Ekobean: I guess you could call this part two of "The Battle for Haven"
chapter. But I couldn't fit all that crap into one chapter. So here's
Chapter Eight of Dark Menace...or Part two of "Battle for Haven"
Also, look for Shady Sis' big part. I hope u like it, Shades!
To Queen Simia: Thanks for the grammar lesson.
The battle raged on for what seemed to be millennia. Jak had accumulated a wide assortment of battle scars in just a few minutes. The Dark Eco had increased the Metal Heads' strength and speed two fold. He was barely able to dodge their attacks. He felt the Dark Fire slowly rising up in him. He tried to fight it back, tried to hold it down as hard as his will was able. He felt the monster's rage and its bloodlust. He forced it down to the very corner of his mind, simultaneously fighting physically and mentally.
At the moment Jak was in a one-on-one duel with a dinosaur-like Metal Head carrying a shock rifle similar to those the Krimzon Guard used. Jak flipped to the side, narrowly dodging the sizzling bolts of red lightning that erupted from the head of the rifle. Regaining a strong posture he charged the Metal Head. It barely had time to react as Jak plowed head first into its chest. In one quick move Jak rammed his bleeding fist into the monster's nose. He felt its nose crunch under his fist.
Jak got up from his latest kill and leaned up against the nearest building, panting desperately for air. He surveyed the battle from his viewpoint. They were severely outnumbered; the purple glowing aura was growing stronger and larger, slowly moving forward as his section was being forced back to the center of the city. Yet the bullets continued to fly in a never- ending flurry, the air was alive with the sounds of bullets whizzing through and of people dying.
Jak wiped a small dribble of blood that was leaking from his split lip. Without another thought he equipped his Blaster barrel and charged back into the fray. He tripped one Metal Head that had gotten too close to the line of slowly retreating elves. It caught several Yellow Eco blasts in the face a split second later. With Jak in the front lines the people seemed to gain more confidence. Red Eco charges seemed to fly faster and in greater numbers while Jak was in front. He could feel the deadly beams of Red Eco flying past him, coming so close that one almost singed his ear.
Clouds were beginning to form overhead. Thunder rumbled like a stampede of wild Yakows in the distance.
Still rapidly pulling the trigger, Jak reached into his pocket and flipped on his radio. "How're we doing, Ashelin?" he yelled into it.
"Badly!" came Ashelin's muddled reply, "Mogg's army is completely obliterated! Metal Heads are streaming into the city. If another commander falls we'll be destroyed from the inside out. We're doing our best to hold them off but – HOLY SHIT!!" there was a crackled sound of blasters being fired in the background.
"What!" Jak called anxiously, "Ashelin! Ashelin!!"
"I'm alright!" Ashelin said shakily after a few seconds, "Sig is still managing to keep them at bay on his side, but Shady is being pushed back."
"The same here with us," Jak said, "the citizens' inexperience is costing us."
"Agreed. I'm afraid that if another section falls we may have to retreat."
"To where? You said that the Metal Heads would kill us from the inside out! There's nowhere we can retreat to!"
"There may be..."
"If you're thinking the Tomb there's no way! Ax and his men are still down there, and if the Metal Heads find the Eco Springs Gol and Maia will destroy us for sure!"
"We may have no choice. Hold them back for as long as you can!"
(Two hours later)
Jak spat blood from his mouth. The Metal Head has hit him hard in the gut. He felt as if his insides were going to explode. He could see the Metal Head standing triumphantly above him, its energy sword raised above its head. It let out a long laugh as it swung down the sword. Jak cringed and closed his eyes tight, not wanting to see the final blow come.
There was a shot from behind the Metal Head and a loud screech. Jak looked up just in time to see the creature fall limply to its knees with a clatter. He caught sight of one perfect hole seared through him.
Jak looked up from the lifeless carcass of the creature to his savior. There, her body silhouetted against the fading light of the sun, was Keira. Her armor was battered and sliced, her Krimzon Guard helmet had been knocked clean off, and there was a nasty-looking cut across her face, yet she was alive.
Jak stood up to meet her. "My hero," he said teasingly to her. Keira smiled slightly as she stared him up and down from his bloodstained pants to his severely torn tunic.
"You look a little worse for the wear, Jak," she replied matter-of-factly, "looks like I found you just in time."
"Whaddaya mean?" the quivering lump that was Daxter said from Jak's satchel, "I've been right behind him the whole time!"
"Oh, I believe it," Keira mused.
Jak's radio crackled as Ashelin's mismatched voice rang over it.
"...Eds...oke...rough," she said, "...ant...f...ore...!"
"What was that Ashelin?" Jak yelled into the radio.
"I said the Metal Heads have broken through," Ashelin literally screeched over the radio, "we can't hold them off anymore! Shady's army is too broken up to fight anymore, so we have to retreat to the Tomb."
