(Materializes, a scowl upon his face)
Friday once again, my friends, and that means an update for you. I apologize in advance for the fact that I had a severe problem with writer's block on this one, so bad in fact, that I've actually had to split the chapter up into two different ones, so there will be one more chapter after this one.
In this one, Jak is saved, Alex gets sent back in time, and we learn a little bit more about Tarath, and the identity of the other Channeler is revealed, assuming that you didn't figure it out many chapters ago.
Anyway, to those of you who were so kind and left me reviews.
Philoworm- Happy birthday to you, and congratulations on becoming a year older. Glad you liked that the battle, and I apologize on the wait for the chapter. About Zidon's weapons, would a tanto be about right in the size area? Also, thank you once again for everything that you've given to me as far as attacks are concerned.
YamiTenshi14- Yeah, I thought it would be rather funny if Kage got swarmed and wiped them out with a single attack, so I threw that in just for the sake of getting some laughs. As far as cliffhangers are concerned, I'm sorry about that one, but rest assured that I'm not going for a hat trick here.
MariaShadow- Sorry about the cliffe, but I hope that this chapter proves to be worth the wait. I'm also glad that you liked the battle, as I wasn't sure if I'd managed to pull it off.
Evil Manic- Glad that you liked the fight scene, and thank you for the weapon ideas. As far as a name for the L.E.U. I don't think the person will have one, as Kage isn't so much a result of the Dark Eco, but rather something that Jak created, a bestial personality that was strong enough to survive Errol's means of entertainment. However, at least initially, the person will use guns, and for that I have you to thank. Hope you like this chapter too.
Farr2rich- Don't worry, I've decided not to kill Veger, I'm just going to have several people (Keira, Damas, Tarath, and Kage) give him a good thrashing (insert evil laughter). Thanks for the Eco information, and did you get that e-mail that I sent you? Also, don't worry about the romance, there will be plenty of that in this chapter and the short epilogue. Good luck in your own writings and I hope to see another update soon.
Air of Mystery- You flatter me. (blushes) I'm really glad that you liked the battle, I was so worried that people wouldn't like it. Also, you mentioned that you would be doing your own Jak 2 novelization. When will I get the chance to read that, as it will be nice to have another D.J. that is not some mindless devil. (Please make it JxK when you do it) That said, I hope that you like this chapter.
animedragongirl- Yeah, that was rather evil of me to do to Keira, and I'm grateful that she sparred my miserable existence. I can't thank you enough for helping me out in this chapter, and I hope to have the epilogue to you by Sunday, as its going to be a tad bit short, considering that its only about half of a chapter. I also hope to read your own story again soon, so please update quickly.
SeventhSpanishAngel12- Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of killing Jak, that would get me nuked for sure. (nervous chuckle) At any rate, glad that you liked the chapter and here is the update for you, may you hopefully find it to your liking.
just another writer- I'm overjoyed that you liked the battle, but as far as Keira's powers, no they won't manifest themselves until an accident in the sequel that will involve her, some battle droids, and an underground container of Light Eco. Hope you like this chapter, and thank you so much for the positive input.
Nightwalker- Glad that you enjoyed the grand finale battle, and I hope that I may continue to please. (bows)
Lunatic Pandora1- "A pity that your moment of triumph is being spoiled over a little thing like grave robbery." (God, Van Hellsing was so funny, I loved Dracula's dry wit and wry humor ) As far as catching, well, Daxter just about catches something, but I can't say anymore. Hope you like it though, and thanks for everything once again.
DarkStarPhoenix- Glad that you enjoyed the fight scene, and how Kor bought the farm. As for Damas, I think I'm going to let him live, as it wasn't so much that he died that bothered me, but the fact that it never really had an impact on gameplay and the story. I mean, Jak's father dies in his arm in one scene, and not five minutes later, he's perfectly fine, that bugged the crap out me, as he would not act that way. The only gifts that he'll receive from the Precursors, though, is Mar's armor (He receives it all in one hunk, and I could send you a picture of how its basically going to look and what it can do if you'd like) and Sentinel will teach him a Precursian martial arts style. Also, don't worry, there will be plenty of Veger torture in the sequel (rubs hands together in glee)
Xeno-Freak- Happy to hear from you again, and I hope that you enjoyed your trip. Glad you liked the fight between Jak and Kor, and there will be some more Z.O.E. influence in the way in which some of the Precursor's fight. Also, I hope to see your own story up soon and I really really want to read it!
