MLTO C3, P1

This is the first Part of "MLIV:TO" 's third Chapter.
It was released on 08.12.2022.
== Plot ==
Geralt and Aurelia have grown tired of all of the pain that they had to go through so far. Wanting to find a new way of life, the two youths join the old master of light known as Akihiro (with the permission of their own families, of course) and accompany him to a mystical temple where they are supposed to unlock their hidden potential.
In the week that followed since their departure, they are first seen in the temple, working alone to hone their own abilities as their new master had instructed them. And yet, it is clear that the two children managed to make some friends along the way, often spending their free time trying to socialize with some of them. This is their only chance to alleviate the rising boredom within their souls, so they eagerly decide to take it.
Although everything seems to be as calm as it could be, it is clear that there is some kind of tension in the air. Some kind of a malevolent force, not too unfamiliar to our heroes, is dwelling nearby. A new evil is being stirred, undisturbed by anyone.
The shadows have not dispersed yet. Their troubles have barely begun.
== Story ==
After Geralt and Aurelia decided to listen to Akihiro's advice, the old master was pleased with the events that unfolded afterwards. In his alliance's temple, the two of them proved to be his most competent and collected students. They helped their older peers concentrate on their work, defeated the stray monsters that lurked outside of the sacred place and gave Akihiro enough time to restore the northern section of the temple- a place that was almost completely destroyed by a previous attempt to completely taint it.
In the week that followed, the two children achieved victory after victory. They became quite popular in the boundaries of the temple and their fame soon rose even beyond that. However, the way they treated their peers was rather forced. Akihiro knew that they meant well, but soon realized that they became like this only because they were betrayed by people that they trusted. Even though it made them stronger, it also changed them. Turned them into slightly colder and more commanding individuals. Thus, Akihiro decided that it would be best if the two of them could train elsewhere, away from their peers. And yet, he did not do it because he wanted to separate them from those people that they could call their friends soon. He did it because he thought that it would be best for them. Students are like children to a master like him and it is clear that it pains him to make them lonelier than they already were, but they soon managed to hook up to their new way of life and continue functioning normally.
Thanks to Akihiro's wise words and the encouragement from their fellow peers, Geralt and Aurelia trained hard and unlocked most of the confidence that was locked away in little more than one week. Today is the first day of their last week of training under the guidance of their wise master. Soon, they will be able to emerge into the Known Lands once again and make names for themselves!
And so, a new chapter in the book of life begins.
----Geralt walks up to the western section of the temple, holding a broom in his hand like a sword. He was told to meet his new master at the entrance to it, so he dutifully walks up to it, eager to find out what his next task would be.
Aurelia sees him walking through the temple's halls and she immediately joins him.
"Hey there, champ! Good to see you!"- She greets him- "So, what's our work for today?"
Geralt smiles.
"Whatever it may be, it is a pleasure to work with you again."- He says- "In the week since we came here, you've shown yourself to be a loyal and resourceful individual. I look forward to bond with you even further."
Aurelia blushes and giggles.
"Oh, Geralt! You flatter me!"- She exclaims- "The way you talk about me is always so nice. I love it."
She walks up to him and smiles.
"And I would love to keep it that way."
Geralt nods.
"I would love to talk to you for the whole day, but we still have work to do."- He says- "So, let us get on with it."
Aurelia sighs.
"Right."
As the two of them move through the clean and pristine halls of the temple, all eyes are on them. While most male members are charmed by Aurelia's beauty, the female ones are focusing their attention on the gorgeous Geralt. Ever since they arrived, they have changed quite a bit. This gave their fellow monks the chance to see a new show of beauty.
"Do you ever get tired of being the center of attention when we are nearby?"- Geralt whispers to Aurelia- "Sometimes, I feel like we're being respected for our looks, not our brains or brawns."
Aurelia smiles and waves at the staring students.
"Just smile and nod, Geralt."- She says- "Smile and nod."
At last they reach the door that leads to the second wing. Once they get through, they become calm once again. It is quite stressful to deal with all of their new admirers. Such popularity has always been quite alien to the two of them.
"Wow. That was... something else."- Aurelia says- "I can't wait to get away from this place."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"You are feeling nervous just because others think that you are cute?"
Aurelia glares at him.
"Are you going to make me feel bad?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Of course not!"- He exclaims- "I was just... just worried about you. Such an attitude is bad for you and I want to do my best to ensure your happiness."
He smiles.
"You are a good friend of mine and I want to be your guiding light."
Aurelia smiles back.
