know?"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"I read some reports about you before you became the leader of this... umm... group. You were an exile who was sent to Avernum for crimes against the crown."- He says- "Is this true? Or are you going to start pretending that it is otherwise?"
Bael clenches his fists.
"So the truth was forced down by those so-called lawcarvers? Tsk. How typical of them."- He says- "Yes, it is true. I was one of the people who lived under the sun above, just like you. I was happy and content with my life. However, my tolerance of weak links in our government was extremely low, so I couldn't keep my mouth shut. The officials did not like my attitude and did what people in the Old Empire would always do to those who question them- banishment to Avernum. Thus, I ended up here, cold and betrayed, until I formed my gang and starting helping the people here from the harsh law above their heads."
Geralt nods.
"It also says that you were trying to become a member of the royal guard in the Castle. To protect the lands from monsters and humans alike."- He says- "That seems rather questionable for someone like you, but were you truly trying to be the hero once?"
Bael stands up from his chair.
"Of course I was trying to!"- He yells- "The people of Avernum were being neglected! Their wishes were ignored by the "gods" above! And what did they do when someone genuinely offered his help? They rejected him! Because they were afraid, just like everyone else!!!"
Then, he sighs and sits down.
"Sorry about that. Emotions often swirl inside of me. I can't keep them tame forever."- He says- "Anyway, it's true. I was a soldier. Or rather, I tried to be, until some filthy official or another heard that I was an exile and ratted me out."
He smiles.
"Of course, I already took care of that mad dog."- He is quick to add- "He was more bite than bark, but he didn't last for very long. Once me and my boys found his team of corrupted officials, he was squashed by the insect that he is. That's when the people of Avernum learned to fear "Avernum's Saviors". We were finally respected by them."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"But isn't it a little bit unfair? You know, to force others to respect you by making you fear them?"- He asks- "You made them trust you with force? Are you sure that you will not face any considerable backlash from the locals?"
Bael sighs.
"Believe me, I've already asked myself the same question a few times. My normally lawful self has been rebelling against my decisions."- He says- "But that ancient fool was silenced for good when my new self came in the hood. It's been very peaceful ever since."
Kaiden shakes his head.
"And you wonder why you have so many problems."
The man standing next to Bael clenches his fists.
"Don't you dare speak ill of our mighty leader!"- He exclaims- "The Avernites love us and so does the rest of the world! You don't have a say in our laws!"
Bael shakes his head.
"Please stay quiet, Vance."- He says- "The adults are talking."
Vance turns to him.
"But sir!"- He says- "I am an adult!"
Bael sighs.
"That's true."- He responds- "But not adult enough to be responsible of a whole group."
Vance sighs and steps back.
"Good boy."- Bael says and smiles- "Now, where were we?"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"You were talking about your own duality."- He reminds him- "How you dealt with it and became the person that you are now."
Bael smiles.
"Ah. Yes."- He says- "But that is a minor concern at the moment. Right now, we plan to keep helping the people of Avernum get rid of that fiend Redmark and his people. You know, the one who seized the throne and believes that only he is worthy of leading his nation."
Geralt looks at him.
"So."- He says- "You say that Redmark is something like Emperor Norton? You know, the weirdo who thought that he was the emperor of the western lands?"
Bael nods.
"That much is true, of course. I wouldn't be surprised if Redmark is an indirect descendant of that mercurial fool."- He says- "But Redmark is a much more capable, much more dangerous version of him. The blackest king on a board of black and white, corrupting the lands where he sits with his influence."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"What do you know about him?"
Bael smiles.
"Oh, I was there with him when he was about to become an emperor. He was naive and powerful. And he only had a single goal as far as I knew- restoring the empire as it was back in the old days."- He says- "He is quite ambitious, I have to give him that. But he is quite full of himself and his pride has always clouded his tainted sense of judgement. He will travel to the ends of the world to see his enemies fall, even if he won't get the job done himself. And he always, always hates those who think that the Old Empire should not exist at all."
He continues to smiles.
"In fact, I secretly hope that you can be the one to defeat me and send a message to that insufferable, lawless fool."- He says- "Maybe you're more competent than I think. This will be good for you in the long run."
Geralt looks at him.
"If you are trying to fight him, why don't we just work together."- He says- "You are trying to bring back the law, and so am I. Why are we supposed to fight with everyone with whom we don't share our ideals? This is not fair."
