DISCLAIMER: If I owned it I wouldn't be here, I'd be out making a damned sequel! Curse you Naughty Dog (hmm, I wonder who the real owner is?) for not making a sequel right after I beat the game! CURSE YOU!
A/N: New update! Yay new update! Can thou say ra-ra-ra? I can but since I wear braces it kinda hurts… ***trails off and blinks*** ah, where was I? Ah yes, this chapter! Actually kinda long but not as long as some later chapters… they're so long they're scary… well, I think they're scary anyway. But then again, I think the Munchkin from the Wizard of Oz are scary so can you really believe what I say?
Master of Time: You know, it's quite ironic really. You're the ***finger quotations*** Master of Time and yet you have waiting which is time! But… ah… if you're the Master of Time can't you snap your fingers and you know make time go fast? That's what I'd do if I were the Master of Time! Oh, and I'd have my whole Time mafia thing going on, but that just me…
Lunatic Pandora1: You know, I did the same thing. And then Sig's all like 'buddy, you don't wanna piss me off' and then he shots me! I was then like 'did he just shot me?' and so I shot him again to see if he would shot me. He turns around and cursed at me again before shooting. And I was like 'did he just shot me?' and the cycle continues until I died and my brother told me to quit being stupid (even though I OBVIOUSLY can't) and did the mission for me.
Wakka-steals-cloth: I am glad you have seen the light and don't hate Gareth so much. And I think it would be cool to have crazy scientists your command, a lot better then stupid monkeys! ***the monkeys glare*** Oh no, I was just kidding guys! Please don't kill me! I RULE you, do you hear me!? Away monkeys ***swats at angry hordes of crazy monkeys*** I bet the crazy scientists never attack their owners.
Krimzon-Yakkow026: I make your week!? ***sobs*** I have meaning! Ha! Take that first grade teacher who's name I don't remember who said I would never amount to anything! I make someone's week! ***points*** Howdya like dem apples!? Who's smart now!? ***coughs and looks around sheepishly*** Forgive me, I've wanted to say that for many a years… I'm down now.
Cherie Duatre: You are forgiven. I am in a very forgiving mood… unless you happen to be related to me and/or is a teacher. In that case you BURN in hell! So, I'm anti-social. I like to spend my time on the Internet then with ***growls*** humanity unless of course my friend the Llama (that's her nickname) comes over since she's anti-social, too! Then we can be anti-social together… ah, but wait!? Doesn't that make us SOCIAL!?
Monkeypants: That is the coolest name EVER! I'm going to go around school screaming 'Monkeypants' and the Llama will probably hit me over the head because she says I'm being crazy again… then we'll scream 'Monkeypants' together. Okay, your question. ***reads review*** Does Sig like… KEIRA!? Wait, isn't he like waaaaaay older then her? Like over ten years? Ewwwwww… cleanse the mind! ***hits head to rid evil images***
Prexistence: Jak has to suffer because I AM evil! MWHAHAHAHAHA! See the evil laughter? That means I'm evil and thus makes Jak suffer. And as for Erisa… I shall enjoy killing her, but not yet… first we must make some more dramatic scenes with her ***insert sound effects here*** DUN DUN DUUUN! I used to have a pet pixie, too, but then my crazy monkeys showed up and they scared her off. I like my crazy monkeys though they're… ah… crazy?
Chris: I'm glad you enjoyed it! I love making people feel happy. It warms my heart! What also makes me feel happy is locking people outside in the frigid cold while I stand against the door sipping hot cocoa. That gives me a really warm feeling because I'm inside and they're not. Then I laugh so it always humors me! Isn't being evil cool?
Okay, we're done! Please continue with your support (I am unstable and needs love) and here's the new chapter!
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Act Six: The Holy City"Purity is destroyed by Chaos. The beasts of Chaos feast on the innocent flesh of the Angel. And they bleed on the steps of the Holy City."
Pain… indescribable pain was the first thing he met with when he slid out the blissful unconsciousness. The inky black coma he had waded in had been beautiful peace and he rejoiced in it. He swam joyfully in the murky depths, for a moment forgetting about those he loved on the outside.
But then a blinding white light filled his mind's eyes and pushed away the darkness. He was forced to feel the pain that had been consumed in the darkness as it was pushed back into him. The biding pain in his back reminded him of what happened.
Then his eyes slowly opened.
