Chapter Four:
Midnight Escape
The desert night air was cool and breezy; but most of all it was quiet. The many stars shone down on the dark and quiet city, keeping the cool darkness of night in perspective. Without the many lights of a power oriented city, the stars could easily be seen at all hours of the night. It almost looked as if Spargus was built among the stars themselves.
Jak quietly crept out of his small house near the center of the city, knowing what he had to do. Without a major system of gathering energy, the streets were dark save for the few guards who walked around with torches, which would make getting into the palace much easier. If Jak got caught, it could cost him his head.
Good thing he didn't plan on getting caught.
A guard rounded a corner, shining the street with light. Jak scurried to a small outcropping and pushed himself against it. Once the light had disappeared around another corner, Jak quickly moved another street closer to the palace.
Each step brought him closer to Erin. He needed to sneak her out of the palace and get her to the Oracle; it was the only way to save her. Over the time they had been apart Jak had no idea how much damage the dark eco had caused her. Jak had noticed the changes in his self caused by the dark eco over the past year, and it had started to frighten him. The nightmares that had once been the precursor to his drastic change had become more frequent, and the dark voice that had once dominated his mind returned to its past power. Whenever someone angered him he felt the darkness growing, but he had no idea how to stop it at the time.
When Jak had been stranded out here in the Wasteland, he thought he was going to eventually die.
Somehow he had managed to survive, and now it seemed like it had been meant to be. If he hadn't been stranded out in the desert he would never have discovered the Precursor Temple that could give him balance, and perhaps he wouldn't have found Erin again.
God he had missed her, terribly. He hadn't quite known the extent of his feelings for her until the time he had held her in his arms, mortally wounded and barely able to speak. He had told her he loved her, and he had meant it with all his heart. He had thought he had let her down; he wasn't there to protect her when Kor had betrayed them. When she was dying in his arms, he had hated himself for not being there to save her.
But this time he was going to make sure she was all right.
There were no guards at the main entrance to the palace, so Jak quickly walked in. The main hall was deserted and dark, making the ascent to the upper levels quick work. The halls were quiet in the cool of the desert night.
It didn't take him too long to reach the medical wing of the palace.
Jak made sure that his feet were quiet as he traversed the long hallways and stairwells. He didn't know if any monks or nurses could be walking the halls checking on patients.
The medical wing was quite small, and not many people were in the rooms. Jak quickly glanced into each room, until he saw a familiar form lying on a bed. Jak pushed open the door and peered in, hoping that it was the right person.
Light from the moon shined on her face and hair, making her look angelic. She was sleeping as Jak moved forward to wake her.
It seemed mean to bring her back to the waking world, she looked so peaceful, but if she didn't get the light powers of the Precursors, she would eventually die.
That was the thought that lingered in his mind as he reached out his hand to shake her.
Jak used his light powers, trying to prevent her from being in any more misery from the darkness inside her. She stirred instantly at his touch.
"Jak?" She whispered in a surprised tone.
Light Jak pulled his hand away from her shoulder and let his normal form reemerge. "Are you strong enough to walk?" He asked tenderly.
"I…I think so…" she answered uncertainly.
Jak hated the affect the dark eco was having on her. "Come on, you have to try."
Erin pushed the covers off of her slim frame and put her bare feet on the cold stone floor. "Where are we going?" Her quiet voice asked.
Jak watched helplessly as she climbed laboriously out of the bed. She had to grab the table next to her bed for support she was so weak. Jak hated seeing her in such a state.
"I'm going to take you to the Oracle, he can grant you the power of light."
Even in the dim light, Jak could see her weak smile of hope. Quickly her smile faded.
"What if we get caught? Damas could…"
"It doesn't matter," Jak cut smoothly across her worried tone. "If you don't get to the Oracle soon…" He let his words trail off, he didn't want to think about her dieing.
Erin unsteadily walked across the small room to the closet there and pulled out her boots. She sat down on the one small chair and quickly slid them on over her bare feet. She didn't have the time to worry about socks, or even proper clothes. She was wearing a set of pajamas that had been issued to her. She just grabbed a light jacket to throw over her pajama top.
