Chapter 3: "The Hand of Darkness"
She could see it. She could feel it. The darkness in the stars, drawing so close it almost felt like a weight on her face. Any moment, she knew it was coming, but she couldn't bring herself to turn away. Perhaps she could learn something, perhaps she was simply terrified enough to be frozen. But this time it changed.
Instead of the dark claw reaching for her eyes, the vision rushed back, away from the darkness… but the presence remained. Then she saw the hot sands cooling under moonlight, stones rushing past as dunes appeared to be waves in an ocean of glistening dust. Then only sand filled her view, rushing all around her, going deeper. Then stone, too solid to see through, shadow growing too thick.
Soon she almost couldn't breathe. She wasn't moving anymore, it was just dark all around her. Freezing pain pierced her chest, and she focused into the darkness. Something was rushing up to meet her, glistening, shifting. A hand, unfurling to grab her, choke the life from her.
Seem gasped powerfully, her eyes snapping open as she fell onto her back, panting. The starry night glistened above her, and the cool desert air was starting to make her sweaty face go numb. The monk scrambled onto her feet, and walked to the edge of her landing, looking out over the desert with controlled alarm. "That is what's drawing them. Two shadows calling to each other through the night." She looked to the stars thoughtfully, calming down.
And then she realized something, her brow creasing faintly. The stars… weren't quite right. A familiar constellation was missing, she'd seen it just the previous night. She quickly looked to another part of the sky… and found it normal, all the stars in their proper place. "Darkness…" she rasped gravely, turning her gaze back to the troubling part of the sky. Indeed, the constellation was there… but a star was missing.
Seem bowed her head, offering silent prayers with focusing hand-gestures before she muttered, "The first of many eclipses… We are losing time." With a swift turn, she vanished inside the temple.
(Later…)
The throne-chamber of the Spargus City palace was quite befitting of a desert king. Pools of fresh water amid sculpted stones, and an ornate, towering throne that drew all focus to the one seated upon it. Not that the current ruler needed that much help drawing attention. Covered in a dark, tan outfit heavily armored in Metal-Head carapace for a silvery-brown two-tone, Sig sat back in the throne with his Peacemaker propped up on the left side, his right eye replaced by a glistening optic implant, his left focusing calmly down on the Wastelanders reporting to him. He was a tall, bulky man, and had the deep, powerful voice to match. His expression, however, became incredulous. "You mean we haven't spotted a single Metal-Head in the wasteland for over a month?"
One of three Wastelanders nodded. "Closer to two full ones, my king. It seems that the Haven City attack on their nest solved more than just their own problems. We can almost mark the absence to their attack."
Sig smashed his fist off the armrest. "But that doesn't make any sense. The wasteland Metal-Heads didn't need that hive, they were just out here, prowling! There's no reason for an attack in Haven City to even effect them."
"We're just listing off what we can confirm, my lord," another replied.
Before anymore could be said, the elevator leading from the base of the palace to the throne-room activated, descending for someone. All three scouts and Sig himself looked to the lift as it returned. Another wasterlander, a thin, tall man, charged up to Sig, quickly bowed, and breathlessly announced, "We're receiving a strange distress signal, your majesty."
Sig's brow creased. "What makes it strange? Talk to me."
"It's from marauders, sir," the man replied, confused himself. "They're calling for any help available. They sounded… scared."
The other scouts looked back to Sig with the same troubled confusion as the king himself had on his face. Quickly, Sig grabbed his peacemaker, and stepped down from the throne. "I'll lead a full force to check it out. Tunk, Jargon, you two get fifteen able-bodied Wastelanders to meet me at the wheels."
They were just agreeing when the elevator activated again. Sig stopped, a bit annoyed and unsure what to expect until the elevator came into view again. Jak was standing with Kiera, and Daxter and Tess were down in front of them, all smiling.
"Hey, Sig!" Jak opened with a big wave and smile, all four stepping off.
