Miracula Luxia C4, P10- "A King's Wish"

"A King's Wish" is the tenth and last Part of "Miracula Luxia" 's fourth Chapter- "Estavius". It was released on 27.10.2019.
== Plot ==
The Part begins with Jared, his father and Annie going to the throne room and speaking to the King. Their conversation suddenly takes an emotional turn and the heroes have to accept a dangerous mission, from which they might not return.
However, completing the mission means that Avernum will earn a powerful ally once again in the face of the Vahnatai.
Will the heroes embark on this dangerous journey and cross the Vahnatai lands in order to meet those strange creatures and try to parley with them?
== Story ==
Jared woke up, only to find that his father was not on the other bed and Annie wasn't beside him.
He got up and looked around.
The beautiful room was illuminated by the gorgeous white light coming from the little lightbulbs which were sticking on the ends of the silver chandelier, like a bunch of loyal soldiers in a formation.
Jared noticed Annie (Who seemingly was not noticing him back) and tried to get her attention.
However, he realized that she was only in her bikini and bra.
Annie looked at him and suddenly blushed.
"Ah! J-Jared! You're awake!"- She mumbled and stared at him with a wide, embarrased face and a wide, white grin.
Jared took a step back. He had never seen such a sight before in his life.
"Why... are you standing back? Am I... Oh! It's probably because of the clothes. Hold up, lemme put those on.
She put on a pair of leather pants and covered her bra with a white shirt.
"There. Now you're not that nervous, are you?"
"And plus, you'll have to get used to it. You're gonna have a girlfriend, sooner or later."
She noticed that Jared wasn't moving.
No, it wasn't a trick of the light. He really was frozen in fear.
She came close to him and waved her hand.
"Hello! Mr. Young Kaos! Earth to Jared, anybody home?"- She tried to get his attention, but to no avail.
She sighed.
"Maybe you need some more time to think. I'll leave you to your thoughts. Meet me near the Throne Room when you're ready."
She tried to leave the room, but was stopped by the young man who hugged her tightly.
Annie blushed from this unexpected action of her friend.
"H-Hey, Jared! That's... tight! Please let go!"
He lowered the strength of his hug- enough for her to breathe normally. However, he wasn't letting go of her.
Or, at least he wasn't going to show signs of it anytime soon.
"W-Why are you hugging me?"- She wondered.
Jared shed a tear.
"It because I had a nightmare this night. This nightmare showed me what would happen if I didn't protect my loved ones enough- they would all die, one by one. And I won't be able to do anything to stop them."
He began to cry, his tears hitting the beautiful marble floor with a sad *Pkong*.
"Please, Annie, don't leave me. I don't know what I would do without you!"
Annie smiled and hugged him back, her action showing great care and love.
"Do not worry, Jared. I'm right here. I will never leave your side. I will always be your angelic protector and make sure that you return back to Paris safe and sound. Me and your father are ready to show those meanies what we're truly made of- What a bunch of truly powerful heroes are made of."
"We will never give up. And neither will you. Promise me, Jared."
"Promise me that you will always be strong and brave, no matter how desperate the situation is!"
She was showing a level of care that equals that of a sister for her brother. She was clearly regarding him as one and wanted to ensure his safety.
Aleks watched the emotional moment nearby, through the open door.
"She's such a caring grown-up woman now. I wish her mother could see her. She would have been very proud!"- He thought to himself as he watched the two and smiled while doing so.
After all, his son was growing up. And he was proud of his actions.
He knew that his son would eventually grow up to be a young, competent man and finally take his rightful place in this godforsaken world- by helping the people in need.
The mutual hug lasted for a whole 20 minutes, filled with comforting and lots of smiling from Annie's side.
Until they were interrupted by one of the King's advisors who rudely entered the room and lightly tapped Jared on the shoulder.
Jared looked at him and realized that he had a message to deliver.
"Yes, Advisor? What do you need of me?"- He asked the man, almost completely sure of the answer.
The man cleared his throat and spoke in a quiet, but powerful voice:
"The King wishes to see you, Jared Kaos. As well as your companions. The throne room is to the east. Please do not delay your visit, for the King wishes to give you an important task."
Having said that, he left the room without another word.
"Hmph! Meanie!"- Annie angrily muttered to herself, enraged by the advisor's sudden action.
"Let's go, son. The King wishes to see us."- Aleks said to his son and left the room.
Jared and Annie went after him and soon, the three of them were in the Throne Room.
