DISCLAIMER: Well, actually I DO own Jak II. Yup, I have the characters tied to my throne and I throttle them when ever they're obstructive.
A/N: Yay chapter five! ***confetti*** Isn't everyone so very, very pleased? Come on, be truthful now. You know this is the highlight of your week. My update ***silence*** you guys sure know how to boost the self-esteem.
Robin: I know I made Keira the wimpy 'oh save me' girl in the last chapter, but in order for her character to grow and become stronger she needs to realize that she isn't very strong, even though she so doesn't fit the damsel in distress persona.
Time Master: You can control time? COOL! ***shakes head*** Anyway, Gareth does come off as a meanie doesn't he? I guess I wouldn't like him either if I hadn't written him, but I did so I love Gareth! ***huggles Gareth***
Krimzon-Yakkow026: ***backs away slowly*** You won't to kill Erisa? I can understand that (she's a bitch) but isn't murder illegal? Unless I write it so it isn't ***laugh evilly*** You can kill her ***hands over plushy of Erisa and runs to escape the bloodbath*** Er, can a plushy bleed?
Squabbit: Do not speak the name! ***growls*** Okay, the story goes that she replaced this other mailman who was my friend (and HOT) and she has this evil little grin on her face that says 'I put a bomb in your letters'.
Phoenix Flower: Typos and misspellings are my forte, didn't you know?
Chris: I happen to be very pleased with the J/K section there. It even had one of my friends (not the Muse) going 'aw' and since she's cold and dead inside I take that as a complaint.
Wakka-steals-cloths: Hey, I think I can understand where you're coming from… expect I don't know where you live or who Faith and Bobby are. Anyway, sometimes it makes on feel better to kick the shit out of something (namely a disliked imaginary characters) but don't be so hard on Gareth, he gets better… I think. As for those two maybe you could send the crazy monkeys after them?
~Keep reviewing and on with the next chapter!~
Act Five: First Steps"One must crawl before one can walk. One must have courage before one can be a hero. One must love for one to make sacrifices."
It couldn't be… Keira thought over and over again as she tried to shake Jak's limp body awake. Jak's head rolled to the side and he didn't make a sound. He didn't groan, he didn't whimper, he didn't moan.
He didn't even breathe.
Daxter rushed over, Tess and Sig not far behind. He jumped onto Keira' shoulder and touched Jak's still face. He felt the cold of Jak's skin beneath his paws and grabbed his best friend's face.
"Come on, Jak!" Daxter cried unhappily, "Quit fooling around and wake up! This isn't funny! If this is a way to get back at me for the whole I-put-a-slug-in-your-drink prank then you've got me! Jak… oh, won't you wake up?"
Gareth bent down besides Keira with a grim face. He looked into Keira's tear-filled eyes as she clutched Jak's head to her chest. She smoothed back his hair soothingly and looked at Gareth with lost eyes.
"Is he going to be okay?" She asked him, "Please, Gareth, tell me he's going to be okay."
Gareth would've given anything to be able to give Keira what she wanted. Even though he wasn't particularly fond of Jak, he knew Keira was. He wanted Keira to be happy and he wanted to rid her of her sadness. But Gareth didn't lie, even if it was a lie in the best interest of another person. Lying solved nothing.
He turned his head to Marisa, who was frowning down at Jak, "Well?" He pressured her. Marisa had a vast knowledge of medicine. If there was any chance of Jak surviving then Marisa knew of it.
Marisa's face twisted as she bent down to examine the bloody wound on the young man's back. Slowly, she drew a finger across his wound and raised it to her nose. She inhaled slightly and her frown deepened.
"It is the Harpy's Poison, Gareth." Marisa said and at the confused looks of Keira and Daxter, she explained, "Harpies will sometimes put poison onto their claws. Added with their talons own sharpness it is deadly. However, this came from the spear of Erisa and the penetration was shallow. He's still breathing—barely but breathing—all we need to do is give him the antidote."
"Where is it!?" Daxter cried.
