ML C10, P4- "Hope"

"Hope" is the fourth Part of "Miracula Luxia" 's final Chapter. It was released on 05.06.2020.
== Plot ==
Jared manages to save his dear friend Annie from the jaws of death by killing the ones who were harrassing her, but soon finds out that they told her something that has created an emotional scar in her heart.
In a desperate attempt to comfort his friend, our hero tries to take her away from danger and help her be at peace. Even if it only lasts for a short time.
== Story ==
Jared attacks the hostiles who have surrounded Annie and manages to take one of them by surprise, killing him immediately.
The others realize that he is clearly very angry and try to defend themselves, but ultimately fail as our hero kills both of them in a fit of pure rage.
Annie stares at the three fresh corpses of the hostiles, then at her friend. She does not say anything- not a word of thanks, not even a smile to assure him that she is fine.
She simply stands up and looks elsewhere.
"Annie?"- Jared says- "Is something wrong?"
Annie does not respond.
"Come on, Annie. Please, say something. You're worrying me!"
Annie shakes her head.
"..."
Jared gets in front of her and gently lifts her chin to look at her.
"It is okay."- He says calmly- "You can tell me if something happened. Did they hurt you?"
Annie stares at Jared's eyes. He is clearly not going to back down.
She sighs and stares at him, a sad look appearing on her face instead of her neutral one.
"It's about my grandfather."- She says- "Those people said that they met him. And they took his life."
"I... I wanted to kill them for what they've done, Jared, but I was too scared. Too afraid. Believed that he is still out there, still looking for me."
Jared puts his hand on Annie's shoulder and smiles.
"And he is. I felt your grandfather's energy. He is still out there."
"In other words, those fools were complete liars.
Annie raises her eyebrow.
"Are you sure? They sounded honest... about it."
Jared nods.
"My aunt taught be a bit about spiritual energies and how to detect a ghostly figure that is nearby. Since I met your grandfather before, I can easily recognize his energy."
Annie gasps.
"... Amazing! You... you never told me that you had such abilities!"- She exclaims.
Jared smiles nervously and shakes his head.
"My family didn't raise a fool. I was taught in many ways, not just fighting and loyalty."
"And it truly looks like it."- Annie responds- "But... "
She looks at the palms of her hands and begins to cry.
"Hey. W-what is wrong?"- Jared asks her.
Annie shakes her head.
"Even if he's still out there, I'll never be able to find him. I lost him, Jared! I lost the only member of my family that I had left."
Jared shakes his head in dismay. Annie's crying and believing that she will never see her grandfather again is clearly worrying him. A lot.
However, instead of telling her that they will do their best to find him, no matter what, he gently takes her hand in his.
She looks up, surprised.
"Jared? What are you... "
He smiles.
"I know that you are worried. And that is why I want to take you somewhere special."- He says- "Please, come with me."
Annie nods and accompanies him outside the corner.
"Where are you taking me?"- She wonders.
He smiles again.
"A place that you will probably like. Now be patient. It actually takes quite a while to get there."
Annie nods.
"Well, if you say so."- She says stoically.
A few hours later, the two of them approach the place Jared was talking about- the Eiffel Tower.
"The Eiffel Tower?"- Annie says- "This is the special place?"
Jared nods.
"Well, it is special for me, at the very least."
The two of them stand under the tower as the sun slowly goes down.
"My. It's so beautiful."- Annie says as she watches the sunset.
Jared nods and looks at her.
"This place is always the perfect spot to watch the sunset. When I was younger, I used to come here with Akari. We sat and watched the sun go down. We talked about our dreams, our future and of course, our future love interest."
Annie nods.
"When I was younger, I used to like a boy at my school. Unfortunately, the boy was taken away by his parents to study at another school. I was sad, but I also knew that there's plenty of fish in the sea. That he's not the only one for me. I knew that in order to find the perfect man, I have to actually try to find him."
"And I did... "- She says to herself.
Something in Annie's words forces Jared to stare at her again.
"Annie."- He says.
"Hm?"
Jared looks down.
"You know, we've known each other for so long that I felt like it has been forever. All the things that we experienced together, all the pain that we felt. We were always there for each other."
"I have to admit it, Annie. You... you are... "
Annie raises her eyebrow.
"And what am I, to you?"- She asks her friend.
Jared stares at her nervously at first, unable to say anything. However, he later decides to not make her feel annoyed and says:
"You are like a sister to me. A sister who is always there for me."
Annie sighs.
"Really? This is all I am to you after all this time?"- She says to herself- "Well, now I'll show you what you mean to me, hon'."
She smiles.
"Now can I say what you mean to me, Jared?"
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Sure. I am listening."
"Go ahead."
Annie slowly approaches Jared, gets her lips closer to his and kisses him.
Then she suddenly backs away, unsure if what she did was right.
She looks up and sees that Jared's face is now very red. Is it because of the sunset. Or... is he... ?
"Annie. I... "
She shakes her head.
"Sorry. I got too far with this. I just wanted to... to say that you mean the world. And, whatever happens next, I will always be there for you."
Jared smiles.
"So am I. We will never be apart again."
He approaches her and does the same thing she did a few moments ago- he kisses her.
"Akari will be mad if she hears about this, but I does not matter. Not anymore."
Annie raises her eyebrow.
"So you love her... and me?"
Jared nods.
"Yes."- He says stoically.
Annie blushes.
"So, I'm in love with a boy who is in love with another girl, but also loves me?"- She says to herself- "Man, this is truly a love triangle, if I've even seen one."
"Mama told me about such things that could happen in my life, so I'd better be careful."
She looks up and sees that someone in the distance is fighting against a bunch of enemies.
"Jared, look!"- She points at that direction.
Jared recognizes the person immediately.
"It's Akari! We must help her!"- He says and quickly stands up.
He runs forward, almost forgetting about Annie.
Until she trips and falls.
He looks back and sees her laying on the ground.
"Jesus! Annie!"- He says and runs to her- "Are you alright?"
She smiles.
"I just tried to hurry a little bit. Don't worry, I'm fine."
He shakes his head.
"No, Annie. You cannot walk in this condition. Here, let me help you."
He lifts her in his arms.
"You know that I'm a little heavy, right?"- She asks him.
He smiles.
"It doesn't matter how much you weight. As long as I know that I could keep you safe, that does not matter to me."
"Now, let's go. I need to take you somewhere safe before I go to help Akari."
Annie nods.
"Let's not waste any time. Every second is important."
"Indeed."- Jared responds and runs ahead, carring Annie in his arms and intending to keep her safe, just like he always has.