Colours swirled in his visions. Blues and greens and whites. Then the shapes took their rightful forms. He could make out the cave and the human forms hovering over him, but everything was in shadows. Then finally, after he had blinked several times, he made out their faces. The girl's—Keira's—and the ottsel—Daxter—they were all standing over him, looking down worriedly.
He opened his mouth to tell them both he was okay, but instead coughed like a drowning man would the water in his lungs after being saved. He rolled over to his side and coughed as hard as his body would allow. He realized that until then he hadn't been breathing much. His lungs ached as the first full breath of sweet air reached them.
And then Jak was back.
"Buddy!" He recognized the voice to be Daxter though it seemed so far off, "You're okay! I thought you had gone to the Precursor City in the sky! DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!" Something grabbed his face and shook it with a mighty force. Daxter's hands.
What's going on? Jak wondered, Why does Daxter seem so far away when he's right there!? What's wrong with me!? He tried to speak to his friend, assure him that he a-okay, but he couldn't find his voice.
Then he felt two new soft hands cup his face. He turned his eyes and looked into Keira's. There were tears in her eyes, but happy tears. They rolled off her cheeks and splashed onto his cold face. The hot, salty tears touched his lips and Jak took a deep breath, finally returning to his true self.
He sat up, wrapping his arms around Keira's waist without thinking of what he was doing. He's piercing blue eyes stared deep into hers, penetrating her defenses, "Are you unharmed?"
Keira blushed at their closeness but answered in a steady voice, "I'm fine, thanks to you. But you got really hurt, Jak. Poison. It's very fortunate that we got the antidote."
Just to make sure she was telling the truth, Jak scanned every inch of her. He was still recovering from his time in the coma to truly comprehend what he was staring at. He didn't even notice that blush that still stained the woman of his affections' cheeks.
Then Jak stood, releasing Keira. Daxter run onto his shoulder, sobbing with a dramatic wail at the end. Jak awkwardly petted Daxter's coat while Sig and Tess snickered in the background.
Marisa walked over to him and looked him up and down. She pleased her hands on her hips and nodded in approval, "Yes, I see I still got the mojo. I should've been a doctor, I tell ya."
Jak smiled softly at her and winked, "Thanks."
Sala walked over to him and said, "You did a very brave thing. Especially for someone from your city. I think you make an excellent addition to the guardians of Lady Keira."
Jak placed a hand on his chin in concentration, "Keira has guardians now? What have I missed out on while I was sleeping?"
"A High Priestess always has guardians." Gareth explained, "These few people are dedicated only to protecting her and nothing else. Her guardians are more often then not friends she's know since childhood and are well trained in fighting. They go wherever she goes and participate in the front lines of all her battles."
Daxter grinned, "Looks we ain't gonna be no guardians, Angel Cheeks." He told Tess, "I don't fight and you don't fight."
Tess frowned, "Oh, but I want to be a guardian!"
"I
don't see way you can't be a guardian of mine, Tess. After all, I do get a say
in who are my guardians, right?" At Marisa, Gareth and Sala's nod, Keira went
on, "And Daxter, you don't have to fight if you don't want to. I know it's
really dangerous."
"What are you talking about?"
Daxter demanded, insulted, "Are you calling me scared? I think not! Keira, I
will be your guardian because I AM NOT afraid. Hehe… not much anyway." He
held out his hand in a sign of alliance.
"You have more guardians then I think a High Priestess ever had." Sala said, smiling slightly, "Most do not have more then three."
"What do you mean?" Keira asked innocently, "I only have two guardians. Tess and Daxter, because that's what they want."
"And me." Jak pointed, motioning to himself with his gun, "I told your father I would protect you."
"Oh right, I forgot." Keira said softly, smiling over at Jak, "Three then."
"And me." Sig said, "Since I'm gonna be learning how to fight like them, might as well be your guardians. I don't think the cherries over here can handle it." Jak and Daxter glared at the burly man.
"As well as us." Gareth said, "Marisa… well, since she in my care and my sworn duty is to protect you, which makes it her duty as well…"
"Wonderful." Was the young woman in question's answer.
"And someone from the royal family has always protected the High Priestess." Sala said, "It was a pact made by the very first High Priestess with my great-great-great-great-grandmother Oriel. The Holy City would offer the High Priestess its best protection and lodging and in return the High Priestess would do everything in her power to keep the city from falling into the hands of Erisen."
"Okay…" Keira said slowly, the smile on her face becoming wider and wider, "then I have seven. So I guess I do exceed the limit. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all." Sala answered, "The fact that people who aren't from your home city want to protect you means that you are filled with the light and purity Erisen hates."