Bael shakes his head.
"Believe me, I wanted the same thing once. I thought that you were quite a noble hero and that you're probably destined to save the world."- He says- "But you've caused way too much damage on your journey. Your morals were secretly tainted by your guilt. You're not the same person and I have no other choice than to challenge you."
Kaiden sighs.
"Yes. That's right."- He mutters- "Give a reason that is entirely irrelevant to the current situation. What a smart move, Mr. Bridges."
Bael smiles.
"Anyway, I'm sure that you want to fight. I won't keep you any further."- He says- "Just let me do one more thing. It won't take long."
Having said that, he orders Vance to give him a glass of wine. The man obeys his master's orders and presents him with the glass that he wants. Then, Bael watches the two heroes and drinks his wine, giving them the feeling of being in front of a powerful and influential mob boss.
"So."- Kaiden says- "Are you drinking the blood of your fallen enemies right now?"
Bael chuckles dryly.
"You have a very dark sense of humor, kid."- He says- "I'm sure that my enemies won't appreciate it."
He continues to drink his wine, completely undisturbed. Geralt and Kaiden become a little impatient, wondering what will happen next.
A few seconds later, Geralt rolls his eyes.
"When is this battle going to start?"- He asks- "We do not have all day, you know."
Bael smiles.
"Oh, it has already started."- He says- "Watch your step."
Before our heroes can respond, Bael pulls a secret lever to the right of him, opening a hole that leads to a pool full of sharks,
"How very original."- Kaiden says- "Did you take that from some kind of a cart-- "
Suddenly, the two boys start to fall down into the pool. They nearly descend into the water, but Geralt grabs one of the walls just in time.
"This was a good one. I have to admit it."- Geralt says- "Stand close to me, Kai. Do not let go of my hand."
Kaiden looks down and then, at Geralt.
"Do you think that I have another choice?!"
Geralt sighs.
"No."- He responds- "You do not."
Geralt tries to grab the walls ahead of him. However, they prove to be too slippery for him to hold onto them. He and Kaiden begin to descend again.
However, the young hero devises a plan that could save them from certain demise. As soon as he starts to descend, he casts a spell and watches as the wall dries up. Very quickly.
"This is our chance, Kai."- He says- "Climb and keep climbing."
After making sure that Kaiden is able to climb, Geralt climbs his way out of this nightmare. Soon, he is out of the hole, shocking both Baron Bridges and Vance.
"Sir! You said that they'll never recover from this one!"- Vance exclaims- "Why are they still here?!"
Geralt smiles.
"Perhaps you truly underestimated us."- He says to them- "Shame on you."
Bael shakes his head.
"It's not over yet, children."- He says- "You still have to face me. And I am far more competent than you think."
As he continues to talk, he activates another switch. The walls to the left and right of Geralt and Kaiden open, revealing a pair of huge flamethrowers.
"Kai!"- Geralt yells- "Duck! Now!"
As the flamethrowers start to spew powerful flames, Geralt and Kaiden get on their knees, narrowly saving themselves from getting instantly incinerated. But that is the least of their troubles right now. Their current position has allowed the Baron himself to strike and he wastes no time to make their lives even more miserable than they were before, much to our heroes' dismay.
"And now, for the final act."- He says and smiles- "Let us see how the hunters become the prey!"
He pulls out a large amount of vicious-looking daggers and starts throwing them at Geralt and Kaiden. As they narrowly miss the two boys, they notice that the blades are coated in the same type of poison that is contained within the bats that they fought earlier.
"I can see that you're interested in my weapons, children."- Bael says- "Well, I think that you probably know about Avernum's bats already. Those beasts of burden are much more than the harmless, fluffy variety on the surface. Their fangs are huge and their screech can make you go deaf. And the potent venom inside of their greatest weapons has the potential to empower ours!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"You will not taint us, vile one!"- He exclaims- "Just because you have the advantage right now doesn't mean that we can't use your weapons against you!"
Bael smiles.
"I would like to see you try."
Kaiden nods.
"Be careful what you wish for."
As Bael continues to throw his daggers, a group of vigilantes emerges from the shadows and attacks our heroes.
"No, you lawless fools! Not yet!"- Bael exclaims- "This is not your time to shine!"