The place was one of the most interesting parts of the Castle. It had many interesting features- A big table, reserved for the King, his servants and diplomats from the many cities and forts in Avernum, a desk for the King himself and most, importantly, the throne reserved for the King.
And there he was- sitting on it. An imposing figure which has done many decisions and seen many lands.
The King was an interesting fellow. An aging man with a slightly weary face, but with an imposing stature.
However, something was clearly troubling him. His face was more weary than usual, his cheery demeanor was gone and he was constantly watching for any hidden rogues.
But then, he realized the importance of the people before him. He stood up, respectfully.
"I am King Starrus the Second- Son of King Starrus: my father from whom I inherited this land and vowed to protect it with my life and help it with my advice."
Jared and his father bowed as a sign of respect, but Annie did not do so.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"- She exclaimed, but was lightly tapped on the shoulder by Annie.
"This is the King. You must bow down to him. Do so before he gets annoyed!"- He muttered to her.
She did so.
Apparently, Annie had never seen a member of a royal family ever before, let alone a full King.
Now, it was different. She had to learn the basic rules of morality. And exercise them amogst other people- Royal or not.
King Starrus the Second smiled and placed his hand on Annie's left shoulder.
"I see that you are new to the world of Avernum. Here, I rule the land and you can bow down to me. However, unlike most Kings before me, I will completely understand if you cannot or do not want to do so."
"Now back to the task at hand. A few days ago, I recieved a message filled with the script of the Vahnatai. I gave it to Deimos'Bok- the Vahnatai which I hope that you met before coming here. He deciphered it and told me that the Vahnatai Council was asking for an envoy, or envoys to speak with them and begin the plans of negotiating a new peace between Humans and Vahnatai- a peace which was shattered years ago when we stopped them from destroying the Surface where the Empire dwelled."
"I was unable to find any suitable envoys for this situation. Until you three arrived."
"So, what do you wish for us to do, Your Excellency?"- Aleks said to him, wondering about the mission they were about to be given.
King Starrus II scratched his beard and said:
"I know you might not be very experienced, but I know that you are capable. You are going to go through the Vahnatai Portal using the stone which you currently have and speak to those elusive creatures on my behalf."
"But... how do you know that I have the stone, Your Majesty?"- Jared wondered.
"Well, two messengers from the Tower Colony arrived into my Throne Room recently and told me about the recent news which troubled the colony- About poor, old Kelner's death and how he gave you the sacred stone."
"So, will you accept this task and risk your life to protect Avernum and talk to the mysterious Vahnatai about a possible peace between our races? Or will you cower in fear and be unable to do anything for this poor, troubled land?"- The King asked all three of them, ready for an answer.
Suddenly, Jared stood up proudly, ready to give his answer.
"Yes, Your Excellency! Me, my father and my friend shall take on this dangerous mission and endanger our very lives to ensure Avernum's safety!"- He yelled proudly, eager to give his life for the land which welcomed him with open arms after his unexpected teleportation to it.
King Starrus the Second smiled.
"I knew it, Jared. From the moment that you set foot into our Castle, we realized that you aren't one who would back out from a fight easily and will fight until the end. And that is why me and my advisors decided to entrust this dangerous mission in your hands. As well as the hands of your loyal companions."
"You have my absolute trust, Jared. Do not let me down. Now go and make me proud!"
"The entire lands of Avernum count on you and wish to have a powerful ally in the war against this new enemy that we have to face. We wish you good luck and a successful outcome."
He looked down and shed a tear.
"Please, do not end up... like my father."
Jared stared at him sadly.
"What... what happened to your father, Your Majesty? If you don't mind me asking?"
King Starrus the Second shed another tear.
"He was killed in a rogue raid 20 years ago. I was only 3 years old back then. At that day, I lost the one who cared for me the most, who truly believed in me, who always advised me on what to do when I eventually became King."
"However, the cruel grasp of Death took him away. Me and my mother were left to grief over his dead body and wonder what to do."
"At that moment, one of the eldest wizards of Avernum- Rone decided to take the role as the leader of the Castle and Avernum temporarily. At least until I was grown-up enough to take the throne myself."
"Soon, my Prince. Soon you will grow up to be King. You will make your father proud, I know it!"- "He told me when he sat on the throne instead of my dead father.
"He ruled for 16 years, peacefully and diplomatically. When I finally became 19 years old, I was given the crown by him who knew that I was ready to be King, at last."
