MLII C7, ExP 8.1- "It's My Life"

"It's My Life" is a short Extra Part, featured in "Miracula Luxia II" 's seventh Chapter that describes the events that unfold after Jared successfully returns in his hometown- the city of Paris in order to stop a deadly invasion of powerful demons and their leader- Grah-Hoth.
It was released on 25.07.2021.
== Plot ==
A single week has passed since Jared decided to return into the city of Paris and reunite with his friends and family.
After successfully defending another outpost from the demons that try to slay him and his allies, he takes a moment to remember everything that he did to be here. All of the events that led up to this moment, to this crucial battle. And, most importantly, cherish the memories with all of the people that he lost along the way.
However, even though he is ready for almost anything he is forced to face, this doesn't mean that he is truly ready for surprises. Especially for one that is going to completely change his life, whether it is for good... or for bad. An epiphany that will make him more than just an ever-faithful hero and beloved son. 
The world is changing. And Jared is the true embodiment of Order and Light that will fight the Chaos and Darkness. All that is left for him to do... is to prepare for what has yet to come.
== Story ==
Jared shoots an arrow at an incoming demon, successfully pushing it back and piercing another with the tip of the arrow.
He looks back and sees that the soldiers on the walls are starting to get scared. They have never faced an enemy like this before.
The fear of getting swarmed is slowly kicking in. Everyone is starting to get impatient, and this might lead to terrible consequences.
Once again, Jared decides to take the matters in his own hands. He gets the attention of the soldiers and starts to talk to them.
"Look, friends."- He begins, trying to sound both calm and confident at the same time- "I can see the fear in your eyes. I know that you are scared of those creatures. But there is nothing to fear. They are just a bunch of megalomanical fiends who are trying to keep us divided so they can strike fear into our hearts and distract us for long enough to penetrate through our defenses and attack the city."
One of the soldiers shakes his head.
"Have you ever faced those monsters like this before?"- He asks him- "Do you know what it's like to lose someone in battle?"
Jared raises his eyebrow, surprised by the soldier's question.
Meanwhile, the other soldiers start to mutter to each other, unsure what to do next.
"You're a hero. You're a person who has risked a lot for us. For our city."- The soldier continues- "But did you ever decide to step in our shoes and see the world that we live in? Have you ever felt the pain that we-- "
Suddenly, Jared snaps.
"You do not know anything about true pain! None of you do!"- He yells- "I lost so many people and I am going to lose because of people like you! People whose own uncertainty can become their downfall! Yes, I have seen the world in your eyes. And I am trying to make it better. For me. And for all of you. So stop trying to act tough and get on with defending this city, for God's sake! The whole world is depending on us and we must show them that we are not afraid to do the right things in order to ensure its safety. Do you understand this... or am I not clear enough?!"
Jared's words have an instant effect on all of the soldiers, both on the wall and below it. In a matter of seconds, they all turn to him and get very serious, readying their weapons and getting ready to continue fighting.
Jared smiles.
"That is the spirit."- He says- "Now get moving. Let us protect this place from evil.
The soldiers turn their attention on the attacking demons and imps. Suddenly, a large portion of them are shot down by the archers on the walls. Without any hesitation, they execute each and every single one of them.
One of the imps manages to sneak past the soldiers below and runs for the gate, hoping to reach it before the archers have the chance to shoot it down.
It does not even get close to it. As soon as Jared sees the little fiend, he whistles to someone in the distance and alerts them. Suddenly, an arrow flies forward and strikes the witty creature in the back, immediately killing it in the process.
Soon, its killer reveals himself. It is Aleks.
"I scouted the area from a distance."- He says to his son as he pulls the arrow out of the dead imp- "It seems like that's all of them. For now."
He notices that his son is looking at the soldiers. He approaches them.
One of them flinches, betraying his uncertainty. Aleks slaps him on the face.
"This is not how a true soldiers faces his problems during a time like this!"- He says to him- "I want each and every single one of you to prepare for another assault. Stop blaming my son for your problems and start to think about how to solve them yourselves! Yelling at him will not get you anywhere and you should know it well!"
The soldiers look down. They are clearly ashamed by the soldier's words.
"Forgive us, sir."- One of them says- "We'll do better next time. Those monsters are not going to escape our wrath. Never again."
Aleks nods.
"Very well."- He responds- "Then go on ahead. There's still much that needs to be done. Time is of essence, so get moving."
The soldiers nod and return to guard the gate as Jared and Aleks return into the city of Paris for the rest of the day.
"Dad."- Jared says- "Have you ever tried to talk to grandma?"
Aleks turns around and raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"- He asks him.
Jared looks down.
