MLII C2, P15- "A Thousand Miles"

"A Thousand Miles" is the fifteenth and last Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's second Chapter. It was released on 22.11.2020.
== Plot ==
Having agreed to travel with his best friend- John, Jared prepares for the inevitable, both physically and mentally, knowing that he should be ready when Rentar-Ihrno and her Vahnatai find them and try to kill them once again.
Even though he is stopped by the people he loves the most (Who make a futile attempt to convince him to stay in Paris), our hero's desire remains the same- go outside, find out the enemies that are lurking in the shadows and eradicate them once... and for all.
One thing is for sure- whatever happens next, Jared's life will surely change... somehow. The only problem is whether he will remain on the right path or decide to take another one, in an attempt to leave his dark past behind him forever.
So, take a deep breath and step into the shadows to find out what will happen to both Jared and John.
== Story ==
In the morning, Jared opens his eyes and looks around. He sees that he is in his room and lets out a sigh of relief.
"It feels great to be back in the place where I came from."- He says to himself- "My mind actually feels at ease."
He sighs.
"But this feeling of safety is not going to last for long. Not while I am outside... in unexplored territory."
He smiles.
"At least John will be with me."- He continues- "We will be fighting side by side, just like we always have. But this time, it will be just us against the world of evil. And it won't be an easy task, that is for sure."
Realizing that he is getting late for his meeting with John, Jared gets up from his bed.
"It is time to begin my new adventure with a blast!"- He says, runs downstairs and opens the door.
After going outside, he finds out that the town is almost empty. The city is still sleeping and there a few people on the streets.
In other words, very few souls will witness his departure when he leaves with John. And it is very likely that they will believe that he is simply going for a walk.
"Perfect."- Jared says and smiles- "Everything is according to plan, just as I calculated."
He looks at the area to the west and lets out a sigh of relief when he sees someone waiting for him there, immediately assuming that it is John who is patiently awaiting his arrival.
"All that remains is to go there, meet with my friend... and get out of this city."
He walks forward, having no suspicion that the person is actually John.
However, as he gets closer, he notices that the person is older than his friend. Too late, he focuses his eyes on his face and sees that it is actually his grandfather- Lethal.
"Oh... oh no."- Jared mutters, quickly realizing that he is in trouble.
Lethal gets closer to him and stares at him. His eyes are cold and disturbing. His hands are clenched in fists, as if he is angered by something.
It seems like Jared came too late.
"Well?"- Lethal says and taps his foot- "Where do you think you're going, child?"
Jared shakes his head.
"There is no need to worry, grandpa. I am just going for... for a walk. Nothing more."- He says and grins nervously- "I just want to breathe some fresh air... outside. I... I promise."
Jared tries to step forward, but Lethal prevents him from going farther.
"Stop!"- He exclaims- "I can see the cunning look in your eyes. You are hiding something!"
He calmly stares into his eyes, searching for a weakness. This makes Jared feel uncomfortable.
"You've never been good with lies, child. And you will never be."- Lethal continues- "Now tell me. Where are you going? And why is John coming with you?"
Jared raises his eyebrow, surprirsed.
"J-John?"- He stutters- "What do you mean?"
Lethal smiles and whistles for someone.
A few moments later, Jared is surrounded by people that he knows. Among them is John who does not dare to look at Jared for some reason.
Jared approaches him.
"John? What happened?"- He asks him- "Why did you let them learn about our secret?"
John does not say anything. Instead, Lethal decides to speak about this:
"Just like you're not good at lying to someone else, your friend is not good at keeping secrets."- He says- "We caught him in a tight spot and he was forced to tell us what you are... were planning to do."
Those words make Jared very angry. He places his hand close to his sword, intending to draw it and intimidate Lethal.
However, he soon realizes that he is dealing with a member of his family. And that member is his grandfather- one of the people he loves the most, for whom he can do anything and truly cares about his safety. He decides to not lash out at him and simply says:
"This is not your business, grandpa. And it is not anyone else's business either."- He responds stoically- "Me and John have decided to separate from this community and nothing can stop us from doing that. No matter what you say, we will go."
He pats his best friend on the shoulder.
"Come on, John. There is nothing to fear."- He says to him- "Let us begin our journey."
However, Lethal is faster than them. He pushes both his grandson and his best friend away from the gate and shakes his head.
"Children, it is very unwise to ignore what your elders are saying to you."- He says- "So, stay back or I will be forced to take you back into the city by force."
Jared shakes his head.
"As much as I respect you, grandpa, you cannot tell me where I should and should not go. I am a responsible young person and there are people who still need my help."- He responds- "Sure, people here still need my help. But they can take care of themselves now, after Dorikas' demise and the end of the Darkside Loyalists. They do not need my help anymore."
"But there are people out there who are being tormented by sinister forces of evil, ones that we have never met before! And, if I want to show everyone that I am a true hero, I must go outside and master the ways of both blades and magic... only with my most trusted ally."