King Starrus the Second she one last tear.
"And that... is the sad story of how I became the King of Avernum."
Annie was in tears.
"I... I didn't know this happened to you. I am so sorry to hear it, Your Majesty!"
King Starrus II looked at her and smiled.
"You win some, you lose some. Sometimes, you must lose someone you truly love in order to become stronger. To truly understand the dangers of the world."
"Please, Jared. Take care of your father, just as he takes care of you. You are a family and you must protect each other at all costs!"- King Starrus the Second said to the young man.
Then he added:
"Do you have a mother? Or sibling?"
Jared tried to remember. After the year which he did not see them at all, he forgot that he even had them in his family.
The only family he had left was his father- Aleks.
"Yes I do, Your Majesty."- He said- "I have a mother- Seiko and a sister- Marinette."
"That is good. Make sure you protect them as well. They need your help and you need theirs. Please, remain a whole and strong family. I beg you!"- The King said while still tearing up from his emotional story.
"Yes, Your Majesty! The safety of my family and the world are the most important things I should think about right now. I shall go and fight with honor for all of them."
King Starrus the Second smiled once again and placed his finger on Jared's forehead.
"Then I- King Starrus the Second, King of the lands of Avernum give you a blessing to continue doing so in the name of all that is sacred in our world. Keep fighting, Hero!"
Suddenly, Jared felt a huge wave of energy entering his body. However, he was trained enough to not spasm and scream. He just stood there mutely, seemingly frozen in place.
The power that King Starrus II had given to him was immense. He felt his muscles getting better- No, Not in strength, but in agility and eagerness. They were ready to strike at any foe that came in the way of his allies.
"Amazing, This power... "- Jared muttered.
"Yes. This power was given to me by my father before he died. And today, I pass part of it to you, Jared. Use it wisely."
"Now go. All of us here in Avernum are counting on you! You can do it!"
The three heroes bowed down one last time and went to Deimos'Bok's room.
"So, are you ready to go?"- He asked them.
"More than ready. We will return with a new ally to support us."
"I am sure of it. I know that you and your companions will succeed, Jared."
"But before you go, please take this."
He handed Jared a curved, wicked-looking blade.
"And those."
He also handed him a pair of sharp, blue disks.
"What are those?"- Jared wondered.
"Those are the weapons of our race- the Waveblade and the Razordisks, as you Humans call them."
"The Waveblade is a very deadly sword which can easily take down a big foe. It is also light, enabling you to strike faster with it."
"As for the Razorblades, they are throwable projectiles which you can use to easily penetrate through a foe's defenses- Be they Physical or Magical. Use them wisely, for they are usually limited to use. Unlike the Waveblade."
Jared shaked Deimos's hand in appreciation.
"Thank you, my friend. We will use them and show those enemies that Vahnatai craftsmanship is truly amazing."
Deimos'Bok smiled.
"I am sure of it. Now go, Jared. The lands of the Vahnatai await you!"
The Vahnatai gave a handshake to Jared's allies as well and they departed.
Told by a friendly guard where the Portal to Vahnatai Lands is, the heroes approached it.
"This is it."- Jared muttered as he pulled out the sacred stone from his pocket and inserted it into the slot.
Suddenly, the seemingly inactive Portal flashed with an illuminating light with reached most of the halls around it, albeit for only a few moments.
It was now ready to use. All our heroes had to do was enter it and travel to the lands of the Vahnatai.
Jared looked at his father and Annie.
"Are you sure I shouldn't go alone?"- He asked them in a moment of doubt- "I don't want you to get hurt."
Annie looked at him in a funny way.
"What?! And leave you there alone?! Jared, I promised you that I will never leave your side. And I won't. Don't even think about it!"
"Yes, son. I agree with Annie. We all received this mission and we all will complete it, as a team. As much as you want to get rid of us, you definitely will not. Now let us go through the Portal and make the peace between Humans and Vahnatai a reality once again!"
Jared smiled and hugged his team.
"I know! I know! I knew it from the very beginning- that you are ready to go everywhere with me and help me complete my missions. And I appreciate that."
"But now is not the time to chit-chat. Now is the time to make a difference, a big difference- For Avernum! For its safety!"
"ONWARD!"- He yelled and entered the Portal along with his two loyal comrades as the guards and citizens of the Castle watched them, knowing that they will be safe soon.
But first- Patience. They had to be patient, so Jared et al can complete their mission quickly and efficiently.
Hopefully.