MLTO C6, P4

This is the fourth Chapter of "MLIV:TO" 's sixth and final Chapter.
It was released on 18.04.2023.
== Plot ==
Ever since Geralt and his allies came back to Silverdale, things have gone from bad to worse. First, Isabella's pregnancy did not go as planned. And then, a large contingent of Redmark's army is at the gates of the capital. Every single person, including our brave heroes and their family, is in danger of being erased from this world in just a matter of mere hours.
Having to come face to face with Emperor Redmark himself again, the Kaos brothers prepare themselves for the world. They are completely aware that he came for them, and that he is not going to go away until he gets what he wants.
Will this be the end of the road for them?
== Story ==
Aurelia frantically grabs her sister's hand, checking her pulse. That is when she realizes that something has happened to her. Her heart is not beating anymore and she looks like she has lost too much blood.
"No! This can't be right!"- She exclaims- "Isa was fine a few seconds ago! How could she flatline like this?!"
Geralt looks at her.
"What are you talking about, Aurelia?"- He asks her- "She's got a smile on her face! She seems fine to me!"
Aurelia shakes her head.
"You don't understand."- She says- "Daddy told me that Isa's had quite a few problems since she began travelling. Even the smallest source of fear can cause her to become terrified. And I... I'm not sure what to do!"
Geralt stands next to her, still holding both children in his hands.
"Shh. It is alright."- He says- "We have not lost her yet. Just keep calm and help her out. She needs you more than ever."
The caretaker takes a step forward and shakes his head.
"Unfortunately, you could not be more wrong than this."- He says- "Lady Isabella has... already left our world. She will never return."
Both of them turn around to look at him.
"What?!"- Aurelia yells- "You can't be serious!"
The caretaker sighs.
"But I am."- He replies- "Lady Isa's condition has been quite bad in the past few weeks. She dreamed of seeing her children for the first time, but she never expected to survive the ordeal herself. And now, it seems like her worst fears just came true."
He looks down again.
"I am so sorry, Lady Aurelia and Sir Geralt."- He adds- "We never had a chance to save her in the first place."
Aurelia's eyes fill up with tears.
"So, Isabella is... gone?"- She mutters- "For... good?"
Then, she lies down and hugs her recently deceased sister.
"I'm sorry, Isa! Forgive me for being such a bad sister!"- She exclaims- "You deserved much more than this!"
As she starts to cry, Geralt looks at Isabella and sighs.
"Another good soul has fallen victim to the jaws of darkness."- He mutters and shakes his head- "Time is truly unforgiving. Even our loved ones are not spared from it."
Jared moves forward and places his hand on his grandson's shoulder.
"Those are the bad times that we are forced to endure, my boy."- He says- "There is no salvation for the marked ones. Only grief follows the trail of demise."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I wish we could have changed her fate, grandpa."
Jared sighs.
"Me too, Geralt."- He says- "She was a good girl. She will be missed."
A few seconds later, the door opens. Kaiden rushes into the room, seemingly worried.
"What happened, family?"- He says- "I heard screams coming from here! Is my Isa doing well?!"
Aurelia looks at him.
"Kaiden."- She mutters- "She... is not... "
Then she looks down and starts to cry again.
Geralt sighs, hugs her and looks at his brother.
"I am sorry to say this, Kai. But she is in Heaven now."- He says- "She did not have the strength to overcome her fears, but she... was strong enough to leave those beautiful children in our world."
Kaiden gasps,
"You mean that Isa is... dead?!"
Geralt looks down.
"I am afraid that this is the case."- He says- "Forgive us, Kai. We tried our best to keep her alive. But it seems like, no matter what we did, she was still going to die."
Kaiden approaches his brother. Then, he places his hand on his shoulder.
"It's not your fault, little bro."
Then, he stands next to Aurelia and starts to cry, as well.
