Chapter 11: "Fulfillment"
He was looking down at his hands in awe. They were normal, his old pale skin, the same creases and even the small scar on his thumb. The horrible talons were gone, the onyx skin, the pain from the energy… Looking up, he wasn't sure what was happening, nor was he thinking clearly. He had the vague notion that something was wrong with what he was seeing, but he simply couldn't quite put his finger on it. There was a tree in front of him, and he was sitting on soft grass some distance from it. A high wall loomed on his right, and a road was off to the left, just lightly smoothed dirt amidst the grass.
A young woman, quite beautiful with her soft, if pinched, features, long ears, and soft-brown, long hair, was kneeling with another man, who had shorter hair of similar color, attired casually, and two young children were with them, a boy and girl, the boy the older of the two, seeming about ten, the girl possibly seven or eight. They were adorable together, all smiling, the woman gently giggling as the man kissed her cheek and pulled her down into a hug with his arms as she walked just behind him on her knees to reach for something in a… picnic basket.
Then the woman looked up, across the blanket, and smiled sweetly at him, his normal hands finally dropping. "Frost, is something wrong?" she asked when she realized he didn't seem happy.
He was just looking at her, for some reason sorrow and joy equally powerful in his heart, his eyes stinging with tears… and some, strange, sharp pain. "…Nadia…" he just muttered, but then panic seized him as the woman, her husband, and their children jerked with fright, the scene turning dark, the tree and grass vanishing with the rest of the world.
Frost surged up, diving for them as Dark Eco came boiling up, coiling around them from below and the endless shadows beyond. Nadia screamed, reaching as her children were yanked away, and then her husband, her eyes flooding, tears streaming down her face as she started to slip back into the shadows as well. Frost screamed as well. "Nadia! NO!"
His voice warped, and he stared in horror as his hands contorted into black claws, more horrible and layered in carapace than ever. He looked up, seeing her stare back in renewed horror… just before purple-red lightning exploded off his hands, slamming into her body like a Zoomer at full speed. The woman's voice gurgled and went silent in the most sickening manner, her body snapping around the point of impact too perfectly to not have shattered her bones, her body vanishing into the darkness.
The power vanished, silence reigned… and then he screamed, grabbing his head and snapping as his entire body rammed the sound out of his distorted voice, into the air as his back arched violently. His hands faintly came away, Frost still screaming, and he looked down, to see Seem… in his claws, her expression etched with sympathy as it always was while his claws were locked around her upper-arms. He didn't know why he was holding her, or why he was suddenly on his feet, but he was still weeping for his sister, her family. "S-Seem…!"
Red eyes flared as Seem screamed, jerking as dark power crackled over her body in a raging storm of pain, her skin and clothing beginning to sear and blacken. He couldn't let go! He was killing her, the poor woman screaming… so like his sister… and he couldn't let her go! He stared down in manic horror himself. "…No…." he breathed, her body finally falling lifelessly from his claws. "No!" he shouted.
"SEEM!"
His eyes exploded open, energy crackling and rushing all over his face, down his arms, over his body as he burst upright. Frost was panting, sitting on a bed in the Spargus City palace, his jaw hanging open, revealing his sharpened teeth and black tongue as he tried collect his scattered mind and broken heart, the energy just beginning to fade from sizzling and arcing over his body. Parts of the bed-covers were actually smoking.
At last he sagged, holding his head in his hands, folding over himself. He couldn't help tears trickling down his face, dripping off his cheeks amid crackling energy. The pain didn't make him wince as the energy surged through his eyes. He couldn't contain the weeping, quiet and still as it was.
He jerked when the door knocked rapidly.
"Frost? …Frost?" Seem's naturally rasped but urgent voice called through the door.
His head snapped up, his expression shocked and meek at once as his claws fell into his lap.
Outside, her expression a haunting mirror of the very sympathy and concern Frost had seen in his nightmare, Seem lingered at the door, finally striking it with her right hand, keeping the hand flat instead of turning a knuckle to the door. "Please answer. I am very—!" She cut herself off as the door pulled open with a rush of air.
Though her urgency faded, it was replaced with more grave concern as she looked at the darkened man in front of her. One claw was on the door, his right, but his body was faintly hunched over, and his mouth was somewhat agape as he breathed, the obvious signs of tears on his face, energy still faintly crackling down his cheeks with the faint traces of water. Seem's head tilted to the side, her eyes tightening. "What has happened?" she asked softly. "I only heard you scream…"
His lips finally closed with some relief. She'd apparently not heard what he screamed. He exhaled smoothly, closing his eyes for a moment, and answered, "Nothing has happened. I apologize for alarming you."
He had never been so secretive to her before. It was his right, but it worried her even further. "Frost, please. I am very worried for you."
When he looked down to the side, she started to reach out softly. Seem froze, startled, when he rushed back from her hand, both of his own coming up near his face as if recoiling from a burning pot.
Frost's stance melted painfully. "…I apologize," he breathed out tightly, his expression constricting around closed eyes as he kept his taut, open claws down at his sides. "I don't want you to be hurt…"
Thinking it was simply his old concern acting over his current pain, Seem pressed a little closer in the doorway. "Frost, you have never—!"
"That doesn't mean I won't!" he snapped in a low, rasping rush, cutting her off, his entire body shivering as his claws finally twisted into fists.
Seem did ease back, alarmed at how delicate his situation actually was. She could see faint arcs of energy starting to snap off his shoulders, claws, and feet. Focusing on the man rather than his power, she realized he was breathing heavily, and slowly looking up at her with the most guilty expression she had ever seen on his face.
"You…" he started slowly, his voice low, "have always been kind to me, Seem. I am… I can not say how sorry I am for startling you like this, but if my b… if I harmed you—ever—I do not know how I could live with myself."
Finally realizing some of what had happened, Seem looked at him emphatically. "But you have never made that mistake, Frost!" her voice was not loud, but clear. "You have always kept the energies restrained, and you have never acted inappropriately around me or even Keira. Why are you so afraid now? Please, Frost, I am… I would like to believe I am your friend. May I not be one to you now?"
There was so much empathetic pain in her eyes, so much concern… for him. Frost couldn't stand it, his eyes ripping up to the ceiling as fresh, crackling tears started trickling down his cheeks. Seem's fear and heartache only grew, and his eyes finally squeezed shut, his head remaining tilted back. "…You are the best friend I have ever had, Seem…" he managed through a powerfully tight throat, his unnatural undertone more exaggerated, making him sound completely inhuman.
"Then please do not hide from me," she pleaded gently, her eyes tightening as her head tilted.
His eyes opened down into hers, his head finally bowing again. He just looked at her, Seem gazing into the powerful mixture of pain, confusion, and fondness. It was starting to make her own fears build in her throat, constricting, making her feel short of breath, but frustrating her as her mind raced to help her friend.
"You are never offended by my actions…" Frost whispered.
Seem offered a gentle smile. "Your actions toward me, since we've met, have all been to protect me."
