MLTO C2, P6

This is the sixth Part of "MLIV:TO" 's second Chapter.
It was released on 31.10.2022.
== Plot ==
In an attempt to keep the fires of chaos from spreading into the Kingdom of Goznor, our heroes, led by the benevolent king known as Donovan Gonoru, head into the woods near the nation's majestic capital with the intention to root out an infestation that has spread too deep.
At the same time, a mysterious force is watching them from afar, tracking their progress and evaluating their actions. It turns out Redmark has more than just warriors in his army, but are they competent enough to eliminate this small force of heroes while they are vulnerable?
== Story ==
After bidding his beloved queen farewell and leaving her in the care of the Chancellor, Jared and Amber, Donovan leads the three young heroes into the woods near the capital, carefully watching the roads nearby along the way.
"Disturbing, isn't it?"- Donovan says while making his way through some thick vines- "And to think that we've been living so close to chaos all this time. Once, it was unthinkable. Everybody lived in harmony for a long time."
He looks at the sky above his head.
"But now, I can see that my previous anticipations have turned out to be false."- He adds- "Only the wisdom and faith of the few brave heroes left are what keep us alive in those dark times."
Geralt nods.
"What was it like during the time when my father was a hero?"- He asks- "Was it different?"
Donovan sighs.
"So many things have changed since those fateful battles with Destiny itself. And yet, the challenges that we have to endure together are still the same."- He says- "The terror. The despair. The little things that make us feel better. This is a sign of the times, a reversal of fate. It is as if the world itself has just played a bad card, one that's not in our favor. And we're the ones who must replace it."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Have you always been speaking in riddles like those?"
Donovan smiles.
"To be honest, I don't know when I had the chance to speak like that."- He responds- "Ever since I became the king, I've always had to be quite serious. A single moment of ignorance could have been quite bad for my people. And yet, I've always felt like I need a change."
Donovan turns around and actually stares at Geralt for a few seconds.
"Young Kaos, I must thank you for letting me lead you to this place."- He adds- "It's good to unwind with some villain hunting for a while. Sitting in a throne room and wasting your time reading worrying reports while dealing with troublesome miscreants all the time is quite annoying, you see. But being with someone as competent and energetic as you is quite the experience for a lazy bureaucrat such as myself."
Geralt smiles.
"It has been an honor for me to join you on this mission, sir."- He says- "But try not to think about your life too much, please. I know that it must be hard, but trying to change it could only make it worse. So, stand your ground and wait for a rare opportunity to come by. That is when you shall feel alive again."
Kaiden nods.
"You can trust my little brother."- He says- "Had it not been for his great courage and unquestionable skill on the fields of battle, I would've been toast on that train. He's the one who changed my life for the best."
Donovan smiles.
"You two keep reminding me of your father. A living legend, he was. Such an inspiration to look up to. I'm so glad that I had the chance to fight alongside him during that fateful battle against Mordred Darkthrop."- He says and sighs- "But I am starting to ramble again. Since I only had the chance to talk to Sharla during the time I spent in the castle, it's quite nice to spend some of it talking to people who have actually seen the world... unlike ourselves. Actual heroes who make a difference in times of need."
He draws his spear.
"I feel that the bandit encampment is quite close, though."- He says- "Stand close. Keep close watch at your surroundings. I've got a feeling that everything's about to become crazy in a moment."
Geralt nods.
"You can count on us, sir."
The four of them step into the woods, watching for anything that seems suspicious. So far, things seem to be quite normal. There are no signs of an infestation and the only threat in their way are the branches that they have to avoid in order to proceed.
However, the fact that the woods are peaceful does not calm them down. They keep hearing a strange sound nearby, almost like the snap of a twig. It is just beyond their sense of perception, but it is still there. Still haunting them like a spooky ghost.
"I think that we are being watched."- Geralt says- "Heads up, everyone. We are going deep into enemy territory now."
Aaron shakes his head.
"I hope that it's not ghosts!"
Geralt turns around and looks at him.
"You really think that they could be in here?"- He asks- "I am sorry to disappoint you, my friend, but ghosts don't inhabit woods. The places where dead are abundant is where you will find them."
Aaron sighs.
"When I was a kid, I kept thinking that they could invade the world of the living with nothing more than their malicious presence. I used to think that all of them were bad. Very bad."- He says- "And then, I met your late mother."
Geralt smiles.
"A very nice woman, isn't she?"- He says- "Mom has always been the light of my life. Even though she never talked to me until a few weeks ago, she was always there for me. She always dispelled the bad omens that were trying to bring me down, gave me the strength to fight against evil and did her best to do the same. I owe a lot to her and I am sure that the rest of us feel the same way."
He sighs.
"It is quite sad that some people think that all ghosts are spawns of evil. They think that they're out to kill us and try to drive them all back into the Spirit World."- He says- "Me and my mother are trying to prove them wrong. Perhaps we could succeed... someday."
