MLIII C5, P5- "Clear Heart"

"Clear Heart" is the fifth Part of "Miracula Luxia III" 's fifth Chapter.

It was released on 10.04.2022, with an extra section added on 13.04.2022.

## Plot

Adam and his allies continue to fight the notoriously evil vampire known as Gyendal. And, although the end of this fateful confrontation seems to be far away from them, they still hope that they can reach the gates of the Heavens and discover the salvation they have desired for so long.

It will be a hard way to the top, but anything is possible. Especially for those, clear of the darkness that once ravaged them to the core.

Meanwhile, Emela- Adam's teacher and one of his most trusted companions. Witnessing the fall of the grand evil city of Underfall with her own eyes, she gets worried about the safety of her dear student and embarks on another adventure, hoping to find him before he gets hurt, but also knowing that he is strong enough to survive virtually everything that would kill anyone whose power is inferior to his.

Two missions- one common goal. One fate to rekindle the sparks of hope within their bright hearts. One destiny to unite them all.

## Story

Gyendal waves his hands. In a matter of seconds, a large scythe appears from the sky and lands in his hands.

"Impressive, isn't it?"- He says and smiles- "This is one of the gifts that His Holiness bestowed upon me when I swore my loyalty to him. A merciless tool of destruction that rends through the strongest armor, tears through the hardest skin, pierces its way past the most immovable rocks and rends them in twain. Very few were meant to have such a fabulous weapon. And now, it is mine. All mine."

Upon closer inspection, Adam and company realize that it is... glowing. Maybe it is just a trick of the light, but the black blade seems to be radiating some kind of an aura. Of malevolence and unease, most likely.

"You took the Reaper's scythe right under his nose, didn't you?"- Aiden asks the vampire- "Well, rest assured that we are not afraid of it, no matter what you say."

Gyendal smiles.

"Oh. Is that so?"- He says- "That won't matter once I mount your heads on poles outside our glorious city. Then, everyone will see that our mighty empire of darkness is unstoppable. Nobody would dare to rebel against our rule."

Adam draws his weapon.

"You are deluding yourself, creature of the shadows."- He says to him- "Just because you have a legendary weapon in your hands does not make you worthy of using it. The power hidden within will consume your emotions, sooner or later."

Gyendal laughs.

"That's the plan, young one!"- He yells- "I want it to happen, so I'll never dare to speak ill against my master!"

Melanchion snorts.

"Then stop speaking and show us what you've got!"- He yells- "I am tired of this idle banter. I wish to fight. I desire to make you pay. Standing like this is not what I wanted."

Gyendal grins.

"As you wish, you big lizard."

Then, with unnervingly high speed, he lunges forward and swings his scythe at them.

Unlike his previous weapon, it is much harder for our heroes to avoid this one.

Adam struggles to escape, but is easily knocked down by the creature's crooked blade of dark steel.

"Yes! That's right!"- Gyendal yells- "Now, you'll know what it feels like to be powerless! I will give your suffering a new meaning, a much more tormenting one!"

Adam wipes a drop of blood from his mouth and shakes his head.

"A shiny new weapon and big muscles do not mean *anything*."- He says- "True dedication and an unquenchable desire to protect those who matter to you are the ones who give you the strrength to fight for the light. Everything else simply corrupts your heart!"

Gyendal laughs maniacally.

"My master's power is mine to use!"- He says- "Even a portion of it is enough to send you toward the gates of Oblivion itself!"

Once again, he swings his scythe at Adam.

This time the young hero is prepared. With an incredible show of dedication and self-control, he carefully times his blows and parries them with little effort. Then, during the few seconds when the vampire is unable to strike back, he delivers three swift and nasty attacks, knocking the scythe right out of his hands.

"This is it!"- Adam says to himself, noticing his angered Gyendal is- "His weapon might be powerful, but he lacks the speed to fully utilize it! If I strike him down before he can recover it, then I will surely have the advantage in this fight!"

Adam swings his weapon again, intending to take the vampire down before he can use any of his dark magic again.

However, just as he thinks that he succeeded, he finally sees the scythe appear in his right hand. Gyendal smiles and easily parries his attack.

Then, when Adam tries to counterattack, he smacks the bottom of his scythe into his left foot, causing him severe pain.

"Oh, how the tides have turned!"- He says and laughs- "Completely unexpected, wasn't it?"

Adam shakes his head.

"Nothing is over until the last breath is spent."- He says- "I will fight evil beings like you until my heart gives out. And, I promise you, it will not happen soon."

Gyendal grins.

"It is inevitable, Kaos."- He says to him- "Your family's ancestors were evil people. All of them did unspeakable things that made them despised and feared by the outside world. What makes you think that *you* can change the way they view you?"

Adam glares at him.

"You think that I can change the path of my own family, just by defeating the Darkthrop army?"- He responds- "No. I am nothing compared to them. I am just a peon, a petty soldier who dreams of making a difference in this world. And yet, you should not compare the new generation of Kaos to those... monsters who came before us."

Gyendal shakes his head.

"Trust me, kid. I know your family very well."- He says- "Centuries ago, I used to work with some of your ancestors. On the surface, they looked like regular do-gooders- friendly, kind, understanding. But on the inside, it was as if some kind of selfish desire was manipulating them. An evil force that made them do evil deeds. When I learned of that, I realize that they were not quite human. I ran away, because they were too evil."

Adam raises his eyebrow.

"Even by your standards?"

Gyendal nods.

"I didn't want to regret my actions in the future."- He says- "Unlike His Holiness, they were too... twisted. Wicked. Mishappen. In other words, not worth the risk."

Adam sighs.

"And yet, you try to lecture me that ***I*** cannot change anything."

Gyendal smirks.

"It doesn't matter!"- He yells- "Those people were evil! They deserved to meet their end! Many people still remember who they were and, wherever you go, they will still compare you to what they used to be, whether you like it or not!"

Adam shakes his head.