His head sank completely, but his frame was relaxing. "…I had a nightmare…"
It confirmed her guess, but she remained silent and attentive.
Frost seemed to gain some awareness of his surroundings, and paused awkwardly, looking back into his room from the hall behind her. "D-do… you want to come inside?" he asked her, sincerely unsure as he gestured back into the room with his left side. Apparently seeing her stuck in the hall bothered him.
Seem only tipped her head, and flowed inside around him. Frost just closed the door, and then rapidly pulled away from it, toward his bed in the left wall, leaving her a free path back to the exit as she faced him. He took a moment to regain his train of thought, control his embarrassment and sorrow, and continued. "I saw my sister and her family. We were together in the gardens of Haven City. Then darkness came, and when I tried to save her…" he looked down at his right claw, and Seem was worried by the sincere hatred in his eyes, energy starting to crackle over his glowing pools and the claw at once.
Closing the fist and relaxing, he looked back to her, seeming to ease more as she came into focus. "My power killed my sister, and then…" He watched Seem's eyes tighten in controlled curiosity, and then growing concern, perhaps anxiety, as she realized how he was looking at her. He swallowed, tightening his fists, and managed, "…and then I couldn't stop myself from killing you…" He exhaled, looking down.
Deep empathy waved over her features. "Frost… you would never allow that to happen. You know this was your sub-conscious acting out your very fear of this happening."
His eyes were squeezing tighter each moment.
Preparing herself for whatever might happen, determined not to shrink away from him even if all of his energies exploded at once in her face, Seem glided up to him, and reached out, gently pressing her hand to his chest. He gasped, but she remained still, and nothing attacked her from his body, his open eyes staring down into nothing around her arm.
"Your heart, your mind… they are yours, Frost. Your body can not control them if you do not let it, nor can your power, nor the darkness that gave it to you, nor the Metal-Heads themselves," Seem listed off with calm focus, her gentle, rasping voice powerful. "You did not kill your sister or her family. You would have done anything for her, for them. You gave your life for others, have been willing to nearly as many times as we have met." She paused, fearing her intensity would frighten him in his vulnerable state. Softening her voice to a gentle whisper, she finished, "You loved your sister."
The strangest moan leaked from his closed lips, almost like a hurt animal, and Seem's mouth fell agape as he simply sank to his knees in front of her, slipping past her hand, which hung awkwardly in the air above him for a heart-beat as he looked up into her shocked eyes with completely normal tears dripping down his face. "I don't want to hurt anyone I love…" he gasped, a sob almost breaking over his frame.
Seem's expression fell with empathetic sorrow, her own eyes actually watering. Already close, his slipping to his knees nearly pushed them together as he looked up at her face, and so she just lowered her arms behind his head, wrapping her right hand gently behind the sharp layers of his head-carapace. "You will not, if you so choose, Frost."
He let his head sink forward at her words, just resting it against her armor. Seem, however, was looking down, past him with almost panicked fear on her face. This was what she wanted… she wanted to give him peace, comfort him… she didn't want him to push her away. She didn't want to push him away!
She snapped her eyes shut. Stop! How dare I be so selfish. This man is heart-broken, on his knees, in front of me, and all I can think of is how much I enjoy being the one here. This is cruel. I am not being just to him. Her eyes slowly opened, and she looked down at him, who was like a frightened child, and gently patted his head, careful not to cut her hand on the edges of his armor.
Frost let his eyes stay shut, finally relaxing, his body calming from the nightmare. "…You're the only one who can do this… Thank you."
Seem had to close her eyes, clenching her jaw. At last, she couldn't help her hand pausing as she shivered. She inhaled sharply when Frosts' left claw came up, and very softly wrapped around her forearm, just below her wrist as he finally eased back, looking up at her.
"You're trembling…?" Gentle concern took hold of his façade as he looked up into her guilt-ridden expression, her hands frozen where they were. "Seem what is wrong?" he asked more directly, letting go of her arm and rising to his feet, pulling him a little further from her.
I should have contained my emotions better, I should have directed them more appropriately. Now he is worried. She calmed her expression, and bowed gently, gesturing with her hand, not speaking until she was upright again. "You have done nothing wrong, Frost…"
His expression was calmly incredulous, the glowing crimson gaze tightened. "I overstepped your boundaries. …I am very sorry."
Seem shook her head. "No, Frost. You did not. I am… having emotional difficulties in recent weeks, and your sorrow… Selfishly I was reminded of my own troubles while you sought my support. You did nothing wrong. It is I who must apologize." She was as honest as she could believe possible, and bowed again.
"…If you have done any wrong to me, I don't see it, but you have my forgiveness."
She straightened, looking at him with gentle guilt remaining in her eyes.
He tilted his head down to the side, seeming to appraise her. "I can only assume that asking to be a support for you would overstep your boundaries?"
It was an escape readily presented. Seem slowly nodded. "I do not think that would help either of us properly at this time, Frost."
He accepted her answer with a deep bow of his head, but she could easily see the pain it caused him, and made her heart-ache all the worse. Before he could speak again, she straightened, and he focused on her. "You are not a monster, Frost. I do not think so, and I very much appreciate your friendship. You have been at my side when I needed you most already. You have saved the lives of those," her voice ever-so-faintly stuttered, "whom I love more than once. Please don't feel yourself a failure because I must face some difficulty on my own. I am certain there are things with which I can not help you."
Frost smiled gently for her. "Thank you for saying that, Ms. Monk." He would never realize how much his saying his nick-name for her twisted through her heart like a hot knife. "You do seem to make my problems go away with your presence, however."
Seem had to force her usual smile at his normally endearing kindness. It was becoming torture for her, and he was only making it worse with each comment. "I find that difficult to believe. I am just a Precursor Monk, Frost."
It was the pain in her eyes she was trying to hide that made Frost realize he was doing something wrong. Something had changed. He kept his expression steady, and then smiled gently. "As you say it," he finally replied with a playful bow.
Relief did appear to wash over her, and she smiled more easily back. "Then I will leave you to your privacy, Frost." She started for the door, and he made no move to stop her, simply smiling back.
However, the door gave an abrupt knock, freezing Seem and turning Frost with surprise. It started to open, a gentle, curious voice coming through. "Frost?" it was Keira. "I'm sorry to bother you, but Sig, Jak, and the others want to hold a strategy meeting. Oh, and we can't find Seem, she must've…"
The door had swung open enough, Keira just reaching out to pull it back (it had apparently slipped out of her hand as she was leaning lightly against the frame with one hand and one foot on the ground), but she saw Seem standing there, Frost further back, both completely astounded. She blinked, staring at Seem, who was starting to blush so powerfully under her makeup that she could already feel sweat starting to form beneath her clothing. Keira realized the poor monk looked like a deer in head-lights, completely shocked.
"W-well, I didn't mean to just burst into your room, Frost, I'm really sorry," Keira managed first, nodding to Frost. "Seem, uh… well, you heard, so… please come if you can."
