18
Chapter 14: "Celebrations"
Early the very next morning, Seem was walking out of the natural tunnel that connected the two halves of Spargus and the base of the palace, looking up at the still-dark sky as it came into view on the East side of the tunnel. Quickly, her bright red eyes turned down to the city, where a group of Leaper-lizards were trotting lightly around the tents and make-shift quarters of the all the Freedom League Guards and extra Wastelanders resting after the battle.
Already smiling gently, Seem didn't allow her awkwardness that her dear friends might not recognize her or their possible disappointment spoil her fondness of them. The Precursor Monks drew up near her, her old Leaper stepping to the front with a cheerful chirp, Siluna on his back with widened eyes. "My lady?"
Seem's smile warmed, and she bowed, her hand gesturing their old greeting.
"My lady!"
Siluna leapt down, and dashed to Seem, startling the former monk pleasantly before the young monk fell to her knees in front of her, looking up with tears of relief in her eyes. "We heard nothing before the battle began! I feared the worst. Please forgive my doubt. And you are so… radiant…" her frantic sincerity calmed to a wistful breath as she finished, gazing up into her mentor's fond eyes.
Seem knelt down, touching her friend's shoulders. "Siluna, I have much to tell you all, but it should start with this. You are now the leader of the monks. Please stand, that I may bow before you."
Siluna was in very sincere shock, her throat catching on several attempted responses, but her obedience carrying her to her feet under Seem's gentle pull. When they were both standing, the other monks dismounting as they watched in astonishment, Seem went back down to her knees. "The Precursors, who have helped us so immensely, blessed me in their generosity. I am no longer a monk. I will always be happy to assist you, Siluna, and all our kindred," she finally raised her eyes up to her—former—apprentice with a gentle smile. "However, I am now bound to another vow."
"M-my lady… " Siluna was pitifully overwhelmed, her eyes wide with the remains of her relieved tears.
Seem shook her head gently. "I am not above you in any way any longer, Siluna. If you would honor me with the idea, I would be grateful to be counted as a sister still."
Her lips pressing together with raw emotion, Siluna nodded rapidly. "Of course, m-my…" the word 'lady' died on her lips, and she continued, "sister." She rushed down, her arms wrapping around Seem as her eyes squeezed shut.
Seem, startled anew by the powerful emotion in her younger friend, finally embraced her in return.
"B-but I am so young, my la… sister. How can I lead our … the others?"
Seem looked back to the other monks, all watching intently, still astonished, and smiled softly. "You have learned well from me. I will always be happy to help you with your questions, if I am able, but there is one last part of advice I can give you, in memory of being your teacher."
Siluna eased back, on her knees, nodding with soft obedience.
"Be strong for them, as you were for me. They will draw it from your example, and help you maintain it. A fruitful balance, like that of the world itself. An echo of that beauty." Seem bowed her head, and gestured to Siluna, whispering softly in the rhythmic language.
Siluna bowed to the gesture and words, only rising when Seem was finished. "I shall do my best… my lady."
Seem smiled beautifully, and spread her hands toward Siluna. "Please rise first." A touch of amusement entered her tone as she added, "My lady."
Her eyebrows rising as her emotions finally calmed into acceptance, Siluna pressed her lips together, and then gently stood up. There, however, she offered her hands down to her old mentor. "Please rise as well."
Seem took her hands, still smiling herself, and did so. Siluna then turned, and gestured to the other monks, who all rushed closer, greeting Seem and praising the Precursors for what they had done with her. Seem was quite bashful, blushing, but obviously sincerely happy to see them all again, vibrant and joyful.
When things calmed enough, Seem requested their attention with calming gestures of her hands, as if patting down the air in front of her. "I understand a great celebration is going to be prepared today. I believe King Sig would be pleased if you chose to stay, and such a remarkable day, in the presence of the Precursors themselves, is surely worthy of such attention."
Siluna nodded gently, already starting to take on Seem's calm power. "Of course, you are quite right… Seem." She almost giggled then. "Perhaps we should give some racing exhibitions, to give our Leapers a fun time as well."
The other monks shared amused looks, and Seem smiled brightly, nodding. "A wonderful idea."
Siluna gently looked to the closest monks, and gestured back to the Leapers. "Please find proper places for us and our Leapers to rest."
"Of course, my lady," most of them chorused back immediately, making her blush gently as she looked down in a meek manner.
The entire group of monks started to go, leaving only Siluna, her mount (formerly Seem's), and Seem herself. The light-blessed woman turned to her dear friend more seriously. "There is one other matter I wished to present to you, Siluna, my lady."
"And I will hear it," Siluna answered easily, smiling.
Seem smiled, and gently put one arm around Siluna's shoulders, walking with her down after the others, the Leaper following them without a needed command as the two spoke.
(Later…)
Not two hours later, the city of Spargus was already alive with activity. Monks, guards, and Wastelanders were working together to prepare one of the greatest celebrations Spargus, or even a good part of their world, had ever seen. The Precursors moved their grand ship down into the arena, as they had before leaving the first time, after the Dark Maker threat was finally ended. This left the East part of the city wide open and filled with early morning sun. Curiously, the Metal-Heads remained outside, and quite calm, simply lingering about, a few scattered groups playing and wrestling in the sands, but none showing interest in coming into the city.
Torn was standing on top of the guarding wall, in which the dune-buggy garage's large gateway was embedded, looking over their resting allies on the sands below with a tightened expression on his generally stern, sharp face.
"Feeling sorry for them?"
