A/N: ***Waves*** Hello all! How's it going? I'm back with another chapter ***grins*** it's another long one from yours truly. I don't usually write them this long, but something about this story grabs me. Anyway, a few thank yous before we begin.

            Living Soul Desire: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad I got you to go awe with Torn and Ashlin and that they weren't too OOC. The Muse seemed to think so. Keep reviewing!

            Krimzon-Yakkow026: I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought something was off about Keira and Samos being related. Everyone I knew that I was weird for thinking it… or maybe it's just because I had that much free time on my hands.

            Shark: It's safe to say there will be two stories going on. Not one, but two. Keira's journey and what goes on in Haven City. Wonder what'll happen? Continue to review!

            Robin: Well, this fic is a lot more serious then my singing one. That one was just me bored and goofing off. This one is me thinking so hard that my head hurt. Review!

Act Four: The Journey Begins

"The journey starts with a simple decision. A yes or no. Do I venture into the unknown? Do I risk everything for the mystery? Yes, yes I do."

                        Dawn had being started to peek over the horizon as the eight figures stepped out of the Naughty Ottsel. Their shadows slanted low across the ground as they made their way to the exit of the city. Towards Dead Town.

            "Our town is about a two day journey past the ruins. What you call Dead Town." Marisa said to Sig as he questioned her on the whereabouts of the Holy City, "I could get there in five hours if I could fly, but since we have some many of you coming along—and you boys weigh so much—there's no way we can fly you there. Gareth insists we walk with you. I say we give you a map and say 'see ya later'!"

            Sig shook his head and looked towards Keira who was walking silently with her father. He also noted that both Jak and Gareth's eyes were on her as she strode. But every now and then they would look away from her shapely back and glare at one another.

            "Am I goin' to have to walk between both of you during the whole walk!?" Sig demanded, motioning with his Peacemaker to make a point. Jak and Gareth did not look at one another but their glares were kept firmly in place.

            The walk dragged on. Past the Slums and Main Town they walked. Silence filled the group. Daxter and Tess, always eager to talk to one another, were the only noise makers in the group. Everyone else was quiet.

            Finally Keira turned to her father and said, "Daddy, are you sure you can't come? I mean, I really want you to come with us… me."

            Samos sighed, as if he was placing a heavy burden on his shoulders, "Keira, I wish I could, too. But I can't. I couldn't handle a journey like this. If I could… if I was younger… I would. I have to stay behind."

            Keira sighed as well and looked away sadly. Marisa smiled and walked over to her.

            "Don't worry, Lady Keira." Marisa smothered a laugh, "Sorry. But really don't worry. You shouldn't be at the Holy City for long. Only a few months. We'll probably have to come back here at one point."

            "Why do you laugh whenever you say my name?" Keira wondered.

            Marisa giggled, "Oh, it's just that, Lady Keira, in my language keira means darling. Your mother was calling you 'my darling' not your name."

            "Then what is my real name?" Keira pressed.

            Marisa shrugged, "You didn't get named. No child gets named until the Naming Ceremony that happens on your sixth birthday. It's been done so for generations. Until your six you're called keira, if you're a girl, or keiri, if you're a boy. You also add your house name as well, just so everyone knows who you're talking about. You were called keira of Kikita. Meaning you were the darling of your mother. So really, you were called Darling of Kikita. I never got it, but Sala seems content to keep it that way."

            "We're here." Jak said suddenly and Keira realized that they had arrived at the entrance to Dead Town. There they would make the long trek across the land to the Holy City. It suddenly seemed so far away.

            "Well come on, chili peppers, let's get moving." Sig said, motioning for them to go forward.

            Sala looked at Sig's armor with a raised brow, "Are you sure you can keep up in that armor of yours? It might just slow us down. Slow is not a good thing when Erisen is after you. Maybe you should stay behind."

            Sig laughed and patted his Peacemaker, "Listen here, girly, I've been adventuring out in these lands longer then you've been breathing. You should worry about not being able to keep up with me. Besides, I am seeing that Court!"

            Gareth shook his head and moved towards Dead Town, "Let them be, Sala. There's no way we're changing their minds. You know how stubborn city folk are." Sala groaned and followed him.

