Jak, Daxter, Tess and Samos sat down on a circular table together in the
Medic Wing close to Erol's bed, discussing the party's decorations.
Samos: Now, we must make sure that Keira never enters the Great Hall while we decorate. Try not to arouse her suspicions, either.she's really good at finding things out.
Tess: Just one question, Samos.where are we ever going to find a cake? It's been ages since I've ever seen a bakery store around here.
Samos: That's where you come in, my dear.
Erol: Did someone say cake?
They all turned around to see Erol sitting up from his bed, smiling a rather feeble smile. But the spark had returned to his eyes, and he looked better than he did the nights before.
Samos: Ah, you're awake Erol! Good, good now I can start telling you about when each firework should be released.
Tess: You feeling better?
Erol: Just thirsty.
Tess: Again? But I gave you five cups of water a half an hour ago.
Erol: I don't really know why, Tess. Just get me some water all right?
Tess: You're gonna end up throwing up again.
Erol: Please??
Tess: (Sighs gruffly) Oh, all right.
Daxter: Well, about time you woke up! Can't have Tess tending to you all the time instead of me!
Jak: (Studying Erol's face curiously) Boy, you sure you're all right, man? You look really pale.
Tess: Well, I'm sure he'll get over it soon. Here's your water.
Erol: Thanks.
He took the glass and drank slowly, but then suddenly he let out a loud gag and spat the water out, clutching his mouth.
Tess: Erol! What's wrong!!?
Erol didn't answer, he couldn't seem to. Tess took the hand holding the mouth away and opened his clamped jaws. She let out a sharp and shocked gasp.
Jak: What? What is it?
Jak looked and gasped himself. For no reason at all, Erol's gums started to bleed, turning his whole mouth red. But it bled the heaviest near the canine area, which, Jak noticed, looked slightly more pointier than normal. But Tess was just too shocked to notice.
Tess helped Erol to spit the blood out into a bucket, but the bleeding didn't stop. Eventually, Erol had to clamp his teeth into a towel, which made him look utterly ridiculous. Daxter took his chance and made a thousand remarks, knowing that Erol didn't have the proper strenght to say or do anything back.
But Jak didn't think it was a joke at all. Those bleeding gums weren't normal, and his canines.they were rather too long, and too pointy-no, sharp was a better word for it- for his comfort. He knew something weird was going on, and that man who had bitten him must have something to do with it.
*
Torn let out a soft groan as life forcefully shot into him.
A sharp, but brief pain shot through his chest whenever he breathed, and his back ached terribly. But despite his pain, he managed to gather the strength to open his eyes.
At first, the world was just a blurr of various grey spots, until eventually they all swam in together to provide a better look around him. He was in a small, stone walled room. He was alone, breathing in the cold, dank air.
His fingers brushed against a soft, but rather coarse material, and the comforting feel of a pillow under his head eased his throbbing headache. He let out a soft sigh, and began to relax. He didn't want to think about anything now, not even Raven or the beast. He just wanted to lie down there, quietly on his own.
*****: Ah, so you're awake.
Torn's eyes popped open and he immediately turned to see who spoke. His eyes fell onto a man standing at a doorway he hadn't noticed earlier.
He was about his age, perhaps a few years older. His hair fell to his shoulders in untidy waves of brown, which he tied together into a single ponytail. His eyes were, although a rather wild looking blue, were gentle and kind.
*****: I'm sorry if I've startled you.
Torn: Where am I?
*****: You're safe, so please don't feel threatened.
He came closer and sat next to Torn's bedside.
*****: That was a very unwise thing you did just now, challenging those pale warriors. Luckily I managed to pull you out before they beat the hell out of you.
Pull him out? As in rescue him from those pale bastards? But that was impossible! It was a Metalhead beast that, well, 'rescued' him. Unless.
Torn: You're a beast, aren't you?
*****: (Sighs) I would prefer Metamorphagi, my friend.
Torn: Metamophanagaia?
*****: Allow me to introduce myself, then. My name is Proteus, and like I said earlier, I am a Metamorphagi.
Torn: But that's impossible.how can you be-
Proteus: one like you?
Torn fell silent for one moment, and his head began to swirl again.
Torn: But-but-we-Harken-
Proteus: Oh, Harken is it? You know him?
Torn: He killed a beast, the last one alive.
Proteus: Yes, indeed he killed one of us. Brutus was his name, and no he wasn't the last beast alive.
Torn: That thing bit me!
Proteus: I'm not surprised; Brutus had always been on his wild side. So he was the one who bit you is it? Well, that's a thought! I never expected a human could survive our bites nowadays.
Torn: Wait.you bite?
