MLTO C2, P5

This is the fifth Part of "MLIV:TO" 's second Chapter.
It was released on 30.10.2022.
== Plot ==
Geralt and his allies meet with King Donovan in Goznor, intending to find out more about the mysterious army that is attempting to undermine them. They know that the sovereign is a good friend of Geralt's father- Adam Kaos- and has dealt with many villains in his time as a king, most of the time in a less peaceful way.
According to Donovan, there is a sizable force of hostiles in the woods near the capital of the kingdom. In order to deal with them, he devises a plan to go on a hunting mission with his new allies- something which also serves as a way for them to hone their skills.
If our heroes want Redmark's empire to fall apart for good, the first step must be made. Otherwise, everything could go wrong.
Will they succeed?
== Story ==
Geralt leans forward and stops his mother.
"Wait, mom!"- He exclaims- "Are you trying to leave us alone again?"
Amber raises her eyebrow.
"What do you mean, sweetie?"
Geralt sighs.
"Don't you realize it already?"- He asks- "We're alone, mom. The world has abandoned us. We need you to guide us toward the right path again."
Amber looks at her son.
"But... the mission... "
Jared smiles.
"You're not alone in this fight, my girl."- He reassures her- "Nobody is able to fight on their own. We're a family and must support each other in any way we can."
Amber stares into the eyes of Geralt. She sees just how serious they are.
For a moment, she remembers how Adam promised the same thing to her when they started to get close. He considered her to be a part of the family even when she was just his girlfriend. This shows just how loyal he was to her.
And then, she looks up and notices that Aalia has joined them.
"Amber. I trusted you with the lives of my family. I gave you the chance to be their savior. I wanted you to be happy, even though you must be with the ones whom I call my dearest."- She says to her- "You must not shy away from this duty, my friend. It is what you wanted. And I'll be glad to support you myself.
Amber looks down.
"Aalia, it shouldn't have been like this."- She says- "You should've been the one to care for those people, not me. I'm... not a family woman. I have a duty as a lawcarver and I'm forced to ignore others when things get very tense... even though I absolutely hate it. This is not the real me, Aalia."
Aalia sighs.
"I understand how you feel. Losing someone important to you is the worst thing that could ever happen and I know that your heart is still bleeding."- She says- "But there is no way for anyone to change the past. So, please. stand up and fight for the future that you deserve so much."
Geralt leans closer to Amber and takes her hands in hers.
"You are our mother. You chose to be."- He says- "I don't know how Kaiden feels about you, but I have always been motivated by your presence. You comforted me when I grieved for my sister. You made me smile when I was feeling depressed. And, most importantly, you gave me the strength to endure those ordeals and be myself. If my words still mean anything to you, then I think that you should know that you're the best thing that came into our lives."
And then, he hugs her.
"I love you, mom."
Tears appear on Aalia's eyes as she watches her son embrace Amber. Even as a ghost, she is still able to feel like a human. And those emotions are like a power that makes her even stronger than she was before.
"This is who you are now, Amber."- She says to her- "Destiny or not, this is the path that God himself has chosen for you. Our family needs you. Don't let them down."
Amber leans forward and kisses her son on the forehead.
"Geralt, sweetie. Thank you for trusting me so much."- She says- "I don't deserve it at all, but I shall do my best to prove myself. To our family. Our friends. And, most importantly, you."
She looks up.
"Alright. So be it."- She continues- "I will guide you toward the right path. Maybe our futures are connected, after all."
Jared nods.
"On the same day that Aalia died, I felt a sense of emptiness that never went away. A strange feeling that tried to turn me into a helpless pile of mass, once a hero of great renown."- He says and smiles- "I have to admit it, Amber. You're one of the people that I have truly cared about. In fact, it is almost as if you are my third daughter."
Amber raises her eyebrow.
"Third... daughter?"
Jared smiles again.
"After Akira and Aalia, of course."
Amber smiles.
"I'm just happy to be a part of this beautiful family."- She says- "Nothing else."
Still embracing Geralt, she turns toward Goznor and looks up at the castle in the distance.
"Well, I guess that there's only one person who could give us guidance now."- She says- "He's a good friend of mine. And if I put in a good word for you all, I'm sure that he'll gladly assist us however he can... despite the fact that he's as busy as me."
She sighs.
"Come on, family."- She adds- "You want me to lead you toward a brighter future and I will. Let's begin our journey toward greatness."
As the five of them walk toward Castle Goznor, Amber looks back and notices Aaron.
"Hmm? What is this?"- She asks- "A new kindred soul?"
Geralt smiles.
"Oh! I almost forgot!"- He exclaims- "Mom, I want you to meet my old friend. My good, old friend."
Amber smiles.