            As everyone followed suit Keira turned to her father and gave him a hard hug, "Goodbye, Daddy, see you soon." Then she hurried after her new guardians.

            "Goodbye, Keira." Samos said softly and the doors to Haven City slid shut.

            Dead Town, once Sandover Village, hadn't changed much in the few months since the destruction of Kor. The ground was still dead with no lush green. The former houses of Sandover were in shambles… but there was no sign of Metal Heads.

            "That's right, Angel Cheeks," Daxter was boosting, "Jak and I got rid of those Metal Heads! They didn't stand a chance."

            Tess giggled, "You're so brave, Daxter!" She cooed, but Sala thought she caught a sarcastic-edge in the girl's tone.

            Sala looked over at Jak and said lightly, "Is there any truth to your friend's words?"

            Jak shrugged and tightened his hold on his Blaster Gun, "Kinda… I ah… I did get rid of the Metal Heads in this area. Sig and I decided we were bored with city life about a month ago and decided to spend our time getting rid of the remaining Metal Heads."

            Sala looked up at the sky, "Sometimes I wish I were that free, but I've always been tied down by responsibilities to my crown." Jak had no reply.

            Keira ran up to Jak's side and looked at him softly. Jak looked back at her and opened his mouth to say something, but Gareth stepped forward coughing. Keira turned her attention back to the young warrior while Jak was content to glare at him.

            "Ah, Keira," Gareth said and Sala saw the jealousy flickering in his eyes. She sighed sadly, "do you remember anything about the Holy City? About your time there?"

            Keira, for a moment, thought about four-year-old Gareth and decided not to tell him. She wasn't sure what the memory was about anyway, "No, not really."

            Gareth sighed mournfully and looked away. Keira blinked several times, "Why do you ask?" She wondered and Gareth coughed again, trying to look indifferent.

            "Nothing."

            "Oh." Was the young woman's answer.

            Jak's blue depths narrowed and he stepped a friction closer to Keira, but Gareth got the meaning. He glared at Jak's back when he realized Jak was going to be the one standing near Keira during the whole walk there. His fists clenched for a brief second and then his fingers reached out to touch the hilt of his scimitar.

            Sala saw this and felt a frown mar her features. Gareth turned to her, blinked, and Sala huffed. She moved past Gareth and then Keira and Jak so she could take the lead. She jerked her chin out as she marched.

            "I wonder what she's upset about." Daxter said, hopping onto Tess's shoulder because Jak looked like he was in a bad mood.

            Tess shrugged but she was smiling a secret smile, "I wonder." Was all she said.

            Sig had seen the same thing Tess saw but instead of smiling he shook his head, "I am too old for this." He touched his Peacemaker for reassurance, "Yes, way to old."

~~**~~

                        Erisen, god of Chaos and Strife, narrowed his black eyes slightly. Other then that, no signs of anger could be seen on his face. He held his crystal glass of red wine calmly, as if he was involved in a pleasant dinner conversation.

            But inside he was raging. He was a god and he had an army of furious harpies. How cold three mortals of the Holy City destroy some of his best fighters? It was inconceivable.

            Groaning softly, he leaned back against his black throne in his dark cambers. The only light in the room came forth from a large, round bowl in the center of the room. It glowed with an eerie blue light.

            Your girl will not be able to rely on her guardians forever, Goddess. And what will she do when it is up to her defend herself? What will you do? He smiled as he thought about the pain he would force the daughter of Kikita to go through before he finally got around to killing her. He licked his lips.

            The god ran his hand through his jet-black hair. His black eyes glower eerily in the light. He was tall, even for a god, and had the body build of a swordsman. His body was big but not fat. His face was rough, though it could be considered handsome. He wore a black robe with black pants. Propped up against his throne was his broadsword, a deadly weapon who's blunt tip was meant for both death and torture. And, if Erisen was to walk, one would notice the magick energy shimmering around him. They would feel suffocated.

            Such was the power of a god.

            His face twisted at the thought. Those fools at the Holy City knew so little of their own fate. The High Priestesses continued to try to defend their city when they were meant to fail. It was written that he would rule that city.