Proteus: Of course.every one of us have tasted human flesh at least once in our lives.
That sent Torn leaping off his bed.
Torn: You mean there are more beasts?
Proteus: You're in a city full of them.
Torn: Let me out of here! Now!
Proteus: I can't let you do that.
Torn: (Growls through teeth) And why not?
Proteus: Becuase we won't let you, and it is best that you don't refuse.
Torn was struck by the unfairness and frankness of Proteus's answer. He wanted to scream and lunge and him, but something made him think twice. There was something about Proteus that he really didn't want to deal with, and the idea of a whole city of beast people really made his stomach shrink.
Proteus chuckled mirthlessly.
Proteus: I knew you'd be smart enough to listen.
Torn: What are you going to do to me?
Proteus: Nothing but make you comfortable here. You are welcomed here, on being one of us. If you've been good, I might consider letting you go.
Torn: You better make that a promise!
Proteus: (Walking away) You have the word of a brother. I suggest you go downstairs and have a little tour around. Don't worry about getting lost; the people are always ready to hand out directions.
And as soon as he said that, he was gone.
*
Torn spent almost an hour inside his small room, pacing to and fro. Soon enough he began to get bored and decided to do what Proteus had suggested him to do: go and explore. What harm could a little walk do?
A number of unexpected things, I suppose, Torn thought sarcastically. But he didn't like to be alone and bored, so he walked out the doorway and didn't look back.
Soon enough he found himself outside a large, old stone building. It looked ancient, and Torn took note of its several statues and wolf-like gargoyles staring down at him. He looked up hopefully to see the sky, but instead he saw a gigantic stone domed ceiling.
The whole city was built under this great ceiling, and Torn knew he must be underground. There were several lights, so it wasn't that dark. Yet the air was still and cold, and it was quite dank.
Torn shivered and walked a few steps forward. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, it looked kind of cheerful and in some way lively. There were people everywhere, and Torn was surprised by their cheerfulness. They didn't give him a second glance, and were walking around as if it were just another fine, sunlit day.
Torn walked around for a few moments until suddenly he saw something that interested him. It was a sort of shop with a rusty sign overheard 'Weapon Shack.'
Torn: Hmmm.
He stepped inside, and gasped at the array of weapons around him. There were swords, several knives and plenty of guns. It was the firearms that really caught his attention. There were only a few models he recognized, but the rest were totally new and unknown to him. He studied their smooth barrels fondly, eyes wide with curiousity and awe.
****: I bet you like that don't you?
Torn: (Not turning around) Yeah.I've never seen such great models. Where'd you get the-
Torn had turned around and didn't finish his sentence. He gasped when he saw the shopkeeper.
Torn: SIG?
The shopkeeper looked as baffled as he was. Yes, it was Sig all right. Torn didn't know the sturdy old Wastelander that well, but he recognized him perfectly.
Sig: You! That Underground rebel guy, is it?
Torn: The name's Torn.
Sig: I knew you looked rather familiar when you came in.
Torn: What are you doing here?
Sig: I own this shop.
Torn: You what?! Aren't you supposed to be working for Krew?
Sig: That I did, but not really anyway.
Torn: Then if you own this shop, that means you're a beast!
Sig: Well, aren't you? Or else you wouldn't be standing there having this conversation.
Torn: Wait.wait.you're a beast, like me.were you bitten or something?
Sig: (Snorts) I've been a Metamorphagi all my life!
Torn: You were born one?
Sig: Yes. Were you?
Torn: No, I was bitten.
Sig: You WERE? I must comment you then, Torn. No one has ever survived the bite of a Metamorphagi in years! You should consider yourself really lucky.
Torn: Yeah, whatever.look, Sig, I really need to get out of here. Can you help me out?
Sig: If I do, Torn, I'd get into trouble.
Torn: Why??????
Sig: These times are troubled, and it is necessary for us Metamorphagi to stay inside the city. The Shadow-Reapers are being really nasty for the moment.
Torn: Shadow-Reapers?
Sig: Vampires. They're pale and cunning people with an even bigger attitude problem than a Metalhead with a sore ass. I heard about your little fight with them too.
Torn: Those pale bastards are vampires???
Sig: Yep. We're not enemies, but like I said, vamps always have attitude problems. I wonder what made them so mad of all the sudden.
Torn: I really need to go outside! Bad things are going to happen if I don't warn my friends about those vamps that nearly killed me!
Sig: You can't do anything about that.at least for the moment. Now, come on.it's best that you relax for the moment and get to know us Metamorphagi a little more.
Torn let out a long, gruff sigh. He knew there was no use arguing anymore, so he gave up and accepted Sig's offer without interest.