He looks at John and smiles. John smiles back.
Jared's words make the people around them realize that there is no way to stop someone as determined as him, as much as they want to. They wisely step aside and allow the two of them to leave. 
Jared nods to them in gratitude.
However, Lethal does not step out of the way and continues to stare at both his grandson and his best friend coldly.
"Even though I respect your decision and want you to become a better person, this is not the only way to do that."- He says- "Look around, Jared! This is your home. This is where everyone that you love is located! We fought so hard for this place. We spent so many years, trying to keep it safe from evil and make it a safe haven for the people inside. And what are you doing now? Abandoning all that we are fighting for, searching for a new cause, new people to protect! Foolishly trying to find a purpose in your troubled life!"
"But tell me, child. Do you really care about your family?"- He continues- "What if one of us gets hurt while you are absent? What if we're unable to fight Rentar-Ihrno's Vahnatai by themselves? They're looking for you, Jared. And they will stop at nothing to avenge the death of their most valuable ally- Dorikas, who was slain by the one who is standing in front of me."
Jared shakes his head.
"And what if they do not find me?"- He asks him- "They cannot do anything if I am not around."
Lethal sighs.
"If they don't find you, they're going to slaughter all of us. All of your friends and family will fall to their blades and magic... until they finally find you."- He responds- "And trust me, when they do, nobody will be able to help you. Nobody."
He looks up at him, seeing the confusion in his eyes.
"Well?"- He says- "Do you finally comprehend how serious the situation is for everyone? Do you realize how important it is for everyone to fight together, side by side? And, most importantly, does your mind realize what it means to have people that you must protect at all costs, people who will always trust you and you can trust them back? Or are you still the young, confused person that you have always been?"
Jared has finally had enough of this small talk. He smirks, pushes his grandfather out of the way and whistles for John.
"You should be the first to realize it, but let me clarify it to you."- He says stoically- "The young, childish Jared that you used to know is long gone. The one that you are speaking with right now... is a completely different person."
Lethal gasps.
"I... I don't understand."
Jared turns around. His eyes show signs of both anger and determination. He is not going to back down from the promise that he has made to his best friend and to the people outside the city's walls.
"Everything that I have experienced throughout the years has changed me, grandpa."- He continues- "The enemies that we were forced to fight to protect the innocent people around here and in Avernum. The lands that I explored and the friends that I met on the way to wisdom. And, most importantly, the deaths of both mom and uncle... they made me a different person, but not in a bad way."
He looks at the dark sky above him.
"Now, I see the world in a different way. I see that evil lurks around every corner. And that nothing can truly be defeated, not without finding the true sources of evil around us. I see that we live in a world of lies, where everyone thinks that they can live a normal life, without worrying about a single thing. Thinking that the Government will always protect them from evil."
He waves his hand around him.
"Everything that you see here is a simple illusion, a place that will never be the same. People who will never forget the nightmares that they experienced, nor forgive those who have commited those horrible crimes."- He says- "As for me, this place will always be like a room with a low roof- An uninteresting land that I cannot stay within for very long. Although it is my home, I can never feel truly safe... or sound. Or happy. Not here. Not now. As much as I want to believe otherwise."
He sighs and shakes his head.
"No. The world is changing, grandpa. And so am I."- He says- "And if you love me, let me go. If you truly care about me, show me how much you do and send me on my way. I promise that I will fight only for the good of our sacred world and nothing else. I will keep the innocents safe and sound and I will destroy every evil creature that tries to disrupt this delicate balance, even if I have to fight other humans."
"And that... is a promise."- He adds.
Lethal sighs, realizing that he cannot fight fire with fire. Especially if this fire burns so bright.
He finally gives up and says:
"Your words made me realize how much you have changed. How much I have grown older since we reunited. How much I want to be a better grandfather."- He says- "And how much I will miss you when you're away from us... "
He shakes his head.
"No. You're a completely different person now. Time has changed you and you can never be the same."- He continues- "What I said before... I was completely wrong about it. You are no longer the weak, dependent child that always relied on the support of its parents. You are no longer a young man who cannot find the purpose in his life. Now, you are a strong, determined person who is always looking for a way to help the people around him. Whom everyone can trust and respect, all due to the good deeds that he has done throughout the years and shall do in the future as well."
Lethal smiles and approaches Jared. He pats him on the shoulder.
"In your eyes, I can see the flames of determination. Of courage. Of kindness. Always burning for the good of everyone around you."- He says- "And I will never stop you from doing what's right."
He looks at the gate and smiles sadly.
"So, what are you waiting for? Go out there and show the world that there is still one true hero who will always care about them and keep them safe at all costs."
Jared nods and raises his eyebrow.
"Grandpa, thank you for trusting me in a situation like this."- He responds- "But I want to know this. Are you strong enough to defend yourself, should the evil Vahnatai come and try to kill all of you? Are you ready to defend the place that we always fought for, no matter where we were?"