"Believe me. Few people dare to remember the past, even if it has to be done for historical purposes."- He says- "Even if those people remember by ancestors, it does not matter. We all live for the present and the future. The things that happened before we were born are just additional trivia that serves as nothing more than motivation to keep on living. Right now, people do not care about the family that I originate from. All this time, they have seen me as a hero. And do you know why? No, it is not because I am the son of the legendary Jared Kaos- slayer of Grah-Hoth and savior of the world for many decades. It is because I am myself, because I am a hero who uses his own brain to solve the problems of this tormented world. Because I am not afraid of doing the right thing, even if I have to cry for those that I lost while doing it. Because I never dared to use the powers of darkness to achieve my goals. Because I never gave up and always strived to reach for the light. So please, do not compare me to those fools and miscreants, because I am not like them. Me and my family, we are the new generation of Kaos. A family of heroes who has always answered the unfortunates' cries of help. And we will never stop doing that, no matter what people like you might think about us!"

Gyendal stumbles back and shakes his head.

"But I... I... "

Aiden laughs.

"Bull's eye, Adam."- He says- "Looks like he's not quite as brave as he claims to be."

Gyendal swings his scythe a few times.

"I might be down, but I still have a few tricks left."- He yells- "Prepare youselves! Your biggest nightmares are about to come alive!"

Having said that, he dashes forward, intending to kill Adam before he can say anything else.

Meanwhile, Emela rides her horse toward the city of Underfall... or what is left of it.

Even from this distance, it is clear that something is amiss.

"*I hope that I am not too late.*"- She says to herself- "*I made a promise to find him before he gets in trouble. I don't want to see him suffer!*"

As she gets closer to the gates, she notices the dead army of darklings that Adam and his allies defeated a while earlier.

"*This is a clear sign.*"- She continues- "*He is close. Very close.*"

As she steps into Underfall for the first time, she surveys the wreckage. Shocked and awe-struck at the same time, she cannot help but admire the strength that was used to decimate this mighty city and tear it to shreds.

Seeing that she has finally reached her destination, the young guardian parks her horse in the horse pens... the remains of the horse pens that used to be the home of many creatures that the darklings used as transport. Then, she gets off of it and stares at the cathedral not too far away from her.

The horse neighs, worried that its master might not return.

"Don't worry, dear. This won't take long."- She says to it and pets its mane, trying to reassure it- "Just stay here and rest. You deserve it."

The horse looks at her as she leaves. Then, it neighs sadly.

Emela wastes no time to join battle herself. As soon as she gets closer, a small group of darklings jumps out of their hiding spots and prepares to attack her.

"Well, if it isn't the mighty Water Guardian."- One of them says- "What brings you here, fair maiden?"

Emela scowls at it.

"Stop being so ignorant."- She says- "You know it better than I do."

The darklings laugh in unison. It is terrifying, to say at the very least.

"You're far away from home, lady. And yet, you came all the way here, thinking that you're going to save your student."- The darkling says- "But you're too late! Right now, the kid's fighting for his life against our commander- the fearsome Gyendal Ravenfoot. And he doesn't stand a chance!"

The creature grins.

"He's going to fall soon."- It adds- "So, why don't you join him?"

Emela points her staff at them.

"My student is an honorable warrior and a skilled artisan in the art of battle, much more than any of you will ever be!"- She yells- "I came here because I felt his cry for help. I knew that he was in danger, so I left the safety of my own temple, just to save the young man who showed me what it means to be true guardian. Thanks to him, I learned the true meaning of humility and honor. I understood how important it is to value every little thing in life. And you know what? I am *proud* of it! Amd I am proud of *him*!"

She glares at the darklings.

"So, bring it on, dark ones!"- She yells- "I don't care how many of you there are out there. I'll end your dark empire!"

The darklings are insulted by Emela's words.

"You dare to insult our mighty empire?!"- The first darkling asks her- "We'll make sure that you regret what you just said to us! Comrades, attack!"

As the darklings charge mindlessly toward their enemy, Emela performs a backflip and hops away from danger. Then, she shackles one of the creatures with the power of water, slams it into one of its comrades. Finally, when the creatures expect her to simply drop them, she throws them at the rest of their allies, effectively causing a ruckus amongst their ranks as a large amount of them are killed by the impact.

One of the darklings runs toward her and attempts to stab her with its dagger. However, thanks to her quick thinking, the young water guardian steps back, raises a small geiser out of the ground, protecting her from its attacks. Then, she watches as the foolish creature attempts to crawl its way past the water, only to drown in a matter of mere seconds.

Another one of the creatures attempts to attack her from behind, but it made a grave error by underestimating her meek behavior. As it closes in for the kill, Emela suddenly stabs it in the chest with the back of her staff without even looking back, revealing that there is a small spike hidden underneath its surface.

Many more darklings attempt to get rid of their enemy. Some of them even use tricks that Emela is not quite familiar with, like throwing small orbs of fire around her as a distraction. And yet, such petty trickery is beyond the Water Guardian's notice. Just as they get close enough to stab her, she launches a massive tide, washing them away and slamming them into the dark cathedral that they revere so much.

"Does anyone else want to feel my wrath?"- Emela pants- "Angering the Water Guardian herself has earned you a special place in her heart. And I don't mean it in a good way."

The surviving darklings regroup and attempt to plan their next move.

"She's a strong one."- One of them says- "When they said that the master is as strong as her student, they weren't lying."

Another darkling shakes his head.

"There's no other choice for us."- He says- "Call the Destroyer! Now!"

All of a sudden, the darklings whistle a low, long tone at something in the distance.

Not too far away, a strange creature roars in response.

"*I can sense something dangerous hiding out there.*"- Emela says to herself, holding her staff close to her- "*And if I don't get out of the way, I will--* "

There is no time to wonder. As soon as he hears something leap toward them, she jumps back reflexively.

And it is thanks to her enhanced senses that she managed to survive the impact.

"Oh my god!"- She says- "This thing is *massive!*"

The creature that came to the darklings' aid is, as expected, a titan. A beast of legend, thrice as tall as her. Its skin is strong enough to deflect even the strongest weapons that mankind will be able to offer and its eyes betray an unnerving lack of fear, showing complete servitude to its dark master instead. In its hands, it holds a massive club, twice as tall as the Water Guardian and strong enough to crush her in one fell swoop. And the grin on its ugly face indicates that it enjoys doing so to everyone it sees.

