MLII C8, P5- "Brave"

"Brave" is the fifth Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's eighth Chapter.
It was released on 07.08.2021.
== Plot ==
A single mistake made by our heroes has managed to plunge the whole city into total chaos. Even though Grah-Hoth was defeated and driven back into his fortress, his forces are now here, laying waste upon everything (and everyone) that they come across.
Jared, his father and his grandfather must rally the forces of Light and send them to fight this neverending horde of bloodthirsty fiends.
However, Jared will be unable to help them for long. He has his own road to follow and his own demons to defeat. Soon, destiny will force him to come face to face with the one who will test his abilities for the last time and decide whether he is ready to face this world from the ultimate evil or not.
Either way, a bright future is lying ahead of him. The question is whether he will be lucky enough to witness it with his own eyes.
== Story ==
Jared and his grandfather see Aleks in the distance. A platoon of soldiers is standing in front of him.
From this distance, they are able to tell that he is saying something to them, perhaps something inspiring or motivational. However, they are unable to hear what he is actually saying.
"The world needs your help more than it ever did, Jared."- Lethal says to him- "It is time for you to stand up and fight the ones who are trying to break us down."
Jared nods.
"And I will show them no mercy."- He responds- "Come on, grandpa. Let us do this. Let us save the world."
Lethal nods.
"I'm right behind you, my child."
A few minutes later, the two of them are close enough to see (and hear) that Aleks is actually trying to encourage the soldiers to fight back. 
Some of them are wounded. Others have been stripped of their weapons by their enemies.
And the rest of them? They are simply scared of the ones who are attacking the city.
"Dad. I am here."- Jared says to his father, managing to get his attention.
When Aleks turns around, the first thing that he does is to check whether his son is wounded or not. Satisfied that it is the latter, he decides to talk to him.
"Curse that little fiend!"- He says- "When he freed the Haakai's soul, the whole city was attacked by demons. Now, they're everywhere and we're deciding whether it's wise to defend the city from them or simply hold back and attempt to think of an escape plan to safely evacuate the city."
Jared nods.
"Well."- He says- "Maybe we can do both?"
Both Lethal and Aleks turn around to look at him. They are surprised by this unexpected response.
Aleks raises his eyebrow.
"How so?"- He asks- "You mean that we're going to both fight them... and run away?"
Jared nods.
"Exactly."- He says- "However, I need to know what is happening first. I want to make sure that everyone is ready for what has yet to come."
He turns to the soldiers and looks at them.
"So. The demon has been unleashed. All of us are being tested by it. This is the ultimate challenge and I expect you to fight as valiantly as you did before."- He says to them- "Anyway, what's the situation in the rest of the city? I would like to know every single detail. Try not to spare anything, as it will be for the good of everyone."
One of the soldiers steps forward and decides to explain everything to Jared.
"The situation is horrible, sir."- He says- "At first, everything seemed to be under control. The city was safe. No demons were trying to enter through the gates... or anywhere else, really. And then... bam! Portals appeared everywhere in the city. Fiends flooded it and started to smash down the buildings. Our soldiers tried to stop them, but they became easy prey to their neverending army. Some of them were even turned into undead by their necromancers. Now, most of our soldiers are dead on the battlefield and the demons are still destroying everything that they see, living or not. In other worlds, they're making our town into a giant ruin!"
Jared takes a look at the area around him. Indeed, the situation is very bad, just like the soldier described it.
Everywhere, demons are destroying the buildings that they come across, leaving nothing but ruins and despair. People are getting slain. Some of them are turned into undead by the necromancers that are standing behind the demonic soldiers.
To Jared, this seems like a neverending nightmare. A desolate wasteland that cannot be brought back to life, no matter how hard they try to do so.
Jared turns back to his father and shakes his head. Tears start to fall down from his eyes.
"It is my fault, dad."- He says- "I tried to be a hero. I tried to save the city and do something that everyone would be proud of. However, all that I brought here was darkness and despair. Nothing more."
Aleks puts his hand on Jared's shoulder.
"This is not the right time to feel weak and useless."- He responds- "It's not your fault. You did what you could. You fought them with all of your might, with all of the valor and courage that you built up during all of those battles. However, now we must do what is best for our people. Blaming yourself for the world's problems will not help. Instead, you should fight them and show them that you're not afraid. Do you understand that?"