            Reimbursement…

            The doors to his chamber opened and in stepped another girl, but she was not a harpy. Her hair was boy-short and black like the god's. Her eyes were a hollow gray and her body lithe and slender. Her cheeks bones were high and her lips full, deep and red. She totted a deadly spear behind her back. She wore a short black dress with white leggings. Heavy boots clicked against the black marble floor as she made her way to him. She bowed, her bangs fall across her eyes.

            The daughter of Chaos.

            Erisa, daughter of the goddess of Chaos and the god of Chaos, bowed her head respectively to her father. Erisen nodded for her to speak. She had been purging the deserts of rebels of the Holy City and must have just found out about the return of the daughter of Kikita. He could tell from the look in his daughter's eyes she was not happy about it.

            "Father," She spoke in a low, angry voice, "you should have waited for my return. I would have liked to rid us of the last of the High Priestesses. Besides, you know as well as I do that your harpies are no match for my fighting skills."

            "I know that, daughter." Was Erisen's answer, "But if there was a possible chance of ridding myself of the bastard of Kikita then I had to take it. The harpies failed, though."

            "Let me go now!" Erisa said, reaching for her spear, "I will take care of the daughter of Kikita. You know I will not fail."

            Erisen smiled, "Then go, my daughter, and rid us of our last obstacle in the war. But be warned. The High Priestess's guardians will not be willing to simply let her die." He pointed out.

            "I hardly worry of those three Holy City fools." Erisa scoffed haughtily.

            Erisen was tempted to tell his daughter about what he had seen in his wine glass. About the blonde boy, the bulky man, the rodent and the blonde girl also accompanying Kikita's daughter. He knew they would all be important, but he decided to let his daughter find out on her own. Sometimes she was just too cocky.

            Erisa turned and walked from her father's room. She didn't bother to bow to her father to show the proper respect. She was too concerned with her battle. She could only see the blood and the carnage.

            "And so it begins." Erisen said.

~~**~~

                        Night closed in around them faster then Jak thought. It seemed to him they had only walked a few miles before the sun had started to set, but he knew that they were about a quarter of the way there.

            They stood at the very edge of Dead Town. Further off was a vast wasteland. Sala referred it as the Irin Desert. In her language 'irin' meant war. She gave a brief history on how the Goddess had fought against a goddess one last time here. After that, every god was send into the Krrez Lands, where all gods lived. Erisen somehow managed to stay in the mortal realm.

            Keira blinked and looked up at the sky, sighing softly. In the back of her memory, know that she was hearing Sala tell these stories of the Goddess's exploits and defeats, she remembered hearing them before, long ago. She remembered the warmth of the arms around her but try as she might she couldn't picture the face.

            Jak watched her with a neutral face. He watched as the emotions played across them. Confusion, happiness and frustration. It hurt him to watch those sad emotions play across her face, illuminated by the burning of the fire.

            He watched as she brought her knees up to her chest and stared into the fire, as if trying to draw an image from the recesses of her mind. She shivered slightly and shifted closer to the flames. Jak was taken aback by how stunning she looked. He watched as her bright, beautiful eyes glowed in the firelight, shimming with life and wonder.

            But he also saw the yearning and he thought maybe he understood it well. Keira had just learned that the life she had been living to be a lie. She, too, was born in the future like Jak. She too was mysteriously connected to a city under siege.

            It made the bond he felt for her all that much stronger.

            But at the same time he wished he didn't see that lost and confused look in her eyes. It pained him to see it there. He wanted to pull her to him and wrap his arms around her. He wanted to soothe away the pain so evident in her eyes as she stared into the dancing flames. He wanted to tell how happy he had been when he had first seen her pull back that curtain in the Race Garage. He wanted so much to figure out why his heart beat fast and slow whenever he was near her.

            So many question… so many he wouldn't ask. He was afraid. Afraid of that sting of rejection, afraid she still frowned upon what he had become. The monster inside him, his dark-self, was enough to push anyone away. He himself sometimes wanted to run away from what he had become.

