MLIV C4, P4- "For You"

"For You" is the fourth Part of "Miracula Luxia IV" 's fourth Chapter.
It was released on 25.06.2022.
== Plot ==
After the demise of Beowulf- the legendary dark beast that has been terrorizing the entire world for centuries- Adam's faith in the Order has been restored, at long last.
But this does not mean that the team's troubles are over.
While on the road leading to World's End, the three heroes experience a strange dream. A memory of the past, turned vivid by Adam and Jared's imagination and made clear by their desire to make a difference. And yet, it looks so real, so optimistic and bright. 
Could those memories be more than what they seem?
== Story ==
As our heroes continue their adventure, Adam stares back at the village again and sighs.
"And so, their struggles continue."- He mutters- "The wolf may be gone, but they still have to protect what is rightfully theirs."
Jared approaches him and nods.
"I can sympathize with the man we led earlier."- He says- "Being the leader of a settlement in a time like this must be a pain for him."
Adam looks at him.
"Have you felt the same way since our troubles began?"
Jared nods.
"Without a doubt, I have."- He responds- "Every day, I struggled to keep myself on top of the Pseudo-Order that we call the "Royal Hierarchy", just to help our people keep on living. Every moment that I spent, it was to ensure their survival in those harsh times. On many occasions, I felt like the forces of darkness would break in at any minute and slaughter us all. But I did not care. So long as you were still alive out there, I would have gladly sacrificed my own life to keep it that way. And yet, I knew that you would never be able to get over it. I feared that you would become a different person after losing your parent. Trust me, I know how it feels. I once felt that way myself, after losing your grandmother and grandfather. And that is why I became so hardened, so confident. I had the good luck of getting over what happened to them, but that is just because I had experienced a lot more than that. I had a lot of faith in our ways and that is why I have always tried to shared it with you. To give you strength to fight for the right purpose, to help you realize why you are so special. And I am glad that, when I see what you have become since I was forced to leave you behind, I can clearly see a confident soul who is never afraid of doing the right thing. Like staring at myself in the mirror, you make me feel so happy, so hopeful and eager to face a brighter future. Every moment that I spend with you, it makes everything worth it. And I always want it to be that way."
Adam nods and stares at the sky above.
"I can tell that you mean it. You are always so kind and caring, dad. Your words have always been little inspirations for my soul."- He says- "And yet, I do not feel like I am ready for what has yet to come. I will gladly fight Darkthrop and his allies, but I do not know whether I am ready of facing my fate afterwards or not."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"What makes you so worried about your fate?"- He asks- "Is it the way people look at you? The consequences of your own actions? Or how you are going to show your face in the light of your family?"
Adam sighs.
"No. Nothing close to that."- He says- "What I am worried about... is whether I am worthy of being a sovereign or not."
Jared looks at him, surprised.
"You are telling me that, even after so long, you are still not... ready?"
Adam sighs.
"How could I ever be?"- He asks- "Every sovereign has been trained to understand the ways of their kingdoms ever since they were children. The people, the laws, the enemies that always threaten the peace their predecessors brought to light, they know everything that it takes to be sovereigns. But me? I am just a simple hero, out in the outside world for a reason many would fail to understand. I can tell that my place is out here, so I want to keep it that way."
Jared looks down.
"Sometimes, I was thinking about how I could see you as the king. As my successor and the leader of a mighty nation. And yet, I feared that you would be... confused. Uncertain. Divided between order and freedom."- He says- "And yet, I can tell that it is painful to choose. So, maybe it is best if I let you go. Allow you to do whatever you want, if it means that you will stay this way. Your happiness is my greatest goal and I hope that you can always stay positive, even after what we are forced to face now."
He looks at the sky.
"So, if you do not want to be king. I will not stop you. I never would."- He says- "Your soul is free to be itself."
Adam nods.
"Thank you, dad."
Linus approaches the two of them.
"Umm. Sorry to disturb you. But we've got trouble."- He says- "Darklings are ahead and they're waiting for someone to arrive."
Jared turns around and nods.
"Then they will see us arrive."- He says- "And it is the last thing they will ever see."
The three of them approach the creatures, weapons drawn.
Half an hour later, the road is clear of enemies. Our heroes find their way into a small forest and decide to call it a day.
"It is quite peaceful, isn't it."- Jared says- "And to think that I always avoided places like those when I was younger."