Aaron smiles.
"Well. If any of this talk helps, remember that you've got a friend in me."- He says- "We've been buddies for quite a while, but I never came to understand how valuable you are to me. But the Redmark incident, it made me feel like you're my best friend. So, there you go."
Geralt smiles back.
"And I feel the same way, my friend."
As the four of them step into the shadows, the sounds coming from all around them seem to get a little bit louder. And then again. And again. Soon, they become so unbearable that the heroes are forced to stop for a few moments, just to prevent themselves from experiencing any hallucinations.
Just as they start to wonder what is going on, Kaiden notices something. A brief glimpse in the darkness that is barely noticable by him. And then, he notices an arrow being shot at them.
"Look out!"
He pushes Geralt out of the way just in time, saving his life and warning the rest of the heroes of the presence of a villain.
"So there are ghosts!"- Aaron exclaims- "I knew it!"
The person in the distance laughs.
"You got caught in our trap, heroes!"- He exclaims- "You're dead meat now!"
Donovan raises his eyebrow.
"Well."- He says- "If you think that our attackers are ghost, why is that voice so clear and malevolent?"
Aaron finally realizes that whatever is in here is just a human. Not ghost. 
The change is immediate. He draws his weapon and becomes much more vigilant.
"If there's a bandit up there, then there have to be more of them prowling on us in the bushes."- He says- "But we won't go back, right? Cowardice is not the way of a hero!"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"No matter what kind of a threat a hero has to face, he does it with dignity. He never stands back and he never flees like a coward."- He says- "In other words, there shall be a battle. So get ready."
As the four of them create a formation that effectively protects them from any imminent threats, the person in the distance laughs again.
"Ah. Patient ones, I see."- He says- "Don't worry. My employer's men shall get you soon enough."
As the heroes prepare for the worst, bandits start pouring out of the woods. For some reason, some of them are carrying undead on leashes and release them once they get close enough.
Our heroes now have to face both the bandits and their undead pets. It is going to be a gruesome battle, but they must prevail.
While Kaiden and Aaron work together to hold back the undead that are trying to hunt them down, Geralt and Donovan use their expertise in blades and magic to strike down the people who tried to kill them using this tactic. The bandits are, of course, quite surprised that their targets are fighting back. But they're still able to retailiate- sometimes that makes our heroes redouble their efforts to survive.
"Yes! Yes!"- The figure in the distance yells- "Fight! Hunt! Destroy them all!"
As Donovan pierces two of the bandits with his magical spear, he looks back at Geralt and smiles.
"You know, this reminds me of the time when I used to fight alongside your uncle- Alcander."- He says- "It was a hard journey. Time was running out and we had to reach our destination before it was too late. A journey with a ship that we took from our enemies is what brought us so far into their territory, but it was not that easy to obtain it. Still, our mission to debilitate our targets was quite the feat. Your father was able to strike the final blow into the heart of the source and we won a decisive victory, soon to be immortalized by many talented minstrels and poets."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Umm. I appreciate the fact that you are trying to enlighten me with your adventures, sir."- He says- "But is this really the right time to talk about it?"
Donovan gasps.
"What? What do you... "- he says- "... Ah. Of course."
He smiles.
"Sorry about that."- He says as he pierces another bandit's chest- "I was just carried away a little bit. Those times were too good to simply forget."
He looks down at the palm of his right hand just as a large orb of fire forms starts to form in the middle of it.
"Anyway, I think that it's time to end this little charade."- He says- "Let's see how combustible those bandits really are."
Before the bandits could try to stop him, he lunges forward and plants his spear into the ground. A wave of fire washes over them, missing our heroes but incinerating the bandits and their pet zombies with ease.
The sudden demise of his allies makes the bandit on top of the hill shriek in fury.
"Agh! How dare you?!"- He yells- "My people fought so hard to hold this place! And you just take it from us! Take and don't leave a thing!"
Our heroes hear the sound of booted feet coming closer to them.
"I'm coming for you, tyrant!"- The man yells- "Rooting out our kind many years ago was your biggest mistake! And I'll correct it, one way or another!"
Donovan listens the sounds, spear in hand. He is ready for the threat that is coming their way and is eager to prove himself as a competent warrior once again.
And then, he hears the sound again. It is coming from the north. He pulls Geralt and Kaiden back, blocking the attack of the bandit just as he strikes at them.
"You might have been the golden king of Goznor once, but all of that glory has melted away, just like your ashes will once I'm done with you."- The bandit archer says- "And then, your friends shall meet the same fate."
Donovan glares at him as he takes a step back.
"Do your best, invader!"- He yells- "But remember this- your corruption runs deep in your bones, just like those of your comrades. You think that you're doing something good, yet everyone hates you for it. And you never, ever dare to look back at the road of chaos that you leave behind. You're all the same, no matter how much you pretend to be different from everyone else."