"I think that I remember you!"- She says to the boy- "You're Aaron Dawson, right? The kid who ran away from school to become a mercenary?"
Aaron nods.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kaos."- He says- "Though it was quite an unexpected coincidence that Geralt and I met again, it was quite a welcome one. I'm glad that I'm accompanying my friend on this perilous journey. It brings me joy to see him warm up to his own family when I was unable to understand mine."
Amber shakes her head.
"I know the feeling. It must be quite painful for you."- She says- "But fear not! You now have us by your side and we'll value you as much as an actual family member!"
Jared smiles.
"You heard the lady, kiddo."- He says to him- "You're a part of the family now. And we're quite big."
Aaron smiles.
"Well, I truly appreciate it."- He says to them- "Were it not for you, I was still going to serve that wretched man."
Amber raises her eyebrow.
"Redmark?"
Aaron sighs.
"That's the right guy."- He responds- "He's so despicable."
Geralt points at a nearby building.
"Look, everyone!"- He exclaims- "We have arrived at our destination!"
Amber grins.
"At last!"- She says- "Now, let's meet His Highness. I'm sure that he'd be thrilled to see you all."
When the five of them step into the throne room, they see the King and Queen, in all of their glory. However, them seem to be quite disturbed by something. The recent course of events has left them shaken and the signs are everywhere. 
For example, the guards all around the castle are alert. They eye our heroes suspiciously, as if expecting them to do something bad. The butlers are silently lurking in the shadows, fearfully doing their duties in the face of incoming chaos. And the once-polished walls all around the castle are showing a tiny amount of dust- a clear sign of neglect in those dark times.
At first, Donovan does not notice the incoming visitors. He is looking at a large scroll, one that is hastily written. His eyes continue to look down for a minute or so, until Sharla kindly reminds him that he must greet those who step into the throne room.
"Forgive me, Shar."- He says- "I was lost in my own world. I forgot my duties again."
Sharla smiles.
"It's okay, dear. There's no rush."- She responds- "Those people are patient. Just take your time, if you have to."
Donovan sighs.
"No. I must do my job."- He says- "A king must accept all of those who are in need. I have been helpless for two long."
He looks up and notices something that nobody else does. A familiar figure, in the face of Geralt. For a few moments, he focuses his eyes on him, as if remembering something that was lost to him until now.
"Umm, honey?"- Sharla says- "You're being awfully quiet."
After concluding that his visions are true, he jumps to his feet and approaches Geralt.
"Aiden, my dear little brother! Oh, thank goodness!"- He exclaims- "I thought that you were gone forever! I thought that you left me alone for good!"
Then, he embraces Geralt without even asking.
"Yes. I can feel your spirit."- He says- "It's just as bright as the day when I met you for the first time."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"What's wrong with him?"- He whispers to Sharla- "Is he daydreaming again?"
Sharla sighs.
"He's been talking about Aiden a lot."- She says- "That child was a lost cause. He died many years ago, poor dearie. But the memory of him still burns inside my husband and he refuses to let it go. It's not his way to forget those who did so much for him to be here."
Donovan shakes his head.
"You don't know what I had to go through to be here, Aiden."- He says- "I'm so glad that you came back. Your presence is truly a sight for sore eyes."
Geralt sighs.
"Umm... Your Majesty?"- He says- "I think that you are mistaken. My name is Geralt, not Aiden."
Although a little confused at first, Donovan's eyes soon begin to focus. He emerges from his imaginary world and comes back to the real one. That is when he finally sees that the boy standing in front of him is not his long lost brother.
"Oh. I... I'm sorry. That was a shameful misunderstanding."- He says and sighs- "You are... Geralt, right? That's what I heard, at least. Welcome to this place. I hope that you enjoy your stay."
Then, he slumps back into his throne and looks down.
"I'm sorry to inform you about this, but His Majesty is a little bit gloomy right now."- The chancellor says- "Perhaps you should return sometime later?"
Sharla shakes her head.
"There's no need to speak for us now, Chancellor."- She says to him- "Let us do our job."
The chancellor nods and respectfully takes a few steps back.
"As you wish, M'Lady."
Sharla turns to Donovan.
"Donnie, have you forgotten about the bonds that we formed many years ago?"- She asks him- "This boy is the son of Adam Kaos- greatest hero of the known lands! We should treat him with respect, and you're not doing it!"
Donovan gasps and looks up.
"You mean... my friend's legacy was not completely destroyed?"- He asks- "Did all of his children survive?"
Kaiden sighs.
"Well, not really."- He responds- "You see, sire, only two of us managed to make it out. We're the Kaos siblings who went through a lot to be heroes and we've been travelling everywhere to help."
Donovan smiles.
"And you seem to have inherited his intelligence as well."- He says and claps- "It's such an honor to see you both!"
He sighs.