Adam nods.
"But why were you so afraid?"
Jared shrugs.
"Maybe I saw a giant bear? Or a ferocious wolf? Perhaps those forests that I visited were... too dark and scary for me?"- He says- "But it does not matter. The fear is gone. And with that, I can finally enjoy the feeling of being in the wild again."
He yawns.
"I think that it has been... too long."- He says- "Maybe we should rest for a bit before we move on."
Linus nods.
"Before you two go to sleep, I want to tell you a story."- He says- "My mama told it to me when I was a child and I feel like you should know it, too."
Adam smiles.
"I love bedtime stories."- He says- "Go ahead, then. Sing your heart out."
Linus nods and sits down.
"Once upon a time, there was a man whose powers were beyond our mortal recognition. Innocents trembled at his very steps. His army of twisted, mishappen creatures brought sorrow upon the known lands. Many had believed him to be the harbringer of doom, for he was a power greater than any this world has ever faced."- He says- "Everything seemed to be lost. The lands. The loyal warriors. The beautiful children, lost to the cruelty of the forces of evil, were forced to watch as their parents fought for their lives, never knowing how terrible it is. And yet, there was one who always stood up for them. One who had suffered a lot, yet managed to walk with his head high. A smile was always flashing on his face and it always seemed like he was shining. In times of fear, he was the calm river that flowed its way toward a brighter future, the flames of vengeance that burned all villainy in his path. The forces of evil tried to defeat him, but they never managed to bring him down, for he was the harbringer of a new world. The savior of mankind. During the beginning, he predicted that justice and light shall prevail. And his words were soon proven true, for he managed to defeat the evil one and bring peace to the known lands. For many years, his story was known far and wide as that of the godfather of all heroes. The parton of samaritans. The overseer of Order. He may be long gone, but his legacy still remains. And it shall always be this way, forevermore."
Adam nods.
"And does this hero happen to be someone named Adam?"
Linus smiles.
"Of course. The First Man was much more than just the godfather of mankind. Time and time again, he proved himself as a destroyer of evil."- He says- "You live on with his name. And that's why you're so... amazing."
Adam leans back and smiles.
"It does not matter what my name is or what I am fighting for."- He says- "I am doing something good in this world. And that is all that matters."
Linus shakes his head.
"If only more people understood that."
The two boys look up at the sky. They see that the moon has risen.
"Well, it seems like our bedtime story is over."- Linus says- "Hope you enjoyed it"
Adam nods and yawns.
"We have another tiring day tomorrow."- He says- "Good night, Linus. Enjoy whatever sleep we still have left, because we might miss it once it is gone."
Linus smiles and nods.
"Good night, my friend."- He says- "And, please. Try to forget the troubles that you faced today, whatever your mind says about them."
Adam nods.
"I... will do my best."
Then, without another word, both of them close their eyes and go to sleep.
Not long after, Adam finds himself in the Realm of Dreams. He sees the paradise that he has always dreamed of, pure and clear as the morning sky. 
He leans forward and touches one of the trees. Then, he smiles.
"It all seems so real."- He says- "The birds. The songs. The hopes and prayers."
He looks up at the sky.
"I wish it could always be this way."
Then, he notices something in the distance. 
At first, it seems like nothing more than a black dot. But it soon gets much, much worse.
Suddenly, the entire paradise is engulfed by black flames. The sky turns black and the beautiful, white clouds start to rain blood.
"What is happening?"- Adam says, alarmed- "Why is my world falling apart like this?"
He tries to extinguish the flames with his water magic, but soon realizes that something is preventing him from doing so.
He looks down at the ground below his feet and sees a long, large crack.
"Is this meant to-- "
Suddenly, the ground starts to shake violently.
He tries to get away, but is soon swallowed into the core of the earth, never to return again.
And then, he opens his eyes and looks up.
"Ugh. My head. Everything feels so... woozy."- He says- "Why did I end up... like this?"
He looks around.
"There is nothing left."- He mutters and sighs- "The shadows, they consume everything they touch."
He sighs again.
"Is this what it feels like to have your fragments of hope stripped away from your soul?"
He notices that he is standing next to Jared.
"Dad?"- He says- "What are you doing here?"
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"I would like to ask the same thing."
Adam sighs.
"We are within the deepest corners of my mind."- He says- "Soon, we are going to relive some sort of painful memory. Or a visage of my worst fears."