Exardas- Glad you liked the chapter, my friend, and please update your own story soon, I beg of you. As for Jak's exile…well, the only real reason that I could figure for his being cast out was the fact that Veger and co. needed a scapegoat to put everyone's problems on, and that will be a big thing (though the military and about half the civilians will be more than a little perturbed when they find out about the exile deal). Hope you enjoy this entry as well.
Silver Magiccraft- I'm happy that I have been able to please. (bows) To answer your question, yes, Keira will receive powers of her own, and she and Jak will do quite a bit of bad guy thrashing, as will several other overlooked characters (heck, even Daxter's going to scrap it out with the Fallen Precursors) Glad you've enjoyed what my feeble talent has been able to churn out, and I hope that I continue to make this story enjoyable.
FuaiyaaNoRyu- Glad that you think that I got the battle scene down, as I was really nervous. I also hope that this chapter has been worth the wait for you as well, and I thank you for your input.
gamehead64- (looks up at Death Star, hovering above home) Would now be a good time to start begging for mercy? (falls to floor, hands clenched above head) Glad that you liked the fight scene, and rest assured, there is no cliffhanger in this chapter. That said, I hope you like it.
Light-Eco-Sage- I'm glad that you liked the chapter, and I hope this little tidbit pleases you as well (there's a little bit of Jak/Keira fluff in it). Also, I sent you a message, but I'm not sure if it got through, so please let me know if I got the address right (you have to space it out, I think, otherwise it gets deleted by the server, why, I know not) Also, if you get the time, check out Will They Survive? by Farr2rich, its really good.
To those who read, but did not review, I hope that I have managed to make things thus far decent and to your liking, and that I have not driven anyone mad in some way form, or fashion.
Lawyers- I do not own, and I grow weary of saying it, so realize that by now.
That said, here is chapter thirty four
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Deus Ex Machina
She screamed out his name as she saw him fall, nearly lunging off the end of the balloon. She felt Sig grab her, but she broke free of his grip, before jumping off of the ship.
The air shrieked in her ears as she plummeted towards the ground, angling herself towards the nest. As she drew closer to both the Nest and the rocky terrain below, she stuck out her right arm, and took careful aim, before firing her grappling hook into the side of the remains of the Nest. It sank in, and she activated the reel inside her gauntlet, bracing herself for impact. Once she'd hit, she quickly yanked the hook out, and took aim at another area.
In this manner she worked her way to the ground, before frantically rushing into the nest, denial consuming her soul, as she knew what she would find inside.
Daxter and Alex approached Kor's head with the utmost caution, as it looked as fierce in death as it had in life, and in the back of their minds, they wondered if it might somehow manage to reanimate itself. Still when no movement was forthcoming, both let out sighs of relief.
"Man," Daxter muttered with a shake of his head, "I'm going to have to get some serious help hauling this back to town."
Alex, meanwhile, was intrigued by something else. The Precursor stone was rattling once again, in an almost frantic manner, and the youth drew closer, reaching out his hand to touch the glowing gem.
Daxter, however, suddenly heard a strange hissing sound, and looked up to see Kitetsu failing towards earth a rather high velocity, and it was about to give him a whole new meaning to the term 'splitting headache.' With a yelp, he threw himself backwards, and the blade sunk into the ground, going down about halfway up to the hilt before finally stopping. With an indignant glare he looked back up.
"Jak!" He exclaimed. "I swear if you…ever…"
He trailed off as he saw the dark elf following the descent of his weapon, and panic began to overtake him.
At the same moment that hysteria was about to possess him, Alex noticed a minute glyph like symbol upon the front of the Stone, and touched his hand against it lightly. The stone suddenly shuddered, and a blindingly bright light suddenly overtook the area as it shattered.
Daxter looked back over his shoulder just in time to see a black blur shoot forward and streak towards where his best friend was about to hit the ground.
Clichéd as it might have been, the thing caught him mere seconds before he would have hit.
"Got you." He said quietly as he held him securely, and he would have breathed a sigh of relief…if he'd still been able to breathe.
Slowly, the strange being turned about, and Daxter felt his breath leave his lungs as he let his awe show. The dark armor, the strange 'horns' upon the helmet, and the double edged, serrated scythe blade attached the right arm, angled backwards at the moment. Before them, hovered the Praetor of legend.
