MLPH C3, P1- "A Dark Horizon"

"A Dark Horizon" is the first Part of "Miracula Luxia: Patient Hope" 's Chapter III. It was released on 31.05.2020.
== Plot ==
After a long ride along the path that leads further out of the city of Paris, Jared and John find a large camp of survivors where something unexpected happens to Jared- he finally finds the ones he loves the most and wishes to protect.
However, not all is well in the camp and soon, a new danger appears, forcing our brave heroes to defend the lives of the innocent residents who live there.
It seems like Jared and John are not out of the waters yet. Worse, they are still deep within.
== Story ==
A few hours pass. Jared and John are still inside the vehicle, this time riding it in the darkness of the night.
For both of them, it feels like the road has no end. It is so long and dangerous.
Just when they are about to give up, Jared notices something in the distance and tries to get John's attention.
"John! John, look!"- He says, gently grabbing John's sleeve.
John turns around and stares at Jared, very tired from the ride.
"What is it, Jared? I'm trying to sleep here."- He responds.
Jared nods.
"I understand, but you need to see that!"
John stares in the direction where Jared is pointing his finger at. His eyes try to adjust and stare at the light ahead of him.
Finally, his eyes fully open and he sees what Jared is trying to show him:
A settlement!
"Oh my."- John says, barely believing what he is seeing- "No way. There... there is no way."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean. Is it... ?"
John nods.
"We need to go there. Quickly."- He says and starts the cruiser again.
After about five minutes, they arrive at a settlement of humans.
All of the survivors look at them as they approach cautiously. Some of them hide in the nearby tents, others aim their guns at them.
"Who are you?!"- One of them yells- "Step out of there slowly, hands in the air. Don't make me shoot you!"
Jared and John step out of the shadows, doing as the survivor told them.
When the survivors see that they are humans, they calm down slightly.
However, they are still suspicious of them, as there are many survivors out there who don't mean well.
"Tell us who you are."- The man who told Jared and John says to them calmly.
Jared steps forward.
"I am Jared Kaos and this is my friend John Braveheart. We came from the city of Paris. I am looking for my family and John is looking for his colleagues."
The man nods.
"Jared Kaos, you say? Well, I reckon that there is someone in the camp who is looking for you. Or rather, a whole family worth of people. The parents said that they're looking for their son."
Jared gasps.
"Are they... ?!"
The man nods.
"Yes. They're from the Kaos family. Maybe they're looking for you?"
John shrugs.
"Well, there's no other family with the name "Kaos" in Paris. So... there's a good chance for that family to be in fact Jared's."
"But there is only one way to find that out."
He turns to the survivor.
"Where are they?"
The survivor points at a nearby campfire. 
Three people are sitting around it. A man and a woman who look like they are at least in their mid 30s, as well as a young girl (possibly their daughter) who looks like she is around Jared's age, maybe a year or two older than him.
However, that is all they can tell from their position. They have to get closer to see for sure.
"They're over there."- The survivor says- "Do you want me to take you to them?"
Jared shakes his head and politely denies the request.
"I know that you want to help me."- He says- "But you have to guard the settlement. You know what they say- "Even a single person can turn the tides of a battle". So, don't leave your position. Guard this place and the people within with all your might and never stop doing so, even if it seems like the battle might be lost. Show that you are a true warrior who is ready to do his sacred duty- to Protect. And Serve."
A tear rolls down from the man's eye. He quickly wipes it and smiles.
"Thank you so much. This... this really means a lot to me, especially after I lost my family not long ago."- He responds, notices another tear in his eye and wipes it off before anyone sees it.
"But that's a thing in the past. Now, I have to protect the place. Yes, I will do as you told me to. Thank you for the advice, fellow survivor."
Jared sighs.
"I am so sorry to hear that. My condolences."- He says- "But this is the sad reality that we live in. Sometimes, you have to lose someone to become stronger and more determined. There is no other way."
The man nods.
"I agree. We all have to give away some of our dearest things to become better people."
He looks ahead.
"But now is not the time to talk about that. Come on, the people are probably waiting for you."
Jared nods and enters the settlement along with John, with everyone watching them as they move towards the campfire.
As the two of them slowly approach the three people standing near the campfire, the man stands up and looks at the people who are approaching them.
"Soldiers?"- He says- "No, we don't need any help. Move on."
Then he sits back, not interested to take a second look at the two boys.
However, the girl seems to be much more interested in inspecting the newcomers. She quietly stares at Jared, seemingly recognizing someone very familiar in his eyes.
A moment later, she gasps, having realized who this might be.
"What is it, honey?"- Her mother asks her.
The girl continues to stare at Jared.
"Brother... !"- She mutters.
The man raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean. This is not your brother! He's probably still out there and-- "
Then his eyes meet Jared's. After staring at them for a while, he recognizes his son.
He stands up and hugs him.
"Where have you been?"- He says- "We missed you so much."
Jared's mother and sister join his father in hugging him.
That's when Jared finally realizes that he is finally reunited with his family. He hugs all of them back.
"No, dad."- He responds- "I missed you more. I am so glad that you are alright."
"So are we, sweetheart."- His mother says softly- "So are we."
John is somewhat confused.
"This... this is your family?"- He asks Jared- "I thought that there would be more of you."
Jared nods.
"Yes, John. I finally found them."
Jared's father looks at John.
"Well, it's just us here. Me, my wife and our daughter."- He says- "We don't know where the rest of our family is, but we hope that they're alright."
"Still, me and my wife are finally reunited with our son, and this is the most important thing right now."
John nods.
"I understand. Well, I am glad that I helped your son to reunite with all of you."
Jared's father nods and smiles.
"And for that, we are very grateful."- He responds and sits down- "Now come here, sit down with us. We have so much to talk about."
Jared and John sit down, eager to take a break after the perilous journey they had to go through to get here.