Miracula Luxia C2, P4- "What Now, Jared?"

"What Now, Jared?" is the fourth part of the second Chapter of "Miracula Luxia"- "From Zero to Hero". It was released on 07.07.2019.
== Plot ==
The story continues as Jared grows up by one year. He now lives in Duskwood and hopes to return to his hometown- Paris, one day. However, he knows that he finally found some friends here.
Will he follow the road that leads back to Paris ("Home Is Where The Heart Is"), stay in Duskwood ("New Place- New Friends") or will he continue traveling around the world ("The True Adventurer Always Travels")? Find out now!
== Story ==
Jared stared at the town of Duskwood for a long time.
John sat next to him.
"So, have you decided it? Will you stay here with us... or will we part ways?"- He said.
"You know, this place is pretty nice, but I don't have anywhere to stay... "
"Don't worry about this! You can always stay with us. I hope you feel like at home!"
"B-but... I don't want to bother... "
"It's okay! For all that you did for this town and for me, it's the least we can do for you in return!"
He was telling the truth. Jared stayed with the Braveheart family for a few days, helping several people: One of them was a granny who was almost hit by a car, but Jared protected her by activating his special ability- A Protective Bubble which can deflect anything for a few seconds. He also helped her cross the street safely, amazing the people that were passing through. Another was a struggling man who was carrying a lot of groceries. Jared helped him carry the groceries home, despite not being very strong. And the final person was a sick person who was left on the ground, moaning in pain. With John's help, Jared managed to buy him the needed medicine and soon he felt better. 
Jared nodded, very happy that he could stay with them in Duskwood and help more people until he finds Akari.
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One year passed like a month.
It was 7:30 AM in the morning. A young boy came out of the Bravehearts's House.
It was Jared. He had grown up a lot- both in hair and in length. As well as bravery.
He was no longer scared of the Dark. When some Heartless and Nobodies tried to attack Duskwood, he repelled them quickly, knowing that making a mistake might be deadly for the town, his desire to keep the citizens safe completely erasing the fear from his heart.
He was also taken under the care of John's Father who taught him everything about Potions.
He helped John scout the nearby forest to make sure no enemies were endangering the town. Another noble deed, noted by Duskwood's citizens.
Now, he was appointed The Hero of Duskwood by its mayor- Mayor David and highly respected by its citizens.
He walked on the street, seeing that many people were staring and smiling at him before returning to their usual work.
"Jared, look!"- A voice was heard behind him.
He turned to the other side.
"John! What is it?"
"Look what I found!"- He said, presenting a white boot to his friend.
Jared looked at it and became speechless.
This was Akari's boot!
"Where... where did you find it?"- He asked him, afraid of the worst.
"In the forest! It was near a still-burning Campfire."
"What?!"- Jared exclaimed while running towards the exit- "It must have been Akari's! She must be in the forest!"
"Wait! We don't know if this is a trap or---"
"It doesn't matter. We can deal with it! We're heroes!"
"R-Right!"- John replied with seemingly more confidence than before.
But, before they left a soft, but strong female voice was heard behind them.
"Jared, John! Wait!"
They stopped and turned back.
"Annie!"- Jared said, recognizing his friend.
"Are you going into the forest? Then let me come with you, please! You'll need my help!"
Annie was the little girl Jared helped a year ago (Although she was called "little" she was actually 15 years-old- as old as Jared was at the time he helped her out). Now she is alive and well, healed by the magical brew that her Mother bought for her with his money.
She is also alone. Her Mother died a year ago, her death caused by an unknown illness. This really saddened Annie, but she promised herself that she would live and help for the sake of her late Mother. 
That's why she became a Priest at the "Lights of Hope School"- one of the best in Duskwood.
"But Annie! We're risking your live if you come with us"- Jared replied, worried about her.
"Yeah, Annie. It's better for you to stay here. We're warriors- we can handle any danger?"- John added.
"But what if you get hurt while doing so? That's why I have to come with you.
She stood beside Jared.
"If you're going into danger then I'm coming with you! You can't turn me away!"
Jared smiled.
"This was just a test, my dear Annie. And you just passed it."
"A-A test?"- John said, surprised.
"Yes! I knew that she was competent enough to help us, but I wanted to see if she will decide to not come if we tried to turn her away."
"How nice of you, my friend!"- John said, clearly amazed by his wisdom.
"Let us proceed"- Jared said while walking outside the gate, his friends right behind him.
They entered the forest and found the Campfire.
