A/N: Heardy, heardy! The ninth installment is now posted! This fic is going back pretty fast, hmm? And now things start to get fast paced, though Act Ten and Eleven might be a tad on the slower side.
Notes for the reviewer: Ah, geez, my computer is being a bitch again and won't let me see the review page so I can't thank ya'all this week! I promise to give you the proper thanks in the next chapter (if my computer is done sulking that is). Don't let this stop your patronage towards this story! Keep reviewing!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Act Nine: Summoned Sword"The Goddess, in all her divine beauty, stood before her mortal, knight lover and smiled. To show her love she gave him the Virgae-Mors Sword."
Torn is going to be really pissed was her first thought. Her second thought was how pathetic that sounded, even in her own head.
Ashlin frowned as the strong wind of the Strip Mine station whipped her red dreadlocks around her head. She hadn't promise Torn she wouldn't go here. He had just assumed that she wouldn't because he had asked.
"Serves him right, thinking he can boss me around. Who does he think he is?" Ashlin muttered heatedly to herself. Truly, she was trying to keep her anger boiling so that her sanity didn't return and she realizes how stupid this idea was.
Hmm, maybe I should have taken some of the Guards? No. No, they've told Torn about my leaving and he'd rush out his like some dashing white knight and save me from the Metal Heads like I'm some kind of damsel in distress. Okay, now that had her anger returning. She was not a damsel in distress.
She started the engine of the zoomer she had taken through the warp gate. It was the sleek, fast kind Keira had invented for the use of racing. Ashlin figured it be the best type of zoomer to have if she ran into anything she needed to move away from.
She pressed the zoomer against the ground and it hovered down the black dirt hill. She gave a frustrated sigh as she had to stop to push the hair from her eyes.
She parked the zoomer and placed the engine in neutral. She hopped off her bike; her jade eyes scanned the area for Metal Head foes. She nodded in approval when she saw none.
The Dark Eco pools glowing in the dimming light of the day like glittering jewels. She stepped towards it and from her belt withdrew a slim vial. She crouched down at the lake's side and dipped the vial in it, careful not to allow the harmful chemical to touch her skin. She wasn't Jak. This stuff would hurt her.
The glass vial filled up with Dark Eco quickly. Ashlin withdrew the vial before it could overfill and placed the wood cork over top. She raised the now filled vial to the dying sun and squinted her eyes. Hard to think this stuff caused so many problems.
But maybe not for much longer. If what those sniveling scientists said was true then this stuff could be a new energy source for Haven City. She still wondered how Dark Eco could be converted into suitable energy for the city, but it did have all the scientists atwitter so it had to be something. It just didn't seem possible that they could figure anything out without the help of Vin.
Ashlin frowned at the thoughts of the former scientist. He had been a brave soul, giving his life for the cause. He had alerted Jak just in time to Kor's evil plans, saving the entire city. He had been given the highest Medal of Honor Haven City had to offer. It still sat on his grave.
She shook her head clear of those thoughts. Now was not the time to mourn Vin. She had done her grieving for all the dead of Haven City. For their sake, she had to be strong. She couldn't allow the sadness of their death drown her. She couldn't let their sacrifice be in vain.
Suddenly she straightened. Her pushed the vial into her belt and pulled forth a Vulcan gun. She listened closely for the sound again, straining her ears to hear it. Just a simple rustle of heavy feet on ground would have her springing to action.
But she didn't hear it again.
She shook the eerie feeling of being watched off and decided to finish the mission. She still needed to head up to the computer room to see if anything was functional there. If it was then it wouldn't be necessary to go all the way over to the Pumping Station and turn the valves by hand. The Pumping Station had been acting weird ever since the Metal Head attack but she had never gotten around to checking it out.
She moved swiftly across the barren land, her feet crunching against the ground. Her heart pounded in her ears as she made her way to the escalator-like romp. As she step on the silver slated walkway she frowned in annoyance when she noticed that it wasn't working. That probably meant that the computer were down. The computers were programmed to keep the romps moving. But that didn't mean she wasn't checking.
She reached the large metal platform and watched for a moment the large square buckets that carted dirt over to the other side of the gorge. The computer over on the other side weren't her interest or she'd have taken the zoomer with her.
That was when she heard the noise again, and this time it was right besides her. She wheeled around, expecting to see a Metal Head, but what she saw were the harpy creatures Jak had described weeks ago.
Caught off guard, the harpy was able to knock the gun from Ashlin's hand and send it flying. She heard the explosion of the metal as it crashed into the pool of Dark Eco. The harpy released a deafened howl and used her talon-like fingers to swipe at her side. Stars burst in her vision as the pain washed over to her.
Clutching her side, she dropped to one knees. Groaning, she raised her head and glared at the harpy. She saw that there were Metal Heads as well, but they had been waiting patiently behind the harpy.
Now the harpy was smiling wickedly and raised a sharp finger to Ashlin. The Metals Heads growled and lunged at her.
Ashlin grabbed the extra gun she had kept hidden in her inner thighs and shot the closest Metal Head. She did it to the next and the next, but there a good twenty of them. She watched as the harpy laughed and took to the sky, flying away to leave Ashlin to her fate.
The Metal Heads were swarming her. Ashlin kicked and shot until she didn't have the energy to do so. Her whole body was going into shock from the wound the harpy had given her. Weakly, she stood and hurried into the computer room.
It was dark inside the room; the computers weren't working after all. She pressed the lock button on the side of the door and collapsed into a heap on the floor. She drew in ragged breaths as she clutched her wound tighter.
Black dots began to blur her vision. Unable to do anything else, she began to cry silently. Weak and wounded, she could no longer hold back the fear burning in her chest. She could hear the Metal Heads banging at the metal door and she gave a choked sob. Normally, she'd have been disgusted with herself but she was too tired, too weak, and too afraid to care. She knew that the Metal Heads would break through any minute and then she was as good as dead.
She thought of Torn and his features. She wanted him to be the last thing that she thought of before she died. She went limp against the cool metal floor as more tears flowed down her pale cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Torn."
~~**~~
"WHY
ARE WE NOT ATTACKING!?" Erisa's voice boomed in the dark throne room, "They
have reached the Holy City.
They have the glaive. Father, they will overpower us."
Erisen tried to keep his face
perfectly neutral as Erisa ranted. Did she not realize that he knew that as
well? That he knew their hold over the war was slipping through their finger
tip with every passing day?
But even a god was bound by certain roles, "I know that as well as you do, Erisa. The High Priestess Keira Hagai grows stronger every day. Soon she will take a mate and the sword shall show itself. I can feel the Goddess working in the heavens."