Sig couldn't help but grin back. "Jak, my boy! Good to see you chili-peppers still alive!" He clapped Jak on the back so powerfully the young man coughed, but stood back with a light smile.
"Same, Sig. I wanted to check in on Spargus since we haven't been out here in a while, and Kiera, Dax, and Tess wanted to come along."
Sig grinned. "Glad to have you anyway, but we could use your help on something, kid."
Kiera stayed back with Tess and Daxter, all three a bit perplexed as Jak raised an eyebrow. "What do you need?"
"Just got a strange signal, and I want to lead a force to check it out. Would love it if you came along."
Jak snapped his gun up in his hands. "Be happy to, but what's the deal with the signal?"
Daxter gave Tess a thumbs up, and hopped up onto Jak's shoulder.
Sig chuckled at the pair, and answered, "Marauders calling for help, sounding scared."
Jak was intrigued. "…Now that's interesting."
Kiera piped up. "Wait, you mean the marauders that are constantly hunting anyone down in the desert just for spare parts? They're calling for help from you?" she asked in sincere astonishment, gesturing to Sig. Since Spargus City was about the only population in the desert, they were the general prey upon which the marauders thrived.
"Exactly," Sig said with a nod to the young woman. "Why I'm going myself. If it's a set-up, we're in force, if not, it's serious and we need plenty of guns ready to go."
Jak's eyes widened when Kiera stepped closer. "Let me come!" she said enthusiastically. "If it's a real rescue, I can probably help repair some vehicles. I won't get in the way, either."
Sig looked to Jak. "She that good with machines?"
Jak was stuck between shock at Kiera and trying to answer Sig. It resulted in him gawking from one to the other for a few stuttered mumbles, and then finally. "Y-Yeah… I don't know anyone better with machines…" He focused on Kiera next. "Kiera, you can't come out there! Marauders will run you over as soon as you fix their vehicles!"
She frowned in disappointment. "I know how to handle myself, Jak, and I could really lend a hand here."
Sig chuckled, and slapped a hand on Jak's free shoulder. "Don't worry, chili-pepper. We could use a good mechanic on the job, and we've got Wastelanders on her side. She'll be coming back in one piece."
"But…"
Jak couldn't finish before Sig turned to Kiera. "And don't get too offended, little missy. Jak knows the marauders as well as any of us, and he's giving you damn good advice. If we weren't going out in force, I'd be right there with him, not letting you go. Wastelanders watch out for each other, and that's exactly what he's doing for you. Now let's get going! Time's a-wastin'!"
He marched right through the four of them, Tess hopping up into Kiera's arms for a moment before perching on her shoulder. Kiera and Jak shared an awkward glance, both corrected on their stance, and then quickly followed Sig and his men onto the lift.
"Sorry," they both mumbled to each other, and then blushed with light smiles. Tess giggled into her hand, and Daxter made a gagging motion with his finger off Jak's shoulder.
(Later…)
The hulking Gila Stomper dune-car rolled over in the lead of a small force of varying sand-speeders. Sig was driving, Jak sitting beside him, with Daxter letting the wind ruffle his ears in the rigging behind the pair of them, the Vulcan-cannon on the back of the vehicle raised above his height anyway. Another Stomper behind them was driven by Kiera, with Tess in the back actually manning the cannon with her little furry hands and a disturbingly happy smile. Smaller, faster cars hurried along around them, letting Sig remain in the lead.
As they started up one of the greater ridges in the desert, Jak pointed ahead. "Sig, look."
The ruler of Spargus focused up, and became quite serious. "If it's a trap… looks like it already sprung." Dark smoke was reaching into the air from several different plumes. Sig raised his fist and started to slow down. The whole force did so, and they crested the high sand-ridge, rolling a little further to let the whole group get a clear view as they bunched together slightly.
Even Sig was surprised by the carnage. There was wreckage of marauder speeders everywhere, including several of the large catapult tanks, and the sand was actually scorched in a few places from bomb-cars they used in desperate attacks on Spargus City itself. They were at the North side of the ruined town to the Southeast of the city.