Jared smelled it.
"It's still fresh!"- He exclaimed.
"How do you know?"- John asked behind him.
"It's because some of the wood that was used to create the Campfire still smells of fume. That is a sign."
"Maybe it... wasn't just Akari? Maybe it was a bunch of people who captured her and brought her here!"- Annie replied while looking at a discarded weapon in the ground.
It was a Dark Oak Bow with a black ribbon wrapped around the middle.
"I know who might have been here! There's a band that calls itself the Darkness Of The Duskwood. They're an evil band which has been stalking us for 5 years, trying to raid the town of Duskwood, but with no success yet."
"They weren't posing much of a threat until two years ago when they started actually bombarding the town with a barrage of fire arrows. We were barely able to protect ourselves from them and they disappeared deeper into the forest."
"When you found me a year ago, at that time I had a huge clue of where they might have been, revealed by a person that we found in the forest. But... when I was attacked by the Heartless, the plan to attack them swiftly and quietly failed, so I had to abandon my mission. Until now."
"Where might they be?"- Annie wondered.
Suddenly, John pointed his finger to a pathway, littered with footprints.
"I am 100% sure that they went through there. Let's go!"
The three of them passed through a huge amount of poisonous leaves while walking through the path.
They found themselves next to a small lake and saw more footprints at the other side of it.
John started jumping on some nearby lily pads, followed by Jared and Annie.
Some amphibians were trying to jump on Annie's head. She was distracted and annoyed by them.
That's when she noticed that she was falling from the lily pad she was standing on.
She fell into the lake.
"Help! Help me! Can't--swim-- "
She started to drown, but was saved by Jared who jumped into the water to do so, drenching his clothes with murky water in the process.
When they were standing on the surface, she noticed that he was holding her hand.
"Are you okay?"- He asked her.
She blushed, unsure what to say.
He came closer to her, inspecting her.
She blushed even more. What was he doing, anyway?
"You seem to have a small bruise on your left hand. Don't worry, I've got some cream you can cover it with.
He pulled a small cream box and used some of the cream on the bruise.
"Th-thank you, Jared."- She replied, relieved.
He smiled.
"My friends are my power! If I don't help you guys out, then I am not a true friend."
Annie smilled as well.
They crossed the lily pads and approached John.
"Is she okay?"- He asked Jared, concerned.
"It's okay. I saved her. The only injury she received was a small bruise on her left hand. Nothing risky."- He replied.
"I told you not to come with us! You could have died back there!"- John yelled at Annie.
"I'm so sorry! It won't happen again, I promise!"- She replied, saddened that she lost her friend's trust.
"Nevermind. I think we have a bigger problem here."
He pointed his finger to the west.
Jared and Annie stared ahead. They gasped when they saw three roads standing before them.
"Th-three roads?! What now, Jared? Please don't tell me that you don't know what to do. I beg you!"- Annie said to her friend, clearly terrified.
"Do not worry, Annie. I'll figure this out."- He replied.
"And do it soon!"- John exclaimed while looking at the side of the river they were at a few moments ago- "Some of those Heartless are coming our way!"
"We'll hold them off for a while, but hurry! My magic can't sustain John for very long!"- Annie said while starting to cast spells.
Jared nodded and looked at the three roads.
One was of mud, leading to some Mudlands. Not a likely place for a Dark Gang to make their base in.
The second was leading to a seemingly endless Jungle. Also not a likely place (but also kind of possible).
The third and final road was made of very dark grass, even to the point of becoming fully black.
That's when he noticed a pair of very faint footprints. His keen senses told him that it was a big man who made them.
"Look what I found!"- Jared yelled.
Annie and John looked at the ground on the third road.
"Hm. Nothing special. You're probably seeing things."- John replied.
"No! Look closer!"- Jared replied back.
John stared at the ground, crouching. That's when he saw the footprints as well.
"Yes! They came through here!"- He exclaimed.
"There is no time to waste! Let's go!"- Jared yelled while running towards what looked like a big encampment in the distance.
John and Annie followed him, leaving the Heartless behind.
== Trivia ==
* Last appearance of Annie's Mother (Mentioned)
* This Part features one of the few Major Timeskips in the series overall, jumping forward with 1 year after the events of the last Part.
* The words Jared said after saving Annie- "My friends are my power!" are originally said by Sora in Kingdom Hearts I.
* The title "What Now, Jared?" is taken from Annie's words when she asks Jared if he knows something that could help them escape from the Heartless.