MLTO C2, P4

This is the fourth Part of "MLIV:TO" 's second Chapter.
It was released on 28.10.2022.
== Plot ==
After concluding their most recent battle with the forces of Emperor Redmark and emerging victorious, Geralt and his family head to the town of Goznor where the sovereign will fill them in about a fresh disaster.
Geralt and Kaiden steel themselves, since they know that this will be another arduous journey. But their souls burn bright and there's nothing- and no one- that can stand in their way.
So proceeds the tale of the two heroes whose fates have been connected by one thing that they've always valued a lot- brotherhood.
== Story ==
As the Kaos family walks toward a nearby settlement to rest, Jared looks around, seemingly disappointed by what he is seeing.
"A sad sight, isn't it?"- He says while looking at the people on the nearby street- "Villain after villain, they're really managing to scare off the townsfolk. Everyone's always in a hurry. There are always guards to protect them. And nobody never, ever dares to look back."
Kaiden shakes his head.
"This is the world that we live in."- He says- "Can't change the way they look at us. Not anymore."
Jared sighs.
"I'm starting to think the same way. Even though I saved the world countless times, people still see me as a liability and never dare to think of me as anything else than a selfless vigilante. Never as a true hero. Just a do-gooder with a sense of honor."- He says- "When I was still a teenager, I dared to believe that it could be changed. I was foolish enough to believe that people could change their opinions about someone. In due time, I learned how wrong I actually was. That's when I started believing only in those who are closest to me."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"But why would you try to neglect those civilians?"- He asks him- "Sure, they're a bit of a hateful bunch. They never trust us more than they should. But it's unwise for us to mirror what they are doing. It is not our way."
Jared sighs.
"You still have that positive view on the world, kiddo."- He says to him- "Don't worry. You'll learn the truth soon enough."
He looks around one more time.
"Tomorrow, we shall begin another journey."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"And where might we go, if you don't mind me asking?"- He asks him- "We're still being hunted by those vagabonds. Our family doesn't know where we are. We're getting cold and desperate. Every step that we take is-- "
Kaiden sighs and shakes his head.
"Right. We got it."- He says- "There's no need to be so specific about it."
Geralt sighs.
"I'm just saying that our time is running out."
Kaiden shakes his head.
"Geralt, do you remember what our sister said when we were children? When she saw how dedicated we were to becoming warriors of faith?"- He asks him- "Nothing is over until the candle of life stops burning. Every second of your life counts. And finally, it's no use wasting your life away to doubt your own decisions."
Jared nods.
"Kaiden's right, kiddo."- He adds- "We don't have to become insecure like the rest of those poor victims. It's not our way to doubt when there is still hope."
Geralt sighs.
"Then I will try to be more positive."- He says- "Even though it will be very hard to remain like this."
Jared nods.
"That's all I could ever ask of you now."- He says- "Don't lose your focus. You know how deep in the fire we are, so don't burn yourself."
Geralt nods.
"Right."- He mutters- "The fire."
Jared realizes that he has gone to far. He leans back and sighs.
"Anyway, it's going to be a big day tomorrow."- He says- "We're heading to the kingdom of Goznor. The king there was once a friend of your father, so he could guide us to the place that is the heart of the chaos."
He sighs again.
"It's our only good bet, anyway."- He adds- "Better that staying out in the wilds while getting hunted by deranged madmen. That's for sure."
Kaiden nods.
"This is our only choice at the moment."- He says- "And I would love to visit the kingdom anyway, so that's a good chance for a little vacation."
Jared shakes his head.
"We're not going on a leasure trip, Kaiden. We have a mission to fulfill. It's best not to stray away from it."- He says- "Do you understand?"
Kaiden rolls his eyes.
"Thanks, grandpa."- He says- "You really ruined my mood."
Jared sighs.
"Our duties are more important than your mood."- He says- "Now, try to get some sleep. But rest lightly. Nobody knows what kind of horrors might be preying on us."
Having said that, the three of them go to sleep as the sun finally sets down.
On the next morning, they go to a nearby shop to purchase a few valuable supplies for their journey. Although neither Geralt and Kaiden brought any money with them, Jared managed to pick up a lot before he left to search for them.
Just as he places them on the counter, however, a mysterious assailant pushes his way past him, grabs the money and runs away from the shop.
"It's a thief!"- Jared yells and draws his weapon- "Get him!"
The vile man continues to run away as both the heroes and the guards of the town chase after them. However, he proves to be too fast for them to catch.
"Stop, in the name of the law!"- Geralt yells- "Drop the stolen possessions to the ground and submit yourself! Don't make me do something that I will regret!"
The thief doesn't care about what Geralt is saying. He continues to run.
"I'm warning you, come back here!"- Geralt yells- "This is not a request- it's an order!"
Seeing that the thief is not going to stop, Geralt asks one of the guards to lend him his sword. When he does, he raises it in the air and tosses it toward the thief, in an attempt to forcefully subdue him.
Much to his surprise, the blade manages to strike the thief in the back of the head. As he falls to the ground, the possessions that he stole fall on the ground, revealing that he has robbed more people that just his grandfather.
"Oh my god."- Geralt says, shaking his head as he approaches the dead thief- "What... what have I done?"
Jared sighs.
"It's not your fault, my boy."- He says- "That man was being reckless. He forced you to act and got what he deserved. I say that it was inevitable."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I just wanted to prevent him from running away, not to kill him!"
Kaiden shakes his head.
"Well, you got what you wanted."- He says- "Sort of. I guess."
As the three of them return the stolen goods back to the town, the people who saw Geralt murder the thief cheer for him. This is an unexpected reaction that makes them realize that the townsfolk are glad that he is gone.
