MLII C2, P4- "Hero Of Old"

"Hero Of Old" is the fourth Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's second Chapter. It was released on 31.10.2020.

## Plot

Accompanied by his dear friends- Devin and Florence, Jared goes to Paris' graveyard zone to seek advice from a late family member- his great-grandfather, Alexander Kaos the First.

There, he remembers about his late great-grandfather's life- his greatest achievements, his care for the Kaos family and, most importantly, the time that he spent with him in the first seven years of his life- memories that will help him remember who he is and why he fights for the good people in this world... and his family.

## Story

Jared, Devin and Florence walk to the north without stopping for a break. It seems like this road is without an end.

Just as Jared's friends are about to ask him whether they are close or not, he stops abruptly and stares ahead.

"Jared, what happened?"- Devin asks him- "Why did you stop?"

Jared points at something ahead.

When his friends stare forward, they see a graveyard.

"This is my hometown's graveyard. Or, at least the one where some of the city's most powerful citizens are buried."- Jared says.

He points at something to the north. His friends see another grave, farther away from the other ones. An statue is placed just behind it, perhaps a sign of who the person was in life.

"The person who is buried over there... is my great-grandfather. Or, rather, was. He is not among us anymore."

Devin shakes his head.

"Is there anything that you can tell us about him?"- He asks his friend- "Or are the memories too dark to share?"

Jared sighs.

"His name was Alexander Kaos the First. My father was named after him. He was a general in a powerful group of people who knew how to shape their own lifeforms, known as the Shapers. He started his training as an apprentice to a powerful Shaper. However, his teacher died during the attack of a powerful, rebelious force that destroyed the town where he was studying. He... he was the only survivor."

"From then, he vowed to become stronger and avenge his fallen allies... as well as his dear teacher. However, on the way to power, he gained the wisdom that revenge will not achieve anything. Instead, he continued to fight the enemy, but in the name of Justice. It is what he owed his late master for the things that he has done for him while he was still alive."

"And so, my great-grandfather became a very wise and powerful warrior who became the general of the Shapers on the Island of Dhonal and thus, of the whole region that contained five islands in total. A few years later, the supreme leader of the Ashen Isles- Lord Rahul, died during the attack of the rebels... along with most of his servants. Most of the people on the islands died. However, my great-grandfather was one of the few lucky enough to survive the attack and defeat the attacking rebels, driving them away for good. The people who survived saw him as a hero when he protected countless souls from the rebels and elevated him to the leader of this small island colony."

"And thus, my great-grandfather became the leader of the Ashen Isles. After the death of Lord Rahul."

He sighs.

"His time as a leader made him cruel. From what I heard, he used to abuse my grandfather when he was young and contributed to his previously evil personality. However, from what I saw when I met him myself, he was a kindhearted soul who did everything he could to give a good advice to the next generation, to inspire them to be heroes, just like he was once. He told me that nothing is impossible, that everything can be achieved with bravery and dedication and that giving up is only for those who are cowardly enough to abandon their allies in the battle and save their own skins."

He looks at the statue behind his great-grandfather's grave.

"Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to see me grow up and become a hero like him. However, when he was about to die, he gave me a valuable advice that I always remember- "When you feel down, think of me and remember that you are never alone, that there is still a light in the darkness. And, should you fight a powerful foe in the future, come to me and I will be ready to help you achieve victory.". His words motivated me to strive to perfect my fighting abilities, to become a hero who will always be there for the innocent ones, honoring his last wish. And now, I can see that it is a reality."

He sighs.

"*Where are you, great-grandpa?*"- He says to himself- "*I am here, just like you wanted me to. Why are you not here? Did your soul really become victim of the darkness within it... after what happened to mom and uncle?*"

Jared and his friends wait near Alexander's grave for an hour, hoping that Jared's great-grandfather will appear in some way. However, there is no sign of that.

"Maybe you're just seeing him as a hallucination?"- Devin says to his friend- "I don't see anyone."

Jared shakes his head.

"No. Dad used to see him, too."- He mutters- "Why isn't he here?"

Florence shakes her head and lightly pulls Jared's arm.

"This is probably just a wishful thinking."- She says- "Let's go, Jared. We mustn't waste our time like that when a dangerous faction is outside the walls, ready to destroy us."

Jared shakes his head, frantically trying to back away.

"No, no! You do not understand."- He says- "This is a mistake! He is still here!"

Just as they are about to pull him away, they sense a presence behind them. When they turn around, they see the spirit of an old man pointing his sword at them.

"*Leave the boy alone right this instant!*"- He yells, his ghostly voice piercing into the hearts of both Devin and Florence, striking them with pure fear.

When they let go of Jared, the ghost approaches him.

"P- please don't hurt him... "- Devin mutters.

Instead of attacking him, however, the ghost pats Jared on the shoulder and smiles.

"So, you came back."- He says- "I'm so glad to see you again, child."

Jared smiles back.

"I knew that you would always be there for us... *grandpa*."