            He kept his eyes steadily on shapely form, as if trying to get her attention. Keira seemed lost in her own world, however, as she stood from the fire. Gareth noticed this as well and it had Jak gritting his teeth in annoyance. But the young woman didn't seem to notice Gareth's stare, much to Jak's delight, and walked into the dark.

            Both Jak and Gareth stood to go after her. What with the Metal Heads and the Harpies still around it was too dangerous for her to be alone. They're eyes met and narrowed and Jak had to admit the boy was brave. He seemed willing to fight for what he cared for.

            Under different circumstance maybe they would've been friends.

            Jak opened his mouth to tell Gareth to sit down but Sala beat him to it, "Gareth, sit down or I shall tie you down. That is an order. Do you understand?" She threatened. Gareth looked at her as if she had just stabbed him in the back, but nodded. He mumbled 'yes, my lady' and sat down.

            Jak, thanks to his honed sensitive hearing, heard Sala sigh softly.

            But he didn't have time to wonder about that. He nodded to Sala to show her his thanks and moved in the darkness as well. Somehow he didn't need to think about where Keira had gone. He was drawn to her, like a moth to the flame. He would always know where she was, but he feared he might never know how to make her happy.

            The ocean that had once been beautiful during the time of Jak's childhood in Sandover Village glowed eerie in the moonlight. As he approached her figure, Jak thought it was odd that a desert, formed after many millennia of wars, would begin shortly after an ocean stopped.

            But then, this world never ceased to amaze him.

            Keira's form was bathed in the pale moonlight. Her slender form had a magick glow about it, as an unearthly hand had ran it's fingertips across her body. The silver of the shining stars brought out the green of her hair, making it glisten.

            He was awe-inspired by her beauty. He thought perhaps Sala was right when she had said Keira was connected to the Goddess. In that moment, she certainly seemed like she could be a Goddess. A Goddess that had been gracious enough to step out form the curtain of dreams and light up his life with a smile of purity.

            He didn't want to startle her so as he drew nearer, he raised a hand to his lips and coughed. Keira' back stiffened before she recognized his voice. Her shoulders slumped once more and didn't turn to face him.

            Hesitantly, he took a step forward. Then another and another until finally he was only inches away from her. He was so close he could feel the heat radiating from her body. And he could see that she was trembling.

            "Keira…" Was all he could think to say.

            "Oh, Jak," Keira whispered softly, sadly, "everything's changed so fast. I… I thought I was… was Keira Hagai, daughter of Samos the Sage of Green Eco, but now I know… that's a lie. My mother is a murdered priestess and if this god has his way, I'll be the next. I don't know if I can do it. I don't want to do it."

            Jak shut his eyes for a brief second and tried not to picture an ugly demon crowing over the mangled body of the young woman in front of him. He reached out for her and placed his hands onto her shoulders, to comfort both of them. He needed to feel her, he realized. In all the years they had been together there had been so few times they had been this close.

            Keira stiffened once more and Jak almost pulled his hands away. Then she sighed softly and leaned against him, into his embrace. Caught off guard, Jak caught her and wasn't sure what to do. So he was content to hold her shoulders with her body slightly slanted but not completely leaning.

            "You can do it, Keira." He told her softly, "And you won't do it alone. Not matter what happens, I'm going to be there. Nothing is getting in the way of me protecting you. I swear, nothing is going to happen. I won't let it."

            "But something will happen, Jak." Keira said, holding back tears, "Something is happening. I'm changing. I don't know who I am, anymore. I'm not Keira Hagai and I don't know anything about being the daughter of Kikita."

            "No," He answered softly, looking at the moon, "you're still Keira Hagai. You grow up in the image of the daughter of Samos Hagai, true, but you made her. You also made Kikita's daughter. It doesn't matter who your father or mother is, but what's inside. You formed and flourished, Keira, it wouldn't have changed under different circumstances."

            "You think so?" Keira wondered and Jak nodded. She cocked her head upward and he looked down. Their eyes met and they finally realized in what an intimate embrace they were in. It wasn't as awkward as either expected it to be. They seemed to fit so perfectly together. It seemed they were meant to be this close.

