NekoKurai: "Ahhh! I apologize a thousand times to my readers (bows continuously) I'm sooo late with the chapters because of my classes. (shakes fist at school)

(ahem...)

I hope you have not lost interest yet! I have the final chapter ready and I know you will all like them (also the other stories that follow 'before' and 'after' this story…X3 )Side Note: "Oh! And to that anonymous reviewer who said that I shouldn't post authors notes…": Thank you for telling me that those sort of things are not allowed, but I had to inform the readers somehow and that was the only way I knew... However, I would do it again if I had too! X3

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Many of the bodyguards had worked for the Gang Lord for years and never had they seen such an attractive, and yet such a powerful looking woman come into the building before. Her dark sunglasses hid her eyes, giving her a mysteriously sexy look as she walked in through the doors with the air of some important figure; her long white hair hung loosely behind her and seemed to sway in an elegance only befitting of a goddess. She wore a simple, yet seductive looking business suit, the skirt showing off her long, slender legs as she walked by, as if in slow motion, towards the elevator. No one bothered to stop her, as they should have, being bodyguards, for two reasons: 1. If they stopped her, they would have to escort her out of the building and that would be the end of their fantasy. 2. Somehow they knew that they should not intervene in her destination, otherwise…they would have to pay dearly for it…

As she stepped into the elevator she quickly shot them all a quick smile that made their hearts beat faster, yet sent an ominous chill down their spines; the doors closed and their nefarious goddess was gone.

When the doors to the elevator opened, the woman exited with a long, calm-like stride as she made her way towards Rayn's office and with one swift turn of the knob, entered it without so much as a knock. Rayn didn't even look up from her papers.

"Just leave the coffee on my desk, thanks…"Rayn said, waving her hand in a dismissal manner.

"I didn't come here to serve you coffee, my dear…" the woman answered coolly. The hair on the back of Rayn's neck rose as that voice sent a shiver down her spine. She quickly looked up from the papers and her throat choked involuntarily.

"M-M--"

"That's right," the woman interjected as she sat herself upon a chair closer to Rayn. She removed her sunglasses, folded them neatly and hung it from the collar of her coat. Her icy voice matched her cold amber eyes as they stared at Rayne in a way a rich man would stare down a beggar. "I've come for that favor your father promised me…"

"Favor?" Rayn replied, her hands clenching nervously

"Yes," the woman said, tossing her long white hair haughtily. "As payment for helping him become the Gang Lord for this 'lurker pile' of a city. I said that one day I would come and ask for a favor from him." she leaned in slightly "Now, my dear. All I ask, is for a file that your father discovered thirty years ago…"

"What file?" Rayn managed to say.

"A simple file; nothing important," the woman replied as she examined her manicured nails nonchalantly. "This file held some information on a old Precursor Temple that was once built here many years ago," Rayne could feel the dread spread all over her body. "I want it."

"I…I don't have that file…" Rayne replied, that chill now spreading through her entire body. The woman looked up slowly from her nails and locked her amber eyes with Rayn's fear filled blue ones. She stood up slowly and gracefully as she strolled up to Rayn until she was practically standing over her; she was a very tall woman. Slowly she trailed a manicured finger down Rayns cheek until it was under her chin, which she lightly tipped upward to her; there was a gentle smile on her elegant face.

"You don't have it? Why, where is it?" she asked sweetly...too sweetly.

"I-- I gave it…to someone else…." she flinched as the woman grasped her face between her finger and thumb, the nails digging into her soft cheek painfully.

"Someone else isn't an answer." the woman continued sweetly. "To whom did you give my file to?"

"His name is…J-Jak…ugh!" The woman's nails dug in deeper into Rayn's cheek, drawing blood. When Rayn looked back at the woman's eyes, they were colder and narrowed angrily, though she could see, that it was not at her she seemed to be glowering at. "I-I can get it back for you!" Rayn added hurriedly. "I know where he is! I can get it back!"

The woman then turned her angry eyes at her and let go of her chin, pushing her backwards so that Rayn fell into her chair. As if just noticing that her nails had cut into Rayn's cheek, the woman looked down at her nails, seeing the blood. Gathering herself, she took out a lacy white handkerchief, staining it with her bloodied nails.

"See that you do. I will be back in three days. If I do not have that file by then, I will destroy your empire just as easily as I created it…" Swiftly she put her sunglasses back on, straightened her clothes and walked calmly towards the door. Before exiting she stopped and looked back at her and said, "And make no mistake, my dear. I will destroy you too…" then she shut the door with a soft 'click' and was gone. Rayn fell back into her chair, drained from the fright; she closed her eyes so that she could calmly gather herself...

'...I will destroy you too...'

...but it would be many hours until she would be able to do that...

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

The Bloody Hook was so dreary at this time of night... almost depressive...

Scratch that, it was depressive...

He didn't like it.

He didn't like it one bit.

Jak took a long swing of his beer, feeling the alcohol take its effect on him by easing his body, but unfortunately, not his mind.

The search did not go according to what he hoped...

(Flashback..).

Upon receiving the file, Jak drove back to the hotel and quickly began to read the information...

But all he came up with was a great big pile of nothing.

There was a list of the resident monks that lived within the temple, but to his dismay, there was no Valere in that list. Then he found a list of all the head monks of the temple, only to find, to his continuing disappointment, that they all had a huge red 'DECEASED' stamped over their names.

