MLII C8, P8.5- "We Are Free"

"We Are Free" is the continuation of "Miracula Luxia II, Chapter VIII" 's eighth Part.
It was released on 15.08.2021.
== Plot ==
Having defeated the greatest evil that has ever endangered the entire world, Jared returns to his hometown- the glorious city of Paris. As expected, the change after the end of the war is immediate. The world has just been blessed with a new, much brighter future and the one to thank about this is our brave hero.
However, even though he has defeated all of his enemies and brought total peace in the world, there is still one more thing left to do. And it will be the most exciting moment in his entire life- the birth of a new child.
Once again, the world has been saved. Every single warrior of evil has been vanquished. All that is left... is for our heroes to look upon the world that they have created. The legacy that they fought for with all of their might. The peace that they have brought to all of the people in this world. All of the things that they have done to ensure the rise of a future filled with hope and happiness.
At last, it can be safe to assume that the world... is finally safe.
== Story ==
Jared looks at Meggy.
"Why are you alone?"- He asks her- "Isn't someone supposed to protect you?"
Meggy shakes her head.
"Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean that I can't defend myself from those demons."- She says- "To be honest, I even managed to kill a few of them while you were away."
She sighs.
"But it doesn't matter anymore."- She continues- "They're all gone now."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"You mean... that we actually did it?"- He asks her- "We saved our home?"
Meggy nods.
"Yeah!"- She responds- "Soon after you killed their leader, news of his death travelled faster than light itself. They reached the demons' ears and they were terrified. It seemed like they didn't expect him to be slain, that they had a lot of faith in him. So, when they learned about what happened to him, they ran. And ran. Far away from this city. They knew that you would eventually return here and they didn't want to see your face. Or, should I say, the face of the one who killed the revered Grah-Hoth."
Jared nods.
"Very well. I am glad that it happened."- He says- "When I was about to kill Grah-Hoth, he said that his army would avenge him as soon as he dies. He said that they will kill me. However, it seems like the tables have turned for all of them. They lost the battle... and the war."
Meggy sighs.
"This creature was arrogant. Selfish. Foolish."- She says- "He underestimated you and got what he deserved. Good riddance."
Jared nods.
"He made the mistake of underestimating someone who is seemingly weaker than him and he paid the price for it."- He says- "All of his cowardly and evil actions are what led him towards his downfall."
Meggy looks down and smiles.
"Yeah. I'm glad that you got rid of him when you had the chance."- She says- "Me and our child are very grateful."
Jared looks at her belly and smiles as well.
"So."- He says- "How is our future hero doing?"
Meggy smiles again.
"Oh, he's just waiting for his time to shine."- She says- "And you know what? I think that it'll be soon. Very soon."
Jared nods.
"I am waiting patiently for the moment when it happens."- He says- "And I will be honored to become this wonderful child's parent."
Meggy smiles and hugs him.
"Jared."- She says- "I think that you will be a great father. Soon, the child will look up to you and see what you've done for this world. He or she will want to become a hero, like you. A selfless protector whose actions are for the benefit of everypne."
Jared smiles.
"And I am ready to teach my child how to help those people."- He says- "As a parent, I will take this responsibility seriously. After all, our reason to raise brave children is very just."
Meggy nods.
"Yes. I know."- She says- "Raising the world's next generation of heroes is a tough, but very noble task."
Jared takes her hand in his.
"Well, what are we waiting for?"- He says- "Let us take a walk outside. In the new world where our child shall be born soon."
Meggy nods.
"I'm ready, my love."- She says- "Let's do this."
Jared nods and smiles.
"Yes, my dear."- He says and walks outside with her.
Once they are both outside, Jared looks back and instantly recognizes the Kaos residence- his home. He realizes that Meggy helped him to get back, not realizing that she took him where everything started.
"Was it intentional?"- He asks Meggy.
Meggy raises her eyebrow, not sure what he is talking about.
"Did you bring me back here on purpose?"- He continues- "Did you want me to see our home again?"
Meggy nods.
"Yes."- She responds- "I felt like you need your memory to be refreshed. So, me and Florence decided to open up a portal right into this residence, where I did my best to take you out of that dark realm."
Jared smiles.
"Well. Mission accomplished, I reckon."- He says- "I am glad to know that this place is still standing. Especially after everything that happened in this city."
Meggy nods.
"You made things better for all of them."- She says- "I'm sure that they'll remember everything that you did for them. Even if it's decades from now, they shall always praise the one who defeated the Harbringer of Chaos. Mark my words."
Jared nods.
"I am sure that they will."- He says- "Heroes who have done so many good things for this world are always remembered. I know it from experience."
Meggy smiles.
"You've got a lot of it, don't you?"- She asks him.
He nods.
"Yes."- He responds- "Yes, I do."
Jared and Meggy continue to walk towards the nearby park. Once they get there, they sit on a bench and talk to each other for a few minutes.
After talking about Jared's endeavors in the dark realm of Grah-Hoth, Meggy notices that there is something missing.
Or, rather, someone.