Jared nods.
"But what if this is all connected somehow?"- He wonders aloud- "What if the perfect paradise you saw back there was more than just your imagination?"
Adam gasps.
"Wait!"- He exclaims- "So, you know about what happened back there?"
Jared ignores his question, for now.
"What if those are the visions of a new world?"- He says- "The foundations of something truly spectacular?"
Adam shrugs.
"We will never know it until we see it with our own eyes."
Jared smiles.
"Perhaps your mother is right."- He says- "There really is a lot of wisdom within that soul of yours."
As the two of them continue to talk, a lone figure, wrapped in a veil of light, slowly approaches them.
Adam and Jared stare at her, alarmed.
"Who is she?"- Adam wonders.
Jared leans closer, but fails to recognize it.
"A spirit, perhaps?"- He says- "Or maybe some kind of distant memory?"
Adam watches the figure approach them and shakes his head.
"No, dad. It is much more than that."- He says- "What you see over here... is the image of my own guilt. The caricature of regret that has been haunting me for years."
Jared realizes what his son is talking about. He takes a step closer, eager to see the figure ahead.
And then, he sees her, in all of her feminine beauty and gracious charm.
"Akari, my love."- He says- "It is you. It really is you."
Akari approaches the two of them and smiles.
"Jared, my dearest."- She says- "Dare I dream that I've finally done it? Could I be so lucky?"
Jared leans closer to her and takes her hands in this. Then, he realizes that everything is completely real. The vision of Akari that he is seeing truly is what he has always dreamed of.
"You are as beautiful as the day I met you."- He says- "My gorgeous flower. My shining, eternal sun. My lovely angel. Oh, how I have missed you."
Akari smiles and blushes.
"Aww, stop it. You're going to make me melt."- She says- "Besides, don't you have another woman that you love? Sheesh."
Jared smiles.
"It is true. I love Meggy and I always will."- He says- "She is my Number One. But so are you, my dear."
Akari blushes again.
"And that's why I love you so much."
As the two of them continue to talk, another person stands next to Adam. He looks around and sees that it is his sister- Akira.
"A perfect match, aren't they?"- She says and smiles- "I've always thought that mom would be the perfect woman for dad. I wanted to see them happy, live in the perfect family. But those wretched hostiles, they ruined everything for us."
Adam sighs.
"It is always this way, Aki. We were born under the sign of the heroes- always on the run, always brave and strong."- He says- "But look on the bright side. At least we still have each other. And that is what truly matters to me."
Akira nods.
"Trust me, being with you matters more than a thousand words ever would."- She says- "But seeing our parents happy, it makes me feel like I fulfilled my wish, at long last."
Adam smiles.
"With Ms. Minamino back from the dead, I feel like dad will change for good."
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"In the good way?"- She asks- "Or... "
Adam nods.
"I am most certain that it will be in the good way."- He says- "Just stay with me and watch."
Akira nods.
"I told you that I'll always stand my your side."- She says- "And I refuse to back down."
Then, she leans close to her brother, hugs him and watches as her parents stare at each other.
"How are you holding up after the... incident?"- Jared asks Akari- "When I looked at your face back then, I remember that I saw... fear. Regret. Silent fury that was extinguished way too soon."
He looks at her.
"Tell me, my love."- He says- "Am I right to be worried about you?"
Akira sighs.
"It's true, my dear. I was awfully angry. You abandoned me when I needed you the most."- She says- "Why? Why did all of that have to happen to me? Why didn't you save me?"
Jared looks down. Tears start to fall from his eyes as he remembers how he had to watch Akari die, how he carried her in his arms and how he cried while having to bury her.
"Those events. They are still so clear and... terrifying."- He says to himself- "Is my mind trying to play tricks on me? Is it trying to make me sad again?"
He sighs.
"Well."- He continues- "If this is what it wants, then it is definitely working."
He looks up, his heart still heavy with guilt.
"I... tried to. I wanted to keep you by my side, to give us another chance in this life and to stop that villain of a man with my own hands, once and for all."- He says- "But fear was running deep in my blood. I did not want you to see me the way that I was back then. I was a wreck, a parody of the hero who once saved the world. All of the problems that I had, I blamed them all on myself."
Jared falls on his knees.