Emela prepares for battle, but it is clear that such a creature cannot be defeated without some kind of a strenuous effort.

The titan wastes no time to taunt her. Instead, it laughs and slams his club into the ground, shaking the ground below.

"You want the best of me, hm?"- Emela says- "Alright then! Get ready!"

Emela enchants her armor with the power of water, making herself much more agile. Then, she summons two water shades, armed with ghostly weapons and an iron resolve.

"You will never separate me from my student!"- She yells and charges.

She jumps from place to place, avoiding the titan's attacks and stabbing it in the arm as it tries to pull it back.

The titan rips a giant rock off the ground, as if it were merely a pebble. Then, it crushes it into many pieces, sending a large amount of them toward the guardian.

Emela is unconcerned by this. She instead concentrates on finding its weakness.

When she finally does, she realizes what she has to do.

Jumping from rock to rock, she manages to get closer to the titan. Then, as she reaches his eye level, she jumps in the air, raises the back of her staff and swiftly pokes it in the eye with minimal effort.

The titan is annoyed by her continued survival and the pain that she inflicted upon him. As she descends to the ground below, it flies into an incoherent rage, swinging its club wildly and blindly hitting anything that comes in contact with it.

"Agh!"- One of the darklings yells- "Careful, you big dummy! You're going to kill us all!"

The massive creature either doesn't hear what it said to him or he simply doesn't care. Either way, he continues its mad rampage, destroying anything that dares to stand in his way. It is clear that he has no intention to stop, as his mind is too clouded by his rage to think straight anymore.

"*And now, it's time for me to make my move.*"

Emela takes a step back and waves her hands at the titan.

"Hey, big boy!"- She yells at him- "You want to get me, don't you?! Well, I'm right here! Give your best shot!"

The titan doesn't stop to think about this, even though it is clear that Emela is leading him toward a certain trap. He mindlessly thomps after her, in a futile attempt to smash her into pieces.

"I will crush you, little human!"- It yells self-consciously- "I will stomp you 'til you're dead!"

Emela smiles.

"Just a little longer."- She says- "Don't be so shy. You've almost got it."

It takes a while to step back and wait for the titan to reach her, but Emela finally has him in position for her next move.

"Alright then."- She says- "It's showtime."

She raises her staff.

"That's far enough, big one!"

The titan attempts to stomp her.

"I will crush you!"

Then, just as his massive foot gets closer to her, she casts a spell. A massive wave hits a nearby giant rock, breaking it off with ease and sending it toward the titan's right leg.

Reflexively, the creature tries to step back, but is wounded by the impact and falls down.

Too late, it realizes that it has fallen into one of the burning houses.

"Argh! No! Not good!"- He yells as he tries to stand back up- "It burns! Can't take.., the heat!"

Unfortunately, when such a massive creature falls, it is very hard to get back up.

Emela watches as the flames spread on the titan's body, setting it on fire and burning its tough skin.

"*Titans are notoriously powerful and twisted creatures.*"- She says to herself- "*Even so, they still have a weakness.*"

As the creature's terrified screams cease, everyone realizes that he has burned to death. The titan, massive guardian of Underfall, has fallen into the flames that slowly consume the dark city, foolishly condemning itself in the process.

"So, this is your mightiest defense?"- Emela asks the darklings as they attempt to stay away from her- "Well, let me tell you this. Even though you managed to hire an entire titan to protect you, it was still not enough. Do you know why? It's because you still have a lot to learn."

The darklings are terrified. They didn't think that Emela would be able to slay an entire titan all by herself. And yet, here she is- alive and well while their mightiest defender lies dead in the fire nearby.

In a last, desperate attempt to stop her, some of the creatures attack her, only to be slain by the shades that Emela summoned not too long ago.

"Maybe you should have calculated the possible outcomes of this war before making it a reality."- Emela says.

Another small group of the creatures tries to attack her from behind, only to be immolated by a mysterious warrior.

As the darklings continue to tremble, the warrior reveals himself to be Donovan Gonoru- one of Emela's most trusted companions.

"It's good to see you, Donovan. Fighting side by side like this reminds me of the time when we used to be Royal Guards in Goznor."- She says- "But why did you return? Didn't you have a child to take care of?"

Donovan nods and smiles.

"Rest assured that the young man is safe and sound, away from any kind of danger that would threaten him."- He assures her- "Now, for what kind of a reason did those gentlemen decide to bother you?"

Emela smiles.

"Oh, they were just protecting their place. Darkness and all, if you can believe it."- She says- "Foolish, if you ask me, but everyone has something that they cherish."

Donovan nods and points his spear at them.

"I warned you that I would return. Yet, you refused to believe it."- He says to them- "Are you still devoted to your cause, though? Do you really want this or not?"

The darklings take a step back. Surrounded by their enemies, they have no choice, but to escape.

As one of them raises a small scepter to cast some kind of spell, Donovan swiftly jumps forward and yanks it out of its hand. Then, before it can retailiate, he leaps back and smiles.

"Not so fast."- He says as he pats the scepter with his hand- "Forcing your way out of a confrontation is not the best choice for warriors of a former empire like yourselves."

Now, the darklings are unable to hide the rest of their fear. They are completely overwhelmed by the cloud of emotions that has risen over their heads.

"Take it! Take it and leave us!"- One of them yells- "You are too strong! We can't win!"

Donovan smiles.

"*So, they finally realize that they are not invincible.*"

Emela debates whether she should simply kill the creatures or not. However, her wiser side prevails and she decides to simply let them go.

"Tell your dark master that we have arrived."- She says to them- "Warn him that we've gotten stronger. And that there's no escape from the warriors of justice."

Listening to Emela's decision, Donovan decides to do the same.

"**Go!** Get out of here and never return!"- He yells and points his spear at them- "Otherwise, we will not be as merciful anymore!"

The terrified creatures waste no time to leave the area. They pack whatever belongings they have left and escape the fallen city of Underfall for good.

"How amusing."- Emela says to Donovan- "To think of how we used to fear them. Of how we imagined them to be big and strong. Oh, how deluded I was."