"I am deeply sorry about what happened to your parents and your sister. Those events were most unfortunate and managed to leave those who we close to them quite disturbed."- He says- "Still, I'm glad that life still goes on, even though most people have already lost hope."
Geralt nods.
"Our duty is to protect the weak and aid the poor. We have been defeating villains for a while and we are still searching for ways to redeem ourselves."- He says- "We came into your glorious halls of judgement to ask you for your aid. Perhaps you're too busy to be able to do anything for us, but we want to know where it would be best to go. After Redmark's people got me captured, we've been feeling quite lost and our souls were... separated from the rest of our family."
Donovan's head immediately tilts up in surprise.
"They did what?!"- He yells- "Oh, those insolent fools! They've gone unnoticed for far too long!"
He slams his right fist into the throne.
"I won't let them harm the child of my good friend!"
Sharla sighs.
"Calm down, honey."- She says- "Those people are in our care now. I'm sure that we'll figure something out to rescue th-- "
Suddenly, a large spear is thrown forward. Sharla is barely able to dodge it.
"An assassination attempt!"- One of the guards yells- "Find the perpetrator! Now!"
As the guards in the hall disperse to search for the intruder, Geralt looks up at the King and Queen.
"Umm, Your Highness?"- He says- "What is going on?"
Donovan sighs and shakes his head.
"It seems like you're not the only ones who are being hunted."- He responds- "Those vagabonds want to dethrone us and place their own goons in our place."
Kaiden raises his eyebrow.
"Then this means that there's a traitor in your ranks."- He says- "Right?"
Donovan nods.
"I am led to believe so. There has been a lot of evidence lately."- He says- "I have to admit it, though. All of the attempts to take our lives away, I never expected them to defile our rule in such a... cowardly way."
He looks up.
"Did you hear that, you depraved souls?!"- He yells, as if expecting his call for battle to be answered- "If you really want to make a difference, why don't you come face to face with your targets?!"
As expected, there is nothing more but silence. Donovan is disappointed by this.
But then, he remembers that those people operate from the shadows. He looks back and surely enough, there is a hooded man who is standing behind him. Before he could react, however, the villain pulls out two daggers and points them at his neck.
"There's no escape from the clutches of the great one, highness."- The stranger says- "You've gone deep in the dark waters. And now, you shall be the first one to drown in them."
Donovan shakes his head.
"You're being delusional, my friend."- He says- "Even if you manage to murder me, the entire kingdom will mark you. You and your allies will never escape from the grasp of justice. They will find you and they will finish what I started."
The man shakes his head.
"You and your goons have been hunting us like witches. You've been trying to burn us down, take what we rightfully stole from you and try to stop the invasion."- He says- "But that won't happen!"
As the man prepares to execute him, Kaiden grabs a nearby javelin and throws it at his shoulder, making the man yell out in pain as he stumbles back.
"Not a chance, interloper!"- He screams- "You'll be the one to perish, not us!"
The stranger pulls out the javelin and looks at Kaiden.
"So you must be the one Sector Beta failed to capture."- He says- "Quite a pity. I thought that they'd do better than they did."
Kaiden glares at him.
"You're one of them, aren't you?!"- He yells and draws his sword- "Well, you're not getting out of this place alive!"
Just as Kaiden lunges at the man, Geralt stops him.
"Little bro?"- Kaiden says- "What are you doing?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Hold your horses, Kai."- He says- "Let me handle this."
He looks at the stranger.
"You must be a spy of Redmark."- He says to him- "You've been hunting us for a while, I would assume."
The man nods.
"Your departure from Sector Beta's camp did not go unnoticed, prince."- He says- "You might think that the saga is over, but it's far from it. Our master sent us to execute all of those who are close to you, including them."
Geralt shakes his head.
"You have no reason to hunt any of them down!"- He exclaims- "I am your enemy! You should fight me!"
The man chuckles.
"Oh, we'll make sure that you pay for your insolence as well. Many good warriors have fallen to your hand and we never forgot about it."- He responds- "But that won't happen yet. You're a valuable target. It's best not to waste the chance when it comes by."
He attempts to attack Donovan again, but Geralt steps in his way.
"Well, this is too bad."- He says- "Because I feel the same hatred that you do. And I am not going anywhere."
The man chuckles.
"Hmph. You're quite an annoying one."- He says- "But that's of no concern to me. My master told me how to deal with faulty elements."
He points his daggers at him.
"And I shall make sure your head lies on top of our keep!"
With a swift series of hand motions, the stranger lunges forward and knocks Geralt's weapon out of his hand. He attacks again and again, creating a vortex of emotions that nearly subdues the young hero. However, Kaiden throws another javelin at the man, forcing him to dodge it and allowing his brother to deliver a fierce counterattack.