"Have Ax and his men found the Eco springs yet?"
"I checked with them a minute ago. They found a room about three hundred meters down that was blocked up with rocks, so they were about to blast. I'll give you more detail later, retreat to the Tomb now!"
"Keira, we have to retreat to the tomb."
"I heard."
"Fall back," Jak yelled, "retreat to Mar's Tomb! We have to retreat back! Go, go, go!!"
The cobblestones and asphalt of the city streets were pounded with thousands of feet retreating to Mar's Tomb. People were thrown into the air as missiles and bombs fell into the city. Buildings, homes, and shops were toppled with earth-shattering crashes, crushing everyone underneath them.
About halfway to the tomb Jak suddenly realized something. Metal Heads were drawn to two things the most, Eco and Precurian artifacts. There was only one Precursor artifact Jak knew of that was inside the city, the Oracle of the Water Slums. "Keira," Jak said grabbing her by the wrist, "I have to do something."
"Jak," she shouted back, "we have to get to Mar's tomb!"
"I know, but I have to do this. Please, don't argue, it's important. I'll get there, I promise!"
Keira looked up at Jak. His crystal blue eyes reflected the light of the fading sun. His once boyish face had been made rough and hard from battle. She could see something else in his eyes. He was desperate for something, and though she didn't know what it was, she knew he had to do it. "Ok," she said, "but be careful. I'll be waiting."
Jak kissed her lightly on the cheek, then turned and ran off in the opposite direction. He was heading for the water slums. As he made his way through the endless wave of panicking citizens he could make out small shapes of Metal Heads in the distance. After several minutes he reached them. They had several citizens captured in their midst and were proceeding to torture them. Jak nearly vomited as he saw two of the overpowered citizens firing vainly into the faces of the Metal Heads as they were torn to pieces by their attackers.
"Hey!" Jak cried as he ran forward towards the Metal Heads. The creatures turned their heads toward the sound of this new meal, hissing with glee. They began to slowly crawl around Jak, long strings of saliva dripping from their gaping mouths. They charged as one without any warning. Jak had barely enough time to react as he leapt a staggering ten feet into the air, twirling in midair whilst firing Yellow Eco blasts from his Blaster. All four Dark Metal Heads were dropped with precise holes cut through them in several places.
Jak continued to run on to the Water Slums. His feet slammed down on the wavy wooden pier causing it to creak and shake dangerously. He could see deep into the murky depths of the polluted water. He could see small objects moving, perhaps some kind of mutated fish. Jak made a sharp left towards the shrine that the Oracle was locked in, only to find several Dark Metal Heads clustering about the door, unceasingly scratching at it, trying to break in. Jak wasted no time in dispatching the pitiful creatures. The rock door slid open the moment the Metal Heads were killed. Without a second thought Jak slipped inside.
He was immediately greeted with the flickering light of dying candles, and the iridescent glow of the Precursor Oracle itself. Its metal body was crafted into the shape of some strange elephant-like creature. Two hollow eyeballs that had once held Power Cells were set in the Oracle's cranium.
"Ho...Dark Warrior..." growled the Oracle in its deep, rich voice, "you have returned in this time of deep crisis."
"I had to come to protect you," said Jak, "if the Metal Heads find you they'll tear you apart."
"I have lived one thousand lives of elves. I have seen great civilizations rise to power and fall just as quickly. Perhaps it is my time."
"No," said Jak firmly, "I won't let it happen. I have to protect you."
"This is not the only problem that troubles you, Dark One. I sense that your mind is clouded with confusion; great wisps of deceit cloud your very being. You wish to know the outcome of this war."
"Well, yes," the elf sighed, "so many people are depending on me, and this prophecy that Samos has come up with."
"Yes, Samos the Green Sage recalls the most ancient of all prophecies. The Greatest Battle of Day and Night, yes; this war will end at its coming."
"Will we win?"
"I cannot see this."
"Bullshit!" spat Jak, "you're an Oracle! You see the future, and you damn well know how this is going to end!"
"No, Dark One, there are some things that not even I can see. But I can tell you that before this day is over the future of this world will be in your hands or the Night's."
"Gol and Maia."
"Yesssss," hissed the Oracle, "and I believe that now is the time you acquired the last Dark Power."
"The last one?" Jak questioned, "you already gave me the last one. Dark Giant, remember?"
"No, this was not true. The last Dark Power is for the battle. Use it only when Darkness seems to consume your very being, and all hope seems lost. You must use it then and only then." Without warning a long trail of purple lightning shot from the Oracle's trunk. It embraced Jak lifting him into the air. He clutched his head, twitching from the stings of the Dark Power seeping into his being. Unlike all other givings of Dark Powers, Jak did not revert to Dark Jak form. "I give you the power of Dark Twin. Remember my words."