"Holy moly… is anyone left?" Daxter muttered, obviously not very concerned for the marauders that had hunted Jak and he down more than once.
Sig slowly shook his head. "I don't know. I thought it was just a single group of Marauders, but this looks like most of their force right here. What's left of it, anyway." He stood up, picking up his peacemaker and waving to the other cars. "Come on, let's check this out, people!"
Kiera and Tess, who seemed loathe to leave her cannon, joined the Wastelanders in leaving their vehicles and moving into the destruction. There were a few dead marauders around as well, but after the battle in the Metal-Head nest, Kiera could handle quite a bit. Sig's people spread out over the next few minutes, Jak with Daxter, Kiera, Tess, and Sig slowly gathering in the middle of the battle field.
"Seems almost like friendly fire to me," Tess muttered seriously, looking around as the wind pulled on her blonde hair, remaining from her original form rather than losing it all to orange fur.
Sig nodded. "It does seem that way, arranged in a rough circle, empty middle, but…" He gestured across the ridge-line, intending the outer edge of the wreckage. "It looks more like they were facing out… in all directions." He set his peacemaker down in the sand by the end, holding it like a staff. "This was an ambush, but it was on the marauders."
Jak nodded. "But that leaves the question of exactly who, or what, did this."
"Not like it's our problem, right, Jak? I mean who cares if those nasty marauders got jinxed in the desert?" Daxter predictably dismissed the danger.
"It is if whatever it is decides it doesn't like us either," Jak reminded his friend dryly.
"Sir!"
Sig turned along with all of them to see on of his people dashing up to them.
"A survivor, sir! He's pretty messed up though, he just…" The man gestured off for a moment, and then nodded back. "You better come see for yourself."
Sig shared a glance with his friends, and they all hurried into the ruined village. A handful of the search crew were gathered around a single marauder. His helmet was off, leaving him the bare-chested, limb-covering attire of the warriors the marauders usually used. He was badly battered, and looked like he'd been near one of the exploding vehicles when it went. What was disturbing, however, was the blank, horrified stare he was giving the sky, and the quiet, constant mumbling coming from his lips as they finally reached him.
Kiera covered her mouth in sympathy, Tess just cringing a bit. Sig leaned down with Jak, and put his hand on the marauder's shoulder. He didn't seem to notice. "What's that he's saying?" Sig asked in a low voice, side-long.
One of the scouts leaned in. "He just keeps mumbling about a dark warrior, and saying 'they were everywhere'."
Sig and Jak immediately looked at each other, and Kiera, Daxter, and Tess were focused on Jak. He shook his head immediately. "I haven't been in the desert for weeks, Sig. And I don't black out with my dark powers… Honestly, I kinda enjoy using them… Besides…" He looked back to the battlefield. "I'd just use my own peacemaker on that many cars, or bring my own. My dark powers aren't very effective against targets that fast and big."
"There's more to it, though, sir."
Sig and Jak looked up to another wasterlander just walking up. They stood, and Kiera and Tess came closer as well. The man pointed past them, to the battle. "I've taken a good look around, my lord, and I've noticed some tracks in the sand. Deep ones."
Sig raised an eyebrow. "You mean wasteland Metal-Heads?"
"Exactly," the man confirmed with a grave nod. "But it's strange, sir. They were positioned like snipers. They had the entire area scoped out, and none of them moved during the battle. Their tracks leading up and leaving vanish with the wind-stirred sands beyond the walls around the ruins. I've been in the desert for ten years now, my lord. I've never seen Metal-Heads fight like this."
Kiera and Jak shared a disturbed look, and then he turned to Sig. "After we cleaned out the nest in Haven City, I went down with a team to check the storage chamber we used to dump all the chemicals, since we knew we'd taken in some Dark Eco."
Sig looked at him curiously. "What's the connection?"
