MLII C6, P9- "Faded"

"Faded" is the ninth and penultimate Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's sixth Chapter. It was released on 18.06.2021.
== Plot ==
An adventure within a maze of tunnels underneath the city of Paris leads Jared back into the lands of Avernum- the place where this confrontation started in the first place.
Convinced that Benedict is in Avernum, our hero travels to the Abyss to stop his evil plan. 
Both of them are weak, searching for a way to find the spark of victory. Searching for a way to gain advantage in this bloody fight. However, one thing is clear. Whatever happens next, only one shall prevail.
But who will it be?
== Story ==
Jared leaves the area, still dazed. He tries to look around for a little longer, but fatigue is taking a toll on him.
He takes a look at his right hand and notices blood. He remembers how he bruised it shortly before entering the portal.
"It does not matter."- He says as he tries to clean it- "I must move on. The fate of the entire world depends on me. I will not fail my friends."
Then, he looks up and shakes his head.
"A minor bruise will not stop me from achieving my ultimate goal- defeating Benedict and stopping the Darkness of Duskwood bandits from doing... whatever they are doing right now."- He says to himself- "Now, where were we?"
Jared takes another step forward. However, he soon falls on his knees.
It turns out that he cannot proceed alone. If he wants to make his way to the Abyss and stay alive, he must find someone who can escort him there.
"My friends and family, they are all in Paris."- Jared thinks- "This means that I am alone here."
He shakes his head again.
"It does not matter."- He says to himself- "I must... keep... moving... "
A few moments after he stands up, he falls on his knees again. Even a hero like him cannot endure such a tremendous pressure. Exploring a huge cave and nearly freezing to death has been too much for him. Finding a dangerous bandit in a hostile land like the Abyss? Maybe it is better if he rests first.
Still, he does not want to give up. He knows that time is of essence and every second could be an advantage that would help him win this fight. He slowly stands up and starts moving forward.
"Come on, Jared. You are almost there."- He says to himself as he gets weaker and weaker- "The finish line is in front of me. All I have to do... is to reach it... "
Suddenly, his legs finally give out. His entire body is too tired to continue. He starts to fall down.
However, at the last moment, someone catches him and helps him stand up.
Jared looks at the person who saved him. It is his best friend- John Braveheart.
"John?"- He mutters- "Is that really you?"
John nods.
"Take it easy, my friend."- He says- "We're here. We will help you."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"We?"- He mutters- "You... and... "
Suddenly, he closes his eyes and passes out.
When he wakes up, he notices his best friend standing next to him, warming his hands near a campfire.
After looking around for a second, he also notices Annie. It turns out she was with John all along, searching for her friend.
"You're awake!"- She says, runs to Jared and hugs him- "I was so worried about you!"
Jared smiles.
"Heroes never die, Annie."- He says- "No matter what happens."
John looks around and sighs.
"We were told that you're looking for Benedict- the leader of the Darkness of Duskwood."- He says to him- "It seems like we have a common foe."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Do you know him?"- He asks.
John nods.
"I've been hunting for him for years. All this time, I thought that this wretch died somewhere, vile and treacherous as he is."- He responds- "But now, I understand that I made a mistake that I will always regret."
As he shakes his head, Annie looks at Jared.
"We heard you talking about not giving up. And you looked so tired, as if you were walking for a thousand miles."- She says to her friend- "Did something happen to you down here?"
Jared shakes his head.
"Let us just say that I had a hard time."- He says and turns to John- "How much time passed since I passed out."
"Three hours."
Jared gasps.
"Three hours?!"- He exclaims and jumps to his feet- "I lost too much time! No, I must move on!"
As he tries to run forward, John stops him.
"Where do you think you're going?"- He asks him.
Jared stares at him.
"I must find Benedict and defeat him."- He responds- "He is planning to do something catastrophic and I must stop him before he hurts anyone!"
John nods.
"I understand that you are worried, but have a little faith!"- He says- "I'm sure that the guards at Fort Saffron can handle thi-- "
Suddenly, a massive explosion silences him. As they turn around, they see a lone person heading into the fort, weapon drawn and killing every person in sight.
"This must be him!"- Jared says, draws his weapon and runs forward, trying to reach him before he enters the Abyss.
As he does, John and Annie join him, intending to protect their friend at all costs.
"Your father told me that you're in danger. He described Benedict to me and shared his concern that you might be Avernum."- John says to Jared- "So, I came here, looking for you. I will stay by your side and fight our enemies. Together, we shall win this fight."
Jared turns around and smiles.
"Just like the old times right?"- He asks- "The three of us?"
John and Annie nod.
"You know it!"- Annie says- "Let's get this show on the road!"
Jared, John and Annie enter Fort Saffron and notice that it is under siege. It turns out that a large force of bandits attacked and broke down the gate to the north, enabling Benedict to get through without being bothered.
"Don't let him get away!"- John yells and attacks the bandits.
As Jared and Annie run forward to intercept the bandit leader, a small force of bandits gets in their way. 
"Kill them!"- One of them screams and attacks them.
Noticing that his friends are in danger, John rushes to their aid and stabs the attacking bandit in the head.