            Slowly, Keira's eyes fluttered closed and without needing any encouragement, Jak lowered his head. Stars twinkled in the corner of his eyes and he felt suddenly light-headed. He supposed it would be an awkward first kiss, with their faces facing opposite directions, but he couldn't seem to get himself to stop and turn her around so they could do this properly.

            All he could think was: someone usually interrupts right about now.

            "What are you doing?" Came a new low voice. Right on time, Jak thought sarcastically and broke away from Keira. He turned and frowned as Gareth stared as he the couple in horror. Didn't that man ever leave Keira in peace?

            Jak turned back to Keira and felt his face become blank. He could see, in the dim life of the light reflecting form the moon off the lake, the heavy stain on her cheeks. But he knew it wasn't a flush of embarrassment at being caught, but shame. He knew a shame blush well and that was what adored Keira's face.

            His hands dropped away from her shoulders. Keira lowered her head, crimson still staining her cheeks. She looked up at over at Gareth and then back to Jak. He thought he saw sadness floating in her eyes. He was tempted to think that maybe she was sad that their moment had been broken again, but that hope was ruined as Keira's green depths moved back to Gareth.

            Why would she ever want you?

            He felt a coldness wash over him as he thought those words. It was true enough. He had a darkness inside of him, an evil. He was different from any other creature, he wasn't even human anymore. And here was Gareth, handsome, strong and connected to Keira's past. Why would she look at himself when Gareth was there?

            Keira had been looking at him for a long time now. She mumbled something under her breath but Jak didn't bother to listen, though he could've with his honed hearing. The young woman backed away and looked at both men slowly. Then she lowered her head once more and left the darkness, back to the light of the campfire.

            Gareth watched her leave with a neutral face. He tipped his head down in respect as she past and then waited until she was out of sight. Then, with an angry face, he stalked over to Jak. Jak felt his own anger boiling. Let Gareth come and yell at him. He felt like hitting something anyway and since Gareth seemed so eager…

            "What the hell where you doing with her!?" Gareth demanded hotly, "She is a Lady! A High Priestess! You have no right to walk into the darkness alone with her. If the Council knew… they would have you chained. Not a bad idea."

            "And you have the right to?" Jak asked, trying to keep his voice level and cool. His fingers started to itch and he felt the urge to use them.

            For a moment Jak thought he saw Gareth flush, but in the pale moonlight he couldn't be sure, "Yes," Gareth answered, "I do."

            Jak snorted, "I don't know how. You've just meet Keira."

            Gareth bared his teeth, Jak had no doubt about that, "For your information, boy, I have known Keira since I was but a youngling."

            "What are you talking about?" Jak snapped, "She said she didn't know you from Adam."

            "She just doesn't remember." Gareth said, "But I tell you one thing, I have the right to order you to stay away from Keira. And I will if you keep taking her into the dark with you."

            Jak didn't bother to point out to him that it had been Keira to walk away from the safety of the campfire, "What the hell do you mean!?"

            "She and I are betrothed." Was all he said.

            "You're what!?" Jak demanded in disbelief.

            "Engaged, idiot." Gareth said, though he suspected Jak knew very well what he had meant, "It means she and I would have been wed by this age had she still be living in the Holy City. Not that engagement is off, mind you, but it will probably be awhile before she gets used to life as the High Priestess so the wedding will be pushed back until she feels she can take on the burden of being a wife."

            "Keira will never agree." Jak said stiffly, his glare intensifying ten-fold, "You don't know her like I do. I've grown up with her and she'll never agree to this. It's like… like using her as some kind of item that can be bought!"
            "I never said that!" Gareth shot back, "I have nothing but respect for Lady Keira! Her mother was the greatest woman I'll ever know. And I plan on winning Keira's heart far and square. Once she starts to remember her life in Haven City, I've no doubt she'll see me in a different light."

            Jak gritted his teeth and took a step forward, menacingly, "You better back off." He warned tightly.

            "Why should I?" Gareth demanded.

            "Because…" Jak trailed off. He wanted to say: because she's mine, but truthfully he and Keira hadn't even been on a date. Oh, sure there was the attraction—one was blind if they couldn't see it—but that hardly meant Keira was interested. Helplessly, he looked away.

