Miracula Luxia C5, P10- "Open Your Mind"

"Open Your Mind" is the tenth Part of "Miracula Luxia" 's fifth Chapter- "Estavius". It was released on 22.11.2019.
== Plot ==
After a long journey, a big success! Our heroes have finally reached Vahnatai lands.
Now they will have to learn more about those mysterious creatures in order to befriend and, eventually, ally themselves with them in the name of Avernum.
A hard task, indeed, but also very exciting and rewarding,
== Story ==
The Vahnatai leader stared at them. It was an imposing creature, tall and powerful. 
It's sword was sitting quietly at its lap, ready to be used when needed.
"Welcome, adventurers! I am glad that you have arrived in our humble town- the town of Stonelight."
"We are a community of farmers who produce food for our mighty nation. We only wish peace."
"And we come with peace, mighty leader."- Jared said and bowed down. His honor was demanding him to do so."
The Vahnatai motioned for him to stand up.
"You do not need to bow down. I am not that important, for there is one of us who definitely is."- He said and pointed at a Vahnatai male sitting near the river.
"He will tell you what to do. Especially how to reach our mighty leaders. I am just here to greet everyone who passes through the town of Stonelight."
Its small speech done, the Vahnatai stood up to leave.
"Goodbye, adventurers. And remember- peace and friendship are definitely possible, but only if you know how to speak in front of other creatures."
The heroes approached the other Vahnatai.
"I've been expecting you, heroes."- It mumbled.
"Us?"
"Yes. In fact, the whole nation has. You are welcome guests."
It turned towards them and looked at Jared.
"You are the Chosen One. That is good. Welcome, to you and your allies to Stonelight."
"I am Parossis-Ihrno."
" "Ihrno"? What does that mean?"- Aleks wondered.
"It means that I am, as you people would say- "Learned". Someone who has learned a lot of things in his life and helps his people with their knowledge as best as they can."
"And that is why I wish to help you."
He looked at Galantis-Bok and bowed down.
"Mighty leader, you are back. I am glad to see you."
"Yes. Thank you, Parossis-Ihrno. It is good to see an old friend of mine after so many years.
The Vahnatai shaked hands and smiled.
"But... how are you still here? I thought you died."
"Well, I was dead. Until Jared came. And until I realized that the Vahnatai need a strong and capable leader."
"About that... "
He whispered to Galantis.
"Ragus-Bok has been acting stangely lately. Pontis-Bok and Kaiel-Bok do not notice that, but I do."
"Strangely? What happened in my absence?"
Parossis-Ihrno gulped.
"I think a dark force is trying to cloud his mind. If we do not do anything soon, he might... might... "
Galantis-Bok placed his hand on Parossis's shoulder.
"Do not worry, old friend. Me and my allies will make sure it doesn't happen."
The creature smiled.
"I am glad that you came."
He turned back to Jared.
"Now, for the first order of business. You need to enlighten your very being by touching the basins in our holy chamber. The way to it is to the east of here."
"Good luck. Return here when you have done the deed."
Jared left to the east and approached the chamber.
He saw three basins.
"Remember, young one. Start with the darkest up to the lightest."
Jared looked back and saw a tall Vahnatai, possibly female staring at him.
"But why?"- He asked.
"Because... you have come from the darkness and now you enter the light. This is the way."
Jared smiled and tried to drink from the darkest-looking waters.
The Vahnatai stopped him.
"Oh no! You must dip your hands in it, not drink from it!"
"Sorry."- He mumbled and dipped his hands in it.
He felt a strange force compelling him to touch the second one.
He did the same with the second one.
And with the third one.
After dipping his hands into the last one and pulling them out, he felt a strange sensation.
Like a hundred small ants, the spell settled into his body.
Until now, Jared could not understand what the other Vahnatai were saying to him (except for those who were speaking English). Now he began to understand.
Strange words were being deciphered in his head. Into his language.
Jared stood back. Such a miraculous power is not meant to be used by a boy like him.
"I understand how you feel, young one. But you must have the power to understand us. You are the Chosen One, after all."- The Vahnatai woman smiled as she looked at the palms of his hands.
"You are destined for great things and find even greater allies. Do not refuse the chance you have been given. Go and talk to Parossis-Ihrno. I am sure that you will understand him now."
