MLPH C2, P1- "Stay A While And Listen"

"Stay A While And Listen" is the first Part of "Miracula Luxia: Patient Hope" 's second Chapter. It was released on 15.05.2020.
== Plot ==
After finally finding a safe haven in this godforsaken world, Jared and John are welcomed as they should be- as brave heroes who deserve attention and respect.
Jared realizes that not everything is alright and wants to help the warriors out. However, he first has to speak with the leader of the new settlement, who is surprisingly eager to talk to him- whether it's about the world around them, the dangerous monsters that inhabit it or just casually talking to him.
== Story ==
"Well, would you look at that!"- John says- "I've never even imagined that there would be a whole settlement outside the city, surviving on its own!"
Jared glares at him and sighs.
"Just keep your composure, John."- He whispers to him- "We don't know how friendly they are yet and whether they will tolerate us completely."
John nods.
"I know. I know. Well... at least I will try."- He whispers back and looks ahead again.
After a short walk, the warriors escort the boys to a large house, with two huge guards standing guard on both sides of its door.
The two guards stare coldly at Jared and John.
John grins nervously.
"Umm... we don't mean no harm."- He says.
The guards raise their weapons and point them at the boys.
"Woah! Woah! Folks, stop it right this instant!"- One of the warriors by Jared's side yells- "Don't you know that you're in the presence of the Chosen One."
One of the guards lowers his weapon and raises his eyebrow.
"The... Chosen One?"- He says, barely believing what he is saying.
The other one looks at John.
"There's no way that this wimp is the Chosen One!"- He says.
The warrior shakes his head.
"No, no. The Chosen One... is this boy."
He points at Jared.
Jared looks at the two guards (who are looking back at him) and nods, trying to act cool in front of them.
"Yes. T-that's me!"- He says.
The guards look at each other briefly. Then, one of them inspects Jared closely.
Finally, they come to a conclusion. They nod.
"We didn't expet you to be this... small, but okay. You may go in."- The first says.
"But if you misbehave or do something stupid, we are going to punish you. Same goes for your friend."- The other one adds.
Jared nods.
"You have my word."- He says.
The guards step aside and let everyone in.
When Jared steps inside the building, he is immediately greeted by a man in dirty robes.
"Oh, thank the Gods!"- The man says and shakes Jared's hand- "You must be the Chosen One!"
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"How do you know that?"- He wonders.
The man smiles.
"Well, only a powerful person such as the Chosen One himself might be able to take all of those undead down with minimal trouble. And that must be you!"
"We have so much to talk about. Come, our leader is awaiting your arrival!"
The man escorts Jared and John into their leader's office while the warriors wait outside with the guards.
After going through a small passage, the three of them arrive in a small, isolated room. Its design is very simple- no furniture. No windows. Only a small desk is placced in the middle of the room, standing ominously like a small, brown monolith.
On the chair next to it, a man sits and looks at the papers on the desk, lost in thought.
The man with Jared clears his throat to get the sitting man's attention.
He looks up.
When he realizes that the ones he has been waiting for have come, he stands up from his desk and looks at them.
"Which one of you, folks, is the almighty Chosen One?"
Jared does not respond, being too shy to do so in front of someone important, so John takes it upon himself to introduce Jared to the man.
"Yes, sir!"- He says- "The little man who stands before you... is the Chosen One!"
He points at Jared.
The man nods and smiles. Then, he looks at John.
"And who might you be, kind sir?"
John smiles.
"Oh, I'm just a friend of his. A good friend, that is all."
The man nods.
"I see. Very well, then."
He motions for Jared and John to sit next to him.
"Sit down, my friends. We have a lot to discuss."
As they sit down, he remembers something important.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. How foolish of me! I am General Knave, or simply Knave and I am the leader of this troubled settlement."
"Would you, righteous folks, like a drink? We don't have much, but we can offer water at the very least, if that is good enough for you."
Jared shakes his head.
"It's okay, sir."- He says- "We know how important every drop of water is for you and your allies, so... we prefer not to."
John sighs.
"But Jared!"- He says- "Both of us are thirsty! We need water."
Jared glares at John.
"We can get some water from our cruiser! There's plenty in there!"- He whispers back- "Besides, I don't want to sound like a greedy person. And neither do you, right?"
John nods.
"Alright then. Just stay quiet and let me do the talking."
"As you wish."- John mutters and tilts his head down.
Jared turns back to the general.
"I never thought that I would meet a full general."- He says.
General Knave smiles.
"Well, you see him now, in all of his glory."- He responds- "But now, let us get back to our talk. Tell me everything, how you came to be here and why you decided to save our allies."
Jared decides that the general is important enough to share all that he knows with. He tells him how he and John barely escaped the infested city of Paris after Jared woke up from a long coma, trying to look for their family and friends and how they unexpectedly stumbled upon this settlement.
The general nods.
"Interesting."- He says- "So... you're the last ones, I assume?"
Jared shrugs, not sure how to answer.
John looks up.
"We didn't see anyone else."- He says- "Or rather, anyone... alive."
General Knave nods.
"Yes. They all fled days ago. You must be the last ones who evacuated. Thank the Gods that those monstrosities didn't harm you."
Jared nods.
"We heard that your settlement is having trouble with the undead. Is there anything we can do to save you the trouble of doing it yourselves?"
The general nods, albeit reluctantly.
"Well, there are many things for us to do, but we... we don't want to involve a hero in them. So... I'm sorry."
John crosses his arms.
"What?!"- He says- "You brought us all the way to here, just to tell us that there is nothing that we can do to help you? I mean come on, General. We live to Protect and Serve, not to Sit and Wait!"
The general and John look at each other for a few moments. Finally, the general decides to break the awkward silence by speaking to the boys.
"You're right. Such potential must not be wasted, not in a time like this!"
"Very well. I will give you a quest... although I fear that it might be a bit hard for the two of you."
The two boys stare at the general hopefully.
"Tell us, general."- Jared says.
The general nods and smiles.
"There is an invasion incoming. We need you to distract the attackers while we strike back with full force."
"Can we kill any of them?"- Jared asks.
The general nods eagerly.
"Yes! By the Gods, yes! If you can, please kill all of them! We will be forever in your debt!"
"That is, if you can kill all of them at once."
John grins.
"Leave it to us, sir."- He says- "We can take out the undead! No problem at all!"
The general shakes his head.
"No, my boy. Unfortunately, we are not talking about undead. Not now, at least."
"Right now, we are talking about humans. Real, living humans."