Jak II Chronicles
Part II: The Precursor Stone
Chapter 16: The Lurkers
"Okay, everyone, in position!" shouted the director. Jak was in the school's stage where costumes, props, and the likes were being set and made. Jak eyed his script again and again, despite Zera repeating how much she liked it. Coming from her, that meant a lot.
"Can I have my notebook back now?" Jak asked.
"Not yet, AFTER the play." Zera hissed, "The play had better be a success or else." And she made another threat of wanting to tear Jak's notebook. Jak sighed, though in his head, he was excited about the play as much as she was.
"So, who's the main female lead?" Zera asked.
"I thought you read the script." Jak raised a hand.
"Just tell me!" Zera hissed again. Whenever she glared, her eyes looked almost like a snake's. Jak rolled his eyes.
"A poor slum girl named Nadia." Jak mumbled, the name "Nadia" randomly thought of in his head when he was making the play, "Zera, I hope you can sing, this IS a musical."
"OF COURSE I CAN!" She shouted, "I'm the best when it comes to the arts. There isn't anything I can't do." She made a rather glamorous pose, one arm high up, one arm down, her head up, her hips arched.
"Someday…I'll be a true star." Zera sighed, "And I'll be performing for stages everywhere." Jak rolled his eyes again, shook his head slightly, and smiled a bit. They already got through the castings. The main male role was being played by a boy named Kil. Kil was a shy boy everywhere he went, but on stage, he lit up like the star, moon, and sun together. He wasn't popular and he got sick just as much as Jak does, but everyone knew him. Zera had to complain before accepting him to be Prince Christof due to his pretty low status in the popularity chart.
Kiera, though not an actress, was part of the play as she handled the electricity. No one was better at technology in school then her. Daxter, too, volunteered in the play to act as the prince's bumbling sidekick, Anso, who Jak made in honor of his red haired friend. Daxter was more then pleased, though he was a little disturbed on the "bumbling part." Occasionally, Samos and I would come and see his work. I wasn't very fond of Zera's harsh, pompous attitude, especially towards Jak.
When Jak noticed me one day, he came over and showed me who would be playing who:
Prince Christof (the main hero)……………………………Kil Manaslay
Nadia (a poor slum girl whom Christof falls for)………..Zera Vonahorn (of course)
Anso (Christof's bumbling sidekick)……………………….Daxter Kino
Rip (A harsh former guard of the royal family)…………..Toni Mcflanger
Kuno (Christof's old mentor)……………………………...Jerry Mac
Bea (Rip's childhood friend, tough female soldier)……….Petri Samson
Taki (A free Lurker)……………………………....No one
Bannon (a mysterious man who helps Christof)…………..Chaze Sinclair
King Eli (The harsh uncle to Christof)……………………..Nic Bellows
Millia (Christof's loyal dog)……………………………...Kristi Kio
Bloy (A fat owner of a bar, devious)……………………….Mat Trevor (I have to wear a FAT suit!)
Horo-Quans (Monsters with gems on their forehead)……..Traci Kem, Jo Leeki, Han Lolu
I eyed it again and again and said a small "hmmm."
"Jak…who's playing the Lurker?" I asked. Jak sighed.
"That's the trouble, we don't know." Jak took the script, "Everyone refuses to be the Lurker."
"Well, we don't like Lurkers and they don't like us." I sat down next to him, on the edge of the stage.
"I know." Jak whined, "But everyone has good inside." I gave him a hearty pat on the back.
"We can do without the Lurker." Zera groaned, "Like I want those hairy beasts in my play."
"Her play?" I scoffed.
"Zera, the Lurker's role is important." Jak struggled, "I have to find a part." Zera stuck her nose in the air and continued to admire herself. Jak groaned in frustration and walked off.
"Oh, dear." I mumbled, going after him. He was already outside the school, walking off to a small beach outside where he stared at the sky. Sunset was nearing us. I could already see the purples and orange, but the blue sky still stood.
"Jak, are you okay?" I asked.
"I feel…angry." Jak had his hands on his wrist, "Why?"
"Well, because you spent your heart and soul in this play and it's not going the way you'd expect."
"Yea, that must be it." Jak sat down, "All I've been doing lately is whining…some 13 year old I am, I sound like I'm 8."
"You didn't whine when you were 8." I sat down next to him, the sand feeling soft, yet a bit stingy. Jak nodded, his face showing he doesn't agree though, "On the contrary, you were a rather quite kid." Jak made a sympathetic gesture.
"Just take it one day at a time, something good will come of this." I pointed out, "Good things will happen to good people in the end." Jak nodded again. He kept a slight "I don't really know what to believe" face.
"It's just that the play means so much to me." Jak continued, "Most of them are from dreams I had and I love these dreams, however terrible it may be. It feels like there is truth in these dreams."
"I see." I stared at the sand, watching the waves try and reach out feet, noticing how much Jak is remembering, yet still not aware. Everyday, I cringe to tell him his true origin, but in the end, my mouth is clamped shut. Would he hate me that I kept this a secret for so long? We both stared out to the sea, our faces filled with serene thoughts.
Then his face started to cringe. He was eyeing something on the sea.
"What is it?" I stared, too. I was assumedly staring at the same thing Jak was, a huge lump floating this way. It was pitch black from the sunset, but its true colors showed as it came closer. Jak dived into the water a little to help pull whatever it was in.
"It's very furry." Jak gasped, "And heavy!"
I decided to help push it in. To our shock, we were face-to-face a Lurker! An unconscious one, apparently.
"What do we do?" Jak asked, giving me his hopeful face.
"I guess we take him inside." I suggested, "But we must be careful so people will not notice." Jak nodded, determined. We lifted him up and placed his arms around out shoulders. He gave a soft groan. We observed to see his head was bleeding. Someone must have knocked him unconscious.
After lugging the giant creature for a good few minutes (careful to make sure no one was watching) we lured him into our house where we bandaged his head and iced it. The Lurker stayed unconscious for the entire night, Jak watching over the creature all night. The Lurker was sleeping on couch where half his legs were sticking out, showing that even the couch was too small for this Lurker. The blood was seeping through his bandage. Jak rested on the armchair next to the Lurker, refusing to leave until he woke up. I gave up trying to urge him back to his room, so when he fell asleep, I just gave him a blanket.
Morning fast approached and I came downstairs, surprised to Jak and the Lurker chatting with each other.
"Oh, there's my uncle!" Jak gasped, "Uncle, come look! He's awake!"
