Author's Notes: Huzzah for procrastinating on my studio work. This chapter was a bit of a challange to write because its beginning to become slightly more AU. Its gonna pick up a quicker pace from now on...I hope. Anyways! Enjoy!

Chains That Bind
Chapter Five
Revival of the Heir

There were many back allies to Haven City. Some of which even the worst scoundrel of the streets did not even know of yet. It was here in the shadows that the evils of the world lived in wait. Wondering when their time would come again to rise up and cause havoc to the city and beyond. After all, darkness was the best thing to feed evil; besides that of fear.

Within the port of Haven, there was such a back ally. It was across the waters on the opposite side of The Naughty Ottsel. It was here that a small group of people stood quietly, watching and studying the bar with great care. They had been stationed there for almost three days. That was when they had found the pulsation that spoke of a precursor item. But that was not the thing that interested them. It was one of the people who had the found the precursor artifact that was the most curious thing to them.

"Should we move out now boss?" a low voice questioned from the darkness.

"Yes," a softer, sultrier voice replied from the front of the pack. "I believe its time we paid the prince a little visit."

It had been a week since the pumping station accident. Jak made a full recovery from his injuries in less than a day, thanks to the dark eco kicking in. Since he had been able to control the dark eco within his system, newer wounds and burns were easily treated after a full day's rest. It was a nifty little trick he had learned from the precursors and oracles.

Keira and Jak had managed to keep their moment to themselves, though it seemed as if everyone else had already figured it out. The young mechanic girl had been coming around almost every day since the accident, just to make sure Jak was feeling a bit better. Though they would spend a bit more time talking or taking walks around the port area, the young man couldn't bring up any mention of the dreams that continued to plague his thoughts. It was something that was still haunting him, now becoming more vivid with every passing night.

The Naughty Ottsel was lively as always on a Saturday Night. Daxter's place was by far one of, if not the most popular place to be; Wine, women, and some of the best music playing until all hours of the morning. Everything that Krew did not have this place be, Daxter had made it happen. The place was packed to capacity as people drank, talked, and danced the night away.

Jak and Daxter sat at the bar, observing the surroundings. The young hero had left his armor, holsters, and ammo off for the evening, just letting himself relax for once. Torn, Sig, and Ashelin sat in their normal booth, sipping at drinks while enjoying the surroundings. Keira and Tess were out on the floor, dancing to the fast beats of the music while laughing the whole time. Everyone was in a toned down version of their normal attire. In other words, the guys left their armor off for the night and the guns were behind the bar.

"Well Jak my friend," Daxter said, leaning against his friend's shoulder. The small Ottsel held a purple bottle in his hand, the smell of foul liquor on his breath. "This must be one of the best nights we've ever had."

Smiling at his friend's buzzed behavior; Jak looked back out to the dance floor. Keira spun around as she happily jumped around to the sounds of the music. She ran her fingers through her hair, feeling the beat move her. As she turning to face where he sat, the girl flashed a brilliant smile in his direction. She stopped for a moment, catching her breath as she stared at him, letting him chuckle a bit.

"Yeah, the best." He muttered back to his friend, keeping his eyes on Keira.

The girl made her way through the crowd of people on the floor to where Jak and Daxter sat. She was a bit sweaty from dancing as wiped her brow off with her arm. Moving up to the young man's side, she quickly pecked him on the cheek.

"Man, it's a workout out there!" she exclaimed, nodding to the bartender for a drink. As the familiar man slid her a glass of water, Keira took it gladly and chugged it down. With a loud sigh of relief the glass was replaced back onto the bar. She turned to Jak again, who had been continuing his stare at her. "Come on Jak! Just one dance." Keira asked, a slight sound of pleading in her voice.

Chuckling a bit, Jak placed his hand around the girl's tiny waist, "Not right now. It's not really my thing." He told calmly.