"Please, my love. Do not be afraid to see me for who I truly am."- He continues- "I never meant it to be this way. I wanted us to be together forever. But I was too afraid. Too foolish. I was a coward who lost everything in the blink of an eye, and still has more to lose because of his mistakes. So please, do not spare me your anger, your lust for vengeance. I deserve whatever you want to do with me. Just please, do not take it on the children. They are too innocent to understand."
Akira takes a step forward.
"No, daddy. Don't be so hard on yourself. It breaks my heart to see you cry."- She says and looks at her mother- "The fault is all mine, mom. I was the one who was supposed to protect you."
Akari raises her eyebrow.
"Akira, baby."- She says- "Why would you say such a thing?"
Akira looks down.
"When that fiend attacked us, I... was gripped with fear. Paralyzed. Knowing that Mr. Kaos is my true father hit quite hard back then. And I was tripped over by my guilt, unable to help you as you cried for me."- She says as she wipes the tears from her eyes- "If there's anyone who is bound to suffer from their mistakes, then that should be me."
Akari sighs.
"Neither of you are guilty for anything."- She says- "What I wanted to say is why you didn't save me from myself."
Akira and Jared look at her, confused.
"You?"- Jared asks- "But you never did anything bad!"
Akari sighs.
"That's what you think, my love."
She looks up at the dark ceiling.
"When I was still at school, there was this man. Many saw him as our PE teacher, but I was the only one who truly saw him for who he was."- She says- "Around my age, this man had experienced the most horrifying thing ever imaginable. Seeing his friends die in a cursed school filled with danger was too much for him. But he always stood there with a smile on his face, always greeted the students when they arrived. But the guilt was still inside of him, just like it's inside of you right now."
She sighs.
"I always thought of him as the weird bean at school. The loner who always stood in the back, dreaming of being a hero. And yet, I never knew how he really felt... until I had to face everything myself."- She says- "In the end, I was able to escape with my life. Everything that happened back there, it remained as nothing else than vague memories. Sadly, that man was not as lucky as I was. He and his fallen friends fought back against a creature of evil, a demon of sorrow who was seeking revenge after being falsely accused by one of the spirits of the school. He fought valiantly, using his powers until the very end. But that was not enough. Soon, he had to sacrifice his own life in order to appease the fallen. He had to give his own life away so others could live in his place."
She blinks a few times.
"I always thought of my demise as a way to be what he used to be. A hero in a time of need. A gentle soul who was simply misunderstood by others. And yet, my guilt was still strong... until I saw him again."- She says- "When I came to this realm, I reunited my teacher. We reminisced the story of how we came to be here. And then, he gave me some valuable advice."
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"And what would that be?"
Akari smiles.
"When you're afraid, think of the good times that you had. The pleasant memories that make you so special."- She responds- "And someday, you are bound to make more."
Akira nods.
"And someday, this might be us?"
Akari nods and smiles.
"It already is."- She says- "I mean, look at us. We're the perfect family we've always wanted. What else could I ever want?"
She looks at her sister.
"Look at you."- She says, admiring her good looks- "You're just as gorgeous as your daddy."
Akira smiles.
"I've always tried to be like him."- She says- "But you're also my idol."
Akari nods.
"Ah. I see that he taught you well."- She says- "Still, I can't help but notice that there's some kind of tension in your soul. Did something happen while I was gone?"
Akira looks down, but doesn't respond. Her heart is too heavy with guilt.
Jared steps forward and sighs.
"It is best not to talk about it."- He suggests- "Whenever she is reminded of the mistakes that she made, she always gets a little... sad."
Akari sighs.
"So it be."- She says- "I won't pry further."
Then, she looks up and realizes that Adam is standing next to her.
"Ms. Minamino?"- He says- "Do you still remember me?"
Akira stares at him for a while, unable to believe what she is seeing. 
But then, she realizes that she is not just daydreaming. Adam Kaos- the little boy whom she saved long ago- has turned into the embodiment of hope and faith, just like she had always hoped.
She smiles serenely, leans forward and hugs him.
"Adam! Oh, my little sweetheart, I can't believe it!"- She exclaims, immensely proud as if she is his mother- "The prophecy was true! You finally managed to follow your dreams! And now, you're the brightest star I've ever seen!"
Adam smiles.
"It is good to see you as well."
As the two of them embrace, Akira and Jared stare at each other.
"Well, I guess that I've been replaced."- She says- "Adam's always in the spotlight of everything."