What he did learn, however, was why that temple was no where in sight of Kras City. Apparently, a group of roaming Metalheads had attacked the temple, and in doing so, somehow caused a huge fire that spread throughout the temple quickly. The majority of the monks had either died of the Metalhead attack, or were killed by the fire. There were a few survivors, but luck have it, their names were not recorded in the report. In agitation, he threw the file on his bed, causing some of the papers to fly out from it; one particular paper caught his eye. It was a worn parchment, yellow and crumpled with years, and printed on it was an odd form of precursor writing; for the life of him, he could not understand it; he had never seen something like it before…

But he knew someone who could probably translate it.

"Samos…" he whispered. At once he grabbed his jacket and sped off to his car where he was able to get to the nearest communicator to Haven City.

'Hmmm…old precursor writing you say?' Samos said from the other line.

"Yeah. I can't read it, so I thought maybe if I sent it to you, you could translate it for me…" Jak replied. He had to drive clear across Kras to find a place where he would be able to call to Haven (the one in his room could not make it that far; he had tried on many occasions to contact Keira).

'Yes, yes. Send it right away. I would like to see that parchment. I believe Onin had a book on something like that. How curious that I was just thinking about--'

"Um, Samos…could I, maybe, talk to Keira?" Jak interjected, and rather timidly. He wondered if Samos knew about him and Keira. What would he say if he found out he and Keira had…

'Eh? Keira? Oh, no, I'm afraid she can't come to the phone right now. She has been a bit under the weather lately…the flu I think…anyway, I'll contact you as soon as I figure out the transcript…"

"Thanks Samos…"

"And Jak…your search…were you able to find out anything about this 'Valere'?"

"Nothing…" Jak replied, disheartened.

"I see…well, continue with your search if you must…but remember, Jak. Wherever this search may lead you… know that Keira and I, as well as the others, will be here waiting for your return…"

"Samos?"

"I'll call you in a few days. Take care Jak!"

"Hey, wait a--"

And the line was dead. Jak blinked in surprise as the dead tone on the other line.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? Did Samos know something…

'This just isn't my day...' he thought as he hung the reciever back on the line.

If only he knew how right he was...

When he finally reached the hotel, he was in for a nasty surprise...

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I WAS EVICTED!"

The young clerk flinched as Jak slammed his fist on the counter in emphasis. "I JUST LEFT MY ROOM A FEW MINUTES AGO! HOW WAS I EVICTED SO SOON?"

"I-I'm s-sorry s-sir! Your r-room was only p-paid long enough u-until the season w-w-was over! T-the s-season en-ended to-today at two o'clock! It's two thirty already." he managed to stammer, hoping that the simple explanation would calm the angry Jak down; he swore he saw his eyes blacken somewhat.

"Then I'll pay for the rest of my stay!" Jak said, reaching into his pocket. "How much is it per--"

"I-I-I'm s-s-sorry s-s-sir, b-b-but these r-r-rooms are not available now that the season is over! Since they are near the track they are reserved for racing teams that are practicing for next season."

"What the hell! But I'm the champion! Shouldn't that have some prominence! Can't you overlook it just this once!"

"I--I'm s-s-s--ahhh!" Jak had grabbed the young clerk by the neck of his shirt and nearly pulled him over the counter.

"If I hear you say, 'I'm sorry sir,' one more time I'm going to kick your ass!" he snapped. The young clerk eyes widened in fear and Jak noticed that his eyes began to well in tears. With a disgruntled sigh he let the clerk go and ran his hand through his hair.

"You know what, forget it. Just give me my things so I can get the hell outta here…"

"Y-yes sir, I-I'm s-s-s---" the clerk quickly placed his hands over his mouth and hurried to get Jak's things….

(End Flashback...)

And now he was here, sitting in the Bloody Hook, buzzed off his ass, wondering why the hell he bothered to get himself in this mess in the first place. He sighed and pushed his tanker of beer from him. Part of him wanted to go back to Haven, but the other part of him, the nagging, pleading, somehow curious part of him, told him to stay here, to continue with this, seemingly, hopeless search of this mysterious woman….With a sigh, Jak downed the rest of his beer, payed for it and left.

"Hey! Back off!"

Jak looked to where the voice came from and spotteda group of men standing near their cars, laughing as they circled around agirl. The girl stood tall and glared at the men, but he tell that she was scared. She looked like she needed help...

How fortunate.

He had a LOT of steam to blow... and his temper was near to the boilng point...

"Let go of me you asshole!" she yelled again, swinging the bag that she carried towards her agressor's head. The man easily dodged it (she swung it slowly, as if it were tooheavy for her to lift).

"Ohhh, this one's got spunk, eh?" the man laughed, grabbing the girl by her wrist and pulled her towards him. "I love a girl who's got spunk; makes it more fun in bed…"

"In your dreams!" she spat. "Get your grimy hands off me or--"

"Or what?" themanchuckled evilly. "Ain't no body here to help you. Now just be a good girl or else I'll have to make this harder on you." The girl's eyes widened in fear as the man drew her in closer.

"I think you better do as she says, dick-head. Otherwise, I'll be the one making this hard on you…"

The man looked back at the caller angrily. Jak stood behind them cooly as he looked at each of the men haughtily. At once, the othermen pulled out their guns and pointed them directly at Jak.