"Let's get moving." Gareth said suddenly and everyone turned to look at him, "We are only a day from the Holy City. I wish to reach there before nightfall lest another group of harpies attacks."
~~**~~
"That's it?" Keira whispered, her eyes widening. She backed away from the looming city and her back hit Jak's. He reached out and cupped her shoulders, his own blue depths wide.
Sala beamed—Keira was sure this was the only time she ever saw Sala beam—and said in a proud voice, "Yes, this is the Holy City. I live in that palace over there. That's where you and your guardians will be living."
The city was silver and gray. A large stone wall circled it and connected to the wall was a sheer silver covering. It rose above the high towers of the city and covered it, making it have a dome-like appearance. The high towers were wide at the start and got slimmer and slimmer as they traveled. Most ended in a tip with a small balcony circling a room. In the towers in each corner of the city, the rooms were filled with an eerie blue light.
"What's that light thingy?" Daxter wondered.
"That's our magick." Sala explained, "Our mages work night and day on keeping the magick flowing in our city. Blue magick means that the city is normal. When it gets really cold the magick is turned red so our city can be heated. When the Holy City needs to be cooled during the hot months, the magick is white."
Keira tried to take in every inch of the city—what she could see anyway. The palace, Sala's palace, was in the center of the city. It didn't exactly give off a regal air. It was another large doom building, but this time it had five towers connected to it. Four of them were on each side of the palace and the last was connected to the middle of the palace. It rose and towered over the entire city. Long ridges ran up its length, but at the top there was no balcony with light. It was a flat, black surface and then nothing.
She also knew—from a vague memory—that below the city walls were square houses that held the residence of a city. There was also an open air filled with carts and shops that worked as a marketplace. She had a vague memory of being very young and being totted around the crowded area.
"Hmmm." Keira muttered thoughtfully at the memory. She noted to herself that none of her memories included her mother's face. She frowned in frustration; she wanted to remember the face of her mother. Jak placed a hand on her shoulder and she smiled over at him, assuring him everything was okay.
"So this is the Holy City?" Tess said, her baby blues eyes scanning the city as Keira's had done, "How do we get in?"
"Probably a secret passage or something." Sig muttered and Gareth blinked at him.
"How did you know?"
"Ah… lucky guess?" Sig said with a shrug.
"Anyways," Marisa said, moving over to the large protection walls, "let's get in. Once the city finds out we have Kikita's daughter with us there's sure to be a party! The Council always makes great food at their parties. Pazza!"
Gareth rolled his eyes and said with mock-anger, "That's our Marisa. All she thinks about is fighting, food, and parties."
They watched in fascination as Marisa placed her hand on a certain rock on the wall and it slid from its place. Marisa looked over at them and grinned. She motioned them to follow as she stepped inside. Gareth and Sala followed without hesitation.
The rest of them, however, hung back. Tess looked around at everyone and offered them a weary smile.
"Any idea on what we've gotten ourselves into?" She wondered.
"I got an idea." Sig answered, "And it ain't too good."
Keira looked at all four of them and said softly, "You don't have to come, you know. I can understand if you want to go back to Haven City."
"I never said that." Sig protested, "I just said I don't think it's gonna be all that fun. I'm still staying. Pretty-boy over there promised he'd teach me some of his moves. I figure: learn them, kick his ass for good measure, and then head on home."
"And I can't let you surround yourself by all these men! You'll go insane!" Tess added, "Sure there's Sala and Marisa but I think I'm much better company then them."
"I'm staying." Was all Jak said. He didn't think a reason to stay was necessary. Wasn't it rather obvious?
"Look at it this way, Keira-baby," Daxter said grinning his wide Daxter-grin, "no Dark Eco. No Dark Eco means any more changes or even chance of changes. That and I'm surrounded by beautiful women. Why would I want to leave?"
Tess laughed out loud, not sounding jealous at all, and took Daxter into her arms, "Come on, Daxter, let's go find you some pretty girls to ogle."
"Way ahead of you." Daxter said, smiling into her face.
The five of them—Sig, Jak, Keira, Daxter and Tess—rushed to catch up with Marisa, Gareth and Sala. They walked through the dirt-covered streets calmly. Keira scanned each of the streets slowly, sometimes getting the feeling of being here before. As they walked to the palace, people stopped what they were doing and stared. Stared as if they had never seen outsiders before.
