|The Next Morning|
At the break of dawn Valentine peeked between her eyelashes, confirming Jak was indeed still there. Somewhere during their slumber he had let go of her which had resulted in him being sprawled out on the bed. His chest rose steadily in the early morning light, a soothing and reassuring motion. Here and there scars were splashed across his skin, some more visible than others. He had spent part of the night tracing the marks on her skin as well, carefully mapping them out, etching them to memory.
She yawned, wiping strands of hair away from her field of vision. Maybe she should get a hair cut soon, she had a feeling it was getting unruly. Biting her lip she considered her options. She could get up, take a shower and make herself presentable before trying to talk to Damos. That would obviously be the wise option.
On the other hand, Jak was in her room right now. Which opened up indefinitely more fun things to do.
Her decision made Valentine moved closer to Jak, one arms stretching out to slip around his waist. Before she had moved half the way a voice hit her with so much strength she felt as if she was slammed against the pillows.
"King Valentine! Meta has told me the joyous news! I am on my way to the city now!" The voice belonged to Ma'al, reverberating in her head with so much force the bed felt to be spinning around. The pure force that projected the message gave her a momentary splitting headache, making her scream.
"Val? You okay?" Jak woke up at once, warm hands wrapped around her wrists. Valentine looked up, not remembering having actually fallen back. Lucky thing she hadn't tumbled out of bed.
"Yeah… I think so…" she replied, blinking a few times to steady her vision. She tried to send a message back to Ma'al, surprised he hadn't communicated in images like Meta usually did.
"Ma'al, what the hell?"
No words this time, only the image of desert sand streaming beneath the looming form of a Metal King, speeding towards Spargus. Whatever Ma'al had in mind it was clearly enough to send him speeding across the desert to see her. So much for a tranquil morning.
"Ma'al is on his way here, though I have no idea what for. Something has his robes in a twist." Damn, had it really been necessary to use that much force? Her head felt like it might split in two at any second. Maybe she had been going soft after the Dark Eco being canceled out, or maybe the Metal King really did pack a punch like that.
Jak soothed her brow for a second, fingers stroking away the pain. "Is that the reason you look so pale?"
She nodded, not standing up right away. Her legs probably wouldn't be able to support her weight if she tried now. "It's got to do with the cure I tried to make back in Haven. Metal Heads communicate through a hive mind and I can tap into that. I've never had Ma'al talk to me directly like that though."
Ma'al had said he was the youngest Metal King. She wondered if the skill was something that enhanced with age and if so, how more stronger was the voice of the older Kings?
As she tried to stand up Jak supported her, helping her to gather some clothes strewn around the place. Soon it became clear he was better at taking them off than putting them on again. Deciding on a simple sleeveless shirt instead of 'the cute strappy thing' Jak picked out she pulled it over her head. Once Jak was confident she could remain standing he started to gather his own clothes as well.
"We'd probably better go check near the city gates. If we intercept Ma'al there we can see what he wants before he tries to figure out how this 'Nest' functions."
They arrived at the city gates fairly quickly, followed by a pair of guards that stuck so close they nearly tread on the pair's heels with every step they took. The guards had been extremely confused by Jak popping up from inside Valentine's room, especially since they hadn't seen anyone enter. They had raised their guns at him before they had been slapped down swiftly by Valentine who argued 'they were supposed to keep people out, not shoot people who were leaving'. This had been enough to make them pause for a few seconds. Before they had had time to mull it over Valentine had stepped outside, forcing them to trail behind.
"Of course you'd be showin' up." Kleiver grunted, directing some spit to an unlucky Kanga Rat. He pulled up the sash around his waist, pointing a thumb to the opening gates. "I'm letting the pretty boy in just now. He nearly crashed into the gate while transforming. Would've made a funny sight."
Soon enough Ma'al walked inside as he tried to figure out how the robes exactly functioned again. The half-formed knot was soon enough forgotten when he laid eyes on Valentine. The Metal King spread his arms wide, taking large steps towards his perceived fellow King. "King Valentine, my most heartfelt congratulations."
"Ma'al, it's nice to see you too but what are you-" Valentine started to ask him, walking closer to him. When she'd gotten close enough the tall man had grabbed her by the shoulders. There had been a flash of golden eyes and then the sudden contact of warm lips pressed against hers. The kiss was gentle but firm, given with such deliberation she almost forgot to panic. Thanks to her eyes still being wide open she could see the knot holding up the robe unfolding. With a squeak she grabbed the cloth, keeping it up. The only thing worse than being kissed by another man in front of Jak would be being kissed by a naked man.
"What's the big idea here?" Jak demanded to know. He yanked her away from Ma'als grip with more force than necessary, sadly enough also breaking her grip on the robe. He moved in to hit the King squarely in the face.
Ma'al stopped the attack easily, blinking for a moment. Then he neighed his head in what appeared to be understanding. "Of course, I was being rude."
Before either of the two heroes could say anything Ma'al moved his free hand to Jak's shoulder, pulling the shorter man towards him. The only thing stopping Valentine's jaw from hitting the ground was physical limitations. Obviously she was not seeing this. She was not seeing Ma'al kissing Jak. This had to be a dream.
