When Rail flew over the walls of the city he found a sight that almost brought him to tears. The entire population of Haven was crammed in the Port and was spilling over onto the palace steps and even the bazarr. All those people ready to greet there hero, watch Keria run to him, watch him take her in his arms and kiss her. That wasn't going to happen though. The normal landing pad for the Air-Train was bare and Rail landed but didn't open the doors. He picked up his comm unit.
"Hey Ash," he said. "Keep the crowds back. Get them back about 100 yards. And keep Keria away." he opened the door and stepped out seeing the people being ushered back by the KG. Ashelin and Torn jogged up to him.
Rail got out and slammed the door in anger. The shock had worn off and his anger was bubbling to the surface.
"Rail," said Ashelin. "What's wrong?" She saw the anger in Rail's eyes. "Where's Jak?" she asked quietly. Rail walked wordlessly past her and punched the camera that was trained on the Air-Train. Dozens of jumobtrons went staticy and thousands of people begann to worry. Suddenely Ashelin screamed. Torn ran to her side and was dumbstruck. The two were blocking everyone from seeing what too many were beginning to suspect. Their hero was dead.
"How did this happen?" Ashelin cried into Torn's chest. "Why did this happen? Why Jak? Damnit why Jak of all people!"
"He drank from Drakken," said Rail. "Bent his neck and dug into his neck. He must've drained at least a quart from him."
"He drank Drakken's blood?" said Torn. "Is that why...?"
"Kind of, it changed him, it turned him into something, he beat Drakken into a pulp. Finally he, somehow, manifested a sword and stabbed Drakken's Skull Gem and that finally killed him."
"But how did he die?"
"The eco was a poison," said a new voice. It was Samos. The Sage walked over to Jak's body and said a small prayer. "I gave him a vial of Dark Eco and if he drank it he would have enough power to kill Drakken. He must've done it."
"No," said Rail. "He was going to but Drakken knocked it out of his hands. he drank straight from Drakken instead. He was magnificiant, he was terrible, he killed him." Suddenely Rail's eyes widened. "Oh Mar Keria! She's going to want to see him!"
The Hospital:
As soon as DarkJak plunged the sword into Drakken's Skull Gem Keria's eyes snapped open with a small gasp. She sat up, her head hurting.
"What the..." she stared around. "What's going on?"
"Keria!" the doctor exclaimed. "My God it's a miracle you're awake."
"Where's Jak?" she said at once. "I need to see him."
"Calm down, you haven't used your muscles in a while you'll need to rest. As soon as I find him I'll bring him straight up."
"Good," she yelled as he left to find her hero. "I can't wait to see him."
Landing Pad:
Ashelin's comm suddenely crackeled.
"This is Dr. Contar to Ashelin. Where's Jak? Our girl wants to see him." The four exchanged nervous glances. Rail took the comm unit and spoke into it.
"Jak's dead. Don't tell Keria. I'll handle it." He threw to comm back to Ashelin and gave his instructions. "Tell the people... tell them whatever you want. I'm going to Keria." Rail reached into the Air-Train and pulled out the Jet-Board. He hopped on board and hit the water. He ignored all the yells after him, he ignored all the cries of the people to tell them what happened all he thought about was how he was going to explain what had happened to Keria.
The Hospital:
Keria was sitting on the edge of her hospital bed, re-dressed, as swinging her legs happily. She was so glad that her stay here was over and couldn't wait to drag Jak home, rip his clothes off of him and do ungodly things to him.
"Well Keria," said the doctor. "You're a-oaky again. I'll just put in a call to the Governess to tell her to tell Jak you're ready to see him."
Giddy with joy Keria hopped off the bed and immediatly started fixing up her hair and make up. She wanted to look her best for her hero.
"Yes Governess," said the doctor. "She's perfectly fine. She wants to see him as soon as possible... what'd you mean she wouldn't want to see him how he is? You're making it sound like he's... Oh he is... Oh I see... Yes I'll take care of it. Thank you." He hung up his comm unit and sat it down. Then he went to his desk and picked out the envelope Jak had given him. He was told to give it to Keria if he didn't come back. He turned and handed the envelope to Keria.
"Here," he said pushing it into her hands. "Jak told me to give you this." She took it and the doctor left the room.
Keria opened the note. It was in Jak's handwriting.
My Dearest Keria,
If you're reading this them I'm dead. I wish it wasn't so but I knew what I had to do and I knew that this might happen if I did it. I want nothing more than to be there with you, holding you in my arms and kissing you knowing that, at least for a time, we could be together but Fate had other plans. I want you to know that since I wrote this I thought about nothing except for you. You are everything to me and I want nothing more than for you to be happy and by giving my life I've made it possible for you to live and be happy, even if it can't be with me. Furthermore I want you to know that whatever you hear, my death was my fault. I made the choice and no one is responsible other than me. I have to go now; I pray that you'll never have to read this but if you do just remember that I love you and nothing could ever change that.
Jak
By the end of the letter Keria was crying.
"Dead.." she muttered. "He's dead." She heard the door open and someone walk in. She looked up and for a second, a split second saw Jak, but then it turned into who really was standing at the door. Rail. Rail came and sat down next to her and for a second he looked into her tear stained eyes and then a second later she broke down in hysterics. She threw herself on Rail, crying hystericaly into his chest. Rail wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
"Tell me this is a game," she cried. "Tell me this is some sick joke he's playing with me."
"It's not," said Rail. "He never stopped thinking of you. You were all that was on his mind. Right up until the end."
"Why did he do it damnit!"
"For you," said Rail, holding her. "He wanted you to live you life. He would not have been able to live with himself if you died and he knew that there was a way he could've saved you."
Keria was too broken to answer. She hugged Rail and cried and cried until she ran out of tears. At length Rail spoke again.
"There is one more thing," he said. "Before he died he told me that he wanted me to take care of you. He wanted me to marry you, if you'd have me."
Keria didn't answer. Instead she threw her arms around Rail's neck and kissed him full on the lips.
"I love you..." she wispered.
"I love you too."