"Erisa is not stupid." Was all Marisa offered for a moment, "The first thing she and her harpies did upon arriving was to destroy all our supplies. That includes our Hover-Boots, food, water and medicine. The antidote was the first thing to go."
"You mean… Jak will…?" Keira trailed off hopelessly and ran her hands through Jak's hair. Jak moaned softly and trembled in her arms. Keira pressed her chin to his hair in a vain attempt to soothe him.
"No." Daxter whispered, "NO!"
Tess moved to Daxter and picked him up in her arms. She then looked over at Sala, "Isn't there someway that you can make this antidote?"
Sig stepped forward and looked at Marisa, "Don't you need a special purple flower to make your antidote?"
Marisa blinked several times, as if trying to understand how Sig could possibly know that, and finally answered, "Yes, but the flower… it is very rare. Our doctors from the Holy City spend all summer collecting them and then saving it for a harpy attack."
"A purple flower…?" Tess said slowly, raising her hand to her chin in consideration, "Hey! I think I saw a flower like that."
"WHERE!?" Keira demanded.
"A mountain a ways back." Tess explained, "It was so pretty… I couldn't help but stop and look at it."
"Tess, Angle Cheeks," Daxter exclaimed, "you're a genius!"
Tess giggled, "Oh, I know that." She turned to Sig, "I'll show you the way if you're willing to go get it." Sig nodded.
Slowly, Keira placed Jak softly on the ground and walked over to Sig and Tess, "I'm going with you." Everyone blinked at her in surprise.
"You can't…" Marisa said, "What if the harpies attack?"
"I don't care." Was her answer.
Gareth stepped forward shaking his head, "No, Lady Keira, you can't go. Let Sala or I take your place. We need to keep you here where two of us can keep an eye on you. It's too dangerous. You need to stay here." He reached out for her arm.
Keira backed away, bringing her arm to her chest and cradling it there, "No. Jak's… Jak's like this because of me. He got hurt because he was trying to save me. And I… I wasn't strong enough to do anything. All I could do was watch as Erisa plunged her spear into his back. This time, I'm going to save him." She looked down softly at Jak, who's face was pale and clammy. All because of her.
Gareth opened his mouth to protest, but Sala held up a hand, "No, Gareth. Let her go." It was obvious the young woman meant business so her young head commander did not push the argument. Sala turned and looked at both Tess and Sig with hard, narrowed eyes, "I holding you two responsibly for the safety of Lady Keira. You will be her temporary guardians. You are to protect her at all costs. Should something happen to her, I will make you both wish you were never been born. Is that understood?"
Sardonically Sig muttered, "Always nice to get a threat from people. It just makes my day. First it was Krew with his 'everyone's expendable' line and now you."
Tess, however, took a more serious approach to her new rule, "You can count on us." She said softly and then looked down at Daxter, "You're staying here, aren't you?"
Daxter looked grimly at Jak, who gave a small shudder, and then nodded to Tess, "I don wanna leave him. I wanna be there if he…" Daxter trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. Tears sprung into his eyes.
Tess bent down and placed her palm on the Ottsel's small shoulders and said softly, "Don't worry, Daxter, Sig and Keira are on the case. They'll get the antidote! Not a problem! You'll see!"
Daxter looked at her sadly and noted that Tess didn't include herself in that list. Sometimes he thought the girl didn't give herself the recognition she deserved. But right now he was too tired to point that out. He nodded stiffly and turned back to Jak.
Tess stood and looked over at Keira and Sig, "Alright," she said, turning to the dark. As she stared she thought she saw the dawning sun peeking the horizon, "I'll lead the way since I know where the flower is."
Sig nodded and gave her a hearty pat on the shoulder, "Follow the leader, chili pepper, and it's Tess's turn." He swung his Peacemaker onto his shoulder.
Tess started walking into the dying darkness without looking back. Sig nodded over to Gareth, Sala and Marisa before following her. Keira started as well but she paused and looked back at Jak. Her eyes softened slightly as she looked at Jak and Daxter. Then she turned and disappeared into the darkness.
