Ekobean: Ok, I know that this is a short chapter, but it's just providing some background information. I just thought that people would be less confused when the see that there's an army of Dark Eco beings in later chapters. Oh, and before I forget, I'm considering the possibility of a little affection between Torn and Ashelin in later chapters. Tell me what you think. RR.

The Chamber of Os'hildai

Days passed in one unchanging chain, each day another black link. Erol's pain-filled screams echoed around the polished surface of the circular room. The pools of Dark Eco sloshed about, their soft ominous splashes dwarfed by the volume of the screams.

Os'hildai's crystal was glowing brighter than ever before, almost as if it were enjoying the screams.

A thin bolt of Dark Energy was leaping from its rough surface like a thin serpent, flickering rapidly as it connected to Erol's metallic frame, lifting him from the ground to hover.

Erol himself was curled into a ball, clutching his legs to his chest, trying desperately to block out the pain. He knew Os'hildai was helping him, gifting him with tremendous power, but the pain was unbearable. He could feel his mechanical body shifting, circuits and wires shrieking with the unbearable power flooding into him.

Three days had passed thus, and still Erol's voice boomed like an unceasing tide rushing over an obsidian shore. And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the pain stopped, and Erol fell to his knees. For the longest time he didn't dare to move, for fear that the pain would return anew, greater than ever before.

An hour passed with him curled in a twisted heap of flesh and metal. His sharp robotic eyes scanned the area, not daring to look up at the crystal.

The crystal began to glow softly, letting off waves of soft, malicious light reminiscent of smoke. "Rise, you pathetic coward," it hissed, steadily growing more intense.

Wheezing, Erol rose to his feet, never parting his eyes from the crystal.

"Behold your new power, Erol, for it is one that your ancestors had always wished to possess."

Erol looked down at his mechanical frame and gasped, sliding his hands down his body. His torso, right thigh, and left shin were covered with a thick, purplish covering, almost like an old tarp. As he ran his hands down it, he realized that it was skin. He had skin. Erol couldn't help but laugh as his fingers ran down his new skin, feeling the gentle tickle of metal on flesh.

"The power I give you is not one to be neglected Erol, for it will help you greatly in your quest for the Sages. Focus on the Dark Eco, and imagine it twisting into any shape you please. You must picture it in your minds eye as clearly as if it were happening before you."

Erol did as instructed and focused. He knew what he wanted it to be. His hand tensed as he imagined the Dark Eco taking form, forming legs, torso, arms, and finally a head. Every detail had to be perfect. Fingers, hair, goggles…

Erol opened his eyes and grinned inwardly to see a perfect Dark Eco model of Jak standing before him, its emotionless eyes staring blankly back at him. Erol chuckled as he walked about his creation inspecting every detail, reveling in his own magnificence.

"I give you the power to control Dark Eco," Os'hildai hissed, "use it wisely, develop it, and you will be able to create an entire army out of a large body of the substance."

"This will definitely come in handy in case the Sages decide to put up a fight."

Os'hildai suddenly gasped, his crystal glowing brighter than a miniature star. The room's frame shook dangerously, bits of dust particles falling from the cracks and imperfections that time had created.

"What is it, master?"

Os'hildai seemed to regain his composure, the crystal lessening in intensity. "Look into the pool, Erol. See what I see."

Cautiously Erol peered over the side of the platform into the bottomless pool of Dark Eco. An image slowly came into view, almost like a TV screen. Erol gazed closer to see the form of a squadron of Hellcats. They were great in number, like a swarm of Wumpbees.

"It appears that you are not the only one who knows of my plans. You best set off now, don't lose any time, lest they reach a Sage before you."

Erol bowed deeply to the crystal, and then turned back to the lifeless replica of Jak. "Watch out, you light freak," he said, running his metallic hand through its hair, "I'm coming." As Erol's hand reached the middle of the replica's head, he squeezed, shattering the perfect frame of the replica between his fingers. All at once the replica fell apart, falling to the ancient stone of the platform.

Thin fingers of smoke rose from the surface as the Dark Eco hissed, dissolving the stone beneath it.

To Be Continued…