"All the Metal-Heads and Dark Eco…" Jak cut himself off with a shake of his head. "We didn't find anything but chemicals inside. Nothing."
"You mean any surviving Metal-Heads escaped?"
"And we never caught a trace of them."
"Which is nearly impossible with the city sensors rigged the way they are," Kiera added seriously. "I mean… they would've had to have access codes or known exactly the right routes to take to avoid being detected at all."
Sig frowned, and rubbed his chin. "So it seems the critters are getting more tactical… But why not ambush any of our forces?"
Jak shook his head. "Until this, I figured we'd just gotten lucky and actually missed any Dark Eco."
The big Wasterlander nodded. "Now than you mention it, I was just getting reports before you lot arrived today that the Metal-Heads out here in the desert have gone totally silent since just about the time the Haven City nest went down. That is, until this," he waved up at the battle.
Daxter moaned. "Oh great! So does this mean those metal-monkeys have a new boss that's even smarter than Metal Kor?"
"Or just more tactical," Jak answered, stroking his goatee. "I mean, Metal-Heads don't need to be tactical, they just overwhelm defenses and slaughter everything in their path. And look," he pointed back to the battlefield himself, "None of the bodies have been touched either. They weren't doing this for food. It's almost like…"
"They were just taking out marauders," Sig finished firmly.
Jak nodded, stepping away from the others, tightening his eyes at the wreckage. "This was an ambush, alright. A committed, military strike against an enemy." He set his hands on his hips. "Metal-Heads don't fight like this…"
Sig shook his head. "Either way, we're done here. And, at least for now, whoever did this is on my good side. This will keep the marauders pretty humble for a good while. Let's pack it up, including this poor chump. I don't like leaving the dune buggies alone out here."
As the king of Spargus led the way back to the vehicles, a few Wastelanders picking up the mumbling, traumatized marauder, Kiera and Tess joined Jak and Daxter. "What do you think is going on, Jak?" Kiera asked quietly.
Her dear friend just shook his head. "I really don't know yet, Kiera. I just don't like the idea of Metal-Heads operating this skillfully. They were tough enough already."
She looked down anxiously. "Yeah… they were."
Jak reached over and patted her shoulder. "Let's just head back. It'll be alright."
She smiled, and Tess hopped down with Daxter. The two couples were adorably mirrored as they each walked with the lady putting her head on her love's shoulder for a moment of relaxation. Soon, of course, they split up into their vehicles, and speeded back to the city.
(Later…)
That evening, in the palace, Jak was just walking down one of the torch-lit halls when he spotted a familiar face coming the other direction. He grinned, and hurried forward. "Seem. It's been a long time."
The monk seemed a bit surprised to see him, but then tipped her head with a prayerful hand-gesture. "Jak. Indeed, it has. I was just sent by Sig to look after the survivor of that curious Marauder ambush."
Jak raised his eyebrows. "I see." He smiled a bit. "If anyone could get that poor guy to calm down a bit, you will."
Seem paused, and it took Jak a moment to realize she was caught unawares by the compliment. "…You may overestimate my social skill, but thank you," she finished with another nod and gesture.
Jak did his best to mimic at least the nod. "Maybe, but you're welcome. Would it bother you if I joined you, though? If he does clear up, I'd like to hear what he says first hand."
Seem raised an eyebrow. "I have not seen you troubled this way before, hero."
"There was something very wrong with that attack. It makes me anxious."
The monk's eyes tightened. Coming darkness… is my premonition only a metaphor, or do they truly come through the stars? The eclipse… But something here draws it…
"Seem?"
She shook her head free, and focused on her companion. "My apologies, I was… elsewhere. No, it will not disturb me, but do not expect a great deal of success." She moved past Jak, and he turned, following her. Two doors on the right later, she pushed one open, and he slipped in behind her.