Jared nods.
"I do, dad."- He mutters- "I do."
Aleks nods and smiles.
"Good. I am glad."- He says- "Now, back to the matter at hand. You mentioned that we could both fight the demons and run away. Does this mean that you have a plan?"
Jared looks up.
"Yes. I do have a plan."- He responds- "And I am planning to make it a reality. No matter how long it takes. No matter whom or what I will have to fight."
He looks at his father.
"It is clear that our hometown is beyond saving. For the moment, at the very least."- He says- "My plan is to take us out of this place, but not before hurting the demons a little bit. We are going to fight our way past their hordes of warriors and show them that the heroes are not going to give up that easily. We will make their numbers as low as possible. And then, when they least expect it, we shall attack the city and seal the portals from whence they came from."
Aleks smiles.
"Now that's a good plan."- He says- "I like it!"
He turns to the remaining soldiers.
"Warriors, we are close to achieving our goal. All that we have to do is to fight past this army and get to the rest of our families outside the city."- He says- "Look. I know that you're tired of this nonsense. I know that you want to return to your daily, uneventful lives. But this is a time when any brave warrior can make a difference and stop the forces of evil. So, I want you to concentrate and prepare for a long, hard battle, away from this place. Fight like it is your last battle... and you shall see the sun again."
One of the soldiers steps forward and looks at Aleks. He seems to be a little nervous.
"But sir."- He says- "What if this is indeed our last battle? What if we fall and we're never able to get back up again?"
Aleks thinks about this for a few seconds. Then he looks at Jared and remembers what he promised his mother. He remembers how he made a promise that he will protect him in every possible way, even by risking his own life.
"Then we will keep fighting valiantly, like we always have."- He says proudly- "We will fight the forces of evil, even if it means certain death. Even if it means that we won't get the chance to see our families again. When we became warriors, we made a promise to protect what is dear to us. Our homes. Our city. And, most importantly, the people for whom we are ready to throw away our own lives, just to keep them alive and well. We are heroes... and we must act like it."
Jared remembers how he had to leave Meggy alone. Tears start to fall from his eyes as he realizes that she and their unborn child are still in danger.
"Stop acting like you are being sent on a death sentence!"- He yells at the soldiers- "This will not be our last battle! I am sure of it! Just swing your blade at those fiends and you will see that it is not impossible! Just keep fighting back and believe in what is right. We will make it out. Our families need us and we need them, too! So stop being so childish and stand up! Let us make them all proud!"
Jared's words manage to break the veil of insecurity that is clouding the minds of the soldiers. Wounded or not, all of them of them start to stand up and reach their hands for their weapons.
They are finally ready to fight their way out.
"Lead the way, sir."- One of them says- "Let's take back what is rightfully ours from those fiends."
Having heard the soldiers' response, Jared is ready to go. He draws his weapon and prepares to move forward.
"Jared. Just in case we fail to make it out of this place, I want you to know this."- Aleks says to him- "Me and your mother love you very much. And we will never stop, even when we're separated from each other. We care about you and we want you to succeed in life. We want you to stay strong, to stay positive, even in the face of imminent danger. So, I hope that you will always remember that, even when we're not around anymore."
Jared nods and smiles.
"I love you too, dad."- He says- "Thank you for believing in me."
Then, he hugs his father. 
Meanwhile, his father hugs him as well and pats him on the shoulder.
"Stay strong, child."- He says to him- "We'll make it out of this one. Mark my words."
Having said that, the two of them join the soldiers and Lethal in marching towards the nearest gate of the city.
Unsurpisingly, the hordes of demons that are scattered in the area manage to pick up their scent almost immediately. They charge towards them, intending to kill them before they can make it to the exit.
"Here they come!"- Aleks yells- "Warriors, draw your weapons! It's time to fight!"
Listening to his orders, the warriors draw their weapons and start to shoot arrows at the incoming horde of demons.
Fortunately, most of the arrows manage to hit their targets. Soon, a large amount of the demons lie dead on the ground, unable to assist their allies anymore.
"That is the spirit!"- Jared says- "But there are still more of them. Assemble a defensive formation and defend your positions!"
The rest of the warriors waste no time to draw their swords. Once the demons are close enough, they swing their weapons towards them and manage to form a lethal tornado of destruction.