~~**~~
The morning was drawing to a close as Sig, Tess and Keira made their way to the purple flower. Haven City was now back in view, though it was nothing more then an outline on the horizon.
Tess stopped abruptly and Sig and Keira crashed into one another. They looked at one another and then at Tess. The young blonde woman cast her eyes to the mountains boarding their left side.
"There it is." Tess said softly, raising a finger to point.
Keira's eyes widened as she saw where Tess was pointing. It was an apex on the rocky mountain. There was a ledge that extending from the tip of the mountain. Beneath its curved bottom was a thick green moss. Sun glinted off the fresh grass on top of the ledge but even though there was a glare Keira could see a purple flower.
Jak's flower.
"It's so high." Sig muttered, perhaps a little wearily. With Sig, Keira found she could never tell his real emotions. He managed to always look indifferent about everything he did. Sometimes it was a good thing or a bad thing.
"It's not that bad." Tess muttered, raising her hand to eyes to shield them from the sun, "I can climb up there and be down in no time." Sig and Keira blinked at her in surprise, but they wisely didn't say anything.
"Well, I can't." Sig said, motioning to the heavy armor adoring his body, "This will weigh me down to much and I ain't wearin' anything under this. I doubt you two cherries wanna see me strip."
Tess chuckled and Keira shook her head.
"Alright. You guys climb and I'll watch your six." Sig explained, "Make sure no nasty harpies get near you. Happy climbin'."
"I can do it myself—" Tess began.
"I'm going." Keira cut her off with a hard look. She moved over to the mountain. Tess shrugged and followed. Sig sat down on a rock and watched the mountain with a frown.
The two women reached the summit and examined its rocky slopes. Keira felt her heart race increase and for a moment she remembered she wasn't to fond heights. She felt a shudder work its way up her spine but she didn't back down. She kept picturing Jak, pale and deathly, lying on the ground of their makeshift camp. She had to get this herb.
She turned to look over at Tess and found herself blinking rapidly. Tess's breath was coming out in hitches. But not from panic or fear, but pure excitement. There was a light in her eyes Keira had never seen in the girl before. Tess didn't take her eyes off the mountain as her lips curved into a dangerous smile. She walked forward and touched the rocks.
She then turned to Keira and said softly, "Let's climb."
Keira nodded and rushed forward as Tess placed her boot on the rock and pushed herself up. Keira watched as Tess gripped a rock a few inches above her head and pivoted herself to the next level. Unsure of what she needed to do, Keira followed suit.
Once they were a few inches above the ground, Tess twisted her back so she could look down at Keira. She smiled encouragingly.
"You get ahead of me." Tess commanded, "That way I can make sure you do it right. You need to be careful, Keira, the rocks are unstable from here on in."
As Keira slowly climbed ahead of Tess she called softly, "How do you know all about climbing? I though you'd never left Haven City before."
Tess didn't say anything for a moment. And when she did all she would say was, "Keep climbing. And what ever you do don't look down." Keira nodded numbly and began to climb, "Go slowly." Tess's voice called after her.
They made their way the mountain cautiously. Keira concentrated fully on her breathing and not how badly she wanted to look down. She took Tess's words to the heart since she seemed to know what she was doing.
A hawk screeched overhead and for a moment Keira, thinking it was a harpy, looked up towards the sky. At the same time she moved her foot without thinking. Seconds too late, she realized she wasn't watching her footing and slipped. She screamed as she fell.
Jagged little rocks cut into the delicate flesh of her palm as she clung to the mountain for dear life. A tremor wracked her body as she cast her eyes downward. The ground was so far away and Keira felt panic bubble in her stomach. She felt bile rise in her throat and she had a sickening feeling of nausea.
She felt small but firm hands on her waist, pushing her slightly. Somewhere in the distance she heard Tess cry, "Keira, keep climbing. You gotta keep climbing!"
Keira shook her head fiercely, "I… I can't!" she cried softly.
"You're to far up to head back!" Tess retorted, "We're more then half-way there! You gotta keep climbing, Keira. What would Jak do if he was in your position? Would he stay here and panic?"
