ML C8, P10- "Judge, Jury, Jared"

"Judge, Jury, Jared" is the tenth Part of "Miracula Luxia" 's eighth Chapter- "For Whom The Bell Tolls". It was released on 06.04.2020.
== Plot ==
Just when Jared thinks that everything has finally calmed down, a new problem occurs. A giant problem that he has to handle to ensure the safety of the city of Paris once again.
Although it sounds quite easy, this task is going to be one of the hardest ones for Jared so far.
Meanwhile, John finally rejoins his friend after a long search and helps him defeat the new enemy with newfound strength.
== Story ==
"What do you mean, mayor?"- Jared wonders, unaware what is really happening outside.
The mayor looks down at his papers and sighs.
"Looks like a giant managed to come through the portal and arrive in Paris. And that's not the only odd duck we've got here now. It looks like the rest of the humanoids are listening to his commands. He's something like a leader to them."
"A smart giant? Who could have thought!"- Jared says to himself- "Finally a real challenge for my abilities."
"Anyway, I know that you're still recovering from the visit at the apothecary, but I want you to take care of him... somehow. Do you think that you can do that alone?"
Jared thinks about it. Going out alone is pretty dangerous. It is always best to fight with allies by your side.
However, Jared also knows that he has to take the responsibility to protect them from the attacks of the enemy and now let them die. Rather than let some soldiers come with him and die trying to protect him, he decides to the job himself. Because the true hero has to be capable to protect himself, not cower in fear behind other people more capable than him for protection.
Inspired by those thoughts, Jared decides to say:
"I appreciate your concern, mayor, but I know how to defend myself. I know that you are concerned about my safety, but you need those soldiers more than I do right now. Don't spare any of them. I can handle this myself. You know that I can!"
The mayor nods, though a little bit unconvinced by Jared's words.
"Yes, yes. I know."- He says- "You're capable, Jared. A powerful warrior who fights to save his city. And that's why I respect you so much."
"But please be careful. Giants are very strong creatures and can be a pain in the bottom if you're unprepared. If you catch my meaning."
Jared nods.
"I do. Don't worry. I will be careful."
The mayor nods.
"Very well. Then show the giant that the heroes of Paris never back down from a challenge, no matter how impossible it may seem."
Jared nods, packs up his supplies and leaves through the front door to fight the giant and his allies.
Meanwhile, John walks on Paris's streets, killing humanoids and trying to find Jared.
He sees someone running towards the town square. A person who seems to be in a hurry.
"Either this is an unfortunate person who is trying to run away from a band of of humanoids in hot pursuit, or it is... "
"Jared!"
John recognizes his best friend who is going towards a huge humanoid, most likely with the intention of killing it.
John draws his blade.
"I have to help him out! He can't fight against this thing alone!"
Wishing to help his friend in the incoming battle, John runs towards the area where Jared is going.
Meanwhile, Jared finally reaches the point where the giant is.
The creature is looking around, smashing anything that comes in its way. Fortunately, it hasn't seen Jared yet.
Our hero decides to sneak up behind him and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
Unfortunately, one of the giant's escorts sees Jared and alerts him.
The giant slowly turns around and smashes his club into the ground.
However, Jared manages to escape the blow just in time.
"Ha!"- The giant says- "So you dare to challenge me?! Pathetic!"
Jared crosses his arms.
"Care to explain who you are before I take you and your friends down?"
The giant's lips twist into an expression that looks like a grin. He nods.
"I am the leader of those stupid creatures!"
"Lies!"- Jared yells- "I already know that Farrar sent those creatures here. You cannot fool me!"
The giant shakes his head angrily.
"No, you stupid human person! I am the commander of them. Farrar is the one who has chosen me for this job!"
Surprisingly, the giant's English is pretty good, possibly because he was taught to speak it when he was young.
This doesn't mean that he is smart, though. Well, smart for a human, at the very least.
"You are Jared Kaos. Farrar told me that we should kill you and take over this city. So we will!"
The giant tries to swing his club at Jared, but our hero stops him in the last moment.
"Wait!"- He yells- "Maybe we can deal with this problem in a more peaceful way? There's no need for more blood to be shed!"
The giant thinks about this. Then he nods.
"Very well. What do you have to say?"
Jared smiles.
"Well, Farrar did send you here now. But we can change that."
He stares at the giant's numerous scars.
"Aren't you afraid of him? Don't you want to take him down as revenge for beating you so much?"
The giant nods.
"Don't you want to be the leader of his army and take over the lands of Avernum?"
The giant nods again.
"Well, you can help us defeat him. Then we will make you the ruler of Bargha. What do you say, giant?"
The giant thinks about this. He is about to say yes, but his senses tell him otherwise.
However, the giant comes back to his senses when a human attacks his forces from behind and kills many of them.
He turns to Jared.
"Well, I think your little friend helped me make the decision for you. It is a big no. Now die!"
It swings its club at Jared, barely missing him.
John joins his friend in fighting against the giant and his minions.
"John!"- Jared yells at him- "Why did you attack them?! I was so close in convincing them to help us!"
John raises his eyebrow.
" "Convincing them to help us"? Jared, are you out of your mind? Those are humanoids! They're very unpredictable!"
"Still!"- Jared interrupts him- "They could have been perfect allies. It doesn't matter if they are unpredictable!"
John sighs and pulls Jared away, saving him from the giant's next attack from the air.