Donovan laughs bitterly.

"We all expect to find something that ain't there."- He says- "Yet, we always seem to emerge empty-handed."

Emela shakes her head.

"Well, not this time."- She says and opens the door that leads into the cathedral- "Come on. Adam's still in there. And I refuse to let him fight that fiend alone."

As Donovan enters the cathedral himself, he looks back and sees the corpses (or remnants, for one of them) of the dragons that they met not too long ago. Ardo lies dead on the ground and pieces that used to be Dorgen- the Dark One are still around, serving as a grim terstimony to the mortality of those mighty creatures.

"*That dragon. He looked so kind and thoughtful.*"- He says to himself, watching Ardo- "*It's a shame that he didn't live to see the new world.*"

Emela takes a step back and looks at them as well.

"A grisly sight, isn't it?"- She says to Donovan- "Such powerful and resourceful creatures of legend, reduced to enemies because of their different beliefs."

Donovan shakes his head.

"Do you think that it would have been different if... if Darkthrop never came back?"

Emela nods.

"If Darkthrop wasn't revived, everything would have been much better."- She responds- "That way, the world would have been at peace. Nobody would be scared of dying and the heroes would focus their attention on minor tasks instead, completely unrelated to world domination or total destruction."

She shrugs.

"But this is the case with every group of villains that have appeared in this world."- She adds- "It's best not to think about it, though. Too much uncertainty is bad for one's heart."

She smiles and points at the cathedral.

"Come on, my friend."- She says- "Our destiny awaits us."

The two of them enter the cathedral, slightly unnerved by the grim interior within. However, this does not make them scared. It simply makes them more determined than they were before.

Climbing the only staircase that leads to the top, they reach the roof just in time to see Adam getting attacked by Gyendal.

"Everything is futile, heir of Kaos!"- He yells at him- "Even when you keep fighting back, your world will still crumble into pieces!"

Adam shakes his head.

"Even when everything is in ruin, I will not give up!"- He says- "This is the promise that I made long ago, the one that I will try to keep alive!"

Gyendal grins.

"It will all fall down."- He says- "Just like your sister's spirit."

The mention of Adam's sister makes him confused for a second. This gives the vampire a chance to knock his weapon away and force him to fall on his knees.

"Ah, yes."- He says- "Another fool has fallen."

He raises his scythe, preparing to deal the killing blow.

"Now, it's time to-- "

Emela raises her staff and launches a massive orb of water toward Gyendal, preventing him from hurting her student.

"Intruder!"- Gyendal yells and turns around- "You think that you're going to surprise me?!"

Emela shakes her head.

"I will not allow the creatures of darkness to hurt my student."- She says- "Especially not ones like *you!*"

Gyendal grins.

"I can feel your uncertainty, young guardian."- He says, trying to mesmerize her- "I know of the fate of your parents. I understand how it feels to lose someone. And yet, deep inside, you are still weak. You're nothing more than the shell of a once-powerful mage."

Gyendal smiles.

"You can't defeat me."- He adds- "Just accept your fate and join my side."

Adam tries to stop him, but he is too exhausted.

"Miss Emela!"- He yells- "Do not fall victim to the darkness! Fight it back! Please!"

Donovan tries to step between Emela and Gyendal, but the guardian stops him and pulls him away.

Then, much everyone's surprise, she draws a thin, long sword from her lapel.

"When you lose someone important to you, it feels like you lose yourself. You don't know what to do. A seed of mistrust is planted within your mind, making you unable to trust anyone else. And, worst of all, the grief is stong enough to supress all of your emotions."- She mutters- "And yet, I never let it get deep into my bones. I moved on, because I knew that there are still people who care about me. Whom I truly love and care about."

She looks up. Her eyes gleam with bravery.

"I will never betray their trust!"

Using her immense magic, she manages to hide from plain sight and surprises Gyendal by swinging her sword at him a few times. Her speed is remarkable, both when she moves and when she attacks.

Gyendal is surprised that someone is actually fighting back against him. He tries to use his scythe, but she easily knocks it away, into Donovan's feet.

Taking the hint, Donovan picks up the weapon and raises it in the air.

"Take this, you fiend!"- He yells and throws it toward him.

The impact is strong enough to stun the vampire for a few seconds.

Meanwhile, Emela sheathes her sword and picks up her staff.

"Alright, dear. Let's do this!"- She says to Adam- "Channel your inner light, just like I taught you!"

Adam nods and closes his eyes for a second. He shrugs off all of the doubts that he has in his heart and fills it with light.

Then, when he opens his eyes again, he is much more confident and determined to win.

"The darkness is gone, Adam."- Donovan says to him- "Now, tell us. Who are you and why are you here?"

Adam nods.

"My name is Adam Kaos- son of the legendary hero known as Jared Kaos. And I am of a mighty family, filled with heroes. Together, we fight for the good of this world and we never let it drag us down."- He says- "I came here because it is my duty to destroy the darkness that plagues our small world. And now, it is time to make it happen!"

As Gyendal stands up, Adam grabs him and throws him at a nearby fence. Then, he mightily struggles against him, intending to make him pay for his crimes.

"I will destroy you, Kaos."- Gyendal says- "I will strip you of everything that you love."

Adam smiles.

"That is what *you* think!"

Then, before the vampire can ask what he means, he picks him up effortlessly, slams him into the fence a few times, then attempts to throw him off.

However, the vampire manages to fight back. He lands a few punches in Adam's chest, but soon realizes that the boy does not feel the pain.

"It can't be!"

Adam takes a deep breath. Then, he takes a few steps back, confusing his opponent.

Just as Gyendal prepares to approach him, he charges and tackles him one last time, sending him flying toward the ruins below.

"I will return, Adam Kaos!"- Gyendal yells as he quickly descends- "Mark my words!"

Then, with a loud thud, his screams cease abruptly.

Adam turns back toward his allies and sighs.

"I fear that this is not the end."- He says- "Creatures like him are hard to get rid of. So, if what he said proves to be true, then we must be prepared."

Emela nods.

"We will be prepared."- She says- "Once he comes back, we'll show him the true meaning of teamwork."