Kleiver's insane laughter dispelled the illusion quickly enough. Before Jak recovered his senses she pressed herself between the two men, giving Jak a pleading look to not kill Ma'al immediately.
"Ma'al, explain yourself. Quickly." She added when she saw Jak patting around in search of a gun.
The dark-haired King didn't look like he realized he'd done something wrong. "Are you surprised by my mastery of etiquette? I was told this is the kind of thing you do when you are near someone you care for a lot, and I believe I just showed my affection for both you and your mate perfectly."
Valentine reminded herself to take deep breaths. Who the hell had he been talking to? Jak still looked like he wanted to beat the King to a bloody pulp, the only thing holding him back her hand spread out against his chest.
"Ma'al, I want you to think very carefully. Who was the person who told you this?"
The man considered the question for a moment, seemingly oblivious to his robe which was sprawled on the ground. For the moment they had bigger problems than Ma'al streaking. "I believe it was female Rae who told me about this. She has been most informative to me, giving me directions on how to best get along with all of you. Speaking of showing my affections, where is your nest mate Sig?"
Valentine nearly choked when she thought about Ma'al kissing Sig. Somebody had to put a stop to this at once. "I don't think that's a good idea. You see, we only show affection like that to someone we like as a mate. We don't kiss all of our friends."
Ma'al blinked, surprised at the words. "Then perhaps I interpreted the information poorly. Apologies, I did not mean to encroach on another King's territory."
Suppressing a deep sigh she looked back at Jak. "Look it's… cultural differences again. He didn't mean any harm, he just wanted to be nice to us."
It sounded like she was defending a puppy and in a way she was. Ma'al seemed so sweet and eager to please it was easy to forget he was actually a Metal King.
Meanwhile the puppy seemed to consider this a moment to strengthen brotherly bonds between him and Jak. Without any fear for his life he stepped past Valentine, towering over Jak. "I would be most pleased if you were to accompany on a hunt soon. This is a momentous occasion in your life and we must celebrate."
The hero still seemed to be recovering from the unexpected kiss and how he wasn't supposed to avenge the event. "Ugh… sure. But hunting does mean hunting, right? It's not some other weird thing?"
Valentine shook her head. "Hunting does mean just that. If it's got to do with blood you can pretty much go by his words. Ma'al, clothes."
The Metal King obeyed, continuing his efforts to make Jak feel welcome as the consort of a King as he once again fumbled with the knot. His conversation partner tried to steer clear from kissing distance while Kleiver was cackling in the background.
Valentine massaged her temples, adding giving Ma'al some more supervision around anyone to her to do list. Her new headache - and the previous one had only just receded - was interrupted when there was a tap on her elbow. She turned around only to come face to face with a young monk.
"King Damos is ready to receive you now."
|Throne Room|
The wooden elevator creaked eerily on the way up. She would have gotten it replaced by something more modern ages ago but technology didn't have a long lifespan in the desert. It had something to do with sand getting everywhere it shouldn't get.
Normally it wouldn't have bugged her so but this time was different. This time she was so nervous she found herself wishing for another chance to tangle with Erol. With her stomach somewhere in the vicinity of her toes she did not feel like the hero she was supposed to be.
The doors opened to reveal Damos who was sitting on his throne, waiting for her. A sudden squeeze in her heart made her falter in her steps as she walked up to him, shoes clicking on the stepping stones over the water in the middle of the room. He didn't look very happy to see her. She hoped it was the effect the hard throne had on him and not his actual feelings towards her.
"Sir…" she started out softly. She didn't want to call him father when she knew his son was in fact alive. Even if she wanted few things more than for this man to respect her.
"I wanted to talk to you."
He gestured, curtly, his eyes taking her in slowly. Great, now he wasn't talking either. "First of all, I should say sorry for disappearing like that. But I didn't do it on purpose. It started out with a trip to the temple and before we knew it we couldn't turn back. It's not like we wanted to-"
She stopped herself before she got too passionate in her defenses. "We were able to help out the people in Haven. And we discovered some very important things, about the Day Star."
For now she didn't mention Seem working for Veger. The woman was nowhere to be seen in Spargus and Valentine wanted an explanation before she started to make accusations. Just anything that would show the why in the woman's actions.
"The Day Star is actually the Dark Makers that are coming back to end the world. We can stop them, there's a weapon down the catacombs. If we find that we-"
"I find myself waiting still for the moment where you tell me you realize how much worry you put me through." He finally answered in a voice so quiet she had almost missed it. Tears sprang to her eyes. Of course Damos had been worried about her. She had just assumed that worry was more for the princess of Spargus than for Valentine as a person. She should have known better.
"I'm sorry. I never meant to worry you. I never meant to leave the city so abruptly. But I do have important news for you. Please listen." She looked up at him, blinking rapidly to clear the blur from her vision. When Damos nodded in reply to her question she pulled out one of the albums from her bag. She'd brought them from Haven to show Damos pictures of young Mar. She told him as much, opening the book on a page where Jak and his younger self were in the same picture. It was one of few, Jak having been rather shy of the camera as an adult.