"Hello." The Lurker waved, "So…you also saved my life. I thank you."
"…You're welcome." I strained, coming down slowly to Jak and the Lurker. I was unsure on the giant creature. As far as anyone of us knew, Lurkers were bad news.
"I am Milo." The Lurker introduced himself, "I come from far off Lurker village."
"How did you end up in the ocean?" Jak asked, with an eager tone to his voice.
"I had a fight with another Lurker and he knocked me unconscious." Milo answered, "Since our village is at edge of the ocean, Milo fell in when he knocked me. I must have been drifting for a day…maybe."
"A day, wow." Jak smiled.
"Impossible! You cannot survive a day with your face in water, can you?" I gasped, since that was the way we found him. Unlike Jak, I had little information on animals.
"Lurkers can breathe much longer then we can, Uncle." Jak answered.
"Oh." I lowered my head.
"I guess Lurkers were wrong in that Precursians hated us." Milo touched the back of his head.
"Actually, most of our species does." I corrected, "Jak is an exceptional. He doesn't fear you at all."
"And you?" Milo asked.
"…A little." I spoke, ashamed.
"Understandable, the same can be said for my people, that, and bitter hatred." Milo cleared his throat, "Not me though, I always interested in Precursians. I'm an outcast, you could say. A reason I got into that fight and landed here."
"I know that feeling, Mr. Milo." Jak half-smiled, "I know how hard it is…not to be accepted." Milo, too smiled.
"I must go home." Milo sighed, "My family must miss me."
"You have a family?" I asked, asking sincerely and not of disrespect.
"Yes, papa and mama, older brother, very strong. I is youngest, only a boy."
"You're only a young man?" I asked. Milo nodded.
"Banished…how horrible." Jak muttered, "I like Lurkers and everyone knows, but the mayor would never vanish me…maybe it's because he thinks I like all animals."
"You pretty much do, Jak." I sighed. Jak nodded sheepishly.
"We'll think of a way to get you home." Jak suggested, "Until then, you can live here with us…right, Uncle?" I wanted to protest, keeping a Lurker in this village was certainly about as wise as swimming in a shark infested ocean, but the look on Jak's eyes and that kindness inside of him, lend me to agree to let Milo stay. Milo was more then thrill.
"I can learn more about the precursians!" Milo gasped. Jak and I nodded, I was a little unenthusiastically as Jak' was.
"Now, I got to find someone who can play as the Lurker in my play." Jak mumbled, grabbing a pencil to have a brainstorming session.
………………………
Haven City
Month 14: Bonia, Day 4 (Winter Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)
It took a full month or so to clear a schedule for both Brutter and Jak (the latter stuffed with so many missions down his throat since the last time he meant Brutter). They settled on a chilly, cloudy day in the beginning months of Bonia.
The Air train was located in the Port. Despite it being in the middle of winter, Brutter warned Jak to dress lightly once they reached their destination. The child was once again, full of glee to be with Jak. No longer calling him "Mr. Jak,", he affectingly started calling by his first name. Daxter, Ani, and Puar all tagged along. Brutter, before he left, manage to place a "Gone for a while" sign before he left. Needless to say, the people were relieved that Brutter had left, half of them thinking that he would never come back, the other half hoping he wouldn't come back.
Pulling his red scarf to cover his mouth and nose, Jak handed his Air Train pass to the Krimzon Guard guarding it, hoping he wouldn't noticed "Jak Bannon."
"You're clear, hop on." the guard spoke. Jak nodded and pushed the others in. The guard stopped when Brutter was about to enter.
"Any Lurkers living in Haven City are not allowed to leave!" He ordered. Jak (who had a lease around Brutter so to pretend the Lurker was his slave) got in front of the guard.
"This slave is with me." Jak ushered, then came closer to the guard and whispered, "He's being punished." The guard merely nodded and left them through.
Inside the Air Train was not your idea of a limo ride. The insides were gray and plain. Two seats hung from the wall, as hard as the surrounding wall, ceiling, and floor. This was more prison vehicle then service ride. The taxi cab driver was only shown through a small window where he asked Jak and the others where to go.
"To the dig, sir." Jak responded. The taxi driver stood silent for a minute and then said, "That's only for the Baron, miners, slave Lurkers, and Krimzon Guards."
"I happen to be a miner, a new one!" Jak scoffed, "Me and my slave Lurker…and my pets."
"Whatever." and the air train flew. It flew above the city and headed north. The trip took a massive two hours, during which time the heroes chatted softly. It landed on a small launch pad and quickly left as he landed.
"Hey, how will we get back?" Daxter asked, annoyed.
"We'll worry about that later, come on, let's move." Jak waved his arm, signaling to move on.
"So, where is this hidden Lurker village anyway?" Daxter asked.
"I assume we head in there." Jak pointed to a cave where there were several lamps hung on the walls, as well as a glowing red light coming from the lava.
"Do we go in that way or is there some secret way in, Brutter?" Jak asked.
"There is secret way, but it too far dangerous." Brutter suggested, "Come, I take you through fastest and safest way."
Fast was right, safe…nuh-uh. The main way in, the heroes rode down an elevator and almost came face to face with Krimzon Guards. Jak gasped and quickly pushed the others behind a large rock, big enough to hide even Brutter. They peeked their heads out.
"Holy crap." Daxter whispered. What they saw was the jackpot of Krimzon Guards, miners, and more slave Lurkers. The miners dugged the deep and hot earth, all donning construction hats, all sweating, all dirty. Lurkers lugged the heavier objects while both miners and Lurkers operated heavy machinery. Krimzon Guards constantly patrolled nearly every section of the dig. The reason was not because they valued the lives of the Lurkers or miners (Praxis' speech, "Everyone is expendable"), but because of a huge machinery stuck in the middle of the dig site, a giant drill that was digging deeper into this planet.
"Look at the size of that drill." Jak gasped, eyeing the heavy piece of machinery, "If only I could just get rid of it." He eyed the drill's suspenders, giant thick ropes.
"Later, we focus on the Lurkers right now." The kid ordered. Jak nodded, a bit hesitant.
"Great, what now?" Puar mumbled.
"There is secret cave hole pass dig." Brutter pointed.
"WHAT?" Daxter whispered in shock, "We have to pass them!"
"We don't have to." Jak whispered, "We can go on the sides. There are rocks that can hide us as we pass. We just have to be extra quiet and quick on our feet. If the guards hear or sees us, we run for that secret hole, got it?" The rest nodded.