Truth was however, they didn't spare Daxter, Sig, Jak or Tess a glance. They were only concerned with Keira. The young woman felt a little uneasy at all their stares, as if they all knew her when she didn't know them from Adam. She moved over to Gareth and tried to hide herself behind his shoulder.
"Everyone's staring." She said unhappily, trying to ignore the blank stares of the residence of the Holy City.
"Well, everyone knows what the High Priestess looks like." Sala explained, smiling to her people, "And seeing you here is like a blast from the past. You like exactly like your mother and your mother looks exactly her mother before her and so on and so forth."
"Really? I look exactly like her?" Keira said in awe.
"Your eyes…" Gareth said slowly, smiling at her, "aren't like your mother's. They were the deepest blue ever seen."
Marisa bared her teeth, "They're a gift from your good for nothing father."
"Hey, don't insult the dead." Sig said, shifting the weight of his Peacemaker, "Where I come from I was taught to respect the memory of the dead."
"He doesn't get my respect if he doesn't deserve it!" Marisa growled fiercely.
"Come on." Sala said, "Let's get to the palace. I'm sure the Council will want to tan my hide for leaving."
Keira frowned at the name of the Council. For some reason she didn't like them. Something was wrong. ~*~She always thought they had too much power, even when she was four. Her mother always said the Council was blind and that they were unaware of the sacrifices they forced people to make.~*~ She was so caught up in the memory she didn't even think as she reached up and clutched Gareth's shoulder. Her fingers dug into the material of his shirt as she remembered.
A growl behind her broke her concentration and she looked over at Jak. He was frowning at her. What did I do? Keira thought and then noticed that her hand was clutching Gareth's shoulder.
Oh…
She quickly released Gareth's shoulder in embarrassment. Well, she certainly hadn't meant to grab his shoulder had she? No, she hadn't. It was just that in this place these memories came rushing into her brain and she had to grab onto something to keep steady. Usually the closest thing to her.
Gareth looked over at her with a concerned look on his handsome face, "Are you alright?"
Keira felt a wave of appreciation for Gareth. Unlike Jak, he seemed to notice when she was in distress. Then she felt the wave of guilt. She hadn't been close enough for Jak to notice. Would he have cared that she looked like she was going to be sick? Judging from the way he acted around her probably not.
Still, she shook her head at Gareth and said, "Yes, I'm fine. Just some memories." Gareth smiled at her answer, as if the news pleased him.
"We're here." Came Marisa's voice and all else was blocked from her mind.
Somehow she wasn't surprised by the beauty of the palace. In the back of her mind she had already known what it would look like. The dirt streets stopped abruptly, making way for a pretty white stone pathway. Along the right and left of the pathway was sparkling crystal water. The stone pathway led the way to a large red double-door with a gold outline. Even with the dome above, the sky shone blue on the palace.
People dressed in regal robes walked the pathway and bowed when they passed. Gareth explained that they were mages, dedicated to the magick of the gods. As they walked up to the door, Keira noticed the gold symbols and designs inscribed on the ground. She knew they had been there since the city had first been made.
~*~She had wanted those symbols to be there. In the language of the gods they said: 'My love makes my power grow. My love makes my faith become.' She was the only one who could read the words because only gods could read the writing. That was what she was. It was tribute to the man that had made her want to create this city for her people. His people.~*~
Keira shook her head and forced the thoughts from her mind. It couldn't be very good that she was having memories that she knew weren't her own. What was this city doing to her?
"SALA!" Keira gave a start at the sound of the scream. A young blonde girl-child came running. She gave another cry and threw herself into Sala's arms. The young warrior-woman caught the child and gave her a fierce hug.
"Crea." Sala said softly, stroking the blonde.
Sala plopped the girl onto the floor and the girl-child turned and smiled over at the newcomers, sticking a thumb into her mind. The young girl wore an odd outfit, or at least Keira thought so.
The girl-child wore a tight white belly-shirt with long sleeves. The sleeves were baggy as they trailed to her wrist. Strapped to the top of her arm was a small sheath with a knife's hilt sticking out of it. She wore very short shorts that had denim straps that attached at the sides of the top of her short shorts. The straps came over her stomach and chest and over her shoulders to crisscross her back and connect to the back of her shorts. The shorts were black and tight with a silver streak going through each side of them. She wore black and red platform sneakers that gave her much needed height—she was very short. She wore mid-thigh white socks. Strapped to the sides of her mid-calves with a strip of black leather were two twin gun holsters with medium sized twin guns sticking out from them. (A/N: Think Lara Croft's guns from the first 'Tomb Raider' movie). The final touch to her outfit was the black silk ribbon tied to her right wrist. It made a thick bracelet-like attribute to her wrist and the excess black ribbon trailed down to her ankle when she allowed her arm to hang at her side.