Jak… no, Jak would keep going because he knew I needed him. Jak would keep going, Keira told herself viciously. She bit her lip hard and reached out for the next rock and began to climb once more. She forced herself to concentrate on the throbbing in her lip and not how afraid she was.
"'Atta girl!" She heard Tess cry.
Finally they reached the apex. Keira pulled herself on top of the ledge and curled into a tight ball, trembling with fear. Tess joined her moments later and pulled the purple flower from the ground. She clutched it triumphantly in one hand and grinned. Then the soft call of her name had her blinking.
She neared the ledge of the apex and looked down at Sig, though she couldn't make out his face from this dizzying height. Sig, from what she could tell, waved his arm franticly.
"She better be okay, Tess." Sig cried, his voice almost lost over the rush of the wind, "Because if she ain't then it's our asses that are fried!"
"She's okay!" Tess called back.
Speaking of which, Tess turned to Keira to show her their exploits. Keira was still trembling, curling into a panicky ball. Concerned Tess moved forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Keira," Tess said, shaking her slightly, "Keira, breathe."
"Oh God. Oh God. Oh God." Keira repeated again and again. All she could see was how far away her feet were from the Earth and how much falling would hurt. Her head spun with fear and she couldn't obey Tess.
"Keira you have to breathe. You made it to the top. You're okay." Tess said, remembering that a long time ago a little girl had been just as terrified as Keira was after her first climb and that those same soft words helped her calm down.
"I-I can't-'t." Keira said, her teeth clattering together as she dragged in ragged breaths.
"Count to ten." Tess commanded, "Think about Jak and how much he needs you to be strong. He's dying, Keira, and unless we get him this antidote he's going to die. He needs you to be strong. You're up the mountain and you're fine."
Keira pressed a hand to her bosom and drew in one deep breath before standing, "You're right, Tess." She looked at her softly, "Thank you."
Tess smiled assumingly and said, "You did really well for your first climb. Especially considering you didn't have a harness." She blinked as she felt the water run down her noise, "Rain?"
"Oh no." Keira whispered, "How are we going to get down?"
"We can't until the rain stops." Tess muttered, "It's way to dangerous to climb down in the rain. Especially for you. We'll have to wait until the rain stops before we can climb down."
"But Jak—"
"We won't do Jak any good if we get ourselves killed, okay? I want to help him as much as you do but how can we if we die?" To lighten the mood Tess smiled, "Besides, if you get hurt I'm in big trouble."
"Okay…" Keira muttered, unhappy.
Tess
moved over to the ledge again and looked down at Sig, "Sig, we can't climb
until the rain stops. We gotta stay here. Try and find some shelter!"
"Okay." Sig called back, "I'll
be back as soon as it stops raining. Take care of her, Tess!"
She watched as Sig hunkered off and then looked around for shelter against the harsh rain. She saw a small opening off to the side of the apex. It looked big enough to house both she and Keira until the rain ceased.
"Keira?" Tess asked as the rain began to come down harder on them, "Can you make it over to that small cover off to the side? It's only a little jump."
Keira wanted to say no. The thought of doing anymore climbing made her sick but she forced herself to nod. She watched Tess jump across the small gap and hop into the cave. She gulped and followed suit.
Once she was safely in the cave, Keira felt her panic dim in her. Now the shame was washing over her. Here she was, the daughter to a powerful and brave High Priestess, and she was afraid of rock climbing. Her mother had died fighting an evil god. How was she going to live up to that expectation when she couldn't climb a rock to save someone so important to her?
I can't do it.
~~**~~
As night settled over the valley rain pelt harder against the ground. Sala, Marisa and Gareth moved Jak's limp body into the safety of a nearby cave. They used large bamboo leafs to make a makeshift blanket for the shivering young man.
But it did little.
Daxter's anxious face loomed over Jak's own. Sweat worked its way from the blonde's brow to his cheek as he thrashed lightly in the bed. The ottsel wiped the sweat from his cheek. He noticed how pale Jak's skin had become and how much his tremors had increased.