"Wait. What happened to your father?"- She asks Jared- "Wasn't he supposed to be with you and your grandpa?"
The moment when he hears about his father, Jared's eyes immediately fill up with tears. He looks down puts both palms of his hands on his face.
When Meggy sees that Jared is crying, she becomes very concerned.
"Are you alright, dear?"- She asks him- "Did something happen back there? Who hurt you so much?"
Jared looks up. He wants to keep his sorrows to himself, but he knows that it is not wise to hide them from the members of his own family. Thus, he decides to talk about it.
"Yes. My father was indeed with us. But when we were in the Realm of Darkness, we... made a mistake. Or, rather, I did. All of this weight... I will have to carry it."- He says- "When we battled Grah-Hoth, we underestimated him. We tried to fight him, thinking that he is like everyone else. But he was not. He cursed all three of us, mainly my father. And when he found out what actually happened to us, he realized that there was no other way to free all of us, other than by killing the host. Since he knew that it would be a bad idea to ask one of us to do it, he... did it himself. He ended his life. Just like that, his spark of life was taken away from us. He... did not make it out of that place, that realm of nightmares and despair."
He sighs.
"I... made a huge mistake. I made a wrong move that took away the one for whom I cared the most."- He admits- "And now, I paid the price for it. I witnessed the death of an innocent person, a think that will haunt me for the rest of my life."
Meggy sighs and hugs him.
"I know how tough it is to lose someone dear to you. The world's not fair. At all."- She says- "But don't worry. Whatever happens in the future, I will stay with you. We'll be a family and we're going to make it. We're going to create the next legacy of heroes- something that your parents will be very proud of. I'm sure of it."
She stares into his eyes and sees the fear that is swimming in them, in a lake of pure sadness.
"So, I'm sure that you've already learned your lesson. If not, allow me to explain it again."- She continues- "It's not wise to shackle yourself to the past when the future's bound to look so bright. If you wanna make it happen, fight for it. Don't let your fear overtake your actions. Forget about the past and think about the future."
She smiles.
"Some people are always trapped in the past. Others live only for the present, not caring about any other time."- She says- "You, however, are one of the few who mainly think about the future of this world. You always plan how to make it safer, happier. How to make all of the people proud of the heroes who fight for them. How to fight for a safe place where our children can play without being bothered by anything. And anyone. Your actions are creating a pathway towards a brighter future and it's unwise to stop when you're so close to making it a reality. So, don't stop believing. Soon, this dream will come true... and we can finally be happy and safe."
Jared nods.
"You are right."- He says- "All this time, I have been fighting for this future. And my parents have been helping me. Now that they are gone, however, I am by myself. It is me against the world... and I must do my best to protect what I still have left. I have done many things, but there is still much to do."
He looks at Meggy and smiles.
"But I know that we can make it even further."- He says- "Together, we shall build this future for our children and make them believe in the Light. It is my sacred task... and I hope that it is also yours."
Meggy nods, but before she can say anything else, they are interrupted by Rin- Jared's aunt.
"Hello there, lovebirds."- She says- "Auntie Rin's here to brighten up your day!"
Jared smiles.
"Auntie."- He says- "I am so glad that you are finally here. There are so many things that we can do together."
Rin smiles.
"I know. I know."- She says- "But we have someone to wait for. A new member of our family."
Meggy nods.
"You mean our child?"- She says- "Well, you're in luck! You won't have to wait for too long!"
Rin nods and smiles.
"I'm so happy! There will be a new member of our family."- She says, bursting with excitement.
Then, she looks down.
"However."- She adds grimly- "I think that your mom and dad would have been much happier to see it. If they were still here, that is."
She looks back up at Jared and notices that tears are falling from his eyes as he blinks.
"I know how much you miss them, kiddo. But don't worry."- She says- "Now that I'm here, I will do my best to seal the gap that has been made. I'll try to be what they used to be for you. Though I... don't think that I will do such a good job."
Jared looks up and smiles. He stands up and hugs his aunt.
"You are a good person, auntie. A very good person."- He says- "I am sure that you will do great."
He sighs.
"Some things cannot be forgotten that easily, but I will do my best to keep them only in my own memory."- He says- "For now, we will look at the better world that we made a reality. We will stare at the people around us and admire their courage. We will smile at the thought that all of them are finally safe... and do our best to keep it that way."
Rin nods.
"That's the spirit!"- She exclaims- "However, I think that it's time for us to get back into our home. It's getting late and I don't want you to stay here for too long."
Jared sighs and takes Meggy's hand in his, helping her to stand up.
"Yes, auntie."- He says- "We will do as you say."
Rin smiles.
"That's a good boy!"- She responds- "Now, let's go to sleep. There's a bright future ahead of us. And tomorrow is going to be the first day of our new, happier lives."
Having said that, she leads her nephew and his beloved back into the Kaos residence.
A few months pass after this glorious day. More people start to visit the city where Jared lives, wishing to see the one who saved them all. He welcomes then all with open hands, giving them all of his attention. Soon, he becomes an idol for many of them. A lot of young people tell him how they want to become heroes like him. And thus, he decides to become their teacher. He explains the ways of the hero and how to protect the world from new evil and soon, a new army of brave and selfless heroes rises to defend the city, as well as the entire world while still under the guardianship of our patient and talented hero and teacher- Jared Kaos.