"I'll go first." Jak spoke, "When all is clear, I'll make a gesture to let you know when to move." And so with that, Jak left the rock and slowly started to head for the next rock located on the side.
"How do those guards survive in this heat?" Daxter stared, "Their armors are thick!"
"Built in coolers." The kid answered, "Oh, look, he's gesturing us to move."
"Your majesty, you go first." Puar urged, "Ani, you go as well to protect the kid." The kid nodded and he and Ani quickly left, quietly going over to where Jak was. Daxter and Puar went next, and lastly Brutter. This went on for a while, all were surprised they made it this far.
"This is getting tense." Daxter muttered.
"Pull yourself together!" Puar hissed. Jak ordered them both to "shut up." He then turned his gaze to the dig site.
"Okay, we're more then halfway there." Jak reported, "Be extra quiet."
And they went about their same sneak approach. They reached their destination. Brutter searched around, and then quickly started to roll a rock half his size. Once he rolled it all the way through, a small entrance was revealed.
"We go in here." Brutter whispered. Jak nodded and quickly shoved the kid in. The animals and Puar went next.
"Go." Brutter gestured to Jak. Jak nodded and crawled in, the hole too small to let him walk standing. Brutter searched around some more, then went in to, making sure to put the rock back so as no one else would find it.
The heroes crawled in a rather cool tunnel, which is a heavy irony considering they were in a practically living volcano. Once out, it became hot again. Jak and the kid were down in sweat. Daxter and Ani, being animals didn't sweat, but their feelings toward the heat were all the same as Jak and the child. Only Brutter and Puar felt remotely used to it.
"Did you bring in cool clothes like Brutter suggested?" Brutter asked. Jak nodded and whipped out his light clothing.
"Okay, we'll change over by that rock." Jak suggested, pulling him and the kid behind it. The clothes change took a while, for the warm clothings had stuck to their wearers through sweat. Once in their cooler outfis, Jak and the child felt a great sense of relief, despite them still feeling drastic heat.
Jak sported his summer/spring wear, an indigo colored tunic (the same color as his normal, usual indigo wear), light in fabric, short sleeve, long in that it reached near his knees, though he wore a brown belt. Pockets graced the chest area. He wore indigo colored fingerless gloves. His pants were remotely the same white ones he always wore. The same for the shoes. Jak took notice and tied his hair back top to create a ponytail. The child was merely wearing his familiar white shirt and overalls, though with boots as walking on the jagged and hot grounds was no good use for bare feet.
"Okay, let's go." Jak mumbled as he stuff in his warm clothes in his backpack. Brutter nodded and lead the way. This area was fortunately free of Krimzon Guards, but lava and dangerous hot springs sprung out of nowhere. Brutter and Puar walked on with no hesitation, but the rest were staggering under the heat and occasionally, Daxter freaked out whenever a hot spring made its "HISSSS" sound.
"Almost there." Brutter tried to add in some happiness to this friends, but to no avail. Brutter must've have said, "almost there" that it no longer held any sense of truth in their eyes. They also took a while to realize that they were walking up.
"We almost there." Brutter spoke again.
"Brutter, stop saying that!" Jak groaned, "Every time you do, it's like you're extending the trip."
"Sorry." Brutter felt slightly offended, "Ooh, we here!"
"Huh?" cried the heroes. Jak and the others opened their half eyes fully and gasped. There it was…the hidden Lurker village.
"Home sweet home, I suppose." Brutter muttered.
The Lurker village was truly a different site opposed to the countless rocks, lavas, and stalagmites and stalactites the heroes have seen in their travels. The villages hung high, high above tall, rocky pillars. Bridges were the only way to get in and get out. There were quite a few huts, some bigger then others. Jak assumed the biggest one belonged to their leader if Lurkers had one. The volcanic surface surrounding the village had no ceilings, so the sky could be easily seen.
"Okay, I guess we can go." Daxter suggested. He headed for the nearest bridge (which was composed of wood and rope), but stopped and screamed.
"What?" Jak cried out, running to Daxter. The little ottsel climbed quickly to Jak's shoulder.
"I can't cross this!" Daxter shouted, "The bottom below is entirely lava!"
"Well, what you expect?" Brutter asked.
"Excuse me, Brutter, you may be used to this, but I am NOT!" Daxter shouted.
"It's okay." Jak groaned, "We'll go slowly." Daxter refused to leave Jak's shoulder as Jak crossed the bridge, making creaking sounds for each step they took. It was a surprise that the weak looking bridge manage to hold a lot of weight. They walked ever so slowly, none but Brutter and Puar refusing to look down. Daxter, for some reason, was holding his breath, afraid that if he didn't stop holding it in, he would die. Once across, Daxter let out a huge gasp of air, and then proceeded to gasp. Jak, too gasped, with the child and Ani following afterwards. The group were head to head with a group of Lurkers, ALL with anger in their faces.
"Oh-No." Puar whispered hovering near Jak. Jak had his hands on the kid's shoulder and pulled him closer to his side.
The group of Lurkers took a long stare at Jak and his friends, then at Brutter. They gasped. The one in front spoke.
"Brutter?"
"Akai." Brutter said.
"You is back!" The one known as Akai spoke.
"Yes, Akai, I is back." Brutter sighed, sounding as if he regretted returning. The Lurker named Akai stared down at Jak and the kid, then growled back at Brutter.
"YOU BRING PRECURSIANS?" Akai shouted, "YOU EXPOSE OUR HIDDEN VILLAGE TO UGLY PRECURSIANS?" Jak took offense, but didn't say anything out of pure risk. Now was NOT the time to do anything stupid.
"Akai, let me explain!" Brutter shouted, "They is GOOD precursians! They is come to help Lurker people!" Akai scoffed.
"LIE!" he shouted, "THERE IS NO GOOD PRECURSIANS! ALL EVIL!"
"We assure you, we're on your side." The kid came in, pulling himself away from Jak, who ended up being pulled back by Jak, his arms wrapped around the child's chest now, like an overprotective parent.
"No." Akai spoke in a calm manner, "You ALL come with us to see Village leader! You, too, Brutter!" And the Lurkers all surrounded Jak and the others, armed with spears, bows and arrows, crossbows, any sort of primitive weaponry.