"Then why are we not attacking?" Erisa demanded again, "They are not strong now! We must attack before they retrieve the sword from its resting place inside the palace. Father, why do you lose your spine now?"
"Listen, Erisa," the dark god whispered, twirling the red wine in his crystal cup, "attacking the Holy City would give the Goddess all the incentive she needs to escape from her prison in the Krrez Lands. Do you wish to bring her wrath down upon us? With her on the Holy City's side we would surely be destroyed."
Erisa
bowed her head in understanding, even though she hated admit she was wrong,
"How can the Goddess break through the prison, Father? My great mother herself
placed her their as well as all the other gods, leaving this world to be
controlled by us. How can the gods go against the power of Chaos?"
"Because Eris's power grows
weak. With power the High Priestess gains, Eris loses power. You know as well
as I do that the gods and goddesses in the Krrez Lands are in a deep slumber,
as well as the cities consumed by the Krrez Lands. But should we attack the Holy
City, the Goddess would awaken
because she would sense its destruction. No, we must attack only the High
Priestesses." Erisen explained.
"Then why aren't we? We can surely take that weak girl-child. She had no fighting skills the night I struck down her young guardian." Erisa said fiercely, raising her spear.
"She has grown stronger since her time in the Holy City. It powers the warrior blood in her veins. Besides, she is tucked safely away in the Holy City. An attack on her would be an attack on the Holy City. No, we wait until she is out of the palace's protection."
"When will that be, Father? We have not much time."
"Soon." Erisen smiled, "I can already feel the changing in her. She is being drawn to the sword, the sword carried by the Goddess's mortal, knight lover. The one who betrayed her. We will attack then."
~~**~~
Keira walked through the darkened corridors to the Training Room. Jak's words rang in her head as she did so. They had been ringing in her head all day. Ever since he had spoken them.
"Talk to Gareth." He had said. Keira was still unsure how Gareth had anything to do what was going on between them. What exactly was Jak getting at? There was nothing going on between Gareth and her.
She walked into the Training Room and found Gareth alone there. He was doing a practice routine with his scimitar. He was unaware of her sudden presence, his whole being concentrated on completing the routine without fault.
Sweat working its way down his forward as Gareth gritted his teeth with the concentration. Her plunged his saber into the invisible enemy, spun into an uppercut, and kicked one of his long legs. Keira couldn't help but smile. She was glad Gareth was her teacher with her glaive. Without him she would have never gotten as good as she was.
Finally, Gareth stopped. Dragging in deep gulps of air, he placed his scimitar on the ground as if his arm could no longer hold it. He turned and blinked in surprise when he saw her standing there with a small smile on her face.
"Lady Keira?" He asked wearily, looking behind as if he expected someone to be worth. That someone was Jak, Keira suspected.
Keira frowned as Jak's voice rang in her head once more. She took a step towards him and said, "We need to talk, Gareth." She tried to say it in her best commander voice. She remembered her mother using it a few times.
Gareth blinked at that voice, it sounded so stern, so not Keira, and answered slowly, "Of course, my Lady High Priestess. What can I do you for?"
"What are you and Jak keeping from me?" Keira demanded, "You and Jak act weird whenever you two are both near me at the same time and you get this look in your eyes. Not to mention you get angry whenever Jak and I get close."
Shaking his head, he said softly, "You really don't remember, do you?"
"Remember what?" She shook her head as well, "Of course I don't remember whatever it is you two are keeping from me. I would've brought it up already. Why would I lie?"
"I. um. ahem. I." sheepishly Gareth smiled, "I thought you were. um. being. well. ah. coy?"
Keira snorted and said, "I have never been coy in my life."
He nodded, "Okay, okay. I get that now. Alright how should I explain this? Okay, Lady Keira, remember back when you were living with you mother? Think back to when you were four and it was cold. Your mother took you to a large conference room in the palace. That was where you first met me. We were meeting for a special reason."
Suddenly Keira did remember. Her eyes widened as her mind flashed her pictures of that day. Her mother, Gareth's mother, Gareth himself. The large room with the long black table. The papers and the anger that she had felt.
"Oh no." Was all she could think to say.
"So now you remember." Gareth guessed and sighed when she nodded, "Well, what do you wish to do now, Lady Keira?"
"I am not marrying you!" Keira said more harshly then she had intended. It was just that she couldn't believe that Gareth thought she'd go along with a marriage she didn't even remember. How could he think that when she and Jak-
Wait, what did she and Jak have?
Gareth lowered his head and said slowly, "Perhaps given more time you'll come to accept me as a possible. possible husband." As Keira shook her head, Gareth demanded, "But why? Why do you think the thought of marrying me so detestable?"
"Because Gareth I barely know you. I can't possibly marry you. I know I don't love you and I never could. And I. I. well, see there's Jak. And I-"
"Love him." Gareth finished for her with accusing eyes.
Refusing to be put off Keira nodded, "Maybe so, but even if Jak wasn't in the picture I wouldn't marry you. It's not fair to neither you nor I. There is no love between us, Gareth, I would know it if there was."
"How do you know what I feel? I could love you! I could learn to love you!" Gareth protested instantly, turning away from her.
"Gareth." Keira said softly and walked over to him to place her hands over his shoulder, "What you feel for me is nothing more than a sense of duty. Right now, you feel you must marry me because it is your duty. Eventually, you would come to resent me for taking away your life and bachelorhood."
"How do you know?"
"Because I do. Call it High Priestess intuition. I would resent you as well, Gareth, if I was to go through with this marriage because I. I do feel something for Jak. I'm not sure what it is, but it would keep me from even liking you in the way a woman should her husband." Keira explained.
Gareth sighed and looked away, "All my life, I was sure I'd never marry because you were dead. I always thought I should show my devotion to our High Priestesses by remaining a bachelor. That way the people would see I was so devoted to ridding our city of Erisen that I would give up my love life. But then you turned up alive and I thought that I could now marry you, make the people happy."
"Gareth."
"Did you know why we were chosen to be married, Lady Keira? No, I don't suppose you do. The Council came to realize that if the High Priestess chose her own mate, she would chose one that would ultimately betray her. So they decided to choose a mate for her. One that would be trained to be strong and stand by the High Priestess's side only. Your mother agreed. I came from a very strong family, one that was known for it's loyalty to the city. They chose me because they knew I would be entirely devoted to you." It was Gareth turn to explain.