"Well, I have been trying to communicate with her. I've had some success, but there is still much to be desired."- He says- "Is it the same for you? Can you still talk to her like you did when mom's spirit was around here?'
Aleks shrugs.
"To be honest, I'm not that sure."- He responds- "I can still hear your grandmother's voice in my head. I try to talk to her, but she's too afraid to respond. It is as if she's ashamed that she left this world when I was still an infant, when I still needed her the most. It must be traumatizing for her."
He sighs.
"I want to comfort her. I want to tell her that everything's okay. That she shouldn't blame herself for what happened back there."- He continues- "But at the same time, I want to show her that I'm not dependant of her mercy. I want to show her that I'm an expert survivor, that I'm able to survive this world without her presence to keep me safe."
Jared nods.
"It is the same for me, dad."- He says- "But... I still miss her. A lot."
Aleks nods and pats his son on the shoulder.
"We all do, son."- He says- "We all do."
He looks up and notices that the sun is going down.
"So."- He says to his son- "Any other plans for the rest of the day that I don't know about?"
Jared shakes his head.
"Actually, no. Not really."- He responds- "I want to return to my room and rest before we enter the next phase of the invasion."
Aleks smiles.
"Ah. You only want to rest before we face the worst of those demons? I see. I see."- He says- "Go ahead, then. I will wait for you by the west gate tomorrow at 8 AM. Make sure that you're well-rested before the next fight."
Jared nods.
"I will do my best."- He says- "Good day, dad."
Aleks smiles again.
"Good day to you too, son."- He says and watches as he enters the Kaos residence and closes the door.
On his way to his room, Jared remembers how he used to see his mother before he went to sleep. He remembers how she used to read him bedtime stories when he was little and how she used to sing him songs.
Those times are long gone, though. Now, he is alone in this world. Nothing will ever be the same for him. Not anymore.
With a sigh of regret, he opens the door that leads to his room and enters it, only to see that most of it has been emptied.
"What happened here?"- He wonders- "Why has this place changed so much? Were they... unsure that I would come back?"
He shakes his head.
"It does not matter."- He continues- "For now, I need rest. Not answers."
He lays on his bed and showly closes his eyes. Soon, he falls asleep.
He dreams of the adventures that he was a part of. The people that he met. And, most importantly, the pain that these years of utter chaos have caused him.
"Everything has changed since I left Paris for the first time."- He says- "A chain of events that ended with my descent into heroism. Every single one of them contributed for this, good or bad. And, no matter whether they I was destined to overcome them or not, they still caused me extreme pain."
Suddenly, his head starts to hurt. The pressure is too much for him.
"Pain."- He mutters- "All of this pain. Does it ever... end?"
Finally, he calms down and closes his eyes. Someone is manipulating him again. Making him remember past events and forcing him to undergo a loop of despair.
But he is prepared for this. Once the evil presence subsides, he lays on the ground and emits a sigh of relief.
"I did it again."- He says- "I overcame my greatest fears. I became what I am now. A true hero who is ready to protect what is dear to him at all costs."
"But... "
He looks at the palm of his right hand and notices that a black mist has enveloped it.
"But at what cost?'- He wonders- "And, if there was indeed a cost, was it truly worth it?"
Suddenly, a hand emerges from the shadows and pulls him up.
"But it does not matter."- He says- "As long as my family is still here, there is nothing to fear. I will keep fighting and spreading the wings of order so the entire world can see them. And that is what I will keep doing, even as an adult."
He stands up.
"Everyone."- He says- "I miss you so much. Not just you, mom and grandma, but all of my friends and family. Everyone that I lost along the way. Everyone who suffered because of me, who risked their lives to push me forward and help me become whom I was meant to be"
He bows down.
"But I still respect your sacrifices."- He continues- "I owe those victories to all of you. You, who risked their own safety to help someone that you did not even know well. You, who had families to feed, who had homes to live in, but still joined me in this neverending battle and helped me defeat my enemies once and for all. You, who did their best to protect a messenger of Light and assist him in delivering his message to the entire world. The ones whom I would gladly call my dearest friends and family."
He bows even deeper.
"I thank you."- He finishes- "For your service."
Suddenly, a portal opens up in front of him. He immediately realizes what is going on.
"It is nice to stay here and talk about my past experiences with people whom I value a lot, but I think that it is time for me to go."- He says and stands up- "The bright future is ahead of us and I must keep fighting for it, if I want to make it a reality."
He steps into the portal and leaves the dream world, but not before taking a look at the city of Paris behind him, the one that was a reality long before most of the chaos that ensued in the past few years. The time when he used to be truly happy.
When he opens his eyes, he notices that it is already morning. He stands up and reflexively approaches the mirror to look at himself.
He looks at his face and notices that he is smiling.