"Oye now, what did you say to me?" their boss called angrily.

"Don't make me have to repeat myself," Jak began to crack his knuckles dramatically. "I've had a lousy day…"

"Then it's about to get even worse for you!" the boss retorted. He motioned to his friends and they all fired at Jak. Then in happened in a flash. Jak, using his time stopper ability, dodged the bullets and went behind the man with the girl. When the time began to flow again, the other men were looking around in disbelife; the guy was no where to be seen.

"Over here, you idiots!" their bossyelled,howeverhe sounded muffled. They all turned to see Jak with his arm around the man's neck in a chocker hold. The man by now had released the girl, who stood in shock; the guy had just appeared behind them so quickly!

"If you want your boss to see another race, you get your asses out of my sight," Jak growled. The men staggeredbackwards in fear; they saw the guy's eyes turn completely black. "and if any of you even so much as look at the girl, I swear you'll all be next after him."

They didn't need to be told twice. They all ran to their cars and sped away, leaving their boss in the hands of the guy with the black eyes. Jak chuckled lightly and tightened his hold on the man. At once the man began to jerk in panic; Jak released him and sent the man sprawling to the ground. The man looked up shakily to Jak.

"Guess this just isn't your lucky day," Jak said with a grin. "You better join your friends before I decide to finish the job." he made to reach for the man but by then he was already on his feet and in his car, driving away like the devil was at his heels. Jak couldn't help laugh at the sight; that was definatly what the doctor ordered...

"I didn't need your help!" the girl suddenly growled, shooting daggers at Jak with her eyes. Jak blinked in surprise at the retort.

"Say what?" he asked, turning towards her.

"I said I didn't need your help!" the girl replied, stamping her foot in anger. "I had everything under control until you showed up!"

"So this is how you thank the guy who just saved your ass, kid?" Jak responded angrily.

"Don't call me kid!" the girl snapped. "I'm 18! I can take care of myself!"

"Could have fooled me..." Jak replied sardonically.

"Shut up!" she yelled, her cheeks flushing with anger. "Don't treat me like I'm just a child!

"Screw this..." he said and made his way towards his car. At once the girls anger seemed to melt away and was overcome with panic. She walked towards him slightly.

"Wait! Where are you going?" she cried out.

"You don't need my help right? You can walk yourself the rest of the way to wherever the hell you live..." he stopped and looked back at the girl with a grin. "Unless you thank me properly...then maybe I'll concider giving you a ride."

Why he was being so generous all of a sudden, he didn't know. Maybe it was the way the girl looked about their surroundings; the place where the Bloody Hook was located wasn't too bad, but the street after that was the most notorious part of Kras City known to its denizens. Especially this late at night.Or maybe it was the way her face paled as she turned back to Jak with wide, pleading eyes...

Ormaybe it was because she reminded him of himself a few years back...when he thought he didn't need anyone either...

Whatever it was, it seemed to have it's affect. The girl's shoulders slumped in defeat as she grabbed her bag from the floor and hoisted it up and nodded to the proposal.

"That's what I thought," Jak said,climbing into his car. "so here's what's going to happen: You're going to thank me for saving your ass, then you're going to tell me where you live so I can drop you off, alright?"

"Fine…" she mumbled as she climbed in as well, sitting down heavily besides him. "Thanks…for saving me…"

"Not feeling it, but I guess that will do." Jak grinned as he turned the car on and sped foreward (throwing the girl off balance). "So what do I call you, kid?"

"Disa…my name's Disa..."

"Alright, Disa. Lets get you home..."

They drove in silence for most of the way, but Jak noticed that Disa would stare at him from time to time; he could feel her large brown eyestrailing him, as if studying him thoroughly. He caught her staring at one point and she quickly looked away, but luckily she covered it up as he pulled into a different street.

"Here. I live here." she said, pointing towards an apartment complex. Jak pulled up to the curb and parked his car. The girl quickly jumped out of the car and grabbed her bag; he heard a series of loud clangs of metal from within it.

"You a mechanic?" he asked. A picture of Keira suddenly appeared before his eyes. He frowned slightly.

"Yeah…but I'm just an apprentice." she answered. She continued to stand near the curb, looking away bashfully.

"Well, I'll be seeing ya, Disa…" Jak began but the girl looked up quickly.

"Hey! I…uh…," she looked away again. "Really, thanks a bunch for saving me. I really didn't know what I would have done if you hadn't stepped in when you did..."

"I thought you said you had everything under control," he teased. The girl made to retort but Jak laughed and shook his head. "It's no problem. I'm glad I was able to--" he felt somethingdrip against his nose. Looking up, he felt more droplets on his face; it was beginning to rain.

'Wonderful…and no where to go…' he thought sullenly. 'This just keeps getting better and better…'

"Would you like to come inside?" Disa asked.

"Huh?"

"It's not safe to drive when it rains, especially in Kras; the roads get too slippery…"

"I don't think that's a good idea; I could be a killer or something." Jak said, half serious, half joking. "You sure you wanna risk that, Disa?"

"I'll take my chances. Besides, it's only until the rain stops...and I have to thank you somehow, right..." she said as she walked towards the apartments. She pointed towards a large metal opening. "That's the garage, so you could keep your car out of the rain," she smiled. "and don't worry, it's spacy…" and with that, she opened one of the doors to apartments and entered.

