MLTO C3, P8

This is the eighth Part of "MLIV:TO" 's third Chapter.
It was released on 06.01.2023.
== Plot ==
Geralt and his allies come face to face with a fugitive from the city of Brigantia- the notorious Jett Norwood. A figure of evil, filled with hatred for those who were responsible for the death of his father and the downfall of his society.
Even though the situation does look very tense, there is still a chance for the villain to redeem himself.
Will our heroes make him repent for his sins?
== Story ==
Geralt looks at Jett.
"So, you must be the leader of this group of fiends."- He says- "This is good. You saved us the time we were going to spend hunting for you. We appreciate it."
Jett nods.
"It seems like both of us are hunters, in our own ways."- He says- "But tell me, Geralt Kaos. Are you really what people claim that you are? Are you really that much of a pivotal figure in the grand scheme?"
Geralt shrugs.
"Well, I am just trying to help people and keep the world safe."- He says- "How am I supposed to know if this is of any importance to people like you?"
Jett shakes his head.
"Silence!"- He exclaims- "I've had enough of your clever trickery!"
He pulls out a dagger and points it at Geralt's chest.
"Hey, that's not very nice!"- Aurelia yells- "Put that away! Now!"
Jett looks at her.
"Or what?"- He asks her- "You're all tied up. You can't do a thing."
Aurelia glares at him.
"I'm not just a helpless damsel, you know?!"
Jett sighs.
"I am sure that you're better than that, girly."
He looks back at Geralt.
"As for you."- He says to him- "My family and yours have a lot to talk about. With our blades."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Wow! Umm, wait a second!"- He exclaims- "Before you start torturing us or whatever, how about you tell us who you actually are? I am aware that you must be a part of some kind of wealthy family, but I cannot quite put my finger on it."
Jett raises his eyebrow.
"You... want to know who I am?"
Geralt nods.
"Of course."- He says- "Even though you are a villain, it's nice to hear someone talking about themselves."
Jett looks at him.
"Well, my name is Jett Norwood. I'm a part of the Norwood family, a valuable asset to the city of Brigantia and Emperor Redmark himself. For many years, I've been acting as their scout, using my superior skill in pathfinding to help them find their next victims. And, well, it hasn't been a very fulfilling job, but it's the best that I could do. I've never taken any pride in it, though."- He says- "My father was Maxwell Norwood- the man who became known for his role in the Kaos invasion four years ago. He was the one who ratted you out and revealed your true location to Redmark. So, he was rewarded with a high post and a nice job. And I... I can't say that I like what he became, but I still loved him. And then, you came to Brigantia while on that dreaded mission. You broke into my dad's home and you murdered him in cold blood. And that's why I hate you so much."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I understand your concerns, Jett, but this is not the right way to treat people who you suspect to be responsible for your father's demise!"- He exclaims- "Besides, I tried to warn my brother! I tried to convince him not to murder your father! I was a messenger of peace, but I became the harbringer of doom! And I-I am sorry! I promise that, if you somehow decide to spare us, we shall work together to make sure that accidents like those do not happen again!"
Aaron leans closer.
"Even though that vile man let half of your family be murdered in his lust for vengeance and greed."- He mutters- "Very smooth, Geralt. It was a certain A Plus."
Jett looks around. He sees the humanoids that are holding the three heroes hostage. At first, he considers simply murdering them and getting the job done. However, a small part of him tells him that Geralt may be speaking the truth. So, it might be best for him not to risk it until be discovers the truth behind the event that happened during that fateful night.
"Alright, boys. That's enough."- He says to them- "Leave the folks and go home. You deserved it."
The humanoids, stupid as they always are, believe Jett. They drop the heroes on the ground, grab their clubs and walk away. However, just as they near the edge of a nearby forest, the vines slowly entangle themselves around them. As our heroes stare, horrified, at this unpleasant scenery, Jett simply watches the humanoids as they scream for help and are claimed by the rage of the forest, becoming one of its many victims.
"You know, I could've done worse to them if they were still here."- He admits- "Those freaks were truly wild and I was barely able to command them. The way they murdered everyone with such glee, such passion, it made me worried about myself. And everyone else, I guess."
Aurelia gasps.
"So you are a good person!"
Jett leans back and sighs.
"Well, I guess that I inherited that from my mama. Unlike my dad, she was the nicest person in the world. Always such a positive person, she had a smile on her face wherever she went. When she departed from this world, we were both heartbroken. And I guess that's the reason why my father became so... volatile."- He says- "I can sometimes hear her voice, though. See her smile. Maybe it's just a wishful thinking, but I think that she's still out there... somewhere."
Aurelia smiles.
"Well, how about we help you figure it out?"
Jett shakes his head.
"You've done enough damage for one lifetime."- He says- "Besides, I don't need help from weaklings like you. Leave me alone."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Humans like us should help each other in dark times like this."- He says to him- "Your mercurial attitude will get you nowhere. We should work as a team, even though we are not on the same side."
Jett looks back at him. He is quite surprised that Geralt is talking like this.
"You really want me to be a part of whatever you're trying to achieve? Well, you'll have to earn my trust first."- He says and tosses Geralt a wooden sword- "If you really want this to happen, you're going to spar with me. We're not going to use any of our weapons or our skills. Just raw, focused power. May the best one succeed."
Aurelia and Aaron look at Geralt. They see the determination in his eyes and get very worried.