Seeing her start to leave, the blue-green-haired girl blushing powerfully herself, Seem tried to speak, her mind scrambling to explain what she was doing, feeling completely self-conscious. Frost glided past her, however, and caught the door, smiling for Keira.
"Sorry, Keira. Don't worry about it. Seem just came to check on me, and we were just finishing our conversation."
Seem blinked at his back. Though he could've been covering for his own sake, she had the sinking feeling he had only thought to spare her the embarrassment of the situation. Keira, meanwhile, giggled gently, shaking her head. "No, no, it's fine. I just hate barging in on people like that. It's really rude. I know how I would've felt in the hangar… b-bay…" she was turning scarlet as she realized Seem was still there, and so tried to recover with a fresh laugh. "Anyway! I'll be at the meeting, too! Hope you two can come!" she put her hands together, gesturing back to him with all her fingers and a nervous smile… and promptly took off.
Frost chuckled gently, fully opening the door, and moving out into the hall before he even looked back to Seem. "Will you come to the meeting, Ms. Monk?"
It was so clearly just his reference for her this time that she could more easily flow with it, and came out of the room herself. "Yes, thank you."
They started walking, and she started to blush very gently before uttering, "Thank you…"
"For what?"
They shared a look, and she saw straight through his mildly put-on ignorance. They just shared a soft smile, equally sincere, and continued down the hall.
(Later…)
In the throne room, Sig was seated appropriately, and the others stood near and around him. Jak stood with Keira, Daxter and Tess down beside them, on Sig's immediate right. Wrapping around the landing, leaving a gap for the path leading to the throne, were Samos, Onin with Pecker, Ashelin, Torn, and Kleiver with none other than the altered, ottsel-form Count Veger on his shoulder. The would-be tyrant now resembled a frightened rat, his fur a bit darker than Daxter or Tess', and Kleiver's temper well known to him after just under a year of acquaintance. The tall, rotund Wastelander was Sig's right-hand (though he stood to his left…) man, his large eyes generally sharpened with some scheme or deal in mind, the top of his head bald, an intricate scar down the left side of his forehead and the temple, with a thick mass of gold hair running down around the sides, and a thick mustache that drooped down around his mouth. Veger, ottsel that he was, wore a vest over a filly white shirt, all that remained of his original attire. At least Daxter and Tess had pants.
"I think Frost is coming. I don't know for sure about Seem," Keira explained to Sig, having just returned herself.
"Did you find her?" Sig asked easily.
Keira blushed a bit, but smiled nervously. "Yes, yes. I told her."
Even Torn and Ashelin were a bit perplexed at the woman's nervousness, but then they heard the throne room's elevator activate, and turned their attention back to it. Rising into view were Frost and Seem together, the Metal-Head leader letting her step through first, and then they both stepped up onto the landing with the others. Frost saluted to Ashelin and Torn, but they waved him down to relax him, and so he simply shared Seem's bow to the group.
Daxter grinned. "You two are a little late. Have some fun on the way?"
Seem's eyes burnt a hole into the ground ahead of her feet, her face turning uncomfortably hot.
Frost, however, fixed such a frightful glare on the small ottsel that Daxter hid behind Jak's leg instantly. "She's a monk, Daxter. That's unbelievably rude."
Seem wanted to just collapse, spare herself this anguish. She felt like anything but a monk for the last few minutes.
Jak reached down and swatted his friend across the ears. "Geez, no kidding, Daxter. Give it a rest with Seem, alright?"
Keira, however, was watching Seem with some concern. The poor monk almost looked empty. Then she saw Seem calm herself, and straighten her posture, very much back to normal… visibly.
The monk said, "I apologize for our lateness. Please continue."
Sig nodded, everyone focusing back to the issue at hand. "We know the Precursors are on their way, but we need to be ready before they get here. Problem is, we just don't know how the enemy will come at us, or where they'll strike the hardest."
Torn had his arms crossed, and shifted his weight to his right foot as he answered. "If they come from the desert toward Spargus, we should lay out a full front-line with all our forces. I figure we're just buying time for someone to take out the Darken core, because actually killing off a big force of those critters doesn't sound too realistic."
Frost tilted his head. "We can do our best, however. Using heavy artillery, we can destabilize their formations, and start picking them off as needed."
Torn smirked at his former subordinate. "Always did like how you think, Frost."
The darkened warrior actually smiled back, nodding.
Seem swallowed quietly, and spoke up herself. "I sense the Darken is preparing a full attack. I am not sure if we will be assaulted by Maia or her comrade again before the last battle."
Samos turned to Frost abruptly, the former guard raising his eye-ridges. "Frost, we meant to ask you. Earlier today the Metal-Heads seemed agitated, some almost appearing to go into seizures. Is there anything we need to know?"
At first Frost was puzzled quite sincerely, but then his eyes hollowed. "O-oh… That was…"
Seem realized what had happened, and came to his aid. "His rest was disturbed, and the Metal-Heads reacted to it. They were only empathizing with their leader, Samos," she finished with a gentle bow.
Frost just nodded, looking down.
Everyone was a bit troubled, Jak eyeing Frost and Seem with concern, but it was Veger who hopped down to the ground, already animated and alarmed.
"You can't seriously be considering allying with those abominations! Look! They've already proved unstable even under this creature's control!"
Ashelin was about to snap at him when she froze, sharing an alarmed gaze with Torn, and then both focusing on Frost. The Metal-Head leader spoke before anyone else could. "It was a dream that disturbed me. I likely won't need to sleep again until after the battle. The Metal-Heads are reliable."
Jak was about to retort to Veger as well, but stopped himself, sharing a wary look with Keira, who realized, finally, what was wrong. Count Veger had caused the Haven City palace to collapse… and Frost didn't know the ottsel in front of him was the same person.
Kleiver swept down, and scooped the smaller creature up in his free fist, the other holding his old blaster, as always. "Now what'd I tell ya about talkin' out a-turn, Veger?"
Everyone stared at Kleiver in alarm, but Frost only tilted his head to the left… very slowly, his glowing eyes focused on Veger with the darkest coldness. "Veger…?"
Seem's eyes tightened, but then she realized the connection herself, her expression flaring with alarm. She instantly reached up, gripping Frost's left arm. "W-wait, please…"
But he wasn't moving forward. Frost looked back to her calmly, fully in control of himself. Seem tipped her head to him, and pulled her hands down self-consciously. Frost gave her a faint smile, trying to make her feel less awkward, and then focused back on the ottsel as he was forced onto Kleiver's shoulder.
"And what is it to you, you beast?" Veger protested, setting his paws on his hips.
"I'd say that was the pot calling the kettle black, but the metaphor doesn't quite work in my case," Frost said, emphasizing by raising his right claw, his black skin glistening. He lowered it, the others braced for an explosion, but only spoke in a chilled, calm voice, his ethereal echo adding quite a bit to its intimidation. "My sister, her husband, and their two young children were murdered by the palace collapsing in Haven City. I think I have some excuse for considering you the abomination rather than myself, Veger."
