Disclaimer: I do not own the Jak series
AN: well, at least I'm trying. It's not the longest wait for an update, is it? Anyway, I had fun with this chapter. I do do teenage angst so well! Is that weird? It's weird, isn't? Ah… er… I can promise things will get light any time in the future… but well… there might be some lightness… that's something to hope for, right? Just don't get those hopes up. This is me we're talking about.
WARNING: this chapter has sex in it! That's right, children. S-E-X! But nothing descriptive… and nothing that gets too far. But this is very lime! You have been warned. Oh, and lost of cursing. Get used to it.
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Act X: The Children Will Grow Up
Yet again, Nyx found herself waking up from a dead faint. She moaned softly and rubbed her eyes, careful of the tubes sticking in her hands. Not here again, she thought.
The hospital. She was in the hospital again.
It all came rushing back to her, like a floodgate had been opened and she was being washed away in the memories. The contractions, the burst of her water, the doctors, the panicking voices. Something about too much blood.
"Scared the shit out o' me, darling." She turned her head and saw Nik sitting in the uncomfortable hospital chair again. The sun was just rising over the horizon and his bright red hair reflected the orange tint. "Do you have to make a habit out of that?"
"Baby…" she rasped, shaking her head when he pushed the glass of water into her hands. "What happened?"
"You know, you went into labor, but something went wrong." Nik's face darkened when he remembered it. The pallor of Nyx's features and the nearly panicked looks of the doctors' faces. He had reverted to threatening the doctors with physical harm. "The baby got twisted around and was coming out feet first. Your umbilical cord got wrapped around her throat."
"Her…" Nyx sighed and let Nik continue.
"You passed out from the loss of blood and the doctor had to do an immediate secession. As it was, the baby barely survived and you had to be pumped with blood." Slowly he lifted his shirt and showed her the patch one his arm. "Lucky we have the same blood type."
"Nik…" He kissed her to silence her protested, cupping her cheek lovingly.
"The baby's fine," Nik answered. "Nice and healthy now that we got her out of the blue. She's a little on the tiny side and a bit underweight, but she's perfect and beautiful, Nyx. She'll look just like you…"
"I want to see her," Nyx said softly, her breasts swollen and throbbing. Her daughter would feed there, connecting them in a way only mother and child could be connected. "I want to hold her."
"And here she is now," Sala said proudly, striding through the door with a yellow bundle in her arms. A sleepy Gareth strode in beside her, stifling a yawn behind his hand. Sedet, his tiny, dark-haired son, was asleep on his back, cheek pressed against his shoulder, drool working its way from the boy's mouth and onto his father's shirt.
"My baby," Nyx said as Nik took her from Sala's arms and placed her into Nyx's. "Merasaki… our Merasaki."
"A good, strong name. Scared us like crazy, Nyx. Don't do it again," Gareth muttered and hunched his shoulders, accidentally bumping his shoulder blade against his son's chin. Sedet awakened with a groan.
"Is Nyx okay now?" the three-year-old asked as he slithered down his father's back to walk over to Nyx's bed.
"I'm fine, little prince," Nyx answered with a small smile.
"I can see her?" Sedet asked innocently. Nyx nodded and let the tiny boy peer at small girl. He frowned. "She wrinkly and tiny."
"Yes. She's wonderful." She looked up at Nik and smiled broadly. "She's perfect. She's everything that I've ever wanted." Merasaki was the vision, the symbol, of all Nyx's hopes and dreams.
"Everything we've ever wanted," Nik added and stroked the gold band on her finger. They had been married for three months.
"Yes. We've ever wanted." Nyx did one long sweep of the room. Sala and Gareth and Sedet. Nik and Merasaki. The only thing missing was…
Crea. A bitter taste welled up in her throat. The feeling that something terrible had happened to her younger sister was still deep inside her. But Crea couldn't be found. Wherever she was, she kept moving. And Crea hadn't made an attempt to come home. There was nothing Nyx could do.
So she settled for almost perfect.
--&--
Maelia had started getting ready for her party fifteen minutes after her parents left. After, of course, Tess gave her the rundown. No drinks whatsoever, everyone leaving by midnight, and clean up every mess that was made.
She had answered yes, yes, and yes to all those questions and smiled when her mother had rushed after her father, who had left as soon as he told Maelia absently to have fun. No be careful, no watch for boys. Just have fun.
Thinking about it, Maelia's smile wavered. Her eyes almost clouded with tears as her fingers clenched around the long neck of a soda bottle.
Then she heard the humming and forced the raging emotions down. It wouldn't do for Ryu to see her all choked up. He'd just make fun of her and Maelia desperately didn't want Ryu to make fun of her. No, not Ryu.
The said young man came out of the kitchen, carrying the food he had helped prepare. Maelia send him a sidelong glance. "Is that healthy enough to eat?"
With an incredulous groan Ryu plucked one of the chicken stripes he had baked and tossed it at her. "One way to find out."
Smiling playfully, Maelia took a careful bite from the meat. Moments later she tried not to look like she had taken a trip into heaven. "It's okay… I guess." She placed the rest in her mouth and gritted back on the groan of pleasure.
"Gee…" Ryu muttered and he placed the plate down on one of the tables he and Maelia had dragged onto the floor. "Thanks."
"No problem."
"So…" Ryu glanced at her over his shoulder and did one long take of her outfit. "You gonna wear that to the party?"
"Hmm?" Maelia glanced down. She wore two tank tops, one over the other, in green and yellow so the straps crisscrossed in the back and on her shoulders. She wore short, short camouflage shorts and platform sneakers in red and white. Her hair had been cut into a bob around her head earlier that year and Maelia had decided that she rather liked the look since it showed her shapely neck.
"That." Ryu didn't mention that most guys would be hoping she wore that outfit since it gave them all a good look of the generous curves that she had been born with.
"Of course not!" Maelia said and laughed. She reached down to the chair at her side and pull out a black zipper-up hoodie. It was plan until he caught the words on the back. Naughty Ottsel in red letters. "You like? Mom's new line of merchandise."
"Uh-huh," Ryu muttered and tried to look disinterested. His father could always pull it off, but Ryu himself couldn't.