"Come, do as they saids." Brutter suggested. Jak nodded and started to move. Daxter was now clinging onto Jak's hair, royally messing it up. Jak tightly held the child's hand, vowing never to let go out of fear of loosing him. Puar hovered nearby, Ani following close to the child.
"What will happen to us?" The kid whispered, who ironically, started to speak like a child and not as a prince.
"I don't know." Jak whispered, "What will happen, Brutter?"
"It depend." Brutter whispered back, "If leader chief sees us as ally, we is okay, if not…we is dead."
"Dead?" Daxter gulped, "How dead?"
"Well, for precursians, you is could be tossed in lava or get fed to giant monsters. Anything possible."
"Great, that makes me feel SOOOOO much more comfortable." Daxter's sarcastic remark rang true to everyone. For one, the child was shaking.
"Jak…" He gasped in fear. Jak held the kid's hand even tighter.
"I won't let them do anything to you." Jak emphasized the "anything" and "I promise." The kid nodded slowly.
"Silence!" Akai shouted. They walked past numerous huts where Lurkers; men, women, and children watched in shock at witnessing Jak and the kid.
Jak eyed the group of Lurkers who all surrounded them. They were a few inches bigger then Brutter and showed more signs of threatening. They wore mostly brown, leather outfits, ranging from vest to tank tops or whatever they felt comfortable with. They were all rugged and ruined, as if they've all been to battle numerous times. Feathers graced their head. The leader had the most feathers on his head. Upon further look, these feathers were exactly the same two that Brutter wore on his head. The Lurker groups had on buckles, mostly in their arms, legs, and necks. Some Lurkers actually had on Metal armors. Where they got the metal armors were unknown. For all Jak knew, they could have made it. Several small weapons like knives made from rocks graced their belts. To top it all off, the Lurkers all had tattoos surrounding their face, arms, legs, whatever. Jak then noticed the Lurkers who were all staring from their huts.
The male Lurkers were mostly shirtless with something wore underneath their waist, like a sumo-ish diaper, or pants. Most males had that familiar gold ring around their bottom lips. They were obviously taller then the females. The females had on clothes ranging from skimpy Amazonian-ish wears to full covered dresses. Unlike males' cheeks, the females' fringes on the sides of their mouth weren't round and bulgy, but edgy and sharp. It gave them an adorable appeal. Little children Lurker wore clothes or ran out nearly naked (it depended if you were a boy or a girl), but they didn't run. They stuck close to their parents who held them close. Any children Lurkers wanting to get a closer look at Jak and the kid due to curiosity was harshly taken back by their parents.
It seemed the tattooed Lurkers that Jak and the others were with were warriors, protectors of the village. Jak stared at the village huts. Barrels, fish hanging loose, fruits, it was hard for Jak to know WHERE they get their foods. A hot place like this cannot simply hold fish and fruits, let along barrels! There was a blacksmith shop where Jak could witness the Blacksmith Lurker taking what looked like a stack of Krimzon Guard armor parts. He grabbed one of the shoulder pieces and got set to work. Hmmm, perhaps that is how Lurkers get their armor. Judging by the KG armors, it seems that the warriors plan a daily attack on the dig.
The Lurker warriors lead Jak and the others into the biggest hut, which could belong to the leader, or so Jak thought. The heroes and Akai went in, the rest of the warriors waiting outside. Inside was a large room, yet cramped because it was surrounded by mystic items that Onin would be proud to own. In the middle set sat what Jak assumed was the chief. He was bundled with a tan blanket colorfully decorative and was smoking a long pipe.
"Chief, we have brought traitor Brutter who somehow, willingly came back despite banishment." Akai started, "He brought in two of evil precursians."
"Evil?" Jak whispered in an offensive tone.
"Shall I destroy them all?" Akai asked. The chief raised his beefy arm.
"Let me speak with them." His voice was surprisingly deep and strong when Jak pictured a weak voice for a weak looking Lurker. How wrong he was. The chief stood up and he was just as tall and buff and beefy as any of the male Lurkers. His so-called blanket was his poncho which he wore proudly around his neck, gracing down to his chest. He had many feathers around his head, tattoos like the warriors, and a staff. The wrinkles on his face and white in some parts of his hair showed his signs of aging, but his physical appearance was that of any young Lurker; tough and proud. The leader came closer and closer to Jak, until he lowered his head down so that his furry face was close to Jak's.
"So, a precursian." the chief made a clear "hmmm" sound. Jak and the rest stood silent. The chief circled Jak and the child who was still wrapped around Jak's arms. Jak refuse to let the child go. The chief then eyed Brutter.
"Excuse me." The chief gestured to Jak and the child. The old Lurker made his way to Brutter, making Jak and the child move away for the two Lurkers to chat.
"…My chief." Brutter gulped.
"Brutter…you have returned…" A brief silence fell, "…You have returned despite the fact that I have banned you for showing evidence of befriending the Precursians." Brutter lowered his head.
"If there ever was more evidence of that, it's bringing in those two precursians and showing them our hidden Lurker village." The chief growled, raising his voice ever so slightly.
"They is wanting to help Lurker people!" Brutter shouted.
"What if they were lying to you?" The chief shouted, making Jak and his friends wince, "What if they do not speak purely?" Brutter was at a lost for words.
"We can assure you we are speaking…ummm…purely." Jak spoke weakly, trying his hardest not to offend the Lurker chief.
"Silence!" The chief barked. The child winced a bit, Jak tighten his grip on him.
"How dare you wear the warrior's feathers?" The chief cried once more, pointing to the two light blue feathers on top of Brutter's head "This show signs you're loyal to the Lurker village. You are not loyal to the Lurker village!" Brutter gasped as Akai held Brutter as the chief harshly plucked the feathers off him. It fell gently on the ground, then picking up his staff, the Lurker chief blasted it to dust. Daxter nearly shrieked upon witnessing that the chief's staff was pumped with magic, the top now steaming with green smoke.
"You shame the Lurker village!" The chief spat, "Because you've been given warnings for coming back to the village after being banned, you will face the consequences."
"NO!" Brutter shouted, "PLEASE! I came for reason, GOOD reason! Do not take me to Nuka Nuka!"
"Nuka Nuka?" Daxter scratched his head, "What the hell is that?"
"Nuka Nuka is in need of fresh meat, it not eat nothing but Krimzon Guards." Akai answered…somewhat.
