Chapter 7: Know Your Enemy
At the underground city, Jak's captors were not pleased with his 'phone home' stunt. His punishment was going to be excruciating to say at the least.
First, they took him to what Jak now referred to as The Room and overflowed his system with dark eco. He could only handle so much at once, and they pushed his limits to their farthest extent. At one point during the painfully slow process, Jak thought about just giving up, letting the dark substance consume him, and just die. He was about to close his eyes and just let go when, as if sensing his suicidal thoughts, they stopped and threw him into his eco enclosure.
The once-great warrior lay there, shaking and retching as they surrounded his cage. One of them changed into Keira, and another into a metal-head. The fake metal-head pretended to attack the phony Keira as a delusional Jak screamed. It seemed that they were using his memories and thoughts against him, and it was utterly horrifying.
They beset Jak with the damaging scenes all through the night, or day, he no longer kept track. For once, Jak was truly scared. He had let them put fear into him.
From that time on, Jak was almost like their dog. He fought when they demanded it, but he also feared them. His grip on reality was beginning to loosen and he was becoming more animal-like each day.
In the week that followed Torn's conversation with Jak, the Freedom League General sought every able-bodied man to join the Guard. He was not going to make the same mistake twice. This time, he would be prepared and send an army.
One afternoon he and Ashelin were discussing what weapons would be needed when the Old Sage rushed in and interrupted.
"I have discovered something that might help out cause. Something about the opponents you will be facing." He said, with a massive, dusty book at hand.
"Go ahead," Torn said giving his undivided attention.
"I was looking through the old Precursorian texts in the library," He laid down the weathered old book opened to a page that showed a tall, shadowy, human figure, "...and I found something even I have not heard of. Dark Precursors. It says 'They were banished in the ancient years of Precursors for their unlawful use of dark eco. They were exiled to the deep undergrounds of the world forever.' And it also says that 'It is believed that the light of day may destroy them, and even the little light of nighttime could do them great harm.'" Samos finished looking to Ashelin and Torn's shocked faces for feedback.
"Dark Precursors? But why would they need Jak?" Ashelin asked.
"See, that's the part I can't quiet figure out. But surely it must have something to do with his ability to channel certain quantities of dark eco without being harmed." Samos said, scanning the pages of the book, looking for more answers to the perplexing situation.
"How is Keira dealing with all this?" Torn said off subject.
The Green Sage looked up, and his face changed into that of a very concerned father's. "She does not know the level of danger Jak is in, but I think it is for the better."
"If Jak does not survive, Keira holds the heir of Mar." Ashelin said quietly, not knowing she spoke aloud.
It was the first time that Jak's line of ancestry had been spoken of. (When Jak had learned he was heir to the throne, he refused it, giving all power of the city to Ashelin's rule. Although, ever since this new enemy came about, the people of the city began whispering about a king that was sure to come.)
Torn looked at Ashelin strangely, as only she and Samos knew of Jak's birthright.
"You mean Jak is-?"
"Yes, but," Samos looked at the two strictly, "Keira must not know of this great responsibility, unless it be Jak who tells her himself."
"But Jak's heir-" Ashelin tried.
"No. An infant could not rule anyways. Let's just focus on getting Jak out of the Dark Precursors' hands."
The discussion ended, and Torn resumed his rescue plans, running the new information through his head, trying to concoct a strategy. 'Do we even stand a chance against Dark Precursors? Even if they were banished by the makers?' he thought to himself.
On the other side of the palace, in Keira's bedroom, the Sage's daughter and Daxter talked. She had never thought she could make a serious friend out of Daxter, but there he was, not cracking jokes and having a decent discussion with her. They talked mostly of Jak, and of their past adventures in Sandover.
Keira could still vaguely remember Sandover now, but she could still see the young Jak, still full of boyish charm. She smiled as she thought of him and nonchalantly rubbed her tummy.
"He really liked ya, ya know? Back in the old days," Daxter reminisced, "I would always catch him starin' atcha. He would always get so red when I caught him, too." He sighed, "Those were the days, huh?"
She nodded in agreement, recalling 'the old days', until she heard a hard knock on the door. Keira opened it to see Torn standing there.
"Hey Keira. Rat," he nodded towards an offended Daxter, "Keira, I, just wanted to let you know, that when Jak called, last week, he well, asked about you, and if you were alright. And I just wanted to tell you he was thinking about you..."Torn paused for a moment before looking down, "That's all."
After that, he promptly left. 'How did Ashelin talk me into doing that anyhow?' He thought as he shoved his hands in his pockets and headed towards the Throne Room.
"Boy, Tattoo Face sure is weird, huh?"
Keira didn't answer; she was too busy hoping her son (or at least that's what she claimed it was) would be just like his Dad.