A/N: Thanks for reviews, as always. For once I do not have anything to say apart from: Oh, hello, unwelcome character from the last story -_- ~ Mika
One week later
It was swelteringly hot, too hot to be wearing black. Unfortunately, that was what Jakuelynn, her father, Daxter, Tess and assorted others were wearing. The only thing that Jakuelynn could thank the Precursors for is that she hadn't been forced into wearing a dress. She had, however, forced a brief smile and a "thanks" every time someone gave her their condolences.
"Jakuelynn, how are you holding up?" a familiar voice asked. Jakuelynn snapped out of her stupor to see Rhogan.
Not sleeping, not eating, I feel like going Dark every second I am alive, I can't get Deimin out of my mind, I want to kill everyone I see and I have a desperate and overwhelming urge not to feel anything anymore, she thought. She did not say anything, merely gave a stiff nod which told him nothing.
"Where's your fiancée?" she asked, a staccato on each syllable.
"She, uh...she's at home," Rhogan replied. "Didn't want to be here today. You understand."
The young woman did. She did not particularly like Rhogan's hairdresser fiancée but luckily she did not have to see her that often. "She didn't know h-him anyway,"
Rhogan nodded in agreement. "Look, uh, I..."
Jakuelynn nodded. "Just go. I see Deimin's mother coming, anyway."
The Haven City Leader nodded, quickly taking off. His Achilles' heel as a ruler was that he was never one for awkward situations, Jakuelynn knew him well enough to know that. She turned her attentions to Nuala Ghosten, whom as always seemed to glide across the ground rather than walk across it. Jakuelynn stepped forward to greet her and to give them a little more privacy, the older woman taking the younger woman's hands in hers.
"Nuala, hi. How have you been?"
The soothsayer swallowed but remained calm. "I should imagine about the same as you. Be careful of the internal and external Darkness." She looked at the young woman with the black eyes she'd passed on to her son for unspoken permission, which she gave. Nuala put her hand on Jakuelynn's stomach. "It risks everything you hold near to your heart, your future included. You must conquer both to achieve the resolution you seek."
Jakuelynn nodded, swallowing. "I'll remember that."
"I know you will, little one." She smiled, touching the younger woman's face. "I've watched you grow from a little girl into the brave warrior woman you are today. I am confident in your abilities, your strengths." She reached up to kiss her cheek. "Remember where I am if you ever need me."
"I will. Thank you, Nuala," Jakuelynn replied, her throat dry. The woman turned away, disappearing into the crowd. The younger woman allowed herself to smile, feeling a little better already.
"Who's she and what did she want?" Daxter piped up nosily.
"Deimin's mother and none of your business." The diamond-hardness had returned to the warrioress' voice. Daxter returned to Jak's shoulder, ears down. Just then, the doors opened and the mass of black flooded in. The young woman stayed by her father, suddenly nervous.
Jakuelynn kept it together throughout the hour-long service, not taking her eyes off Deimin's coffin once. She did not have to say anything for the service, letting Rhogan take the speeches she was meant to do. More than once, Jak supported her as she swayed in her spot, having to sit down at several points during the service. Finally – eventually – it got to the part she'd been dreading. She would be the one whom ignited Deimin's coffin, as per the request made in his will. She found the cluster of Yellow Eco and stepped in it, feeling it surge through her body. She faced the black box, still unable to believe it was Deimin contained in it.
"Goodbye, my love," she whispered, pointing and cupping her hands at the coffin. She closed her eyes and released a fireball, hearing it hit the coffin and ignite it with a whoosh. She stepped away from the cluster and returned to her father, not looking back.
~x~
After the funeral
She felt him before she heard his whiny, sneering voice pierce her ears. She hoped to the Precursors he hadn't brought Rapace with him, otherwise there was going to be some serious restraint involved.
"Hey, Princess."
Managing not to wince, she turned around, instantly relaxing a little when she saw Rapace wasn't with him.
"Hello, Yuhmer," she bit back, a jagged edge on every syllable. "Long time no see."
"Unfortunately." He smirked, and Jakuelynn's stomach clenched in nausea. "So, I see Goth boy has finally kicked the bucket. How'd he go? Slit his wrists?"
She closed her eyes, the Dark Eco pushing inside her veins. Her stomach clenched with nausea and she instinctively grabbed it.
Yuhmer continued, oblivious. "Well, I knew he wouldn't live to his thirtieth. In fact, I was surprised when he hit twenty-one. I've lost a lot of money on betting when that boy takes his life, let me tell you – "
CRUNCH.
Jakuelynn flexed her blood-covered fist, snarling. Yuhmer clutched his nose, reeling backwards, his eyes hurling insults at her.
"Deimin did not take his own life," she said quietly. "Someone decided to use him as munitions target practice and he wasn't built for that kind of shit. Same as I am not willing to put up with your shit, Yuhmer Krazak. Now get out, and if you ever approach me or my family ever again, I will break more than your nose." A stab of pain shot through her and she fought the urge to double over.
"What's up, Jakuelynn? You kill your child too? Oh yes, I know about your baby. You're killing it, just like you're killing – "
"Krazak, that's enough," a voice growled. "Go home to your family or the barrel of this gun will go so far up your arse that you will never be able to sit down!"
"I'm not scared of you, Jak Mar," Yuhmer hissed.
"You should be," Jak snarled. He turned to his daughter, who was doubling over in pain. He snatched her wrist, his eyes widening at the monitor's display. "What, Father? What does it say?"
"48/52. Hospital, now. C'mon!"
Jakuelynn screamed, physically ripping apart from pain. She spiralled into darkness as she flopped into a Buggy, clutching her stomach. Many thoughts were racing through her mind, primarily about her baby, but one thought stood out like the sun's gleam off a razor's edge.
Deimin, help me...