"Strange."- He says, his smile staying on his face- "Why am I smiling?"
He remembers the dreams from last night and smiles even further.
"Oh. I remember."- He says- "The time when I used to be a normal person, not a hero or savior for everyone around here."
When he remembers what he has to do next, his smile quickly turns into a mild frown.
"But those moments are gone. They are just a part of my memory now. Remembering them is only going to bring me sadness."- He says- "Still, I must keep fighting. If I want my family to experience more memories like these, I must protect my people. My home. My life."
He approaches his bed and takes Demonslayer.
"And I am not planning to let some fiendish overlord from another realm to crush all of my hopes and dreams."- He continues- "On the opposite, I will destroy his dreams of destruction and despair. By killing his allies and showing him that we are not afraid."
He stretches himself a few times and gets ready to go outside.
"Well, my father is waiting for me by the west gate."- He says- "I should stop talking to myself and start moving forward. Today is going to be another busy day and I need to be in top shape."
As he walks outside, he notices that Meggy is fighting a group of enemies all by herself. He rushes to help her.
Once all of them are defeated, Meggy smiles and hugs him.
"I heard the news."- She says- "Our hero and savior's back in town!"
Suddenly, she gets a bellyache and takes a step back. Jared helps her to sit on a nearby rock and checks her for any visible wounds.
Since there don't seem to be any, he gets even more worried.
Meggy notices his confusion and smiles, trying to comfort him.
"My belly."- She says- "It's a bit large, isn't it?"
Jared takes another look at it and confirms that it is, indeed, very large.
"How much have you been eating recently?"- He asks her- "You know that it is unhealthy for you, right?"
Meggy sighs.
"Yeah."- She says- "Yeah. I know."
Jared nods.
"Do you have any problems that I can help you with?"- He says.
A few moments later, Aleks walks up to them and looks at Meggy. His look says a clear message- "It is your choice".
Meggy sighs and decides to reveal the secret to Jared.
"Jared. You're wrong about this. I'm not fat."- She says nervously- "I... I... I... "
She sighs again.
"I'm p-pregnant."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"You are... pregnant?"- He repeats- "That is wonderful! I am so happy for you!"
Meggy smiles nervously. She knows that he means well, but she is too afraid to reveal the whole truth.
"So. Are you doing well?"- He asks her and smiles- "Carrying a baby in a timelike this must be an arduous task for someone like you. Would you like some help?"
Meggy giggles.
"Very funny, Jared."- She says to him- "But I appreciate your desire to help me out. It warms my heart."
Jared nods.
"I hate to ask you about this, but who is the lucky man who will have a child from you?"- He asks her, his eyes beaming with curiosity- "In other words, who is going to be the father of this beautiful baby?"
Jared's question makes Meggy very nervous. Even though she promised herself that she would not reveal the entire truth to him, she still feels like she owns him an explanation about all of this. A huge explanation. 
However, instead of answering his question as best as she can, she decides to not say anything. She simply stares at the ground and says nothing, too ashamed of being such a liar to the one whom she kissed in the wilderness. To whom she confessed her love and wanted to be with.
Seeing that the situation is slowly getting worse, Aleks decides to step in and talk to his son himself.
"Jared."- He begins- "As a caring father and devoted teacher, I feel like I'm the one who owes you an explanation about what happened to Meggy. My student. Your friend."
He sighs.
"Meggy... indeed had an affair with a man. She became pregnant as a result."- He says- "However, it's not quite what you think. The father is not someone whom we don't even know. The father is someone close to our family."
Jared gasps. He looks at Meggy, but she says nothing. 
He looks back at his father.
"What do you mean by that?"- He asks him- "Does this mean that the father is... is... "
Aleks sighs again. 
"Yes, Jared."- He says- "The father of Meggy's child... is a member of our family."
Jared gasps again. He looks down and shakes his head.
"I am so confused."- He says aloud- "Who is it? Who is the father of this troubled girl's child?"
Aleks hesitates to say the entire truth. He clearly wishes he could just back away and change the subject. But he also knows that his son will be worried about Meggy and that he will not stop until he can find an answer to this question.
As tears start to fall from his eyes, he approaches his son and places his hand on his shoulder.
"Jared. My son. My dear boy."- He says as he musters the strength to say the words that will completely change his life- "I was afraid to say it, but I saw the pain in your eyes. I know how much you care about Meggy. So, I decided to tell you everything. Because you deserve to know it."
He takes a deep breath.
"The father of this child. He... he... "- He stutters.
He takes another deep breath and clears his throat.
"There's only one father who will be the parent of this child."- He says- "And it is you, son. You are the father."
== Trivia ==
* The name of this Part is a reference to a song by "Bon Jovi" that is known by the same name.