The six of them stare at each other, planning their next move.

"So. What should we do now?"- Aiden asks- "Gyendal is gone, but we're nowhere near the evil sorcerer yet."

Donovan smiles.

"Fear not, dear brother."- He says to him- "Today, me and Emela found an invaluable tool of creation. And we shall use it to reach our destination!"

Having said that, he reveals the small scepter that he liberated from the darklings.

"This is the fabled Pearl Scepter!"- Adam exclaims- "What is it doing here?"

Emela shrugs.

"That's what I'm wondering, too."

Donovan sighs.

"Capturing revered artifacts and dragging them away from their homelands is well-known amongst creatures like those."- He says- "If the Onyx Scepter is used to close faulty portals, then the Pearl Scepter is used to create ones that are truly trustworthy. And thus, our friends here have decided that they wanted this valuable asset so they could teleport wherever they want. They stole it from the Castle while the guards weren't looking and bam! It's theirs to use as they see fit!"

Adam nods.

"That much is clear to us."- He says- "But is it truly safe to use?"

Donovan smiles.

"There is only one way to find that out, my friend."

Then, he closes his eyes and mutters a few words. He lifts the scepter in the air and swings it a few times.

Finally, he points it at the ground and casts a spell.

Moments later, a portal appears out of nowhere, ready for use.

"Incredible!"- Sharla exclaims- "This small scepter is actually able to operate portals!"

Donovan smiles.

"This is the magic of teleportation."- He says- "One well-aimed spell is enough to do the work for you."

He turns to Adam.

"So. Are you ready?"- He asks him- "I suspect that Darkthrop is waiting for us. He is no fool. He will fight until the end."

Adam smiles and nods.

"Of course I am!"- He exclaims- "And, once we are done with him, the world will be safe once again."

Donovan nods.

"Then let's do this!"

The six of them step into the portal, ready to make the next step of their plan become a reality.

"Darkthrop, we are coming for you."- Adam says as they are whisked away from this dimension.

It does not take long for our heroes to arrive to their intended destination. Once there, they make quick work of a group of darklings that was sent to hunt them down and proceed to explore the seemingly intact city of Underfall.

"So, this is the real city of Underfall!"- Aiden says- "Just when it felt like we finally understood our surroundings, we were taken to another reality."

Donovan takes a step forward.

"But brother."- He says- "The city's pretty much the same. Don't you see it?"

Aiden looks around. For some reason, he refuses to believe what he is seeing right now. Everything seems surreal to him... or at least to a certain extent.

Finally, he sighs and shakes his head.

"I don't know what is real anymore."

Emela smiles.

"We all live in a simulation, honey."- She says to him- "It's all just a matter of acceptance or denial."

Aiden sighs.

"But is this simulation capable of being altered by higher beings?"- He wonders aloud- "Are people like this evil wizard able to change the fate of our world just with the clap of their hands? And are we skilled enough to stop him before he changes the alignment of our stars?"

Aiden's ramblings seem to worry Emela. For a moment, she stops and thinks whether she will be able to answer the kid's question as best as she can.

Finally, she comes to a decision that it doesn't matter. The safety of the world is at stake in this final battle and it doesn't matter whether Mordred Darkthrop will be able to alter their very beings or not.

Adam pats Aiden on the shoulder and shakes his head.

"Even if people like him are able to defy the laws of the gods themselves, they are still nothing more than a bunch of megalomaniacs with futile dreams that are beyond our humble comprehension."- He says to him- "And, when the situation becomes inevitable for everyone, that is where we come in. As the heroes of this world, we fight villains like those to turn the arrows of destiny toward the path that leads to our common future. And, as long as we are still around, none of those outlaws will ever get their hands on the most precious treasure that the gods have to offer- life itself."

Aiden looks down.

"I understand it now."- He says- "And yet, I don't know whether I'm ready for such a thing. All my life, I've been training to become a hero. I studied the moves of criminals all around the globe. I extracted every single bit of knowledge from the books that I read about heroes and villains. And yet, I never had the chance to fight any *real* enemies until now. I'm just a farmer's boy who came all the way here to support you. To make my promise come true."

He looks up.

"No matter how hard I try, I can't be a hero like you, Adam."- He says- "I am not the child of a legendary hero. Just the son of a king who gave his life to protect what he loves. While you were fighting the servants of evil and honing your skills, I was just sitting at home and dreaming of being a hero one day. But I can't be one, no matter what all of you say about me. I'm just... not worthy enough to be one of you."

Adam shakes his head and smiles.

"Please, do not say that! Of course you are worthy of being a hero!"- He responds- "Remember how you came to our aid and helped us defeat Steele before he could steal the Light Crystal? How we fought side by side against the evil dragon Dorgen, even though he was much more powerful than us? And do not forget how many times you saved our lives during those minor skirmishes."

He smiles again.

"Remember, Aiden."- He continues- "If no one else dares to believe in you, keep in mind that I am still here. I believe in you, just like you believe in me. And, as long as we believe each other, this world will not bring us down. We are the warriors of light, the saviors of the planet who restore hope and faith in the tainted ground that we touch with our feet. Everywhere we go, both land and mankind are blessed by our presence. Even the most fearsome and bloodthirsty villains tremble at our very steps. And, even though we sometimes are forced to step into the shadows to achieve our goals, we always strive to reach the light, the grace of the Heavens and the splendid angels that dwell in the skies above. We are blessed by the gods and determined to keep our sacred promise to keep the world safe from evil. Our sacred task crystal clear, we always have good intentions and never stray away too far from those whom we love and respect."

He nods.

"You will always be one of us, Aiden."- He says to him- "And it will always be this way. We are brothers-in arms, until the very end."

Aiden smiles and looks up.

"Perhaps you're right. Worrying about whether I'm good enough has turned me into a hollow shell of the warrior that I was when you first met me."- He says- "But now, I see that such a thing is futile. I never dared to believe that I would be one of you and always felt how I could have simply stayed at home and read bedtime stories to the children in Canonia. But, thanks to all of you, I can become a character of great renown *myself*. A person who will be *a part* of those bedtime stories. I'll be one of the heroes who will be remembered for centuries to come. And yet, I still have to make an effort. Fame does not come without an incredible show of an iron resolve and incredible determination. And, of course, ardent allies such as yourselves."

