Jak and Daxter
Legends of the Forgotten
Chapter Two - Temple Anecdote
Daxter clung to Jak's shoulder tightly as he ran through the bazaar, Pecker following close behind.
Jak burst inside the tent, relieved to see the old seer sitting there patiently. The moncaw swooped past and landed in her hat as she rubbed her hands together before making her odd gestures.
"Onin says she is very relieved to have you here, Jak," Pecker stated.
"Why are the stars missing?" the warrior inquired swiftly, "What's going on?"
"Onin says that a powerful presence has made itself known to her, but she feels an evil aura emanating from the dark gaps between the stars."
"Oh great!" Daxter cried out while Jak looked on in concern.
Onin made another group of swift gestures.
"She says she regrets not knowing more, but she recommends that you seek the knowledge of the oracle in the Precursor Monk Temple"
Jak nodded in acceptance.
"Another long night, eh, Dax?"
"Like we haven't had one of those before...!"
The corridors in the temple were all too familiar to Jak as he skillfully navigated the trials, his heart racing as the night wore on. He breathed a sigh of relief once he stepped up to face the great Precursor statue as it came to life, its eyes opening to their blue slits.
"Greetings, great warriors, Its voice was not the normal low tone, but it was vaguely familiar, however, as the memory of the three ottsel Precursors entered Jak and Daxter's memories. We are pleased to see you here so soon."
"Ya hear that, Jak? He said warriors! I knew my talent would be recognized!"
Jak shook his head before the questions poured from his mouth.
"What's happening? Why are the stars vanishing? What's this evil force Onin was feeling?"
"Now, slow down, Jak. There is much to explain and very little time to do it in."
"Ya, dude. We totally, like, made a mistake...!"
"Hah...yeah. A big mistake!"
"Will you two be quiet?! This is a serious matter!"
Daxter jumped down from Jak's shoulder, crossing his arms.
"Will you spit it out already?!"
"Yes, yes..." A heavy sigh was heard before the Precursor continued, "We will have to start from the beginning..."
The Precursor cleared his throat.
"The world was a very different place a millennium ago. There were many more of us Precursors running around back then and we had full control of the abundant eco that circulated through the planet. However, as more of us traveled across the universe to protect other planets, it became clear that the responsibility of eco channeling would have to fall upon the natives of this planet."
"We already know about the eco sages, buddy," Daxter chimed in, already bored with the story, "We came from the past, too, remember?"
"Don't be hasty, Daxter. You may be a Precursor, but you have no knowledge of what transpired in the past before your own."
Jak continued to listen intently.
"Now, where was I... Oh, yes. We chose six people from across the land to be deemed as the Keepers of eco; one for each type of eco. However..."
The main Precursor trailed off before another of the three continued.
"They were, like, way too young. We thought it would be good to, like, start their training then, but there wasn't enough time, dude."
The main Precursor began to speak, once more, having composed himself.
"The same presence being felt now attacked the planet before the Keepers could be adequately trained to their full potential. They were overtaken and sealed away, much to our failure. Fortunately, we Precursors were able to drive the Evil away, but many of our kind were lost in the struggle. We three survived and kept the Evil at bay until the presence disappeared completely...but we were naive. After the battle with the Dark Makers, we felt that this planet would be safe with you here, Jak."
Jak opened his mouth to protest, but the Precursor continued.
"You have the ability to channel all six types of eco, Jak...but alas..."
"Some how the Evil was still, like, able to survive these past thousand years and when we, like, left the planet half a year ago...it came back, dude."
"...And I'm supposed to stop it, right?" Jak asked in an unenthusiastic tone, crossing his own arms.
"You won't be able to stop this Evil on your own."
Daxter raised an eyebrow.
"Then how-"
"The Keepers, dude. Like, did you not just hear the story?"
"Yeah, the story! Hah!"
"Hush, both of you!"
"Jak, even now, the Keepers remain locked away, awaiting the Chosen Hero who would set them free again. Only with their help can you hope to bring an end to this Evil once and for all."
Jak was silent for a long moment, the gravity of the situation becoming clear.
"Where do I find them?" he asked as his hands fell to his sides.
"We have...forgotten exactly where they were sealed..."
"You ve gotta be kidding! You forgot?!" Daxter complained as his hands flew into the air.
"How long does your memory last, dude?"
"Now, now... We can tell you what we remember, but the rest will be up to you."
Jak sighed as a headache began to form.
"Let's have it, then," Jak said, irritated.
"Very well. Green is bound by a sage's power source. Blue is trapped in Precursor ruins enveloped by nature. Dark is beneath a lake of contamination. Yellow is within a place where fire rules all. Red is under a place where strength determines survival. Lastly, White is encased within a great temple."
"Go to those locations and, like, find a way to release the Keepers. Explain to them about the Evil and they should help you, dude."
Reviews are greatly appreciated.