Meanwhile, Jared and Annie manage to kill the rest of the bandits. Then, they set their sights on Benedict, who gets through the broken gate.
The three of them run past the bandits and guards and try to reach the bandit leader before he is able to do anything. However, he manages to create a magical barrier, preventing them from getting through.
As John and Annie inspect the barrier, Jared takes ten steps back and mutters a few words.
"This is a magical barrier- a powerful wall of pure, concentrated magic that is specifically designed to keep something in. Or out."- John says- "It will be a nightmare to get through something this powerful."
He looks back at Jared and notices that he is standing in place. His eyes are closed.
"Jared?"- He says- "What are you doing?"
Moments later, Jared opens his eyes. At the same time, Demonslayer starts to glow.
"Stand back, everyone!"- He yells as he runs forward.
As John and Annie leap back, they wonder what their friend is thinking about.
"Jared, wait!"- Annie yells- "Don't do it! You're only going to hurt yourself!"
Jared sighs.
"We will see about that."
Without thinking twice, he swings Demonslayer as soon as he is close enough to the barrier.
*POP!*
The barrier is completely destroyed. It shatters into hundreds of magical pieces that disappear before they can hit the ground.
Meanwhile, Benedict watches their struggle from a safe distance. When he realizes that Jared broke down his barrier, he leaps to his feet. Like a rabbit that is being chased by a hungry wolf, he tries to run away from the fight.
However, Jared and his allies are much faster than him. Soon, they get much closer.
Benedict sees that the gates that lead into Fort Spire are open. He notices the clueless guards and realizes that he has a chance.
Jared realizes what is going on. Desperate to stop his enemy, he starts to yell at the top of his lungs.
"Close the gates!"- He shouts to the guards ahead of him- "Close them! Now!"
Fortunately, the guards manage to hear him before Benedoct can get through. The gate slams shut in front of him, trapping him.
Angered, he looks back and attacks Jared. As they fight, the boy nearly loses his footing, but manages to get back up before he can be thrown off the edge.
John and Annie try to join the fight, but are stopped by a small pack of bandits that managed to find their way here.
Benedict smiles.
"Do you see this, Jared?"- He says to the boy as his friends try to fight them off- "No matter what you do, we will always defeat you. Unless you bring your friend to us."
Jared shakes his head.
"Never!"- He yells- "I will never let my friend down!"
Benedict shrugs.
"I expected as much."- He says- "For someone as young and inept, you're quite determined. I admire that."
Jared takes a step back and nods.
"It will be an honor to fight someone like you."- He responds- "Still, you should not underestimate me. I am stronger than I seem to be."
Benedict grins.
"Of course I won't."- He says- "Prepare yourself, kid. This is the beginning... of the end!"
Jared and Benedict swing their weapons at each other, trying to do whatever they can to win this fight. Benedict swings his sword wildly, while Jared patiently avoids his blows and looks for a weak point.
Finally, he notices that, while he is able to protect his lower body, he is unable to protect his face. He swings Demonslayer and slices it.
Benedict takes a step back. He lifts his hood and touches the fresh wound.
This gives Jared enough time to analyze him. He notices that his enemy is an old man with white hair, in his early or late 60s. An angry-looking person whose true personality is hidden under a veil of darkness and despair.
Meanwhile, Benedict touches his wound again and glares at Jared. His eyes radiate pure hatred and his right hand is always staying close to his weapon.
"Insolent child."- He says- "You'll pay dearly for this."
He hurls a fireball at him, but fails to hit anything as Jared strikes back.
As his hit connects, he takes a step back. Even after taking a break, he is still exhausted. 
This moment of weakness gives the bandit leader a chance to attack. He hurls another fireball and manages to strike our hero in the torso, forcing him to fall on his knees.
"You have not won yet."- Jared gasps- "I am only getting started!"
Having said that, he leaps to his feet and swings his weapon at Benedict, managing to throw him off balance.
Once he is on his knees, he strikes him with a beam of pure light, blinding him. Then, he watches as he stumbles back and nearly falls into the pit behind him.
However, he manages to regain his senses. He attacks again.
It takes Jared a few minutes to weaken his opponent, but he finally manages to find another weak point. He stabs him in the foot and watches as he stumbles back and falls on his knees.
"So, you've managed to defeat me."- Benedict says and smiles- "But what good will it do for you and your family? You can't undo what has already been done, you know?"
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"I... do not understand."
Benedict smiles again.
"The battle at the docks, didn't your grandpa tell you about it?"- He asks him- "What happened there, it's a huge wound that cannot be healed."
Jared gasps. He looks at Benedict as he remembers what he was told. 
Memories are refreshed. Events are relived. And among them... is a nightmare that will haunt him for the rest of his life. A dark memory that plunged his entire family into chaos, a taint that cannot be erased, no matter how hard they try.
Soon, he realizes what truly happened. He glares at the bandit leader and points his weapon at him.
"Tell me!"- He yells- "What happened to my grandmother?!"
Benedict smiles.
"She was a heroic girl, a brave warrior who was always ready to protect her family."- He says- "She was the pride of the Kaos family. What a shame that she died so young."
