MLII C6, P2- "Darkness Arising"

"Darkness Arising" is the second Part of "MIracula Luxia II" 's sixth Chapter. It was released on 28.05.2021.
== Plot ==
Once they realize that the Darkness of Duskwood gang is still standing after they defeated their leader, our heroes return to the city of Paris to plan their next move, hoping that they can prevent a battle between the bandits and Allister's allies.
Meanwhile, another small group of bandits attacks the Kaos residence and tries to find Allister, but are easily killed before they can do any damage to it and its residents.
Could this attack be related to the same gang that is trying to kill Aleks and his allies?
== Story ==
Allister raises his eyebrow.
"Darkness of Duskwood?"- He says- "This name... it sounds familiar!"
Both Jared and Meggy look at him, surprised.
"You know about them?"- Jared asks him.
Allister nods.
"When my grandpa was still alive, he told me about a group of bandits that he was hunting. Small, incapable, but still very dangerous. Back then, they called themselves the Darkness of Duskwood."- He says- "He tried to hunt them down as best as he could, but to no avail. They were too secretive and did not leave any clues that might lead to the mastermind of their gang."
He sighs.
"After he retired from fighting, the gang grew stronger. They robbed innocent people and gained large amounts of wealth. From what we heard, their headquarters became lavish- almost unbelievably so."- He continues- "Until my uncle stepped in."
He sighs again.
"My uncle was tired of hiding from them, so he gathered a small group of brave soldiers and invaded their headquarters. However, he... he didn't make it."- He says- "One of the surviving soldiers reported his demise to our family. He said that he tried to save him, but he bled to death before he could carry him to safety."
He stares at the sky above and clenches his fist.
"Enraged by my uncle's untimely demise, I ignored the warnings of my grandpa and my parents. I went to their base and... and I killed many of them! Many bandits! They died because of me!"- He yells- "And I do not regret doing so! Not at all!"
Aleks places his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"You shouldn't be."- He says to him- "They are people. The only thing that would make them realize how foolish they are is the demise of their own comrades. I applaud you for standing out and avenging your uncle. Or trying to, at the very least."
Allister nods.
"When I find their leader, I... I want to... to... "
He turns to Jared.
"We will kill them, right?"- He asks him- "We will kill their leader? We won't show them any mercy?"
Jared nods.
"Vagabonds like them do not deserve any mercy."- He responds- "All of them shall be purged by the holy flames of Justice. Mark my words."
Relieved, Allister decides that it is not a good idea to stay in the wilderness. He takes another step forward.
A few hours later, Aleks and his allies return to the city of Paris. Once they reach the gates, Marinette runs up to them.
"You came back!"- She says to Jared as she holds his hand worryingly- "We were under attack! A bunch of brigands attacked us while we were waiting for you and they asked for Allister. When we told them that he's not in the residence, they attacked us."
Aleks gasps.
"Did they hurt you, dear?"- He asks her- "Did you get rid of them?"
Marinette grins.
"Actually, we did!"- She says, her eyes beaming with pride- "Thankfully, we managed to get the attention of John and Annie, who helped us fight those miscreants."
She smiles.
"Fifteen of them, now scattered in our backyard."- She adds.
Jared shakes his head.
"How unfortunate."- He says- "Let us get rid of them."
When they approach the Kaos residence, our heroes realize that Marinette did not lie to them. Fifteen bandits are indeed laying in the backyard.
"Me and grandpa wanted to bury them in Paris' graveyard."- Marinette says- "But Treviass says that we need to ask you for advice."
As Lethal and Treviass leave the residence to join them, Marinette stares into her brother's eyes, hopeful that he can make the right choice.
"So, what will it be?"- Treviass asks him- "Should we bury them? Or should we throw them awa-- "
Before he can finish his question, he witnesses Jared casting a fire spell on each one of them and staring emotionlessly as they burn.
"Villains do not deserve to be talked about, let alone be honored with a proper burial."- He mutters- "Monsters like them only deserve to burn."
He turns around as the last corpse burns to ashes.