"Are you really going to believe him, Geralt?"- Aurelia asks him- "I mean, this guy just tried to get us killed. He almost allowed us to be beaten by a group of savage humanoids. You won't allow him to toy around with us, will you."
Geralt takes a few steps forward and sighs.
"It is for the best."
Aurelia and Aaron watch silently as Geralt approaches Jett in the empty fields ahead.
"Alright, Jett. You got yourself a deal."- He says- "I will show you the true meaning of heroism, in the way of the sword."
For the first time in a while, Jett smiles. It is kind of creepy, but it's his kind of way to show that he respects a fellow fighting spirit.
"Don't be a weakling."
And so, the two of them begin their sparring match. Although Jett is able to get the upper hand during the first minute, Geralt is able to counterattack and respond to his blows with a flurry of savage slashes of his own.
Jett attempts to use his trickery to trip Geralt, but the young hero sees through his mask. He is able to avoid his attacks and continue swinging his wooden sword at him, surprising and confusing him at the same time.
After a few minutes of tireless sparring between the two warriors, Geralt finally manages to find Jett's weak point- the stomach. Before Jett can attack him again, he lunges forward, slams his blade into the warrior's stomach and pushes him against a nearby tree.
Now trapped between a rock and a hard place, Jett is forced to surrender. He falls on his knees and sighs.
"Well, I guess you've done it."- He says- "The victory is yours. I'm under your command."
Geralt smiles.
"Truth be told, this was an excellent match! Had I not used all of the battle discipline that I had acquired on my adventures, I was definitely going to lose! You were a touch nut to crack and I definitely had trouble predicting your moves!"- He says- "Thank you for giving me a chance to prove myself!"
Jett stands up and shrugs.
"Ugh. Whatever."- He responds- "If anyone ever asks about it, just tell them that I let you win."
Geralt smiles again.
"Whatever you say, comrade."
Jett looks at his new team.
"So, what are you guys up to?"- He asks- "Anything interesting I can be a part of?"
Aaron nods.
"Well, we're trying to find the culprit behind the mysterious attacks in the forest!"
Jett raises his eyebrow.
"So, we're on the same page?"- He asks- "We're fighting on the same side?"
Geralt looks at him.
"You mean that you also fight evil, right?"
Jett nods.
"Why didn't you tell me?"- He asks them- "When I hired those humanoids to work for me, I tried to find some more reliable allies that I could work with against those imbeciles. I... I almost killed you all, just because you may have had some part in my father's death."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"But we didn't, did we?"
Jett sighs.
"I guess that I owe you an apology. Finding new allies is quite hard in those dark times and I almost blew my only chance for success."- He says- "Yes, I did love my father. He was the only parent that I remained with after my mom died. But he... he had a very wicked persona. He was a mean fiend in human skin and he never loved anyone more than himself. And maybe his money, too. In other words, I was just pretending to be sad about his death, but I am glad that he's gone from this world."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"You are glad that your only parent is gone?"- He asks him- "Why would you say that?"
Jett sighs.
"Because I... I prefer to be with people who actually respect me. Who are not going to backstab me and crush me, just because I made a small mistake."- He says- "That's why I decided to join you in the first place."
He looks at Geralt.
"Anyway, you mentioned something about the culprit. Right?"- He asks- "Did you talk to one of the dryads? You know, the green-haired maidens that use the power of nature to bring peace to the woodlands?"
Geralt nods.
"She was quite brief, but we understood her concern."- He says- "We wanted to help however we could, so we embarked on this adventure, in the hopes of finding a way to stop this madness."
Jett nods.
"Right,"- He says- "So, you saw how damaged the forests were, right?"
Geralt nods.
"And you know about the fact that most of the sentient creatures are now against us?"
Geralt sighs and nods.
"And their strongest warriors are the centaurs."- He says- "Fearsome creatures, they are. I have never met one in battle, but I am sure that it would be quite interesting."
For the first time in a while, Jett shows an unexpected emotion that seemed foreign to him- fear. He takes a few steps back and shakes his head.
"Ahh! C-centaurs?!"- He says- "But I thought that they were content to stay in their dens!"
Geralt sighs.
"It seems like they beg to differ."- He says- "And it is not just the four of us who are endangered. If this corrupted knowledge spreads elsewhere, then the entire world's sentient wildlife might be on Redmark's side."
Jett raises his eyebrow.
"And that means more... more... "
Geralt nods.
"Yes."- He responds- "More centaurs. More pain. More spilled blood. In other words, things that we are trying to prevent from happening."
Jett looks down at his blade. He is clearly not fond of centaurs for many reasons, but his desire to prove that he's better than his father is even greater than his fear.
"I guess that I owe you one for pushing me away from that bad path. Had I remained on it for a while longer, I would have turned into a completely heartless villain."- He says- "So. Are we still in this together?"
Geralt smiles.
"You got it!"- He exclaims- "Together until the very end!"
Jett nods.
"Yes. That's good."- He says- "So, where are we going now?"
Geralt takes a few steps forward.
"We are going to investigate the forests for clues regarding this vile culprit."- He says- "Maybe we might unravel something. And fight some corrupted wildlife, while we are at it."
He turns around.
"Whenever you are ready."
Jett sighs.
"Don't wait for me."- He says- "Just be on your way. I'm right behind you."
Geralt smiles.
"That is what I was hoping for."- He says and turns around again- "Alright, everyone. Our new adventure begins, here and now."
He takes a step forward.
"Let's do this!"