He snapped his head to the right at the wryly amused voice, and then relaxed with a smirk at Ashelin as she walked up, her hand trailing along the natural battlement of dark brown rock.
"You might say that, yeah," Torn replied with a mild shrug, hiding his real emotions, and looked back down to the sands.
Ashelin came up on his right, and looked down at them herself. "They really saved our necks this time, too. Seem, Frost, and them together."
"I know they don't really, but I'd swear they look different now, too," Torn muttered, his hands resting on the rocks in front of him casually. "Like they're not the same monsters that terrorized Haven for so long, you know?"
Ashelin shrugged. "They really aren't." She gave him a faintly amused side-long glance. He was conflicted behind his eyes, not sure how to be grateful to a bunch of animals, if they even were animals, when he had so much bad experience associated with them. She could understand, of course, she felt the same way. If it wasn't for Frost, she would be much more suspicious, and she figured Torn was the same way.
"I guess you're right," he finally said with a nod. "Think you might talk to Sig about letting them inside? Well… inviting them, I mean." He turned around, resting against the battlement, and focusing on her with respectful curiosity. He was always mindful of rank.
Ashelin tilted her head to the side, shifting her hips obviously as a hand rested on her left one. "Why don't you?"
He shifted somewhat awkwardly. "Uh… well… you're the leader of Haven City… so…"
She leaned at him. "And you're the commander of the defense forces. Out here, that basically makes us… equal… doesn't it?"
Torn tried to lean back as subtly as he could. He coughed faintly. "You might say that, Governor…"
Ashelin abruptly grinned, leaning back. "Takes guts to handle a superior officer's advances, Torn." She started to walk past him, looking over her shoulder with amused allure. "Just make sure you keep one dance for me during the party, alright?"
Torn blinked, following her with his eyes. "But I… don't… dance…"
"The party after Jak took out Metal Kor says otherwise…" she trailed off, waving airily without looking back.
Torn looked down when he was by himself. He sighed. "Right…" He coughed. "Well… guess I'll go talk to Sig… right. Yeah…" He started off, swinging his hands to distract himself. He paused, "And now I'm talking to myself… great." His usual dry, sharp humor returned, and he marched off more steadily.
(Elsewhere…)
A firm but calm pounding on his door roused him. Shaking his head free of his drowsiness, realizing he'd not slept so soundly in ages, Frost stumbled from his bed, not noticing the paler hue of his skin as he managed to reach the door. Wiping sleep from his eyes, he pulled it open, and blushed a bit when he realized it was Seem herself. "S-Seem. Sorry, I didn't realize I'd fall asleep so deeply… or at all," he added, trying to blink himself fully awake.
Then he noticed her pleasantly astonished expression as she looked at him. "Frost… look at yourself."
He blinked, then his mind snapped back into place, and he raised his hands into his own view. His fully alert eyes flared… their old natural blue as they looked down at his all but normal hands. Flesh, pink and smooth, with only moderately sharpened nails on the tips. He was still clothed in his tattered gear and cloak, but he reached up, touching softened cheeks, feeling up his face… and touching the skull-gem embedded in his forehead again.
"…What happened?" he asked, looking back to Seem in sincere ignorance.
Seem smiled, and stepped through, almost playfully pushing him further into the room, toward a mirror. "Look."
Frost looked up from her beautifully happy face, and blinked at his reflection. It was almost his original face. Yes, the skull-gem glowed brightly in his forehead, but the hard, silver metal that had embraced it before was now subtler, reduced to fine lines and ridges that almost resembled a Celtic crown thinly wreathed back into his hair… which was black at the roots, his original style, with silver, metallic tips, rather like silver-bleached styling color he'd seen teenagers using back in Haven City before his change.
Calming with intrigue, he leaned to the mirror, touching his own face faintly with his fingertips of his right hand. "…My skin… my old skin. I'm not completely my old body again, but… I may as well be."
Then he glanced down to the side, leaning back. "I still feel it. The darkness is distant, but there… and the Metal Heads, I feel them clearly."
Seem gently rested her hand on his shoulder. "You are who you are, Frost, but your pure heart has allowed your body to heal."
He gently focused into her eyes, and she couldn't help but realize how beautifully fitting his bright blue ones were. "You mean your purity of heart."
Seem blushed, giving him a playfully exasperated pout. "Give yourself some credit."
Frost turned toward her with a soft nod, but then faced the other side of the room, looking down at his right hand gravely. "…I need to test something, though." He gently used his left hand to push her back, more physically signaling her to do so than actually forcing her, and held his right hand out to the side, focusing on it firmly.
Seem became concerned. "What do you intend to do?"
"I need to know if I can still use those powers or not. I need to know my limits, or I'll just get people hurt." He focused, tensing, his hand clawing tightly… and then it answered. Dark power surged over his forearm as the skin darkened to black, turning reflective, his talons sharpening and lengthening. Frost slowly gasped from the old pain, but nodded. "Still there… Alright."
He relaxed his hand, and seemed to focus again, but winced, and let his hand down. "But I can't change it back. I'm sorry…" he said to Seem gently, sincere sadness in his still blue eyes.
Seem just returned a fond smile, and came closer, pulling his black claw up in her hands. As she looked into his eyes, white light engulfed his arm, and his face relaxed with the peaceful wave of warmth she sent through him. When it was gone, he looked down… and saw his healed arm once more.
Seem tipped her head to him softly. "Apparently I must help you find your own nobility still."