The young girl's features were innocent and child-like. Keira guessed she could be no more then eight. Even with the innocence, Keira thought she saw something else burning in her eyes. She had pretty spun-gold hair and sparkling blue eyes. The lovely hair was curly with ringlets. Keira guessed that due to the thick curls of the girl's hair she could only have it shoulder length.
The girl giggled and smiled at Daxter, "Oooooo lookie! A pretty, pretty animal!" She rushed forward and clutched Daxter to her bosom, like a child would a beloved, long-lost doll.
Daxter struggled and pushed against the child, groaning, "Hey, kid! Back off! I'm not a damn animal! I'm hot stuff."
The girl, 'Crea', withdrew the animal from her chest and blinked at it slowly, "It talks…?"
"He talks." Daxter corrected, growling low in his throat, "He talks."
"Oh." The young girl said softly and then smiled again, "It's so cute!" And she returned to hugging Daxter.
Everyone blinked at the young girl while Sala, Gareth and Marisa shook their heads. Everyone was wondering what the girl's problem was. After all, she seemed a little too happy. Wasn't this a war-torn world?
"Ignore her." Came a new voice and every turned to face it, "She's just a little crazy… or incredibly silly."
The new character was another girl and there was no doubt in Keira's mind that she was the sister of Crea. She had the same hair, gold with a hint of silver, same glittering blue eyes, and facial features. In fact, she looked like the seventeen-year-old version of Crea herself, though maybe with a more punk-edge.
Her golden hair was, unlike Crea's, wavy and traveled down to her waist loose and free. Keira thought the fair-hair clashed with her dark outfit. Like her sister she wore a tight belly-shirt, though it stretched over well-rounded breasts instead of being flat. The only difference between the two shirts—other then whole big-breasted issue—was that it was green and short sleeved. A black mess acted as a second shirt and it covered the belly-shirt, her slim stomach and arms. The small holes of the mesh gave everyone a good view of a tattoo of a phoenix on the left side of her rid-cage. She wore tight back pants that looked like a second skin as they traveled to her ankles. Over the black pants was heavy silver metal, like armor. The armor covered only her thighs and stopped once it reached her knees and then covered her calves. She wore black high-heel boots that reached only her ankles. She also wore short, black fingerless gloves. To top the whole outfit off she had a large sword strapped to her back. Two twin daggers were strapped to the each side of her hips.
The sword amazed Keira. It was very large and deadly. The hilt was black with blue designs it. The sides of the hilt came to a sharp point. She couldn't see how fine the metal of the sword was—though she suspected its craft was beautiful—for the young woman wore a black sheath to protect it from rust of the air. She knew however that this type of sword had had deadly tip and unlike most other swords had it one side slanted like that of a steak knife while the other side was like all other swords.
Sala smiled at her and said, "Nyx, how are you?"
Nyx smiled at Sala and answered, "I have had better weeks. The Council has been on my ass all week about your whereabouts. They don't seem to believe that I don't know where you went."
Sala rolled her eyes and then said, "The Council couldn't wipe their asses without me telling them what to do." Crea giggled in response.
Gareth seemed to be annoyed with Sala's comment, "Now, Sala, remember they're the reason we've survived this far against Erisen."
Crea nodded but then turned to Keira. She laughed wildly and hopped into her arms, "But we have her now, right? So, we'll be okay!" She pressed a slobbery kiss to Keira's cheeks before hopping down and chasing after Daxter.
"Here ottsel, ottsel, ottsel!" She cried, opening her arms to embrace Daxter. Daxter screamed and ran away.
"STAY AWAY!" He shouted to the young girl.
Crea didn't listen and she continued to chase Daxter around his friends. Finally, Daxter ran to Jak and crawled onto his shoulder. Crea, even with her platform sneakers, only reached Jak's waist and she only could look at Daxter. A pout came across her lips and she reached up for him. Daxter stuck his tongue out at her.
Then Crea noticed Jak. She forgot Daxter instantly and stared into Jak's eyes for many moments. Jak was being to feel a little uneasy. It was like the child was looking into his soul or maybe knew his destiny.
She smiled softly and reached out to take his hand. Her small fingers curled around his own and she said in a soft, mysterious voice, "Hello good sir knight. Nice to see you again."