He smiles.

"So, come on!"- He continues- "Let's find Mordred Darkthrop and show him that he has no place in this world!"

Adam smiles.

"And it shall be done."- He says- "Believe me when I say that Darkthrop will not live to see the light of the day... although I believe that he has not seen it for a long time."

As Adam and Sharla walk into the cathedral, Donovan and Melanchion stop to talk with Aiden.

"So, you did have doubts left in your heart!"- Donovan says- "But why didn't you tell me? Were you scared of how I would react?"

Aiden shakes his head.

"It's complicated, Donnie."- He says- "Ever since I met you as my blood brother, I felt this feeling of unease. Some might say that it could be jealousy. I have always admired you for who you are, yet shied away because you were superior to me. You were always the cherry on top, receiving the best magical training and weaponry that the Kingdom of Goznor could offer you. But now, I feel like those feelings just... vanished. The darkness that has been dwelling within my heart for so long was replaced with light. Brilliant light. Beloved light. Sacred light."

He smiles.

"I will always love you, big bro."- He adds- "Once, I saw you as a rival. But now, I see you as my ally. My friend."

Donovan wipes a tear from his eye and smiles. Seeing his brother change in front of his eyes is truly a heartwarming moment for both of them.

Then, overcome by his own emotions, he takes a step forward and hugs him.

"You've grown so much. If dad was still alive, he would have been very proud of you. Just like I am right now."- He says- "And yet, some things will never change. No matter how old we become, you will always be that little, innocent child to me. The one that saved my life."

He smiles.

"Remember the times when we were little, Aiden?"- He asks- "Those are the moments that define who we truly are."

Aiden smiles.

"Of course I do."- He says- "And I'll never forget them. They are precious to me."

Meanwhile, Melanchion listens to their conversation and cries on the inside. Seeing the two brothers reconcile and remember the times when they used to be younger reminds him of Ardo- his youngest brother who fell in battle not too long ago. Even though the young savior was lost to the forces of darkness, the memories still remain, burning bright in the young dragon's brain.

"*Oh, Ardo. Sweet brother of mine.*"- He says to himself- "*Why did life take you away like this? Why was it so early?*"

He looks down and sighs.

"*I miss you, kiddo.*"- He continues- "*You'll always be dear to me.*"

Then, he takes a look at the cathedral and remembers that they still have a mission to complete. He lightly nudges Aiden and Donovan, getting their attention.

"Children, I... I fear we still have to defeat Mordred Darkthrop."- He says to them- "I also want to break away from reality and return to the times that we used to enjoy. And yet, I still have a duty, and so do you. So, come on. Let us finish what we started."

Donovan nods.

"We understand, Melanchion."- He says- "Defeat Darkthrop now, talk more later. We got it."

He turns to his brother and smiles.

"Right, Aiden?"

Aiden nods.

"That's right."- He says and takes a step forward- "In we go, then."

As the three of them step into the cathedral, they feel a strange sense of paranoia and nausea. However, they soon brush it away and prepare to join the final battle.

Further inside, they see Adam and Sharla, who have been patiently waiting for them until now.

"It took you long enough to get in here."- Adam says and approaches them- "Did you meet any resistance outside?"

Melanchion nods.

"It turns out that this place was cursed by the evil man. Whoever steps in it is disoriented by the foul magic that he used to ward away anyone who would dare to defile it."- He says- "But that was of no concern to us. Heroes like us are unaffected by such petty trickery."

He smiles.

"Besides, dark energies like those would never affect those with an affinity to magic."- He adds- "We are safe. For now."

Adam nods.

"This place seems somewhat... eerie."- He says- "As if it is not here at all."

Sharla nods.

"It's very suspicious and we don't know what to do."

Donovan smiles.

"Do you mind if I test your theory?"

Adam smiles and gets out of the way.

"Be my guest."

Donovan takes a look at a nearby wall. He slams his knuckle into it, expecting some kind of resistance.

But that doesn't happen. Instead, his hand goes right through its surface, as if it isn't real.

"By the gods! You were right!"- Melanchion exclaims- "And to think that such a foul place might actually exist... "

Donovan launches a fireball at the wall and shatters it.

Suddenly, the illusion fades away, as well as that of the city of Underfall around them.

Once both of them are gone, they find themselves in a very dark place. Almost nothing is visible to them, except for the path ahead.

"Fear not, my friends!"- Donovan says- "I have a spell that will illuminate the way!"

Having said that, he blows at his finger, creating a small flame within the palm of his hand.

Then, he holds it up and swings it around for a little bit.

Satisfied with the results, he looks down and smiles.

"And so, it begins."- He says- "Our adventure here, that is."

Adam nods.

"Indeed."- He says- "Let us move forward."

The six of them step through the darkness, unafraid of the horrors that might hide in the shadows.

"This place... I think that I've seen it before!"- Emela says and shakes her head- "Oh, no. If my suspicions prove to be correct, then this means that we're in grave danger."

Melanchion nods.

"You need not wonder, young guardian."- He says to her- "This is the Realm of Darkness- one of the realms that were formed in our plane of existence when the planet was created. Together with the Realm of Light, it maintains a delicate balance between the morals of men, be they good or bad."

He growls.

"And yet, some villains seek to defy those realms, completely ignorant of the consequences that may occur. Defeat the guardians who dwell within them and disrupt the energies that keep them intact."- He continues- "Normally, it is virtually impossible. Creatures like ourselves are unable to enter those realms without some kind of supernatural help. And yet, there are some exceptions. Astral shifters and the spirits of those who died long ago are allowed to explore for as long as they would like, as long as they only explore the realm that defines them best. For example, heroes can only enter the Realm of Light and villains may only visit the Realm of Darkness. Such is the sacred rule that was written in the gods' codex long before we were born."

Adam nods.

"And why were we sent to the Realm of Darkness, then?"- He asks him- "None of us have done anything bad and I think that the Realm of Light defines us better than anything. There is probably some kind of mistake."

Melanchion shakes his head.