Jak looked up dumbfounded at the glowing creature before him. He reached his hand up to touch the carefully crafted metal of the Oracle. He had so much more to ask it, so much more he needed to know. But at that very moment the door shook again. The rock began to crumble as Metal Head claws were forced through it. "They come," rasped the Oracle, "you must go now. Leave me here, for my time has come."
"No," said Jak, rising from the ground, "I may not be able to protect you, but I can hide you!" Jak drew his Vulcan Fury and shot the rotting wood about the Oracle's base. There was a muffled splash as the Oracle sank quickly into the murky depths of the Water Slums. An enormous hole lined with sharp, splintered wood was all that remained from where the Oracle once stood. Not a second later there was a thunderous crash as several enormous Metal Heads broke through the Oracle's door. The shattered rock landed just short of Jak's feet.
The Metal Heads looked up at the thin elf standing were just seconds before, and ancient Precursor artifact had stood. The candles about the room wavered slightly as the elf charged the Peace Maker in its hand to its full capacity. "Sorry," the elf said in a mock-casual tone, "you just missed him." Without another word the elf let go of the trigger. The pulsating blue aura arced and split, obliterating the Metal Heads completely.
[several minutes later, Mar's Tomb]
Everyone covered their faces as tons of ancient, carven rock caved in upon itself. Sig had blasted the entrance to the Tomb with his Peace Maker, hopefully delaying the Metal Heads' entrance.
"That's that, I guess," said Sig.
"But how long before the Metal Heads break through," asked Jak, who had entered the Tomb a minute before the group decided to blast the entrance.
"Well, judging by how much rock fell, a damn long time," replied Shady.
"Don't be so sure," muttered Ashelin darkly. The governess reached into her satchel and plucked out her battered radio. "Ax?" she asked, "are you there yet?"
"We're still on the fucking staircase!" shouted Ax, "the thing goes on forever!"
"Listen Ax, you have to keep going. We've retreated into the entrance hall to the tomb, and it's only a matter of time before the Metal Heads break through."
Ax groaned heavily on the other end. "All right, all right, we'll pick up the pace as much as we can." There was a light 'click' as the radio was turned off at the other end.
"So now what?" asked Daxter nervously.
"I'd say we wait," Samos suggested wisely.
"Yaaah! When'd you get here?" asked Daxter suspiciously.
"I decided to join the retreat to Mar's Tomb in stead of wait out the war from the underground roads. I have forever wished to look upon the splendid wonders of Mar's Tomb."
"But daddy," Keira wined, "it's too dangerous!"
"I was worried about you, Keira."
There was a sudden resounding crash that shook the very pillars of the cavern. The one-foot of water covering the expanse of the tomb shook violently as several more crashes were heard.
"What the hell!?" cried Shady.
"It's the Metal Heads," muttered Tess.
"Everyone listen!" Ashelin yelled over the building commotion, "I want Jak and Shady's groups to go through the right doorway (Second Test of Manhood), and Mogg and Sig's groups to go through the left (First Test of Manhood)! My group will hold off the bastards for as long as we can! Go!"
"I'll stay here with Ashelin," stated Samos firmly. There was no time for arguing.
There was much panicked screaming as the two parties split off between the two doorways (tests of manhood). Jak and Shady ran side by side, both leading their companies on. Shady and Jak seemed to be of equal physical fitness, both were able to traverse the great obstacle course of traps and puzzles.
Hieroglyphs and majestic scenes of battle were etched into the walls of the tomb. They seemed to come alive with the dying flutter of the licking flames that lined the walls, lighting the way. They passed many barred doorways. The expanse beyond seemed foul and foreboding. It had a musty smell, and if you stopped to listen, you could swear that you heard something breathing.
"Cheery place ol' Mar has, ain't it?" Shady huffed.
"Sure is," Jak laughed back.
The two companies finally reached a large square room. There was a small colored tile in the center, resembling rolling waves. Jak's radio crackled. "Jak, Shady!" yelled Ashelin over the radio, "it's too much! The Metal Heads have broken through and there are too many of us to fight. Our hope is in Ax's hands now. You must hold out until he gives the signal."
"Yes, Governess," Shady barked into the radio.
"Wait here," said Jak.
"Are you crazy?" thundered Shady, "they're coming!"
"Trust me!"
Several minutes passed as the remainder of Jak and Shady's groups filed into the room, puffing and sweating. Not two minutes later the Metal Heads entered the room. They entered slowly, as if savoring the fear of their trapped prey. Strings of slime oozed from their maws of crooked teeth, their small glowing eyes surveying their surroundings, looking for any possible trap.
Come on, Jak thought urgently, just a little closer. He rubbed the small stone in his hand from behind his back with his thumb.