Jak blinked at her several times and his vision began to blur. ~*~He stood in the beautiful, sweet-smiling garden. Normally he wouldn't bother with such a trivial thing but he had been drawn here tonight. And as he walked he saw her, a beautiful shining white light among the darkness. His eyes widened and unable to do anything else, he stepped towards her…~*~
"That's enough." Came the hard voice of Nyx, jarring Jak from his trance. He watched as Nyx moved forward and removed Crea's hand from his own. She looked over at him for a few moments, as suspecting what he had seen, and pulled Crea away.
"I think we should go see the Council." Sala suggested to Keira, "They will want to meet you and you'll have to start your training as the High Priestess."
"Come on!" Crea cried, forgetting her soft spoken words to Jak. They resumed their walk to the palace while Crea skipped around them in a circle, singing the tune 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.
As they walked Jak couldn't help but think about the strange memory he had had. Certainly not from his own. He had never been in a garden unless you counted the time he and Daxter had destroyed Samos precious ferns and thus had to spend a month replanting it. But then Jak hadn't enjoyed that and in the memory he had been at peace.
Keira looked over at Sala and then at Crea and Nyx, softly she said, "What's their story?" She asked.
"I dunno." Sala answered softly, "They came here only a few years ago. When Crea was two and Nyx eleven. They said they didn't remember where they came from, just that their world had been destroyed. After a month of debate, the Council decided to allow them to become citizens of the Holy City, but that was only because they're both good fighters."
"But, oh, isn't Crea crazy? Like Nyx said?" Keira said in shock, "Isn't dangerous to give someone mentally unstable… ah… weapons?"
Marisa chuckled, "Crea had the scramasax—that's the butcher's knife she has strapped to her arm—even before she came here thought Nyx was carrying it for her. After she proved that she could handle the knife and well, we supplied her with her guns. They're called… um… what was it? Oh yeah, .45mm's. She's really handy with them."
"Just because she's crazy doesn't mean she can't fight." Gareth added.
They reached the palace doors and the attendants, dressed in the heavy mages' robes, waved their hands and the door magickly opened. Crea said a thank you and hopped in like a rabbit. Nyx rolled her eyes and followed suit.
Jak gasped at the beauty of the palace. The entrance chamber was made of marble and glass with large white pillars traveling to the glass ceiling. The ground beneath his feet was a smooth, clear marble that echoed his footfalls. The room was oval with statues lining the walls. There were three doors off to the side. Each door had an arch on its top and was made of a deep mahogany.
"The door to the left," Gareth explained, "leads to the two towers on the left as well as the training room, Grand Hall, kitchens, and Dinning Rooms. The right one leads to the bedchambers and the two towers on the right. Also on that side is the servants' quarters—though they travel underground to reach it—as well as an open courtyard where we often hold tournaments to find the strongest mage or warrior. The door in the middle leads to the Council's High Chamber. That is where they hold important meetings and where they live. That door also leads to the High Tower, though no one goes there since it is unstable. The High Tower was the original tower of the palace. The others were added on."
"So do we have to go through there?" Jak wondered, pointing to the door in the middle of the room.
Sala nodded and said, "Crea, why don't you and Nyx go to the training room? You don't really need to be here, do you?"
"But… but I wanna come with you!" Crea sobbed and Nyx grabbed her arm and pulled her away.
"What she really means is that she doesn't want you coming with her and the High Priestess because you ALWAYS screw everything up." Nyx said as she pulled Crea through the left door.
"Oh…" Crea said slowly, her eyes widening, "OKAY!"
Gareth shook his head slowly and then said, "Okay, shall we go in? The Council is as high-strung as they come so don't let it annoy you." He advised the four.
"No promises there." Sig muttered, "Come on cherries!"
They walked through the door, Gareth, Sala and Marisa in the led. Immediately they entered a large, darkened room with a black marble floor. There was a large table in the center of the room made of a rich oak. Off to the side were two doors, one on the left and another on the right. Jak guessed one led to the High Tower and the other to the Council's rooms.
"Shouldn't they be here?" Tess asked.
"No, they like to make an entrance." Marisa explained, "They'll probably be here soon."
"I believe that. Old dudes always try to make themselves high and mighty." Daxter muttered, thinking about a certain Sage of Green Eco.
Just then one of the doors swung open and in stepped the sages. They were older then Samos which Daxter pointed out with a groan. They wore long yellow and purple mage robes that trailed to the floor. Some had heavy beards and others a clean, wrinkly face. But surprisingly there were also two young men and one young woman with them. The two men could be brothers with equally jet-black hair while the girl had fiery red hair.