NEXT CHAPTER COMIN SOON!!
Samos: Now, we must make sure that Keira never enters the Great Hall while we decorate. Try not to arouse her suspicions, either.she's really good at finding things out.
Tess: Just one question, Samos.where are we ever going to find a cake? It's been ages since I've ever seen a bakery store around here.
Samos: That's where you come in, my dear.
Erol: Did someone say cake?
They all turned around to see Erol sitting up from his bed, smiling a rather feeble smile. But the spark had returned to his eyes, and he looked better than he did the nights before.
Samos: Ah, you're awake Erol! Good, good now I can start telling you about when each firework should be released.
Tess: You feeling better?
Erol: Just thirsty.
Tess: Again? But I gave you five cups of water a half an hour ago.
Erol: I don't really know why, Tess. Just get me some water all right?
Tess: You're gonna end up throwing up again.
Erol: Please??
Tess: (Sighs gruffly) Oh, all right.
Daxter: Well, about time you woke up! Can't have Tess tending to you all the time instead of me!
Jak: (Studying Erol's face curiously) Boy, you sure you're all right, man? You look really pale.
Tess: Well, I'm sure he'll get over it soon. Here's your water.
Erol: Thanks.
He took the glass and drank slowly, but then suddenly he let out a loud gag and spat the water out, clutching his mouth.
Tess: Erol! What's wrong!!?
Erol didn't answer, he couldn't seem to. Tess took the hand holding the mouth away and opened his clamped jaws. She let out a sharp and shocked gasp.
Jak: What? What is it?
Jak looked and gasped himself. For no reason at all, Erol's gums started to bleed, turning his whole mouth red. But it bled the heaviest near the canine area, which, Jak noticed, looked slightly more pointier than normal. But Tess was just too shocked to notice.
Tess helped Erol to spit the blood out into a bucket, but the bleeding didn't stop. Eventually, Erol had to clamp his teeth into a towel, which made him look utterly ridiculous. Daxter took his chance and made a thousand remarks, knowing that Erol didn't have the proper strenght to say or do anything back.
But Jak didn't think it was a joke at all. Those bleeding gums weren't normal, and his canines.they were rather too long, and too pointy-no, sharp was a better word for it- for his comfort. He knew something weird was going on, and that man who had bitten him must have something to do with it.
*
Torn let out a soft groan as life forcefully shot into him.
A sharp, but brief pain shot through his chest whenever he breathed, and his back ached terribly. But despite his pain, he managed to gather the strength to open his eyes.
At first, the world was just a blurr of various grey spots, until eventually they all swam in together to provide a better look around him. He was in a small, stone walled room. He was alone, breathing in the cold, dank air.
His fingers brushed against a soft, but rather coarse material, and the comforting feel of a pillow under his head eased his throbbing headache. He let out a soft sigh, and began to relax. He didn't want to think about anything now, not even Raven or the beast. He just wanted to lie down there, quietly on his own.
*****: Ah, so you're awake.
Torn's eyes popped open and he immediately turned to see who spoke. His eyes fell onto a man standing at a doorway he hadn't noticed earlier.
He was about his age, perhaps a few years older. His hair fell to his shoulders in untidy waves of brown, which he tied together into a single ponytail. His eyes were, although a rather wild looking blue, were gentle and kind.
*****: I'm sorry if I've startled you.
Torn: Where am I?
*****: You're safe, so please don't feel threatened.
He came closer and sat next to Torn's bedside.
*****: That was a very unwise thing you did just now, challenging those pale warriors. Luckily I managed to pull you out before they beat the hell out of you.
Pull him out? As in rescue him from those pale bastards? But that was impossible! It was a Metalhead beast that, well, 'rescued' him. Unless.
Torn: You're a beast, aren't you?
*****: (Sighs) I would prefer Metamorphagi, my friend.
Torn: Metamophanagaia?
*****: Allow me to introduce myself, then. My name is Proteus, and like I said earlier, I am a Metamorphagi.
Torn: But that's impossible.how can you be-
Proteus: one like you?
Torn fell silent for one moment, and his head began to swirl again.
Torn: But-but-we-Harken-
Proteus: Oh, Harken is it? You know him?
Torn: He killed a beast, the last one alive.
Proteus: Yes, indeed he killed one of us. Brutus was his name, and no he wasn't the last beast alive.
Torn: That thing bit me!
Proteus: I'm not surprised; Brutus had always been on his wild side. So he was the one who bit you is it? Well, that's a thought! I never expected a human could survive our bites nowadays.
Torn: Wait.you bite?
Proteus: Of course.every one of us have tasted human flesh at least once in our lives.