Jak sighed and put his car into reverse so that he could get it into the garage. Quite honestly, Disa wasn't kidding. It was spacey, almost like the garage in the hotel he was staying.

Kras really was all about racing.

He jumped out of his car and made for the apartment (the rain began to pour harder) which wasn't hard to find, since her place was the only one with lights on. He made to knock, when Disa opened the door and motioned for him to enter. At once, Jak was thankful for the offer; he was surrounded by warmth that comforted him and made him feel at ease (the closest he's been those three weeks he's been there). Though simple, it was quite homely. They had a large brown sofa and armchair with a small coffee table in the middle. There were no pictures, which he found strange, but thought nothing of it when Disa appeared in the room.

"Make yourself at home." she said, two cups in her hands. She sat upon the table between the kitchen and the livingroomand Jak sat across from her, taking the cup she offered to him.

"Thanks…"

"No prob...and thanks again...really..." she drank from her cup shyly. "I shouldn't have been out this late you know...but I had stuff to do...important stuff..."

"Guess so…" he said as he sipped the contents. It was a blandish sort of tea that needed a bit more sugar, but warmed him up non the less (he was wishing for a beer thought...). "You live here alone?"

"Nah. I live with…my cousin…" a blush formed on her face as she sipped her drink. "He and I work at the same place, but I leave earlier than he does...he usually closes. He should be home anytime--"

Suddenly there were a series of loud knocks on the door; Jak saw Disa's expression turn sour.

"--soon. Oh great…. And I was hoping that they would have been asleep by now…" she said, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Who?" Jak asked.

"Just…neighbors…." Disa sighed, heading for the door. When she opened it (rather half heartedly) Jak saw that there were three young women, no older than he was. They all carried in their hands some sort of food, wrapped up nicely in pink and red colored cellophane. He also noticed that all the women were dressed rather seductively for just bringing food (he also noticed that the rain had stopped).

"Hi Disa." the girl in the middle said sweetly (almost too sweetly for Jak's taste). I… and the girls, thought we'd bring you and Glin something to eat."

"It's midnight... and we still have food from yesterday," Disa replied stoically. "so I think we're good…"

"Oh no! That food is too old!"the girl on the left exclaimed shrilly. "Glin shouldn't--I mean--you would get sick if you ate day old food!"

"Not to mention that our food is freash; right out of the oven." the girl on the right added.

"I'm sure Glin and I will be fine."Disa replied, emphasizing her meaning. Jak saw the women's expression turn from sweet to sour. Jak leaned in slightly;the tension between them was as thick as yakow milk."So you can take your over cooked TV dinners and shove them up your--"

"Disa. What did I tell you about being nice to the neighbors?" a soft male voice said from behind the women.

Jak quickly noticed that at once, their faces turned as bright as the red cellophane and they all turned simultaneously to the man behind them. From what he could see, the guy looked to be about his age, maybe a year older... but the sight of this newcomer confused him. His hair was as white as snow; a lock of hair hung over the right side of his face, leaving the left open. He had a scar running over the left eye, which was grey and somewhat cold; Jak found them uncomfortable to look at. (He also saw that the rain had stopped somewhat)

"Glin!" the women exclaimed sweetly. Disa slumped against the door slightly but said nothing. The man nodded as he maneuvered his way through the three women (Jak noticed that the man held his right arm rather stiffly)until he was at his doorstep. His face looked of one who was annoyed to the fullest extent of his being, before turning back to the women (his expression changing into a kind smile).

"Ladies. To what do I owe the pleasure for this nightly visit?" he asked gallantly.

"Oh, we were just passing by--" the girlon the rightbegan.

"'Passing by' my ass," Disa muttered. "When is staring out the window at midnight 'passing by'..." Glin shot the girl a quick glare; Disa disappeared inside the house and sank into the chiar opposite of Jak.

"--and thought you'd like some of our home cooked meals."

"Ah, so thoughtful, as always. You never fail to enlighten me with your delicious meals, but you needn't go to all the trouble, especially under such dull weather; Disa and I are fully capable of feeding ourselves, you know."

"Oh! But we don't mind, Glin!"the girl in the middle said breathlessly.

"Yes!"the girl on the left jumped in. "I mean, a bachelor like yourself shouldn't have to bother to cook when we three--"

"--single--" the girl on the right added.

"--and willing--" the girl on the left added again.

"--women are here, at your service…" the girl in the middle leaned in provocatively. "…in any way…"

"I'll keep that in mind." Glin replied, taking the three dishes from the women; each looked startled as his hand brushed theirs slightly. "Thank you once again; I'll see you next time. Have a good night" and without another word, he closed the door. The three women looked to each other ecstatically as they walked away.

Once the door was shut, Glin sighed heavily and leaned his head against the door, holding the dishes out mechanically. Disa took them and went towards the kitchen. To Jak, it looked almost routine. And then he saw why the man named Glin held his right arm stiffly; his right arm was metal.

"I swear, Glin. Why don't you just tell them off?" Disa said from the kitchen.

"Because one of them happens to be the daughter of the landlord; one word from her, and we will be thrown out into the streets." he looked up from the door. "So please do your part and be nice to them, Disa."