"Well, would you look at that."- He says and smiles- "You became their hero solely by killing that man."
Geralt sighs.
"But I had to murder someone to gain all this glory."- He says- "It is not fair."
Kaiden shakes his head.
"Well. He took all that money, but you took his life away."- He says- "Eye for eye. Tooth for tooth."
After coming back to trade with the merchant, they gather up whatever possessions they were able to afford with the money on hand (as well as some of the goods that the townsfolk decided to leave in their care). Soon, they are ready to go.
The townsfolk gather around the town square as they leave and wave at them as they slowly disappear into the mist.
The journey toward the kingdom of Goznor is long and arduous. Our heroes meet many bands of unhinged bandits and aggressive humanoids that attempt to get them killed and take their supplies. However, thanks to their incredible skill in fighting enemies, they manage to strike all of them down and enrich themselves by taking their supplies for the rest of the journey.
Two days later, they come across a large, closed metal gate. Although it seems unfamiliar to the Kaos siblings, their grandfather is already aware of it. H
As Geralt and Kaiden watch, Jared approaches the gates and knocks on them with his knuckle.
"What? What is it?"- An annoyed guard asks and climbs up on the wall- "Unless you have some kind of urgent business, entry is forbidden. We can't take you in."
He looks at them, but fails to recognize anyone.
"And you are?"
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Don't we seem familiar to you, soldier?"
The man shakes his head.
"Never seen you before."- He says- "Are you new to this region?"
Jared shakes his head.
"Far from it."- He says- "We are experts in pathfinding. And this is a wall that blocks the way to our goal."
The man raises his eyebrow.
"Oh. We've got a smart one over here."- He says- "Alright, old man. Speak up."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"What do you want to know, good sir?"
The guard looks down at them.
"Do you have any way to identify yourselves?"- He asks- "Any documents? Proof?"
Jared sighs.
"Just bring your king to the gates."- He says- "I'm sure that he'll remember us."
The guard stares at them suspiciously.
"And why would our king ever want to see you, strangers? Just because you will it?"- He asks them- "Sorry, friends. We ain't handing any charities here. Go home. This is not your place."
Geralt clenches his fist and steps forward.
"You think that we are just another bunch of dirty vagrants, right? Well, we are not!"- He yells- "My name is Geralt Kaos! Those are my brother- Kaiden- and my grandpa- Jared! We are here on an urgent mission to stop Redmark's army from spreading into the lands of the most powerful kingdoms! And we will not take no for an answer!"
The guard shakes his head.
"Watch your mouth, kid. You're in contested territory now."- He says, unfazed- "We aren't letting just about anyone here. So, go home and play with your toys. You're not needed here."
As Geralt's hand slides closer to his weapon, all of them hear abooming voice coming from the other side of the wall.
"What is the meaning of this ruckus?!"- A female voice yells- "Who's responsible for this?!"
A young woman climbs on the wall and glares at the guard.
"What's the report, soldier?"- She asks him- "Who's trying to come in?"
The soldier shakes his head.
"Policewoman Amber! I-I'm sorry about the inconvenience!"- He exclaims- "A small group of travellers arrived at our gates, claiming that they're members of the Kaos family. They want to be let in."
The woman raises her eyebrow.
"The Kaos family, huh?"- She says- "Well, let me take a closer look."
When she looks down, she immediately recognizes the three people who are standing on the other side. Unsurprisingly, they recognize her as well.
"Mom?"- Geralt says- "What are you doing here?"
Amber immediately turns to the soldier.
"The three people that you're trying to send away are my two boys and my father!"- She yells- "Let them all inside! Now!"
Afraid to lose his job, the soldier salutes her and immediately turns the wheel, opening the gates.
"Yes, miss!"- He exclaims- "It has been done!"
As the three heroes go inside the town, the soldier sighs and climbs down.
"Sorry for not trusting you earlier. With all of the spies coming from Redmark, it's always a mess to find out who's telling the truth and who's being a filthy liar."- He says- "Welcome to the chaos, friends. Hope you enjoy your stay."
Having said that, he salutes Amber one last time and walks away.
Amber takes a few steps forward and embraces her child.
"Oh my god, Geralt! You're here! You're finally here!"- She exclaims- "I thought that I lost you out there! I was so sad!"
Geralt smiles and embraces her back.
"It's okay, mom."- He says- "Everything will be fine. I promise."
Amber sighs.
"Let's hope that your words shall be proven true."
She looks at Jared.
"Dad? You led them all the way over here?"- She asks- "Wasn't it dangerous for you, being an older hero and all?"
Jared smiles.
"It's alright, dear. I knew about the risks ever since I began my journey."- He says- "It is true that we got into trouble a few times, but those were just minor skirmishes. Nothing that would truly threaten us."
He looks down.
"Until the fire that nearly killed my grandsons."
Amber gasps.
"Oh no!"- She exclaims- "Is everyone else okay?!"
Jared nods.
"I sent them back into our hometown before I went in myself."- He responds- "I am sure that they will be fine."
He sighs.
"Although we have our own problems to worry about."
Amber looks down.
"Oh. Right."- She mutters- "Redmark."
She turns around.
"Anyway, I've got some work to do now. There's an actual case that I must solve and there's little time left to do so."- She says- "I don't want to make you feel neglected, but can you please go to the inn and wait until I'm back? I'm sure that the people there will be very hospitable toward you, knowing that you're a part of our glorious family and all!"
She takes a few steps forward.
"I must be going now!"- She exclaims- "Farewell, my dears!"