But Daxter, still in his drunken straight, slapped his friend on the back of the head. "Come on Jak," he slurred out, staggering a bit on the bar. "Loosen up a bit." The couple laughed as Daxter took another swig of the drink in his hand, causing him to fall onto his back. He broke out into a dazed chorus of a similar song he had sung once before about being too dry without his liquor to keep him company. It was almost as if, for just that moment, life had gone back to being like it was in Sandover; simple and happy.

The night proceeded on. Keira managed to pull Jak away from his place at the bar for a few songs. Despite feeling like a complete fool, the young man actually felt happy dancing with the girl. They spun, jumped and sang to the songs played. Jak held tight to the girl at some points, letting her work her dance moves in that allowed for him to follow. A few stolen kisses on the neck or cheek came between them, making them laugh and continue on with their night.
By the time two a.m. rolled around, the bar had emptied out. Jak sat up at the bar with Keira leaning against him, relaxing after a long night. Ashelin, Sig and Torn hadn't moved from their spot in the booth for most of the evening, except when the governess had attempted to get Torn to dance as well. But, it ended rather poorly. Tess was behind the bar, poking at the still passed out Daxter who was fast asleep upon the countertop.

"The crowd was pretty good tonight," Sig told as he rose from his spot, letting himself crack his back a bit.

Torn growled as he threw back a shot of some blue liquid, "Why do you insist on dragging me to this place every week?" he asked, eyeing Ashelin.

The red head mimicked his action with her own drink, shooting him a grin, "Because you have to realize there is more to life than just planning raids on metalheads." She explained, causing the room to chuckle.

Letting a small yawn escape him, Jak released Keira and turned to face the bar. He still had a small sip of drink as he hunched over a bit, placing his hand to the glass. Despite the complaining about dancing, Jak had to admit it was a good night. Picking up his glass, he placed it to his lips and let the still cooled liquid flow down the back of his throat.

As he did so, he felt the girl beside him slip her hands about his waist, causing him to grin a bit more, "You, Mr. Hero, are a very good dancer," she chuckled, pressing her head against his own.

Jak opened his mouth to answer the girl but suddenly silenced himself. Something was tingling in the back of his neck and down his spine. He could feel the dark eco rushing through him at a quickened pace, almost like someone had flipped the switch to his senses. The conversation grew silent and the people around him seemed to slow down in pace as his eyes locked onto no real place. He could feel something approaching them.

His dark side was stirring within the back of his mind, clawing for some kind of bloodshed. It hadn't happened in a while. Jak thought that he was able to suppress the other side of him from feeling this bloodlust. And yet, he could sense the dark creature within sniffing the same air he was, trying to break through the surface again. To let its claws grow from his hands and to let the horns sprout from his head. He wanted a slaughter and with the feeling both sides were getting, Jak expected that it might happen.

"..ey…hey!" the sound of Keira's voice echoed through his head as reality came back into full motion again. Looking to his side, Jak noted the worried expression on the girl's face as she looked at him. "You okay?"

Straightening his back up, Jak let his eyes narrow. "Something's coming." He growled.

Keira felt herself tense at his sudden change in personality. Within a blink of an eye, Jak had gone from being relaxed and happy to a serious and dangerous being with fire in his eyes. She knew that the dark eco had heightened his senses and whatnot, but she never knew that it could be so sudden.

"Are you sure?" she asked, placing a hand to his shoulder receiving only a nod.

With that nod, the door to the bar slid opened, causing the group to look towards the sound. In the doorway were a group of large men. The entered two at a time into the room; spreading out as they came in. They were dressed in clothing that was not normal to the city. Sandaled feet with armor forged from metalhead skulls covered their bodies. Tattooed faces with strange piercings and frightening glares in their eyes. In their hands, they held large guns that looked as if they had been created scrap metal.

Sig let his eyes narrow as he watched the now ten men stand tall, glancing about the room. Turning away for a moment, he looked to Ashelin and Torn who had gained stern expressions upon their features. "Wastelanders," he said quietly to get their attention. "And from the looks of it, part of the rebels."