Erin was about to say she was ready when Jak placed a finger over his lips, keeping her silent. Out in the hall distant footsteps could be hear approaching. Both Erin and Jak subconsciously held their breaths. Once the steps finally left, they both released the air from the lungs in a sigh.
Jak silently pressed the door open a small sliver to be sure the person was gone.
Once the cost was clear, Jak signaled for Erin to follow him. They entered the silent halls and worked their way to the ground floor. It took much longer this time because Erin would tire out quickly from her condition and had to stop and rest against a wall. Jak could carry her if he was in his Light form, but it would leave them far too visible. He had to watch as she struggled without being able to offer aide.
When they were safely outside the palace, the pace was slightly quicker because they didn't have to sneak around like criminals. They had to walk across to the other side of the city to get a dune buggy to take them out in the desert.
They walked into the garage without incident. Erin paused and had to lean against one of the smaller buggies.
"Are you all right?" Jak asked, worried how taxing it was on her body.
"Yeah," Erin answered, "I just got dizzy for a moment."
Jak leaned against the vehicle, being as close to her as he could without having to change into his light form. "You sure?"
"Yeah…it just…" She sighed, "I've never felt so weak and tired in my whole life. Anytime I move too quickly my vision goes black."
"How long has this been going on?" Jak asked.
"Off and on for the last two months, but it's been becoming more frequent…" Erin started. "Let's get going," she changed the subject, obviously not wanting to talk about that topic.
Jak hadn't noticed how much he had missed just talking to her until that moment, but she was right, they had to get to the Oracle and back before anyone missed them. It could cause them considerable trouble if they did get caught.
"Yeah," Jak started, "We have to take that one." He pointed to the Dune Hopper.
Erin nodded and pushed herself away from the buggy. The effort cost her as her vision went black and her knees started to buckle.
Jak quickly turned into his light form and caught her before she hit the ground. He hoped that no one could see the light that emitted from. Jak decided it was worth the risk as he pulled Erin into his arms. She looked into his eyes with surprise, not used to seeing him in this form, but she also blushed at his closeness.
Jak was overwhelmed by the desire to kiss her, here underneath the bright stars and alone, but those thoughts were unrealistic. They had to get to the Precursor Temple so Erin would be all right, but it didn't stop him from lifting her in his arms and carrying her to the dune hopper. He drank in her closeness, the closeness that they had not been able to experience without a price.
He pushed his desires aside and helped her into the passenger's seat in the Hopper. Once their contact was broken, Light Jak turned back into normal Jak and climbed into the driver's seat.
Jak turned the ignition and gritted his teeth as the engine roared to life. He hoped to the Precursors that no one was around to hear it, or he might have saved Erin just to condemn her. Jak put the Hopper into gear and moved forward slowly to the outer gate. It slid open as they approached.
The desert air was cool and crisp. The high temperatures of the day absent, and what was left was chill. Cacti and lone bushes lie out before them in the horizon and they speed out away from civilization to the wild and untamed Wasteland.
The air whipped through Erin's long hair, she hadn't felt so good in a long time. She had finally found Jak after being in the Wasteland for two months. After she had been transported back to this time she had been lost in the desert. When she awoke she was in the Spargus City palace and confronted by King Damas.
Damas had been surprised to find a lone woman wandering in the desert. He commented that even though Baron Praxis was a tyrant, he had rarely banished a woman from the walls of Haven City. Erin went along with the story, saying that Praxis had banished her. It made more sense then just appearing in the desert for no apparent reason.
King Damas was much kinder than Praxis, and offered her his apologies for having to compete in the Arena to earn her place in Spargus City.
Erin was shocked to find out that she was in the early years of the city she grew up in. Her history classes had left out that Spargus City was started by people labeled 'criminals' by a tyrant Baron and managed to survive many hard years in the grips of the desert. She now knew the past of her great city, but she understood why people kept the past of Spargus City hidden. People might look down on them thinking that they derived from a bunch of outcasts.
But Erin knew the whole truth. The citizens of Spargus City had been banished by a traitor when they wouldn't bow to his will. They had dared to stand against Praxis, and it cost them the lives they once knew. But they were much stronger than the Baron thought, because they managed to survive what he felt was a death sentence. They had pushed away their grief and built the base for one of future's greatest cities.