He looks at Jared.
"And the person who killed her... "- He mutters- "... was me."
Jared gasps. He takes a step back as Demonslayer falls out of his hand and clatters on the ground below.
Tears start to fall from his eyes as he reaches for his bow and aims an arrow at him.
"I will... "- He mutters- "I will kill... "
Suddenly, his father and Allister approach him. They look concerned.
"Good one, Jared!"- Aleks exclaims- "Now finish him off!"
Jared does not respond. He continues to aim his bow at the bandit leader, but is unable to shoot him.
"Is everything okay, son?"- He asks him- "What's going on?"
Jared turns around and looks at his father. His eyes are filled with tears.
"Dad!"- He says- "I... I found him!"
Aleks raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean, son?"- He asks him.
He glares back at Benedict. 
"Murderer!"- He screams- "Tell them what happened! Now!"
Benedict looks at Aleks and smiles.
"I killed your mother, Aleks."- He says- "I killed her."
Aleks is horrified.
"So."- He mutters- "You... are responsible?"
He draws his weapon. As Lethal approaches them, he shoots him in the leg.
"How dare you."- Aleks yells- "How dare you!"
Lethal looks at his son and grandson. He sees the hatred in their eyes. Then, he looks at Benedict and notices that he is terrified.
"Ben."- He says to him- "When you killed my wife, you thought that you would get away with it. You thought that you would keep attacking people and harming them, just because they refuse to become a part of your measly, dark empire. You didn't know that every action has a consequence and you continued to perform those bad deeds instead of trying to change, for good or for bad. But now, you see that everything has its end, even someone as skilled as yourself. Nobody can avoid the inevitable forever. Nobody."
Benedict shakes his head.
"You and your wife got in my way. You killed my people, harmed my group. You made us weak."- He says- "I take pleasure in killing heroes like you, especially if they're from your family."
Having said that, he stands up and tries to attack them, but is stabbed in the abdomen by Lethal.
"I see."- Lethal says calmly- "Fools like you will never change, no matter if they're cornered or not."
He looks at his grandson.
"I know that you're angry, child. You must be."- He says- "Go ahead. Avenge your grandmother."
Jared takes a step forward. His father gives him a handgun.
"You... you took her away from us."- He mutters- "Killed her before she could have the chance to see me and my sister. Stripped away a part of our family."
He glares at him. The hatred within his eyes immediately turns into pure anger.
"All these years, I dreamed of seeing her, of saying that I love her and listen to her stories of times long past. But you, you killed her without even caring that she has a family!"- He yells- "I hate you! I hate you!"
He unloads the handgun into the area around Benedict, but still manages to shoot him in the chest.
As he stumbles back, Aleks reloads the handgun and pats his son on the shoulder.
"It won't bring her back."- Benedict mutters- "My death won't bring her back. You won't achieve anything... by... killing me."
Jared aims the handgun at him. Then, he shakes his head and drops it on the ground.
"I am not going to kill you."- He says- "You will cause your own death. And I will show you how."
He lifts his hands into the air and throws him the handgun.
"If you think that you are so good, how about you kill me instead?"- He asks him- "If you kill me, there will be nothing left in the way of your so-called "empire". But if you fail... you will see the consequences of your own actions."
Both Aleks and Lethal look at him.
"Child, what do you think you're doing?"- He says- "He's still able to kill you!"
Jared sighs.
"We will see about that."- He mutters.
Lethal nods and watches as Benedict slowly stands up and smiles as he shakily picks up the handgun.
"Maybe you think that you can outsmart me. Or maybe you're just a fool."- He says as he bleeds profusely- "Either way, I applaud you for being so... so brave. I'll give you a proper burial, mark my words."
As he aims the gun, he looks around. He watches in horror as the rest of his bandits are slain by John and Annie.
"Do you see this, Benedict?"- Jared asks him- "So, tell me. What do you think?"
Benedict shakes his head.
"No!"- He yells- "We still have a chance! We can still... reform!"
Jared smiles.
"There is no future for fools like yourselves, only a world of darkness and despair."- He says- "Now go ahead and shoot me. Even when I am gone, nothing will change. Your bandits will still lose and you will still die. Your fates have been sealed long before this very moment. All that remains... is to watch as your dream is plunged into chaos."
He raises his hands into the air again.
"Well? What are you waiting for, dear bandit?"- He says- "I am right here."
Benedict shakily aims the gun at Jared and tries to shoot him, but notices that he is stumbling back. He tries to regain control of his legs, but is unable to do so and watches as he slowly gets closer and closer to the massive hole behind him.
"Impossible."- He mutters to himself- "Is this... the end... of me? Benedict? The leader of... the mightiest... bandits?"
It seems like his worst nightmare is about to come true. In a few moments, Benedict, the mighty leader of the Darkness of Duskwood bandits, dramatically falls to his death and experiences his last moments on this planet.
"I will be back soon! Mark my words!"- He yells as he plummets into the darkest depths of the abyss.
Jared and Lethal watch as he slowly disappears into the darkness.
"It is done."- Jared mutters stoically- "Benedict, the old bandit who was foolish enough to murder my grandmother... is dead."