He stares into his eyes as he delivers a blow with his speak.
"But tell me, evil one."- He adds- "Will you ever forgive yourself for the insolence that you cause to others?"
Unsurprisingly, the bandit is able to avoid the attack. He looks at Donovan and smirks.
"Maybe you should be the one to forgive yourself. The sin that you committed on the day your brother died... it's unspeakable."- He says- "You should've died along with him, savior of Goznor."
Donovan is enraged by the mention of his brother. He raises his spear in the air and prepares to cast a spell.
"That's it!"- He yells- "I may take the insults you send my way, but I will not let you mock my dear brother!"
The bandit smirks as he points his bow at him.
"Then you're just the same as him!"
As the bandit lunges forward, Donovan hurls a fireball at him. The impact is fierce enough to send the man flying into a nearby tree, hitting his head in the trunk while trying to get back up.
But the bandit seems to be well-prepared for Donovan's way of battle. As the king starts to cast another spell, he picks up two acorns and throws them in his eyes with all of his might, effectively preventing him from casting his magic.
Seeing that Donovan is in trouble, Kaiden and Aaron rush into the battle to defend him. They attempt to strike the vile bandit down, but he nimbly steps out of the way and slams his bow into both of the boys, sending them flying in the air.
Geralt draws his weapon and glares at the bandit.
"You are a worthy opponent. We can see that."- He says- "But you should know that you are not the only one who is capable of defending himself."
The bandit smirks.
"I have no reason to fight someone who's already broken."- He says- "Bugger off, kid."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I am afraid that I cannot wirthdraw. Not here, not now."- He says- "Bandit rabble like you has been left to roam in those beautiful lands and Redmark is to blame for it. The first thing we shall do to root you out... is to eliminate pretentious, shameless scum like you."
The bandit aims his bow at him.
"Bring it, prince!"- He yells- "I'm not afraid of you!"
Geralt glares at him as he readies himself for battle.
"Then it is clear!"- He exclaims- "The feeling is mutual!"
As the bandit prepares to shower Geralt's body with arrows, the young hero leaps forward and kicks the bow out of his hand. The man tries to punch him down, but the boy is able to lean left and right very fast, avoiding his attacks without much effort.
And then, he lunges forward again. He slams his head into the bandit's stomach, sending him toward a nearby tree where the two of them continue to fight fiercely. Even so, there is still no sign of success on both sides. Each one of them is attempting to gain of advantage over the other one, yet is unable to find any sort of weakness.
In the meantime, Donovan wakes up. Stumbling around for a little bit, he reflexively starts to cast a powerful spell, but unknowingly directs it toward Geralt instead of the bandit himself.
Fortunately, the boy manages to notice this in time. Before the bandit could react, he leaps back and pushes him a few steps forward where he is immediately struck by the fireball that Donovan just launched toward them.
As the foolish man lays on the ground, he is surrounded by all of the people that he tried to kill. He looks at each one of them are smiles.
"Redmark was right. You're a tough bunch."- He mutters- "Let's hope that... you won't disappoint... later... "
Having said that, he closes his eyes.
Donovan sighs and draws his spear, piercing the man's head and preventing him from coming back.
"He was a skilled one. I have to admit it."- He says- "Once, I never dared to imagine that vandits could be such a menace. I thought of them as a bunch of miscreants who were seeking attention for themselves with their horrible actions. Muriance and his goons were a perfect example for that. But those people, it is as if they were prepared for us. As if they were actually expecting us to come here and stop them."
Then, he bends down and rips something out of the bandit's right shoulder.
"And it's clear that they sent one of their finest man to face us in battle."- He says- "A full captain, no less."
He smiles.
"I'm impressed."- He adds- "And a little disappointed."
He turns to Geralt and Kaiden.
"My boys."- He says to them- "It seems like the problem is far worse than we had anticipated."
Kaiden sighs.
"Wasn't that already clear from the start?"- He asks- "I'm sorry to say this, sire, but you're a bit of a slow learner."
Donovan sighs.
"Well, it's not anything new."- He responds- "Thank you for clarifying it."
Even after they defeated the bandit archer and the vagabonds under his command, they still hear the sounds of rustling in the nearby bushes. When they turn around, they see nothing. And yet, they cannot help but feel that they are still being watched.
"I can see some big red, evil eyes. Peering at me from the shadows of the woodlands."- Aaron says- "Guys, this is bad! We're being stalked, even as we speak!"
Geralt sighs.
"It is very clear that a sinister force beyond what those bandits are capable of is on the move. They're doing their best to weaken us and strike when the time is right."- He says- "Unfortunately, I must admit that they are quite close now. We must be ready for everything that lashes out at us."
Donovan raises his eyebrow.