It was a spacious bed-chamber, a couple of nurses (female Wastelanders in white cloaks for cleanliness rather than their normal travel-garb) waiting on the far side, near the window, a bed at the back, in the center, and the muttering survivor laying in it, his armor finally off, and some wounds patched up.
First, Seem walked to the nurses, and they shared a quiet conversation. Jak stepped up to the foot of the bed, and his eyes tightened at the mumbling man in it. Seem came up beside him, but she could see he was lost in thought, and so she reached out, just touching his upper-arm with her cool, pale hand. Jak twisted apologetically toward her, but she was also frozen, her eyes widened up at him.
"…Seem?"
She inhaled, blinking, and quickly looked down. "I… just had a waking dream." Something, not Jak himself, but connected to him, had yanked her premonition back to her mind's eye, especially the rising hand of shadow in the desert.
Jak tilted a bit, and reached for her shoulders. "Are you okay? You look a little faint…"
She touched her right temple, and nodded. "I am fine, hero, but thank you for your concern." She glanced into his eyes. "It does you credit." The thought of asking him what he might know about the darkness in the desert struck her, but she dismissed it. She lacked enough understanding to properly handle his response yet. Instead, she walked along the side of the bed, and sat down beside the survivor.
Since she had not heard it herself, she leaned closer, and listened to his quiet raving.
"E-everywhere… all around us… can't… hit them… can't see them, but their… they're hitting us somehow… where are they? There! T-that… d-dark… warrior… on the rock-face… just… looking down at us…"
Seem's eyes flared despite herself, and she gripped the man's shoulder. "The dark warrior!" she said in a low but emphatic voice. "Tell me of him! Who was this dark one?"
The survivor suddenly stared into her eyes, as if the two were kindred spirits for a heart-beat. Jak and the nurses were watching with concern (watching both of the people on the bed).
At first silence filled the air, but then he swallowed, and spoke slowly. "I don't know anything, monk… but he was there, just watching. But… but near the end of the assault… he only raised his hand, or… something in his hand, perhaps, and it all stopped. I didn't realize I was the only one left yet. Then they all faded away, like sand in the wind!"
Still absorbing the information, Seem reached up and touched the man's forehead with her right hand, muttering quiet prayers. They seemed to almost hypnotize the man, and he sank back into a deep sleep. The monk rose from the bed, and was firmly staring into nothing, her mind working furiously. A dark hand… but… already out in the open? Why assault the marauders? Perhaps they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. This dark one, is he the one, or…?
"…Seem?"
She jerked her eyes up into Jak's yet again. "…What is it, hero?"
"I was just going to ask you…" He'd become quite serious.
Seem looked down and away. "I am not sure yet, hero. I have had troubling premonitions for some months now. I see darkness coming from the stars, but something here draws it on. I fear this 'dark warrior' may be that very thing… Or it is something worse, yet to expose itself."
Normally, Jak would've been a bit dismissive of her mumbo-jumbo, but since the Dark Makers were defeated, he'd gained a new respect for her uncanny insight into the ways of the world. And in the current situation, he was downright worried by her warning. "Something worse than a new leader for the Metal-Heads?"
She looked back into his eyes. "Much worse."
Jak's expression slackened slowly. Seem focused on him with more direct interest. "…You have not shared my concerns this closely before, hero…"
"That was before I realized you were usually right. Maybe not about our inevitable doom, but about what's coming," he managed with some mild humor.
The monk actually allowed herself a faint smile as well. "I see."
"Don't you think we should tell Sig about this, though?" Jak continued seriously.
With a slow nod, Seem agreed. "A wise idea, hero. Let us go."
They both thanked the nurses, and quickly left.
(Later…)
Sig frowned gravely as he sat on the throne. Kiera, Daxter, and Tess were standing back, a little behind Jak and Seem as they finished explaining what they knew. Jak's friends were all very worried, but Sig finally sighed and leaned back in the chair. "Look, I trust your insight, Seem, but what do you want me to do? You said yourself we don't have anything to actually move on yet."