Jared smiles.
"Well, my dear."- He says- "You are always in my spotlight."
Akira smiles.
"Thanks, dad."- She says- "I appreciate it."
Akari looks at Adam.
"So, you really did face that vile wizard!"- She exclaims- "And I thought that he was just a myth. A legend."
Adam shakes his head.
"I assure you that he is quite real."- He says- "When I saw him with my own eyes, he was trying to be scary. But I was not afraid of him. I fought him with all of my might. And then, when everything seemed to be lost to us, I managed to seal him away."
Akari nods.
"Was it hard?"- She asks- "Did he hurt you?"
Adam smiles.
"Does it matter?"- He says- "Every wound that I receive is worth it, when I know that it is for the sake of a better world."
Akari sighs.
"Just... try not to end up like me, okay?"- She says- "You're already on my mind. I don't anything else to happen to you."
Adam smiles again.
"As long as I have a purpose in this world, I am never going to leave it behind."- He says- "And that will never happen, because I always have a purpose to be here."
Akira looks back at Akira and Jared.
"It's them, right?"
Adam nods.
"Indeed."- He says- "And it has always been this way."
Akari nods.
"And it's the same for me, sweetheart."
She and Adam stare into the darkness.
"So."- Adam says- "How does it feel like being a spirit?"
Akari sighs.
"It's a pain to be so far away from you."- She says- "But I always console myself with the thought that you're still out there."
She looks at him.
"And yet, I've always been thinking."- She says- "About you."
Adam points at himself.
"You were thinking about... me?"- He says- "But you still have Akira. Isn't she more important to you?"
Akira shakes her head.
"Mama has always wanted a male heir. I'm always dear to her, but she's always looked at you in a different way."- She says- "Adam, you don't realize just how much she loves you. As her son, that is."
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"You think of me as of a son?"- He says- "Why so?"
Akari looks up and sighs.
"Many years ago, God himself gifted me with a baby girl. I was happy with that. But there was always this wishful feeling, this hope for more than that."- She says- "So, when I saw you for the first time, I thought of you as the harbringer of my greatest desires. The baby boy I had always wanted. I wanted to have you for myself, but I knew that Meggy was your true mother, so I never dared to interfere, because we've always been good friends. For many years, I never dared to step into your family. I tried to forget you, for the sake of protecting you from evil. But now, I can see that life is always better when you're around. You can't get away from something that you truly love, no matter how far you get."
She looks at Akira.
"But how has everything gone for you two?"- She says- "Is mama Meggy treating you well?"
Akira grins.
"She's the second best mama I've ever had!"- She exclaims- "When I was around with her, she taught me how to use a gun. Showed me how to be a more respectful person. She even took the time to bring me to beautiful places around the world! She's an angel in human disguise and I'll always love her for everything that she did for us!"
Akari nods and looks down.
"Then, it... it looks like I'm not needed here anymore."- She says- "Perhaps it's best if I... disappear again."
Adam tries to stop her, but she shakes her head.
"No, sweetheart. It's been too long."- She says- "The spirit world calls me back. I can't resist it anymore."
With a sad wave, she bids farewell to her family and prepares to fade away.
Just as she is about to do so, however, Jared gently grabs her hand.
"Akari, stop."
Akari fades back to reality, confused.
"What is it, dear?"- She asks him- "How can I help you?"
Jared smiles serenely.
"Actually."- He says- "I would like to help you. Live a better life, that is."
He gets on his knees and opens the palms of his hands.
Suddenly, a small, white box appears in them.
In front of Akari, he opens it, revealing a pearl white ring, with a small, shining diamond on top.
"Akari Minamino. My dearest sweetheart."- He says, smiling from ear to ear- "Will you... be my wife?"
Akari's eyes widen. She never dared to expect such a thing, yet it is actually happening right now.
As Adam and Akira watch, amazed, she walks up to him, smiles and nods.
"Yes, my dearest!"- She exclaims, tears of joy falling from her eyes- "I accept! I accept!"
Akira turns to Adam grins.
"I knew it!"- She says, overjoyed- "She said yes!"
Adam nods.
"Yes!"- He exclaims- "I knew that they were meant to be for each other!"
As Jared stands up and puts the ring on her finger, she leans forward and kisses him.
And they kiss for a while, revealing the passion that was withdrawn for too long.
