MLII C2, P7- "Misconception"

"Misconception" is the seventh Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's second Chapter. It was released on 06.11.2020.
== Plot ==
Our heroes prepare to enter the portal that is supposed to lead them to an area near Fort Darkside. Horis-Ihrno assures them that an army of Avernite soldiers will arrive as soon as they are teleported there.
However, things turn out to be a little different than they expected them to be. A little bit.
== Story ==
Jared, Devin, Florence and Horis-Ihrno climb the stairs that lead to the second floor of the residence. There, they approach Aleks' study.
When Horis-Ihrno opens the door, Jared goes in first and looks around. He seems to be in awe, seemingly unaware of the room before he came here.
Devin notices this almost immediately.
"Jared, is everything alright?"- He asks him.
Jared turns around and smiles.
"Oh. Well... yes, I guess."- He responds- "I am just amazed by how tidy the room looks, even after my father abandoned it for a whole year... and the presence of the portal that was placed in here in his absence."
Devin nods.
"It sounds like you've never entered this room in your entire life."
Jared shrugs.
"Truth be told, I never had the chance to come here. So, I guess that you are right."- He says- "My father told me to stay away from his study at all times as it was his private spot when we lived here. The place where he did not want anyone to bother him. Obviously, I listened, because I respected him and did not want to get in his way when he had something important to do."
"But."- He says and smiles- "Now that he is away, I think that I would not hurt looking around and seeing what I missed for all these years."
He opens a file cabinet and finds a small toy. He pulls it out and notices that it is a plush doll of the Ladybug superhero.
Remembering his dear sister who used to help the city of Paris as the well-known Ladybug superhero when she was younger, he smiles and wipes a tear from his right eye.
"Does this remind you of anything?"- Devin asks him.
Jared sees that both of his friends are looking at him, quickly stuffs the doll in his pocket and looks at them. He quickly becomes very serious.
"Nevermind."- He says stoically- "We should focus on the task at hand. The enemies will not defeat themselves, you know? Brave heroes are needed to do that for them. And it looks like Fate has chosen us for this sacred task."
"So, don't you dare think about something else when the whole world is in danger. Am I clear?"
Devin and Florence are surprised by the sudden seriousness that Jared shows to them. They stare at each other for a few moments, unsure how to respond.
Finally, they turn around and simply nod. Then, they inspect the portal along with him.
Jared smiles and turns to Horis-Ihrno.
"This is some truly impressive machinery."- He says- "It must have taken a long time to construct it."
Horis-Ihrno smiles.
"It did indeed. But we were prepared for this."- He responds- "Master Ghall-Ihrno planned everything perfectly. And now, we are ready to help you strike a decisive blow in the most important place of the war- Fort Darkside, home of the Darkside Loyalists... and Dorikas."
Jared clenches his fist, remembering how Dorikas and his forces killed many of the citizens in his hometown and took away the life of one of his dearest friends- Lillian Rupert.
However, instead of lashing out and raising his anger even more than he already has, he decides that he will save it and concentrate on the most important mission- finding Dorikas and slaying him, ending the tyrrany of the Darkside Loyalists once and for all.
"Dorikas will pay."- He says quietly- "Mark my words."
Horis-Ihrno nods.
"I feel your pain, young hero. It is clear that the Darkside Loyalists have killed someone you cared about. But I won't ask more about them. Such memories should not be remembered, especially when they are so painful."
Jared sighs and looks at the portal.
"So... you are saying that this portal will take us close to Fort Darkside. And that Avernite soldiers will soon invade the fort and give us a chance to slip in, allowing us to kill Dorikas without causing unwanted suspicion."
Horis-Ihrno nods.
"Exactly. I hope that you are ready, because this will be a very dangerous adventure."
Devin sighs.
"Oh, boy. Here we go again."- He mutters- "Traveling through this portal will be very exciting. I'm so flattered."
Jared looks at Horis-Ihrno again. He does not seem to trust him completely. In fact, it seems like he secretly doubts that the plan will actually work.
However, he decides that it is better to stay quiet than try to argue with a Vahnatai about portal devices.
"So. What are we supposed to do?"- He asks him.
Horis-Ihrno looks at the portal in a way that indicates that he doesn't fully trust his master's plan.
"Touch the energy that emanates from it and you will be teleported near Fort Darkside."- He says- "Simple as that!"
Jared shrugs and turns to his friends.
"Well, are you ready for this?"- He asks them- "Once we step into the portal, there is no going back until we defeat Dorikas and the Darkside Loyalists for good."
Devin nods.
"Sure."- He says- "Let's finish this once and for all."
Florence smiles.
"You know I can't turn away a good adventure, Jared. Let's show those loyalists how we fight!"
Jared reaches his hand to touch the portal.
"Are you ready?"
His friends nod and reach for the portal as well.
"Three... "
"Two... "
"One..... "
"Adventure!"- The three of them say in unison and touch the portal.
However, nothing seems to happen immediately.
The three of them stare at each other. Horis-Ihrno looks at the portal worryingly.
Suddenly, there is a flash of light and Jared falls to the ground. Unconscious.
"Jared! Oh no! Oh no!"- Florence says and kneels to look at her friend- "Please wake up! Now's not the best time for a nap- "
A few moments later, another flash of light occurs. This time it blinds Horis-Ihrno.
"What is happening, my friends?!"- He says.
However, he does not get a response. All he can hear are Devin and Florence's panicked screams.
Moments later, the light fades away and Horis-Ihrno realizes that the portal is gone. And it seems to have taken Jared, Devin and Florence along with itself.
Horis-Ihrno looks around the room in a desperate attempt to find the three heroes. He is starting to panic.
"Friends? Friends, where are you?"- He says.
However, he soon realizes that this is not a dream. The three heroes are truly gone. And so is the portal that leads to Fort Darkside.
Horis-Ihrno falls to his knees, burying his face in his hands.
"Oh my god, what have I done?"- He says.
He stands up and looks around again.
"I must tell my master about this immediately!"- He says to himself- "We must notify the Avernite warriors to assist them. Who knows what will happen if they don't reach the fort in time... "
He shakes his head.
"No! I mustn't think about this! There is a chance for me to help them and I will take it!"- He says.
With an urgent goal in mind, he runs out of the room and goes to his master's residence.
Ghall-Ihrno opens the door and lets him in. He notices that he is worried.
"Horis, you are back."- He says- "Does this mean that our friends are at Fort Darkside now?"
Horis-Ihrno shakes his head.
"Master, the situation went from bad to worse in just a few seconds. Our friends are gone!"
Ghall-Ihrno gasps.
"What do you mean by that?!"- He asks him- "Are they... okay?"
Horis-Ihrno looks down, as if he is blaming himself for what just happened to the three heroes.
"They are gone. And so is the portal. We cannot go that way."- He continues- "And, if we are unable to send help in time, everything may be over for the three of them... "