Maelia crinkled her nose at Ryu and frowned. "Whatever…" She turned from him and went about setting up the dishes. "So, are you bringing along your girlfriend?"
"Who? Moira?"
"I don't know any other giggling blonde bimbos," Maelia shot back.
"Hey, I thought we'd lay off Moira," Ryu protested and grinned in teasing when Maelia gave him a look. "Besides, I don't make fun of your boy toys do I?"
"My boys aren't idiots," Maelia snapped angrily. "All Moira basically does is giggle and drink. If she does anything else I don't wanna to know." She raised her eyebrows at Ryu. "Does she do anything else?"
"None of your business."
"Pooh…" Maelia mumbled and pouted, sending him a sour look. "You're no fun."
"And you're immature," Ryu shot back with a shake of his head. Maelia planted her hands on her hips and glared at him with hard hatred.
"I am not!"
Ryu laughed and it was loud and mocking and Maelia's heart dropped to her feet. "Maelia, you're just a little kid. You run around with all these boys and try to look cool, but inside you're just a little lost girl."
"No! I am not a little girl!" she screamed as her face paled. It stung because looking into Ryu's face told Maelia he believed it. "You think you're so mature? You're only three years old than me!"
"I'm not a little boy, though. That's the difference between you and me. You're still locked in your selfish, childish little world where you have to have everything your way or no way at all." Ryu watched her eyes darkened but wouldn't stop. "That's it, isn't it, Maelia?"
"Get out!" she hissed. She grabbed a plate and tossed it at his head. "Get the hell away from me, you bastard!"
"It's the truth, Mae. You need to start growing up." He didn't know why but the words were pouring out, as if they were an endless stream that wouldn't stop no matter what he did. Even as he saw the actual hurt and pain in her eyes, his lips wouldn't stop moving.
Ryu didn't want to hurt her anymore. She looked close to snapping already, trembling in rage and grief. So as the tears started to stain her cheeks, he turned and walked away. He was sorry, but he wasn't sure how to say so.
Maelia collapsed to her knees and wrapped her fingers around her arms. She glared at the spot where Ryu had been standing moments before.
You're just a little lost girl…
"You'll see," she whispered and rubbed ferociously at her eyes under they were red and irritated. "I'm not so little, Ryu…"
--&--
Maelia's party was already bouncing when Aithne showed up with Cyren in tow. She had had a long and involved argument with Keira on what time she would start coming home. Aithne thought one, Keira said eleven. They decided midnight was alright, albeit Keira did so reluctantly.
"I dunno if I'm gonna dance," Aithne admitted and gave the blonde at her side a small smile. "I'm not so good at it."
Cyren's eyes fell to the hips barely covered by her jean and resisted the blush coming to his cheeks. "I bet you're a wonderful dancer," he mumbled.
She laughed and grinned widely at him. "You're such a sweetie." She pinched his cheeks in a friendly manner, her body sliding against his. Cyren was well aware of it, but Aithne for the most part seemed to be oblivious to the intimate slide of bodies. "You'll have to dance with me, Cy."
He imagined it and his eyes almost crossed. They would dance close and their clothes with be sweaty and skin-tight. His hands on her hips, hers on his neck, legs twined, Aithne's dark blue eyes almost black with shock and surprise. He'd smile at her and—
Well, he wasn't sure what he'd do if…
Don't think about it, he commanded himself as they entered the Naughty Ottsel. He stood close to her, his eyes serious as he scanned the boys already dancing. Most had girls on their arms and the electric beat of the music had bodies slamming against each other intimately.
When Aithne walked in, hips swinging, a young man whistled, eyeing the snug fit of her jeans. Before Cyren could make his threat clear, Aithne was swinging around and stomping over to his.
"You got a problem?" she demanded the attractive teenager, planting her hands on her hips.
The boy eyed her body unabashed and grinned slowly in what he would have considered a winning smile. "None that I can think of."
"Good. And don't screw around with me." Her face turned quickly into a scowl as she planted her boot onto his foot. The boy yelped and jumped into the air as Aithne grabbed his collar. "I'm not interested in a loser SOB like you."
"What a bitch," the boy muttered and offered her a glare. "Jak Mar's girl or not. You ain't worth it."
At the mention of the name, Aithne's eyes almost went black with rage. She let go in disgust and snapped at Cyren, "Let's go before I kill him."
Nodding, Cyren placed a hand on the small of her back and led her away, sending a dangerous glare over at the boy. The boy's back went up and he sent a nervous glance over his shoulder.
Even though Cyren had not been known to get violent, most had seen him fight in Zen-Fai's gun and fighting tournaments. And, since he had turned fourteen, had won every one of them.
Cyren was not someone you wanted on your bad side. And, apparently, anyone who missed with Aithne earned a place on his list. Not that Aithne needed the protection, mind you.
Maelia waved Aithne over and the young woman hurried over, leaving Cyren to be swarmed by a mass of adoring girls.
"Hiya, Aithne," Maelia greeted and handed her friend a drink from behind the bar. It was one of the few she was sure wasn't spiked.
Aithne accepted it and gladly. "I think everyone is here, Mae-Mae," she teased with a small grin as she sloshed her drink. "Everything teen in Haven must be crowded into the bar."
"Na-uh," Maelia counted and waved as another wave of teenagers entered. "Some are making out in the closet." Aithne burst out laughing.
"You're so weird… Mae," Aithne muttered and than watched as Cyren threw his eyes heavenward as his raging fangirls did not break away from him. Even as she laughed in good humor, an angry feeling settled low in her stomach. "If you don't mind, Mae-Mae, I have to go rescue Cyren from the clutches of skanks."
Maelia took her drink as Aithne stomped towards her friend. The girls parted like the Red Sea for her and Aithne grabbed Cyren's arm. She demanded he dance with her and, as Cyren threw her a thankful look, he escorted her to the dance floor.
"I'm weird, Aithne. You don't even realize you're attracted to Cy over there…" Maelia shook her head. Poor Aithne. She had a fear of intimacy that the girl didn't even realize she had.
