MLII C8, P1- "Forgotten Evil"

"Forgotten Evil" is the first Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's eighth Chapter. It was released on 02.08.2021.
== Plot ==
Even though Jared may know a lot about demons and their stronger counterparts, he is still unaware of the power that the Haakai hold within their bodies, their potential to break both the body and the soul of an individual.
Thus, he decides to listen to his grandfather's story before he gets himself in trouble, hoping to learn something that will help him defeat this powerful enemy.
== Story ==
Jared helps Meggy walk back to the Kaos residence. He checks every corner for hidden enemies, making sure that they won't attack them on the way back.
Soon, they reach their destination.
As Meggy starts to head into the residence, she looks back at Jared, seemingly worried about something.
When he sees that Meggy feels insecure, Jared hugs her and smiles.
"This invasion. It's something that we've never seen before, something that we never expected to happen."- Meggy says to him- "Are you sure that you can handle this alone, Jared? I don't want to lose you. We want you to be here, with us."
Jared smiles and gently pats her on the head.
"I already told you, Meggy. Everything will be fine, as long as we keep resisting the temptation to surrender."- He responds- "Our enemies may be strong, but we will always be one step ahead of them."
He looks at her belly and smiles.
"As a hero, I am destined to protect those who are weaker than me. Those who are unable to defend themselves and require the guidance who is strong and capable. I am a light that shines in the darkness, a ray of hope in those dark times. Those times of sadness and despair."- He says- "And I hope that our child will be the same. I want to give him a good example that he can follow afterwards. I want to be a good parent, a good protector of everyone around here. Please understand that this is my destiny and, even if I am not able to return soon, I will always be here with you."
Meggy smiles and hugs him. A few moments later, her eyes fill up with tears.
"I... I will miss you."- She says- "Please don't do anything stupid. I want you to be back in one piece."
Jared sighs.
"I cannot make any promises, but I will try my best."- He says- "Stay here for now. My sister will take care of you for the time being."
Jared takes Meggy's hands in his.
"Meggy. Please understand that I love you very much. I will do anything to protect you and our unborn child. Anything."- He says- "However, you should know that there is a time when you must lose something to know what it feels like living life to the fullest. Sure, it is very cruel, but it is the way that it was intended to happen. It is how I managed to grow up and become what I am now. I hope that you can do the same."
Meggy's eyes fill up with tears again. She hugs him and begins to cry.
"I lost so many friends. So many people dear to me."- She says- "I don't want to lose you as well, Jared!"
Jared gently pats her on the head and makes reassuring noises.
"Shhh. It is alright."- He says- "I understand that you are worried. We all are. But there is no need to be. Everything will be fine. Soon, the world will get better. The people will start to walk on the streets. The birds will chirp. The trees will be greener than they have ever been. Even if I am not here, you will be. And I want you to be strong. I want you to conquer every challenge that the world sends towards you. I want you and our child to know that there is always a light in the darkness. That there is always someone who will be watching you and protecting you, whether it is from here... or up there."
He smiles.
"Either way, you will never be alone."
Meggy looks up at him.
"Never?"- She asks.
Jared nods.
"Never."- He confirms- "I will always be here with you. Mark my words."
Meggy hugs Jared one last time and watches as he slowly makes his way towards the western gate of the city. 
As he gets closer, he turns around and waves at her. She waves back, smiling as she does.
Jared sighs and approaches the gate.
He notices that the soldiers seem to be calmer than usual and asks them what is going on.
"Ever since you helped us defend the gate, there have been no demons trying to kill us."- One of them says- "The gate's safe. For now."
Jared nods.
"Very well, then."- He says- "Keep your eyes open. You never know when a new danger will come this way."
The soldiers nod and watch as Jared leaves.
As he gets close to the residence, he notices that his grandfather is sitting outside. He seems to be lost in thought.
Just as he gets close to him, however, he looks up.
"Oh. Jared. I didn't see you there."- He says- "How are you doing? Is everything alright?"
Jared nods.
"I checked the west gate."- He reports to his grandfather- "Everyone is safe. No demons are coming this way. At least for now."
Lethal nods.
"Very well. I am glad to hear that."- He says- "Sit down. I have a story to tell you. A story that will help you understand the nature of our enemy."
Overcome by his own curiosity, Jared sits down immediately and listens to his grandfather as he starts to tell him about his adventures.