"Kinda hard if they keep coming over with offerings. I still don't see why we don't live with--"

"I didn't know we had a guest?" Glin cut in, fixing Jak with an inquisitive stare.

"Oh!" Disa poked her head out from the kitchen, her face bright. Glin set his tools on the table, his grey eye locked on Jak, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "That's right! Um…" Disa shuffled out of the kitchen. "He…saved me today. I was on my way home when these jerks started harassing me… He doesn't seem like a bad guy, and it started to rain so I invited him in and--"

"Hmm, you look familiar" Glin said, ignoring Disa's explanation as he stared closer at Jak's face. His eye widened in surprise. "You're that racer from--"

"I knew you looked familiar!" Disa exclaimed, her turn to interject, her eyes bright with excitement. "You won the Krac City Grand Championship! You're Jak!"

Jak chuckled lightly as he nodded. Disa nearly leaped into the air as she squealed in delight. Glin continued to stare at Jak; his expression was that of surprise and…sadness?

"You never asked his name, did you?" Glin said, shaking his head; Disa ignored his statement.

"Oh Mar! I was saved by the Kras City Champion!" she squealed. "This is so awesome! YOU'RE so awesome! I was even in your car! Oh Mar! You have to teach me some of your moves! I have a race coming up and--"

"Disa!" Glin turned his sharp eye to her, causing the girl to jump slightly. "Disa, what exactly were you doing out so late tonight?" Disa flushed deeply and an expression of guilt spread through her face. "Disa?"

"I...that is...uh..."

Glin sighed heavily. "You went to fix that race car of yours didn't you? I knew something was suspicious tonight; Nik said a few of his good tools were missing..."

"But Glin--"

"You know how I feel about you racing..." Glin cut in as he touched his metal arm absently. "Even after you've seen first hand what can be lost when racing…"

Disa bowed her head in shame. Glin sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

"Glin…" Disa began, but Glin held up his hand to silence her.

"I… don't want to hear it; it's late. Go to your room…"

"Glin, I--"

"We'll discuss this in the morning, Disa. Good night."

Disa clenched her fist angrily and stormed out of the room, making to sure to make a much noise as possible. As they heard her bedroom door slam, Glin sighed and turned to Jak. "I thank you for saving her. She's a good girl, she really is. But sometimes, she gets this notion in her head that she's invincible…"

"I can see that," Jak chuckled. "You used to race?"

"Yes... but that's was a long time ago…" Glin touched his metal arm absently. He smiled slightly. "You know first hand how it can be on the tracks. Racing is a 'no mercy' sport. Something Kras City is known for…I wouldn't want Disa to experience something like that; it would traumatize her..."

"You're just looking out for her…" Jak acknowledged.

"As an older brother should…" Glin added. He got up from his seat and went towards the kitchen. Jak tilted his head in confusion.

'Brother? Disa said he was her cousin, didn't she?'

When Glin returned, he had the plates of food the women brought in his hands and two beers (wishes really do come true). He placed them on the table and opened the one nearest him. "Even though it's late, I always seem to have a appetite," he passed a plate over to Jak. "Help yourself. Mar knows how many of these I have in the fridge…ah…" Jak saw his face fall a bit. "Another heart shaped casserole…"

"You seem very popular?" Jak chuckled, pulling a plate towards him. He pulled the cellophane from it and saw that this one was also heart shaped, but it was a pasta. He pushed it away; just looking at it made him sick. He grabbed the beer instead and drank it; the fight with thosethugs was a real buzz kill.

"Unfortuantely…" Glin forked through the casserole. "Though I will not deny that I am flattered by their attention... but it seems that their attention is going from 'adoring' to 'stalking'..."

"Comes with the territory." Jak laughed. Glin laughed as well and grabbed one of the beers. With his metal arm, he popped the lid open like it was nothing and drank deeply from it. Then he turned his attention to the plate of food and began to eat, to Jak's surprise, rather ravenously. Soon, all three plates were cleaned.

During this time, Jak's eyes contined to fall upon Glin's arm. It amazed him that the prosthetic moved like an original arm, so fluid in it's movements; if Glin had worn a long sleeved shirt, he probably wouldn't have noticed that it was metal.

"You're…from Haven City, right?" Glin said, breaking the silence.

"You could say that...Why?" Jak asked, pulling away from his thoughts. Glin was staring at his plate thoughtfully until he began to gather them and rose from the table.

"No...it's nothing…"he replied as he headed towards the kitchen. He stopped midway and looked out of the window near the entrance.

"Ah, it's raining again. Something tells me that it won't be stopping anytime soon either…" Glin turned towards Jak. "Why don't you stay the night?"

"I couldn't…" Jak began, but Glin waved off Jaks refusal as he disappeared into the kitchen and came back out again, heading towards the closet where he pulled out a blanket and a pillow.

"Nonsense! Everyone knows that when it rains in Kras, it pours! The streets are not a safe place for drivers. And all the puddles you'll have to drive through will get your engine shot." he dropped the pillow and blanket on the couch and began to prepare Jak sleeping arrangement. Jak was silent as Glin smoothed out the covers.

"You trust me?" Jak asked quizzically, breaking the silence. "Even though we've only just met..."