The ottsel hopped up and down, pointing at Frost. "Well if you are any indication, they should have been wiped off the planet anyway!"
"Veger!" Jak snapped darkly.
This time everyone rounded on Veger, not necessarily minding if Frost blew the creature to small furry chunks. Seem jerked back from Frost in alarm, however, as energy crackled up and down his arms, out of his eyes, and his claws locked into ever-constricting fists, his arms shaking.
However, no one needed to act before Veger yelped, being zapped off Kleiver's shoulder and suspended in the air. Everyone quickly focused back on none other than Onin, Pecker perched on her hat, her right hand pointing two fingers at Veger, sparkles swirling through the air and coalescing into a sphere around the ottsel. She started gesturing with her left hand, her expression dark. Pecker grinned as he interpreted. "You had best keep your own trap shut, Veger, or you will soon find yourself in need of my services."
Kleiver was chuckling. "There's a mystic for ya. I oughta learn that nice sparkly trick myself. Keep ya in line for your own good, ey?" He shook his fist at the trapped rodent, who squeaked in dismay.
Onin finally released him, and Kleiver pounded him across the face so hard as he landed that the small rodent was out cold on his back the next moment.
Frost calmed the energy around his body, and exhaled, raising a claw to his face. "…Sorry. I shouldn't have let that get to me…"
Sig smirked. "If ya hadn't, chili-pepper, I'd be seriously worried about you."
Keira smiled. "No kidding. He crossed the line with that last remark. I'm sorry you had to hear that."
Frost just smiled back, shaking his head. As the others focused back on the task at hand, Jak bringing up some strategies for supporting the main gun-turret on the ocean-side of the city, Frost looked to Seem, standing quietly on his left, her head bowed, her hands clasped limply in front of herself. She almost seemed ashamed, trying to hide in plain sight.
Wincing with uncertainty, Frost eased his left claw up, and just touched her shoulder. She gave a start, and he snapped his hand back, but she looked up at him with curiosity. He didn't have any words to use, but just looked at her with concern. At first, she seemed worried, but then smiled gently, tipped her head, and focused back to the matter at hand, more calm and focused, more like her usual self.
As Ashelin and Torn advised the others on exactly what their reinforcements were capable of (hellcats and troop-transports arriving since the previous day), Seem abruptly pressed her hand to her chest, and Onin turned her head to the side. Pecker and Seem spoke at once, "They have come."
Sig and the others looked from the mystic to the monk and back, until Seem finally explained, "The Precursors. They are here!" hope and happiness were blossoming across her face.
Onin gestured rapidly, Pecker exclaiming, "Out in the main city, near the gate to the desert!"
Sig rose up. "Let's go greet 'em!"
Onin started to rise up as the others hurried to the lift, but Frost swept closer to her, and picked her up in his arms. The mystic seemed startled, but then smiled at him. Frost just tipped his head, and carried onto the lift, the last to step on… just after Seem, who had lingered for him. With a loud, mechanical bang, they were on their way down.
(Outside the Palace…)
Jak, Keira, Samos, and the others quickly ran out from under the rocky tunnel between the two halves of the city. A shadow had fallen over the Eastern half, and looking up, they were all finding it easy to smile. The tall, glistening Precursor ship was radiant in the day's sun, the visible piping, glowing ports, and coppery metal as bright and clear as ever as the massive ship lowered down with a deep moan thundering through the city below. It halted without effort, idly turning at a slow speed.
Sig led the swift jog down to the city area below the ship, the Wastelanders around the city gathering, but leaving a large area beneath the floating ship (since it seemed it might crash down abruptly on the everpractical desert people). Frost and Seem were last, the Metal-Head leader gently setting Onin down.
Before he could rise back up, she held his arms, and focused her blank eyes up into his own. He remained attentive, actually going down to one knee. Onin smiled at him, and faintly nodded to his left. He glanced there, realizing she meant Seem, who was gazing up at the massive ship, and looked back to Onin with surprise and embarrassment. Her hands began to glow gently as they held his arms, and he heard a subtle, ancient voice in his mind.
Your respect for her gives you strength. More than it does with the others. Do not despair in yourself, or you will cause her greater pain.
Frost had no response, his dark mouth hanging open awkwardly, shocked at her 'words'. Onin just nodded meaningfully, and finally let go, remaining in her usual posture on the ground, noticing that Frost had found a small mat before setting her down. Frost finally stood up, his mind starting to recover from the strange interaction, and looked up himself.
Jak, with Daxter just hopping up to his shoulder, stood by Keira, Tess down in front of them, with Sig and Samos on either side, the others lingering a little behind them, Frost keeping himself the most distant. He was relieved, for her sake, that Seem hadn't noticed his distance yet.
Rather than landing the ship to get out, as everyone expected initially, the Precursors used another method of getting down on the ground. There was a blinding flash of light… and when it had faded, there stood the three Precursors that guided Jak against the Dark Makers. In the center stood the rotund leader, his white, layered robes as clean and radiant as ever, his Precursor staff held at his right side, the glowing, golden ovoid coiled within a tendril of the coppery metal at the top, almost the size of his orange, brown-bearded, furry head. On his left stood the lankier, almost unstable surfer-like Precursor, attired in a tunic and pants of the same pure white, his eyes lop-sidedly open as he smirked constantly. And on the right was the … dummy. His armored helmet covered his eyes, his buck-teeth stuck out, and he swayed from side-to-side, grinning at some private joke the whole time.
The leader, fortunately, spoke first. "Mar, friends. Though it is a troubling time, it is good to see you all again."
Jak tipped his head, the others bowing or showing nods of respect. Frost pulled back a bit, bowing, and only rose up when he was sure everyone else was. The green-blonde-haired hero stepped forward with Daxter. "We've been pulling all our resources to this city. What should we do now?"
The chubby ottsel grinned. "Come inside with us, and we will discuss the coming battle."
Daxter pointed up. "You mean… in that thing?"
The leader gave him a dry stare, and nodded. Then he raised his staff toward the ship, and the entire group vanished with another blast of light.
They appeared in a round, tall chamber crafted entirely of Precursor metals, but with contoured, round, softly cushioned chairs around a large, circular table in the center, a glowing hemisphere in the center of the broad surface. Everyone started to sit down as the three Precursors did so, their seats elevating them automatically to clear views over the table. Tess and Daxter each found the same happened for them, and the shorter members of the group were elevated just enough to be on par with the tallest. Frost was between Seem and Onin (Pecker on her hat), a bit meek as he tried not to move or accidentally unleash some of his energy. He already felt weak in the Precursors' presence.
Kleiver had the unconscious Verger on his shoulder, on the end of Sig, Ashelin, and Torn, who sat to the Precursors' left. Across Onin, Frost, and Seem were Tess, Daxter, Samos, Keira, and Jak.
