Chapter 6

In a small changing room, Jak adjusted the leather straps that held his gun holster and tightened them. When Damas had told him that his test for citizenship would be something along the lines of a gladiatorial fight, the Haven outlaw had almost thought the King was joking.

He was allowed only his gun and the armor he already wore, nothing more, nothing less. Though, he didn't think that whatever he was about to face was something he couldn't handle, as many others before him has passed similar tasks to live in Spargus. From his years in the Underground, Jak had become skilled in the ways of combat, hand to hand and using a firearm. Besides, for the past few years he had heard nothing but praise about his talent in battle and couldn't help feel a little confident.

The event was to be held in the Arena, under which the room he was currently in was located. The large stadium was situated right at the center of Spargus and was a favorite place of all Spargains. People would be watching him fight, for a right to live here, as entertainment. Jak just hoped Keira wouldn't find out about it and come to watch; he didn't want her to worry.

Interrupting his preparation, the roar of a crowd could be heard above, signaling his test would begin soon.


Keira yawned loudly, stretching out her arms and feeling the empty space Jak had once occupied. Slowly sitting up and blinking several times, she noticed a small slightly crumpled note laying on Jak's pillow. It simply read:

Going to meet with Damas. Be back soon.

-Jak

Rereading the note, she suddenly understood what it meant. Jak was going to become a permanent resident so they could stay in the safety of Spargus. Errol would have never done something like this for me, for us. Keira shuddered to think what would happen if she were in this situation with him rather than Jak. Thank the Precursors.

As she was thinking, something caught her eye out the window. Looking up and glancing out the tiny, smudged window, Keira noticed all the people were headed in one direction and seemed to be excited.

The teal-haired woman quickly got dressed in her normal mechanic attire and adjusted her hair and makeup to at least look decent. She then proceeded to leave the building to find out what all the commotion was about.

Timidly, she asked a rough looking woman with dusty red hair and a cigar hanging out the side of her mouth where the crowd was headed.

"To the Arena, where else?" the woman answered gruffly.

Maybe that's where Jak will be too...Keira thought. So, the curious Havener followed the group and made her way into the imposing stadium, finding a seat directly opposite the entrance, towards the back of the stands.

Her neat appearance stood out awkwardly from the others, but she ignored the jeering stares and waited for the 'big show' that was supposed to happen.

As if by some sort of sudden cue, the audience grew silent. A lone figure cautiously made his way into the arena before them.

Then, a voice Keira recognized as belonging to King Damas bellowed, "Bring out the Marauders!"

And the crowd subsequently followed with loud cheers as four separate gates around the single person in the middle burst open. Five sword-wielding figures ran out to meet the loner who had quickly reached for his gun.

The mechanic leaned forward, squinting at the scene below. Then, it clicked. Keira slapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her gasp. It's Jak! Of course it's him! This was the test Damas had mentioned!


Blades held back in striking mode, the Marauders made for Jak. The blonde youth cocked his weapon, waiting for them, his trigger finger itching with anticipation for them to get in range of his scatter gun.

Looking at their primitive weapons, Jak let a fleeting laugh escape his lips. His enemies didn't even have automatic weapons? Citizenship granted! He thought.

The first wave of Marauders was easy enough. Wait, shoot, and shoot again.

Then, out of the gates came another wave, this time of around thirty of the ghastly beings.

"Shit!" Jak cursed loudly as he met more the same enemy with red blasts. He was rapidly running out of ammo. A few more shots and he would be out of luck.

As he used his last two rounds, Jak quickly sought after a plan B. Flipping around the gun in one swift movement, he used to butt of his gun and jammed it into the shoulder of a particularly large Marauder. A swift kick to the chest knocked the large one out, leaving it to be trampled by the seventeen Marauders that were still charging for Jak.

And that was when it hit him. A pulsing sound began reverberating throughout his ears and brain, blocking out the sounds around him. His heart began to beat faster, and an ever present rage grew inside him. He could not suffocate his alter ego any longer as he felt his body clench and horns sprouting from his paling hair.

With a grisly roar, the creature that had formerly been Jak attacked the remaining enemies with such a violent burst as Damas or Keira had ever seen. Purple lightning and elongated claws flashed as he decimated any living thing within a six foot radius.


Keira's mouth felt dry as she watching in wonder and horror as the man she was beginning to fall for ripped living things to shreds as if they were tissue paper. The animal that was Jak clawed and fought his way through the steadily depleting foes. It hadn't even noticed that the roar of the happy crowd had turned to that of a silent mystified audience.

When the last of them lay on the ground, the animal looked around with beady black eyes, and stood slightly hunched over in a lurker-like fashion.

Those who were in the front row could see color finding its way back to Jak's hair and face as he gripped his head tightly while he transformed back.


Damas stared intently at the man turned creature, turned man again. He was very curious about this newcomer and wondered what his real story was. Surely he would have time to find out though, since Jak had just passed the test and was a citizen under Spargain laws.

Breaking his thoughts and ending the eerie silence throughout the entire arena, Damas began to clap in applause. Jak looked up at him strangely. The crowd soon followed in unison with their King and began to cheer wildly.

Jak then slowly stood up straight, placing his gun back in its holster and faced Damas. The Wasteland King motioned for Jak to get on a moving platform which raised him up to Damas's level. Jak bowed his head to his new King. When he looked up again, Damas held out a flat, circular object in his palm. Taking it Jak saw that it was made of a bronze-like material and etched on it was a flame.

"The Flame, the symbol of Spargus. Congratulations on your citizenship, Jak."