Geralt and Kaiden take this moment of distraction as an opportunity to escaoe from this danger zone. Geralt uses his sword to reflect the twin flames. Like a twin mirror, they are forced back against their creator, striking his allies and burning all of them (except for the Baron himself and Vance) to a crisp.
Bael is shocked by the fact that the tables just turned on him. He begins to shake in fury as he watches the heroes avoid the final bits of flame that are being launched toward them. He is barely able to sit in his chair and is eager to stand up and bring the fight back to them.
"You want to make me angry, huh?"- He asks- "Well, I'll advise against it. You don't want another powerful enemy on your minds."
Geralt shakes his head.
"There is no need to pretend that you are not our enemy."- He says to him- "You already are."
Bael raises his eyebrow.
"Is that so?"- He asks- "Then prepare to get annihilated!"
Then, he jumps out of his chair, surprising the two heroes and striking them down with just a single hit. Geralt creates a magical shield and uses it to deflect the Baron's attacks right back at him, but the man simply smiles and pulls out his dagger. Without a warning, he drives the small weapon into the shield, shattering it with just a single attack, shocking both Geralt and Kaiden.
"How is this possible?"- Kaiden asks- "Normal weapons cannot break magical armor! Unless... "
Bael smiles.
"Do you think that you're the only ones who are gifted and talented?"- He says- "Just try to use all of your magic against me. I'll bring it all down with little else than my blade."
Geralt nods.
"Then watch out, because we are going to do the same."
Geralt and Kaiden attempt to attack the Baron, but he proves to be too powerful for them. As they continue to bombard him with swords and spells, he easily deflects them and brings the heat back to them, causing them to become disoriented and confused."
However, the tables soon turn again, this time on our heroes' side. When Bael attempts to strike down their shield again, Geralt finds a flaw in his ways and stabs him in the left shoulder. As he yells out in pain, he lunges forward and kicks him in the arm. His magical dagger is thrown upwards and gets stuck on the ceiling, surprising Bael as he is trapped between both of the young heroes.
While Geralt points his sword at Baron Briges, Kaiden makes sure that his subordinate won't interfere. He approaches Vance and points his blade at him, anger burning inside of his heart.
"This is it for you, Mr. Bridges. You have reached the end of the line and your abilities."- He says- "There is no more trickery that you can use against us."
Bael smiles.
"Don't be so sure about that."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Umm."- He says- "What do you mean?"
Bael continues to smile.
"See for yourselves."
Suddenly, many warriors jump out from the shadows. In a matter of a single minute, they surround the shocked heroes, trapping them inside the lair. Our heroes manage to count about a hundred of them, if not more.
"Those people are servants of the Old Empire. Followers of the old ways."- Bael says- "Their heart is filled with hatred for the new residents of this world. They are old, mean, and ready to take back what they think is rightfully theirs."
He smiles.
"And I can't stop them. Not anymore."- He adds- "Say your prayers, boys, because this might be your last fight."
Geralt and Kaiden stare at each other for a few seconds. They turn around and shake their heads.
"Our prayers have already been said."- Geralt says- "And they have yet to be answered. Do not forget that."
Bael smiles.
"I don't have any fear of you, children. You're nothing more than past tense for us, the true saviors of this world."- He says- "Now, do your worst."
Geralt nods.
"Rest assured that we wi-- "
Suddenly, the walls behind the imperial warriors shatter. A group of loyalists breaks into the lair and kills at least twenty of them with a volley of arrows. As the rest of them charge, a lone man on a horse cuts through them and runs toward Bael.
"For Avernum!"
Then, he stops near the Baron and allows his horse to strike him down with its hoofs, sending him flying toward a nearby wall with tremendous speed and force.
"Grandpa!"- Geralt exclaims as he recognizes their savior- "You came for us!"
Jared climbs down and smiles.
"I would never allow my boys to go outside without the aid of our family."- He says- "The world is dangerous. We need to protect each other."
Kaiden smiles.
"We appreciate your help, grandpa."- He says- "But we're still in danger, if you're not already aware of that."
Jared sighs.
"Yes."- He says- "Yes, I do."
Bael stands up from the rubble and glares at Jared.
"You. You're here."- He says to him- "I thought that you were still safely sitting on your throne on the Surface. Why did you come here?"
Jared turns around and glares back.