"Jak, if you're going to do something," whispered Shady, "you'd better do it soon."
The Metal Heads were roughly a foot from the button in the center. Without warning Jak tossed the stone at the tile. In his haste however he failed to aim and ended up knocking a Metal Head in the middle of the head. "Shit," he cursed to himself. This was all the enticement the Metal Heads needed. They sprang into action, their jaws wide open Jak pulled out his blaster and fired on the attackers. Every elf behind him followed his lead. In seconds the room was alive with shots flying between the two sides.
The walls were singed and burnt where ill-aimed shots had hit the walls. Jak rolled between the legs of one creature and kicked him from behind, sending him sprawling to the floor. Jak righted himself and fired fifty Vulcan shells into the Metal Head's back. Close combat was obviously one of the Metal Heads' strong suits. In a small room there was very little room to fight.
Screams erupted from within the room. Metal Heads were scaling the walls and climbing on the ceiling, dropping down on any and all unsuspecting elves. They had to stick together and beat them down. Jak's eyes searched for Shady's red jumpsuit somewhere in the fray. After beating his way through several Metal Heads he found her across the room fighting off several burly foes with one small Red Eco pistol and her rifle, which she was using as a club.
She cartwheeled to the side, narrowly avoiding the claws of an extremely vicious looking one. She twisted about and railed the Metal Head off guard in the head, shattering his Skull Gem.
Two charged her a second later. She did a no handed flip backward; firing two blasts while flying backward. The Metal Heads were sent hurtling through the air, landing some ten feet away in precarious positions. Large holes were blasted in their chests.
Shady's (whatever color Shadowsister's hair is) hair waved in the momentum of her jump. She tripped another creature in a kung-fu style move and plunged the sharpened barrel of her rifle through his head.
Though she faced almost certain doom, Jak had to stop and admire her for a moment. She certainly knew what she was doing. He then continued to rush in to assist her. He leapt onto the back of a lizard-like creature broke its neck. He then vaulted off of it and spin-kicked above Shady to slow himself. He landed next to her in a crouching position, blasting another Metal Head that got too close.
"Shady!" Jak shouted over the sounds of battle. He threw his arm out to Shady, who grabbed on firmly. Jak then, with as much strength as he could muster, hurled Shady about him like a chain. Shady kicked any Metal Head who dared to come forward straight in the face. Jak let go and Shady fell to the floor and rolled to her feet. She ran back to Jak and stood with her back to his.
"Pretty limber," Jak commented.
"Is it over!?" Daxter screeched from inside Jak's backpack.
"Shady listen," Jak said to her, "did you see that tile in the middle of the room? We have to press it."
"Why?"
"Just trust me. You're faster than me, so I'll clear a path for you. You're gong to have to be quick though, and whatever you do, do not fire your gun." Shady nodded.
Jak pulled out his Peace Maker and sent several blasts towards the rows of Metal Heads between Shady and the tile. "Go!" Jak roared.
Shady was gone before Jak had even said anything. She was a red streak against the purple of the surrounding enemies. She dove forward, body straight and narrow like a spear as she flew through the air. Her hand landed on the tile as she hit the ground. There was a distinct rumbling. Jak looked up above him to see a dozen or so small beetles fall from hidden compartments in the tall ceiling. They flew down and scurried about.
Several elves drew their guns fearfully. "DO – NOT – SHOOT!!" Jak shouted to them. The people reluctantly put their guns away and began slowly backing to the wall. The confused Metal Heads looked about at the pizza-pan- sized beetles scurrying about in no seeable pattern.
"Are you sure about this?" Shady asked Jak.
"For the last time, Shady, trust me."
It seemed to happen on cue. One of the beetles exploded after being stepped on by a Metal Head. The shocked Metal Heads drew their guns and began firing rapidly at the scurrying creatures. "Everyone get down!" Jak yelled to the few remaining elves. All elves ducked not a moment to soon. The walls seemed to melt away as a new wall of spikes were revealed. The Metal Heads looked about in confusion. All at once the foot-long spikes flew from the wall, passing with ease through all creatures in the room.
It was all over in seconds. The shish kabobed bodies of Metal Heads lay in ruin throughout the beetle-room. Oily blood flowed out in a wave into the center of the room.
All of a sudden a door opened up. It was not the normal door that opened if the puzzle was solved correctly. It was a hidden door, revealed only after the first wall had melted away. The room within it was pitch black, and a rank, vile smell rose up out of it.
"Go," Jak whispered. He knew that more Metal Heads would be coming. This was not all of the creatures that had followed them. "Go!"
The few remaining elves, tired and war-torn, marched into the mysterious door, unable to find any other way out.
Ekobean: GOD THANK YOU!!! This chapter gave me hell! Nine and a half pages!! There was so much to write. I know that you can tell that I sort of got sloppy at the end because I was so freaking tired of writing this chapter. Anyway, read and review. And look for the ninth chapter soon. The end is very near.