"You already are, my dear."
She hugs him.
"Alright. I'll try to act cool in the face of all of those admirers."- She says- "But you won't leave my side, right? Right?"
Geralt smiles and hugs her back.
"I give you my word that I will be here for you."- He says- "Together, we will emerge and become the watchers of this world."
Aurelia nods.
"Sometimes, I think that the enemy's attention is better than that of our fellow justice warriors."- She says- "I'll be glad to move out."
She looks up.
"But not yet."- She says- "First, we must find Master Akihiro. He will show us the way."
Geralt nods.
"And our way toward the light shall always be paved with innocence and good intentions, just like grandpa had predicted."- He says- "Come on, Aurelia. We have a lot of work to do. And this is barely the beginning of it."
Aurelia grins.
"Bring it on, world!"- She exclaims- "We're ready!"
The two of them walk through the passage and reach the end of the western wing. There, they see Akihiro staring at a window, seemingly lost in thought.
Aurelia wants to wake him up from his trance, but Geralt stops him. He is quick to realize that their master is meditating and does not want to bother him until he decides to speak with them. His companion begrudgingly agrees.
After a few minutes of complete silence, the two youths wonder whether Akihiro will wake up in the next few hours. They prepare to leave him alone, but the master soon opens his eyes and stares at them.
"Ah. My best students are finally here."- He says- "Come hither. Join me as I contemplate the reasons behind our troubles."
Geralt and Aurelia sit down.
"We heard that you wanted our help, master. So, I took two mops."- He says- "We are ready to execute our cleaning duty for the day."
Akihiro smiles sadly.
"That was very thoughtful of you, young Geralt. You have always been so determined to help others, and my guidance managed to amplify your desire to even greater heights."- He says- "However, the task that I have got in mind is not one for the faint of heart. Most of the students are too afraid of the shadows that are lurking outside, so I am forced to ask you- my greatest students- to help me find the answer behind the mental riddle that was shown to me."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"A mental riddle?"- He asks- "Are the forces of darkness playing with you again?"
Akihiro shakes his head.
"I am not quite sure. Many times, I have been tested by the shadows. Century after century, they have been getting worse and I never knew how to send them back to the place where they belong the most."- He says- "However, I fear that the source of evil is not coming outside of our home. Something tells me that it could be elsewhere, perhaps even closer than we had anticipated."
As the three of them prepare to talk further, they are joined by Shura Kobayashi- one of Akihiro's most esteemed warriors. He is carrying an ornate tea set with both of his hands and calmly walks toward them, yet seems nervous about something.
And yet, he is easily able to control his own fear. Before Geralt and Aurelia can start wondering what is on his mind, he is calm and collected again. Then, he approaches his master, carefully removes one of the cups and places it on a nearby table.
"Greetings, mighty master."- He says stoically- "I carry your precious tea- the source of strength for your mind."
Akihiro lifts the cup. He sniffs it and smiles.
"Once again, you amaze me with your skill and calm attitude, my dear Shura."- He says- "I thank you for your gift. I shall enjoy it as much as I can."
Shura smiles. However, it is slightly twisted and, at the same time, seemingly not entirely genuine.
"Your tea was made with a special blend, just for you."- He says- "I'm sure that it shall send you flying high."
Having said that, he bows his head and walks away, leaving the three of them to their solitude.
"Polite young man, isn't he?"- Akihiro says and chuckles- "I do not get many of them around these days. Most of them are simply too loud and boisterous for my tastes."
Geralt nods.
"He seems like a nice person."- He says- "Me and Aurelia are glad to meet people like him."
Akihiro smiles.
"It is good to see that the two of you are finally making new friends."
As the master turns away for a second, Geralt leans closer to Aurelia.
"There is something fishy about this Shura person. He has always been so quiet and analytical. It has been worrying me way too much."- He whispers to her- "Keep an eye out for him. If something suspicious happens, we need to be ready."
Aurelia nods.
"I don't know how useful I could be, but I'll still give it a try."
Geralt turns to Akihiro and sighs.
"So."- He says- "As you were saying, this evil's source might be coming from one of our own people. I hate to question you like this, sir, but have you thought about the possible reason for this silent mutiny?"
Akihiro shrugs.
"To be honest, I have always failed to find the answer."- He says- "In my years as a master, I rarely had any students that would eventually disobey me. They were, so to say, a few in a million."
He looks up.
"And yet, something tells me that even a single one of them can be a menace to our peaceful society."- He says- "One warrior can be an army and one warrior can command one. It is not a surprise that such a fool might be stirring a rebellion against us."