Her eyebrow went up, way up, as Ryutaro finally strode into the Naughty Ottsel. She was surprised to see him. Apparently, Ryu was braver than she had thought. Honestly, she had thought she wouldn't be seeing him for another few days.
Those bottled green eyes met hers from across the room and she watched as Ryu sent her a look and a smirk. Maelia thought about what Ryu had said earlier: you're just a little girl. Obviously, he still thought so.
Anger boiled her blood as her eyes narrowed. Little girl, was she? Well, Ryu would see just how little Maelia was.
Knowing he was still watching her, Maelia stalked across the room. "Sloane!" she called and the boy turned and grinned, answering her with a motion to join him. Laughing, she skipped over to him.
Little girl, Ryu? We'll see.
--&--
Ryu watched as Cyren and Aithne slid their bodies together as the fast beat of the music pulsed above them. Aithne's arms were around Cyren's neck and Cyren had his big hands on her tiny waist.
He told himself that it was perfectly normal for them to dance like that. He had no right to feel the urge to pull them apart and give Cyren a good talking to and send Aithne home. He wasn't Aithne's father or mother.
But he did feel like that. He felt like running to them and grabbing Aithne by the ear and telling her that that was no way for a young lady to act. Ryu had felt the same way when he had first seen Aithne's punked out outfit. He had wanted to throttle and chastise her.
It had always been there, this feeling, this need, to protect Aithne. And he wasn't sure why it happened. Maybe it was because she didn't have a father. Or maybe it was because he needed something to protect. Ryu wasn't cut out to be Torn's son or a Krimzon Guard. The least he could do was protect the daughter of Jak Mar, the man that had saved his city time and time again.
Cyren wouldn't hurt Aithne purposely, Ryu told himself as he turned his head and clenched his fists. Yeah, he's got the hots for her, and Aithne's cute in a boyish kinda way. But he's Zen-Fai's son and Zen-Fai is a strict old bastard… Cyren wouldn't dare corrupt Aithne, right?
Whatever…
Telling himself he didn't care, that Aithne was old enough to take care of herself, didn't do anything for Ryu. He still wanted to drag Cyren and Aithne apart. He still wanted to put a thick jacket over Aithne's body.
His eyes caught strawberry-blonde hair glowing orange in the overhead lights. Maelia was in a corner of the bar, back propped against the wall, with one leg wrapped around the hips of her latest boy-toy and hands locked in his hair.
Ryu's vision was suddenly hazed with red. From his position he couldn't see much, but by circling the room he got a picture of what Maelia and her boyfriend—wasn't his name Sloane or something?—were doing.
The young man had one hand pushing up Maelia's shirt and the strawberry blonde girl was making no move to stop him. The other hand that belonged to the boy was trying to loosen her short so his hand could slip down…
He was dead.
Without thinking, Ryu made a dash to them, walking purposely and powerful. All but snarling he grabbed the boy's shoulder and hauled him away. Maelia, eyes wide and lips kiss-swollen, looked up at him and blinked in surprise. He sent her a glare.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His attention jerked back to the boy who was trying to free himself from the ruthless grasp Ryu had on his lapels. When Ryu's heated glare fell on him he stilled and looked around pitifully.
"Nothin', man," he muttered and kept his head lowered. "Nothin'. She was… you know… offering and we've been dating for a while…"
"Fuck off," Ryu snapped and Maelia winced at his language. He didn't pay attention to it. "I caught you sniffing around her again and you won't be breathing."
"Yeah, whatever," he snapped. His male ego had been bruised badly and since Maelia wasn't moving to defend him he knew she hadn't really been all that interested him in the first place.
"Poor Sloane," Maelia said. That wasn't how she had planned it. Ryu was just supposed to watch her let Sloane get to second base. He certainly wasn't supposed to storm over and threaten Sloane with visible harm. "You're mean."
She made a move to brush pass him, sending a scathing look his way. Ryu wasn't having it. He reached out and grabbed her shoulder, pushing her back against the wood frame of the wall. He glared into her eyes as they raised and narrowed.
"What?" Maelia demanded. She angled her chin and dared him to hit it with her eyes. "What's wrong, Ryu?"
"Just what the hell to do you think your playing at?" Ryu demanded.
"Playing at? I can do whatever I want!" she threw into his face. "You're the one who's acting like a jerk. Now I have to go find and Sloane and apologize for what you did. He's very sensitive, you know."
Ryu didn't reach for her this time as she walked by. He simply stared ahead, at the wall where he had pushed her, and stood still.
Maelia stopped walking until he turned and looked at her. Disgust lined his eyes and Maelia's stomach pivoted in pain and grief. Without realizing it she was gushing, "Of course, he'll be very upset. I'll just have to… have to… make it up to him." She ran her tongue over her lips and let that hang in the air.
"Damnit," he cursed as anger came back into his eyes. As Maelia started to walk away again, he grabbed her by the shoulders. "Stop being a child."
"I am not a child, you sonofabitch!" she screeched but no one could hear her over the rush of the music. "Don't tell me I am!"
Because she was going to storm by him again he grabbed her and, as she screamed, threw her over his shoulder. Muttering under his breath he carried her upstairs, ignoring the fists she pounded on his back and her flailing legs.
When they reached her room, he tossed her onto her bed and her petite body gave a bounce. She wheeled around and cursed at him viciously.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" she demanded, staring up at him from her bed. "You bastard. What do you think you're doing?"
"NO!" he thundered and Maelia feel silent. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You're nothing more than a child and you're letting that jackass put his hands all over you." The very memory of it had his vision going blurry.
"I'm not a child!" she shot back as her eyes went hot and liquid. "And what do you know of it? I can do whatever I want."
"You're acting like a whore," he hissed.
In a blinking of an eye, Maelia was kneeling on her bed and had slapped him across the face. The echo of it sounded loudly in the sudden silence of the room. Maelia's face was flushed and her breathing was heavy and she looked shocked at what she had done. Ryu's head was turn to the side and an angry red mark bloomed on his cheek while his eyes remained hidden behind his hair.
Then he looked up at her and Maelia show the dangerous glint in his emerald eyes. Very slowly he said, "Hit me again." It was a threat, a promise of physical pain he would give her if she laid her hands on him again.