As he floated back to the ground, and gently lay the dark elf down, the Precursor let his hands travel over the elf's battered form, before standing back up, and extending both hands. Before Daxter could protest, dark lightning shot from the end of its fingers, enveloping Jak.
He started to run towards this guy, to try and make him stop, not knowing that he was actually helping, when the staccato sound of gunfire beat him to the punch. The armored warrior leapt back, taking to the air as a quartet of Eco bolts hit the ground where he had been a fraction of a second earlier. Daxter and Alex look up to find Keira standing on the entrance ledge of the chamber, fury in her eyes.
"Get away from him!" she snarled.
"Be at peace, young elf." the floating Precursor said calmly, before touching back down. "I am trying to help him."
He then resumed his previous activity, stopping again after a few seconds, satisfied that the Dark Eco he had pumped back into the elf's system would be able to bring him around quickly.
It did so, and with a coughing fit, Jak awoke, staring about in surprise. Keira let out a shout of joy and jumped down into the pit, throwing aside her weapon and hitting her knees as she got close to him, before pulling him into a fierce embrace. The Ascended Channeler still looked somewhat confused, though he certainly was not in a position to complain.
"Shouldn't I be dead?" he asked nonetheless, once the aqua haired elf had relaxed her grip enough for him to breathe again.
'We're still alive?' Kage groaned with the air of someone who had just awakened from being knocked out.
"You will live to fight another day." The being said, before lifting back up into the air and pivoting around to face Alex. "And thus, a Fallen Angel shall become a Risen Demon. Out of Darkness shall salvation come, as the Shadows give birth to the Hora-quan's bane. Armed with the Sword of Kings, a scion of the Ancients shall strike down the enemy of all who live, and end the threat of an ages old menace." he said, and Jak allowed for a sardonic grin to come over his face as things suddenly began to fall into place.
"What the?" came a sudden voice from the entrance.
Everyone looked up to find Tess, Torn, Ashelin, and Jynx standing up there, looking down upon the floating Precursor. Behind them, came the Lurker Balloon with everyone else on it.
Keira helped Jak up to his feet as everyone else clambered down into the chamber. Slowly, almost reverently, the elves made their way to the black armored being.
"You're the Praetor, aren't you?" Tess abruptly asked, apparently familiar with the mythology of Haven City.
"That is my title, but not my name." The being said and the elves appeared somewhat confused. "It is my rank within our military, I believe the equivalent of what you elves refer to as a general."
"Then what is your name?" the blond haired elf asked, cocking her head slightly.
"Tarath, Tarath Shien." he answered.
"Unbelievable." Jynx breathed, in awe of the Ancient that hovered before them with his long dreadlocks flowing about in the slightly wind.
"I would also caution you to not relax your guard." Tarath told them, raising his index finger slightly. "You have won the battle, but the war is just beginning." He then pivoted about to face Jak and Daxter. "You should be wary as well, as one of your enemies is not as dead as you think."
"Could you be a liiiiiiittle more specific, Darth Vader?" Daxter asked, making a sign with his hand. "We know a lot of people that could fit into that category."
"I do not know who he is; I only sensed the darkness that surrounded him." The Reaver stated with a shake of his masked head. "I am sorry that I cannot tell you any more, but I believe you will persevere."
"In order for that to happen, though," the elder Samos spoke up, nodding towards Alex, "the circle has to be completed."
At once, things seemed to fall into place for his younger counterpart, though he kept his epiphany rather subdued.
"I understand now…" he muttered. "I have to take him back, don't I?"
He got an affirmative nod from his older self, which caused him to give out a half hearted sigh.
"Grub roots." he muttered, "Talk about being in the wrong time at the right place. I just hope that thing holds up." He said, gesturing to the Rift Rider, which Alex was now staring at with childish curiosity.
Jak calmly walked over to the youth, who gave him an affectionate smile. The dark elf knelt down close to the boy, and returned the gesture.
"You take care of yourself, you hear me?" he asked, getting a nod from the six year old. "Oh yeah, trust me on this one, stay away from any whump-bee nests on your ninth birthday." he remarked, shuddering a bit at the memory.
He got another nod, and suddenly, little Alex reached down, and grabbed his medallion, taking it from around his neck and handing it to the older elf.
Sig's eyes, real and mechanical, abruptly widened as he looked back and forth between Alex and Jak, the puzzle pieces finally falling into place
Keira also had a strange combination of confusion and disbelief upon her face, as she too suddenly seemed to realize what was going on. However, she also knew that meant that any chance of somehow saving Sandover from its fate was about to be lost. She shot a pleading look towards her adoptive father, silently begging for there to be another way.