"You see, the enemy that we are fighting, the mighty demon who's trying to kill us all, he is no ordinary demon."- He says- "He is a Haakai. A true denizen of the dark realms who is capable of manipulating space and time to reach his targets. His ability to teleport anywhere in this world makes him a worthy opponent and one that I had to fight before."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"You fought this... Haakai?"- He says- "Was he dangerous?"
Lethal nods.
"Very dangerous."- He responds- "I had to use every single ounce of my strength just to survive his attempts to slay me. He killed all of my allies, but I stood strong. I resisted his attempts to manipulate me, to take control of my mind. And I defeated him! I defeated him and banished him into the realm from which he came from. I fought him in the name of King Starrus and Avernum... and I won!"
He sighs.
"But I made a mistake. A huge mistake that I will regret for as long as I live in this world."- He says- "When I was about to kill him and end it all, I heard a voice in my head. A strange power that compelled me to cease what I was doing and spare this "innocent soul". And so, I did. My dark powers, they came with a cost and I paid a great price."
He sighs again.
"Anyway, when I banished him into the dark realm, he tried to curse me. He tried to take my soul away from his body and make me into the hollow shell of a man. But he failed. And here I am, left with the memory of a time long past."
He points at his heart.
"Remember, Jared."- He says- "This Haakai. He will always set your heart as his prime target. He will always try to take control of your soul, to make you into his puppet. But there's always a way to severe those strings, to make him realize that he can't control you. And that is to keep your head up at all times. Don't let your emotions crush your aura of purity and justice. Your soul is strong and you can resist those temptations, I'm sure of it."
He looks at Jared and notices that he is looking at him. His eyes betray only a single emotion- interest.
"Anyway."- He says- "I'm sure that you want to know more about Grah-Hoth. And I will tell you about him."
As Lethal looks up, his look gets more serious. He remembers when he had to fight him himself.
"Grah-Hoth was... is a powerful Haakai from another dimension. He arrived in the lands of Avernum long before we were born and he made them his home."- He begins- "But his reign did not last forever. His fortress- Skaragath, was invaded by an army of brave humans who managed to subdue him and put an end to his tyrrany, at least for the time being. This seemed to work well... until a few years passed and the fortress was left behind. He started to wreck havoc upon the lands of Avernum thanks to his minions and managed to destroy one of their oldest settlements- the one known as "Fort Remote". Back then, I was a young warrior who decided to join the Avernite army. I had gained a lot of popularity. And one day, King Starrus invited me into the Castle to talk about this impending matter. He told me to free Grah-Hoth from his prison and gave me an item to do this task- the legendary item known as the Blessed Athame."
He sighs.
"But, when I did, his fortress was blasted by his minions. A smoldering ruin full of wicked demons. And, in the chaos that ensued, he managed to escape."- He continues- "After I escaped from his prison, I chased him throughout Avernum. I fought his armies of demons and hoped that I could defeat him once and for all. Months later, I finally found him in his new fortress. Its thick walls of basalt protected him and his minions, but they couldn't protect him from a band of dedicated adventurers like us."
He sighs again.
"As I told you before, we fought him as best as we could. Blades, bows and magic were used to repel him. However, we failed as he took control of the souls of my companions. I tried to free them, but his control over them was too strong. And thus, I was forced to kill them and fight him alone."
He shakes his head.
"Those times were dark for me. For all of us."- He says- "And that's the end of the story."
He looks up at Jared and notices that his interest has not faded away.
"So, my dear grandson."- He says to him- "What did you learn from this story?"
Jared looks at his grandfather.
"Well. For starters, I learned that I should not underestimate such a powerful creature."- He says- "Second, I learned that his control over the ancient magic is incredible. Thus, I must fight him only when I am truly prepared, when I am truly ready for my destiny. This will be my final battle either way and I will either go out with a bang... or continue shining like a bright beacon."
Lethal smiles and nods.
"Excellent!"- He exclaims- "Now go out there and show those fiends what you're capable of!"
Jared nods.
"I will!"- He says and storms off, eager to fight his enemies with newfound dedication.
Lethal watches as his son goes to fight a band of demons at the north gate and smiles.
"See, Seiko? He became what you wanted him to be. He's the hero of this world now, a true adventurer who is eager to protect those whom he loves so much."- He says- "And there's nothing that will hold him back anymore."
He looks up and smiles again.
"Good luck, Jared."- He continues- "And remember. We will always be with you, no matter if you have to fight those demons alone or not."