Frost returned her smile, and reached up, caressing her cheek. "You are my nobility…"
Seem tilted her head into his gentle touch, blushing gently, and broadened her smile for him. Quietly, she leaned closer, and pecked him on the cheek. "Please, come. It is a wonderful day."
He let her take his hands, and pull him out into the sunlight of the open hall of the palace. Frost smiled with her, and looked down on the already bustling city.
"King Sig wishes to speak to you about allowing the Metal-Heads into the city for the party. They are just as much a part of the victory as any of us, thanks to you," Seem said happily, looking at her beloved.
Frost turned to her with a deep happiness and warmth in his own smile. "Then, please, show me to him… Dearest Seem."
They shared another happy smile, and moved down the hall.
(Later…)
Comically exaggerated in their attempts, Tess and Daxter were both carefully sneaking down one of the palace's open halls on the Eastern side, backs toward the wall, tip-toeing from foot-to-foot, tails held off the floor.
Just ahead of them, Jak stopped. He was attired as usual, simply lacking his Precursor armor, weapons, or the big red scarf he usually wore in the wasteland to help protect his face from sand. He had a tray in his hands, with a few small plates, a glass of milk, and even a little pitcher with a white flower in it. He turned his mock-menacingly sharpened eyes to his right, as if over his shoulder, and then spoke in a firm, low tone out of the side of his mouth. "I know you're there."
Tess and Daxter twitched, frozen together, and watched with adorably stoic attempts at pretending to be sculptures as Jak turned around, giving them an amused glare.
Daxter finally realized he couldn't cover himself at all, and so started speaking before relaxing his pose. "Hiya… Jak… old buddy. We were just…"
"Practicing!" Tess offered, likewise still frozen.
"Right!" her dear ottsel continued emphatically, finally relaxing onto his feet. "Practicing! In case of…"
"Remaining Darken attacks! …?" Tess offered again, easing back once on her own feet, her tone rising hopefully as she batted her eyelashes.
Jak just stared at them for a moment, blinked once, and then smirked. "Well go practice in a hall that doesn't have Keira's room."
The pair of ottsels gave thumbs-up, and shot off with cartoonish zips and trails of dusts. Jak shook his head with an amused sigh, and made his way down the hall, to the new room Keira had been given after the ambush by Jalnoth and Maia on the palace itself. He leaned his head to the door, heard nothing… except the rhythmic, deep breathing of a sleeping Keira. He smiled fondly, practically seeing her asleep, comically sprawled out, not a care in the world on her warm, comforting face. He almost regretted needing to wake her up.
Managing with the tray, he got the door just open, and then backed through it, carefully glancing around to the bed against the left wall. He'd never seen Keira sleeping before, so he needed to be ready to look away if she slept in anything less than full pajamas. Beyond the obvious reasons for that concern, he'd known her since he was practically a baby, it would just be weird seeing her… not fully clothed.
And when he saw her finally, he couldn't help but stop and half-smile in an adoring manner. He heel-bumped the door the close it gently, backing into it to hear the click, and started for the bed.
Indeed, she was sprawled out completely, the covers half strewn across her middle and left leg, her arms wide across her pillows and the bed itself, her mouth wide open as she almost snored. Her adorable face was completely relaxed, blissfully so Jak was tempted to think, and her blue-green hair remained mostly contoured to her head, the two free locks splayed across the pillow and her left cheek as she kept her head turned toward him. She was wearing a set of pale gray pajamas, practically white, the right leg of which was half-way ridden up her calf from her sleep-shifting.
"Rise and shine, sleepy-head."
She gave a sound so like a small animal's squeak that Jak almost burst out laughing, her uncomprehending eyes flaring open, but not focusing on anything as she tried to raise her head. "Mefuh… wha?" Her right hand fell to her face, heavily smearing sleep from her eye. "J-Jak… what are you…?"
She abruptly seemed to clear from her grogginess, and smiled with her happy surprise as he raised the tray gently in his hands. "Breakfast for the hardest worker I know."
Keira was blushing, and suddenly almost in tears as she tried to sit up. "You brought me breakfast in bed…"
Jak grinned, sitting on the side of her mattress, and let her pull her blanket across her legs as she sat up. He placed the tray across her lap, and surprised her anew with a soft peck on the cheek. She giggled, holding a hand to where his lips touched, and let her blush flare happily as she furtively shared a grateful glance sidelong.
Looking down at the tray she blinked in fresh surprise. "My favorites…"
"I'd hoped so," Jak admitted meekly, giving her a surprisingly submissive look. "I just picked what I remembered you like back… well…" he glanced off, trying to think of how to say it. Looking back, he shrugged, "in the past."
Keira giggled bashfully. "You remembered?"
"How could I forget?"
She adorably folded into herself, her cheeks turning red. Jak laughed happily, and she gave him a playful shove. "You're making fun of me!"
"I can't help it! You're adorable when you're embarrassed!" he retorted as he resisted her valiant shoving.
Her face was just turning redder. "I am not!"
Out in the hall, Tess and Daxter shared a mischievous grin, and started giggling at the comical argument the two were having inside the room.
"Tess… Daxter…" A familiar, gravelly voice built in a patronizing tone from behind them.
Daxter twitched, but Tess just turned around with surprise. Turning finally, Daxter grinned sheepishly. "Hey… big green…"
Samos was giving the pair an amused smirk, very much like Jak's a few minutes ago. "Why don't you two join Onin, Sig, and the rest of us in the meeting room? We're going to organize some details about today's events… and leave our hero and my daughter to their well-earned rest… In private."