Also, look for Shady Sis' big part. I hope u like it, Shades!
To Queen Simia: Thanks for the grammar lesson.
The battle raged on for what seemed to be millennia. Jak had accumulated a wide assortment of battle scars in just a few minutes. The Dark Eco had increased the Metal Heads' strength and speed two fold. He was barely able to dodge their attacks. He felt the Dark Fire slowly rising up in him. He tried to fight it back, tried to hold it down as hard as his will was able. He felt the monster's rage and its bloodlust. He forced it down to the very corner of his mind, simultaneously fighting physically and mentally.
At the moment Jak was in a one-on-one duel with a dinosaur-like Metal Head carrying a shock rifle similar to those the Krimzon Guard used. Jak flipped to the side, narrowly dodging the sizzling bolts of red lightning that erupted from the head of the rifle. Regaining a strong posture he charged the Metal Head. It barely had time to react as Jak plowed head first into its chest. In one quick move Jak rammed his bleeding fist into the monster's nose. He felt its nose crunch under his fist.
Jak got up from his latest kill and leaned up against the nearest building, panting desperately for air. He surveyed the battle from his viewpoint. They were severely outnumbered; the purple glowing aura was growing stronger and larger, slowly moving forward as his section was being forced back to the center of the city. Yet the bullets continued to fly in a never- ending flurry, the air was alive with the sounds of bullets whizzing through and of people dying.
Jak wiped a small dribble of blood that was leaking from his split lip. Without another thought he equipped his Blaster barrel and charged back into the fray. He tripped one Metal Head that had gotten too close to the line of slowly retreating elves. It caught several Yellow Eco blasts in the face a split second later. With Jak in the front lines the people seemed to gain more confidence. Red Eco charges seemed to fly faster and in greater numbers while Jak was in front. He could feel the deadly beams of Red Eco flying past him, coming so close that one almost singed his ear.
Clouds were beginning to form overhead. Thunder rumbled like a stampede of wild Yakows in the distance.
Still rapidly pulling the trigger, Jak reached into his pocket and flipped on his radio. "How're we doing, Ashelin?" he yelled into it.
"Badly!" came Ashelin's muddled reply, "Mogg's army is completely obliterated! Metal Heads are streaming into the city. If another commander falls we'll be destroyed from the inside out. We're doing our best to hold them off but – HOLY SHIT!!" there was a crackled sound of blasters being fired in the background.
"What!" Jak called anxiously, "Ashelin! Ashelin!!"
"I'm alright!" Ashelin said shakily after a few seconds, "Sig is still managing to keep them at bay on his side, but Shady is being pushed back."
"The same here with us," Jak said, "the citizens' inexperience is costing us."
"Agreed. I'm afraid that if another section falls we may have to retreat."
"To where? You said that the Metal Heads would kill us from the inside out! There's nowhere we can retreat to!"
"There may be..."
"If you're thinking the Tomb there's no way! Ax and his men are still down there, and if the Metal Heads find the Eco Springs Gol and Maia will destroy us for sure!"
"We may have no choice. Hold them back for as long as you can!"
(Two hours later)
Jak spat blood from his mouth. The Metal Head has hit him hard in the gut. He felt as if his insides were going to explode. He could see the Metal Head standing triumphantly above him, its energy sword raised above its head. It let out a long laugh as it swung down the sword. Jak cringed and closed his eyes tight, not wanting to see the final blow come.
There was a shot from behind the Metal Head and a loud screech. Jak looked up just in time to see the creature fall limply to its knees with a clatter. He caught sight of one perfect hole seared through him.
Jak looked up from the lifeless carcass of the creature to his savior. There, her body silhouetted against the fading light of the sun, was Keira. Her armor was battered and sliced, her Krimzon Guard helmet had been knocked clean off, and there was a nasty-looking cut across her face, yet she was alive.
Jak stood up to meet her. "My hero," he said teasingly to her. Keira smiled slightly as she stared him up and down from his bloodstained pants to his severely torn tunic.
"You look a little worse for the wear, Jak," she replied matter-of-factly, "looks like I found you just in time."
"Whaddaya mean?" the quivering lump that was Daxter said from Jak's satchel, "I've been right behind him the whole time!"
"Oh, I believe it," Keira mused.
Jak's radio crackled as Ashelin's mismatched voice rang over it.
"...Eds...oke...rough," she said, "...ant...f...ore...!"
"What was that Ashelin?" Jak yelled into the radio.
"I said the Metal Heads have broken through," Ashelin literally screeched over the radio, "we can't hold them off anymore! Shady's army is too broken up to fight anymore, so we have to retreat to the Tomb."
"Have Ax and his men found the Eco springs yet?"