You child, Ryu's voice said inside her head. Maelia growled deep in her throat and raised her hand for another slap. As her wrist descended he caught it and held, his eyes almost dark enough to be black.
Looking into his eyes, Maelia feared she would be sent flying across the room.
Snarling, Ryu pushed her onto the bed and took a step back. He didn't hit girls, he didn't hit girls. He told himself over and over again as his fists clenched at his side.
For a long moment they stared at each other, Maelia glaring and Ryu just staring. Then, as Ryu snarled again, Maelia lunged. "You fucking bastard! I hate you so much. I hate you!"
He caught her as she flew at him, swinging her around. Maelia beat at his chest as Ryu's nails dug into her back.
"Ryutaro Praxis, you are horrible!" Maelia shouted as her legs rose to wrap around his waist for balance. "I hope you die a horrible bleeding death!"
"I bet you do!" Ryu shouted right back into her face as they glared at each other.
Then they were kissing.
Ryu and Maelia fell down onto the bed, Maelia beneath and Ryu on top. He raised his knees to keep his weight off her and Maelia legs were still locked around his waist.
Maelia yanked at his shirt, pulling at the fabric. She withered beneath him, moaning. "Yes, yes," she managed between kisses. She chewed on his neck, sliding her body against his in a way that was more instinctual than from experience. She clawed at the taunt skin on his back when she lifted her shirt above his shoulder blades.
Answering her moan with his own, Ryu unlocked Maelia's legs from around his waist and pushed her feet into the bed so her knees were bent. His fingers ran up the inside of her thighs, across her hips, along her stomach. He caressed her breasts as he bit her bottom lip. He lifted her shirt and slipped his fingers into the warmth of her skin.
Then it hit him.
What the hell was he doing?
"Shit," he managed as he pulled himself off her. Maelia looked up at him, dazed. Her lips were huge and swollen. From his kisses. Not Sloane's.
"What?" she squeaked, choking on her emotions and the fear of rejection. She pulled herself from the bed and looked at his guilt-filled eyes. No, rejection was better than guilt.
She felt like she was going to break into a million pieces. And she didn't want to do it at his feet. No, she couldn't possibly collapsing into weeping ball at his feet. It would be much too humiliating.
"I thought you'd be better at it," she forced out, making her words calm and easy-going.
"What?"
"Kissing. You know. The thing we just did." She patted his cheek in a friendly matter even as her stomach twisted. "I thought you being oh-so old you'd be good at it. You were okay, but I've kissed better."
"You think… you think this was about… making out?" Ryu's eyes went blind again, staring out her window.
"Well, wasn't it? I'm glad we got that out of the way. Now, I think I'll go back down to the party if you don't mind. I am the hostess, after all." She smiled because she knew that if she didn't she'd just break down and sob like the little girl he thought she was.
"Damnit…" he hissed as Maelia strode boldly pass him, her hips swinging tantalizingly.
Maelia made her way back down to the party, choking on her tears. No, she would not cry. Ryu could not break her that easily. She was strong. She had lived without love her entire life and she could do it again.
But she remembered how Ryu's hands had felt on her body, as if he owned her. She shivered with the sudden want that swamped her. No one had made her feel like Ryu had in that moment. No boyfriend she had ever had made her wither and beg and plead until she couldn't think.
Ryu could.
"Damnit…" Maelia muttered as she went into the flashing lights of her party.
A new woman.
--&--
Maelia groaned and she rolled off her bed. The morning sunlight hurt her head, drilling holes into her skull. All she wanted to do was curl under her sheets and stay asleep.
Smells reached her nose. Cooking smells. Her mother and father's voices reached her ears. They were up already and her mother was making breakfast. Sweet, wonderful breakfast with coffee.
She stood and stretched. She should not have tried that alcohol when she had returned to the party. But Ryu had been watching her as if he was disgusted with her and she had swallowed the brandy to drown out his eyes. She had seen no other way.
Groggily, she made her way down the narrow steps towards the kitchen of the Naughty Ottsel. The smells that normally made her stomach rumble in hunger and lust made it twist and hiss. Maelia pressed a hand to it.
"Hey, Mom," she hoped her voice didn't come off as raspy as it felt. Her voice scrapped against her throat on the way up and it was all she could do not to pass out right on the spot. "Smells… good…"
"You're favorite!" Tess said chirpy, motioning to the fraying pain she was flipping. "Bacon and eggs!" Her daughter's face turned positively green. "What's wrong? You look sick, Mae-Mae."
"Argh…" she answered and grabbed the edge of the counter. "Too much soda and not enough food." Way, way too much brandy. What the hell was I thinking? I'll never drink ever, ever again.
"Poor baby," Tess said sympathetically. Her mind whispered that she should be suspicious but a selfish part of her didn't want to believe what was obviously true. She didn't want to press her daughter.
"Maybe you should go back to sleep," Daxter suggest as he chewed on his own egg and bacon sandwich. "Sleep always makes me feel better."
"No. I'm fine. Actually, I wanted to talk to you." Maelia took a seat at the table. "Mom… Dad… I've come to a crossroad in my life and I—I think I know what I want t—to do with my life."
Tess blinked at her daughter's serious face and very slowly to her own seat. The bacon sizzled, forgotten. "And… that is…?"
"I'd like to join the Krimzon Guard."
For a long moment there was silence in the room. Tess just stared at her daughter, as if she had no idea who the girl was, as if a stranger had taken over Maelia's skin. Daxter's fork clattered to his plate, forgotten, as he gazed in open-mouth horror at his only child.
"W—what?" that was Tess, choking on her words.
"The Krimzon Guard," Maelia elaborated with a wave of her hand. "I'd like to join it, Mom. I—I think I could do good there." That wasn't true. It was the complete opposite. She was terrified of the men in red.
But what other choice did she have? Everything else wasn't working. Or, at least, it felt like it wasn't working. Whenever she kissed a boy—expect for that one with Ryu—she felt like she doing something wrong, even though the boys had nothing but complements to say about it afterwards. Whenever she tried to work, at the Naughty Ottsel or anywhere else, she felt like she just getting in the way.