Jared is amazed by how athletic the giant is for his size, but doesn't have much time left to wonder about it as the giant slowly approaches him.
"You need to be more careful."- John says- "I can't always be here to help you!"
The giant laughs.
"No one will be able to help you now!"- He yells and swings his club at John.
Fortunately, John is strong enough to parry his attack and strike a blow himself, stunning the huge creature for a little bit.
The rest of the living humanoids try to protect their leader, wildly swinging their weapons at the two boys.
John gives Jared his sword.
"Go!"- He yells- "I'll distract them!"
"But... b-but... "- Jared stutters- "Your sword!"
John smiles.
"Oh. I won't be needing this anymore. All I need is this... "
He pulls out a knife from his pocket.
"And this."
He takes his shield off his back.
"You fight with both swords. You know what the brave warriors say- "Two swords are much better than one" ! "
Jared nods and watches as John whistles to the creatures.
"Come and get me, cowards!"- He yells at them.
Something in John's words makes them very angry. They charge towards him, weapons drawn.
John struggles against them, winks at Jared and continues fighting.
Jared nods and jumps on the giant's back.
"What's going on?"- The giant says- "Where are you?"
Jared smiles.
"They say the unexpected surprises taste the sweetest. And you know what?"- He says as he stabs the giant in the back with his two swords.
"They are indeed."
The giant looks at its back and laughs.
"That's all you can do? Pathetic, human. Pathetic. You're nothing more than a bug in my eyes. Nothing!"
The giant is now distracted trying to explain how much better he is than Jared. This gives our hero enough time to prepare.
As John holds the other creatures away from him, Jared pulls out his bow from his back.
"I've fought many humans before. You're just another pathetic bug I have to squash."
He aims his bow at the giant.
"When I take you to Farrar, he'll give me a huge reward. Of food and gold. You have no chance of surviving this battle!"
Aims it!
"Jared Kaos. Pfaugh! You're nothing more than a wanna-be hero who thinks he is very cool."
And...
*PKOW*
"I will kill you n-- "
The arrow sticks right onto the giant's forehead, instantly killing him.
John notices that the giant is falling forward and is about to crush Jared. He runs towards him and pushes him out of the way as the giant quickly falls down with a thud.
Jared approaches the dead giant, gives him a sharp kick in the head and smiles.
"Sorry. I didn't hear that. What were you saying?"- He says, mocking the giant's survival abilities.
"Oh, wait. You're dead now. Nevermind then."
John sighs, shakes his head and turns to his friend.
"I've got to be honest with you, Jared. This guy was very loud!"
Jared nods.
"I confirm that, John. He was indeed pretty loud, up until the moment when he was shot."
"Though... it could have ended differently if we were at least a little bit more diplomatic with him."
John looks back and sees the remaining humanoids staring at them, fear dancing in their eyes.
"Well, I think that you will have the chance to do so now! Tak to them, if you want to."
"Or kill them. I don't care what happens to them. I just follow your orders."
Jared approaches the humanoids and sees that there are 15 of them left.
"Humanoids."- Jared says- "I know that you don't think very highly of me. In fact, you must hate me a lot for killing so many of your kind, just like I killed the giant just a few moments ago. Yes, I might be a ruthless slayer of monsters, but I'm not merciless. Your leader is now dead and you are free to choose what to do next. I know that we may have to fight, but I also hope that I can convince you to help us out. Farrar is a cruel overlord and we need all the help we can get to stop him from hurting more people... and creatures. We need to fight together, for the better good. For the safety of our world."
"So. Are you with me?"
The humanoids cheer for Jared- a clear sign that they are indeed with him.
John smiles and turns to Jared.
"See?"- He says- "You are a natural leader. Anyone will listen to you, not just humans. Anyone."- He puts extra emphasis on the last word.
Jared nods and looks at the creatures.
"Your first order of business is to take down your own kind. I know that it is tough. They are just like you, after all, but I believe that you can do it. So, go ahead and fight for the good of our world."
All of the creatures nod and go in different directions- each one with a different task to complete.
"Jared, I think that it's time for us to go back to your mother."- John says.
Jared nods.
"Yes. She is in the city hall. Let's go."
Jared and John leave the area to go towards the city hall.
Meanwhile, the old man from earlier watches the two from a corner, very well hidden.
He looks around and sees Jared's humanoid allies fighting the rest of the other humanoids. He smirks and retreats into the darkness to plan his next move.
Jared and John return to the city hall and see that Jared's mother is still on the bed, seemingly asleep.
"Welcome back."- The medic says- "I managed to patch up your mother. I think that she'll survive this ordeal."
Jared smiles.
"Thank goodness. Thank you so much, sir."- He says and stares at his mother.
"She's snoring gently. That's good news. Now what remains for us to do is wait for her to wake up."
The mayor taps Jared on the shoulder.
"Jared, could you come with me for a moment?"
Jared goes outside with the mayor. The man shakes his hand and smiles.
"John told me that you killed the giant and allied yourself with some of the humanoids. Good job! What you have done today might turn the tides of this seemingly endless fight in our favor."
"It also seems like there are less and less humanoids ever since to killed the giant. This gives us the chance to execute our final move."
" "Final move"? "
The mayor nods.
"Yes. Final move. The move that will end the creatures's hopes to conquer our land once and for all."
"The destruction of their portal."
== Trivia ==
* Though it might seem like the old man will disappear for good, this won't be the last we see of him. He will actually appear in future Parts of "Miracula Luxia" at least once more.