The leader pointed his staff at the table, and the hemisphere emitted a full model of their world, zooming out, and showing a large, dark mass rushing toward it. "The Darken itself will reach this planet tomorrow," he began gravely. "They will target this city first, because we have come here, and remain their greatest threat from this world."
The surfer started up, gesturing out with both hands, "And then he, like, totally spreads out from the initial attack point. Takes over the whole world, man. Majorly bad."
The leader twitched, and nodded. "Exactly. That is how we will strike. The Darken only leaves himself vulnerable for a short time between his arrival and his actually consuming the planet. That is why he sends the army, which is normally a very effective compensation for this weakness."
Torn tilted his head down. "Then how are we gonna do any good… sir?" he finished awkwardly, not sure how to address the most powerful beings in the universe.
The leader smiled again. "We have weapons that greatly concern the Darken. Jak, here, is a true hero of the Precursors, and the Darken knows that. The plan is simple. The full resources available to us will hold off the army, while Jak is sent to deal with the Darken itself. Jak is the core of the plan, and he is the only one who can do it. We must make it so he can survive getting to the Darken's core, and the rest of you must fend off the Darken's forces."
Everyone, especially Keira, was looking to Jak with concern. He was grave, but nodded slowly. "The light powers you gave me… that's why I can fight him."
The leader nodded. "Exactly, Mar… Jak. It will not be an easy battle, but I assure you, you have the power to defeat that monster. We will make sure you get the chance, and help defend this city during the battle."
"I'm with you," Jak confirmed calmly.
Keira looked down anxiously, but knew he had made the right decision.
The leader then turned his focus the table as a whole. "Now we may be able to weaken the Darken's forces while they are on this world, but we can not simply wipe it out for you. Your warriors are necessary if this world is to survive."
Sig tipped his head. "The Wastelanders are on board."
Ashelin added, "So is Haven City. We've already moved every available guard and hellcat out here."
Frost finally spoke. "…And the Metal-Heads will be on your side this time as well."
The leader focused on Frost with another strange smile as he spoke. "Ah yes. We are most pleased to see you, Frost."
He blinked. "You are…?"
Seem was attentively looking from her friend to the Precursors and back along with the others.
The leader continued. "Oh yes. Though… Jak ended the threat of the Hora-Quan, you have made them allies. You have disciplined your dark powers as much as can be asked of you, for the sake of your world. There is more than one hero in this room, Frost."
"Yeah, we, like, didn't even see you coming. Right on, man," the surfer interjected.
"Yay!" exclaimed the dummy with a broad swing of his arms.
Frost was melting under the attention, especially the grins from his friends, and the gentle smile Seem was giving him at his side. "I… am glad I can help…"
The leader nodded, and tapped his staff on the table. "Which brings us to the details of your strategy. Each of your leaders," he gestured to Sig, Ashelin and Torn, and Frost, "have reliable tactical minds, and we have much to prepare ourselves. May we let you plan the details of your defense yourselves while we do so? The Darken will strike from the desert-side of the city. He always preferred starting on land."
The whole group shared looks, Keira looking down thoughtfully as she considered her own options, and then Samos looked up to the Precursors. "We can handle it. Thank you."
The leader bowed. "Then we shall be on this ship, if you need us." He raised his staff, and with a flash, they were back on the ground.
Jak looked to Sig, Frost, Ashelin, and Torn specifically. "Mind if I sit in on the planning?"
Sig grinned. "All the help we can get organizing this. Come on, we've got a meeting chamber in the palace. You've all got some input, I'm sure. Even Daxter might have something useful to add."
When Daxter puffed up with a grin, everyone laughed or smiled as they moved toward the palace save Tess, who hugged him comfortingly.
(Later…)
Sig stood at the head of a long table with a painted map of the city and the deserts to the South across its top. Jak, Keira, Samos. Onin with Pecker, Daxter, Tess, Ashelin, Torn, Frost, Kleiver, and even Seem were all there. Torn was pointing to the defending wall around the buggy garage, drawing his finger up and down its length. "If they're coming from the desert, we should keep our forces organized here. Our guards and hellcats are good for general purpose combat, but melee gives 'em trouble."
Sig nodded. "Same with Wastelanders. We're generally riflemen of some kind." He jabbed his finger at the garage itself. "We can send dune-buggies out for support, a good, mobile, medium scale artillery resource."
"And support them with the hellcats from above," Ashelin agreed with a nod.
Frost finally spoke up. "I think the Metal-Heads can be most effectively on the front and back lines. My long-range forces can fire from the back, and act as a last-defense wall if necessary, while the smaller types take on the initial rush, the rest of our forces supporting them with longer-range fire."
Jak looked up at him with concern. "I don't like putting your side in the most dangerous part of the defense, Frost. It should be better mixed."
Frost shook his head. "Metal-Heads are the best melee forces we have, it's the right move, I think." He gave Jak a faint smile. "I appreciate the thought, though."
Keira finally pointed to the desert herself. "I'll use the desert Zoomer, patrol the forward rank areas. I can offer some support from above, and my Zoomer is faster than a hellcat."
Jak looked at her urgently. "K-Keira, I can't let you go out there…" he trailed off as she looked at him firmly.
Crossing her arms, she replied, "You're going to fight the source of these things on your own. You're in no position to give me a hard time about putting myself in dangerous situations to save the world." She smirked, "Besides, just think of it as further incentive for you to kick that Darken's kiester all the faster."
Sig nodded. "She's right, Jak. We need all the support we can get, and one good sand-storm will force the hellcats to retreat behind the city walls. Having even a little air-support could make the difference in key skirmishes on the main line. You know that."
Ashelin nodded. "And she's the best pilot for it. Keira's the best call."
Tess hopped up and down. "I'll man the guns for her!"
Keira grinned. "That's a great idea, Tess. Thank you."
Daxter set his hands on his hips. "Hey! What about ME?"
Jak 'patted' his friend on the back, almost knocking him flat with a dry smirk. "You'll be with me, Dax."
The ottsel twitched. "With you? Fighting that… thing?"
"You're Tess' hero, after all."
Tess pointed up at Jak. "Don't go baiting my fuzzy-wuzzy, Jak, or I'll make you regret taking him along."
Jak leaned down, 'whispering' conspiratorially to her. "Just a little scared myself, Tess. Need the back-up, you know?"
Amused, but hiding it, she looked off with crossed arms and the subtle ghost of a smile. "Alright, I suppose that's excusable."
Though glad to be informed of the plans, Seem realized she was of little use. She had done what she could to warn them, offer her support, but it was time for the warriors to take command. They knew what was coming, had all the support they could hope for, and knew what to do.
When Frost leaned forward to add something to the conversation, she let her eyes focus on him again, feeling the conflict and heart-ache rising within her. As he finished his point, the others paused thoughtfully, and so she raised her chin to speak. "I thank you for allowing me to attend, but it is clear I am of little need here. I shall go meditate. Perhaps I will perceive something useful." She bowed, gestured to everyone as she whispered in the lyrical, rhythmic language of the desert, and smiled gently to their farewells. Frost, especially, offered a gentle smile, tipping his head to her. She still, however, saw a hidden sadness in his eyes at her departure. She turned, and left through the large door.