"There is no mistake, young hero."- He responds- "The gods were the ones who sent us all the way here. They opened the portal to this realm and allowed us to visit it. Darkthrop and his minions are somewhere in here, causing mischief and destroying the sacred balance that has been maintained for millennia. And the supernatural beings who dwell in the sky are *angry*. They want them to leave, so they sent us to get rid of them."

As a way to confirm Melanchion's words, a small spark shines in front of the heroes, surprising them.

Adam raises his eyebrow.

"I have always believed in the gods who are responsible for the creation of our world."- He says- "But now, we are sent on a sacred mission to stop the darkness by... *Them?* Honestly, this feels rather surreal, but I will not say anything else, because I see this as a chance for redemption."

He turns around and smiles.

"So. What are we waiting for?"- He adds- "If the gods themselves want Mordred Darkthrop gone, then we *must* make it happen!"

As the heroes proceed to walk further into the Realm of Darkness, they feel the malice that seeps from every corner around them. The feeling of unease that crawls into their skin. The vile whispers that compel them to stray away from their destiny.

But this will not happen. Heroes are meant to resist the darkness, not to lulled by its petty promises for glory and wealth.

Soon, they reach their final destination- a blood red pentagram that is drawn just a few feet ahead of them.

"How ominous."- Aiden says- "Isn't there supposed to be someone here?"

Sharla hugs Donovan and trembles in fear. She is too scared to speak.

"It is as if the Realm of Darkness itself is watching us."- Donovan says- "What *is* this sorcery?"

Emela looks around for anyone who would dare to attack them.

"*Just remember why you're here, Emela.*"- She comforts herself- "*Adam believes in you. You can do it. Just a little longer...* "

Melanchion sighs.

"We came all the way here for nothing, hmm?"- He says- "No. It feels too good to be true."

Adam nods.

"I will not be fooled by a creepy drawing and a simple feeling of dread."

He takes a step forward, unafraid and ready to fight.

"This is it, Darkthrop!"- He yells- "Show yourself! We know that you are here!"

Suddenly, the faint rumble that used to be inaudible to our heroes gets stronger. The eath itself shudders as a vile creature appears from the deepest depths of the abyss to come face to face with them.

And then, he appears, clad in shadows and empowered by the night. The last warrior of the Darkthrop dynasty, ready to protect the evil empire that he fought to make strong and independent.

"Mordred Darkthrop."- Melanchion growls- "Still the wicked old fool you are, I see."

Mordred Darkthrop, master of the Darkthrop Empire and its final defender, stands before them. Alone, but unafraid.

He looks Adam in the eye and smiles.

"Welcome, Adam."- He says- "I've been expecting you."

Adam draws his weapon.

"So, it has come to this."- He says to him- "You had many chances to stay into the grave where you belong, yet you refused to listen to the voice of reason and came back here, in the mortal realm. Just so you could receive what you were never meant to have."

He points his sword at him.

"I do not care what you have to say!"- He yells- "Tell me what you know of my sister! Now!"

Mordred smiles and waves his arms at him, as a jesture of peace.

"Patience, young warrior. We will get to that very soon."- He says- "For now, I simply wanted to take a look at those who went all the way here, just to stop me from doing my sacred task."

Donovan raises his eyebrow.

"Sacred task?!"- He yells- "All that you've been doing was causing destruction! Many people died because of you!"

Mordred smiles.

"It was all for my people. My greatest servants."- He says- "You could have joined us. Allowed be to cleanse your mind and show you how glorious the darkness truly is. Yet, you never came to see how foolish you were. You fought my servants, and for what? Just to see your entire world fall apart?"

He nods.

"Face it, heroes."- He adds- "No matter how hard you try, everything will become crystal clear in the end."

Melanchion glares at him.

"Many years ago, I helped your son defeat you in battle. Even though you were a strong and capable sorcerer in life, you were still mortal. I crushed your fragile body, as your son stabbed you in the chest. We won the fight, at the expense of ending your legacy forever."- He says- "Now, I can see that you still haven't changed. Was the Afterlife too boring for your wicked self, hmm?"

Morded shakes his head.

"I never forgot what you did to me. And yet, my son is gone. Reduced to ashes, just like me."- He says- "You carry his heart and his soul, but I am not afraid of making both of you pay."

He sighs and turns back to Adam.

"But for now, I will let it slide."- He continues- "For now, let us continue with the conversation that we started."

He smiles.

"Yes, I know about Akira. When we found the poor girl, she was lost and deranged. She wanted to kill us, solely because she wanted to protect you. And yet, we sent her here- in the Realm of Darkness- to face her own fears and unleash her true self. And, when she returned, she became what she was destined to be. She took the role of leading my kingdom. She helped create a strong, dark empire. She never questioned me and always believed in what I said to her. And, most importantly, she was always willing to send our forces to annihilate those who refused to accept our rule."- He says- "Akira became a true warrior, unlike you. And I'm sure that she would *love* to meet you again."

Morded grins.

"Oh, how many times the girl told me how she would grab you by the neck. Strangle you and smile as you struggle to breathe. Watch the faces of all of your allies as they cry for you."- He adds- "And yet, I feel like those things were just her wildest dreams. Her desires for payback, for the way you and your family abandoned her when she needed you the most. And, believe me, she never forgot that. Her hatred was only fueled by the fact that you are still alive. Each passing second, she grew to resent you, more and more, until she finally gave in and accepted her new family."

Adam shakes his head.

"You are a liar!"- He yells- "My sister would never do such a thing! Ever since she defeated her stepfather with her own hands, she has been clear, both in heart and mind! You are only saying this, because you want me to believe that *you* are the hero and not me! But you will never break me down!"

Morded shakes his head.

"Ah, yes. Denial. Anger. Guilt. Those things fuel the darkness that dwells in my heart."- He says- "But it would be foolish of me to simply try to convince you that she's not the same as you used to know her."

He smiles.

"So. How about you see for yourself?"

He claps his hands.

Suddenly, our heroes feel like the entire world is swirling around them. They are whisked away, taken to the gateway that separates the Realm of Darkness from the world that they know so well.

