MLIII C3, P4- "Dusk And Dawn"

"Dusk And Dawn" is the fourth Part of "Miracula Luxia III" 's third Chapter.
It was released on 10.01.2022.
== Plot ==
Cursed be the name of Lucifer Griffin!
Even after everything that our heroes have done to protect those dear to them, they were still unable to protect themselves. A massive cavequake left them trapped in a new region, far away from home.
Their way back is no longer available. Their supplies are running low. Nobody is there to help them out.
How long will it take for them to escape from this place?
== Story ==
Adam opens his eyes. 
He looks around, confused.
"Where... am I?"- He mutters- "This... this is not home."
Moments later, his vision clears. At that moment, he remembers what happened.
"Oh, yes. Me and my friends had to escape from that cave. We were so lucky, yet so unsure."- He says- "It is a shame that those creatures attacked us. Their lust for vengeance consumed them. It made them so... reckless. So foolish."
He looks at his weapon.
"And it will continue to do so."- He adds- "Until there is nothing left of them."
Derion notices that Adam is awake. He approaches him.
"So."- He says- "Did you have a good sleep?"
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"Sleep?"- He says- "How long was I unconscious?"
Derion sighs.
"Many hours have passed since we stepped into the portal."- He responds- "We barely held off. Enemies have been attacking from all sides."
Adam gasps.
"Enemies?"- He asks- "Where are they?!"
Derion nods to the left.
"Jon and Aiden went that way. Said that they will gather some supplies."- He says- "I'm worried about them, though. It's been hours since they left and I'm not sure if they've gotten themselves in trouble or not.
Adam shakes his head.
"It has been too long. Leaving them to go out like this is very dangerous."- He says- "I cannot imagine how dangerous it could be for a lone party like us, let alone when we're separated."
Derion looks down.
"That's what I told them, at first."- He says- "However, they refused to listen and went out on their own. Maybe that's because I was too soft with them."
He sighs.
"Just another mistake that I made."
Adam stands up and takes a step forward.
"It is not too late to correct it."- He says- "Are you with me?"
Derion nods and smiles.
"Of course."- He says- "Whenever you're ready, I'll join you."
Adam sighs.
"There is no time to waste."- He says- "If we want to save our friends, time is of essence. I do not want anything to happen to them."
Derion nods.
"And neither do I."
The two of them leave the safety of the encampment.
"Come with me."- Derion says to Adam- "I want to show you something."
Adam nods.
"Very well."
Derion leads Adam to the outskirts of a settlement. Or rather, the ruins of one.
From the looks of it, this might have been a successful trade center in the past. Some of the caravans that sit abandoned at the town square signify its relative importance to the world. Why they became so rich and successful (and who they worked with) is, sadly, a mystery that will remain undiscovered in the sands of time.
"Me and Jonathan visited this town not too long ago. He said that it used to be the home of his father. His adoptive father."- Derion says- "However, he never told me the name. Bad memories, I would guess."
Adam looks around. He recognizes some of the structures. What is left of them, that is.
"Is this... Duskwood?"- He says- "My uncle used to tell me stories about this place. Some of them were quite... terrifying."
Derion shakes his head.
"Many bad things happened in here."- He says- "Even in the elven kingdom, we heard about the tragedy that befell the Braveheart family."
He looks around and sighs.
"My mother told me about what happened to Mr. Braveheart's mother. His biological one, that is."- He continues- "Maria Braveheart was the light in their lives. A pillar of kindness and compassion. An angel of wisdom and duty. That's why her demise was so painful to everyone. Dying at the hands of outlaws is... not what you want to witness with your own eyes."
He sighs again.
"I heard legends about the infamous gang that attacked the town countless times. That tortured them and angered its residents."- He says- "The Darkness of Duskwood is whom I'm talking about. And they still haven't given up."
Adam shakes his head.
"I refuse to believe that those vagabonds are still here."- He says- "My father told me a story of how he killed their leader. How he and his friends killed those bandits mercilessly. There is no way that any band can reform after such a grievous blow."
Derion sighs.
"Nothing's impossible."- He says- "Only time will tell how bad it can get."
Adam draws his weapon.
"Whether they're still here or not, it does not matter."- He continues- "I can tell that our friends are out there. If something happens to them, I... I will... "
He sighs and shakes his head.
"I will never forgive myself."
Derion nods.
"Indeed."- He says- "Let's be on our way."
The two youths approach the ruins of Duskwood, unsure what to expect once they get there.
Fortunately, the town is very quiet. Perhaps eerily so.
No brigands are in sight. For now.
"I suspect that our enemies are preparing a trap for us."- Adam mutters- "Be on your guard."
Derion nods and looks around.
"This sight... it's way too familiar to me."- He says to himself- "Is this the fate of all innocent settlements? Why are those tyrants so... heartless?"
Then, he notices someone in the distance. He tries to get closer, but Adam stops him.
"Wait."- He says- "Something tells me that they are trying to trick us."
Derion shakes his head.
