[Co-Author: Butterfly123199 ]
They dropped by Onin with the artifacts, then headed back to the UG. Elise took a nap the entire ride through, Trinity was deep in thought, and Daxter was catching the wind.
Daxter huffed and puffed out his chest triumphantly. "Finally, now we get to see the Shadow. What do you got to do around this place to get noticed?"
Jak was half asleep, a bit too drained at the moment trying to process the burning questions. "Crazy things, to get noticed, crazy things…" Trin tapped on the steering wheel lightly with his hand. His left arm feeling tingly as always.
Heading back, they waited for the sliding part of the entrance to their hideout. Jak and Dax hopped off, stretching. "Hey, we're here." Trinity gently shook Elise awake.
Elise let out a soft groan, waving Trin's hand away. Inevitably she was sleeping against him for the whole ride. "Mhhn..." She slowly peered her eyes open. "Mh..." she stretched her arms up and yawned. Her hair was... a mess. It was in bundles of knots and tangles, and was definitely laughable. "We're wha..? Oh... right."
Dawn: "Had sweet dreams, princess?"
"Shut up..." She grumbled. It was obvious she hated being woken up.
Beth: "You drool!"
"I What-"
"We're going to meet The Shadow." Trinity hopped off the Zoomer.
Jak was already down the steps, eager for some answers. "Why is that place in the old ruins so important to you?" Trinity heard from up the stairway.
The Masked man could see Daxter's little figure being curious and trying to look past Jak.
"This better be worth all the shit we went through.." she grimaced as she remembered the ass kicking she had gotten from Jak.
She followed him down the steps silently, listening to the conversations going on.
Torn was poking Jak's chest and pushing him off for his impulsiveness, "There's a powerful energy source at the old house. The metal heads are drawn to it."
"No kidding? We used to know the guy that lived there." Jak crossed his arms and Dax leaned over to see past his partner's legs, his eyes grew into a size of dish plates!
Trinity rested his good shoulder on a wall, watching the scene unfold. "You're about to see for yourself, how much it means to Jak and Dax for this." He stated plainly, then sighed.
The Shadow had his back turned to the group, or the only person here that was unfamiliar to the gang (except for two others)...
"So, you're the new recruits who keep getting into trouble."
The man turned, Torn moving aside for the others to finally see. He had an entire log in his bushy afro, his mismatched spectacles that made his eyes bigger than they usually are, and he was surprisingly shorter than all of them. Even then, he seems to be standing on a pair of stumps for footwear. Elise could see a literal mushroom growing on the man's hair.
"Oh no, not you!" Daxter blurted, Jak's face became one of shock. Torn frowned from his grating voice.
Trinity secretly smiled, Daxter's outburst is already making him want to laugh despite this man being their leader. Did Jak really expect another moody ex-KG to be their leader?
Dawn: "Who's the bird guy?"
"Not too sure..." Elise furrowed her eyebrows. The shadow was NOT who she expected him to be. At all. She didn't know if she should say anything at all, or keep her mouth shut. She decided to stay quiet.
The man readjusted his glasses and spoke in a wise, experienced manner. "Welcome to our humble Underground movement. I am known as the Shadow but you may call me Samos. And you are?"
Daxter leapt off and strolled his way over, "Sheesh Jak, we went through all that to meet his holiness, old log on the head, grandpa green?!"
Torn didn't say a word, he just watched and had a confusing brow shot up.
Elise caught the name, Samos, again. The same name that Jak had uttered out when seeing the hut. She glanced over to Trin, expecting him to say something, but he mainly stood there in silence.
"Don't you know who we are?" Jak had wondered if Samos got hit in the head or...something.
Beth: "There goes that name again.."
"All this shit is really starting to confuse me." Elise rubbed her eyes with annoyance and exhaustion.
Dawn: "Let's just hope the old guy's heard about us from Torn!"
"Us?" Elise almost glared at the inner voice's comment.
Dawn: "Hey! We exist too! They just can't see us!"
"And you make me look schizophrenic."
The Shadow spoke, "Sorry kid, never seen you before, and I never forget a face. Especially one that ugly."
Daxter made a deadpan face. "So it begins."
Trinity sent out a small chuckle at that. "Confusion's all I've ever known when with Onin." He muttered to El.
"Yeah, well. Confusion is the only word to describe all this shit.." She mumbled in reply. She noticed he had paused and nudged him. "Hey, you alright? Tired?"
Trin merely hummed in response. He smiled absentmindedly as Jak stepped forward, into the light.
For once Jak gotten a better look at the Samos before him, there was no doubt about it, he was younger than the last time he could best recall. "How is this possible? We came through the rift with you. Into the future, right?" He felt as if he was asking himself that for reassurance or a refresh.
Trinity sighed. "There's your answer."
Daxter walked in circles, interrupting Samos, "Yeah! You used to look older than dirt, and uglier than a knotted stump!" Jak facepalmed and Torn grinded his teeth, mimicking Samos' expression. Trinity bursted into a muffled laughter. "What gives? Did you get a little nip and tuck while we were gone?"
Elise couldn't help but slap her hand over her mouth to hide her laughter.