Tess and Daxter were both toeing the ground like disobedient children, but nodded, and giggled together as they followed the sage back into the palace. Tess finally grabbed onto Daxter with a hug. "They're so cute! Almost as much as us, my snuggly-wuggly-whisker-puss!"
Daxter didn't even notice the idiotic name, which made even Samos' expression sink as he walked, and just hugged her back. "Ain't nobody as good as us, baby…"
"That's right!"
(Later…)
King Sig stood at the opposite side of a round table from the entrance to the comfortably sized meeting chamber. Samos, with Daxter and Tess sitting on the table in front of him, stood off to the king's left, while Onin, with Pecker, as always, on her hat, sat in her usual posture on the table to Sig's right. Torn was there, just across from Sig and favoring the left side of the table with Samos, and a map of the city was on the table itself.
Sig nodded. "At least temporarily, I think we have the space for everyone. You're right, Torn. Good work, chili-pepper." He gave the Haven City commander a wink.
Torn smirked, nodding back. "Thanks."
And then the door knocked.
"Come on in," Sig called, still looking down at the map, specifically the East half of the city.
The door drifted open, Seem slipping through first, and then smiled back to someone else before drifting aside for him. Sig finally looked up with the others, Onin already showing astonishment on her aged face.
When Frost came into view, even Torn's eyes flared. "F-Frost…?"
Tess was simply stunned, Daxter managing, "Whoa!"
The almost completely restored young Freedom Guard commander smiled gently, his old one, a bit softened with experience. "Sorry to surprise you all." He looked down at himself once through the door, specifically his hands. "It looks like Seem's gifts are quite powerful indeed."
Seem blushed gently, adding, "He refuses to admit his own role in his recovery."
Samos stamped his staff. "By the Precursors! This is spectacular. Congratulations, Frost. I imagine you feel much relief?"
The young man bowed his silver-toned, skull-gem decorated head. "Very. And I can still access the power if needed, but…" he gave Seem a gentle, deeply sincere look of gratitude, "I am quite content."
Her gently bashful glance down, combined with her warm, subtle smile, showed her pleasure at hearing him saying it.
Daxter grinned. "Yeah. Not to mention the spiffy new style," he finished with a dry half-grin, leering at Frost from the table while pointing up at his hair.
Frost gave a light laugh, reaching up and running his fingers through his unusually hard hair. It was, indeed, still metal on the silvery ends, but in fine hairs coming from the more natural black roots.
Torn finally collected himself, falling back into his old, confidently wry smirk. "Welcome back to the living."
Frost chuckled lightly, Seem pressing her lips together as she kept her head faintly bowed, her hands clasped down in front of herself. Sig realized, as he looked at them, that Seem's naturally humble manner, and Frost's gentle nobility seemed like two halves of the same whole already. Each was incredibly powerful, but in very different ways… yet complimentary. He smiled as well. "So… when's the wedding?"
He knew what it would do, especially to Seem, and was proven right instantly. The former monk's face turned scarlet, which was quite pitiable considering her almost white skin, her eyes widening at the ground, and Frost almost choked, his hand coming up to grasp his own neck as his face turned a brilliant mixture of pink and red.
Onin smirked with her own amusement, and started gesturing. Pecker, having a hard time containing his own mirth, managed, "Onin says that it is best to let the two discover their path their own way, King Sig… but she puts her money on a year from today."
Seem was almost melting into the floor, completely silent, but Frost finally gasped, "Please!", staring down at the ground intently himself.
Samos, allowing himself a brief chortle, nodded to Sig, and the king focused on Frost more sincerely. "Just riling you two up, kids. You're cute when you're embarrassed together. Now here's the deal."
Both Frost and Seem were relieved as the topic changed, the pair stepping up to the table.
Sig continued, "We think the Metal-Heads deserve their part of the party, so we just need to organize letting them inside. Especially those big ones. I'm not entirely sure they'll fit through the secondary gate."
Frost smiled easily. "I assure you, they're quite comfortable outside, King Sig, but if you wish, I can certainly help organize their entrance. We could bring the dune-runners around through the waters, for example, and simply let them march up onto the West side of the city. I'm sure the party will spread across more than the East section."
Sig grinned. "Exactly."
Seem gently raised her head, gaining attention. "If it would not disturb anyone," she gave Frost a particular glance of her crimson eyes, "I would like to tend to something while you organize the Metal-Heads' entrance."
Frost tipped his head to her. "You have every right. I would not detain you for my part, Seem."
She gave him a fond, grateful smile. Sig just nodded to her. "Step to it, Seem. You've never asked for something that wasn't a good thing for someone anyway. Take care until we see you next."
Seem bowed, gesturing from habit, and smiled warmly. "I shall, thank you all." She said to the whole group, giving Daxter and Tess a specific look and smile to confirm for them they were included, and then departed quietly.
Frost turned from watching her leave, and caught Daxter's sly grin. "What?" the former commander asked dryly.
"You got it bad, don't ya?"
"Or good, as the case may be."
Daxter laughed, Tess giggling with the others, and they continued to plan.
(Later…)
Her attire had changed. Rather than the armored bodice, head-dress, and other parts of her old attire, Maia was in a simple set of white sleeping clothes, a tunic and pants. She was asleep, remarkably resembling Keira's sleeping manner as she lay sprawled out, the blanket twisted around her arm, and spread across her lower body. Her long, brown hair was spread around her head like an upside-down fan, running under her back as well. Unlike Keira, however, she was obviously in deep, deep sleep. Such an ordeal had worn her out that no one begrudged her the rest. It was, however, approaching noon when her door gently drifted open, and two figures drifted inside.