Daxter, by character, was not a brave creature. He'd rather be doing anything then fighting. He talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk. However, that didn't mean he wasn't a loyal friend. Right now, he'd fight the damn god of Chaos if it meant saving his friend. Jak always managed to make Daxter braver then he really was.
He remembered the first day he had met Jak. It was when he had been a young boy, still human. He had been a shy boy by nature, but with a loud mouth to the few people he associated with. Samos the Sage of Green Eco had brought Jak to a welcoming party in the village. He had seen Daxter there and invited him over to the meet the new boy. A thing—Samos often said—he regretted.
Daxter had felt himself drawn to Jak. He had an air of strength about him, something Daxter knew he'd never have. He wanted to be great like Jak was, brave like he was. And Jak had wanted a friend, someone to make him laugh and smile. They had both gotten what they had wanted.
Then Daxter had fallen into Dark Eco and turned into the ottsel he was today. Of course, at first he gave Jak all the blame but he could never stay angry at Jak for long. The anger died away and he got used to life as a rodent.
But, looking back, Jak had never once been seriously injured. Oh sure there had been a few cuts and bruises—which Keira would always fuss while Daxter could have his goddamn arm ripped off and she wouldn't worry—but Jak had never been so seriously injured that he couldn't fight. When he had been experimented on in Baron Praxis's palace, Jak still had gone straight into battle.
Now…
"Jak," Daxter said softly, running his paws over Jak's cold face, "can you hear me, buddy? Wakey-wakey." Jak groaned and bit his lip.
The blonde hero jerked his head to the left and muttered in a rasping breath, "Keira…"
Daxter frowned. He hadn't given much thought to Keira or Tess or Sig. He had been consumed with worry for his best friend, but now there was another worry to add. Wasn't that just great? He worried about Keira. After all, she wasn't a fighter like Jak or even himself. She had always had someone to watch over her. First Samos and then he and Jak. This was truly the first time she had gone into battle, let alone going in alone.
But Keira was the daughter of some powerful fighter right? Maybe she could handle herself. After all, they had never really given her the chance. Samos and Jak had both agreed she should've have to fight when they were both there to protect her. Daxter saw the logic. Keira was to kind, to beautiful, to be destroyed by the evil.
Ironic how it turns out that that's how her life is supposed to end.
She'll be okay. She has to be okay… for Jak. Daxter wasn't stupid nor was he blind. He knew very well about the feelings for the girl his friend carried. He also prayed that somehow they figured out how to keep Keira save as well as defeat this Erisen guy. He didn't want to think about what would happen if Keira died.
Helplessly, Daxter reached out and took one of Jak's cold hands in both of his own, trying to warm them, "Jak, buddy. Can you hear me?"
All he got for an answer was a moan.
"Listen, buddy, everything's gonna be okay. Keira, Tess and Sig are going to get you your antidote. You'll be fine. I promise." Daxter frowned for a moment and an almost overwhelming fear for Tess choked him. He shook his head and pushed those feelings back. They'd just get him more depressed.
He heard soft feet pad over to him and he looked up at Marisa as she took a seat next to him. Her wings quivered slightly and water dripped down from her pure feather as a tribute to her run into the rain. In her hands she held a green substance. Humming a soft hymn under her breath, she pressed the green substance to Jak's bare back side. The shirt, Marisa said, had to be removed so she could apply the remedies to stop the rapid spread of the poison.
She smiled down at Daxter sympathetically, "Do not worry, little one. Your friend shall be fine. After all, Kikita's daughter is pulling for him. He couldn't have a better chance."
Daxter looked away sadly. He didn't want to tell the young woman how much little faith he had in Keira, but she needed to understand not to expect too much from the young woman, "Listen, Marisa, Keira's never fought before. She can't even shot a gun. How can you expect her to be ready to fight this god?"