After a few minutes, Akira looks away.
"Ugh. Parents."- She says- "They always tend to show off in front of their kids."
Adam smiles.
"Well, Aki."- He says- "If I am correct, you are a parent as well."
Akira glares at him.
"That doesn't mean anything!"
Adam winks and smiles.
"Sure."- He says- "Of course it does not."
Akira looks back at her parents and smiles.
"Still, it's good to see them truly happy."- She says- "For the first time, I feel like I am whole again."
Adam smiles.
"It feels like a new part of me was just revealed. A hidden self that I have never seen before."- He says- "And we have dad to thank for that."
Akira smiles and hugs her brother.
"I'll always love you, little brother."
Adam smiles serenely.
"It is the same for me, sister."- He says- "And nothing will ever change that."
As Jared and Akari stand back, they look at their children and nod.
"So."- Jared says- "Are you ready to go?"
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"Go where?"
Jared sighs.
"The real world, obviously."- He says- "I would gladly stay in this place forever, but there is still a lot to do. If Darkthrop is left to roam for too long, then this might be the end for what we just did."
Akira nods.
"I fear that your father is right."- She says- "It's time to meet your destiny again."
She approaches Adam and Akira and takes both of their hands in hers.
"I'll never forget you, dearies."- She says- "Farewell, for now. Keep your faith high!"
Akira smiles.
"We will!"- She says- "See you!"
Adam leans closer to Akari and smiles.
"Thank you for everything."- He says- "Mom."
As Akari fades away, she smiles. Tears of joy fall from her face as she slowly disappears.
"Thank you for being the light of my life."- She says- "My son... "
With that, she fades away, returning into the memories of her loves ones once again.
"Okay."- Akira says- "Now what?"
Jared looks up.
"It should be happening any minute now."
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"Something is... supposed to happen?"- He asks- "Dad. What do you me-- "
Suddenly, the ground shakes under their feet. The rumbling of the earth gets more intense.
Soon, it opens, revealing another gigantic hole.
"Do not be afraid, children."- Jared says- "We are almost there."
The three of them fall into the hole and are teleported back into the real world.
And then, Adam opens his eyes.
He looks around, realizing that his father and Linus are awake.
"There you are!"- Linus says- "We've been waiting for you all day!"
Adam rubs his eyes and blinks a few times.
"R-really? Was it really that bad."- He says- "Ugh. What time is it?"
Jared smiles.
"It is currently 10 AM."
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"10 AM?"- He says- "I normally wake up around 7 AM. But today, it seems like I set a new record."
Linus nods.
"When I woke up, you were still sleeping."- He says- "You looked very peaceful, so I didn't dare to wake you up."
Adam looks around and sighs.
"Dad."- He says- "Was it all just a dream?"
Jared smiles.
"No, my boy."- He says- "Everything was a reality. I assure you of that."
Adam looks back, surprised.
"You mean... you, Ms. Minamino and Aki."- He says- "You were... more than just figments of my imagination?"
Jared smiles.
"Remember how you told me that your dreams are always so real? So vivid?"- He says- "Well, I think that this is a perfect example of that."
He looks at him.
"Everything that you feel inside of them, it resonates with your true self. That is why it feels so real."- He says- "But what you saw back there? It is almost as if you experienced it in real life. Expect that it is, you know, in the Spirit World."
Adam gasps.
"Then this means that everything that Akira said to me... was real?"- He says and bolts to his feet- "I cannot leave her alone like this, not when she is still thinking of me."
He grabs his sword and shield, running out of the glade before Jared and Linus could convince him otherwise.
"Hey, Adam!"- Linus says- "Wait for us!"
As the three of them run back toward Duskwood, another pack of darklings stands in their way. However, Adam is unfazed by this.
"Out of my way fiends."- He says- "Or else."
Then, without another warning, he jumps in the air and swings his blade a few times, creating powerful slashes of magical energy that he sends down at his unsuspecting enemies.
Having handled the darklings with ease, Adam proceeds to run back toward the settlement where he left his sister. Once in there, he looks for her among the crowd of confused townsfolk.
"Where is Akira?"- He asks- "Where is my sister?!"
Then, he notices her approaching him and smiles.
"Ah!"- He exclaims- "There you are!"
Without thinking twice, he runs toward her, accidentally trips and falls into her arms.