A woman entered after the last of the men. Her long black hair hung down to the middle of her back, completely dreaded and beaded. She wore a mid-drift shirt with a pair of shorts made out of what looked like a leather-type material. Across her hips, there were belts that held two guns, ready to be grabbed at without a moment's hesitation. Like the men, she had similar tattoos upon her features with piercing along her ears. Each stud was linked together with small chains. She threw her hip out as she crossed her arms, giving the same glare as the rest of her group.

Keira stepped back a bit, slightly alarmed from their presence. She let her eyes narrow like Jak's, who hadn't bothered to turn around to see them enter. He kept his glare straight ahead at the mirror behind the bar. He could see everything that was happening, without actually having to turn around.

"Get behind the bar," Jak muttered quietly, receiving a nod from the girl. Letting go of his shoulder, Keira moved around the bar next to Tess who had grown stern as well. Her hands were on Jak and Sig's guns, just as a precaution.

The wastelander woman's golden eyes surveyed the bar carefully, looking at every person with a piercing stare. She paused for a moment on Sig, looking him up and down slowly. A smug grin appeared on her face as she moved on to the two women behind the bar and then to the young man who kept his back to her. His wild blond/green hair made her smile once more, though this time a bit less smug.

Raising her hand up, she motioned for two of her larger men towards the bar. The dogs obeyed instantly and left her side, moving towards where Jak sat quietly. As they sat at the bar, the woman slowly began to move through the empty bar. Her hips swung as she tossed her long hair, locking her eyes onto the large wastelander before them. She could see the man shift slightly as a look of disgust and anger came to him.

Pausing only a few mere steps from Sig, she looked up at him while her arms folded across her well-endowed chest. "Well well well," she began, her voice rich and fiery. "If it isn't Sig."

"Mira," Sig said flatly, glaring down at the smaller woman. "What the hell are you doing in the city?"

Chuckling a bit, Mira tossed her hair. "I should ask you the self same question my dear." Placing her hand to her chin, she let her long slender fingers run down her cheek. "Are you still on that pathetic mission for Damas? Honestly, some people just need to learn to let things go." She told mockingly, letting another laugh escape her.

Sig felt his muscles tense as the woman let herself snicker at his well-being. It was that very moment that he wished there was a weapon in his hand to take out the problem before it got to be a bigger one. There was no reason for rebels of the wasteland to come to the city. Granted, he was on a mission that had lasted numerous years, but at the same time, he had a good reason for it. But, just by the looks of the people she kept in her company, Sig knew they were there to cause a problem.

"Why are wastelanders in the city?" Torn's voice piped in, causing Sig's train of thought to de-rail. Turning away from Mira, Sig saw that Ashelin and Torn were on their feet, prepared to counter-act trouble.

Looking at the man that had just spoken about her, Mira let her arms drop once again. She resumed the hand to the hip stance as she smiled at Torn. "We heard that the Heir of Mar is in the city. As well as a very strong precursor item was found."

"The Heir of Mar?" Ashelin questioned, mimicking the stance. "It's just a legend."

But Mira shook her head with a smile, "What an oblivious governess you are. You think you know everything about this city when its not even yours to begin with."

Her words made Torn move Ashelin behind him. He growled a bit in his normal tone, letting his stare try to burn right through the wastelander. "You apparently no nothing outsider. This is the daughter of—"

"Baron Praxis," she cut him off, making Torn step back a bit in surprise. "The man who overthrew the King and banished him and the rest of his followers to the wasteland." She told, her tone changing in an instant. Mira's eyes locked onto Ashelin's, letting her hate for the woman come to the surface. "You are no ruler of this city."

"I'm tired of these formalities though," Mira continued, not even giving Ashelin a chance to give a response except the shocked expression. She turned back to Sig, her face becoming stern and cold again, "Where is the ring Sig?"

Hearing the words, Sig let his eyes narrow. "How do you know about the ring?"

Jak made no move as the two men came up next to the bar. They sat down on either side of him, taking up more space than he would have cared for them too. The women behind the bar watched as neither of them took interest in them and instead moved their stares to the young blond. Despite the feeling of eyes staring at him, the elf sat still, taking another sip of his drink.