Keira sighed softly and removed her hands from his shoulders. Gareth turned to face her and she said softly, "I'm sorry, but I can't."
"I guess I never really stood a chance against him, did I?" Gareth said in a brisk business like manner.
She blinked in confusion before shaking her head.
"Jak Mar." Gareth elaborated, "You're pretty blonde-hero-guardian. It was foolish of me to think that I could compete against him. He holds an iron grip over your heart. I saw it, but I refused to back down. Male ego, Sala would call it."
Keira chuckled, "I don't know about Jak and I, but that may have something to do with it. I don't how he feels. Jak's forever blowing hot and cold. I mean he will-" Suddenly Keira stopped and slid to the ground, as if a force had blew her off her feet.
"Lady Keira?" Gareth asked in concern, reached to her up.
"My glaive." Keira rasped, pushing away his hands, "Please, get me my glaive. Something has happened on the abandoned tower. I can feel it. Erisen is there."
~~**~~
"PULL!" Sala shouted and an object was flung high into the air. The sun's rays caught on it and it sent iridescent light bursting across the green, open field.
There was a small bang and the object in the air shattered into a million pieces, sending the glass shards falling to the ground like rain.
"Again!" Sala cried and this time a wooden disk was sent flying into the air. Seconds later it was falling back to the earth only in tiny broken shards "Very good," Sala said to the shooter of both the glass object and the wooden disk.
Sig was sitting on the ground not to far away with a look of admiration on his face, "To bad ya don't live in Haven City. You'd make a great Wastelander."
Crea giggled as she reloaded her .45's. She said giddily, "I love shooting things, but I'm only allowed to do it when Sala or Nyx is watching. They said I'll end up shooting someone."
"I believe that." Daxter muttered, rubbing his paws together to eliminate the effects of an ice spell cast by Crea that had gone awry.
Crea pouted and said then, "I don't see what the big deal is. I mean, I know how to work a gun. You just make sure this end isn't pointing at you and shoot like crazy. You're bound to hit something, right?"
Nyx shook her head as Crea turned to Daxter to explain her theory on gunning. She turned to the servant to her side and said, "Pull."
The servant nodded and yanked back the cord connect to a catapult-like machine. The round bowl that held another glass object flew backwards then forward, sending the object flying into the air.
Crea heard it and wheeled around, raising her .45's without hesitation. She pulled the trigger without so much as looking at the object soaring in the sky. The glass shattered into hundreds of glass shards within seconds of its take off and fluttered down to the ground.
The young girl turned to her sister and her eyes narrowed, "What was that for?" She demanded hotly, "I was talking, you big meanie!"
Nyx shrugged calmly, "I was just making sure you were on guard. Always be prepared." She stretched her neck and picked up her spardone, "Well, I'm heading in." She turned from her friends and walked back into the palace.
Crea stuck her tongue out at her sister, "She's been acting more depressed then usual these days." She said, "Wonder if maybe she's PMS-ing?"
Tess laughed, "Where did you learn that word?"
"Ah, Sala?"
"I never used that word." Sala said in disgust, "It is a sign of ignorance."
"Oh, then it must have been someone else." Crea said as she strapped her guns back into their holsters on her calves, "Oh look, there's Jak! HEY JAK!" Crea threw her arms into the air and waved like a banshee.
At the shout, the blonde man raised his head and smiled weakly. In his hand was his broadsword. Sala frowned at the look on his face but decided not to say anything about his depressed eyes in front of the others.
"Hey, guys." Jak said as he reached them, "I saw Nyx walking away. I was hoping to get her to fight me. What's wrong with her?"
"Oh,
she pissed." Crea chirped, "I know I learned that from Gareth!"
Sala shook her head while Sig
and the others laughed. Crea looked at them in confusion before shrugging and
entering her own little world.
"I'll fight with ya, cherry." Sig said, swinging his claymore leisurely.
Jak laughed and shook his head. "I don't think so, Sig. My arm is still sore from the time you hammered my sword with your own. Let's not break it."
Sig shrugged and said, "Suit yourself."
"Hey, where's Keira?" Daxter asked suddenly from his spot in Tess's lap. Tess, having suspected where Keira had gone, stiffened at Daxter comment. She hit him lightly over the head and Daxter cried, "Hey what!?"
"She's with Gareth." Was all Jak said. His eyes met with Sala's and he thought that maybe there was something floating in her eyes for a brief second. Sadness?
Suddenly, unnoticed, Crea stiffened. Her head lowered to the ground and her golden hair cascaded over her head. Her red lips formed a pout as she trembled slightly. She turned from everyone else and walked away. The others took no notice.
Crea made her way to the palace without so much as humming a tune, which was out of character for Crea since she had such a pretty singing voice and loved to use it. But for some odd reason there was something weighing heavy on her heart.
She entered the palace and made her way to the entrance hall as quickly as she could. When she reached it, she stopped and frowned.
Then she turned and made her way over to the center door. She pushed it open and peered into its darkened halls. Then she stepped inside and walked. After a few feet, she halted and turned to her left. Her eyes widened as she stared.
Wooden, unsafe stairs curved before her eyes.
She moved forward and placed her hands on the second set of stair. She raised her feet and placed them on the first. She hoisted herself up and began to walk the curving steps. She placed a hand on the side of cool, stone walls to guide herself as her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the stairwell.
Crea.
Something here was calling her, she could feel it. She continued up, unaware of anything. Only that she was meant to reach the top of these stairs for some reason. A reason she didn't know.
She stopped again as she came to the dark, arched door. There was a gold-light outline along the cracks of the doors, as if someone was burning gold magick behind it. Crea's fingers tingled as she reached out to touch the door.
"Crea?" Suddenly Crea blinked out of her trance as she heard Nyx's voice.
Turning, she blinked at Nyx, "Why are you here?" She demanded softly.
"Why
am I here?" Nyx repeated hotly, "I followed you, of course. What are you doing here? You know this tower is
closed off due to its instability."
"Huh?" Crea said slowly and
for the first time looked around her. She blinked several times and then said,
"Oh, wait. What am I doing here?"
Nyx blinked at her in shock for a moment before shaking her head, "Sometimes, sister o'mine, you make me wonder."
"Wonder
what?"
"Never mind." Nyx muttered and
reached out for Crea's hand, "Come on, let's go back down before the stairs
give way and Sala and the others unbury our bodies from beneath the rubble."
"Okay." She agreed slowly before turning to the door, "Oh wait! I wanna see what's behind this door."
"Crea, it's just the Main Tower. You know that. There's nothing interesting behind this door." Nyx said, motioning to the dark, looming door.