"I'm sorry, my dear." the older Sage said, bitter resignation in his voice. "But this is the way that it has to be. Sometimes, for the greater good, sacrifices have to be made."
A few minutes later, with a somber silence among all the elves, the Rift Rider was activated, and the Shadow and Alex rose up into the air.
"Don't worry," the younger Sage called, "I'll take good care of him."
Then, the strange machine shot forward, and disappeared into the rift.
Keira let her head hang, and couldn't hold back a tear as she realized that her last link to her lost youth and home was forever gone. Jak simply held her close, whishing there was something he could do to ease the pain that he felt as well, something he could say that would lift the burden from her shoulders.
Still hovering in the air, Tarath stared at the aqua haired elf, trying to figure out what seemed so familiar about her. He knew what she was, but there was just something about her.
And then he remembered.
In the place of the two elves, were himself and another armored Precursor, clad in white, who was struggling not to weep as the fate of their brother was called out.
"Phoenix." he muttered, remembering his long dead friend and adoptive sibling, who apparently lived on in those that carried his legacy.
Ever so slowly, he glided down next to Samos, bending down and whispering to where only the Green Eco Sage could hear him.
"You should tell her the truth of her heritage soon, Sage." He said, his voice somber. "She has the right to know."
He then drifted over to the two elves, and laid a comforting hand upon Keira's shoulder, silently trying to let her know that things would be alright. As she looked up at him, her eyes again brought back haunting memories of the Precursor he had once considered a brother. It also brought up some rather painful memories on his part, as would what he was about to do as well.
"Great trials await you, Dark One, but I know you will overcome them." He said, his visage twisted into a mask of sorrow, thankfully hidden by his helmet. "You are strong…and you remind me very much of the matriarch of your bloodline."
Realization suddenly hit the two elves, and Jak's alien eyes bored into the Ancient, trying to pierce the black visor and gaze upon the face that was within. Abruptly, though, the being turned away, and hung his head. Unknown to them, was the single tear that made its way out of Tarath's right eye. Without further a due, he suddenly blasted up to the warp gate, and messed around with something that looked like a control panel. A couple of seconds passed, and then the shimmering Rift changed, becoming almost translucent. Before anything else could be said, the Reaver shot through it, disappearing into the unknown.
For several minutes, nothing was said as Brutter and his comrades attempted to get Kor's head loaded up onto the balloon, believing a victory of this caliber deserved a trophy of some sort. Report also started to filter over Ashelin's comm. about how the Metal Heads were starting to break down and retreat on all fronts, apparently realizing through some unknown means that their leader had just bit the dust.
"It's a shame, really," Samos suddenly mused, staring up at the portal, "that Alexander won't remember any of this."
"Not entirely true, old man." Jak said as he held Keira close, his slitted eyes having a faraway look to them as he tried to contemplate the sudden turn of events. "He'll remember in time…and I never did forget the light."
There was a sudden, audible hush that swept over the chamber. Tess stopped cuddling with Daxter, Torn, Jynx, and Ashelin stopped their conversation with each other, and Sig, well, he simply grinned and shook his head slightly. The two Revenants and the lieutenant looked over to Samos, who merely nodded.
About four seconds passed, before everyone but the Wastelander hit their knees.
"All hail…" Daxter began, before a glare from his best friend cut him off.
"Daxter," Jak said, crossing his arms, his voice holding the same tone as it did when he vowed to kill Praxis all those months ago, "if you value the feeling of the fur on your skin, you will not finish that sentence. The same applies to the first person to call me 'majesty,' 'sire,' or anything else of that nature."
"But…" Ashelin began, before Jak shook his head.
"I'm a warrior, cousin," he said, his voice calmer this time, "not a politician. I think that particular game of cut-throat, 'stab you in the back type tactics' would be best reserved for someone who knew what she was doing."
"What are you saying?" the red haired lieutenant asked, cocking her head slightly.
"Who better to run the city that someone who was reared to…Governess?" the dark inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Ashelin looked as if she was going to make some reply, before Sig's booming voice suddenly sounded up from behind.
"Look you guys," he said, resting both of his arms on the shoulders of Torn and Jynx, "we can discuss politics at a later date, but I think the situation right now merits a bit of a celebration. Hence forth, for the next twelve hours, all drinks are on me!" he said, gesturing to himself with both of his thumbs, before running over and jumping onto the balloon.