"Because people like you deserve to be taught a lesson."- He responds- "In my life, I've seen many people who pretend that they're doing something good for this world. That they're capable of anything. However, I can tell that you are clearly the worst kind of villain, even though you would never openly admit it to anyone, even to yourself. So, spare yourself the trouble an perish quietly. A lot of people in those lands mistrust you and they would be happy once you are gone."
Vance clenches his fists again.
"Stop insulting our holy master!"- He exclaims- "He's much better than all of you combined! And he'll bring-- "
Jared glares at him.
"Be quiet, you faceless nobody!"
Scared by Jared's attitude, Vance takes a few steps back and joins the imperial soldiers as they continue to fight against their enemies.
"That's right."- Jared adds- "Good boy."
He turns around and looks at Kaiden.
"We might want to help them out."- He says- "We don't have many people to spare for this fight. The tables might turn against us if we make a wrong move."
Kaiden nods.
"You can count on me, grandpa!"
Jared nods. Then, he looks at Geralt.
"What about you, my boy?"- He asks him- "Can you last against this petty traitor?"
Geralt nods.
"There is no need to worry."- He says- "This person is mine. You take care of the rest."
Jared smiles.
"You know what? I think that you are finally starting to remind me of your father. The endless courage, the desire to make everything right."- He says- "You don't just have the DNA of your daddy, child. You have his blood."
With that, the two of them leave Geralt to fend for himself while they fight off the imperial warriors. 
As soon as they get close to the battlefield, Vance lunges at them. He is equipped with heavy armor and his face is no longer visible. Using one of the biggest greatswords both grandson and grandfather have ever seen in their lives, he strikes forth without any remorse.
However, before he could deliver an actual blow, Kaiden raises his hand and pushes him back with a wave of magic. When he tries to attack for a second time, he pushes him again. Something in the boy's lack of vision gives him incredible magical powers and he is capable of using them against his enemies with relative ease.
Vance is infuriated by Kaiden's ability to defend himself, having previously thought that he is just a helpless child. He charges forward again, but Kaiden smiles and envelops his head in a magical bubble.
As Vance struggles to break free, the bubble breaks, throwing him back again and giving him a massive headache.
But Vance refuses to give up. Even though he is not quite competent with his weapon, he is still far too eager to use it. And that's truly saying something, considering that most of his subordinates are already gone. Without any fear, he lunges again, intending to find a flaw in Kaiden's ways as soon as he possibly can.
Jared is tired of the man's incompetence. As soon as he gets close, he casts a spell and pierces his stomach with a ray of light, severely wounding and shocking him in the process.
"And let that be a lesson to you!"- He exclaims- "When you are down, you should stay down!"
Finally realizing that his chances of survival are quite low, Vance leaps to his feet and shrieks in surprise.
"Mommy!"- He yells as he attempts to push his soldiers and save his own skin.
Jared sighs and tosses Kaiden his gun.
"He's all yours, kid."
Kaiden does not waste any time to aim the gun. Even though he is blind, he is clearly able to tell where Vance is going. 
With a single shot, Kaiden sends a large bullet through the back of the cowardly general's head, sending him flying forward like a football, never to awaken again. A job well done, although it was not very clean and quiet.
"The general is dead!"- One of the enemy soldiers yells- "Long live the General!"
Bael angrily looks at the duo and shakes his head.
"Curse you, Kaos."- He says to Kaiden- "I'll make you pay for killing my top general. Rest assured of that."
Jared smiles and pats his grandson on the shoulder.
"Well done, kiddo. That was a good shot."- He says- "Don't worry about the lies that come out of that traitor's mouth. He won't live for long enough to get his revenge."
Bael smiles.
"Is that so?'- He says- "Watch this, then!"
Then, he lunges forward and viciously punches Geralt. His attacks manage to burn the boy's skin a little bit and the pain makes him concentrate a little bit slower. This gives the Baron the chance to throw Geralt back into a nearby wall, breaking it and lunging at him again.
"How does it feel to be on the losing side, bad boy?"- He asks Geralt- "It isn't very nice, is it?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I told you to not underestimate me!"
While Bael continues to attack, Geralt enchants his weapon with the power of fire. Incredible potential starts to burn inside of it as he charges and delives several powerful blows to his enemy, surprising and hurting him at the same time.
The Baron wipes some blood from his mouth. Then, he keeps on attacking. Just like his general, the man's determination is endless and his pride burns brighter than the shining moss on Avernum's ceilings. He is truly a man on a mission, even though his goals clearly differ from those of his opponents.