"We heard you're the one who found a precursor item," the one to the right said first, leaning against the bar a bit.

Placing his glass back onto the counter, Jak remained unchanged. "I've found a lot of them." He told, sarcasm in his voice.

The two men stared at each other for a moment, almost surprised that the young man had answered them with such a response. Shaking off the woeds, the right continued, "I mean to say, you found the Ring of Mar."

"What if I did?" Jak retorted, taking another sip of his liquor. "Not like you two morons could use it."

Chuckling at his words, both wastelanders leaned in closer to the man, their eyes narrowing. "We know who can." They hissed in unison.

"Come along your highness," the left spoke quietly. "And we won't hurt your little girlfriends."

Keira and Tess looked at each other with question. The blond clung to Daxter, who was still passed out in her arms as she looked to the blue haired one. They glanced towards the scene as Jak grew stiff in his chair at the words. It almost seemed like they had struck a nerve. He looked slightly pale as the two men continued to smile on at the reaction they received. The young man couldn't find his words, despite how cool he had been before. All he could do was try to keep his composer. Clearing his throat, Jak let a small smile escape once more. He let himself relax a bit, placing both of his hands firmly onto the counter. "I think you got the wrong guy." He growled, shooting a glare out from his eyes.

But the left one placed a large hand to Jak's shoulder, planting himself firmly to the young man. Red eyes focused closely to him, his unpleasant breath lingering on the base of his slightly uncovered face. The wastelander was getting too close for his own good; and Jak could feel the eco rushing as his adrenalin began to rise. Jak looked up towards the two woman, letting his blue eyes meet with Keira's green. Though hers seemed filled with confusion and worry, she could tell what he was trying to tell her. They needed guns ready and were about to have to take cover.

It all happened in a flash. Jak threw his hands up into fists, straight into the two men's faces. The sheer force of the blow sent the wastelanders flying back to the floor. Jumping off his stool, Jak flung himself back into a flip, landing in a crouching position before the two men. Glaring up towards the men, Jak let a devious smile cross his lips. The eco was starting to push faster towards the surface of his being and he was beginning to loose control.

The tension suddenly broke at the sounds of bodies being thrown to the floor. Sig looked away from the woman, just in time to see Jak go flying into a battle ready stance on the floor. The wastelander grinned as he moved quickly to the bar, where Tess and Keira stood ready. Raising his hand up, he gave the women a nod. Within an instant, his large weapon was thrown to him, locked and loaded for action. Ashelin and Torn did the same, standing ready with guns aimed.

Mira let her eyes narrow as she took a step back. Granted, this was not the first time she had to stare down Sig's peacemaker in the heat of battle, but tonight was not the night for it. They were in the city for one purpose only. The false governess and her lackeys where just in the way of stage one. Looking over to the young man who sat crouching upon the floorboards, she grinned a bit. He was posed like an animal on the defensive, ready to attack any person that came close to him.

Raising her hands into the air, Mira could only nod to them. "Fine. Have it your way then." She glanced over her shoulder to one of the men behind her. "We'll leave." As she turned to head for the door, Mira reverted her eyes to the young man. Jak's eyes shot a glare in her direction, perfect blue orbs shooting daggers of ice. She moved slowly, letting her hips swing in a seductive manner. Raising her slender fingers to her chin, she halted behind the young man. "After I find out one little thing."

Before Jak could leap to his feet to counter the attack, he felt three strong pairs of arms grab roughly. He tried to break free of their hold as he was forced to his feet and held there firmly. Though he attempted to throw punches and kicks, Jak could only find his tries wasted. They were too strong for him to break free and there wasn't enough dark eco within him to get the blood pumping for his alter ego. He watched as everyone raised their guns at his captures, ready to take them out as quickly as they had grabbed him. But before they could do so, Jak felt the sting of cool metal against his throat.