That sent Torn leaping off his bed.
Torn: You mean there are more beasts?
Proteus: You're in a city full of them.
Torn: Let me out of here! Now!
Proteus: I can't let you do that.
Torn: (Growls through teeth) And why not?
Proteus: Becuase we won't let you, and it is best that you don't refuse.
Torn was struck by the unfairness and frankness of Proteus's answer. He wanted to scream and lunge and him, but something made him think twice. There was something about Proteus that he really didn't want to deal with, and the idea of a whole city of beast people really made his stomach shrink.
Proteus chuckled mirthlessly.
Proteus: I knew you'd be smart enough to listen.
Torn: What are you going to do to me?
Proteus: Nothing but make you comfortable here. You are welcomed here, on being one of us. If you've been good, I might consider letting you go.
Torn: You better make that a promise!
Proteus: (Walking away) You have the word of a brother. I suggest you go downstairs and have a little tour around. Don't worry about getting lost; the people are always ready to hand out directions.
And as soon as he said that, he was gone.
*
Torn spent almost an hour inside his small room, pacing to and fro. Soon enough he began to get bored and decided to do what Proteus had suggested him to do: go and explore. What harm could a little walk do?
A number of unexpected things, I suppose, Torn thought sarcastically. But he didn't like to be alone and bored, so he walked out the doorway and didn't look back.
Soon enough he found himself outside a large, old stone building. It looked ancient, and Torn took note of its several statues and wolf-like gargoyles staring down at him. He looked up hopefully to see the sky, but instead he saw a gigantic stone domed ceiling.
The whole city was built under this great ceiling, and Torn knew he must be underground. There were several lights, so it wasn't that dark. Yet the air was still and cold, and it was quite dank.
Torn shivered and walked a few steps forward. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, it looked kind of cheerful and in some way lively. There were people everywhere, and Torn was surprised by their cheerfulness. They didn't give him a second glance, and were walking around as if it were just another fine, sunlit day.
Torn walked around for a few moments until suddenly he saw something that interested him. It was a sort of shop with a rusty sign overheard 'Weapon Shack.'
Torn: Hmmm.
He stepped inside, and gasped at the array of weapons around him. There were swords, several knives and plenty of guns. It was the firearms that really caught his attention. There were only a few models he recognized, but the rest were totally new and unknown to him. He studied their smooth barrels fondly, eyes wide with curiousity and awe.
****: I bet you like that don't you?
Torn: (Not turning around) Yeah.I've never seen such great models. Where'd you get the-
Torn had turned around and didn't finish his sentence. He gasped when he saw the shopkeeper.
Torn: SIG?
The shopkeeper looked as baffled as he was. Yes, it was Sig all right. Torn didn't know the sturdy old Wastelander that well, but he recognized him perfectly.
Sig: You! That Underground rebel guy, is it?
Torn: The name's Torn.
Sig: I knew you looked rather familiar when you came in.
Torn: What are you doing here?
Sig: I own this shop.
Torn: You what?! Aren't you supposed to be working for Krew?
Sig: That I did, but not really anyway.
Torn: Then if you own this shop, that means you're a beast!
Sig: Well, aren't you? Or else you wouldn't be standing there having this conversation.
Torn: Wait.wait.you're a beast, like me.were you bitten or something?
Sig: (Snorts) I've been a Metamorphagi all my life!
Torn: You were born one?
Sig: Yes. Were you?
Torn: No, I was bitten.
Sig: You WERE? I must comment you then, Torn. No one has ever survived the bite of a Metamorphagi in years! You should consider yourself really lucky.
Torn: Yeah, whatever.look, Sig, I really need to get out of here. Can you help me out?
Sig: If I do, Torn, I'd get into trouble.
Torn: Why??????
Sig: These times are troubled, and it is necessary for us Metamorphagi to stay inside the city. The Shadow-Reapers are being really nasty for the moment.
Torn: Shadow-Reapers?
Sig: Vampires. They're pale and cunning people with an even bigger attitude problem than a Metalhead with a sore ass. I heard about your little fight with them too.
Torn: Those pale bastards are vampires???
Sig: Yep. We're not enemies, but like I said, vamps always have attitude problems. I wonder what made them so mad of all the sudden.
Torn: I really need to go outside! Bad things are going to happen if I don't warn my friends about those vamps that nearly killed me!
Sig: You can't do anything about that.at least for the moment. Now, come on.it's best that you relax for the moment and get to know us Metamorphagi a little more.
Torn let out a long, gruff sigh. He knew there was no use arguing anymore, so he gave up and accepted Sig's offer without interest.
NEXT CHAPTER COMIN SOON!!