Seem bowed her head. "Yes, my lord, but I intend to look more deeply into these matters. If I discover anything… concrete," she almost had trouble with the word, "I shall immediately inform you."
"Please do. And thank you. As always, if you monks need any assistance, just let me know," Sig responded sincerely, tipping his head to her.
Seem gave the bow and prayerful gesture she had given Jak. "Most appreciated, King Sig."
"Same here. I'm always happy to help out if I can," Jak added quickly, smiling a bit.
Seem actually returned the smile somewhat, and nodded. "I trust that you are, hero. Now I must return to the temple."
After she bowed, and they gave their farewells, they watched her leave. Kiera quickly turned to Jak. "This sounds really bad, Jak. We should get back to Haven City and tell Onin and Daddy about this."
"I was just thinking the same thing," he agreed easily. "Sorry, Sig, but…"
"I'm with you on this one, chili-pepper. I don't want any of us to get caught with our pants down in a marauder hut."
Jak and he shared a grin, and then Daxter, Tess, Kiera, and the young hero quickly left for the shuttle back to the other city. Sig just sank back in his chair. "I'm beginning to think it just doesn't stop on this planet…"
(That night…)
In a small, humble, torch-lit chamber in the Precursor temple, Seem lay on her back on a simple mat laid over a stone-ledge in one wall of the modest room. She was asleep, apparently, but lay very still, straight, with her hands clasped over her front. More curious, she was actually in her full clothing and armor. Perhaps it was a type of endurance or meditation technique, but she seemed very peaceful despite the knobbly, complicated suit. At least, she was peaceful for a time.
Her brow creased faintly as her dreams turned dark once more. The night, the stars, space, with the great darkness looming, overshadowing all light, looming ever-closer. Again, before the great, black claw could reach out for her, she rushed back to the planet, into the desert… but this time she halted at the sands.
In reality, her face relaxed a bit, and in her mind's eye, her view rose up, across the sands. There was scattered stone amid subtle dunes, and some cacti off toward the horizon. Turning slowly, she saw a cliff-face all but surrounding her. Looking down again, she was in the center of a modest pit within the dunes, very simple, subtle… and she could feel the darkness constricting its icy claws around her heart. As she looked down in growing dread, she abruptly had her body, and looking down at her feet, she saw the sand explode around a black hand viciously swiping up toward her face, rising with unnatural speed for her eyes—
Seem shot awake, snapping upright and gasping. Her arms coiled around her body as she stared down into nothing, her body shaking from the cold in her mind, her body sweating from a hot room. "It's coming… so close, but…" As her breath calmed, her expression did so as well, and then she became thoughtful, finally relaxing her arms away from front. "…I know that place."
She quickly slipped off her 'bed', and flowed to a small desk on the opposite wall. She yanked a scroll down, and unwrapped it across the surface under the torch. Her finger traced along its surface, a map of the deserts around Spargus City. "Rocks… around calmer sands… some of the cacti…" Her finger traced across the cliffs South of the city, and then followed her slowly sinking, focusing eyes down into the sands directly South of the rocks, in a moderately isolated corner of the cliffs, out of the way of any major travel-routes across the desert, but surprisingly close to Spargus. "It is there. Whatever draws them close is there."
With a rare display of speed, she was out of her chambers and down the hall in a rippling rush of her rubber, skirt-like under-robes. In a few moments, she was moving down into a stable-like area for leaper-lizards. Ostrich-like, reptilian mounts with modest wings and powerful hind-legs, they had long been domesticated in the wastelands, and Seem was moving briskly for a specific one near the open, arched exit of the stable.
Another, younger female monk was scurrying after her. "But it is very far to go by leaper, my lady, and marauders are still a danger despite that strange battle near the ruined city. Please reconsider, at least contact the king for a dune-runner."