"No, look! There is something behind the door!" She pressed, shaking her blonde curls, "See the light?" She pointed to the outlined gold.
"It's just the magick, you know that. Every tower has it. It's just gold magick used to heat the city. Come on, let's go back down." Nyx began to pull Crea away but the young girl pulled her arm away.
"I am going to go see what's behind the door. If you don't let me. I'll. I'll." Crea dug deep for an excuse, "I'll CRY!" She sniffled to prove her point.
Nyx rolled her eyes and with an impatient sigh said, "Alright, alright. Fine. But just a peek. After that, you head back down and sleep in your own room tonight."
Crea frowned and completed which she wanted more. Seeing what was behind door number one or sleeping with Nyx in her safe bed. Crea had nightmares all the times-the rabid man-eating bunnies really scared her witless-and Nyx let her sleep with her, but reluctantly.
"Okay!" Crea agreed and pushed open the door. Gold light spilled into the hallway.
Wide eyed, Nyx and Crea stepped forward. An 'ooooooohhhh' came forth from their lips semantically. They stepped into the center of the Main Tower.
The tower was done up in black and blue. The platform of the tower was painted in solid black, but an eerie blue color-much like the one used as magick in the other towers-outlined designs in its black bulk. Off to the side was a large wall also black but with odd blue insignias on it. In the center of the one-sided wall was the outline of a powerful looking sword.
"What is this place?" Crea asked in a hush whisper.
"It is the Main Tower, but it seemed different from what I remember. as if this really isn't the Main Tower. Like that door led us to another place." Nyx answered her sister in a likewise whisper. Crea nodded in understanding.
A cold wind blew across against them, causing the two stands of her black ribbon on Crea's wrist to whip around her. Her small, alabaster hands reached out and rubbed her upper arms in a vain attempt for warmth. Her teeth chattered as she looked over at Nyx.
"We can go now."
But Nyx wasn't listening to her sister, her eyes were on what was over the platform, "My Goddess." she whispered.
"Hmmm? What? The Goddess is here!? WHERE!? WHERE!?" She hurried over to Nyx and stopped short and stared as well, "My."
They were a good two hundred feet above the city.
"Well High Member Rin and the other elders never mentioned anything about the Main Tower being this high." Nyx muttered.
"It doesn't look this high." Crea muttered as well, raising her two fingers to her chin in consideration.
"It's a simple spell that creates the illusion of things being closer then they appear. Since most of the High Members were mages before they became part of the Council they could easily do it." Nyx explained.
"Oh, but why did they? I mean, it doesn't look really important. Just a black and blue platform with a wall thingy that doesn't even cover the whole tower. Hey, do ya think that's why it's like this, hidden I mean? Because of that wall thingy?" Crea said, pointing. Nyx nodded.
Suddenly their attention was brought to the sky. They had heard it, there was no mistaking it. The sound filled the air and fear pounded in their hearts.
A screech.
"Harpies!" Crea shouted in horror, diving behind Nyx's legs as she pulled forth her spardone with a growl.
"Erisen." Nyx bit off, staring at the god and goddess that hovered feet above she and her sister.
~~**~~
Jak walked back into the entrance hall with Sala, Sig, Daxter, and Tess walking behind him. His head was lowered as his thoughts concentrated on Keira.
Had he sent her right into Gareth's arms? Telling her to seek him out like that, what had he been thinking!? He might as well have handed her over to Gareth on a silver plate. Stupid idiot, Jak berated himself.
But what if Keira wanted Gareth and not him? He wanted her to be happy, but what if it wasn't with him? Jak shuddered at the thought. How could he live knowing Keira didn't want him but another? He couldn't imagine life without her.
He knew he needed to get his mind off Keira and he was granted his wish when Marisa came flapping into the room from the windows in the ceiling. Everyone looked up as Marisa pounded her boots against the glass and sent it shattered. She plopped to the floor.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Daxter demanded, crawling onto Tess's shoulder and snarling at Marisa like a hiss off cat, "Do you enjoy scaring me like that?"
Tess frowned, "What's wrong?" She asked knowing Marisa wouldn't have made her daring entrance without proper reason.
"Yeah something wrong, chili pepper?" Sig asked in concern.
"Yeah," Marisa said gasping for breath as if she had just ran miles, "something's. something's wrong. OH MY GODDESS I've never flew so fast in my entire life. I can't breath."
"Out with it." Sala ordered.
"I was flying." Marisa began and shook her head, "Of course I was flying. Anyway, I was flying and a saw a. a spark over the Main Tower. It gave off a bad vibe, Sala. And it was over a hundred feet above the Main Tower and it looked a lot like a harpy attack."
Suddenly, Keira and Gareth burst from the door leading to the Training Room. Keira clutched her glaive tight in her grip and Gareth had his scimitar out. Panting, Keira fell against Jak since he was closet.
"We. need to get to the Main Tower. Something. wrong." Keira gasped, using her glaive to pulled herself away from Jak and stand straight.
"I know. Marisa saw something." Sala said, motioning to the winged woman, "Let's go."
They nodded to one another and made their way into darken corridor that lead to the Main Tower. Up the stairs they climbed, towards the door that was ajar. Through it Jak could feel the brisk night air over the Holy City.
They burst into the platform of the Main Tower and saw Nyx and Crea there. Crea had drawn her .45's and was currently shooting at screeching harpies as the circled over head. Nyx was swiping at any who neared with her deadly spardone.
A harpy swiped at Crea and the young girl dived behind her sister's legs. Nyx raised her sword and nipped the harpy's arm.
Keira looked towards the sky and her eyes widened and her breath hitched, "Erisen." Somehow she knew he'd be here.
Erisen smiled down at her. Keira was surprised at how handsome he was. He looked like a youthful young man with high cheek bones and powerful features. He was down up in a black robe and a sword was strapped to his back.
"Hello, young High Priestess, we meet at least. My, you've grown. If I didn't know I killed her, I'd say you were your mother." Erisen said and crossed his arms over her shirt, continuing to smirk.
Jak jumped in front of her to defend her and Keira felt herself smile. He was such a hero, but this was her fight. She reached out and gently pushed him aside. She would fight this one, nothing would stop her.
Erisa, the daughter of Chaos, smiled down at Jak, "Oh? So you've survived? Pity." Jak growled.
Erisen lowered his head and looked deep into Keira's eyes, so deep she thought she'd drown. Softly, in a voice of loathing, he whispered, "Attack."