One of the younger men, the taller one, stepped forward and took Keira's hand enthusiastically, "High Priestess, you have no idea how happy I am that you're alive. After all these years, to find Kikita's daughter alive!"
"Ah… hello…?" Keira said a little uneasily.
"Oh, where are my manners?" The man said and released her hand, "I am Myven of Myven, voted leader of the Council. The woman to my right is Redina of Chorus, another leader of the Council—one under me. The young man to my left is my brother Karl of Meveric. The rest of the Council is as follows, Gunner of Rin, Titha of Min, Harold of Donhoe, and Yvonne of Caste."
"We are pleased to meet you, my lady." It was the young woman introduced as Redina of Chorus who said this, smiling softly at Keira.
"Hello." Keira said politely, but the rest of her words were cut off as the old man named Gunner of Rin stepped forward.
His eyes, however, were not on Keira. No, they were locked firmly on Sig, "SIGRID OF NOBECK!" He shouted in outrage, "How dare you show your face here!"
Sala blinked over at Sig in shock and stepped away from him, "High Member Rin, you know this man?" she asked softly.
Gunner of Rin frowned, "Know him, my lady? I trained him to be a worthy knight to our High Priestess. But Sigrid of Nobeck ran away to Haven City like a coward. We exiled him and his memory brings shame to our people so we don't speak of him."
Sig grinned at Gunner of Rin and said, "Great to see you again too, Gunner."
Gareth frowned at Sig, "I thought you seemed familiar. I remember now. Sigrid of Nobeck was a great fighter in the High Priestess's army, but for some reason you ran away to Haven City during a very important battle against Erisen."
"Leave!" Gunner of Rin shouted.
"Nah, I ain't gonna." Sig said easily, the glares not bothering him, "See that girl over there? Our High Priestess? I'm her guardian and ain't nothing gonna make me leave her."
"Expect your own coward-ness." Gunner of Rin muttered and said, "My Lady High Priestess, no word can express my joy at having you once again in the city. However, I cannot… I cannot bear to be in the same room with this heathen!"
Gunner of Rin stormed from the room and Myven of Meveric looked extremely flushed by the outburst, "Excuse him, Lady High Priestess. High Member Gunner of Rin has… has lost many friends to the war and it makes him angry. Sigrid of Nobeck, since you have been named as the Lady High Priestess's guardian you are welcomed here in the palace. But that by no means you are welcomed here as a resident of the city."
Sig shrugged his massive shoulders, "That's fair enough."
Myven of Meveric nodded and then turned to scan Keira's friends, "So all of these are your guardians? Understood. I am pleased to meet you all. Since you are the guardians of our Lady High Priestess you are welcomed in the palace and the city." Jak, Tess and Daxter nodded to him, "Lady High Priestess, would you like to see the Portrait Room?"
"Portrait room?" Keira repeated.
"The portraits of all the High Priestesses are in there." Sala answered, "We honour them there."
So my mother's picture would be there? Keira thought and smiled slowly, "Okay, let's go see it!"
Myven of Meveric nodded and he turned and exited the left door. They others had no choice by to follow. They were led down a darkened hallway to a door at its end. Myven of Meveric took a key from under his robes and opened the door.
Light, pure and white, filled the hallway as Myven of Meveric motioned everyone to step in. They did as he bid and their eyes widened. Well, the four from Haven City had wide eyes. The other three had seen this room before and thus wasn't all that surprised.
The room was about three stories above ground level and was made only of glass and marble pillars. It was oval, like all the other rooms in the palace, but the wall over looking the city was made entirely of glass. On the other side were the portraits.
Jak gasped and felt his heart clench. They all looked like Keira except… except all of them had bright blue eyes. Other then that, they could have been Keira herself.
Myven of Meveric led them around the room, briefly explaining the history of each High Priestess in each portrait. There Kinisha Kinover the eighteen-year-old High Priestess who gave birth to her daughter—the next High Priestess Kina Kinover—and then ran after her lover in the desert when he decided he couldn't take all the fighting. That was when the god of Chaos killed them both.
"It seems that every city hierarchy has a history of blood." Jak muttered, thinking of his own legacy. The betrayal of Mar and those who had ruled before him.
"Hmm." Myven of Meveric looked at him oddly for a few seconds before saying, "You sound like you know the curse of the royals first hand? And you look vaguely familiar. Have I seen your father before? Or perhaps a portrait of an ancestor?"