The Krimzon Guard was her last chance. Maybe her calling really was there. Really.
Or maybe Daxter would actually react. Maybe he would care. Maybe he would forbid her because it was too dangerous and no daughter of his was going to do something like that.
"Daddy?" she asked softly, her eyes shining with hope and love and loneliness. "What do you think?" Tell me it's too dangerous and you're not having it. Tell me you love me too much to see me risk my life like that… Daddy… Daddy please…
"I think…" Daxter paused and frowned, looking into his daughter's eyes. His chest ached, like a knife was digging itself into his ribs. He wanted to hold his little girl. But he was already too closed off and his fingers wouldn't obey his heart. They only listened to his head and his head was cold to his beating heart.
Jak… Jak… what would you do if you were me? Would you let your Aithne go into the Krimzon Guard…? But you aren't here, are you, Jak? You'll never be here again will you?
"I think," he began again, more carefully and controlled this time. "I think you would be a fine Krimzon Guard member, Mae. And you're old enough now to make your own decisions…"
Maelia's heart was bleeding now. She felt the warm blood inside her dripping down from her core and dosing her other organs in it. "Mom?"
"Your father's right, Maelia." Tess didn't want to argue with her daughter. Not when she looked like she would crack like fine glass. She just wanted her daughter to be happy. That was all.
Why couldn't they be happy?
"Go—good," Maelia managed. But it wasn't good. Why couldn't they just care about her? Why couldn't her mother act like a mother? Why was she always trying to be on her good side?
Why couldn't her father love her?
"I'm gonna head over to the palace in a bit, get the applications and stuff…" Maelia stood and her fists clenched at her side as she looked at the two people she loved the most and couldn't, for the life of her, get them to treat her as their daughter.
"Good… good…" Tess murmured in a detached voice. She watched her daughter go and looked over at her husband. "Daxter…" she began.
He patted her hand and tried to look reassuring. "She'll be fine, Tess. Mae's a strong girl. She'll be fine." That statement said itself over and over again in his head until he had no choice but to believe it.
"O—okay," his wife answered, but it was lined with doubt.
--&--
It was late afternoon when Aithne managed to drag herself out of bed. Unlike Maelia it wasn't because she had gone against her mother's orders and drank. No, it was because her dreams had been haunted by imposing nightmares.
Blood… so much blood… all over her hands, soaking her legs, sticking to her entire body, flowing at her knees like a river. Crimson pouring on her head like a waterfall. Little children floated deadweight in the bloody pool, screaming for mercy, pulling at her clothes, trying to climb up her. Each one fell back down and drowned in the blood, the red pouring out from their eyes and mouths.
Screaming… screaming… so much screaming…
Then there was Cyren. Cyren with a gaping hole in his heart, a blood ball hovering over his palms as he stared at her with his dark, dark eyes. "I didn't know, Aithne," he whispered, as if imploring her to understand. "I didn't… I'm sorry… so sorry…"
Haven City behind him, burning from the inside out. The smell of decaying flesh. She saw their bodies littering the floor. Maelia with her chest gutted, Ryu lying on top of her with a sword in his back. Keira with her face torn off, Ashlin impaled on a spear, Torn's torso eaten off. Samos burned alive, Sig with his face blown off…
Cyren grabbed her chin as she screamed in horror. He kissed her, her flailing doing nothing to stop him. She tasted his blood from where a dagger had been pushed into his chin and she tasted his sweat and his tears.
Sweet, innocent Cyren. Her best friend. He slumped against her and she atomically held him up. His blood dribbled down from her chin and slid down the column of her throat. She was sobbing but her tears were red and blood and tasted like the burning flesh of her grandfather.
"I'm so sorry… all my fault… shoulda never lived through…" Cyren went still against her, coughing blood on her white bodysuit.
"CYREN?" But he wasn't listening, of course. Cyren was dead like everyone else. And Aithne was all alone.
Born alone, die along…
"Why don't you just do everyone a favor and die before this happens?" She turned to the voice and stared into the blue eyes that she had seen in posters and pictures, blue eyes that stared back at her whenever she looked into a mirror.
"Jak…" she whispered and dropped to her knees, trembling. Her almost-dad. Not good enough father. Blonde hair dashed with green, strong features, good looks. Women swooned at his name and her mother went so sad when she thought about him.
"I never wanted you. You disgust me. You pulled your mother and I away. If it weren't for you, we'd still be happy. Keira and I. Where do you fit in that mix?" He laughed viciously and the laughter bounced around in her head.
"No, it's a lie. Mom wants me… she loves she…" She dropped Cyren and he fell in a bloody heap at her feet. Screaming, she bent down and touched him. His eyes were so lifeless in his face. So cold and dead… like the doll her mother had given her…
"You can't love anyone, Aithne. It's not in your nature… and no one can love you." Jak Mar aimed a gun at her head. Aithne didn't flinch. "Die and make everyone happy, Aithne…"
"Die…" she repeated blindly as she heard the safety of the gun being unlocked. "Everyone will be happy…?"
Jak Mar laughed manically and pulled the trigger.
Aithne shuddered at the very memory. Jak Mar's face had been so real. And the dream had been so vivid. If she closed her eyes she saw her friends' bloodied bodies and the burning walls of Haven City.
That was why she wasn't going to Cyren's place. She couldn't face him when she knew all she would see was that blind, helpless child-look in his eyes… and taste the blood in his mouth and the feel of him pressing against her body.
No… no, her wicked dreams wouldn't touch Cyren.
Instead, she went to the Naughty Ottsel to bother Maelia. The horrid way in which Maelia had died had all but faded from her memory. The only thing that had stuck in her memory was Jak Mar's face and Cyren's lost look.
"Hey," she greeted Maelia. With a raised eyebrow she watched as Maelia hurriedly tucked papers under her arms, keeping them from Aithne's view. "What's with the spy act?"
"Ah… I'm writing a love letter to Sloane?" Maelia suggested lamely, looking sheepish. She still wouldn't let Aithne take even a peep at the paper she stuffed under her arm.