"Wait…we're gonna be EATEN?" Daxter shouted, and then he started to yell for "HELP!", however little that actually worked. Puar would have flown for help if she wasn't held tightly by one of the guards. Jak and the child were practically lifted by the warriors to prevent them from kicking them. One Lurker had Daxter in one hand, Ani in another. Daxter continued his struggle for help while Ani barked as loud as it could. Puar, too made a commotion, namely thinking all was hopeless. The warriors left the hut with them in tow. Jak faced back to eye the elder chief, now being confronted by a female Lurker.
"Oh, Puar is sad! Puar is upset! Puar will be eaten! Puar fail to save Master Christof!" Jak and the child remained surprisingly quiet. They were both obviously thinking of some way to escape. Meanwhile, Brutter started an argument with Akai.
"So, this how you treat best friend?" Brutter shouted, "Toss me to Nuka!"
"How can Brutter be best friends with Akai when Brutter betray Lurker people?" Akai shouted.
"How can Akai not believe the word of Brutter!" Brutter argued back, "These precursians GOOD people! They come to help!"
"No one help you now!"
"Akai!" When he was called, he turned around and was face to face with a female Lurker who managed to catch up. The same Lurker Jak saw with the elder a minute ago. She stopped when they did and took the time to gasp for air.
"Rena!" Both Akai and Brutter gasped, in the same shocked tone.
"I heard from my dad that two precursians are being taken away and that Brutter is back!" Rena gasped. She saw Jak and the child and noticed what her father had said were true.
"My dad said you're taking him to Nuka Nuka." Rena gasped.
"Uh…yes, they is evil and Brutter betrayed our kind…AGAIN!" Akai shouted.
"Akai, aren't they entitled to a fair trial!" Rena shouted, "Especially Brutter. I mean, there's a reason he must've have came back, risking his neck, AND with two precursians!"
"I do not know, nor care!" Akai shouted, "They all must die!"
"This is wrong, Akai!" Rena shouted, "We've always had a fair trial, even to the Krimzon Guards…even if all of them did ended up dead, Akai!" Rena made her "pretty please" face, to which Akai could no longer argue against her.
"Fine." Akai spoke softly. He lured the heroes back where the chief was waiting, where he looked a bit embarrassed. Akai questionably stared at her.
"Yea, she got to me, too." The chief sighed, starring at Rena, his daughter, "Fine, we will do a trial, tomorrow. Until then, they are to be sent to the dungeon."
They all took a breath of relief.
"Great, we can sit on our asses all day." Daxter sarcastically spoke. How wrong he was. The Lurkers idea of dungeons were the heroes in shackles on their wrists and ankles where they were force to dig up rocks with their primitive weapons to build a barrier to further protect the village from outsiders.
Jak and Brutter were the main diggers in the little group with the child and Daxter moving boulders to and fro. Daxter and Ani carried and dug the smaller rocks. Puar just kinda floated, tied to a large chain to a heavy rock.
Soon, the two precursians were now in sweat.
"Hey, how about some water?" Daxter ordered the warrior Lurker who was supervising them.
"NO!" he glared, "Break Time NOT here."
"They ain't gonna BE a break time cuz' we'll all be DEAD by then!" Daxter shouted.
"Daxter, shut up!" Jak retorted, "These Lurkers are big enough to turn you into road kill!" Daxter, offended, grumbled and went about to work. Rena came shortly. The warrior bowed to her and stepped aside. Rena passed him and went over to the others.
"Umm…hello." Rena spoke softly. The rest stopped, despite the glare on the warrior.
"Rena." Brutter gasped, "Why you here? Won't your father be angry?"
"That's the least of my concern right now." Rena scoffed, "…I can't believe you're back, Brutter."
"…Well, yea." Brutter placed one of his massive hands behind his head, eyes half closed, his mouth drawn into a small grin.
"I haven't seen you in about…10 years." Rena guessed, her voice soft spoken, "…Why did you really come back?"
"These precursians." Brutter gestured, "They have come to help us Lurker people."
"Just those two?" Rena gasped.
"AHEM!" Daxter cleared his throat, while Ani stared, then rolled his eyes. Puar hovered just above them.
"Oh, hello." Rena cleared her throat.
"These precursians and animals help Lurker people." Brutter started.
"I see." Rena sounded disappointment, "Forgive me for not feeling any happier, but how can two precursians handle an entire squad of Krimzon Guards?" Brutter opened his mouth, but no sound came, which led to further evidence that he had no damn clue.
"Miss Rena, Jak has made quite an impact on my kingdom." The kid started, "He is but only one man, but he has done so much for my city against the tyranny of my uncle. I can assure you, he can do the same for this village and I pray I can, too."
"You're royalty?" Rena gasped. The child nodded, "I am Prince Christof Aradi Del' Alazender Romanir the 3rd."
"Oh, Prince Christof." Rena gasped, "Brutter told me about you. So…you wish to save this village?"
"Well, it does look a bit dumpy." Daxter started, before Jak smacked him upside the head.
"It used to be bigger…much bigger." Rena spoke softly, "But we Lurkers are dying, slowly."
"Rena, you not think that way!" Brutter gasped, "You know better then think that way!" Rena looked down while Brutter placed his hands on her shoulder.
"Awwww." Puar snuffled, "Aren't they cute together? And Rena is SO cute!" In Jak's eyes (he admitted), Lurkers weren't the most attractive of all the creatures he's seen, but concerning Rena, she had a very adorable appeal. Her hair was a different shade of brown (slightly lighter then normal Lurker hair color) and fashionably done well, giving her a beautiful edge, her figure was as slim as a normal Precursian girl, but she was just as magenta furred as the other Lurkers. Being female, she had fringes on her side of the cheek then the bulges that males do. Her outfit were brown leather, the top looking like a spaghetti strap wear, her bottom a mini-skirt-ish outfit, wristband on her wrist, and one two on her ankles. Very Amazon. Her face was round and her eyes, a beautiful light green. Like the warriors, tattoos also graced her body. Despite all this, she was still taller then Jak or any average Precursian males, standing a pretty good 6 foot tall or so (Jak was only 5'10). Her voice was light and cute, having a definite mature tone as well. She was an exceptionally beautiful creature and even Daxter couldn't help but feel some slight attraction to her.
"I told my dad to give you guys a fair trial." Rena placed her slightly less beefier arms on Brutter's big ones, "I'll make sure of that."
"I is nervous." Brutter sighed, "I finally see hope and it all go down in toilet."