Marisa turned and looked over at Sala and Gareth, who spoke in low voices about Keira and her destiny, "The fight is in her blood, Daxter. The power that she wields has been passed down from generation to generation. When the time comes you'll see just how powerful she is."
Daxter didn't say anything. Instead he looked back down at Jak. The sweat came down his face like a river now. The poison was spreading, but thanks to Marisa's knowledge of healing herbs maybe he'd live.
"I hope so." Daxter said seriously, "Because I know Jak would do anything to save her. Even die…"
~~**~~
Keira shivered and wrapped her arms around her shoulders in a vain attempt for warmth. Water slapped against the rocks and bounced onto her shirt. She made no move to shield herself from the wetness.
I'm useless…
The thought ran over and over in her head. How could she possibly do this? She couldn't even save herself, let alone an entire race. She always needed someone to protect her. Why did she have to be the one to save a whole race? It should've been Jak or Sig or even Tess would've been better.
Anyone but her.
It frustrated her to no end to know that she had a mother who had been a fighter, who had died fighting an evil villain. She must have been strong and wonderful and so very brave. That was something Keira never once claimed to be.
She felt a body plop softly next to her and Keira turned to look at Tess. In the young blonde's hands was the purple flower that would save Jak's life. Surprisingly it wasn't wet. Tess smiled understandingly and handed Keira the flower.
"Here this is yours." She said placing the flower gently in Keira's open palm.
Keira looked at it with a frown. It was so soft and delicate in her hand. A strong enough breeze or intruding hand could easily destroy it. It reminded her to much of herself. She decided she hated this flower.
"Keira?" Tess said softly, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder. She had seen the anger in her eyes, "What's wrong?"
"I'm so useless." Keira said mournfully, "I mean, I couldn't even climb up the damn mountain without help and I'm supposed to fight this god. Oh Tess, how can I do that? I can't even save Jak." She watched the rain splash against the stone floor with silent tears running down her cheeks.
Without thinking Tess brought her friend into an embrace and said softly, "Listen, Keira, you're brave. You're very brave. I wish I had half of the bravery you hold." She shook her head when Keira opened her mouth to protest, "No, listen. Do you think Haven City would be okay if it weren't for you and your inventions? And how would Jak grow up to be the hero he is today if you hadn't built the Rift Ring?"
Keira frowned at those words, realizing they were partly correct, but she didn't see how that made her brave. All it meant was that she was smart enough to be of some use.
"And Keira, you've never been the chance to be brave. Jak was always the hero and you always slipped into the background. Now, it's your time to shine." Tess explained slowly, "All you have to do is get used to it."
When had Tess become so wise? Keira wondered and then shook her head. Maybe Tess had always been wise. It was just that she had always been so easily pushed into the role of the dumb blonde. She was often flaky and certainly ditzy at times. But obviously there was more to Tess then what meets the eye. That was proven by the way the young woman handled that mountain.
Speaking of which.
"Tess?" Keira asked, pulling out of her friend's embrace.
"Hmmm?" Tess answered, never taking her eyes off the rain. She had an idea of what Keira was going to ask and prepared herself for it. It was always hard to talk about it.
"Where did you learn to climb like that?" She wondered softly, looking down at the flower in her palm, "I mean, you act like you know what you're doing and all."
"I do. My…" For a moment Tess faltered before continuing, "my father taught me to climb. He loved climbing and he… he loved to teach me. My fondest memory is with him taking me up for my first climb."
Keira didn't say anything as Tess's eyes went heavy with the memory. Slowly Tess began to tell her about her beloved father.
~*~ An eight-year-old Tess gasped with excitement as she pivoted herself up to the high ledge of a mountain just outside of Haven City. She kept her eyes focused on the bulk ahead of her.
"Alright down there, Tess?" Called a burly voice and Tess felt herself grin at her father's voice.
"Fine, dad!" She called back up and continued her way up. She wore a thick belt of elastic around her waist that was connected to the side of the mountain should she fall. She reached the top of the ledge and the strong fingers of her father grabbed her wrist and hauled her into his arms.