Seem shook her head. "We may already be too late. I must learn what I can. It will be close enough to Spargus for me to report my findings directly to the king." She swung herself up onto her Leaper, and whispered to it in a strange language, both melodic and rasped. "Watch after the temple," she continued to the younger monk as she brought her mount around, the creature already squawking eagerly for the adventure. "If I have not contacted King Sig by noon tomorrow… something has gone wrong. Tell him to investigate the sands directly South of the city, beyond the first cliffs. The darkness, I believe, is there."
And without waiting for an answer, she shot through the opening on her leaper, extending its powerful jump with flaps of its tiny wing-arms. The young monk fretfully looked through the opening before quickly running back up into the temple proper. Seem rode her Leaper down the mountain-face from ledge to ledge, well acquainted with managing the harsh landings with a saddle. In just a few minutes, she was bounding across the natural islands that allowed dune-hopper vehicles to reach the island-mountain that held the temple. Though close to Spargus, the part of the desert she needed was quite far to the North-Northwest of the temple, but it was almost night anyway. Letting her Leaper run as fast as it felt it could manage, Seem focused ahead. They had not defeated the Dark Makers only to lose the world to another threat from the heavens.
It took her nearly half an hour by leaper to reach the cliffs that rested South of the city, and as her Leaper trotted to a stop at the top of a particular dune, she looked down gravely on the exact site she had been shown in her dream. The rock-face, the wide, shallow pit between short dunes, even the clusters of shale scattered through the sand… and cacti growing behind her.
Trotting a little further down, Seem dismounted within a few meters of the center of the pit, and walked through the cooling sands beneath a twilight sky until she stood in the center, almost exactly as she had in the dream. As she looked down into the ground, slowly kneeling, she put her hand to the sands, and closed her eyes. With a rush, she saw the same darkness from her premonition. Far below, in the rocks under the sands. That hand was…
Seem moaned, her left hand pressing to her chest as she almost fell over, shivering. She could feel it. The horrible darkness was there, directly beneath her, simply very deep. Without doubt, she was in the right place, but her pounding heart wished she had been wrong. It was far worse than she had feared. The darkness was almost overpowering her already. She gasped, and stumbled back toward her Leaper, finally falling flat as she caught her breath. "…It's here… By our makers, it is here…" She almost had tears in her eyes it was so horrible. Despair threatened to overpower her mind, but then she felt a soft nudge on her cheek.
Her red eyes opened up into the face of her Leaper, which was moaning sympathetically and nudging her. Seem smiled faintly, and reached up with her right hand, scratching its chin. "You have long been my friend…" She continued in a soft whisper of the strange tongue she'd spoken before.
Shaking her head, Seem rose up with her Leaper, but then stopped as her ride gave a nervous click. Motors in the distance. It was time to go. Seem quickly slipped up onto her Leaper, brought him around, and was just commanding him to leap up the dune when an armored, thick-wheeled car burst over it in front of her. Seem almost fell off her Leaper from the shock, and her mount spun around, almost falling over himself. The car hit the sand, and skidded around, four others rapidly swerving into view and surrounding the lonely pair.
Seem looked around seriously and alert. Marauders usually only went after other vehicles, for fuel or supplies. If they were so focused on her… it was possibly vengeance for the assault that had cost them so dearly just over a day ago.
The vehicle in front of her opened up, and a marauder climbed out. He took his helmet off, revealing a mane of spiky, white hair, and a grizzled face. A massive, cleaver-type sword was gripped in his left hand, and armor bristled off his right arm and lower body. His muscular torso was all but bare as his boots struck the sand. "Well, well," he rumbled, "look what we have here. One of Spargus' young monks, I see."
"Please let me pass. I have only what you see," Seem attempted to reason, her expression solemn, hiding any fear.
She did not like the nature of the smirk that followed on the scarred face looking back at her. "And I like what I see. The armor, the garb… what's underneath it…"
Seem swallowed, but remained firm. "I will give you my armor, but please let me pass." Her feet slowly pushed into her ride's flanks. It was a signal she'd trained him for, to prepare for a powerful leap as quietly as possible. If she could leap past the leader, it was possible they could make it to cliffs before being gunned down.