"You're gonna live, Brutter!" Rena gained confidence, "You promise to show me Haven City. You think I want to be stuck in this village all my life? I want to be able to not hide in this place and run wild and free. I'm in the Lurker army, but my father thinks I can't handle myself."
"If you're in the army, how come you don't have a feather?" Jak asked.
"Females aren't allowed to get one." Rena responded, sighing, "The Lurker traditions are strictly males over females. Possibly why my dad thinks I'm helpless when I can beat up nearly every one of the warriors here." She crossed her arms. Brutter lowered down to Jak and whispered, "She's not kidding." Daxter gulped.
"And what's even worse, I've already come of age, so my dad is thinking of a husband for me." Rena sighed.
"A…A husband?" Brutter walked backwards, obviously showing signs of jealously, "Who?"
"I don't know." Rena sighed, "My older brother is helping my father choose…he's awfully picky."
"Who's your brother?" Jak asked.
"Akai." Rena almost regretted saying that.
"Oh, precursors! He's not a great guy!" Daxter came, "I've only met him for about 15 minutes, but he is NOT a great guy."
"He used to be, but not anymore, Akai and I once great friends, always promises to be together for each other, no matter what…Akai break that rule by not befriending me no more." Brutter sighed, "Because me am friends with Precursians."
"I guess this dates all the way back to hundreds of years ago when Lurkers and Precursians once were friends." Jak sighed, remembering the story Kami told him, "How we used to be mates…then how we Precursians became greedy and took the Lurker's lands."
"We don't blame you for what the Precursians did." Rena spoke, "You are not them and I believe Brutter when he said you two precursians are good people. After all, Brutter has never lied to me." Brutter smiled that smile.
"Miss Rena, you return back home, your father worries." The warrior guarding spoke. Rena nodded.
"I better go." Rena sighed, "Good luck."
It was hard to distinguish whether it was day or night if not for Puar who kept track of time. Leaving inside a volcano, no sunlight peaked through. Jak and the others were asleep in the prison hold which was mainly composed of cages made by bamboo sticks. The guards were really the reasons that prisoners couldn't escape so easily. The cage was crowded, but that was of little concern to the guards who harshly shoved them all in. In the end, Brutter fell asleep with just about everyone on top of him.
Hidden Lurker Village
Month 14: Bonia, Day 5 (Winter Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)
"WAKE UP!" cried the guards. Jak felt a surge of pain and realized he was being kicked. The rest were all awake, yet irritated, except Puar.
They were all dragged, chained in the wrists and taken to the near end of the village.
"Oh, they're not going to chuck us over the edge, are they!" Daxter cried, "I thought we're having a trial! What the hell happen to that? Did someone forget to memo the chief? Does he realize there is hot, boiling lava down there and that we're ALL gonna melt a horrible death if we--"
"SHUT UP!" Jak shouted, "I'll give you something more then a smack if you keep foreshadowing our death!" Thought Daxter was used to Jak yelling at him, he was still slightly hurt, but at the same time, he didn't blame him. Their situation so far was the worst one yet. The heroes found out that a trial was indeed, taking place.
There stood an exceptional tall rock where the chief was. Several warriors stood, surrounding the court, including Akai. Juries were sitting on small rocks that served as chairs on one side. Many Lurkers from the village have come to see this trial of a lifetime. Rena was nowhere to be seen which greatly worried the heroes. The chief banged a small rock on the giant rock that was officially his "judge table."
"Order in the court." he spoke, and then he eyed the prisoners, mainly at Brutter and the precursians with a venomous gaze, "This trial stands on the accusation of the betrayal of one Brutter and the evil presences of the Precursians. Jak moaned in a worried, annoyed manner, "I wish he'd stop calling us "evil"."
"This trial stands to see whether anyone of the traitorous creatures gets to live or die." The chief spoke clearly.
"I'll say that 99 of the chief's choice would be in the "die" option." Daxter sarcastically, but truthfully spoke.
"Before we begin, do we have anyone to defend you at all?" The chief asked. Such an obvious question could have garnered an obvious answer, but a clear voice rang out, "I'll defend them." The Lurkers gasped, who would dare fight for a traitor and precursians? It was Rena, who came marching in. Jak noticed the horrified look on his face. His daughter of all people! Akai wasn't all that pleased either.
"I'll defend them or at least keep this trial fair." Rena started, "I'm getting sick and tired of standing around doing nothing but let people die."
"Rena…"The chief gasped, hoping she would consider changing her mind.
"No, father." Rena raised her hand near her face and waved it, emphasizing her "no", "Your judgment has been severely impaired since our believed mother has left. I won't let you escape without a fair trial."
"Rena, are you fully aware that if you lose, you, too, could end up with these lots because of your friendship with them, your acceptance for who they are, that, you, too could end up dead?"
"Yes." Rena nodded, "Why would it matter to you anyways, you've always had higher value on your son, Akai, then I." The chief felt a great surge of guilt running down the back of his neck, but cleared his throat and kept a straight face to remove that terrible feeling, "Let the trial begin." It was Akai who was questioning Brutter and the Precursians.
"Okay, for first victim, I get Brutter to come up!" Akai pointed. Brutter sighed, and stared deeply at the others. Jak and the child urged him to go. Brutter went and sat on a small rock near the judge's rock. Akai circled Brutter like a hungry vulture over a dead carcass. He was severely enjoying this.
"So, Brutter, since any Lurker can remember, you always interested in Precursians." Akai started, "You even admit it to me and I promise not to tell because we once good friends. Then as we got older, it became more devastating because Lurker family kept accusing. And you, Brutter, even befriended a Precursian once, the one name King Barailor (The child made a small, sad face). You banished, never to return, yet you do, bringing in TWO Precurians. What you have to say? Why you return? Why you bring them?"
"One question at a time, Akai!" Rena shouted.
"Rena, silence, it is not your turn to speak!" The chief shouted, making Rena grumbled under her nose in anger.
"I bought two precursians because they vow to help Lurkers." Brutter started, "They is already done good stuff to their city where evil King is doing bad stuff to it. I risked life, but I have returned because of it."
"You NOT aware that these two evil precursians could be lying to Brutter's face?" Akai pointed to Jak and the kid.
"I see truth in their eyes." Bruitter spoke, "Besides, hard not to believe when both fight against even their kind!" Akai groaned a little.
"Brutter not aware what Precursians did to Lurker kind many hundreds of years ago?"
"You talking of many hundreds of years ago. It long time. Time change, people need to get along more."