Seem and Siluna moved up to the side of Maia's bed. Siluna remained standing near the bed, but Seem actually sat on the side, and held her right hand just over Maia's face, turned toward them as faintly as it was. Nodding to herself, Seem quietly said, "She is well-rested."
Siluna smiled, Seem pulling her hand back and grasping the closest of Maia's, which was limply spread in front of Seem. "Maia…? Maia?"
The woman asleep started to stir, moaning faintly in her throat, and then her eyes started to pull open. Even in the dim light of her chamber, they were nearly as bright a red as Seem's. The hand in Seem's tightened, and it caused Maia to wake up more fully, privately quite affected by feeling soft hands holding her own. There was also a surprisingly meek air in her eyes as she started to come fully to reality, looking from Seem to the young monk and back. "Is something wrong…?"
Seem smiled warmly, immediately relaxing her. "Not at all, Lady Siluna and I simply wished to address something with you. I… felt it might be of interest to you. Consider it a hunch."
Gently curious, Maia started to sit up, and Seem easily let the woman pull her hand back to prop herself up a bit. "Alright… what is it?"
Siluna bowed to Maia, gesturing and whispering in the strange language Seem so often used. In that moment, she more strongly resembled the former monk than even Seem herself had noticed before. "First," the young monk began, "allow me to properly introduce myself. I am formerly Seem's apprentice, and she has made me head of our order. I am Siluna."
Maia tipped her head. "…Maia," she said, not sure what else to under the circumstances.
Siluna smiled pleasantly, as if honored by the name being given, and then continued. "We wished to let you know that there is always a place for you with the monks, if you desire it. A life of simplicity, service, and, if I may say so, great peace of mind and heart."
Seem tipped her head. "I must agree with her assessment, but the choice is always yours, Maia. We do not want you to feel obligated. We offer this in a spirit of friendship and love, not demand."
"Indeed," Siluna added, "we would never want you to join out of obligation. You must do what you feel is best with the talents and understanding you have been given."
For all their words, the only thing that was really on Maia's mind was the deep (indeed, she wanted to use the word 'blessed') relief, the heartfelt warmth and consolation of the light when Seem had saved her, effectively from herself. In an instant, not just her trauma with the Darken, but all of her questions she'd left unsaid when fighting with Gol had been answered. For all the power she had attained, she had never felt so good.
The two guests in her room showed a moment of equal shrewdness, perceiving the deep emotion rushing just behind Maia's eyes as she worked on her initial response. The woman looked at Seem deeply for a long moment, and then to Siluna, almost curious, as if looking for something. She seemed to find it soon. "…I think I was waiting for you two to come." She looked down, her voice thoughtful and soft.
Before they could respond, though they shared a meaningful and somewhat surprised glance, Maia looked up with a gentle smile, and said, "I knew immediately that you, Seem, had everything I've ever really wanted… really wanted. I know I could never attain what you have, however, so…" she focused on Siluna. "But I see the same thing in you, where it matters." She turned a bit meek again. "Please don't be offended, but you simply seem to gained powers…"
Seem giggled gently, and nodded.
Maia relaxed a bit more, and continued. "I think I've progressed too far in a bad way to ever attain your gifts," she said to Seem, "but I know… I believe the only place for me now… is where you two are." Turning apologetic again, glancing down from Seem. "At least… where Siluna is. I understand your situation has changed."
"We understand you perfectly," Seem answered warmly. "It is what I sensed in you that made me seek Siluna out and ask her to help in this matter now. Your heart longs for a very particular kind of peace, a specific path will grant you happiness, and your eyes were cleared when the power the Precursors blessed me with helped heal you."
Maia started to smile happily. "I should have realized you would see it…"
Siluna then bowed to them both. "I see a great moment here, between each of you. One glorious in her blessings, the other in turning from a dark path, in answering a better call. How wonderful this is."
Maia was starting to blush. "I doubt I can be compared to Seem…"
Seem reached up, and placed a hand on Maia's shoulder. "We were enemies, now we are friends, there is nothing else between us. I am honored to be compared to you. I admire your strength, Maia. I… was tested recently, during the ordeal with the Darken, and it was very little compared to your suffering. Yet you found the strength to accept help when it truly mattered the most."
Then, looking up at Seem, Maia's eyes were filling with tears. "…So many died because of my choices…"
Without hesitation, Seem grasped Maia on either side of her face, not tightly, but securely, almost in a form of embrace as they locked gazes. "And no one can truly answer for such sorrow. Accept your recovery, that you are forgiven, and look to the future. Help now, as you can. No more can be asked."
Maia started to nod, obviously about to sob. Siluna watched with deep sympathy as Seem touched her forehead to Maia's, and the woman finally broke down, weeping from equal guilt and relief. She collapsed into Seem, and the blessed woman held her consolingly, like an older sister or even a mother. Support, concern, love. The things which Maia had always lacked, feared to be nonexistent, and turned away from as a result, were now all around her. If not for the two people supporting her in that moment, her guilt would have crushed her, but it was so clear they were with her, supporting her, that she could not be crushed… she could only be grateful.
Siluna came close, and knelt down near both of the other women, looking up at Maia as she finally calmed. Resting a hand on the woman's nearest knee, Siluna said, "We are here for you, Maia."
Still held by Seem, both of them looking down to Siluna for the moment, tears dripping down her cheeks, Maia reached down, and took Siluna's hand. "Show me this way…"
Seem was almost in tears herself, and Siluna nodded deeply. "With joy in my heart, sister."