Damos traced the picture gently, as if he was actually stroking the cheek of his son. Valentine averted her eyes when she saw a tear drip down the man's cheek. Her heart hammered in her chest as she tried to pick the best words to continue. Would he believe her? Who would? She'd sound crazy but she had to tell Damos before she told Jak. Jak would actually believe her and she didn't want to put him through more pain. If Damos didn't believe her Jak would have to live knowing his father couldn't acknowledge his existence.
"I'm listening." Damos replied, taking the book from her hands. The paper rustled in the room, faintly intermingling with the sound of running water. It was a miracle she could even hear that much with her blood pounding in her ears.
"You know a lot of strange things have happened. Me being infected with Dark Eco was the very least of it. Back in Haven, I met someone who at first I believed came from the past. Only after that I found out he'd been brought to the past to grow up…" she was messing things up and she knew it. There was no simple way to explain this.
"The reason nobody was able to find Mar is because there was no boy to find. He was brought to the past, to a little village called Sandover village, where he could grow up safely. Then he came back to Haven, when we needed him most."
Damos said nothing but his body seemed to stiffen. The hand he had used to shield the picture of his son cramped up.
"He was by my side as I protected his younger self. He… Mar was taken by the Baron and infected with Dark Eco for a little over two years before we met. He didn't remember any of us, he didn't know who he was. I don't know if I would have believed it myself at the moment."
Her king sat hunched in his throne, the photo book in his lap. The tear that had started on his cheek finally fell down, a perfect drop splashed on his tanned hand. He looked so worn at that moment, so defeated.
"Sir… you've met your son. Jak is your son. Jak is Mar."
Silence crashed down on them, time freezing in place as if the world had inhaled and then forgot to exhale again. Valentine waited, hoping, praying with everything she had. If Damos would only believe her…
"I remember how torn you were when my son was reported missing. Yet I didn't realize you were so hurt you had to resort to imagining outlandish theories to comfort yourself." Damos' voice was fragile, on the point of breaking.
Valentine had to go through with this. "Sir, I am imagining nothing. I am confident they are the same person. He remembers things, things he couldn't have known if he wasn't Mar."
Damos stood up, the album dropping to the ground. "My son can't be him!"
Valentine said nothing, looking to the side.
"My son was taken from his mother's arms when he was a mere babe and here you claim he's now a grown man? It's impossible!" Damos shouted at her, staring her down.
She met his gaze, straightening her back. "I'm not lying! I swear on everything I believe in that they are the same person. Your son is alive. He's alive and in this city. You know him, you've talked with him these past months. He looks up to you and you yourself have admitted he is a great warrior."
"Valentine." Damos growled, warning her to stay her tongue.
"Look at him! His hair, his eyes, the way he handles a gun or rides a buggy. He's every bit the man you were when you were his age. Every time I look at Jak I can see you and your lady wife in him."
"Enough!" Damos bellowed at her. "I have had enough of these lies. Report to the Arena. Don't even think about setting a foot out of the city until I tell you. And not a single more word of this."
Valentine inhaled sharply but thought better than continue this. Instead she bowed deliberately. "Please, sir. When you think about this, remember the respect and love I have for you. If I could call you father freely, few things would make me happier."
"Leave."
She obeyed orders, stepping away from the throne room in rapid steps. Behind her the vague sound of crumpling paper could be heard. She didn't dare look back.
Gals, guys and those that don't fit in either group, listen up. Pretty soon, like as from next chapter, we'll be in the final stretch of the story. With the way things are going now I'm guessing only 7 - 10 more chapters and we'll be done. Anybody else excited for this? Also, the poll results for Damos' fate are pretty one-sided (14 against 5 or something like that) so if you'd like to you can still vote. There's still about three or four chapters left until we get at that stage.
Also, Sage read over the chapter for me as always but Docx has been rather a pain lately. So if there's any mistakes left they're my fault since I just compared her edited version with my previously written one.
Oblique Strategies : I'm thinking about updating the first twenty chapters right before uploading the grand finale. I've greatly improved on layout - if I do say so myself - and it should make things nicer for new readers or people going back to reread everything before I launch the last chapter when we get there. But I'm working on 4 fics at the same time so rewriting everything would be kind of hard. I do admire people who go through such lengths for their fics though.
LadyAmazon : Probably but that would take all of the excitement out of the story. Then again, Erol confronting a few Pink Bots would be one of the funniest things this story has seen.
Dear Guest : I can't promise daily chapters since I still have university to attend and I am fighting temptation to skip my classes. But I've got writing appointments on mondays with a friend of mine so that should speed things up rather considerably.
KikinoYue : Thank you, that's rather a lot of praise ^^ Still, I'm happy to hear you like it that much. Have a nice day!
ayylmao : Okay, but an absolute walnut is in fact quite brilliant for some reason. I might have to swipe that from you... But I'll give you full credit of course. You're typing your reviews from a phone :o That's actually very nice of you to do, since phones can be tricky to write reviews on. Knowing this makes me pretty happy.
M-Angel 05 : Ah, some fluff to lighten someone's day. It's the least I can do for people who take the time to read my story.