Glin chuckled lightly and shook his head. "You saved Disa…there aren't a lot of people in Kras who would have done what you did…the least I can do is let you stay the night... Besides," he looked up from the couch and stared directly at Jak. "There's something familiar about you that reminded me of a time long ago when someone did the same for me. In a way, you can say that I'm only returning a favor..."

"Familiar? How so?"

"Ah, it's nothing, nothing." Glin replied, waving his metal hand in the air dismissingly. He crossed the living room and headed to where Disa had disappeared to, no doubt where his room was. "I will see you in the morning, Jak. Have a good rest…" and with that, disappeared into the hallway. Jak heard a door open and then close softly. Jak looked at the couch and realized that he did feel tired, almost exhausted. He pulled off his boots and folded his jacket, placing it besides him as he settled himself in the couch. No sooner had his head touched the pillow that he fell fast asleep.

In another room, Glin was sitting on the edge of his bed, his eyes closed and his brows furrowed in anxiety as the rain spattered against the window...memories flooding into his mind...

And his heart…

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Ashelin woke up to the sound of Torn snoring in his sleep. Blearily, she leaned on her elbows to sit herself up as she looked over at the sleeping Commander, a smile forming on her lips. It always amazed her that she would be waking up next to him; they've gone through so much together…

She sat up completely and pulled her knees up to her chest, watching the sleeping mans' chest rise and fall peacefully. She traced the tattoos on his face with her eyes, following them as they flowed down to his neck, his chest, his arms…

She sighed dreamily and looked towards the window; she could see rain drops stream down the window pane.

It was raining that day too…

'Glin…'

She looked to Torn again; he had shifted in his sleep, causing some of the dreadlocks to fall across his stern face. She smiled to herself as she lightly moved them from his face, tucking them behind his ear; even in sleep he looked like he was stressing over something; he mumbled incoherently but did not wake.

She didn't love Glin; she had feelings for him; a simple crush of a 12-year-old, but compared to the feelings she developed for Torn…there really was no comparison.

But a year ago, she found that she was not completely over that crush. She thought those feelings for Glin were buried deep within her...but they were reopened when….

When she had met Jak.

Jak reminded her so much of Glin. His valor, his cool smile, his sincerity, his I'll-never-give-up-so-back-the-fuck-off attitude... They were so alike; that was why she suddenly became so attached to Jak… and those feelings came flooding back…

So when she kissed Jak after he defeated Errol and the Dark Makers, she realized that she wasn't kissing Jak, she was kissing Glin

However, that crush almost cost her the love of the man that was lying besides her…

She remembered how hurt Torn was when he found out about the kiss. While they rebuilt Haven City, Torn did everything he could to avoid her. That infuriated her, and at the same time, it scared her; if she lost Torn... what would she have left? It took a lot of 'coincidental'meetings until she and Torn were able to talk...

"I'm..."

Ashelin turned towards Torn; he was still asleep, but his usual stressed out expression had changed to one of total sadness. He mumbled and turned on his back. She leaned in slightly to hear what he was saying.

"...sorry...Glin..."

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

"Hey Wiel, which one was it again?"

"The one in the middle…"

"So then why are we parked half a block from there?"

"Because we'd end up waking the fucker up with the car, idiot!"

"Will you two shut the fuck up! You'll wake up the whole Mar-damned block! This is supposed to be a covert mission remember?"

"So, how are we gonna do this, Chol?"

"We raid the place and shoot the fucker before he even gets out of bed..."

"But, Wiel...I heard this guy was...dangerous..."

"Not as dangerous as I'm gonna be if you don't shut the fuck up! Chol, pass that gun. It's time..."

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

"Jak..."

Jak opened his eyes blearily. Glin was standing over him, but his eyes were focused near the door. To Jak, he looked like an alert crocadog.

"What's going on?" he asked, sitting up.

"I have no time to explain; I need you to take Disa as far away from here as--"

A shot rang out and instinctively, Glin and Jak fell to the floor. Another shot and this one went through the window, smashing the glass so that the shards poured over them like rain.

"Shit! What the hell?" Jak exclaimed.

"Glin?" Disa had appeared. The first shot had woken her up and she ran out of her room, butstopped when the second shot rang out. Thinking the coast was clear, she entered the living room. Glin quickly grabbed her and brought her down in time as another shot rang out. "Glin? What's happening?"

"All of us, into the hallway! Quick!" Glin yelled. He pushed Disa slightly to get her moving. Jak followed behind them until they were in the hallway. Glin sat up and leaned against the wall, grabbing his arm in pain. He looked towards Jak.

"Both of you, get out...in my room, through the window. It's close to the garage. Sneak in and drive far from here..."

"But what about you?" Jak asked.

"I can handle them. It's me they're after."

"But Glin, what about your con--" Disa began.

"Don't worry about that," He said quickly, silencing her. "Just get to Nik's and wait for me there," he placed a hand on her head playfully and smiled; Disa didn't smile back. "Be a good girl and do as I say, alright?"

Disa nodded. She crawled towardsGlin's room and disappeared inside it.

"I'll go with you. I can help." Jak jumped in as Glin made to leave.

"I doubt that..." Glin muttered ominously. "My friend, Nik, lives a few blocks from here, straight ahead...take her there..."