In the meantime, Lethal continued to train Allister. He trained him further in the ways of the blade, very satisfied with the results of his hard work. When he learns the last lesson that he had for him, he decided to send him on his way, hoping that he will make his mark in the world soon after his departure. However, the boy made the decision to stay in the city where he received his training, intending to offer his services to everyone and protect them from villains like Grah-Hoth and not wanting to see his abusive parents ever again. Having found a new, true family, he devotes himself to protect them and proves himself to be a loyal and selfless ally.
John and Uma make the decision to live in Paris, not wanting to suffer from the burden of royalty anymore. However, they first return to Thais and return the roles of King and Queen back to Uma's parents. Soon, John also becomes the adoptive father of a five year-old boy- the offspring of Uma that was born after she was accidentally impregnated by her ex-boyfriend, a commoner with whom she was not on good terms and whom she left behind after he treated the child badly. After those events, she made the hard decision to leave the child in Thais, to be taken care of by its grandparents. However, now it is different. Now she has a husband who will truly care about its child and gladly raise it as his own. But the child was left with no name for five while years. Thus, Uma decides to name him after her beloved husband- Jonathan Braveheart.
As for Rin, she knew that she had made the right decision. She knew that her new family is the one that she truly cares about. Thus, she decides to stay in Paris and protect them, wanting to honor her husband's wishes and to protect the child that he cares about so much, even when he is not alive anymore.
And so, four months have passed like a few days. Everyone returned to their boring lifestyles (which they love very much) and not much else has happened since then.
So, we are jumping to the present time, ready to experience the happiest moment of Jared and Meggy's lives- the birth of their firstborn son.
Jared gets a call from Meggy. She says that she is feeling pain in her stomach and that she might give birth soon.
He turns to his students.
"Sorry, everyone."- He says- "My wife is pregnant and I need to take her to the hospital. School is over for today."
Everyone nods.
"Thanks for the training, sir."- One of them says- "See you tomorrow!"
Jared smiles, waves at them and leaves.
He notices that his grandfather is standing in his car nearby. He approaches him and opens one of the doors.
"I've been waiting for you, child."- He says- "Come on. You're going to be a father soon."
Jared nods and smiles.
"I know!"- He says- "It is so exciting! I will finally see my son!"
After closing the door, he watches the door as his grandfather drives their car towards the nearby Kaos residence to pick up Meggy.
Fifteen minutes after arriving and stopping nearby, Jared finally comes back with a pregnant Meggy.
"Oh man."- She says- "Does it really hurt so much to become a mother?"
Jared nods.
"Sadly, it does."- He says- "Do not worry, dear. It will be over soon. Just stay strong."
Meggy nods.
"I... I'll try my best."- She says and sits next to him.
Ten minutes later, they stop at the hospital and go outside, noticing that some doctors are already waiting for them.
"We heard about the emergency and we came to help immediately afterwards."- One of them says- "Is Ms. Kaos ready to go?"
Jared nods.
"She is."- He says- "Let us get moving. There is little time left before she gives birth."
The doctors nod.
"Come on, boys."- The lead doctor says- "Let's take this woman into the hospital, if you'd like."
As they begin to rush her into the hospital, she tries to stand up.
"What's wrong?"- The lead doctor asks her- "Is everything okay?"
Meggy looks at Jared.
"I want him to... come with me."- She says- "He wants to see his son as soon as possible. I don't want to... keep him waiting.
The doctors look at Jared and nod.
"Alright then."- The lead doctor says- "Come on, kid. Your wife is asking for you. Don't delay the process."
Jared rushes forward.
"Here I am!"- He says and starts to move forward.
As he does, he nods at his grandfather. He nods back.
"Good luck, child."- He says- "I hope that you can return with a safe and healthy son. And your wife, of course."
Jared smiles.
"I will."- He says- "Thank you, grandpa."
He turns back and rushes after the doctors to help his wife.
Just as they are close to the pregnancy quarter, Jared stops the doctors for a moment. They do as they are told, and watch him take Meggy's hand in his.
"My dear, I want you to stay strong."- He says- "I know how tough it will be and I know that there is a chance that I can lose you. But I want you to know that I am here. I will wait for you and pray for you and our unborn child. We are going to make it through this one, okay? Just keep believing and it will happen. I am sure that it will!"
Meggy smiles.
"It's okay, Jared. I'll be fine."- She says- "Just stay here. The doctors will call you as soon as I'm done giving birth."
Jared nods.
"As I said, I am right here. I am not going anywhere else."- He says- "Good luck, my dear."
He nods to the doctors and, soon, they take her into a nearby room.
Jared sits on a bench outside and waits for the miracle to happen.
"We are so close. The future is near. We have succeeded."- He says- "All that is left for me... is to wait to see my dear child."
He sighs and takes a deep breath.
"Here we go!"- He says and closes his eyes.