Authors note: As said here is another update, I might not put up any more till next friday when the finals are over. Please be patient and also remember to review when done.
Haven city palace:
The palace was the center of many things, war, celebrations, coronations, ect.
But most importantly it was a home the Mar family or the house of Mar, depends on who you ask.
The family was composed of Jak or Mar who some people know him like that, his wife Diana Lorette, occasionally Damas and the children, the eldest being Adrian and the twins Keith and Amy.
People have many agree on what they think of Amy, her being a mild tempered yet sweet princess, some even believe she is like the clone of her grandmother.
But when it came to Adrian and Keith everybody had different thoughts about them.
Like night and day they were both different, Keith acted more like a prince, looked like one, was demanding and wherever he went he demanded total attention.
Adrian was more of an odd child, most of the time it was hard to believe he was a prince because frankly he acted like a pheasant, but that is what common folk like about him because that means he can relate to them and that would bring extra safety and assurance for their future.
Also the fact that Adrian had gain the fame of well...he is like Jak in a certain way, both of them shared some traits, even more than Jak's own son Keith.
Sadly his popularity with the nobles and such...well he doesn't have any, the nobles have a certain dislike for Adrian, often looked down on him.
But right now that was not important as Jak was busy looking around the palace for the birthday boy Adrian.
He knows Adrian is not a big fan of parties ever since he turned 14.
You see when he was a little they would have private parties with only their closet friends.
But sadly when Adrian got older he was expected to attend banquets, parties and such like all the other nobles, royalty, ect.
To be honest who would like to hang around with a bunch of snobs that act as if money grew on trees? Jak personally doesn't like it, he also is sure his whole family doesn't like it...well Keith is probably the only one get gets a little enjoyment from it.
Sighting Jak walked up some stairs, he had already looked in all the rooms he though Adrian could be, the last place was the roof of the palace.
When Jak reached the top of the stairs he found a door with a security lock, using his seal he unlocked the door before entering the roof.
Stopped for a second and looked around, it had been a very beautiful night, the stars were out shinning, the moon was full lighting up the night sky.
His sight settle on Adrian, he was leaning against the rail of the roof, looking down into the city as if he was thinking about something.
Quietly Jak walked over, placed his hand on Adrian's shoulder, the poor boy jumped.
"Dad you scared me" said Adrian holding his chest,
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you" said Jak then added "What happened? why aren't you in at your birthday party?".
Adrian sighted as he looked down before saying "I hate parties",
"True" said Jak laughing a bit, before shutting up when he noticed that Adrian was down "Sorry Adrian",
"Dad...tomorrow is my coming of age trial" said Adrian seriously,
"Ya, how can I forget?" said Jak wondering what he meant by that,
"Well I am going to pass it" said Adrian,
"Are you sure? you can wait if you want" said Jak,
"Yes I want to take it..and I am going to pass" said Adrian.
Jak looked, to be honest he didn't wanted Adrian to take the test, but he had no say if Adrian wanted to take it.
"Okay...but if you want to change the date you can tell me" said Jak before leaving.
Adrian watched him go, to be honest he wanted to tell his dad about the nightmares he has recently had, he also wanted to tell him about what he heard those two noble say about him, but didn't knew how to tell him that and if he did...his dad will probably overreact to it.
Sighting Adrian looked down at the city, watching people come and go, watching the lights, he knew he should tell his dad and he will, but maybe after the coming of age trial.
Once he passes he will be viewed as an adult and would also get benefits such as making his own choices without his father making them for him...which his dad had the tendency to do that, he would finally be allowed to help out in missions and have a say in what to do in future plans for the city.
Ya, that would be good, but he will have to wait till tomorrow to pass that trial.
Spargus palace:
What once was a hidden city, a kingdom which nobody knew that existed had changed after the darkmaker war, now that everybody knew of its existence it had become a rather popular trading, hunting and fishing port.
More high tech than before, but retaining some of its old culture and customs, Spargus was a home for traders, fishermen and wastelanders.
But right now all of the wastlanders have gathered on the palace throne room, all were waiting as Damas stood before his son Adrian.
Adrian looked only to his biological father, he didn't need to look around to know everybody was starring at him.
For the first time Adrian wasn't nervous, he was eager and confident as he waited for Damas to speak,
"Fellow wastelanders, its been 15 years since we stood here to welcome one of my sons into the family, now after much training and hard work I am happy to say young prince Adrian is ready for the take his adulthood trial and prove that he is a man" said Damas, the wastelanders cheered then quiet down as Damas began to speak again this time addressing to Adrian.
"Now my son, as your trial you like the princes before you will spend a week in the wastelands, using every single skill we taught you to survive" said Damas.
"Yes King Damas, dad" said Adrian, this was great, a good week vacation from his overprotective father and his rather uhhh...spoiled brother.