"And we shall do the same to the rest of them."- He adds.
A few moments later, he collects the ashes and puts them in a nearby trash can.
"It is done. Whether we like it or not."- He says, his emotionless voice piercing the souls of his allies like a heavenly drill- "Hopefully, this will provide a fair warning to those, who try to ruin the balance of our world."
Marinette takes a step forward and looks at him.
"Brother."- She says after getting a good look- "You... you've changed."
Jared sighs.
"Not just me, dear sister."- He says stoically- "All of us have changed, for good or bad."
Aleks looks down. He clearly understands what his son means.
Allister sighs.
"We... we all lost people dear to us."- He says- "The world is merciless."
Jared nods and presents a sheet of paper.
"One of the bandits tried to burn this down when you started killing them."- He says to his sister- "Unfortunately for him, it seems like you killed him way too fast. Most of the writing is still legible."
With Jared's permission, Aleks takes the paper from his hands and analyzes its contents. A few moments later, he gives it back to him.
"I see."- He says- "The Darkness of Duskwood gang never ran away. They were preparing to have their revenge on us. And they almost succeeded, had we let our guard down."
Marinette raises her eyebrow.
"Wait. You mean... the bandit that I killed? He was their leader?"- She says- "Did I... did I mess up? Was it better for me to leave him alone?"
Jared shakes his head.
"No, sister. Not at all."- He says- "Though you did disrupt their balance for a long time. Thus, they were unable to strike back."
He sighs.
"However, it seems like they found a new leader."- He continues- "And they are coming for us."
Aleks nods.
"Then it's clear what we must do next."- He says- "Yet another pack of wolves is trying to maim the disorganized sheep. But they will see that those sheep are not going to back down that easily. They will witness the bravery of those heroic sheep as they bring them to their knees."
He looks at his son.
"The world needs our help again."- He says to him- "Are you ready to fight alongside us?"
Jared nods.
"Yes! In the name of sacred Justice, yes I am!"- He says- "If those fools are really here, I am ready to eradicate them once and for all! I will not let them run away!"
Aleks nods.
"That's the spirit, son!"- He exclaims.
He turns to Allister.
"My boy. This situation will only get worse as we proceed."- He says- "You may stay with us and help us defeat this powerful enemy. Or, you may return and stay with your family until the chaos is finally over. What do you think?"
Allister stares at Aleks. His eyes beam with determination.
"Those bandits killed my uncle. I will not let them forget it."- He responds- "I will engrave the pain into their souls, like a wildfire. I will burn them down until there is nothing left to burn."
He sighs.
"Of course, my family may be in danger. But I know that they will be fine."- He adds- "Plus, you're my new family now. I'm not going to let you fight those vagabonds without my help! I want to join you!"
Aleks smiles.
"Then you shall join us."- He says- "Welcome to the family, kiddo."
He pats him on the shoulder.
"Rest assured that I will keep you safe from evil, even if it means that I must risk my life while doing so."- He adds- "And I'm sure that the rest of my friends and family will do the same."
He turns around and looks at them.
"Right, everyone?"
Everyone nods.
"I have said it before and I will say it again."- Jared says- "A person who is a friend of my father is our friend as well. And we will do our best to protect them from those who will try to harm them. Those are the bonds that we form, that stay with us like a sky full of shining stars."
Marinette nods.
"I agree with my brother."- She says.
Aleks looks at a nearby portal and smiles.
"It looks like our next destination is clear as the night sky."- He says as he stares at the swirling mass of barely controlled magic- "Avernum."
Marinette, Lethal and Treviass watch as our heroes carefully step into the portal and, one by one, are teleported in the lands far below the Surface.
Once again, our heroes are on a journey in the ancient lands that are known as Avernum, trying to find another group of villains... and defeat them before it is too late.
"This is it!"- Aleks says- "Get ready, children. This will be a long journey."
Listening to the words that Aleks has just said to them, Jared, Allister and Meggy brace themselves for a long battle.
"Avernum, here we go again."- Jared mutters as he leaves the portal and surveys the landscape around him.