Lethal nods confidently.
"As long as we know that you're still out there, still bravely fighting evil and vanquishing its servants, we won't surrender to those fools."- He says and smiles- "Those Vahnatai will get quite a surprise when they come here. And it won't be a pleasant one, I assure you!"
Jared smiles as well. He hugs his grandfather.
"Stay safe, grandpa."- He says- "You will always be on my mind."
Lethal nods.
"It's the same for me, child."- He responds- "Be careful and fear not. Whenever you fight evil, you will never be alone. We will always fight side by side, no matter how far apart from each other we are."
Having said that, Jared nods to John and the two of them leave the gates as everyone watches them, smiling while they do that.
At first, Lethal seems to be torn between the decision whether to try to stop his grandson once again or simply let him go. Fortunately, the latter prevails and he smiles again. He also waves at them as they slowly walk further outside until they disappear.
"Children grow so fast. Like father, like son, they both became mature and left their old, sad memories behind to make new, happier ones."- He says to himself and sighs- "I always try to keep all of them beside me, but I never realize what is more important than that- The memories that you make with them while they're still around. The joy, the sadness, the grief. As a parental figure, I have always experienced them, no matter if I was with Aleks, Jared or Marinette. But all that is left after they are gone... is a void. A part of me that is gone forever, that can never be repaired. A part of my soul that will always make me sad, even in my happiest moments."
He looks at Marinette and sees that she is staring at him as well. Her eyes are cold, as if she is questioning him why he let her dear brother go by himself, with a man who is not a part of their family.
He sighs and hugs her.
"She is the only one that I have left. One of the few people who depend on me and whom I must protect with my own life."- He continues- "Jared is right. She does need my help and I mustn't let her go after him, for the sake of keeping both of them safe and apart. It is all for a righteous cause, after all."
He looks up at the sky and smiles.
"Do not worry, child. Wherever you are, proceed with your quest and don't worry about us."- He continues- "This place will remain a safe haven for all of us, no matter how hard our enemies try to divide us. No matter how hard they try, they will never break us down."
"And we will patiently wait for you to come back home."
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On the road, Jared and John stare at each other as they walk forward, thinking about what they just did.
"So, where shall we go next, comrade?"- John asks.
Jared smiles.
"Wherever the wind takes us, my friend."- He responds- "We are leaves in the wind and wherever it takes us, there will always be a light in the darkness."
Satisfied with his best friend's answer, John looks at the area ahead of him without another word.
And so, our heroes have left the safe confines of the city of Paris and began their journey towards unknown lands, with the intention to find more people in need and help them out. They know that Rentar-Ihrno and her Vahnatai have hurt more than just the citizens of Paris and the Avernites and that there are many more innocent people who will be grateful for their help.
But they won't be helping them because they need rewards for their services. No, quite the opposite. The gratitude of the ones that they help is more than enough for them, and they know it quite well.
However, there is a long road ahead of them. There are many enemies who will try to kill them on the way and many obstacles that will try to prevent them from reaching the innocents in need. But that won't stop them from fighting. Instead, it will motivate them to continue and prove that nothing is impossible and no one is unbeatable.
The heroes have finally chosen their true path. All that is left for them is to find the enemies and eradicate them once... and for all.
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While Jared and John are getting further away from the city of Paris, Lethal returns into the hospital where Annie is located and enters her room.
He sees that she is awake and sits on a chair next to her.
Looking closer, he sees that she is lost in deep in thought.
"What's on your mind, sweetie?"- Lethal asks her.
Annie looks up and smiles.
"Oh. It's you, Mr. Kaos."- She says- "I was thinking about Jared. He's been so troubled by everything that's been going on lately that he didn't visit me again."
She stares at him suspiciously.
"By the way, where is he?"- She asks him- "I want to see him, at least once more. I don't want to be away from him for... for so long... without seeing his face one last time. Please, let me see him."
Lethal sighs and shakes his head.
"I'm afraid that I cannot fulfill your request, dear Annie."- He responds- "Unfortunately, Jared is already gone. I couldn't stop him. He left only a few minutes ago and he was not intending to say goodbye to anyone. He was in a hurry."
Annie sighs.
"I... I understand."- She says- "Thank you for telling me about it."
Realizing that she cannot go after him, she finally gives up and looks at the window.
She sees the streets of Paris, bustling with activity. People are walking on them, trying to get to work. Chidren are playing in the nearby garden, unconcerned about the threat of an attack by Rentar-Ihrno's Vahnatai.
However, there is one difference that Annie can easily tell. Her beloved Jared is no longer with them. And she did nothing to stop him when she had the chance to do so.
Now, she simply stands by the window and smiles, thinking about the time when they used to fight side by side.
"Good luck, Jared."- She says- "Wherever you are."
== Trivia ==
* "And if you love me, let me go." is a reference to the lyrics of a song by "Panic! At The Disco" known as "This Is Gospel".