Geralt attempts to cast a powerful light spell to turn the tables in his favor, but Bael cuts through his thin line of defense and easily stabs him in the shoulder, throwing him back and watching as he attempts to stand back up.
"Do you see it now, Geralt? You have no chance of winning!"- He exclaims- "We are Avernum's Saviors! We are the true warriors of those lands! And we know everything that you do! No matter what you do, you will always lose to us! We are immort-- "
Suddenly, the dagger that is still stuck on the ceiling above Bael's head starts to break out. It falls down and pierces the unaware Baron in the back, shocking him and giving Geralt the chance to strike back,
Using the weapon that is stuck in his body, Geralt forces the dagger through Bael's chest, mortally wounding him in the process. He falls on his knees, unable to defend himself anymore.
"So... this is it, huh? This is the end of Avernum's Saviors? What a... shame."- Bael gasps- "Nice one, kid. You... clearly got me there."
Geralt nods.
"I guess that this had to happen."- He says and sighs- "I am sorry, Mr. Bridges. I wish that I could have given you a second chance."
Bael smiles.
"Me too, kid."
He lies on the ground and looks at him.
"Before I leave this world, could you give me a proper ending?"- He asks him- "You're Lawful Good. You're a truly good person. Maybe you can... finish me off. So you don't have to worry about me in the future."
Geralt draws his weapon.
"If this is what you want, I am happy to oblige."- He says- "Farewell, baron."
Bael nods.
"Farewell, child of Kaos."- He responds- "Beware of... the Emperor. He's very powerful... "
As Bael finally closes his eyes, Geralt drives his sword through the Baron's skull, ending his life without thinking too much about it. No tears. No hard feelings. Just a job being done. A mission being completed.
"Wow. That was some good karma. For us, not for him."- Kaiden says and looks at his brother- "Are you doing okay, little bro?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I could never feel worse than this."- He says- "I killed a person who was trying to fight for the good of this world. His time was not supposed to end like this. Not at all."
Kaiden raises his eyebrow.
"You actually feel pity for that criminal?"- He says- "I think that you're becoming way too sentimental. That will hinder you in the long run."
Geralt sighs.
"I can live on with it."- He says- "It is not a downside. It is a blessing."
Jared smiles.
"He's not wrong."- He says- "Few people are capable of feeling pity for enemies like those. Geralt is truly a gifted one."
Kaiden shakes his head.
"Whatever."
He looks at his brother.
"Anyway, I think that we should get out of this place."- He says- "Most of the warriors are already dead, and those precious few who survived this fight shall spread the news of our glorious victory. They will never dare to mess with us. Ever again."
Geralt sighs.
"I think that this is for the best."- He says- "I do not want to mess with those people anymore. The damage was already done. There is no need to make everything worse than it already is."
As the two siblings prepare to leave, Jared stops them.
"Hold on, boys!"- He exclaims- "There is something else that we need to take care of!"
Geralt turns around.
"What do you mean, grandpa?"- He asks- "The enemies have already been defeated. We have a mission to get back on the Surface. What else do we have to do here?"
Jared shakes his head.
"Just stand here and you will see."
The two boys watch as their grandfather approaches the late Baron's desk. Although there seems to be nothing out of the ordinary, the hero soon finds a secret compartment inside of it when he clicks a button in the lower left corner. There, he discovers some secret papers that the leader of "Avernum's Saviors" was desperately trying to hide. He shows them to the boys.
"According to those papers, it seems like the Empire is trying to build a portal that will enable them to send hundreds of soldiers in those lands.Just like the old times."- He says- "If they're allowed to succeed, then we can say goodbye to the home of our allies. It will be gone for good. Or maybe worse, it will be enslaved, with no chance to speak about their true feelings."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"The Empire is building a secret weapon?"- He asks- "Why did we not learn that earlier?"
Jared shakes his head.
"This is a secret project that those fools are trying to make a reality. It must have taken them years to build the place."- He says- "This means that the imperial scum has been conspiring under our noses for longer than we had anticipated."
He turns to his grandsons.
"So, boys."- He says- "Are you ready to make those fools pay? For invading those peaceful lands, I mean."
Geralt and Kaiden nod.
"If this will hurt the Empire, then we are in."- He says- "Let's bring the fight back to them."