Jak and Daxter
Legends of the Forgotten

Chapter Three – Eventide Assembly

It was just after midnight when Jak and Daxter returned to Haven City. The Naughty Ottsel was nearly empty now of partying patrons as Jak set down his glass of Haven Ale, his mind racing with the information he had received from the Precursors. Daxter moved around with Tess, telling the remaining customers to finish their business.

Torn entered the establishment as the last person exited the Naughty Ottsel, Samos entered soon after, his staff tapping the metal flooring as he walked towards the bar.

"This celebration is even more lively than last year's...," Samos rose up onto a bar stool near Jak, "This old sage is ready for bed..."

Jak glanced up from his glass.

"Ah, Jak, my boy," Samos greeted him with a small smile, "Onin informed me that you have another task."

"Word has it that you're knee deep in another one of you adventures," Torn stressed his final word before walking to the bar and taking a seat, as well.

"Dax and I just got back from speaking with the Precursors," Jak muttered as he looked to the old sage, "They...said some pretty disturbing things."

"How so?" Samos inquired as the ottsel couple returned to the bar, joining the small group.

It was then that Jak proceeded to paraphrase the message of the Precursors.

"Hmmm..." the sage pondered as he closed his eyes.

"Do you have an idea what the Precursors meant?" Jak asked before taking another drink from his glass.

When it seemed as if Old Samos had fallen asleep, he finally spoke and opened his eyes.

"The tales of this world are ancient, Jak..." he explained despairingly, "However, this Evil is something I had hoped I would never live to see."

They all sat in a strained silence before Torn finally spoke.

"From what the Precursors told you, we have a key to one of the Keepers right here."

Torn motioned towards Samos.

"Old Green and Grizzled? How can he help?" Daxter placed his hands on his hips as Tess placed Jak's empty cup in the sink, preparing to close the bar completely for the night.

"He's a sage, Dax," Jak's face took on a new light, "The only sage left... A green eco sage."

"Yes, my thoughts were along those same lines," Samos replied before his eyes turned downcast, "Unfortunately, my powers have faded with my age. I have doubts in my abilities to sprout even a sapling."

The sage's concerns cast the group back into a heavy silence, the only sound emanating from the party outside.

A speculation then occurred to Jak and it suddenly seemed obvious.

"...The Life Seed?" Jak petitioned.

"...Yes. Yes, I think you've got it!" Samos responded excitedly, "I don't know how much power remains after all these years, but I have cared for it well. It should be just what you're looking for!"

"Yeah, that's nice and all..." Daxter frowned, "But what are we supposed to do with it?! Do you expect a person to just pop out from the seed?"

Torn groaned as he leaned against the bar.

"Think about the big picture here. The seed came from that giant tree in Haven Forest, right?"

Samos chuckled.

"It would seem that you listened to my younger self ramble on about such things."

"But what about the other Keepers?" Jak asked urgently, "We need to find them all as soon as possible!"

"Slow down, my boy," Samos left the bar stool and floated to the floor as he spoke, "All things will have to come with time. I will meet you at the entrance of Haven Forest in the morning with the Life Seed."

(Green Keeper's Point-of-View)

I had only ever known a parents love when I was young. Too young to know much of anything regarding death and destruction.

I grew up in a small village that stood near the edge of a deep forest. It was peaceful there and I, like the other children in the village, enjoyed playing in it from dawn until dusk.

I was avoided, however. I was the odd one out.

My hair bore the resemblance of moonlight while my moss-colored bangs framed my face. I remember being told that my jade eyes were too wise for my age, as if I had seen things that others could not.

I knew not what the village elders meant by their remarks, but I cared little for their opinion; much to my parents' relief. I was perfectly content exploring the mysteries of the forest day in and day out.

That all changed...

Screams broke the silence that night, accompanied by the howls and grunts of Hora-Quan. The smell of my parents' blood hung in the air as I ran run the hut I had called home these past twelve years. Tears stung my eyes, but I cared not if they fell.

In the darkness, Hora-Quan skull gems of various sizes dotted the village. The screams fell silent and my eyes widened as the gems turned towards me. I ran as fast as my little legs could carry me.

But it wasn't enough.

The Hora-Quan swiftly caught up to me, blocking off all hope of escape. I crouched down and shut my eyes tight as they attacked. At that moment, a warm sensation filled my mind and I questioned if I was still alive.

After a long moment, I slowly reopened my eyes before they widened. The hoard of beasts lie defeated upon the ground. Something caught my eye as I looked down and took a step back. Green eco covered my hands, a tingling sensation running up my arms.

The grief suddenly hit me. I was the only one to survive the onslaught of the Hora-Quan...and now I was alone. I stepped into the forest and never looked back.

The Precursors came to me in the morning and explained the eco channeling ability I had attained. I was a Keeper now and I held the responsibility of learning to control my powers.

When I met the others, it was...quite an experience. The Keeper of light eco was warm and welcoming, but the Keeper of dark eco wasn't as friendly.

"What good can a little runt be?" I remember her asking herself.

The Keepers of yellow and red eco were a little more assertive and out going than all the rest while the Keeper of blue eco kept to himself.

I practiced every day for the next three years. Often times, the light eco Keeper would teach me how to heal. The yellow Keeper insisted that I learn how to fight, but I never had much skill for it. Everything was peaceful...until the Evil approached the planet.

Matters only grew worse from there.

After much deliberation, the dark Keeper left us a few weeks prior to the attack. The white Keeper, the red Keeper and the yellow Keeper were only able to distract the Evil as no visible damage was being done to its shell. The blue Keeper had been rendered unconscious and I, the green Keeper, was trying to best to resuscitate him.

I remember a green light as the whispers of a Chosen Hero echoed through my dreams...giving me hope.

(End Point-of-View)

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