When the door shut, Ashelin looked over to the darkened warrior. "You alright, Frost?"
He focused on her, not realizing Onin was focused on him as well. Smiling faintly, he nodded. "Fine, thank you." Looking down to the map, he gestured to the garage, "I think placing a few dune-runners here should act as a formidable defense…" And they continued to discuss their plans.
(Later…)
Though she could feel the darkness closing in on her, on the world, though she could feel the calming power of the Precursors in the city, Seem could barely focus her mind. She sat in her chamber in the palace, on her bed, her legs crossed, hands in her lap, eyes closed. As she tried to focus on the Darken, no sooner had the dark chill begun to seize her heart, than she saw a flash of Frost's gently fearful expression as he offered to help her up onto a Metalpede. The great peace and power of the Precursors brought his gentleness in healing the lone Leaper to her mind, and the submissive, docile behavior of the Metal-Heads at the temple… his protection of the monks and herself at the temple before-hand… and also at the palace just the previous day.
Trying to focus on Maia, seeking to understand how she could become so hopelessly corrupted, she saw both Jak and Frost, their discipline and nobility in the face of immense darkness, darkness she would not want to face in her deepest nightmares. Maia's jealousy of their life was clear to Seem as she thought, but the monk could not clear her mind of Frost's guilty look as Maia attacked him for protecting them, or when she saw him just that day, after his nightmare… or him kneeling, in tears, at her feet.
Finally her eyes flared open, gently watered with tears of sympathy and pain. "The world is in danger of ending," she breathed, "and I can only think of myself…" Her eyes closed again, her head bowing. I do respect him, I do not regret that. I must not let it become a poison in my life. Am I so selfish…? Apparently. I am sorry, Frost… I have toyed with your heart. I swear it was not my intention… I only wished to help… Her shoulders sank, but finally her face sank into her hands, and she sobbed. That she could be so cruel to him, to her world, so selfish, was ripping into her heart much more deeply than the Darken or the dark presence in the desert. It came from her, and was thus far more destructive.
Her hands came down, pressing into her lap as she tried to calm her breathing, tears dripping down her cheeks. Her face paint did not run, too permanent and well-set to be threatened by tears. "Please…" she breathed, "help me… My mind is not clear…"
Seem's eyes opened faintly, her mind shifting around her own words. "…Help…" she repeated thoughtfully. Her eyes rose ahead of her, to the door, and she was calmed by purpose. Her posture straightened, and she simply crawled off the bed, moving out of her room. The monk briskly moved through the palace, down into the city. She busily moved past the Wastelanders, visiting guards, and even Metal-Heads milling about casually, tipping her head in reciprocation to any greetings.
Soon, she was beneath the Precursor ship, looking up at it. She bowed, went to her knees, and put her hands together, whispering in the strange language once more. With a quiet rush of light, she was gone.
Seem paused, her eyes gently opening down at a glistening, metallic floor, matching her armor.
"What disturbs you, monk?"
She only then raised her eyes to see the Precursor leader standing on a floating platform in front of her. She was in the central command-center of their ship, but the other two Precursors were nowhere to be seen. Seem met his gaze, and quickly folded down, almost kowtowing completely. "Righteous maker, I seek your guidance."
"Guidance for what?" the proper-tone was softened sincerely as he looked down at her. There was a curious humor in his eyes and a faint smile on his lips.
"I am conflicted between my vows and… personal desire. I am finding it most difficult to control myself properly, and I fear I have failed you. Please pardon my presumption, but I have so rarely had a chance to address one of our makers, I saw no better course of action. Please tell me how to act. If I should simply maintain myself through meditation, distance myself from… someone whom I have grown to… respect immensely, or if… I am sensing something more than just my selfishness."
The leader lowered his platform, and spoke gently. "Tell me, exactly, what has conflicted you, little one."
"Frost, my lord." She continued in a low, emphatic plea. "He is noble, kind, and gentle. He controls the darkness within him, and blames only himself for his pain. I wished to comfort him, show him that he was still worthy of compassion, but I… I have grown attached to him deeply. He respects me, the choices I have made, but I can only think of how much I wish to be at his side, how much I wish to help him. I am afraid… I am afraid that I will never focus properly on my duties again. I look at my life without him… and I want to weep. I have allowed the honor of serving you to become a pain in my heart, if it is not to include him, but that is already a division, already a loss of devotion. I…" her throat constricted, "I have already betrayed my vows in my heart, and I am terrified." Before he could reply, she looked up to the leader with tears in her eyes, "Must I cut myself away from him? Is that what must be done for me to become your servant again?"
The leader tilted his head to the side. "Would you do so if I said yes?"
Her expression waved with the most pitiful pain. "Yes…"
He leaned toward her. "Would your heart survive it?"
"Service can remake the heart… I must not let my selfishness guide my actions…" She believed it, but was forcing it from her lips as more sorrow engulfed her heart.
"Speak to me of him. What do you know is best for him?"
Seem's eyes cleared a bit, and she answered, "Love and personhood. He fears he is destined to kill all he loves, but he doesn't realize he would never allow it to happen. I thought finally revealing himself to his friends would do so, but he still seems so afraid of himself. I just…" she looked down, her eyes sealed shut, "I am pained for him, and beg for assistance to be given to him. I know pulling away from him will hurt him, but if…" she looked up at the leader, "if you help him, he will not be so deeply hurt. He is so understanding, perhaps he would forgive me in time, and be healed fully."
The leader smiled gently, actually sitting down on his little lift, setting his staff across his lap. "You have always been one of our greatest servants, Seem."
Her eyes wavered, her mouth agape.
"You have never allowed yourself to get in the way of your vows. Even now, you kneel before me ready to rip your own heart out for the greater good. You dismiss your arrogance, your desire to be the one who helps him, and have focused only on what is best for him, for others." He smiled warmly. "You recall, that you promised yourself you would let your mind consider your conflict more deeply once your duties to the world were complete?"
Seem could barely manage a nod, too raw with emotion and awe in the presence of one of the makers.
"Is this not what you were doing? You sacrificed much time for the world, and allowed your heartache to grow until you knew you could do no more. And now, looking at yourself clearly, you see that you… love him very much. Don't you?" He gently raised his eyebrows.
Seem's expression tightened, her lips shivering apart with fresh tears in her eyes. "…Yes…"
"And how did you come to love him?"
"By coming to know him. He respects what is not known to him, understands where my strengths and weaknesses come from. He only wishes to protect, to help, to serve, struggling with his own desires, even though all he wants is someone to protect, someone to hold close. I can see it in his eyes…" she folded over, almost sobbing again, her tears gently splattering on the metal at her knees.
"And how did you come to know him?"