The People of Spargus wouldn't live long enough to see the great metropolis the city would become, but Erin did. She admired each and every person in the Wasteland, they had built something out of nothing, which would one day be something to be proud of.
So Erin had fought in the Arena, because she had to, but her thoughts were always on Haven City and the war going on within its walls. Out in the Wasteland there was no news on what was going on with the war against the Baron and the Metal Heads. She had know idea what was going on in the city, and she was desperate to get back. If she won her citizenship into Spargus she could take a buggy to Haven City and sneak into it's walls, that was her ultimate plan.
She had no idea that Jak was in Spargus City until yesterday, when they had faced each other in the Arena. She had been completely shocked to see him that she nearly passed out. She had missed him, and there he was standing before her.
Then reality woke her out of the dreams she had had of when they would meet again. She may have found Jak again, but they still couldn't so much as shake hands. She felt alone and depressed in that instant, until Jak had kissed her.
She had kissed him back willingly, until the darkness brought her back to reality. She fought to push him away. That is when Jak had showed her his light side. He had found the cure they had searched for. Standing in his arms for the moment before the Arena guards tore them apart were the greatest she had ever had. There was still hope for her decaying body.
And that is where Jak is taking her now, to the Oracle who can reverse what the dark eco had been doing to her.
Jak stopped the Dune Hopper at the edge that dropped down into the ocean. At the top of the mountainous island before them was the Precursor Temple where Erin would be saved. Jak turned to Erin. Her eyes were questioning, but hopeful.
"This isn't going to be an easy trip, especially with you being this weak," Jak went on to explain the terrible pull that ripped through you when the Dune Hopper did it's super jump. Erin pulled the safety straps of her seat tighter around her. She nodded to Jak when she was ready.
"Hold on," he warned as he backed up the Dune Hopper to gain some ground. He stopped when he knew he had enough space, and pressed the buggy to it's limit. They sped to the edge of the cliff, Jak could see Erin out of the corner of his eye gripping the seat with all her strength. Right before they sped over the edge, Jak released the springs holding the wheel axels to the ground. They shot up through the air and forward.
Once the buggy landed on the small island out to sea, Jak had to press the accelerator again to reach the next pile of rock. The buggy slammed into the hard ground, and Jak pressed the pedal again and shot them forward.
Before, Jak had found the ride exhilarating, but now he was too worried about Erin's well being to think it fun. He glanced over any chance he got to be sure she was all right. Once they finally reached the largest island that the Precursor Temple sat on Jak stopped to give Erin a chance to recover before they continued on the steep trek to the top of the mountain.
Erin seemed fine after a few minutes, and they continued their path up the mountain. They had to go even faster to reach the top, for they were going at a steep slope and they also had to jump over a cliff near the top. If they didn't gain enough speed to make it across the cliff, they would fall into the rocky surf below.
Jak pushed the Hopper to its limits, just as he had to the last time he had ascended to the Precursor Temple. The large tires spun sand out behind them as they reached their destination. Jak released the trigger that shot them up through the air. The sickening feeling of no gravity lifted them from their seats for a moment, just until the point that they hit the sand again.
Jak was able to slow down now, and he did as he pulled into the cave-like area before the entrance to the Temple. Once they reached a safe stopping place, Jak turned off the buggy and looked over at Erin. she seemed tired.
Erin unbuckled her seat belt and started to climb out of the Hopper. Jak hurried out and ran to her side, just in case she needed him.
She reached the ground and leaned against the vehicle for a moment, trying to grasp hold of the strength that continued to escape her. Jak waited worriedly.
"I'm fine," she answered his unspoken question. She smiled wryly as she pushed herself away from the warm metal of the machine.
Jak led the way into the Temple's entrance. The massive doors opened at their approach. "It's not much farther," Jak assured Erin.
Erin just smiled and nodded. She felt quite optimistic for once in a long time.
Jak pulled the morph-gun from his back in case any creatures had accumulated since his last visit and went through the next door. The door led them to a stair well that led down to the Precursor Oracle. Jak led the way down the lit stairway, ready for any giant spiders or any other thing that would come to meet them. Erin followed on step behind. Erin had to stop a few times on the long descent to the lower levels.