"Na-uh," Aithne protested instantly. "If you had been you would have wanted me to edit and proofread."
"Seriously, Aithne. It's nothing important." When Aithne made a reach for it Maelia jumped away. "C'mon, just let it alone, okay?"
"Maelia…" Aithne began just as Ryu strode in. She felt Maelia go tense beside her and noticed Ryu's attempt to avoid her eye.
"Well, hullo, Ryu," Maelia drawled and smiled slowly.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Maelia?" Ryu demanded. He seemed be having trouble breathing all of a sudden.
"What are you talking about, Ryu?" Aithne demanded, placing herself in front of Maelia and Ryu. They fought, a lot, but Ryu looked ready to actually harm Maelia. Or at least throttle her.
Ryu ignored her as his eyes burn holes in Maelia's back. "I just heard from my mother that you applied for a job within the Krimzon Guard ranks."
Aithne gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth.
"So what if I did?" Maelia demanded hotly, thrusting her chin out in stubborn manner. "Mommy and Daddy said I could! I have their permission and I don't remember ever needing your permission, Ryu."
"You—you're joining the Krimzon Guard?" Aithne managed and felt like she was about to pass out. But then the anger came into her head and blurred her vision. "Maelia… how could YOU?"
Maelia wheeled around, forgetting her argument with Ryu. "Aithne—" she began but Aithne jerked away, glaring at her.
"Get away from me!" Aithne shouted. "Didn't you tell me the Krimzon Guard was no good? You goddamn hypocrite."
"No, Aithne. It isn't like that… please listen," Maelia whispered helplessly as hatred filmed over Aithne's blue eyes. No, no. Not you, too, Aithne. Please not you, too. "It wasn't supposed to... I mean, I—"
"Don't you dare touch me!" Aithne shouted into her face and Maelia flinched. "You knew how important the Krimzon Guard is to me and knew I can't join it! How dare you call yourself my friend and join it when I can't!"
It was selfish and childish, she knew. But Aithne had wanted nothing more than to be in the Krimzon Guard. Maelia had never cared for it like she had. What right did she have to be able to join it when it didn't mean as half as much to her as it did Aithne? When she had said the Krimzon Guard was worthless?
"I don't ever want to see you again!" Aithne spat, turned on her heel, and ran as fast as her legs would take her.
"She—she'll get over it," Maelia muttered dejectedly as she wrapped her fingers around her arms and shivered. "Aithne always comes around, doesn't she?" Her eyes were blind as she lowered herself to the ground.
"Mae-Mae." Any other time Ryu would have embraced her, would have comforted. But all he could think about was the feel of her body underneath him. He couldn't hold her with those thoughts in his head.
So he walked away and left Maelia to herself put. She stood in her too big zipper-up hoodie and wished her shorts and tank tops would walk away without her. She wished she could slip into darkness and forget to breathe.
But all she did was cry.
--&--
As tears made her blind, Aithne found herself standing at Cyren's door. Before she could tell herself to turn around and go home and not bother Cyren with all her pathetic life problems, her fist was rapping on the door.
Cyren opened it, a can of pop in his hand and blinked at her. "Aithne?" He looked at the tear streaks on her cheeks and the liquid lining her eyes and his eyes narrowed. "What happened?"
She gave a broken cry and buried herself into his arms. The dream of him bleeding and dying faded from her memory as his warm arms wrapped around her back. Her head dipped onto his shoulder and she told him about Maelia and the Krimzon Guard and her hopes and her shattered dream.
"Is it my problem, Cy?" she asked as Cyren took her arm and led her into his house. He poured her some green tea, as was his custom, and sat her down. "Am I being completely childish and selfish by being mad at Maelia?"
"It's always hard to see someone else live your dream, Aithne," Cyren admitted. "And it's even harder knowing that the people they love the most support them. Maelia has both the support and acceptance of her parents. And your—"
"My mother will never support or permit me," Aithne sighed as her fingers tightened over the handle of her cup. "It just makes me so angry, Cyren. It's not Maelia's fault… but I… I hate her for living my dream!"
"Aithne." Cyren reached for her hand and stroked her knuckles.
"God, Cyren. I'm such a bitch, aren't I?" Aithne gave him a weak smile that only made Cyren sadder than before. "Why is it when I always have a problem I end up running to you?"
"I don't mind, really. I like helping, Aithne." Cyren watched as Aithne pulled her hand from his and paced the floor.
"If only… if only I could join the Krimzon Guard. I know it means more to me than it ever will to Maelia or anyone else." Aithne rubbed her temples. "I just want to do something with my life, be something. Mom has me locked away in a tower like some ivory princess."
"Perhaps I can offer a solution, Miss Hagai." Cyren turned in his chair and watched as his father entered the room, cleaning the shining silver of a sword. His dark eyes were calm as he studied the girl flushed with anger and hurt.
"Mr. Zen-Fai," Aithne said and tried to keep the anger and weariness from her voice. She respected the old man but his was so annoyingly wise that sometimes it just irked her. "What do you mean?"
"Forgive me, but I could not help but overhearing, Miss Hagai, of your situation." Zen-Fai regarded her in his calm, considering eyes. "Your mother has forbid you to join the Krimzon Guard and the Wastelanders correct?"
"Yeah…"
"Well, I am not part of the Krimzon Guard or the Wasteland, but I train much like they do." There was a small smile on his lips and he let it soothe the girl. "You can learn to fight as your friend will and you can compete in the tournament games I have here and earn the glory you seem to yearn for."
"You'd do that? For me?" Aithne blinked and looked over at Cyren, as if to ask him if what she was hearing was true. The blonde boy just smiled at her.
"Yes. And Cyren would not doubt be pleased to have you as his training companion," Zen-Fai pointed out. Cyren blushed but his father said nothing about it. "What do you say, Miss Hagai?"
"Thank you! Of course!" She almost leapt into his arms but Zen-Fai sent her a stern look. Gulping, Aithne cooled her features. If she was going to train with Zen-Fai she knew she would have to act the part.
"I expect you to be here shortly after dawn. We start our training sessions then. They last until the afternoon, sometimes longer. It will not be easy, nor will it come at once naturally. It is vigorous and relentless. You must be ready." Zen-Fai was not trying to change her mind. He was simply stating the facts.