She remained low, her voice tight and soft. "I have always been taught to live for others. In protecting your secrets, we are protected from harm by those who don't understand how properly to use your gifts. In our devotion to you, we offer an example of living beyond one's self. It was… right to do. Frost was tortured and hurt through no real fault of his own, and I wished to extend the hand of fellowship. In doing so I… came to realize how strong, gentle, and kind he is."
The leader seemed very pleased, and leaned a little over. "So, one might say, that you fell in love with Frost because you are a good monk."
Seem was silent, but slowly looked up, her expression puzzled around her tear-stained cheeks. "B-but I… it is pulling me away from my vows to you."
"And you came to us to seek correction, maintaining your vows. Goodness, Seem, if we needed flawless servants, we'd be making very grave mistakes in asking any of beings we've crafted to be monks. We do not need you to be flawless, we need you to do your best. You have done what is right directly to this moment. And now I ask you to listen carefully."
Seem straightened, her eyes locked on him, her emotions rapidly masked and pulled back for duty. The leader smiled gently, and stood up before he continued.
"Monk Seem, your makers have seen your efforts as our servant, and see your sincerity. It is in holding to your vows that you have grown so sensitive to your world, and been part of its pure balance. That same path has led to your current state, and so, it is with great happiness," he took his staff around, gesturing down at her with the head, "that I tell you we hold your vows fulfilled." Seem's eyes widened in shock at his words, but she remained still and obedient. "Receive now, a well-earned blessing from your makers, whom you have served well."
Light built within the head of his staff, and it burst out, engulfing Seem in a cloud of pure light. Seem gasped, her eyes filling with light within the power, her heart simultaneously exploding with joy and deeply relaxed in contentment.
At length, the light gently faded, exposing the kneeling body of Seem… only quite different from before. Her clothing had been remade, covering her in a flowing white gown, the skirt long down the backs of her legs, but short in the front, where intricate boots of Precursor metal and durable, dark rubber protected her legs from the knees down, billowing pants vanishing under the skirt along her thighs. Her arms, the pale, white hands pressed to the ground, were covered in firm, tight fabric along the forearms, running down to the first knuckle of each middle finger, and then the same, baggy, loose white fabric as what covered her legs vanished into the shoulder covers of rubber that went from the base of each sleeve, along the top of each shoulder, and across her upper-back, down the spine, and around her middle, mixed with Precursor armor. Simple straps ran across the front, top of her chest from the shoulders, and the baggy fabric covered her chest, bloused over the firmer middle.
Her skin was the same pale, almost frost white, but the other colors were gone from her gentle face, her eyes still closed, and her long ears gently ran out from her head… which now revealed a waving, almost curled mane of frost-white hair that cascaded down to the base of her neck, thick and glistening. Seem finally started to ease upright, though still on her knees, and opened her blazing red eyes, looking down at her hands softly, her mouth agape, and down at her altered apparel. Then she focused back up at the leader, tears starting to drip down her pure-white cheeks as she started to smile. "The light… I can feel it… You…"
"Did what was proper for you," the leader replied in a low, meaningful voice. "Your vows are held fulfilled. Go now… and do what is right."
Her expression softened with surprise. "W-wait… you mean…?"
The leader just winked at her, and she was engulfed in another flash of light.
(Later…)
Back in the meeting room, it was Frost who first paused while the others spoke, turning his head as if listening for something, his expression puzzled. He wasn't alarmed, indeed the sense was powerfully luminous, like Light Jak, he simply didn't understand why it was becoming so obvious to him. Was one of the Precursors coming to check on them?
Onin and Samos paused next, Jak the last to turn to look at the door. Keira and the others soon realized something was up, so they looked to the door as well. The door softly opened, and a nearly unrecognizable figure stepped inside, her hands resting on the door as she somewhat meekly looked in at them. She was surprisingly beautiful in her white skin and glistening hair, her crimson eyes starkly mesmerizing. Her armored gown was a curious combination of elegance and practicality as well, but her almost timid air made her all the more welcoming.
Frost, however, smiled in his gentle, warm manner, his eyes softening. "Seem."
She was just as surprised as the others. "…You recognize me, Frost?" she asked, unable to avoid the subtle smile starting to warm her expression.
Frost pulled his head back with surprise. "Why wouldn't I? Its your face."
Seem couldn't help smile warmly at his response.
The others, however, were shocked, even Onin as she realized what had happened. Jak was blushing a bit, which made Keira dryly nudge him in the ribs. Daxter was in more sincere shock at the simple change, never viewing Seem was even remotely attractive, and now seeing a rather gorgeous woman. "Who-what-now?" he stammered. Tess darkly squeezed him with a hug from the side, 'accidentally' starting to choke him.
Ignoring the struggling ottsel, Sig and the others finally managed to regain some response. Sig exclaimed, "S-Seem? What happened to you?"
The former monk walked carefully into the room, her physical manner completely unchanged, and bowed, gesturing, though her hair cascaded around her face this time. "The Precursors have shown me great favor and honor. They blessed me similarly to how they blessed Jak with their light."
While Torn and Ashelin watched with interest, Samos thumped his fist off the table.
"By the Precursors! …Okay, yes, literally, but still, this is remarkable! We have another light warrior on our side!"
Seem blushed, this time no make-up in the way of the gentle pink glow. "P-please, I am not so skilled as the hero. I hope I can help, however, yes," she finished with a gentle bow, still quite distant from the group.
Frost was still smiling. "I'm glad for you. No one could have deserved it more."
Seem looking down as her face turned scarlet. "I-I did not deserve it, no one could, but… I am most grateful, yes…" Her eyes focused back into Frost's, and he was surprised by the deep emotion… and happiness he could suddenly see in her expression.
Before he could respond again, Pecker spoke up. "Onin is greatly relieved as well, but we must continue planning before it is too late to rest well."
Seem blushed faintly once more, and hurried up to the table, Frost turning around as she stood beside him.
Torn pointed down at the map again. "I'll lead the ground forces from the Freedom League side."
Ashelin nodded. "And I'll lead the hellcat squadrons."
Sig nodded. "I'll directly command our Wastelander ground forces. Kleiver, you keep the buggies in line out there for me."
"You got it, boss," the old warrior agreed with a sharp nod.
Frost smiled. "I'll keep myself on the front line. My powers are more effective at closer ranges, and my rifle can help pick some further targets off." His talon almost ripped the map where he pointed at the desert, so he quickly pulled it back, an apologetic glance to Sig following.
Seem could let his almost childish meekness warm her heart without fear of betraying her duty. She looked back to the map with a smile herself, and added, "I will stand by Frost."
The others tried to ignore his abrupt glance at her. Seem only smiled at him, and then they all focused on Keira. "And Tess and I will offer air-support."
Jak leaned on the table. "While I take out the root of the problem with the Precursors' help. I'm getting used to this kind of thing."
Samos stamped his staff irately. "Don't be foolish, Jak."
The hero smirked to his old friend. "Don't worry, Samos. I'm deadly serious about this… just not the first time we've faced the worst."
Sig knocked on the table. "Then we're all set. Let's call it a night, get some rest, and start preparing early."