"Woah! Be careful, Adam!"- Akira says- "You could have hurt yourself!"
Adam shakes his head.
"That does not matter right now."- He says- "I made a big mistake. And now, I am coming to take you back."
The townsfolk gasp, surprised that Adam wants to reunite with his sister again.
"But... why would you want to do that?"- Akira asks- "You've got daddy. You've got Linus. You don't need me anymore!"
Adam shakes his head.
"You are wrong, Aki. I have always needed you."- He responds- "Ever since the day I freed you from Darkthrop's control, I wanted to be with you. To stand by your side. To see as we stand together, happily watching the sunset as we did before."
He clenches his fist.
"I will not allow life to separate us again."- He says- "I will keep our bond intact!"
As the townsfolk wonder what is going to happen, James emerges from it, now fully healed.
"So, my boy."- He says to Adam- "You came to look for your sister?"
Adam nods.
"She means everything to me."- He says- "Can I take her back?"
James smiles.
"Of course, you can!"- He exclaims- "Akira was a great help here, but it's time she moves on. To be with you, that is."
He takes a step forward and shakes his hand.
"Thank you for allowing us to borrow her."
Adam smiles.
"Thank you for keeping her safe, Mr. Braveheart."- He says- "I appreciate it."
As the Kaos siblings reunite, James smiles, remembering how his children reunited in the same way decades ago.
"I always remember the smile on John's face when he showed Matty to me. He was so overjoyed to see him again, so glad that his search was over."- He says to himself- "Seeing the children's faces is more than enough to keep my gears running."
Adam turns to James and salutes him.
"We shall continue fighting Darkthrop's forces in your honor!"- He exclaims- "Soon, we shall prevail!"
James smiles.
"I have no doubt in that."
Akira looks at James.
"Are you sure that you're doing okay, Mr. Braveheart?"- She asks him- "That wound looks pretty severe."
James smiles.
"Oh. Don't worry, child."- He says- "Even though the poison is still very deep, my faith in the Order shall keep me alive. I'm not going to give in."
Akira nods.
"Then that means my work is done."- She says- "You may stay here, but rest assured that I will return."
James smiles.
"I shall await your arrival, whenever that is."
Akira turns to her brother.
"Come on, dear brother."- She says- "We've got things to do. Let's get on with them."
Adam smiles.
"Just like the old times?"
Akira smiles back.
"Yes."- She responds- "Just like the old times."
Then, the two of them turn around and leave Duskwood, cheered on by the townsfolk.
"Farewell, children!"- James says as he waves at them- "I hope that your future is a bright one!"
Soon, Adam and Akira join Jared and Linus on the road toward World's End.
"So."- Akira says to her father- "Was it your idea?"
Jared smiles.
"Not at all."- He admits- "Adam had a beautiful dream. And he really wanted to relive it with you."
Akira gasps quietly, realizing what he means.
"Oh! Of course!"- She exclaims- "Now, I understand!"
She turns to her brother and hugs him.
"Thank you for helping me be free again, little brother."- She says to him- "You made the right choice."
Adam smiles.
"You will always be my dear to me, Aki."- He says- "No matter what we have to do next."
Akira smiles back.
"It's the same for me, Adam."- She says- "From now on, we'll be together forever."
And then, they march on together, toward the shining sunset.
== Trivia ==
* This Part marks the first physical appearance of Akari during the Second Trilogy of the "Miracula Luxia" series, albeit only as a spirit.
*The words that Akari says to Jared after he asks her whether he should be worried about her or not ("It's true, my dear. I was awfully angry. You abandoned me when I needed you the most. Why? Why did all of that have to happen to me? Why didn't you save me?") are nearly identical to those that Ayumi says to Yoshiki in Corpse Party game "Corpse Party: If".
**In addition, Akari is originally a character from said game, being given a similar fate to that of Ayumi.
* This is the first Part in Chapter IV where no named characters die.
=== Notable Moments ===
* Jared and Akari reunite for the first time since "Miracula Luxia II: The Bond".
* Akari finally confesses how she truly feels about Jared.
* Adam finally understands what it feels to have a true family.
* After many years of being separated from her, Akira sees her mother as much more than just a vague memory in her mind.
* Although the two of them never married before, Jared and Akari finally marry in the Spirit World. Therefore, they are officially a couple.
* Adam remembers the reason why his sister- Akira- is so close to him.