Upon arrival, they notice a massive battlefield. Many humans and darklings lie dead before them. Few warriors are left to fight in the meaningless battle that is happening here.

One of the people is his father- Jared Kaos. For some reason, the mighty hero came all the way here, just to meet with Mordred Darkthrop and rescue his beloved daughter.

And, not too far away from him, stands Akira herself. The beautiful maiden's face is tainted by the blood of those whom she killed here. She wears black robes that extend to her feet, covering her elegant body and hiding the finesse that once made her so popular among her peers.

The way she looks at the man who is responsible for her birth is disturbing, at the very least. Her eyes are filled with hatred and her hand is not far away from her lap. She is ready to fight him, should he make a single wrong move, and make him pay for what he did.

"I already told you! I'm not going anywhere!"- She yells- "Those people are my new family, much better than any of you will ever be!"

Jared falls on his knees, defeated.

"Akira, my dearest daughter."- He says- "I tried to convince you. I tried to show you the light. But you are just too blind, too foolish to see your own mistakes. Is there anything that would ever make you reconsider?"

Akira grins.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time."- She says and draws her weapon.

She approaches her father as he bows his head, accepting his inevitable fate.

"Yes, Akira. That's right."- Mordred says to her- "He is not your father anymore. He's a demon who lives in his body. An imposter. Get rid of him, and you shall know the true meaning of eternal peace."

Donovan takes a step forward.

"Akira, stop it right this instant!"- He yells- "You may be my friend, but I won't hesitate to strike you down if you try to hurt this noble man!"

Akira refuses to listen to what he says to her. She simply grins and lifts her sword.

"Goodbye, ***father!***"

Jared sighs.

"Farewell, my dear."- He says weakly- "I will always love you, no matter what your dark master says."

He smiles.

"Goodbye, my children."

Seeing that his sister is serious about killing his father, Adam elbows Morded Darkthrop out of the way and dashes toward her like a madman.

"AKIRA! NO!"- He screams- "STOP IT! I BEG YOU!"

Alarmed, Akira turns around just in time to see that her sword has managed to pierce her brother's shoulder instead.

"Adam?!"- She yells- "Why? ***Why?!***"

Adam looks at her.

"There is still some humanity left in you! I am certain of that!"- He yells- "Do not let this monster strip you of it!"

Akira is shocked. She wasn't expecting that her brother would appear in such a pivotal moment.

As Adam drags his father away, she steps back, barely able to comprehend that it is actually him.

"*I... I cannot believe it.*"- She says to herself- "*My brother. My brother is here!*"

Meanwhile, Mordred has managed to escape from Adam's allies and soon rejoins Akira.

"Why were you so hesitant, dear?"- He asks her- "Just because he's your brother doesn't mean that you have to pity him!"

Akira looks down.

"But it's been so long."- She mutters- "My brother... I don't want to hurt him... "

Mordred shakes his head.

"This is not the brave Akira who conquered Fate itself to become the leader of a dark empire."- He responds- "Pull youself together, child! He doesn't see you the same way anymore and neither should you. Remember that well."

Adam glares at Mordred.

"Stop corrupting my sister, you foul creature of the dark!"- He yells at him- "Akira is still in there! She will emerge! And when that happens, you will lose this fight!"

Mordred Darkthrop laughs.

"I'd like to see that happen!"

Akira looks up at Adam.

"Why are you here, brother?!"- She asks him- "I warned you not to mess with fate. And yet, you still did. But why? Why did you risk your own life, just to save this hollowed shell that once used to be our father?!"

Adam shakes his head.

"This is not true. You are not the real Akira."- He says- "I am confident that you are just being controlled by him. You would never say something like this on your own accord. Please, let go of the darkness in your heart! Believe in the light that we spread! We can win this fight together, just keep on dreaming!"

Mordred laughs.

"You think that she would ever join forces with you? After what you did to her back then?"- He says and shakes his head- "Foolish child. The truth flashes in front of your eyes, and you still refuse to believe it."

Much to his surprise, however, something in Adam's words awakens a small part of Akira's previous self.

She looks at her brother, in a loving, caring away. It feels as if she would start crying, run toward him and hug him, saying how much she missed him being beside her.

And yet, a single glare from the evil sorcerer is enough to supress the emotions that swirl around within her mind. Soon, she retains her previous, evil self and glares at Adam and his allies.

"See, Adam? Akira is not the same anymore."- Mordred says- "Now, she is pure. She has become what she was destined to be. And she *likes* it."

Adam draws his weapon.

"Mordred Darkthrop, I will send you back into the darkness where you belong!"- He yells- "And, once I am done with you, Akira will be free of your malice! Mark my words!"

Donovan leans closer to Adam and shakes his head.

"I think that she's too far gone, my friend."- He mutters to him- "Just let her go. There are many more people who still believe in you and care about you more than she ever would."

Adam does not respond.

"Alright then."- Donovan says- "Suit yourself."

Meanwhile, Akira takes a step toward her brother. She wants to talk to him and share her adventures, as well as hearing those that he had.

However, Mordred stops her before she could get closer.

"Akira belongs to the darkness. And, if you try to remove her from the throne, I will smite you down along with the rest of your companions."- He says.

Then, he raises his staff in the air, preparing to cast a spell.

"Get ready, Adam Kaos! This is the final fight between you and me!"- He yells- "Let's see whether you're skilled enough to defeat ***me!***"

## Trivia

* This Part's name ("*Clear Heart*") is a reference to Emela's dedication to find Adam and to protect him from the servants of evil, refusing to fall victim to the dark temptations that try to distract her. This shows that she indeed does have a clear heart.
	+ In addition, it is also a reference to Aiden, who had a lot of doubts before he shared a heartfelt conversation with Adam, but came to see his mistakes and became a brand new person after being convinced that he is worthy of being a hero.
* "*Clear Heart*" is, without a doubt, the longest Part featured in "*Miracula Luxia III*", as well as one of the longest Parts in the entire "*Miracula Luxia*" universe overall.
* The Part's name is a reference to the lyrics of "Emerald Sword", the second one so far- "***Only a warrior with a clear heart**/Could have the honour to be kissed by the sun*".