Dawn: "As much as we hate the annoying rat.. that was pretty hilarious."
Beth: "Do you think he knew your father? Or his work?"
That question made Elise's stomach drop, and her joyful laughter turn to frightened chuckles. "Let's.. not think about that. Unless he brings it up..."
The Shadow walked to the other end of the table , waving Daxter off. Trinity shook his head in amusement, already loving and seeing an old familiar scenario.
"Listen boys, I don't know what kind of twigs you've been chewing on, but I don't have time for this. We've got a Baron to overthrow, a child heir to protect, an invasion of Metal Heads to stop, and a city to save. I'd say the schedule's pretty full! Besides, I haven't gone through any rifts; I hate teleporting!"
Of all kinds of problems to list sure gave a wakeup slap to everyone.
"Sure sounds like the old Samos..." The orange ottsel rolled his eyes.
Jak, while immensely bewildered, had to agree that whatever's happening right now is more important and urgent. Seeing everyone's confused but tense looks on the issues, he was sure they were thinking about the same priorities.
Samos was overlooking the various maps, making random marks and waypoints for something. "Welcome to the fight, you three. I'm sure it's been a long day, make no mistake, a rest would be enticing to all of you, I'm sure. Before I issue another mission and get all of you injured for such impatience."
Trin got Jak by the shoulder and ushered him towards their quarters, he spoke slowly. "I know you have a ton of questions... But it'll all get cleared up, we got bigger things to worry about." He turned to Elise and motioned her to come with. "I'll be going off to discuss with Torn and Samos on our newfound infos. I'll be right back."
"Comm'ed you in, I'm sure you know the information I got from Brutter." Trinity took a glance at the brief notes surrounding Erol's poster on the walls.
Trinity narrowed his eyes. "The KGs in black." He bit his lip.
"Is this from the DWPs I've been hearing all about? Haven't you damaged their research enough?" Samos crossed his hands behind his back, giving off a determined, composed, and defiant posture.
"Guess it wasn't enough." Torn scoffed.
"Never is anyway, knowing Erol." Trinity crossed his arms, still staring at the poster in disdain.
Samos placed a finger on his little tuff of beard. "This is mighty concerning, if they manage to succeed in their works..."
"This is a rumor we're all basing off of though, how do we know if this is even real, and what does the DWP have to do with the Black KG Units?"
Trinity sighed. "Empowered soldiers via Dark Eco. It's not impossible."
Samos' expression darkened, Trinity knew that feeling of two piercing, burning gazes behind his back. "Trinity, I've seen the monstrosities the Dark Eco does to my forests - the Dark Eco will affect you just as much as Erol! I'd hate to see you go off the deep end of this. Are you telling us that they somehow found a way to create such an adversary?"
Torn was silent at that, in all of his years and services during the Krimzon Guard he only knew of combat. The thought of messing with eco past the point of how it's supposed to be used is beyond his knowledge.
"I fear they might've...if my theories were actually correct." He hung his head low. "Obviously I never recorded my findings on the truth. But- "
"We need a way to extract information." Torn stated.
Samos humphed. Jumping up to something in order to see the maps.
"In what way? We've already got the girl; the Baron's daughter no less, the lurkers, that blasted Krew, and Vin."
The masked man glanced at Torn. "Are you proposing we get information...more direct?"
'My style, such a pathetic way of desperation really.'
'Yeah, and I hate it.' Trinity could see the ghostly woman stride around the room, but he paid no mind to her.
The Shadow pinched the bridge of his nose. "This can't be because of an upcoming event from up at the Main Districts, Torn."
Trinity eyed him like a vulture, judging by his expressions, he knew he wasn't kidding around. "Why couldn't Ash do that then?" He asked.
Torn placed a hand on the table, leaning in as the light being casted from above them gave a grave atmosphere. "She and Elie's going off to find the tombs the Baron's been obsessing over. We need someone that Erol wouldn't recognize during this scope out..."
A lightbulb went off, "No, no we're not sending in one of our newest recruits." Trinity defensively retorted.
"You and your friend once did this many times in the past." Samos began, "Went off without a hitch from what I can recall. Care to watch over Ms. Elise?"
"Already stated that I'd be watching over all of them anyway." He spoke true, his response as quick as a sword's cut. Both Samos and Torn knew he wouldn't exactly back down on that risky idea. "Hmph. So be it, we'll get ready in a few days for the event."
Trinity left the main room, sighing, and expecting for Jak to be awake to rapid fire off questions. To his surprise though, he was snoring and in a deep sleep.
"Let me guess, he didn't react too well to all that." He eyed Elise as he went to his bed.
"Sort of, he said that this is the least of all our problems and trusts your word." She yawned.
"Even if he had tons of questions, I'm positive he would've saved them." She grinned and stretched her arms until she heard a small pop. "Kid's exhausted."
The room fell silent, all except for their rustling movements. A few questions buzzed in her mind. A few comments as well. Some about what she heard and some about some of the previous ordeals.
"Could I ask you some questions?" She blurted.
Dawn: "Smooth."
"Shut up.."
"Feel free to shoot away." He plopped down on the bed, removing his weapons and putting them off to the side.