"Fire a single shot at us and I spill his blood," Mira's voice snarled, a large dagger held up to Jak's throat. "Drop your weapons!" The woman now stood before him, her eyes narrowed with a dangerous glare at his friends. She adjusted the grip of his blade in her fingers, letting the steel rest right above the major artery. Just a single slip of his neck, and Jak would have ended his own life. Drawing in a small breath, he looked back to the others.

"Do as she says!" Keira's voice cried out. Jak watched as she placed a small pistol onto the countertop of the bar hurriedly, not taking her eyes off of him. Worry was written all over her face as she looked directly at him, her hands planted directly onto the bar. Ashelin, Sig, Tess, and Torn obeyed the order as well. The clatter of their weapons onto the floorboards echoed throughout the whole room, making a smile form on Mira's lips. They stood there, rage building up as they watched the woman turn to face Jak head on.

Holding the knife firmly, Mira batted her eyes a bit at him. Her lips were a light shade of pink as she let her tongue wet them slightly. In her golden eyes, it almost seemed like there was a lust for blood and human flesh growing. She pressed up against him, letting one of her hands rest upon his chest. Her fingers migrated upward towards his neck slowly, as if she were enjoying every single moment she was close to the young man.

"You, my dear," she began, letting her movement pause, "were a bitch to track down."

Raising an eyebrow at her words, Jak kept his stare upon Mira. "You and your goons aren't too bright are ya?" he muttered, trying to keep movement in this throat as small as possible.

Mira chuckled a bit, "Oh really? Why do you say that?"

"You've got the wrong guy," he told flatly.

Moving the knife down from his throat, the woman placed the sharpened tip to his collar of his shirt. In one swift moment, Mira ripped through the fabric, exposing the young man's muscular chest. He flinched a bit as he felt the blade rip through his skin a bit, causing a light flow of blood to trickle down. Gasps were heard as the woman replaced the blood-tipped knife back to his throat.

Looking to his chest, Mira let her smile widen even more. "I think you are incredibly mistaken." She laughed wickedly.

Moving back off to the side, Sig and the others felt shock rush throughout their bodies. As the woman stepped away, she revealed a small pendant hanging around the young man's neck. Red like the rarest rubies, the stone was carved into a ying-yang like design. A thin brown cord looped through the top of it, replacing the one from before.

Ashelin let her eyes widen as she watched Jak looked up at the rest of them. "By the precursors," she muttered in shock.

"It…it can't be right," Torn stated, taking a small step backwards.

Mira reached into a small pouch by her side withdrawing a small needle. It was filled with a strange blue liquid as she held it up to Jak's neck, "The heir is alive," she whispered to him as she placed the needle against his flesh. Jak tensed at her words, trying to move away. But his attempts were failed as he felt the pinprick come to his neck, causing him to yelp in pain. The blue substance burned as it entered his skin, colliding with the dark eco within his blood.

"Isn't that right…Mar?" she muttered to Jak, just soft enough for him to hear. He felt the knife leave his neck as the men's holds on him lessened. Looking to his side, Mira stood here, holding the empty needle within her hands. She smiled as Jak's expression showed just how much fear and rage he felt within him at that very moment.

Leaning into him once more before her men released him, Mira let her soft lips meet with Jak's. The kiss was deep and unexpected, causing the young man to become stiff with surprise. He could feel the woman's tongue force its way into his mouth, as an attempt to deepen the moment. Jak could not fight it as he felt his eyes close. Weakness was overpowering him as he let her have her moment. He knew Keira was there, watching every moment, but he could not fight back.

As she pulled away from him, Mira withdrew completely. Turning for the door, she moved away from the men restraining Jak. The warrior was no longer ready for any type of battle. Instead, Jak hung his head in their grasp, letting his long blond hair cover his face from view.

"Don't think we're not finished with him yet," she announced to the group, gathering their lingering glares. "This is just the beginning." Looking to where Jak was held, she could see one of his blue eyes looking at her through his mane of hair. With a smile, the woman gave a deep curtsy to him, causing the remainder of her men to bow as well. "Its time to wake up, Prince. Whether you like it or not."