The harpies swarmed down upon them. Tess's scream ran high as she and Daxter were covered in a mass of flapping harpies. Gareth and Sala jumped off to one side to dodge the swarm with his scimitar raised and her labrys lashing. Keira and Jak lunged forward, Jak hacking with his broadsword and Keira slicing with her glaive. Sig grinned and released a howl before rushing forward, swinging his claymore with a mighty force. Marisa took her battle to the sky with harpies following suit. Nyx and Crea continued to do battle and Crea had gotten over her momentary cowardice.
Keira headed to Erisen blindly, rage boiling her blood. Jak stayed behind her, killing any harpies Keira missed in her rampage. For a brief moment, he wished he had his guns. Keira seemed at ease with her glaive as she used the long staff with swipe at enemies from afar with the deadly metal. She caught a harpy in the stomach and slammed it into the ground.
Finally, they reached Erisen who stood above the ground with his daughter Erisa at his side. They both had an evil smirk on their faces. Keira growled and pointed her glaive at them.
"Fight me, Erisen." Keira cried in such a powerful voice she scared herself, "I'll show you what the Kinover line can do."
Erisen laughed and said, "The Kinover line, Lady Keira? Come on now, you and I both know that you have destroyed the Kinover line. You started the Hagai line. Now, let's see how strong your new line is."
But instead of the god attacking, Erisa landed on the ground in blinding motion and brought her golden-tip spear down upon Keira. Keira raised her glaive, caught the tip of the spear in her curved blade and pushed her away. Erisa howled in a battle cry.
Jak watched as Keira and Erisa began their attack in a fury of motion. They spun and attacked so elegantly they looked like dancers on stage, not mortal enemies. Keira twirled around so her back was facing Erisa and bent her elbows so her glaive come over her shoulder. She caught another attack with her glistening weapon.
He moved to help her only to hear the harpy screech behind him. Jak wheeled around and used his broadsword to block the talons of the harpy. He raised his leg and kicked the harpy in the stomach. She/it sprawled into the ground, shook her/its head and jump to her/its feet just in time to block Jak's next attack.
Sig stood off to the side with Daxter and Tess, protecting them. He killed his foes with a pose and grace only years of practice could give. He embedded his blunt sword into the stomach of a harpy and sent it ramming into two more harpies that had rushed over to him. Tess and Daxter offered backup support. Daxter cast thunder and wind on his enemies whenever Sig couldn't get to them and Tess cast confusion and blindness on ones who got close enough for her low lever spells.
Marisa flapped her mighty wings and flew so high into the air her head started to get dizzy from the lack of oxygen. Two harpies come up her sides and they got two silver stars embedded into their wings. Screeching, they plummeted to the earth. Marisa raised her arms to her face to block the punch of an angered harpy. Then she whipped out her spiked nunchucks and swung them around her heads.
Nyx kicked a harpy as it came up on her side, at the same time she used her spardone to lop off the head of a growling harpy. Another harpy rushed towards and she grabbed the metal of her sword just above her hilt. Using it as a spear, she leaned forward and plunged it in the harpy's stomach. She jerked it out and looked to her sister.
Crea had her .45's out and was firing at any harpies that got to close to comfort. She used her skills in aiming to give each of her deadly foes a painful wound in the stomach or head. She was grinned with exuberance as she continued to with her hail of bullets.
"HEY! HEY! HEY!" Crea chanted with a furious grin on her face, "Ya like that?" Then two harpies came up from behind her and Crea screamed, "No! NO! Go away! AHHHHHH!" She ran as the harpies began to chase her, swiping at her with their deadly talons. Crea screamed again and dived for the floor, talons skimming her blonde head.
Paling, Crea reached out and touched her head, "I didn't need a haircut." She mumbled, touching her singed scalp. The harpies turned in mid-air and headed back to her. Crea jumped to her feet and started to run again. This time, as she felt the harpies gain on her, she used her powerful legs to throw herself into the air. She flipped over onto her back as they flew over the spot where she had once been. When she was in mid-flip and could see the harpies again, she raised her guns and fired. The bullets found their mark in the harpies' back and they fell to the floor, dead.
She landed on one knee and crossed her arms over her shoulders so her guns were pointing above her shoulders. She grinned and winked at the dead bodies of her enemies.
"Oh yeah, I'm just that good. Hasta la vesta, baby. Hehehe, what a funny word. I hope that's not a copyright somewhere." She muttered and saw the next bunch of harpies heading over to her, "Oh boy. NYX!"
Meanwhile, Keira and Erisa were showing no signs of relenting even though they both panted with exertion. Erisa lunged and tried to strike Keira in the stomach but the High Priestess was easily able to bat it away. Erisa grinned at her, pushing the sweat laden hair from her eyes.
"You've gotten a lot stronger." She observed with a casual drawl, "You don't even need your guardians to defend you."
Keira's answer was nothing more then a growl and a lunge. Erisa was easily able to bat away Keira's thrust. She recoiled and twirled around to block a spear attack. But now it seemed Erisa had taken the upper hand in the battle. She was the one with the offensive moves while Keira had to concentrate on the defensive.
Soon, Erisa had Keira backing against the one sided wall. Keira gasped as her back pressed against the cool metal and her eyes snapped over to the young goddess. The daughter of Chaos grinned and slammed her spear forward. Keira cocked her head to the side and dodged it. She jerked her body left and right to dodge the onslaught of attack. But then Erisa kicked her hard in the stomach and she hesitated in her movements for a moment. She raised her head to watch Erisa raise the spear high above her head.
"KEIRA!" Gareth cried and moved to her aid, but then Sala's cry of pain reached him. He wheeled around to watch as a harpy embedded its talons deep into her stomach. She slumped to the floor, blood pooling around her like a crimson tide.
Now Gareth had a choice, he could save Keira, who was the woman he had sworn to protect, or he could save Sala, who meant so much to him. For a moment his face twitched with the debate before he turned.
And dived at Sala and the harpy.
He sliced the harpy in half and dropped to his knees in front of Sala. Her eyes were shut tight and she clutched her wound, but luckily it seemed that the harpy hadn't had poison on its claws. He rose to his feet and stood over Sala, swinging his sword to defend her from any harpies.
Forgive me, Lady Keira.
Keira kicked Erisa hard in the stomach moments before her spear found its mark and sent her recoiling into the ground. She stood over Erisa and brought her glaive down. Erisa brought her spear up to her face and blocked the glaive. She kicked her legs, causing Keira to jump back to dodge them, and got back to her feet.