"I checked with them a minute ago. They found a room about three hundred meters down that was blocked up with rocks, so they were about to blast. I'll give you more detail later, retreat to the Tomb now!"
"Keira, we have to retreat to the tomb."
"I heard."
"Fall back," Jak yelled, "retreat to Mar's Tomb! We have to retreat back! Go, go, go!!"
The cobblestones and asphalt of the city streets were pounded with thousands of feet retreating to Mar's Tomb. People were thrown into the air as missiles and bombs fell into the city. Buildings, homes, and shops were toppled with earth-shattering crashes, crushing everyone underneath them.
About halfway to the tomb Jak suddenly realized something. Metal Heads were drawn to two things the most, Eco and Precurian artifacts. There was only one Precursor artifact Jak knew of that was inside the city, the Oracle of the Water Slums. "Keira," Jak said grabbing her by the wrist, "I have to do something."
"Jak," she shouted back, "we have to get to Mar's tomb!"
"I know, but I have to do this. Please, don't argue, it's important. I'll get there, I promise!"
Keira looked up at Jak. His crystal blue eyes reflected the light of the fading sun. His once boyish face had been made rough and hard from battle. She could see something else in his eyes. He was desperate for something, and though she didn't know what it was, she knew he had to do it. "Ok," she said, "but be careful. I'll be waiting."
Jak kissed her lightly on the cheek, then turned and ran off in the opposite direction. He was heading for the water slums. As he made his way through the endless wave of panicking citizens he could make out small shapes of Metal Heads in the distance. After several minutes he reached them. They had several citizens captured in their midst and were proceeding to torture them. Jak nearly vomited as he saw two of the overpowered citizens firing vainly into the faces of the Metal Heads as they were torn to pieces by their attackers.
"Hey!" Jak cried as he ran forward towards the Metal Heads. The creatures turned their heads toward the sound of this new meal, hissing with glee. They began to slowly crawl around Jak, long strings of saliva dripping from their gaping mouths. They charged as one without any warning. Jak had barely enough time to react as he leapt a staggering ten feet into the air, twirling in midair whilst firing Yellow Eco blasts from his Blaster. All four Dark Metal Heads were dropped with precise holes cut through them in several places.
Jak continued to run on to the Water Slums. His feet slammed down on the wavy wooden pier causing it to creak and shake dangerously. He could see deep into the murky depths of the polluted water. He could see small objects moving, perhaps some kind of mutated fish. Jak made a sharp left towards the shrine that the Oracle was locked in, only to find several Dark Metal Heads clustering about the door, unceasingly scratching at it, trying to break in. Jak wasted no time in dispatching the pitiful creatures. The rock door slid open the moment the Metal Heads were killed. Without a second thought Jak slipped inside.
He was immediately greeted with the flickering light of dying candles, and the iridescent glow of the Precursor Oracle itself. Its metal body was crafted into the shape of some strange elephant-like creature. Two hollow eyeballs that had once held Power Cells were set in the Oracle's cranium.
"Ho...Dark Warrior..." growled the Oracle in its deep, rich voice, "you have returned in this time of deep crisis."
"I had to come to protect you," said Jak, "if the Metal Heads find you they'll tear you apart."
"I have lived one thousand lives of elves. I have seen great civilizations rise to power and fall just as quickly. Perhaps it is my time."
"No," said Jak firmly, "I won't let it happen. I have to protect you."
"This is not the only problem that troubles you, Dark One. I sense that your mind is clouded with confusion; great wisps of deceit cloud your very being. You wish to know the outcome of this war."
"Well, yes," the elf sighed, "so many people are depending on me, and this prophecy that Samos has come up with."
"Yes, Samos the Green Sage recalls the most ancient of all prophecies. The Greatest Battle of Day and Night, yes; this war will end at its coming."
"Will we win?"
"I cannot see this."
"Bullshit!" spat Jak, "you're an Oracle! You see the future, and you damn well know how this is going to end!"
"No, Dark One, there are some things that not even I can see. But I can tell you that before this day is over the future of this world will be in your hands or the Night's."
"Gol and Maia."
"Yesssss," hissed the Oracle, "and I believe that now is the time you acquired the last Dark Power."
"The last one?" Jak questioned, "you already gave me the last one. Dark Giant, remember?"
"No, this was not true. The last Dark Power is for the battle. Use it only when Darkness seems to consume your very being, and all hope seems lost. You must use it then and only then." Without warning a long trail of purple lightning shot from the Oracle's trunk. It embraced Jak lifting him into the air. He clutched his head, twitching from the stings of the Dark Power seeping into his being. Unlike all other givings of Dark Powers, Jak did not revert to Dark Jak form. "I give you the power of Dark Twin. Remember my words."