"You can't take on those guys alone," Jak said, grabbing Glin's metal arm, but pulledit back quickly. The arm was hot, as if something was burning inside it. Regardless, Jaklocked his eyes with Glin. "I'm going to help whether you like it or not..."

Glin only chuckled and looked away.

"You're... just as stubborned as she is..."

"Who?"

Glin looked back to Jak. His eyes softened slightly.

"Valere..."

"What?" Jak retorted. He made to ask more when he heard the door being kicked in by one of the assailents. Glin was quick to his feet and began to run towards the aggressors without a second thought. Jak made to follow when he heard Disa whimper loudly from Glin's room. Mentally cursing himself, he ran into Glin's room, pulling Disa put to her feet and led her out the back window. The moment they stepped foot outside they ran towards the garage. Fromwhat Glin could see, there were three men standing outside of Glin's door, gun in hand.Just as one man seemed to have spotted them, Glin leaped out of the house and onto oneof the men. The man, in surprise, drew back and fired intot he air. Disa screamed but Jak kept dragging her until they were inhis car. He quickly started it

"Hang on!"he yelled as he zoomed past the scene. Glin was fighting with one of the men but that was all he could see as they blurred on by. Disa was crying now as she continued to look towards the scene, even though she could not see it anymore. Suddenly, Jak came to an abrupt stop.

"You know how to drive, right Disa?" he asked. Disa nodded.

"Yes, but--"

"Good. Get yourself to that Nik guysplace and stay there. I'm going to help Glin."

Jak jumped out of the car and began to race back towards the fight. Disa only watched as Jak disappeared into the night.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Jak raced faster towards the fight, his heart racing, the dark side of him rising. A loud cry of pain echoed throughout the sky and Jak ran faster; he had to help Glin… he had to find out what he knew about Valere. The rain was beginning to fall again, and this time it was harder, as if trying to stop him. When he neared the apartment, he sawone of themen lying on the street, his eyes open in a dead glaze as his blood ran freely from an open wound; a clean slit across his throat.

"What the…" Jak began, studying the gash, but another cry echoed through the air, this one more painful than the first. He leap to his feet, following the cry. Once again he spotted another body, another man, laying face down in a crimson puddle of blood and rain; more gashes. Jak's eyes grew wide, not in fear, but in realization; he knew those gashes looked familiar…

Because he had delivered gashes like that himself…

When under his Darker Self….

"PLEASE! HAVE MERCY! PLEASE!"

With a start, Jak ran faster until he came upon a gruesome sight. Glin's skin was grey and his eyes were pitch black; horns poking out from his already white hair. But what scared him the most was his expression. It was of pure hate, of pure evil...

Glin had lifted the last thug off his feet, his metallic arm gleaming in the little moon light the rain clouds allowed as his hand clutched at the mans throat. The man was pulling at the metallic hand, clawing at it; his face began to turn blue; he tried feebly to kick at the monster, but Glin was oblivious to the attack; his dark eye only glistened in fury and pleasure as he watched the man die slowly in his grasp.

"GLIN!" Jak yelled. That caught his attention; Glin shot his glare at Jak as the man's hands were tearing feebly at the hand now. "LET HIM GO! HE'S NO THREAT TO YOU ANYMORE!"

Dark Glin regarded Jak thoughtfully and slowly began to set the man on his feet, letting his grasp on his neck wane; the man gasped for air and began his struggle again with vigor.

"That's it," Jak sighed. "now let him--" his's eyes widened in horror.

A sinister grin quickly spread across Dark Glin's face and with his clawed hand, he shot through the man's stomach; the man looked stunned by the turn of events as Glin pulled his claws out slowly, blood and bits of entrails dripping from them unto the ground. The man looked down at his stomach and fell forward; it seemed the realization killed him.

"NO!" Jak screamed. Dark Glin laughed evilly unto the sky as he raised his bloody hands above his head, but suddenly his maniacal laughter stopped abruptly and his face went blank. His hands dropped to his side and he looked towards Jak; Jak could see horror etch across Glin's face. Jak took a step towards him.

"Glin--"

"DON'T COME NEAR ME!" Glin yelled, holding up his hand. "STAY AWAY! PLEASE!" he staggered further from Jak, as if having some sort of inner battle. "GET AWAY FROM ME! AS FAR AS YOU CAN!"

"GLIN!"

Disa came out of nowhere, a small vile in her hand as she shot past Jak and was racing towards Glin.

"Disa!" Jak grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "What are you doing? You can't go near him now!"

"No! He needs me! Let go!" Disa exclaimed, pulling at Jak's hold.

"No! He's not stable under this condition!"

"You don't understand! Just let--" Jak pulled her backwards, causing her to lose her grip on the vile; it fell to ground, shattering; what seeped from the shattered vile was light eco. Glin turned when he heard the vile shatter; his dark eye widened in horror as he saw that trace of white eco seep into the ground and wash away by the rain.

"NO!" he yelled. Disa looked back at Jak, her eyes narrowed angrily; she was crying.

"You idiot! Do you have any idea of what you just did!"

"What--"

"He needed that!" Disa exclaimed, pointing down at the shattered vile. "That light eco is the only thing that calms him down! Without it, he'll stay like that! Do you understand!" and with that, she fell to the ground, crying. Glin yelled angrily, slicing down a nearby pole. Jak stood silently as the events before him continued.

"Don't worry. I can help him…" he finally said.