As Geralt listens to the wailing of the people around him, he hears something suspicious. Staring at the nearby window, he realizes that Redmark's army is now standing on the other side of the gates. He can clearly hear Redmark's voice, demanding the citizens of Silverdale to hand over Geralt and his family to him.
"Nobody in this room is capable of doing their sacred duty. For now, at the very least."- Jared says and sighs- "The task to protect the capital and the future of this world... is up to you again, Geralt."
Geralt draws his weapon.
"I will strike that barbarian down, no matter how hard it will be!"- He yells- "Let me at him! I will end his tyranny in just a single night!"
He hands the children to Jared.
"Guard them with your life."- He says- "We don't know if there are more assassins out there. Do not lose track of them."
Jared nods.
"I would never allow anything to happen to those little children."
As Geralt prepares to go down, he hears the voice of Aurelia:
"Where are you going, Geralt?"
He looks back and sighs.
"To save the world."- He says- "Again."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"Maybe we should come with you."
Geralt shakes his head.
"There is no need for that."- He says- "A true hero is always capable to fight, even when he is alone."
Kaiden nods.
"Goot luck, little bro."- He says- "Don't fail those people like I did."
Geralt sighs.
"I... will do my best."
Before he leaves, he looks back at them one last time.
"I think that you are forgetting something, though."- He says- "Isa is going to turn soon. You need to prevent that from happening."
Aurelia gasps.
"Oh! Right!"- She exclaims- "Don't worry! I've got this!"
Then, she looks down at her sister and places her hand on her forehead. She closes her eyes and mutters a few words. Her hands start to glow white as she shuts down the girl's mind, putting her down for good.
"Well done, Aurelia."- Geralt says, bids them farewell and leaves to confront Redmark and his people.
As he leaves, Aurelia and Kaiden stare at each other.
"Do you think that he's going to come back?"- Aurelia asks him- "I mean, that army looks big! I'm scared!"
Kaiden smiles.
"I have no doubt that my little bro will survive this dark ordeal."- He says- "In the months since we began our adventure, he has become much more determined. Much more powerful. Even an entire army of Redmark's warriors is not going to scare him off now."
Aurelia sighs.
"I hope that you're right!"
Meanwhile, Geralt leaves the Kaos residence. With a blade in his hand, he approaches the army of Redmark alone, staring them right in the eye.
"Hey, barbarians!"- He yells- "Are you looking for me?!"
Everyone turns around, finally seeing him.
"This is the one!"- One of them yells, possibly their leader- "Get them!"
However, they are stopped by their emperor before they can attack.
"Hold on, captain. Not yet."- He says- "First, I want to savor the moment. Geralt Kaos has decided to face us all by himself, like the fool that he is. It's a truly rare moment, you see."
He looks at Geralt and smiles.
"But tell me, young hero."- He says- "Why did you come all the way here, all by yourself? Have you finally give up on the light?"
Geralt points his weapon at Marcus.
"Your people killed two members of my family tonight."- He says- "I have come make you pay. In blood."
Suddenly, Redmark starts to laugh. Then, the man to the right of him. And then, the entire army. Everyone laughs out loud, as if to mock Geralt's recklessness.
"Heh! I see!"- Marcus exclaims- "So, you've come here because we hurt your feeble little feelings? Because you want to be a hero again?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"You will never understand how we feel right now."
Marcus nods.
"And we don't need to. We're an army, and you're just a single man. Your feelings don't matter to us."- He says- "So, I say we get this over with. Your time in this world is over, vile heir of Kaos. It's time for you to accept your punishment, whether you like it or no-- "
Suddenly, he hears a multitude of screams coming from nearby. He looks for the source, but he cannot find it.
"What just happened, sir?"- The man (who is, certainly, the captain of the army) asks- "Is this... a reality?"
Marcus shakes his head.
"That's not important right now, you fool!"- He exclaims, easily shrugging it off- "Victory is just within our grasp! This little brat can't escape from us anymore! All that we have to do is attack him and end his li-- "
And then, he hears the same screams again, this time much louder than they were before.