Jak looked up dumbfounded at the glowing creature before him. He reached his hand up to touch the carefully crafted metal of the Oracle. He had so much more to ask it, so much more he needed to know. But at that very moment the door shook again. The rock began to crumble as Metal Head claws were forced through it. "They come," rasped the Oracle, "you must go now. Leave me here, for my time has come."
"No," said Jak, rising from the ground, "I may not be able to protect you, but I can hide you!" Jak drew his Vulcan Fury and shot the rotting wood about the Oracle's base. There was a muffled splash as the Oracle sank quickly into the murky depths of the Water Slums. An enormous hole lined with sharp, splintered wood was all that remained from where the Oracle once stood. Not a second later there was a thunderous crash as several enormous Metal Heads broke through the Oracle's door. The shattered rock landed just short of Jak's feet.
The Metal Heads looked up at the thin elf standing were just seconds before, and ancient Precursor artifact had stood. The candles about the room wavered slightly as the elf charged the Peace Maker in its hand to its full capacity. "Sorry," the elf said in a mock-casual tone, "you just missed him." Without another word the elf let go of the trigger. The pulsating blue aura arced and split, obliterating the Metal Heads completely.
[several minutes later, Mar's Tomb]
Everyone covered their faces as tons of ancient, carven rock caved in upon itself. Sig had blasted the entrance to the Tomb with his Peace Maker, hopefully delaying the Metal Heads' entrance.
"That's that, I guess," said Sig.
"But how long before the Metal Heads break through," asked Jak, who had entered the Tomb a minute before the group decided to blast the entrance.
"Well, judging by how much rock fell, a damn long time," replied Shady.
"Don't be so sure," muttered Ashelin darkly. The governess reached into her satchel and plucked out her battered radio. "Ax?" she asked, "are you there yet?"
"We're still on the fucking staircase!" shouted Ax, "the thing goes on forever!"
"Listen Ax, you have to keep going. We've retreated into the entrance hall to the tomb, and it's only a matter of time before the Metal Heads break through."
Ax groaned heavily on the other end. "All right, all right, we'll pick up the pace as much as we can." There was a light 'click' as the radio was turned off at the other end.
"So now what?" asked Daxter nervously.
"I'd say we wait," Samos suggested wisely.
"Yaaah! When'd you get here?" asked Daxter suspiciously.
"I decided to join the retreat to Mar's Tomb in stead of wait out the war from the underground roads. I have forever wished to look upon the splendid wonders of Mar's Tomb."
"But daddy," Keira wined, "it's too dangerous!"
"I was worried about you, Keira."
There was a sudden resounding crash that shook the very pillars of the cavern. The one-foot of water covering the expanse of the tomb shook violently as several more crashes were heard.
"What the hell!?" cried Shady.
"It's the Metal Heads," muttered Tess.
"Everyone listen!" Ashelin yelled over the building commotion, "I want Jak and Shady's groups to go through the right doorway (Second Test of Manhood), and Mogg and Sig's groups to go through the left (First Test of Manhood)! My group will hold off the bastards for as long as we can! Go!"
"I'll stay here with Ashelin," stated Samos firmly. There was no time for arguing.
There was much panicked screaming as the two parties split off between the two doorways (tests of manhood). Jak and Shady ran side by side, both leading their companies on. Shady and Jak seemed to be of equal physical fitness, both were able to traverse the great obstacle course of traps and puzzles.
Hieroglyphs and majestic scenes of battle were etched into the walls of the tomb. They seemed to come alive with the dying flutter of the licking flames that lined the walls, lighting the way. They passed many barred doorways. The expanse beyond seemed foul and foreboding. It had a musty smell, and if you stopped to listen, you could swear that you heard something breathing.
"Cheery place ol' Mar has, ain't it?" Shady huffed.
"Sure is," Jak laughed back.
The two companies finally reached a large square room. There was a small colored tile in the center, resembling rolling waves. Jak's radio crackled. "Jak, Shady!" yelled Ashelin over the radio, "it's too much! The Metal Heads have broken through and there are too many of us to fight. Our hope is in Ax's hands now. You must hold out until he gives the signal."
"Yes, Governess," Shady barked into the radio.
"Wait here," said Jak.
"Are you crazy?" thundered Shady, "they're coming!"
"Trust me!"
Several minutes passed as the remainder of Jak and Shady's groups filed into the room, puffing and sweating. Not two minutes later the Metal Heads entered the room. They entered slowly, as if savoring the fear of their trapped prey. Strings of slime oozed from their maws of crooked teeth, their small glowing eyes surveying their surroundings, looking for any possible trap.
Come on, Jak thought urgently, just a little closer. He rubbed the small stone in his hand from behind his back with his thumb.
"Jak, if you're going to do something," whispered Shady, "you'd better do it soon."