(That Afternoon…)
Spargus City was alive like never before that afternoon. Haven City hellcats were swirling and barrel-rolling through the sky above it in tricks and displays, with relaxed Freedom League guards, Wastelanders, and even Metal-Heads everywhere. The massive dune-runners, after some safe demonstrations by Jak, Keira, and Seem, were giving young children rides around the West half of the city. The Leaper Metal-Heads, along with the ape-types who crawled on the buildings, helped put up all the decorative banners and guide posts for the hellcats by springing from ground to roof everywhere. The Metalpedes, apparently the most industrious of the Metal-Heads by nature, were quite happy to act as a bit of a tram, running people back and forth from the two halves of the city. In fact, the Metalpedes and dune-runners only paused to enjoy patting or scratching from excited children who were amazed by the creatures… their parents equally so at the obvious safety of the massive, formerly vicious creatures.
Seem and Frost vanished for a short time, only to join the others down in the East part of the city, near the steps to the Arena. Jak was standing with Keira, Samos, Onin with Pecker, Daxter and Tess, King Sig himself, and even Ashelin and Torn were all there. Onin smiled to herself first, but Jak looked off to the right from the steps, and blinked. "Whoa… Keira look."
She glanced over, a happy smile simply refusing to leave her face as she stood with Jak's arm about her shoulder. Her smile quickly grew as she saw Seem and Frost… who was wearing normal clothing for the first time since she'd seen him after the change.
"Looking good, chili-pepper!" Sig complimented Frost lightly as they all congratulated Frost anew on his healed form.
Standing in a white tunic, brown pants, with a thick belt, and actually wearing normal shoes for a change, Frost was smiling happily, seemingly only wearing a very subtle crown of some kind where his skull-gem glowed within the lines of silver, and his hair silver-tipped.
Ashelin smiled warmly. "You two just work well together all the time, don't you?"
Seem blushed gently, Frost tipping his head. "I would say she helps us both achieve more, but she's far too modest to accept that view of things."
Indeed, the former monk actually gave him a playful nudge with her elbow as she tried to stand demurely, her hands clasped down in front of herself.
Daxter hopped down with a leering grin. "You two were gone for a while, ya know… have a little fun?"
Seem's face turned red, her expression melting in shock, but Frost just hopped in front of her before Jak could swat his friend upside the head. With comical exaggeration, Frost huddled around Seem, glaring back at Daxter. "Are you implying a lack of high-standing character in my beloved?" His tone was mock-threatening, a smirk just curving the edge of his lips.
Jak finally swatted his friend with a downward lean from Keira, and chuckled with the others as Seem recovered from her embarrassment, using the moment to hug Frost gently. He tipped his head over hers more sincerely, and then they parted.
Keira grinned. "The Metal-Heads are really helping out, Frost. It's so wonderful to see."
His own smile brightened. "Thank you for saying so. They're actually enjoying it."
Before more could be said, cheers and applause started to roar from the city, and the group of heroes looked back up the steps… to see the three Precursors waving happily to the crowd, just starting to walk down the steps. The leader resembled royalty as he gave a gentle, reverse-hand wave to the whole city, quite full of his own importance. Jak couldn't avoid a smirk, but was sincerely happy to see them come out.
In a few minutes, the Precursors were close enough, and so everyone bowed respectfully.
"Come, come, none of this business. Rise, friends. We have a celebration to enjoy!"
Even Torn chuckled, and they turned back to see everyone dancing to random groups of musicians kicking up music. The leader stepped down further, and tugged on Seem's arm. She twisted, realized who it was, and fell to her knees in front of him apologetically. "What is it, my lord?"
Frost quickly knelt down beside her, further back.
The leader just smiled. "No need to kneel, child. Neither of you," he gave Frost a kind look, winking at him. "But since you're down here," he was smiling at his own humor, "I wanted to again congratulate you. I see you've found your new path."
Seem's expression softened with deep gratitude. "Yes… I can not thank you enough." She bowed deeply, her face almost in the sandy dirt.
The leader gently patted her head. "You did your part, Seem. Rest easy." He glanced up. "Ah… more reasons for congratulations."
Seem did raise from him, turning with Frost and the others to see the monks moving up, some already on leaper-mounts, trotting along smoothly. Siluna stood at the front with several others, and they knelt down, touching their hands and faces to the sand before the Precursors and the heroes.
"Please rise, loyal servants. I sense you have intention behind your arrival," the Precursor leader continued as the others watched with interest. Seem was the only one with a knowing smile other than the Precursors.
Only then did they stand, but Siluna nodded. "Yes, makers. You honor us with your presence, but we wished to personally introduce our newest sister to you."
Frost glanced to Seem curiously, and she smiled for him, the others watching with interest as the party continued around them in the city. The hellcats were starting to land to let the pilots join in the fun on the ground.
The front group of monks parted, Siluna moving to her left, and angled back to gesture at another figure. At first no one except Seem recognized her, clad in a rubber and armored robe similar to Seem's original attire, her face painted in two orange spikes down over her eyes, gold across them in a band, with her skin pained white and her hair pulled back into a Precursor-metal head-dress. Her head was bowed, and she was walking very humbly. Once she came forward, she knelt down, and bowed her head almost the ground in front of the Precursors.
The leader smiled, the surfer nodding with a chuckle as he nudged the dummy with his elbow. The leader continued, "And a most welcome member she is. Rise… Maia."