Jynx let out a whoop, and was soon on his way back to the Hellcat he had come in on. Torn and Ashelin were not far behind, either.
Jak broke away from Keira for a moment, and retrieved Kitetsu, reverently placing the blade of his forefathers back into its scabbard. He then placed his arms around the mechanic once again, and the two of them walked side by side over to the balloon, upon which Tess, Daxter, Samos, Sig, and the Lurkers waited for them.
As they lifted off, the dark elf stared into Keira's eyes, and after a moment, their lips met.
As they drew away, some moment later, Daxter's voice was suddenly heard.
"Hey, since Krew's fertilizer, you think he's going to need that bar anymore?" he inquired, rubbing his chin in the diabolical 'I've got a plan to take over the world' way.
It was darker than an abyss, this chamber, the power shut down to conserve energy, as it was not known how long the occupants would have to remain in suspended animation.
Slowly, a sound could be heard echoing through the chamber, the sound of armored boots hitting the metal floor.
His visor set to light amplification viewing, Praetor Tarath Shien located the large double doors that led to the Stasis Chamber, where the remnants of his people lay.
If one were to look at the great Precursean warrior, one would notice that several changes had happened to him. First off, he was no longer an imposing eight and a half feet tall. Now he was something closer to twenty inches in height and his legs were also slightly more humanoid in appearance, while his feet had stretched out as well. Also, he had grown a tail, and some of his dreadlocks had changed. About half of them, all in the same area, were now gun metal gray instead of black.
There was a hiss, and the door opened. Slowly, the Reaver walked inside.
He quickly located the control panel to his right, and coming over to it, started inputting commands. Slowly, the power systems that had lain dormant for so long were coming online, the systems prepping for the awakening phase.
He turned, and began to walk down a catwalk like structure, the lights of the chamber slowly coming on, and he opted to switch his vision back to normal light. As the room grew somewhat more illuminated, one could have stared out, and would have noticed that the chamber was somewhat hexagonal and very large.
It was also teeming with Precursor Stones.
Slowly, he walked out to the center of the catwalk. It opened up to a platform that was also hexagonal, with a space for a stasis chrysalis on every corner. However, only one was presently occupied.
In the center of them all was another of them, this one upon a pedestal. Tarath stepped forward, and pressed the glyph in the center, before walking over to the other gem, and repeating the process. As they began to rattle, he stepped back over to the central one, and placed one knee upon the floor, staring down at the ground as a flash illuminated the chamber, followed swiftly by a second.
There was a slight groan, and the black armored warrior looked up to see an orange colored rodent, clad in flamboyant robes, on his feet before him. The new arrival shook his bearded visage slightly, trying to get a clear bearing on his surrounding. There was another such groan, though significantly more feminine, off to the side.
After a moment or two, the Ottsel looked down, and noticed who it was that had awakened him.
"Praetor Tarath." he said, a bit of surprise in his voice, before he suddenly seemed to make sense of things. "So, it is finished then?"
"Yes, Executor," the Reaver stated in a subdued voice, "Kor has been destroyed."
"By you?" came a voice from off to the side.
Tarath looked over, and saw Ariki Crystala, her royal blue locks fluttering about as she ran over.
"No, Ariki," the black armored Precursor said with a shake of his head, "Phoenix was right with his final vision. A descendant of one of the hybrids we created slew him."
"Just one?" Executor Xadec Thas exclaimed, his eyes wide.
"It was one of the polarized mutants that Sentinel predicted could be born." Tarath said, before adding in a quiet voice. "One of my line."
"Oh?" his leader said, a slight smile upon his face. "That must bring you some comfort, to know after all this time that they did indeed manage to escape the Hora-quan's genocide."
"Phoenix's did as well." Tarath stated as he rose to his feet and coming up to his full height, about an inch higher than the other two. "She is a companion to my own descendant, and she is also a mutant."
"Two walking Gaia at the same time," Ariki muttered with a shake of her head, "I wonder what the odds of that are."
"Three." Tarath stated abruptly.
"Pardon?" the female Ancient said, not fully understanding.
"There are three of them." the Reaver clarified. "But the third one, whose lineage I know not, was ignorant to his heritage, and I might add, twisted and evil."
"Where is that one now?" Ariki asked, a sense of dread creeping into her voice.
"With them." the black armored warrior stated, his voice deadly serious.