The Metal Heads were roughly a foot from the button in the center. Without warning Jak tossed the stone at the tile. In his haste however he failed to aim and ended up knocking a Metal Head in the middle of the head. "Shit," he cursed to himself. This was all the enticement the Metal Heads needed. They sprang into action, their jaws wide open Jak pulled out his blaster and fired on the attackers. Every elf behind him followed his lead. In seconds the room was alive with shots flying between the two sides.
The walls were singed and burnt where ill-aimed shots had hit the walls. Jak rolled between the legs of one creature and kicked him from behind, sending him sprawling to the floor. Jak righted himself and fired fifty Vulcan shells into the Metal Head's back. Close combat was obviously one of the Metal Heads' strong suits. In a small room there was very little room to fight.
Screams erupted from within the room. Metal Heads were scaling the walls and climbing on the ceiling, dropping down on any and all unsuspecting elves. They had to stick together and beat them down. Jak's eyes searched for Shady's red jumpsuit somewhere in the fray. After beating his way through several Metal Heads he found her across the room fighting off several burly foes with one small Red Eco pistol and her rifle, which she was using as a club.
She cartwheeled to the side, narrowly avoiding the claws of an extremely vicious looking one. She twisted about and railed the Metal Head off guard in the head, shattering his Skull Gem.
Two charged her a second later. She did a no handed flip backward; firing two blasts while flying backward. The Metal Heads were sent hurtling through the air, landing some ten feet away in precarious positions. Large holes were blasted in their chests.
Shady's (whatever color Shadowsister's hair is) hair waved in the momentum of her jump. She tripped another creature in a kung-fu style move and plunged the sharpened barrel of her rifle through his head.
Though she faced almost certain doom, Jak had to stop and admire her for a moment. She certainly knew what she was doing. He then continued to rush in to assist her. He leapt onto the back of a lizard-like creature broke its neck. He then vaulted off of it and spin-kicked above Shady to slow himself. He landed next to her in a crouching position, blasting another Metal Head that got too close.
"Shady!" Jak shouted over the sounds of battle. He threw his arm out to Shady, who grabbed on firmly. Jak then, with as much strength as he could muster, hurled Shady about him like a chain. Shady kicked any Metal Head who dared to come forward straight in the face. Jak let go and Shady fell to the floor and rolled to her feet. She ran back to Jak and stood with her back to his.
"Pretty limber," Jak commented.
"Is it over!?" Daxter screeched from inside Jak's backpack.
"Shady listen," Jak said to her, "did you see that tile in the middle of the room? We have to press it."
"Why?"
"Just trust me. You're faster than me, so I'll clear a path for you. You're gong to have to be quick though, and whatever you do, do not fire your gun." Shady nodded.
Jak pulled out his Peace Maker and sent several blasts towards the rows of Metal Heads between Shady and the tile. "Go!" Jak roared.
Shady was gone before Jak had even said anything. She was a red streak against the purple of the surrounding enemies. She dove forward, body straight and narrow like a spear as she flew through the air. Her hand landed on the tile as she hit the ground. There was a distinct rumbling. Jak looked up above him to see a dozen or so small beetles fall from hidden compartments in the tall ceiling. They flew down and scurried about.
Several elves drew their guns fearfully. "DO – NOT – SHOOT!!" Jak shouted to them. The people reluctantly put their guns away and began slowly backing to the wall. The confused Metal Heads looked about at the pizza-pan- sized beetles scurrying about in no seeable pattern.
"Are you sure about this?" Shady asked Jak.
"For the last time, Shady, trust me."
It seemed to happen on cue. One of the beetles exploded after being stepped on by a Metal Head. The shocked Metal Heads drew their guns and began firing rapidly at the scurrying creatures. "Everyone get down!" Jak yelled to the few remaining elves. All elves ducked not a moment to soon. The walls seemed to melt away as a new wall of spikes were revealed. The Metal Heads looked about in confusion. All at once the foot-long spikes flew from the wall, passing with ease through all creatures in the room.
It was all over in seconds. The shish kabobed bodies of Metal Heads lay in ruin throughout the beetle-room. Oily blood flowed out in a wave into the center of the room.
All of a sudden a door opened up. It was not the normal door that opened if the puzzle was solved correctly. It was a hidden door, revealed only after the first wall had melted away. The room within it was pitch black, and a rank, vile smell rose up out of it.
"Go," Jak whispered. He knew that more Metal Heads would be coming. This was not all of the creatures that had followed them. "Go!"
The few remaining elves, tired and war-torn, marched into the mysterious door, unable to find any other way out.
Ekobean: GOD THANK YOU!!! This chapter gave me hell! Nine and a half pages!! There was so much to write. I know that you can tell that I sort of got sloppy at the end because I was so freaking tired of writing this chapter. Anyway, read and review. And look for the ninth chapter soon. The end is very near.