Jak and Keira were not the only members of the group to gawk, even Frost's mouth falling open as he finally recognized her when she stood, her bright red eyes opening with gentle tears. "You are most kind…" she said to the leader.
"You are a living example that gives hope to us all, Maia. Take heart in that, and move forward." He brought his staff over, and touched her forehead gently. He had to get on tip-toes before she realized what he was doing, and bowed to his gesture. The leader looked past her, to Siluna, and nodded. "Lead them well, Siluna. And trust that your mentor chose rightly."
Siluna blushed, but bowed deeply.
Maia gently pulled back, and looked up to Siluna, who nodded with a light smile. Turning her attention up to Jak, Maia said, "I can only ask your forgiveness. Jak, Keira, Samos… I can offer no reason for it."
Keira smiled. "I told you had it."
Jak nodded meaningfully, and Samos gave Maia a gentle smile. Maia bowed deeply, and when she rose up, had a soft humor in her eyes. "We came to invite you to a race, Hero. We have more than enough leapers to go around."
Jak grinned, and Frost looked to Seem with a mild grin. She nodded to him, and Frost stepped forward as Jak hopped down, the two sharing a look… and immediately smirking at each other.
"Rematch?" Frost started.
Jak gave a thumbs up. "You're on."
Keira giggled, Seem stepping up to join her. "I think you better show them the starting line before they start arm-wrestling."
Both men laughed, blushing a bit, but the monks were happy to oblige, leading off a little from the stairs. Keira gently turned to Seem. "…I never saw Frost so happy. Not before his transformation even. Thank you for being there for him."
Seem looked at Keira with soft surprise, but smiled warmly. "Thank you for telling me this… I am also grateful I could be with him. And Jak seems deeply relieved to have your affections confirmed in his heart."
Keira blushed gently, but was smiling with deep sincerity. So with Daxter and Tess lounging together on the steps, Sig, Torn, Ashelin, Samos, Onin, Pecker, the Precursors, Seem, and Keira settled in to watch the race as the leapers all lined up, twelve of them, with Jak and Frost at the back.
Light-rings had already been set up around the city in a course, each ring had to be hit in order or the racer was eliminated. They resembled large discs of floating, evanescing blue light, almost clear in the center, brightest at the edges, and solidly floating in place wherever they were located. The last ring, which floated just behind Jak and Frost, was a bright, orange-red hue to signal its importance.
The Precursor leader raised his staff, and let it give a bright flash. With it, the small-winged lizards were off, leaping and snapping through the air as they rushed through the rings. Careful not to get too violent with any other racers, especially each other, Frost and Jak quickly hopped and skipped between the monks, Frost actually bounding off the sidewall of a building at one point, Jak opting to fly clear over a bridge.
It was a winding, twisted course, with rapid elevation changes that only a leaper could hope to reach at the speed and distances where the discs waited. Rounding wide to the left, back corner of the East half of the city, the leapers were rushing along roof-tops, Jak and Frost in the lead, but only by a margin compared to the experienced riders of the monks. They came all the way back around, sprang through a ring and onto the steps of the arena high above their friends, the crowd gasping with surprise, Keira giggling, though a bit anxious about the danger as they sprang back onto the next set of roofs.
Here, Frost miss-timed a jump, and fell behind several monks and Jak, but he started right back up, twisted, leapt back through the ring he'd missed, and kept on going. In just a few seconds they were rushing down the center of the Eastern city, Frost back in third place, closing on second rapidly enough to have a chance at first, and Jak did one last jump with his leaper, sailing clear through the last ring just as he landed, Frost's leaper diving through it from the ground.
Landing past Jak, Frost laughed, the monks skidding to a halt as the rings vanished. Trotting back over, Frost nodded to the hero. "Well done. You're as good on a Zoomer as you are on a leaper."
Jak scratched his mount's neck, which chirped appreciatively. "I'm good with animals," he said with a light smirk, nodding to Daxter as he looked back to Frost.
The former commander chuckled anew, and dismounted.
As they came back to the steps, Maia clapping for them with an amused smile, the Precursors hung back. Keira gave Jak a hug and kiss on the cheek, which he gladly returned, and Seem took Frost's hand as soon as she could. Standing off on the right, just past Sig and Onin, Ashelin saw the two women with their 'boyfriends', and eyed Torn on her left with an almost predatory glee.
Torn's eyes blinked wide, unable to contain his surprise even with his usual gruff manner, as Ashelin slapped her arm down over his shoulders and tugged herself right up against him. "You don't mind, do you? Just peer pressure, I couldn't help it," she finished with mock-innocence, not even hiding her mischievous smirk as she looked at him with a swing of her hair.
Torn eyed her, slack-jawed for a moment as he tried to respond, but was saved by a staff tapping on the steps… somewhat. Ashelin remained stuck to him, and judging by the faint color on his cheeks, he didn't mind too much.
The Precursor leader had called for attention, his staff's knocking unnaturally loud, but not deafening, so everyone was soon looking to them. "People of this world, brave heroes every one, you have helped defeat an ancient and powerful foe of the Precursors!"
Cheers broke out, even Ashelin and Keira raising one arm and shouting happily. Jak smiled, finding Keira's childish exuberance all the more adorable.
The leader continued, "And so, enjoy your celebration whole-heartedly, it was well-earned. As for us, we must away, for there are other worlds in danger, and we would not want to distract you too much with our presence, since many seem to find it necessary to bow at the sight of us!" The clear humor in his tone allowed most of the crowd to laugh or at least giggle.
And then he bowed. "So we shall depart."