He turns around and stares at the window.
"The balance of this world hangs on a thread. Chaos spreads everywhere, like an infection through the pure soul of a man."- He says- "And yet, it fills me with guilt to blame one of my students for our common misfortunes. I feel like it is not the wisest course of action. But the things that are happening out there... they are getting far too many. And the darkness is creeping closer."
He shakes his head.
"One day, I fear that I might be forced to watch, powerless, as our entire world falls apart."
Geralt walks up to him.
"But we don't have to blame anyone, sir. There is no evidence that points out toward a certain individual. Or individuals, in this matter."- He says, even though he knows well that this is not exactly the truth- "The darkness can bend the light in many different ways. It can corrupt it, make its recepients unsure in themselves and cause fires in the calmest of places. What if some kind of outside force is trying to break our bond?"
Akihiro turns around and smiles.
"You know what, my boy? I think that you might be right."- He says- "For someone so young, you have the mind of a true sage. A person that has been lost in his books for decades, searching for the right answers."
He nods.
"Yes. I can see that my fears are justified, but are not pointing toward the right direction."- He continues- "I must change the way I see this world, for the sake of all of those whom I chose to take in. It is for the best of them."
He looks at Geralt.
"Thank you for helping me see reason in my suspicions, young Geralt."- He says- "Perhaps your words shall serve as a determining factor for my growth as a master."
As the three of them plan what to do next, another student enters the room. It is Ryozo- one of the lesser students of Akihiro- who seems to be on the verge of breaking down. Despite being a cheerful and energetic individual, he is known to panic when chaos ensures, and often has to be comforted by his peers.
"Master! Master!"- He exclaims- "The prophecy is true!"
Akihiro raises his eyebrow.
"What is it, young one?"- He asks- "What happened out there?"
Ryozo, exhausted to the point of helplessness, sits on a chair and shakes his head.
"When the archers were preparing to leave, they found a stray goblin. They shot him down, but then another appeared. And then another. And another."- He says- "They were too busy to notice a group of fiends working their way into the temple. And now, the beasts are in our grounds! We're doomed, master!"
Akihiro stands up and sighs.
"Fear not, young one."- He says- "They may be powerful, but we have handled much worse. We shall take them down and drive them out of our sacred place."
Ryozo shakes his head.
"But we can't do this alone, master!"- He exclaims- "Our monks are too scared to fight!"
Akihiro nods.
"Then I shall gladly join my students in the eradication of those invaders."- He says- "Lead the way."
Ryozo salutes him.
"Yes, sir!"
As Ryozo and Akihiro walk out, the master looks back at Geralt.
"You and Aurelia might want to join us."- He says- "This will be a perilous battle and we might need your guidance."
Then, he walks away.
Geralt and Aurelia are left dumbfounded. They were expecting some sort of a raid to happen, but they did not know that it would happen so soon. Left behind with the thought of losing everything in just a single day, the two of them wonder what must be done next to ensure the safety of everyone.
"Do you think that this is some kind of a sign?"- Geralt asks his companion- "A prelude to something much worse?"
Aurelia shakes her head.
"I... I don't know what to believe!"- She exclaims- "I'm not good enough to think too much! I just want to fight!"
Geralt sighs.
"Fair enough."- He says- "I shall be the brains of this team. You will be the brawns."
Aurelia looks at him.
"But you're both the brains and the brawns!"
Geralt sighs again.
"Oh, for the love of... "
He shakes his head.
"Just do as I say and, I give you my most sincere word, we shall emerge alive and well."- He says- "Don't let the warriors of darkness send you astray. You're such a beautiful woman. You should not worry too much about the consequences."
Aurelia blushes.
"Oh, Geralt. You always know what's best for me."- She says and nods- "Alright, then. I shall join you as we fight yet another gang of enemies. Let's liberate this temple, together!"
Geralt smiles.
"That is the spirit, my dear Aurelia."- He says- "Every day, you are proving that it was worth saving you back there. And not just because I wanted to do a good deed. No, it was because I saved a person with a way of thinking like my own."
He stares at the door.
"But there is little time left. If I am correct about this, the creatures that entered this temple are humanoids, the same kind of beasts that my grandfather fought decades ago."- He says- "Fortunately, he gave me a bit of advice before we left for the unknown, so we might be able to help our friends."
He turns to his companion.
"Come on, Aurelia!"- He exclaims- "To battle!"
Aurelia nods.
"Yes!"- She exclaims back- "To battle!"