A loud cackle echoed throughout the room as the doors to the bar slid opened. The men holding tightly to Jak released the weakening prince roughly, throwing him towards the others. As the wastelanders left through the door, Sig rushed forward, taking hold of Jak before he could hit the floor. The youth fell against the large man without any struggle to move away from him. His chest was still bloody from the cut as he leaned against him limply.

Torn reached for his gun as the last of the men left the bar, almost as if he were about to give chase after them. He raised his blaster and aimed for the door just in time to watch it close behind the last man. Hearing the click of it re-locking itself, he let out a loud curse, throwing the gun to the floor.

Keira instantly rushed out from behind the bar and towards Sig. "Jak!" She cried, sliding to her knees as the larger man lowered himself to the floor. "Jak, are you alright?" she cried out, placing a hand to his face.

Reaching up to grasp his neck, Jak looked up at Keira with a focused look, "Yeah. I think so." He breathed out.

Moving away from him, Keira let Sig bring the young man to his feet slowly. Jak clung to his neck tightly as his feet found the floor again. He steadied himself carefully, moving away from larger man moving towards the center of the room. Rubbing his neck repeatedly, Jak tried to focus a bit. There was a slight burning lingering within the side of his neck, making him not want to remove his hand. Glancing down to his shirt, he looked at how she shredded it. The Seal of Mar had been exposed to the rest of them and the one thought kept playing over and over in his mind: Everyone now knew the truth. Jak let his eyes narrow as he heard the words being spoken. Looking down at the pendant, he took it in his free hand. Everything he had tired to keep to himself had been thrown out into the open within ten minutes. He stared down at the trinket about his neck, feeling himself becoming lost in his own thoughts.

"The Heir of Mar," Tess began for the rest of the group, causing Jak's ears to perk. "is you Jak?"

"It's impossible!" Torn shouted in disbelief. "That kid was here not even two months ago. He was destroyed by Kor! How the hell could JAK be that kid?!"

Ashelin placed a hand to Torn's shoulder, trying to restrain the man, "It doesn't make any sense. How could this happen?" she spoke, keeping her calm disposition in check. Looking to Jak, she let her eyes narrow in question, "Jak?"

The young man stood quietly, holding the pendant tightly within his grasp. His stare had become distant and cold almost like he was lost within his own mind. Jak's long blond hair hung messed about his shoulders from his rough treatment, his face filled with what seemed like confusion and anger. He did not hear her ask his name, making the room fall into its death-like silence.

Looking the young man up and down, Sig felt as if his heart had stopped in his chest. Torn's claim did make this whole situation more complicated. How was it possible that the child was lost for what seemed like only a few years could be this young man? It was mind blowing in a sense. Jak, the man he had fought side by side with on all those missions, was the boy he was sent to find? There was no way that Damas would believe it. Even he was finding it hard to swallow. The seal of Mar should have been proof enough to him, though making it incredibly difficult to believe.

Taking a step forward, Sig moved to place a hand to the young man's shoulder, "It can't be true," he muttered in complete disbelief. "You can't be him." Placing a hand to Jak's shoulder, the man spun the youth about on his heels. He grabbed hold of him, letting his massive hands take hold of his shoulders. Though he was handled roughly, Jak did not react to the spin. He continued to look down at his pendant as if that was the only thing that mattered.

Tess moved out from the bar, cradling Daxter in her arms. She shook him slightly, trying to wake the little Ottsel up. "Daxie sweetie. Wake up." She whispered, watching the scene unfold before her. Jak was so lost in his own thoughts, he couldn't find a way to answer Sig. The wastelander clung to his shoulders tightly, almost acting like a support to him. Just by the look on Jak's face, Tess could tell that he was in need of his best friend.

The Ottsel cracked opened one of his eyes, looking up at the blond with a content expression upon his face. He let his ears perk up at the sound of her voice trying to wake him. Smiling a smug grin, Daxter sat up in Tess' hold, yawning a bit. "What's up baby?" he questioned, looking out towards the rest of the group. It took Daxter a moment to let the whole thing settle into his mind, watching everyone suddenly ganging up on his friend. "Whoa…what did I miss?"