"There they are again!"- The captain exclaims- "Are you sure that we don't have to... umm... lure him out first?"
Marcus glares at him.
"I've had enough of your cowardice!"- He yells- "Strike now before he has the chance to-- "
Unfortunately, he does not have the chance to finish his sentence. As soon as he tries to give the command, a huge group of warriors charges and attacks them. Many of them are poorly armed, but that doesn't stop them from helping Geralt out.
"What? But... this is impossible!"- Marcus yells- "The capital was so disorganized when we arrived! Could this mean that they finally... woke up?!"
The captain looks at him.
"What should we do now, sir?!"
Marcus looks back.
"Don't be afraid of them! Fight back!"- He yells- "Show them the might of our army or I'll show you my wrath!"
The captain salutes him.
"Yes, sir."- He says- "It will be done."
As the army of Redmark starts to fight back against their enemies, Geralt has the chance to stumble back and prepare to strike himself. It is at that moment when he sees a few warriors moving a large weapon to the walls.
"We won't be humiliated like this!"- Redmark yells- "Come on, my warriors! Let's make them taste our firepower!"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Firepower? Giant weapons?"- He says to himself- "Oh no... "
Then, he looks back as sees Kaiden running toward him.
"Geralt, get out of there!"- He yells- "They're preparing the laser cannons?"
Geralt looks at him.
"The... what?!"
Kaiden manages to push his brother away just as the laser cannon starts to fire. It easily destroys a large part of the wall, crushing a large amount of both the defenders of Silverdale and their enemies.
"No, you fools!"- Redmark yells- "This wasn't supposed to happen! Calibrate it and pull it back! We can't use it like this!"
Geralt and Kaiden stare at each other.
"You never told me that they have such a powerful weapon in their hands!"- Geralt exclaims- "What is going on, Kai?"
Kaiden shakes his head.
"I saw it with my own eyes. I was planning to sabotage it before they could even bring it out."- He says- "However, I... was too scared for Isa's lives. I wanted to protect our children."
He looks down.
"This is why I failed you."- He says to his brother- "I'm sorry."
Geralt smiles.
"Cheer up, Kai! Nothing is over just yet!"- He exclaims- "Sure, they might have done a bit of damage. But our spirits still burn bright. As long as we keep on fighting, they cannot defeat us!"
Kaiden smiles back.
"You know what? I think that you're right."- He says- "There's no point dwelling in the past, not at this moment. Right now, we must be brave. Everyone depends on us."
The two of them look around as chaos happens all around them.
"But what will we do next?"- He asks- "Redmark's army is too widespread. We can't just break them apart with our normal weapons!"
Geralt seems something intriguing in the distance and points at it.
"The hole in the wall!"- He exclaims- "This is our chance for salvation!"
Kaiden sighs.
"Let's hope that you're right, little bro."
The Kaos brothers push their way through the multitudes of warriors at the gates, seemingly unnoticed by anyone. Except for Redmark. 
As soon as they charge, the emperor tries to give chase. However, our heroes manage to trip him, preventing him from ruining their plan to eradicate his army. So far, they have managed to succeed. But Redmark is a wily soul and he will get up soon, so they must hurry up if they want to turn the tides of this battle.
Unseen by anyone else, the two brother manage to sneak behind the laser cannon as the soldiers continue to fire it. They swiftly manage to lunge at them and grab them by the necks, throwing them into the holes that they used to get up here and burying it them with the same shovels that helped them sneak past the patrols undetected.
"The laser is ours now."- Geralt whispers- "Let's use it."
Kaiden smiles.
"I agree."- He says- "Let's get this party started."
Just as they climb up and calibrate the cannon again, Redmark points at them.
"There they are, you fools!"- He yells- "Get the-- "
Geralt does not give him the chance to finish his command. As soon as he starts to yell, he fires the laser at the imperial soldiers disintegrating many of them into piles of ashes.