A thunderous cheer rose from the city, more pouring in from the West side as people flooded in to wish them farewell. The leader, however, looked down to Jak. "Again, we invite you to join us Jak… Mar. We have so much we can show you."
Jak looked into Keira's eyes, and saw a well-hidden fear in them that he might accept, leave… And he looked back to the Precursors. "I'm sorry. I'm honored, but… I need to stay here… with my girlfriend."
Keira turned scarlet, but was giggling and deeply happy as she bowed her head from view.
The leader smiled, nodded, and gave a final wave, the three of them turning, and walking back up into the arena. Daxter joined in the crowd's clapping. "Not so bad, ya know? Those zap-happy fur-balls are alright…"
Tess smirked, and tackled him into the ground with a hug. He yelped, but was soon making other noises that indicated he didn't mind too much.
Jak turned to face Keira. "Told you I'd get it right the next time."
She nodded, actually crying and giggling at the same time before he pulled her into a warm hug, and she just held him back, smiling.
As the Precursors stepped under the awning of the arena entrance on the right, the dummy seemed troubled. "But I thought that was his queen?"
The leader walloped him upside the head with his staff. "Not yet, you idiot! And don't go blabbing about it, either. Last time you told the hero and his girlfriend they'd be king and queen, they broke up!"
The surfer waved one hand near his head. "It was gnarly man. It's this whole 'their future, our past' thing and all that jazz… or something…"
"Yes, yes, quite," the leader muttered busily. "Not let's get on our ship and get out of here. I need a new crew…" but his two companions were already laughing together, walking ahead of him, completely oblivious. He just rolled his eyes, "Oh bother," and kept walking.
So the grand Precursor ship rose high into the sky, to a fresh thunder of applause and cheering before vanishing through the clouds with a stretching, flashing warp of its form. Down in the city, Sig chuckled, and hopped down into a large mass of people already dancing to music. "Let's have some fun, chili-peppers!"
He took the hands of the closest woman, a blushing but desert-hardened young Wastelander, and just danced into the crowd with her, the woman soon laughing and enjoying herself again. Keira dragged Jak out, both laughing, and they started to dance. Even the visible Metal-Heads were bobbing heads or swaying to the music, a few Leapers jumbling their legs beneath their bodies in an apparent dance-competition, each trying to one-up the previous.
Not too long after, Ashelin pulled Torn toward the dancing.
"Hold on! I know I stepped on your toes last time… do we have to dance?" Torn pleaded, some emotion actually coloring his voice a bit.
Ashelin paused, smirking at him, and it was clear it was not what he wanted to see. "That's why I'm wearing steel-toed boots. Now show me you can have as good a time as you can shoot. You deserve to relax after saving my life… that's an order!" she finished playfully, but didn't mind forcing him out with her before he actually started to dance.
Frost raised his eyebrows, standing with Seem, Maia, Siluna, Onin, Samos, and Pecker on the steps. Tess had just dragged Daxter out, the pair scuttling around in the most energetic dancing visible.
"Looks like Torn really does know how to dance," Frost muttered, watching the governor and commander swing each other around, Torn actually starting to smile a bit, Ashelin laughing already.
Seem smiled gently. "Do you?"
Frost blushed, blinking at her. "M-me…? I… well…"
Seem was controlling her amusement, but then both she and Frost actually yelped, blushing, as they were stung in the behinds. They both hopped out from the steps and looked back to see a smirking Onin, Pecker grinning on her hat. "Onin thinks you two need to get down and boogy!" He started moonwalking on the mystic's hat.
The two looked to each other, checking. Sharing an amused smile, they each nodded, and then took hands, playfully rushing into the crowd, spinning around together, laughing and happy. Seem's hair and clothes streamed with her rushing and spinning, Frost keeping her from flying off by holding securely onto her hands.
Samos chuckled, Maia smiling as she watched with an equally pleased Siluna, the young leader of the monks watching her mentor be so happy and relaxed. It was a wonderful day, and one they were all very happy to be part of.
Towards evening, with the sun setting, the whole group was over on the sandy beach down near the protecting gun-turret. A large blanket had been spread out, Jak sitting with Keira leaned back against him, Daxter and Tess sprawled out together down by their legs, Frost and Seem sitting together nearer the back, Siluna and Maia kneeling with Onin, Pecker, and Samos, and even Ashelin and Torn sitting together just off the blanket, on the sand, a calmly appreciative pair. King Sig was with them, perched back on a rock, half-smiling as he watched the sun go down.
The largest Metal-Heads were facing outward, as if admiring the sunset themselves, the distant sound of music still rolling from the East half of the city. They were all together, happy, united, and with the promise of a free future open before them, almost like the fading sun was a doorway. The dark war was over, and a group of friends was still together, bound by loyalty, love, and duty. Perhaps new challenges lay ahead, but right then…
Everything was safe, peaceful… and wonderfully happy.
(Author's Note…)
First and foremost, my sincerest apologies for the ungodly delay in getting this finale completed and posted. I won't even bother with excuses, I'm sorry. I have, however, created what I feel to be a good finisher to a very wonderful story. I am quite pleased with how Dark War has come out, how the characters developed, and the original elements of the plot.
Also vitally important, I want to thank all the positive reviewers who helped get this story finished. Without some kind of positive feedback, I would have a hard time even getting this story half-way done, so you really did help finish this. Thank you very much. I hope you found this worth the wait (and don't worry, there's an epilogue for you to enjoy, too.)
So, my apologies for the delay, my thanks for the support and glowing reviews, and I hope you find this ending satisfying.
--Cy