Jared nodded and left the chamber.
He approached Parossis-Ihrno and spoke to him in the Vahnatai language:
"It is done. I am attuned with the force of the Vahnatai and I am ready to continue my mission."
The Vahnatai smiled.
"Yes. That is the spirit! I knew it."
"From the moment that you arrived, I felt that you are bound to the Light. That you are worthy of learning powerful spells and wear powerful equipment."
"As well as your companions, of course."- He smiled again.
"Now, it is time for you to talk to our leaders. They will tell you what to do next."
Jared scratched his head.
"But where do we have to go to reach them? We don't have a map of your lands yet."
The Vahnatai reached for its pocket. Soon it pulled out a scroll and handed it to Jared.
He opened it and realized that it wasn't a scroll. It was a map!
"This... is a map of our lands. Here you will find our capital- The mighty city of Karto."
Jared looked at the map and noticed the big square on it.
"This is it! That is where we must go next!"
"Let's get ready! This won't be a very long journey, but we still need to be. Just in case."- Aleks suggested.
"You are thinking right, my friend! You cannot go outside without proper preparations."
"Oh, I almost forgot! Here. Take this."
Parossis-Bok attached a small badge on Jared's armor.
"This badge will identify you as a visitor of the Vahnatai. The guards will not see you as a threat."
"What if we didn't wear it?"
"Well, they could still recognize you, but you must be questioned before being left alone. Now it will be easier for you."
"I guess it's time for us to leave. Farewell, Parossis! It was an honor to meet you."- Aleks smiled.
"It was my pleasure to meet you and the others. Good journey!"
The heroes left the small town of Stonelight and left for the huge city of Karto.
Once they were at the gates, one of the guards inspected them.
He was a strong Vahnatai- a sign of power and control amongst the Vahnatai military.
"Visitors of the Vahnatai. I suppose you can come in, but I need to know: Why are you here?"
"We are here on official business. We are here to talk to the Vahnatai Council."
"The Counil doesn't have time for someone like you, young one. State your other business or leave. We do not want trouble."
Suddenly, one of the human guards stepped in.
"Are you Jared Kaos?"
"Uhh... Yes. Yes I am."- Jared responded.
The guard smiled.
"The Council is expecting you. Come in, you and your companions!"
The human guard pulled the wheel to open the gate as the Vahnatai guard stared forward, as a sign of respect to the Chosen One.
"Welcome to Karto- the largest settlement here, in Vahnatai lands where humans and Vahnatai live in peace and work to keep the peace together."
"We know that you are on our side and that is why we let you in. We know that you fight for the good side. Unlike those traitors to the north who only wish to destroy us."
"Traitors? There are traitors among the Vahnatai?"- Jared wondered.
"I've heard about them. Deserters who abandon the army, but fight against it afterwards. Really bad creatures."- Galantis-Bok murmured.
"It's good that you're here, heroes. Maybe you can make sense of this nonsense that has fallen on our minds."
"We will try."- Jared responded as he and his allies went through the gate.
"Are you sure that we should let the Gremlin and Worg in as well? They could be dangerous!"- One of the guards whispered to the human guard.
"Don't worry. I'm sure they are tame, if they travel around them."- The guard grinned.
The heroes approached the Council Hall.
One of the guards pulled out a list from his pouch and looked at a list of names.
"Jared Kaos, correct? Alright, you and your allies are cleared. You can go see the Council. Good luck."
"Thank you."- Jared said and entered the hall.
Inside, the three Vahnatai leaders silently waited for the adventurers to approach them.
Pontis-Bok and Kaiel-Bok stared at them with calm eyes, but Ragus-Bok's were... different.
Filled with anger. Hate. But it is unknown towards who they are directed.
"Welcome, heroes to our hall. We have been expecting yor arrival. Come closer, so we can talk about the huge problem that is troubling our little nation."- Pontis-Bok said and pointed at the chairs on the other side of the table, ready to be sat upon.
== Trivia ==
* This Part is named "Open Your Mind". The reason for that is the need to understand the Vahnatai's language and open the minds of the heroes towards their problems, so they could help them out.
The other reason is because Jared has to open his mind towards the inner peace (Which the Vahnatai seek) and help them establish it in human lands as well.