The captain stares around, frantically trying to find out what is going on.
"This wasn't the plan we agreed to!"- He exclaims- "What is the meaning of this?!"
Marcus shakes his head.
"It's the wretched kids, you sniveling fool!"- He yells- "Now go up there and make your money's worth!"
The captain salutes him.
"Yes, sir!"- He exclaims- "I will!"
As Geralt and Kaiden continue to shoot, they stare at each other for a few seconds.
"This almost feels like that one game that we played when we were children."- Kaiden says- "It was always filled with action. Enemies were everywhere around us. And it was so hard to complete it. We were lucky enough to emerge victorious."
Geralt smiles.
"Well."- He says- "It seems like our life has become a simulation. Reality has joined with the virtual world to form the greatest adventure ever."
As the two heroes continue to shoot deadly lasers and disintegrate their enemies, more imperial soldiers emerge to replace their fallen allies. When they shoot them down, more of them arrive. It is like a neverending loop of doom and destruction, except that our heroes are on the losing side.
"Keep it up, you fools!"- Redmark yells- "They're getting tired! Soon, we'll claim their souls for ourselves!"
Geralt and Kaiden continue to attack, but the cannon is starting to overheat. At the same time, they are getting very tired. Their own fatigue is already starting to wear them down, slowly but surely.
"I... think that this is it."- Kaiden says- "We've always wanted to go down like this, haven't we?"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"In a big, fateful battle, you mean?"
Kaiden nods.
"It's always been our dream. To be heroes, just like our father."- He says- "We've done all we could, but the army of darkness has managed to defeat us. It's only a matter of time before we become history, just like Isa and uncle Linus."
Geralt shakes his head.
"We are not out of this world just yet."- He says- "So, keep on fighting! If we survive for long enough, I have a big surprise for you!"
Kaiden raises his eyebrow.
"Big... surprise?"
Geralt nods.
"Indeed."- He says- "So. Are you with me?"
Kaiden smiles.
"You know that I'm always on your side, right?"- He says and glares at Redmark's army- "Let's fry them all!"
The two brothers continue to disintegrate their enemies, but they have gotten much weaker since they began the fight. The emperor watches them with anticipation and laughs, as if he just heard a funny joke.
"Hah! We got them! We really did it!"- He exclaims- "This is it, my brave warriors! Crush them like a bunch of filthy insects! Don't let them have any moments of peace!"
Just as the warriors finally think that they have won, they start to hear the yells of defiance once again.
"Oh no!"- Redmark yells- "Not again!"
Suddenly, a huge army of well-prepared warriors emerges from the nearby forest. They are armed with spears and shields, and they wear very durable plate armor. A true sight to see for our desperate heroes and a nightmare come true for the warriors of Redmark. As soon as they get out, they charge, their shining spears resonating with the moonlight around them as they pierce through Redmark's impenetrable defense.
"Keep it together, you fools!"- Redmark yells- "This is just another pack of do-gooders! Stomp them all down!"
Unfortunately, his army has already lost its courage. As soon as they hear their leader's command, they do the exact opposite thing- running away from the carnage that is happening all around them. They do not intend to do anything else. The army of warriors that just arrived is too strong and they cannot be defeated by such a simple squad of imperials.
This act of cowardice costs them the entire battle. As Geralt promised, the tables of destiny can be turned by a single, unexpected attack. And it seems like his words finally ring true, as the heroes' new allies get rid of every single soldier that dared to lay a hand against them.
Among them, King Donovan Gonoru moves forward with his trusty stallion. Using his spear, he cuts his way through ten warriors with ease, sending the rest of their nearby allies back into the walls of Silverdale.
"Well?"- He says to the heroes and smiles- "Did you miss me?"
Geralt smiles back.
"I knew that you would arrive."- He says- "Thank you, Your Majesty. It is an honor."
Donovan nods.