"Come on Jak," Torn demanded, moving up to beside Sig, "What the hell did Mira mean by all this crap?" Not getting a response, he became even more enraged. "What are you hiding?!"

"ENOUGH!" Keira's voice rose up, silencing the whole lot. She stood sternly to the side, her hands in tightened fists of rage. She let her eyes narrow as all eyes fell upon her, even those of Jak. The young man looked up to the blue haired woman, letting some life begin to come back into his eyes.

Panting a bit, Keira let her eyes fall off to the side, "If you are all so desperate to know the truth, then ask my father." She told firmly. Letting her head drop, she averted her eyes from sight, "He knows everything. Just…leave Jak alone."

Jak straightened himself up, letting his eyes soften a bit. He removed himself from Sig's loosened grasp and stood there, watching her carefully. "Keira," he muttered quietly.

Taking a step towards the girl, Jak suddenly felt the familiar pulsation run up and down his spine. He froze in his steps, shuttering at the sensation. The burning in his neck began to intensify within him, spreading a rush of pain and dizziness into his system. Up and down his arms it moved, causing all feeling to be lost throughout his body. He blinked his eyes tightly, trying to loose the feeling.

When he reopened his eyes, his vision had become something different. The bar had vanished, along with all the sounds of anyone else around him. He stood among the flames of the familiar burning city from his nightmare. And there, among the flames that danced and were fed by the desert winds, was a woman. Her long hair blew about her body as her clothing slowly became blackened. Her arms were covered with tattoos and her ears held beautiful piercings. Upon her head, she wore what looked like an intricate headdress. Her face was unclear, for she held her hands up, crying.

'Mar…' she whispered, 'Don't take my son. Please.' She fell to her knees, letting her cries become louder, 'Don't take Mar away from me!'

Blinking again, the sight was lost to him. Keira was now a few steps closer to him, concern on her features. His head fell into his hands, feeling a blinding pain within his skull. Along the edge of his temples, the pulse was almost ringing in his ears. Voices began within his mind. Things he remembered from long ago and then moments that did not ring a bell. Each voice overlaid with each other, becoming a jumble of noise within his mind.

"He's not safe here." A deep gruff voice spoke, sounding somewhat saddened.

"I hope you are prepared, for whatever happens." Samos' voice echoed.

"The boy will never speak."

"The city will be lost if we do not move!"

"…finish off this 'thing' tonight!" Baron Praxis' hissed to Errol the night he wanted him destroyed.

"Jak…its me! Daxter!"

"I will not loose my son to those freaks."

"It's the Seal of the House of Mar. The founder of Haven City. We're being
sent out on 'suicide missions' to locate artifacts from the time of his rule." Ashelin's voice called out to him.

"I promise ya kid. When you are that hero…" A familiar voice called over the rest of the words.

"Jak…"

"Mar…"

"Wake up."

"I'll be there to fight right beside ya." It finished, fading away into the darkness.

"Mar…"

He grabbed his head roughly, letting a scream come from his lips. It was horrific, almost as if he were having the dark eco being pumped within him once more. Jak felt his knees give out to the floorboards as he continued to scream out in pain. The voices kept coming through his thoughts, screaming things that he did not understand. It was unsettling how they kept getting louder in his mind. He could feel the touch of his friends upon him, but he shook them away. He didn't want to be touched.

"Shut up!" he screamed finally, causing the others to step back from where he knelt. He sat there, breathing heavily as a thick sweat came to his fingers and brow. Jak felt his body trembling from screaming to the point where he could not control himself from shaking. There was too much for him to take in. Everything from Gol and Maia, to Kor, to the darkness stirring within him; it all began to come to the tips of his memory.

"Its time to wake up, Prince," Mira's voice taunted finally as Jak felt his body stiffen. "Whether you like it or not."

And he remembered nothing after that

Author's Notes: Hope you enjoyed this installment. Don't forget to Read and Review.