"Of course, I will be." She would have to sneak out, of course. Even if it wasn't the Krimzon Guard or the Wastelanders she was joining, Aithne had the feeling Keira wouldn't be happy with it all the same.
"C'mon, Aithne," Cyren said, offering his father a small grin. "Let's go for a walk." He touched her shoulder and Aithne nodded with an answering smile.
"Sure," she answered and allowed herself to be taken away.
--&--
There were silence around her, the smell of blood and rotting flesh. Darkness floated in her head, drowning out her human thoughts. For a moment, she was a lifeless body lying still on a metal table.
Then there was the hum of machines. Almost painfully, air was forced into her lungs and she felt herself draw the first painful grasp. Newborns were the only ones meant to take that first gasp of life but she knew that she was not a newborn. She felt old, worn limbs and frail bones.
Breathe in and out… in and out… in and out…
The command had her obeying before she even realized what she was doing. Her fingers itched at the sides of her long legs. Her toes wiggled.
"Well, are you done sleeping?" the voice was just about her. It was powerful and confident and offered no opening to argue.
Master. Must obey. Obey Master. The words were in her head. They had been placed in their years earlier but she had never heard them until now.
"Yes," she answered in a voice that was remote and cold. She sat up without hesitation, her eyes opening calmly and without fluttering. The darkness didn't frighten her, the knowledge that she didn't know who or what she was didn't anger her.
Nothing touched her as she stared ahead and waited for the next command.
A light flickered on and she didn't flinch. Her body wasn't even aware of the change in light. She continued to stare out ahead. Her hands rested uselessly in her lap. She wouldn't move unless she was told to.
"Come here," the man commander. He was handsome and blonde and boyish, looking innocent even with the beady, dark look in his eyes. "Do you know who I am?"
"Yes," she answered again and swung her legs over the table. She was naked, she knew that. She could feel the cold air brushing against her skin. But she wasn't embarrassed nor ashamed. All she did was walk over to the man and bow. "You are my master. I will obey you."
"The first of the successes," the Master said and touch her head. Her skin didn't crawl. Her heart didn't thump in terror or admiration. "You will be my assassin. Tell me who you are."
"Your assassin," she replied and kept her head bowed. Obey at all times. You are nothing. Where had those words come from? Who put them in there? Did it matter now? Did it matter to her?
No, of course not. She was her Master's servant.
"Nothing else. I am what you wish of me." Maybe there was some part of her that would have protested long ago to that statement. But it had died with the poison that had been pumped into her bloodstream.
"Yes. Nothing more." He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. "You have the ability to feel some human emotions. They're just turned off right now. In time the basic ones will return to you. Being the prototype you'll be more human than the rest. But don't worry, your emotions will not interfere with your work."
"Yes. I understand." I am your servant. Loyal, unquestioning. I shall do as you wish. I will obey your commands. "Shall I train now, Master?"
"No. That will come tomorrow." The Master stroked her wrist. "First, you'll get dressed. Then I will show you your future army then you will be introduced to Sage-Harmona."
"Sage-Harmona." The name was in her foggy brain. In a streamline, the information flew in. "A city at the center of the world. The height of its flourish was exactly four point three thousand years ago."
"Yes. Good thing he put all that information into your head, isn't it? You'll just be a vat of information." He grinned at her and wrapped a thick blanket around her body. It was cold in the room and her body was shivering from it, but she wasn't even aware of it. "You'll have met him. The Mage."
She remembered him. His dark eyes staring down at her as his wrinkly hands ran over her body, the feeling of those fingers pushing needle-point tubes into her veins. The feeling of being ripped apart. She shivered and her body pushed the memory away.
"Yes. I should. You are my Master but he will command me as well." She wrapped the blanket around her like a toga and stared straight ahead at the door. "I will help you as you see fit."
"So perfect. Even with those human flaws we can't get rid of." He stroked her face and she didn't look at him, didn't flinch. "Do you know my name?"
"Yes." She looked at him now, straight into his eyes and felt nothing. "You are Kent-Sai Hirmoyarbeshi. You are now Lord General of Sage-Harmona. And I am your servant. You created me for the purpose of furthering your exploits."
"Good, very good. Well than, Girl, shall we go and get you dressed so we can introduce you to the lowly humans you'll be reigning over?" Hirmoyarbeshi smiled slowly, watching as the coldness frosted her eyes.
"As you wish."
--&--
Aithne was still yawning when she and Cyren assembled on the blue mat at the former Gun course. She was leaning against her best friend, head on her shoulder, as she tried to stifle her yawn under her hand.
Zen-Fai came out towards them, looking as if he had slept twelve hours. "First we will go over the basic blocks and punches," he explained. "Cyren already has all this down, but for the first week he will help you train. In time, if I feel you are ready, I will allow you to fight with the weapon that matches your skills."
"Does Cyren fight with a weapon?" Aithne wanted to know and bestowed upon the blonde boy a wide smile.
"Yes. He does not have not much strength in the upper body so swords would not work with him. Instead, I gave him a modified bow staff." He tossed it to Cyren.
With a skill that came from years of training Cyren twirled the weapon between his fingers. It was long, longer than Cyren, and had two jagged points at the bottom. The body of the staff with a deep brown entwined with red paint. The sharp bottoms were bright silver with jagged sides that could work as a thrusting weapon and a slicing weapon.
"You're good at that," Aithne observed in pure admiration as the boy twirled the staff between his two hands. Cyren flipped it once before tossing it back to Zen-Fai.
He flushed in his custom way and said sheepishly, "Um… you'll be… just as good in time. You know? I've been doing it for years and everything…" At Zen-Fai's head shake he shut his mouth and saved himself further embarrassment.
"You will be learning the ancient art of Bushido. It has been in my family for generation after generation. It relies on speed and skill, not brute force. Assassins use this technique as well, enabling them to keep their bodies lean and fit for speed and at the same time making them deadly."
Aithne's smile had Zen-Fai frowning. It wasn't one of humor. It was purely fierce and territorial.