"The honor is mine, young legend."
He looks around, witnessing the triumph of his warriors over the legions of Redmark. The bodies of his enemies lay at his feet as he finally get his revenge on the people who took his son away from him and his wife.
"It seems like we did not arrive too late."- He says and smiles solemnly- "Redmark and his dark slaves have only managed to damage the wall a little bit before our reinforcements came to help you out. Not bad, but we still have a lot of work to do."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Why did you come here personally, sir?"- He asks him- "Is the kingdom going to be safe without your guidance?"
Donovan smiles.
"Oh, don't worry about that minor issue."- He says- "In my absence, I left the control of the kingdom to my beautiful wife and my trusted advisor. I'm sure that they will do whatever they can to keep everyone safe until I come back."
Kaiden looks at him.
"How long are you planning to stay here?"
Donovan looks around.
"A month or two, at least."- He responds- "I heard that the governor is not in a good condition. I want to help him take control of the region until he is finally back on his feet. Perhaps my interference will drive the foul imperials back to their lands, but only time will tell if it will happen."
As the three of them continue to talk, the forces of Redmark suffer massive losses. Their soldiers are killed left and right, and their emperor is terrified of this sudden union between two of the world's most powerful armies.
"In what would would this ever happen?!"- He yells- "My brave warriors of justice, don't mess with them! Fall back and don't stop!"
The captain gasps.
"But sir!"- He exclaims- "You promised us the complete destruction of this region! Why did you lie to us?!"
Marcus shakes his head.
"Yes, I did! But this turnabout was completely unexpected!"- He yells- "Don't be a fool! We've already lost too many!"
The captain glares at King Donovan's warriors and draws his weapon- a sharp and vicious cutlass made of pure titanium, seemingly enchanted with the power of Fire.
"I won't back down against those tyrants!"- He yells- "I'll keep fighting until I can't no more!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Look who calls us the tyrants- the same people who !"- He yells back- "Take a hike, soldier of darkness! You cannot snuff out our light!"
Marcus sighs.
"For once, I must agree with that brat! Their forces are too powerful!"- He exclaims- "Captain, fall back! We'll make our next move at Blackcrag! This is not the time to be the hero of our empire!"
The captain shakes his head.
"You promised us a bloody victory!"- He yells- "And I'll take it- with the blood of those fools!"
Marcus sighs again.
"Well, it's seems like there's no reason left in him."- He says and turns around- "What do you say, advisor Dolion? Is it worth the effort? Or should I stop?"
A thin, but powerful man walks forward and stares the captain down. He is clearly very angry at him, but takes pains not to show his anger. Somehow, he seems to be succeeding. Mostly,
"Mighty captain of the Empire. You have gone through so much to be here with us. Your loyalty has been quite welcome in the past few months, but your recklessness is not."- Dolion says to him- "Do you think that you'll achieve anything by fighting those rebels? A single soldier's life is not worth it. But yours? I think that you're making a big mistake and that you should reconsider. So, will you?"
The captain sighs.
"Don't you understand?! I'm a tool of destruction! I was made to destroy my enemies, or die trying! I won't just back down!"- He yells- "So, leave me be if you must! I'm staying here! Right here!"
Dolion sighs and turns to the emperor.
"He's too far gone, sir."- He says- "Let's just leave him there. Maybe he'll come back to his senses... in the next life."
Marcus nods.
"So be it."- He says- "The last word is mine, so I'll allow it."
As the two of them leave the area with most of their remaining warriors, Geralt and Kaiden stare at each other and shake their heads.
"What a foolish move."- Kaiden says- "Why would they do such a thing?"
Geralt sighs.
"Leaving your own allies behind like that is an act of true cowardice."- He says- "Period."
Meanwhile, the captain points his weapon at them and lets out a semi-fierce battle cry.
"You won't break our mighty empire!"- He yells- "Fall down, you pretenders!"