"Can't you hear them cry?"- He asks him- "Whoever this is, they're shouldn't be here. We need to help them."
Adam looks at the person ahead of them. He listens to their voice and...
He recognizes it.
"Jon!"- He yells- "Jon! We are here!"
Jon continues to mutter to himself and cry. He ignores them.
"What's going on?"- Derion says- "Why is he so... depressed?"
Adam shakes his head.
"He needs our help."- He says- "That is what matters right now."
The two of them approach him, but not before making sure that they won't get attacked.
"Good."- Adam mutters- "Move on."
Somewhere in the distance, a band of mishappen creatures stare at each other. It is clear that they have seen our heroes arrive.
"He's here! The hero is here!"- The first one mutters- "What do we do? What do we do?!"
The second one shakes its head.
"We have to warn the leader."- It says- "The trap is in place. Soon, all of them shall bow before our master."
The first one grins.
"Right! Right!"- It says- "Let's go! Now!"
Having said that, the two creatures leave before they can be spotted.
Adam approaches his cousin. He places his hand on his shoulder, but soon notices that he does not react. 
At all.
"Jon!"- He says- "I do not know what you are doing, but please, snap out of it! We are in danger!"
Jon ignores him.
"Why must this go on? Why must we suffer like this?"- He says- "Was her death not enough to you?!"
Derion shakes his head.
"Jon. I know that we've all suffered a lot. It's true and we can't deny it."- He says- "However, we must get out of here. This town is just a ruin now. A bad memory that will haunt us for a long time. So, it's best if we just leave it behind. For the good of everyone."
Jon does not respond. He continues to mutter.
"Mother. Why? Why did I have to abandon you like this? Why did I have to be so foolish?"- He says- "So ignorant?!"
He falls on his knees.
"I'm not a good son."- He mutters and looks down- "I'm a failure. A total failure."
Adam gasps.
"Those memories... they do not belong to him."- He says- "Someone has taken over him. He was too feeble to resist such a cowardly attack."
He takes a step forward.
"And I know who is responsible... "
Just as a small band of humans attacks them, he parries their attacks and slays them.
"The Darkness of Duskwood."
As Derion wonders what is going on, another band of humans charges at them.
This time, it is much larger.
"There's nowhere left to run, heroes!"- A deep voice booms- "We have you surrounded!"
Adam looks around and shakes his head.
"And to whom do I owe the honor to speak with my sword?"- He says- "I cannot make a decision until I have seen you."
The human who spoke earlier emerges and smiles.
"We of the Darkness of Duskwood have been watching you. We knew that you'd arrive soon and patiently waited for you."- He says- "Your fate has been sealed, do-gooder. You and your family will die, one by one. And soon, your friends will join you."
Adam draws his weapon.
"I pay no attention to faded, jealous empires like yours."- He says- "Though I will gladly finish what my father started."
He glares at them.
"You have been tainting our world for too long."- He continues- "Bring it on. We are ready!"
Without another word, he charges and leaves the massive warrior with no chance to mock him.
"Fine. You asked for it."- He says and draws his weapon- "Our new allies will be satisfied to hear of your demise!"
New allies? It seems like those people are still thinking that they can take over the world.
However, they might be able to back up those words with bold actions, so it would be wise for Adam and his allies to be careful.
It seems like Adam was prepared for this attack, though. As his enemies try to kill him, he evades them and keeps them at bay.
It is almost as if he is trying to distract them.
"Try to take care of the right side."- He whispers to Derion- "I will make sure that those fools are in place."
Derion nods.
"You got it."
The two heroes fight their enemies on two sides. They are not intending to kill them immediately, but to distract them.
Adam listens to the sounds of the mountain. Whatever is going to happen, it will be painful.
"We've had enough of heroes like you, Adam Kaos!"- The massive bandit yells- "Today, we will slay you. And when we do, people will see that we should be feared. Our empire will rise again and I, Derek Darkheart, shall be the leader of our-- "
Suddenly, he heard something behind him. He turns around.
"What's going on?"- He says- "Who dares to disrupt our battle?!"
One of the bandits notices something in the distance. He gasps and points at it.
"Avalanche!"
Everyone else turns around as well. They cannot believe what they are seeing.
"No!"- Derek yells and turns to Adam- "You... you tricked us!"
Adam shakes his head.
"Even though you are powerful warriors, you always tend to use your brawns. Not your brains."- He says- "That is why I set up a little trap for you."
He takes a step back.
"This meaningless struggle ends here... and now."- He says- "Farewell, Darkness of Duskwood."
He turns to Derion.
"Take Jon and leave this place."- He says to him- "I will join you soon"
Seeing that this is his only choice, Derion nods. He takes Jon and escapes the approaching avalanche.
Derek Darkheart glares at Adam. His eyes are filled with loathing.
"You won't get rid of us, young Kaos!"- He yells as the avalanche descends upon him- "We will always haunt your dreams!"
Moments later, the avalanche crushes all of the bandits. None of them managed to survive this unexpected surprise.