There was only group of beings that Tarath would have referred to as such: their Fallen Brethren, the ones they had exiled after they attempted to terraform Gaia.
"How?" was all Executor Xadec could ask.
"I spent some time within a stasis chrysalis myself, Executor," the Reaver said, "and I found, much to my surprise, that I did not sleep when I was inside of one, no doubt due to my unique…anatomy." He added bitterly. "I found a way to expand my consciousness while I was inside of it, and I sensed them. My Excellency, they are returning."
"Why, though?" Ariki stated, confused.
"I believe they thought us destroyed, or at least sufficiently battered that they could return to finish what they started, and extract vengeance." Tarath said. "I think, though, that by destroying Kor, we have forced Kerrog's hand. They will begin their assault far sooner now."
"What would you recommend that we do?" the Precursor Executor asked, looking at Tarath intently.
"Marshall our forces and prepare to meet them." the Dark Praetor said, before gesturing around the chamber. "Prep our warriors, and flash train the older children."
"What?" Ariki screeched, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Your saying we should send children out to fight them?"
"We have precious little choice, my dear Praetor." Tarath said, his voice a strange combination of determination and bitterness. "Our warriors are less than two thousand strong, they'll be outnumbered more than three to one!" he said, balling up a fist. "Plus, I have sensed something else as well," he let his visored visage move back and forth between the two others. "In the nearly five thousand years that you have been within this chamber, the Fallen Ones have been hard at work. They've converted the Day Star from a transport ship into a fully operation omega class battle cruiser, complete with an entire phalanx of Juggernaughts for ground assault!"
"This is grave news indeed." Xadec muttered, rubbing his chin. "But I am beginning to think that your abnormally long life might have unhinged you a bit, Tarath…" he went to continue, but the Reaver in front of him suddenly stiffened, and Xadec realized his error.
Apparently, the dark warrior still had yet to get over what had been done to him.
"And who," he growled, "do I have to thank for that, my Excellency?" he spat the final word like it was a bitter poison. "Who, pray tell, do I have to thank for turning me into the abomination that I am? A freak that is neither dead nor alive!" He paused, at the point where most beings would have been panting; however, to do so would have required lungs. "Did you think, Executor, that I would want this done to me? To be turned into this monstrosity?"
The Reaver abruptly ripped his helmet from his head, baring his mutilated visage. Most of his face was normal, barring two jagged scars that ran sideways along his right jawbone, but the upper left region, from his cheekbone up past his scalp, blending into the gray dreadlocks, was a plate made of some strange metallic substance. Cybernetic implants, along with a mechanical eye that was as blood-red as his normal one, were scattered all across it.
And that had been the just about the only portion of his body that had been 'salvageable.' Xadec and Ariki both knew that underneath that armor, only a portion of his upper chest and his right arm was still organic, the rest of it was all machine.
"Do you think I enjoy being like this?" he continued with his rant. "Being trapped in the shattered remains of a mortal shell that should have failed me long ago, being unable to pass on into the next life, being a virtual slave to this existence?" he paused, looking hatefully down at his armored body. "Do you think I enjoy having this experimental generator keeping me alive? Do you believe I like it artificially synthesizing my powers simply because there isn't enough of me left to do it naturally?" he thundered, such fury in his voice as to actually make the other two back away from him.
The cybernetic Precursor suddenly stared at his right arm, one of the few bits of him left. He then became noticeably more subdued.
"But perhaps…" he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "considering the gravity of my failure…such a punishment is fitting."
He then spun about, placing his helmet back on, hiding his face behind that emotionless mask again, and began to walk out of the chamber.
"Where are you going?" Xadec asked, no small amount of concern in his voice.
After all, it would not be the first time that Tarath had attempted to finish what Kor had begun.
"To the quarantined lands." was the answer he got. "There's something there I need to gather."
&
Okay, just one more to go.
I hope you people enjoyed this one, and to answer a question before it is asked Xadec is the Ottsel Leader from the third game, while Tarath and Ariki will replace the other two, who I never really could get attached to, if you know what I mean.
Also, I apologize if Tarath is coming off as somewhat cliché, with him being cybernetic and all, if you have any ideas on how to improve his characterization, please let me know, as he will have a pretty big roll in the next story.
That said, if it is not too much trouble, please let me know what you thought of this chapter, and let me know of any ideas that you have, as there is a good chance that they will be used. Don't hesitate to give me constructive criticism, either, as that's the best way for me to improve.
Thanks, everyone, and have a great day!