As he charges and tries to strike them down, Donovan takes a few steps back and reaches for his pocket, as if to take something important out of it.
"What are you doing sir?"- Geralt asks him.
Donovan smiles.
"Just a little bit of trickery."- He says- "Those imperial know-it-alls are not the only ones who possess powerful technology."
Having said that, he throws the items on the ground in front of them. The captain, unaware of the trickery, continues to march on. However, he soon stumbles into one of those objects, realizing that it is actually a landmine.
A large explosion happens soon after he trips. It sends the captain flying forward, slamming into the ground with his face in the dirt. He tries to jump to his feet, but Donovan kicks him down again. 
It seems like the king had anticipated that the captain would use some kind of a poison to slowly bring them all down. However, his plan is shattered to pieces when Donovan grabs the vial of green substance from his hands and throws it in the grass, destroying a small part of it but saving everyone from a very humiliating defeat.
"You... got me. You found me out."- The captain says weakly and smiles- "Perhaps you're not quite as spoiled as I thought."
Donovan shakes his head.
"No king or queen of Goznor has ever been spoiled by their loved ones."- He says- "Your assumption is completely incorrect."
The captain smirks.
"As you say... your majesty."
Geralt and Kaiden approach him. He glares at them, a wave of hatred washing over his feeble mind.
"You two. We were sent to get rid of you before you can send your forces against us."- He says to them- "We never anticipated the arrival of your friends. We thought that you were... abandoned by the world. Outcasts."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Even if we look like we are weak and dependent on others for a certain amount of time, we are never alone. We have always been supported by our friends, be it physically or spiritually. Our powers came from them."- He says- "The siege that you desperately tried to coordinate against the good people of this capital of the world was a complete waste of resources for you and your beloved emperor. You threw away your lives, just to achieve a futile dream inside of your minds. If you are expecting to hear that you did well, rest assured that you did not. Like your empire's advisor said earlier, maybe you can learn from your mistakes in the next life."
The captain shakes his head.
"You think that you have the future in your hands. You have delusions of a better world inside of your pure hearts."- He says- "But there is no future for lawless fools like you! Even your foolish maiden didn't manage to change that for you. There's never been anything good out there! Only the darkness remains! And soon, there will be a world that's completely devoid of light!"
Kaiden takes a few steps forward.
"Excuse me, but what did you just say right now?"- He asks- "Foolish maiden? Who do you think you are, insulting our family like this?"
Sensing that he just hit the right spot, the captain smiles.
"Yes. Your maiden was the most foolish girl I've ever met."- He says- "She fell in love with a man who will never love her back. She got pregnant with children that will never truly get along with each other. And what kind of a legacy is that one? Nothing that'll last!"
Kaiden gently pushes his brother aside and prepares to lift his glasses.
"Stand back, little bro."- He says- "I will be the one to end him for good."
Geralt nods.
"He is yours, Kai."
Without a second thought, Kaiden lifts his glasses. His eyes start to glow white as he prepares to finish the job.
"Die, you sniveling fiend!"
Two large lasers emerge from his eyes and pierce the imperial captain in the skull. The force of the attack is so strong that it swiftly disintegrates the foolish man's head. And soon, there is nothing left of his head, other than the ashes of this former man.
"Kai, that was amazing!"- Geralt exclaims- "I thought that your blindness was hindering you! But now, I am truly certain that you are still as powerful as you were before!"
Kaiden puts his glasses back on and smiles.
"Being blind is not a hindrance, little bro."- He says- "It's... a superpower!"
Donovan nods.
"Well, it seems like our work here is done."- He says- "Shall we go?"
Geralt nods.
"Of course."
As they prepare to leave, a lone man approaches them. Geralt quickly realizes his master- the mighty Akihiro.
"Good to see you again, little Geralt."- He says to him and smiles- "I... need to speak with you. It is urgent."
Geralt nods.
"Of course, Mr. Akihiro."- He says- "I am always eager to hear what you have to say."