Suddenly, Erisa was blown back by an invisible force but it didn't seem to hurt too much. Keira gasped as Erisen lowered himself in front of her. Growling deep in her throat she lunged at him but all Erisen had to do was swat his hand and she was sent flying backwards. She clutched her throbbing arm and glared up at the dark god.
"You'll be easier to kill then you mother was." Erisen observed and raised his hands to summon more power, "Your mother was a worthy opponent, Keira, whereas you are nothing compared to me. And so I end the line of the High Priestesses."
Keira closed her eyes.
~~**~~
Daxter summoned magick on the tips of his fingers and thunder crashed into the harpy moments before it struck Tess. The blonde looked over at him and smiled thankfully. Daxter smiled back before turning and watching as Sig took down harpy after harpy. He always noted how happy Sig looked.
He really was born here, Daxter thought in awe. Up till now, he hadn't full accepted that Sig was born in the Holy City. But watching him fight and handle his claymore with expert pose made him believe.
He turned his head to survey the battlefield and his eyes widened. Sala was writhing in agony on the floor with Gareth above her to defend her from harpies. Marisa was trying to dodge the attacks of the harpies in the air, but she was growing slower and slower. Crea barely managed to dodge a talon swipe and Nyx took a hit in the side. Jak was fighting harpy after harpy trying to get to Keira.
Keira was. oh God, Keira was fighting Erisen!
Daxter felt panic pound in his heart. True, Keira had gotten much stronger since their arrival in the Holy City, but she wasn't a match for Erisen, god of Chaos. No one was. Not even Jak. How could anyone fight a god? With Erisen as an obstacle they were as good as dead.
Dread welled up in his heart. Yes, they were fighting a losing battle. Erisen and Erisa were both divine and they had a never ending supply of harpies. That and their High Priestess wasn't all that trained.
"You can help them, you know."
"Okay where did that come from?" Daxter said softly and under the rush of battle his voice was lost. He looked around, but couldn't find the owner of the mysterious voice.
But there somehow wasn't anything threatening about that voice. Sure, it couldn't be a good sign when he started hearing voices, but somehow that voice soothed him. If he was going crazy, it didn't seem too bad if he was only going to hear that voice. It was wise and silky smooth, like soup going down your throat on a cold, wintry day.
"You, Little Mage, can help your friends and your High Priestess. The power is in you." The voice whispered in his ear.
"Okay,
okay." Daxter said, watching as Jak barely managed to dodge a talon, "Tell me
what to do and I'll do it. Come on freaky voice thing!"
"You know what to do. It is inside you. The magick you hold burns to do
it. Look inside yourself and you'll feel it." The voice answered and Daxter
thought he heard a chuckle in it.
"Oh great, this is one of those soul searching things, isn't it? I'm not very good at those things. Maybe you'd better tell me." Daxter tried to persuade the voice.
"There's not much time."
"Boy, no pressure." Daxter muttered unhappily and squeezed his eyes shut. He concentrated on his magick and what it wanted to do, but it was silent as it always was. Then he remembered Nyx and Crea telling him that his magick responded to what he wanted to do. What did he want?
That a no-brainer. To help Keira defeat Erisen so Jak wouldn't be in danger so much. He wanted to help them.
And suddenly he knew. Like a blinding light, the knowledge filled him. He rode the wave of power for a moment before opening his eyes. When he did, they were clear and unreadable. He stepped forward.
"Daxter?" Tess called, trying to grab his small frame but he dodged her hands and continued on his way to the center of the tower. Calling his name again, Tess followed.
Daxter stopped as he reached the center of the tower. Around him the battle raged. The voices of his friends and allies rose in pain in the air. Marisa's howl as a harpy bit into her wing and she feel to the floor of the tower, her wing twitching. The groan of Gareth as they harpies battered against him while he tried to protect Sala. Jak's battle cry as he was continually forestalled in his attempt to reach Keira. Tess's voice calling at him to be careful. Crea's scream as a talon was drawn across her cheek before Nyx was able to kill it. Sig's heavy panting as he dealt with both the weight of his armor and claymore. And Keira's voice proclaiming Erisen would never win, even when it was obvious that he all but had the game in his palm.
But Daxter took no notice of it as he dropped to his knees, "Sub supero adiefeco volo sunt in est ambulo. Agro neautra dea oppudium porta summus equees que." Daxter whispered, his lips tingling. He finally understood where Pecker was coming from. His body started to grow an odd strange light and it warmed him and filled the room. It also drew the attention of Erisen.
The god's eyes widened as he watched the Ottsel glow. He voice rose above the battle, "STOP THE RODENT! DO NOT LET THE RODENT FINISH HIS SPELL! GET HIM! GET HIM!" He sounded horrified.
The harpies rushed to obey. They screeched and swarm on Daxter. Tess saw this and screamed for him, but Daxter was locked in his spell. She rushed forward to protect him, but a harpy slammed her talons into Daxter's back. The Ottsel slumped on the ground but his lips kept moving in his chant.
Tess slammed her body over Daxter's smaller one as the harpy tried to finish him off. She felt their sharp little talons dig into her skin, but more importantly she heard Daxter's powerful voice from below her.
"Silva agricola sub sunt est costa dommun saepe merisa!" Daxter's voice rose and a blinding light filled the tower. Tess squinted her eyes and she felt Daxter grow deadly still beneath her. Tears filled her eyes.
I wish everything was the way it was supposed to be, Tess thought, thinking about the pain all her loved ones had gone through. She dug deep into her bosom's core and found her white magick. Using her deepest desire-to write the wrongs of this world-she joined it with her magick. A green light blending in with the white of her magick and she felt herself black out. but not before she heard Daxter moan beneath her.
~~**~~
Daxter's
words filled her ears as Erisen turned back to her. Keira backed away and
touched the one-sided door behind her. Did it feel warm?
Blinking in surprise, she
looked down at her hand. She was touching the blue outline of the sword. only
now the sword was completely white. In fact it was glowing warm beneath her
hand. Gasping, she turned back to Erisen.
Erisen was looking at the wall with wide eyes. Slowly, his lips curved into a smile, "So this is where she put it? I never thought she'd hide it in her precious city." He laughed wickedly.
Hide what? Keira wondered then jumped away from the wall as it all began glow white. She suddenly had the feeling that stepping in that door would change the course of history, but she didn't know if it was in a good sense or a bad sense.
Erisen lunged forward and grabbed Keira but the wrist. She screamed and tried to yank herself free, but Erisen held her in an iron grip. He dragged her through the door and pushed her into the light. Then both Erisen and Keira disappeared.