But something was telling him that Jak, who was standing in the crowd watching was probably tearing his hair out in worry.
"Now we will give you 3 hours to prepare for this trial, but you must choose one person to take with you during this trial" said Damas "I choose Sig when I took my trial, so make sure you choose carefully".
Adrian looked around, he could take his dad with him, he knew more about the wastelands and such, but no, he wants a vacation away from Jak.
There was also Torn and Ashlin, uhhh no, Torn doesn't like him and Ashlin would overprotect him like his dad does...sometimes worse since she has threatened to nail his feet to the floor if he got into trouble.
Soon his sight settle on the person of his choosing, "I choose Oran" said Adrian.
Snickered a bit, he wasn't looking at Oran but he was sure his mouth was opened so wide flies were going in and out of it.
"Alright, may the precursors bless the trail you will walk on" said Damas, he was a proud father now, he was right now busy trying not to cry.
Adrian nodded before turning around and leaving to get his stuff.
Later:
"WHY ME!?" a voice could be heard yelling.
Adrian rolled his eyes as he packed a extra set of clothes before looking into the bag to make sure he had everything he needed.
He had bullet cases, pistol, hunting knife, extra set of clothes, 6 water canteens, some dehydrated food, flashlight, it seems he had everything he needed.
Then looked at Oran who was standing in the doorway of his room, he looked angry but at the same time scared, he was currently chewing on his nails while he looked up at Adrian, his green eyes showed his feeling of uncertainty.
"Do you want me to take my dad with me? Come on Oran, it won't be that bad" said Adrian giving his friend a reassuring smile,
"Yes it is, the wasteland is crawling with things that want to kill us, there are metalheads, mauders, predators and killer sandstorms" said Oran waving his hands frantically,
"They won't harm us if were extra careful trust me" said Adrian as he zip up his backpack before he began to walk to the door, look at Oran.
Oran looked at Adrian, there was a moment of silence before saying "Aw alright..but I am telling you, something freaky is going to happen, I can feel it".
Adrian chuckled at that, shaking his head at his friend who now climbed up and sat on Adrian's shoulder, much like his father had done to Jak before him.
Adrian walked out of the palace, took his time to reach the gate to Spargus, looking around he admired the spargus buildings, the market, people coming and going.
When he reached the gate he saw their families was waiting there,
"I bet my dad will tr to convince me not to take the trial" though Adrian as he walked to them, there was Daxter, Tess and Oran's sibblings, Jak, Diana, Amy and surprisingly Keith.
Before anybody said anything Tess was the first to talk "Awww look at them, its almost as if it was yesterday when you two tried to wrestle your first leap lizard", Adrian and Oran groaned, why did she had to bring that up?
"Come on, their all grown up, they can take care of themselves, riiiiggghhttt Jak?" said Diana stressing the last part as she looked at Jak seriously, she could sense that he was ready to try and convince Adrian not to take the trial.
"Uh right" said Jak distracted a bit, he really didn't wanted Adrian to take this test, to him this time came too fast, it seemed it was only yesterday that Adrian was just a little boy who liked to sit in his lap, listen to the stories he had to tell, why did those days had to go by so fast?
"Dad?" asked Adrian looking at Jak worried, he could almost guess what his father will say,
"Good luck" said Jak,
"What?" the group said looking at Jak as if he had grown an extra head,
"Good luck Adrian, you too Oran" said Jak as he brought over a leap lizard which had its saddle and reins ready,
"Really? no "don't do it, its too dangerous, you can wait a little longer" said Oran voicing every bodies question,
"No, you two are old enough to ride leap lizard so your both old enough to make your own choices" said Jak,
"Right...thanks" said Adrian eying Jak suspiciously as he took the reins from Jak's hand and mounted the leap lizard, tugged on the critter leading it to the gate.
The gate opened up, letting the smell of salt and sand into the place, Jak looked at Adrian and Oran before saying "Remember to keep a look out for sandstorms",
"I will" said Adrian looking around,
"And stay away from the graveyard, you know how people have died buried alive because of that place" said Jak,
"I get it" said Adrian,
"And make sure-" before he finished that sentence Adrian had taken off, the leap lizard going full speed ahead.
Jak and the group stayed there, watching Adrian and Oran as they went farther and farther into the wastelands till they couldn't be seen anymore.
"you stay safe" said Jak finishing the sentence, Amy frowned at her dad before going and hugging him along with Diana, Jak accepted their hugged, kissed Amy's forehead before kissing Diana on her lips.
He would forever be grateful for his family.
To be continued...
Authors note: Hummm...I wonder whats going to happen to Adrian now...also what is the Graveyard Jak was talking about. Wanna find out? stay tuned and find out on the next chapter.