She giggled happily and gave him a fierce hug. Even at eight, Tess knew she had to treasure these moments with her father. He was on the Krimzon Guard of Baron Praxis and thus wasn't able to spend much time with her.
"Did I do good?" Tess questioned, turning her gaze back to the view of Haven City. From this far away, it looked pretty. The sun was high in the sky and the glares of glass bounced in her eyes.
"You did great." Her father answered, smiling down at her. He too turned his view back to Haven City, "Isn't it beautiful, darling? This is way I protect it because it's a beautiful city despite what Baron Praxis did to it."
Tess frowned at the mention of the city's monarch, "Do you have to leave tomorrow?" she whined slightly, trying to use her cuteness to win her father over.
Her father sighed, "Tess, we've been through this. I have to go. I work for the Krimzon Guard and I can't say no. If I could I would stay here with you but it isn't an option."
Tess sighed in understanding and looked into his blue eyes. She ideally played with a strand of blonde hair that matched her own, "When you come back can we climb some more? I wanna get real good! Like you!"
He looked away, his eyes guarded. Then he turned back to her and smiled softly, "We'll see." Was all he told her before placing on the ground so they could climb back down.~*~
"The next day he went on a mission for Baron Praxis. It was the one where they tried to gain access to the Metal Head nest. He never came back." Tess said grimly, "A week later I was told that he had been killed. For the next ten years I just roamed the streets, taking jobs where they were offered. Then, when I was eighteen, I heard about Torn's resistance against Baron Praxis. I joined without a second thought. Even when I was starving I still climbed. I climbed because he couldn't."
Keira immediately felt guilt at having brought up such a painful subject, "I'm sorry." She said, "I didn't mean to bring up such painful memories."
"'So k. Sometimes it's nice to remember how much he meant to me." Tess muttered and then blinked, "Oh look it's stopped raining! We better climb down. I think that's Sig down there. Come on, Keira!"
Keira watched Tess made her way to the mouth of the cave and then hopped back onto the apex. She stayed still a moment before following.
She swore in that instant that she would become strong like Tess and Jak. That she would never need someone else to protect her.
Then she remembered Jak and moved out of the cave.
~~**~~
Marisa flapped her wings gently as she watched the three figures appear on the horizon line as the sun started to rise. From what she could tell, all three were unharmed. Grinning she hurried over to them.
"No run ins with harpies?" She questioned Keira, Tess and Sig.
Tess shook her head and chirped happily, "No, it was all pretty uneventful." She glanced over at Sala and Gareth as they moved over to them.
Sala looked Keira up and down, causing a crimson stain to appear on her cheeks. Clucking her tongue in approval Sala said, "She seems unharmed. Not bad you two. I must admit, I was a little worried about your abilities as guardians."
Gareth grinned and nodded to Sig, "Perhaps I should teach you hand-to-hand combat? You'd make great additions to the defense of Lady Keira."
Sig sighed softly and looked at Keira with very, very soft eyes, "Yeah, maybe I'll do that. Can't hurt, can it? After all, those damn harpies are fast enough to knock ol' Peacemaker out of my hands." Gareth nodded and walked away, missing the look in Sig's eyes.
Tess walked over to Daxter, who had not left Jak's side. Daxter turned and looked up at her tear-filled eyes, "Oh Daxter." Tess said and opened her arms to embrace him. Daxter went into them willingly.
Keira pressed the purple flower into Marisa's palms, "Can you save him?" She pressed, looking at Jak's limp figure.
Marisa fingered the flower softly, checking to see that everything was correct. She smiled at Keira, "I am sure my lady. He'll live. Thanks to you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Aww, no cliffhanger! Aren't you happy that Jak's gonna live… ***mutters under breath*** like no one saw that coming. That whole Tess's memory thing was a spur of the moment thing. It just seemed to me that the game never expanded upon Tess's character and past. She deserves some in-depth looks, doesn't she? Here ya go, Tess. Anyone, on the next installment Holy City our heroes finally arrive at the Holy City, but a few surprises await them… and one of them involves Sig. Until then REVIEW!