Disa looked up from the ground.

"Wha--" her eyes widened in shock as she saw Jak levitate into the air; she shielded her eyes as a bright light erupted from him; when she could focus, Jak was now Light Jak, his tentical-like wings folding gently against his back. Disa starred in fascination and surprise as Light Jak walked over to the rampaging Glin. As Glin heard him approaching, he growled in a feral fashion and when Light Jak neared closer, he leaped upon him. With a fluid movement, Light Jak moved out of range and was now behind him. Glin turned towards Light Jak quickly; Light Jak saw this his face looked strangely weak and he seemed to be breathing heavily. As Glin roared, ready to attack, Light Jak shot out his hand, placing his palm on Glin's forehead. The light around him grew brighter as the light eco flowed from his palm into Glin and watched as his saw Glin's skin turn from that sickly grey to his natural tone; the claws descended into his hands and his canines grew shorter, yet very slightly; the horns slowly sinking back into his skull. Glin's hands dropped to his side as his face drooped weakly and when Light Jak pulled his hand away, Glin fell forward into his arms.

"Thank… you…" he heard Glin whisper weakly before going unconscious. Disa leaped to her feet as Light Jak gathered the unconscious Glin in his arms, and walked over to her. Disa stopped short; Light Jak smiled and nodded, as if saying, 'It's okay. Don't be afraid…' then suddenly, the light around him grew dim and his wings disappeared, leaving behind the same Jak from earlier. Disa came forward, lightly touching Glin's face. She looked up at Jak, tears forming in her eyes.

"You're just like him, aren't you? You're just like Glin…"

"We have to get Glin somewhere," Jak interrupted, looking down at Glin; his breathing got worse "you have any ideas?"

"The Garage," Disa answered. "That's where Nik and Chett live. They can help..."

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK,KNOCK...

That pounding...it was so annoying...

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK,KNOCK...

Why wouldn't it stop...who could it be? And why now, of all nights to bebothered, why now?

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK,KNOCK...

Ah... the only way to get it to stop would have to be to answer the door; Chett, that lazy boy of his...he should be the one to answer it, not him... but that boy slept like a rock, and once he was out, he was out...

A light blue haired man opened the door slightly and looked out with sleepy brown eyes.

"No, my garage isn't open. Come back tom--"his eyes widened as he finally recognized the sopping wet girl before him. He opened the door wider, a puzzled expression across his face. "Disa? What are you doing here so late at--" he looked over at the man that was standing next to Disa and spotted Glin in his arms. "By the Precursors! Glin!" he exclaimed as he stepped aside and hurried them in, shutting the door. "Get him into my room, quickly!" he said, pointing towards the hallway. A sleepy looking Chett poked his head out from the doorway; upon seeing Glin in the arms of the Kras City Champion, his sleepiness went away as he watched the man disappear into Nik's room.

"H-hey, what's going on?" he asked as Nik walked past him.

"Chett, tend to Disa won't you? She's soaked to the bone!" Nik said as he disappeared inside his room as well. Chett looked around until he spotted Disa as she stood in the hallway, an expression of total shock.

"Disa?" Chett hurried out of his room, grabbing a nearby towel and wrapping it around Disa. "Disa, what's happened? Are you okay? Talk to me, Dis'!"

"I...I couldn't help him, Chett..." she turned her wide eyes towards Chett. "I couldn't...I..." without warning, Disa began to sob uncontrollably and threw herself into Chetts arms. All the baffled teen could do, was wrap his arms around the sobbing girl and wait...

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv"Torn…

"Torn...Torn,get up..."

Torn grunted in reply and opened a bleary blue eye, to see that Ashelin was standing over him, fully clothed.

"Ashe'? What's going on?" he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes with base of the palm of his hand. "What time is it?"

"Early. Now get up." she answered and disappeared from sight. Torn grunted lazily as he rose from the bed. Before he had time to stretch, a bundle of his clothes were thrown into his face to which he let out a muffled gasp of surprise. Before he could protest, Ashelin added, "Get dressed. We've only got an hour to head to the harbor that leads to Kras…"

"Kras?" Torn pulled his pants up and buckled them, then pulled his shirt over his head. "What are you talking about, Ashelin?"

"We're going with Jak."

"Is that a good idea?" Torn stated, folding his arms across his chest. "He said he wanted to do this on his own. Who are we to interfere?"

"We're not interfering when it's something that we're searching for too " she replied. Torn face was as stoic as always, but she could see his brows furrowed anxiously. She sighed and sat on the bed; Torn sat down next to her. "I...want to see her...If he finds her…I want to see Valere..." she bit her lip. "We can't run from it forever...It's timethat we face our past…"

"But what is there to be gained?" Torn asked.

"I don't know… closure…forgiveness..." she replied. She grabbed Torn's hand and squeezed it gently. "anything is better than running away…"

"Are you sure, Ashe'?" Torn asked, his expression calm, but his eyes betrayed his worry. "It might not turn out the way you plan…hell, if anything, it might just make things worse," he leaned in closely and touched his forehead with hers. "are you prepared for that, Ashelin. If it doesn't turn out the way you hope?"

"Yeah…I'm ready…"

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

NekoKuria: "Alright! This story is finally going underway. I swear, the next chapters are all revelation, revelation, revelation!"