"Is it the undead again?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Those creatures never manage to stay quiet for long, so that is not our potential attacker."- He responds- "No. It is worse. Far worse."
Somewhere from the darkness, the four of them could hear the creepy giggle of a man. It is coming from both nearby and from afar, making them think that this might be some kind of illusion that is meant to mess with their minds.
And yet, it seems to be so real. So vivid. It is clear that someone is nearby, trying to use his powers to confuse them in way to leave them helpless. Thus, they redouble their efforts to resist this cowardly trickery and attempt to find the perpetrator.
Just as they finally come across the exact hiding spot of the hidden villain, they hear a loud shriek. Then a tumble. Then the sound of a loose branch, piercing someone's chest.
"Well. That was... interesting."- Kaiden says- "What was it?"
Geralt shrugs.
"Beats me."- He says- "It could have been another illusion. Perhaps a sound coming from afar. But there is a chance that it could have been something else... "
As the four of them draw their weapons and approach the bushes, a large badger jumps out of them. When he sees the heroes' weapons, he hisses for a while but calms down as soon as they sheathe them.
"Oh!"- Geralt exclaims- "It is just a badger!"
He cautiously approaches the large creature and pets it.
"Hello, little one."- He says and smiles- "It is alright. We won't hurt you."
The badger nuzzles Geralt's hand. Then, he turns around and heads back into the woods, as if trying to lead our heroes toward something of interest.
When the four of them descend into the woods as well, they find themselves on a small hill. They jump down below and find themselves in a tiny glade. That is where they find the body of the man who was stalking them until now, his chest pierced by a massive branch. Blood is pouring out of his big wound, indicating that he was killed on the spot without their physical interference.
"This must be the villain who was playing us around, like a cat and mice."- Geralt says- "It seems like he figured out that he is the greatest spy of them all. Too bad that things did not go as he had envisioned."
As his cold, red eyes open again, he starts to growl at them and attempt to free himself. Geralt sighs and draws his weapon.
"I am sorry that you were corrupted by your leader's wishes, friend."- He says to the undead- "The only thing we could do for you now is to put you to rest. It is not wise to leave behind someone who risked his own life to stalk us."
As he drives his blade through the man's skull, he notices that someone else has done the same. Turning back, he sees that Donovan has pierced the spy's head with his spear, meaning that both of them managed to put him down.
"Mr. Donovan?"- He says- "What are you doing?"
Donovan looks at Geralt and smiles.
"Oh! Sorry!"- He exclaims- "Looks like we thought the same thing, at the same time! Interesting, right?"
Geralt nods.
"You have a point."
As the two of them pull out their weapons, they look around and notice that the badger ran off somewhere, probably to hide from more dangerous predators.
"He already did his job."- Geralt says- "Now it is time for us to do ours."
He looks up and listens to some kind of talking. Muffled speech, barely audible to his ears.
"Such a skilled band of vagabonds might be able to trick a simple band of hunters. Their speech almost sounds like the noise of the forest."- He says to himself- "However, we are no mere purveyors of glory. We will not be fooled by their cheap tricks."
He turns to his allies.
"It seems like the group that sent those bandits to kill us is hiding in this place, dense and dark as it is."- He says- "I don't know about you, but I think that it is time for us to disperse some justice to those who foolishly tried to wrong us with their actions."
He proudly tilts his head up, ready to face the dangers ahead with a clear mind.
"Whenever you are ready, we shall begin."
Kaiden smiles.
"Are you kidding?"- He says- "Let's go! I can't wait!"
Geralt nods.
"Then proceed we shall."- He says- "But be warned. Those bandits are more dangerous than the fools that we faced before. It shall be a fierce battle where everything could be a matter of life and death. Are you ready for it?"
Donovan nods.
"I've faced many enemies in my past. I won't withdraw when our people need us."- He says- "We shall face that rabble. Together."
Geralt smiles.
"Your enthusiasm is noted, Your Highness."- He responds- "Let's step into the darkness once more."
As the four of them prepare to enter the treacherous woods, Geralt looks back at the man whom they just put down.
"He was a sad case. An incompetent member of his sect, sent to do something which was not meant for him."- He says to himself- "At least he will not suffer anymore."
When he gets a closer look at him, he sees something unusual and raises his eyebrow.
"Hmm?"- He says- "What is this?"
He leans forward and picks up the strange item. It is a large scroll, filled with barely comprehensible writing.
"Ah. I see."- He says- "I shall take a look at it later. Perhaps it could be useful to us."
Then, he hears Donovan's voice.
"Geralt, where are you?"- He says- "We're getting closer! Come here!"
Geralt sighs.
"And so, the adventure begins anew."- He says- "Perhaps I shall find peace someday. But I will never rest until those vagabonds have been fully eliminated."
With that, he walks into the dark woodlands once again.