"I'm Jak Mar. Of the Mar line." Recognition shone in the young man's eyes.
"Ah, yes the Mar line. Excellent rulers. Wise and clever, I can see the similarities. But isn't one from the Praxis line ruling? The daughter of the late Baron, correct? Why aren't you ruling?" Myven of Meveric asked.
"I didn't want to." Jak growled and that was that. He didn't feel like telling the pretty-boy that if he had decided to rule Haven City he wouldn't be able to see any of his friends, especially Keira.
"Jak…" Softly Keira called over to him and he came running. He found that she was staring at a portrait that looked so much like Keira it was scary. The other portraits didn't compare.
Jak reached and placed his hands on her shoulders to offer some kind of comfort, but he couldn't take his eyes off of the picture in front of him. The young woman could've been Keira if it weren't for the eyes. She wore a soft white dress that trailed to the floor and had no sleeves. It had sheer white silk coming from the cloth on the shoulders and flowed to her waist. A silver chain crisscrossed her chest and the extra parts of the chain hung against her back. In the young woman's left hand was an unraveling red yarn that had its string flowing against the white of her dress and touching the floor. In her right hand was a strange weapon. What was it? A sickle? No, Jak thought, it's a glaive. It's called a glaive. He didn't think to know how he knew it was a glaive. He just knew.
The glaive was a long black staff with a curved blade on top. The black staff had a flat bottom. The metal of the staff was the finest Jak had ever seen. The left side of the metal was shorter then the right and it curved against the right. The right metal rose above the left and curved over it, creating an almost reverse G-like appearance.
Keira's mother, Kikita Kinover.
Sig stepped forward and touched the portrait ever so lightly, "Kikita Kinover." He said and smiled softly, "I forgot how pretty she was."
"You… you knew her?" Keira whispered, unable to take her eyes off of the young woman in the picture, "You knew my mother?"
"Yeah, we were friends. Her and I." Sig said, his fingers tracing the dress of the young woman who would later become Keira's mother.
"And Kikita's lover?" Jak pressed then, stepping forward to look at his friend, "What of him? Do you know him?"
Sig's face twisted in rage and loathing as he said in a low voice, "He's a coward. Not fit to clean the ground Kikita walked on. But… but she loved him despite everything and in the end that killed her. Her love for that son of a bitch. Just like I knew it would."
"Sig…" Keira said softly, looking at her new guardian. There was something in his voice that caught her off guard. Something she had never expected to hear in Sig's voice.
Love?
"Ahem…" Everyone in the room turned and Myven of Meveric said, "Perhaps, My Lady High Priestess would like to sleep? After all, night is closing around our fair city and you have had a long a tiring journey. Perhaps I should have the servants show you to your room?"
Marisa yawned, "You know what? I'm really, really tied. Kicking harpy ass sure can take a lot out of ya."
Gareth shook his head and said, "Then come along, Marisa, we'll go home." At Keira's questioning look he explained, "Both Marisa and I live in a villa just outside of the palace. We'll be here tomorrow to start your training. Until then, Lady Keira."
"Bye-ie!" Marisa waved and followed Gareth out of the room.
Sala nodded to them and then turned to Myven of Meveric, giving him a swift bow, "High Member Meveric? Allow me to escort our Lady High Priestess and her guardians to their rooms? It would be a great honor."
"Of course, Lady Sala of Rye. Once you're done I fear your mother may want to have words with you for running off with Gareth of Luxhine."
"I understand." Sala said and then turned to Keira, "Lady Keira? Please, you and your guardians, follow me."
As Sala strode from the room the Four of Haven City looked at one another and shrugged. Then they followed the young heiress to the Holy City out.
Leaving Myven of Meveric to watch.
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Oooooh, Sig's past is revealed! ***dun dun duuuuun!*** Well, some of it anyway. What more secrets does Sigred of Nobeck (don't ask about the name, it came to me when I was on a sugar-high) hold? And further more, what the hell is going on? I bet your wondering. Well, have no fear it shall be explained… just no yet. Anyway, keep on reviewing (I beg of you!) and stayed tuned for the next installment Weapon of Choice where we not only get to see out heroes get their medieval weapons, but we also get to find out what's going on back in ol' Haven City. Didn't think I'd leave Torn and Ashlin out did ya? We got the Metal Heads threat rising! Stayed tuned!
Taking the world over one mind at a time
-Lizzy Rebel