"You ever feel off?" She popped off her heavy boots and winked at her aching feet. She laid back against the wall.
Dawn: "Define that, Moron."
"You're really getting on my nerves today." Elise hissed rather violently under her breath. She reached up and rubbed her temples. "I mean as in... you feel urges..?" She closed her eyes. "I don't know what kind they are.. but I know they're there. And they're pissing me off..."
Trinity stared at the ceiling, after a brief bit of silence, he uttered. "Yes."
The quietness that was once serene suddenly transformed into something sinister, or rather, ominous.
"Always." He thought back and found himself shortly skimming through his life and memories. Even though he never wanted to..
"..."
There was a heavy hush.
"What are they..?" She was hesitant. Almost a little scared.
"Things I don't want to begin to imagine." He stated stiffly and rolled to the side so he was planning to sleep sideways rather than on his back.
"How do I ignore them..?"
She laid back onto her bed. She began to think about the 'urges' just a bit. And even thought about giving in.. just a bit.
"How do I not give into temptation..." she said more of a plea than a question. Though, her voice was hushed, sleepy even.
"You think of how much you can lose." His voice was a dead tone. The ringing questions made him restless, making him staring at his pale left hand. So much he could've said like a dumb poet he unintentionally was, but this time, he didn't try to fancy his responses.
Elise let his answer process for a while. Staring at and playing with Okasan's gift that rested around her neck.
"..."
Another suspenseful silence.
"But I've got nothing to lose..."
Did she mean that?
She didn't really know.
But she said it.
"I've lost everything. Torn's trust, Jak, Ashelin's friendship, Tess's trust... my father." She closed her eyes and squeezed the crystal, till her knuckles turned white. "You..."
When she opened them, she could see Trinity's head move a little. His blonde-grey hair dripping down from his shoulder. "Mm..." His gritty mumble erupted out. "You haven't yet. That's why I don't give in."
"That's why I'm willing to..." She croaked out. At that point, she was hardly controlling what she was saying.
"If I gave in...I wouldn't be here." He mumbled, but with that same monotone voice, she could tell. He meant it. His heart panged at that, but he hid it.
"But if I give in, you'd still be here..." She tilted her head. "There wouldn't be much of a change- "
"No." He shot out that word so quick Trin almost interrupted her. "You don't know it." He whispered more quietly and sadly. "You don't know."
She felt her chest tighten yet again when he cut her off, just like it did the last time they spoke alone. It was a feeling she'd never get used to. It hurt. "I do know it..." She turned her head to look over at him. "Because you're too strong to give in - even if you wanted to."
"Heh. That's how I seem to you?" Trinity genuinely asked.
'I'm not that strong...' His mind thought. Or was it the woman? Doesn't matter. He kept staring at the wall ahead of him as he shifted his pillow.
"It's what you are to everyone." She sighed through her nose.
'Especially me.' She thought.
She looked down at her necklace. Thought thoroughly about the meaning, then began to take it off.
'Don't do it.'
She furrowed her eyebrows at the new voice. That wasn't Beth..
She brushed it off. It was probably just exhaustion. "Hey."
Trinity didn't say anything. He just watched and had his eyes trace the cracks of their hideout's walls. He was mainly thinking back to the DWP.
The petite girl winced as she stood to her aching feet. She knew she probably fucked up. Actually, she definitely did. She decided to leave that topic alone. She kneeled down and gently took his hand, placed the necklace in it, and squeezed his hand shut.
She looked up at him. "Just because you don't feel the same, doesn't mean I stopped feeling it." She whispered softly. She looked at his blue eyes for a moment. She stood up again, and walked back to her bed.
'I told you not to do it.'
She visibly flinched at the ear piercing voice. It was such a deep voice, it made her ears incredibly sensitive. The frequency seemed unreal and almost painful to listen to. Nothing like the other two at all. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head a bit.
Her hand made him snap back to whatever dreamland he was in. Trinny blinked and glanced at the necklace, "This isn't for me." He muttered and stood up into a seating position on his bed. He held it tight, thinking if he should put it on... Trinity let out a sigh, 'From Elise's father, and Onin. Why to me then, huh, Onin?' He asked himself and put it on, moving his pale hair out of the way.
Something about this conversation's topic made him restless, but he felt tired regardless. His heart and mind felt burdened with answers to things he didn't want to know.
"You'll understand when the time comes." She shifted towards the wall. "Goodnight."
"...Night." He went back to laying down. This time, on his back and facing the ceiling as he was eyeing the gift.
JV007 A/N: 2021, and we're still going - how?! JUST?! HOW?! Whatever, anyway back to a little guest review that was kindly left to me! If you don't like it, that's fine, go read off some other book please yeah? Love you! Back to usual shtuff, holy cow did we go off the tangent on a ton of things in the background! You guys will see soon enough!
Butterfly A/N: For the review… If you got a problem with the best book around then get out and go read something else ya hater. ):0 aS FOR THE REST OF YA; we love and appreciate you all (:
JV: LMFAO CALM YASELF! DON'T GO AND BE THROWIN' HANDS YOU'LL SCARE THEM LOL