Seeing that the avalanche is getting closer, Adam runs away from the scene.
A minute later, he is standing on a nearby cliff. Away from the carnage.
"No matter how much I like to think otherwise, I suspect that this conflict is far from over."- He says to himself- "They will be back. I am sure of it."
As he continues to inspect the ruins, Aiden emerges from them. He approaches Adam.
"You're here."- He says to him- "That's good."
Adam turns to him and sighs.
"Is there anyone left?"- He asks him- "Any signs of them?"
Aiden shakes his head.
"I'm afraid not."- He says- "If there are any survivors, then they must be hiding from us."
He looks back at the town.
"And they're doing a very good job."
Adam sighs.
"Leave them alone."- He says- "Their ignorance will lead them to their doom."
Having said that, he stands up and motions for Aiden to follow him.
The two of them approach the ruins and look around for their friends. 
It does not take long for them to find where they are. Once they make sure that the coast is clear, they emerge.
"Are they dead?"- Derion asks Adam.
Adam shakes his head.
"I can neither confirm, nor deny that."- He responds- "They are gone, though."
He turns to Jonathan.
"Is my cousin alright?"- He says.
Derion looks at him. He tries to find out what is going on inside his head, but soon realizes that it is impossible. 
His thoughts are too obscured.
"He's been blaming himself for what happened to this place."- He says- "As if that will change anything."
Concerned about his cousin's well-being, Adam approaches him and pats him on the shoulder.
"We will bring you back, Jon."- He says to him- "I promise."
Aiden takes a step forward and pulls something out of his pocket.
Adam and Derion look at it.
"What is this?"- Adam says- "An amulet?"
Aiden nods.
"I found it in the Braveheart residence. Or... what is left of it."- He says- "I think that it has some significance to Jon's family."
He approaches Jon and gives it to him.
"Jon. I... I think that this belongs to you."- He says to him- "I know that you're not in the mood to to talk about it, but remember this. No matter how far away they must go, they will still think about you. Memories will never fade away, as long as you keep on cherishing them."
Adam nods.
"You have gone so far. You did so much to keep them safe."- He says- "Are you going to let this dream die with this town?"
Their speech seems to have an effect. Jon's eyes get clearer and clearer with each passing moment.
"Wake up, Jon."- Adam says- "This is our common future. We fight for it together. And I do not want to leave you behind, even if you beg me to do it."
Jon looks at his cousin.
"Do you... "- He mutters- "... do you mean it?"
Adam smiles and nods.
"Of course!"- He responds- "Of course, I do!"
Moments later, Jon's eyes return to normal. 
"I don't know what happened, but I... I'm sorry."- He says- "I made a mistake to come back here. Too many memories were relived."
Adam smiles.
"It is all over now."- He says- "We have to go. If we stay for too long, the Darkness of Duskwood gang may return."
Jonathan nods.
"It's for the best."- He says- "Well. Did you guys find a way out?"
Adam and Derion stare at each other. They shake their heads.
"We found nothing."- Derion says- "It's just ruins and despair for miles away."
Jon looks around.
Somewhere in the distance, he notices a tiny light. He points at it.
"There's something over there!"- He says- "Come on! Let's check it out!"
The four of them run toward the light.
"This... is another portal."- Derion says.
Aiden shakes his head.
"I don't trust those things!"- He says- "They're too chaotic!"
Adam sighs.
"It does not matter."- He says to him- "Sometimes, we must take risks. This is one of them."
Jon nods.
"Another aventure it is, then!"- He says- "So. Are we going to do this or not?"
Adam smiles.
"This is our chance to redeem ourselves."- He says- "Of course we are!"
He looks through the portal, attempting to see what is going on at the other side.
"I can see... more ruins. That is not good."- He says.
Derion nods.
"Anything else?"
Adam looks around and nods.
"I see vague shapes with... pointy ears."- He adds- "They might be elves, for all we know."
Derion gasps.
"This portal... it leads to the elven lands!"- He exclaims- "My home is a few steps away from us!"
Jonathan and Aiden shake their heads.
"It can't be."- Jon says- "So close, yet so far?"
Derion sighs.
"I've longed to go back there. To see my people and tell them that I'm still here."- He says- "Is it really worth it, though?"
Adam nods.
"As long as we can hurt your evil father, everything is worth it."- He says- "We can form a rebellion out there!"
Derion smiles.
"You're right."- He says- "Such an act... might work."
He takes a step forward.
"If Adam says that it's possible to convince them, I will trust him."
He steps into the portal.
Adam turns to his allies."
"Well?"- He says- "Are you still with me?"
Jonathan smiles.
"You know it!"- He says and slams his staff in the ground below- "I'm ready to fight until the end!"
Aiden nods.
"And so am I."
Adam smiles.
"Then let us go."- He says- "The elven kingdom awaits us."
Having said that, he, Jonathan and Aiden step into the portal as well.
On the other side, they see Derion. He is staring at the ruins.
"There it is. Our lovely kingdom."- He says- "Finally, I am home."