Jak cried out her name and pushed away the harpy he was fighting. He rushed forward as the light began to fade. He jumped into the wall just as the light finished dispersing. Behind him, he thought he heard Tess's voice rise in a chant.
His head started to pound the minute he fully entered the wall as if he had rammed it against the wall when in fact he had done nothing but ran through air. He pushed himself to his feet and picked up his broadsword. Slowly, he slinked across the room, ready for Erisen at any moment.
He found them, though they didn't find him. Erisen was holding Keira tightly by the wrist as she tried to slice at him with her glaive. Erisen easily dodged it and laughed at her. He pushed Keira way and she collapsed to the ground with a small cry of pain that had Jak's blood raging.
"Now where is that damn sword?" Erisen muttered in consideration and then nodded to himself, "Of course, only someone of the Kinover line can summon the sword. How could I forget? Lady Keira, I need you."
Keira backed away from him, growling deep in her throat, "I will never help you. I would rather die." She snarled, baring her teeth.
Erisen shrugged as if it hardly mattered, "If that is what you wish." He raised his hand to summon his power and finish off Keira. Keira closed her eyes and accepted her fate with only a wince in her face.
Jak lunged forward with a howl and clipped Erisen in the arm before he could dodge. Erisen cursed and pulled himself away Jak as he positioned himself between Keira and the god. He raised his broadsword in a threatening manner.
"Ah," Erisen said with a chuckle, as if the whole situation amused him, "so this is your young man, Lady Keira? He reminds me of the Goddess's mortal, knight lower. Though he is fairer then the Grand Knight. Remember, history does repeat itself."
Keira stood and placed her hand on Jak's shoulder, "What are you doing here!?" She cried in anger, but there was terrified undertone to it. A terror for him and what Erisen would to for him. For some reason, it made him feel better knowing she cared so much.
"Making sure you don't get yourself into any more trouble." Jak answered with a humorless grin. Then he turned back to Erisen and growled, "Let's do this."
Behind him, Keira felt a chill work through herself. She knew that in this place, the Goddess power was strongest. This was the place where she had hidden the final weapon that would help the High Priestess in her battle against Erisen. She also knew that no other High Priestess had ever made it this far. Not even her mother.
This was a limbo between the Curtain of Dreams-where the Krrez Lands were located-and the mortal world. Perhaps here the Goddess could here her descendant's prayer for help? But would she listen?
She closed her eyes as Jak and Erisen began to dance around each other. Her hands clasped together as the prayer filled her heart. A silent tear ran down her cheek.
Please, Goddess of good, hear your descendant's prayer. Help me. Erisen is going to kill the man I. the man I. I love. Please, don't let me lose the man I love like all the other High Priestesses before me. Help me.
Suddenly something cool touched her cheek, so opened her eyes as watched as the blue glowing orbs floating in front of her pale face. They glowed a beautiful light filled with power and compassion and knowledge. They danced around her face, as if trying to give her a silent message.
Smiling, Keira reached out to touch them, "Goddess." She whispered as the blue orbs entered her body. It felt as if she was giving her body up to someone else. or making room in her soul for another. But at the same time, she felt stronger, wiser, better. The Goddess had heard her prayer and this was her answer.
She was the Goddess.
"Erisen," when Keira spoken it was not only her voice that spoke but another's as well. This one was silky smooth like warm honey. That voice and Keira's own slightly scratchy one merged, "you are not welcome here."
Erisen heard this and pushed Jak away. He recognized the Goddess's voice without a second thought. His eyes narrowed in anger as he muttered, "Damn." Louder he said, "So Goddess, you were aware of what went on in the mortal's world all along. Tell me, why did you keep quiet?"
"My children must learn to live without the gods. Our age is ending, Erisen, and the mortal one is taking control. You shall not have control of this world." Keira/Goddess spoke these words calmly, no emotion flickering in her gaze. Jak noticed that Keira's eyes seemed to be flickering back and forth from green to blue, as if her body wasn't quite sure what colour they were.
"Like hell." Erisen said and took a step forward. Keira held her hand out.
"Erisen, in this world I am very strong. Stronger then you. You will fight me on this holy land?" Keira asked, lowering her arms and touching the glaive that had been strapped her back as soon as the Goddess's had entered Keira's body.
Erisen growled but back away, his body dissolving. Keira nodded, as if in approval of his decision not fight her.
Jak took an attentive step towards her, knowing that for the moment she was not just Keira, "Keira, are you okay?"
Keira turned and smiled at him in a smile that was not Keira's own. She held out her hand and green orbs floated there, "Jak." She said in her merged voice. The green, glowing orbs flowed from her hand into Jak's chest. Jak gasped at the invasion and at the same time rejoiced in it. He could feel the power running through his veins and for a moment he was a different person.
As Jak stood with a new military posture, Keira and the Goddess said, "Years and years ago, the Goddess started a tradition which involved her mortal lover. She would choose a mate and stay by his side until one of them was dead. That tradition has been passed down through the generation. Every High Priestess is drawn to their lover like a moth to a flame, and likewise of the young man. Nothing could stand in their way. unless they doubted one another."
"Some tried to fight it, knowing that history always repeated itself." Jak said in a voice that was merged like Keira's. His was deeper now, rougher, and battle-hardened. Though they had voices merged with their own, Keira and Jak were speaking about what they now knew of the past. Something Jak couldn't be able to understand if it wasn't for who was inside Jak.
The mortal, knight lover. The Grand Knight.
Keira smiled and bent down. A white mist surrounded her hands, garbling it from view. When she raised them from the floor, the mist still surrounded her hands. Slowly, it fell away revealing a sword. The sword was gold-hilted and deadly. It was elegantly curved, with the sides of the hilt twined around the metal of the sword for two inches. It seemed to be made of the finest steel and it glowed.
"No High Priestess ever chose her mate during the Sword Summoning. But then, no High Priestess made it this far. They were chosen after her first battle. We were always a little slow." Keira said with a more Keira smile.
Jak nodded in understanding, "Perhaps the choosing should not take place until the Sword Summoning? This was the greatest weapon ever forged by god or mortal. This weapon was given to the Goddess's mortal, knight lover but he abandoned her and his oath when he couldn't handle the fighting. So many times did that happen."
Keira shook her head and stepped towards him. Around them the white too dissolved, though they didn't take notice. They had eyes only for each other. They were now standing on the air just outside the Main Tower. The harpies had long left after Erisa had ordered a retreat. Sig, Gareth, Crea, Marisa, and Nyx watched the two. Sala, Daxter, and Tess were unconscious.