Everyone was quickly agreed, and started pouring out of the room. Keira found Jak for a tight hug, and pecked his cheek, giggling when he returned it before they split apart for the night. The ones last leaving the room were none other than Seem and Frost.
"May I speak to you for a moment, Frost?" Seem asked gently, a glowing happiness in her manner he'd not seen before.
He nodded. "Of course." He let himself smile as well. "I didn't think you could be more beautiful…" Then he jerked with embarrassment. "I-I mean… sorry. That wasn't the most appropriate thing to say…" He looked down with a sigh.
Seem only smiled more fondly at him. "I am very grateful for the compliment. For all of them. The Precursor… did make me appear quite different…" she muttered, looking down at herself.
"I meant your smile."
She looked back up into Frost's eyes softly, instantly realizing how sincerely he meant it. He'd barely even noticed her change of clothing, her hair… "You see how happy I am…"
He nodded. "I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I am very glad you could experience something so wonderful."
Seem gently raised her hand toward him, but didn't touch him yet, still smiling. "May I see your hand?"
Softly perplexed, he tipped his head, and raised his right claw up to her hand. Seem smiled warmly, and wrapped her hand around his, bringing the other up, clasping his claw within her hands. Frost's jaw fell faintly, his eyes rushing with powerful emotion and quite a bit of confusion. "S-Seem…"
She pulled his claw down between them, and looked into his eyes. "The Precursors have held my vows fulfilled, Frost. …I am no longer a monk, but a servant in a different way."
It was the first moment since her transformation that her empathetic pain returned, seeing his face fracture between pain and supportive happiness.
"Y-you are still devoted, of course." His eyes flickered from hers to their hands and back. He only sub-consciously noticed that her hands were not burning him despite her luminous power he could feel.
Not sure how else to express her meaning, Seem carefully pulled one hand away from his, and reached up, caressing his cheek. His entire frame relaxed, his face turning into her touch as his eyes drooped with ease, but he suddenly snapped back to his usual self, pulling away from her, holding his hands near his face. "Please don't do that…"
Seem froze, her hands halted in the air, concern on her face. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
He shook his head. "I… I can't let you do that, Seem. It makes me… I can't see you as… I know you're not a monk anymore, but I can't see you as you… as you have chosen to be when you touch me like that… I'm very sorry." He kept his eyes down, but he was almost in tears. …It had felt so wonderful…
The former monk almost melted with relief and happiness, gentle tears watering her eyes. "That is what I am trying to tell you, Frost."
He looked into her eyes in confusion. "W-wait, what?"
"I am not a monk anymore," she said clearly, tilting her head to him with a smile that only grew with humor and fondness.
It almost worked this time. She saw a deep, ever-so-deep, buried longing rush through his eyes, but he quickly hid it away with confusion and practical uncertainty. "You mean… I'm not sure what to…" he shook his head, looking down again.
Seem came closer, and gently put her hand on his shoulder, drawing his eyes back to hers. She spoke with her beautifully soft, rasping voice in a hushed, gentle tone, "I want to stand by you… always."
Seeing the deep-rooted pain that flowed into his eyes, she had never wanted to help him more, support him, but he looked down to the side, softly pulling her hand from his shoulder. "I can not let you do that for me…" he strained tightly, easing back a step. "You deserve someone kinder, someone… who isn't warped into a monster… Someone you can hold close…"
Realizing nothing else would really work, Seem just came forward, and embraced him, nestling her cheek against his lumpy, armored shoulder beneath the cloak. She felt him shiver, and he tensed to pull away, but she just pressed her hands into his back, and embraced him more fully. "You are not a monster. I have been drawn to your kindness, gentleness, and warmth since we have met. My makers told me to do what is right, and that is why I came directly to you." She was crying gently from her closed eyes as she held onto him. "Please… let me be your support… your balance."
And, finally, she felt his arms wrap around her, but in the gentlest way, as if she were a precious flower. His claws simply folded over her shoulders, and she felt his head tilt down into her neck. Her eyes faintly opened as she felt his warm tears trickle onto her shoulder.
"I never dared hope for this…" he breathed, his voice so tight with emotion she could barely hear it beside her ear. "…You have always been my balance, Seem… I never felt such peace…"
Seem almost sobbed herself, but just swallowed tightly, and wrapped her arms as securely around him as she could manage. "…I could not be happier to give it to you…"
As wonderful as it felt, he couldn't help realizing how painful it had to be for her, to embrace a lumpy, hard, sharp body like his. "…But you can't be comfortable like this…"
She only held tighter. "I have never been more so."
At last, she felt him completely melt in her embrace, his warming cheek on her shoulder, the cool metal of his layered head-armor on her neck. He shook with subtle sobs, and he started to softly caress her shoulders with his claws.
"You won't harm me, Frost," she whispered.
He lifted his right claw up, and slowly ran it down her hair.
Smiling at his caress, she quietly answered "…Always so gentle."
He had to stop with another controlled sob, and so she reached back, softly running her hand down his neck. "See?" she managed through her own, powerful emotion. "You would never harm me…"
He slowly nodded, and they finally pulled apart, both blinking away their remaining tears. Looking at her, radiant in the moonlight behind him, Frost softly reached up with his right claw, and caressed her cheek with his palm. She closed her eyes with a fond smile, and lifted her hand, holding his to her face for a deeply appreciative moment. She felt the trembles running through his smooth fingers, and finally looked back into his eyes, letting her hand down. He reached up again, and ran the backs of his fingers down in one further caress.
"I have never seen someone so beautiful… nor so strong."
She blushed quite sincerely, looking down from him in an adorably bashful gesture, her shoulders folding inward. Frost hesitated, but then gently eased closer, and kissed her on the forehead, making her look up with a soft smile. "Good night… my love."
Seem reached up, looking deeply into his eyes, and softly ran her hands down his cheeks together. "Good night," she replied with a soft nod, her voice and eyes conveying all of her deeper meaning.
They parted, and as he moved back to his chambers, Frost held one claw to his heart. He could remember his sister smiling more easily, how happy her family had been… and how beautiful and kind Seem was. He had never felt so complete.
(Author's Note…)
Firstly, I am extremely sorry for how long a delay there was for this chapter. No excuses, it shouldn't have happened. With that said, I hope you found this entertaining and that I didn't lose any readers to the delay. Again, thank you very much for the glowing reviews.
A note on the plot. I deeply respect celibacy, and I hope that this story doesn't make anyone feel celibacy is not a wonderful and fulfilling life. I simply used the plot elements within the Jak and Daxter series to make a believable alternative. Another story that has Seem remain celibate and content would be entirely appropriate, I simply saw an opening for Frost and Seem to actually get together, and decided to take it. Effectively, she was told by the authority to which she devoted her life (through celibacy and service) that she could serve them in another way. That is all.
And for the action-fans who felt the loss this chapter, don't worry. The next chapter, once complete, will give you plenty. And, again, I apologize for any typos I missed in my proofing.