"However," he put in, "this must be taken seriously. With these skills comes responsibilities. You must use them only to defend yourselves and others under extreme circumstances." He pointed a finger at Aithne's face. "This is not a game."
She nodded seriously and watched as beside her Cyren shifted into a cool warrior. His open face and wide eyes lowered until he was completely calm and collected. He turned to face her and she saw that there was still his unsure, easy-going grin on his face. "You ready, Aithne?"
"Bend your knees," Zen-Fai commented as Cyren crouched into a fighting position.
"Sir," Aithne replied as copied her opponent's crouch.
--&--
"Father," Ryu said to Torn as he entered his father's office within the palace walls.
"Hmm…" Torn made a nonchalant mumble but than blinked in surprise when he saw his son standing in his room. "Ryu?"
Ryutaro Praxis had made it a habit to never, ever, go into his father's office. All it did was remind him of the differences between him and his father. Torn's office was military neat and proper, lined with papers and reports filed to perfection. There were Krimzon Guard medals lining the walls and planks and pictures of Torn's time with the guard.
Maybe he was jealous. It always seemed that Torn cared more about his Krimzon Guard than he did Ryu. Oh no, Ryu never doubted that his father loved him, never. But the question was. Did Torn love his son enough? Enough for him to matter more than the Krimzon Guard.
That Ryu wasn't too sure off. Torn was always pushing him to join the Krimzon Guard. And he always refused. The disappointment Torn showed each and every time never ceased to make Ryu feel unloved and unwanted, a disappointment. Even Ashlin's praise at his wit and political prowess did not stop that the fact that the one thing Ryu wanted the most was his Father's respect and he wasn't getting it.
Well, Dad's getting what he wants now so…
"Dad, I… have a request." Ryu clasped his hands behind his back like he had seen the Krimzon Guard members do many times. "If you will hear it."
Smirking slightly, Torn leaned back in his chair. So, what did Ryu want now? "Yeah? What is it?"
"I want to join the Krimzon Guard…"
Torn's eyebrows went up, way up. "Oh?" He leaned into his desk again and picked up a dark blue paper that had been resting on his desk. "That doesn't have anything to do with the fact that I have Daxter's brat's application on my desk, does it?"
"She's not a brat…" he mumbled and shuffled his feet. Why did his father always manage to make him feel like a little boy again? "And what if it does have something to do with that?"
"Nothing…" Torn folded his hands and sent his son a considering look. "So, you want to join the Krimzon Guard? I trust you have the correct applications?"
"Yes, Dad… er… I mean, sir," Ryu answered and handed his father the paper he had spent hours grueling over. "Here it is."
"Very well. You can start in two weeks. That's when your little Maelia starts." He smiled slowly when Ryu's face flushed.
"She not my—"
"You'll make a fine, soldier."
And for the first time in Ryu's life, he thought Torn looked proud of him.
-
AN: yeah, it seems this nex-gen kids never get a chance, do they? Daxter's aloof, Torn has emotional issues, and Jak is… nonexistent. And you what? The only who seems normal is Cyren… well, you know that won't last long, right?
Act XI: the last act of Part Two. Fire and hell, the death of a character, some shocking revelations from Cyren, and more angst. Surprising, I know.
Reviews
Specter Von Baron: you're right with waiting, except for two cases. One is Kingdom Hearts II. That has gone on long ENOUGH! Two is Harry Potter. I just want that to end, no more waiting. Instant gratification please!
Red Mage 04: as long Jak IV remains in my profile, this will continued to be updated. Randomly? Yes. But updated nonetheless. And does Lokin really come off as short, old, and creepy? That… rocks!
ChatterBox101: omigod! She updated AGAIN! It's a Christ-hana-kanz-adon miracle! So, you see I cleared up the Nyx and Nik problem… for now. Yes, I said… :dramatic pause: for now.
Jack of Blades: oh… ooooh! I see it now. er, sorry. But I'm glad you find last chapter worth the wait and hope this one was as well!
Hellmouth2: thank for your concern. I don't live down in New Orleans, but I was visiting family during the time Hurricane Katrina hit. It traumatized me a bit, and it took a while for my family to cope and I've spent a lot of my time helping them.
Teh Kitsune: wow. Long review. You are soooo cool::hug: Normally I'm not into racing games but I played Jak X 'cause Jak, right? I'm pleased and I've forgiven Naughty Dog since Keira and Jak are together (so it seems). I'm in the blue cup right now, but my brother's near the end so I just watch his to find out what happens. As for some of your guesses, some ARE right. I'm not going to tell you which ones… you'll see… mwhahahahahaha
Light-Eco-Sage: killing Jak? But wouldn't that be breaking the 11th Commandment? Thou Salt Not Kill Jak? I would never do that. But showing everyone what he's doing would give away the plot twists coming up.
Jacklover123: yes, Aithne is very emotionally disturbed. And that is not entirely her fault. And I hope this doesn't seem too long for you.
Maieve Avvi: except to be hearing from me on the fanart. I like updates… just as much as the next person. Oh… now I feel guilty.
Helenilia: I'm glad you like it. I'm hoping to get this updated faster. But… well, I hope for a lot of things.
GundamWingFanatic90: here are the answers to your questions (vaguely answers however) #1 I'm not telling #2 not telling #3 No #4 maybe, maybe not #5 you are the best and I will never be able to show my gratitude.
Half Demon Mazaku: there are a lot of fucked up things in here, as that should be apparent now. That's just what happens to kids with no parental guidance and those who lack those, they try to find it in different ways or they try to completely cut it off from them.
GoodMorningBeautiful2005: I assumed most of the people who would be reading Jak IV would be fans from Jak III, that's why I had no real summary of Jak III in this story. But I wrong. But I'm also lazy so I'm not adding it.
Xazz: I have made many of the main characters unlikable, huh? Daxter. Aithne. Maelia at times. Ryu sometimes. Torn at others. That's because I imagine, as they age, they attempt to adept to their situations and since their humans, they are often hindered by their flaws. That's why it's angst. Because sometimes people's plans fail and they can't deal with it. That's my definition of angst, the failures of humans and how they cope.