Meanwhile, a lightning suddenly strikes down and hits Jared's blade. Soon, it is infused with its energy and he is ready for action.
When the demons finally realize who is their true enemy in this situation, Jared has managed to charge his blade even further than before. As the fiends start to advance upon him, he charges and swings it at them.
Upon touching one of the demons, the surface of the blade releases a deadly spark that quickly jumps from enemy to enemy, stunning them and making them unable to fight back.
Taking advantage of this temporary moment of weakness, Jared jumps in the air. Once he reaches the ground, he slams the blade into it, sending a missive jolt that destroys every enemy that is unlucky enough to be around him.
Soon, all of the attacking demons are dead. Our heroes are free to leave this place.
Once they get close enough to the gate, however, a small group of demons jumps out of the nearby bushes and attacks them, thinking that they will be easy prey. However, they are mistaken as our heroes are prepared for such an assault.
Immediately after the first three of them jump out, Jared swings his charged blade at them and incinerates them, leaving nothing but a pile of ashes behind.
Meanwhile, the rest of the attacking demons are easily shot down by a group of archers on the walls who have decided to assist them, having seen them approach the gates from a distance.
"Come on. Get moving."- Jared says to the soldiers- "You want to be with your families, right? Go right ahead. Nothing is stopping you anymore."
The soldiers take one last look at him and notice the determination in his eyes. Seeing that there is no way to convince him to come with them, they pass through the gate and leave him, his father and his grandfather alone.
Meanwhile, two people approach them from a distance. Upon closer inspection, our heroes realize that they are Florence and Erika.
Florence is a young scientist who came from the distant past to assist Jared and Aleks in protecting the city of Paris. Erika is the granddaughter of Erika Redmark- the Archmage of Avernum, who is an Archmage herself. A very capable woman who is able to cast powerful spells and protect those who are dear to her. 
In other words, both of them are very valuable allies.
"Thank god that you made it out!"- Florence says and hugs Jared- "We all thought that you died back there, but we were too scared to find out if that's really the whole truth."
Jared nods.
"Well. As you can see, I am still here. I am still alive and safe."- He says- "More or less."
He looks at her.
"Where is Meggy? Where is my girlfriend?"- He asks her immediately afterwards- "Did she make it out as well?"
Florence smiles.
"Oh. Don't worry about the love of your life."- She responds- "The first thing that I did when this whole city was attacked by those creatures was to escort our friends out of there. Meggy was a little harder to take care of since she's still pregnant, but I did my best to keep her safe for the time being. When she was ready to go, I took her to our camp and made sure that she's feeling comfortable. Because, you know, she'll be a mama soon. And all future mothers depend on someone else's help when a situation like this pops out. I was something like her guardian angel... and she's very thankful for it."
Jared nods and smiles.
"Thank you for keeping her safe."- He says to her- "I was so worried. I am glad that everything went well for all of you."
Florence nods and looks at Aleks.
"Mr. Kaos, we're nearly done with creating a temporary defense that will keep those creatures bottled in."- She says- "However, we might need some more time. Can you keep us safe until it's completed?"
Aleks nods.
"Of course, Florence."- He says- "Let's do this."
He looks at the Archmage's granddaughter.
"What about you, Erika?"- He asks her- "Why are you here? I thought that you wanted to stay with your son."
Erika looks down.
"I felt bad about being unable to help anyone, so I decided to come here."- She says- "I found out that Florence needed help to create a forcefield around the gates of the city, so I came to help her out. I've been working on creating magical barriers ever since."
Aleks nods.
"Your help is appreciated."- He says.
He turns to his son.
"You can take a break while we work on this contraption."- He says to him- "Would you like to stay inside? Or outside?"
Jared takes a look and sees a free spot on the other side of the gate.
"Inside."- He says- "I will come out when the barrier is completed."
While Florence and Erika work on the barrier, Jared and his grandfather talk to each other.
"It's been a long day, huh?"- Lethal says- "Well? How are you feeling right now?"
Jared shakes his head.
"I still feel bad about this."- He says- "All of it feels like a nightmare that has been brought from the deepest and darkest depths of the Abyss itself. It is horrible."
Lethal nods.
"I know how it feels. Every hero does."- He says- "However, I can see that you're managing to recover. That's good."
He looks at him.
"So."- He continues- "When do you think it will be a good idea to face Grah-Hoth and defeat him.