Grabbing a nearby round shield, Geralt lunges forward and slams it into the stranger's skull, parrying his blows and delivering some himself. The force of the attacks leaves the killer disoriented and unable to do anything.
But this just a ruse.
As soon as Geralt gets closer, the man smiles and leaps behind him. Then, just as the boy turns around, he stabs him in the side.
"Geralt!"- Kaiden yells- "No!"
He attempts to rush to his aid, but Geralt stops him.
"There is no need for you to deal with this rabble."- He says- "Leave it to me."
The man is surprised that Geralt is still able to speak without coughing up blood.
"Uhh, excuse me."- He says- "But I don't think you're able to speak after this."
Geralt turns around and smiles.
"Did you really think that such a puny attack would be the end of me?"- He asks him- "Even your assassins are quite a pathetic bunch, I must admit."
The man is bewildered by Geralt's words.
"What did you say about us?!"
Geralt pulls out something from his pocket. It is the crystal rose, the item that Nina Fortner gave him four years ago. And the dagger that this stranger tried to kill him with is sticking out of it.
"There is no need for me to speak about you."- He says- "Let the light speak for itself!"
Having said that, he points the crystal rose at the stranger as it starts to glow. A powerful burst of magic emerges from it, throwing him back into a window and shattering it.
"Impressive!"- Sharla exclaims- "I never thought that such a small thing could contain so much raw power!"
Donovan smiles.
"It is almost as if this little rose resonates with the rage within Geralt's young soul."- He says- "An item that allows one to connect their soul with their heart, unleashing a burst of purity. Who would have known?"
As the man tries to get back up on his feet, Geralt approaches him. In one hand, he holds his sword, and in the other- the crystal rose that caused the villain so much pain.
"Your attempt to undermine us has failed, warrior."- He says to him- "But it is not too late to surrender and change your ways. The rule of Redmark is not the only one that you must obey. There are others who could help you stand on the right path. However, you should try to understand yourself first. Listen to your heart and tell me what you really think."
The man shakes his head.
"The only thing my heart's telling me is to crush you all."- He says- "But not now. Not today."
He pulls out a small glass orb.
"When I first came to know about the people I was sent to kill, I listened to the rumors of my people. I listened as they told me how weak you are after your sister died. I thought that the others were the same as you. But I was a fool. I admit it. I shouldn't have thought of someone the way I did."- He says- "Farewell, heir of Kaos. You have a lot of potential. Let's hope that it's not wasted too soon."
With a swift motion from his hand, the stranger throws the orb on the ground. Despite his allies' pleas to do something, Geralt makes no move to attack. He simply watches the mist as the man disappears.
Once the mist finally clears, he looks back at them and sighs.
"Well, that was an eventful encounter."- He says- "Spies. Murderers. Traitors. What is next?"
Donovan sighs.
"I can see the way our world is right now. I have been ignorant for too long."- He admits- "Perhaps it's time for the king to become the soldier."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"What are you trying to imply, Your Highness?"
Donovan stands up from his throne and sighs.
"Geralt, I made a lot of mistakes in my life. I allowed my brother to die to the villains who once plagued our world. I became negligent and weak, made the people think that I'm just like the kings of old- a meek monarch with a dark past. I sold my own soul in the name of safety and happiness for those who chose to trust me, yet I couldn't even assure my own."- He says- "Once, your father warned me that this moment of my life would happen. That I would be enlightened by the people around me. I guess that the old man really knew what he was saying, since his words have finally been justified."
Geralt nods.
"This means that you are going to take responsibility and lead our people toward freedom from Redmark and his cronies."- He says- "Is this so?"
Donovan smiles.
"In the name of all the people who were wronged in those dark times, I give you my word."- He says- "I will not rest until this curse is purged from our noble lands."
He looks at the rest of the people in front of him.
"I understand that you came to me for guidance. You want me to lead you toward the right path and help you find Redmark before it is too late."- He says- "Well, I know the perfect place where we could start."
He turns around and points at the map that was placed behind the thrones.
"There is a region of evil near our noble kingdom. A place of evil that has always escaped my notice."- He says- "It's known as Blackwood- a forest filled with questionable specimens, be they humans and other, unsavory types."
He nods.
"Our hunt shall begin there, for I fear that there is a nest of them that is working against us."- He adds- "Whenever you are ready, we shall go inside."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"But what is the actual plan?"- He asks- "Are we just going to go in and torch that place?"
Donovan sighs.
"We need to make a strong impression, my boy."- He responds- "Otherwise, those fiends will simply attack us again. We have no other choice but to do so."
Geralt nods.
"We understand."- He says- "Then, we are ready."
Donovan smiles.
"I knew that you would be."- He says to him- "Now. Let's proceed. The first step toward victory is the hardest one, but I am confident that we shall prevail."