            Gareth grinned, as if in triumph. He stepped forward and opened his mouth, "You know—" But Gareth never got the chance to say the next words. Good thing since Jak would've likely knocked out all his teeth.

            A scream pierced the air.

            "KEIRA!" Both boys shouted at the same time. They left their spots at the lake and rushed forward, heading to where the scream had emerged.

            When they arrived the battle had already begun. Marisa flew by his side, swinging her spiked nunchucks. She and a harpy flapped their mighty wings and took their battle to the sky. Sala was standing protectively in front of Keira and Tess, swinging her deadly labrys at the charging harpies. Daxter was settled on Tess's shoulder, swinging his small arms at the harpies vainly. Sig raised his gun to smoke the bird-like women only to have it kicked out of his hands from behind.

            Then Jak's eyes fell on another girl. She was not at all like the harpies, but more human. She could have been pretty by her sheered hair frizzed around her face and made it appear to narrow. The hollowness of her gray eyes made her seem blind but from the rage burning in them Jak doubted it. She raised a golden-tipped spear above her head and released a battle cry.

            At his side, Gareth said breathlessly, "Erisa." With a cry Gareth lunged at her. Jak turned to do so as well, but a harpy caught his immediate attention.

            He pulled his Blaster Gun from his waistband and shot the bird-woman as she flew above him. Her limp carcass fell to the floor with a thump. Jak grinned; these harpies were no match for a gun. He started to move over to Keira, but Sig called to him for a gun. Unable to say no, Jak turned to help his friend.

            Erisa made her way over to Sala as she defended herself and the life of the two girls. Erisa hardly paid any attention to the blonde girl. Her eyes were on her. There was no mistaking that she was Kikita's daughter or the fact that she was the Goddess's chosen. She could see it and it made her howl. Jutting her spear in the air, she rushed forward. She was already seeing the girl's blood splattered on the ground.

            Sala groaned as two harpies surrounded herself, Keira, Tess and Daxter. She swung her labrys and impaled it into a soft stomach. The shape edge her double-headed axe caught in the flesh of the harpy and held firm. She jerked her arm backwards and sent both her weapon and foe flying with her. She felt her labrys tear the flesh it had been caught in and the harpy was sent flying into the other harpy on Sala's left. The two bird-like women crashed to the floor.

            The young woman turned just in time to see Erisa make her way over to them. Sala bared her teeth and raised her labrys to block the spear.

            "Lady Rye," Erisa said with an evil smirk as she raised her spear, "how is your dear mother?"

            Rage boiled in the young warrior as she kept her eyes focus on the gold-tipped spear, "Hardly able to walk thanks to you." She snarled viciously. Erisa laughed and lunged forward, bringing her spear straight to Sala's heart.

            Sala brought the labrys up once more and pushed the spear away. She turned back to Erisa ready to counterattack when something heavy hit her in her back. She and the harpy sprawled to the ground a few feet away from Keira.

            Realizing she had left the new High Priestess vulnerable Sala jumped to her feet to surge back into battle but the harpy grabbed her leg and dragged her back to the ground. Momentarily occupied, she turned to hack at the bird-woman.

            Seeing that Sala was otherwise occupied, Erisa grinned and turned to Keira, Tess and Daxter. Tess clutched Daxter to her chest who struggled to free himself from her grip to offer vain protection to the girls. Keira stepped in front of both Tess and Daxter and glared at the young goddess of Chaos.

            "Don't bother to protect your little friends." Erisa growled, slowly making her way to the young woman, "I'd be running if I were you. Not that you'll get very far."

            Keira raised her chin and said tightly, "I will never run from you."

            Erisa frowned and then shrugged, "Very well." She raised the spear above her head and Keira raised her hands to her face to block the attack. A grin replaced the frown as the goddess brought her deadly spear down.

            Something zipped out of the corner of her eye and the next thing she knew the young blonde man was pulling Kikita's daughter to the ground. He threw his weight over the young woman as a shield. Growling, Erisa raised her spear high and brought it down on the young man's back.

            When Jak had thrown himself on top her, Keira had been ready for death. She had seen it shining in the young goddess's years. But then Jak had pressed his weight against hers and now she was crushed painfully to the ground, protected by Jak's warm body.