The young High Priestess held out the sword to Jak, like an offering, "I, Keira Hagai daughter of Kikita Kinover, promise myself to you, Jak Mar son of King Mar. This sword, the gift of love between the Goddess and her knight, is my offering. Accept the sword, the Virgae-Mors Sword, and accept me as your mate."
Jak smiled and took the hilt of the sword, his broadsword dropping from his hand, "I, Jak Mar son of King Mar, promise myself to you, Keira Hagai daughter if Kikita Kinover. I accept the Virgae-Mors sword as my own and I accept you as my mate and gladly." Softly now, because he knew there were ears listening, he leaned down to Keira and said, "I have loved you long."
Keira smiled and leaned forward as well so their bodies were touching, "I have loved you since I saw you that day in my father's hut. I gladly accept you as my mate for I will have no other."
"No other." Jak agreed and they smiled at one another. Slowly the stepped off the air and back onto the Main Tower. They still smiled at each other as they moved closer. Their bodies met and moments later so did their lips. They stood lock in each other's embrace, Keira and Jak. the Goddess and the Grand Knight.
Around them, the blue and green orbs danced.
Tess blinked and opened her eyes. She sat up and chuckled when she saw the embracing couple. Then she remembered Daxter and beneath her. Jerking her head downward, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Da. Daxter?" She whispered and pressed her palm against his shoulder, his much broader shoulder.
Daxter was human.
His wild mane of red hair, the color of his fur, was swept high on his head. He wore a red tunic and white trousers. His hands were covered in his trademark gloves and his skin had taken on a tan hue. His was taller then her now, much so, and he seemed lanky and perhaps a little gawky. But in a cute way.
Crea stepped over to them and blinked down at the new Daxter as well, "Hey, where'd the stuffed animal go?" She asked innocently.
The new Daxter groaned and pushed himself up, saying, "I am NOT a stuffed animal. I AM an Ottsel. Get it right or pay the price. Oooooh, my head!"
"Daxter?" Crea asked and screeched, "What happened to you!?"
"What
do mean what happened to me?" Daxter screeched right back, "Erisen and his gang
of harpies happened to me! And then a freaky voice happened to me! Where the
hell have you been the past hour?"
"No, I mean. lookie!" Crea
pointed to Daxter, who cast his eyes down with a groan that caught in his
throat. Shakily, he raised his hands and pressed them to his chest.
"I'm me!" Daxter said in rapture, "But wait. how?"
"Tess probably had something to do with it." Nyx answered, stepping towards them.
"ME!? What did I do?" Tess demanding, standing so she could stare down at Daxter. He went hot under her gaze.
"When you cast that last spell, the one that healed all of us," at this point she motioned to Sala who was groaning but her stomach wound was gone, "was based on your wish. I pretty sure it was a broad wish. What did you want?"
"For everything to be like it should be." Tess answered, realizing.
Nyx smiled and said, "There was a dark aura around the little Ottsel. That means that something was wrong with him. When you wanted everything to be as it should be, everything was fix including the aura of your little one."
"Aw man." Crea said bending down on her knees to look at Daxter, "You were cute in stuffed animal form, but you're not. so. bad in this form. I'll miss my stuffed animal."
Sig walked over to them and looked Daxter up and down, "This is what you looked like before? Hmph. I don't know which is worse though this one differently has me wonderin if fallin into that Dark Eco is such a bad thing." Daxter stuck his tongue out at Sig and stood, revealing his height.
Further off, Sala was moving to her feet. Though her wound was healed she still felt a little weak. Wobbly she began to topple backwards but Gareth was there to catch her. He grinned and helped her to her feet.
"Careful there." Gareth said as he steadied her, "Your body's exhausted."
Sala nodded and leaned against him, grateful for the support. She felt him stiffen next to her and she groaned. Turning she said, "Gareth-"
"We better make sure Lady Keira is okay." He cut in and made sure she was steady on her feet before walking away. Sala sighed and followed after.
Jak
parted from Keira and looked loving into her eyes before he heard Daxter cry,
"HEY JAAAK!"
Growling softly and keeping
his grip on Keira's forearms, Jak turned and snapped at Daxter, "What!?" Before
becoming flabbergasted, "Da. Dax! You're you!"
Daxter grinned ruefully and
was pleased to note he was a good head taller then Jak. Hell, he was almost as
tall as Sig. Seems his human form had done some growing while he was in Ottsel
form, "Nothing gets by you, eh buddy?"
Jak stared at his best friend in a mix of horror and awe. The human form of Daxter had matured a lot. Not only was he taller but he seemed to have grown into his body finally. It didn't have the awkward look about it. The plains of his face were more serious, though there was a smile in his dark eyes, and he looked a little braver.
Behind, Keira gave a confused chuckle, "This is what Daxter was like before he changed? Daddy was right. it was an improvement." Jak laughed out loud as Daxter fumed.
"Yeah. well. no one asked you Miss I-Can-Kick-the-Ass-of-a-God. Hey wait. I just gave you a compliment, didn't I? Jeez." Daxter said, sulky.
"Well that hasn't changed." Sig observed. He gave a start as Marisa plop on the ground next to him. She had been flying around the Main Tower, making sure no harpies remained. She grinned and flexed her wing in Tess's direction.
"Thanks for the healing, Tess." Marisa said and Tess nodded.
Shivering, with the black ribbon her wrist whipping around her, Crea muttered, "Can we. g-go no-now? I'm s-s-so c-c-col-cold."
Nyx nodded and said to everyone, "Humor her, she's insane."
Everyone nodded and turned to hurry out of the frigid area. Only Jak and Keira remained. They stared into each other's eyes. The Goddess and the Grand Knight were in them, their emotions raged in their hearts. They reached out and touched each other's hands before twining them.
Then they left the tower as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus, I can't seem to not be able to write a story where Daxter does not turn back into a human! Man! Believe it or not, I actually had planned on keeping Daxter in Ottsel form but on a spur of the moment changed it. Hmm, I think human-Daxter is cute. I always fall for the geeks! What's up with that?
Can you saw awe? I think the awe-factor of my story was just taken up a notch, how bout you? And we got a new weapon for Jak! Whoa! You didn't think I'd let him keep that old, non-important broadsword did ya? No, Jak's get better! He gets the best. Anyway, stay tuned for the next installment, Act Ten: Lovers where (yup, you guessed) Keira and Jak officially get together. However, a dark cloud suddenly looms over their happy bliss. Until then time REVIEW!