"The precursians were greedy and took our land and way of life, reducing us Lurker kind to live in caves instead of great open. We Lurkers had to fend for ourselves at all time, it NOT fun! And now, Krimzon Guards try and make us become slaves! How you speak of that!"
"It is only King Praxis who made us slaves." Brutter continued, "Other kings did not do such thing. Left us Lurkers alone. King Barailor did something by trying to befriend Lurkers and wanted to help us Lurker buddies."
"And just WHERE is this King Barailor now?"
"He dead. Killed by Metal Heads."
There was a brief moment of silence before Akai continued.
"Metal Heads?" Akai stared, Brutter nodded.
"Metal Heads are enemies of Precursians as they are to Lurkers."
"That don't make difference. This is fight between Precursian and Lurkers, not Metal heads. Leave them out of this. Even if it hundreds of years ago, what Precursians did to Lurkers is painful. What if these two related to greedy Precursians for long past?"
"So what if they are?" Rena came, "It's not like every single family member will be the exact same in personality!"
"It flows in their blood!" Akai shouted to his younger sister, "It FLOWS in their BLOOD!" Jak was so angry, he wanted to shout something, but so far, nothing came out. Now he kind of wished he was up in the stand.
"How can it be said that every precursians are evil?" Rena asked, "You have no proof if these two precursians are good or bad. They haven't done anything to offend our kind!"
"They offend by setting foot in village and Brutter offend by showing them hidden Lurker village. If we free them, they will tell other Precursians."
"You have no proof of that." Rena scoffed, "If you guys stopped having such narrow-minded views-"
"MY MIND CLEAR ON WHAT I SEE!" Akai shouted.
"Mother never told us to act so rashly!" Rena shouted back, though her voice wasn't as loud as her brother's, "She always told us to think properly. Maybe you should talk with these guys! And besides, Brutter trusts and believes them and when has Brutter ever stirred us wrong?"
"JUST SHUT UP!" Akai shouted, "I is busy questioning Brutter!"
"You said you'd be there for Brutter when you were kids, even if he admitted his love for Precursians!" Rena shrieked, "You promised!"
"Promise can be broken." Akai groaned.
"You only broke it because you were afraid of getting prosecuted!" Rena hissed, "You didn't want this to affect your reputation as warrior and son of the chief. My brother is not like that! My brother is honorable!"
"That is enough!" The chief shouted, "Akai, are you done questioning Brutter?"
"Yes…I wish to question another." Akai requested.
"Go on." The chief ushered, obviously not caring on Rena's side. Akai stared harshly at the precursians and pointed to Jak.
"YOU! GET UP FOR QUESTIONING!" His voice was booming, as if one more accusation could lead him to go insane. Jak, meanwhile, gave a mixture of stun and concerned as he just stood there for a few seconds. He walked off and sat on the rock as other warriors, armed with spears stood nearby, ready to attack Jak if he did anything funny. Akai, too circled Jak.
"What is name, Precursian?" Akai asked.
"Jak…sir." Jak thought he started of polite.
"No last name?" Akai asked.
"No." Jak made a purely disgusted face, he refuse to be called "Jak Bannon".
"That strange, you must have last name!" Akai thought.
"I am afraid I do not." Jak spoke, slight disgust in his mouth, "I was raise by my uncle whom…well, I don't know his name…he refused to tell me. I've always been just plain, "Jak." Akai nodded, and then continued to circle him, though he stared at him oddly.
"You aware of Precursians and Lurker hatred?" Akai spoke.
"I live in a city where Lurker slave is common." Jak spoke, "So, what do you think?" Akai stared at the chief.
"Haven City, it is called, Akai." The chief told him, as if Akai wasn't aware of what this city was. Akai nodded.
"Since you aware, you still come to Lurker village knowing this would happen?" Jak nodded, "Why?"
"I wish to save the Lurker people."
"LIAR!" Akai was ready to grab Jak's neck, "You came to kill all us Lurkers!"
"Excuse me; we Precursians are not stupid enough to just blatantly walk in!" Jak cried out, "Especially since I only have a child, two animals, a COMP, and one Lurker. Yea, that's enough to get rid of an entire population of Lurkers!" His sarcastic voice also showed his angry side. His face was already red, but that could have been from the glow of the lava.
"You have weapons, though!" Akai shouted, and he pulled out Jak's guns which were confiscated the day before, "I know of these things, these things called "guns!" Jak now wished he hadn't brought his guns and maybe, instead of a fruit basket.
"You plan to kill us with hi-tech weaponry?" Akai shouted.
"It was for protections!" Jak shouted.
"From us?"
"NO! From the Dig site! The Krimzon Guards are after me! I'm a wanted man!" The Lurkers gasped. The chief faced Brutter, "BRUTTER, YOU BRING A CRIMINAL PRECURSIANS? THAT'S EVEN WORSE!"
"This…isn't going well, is it?" Daxter asked whoever was listening. Jak regretted ever saying he was wanted by Praxis. Akai continued to question.
"So…a criminal Precursians…that even WORSE!" Akai shouted.
"LOOK!" Jak stood up, the warriors raising their weapon as he did, "I know we precursians have done a lot of shit to you Lurkers, but you're forgetting that we Precursians are flawed. Hell, every one of us is! There is no good or bad thing about us! Greed is, unfortunately, one of the many qualities we all have! Every one of you, I am sure, has felt the sense of greed. Greed over money, greed over food… (Jak paused for second to catch his breath), we're BLOODY mortal! We're not like the Precursors who are flawless and perfect, who has no emotions and temptation. We Precursians have made a mistake in our past, and we are sorry, and even sorrier we have not done ANYTHING to help you guys, but we're doing it now. Why can't you accept the fact that not every single one of us hates you guys? Like Brutter, I grew up liking your species greatly!"
"It is too little, too late!" The chief spoke, "You had many times to help us, but instead, left us alone to fend for ourselves! There is no justice to Precursians! NO SENSE we can be together! There hasn't been a solid lick of evidence that we can be one!"
"Brutter and my father ARE evidences that we can!" The kid shouted. All of people present on the trial turned their attention to him.
"Your…father…" The chief gasped.
"Yes." The child nodded, "I am the son of the once great King Barailor! I have come here to represent my kingdom and to show that I DO care for the Lurkers. I am the one to hold the throne and thus, an important figure. I am constantly watched over by mentors, guards, and close friends, but I have risked my very valuable self so that I can help you Lurkers!"