            Her eyes widened as she saw Erisa raise her spear and plunge it deep into Jak's back. She saw red in her vision and horrifically raised her hand to his face, "Jak…"

            Jak had barely started to comprehend that Keira was indeed safe when the pain had shot into his back. It didn't take a scientist to figure what had happened. He knew very well that Erisa's spear had found its mark in his back. He gritted his teeth and refused to remove his body from Keira's. All he could think about was protecting her. He had to keep this woman away from his girl. It didn't matter if he died. If Keira lived then that was enough.

            He felt Keira hands pressed against his chest, as if to push him away. Jak shook his head in protest and Keira cried in anguish, "Jak! Please! Please move! She'll kill you if you don't." Tears streamed down her face.

            He wanted to wipe her tears away. He never wanted to make her cry. He raised a hand to do so when the black dots began to appear in his vision. He shook his head to clear it, but they got bigger and bigger until he couldn't make out Keira's face anymore. The voices around him died to a dull buzzing noise. He felt the strength leave him as he slumped against the warmth of the soft body beneath him.

            Keira caught Jak's limp body and held him. She looked up into Erisa's face and felt so much hatred. She, never in her left, had ever felt this much hatred for one person. She wanted a weapon in her hand. To kill, to hurt, to torture. She glared up at young goddess.

            And Erisa smiled back down. She raised her spear once more. She planned on pushing it through Jak's back and into Keira's. She thought it be ironic. Jak would sacrifice his life to save the girl, but in the end even his body wouldn't be enough.

            But then she felt two strong, small hands drag her back. She turned and looked into the angry, teary face of Tess. The blonde woman kicked, screamed, punched. She pulled Erisa away from the two on the ground.

            "You bitch!" Tess shouted hotly, "How dare you!?"

            Erisa growled in frustration and slapped Tess hard across the face. Tess recoiled in shock and from her shoulder jumped the orange ball of fuzz. The warrior goddess screamed as jagged claws pulled the delicate flesh on her face.

            "You hurt my friends!" Daxter said angrily, draw his claws down Erisa's face until a trail of crimson followed, "You hurt my friends!"
            Erisa grabbed Daxter by the fur on his back and threw him to the floor. She glared at him before turning back to Jak and Keira. She had to finish the mission.

            But now Sig, Gareth, Sala and Marisa were standing in front of Jak and Keira. They looked ready to fight as well. It seemed the harpies hadn't been able to keep them busy. Erisa turned to see how many of her harpies had survived. Only three did and she watched as they took to the sky in retreat.

            Cowards…

            "This isn't over!" Erisa cried in anger and took to the sky. She released a howl of frustration as she flew away.

            Sala snarled at the disappearing form and raised her labrys to the sky, "We'll be waiting." She promised though she knew Erisa could no longer hear her.

            She looked over at Marisa and Gareth and Sig. She nodded to them as a sign of a job well down. Sig went over to Tess and Daxter to see if they were alright since they usually didn't do the fighting.

            The other three turned to Keira and Jak, needing to see that the High Priestess was okay. What they saw was a sobbing Keira clutching the limp body of Jak. She wailed and gave Jak's deadweight a shake.

            "Jak!" She cried, "Please wake up. Jak, are you alright?"

            But Jak didn't answer. He just continued to lay lax in Keira's arms as she vainly tried to awake him. In fact, Jak didn't seem to be breathing.

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                        A/N: OH NO! What's wrong with Jak? Why isn't he breathing? Gonna have to read and find out. Don't you hate cliff hangers? I bet you're wondering: is she gonna kill of Jak so Keira can get with Gareth? Hell no. This is a J/K romance people! Anywho, if Jak does die she's not getting with Gareth. I have other plans for him. ***grins*** I am very wicked. I was pleased with this chapter. I especially like the fact that Tess and Daxter got a piece of that bitch Erisa. Don't you hate her? I made her out of pure hatred (she's modeled after my mortal-enemy… the mailwoman ***bares teeth***). So REVIEW (pretty please with sugar on top?) and stay tuned for act five First Steps in which Keira, Tess, and Sig make a desperate attempt to save Jak. Until next time!