The leader twirled his sword down into the sand like an old gentleman with a cane. "Aw, but that's no fun at all. I never understood you monks, why a young, sweet thing like yourself wouldn't enjoy the company of a few lonely marauders!" He burst out laughing, and she could hear it chorused in the vehicles around her. "So," he raised the sword, cutting off his own laugh, "I think we'll just take it all, and call it even."
He nodded sharply toward them, and before Seem could give her ride the signal, a shot filled her ears and her Leaper screeched. She wasn't sure what happened until she hit the sand, and looked down to see her Leaper bleeding from its right leg on the sands, squirming awkwardly. Seem's face finally fell. "No…" She scrambled up, and crawled to her dear creature's face, whispering quickly but soothingly. It stopped squirming, but was obviously frightened.
She looked up as the cars revved, closing their circle. The leader came right up to her. Seem abruptly raised her hands up to him. "Please, wait! Here, my armor," she started to pull off her gauntlets. "I beg you to let me leave."
He just leaned in at her, and she resisted the urge to cringe at his rank breath. "No, sweetie… we're just gonna take it all. That Leaper will make a good meal for a couple of nights, too."
"Please…" Seem rasped, fear starting to choke her, not seeing any options.
He smirked, and then she yelped as pain exploded across her head from the left. She hit the sand and everything went dark.
The leader chuckled, lowering the butt of his sword. "I'll carry 'em…?" he sensed something behind him, and turned around… To get a massive, dark claw clamped around his face. The last thing he heard was a vicious roar before he was flying through the air. When he struck the cliffs, he knew no more.
The ape Metal-Head sprang off the leader's car, and smashed down into the front of the closest one on the left as the sands exploded around the other three, the small, scuttling Metal-Heads and a few leapers completely engulfing the vehicles before they flew off and exploded against the cliffs.
When the ape Metal-Head turned over the second vehicle, and let it smoke there, the driver dead, it moved away from Seem and her slowly squirming Leaper. Even the smaller ones and the leaper Metal-Heads pulled back, not coming near the monk. Instead, they parted around another figure that was walking up through the sands from further South. A dark cloak hid his body, but the rising winds were kicking sand and its thick layers toward Seem. Only a pair of glowing red irises and a glistening skull-gem were visible within the almost perfect darkness of the shifting hood hiding his head.
Seem's Leaper started to squirm more powerfully, screeching as he came closer. The figure stopped, and raised its hands. Dark, taloned claws they were, and crackling with dark energy. Slowly, as they closed into fists, the energy dissipated, and the Leaper seemed to relax a bit. A rasping voice, distorted somehow, spoke in a calm manner. "I mean her no harm, creature, but you also need some help. For her sake at least." He gestured to the Leaper for the ape-type Metal-Head, and it slowly crawled over, picking the poor lizard up.
The figure tore some of his sleeve off, and quickly tied it around the wounded leg, and gestured South firmly. The Metal-Heads started to flow in the direction he commanded, and the dark figure knelt down, picking Seem up from the sand. Blood was trickling down her left temple, and part of her 'hood' was torn, revealing her short, rather messy, white hair with a few tufts free of the concealing garb. He rose to his feet, and lolled her head onto his left shoulder by its uninjured side, cradling her almost like a young child as he kept his talons safely flat around her knees and outer shoulder.
Seem stirred faintly, but her mind did not quite clear as her eyes drifted open, and she gazed up into the darkness of the hood. "…D…dark… warrior…" He gave no sign that he heard her soft mumble before she drifted back into darkness herself.
(Author's Note…)
First, thank you very much for the positive reviews. They are really appreciated, and help keep me interested in finishing the story. I hope you continue to enjoy the story, and thank you for reading.
My update-rate may slow down from here on out, but don't worry, I'll be keeping up. Most of the chapters will not be quite so long as chapter two, as you can see with chapter three here.