"YOU JEST!" Akai shouted.
"I GIVE YOU MY WORD!" He shouted, "I give my life if I must!" Another silence took place. You normally don't hear a 7 year old talk of giving up his very life.
"Precursians and Lurkers cannot get along!" Akai shouted to the child.
"WHAT ABOUT GOL AND MAIA?"
Jak was the one who shouted that. He was still standing up, his eyes filled with tears from anger and frustration. He wouldn't take this shit no more. The Lurkers all stared, gasping in shock. It's as if a deep secret has been unleashed. More silence fell before the chief spoke.
"What about them?"
"You all say that Lurkers and Precursians can never belong together, that it is a sin." Jak started, the
Lurkers all nodding except Brutter and Rena, "Then explain Gol and Maia." The Lurkers all stared, with faces that screamed, "Who?" though it was blatantly obvious to Jak that their expressions were merely a disguise to hide the fact that they have known the ones named Gol and Maia.
"Gol and Maia and the Lurkers all formed an alliance." Jak continued, "The Lurkers were their armies, doing their every bidding, in return, they would be given paradise, while Gol and Maia wanted them, the Lurkers, help them to carry out their plans to open the Dark silo and unleash Dark Eco so they can rule the world." Jak paused again, all the people in trial keeping their shocked appearance solely on Jak.
"Their intentions were evil…I know." Jak came, "But they worked together…as a team. They would have benefited from each other. They worked together." Jak stopped, his face filled with guilt. Another wave of silence fell. Half of the Lurkers showed signs of guilt.
"I think we did it." Rena whispered. The rest of the heroes gave a hopeful appearance. The chief spoke, though with guilt in his mouth.
"How…How do you know of Gol and Maia?" The chief asked, breathless.
"I know my history." Jak mumbled, not reviewing the truth that he was from the past where he bare witness to Gol and Maia's near destruction.
"Still, that was over 300 years ago." The chief spoke, "It doesn't count."
"OH, Gold and Maia teaming with the Lurkers doesn't matter, but the precursians doing shit to you people even FURTHER back DOES?" Jak screamed, "Talk about unfair and biased!" The chief felt a blood vessel pop in his head from frowning out of anger.
"I still cannot say your word is fact!" The chief cried, "You could be betraying even Brutter for ALL I KNOW! I need MORE proof that you are on our sides and you DO NOT HAVE IT!"
"Yes, he does!" A random voice came in. The Lurkers and the heroes turned around and saw a Lurker coming their way.
"KAMI!" Akai cried. Jak gasped. It was the Lurker he and Daxter freed months ago.
"Yes." Kami nodded, "I was once slave to Precursians, but this precursian freed me!" He pointed to Jak. Everyone gasped.
"So, that story of precursian saving you is NOT cock-and-bull?" came a random Lurker. Kami nodded.
"Brother Jak freed Kami and for that, Kami owe Jak my life."
"Is this true?" Akai gasped.
"Yes." Jak nodded. Daxter, too nodded.
"Why would Kami lie, knowing Kami be persecuted also?" Kami asked, "I speak truth." Silence fell; nothing more was said, nothing else could be added.
"Anything else to add to this court?" The chief asked, Rena starring at him. More silence, "Fine, then the jury will decide."
The juries left the trial and went into a small hut where they discussed. Meanwhile, Jak went over to the child, his face hot with sweat from arguing. The child came over and gave him yet another hug.
"Oh, Jak." The kid felt like crying again, but Jak ushered him not to.
"I swear, if this doesn't get us free, I don't know what will!" Daxter cried out. Kami went over to Jak and the others.
"Kami…" Jak wanted to thank him.
"No need, Brother Jak. This is what I owe you. We even now." Kami smiled warmly, "Brutter, welcome back, my children miss you."
"I miss them, too. "Brutter smiled, and then eyed Jak and the kid, "Brutter used to babysit Kami's kids." A resounding, "ohhhh" let out. They reminded on the court where they awaited their fate. During that time, the child spoke of his passion of wanting to help the Lurkers.
"I wish to continue where my fatherhad not finished." The kid spoke, "There is a lot I want to do that my fathernever had the chance to." The child's voice was soft and quiet now, indicating how much he missed his father. Once again, another wave of silence fell and the juries have returned.
"What's the verdict?" The chief asked. A male Lurker rose with a small piece of parchment.
"We find traitors… (he looked at the parchment) guilty…"
"WHAT!" came the sounds of the heroes.
"…And not guilty." The Lurker finished. Everyone stared at him in shock.
"…Well, both sides make convincing arguments."
"….Perhaps we must use…the Judgment of Purity." The chief sighed, "Precursians normally are not allowed to enter, but this is a mixed feeling towards us Lurkers."
"What's the judgment of Purity?" Jak asked.
"It's a trial inside a cave to see if you truly are lying or not." Rena spoke, "But it's a dangerous trial. If you make it out alive, your heart is pure and all is forgiven, if not…well…it's been nice knowing ya." Jak groaned.
"Brutter…precursian (he was pointing to Jak), enter thy cave and proof you are not lying to us, that you both speak pure of heart." The chief spoke, pointing to a large cave entrance where two Lurker warriors manage to push a giant stone blocking the entrance away.
"Wait, wait, wait…we pass some judgment test and if we survive, we're innocent…and we didn't do that first WHY?" Daxter shouted.
"You wanna be in court or face dangerous trials?" Rena asked, "The cave is only used when a judgment in trials cannot be made up."
"Hoo…the trials." Brutter groaned.
"You make sound like it's a bad thing." Jak chuckled nervously.
"It bad." Brutter spoke, "I not know anyone who came back alive."
"Why, thank you, Brutter, I feel SO comfortable now." Jak groaned through gritted teeth, "Come on, let's go." Then he went and asked for his weapons, "NO weapons, only yourself." Jak cursed under his breath.
"Come on, let's get this over with." Jak urged Brutter who followed him nervously. Brutter had thoughts: Jak shouldn't take this trial for granted.
"You have one hour." The chief spoke, "If you do not come in one hour, we assume you will have died."
"What if we come out after an hour and we survive?" Jak asked.
"You still die anyways." The chief spoke.
"Thanks." Jak sarcastically said. The two entered the cave, the rest of the Lurkers and heroes starring reluctantly as they went inside. The child and Daxter both stared at Jak who grinned and gave them a wink and thumbs up. Then they went inside and the cave shut them in…
To Be Continued…