Jared does not respond. He seems to be lost in thought.
"Soon."- He says, a few seconds later- "Very soon."
Half an hour later, the barrier is finally completed. As it starts to sparkle with energy, Aleks approaches him.
"This is a one-way barrier, so we'll be able to get in."- He says- "However, it won't be the same for the demons. That's good for us."
He raises his eyebrow.
"Jared?"- He mutters- "Is something wrong?"
Jared looks at his father. Emotions are swirling in his mind, like a wild tornado in a desert.
Finally, he decides to say:
"Yes."
He takes a look at the area in front of him and sighs.
"There is still one more task left for me to do."- He says- "Then, we can be truly safe."
Aleks raises his eyebrow again.
"What do you mean?"- He says- "You... you're thinking of going back in there again?"
He looks at his father.
"Dad."- He says to him- "Please tell me that this is not true. Please tell me that this is just an illusion."
Lethal shakes his head.
"I'm afraid that it's not an illusion."- He responds- "Grah-Hoth challenged Jared and told him to meet him in his castle. And he doesn't want to hold back anymore."
Aleks shakes his head.
"This is madness!"- He says- "Fighting through the hordes of demons, just to get to a portal that might lead you to a very dangerous place? This is a trap and I know it well! It's a very bad idea!"
Seeing that neither Jared, nor his grandfather are planning to give up, he sighs.
"But I know that it's probably the wisest course of action. Killing Grah-Hoth is the only way to weaken those demons and allow us to strike back at them without a lot of resistance."- He continues- "Alright. But I want to join you as well. I would feel bad if I sent you to fight this monster all by yourselves."
Lethal nods.
"Of course, Aleks. Whatever you say."- He says to him- "You know what is best for this child. Make sure that he's well-protected. He's under your care, after all."
Aleks nods.
"Yes, dad."- He says- "I will protect him. With my life, if needed."
Florence and Erika approach the other side of the barrier.
"Come on! What are you waiting for?"- Florence says- "More demons will arrive soon. Get out of there!"
Aleks shakes his head.
"I'm afraid that we have to go into the city."- He says- "There's one last thing left for us to do."
Florence gasps.
"What... what are you talking about? Are you crazy?!"- She yells- "You can't just go back in there! Not with all those demons!"
Erika nods.
"It's certain death, Mr. Kaos!"- She says- "Please reconsider!"
Jared shakes his head.
"No, Erika."- He responds- "We have made our choice. We will go in there and fight the ultimate evil. As for you, it is probably a good idea to go back into your camp and tell everyone that we are alive and well, that they should not worry about us."
Florence and Erika shake their heads.
"We're not going anywhere without you."- Florence says- "I made a promise to your sister that I will bring all of you back ali-- "
Suddenly, parts of the wall above starts to fall apart. Huge chunks start to rip out of it and fall near both sides of the gate.
"Everyone, stand back!"- Jared yells and pulls his father and his grandfather out of the way.
Meanwhile, Florence and Erika manage to get out of the way as well, but not before a small chunk manages to land on Erika's foot.
Soon, the rumbling stops. Most of the stone has fallen down and blocked the way out, effectively cutting their only way out.
"Is everyone alright?"- Jared asks- "Florence? Erika?"
He hears groaning on the other side as Erika tries to stand up.
"We... we're okay."- Florence says- "Just a little hurt. That's all."
Jared nods.
"The plan remains the same. Go back to the camp and warn them about this inconvenience."- He says- "Do not worry about us. We will try to find a way out. As soon as we finish the job."
Florence nods.
"I'll take Erika back. She needs some medical attention."- She says- "We'll be back for you soon. Please stay safe."
Having said that, Florence leads her friend away from the wreck.
Meanwhile, Jared, Aleks and Lethal prepare to move on.
"Well, it is time for us to face our destiny."- Lethal says- "There's no way back anymore. The only way left is forward, towards the greatest threat."
He looks at Jared.
"Are you ready, my boy?"- He asks him- "This road will not be paved with good intentions, but I hope that you're ready to make it otherwise."
Jared nods.
"There is no doubt about that, grandpa. I am ready to fight."- He says- "Let us win our home back from those fiends."
Now that the scores are ready to be settled, Jared and his allies start to move forward, intending to find the portal that leads to Grah-Hoth's fortress before night falls... and before the rest of the demons in the city can find them.