Once they exited the stairs they made their way across the chamber to the entrance to the Oracle. The next chamber was enormous, when you looked up the darkness enveloped the ceiling, making it seem to go on up forever.
Jak entered the well lit chamber first, followed closely by Erin. They hadn't run into any danger so far, which was good. Once he was sure the chamber was clear he motioned for Erin to approach the Oracle. Erin climbed up the small-stepped pedestal that brought you closer to the Oracle. Erin stood at the top a moment before the Oracle's eyes burst into life, shining light down on her sick frame.
"It pleases us to see you again, Great One," the deep voice of the Oracle soothed Erin to no end. "Your return brings us great hope. This planet's future is at a critical juncture, one that only you two can tip the balance in the planet's favor."
"The Dark Ones have found your world again," the Oracle continued, "and fate hangs in the balance where the past and the future collide. You will need all the power you can muster to survive this terrible battle. Look into the light to receive a power."
A bright, white light shined down on Erin's form and she looked up to meet it. The light turned unexplainably warm as her body became lighter. The light looked like it was blinding, but somehow it didn't harm her open eyes. She floated up closer to the light without conscious thought of it. The light embraced her as she felt the pain and scars of her body leave her. The dark voice that always was a presence in her mind faded, leaving her without vengeful influence.
Erin felt light headed as the light lowered her back to the ground.
Jak had watched Erin's granting of light powers intently. He had helped her, he had saved her from the terrible death that was rushing to meet her. She was now free from her darker influence. Jak remembered the feeling of having the dark 'parrotmonkey' off his back. He hadn't felt better in a long time. What made him feel better this time was that he had been able to give that feeling to Erin.
He had saved her.
Jak walked up to meet Erin as her beautiful light form lowered to the ground. The light powers engulfed her still, healing everything that the dark eco had put her through. Her pain melted away. When her toes touched the ground her light form dissipated, leaving Erin standing before him.
Erin placed her hand on her forehead and swayed dangerously on her feet. Jak reached out a hand to steady her as she tumbled forward and fell against his chest.
"Are you all right?" Jak asked.
Erin didn't answer his question, she was looking down to where Jak's hand had gripped her forearm. Part of her never believed that they would ever be able to touch, but now she had proof that they could, right before her eyes. It was almost numbing after so long.
She was standing in his arms, but for once the darkness didn't come. Erin looked up into his eyes and smiled, "never felt better."
The hand that she had placed on his chest to steady herself moved up around to the back of his neck. She pulled herself up to her full height and kissed him.
Jak was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. He kissed her back greedily, never wanting this moment to end. He whispered her name between kisses and pulled her closer. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, never wanting to let her go.
Erin's hands combed through Jak's green and blonde hair, kissing him deeply. She had cared for him for so long, longer than she had admitted to herself, and wanted to put everything she was, everything she wanted to be for him into the kiss.
They both reluctantly pulled away from the kiss. Erin's face was flushed from both exhilaration and surprise, she never thought she would have started such a passionate kiss in her life. Jak still held her close on top of the small platform before the statue of the Oracle. Neither of them could think of any words to say, they just stood there captured in the other's eyes.
The couple stiffened as they heard a voice that was close by. Jak pulled Erin closer as he looked for the possible danger. Jak found the source of the commotion at a walkway above their current position in front of the Oracle. He was momentarily relieved to find that the person yelling hadn't managed to see them. When he saw the man turn his back, he quickly and quietly led Erin to a better hiding place behind a pillar. When they both were safe did Jak stop to listen to the words.
"I want no excuses!" The man yelled, "you told me this could be done. Now make it so!" Jak found the person he was talking to. Seem, the monk he had met on a few occasions was on the balcony with the man and taking the brunt of his anger.
"But we have so little time," Seem pleaded. "The Day Star approaches! You know what it brings."
"Unfortunate, yes," the man pretended to be thoughtful, "we will deal with that as soon as I have full access to the catacombs. Just continue your work, and I'll deal with those idiots in Haven."
The man turned to leave the balcony but stopped for one last remark, "I promise you will meet your makers!"
Seem bowed to the unknown man and followed him off of the balcony into an adjacent, unseen chamber.
Once Jak was sure the coast was clear he turned back to Erin.
"Who were they?" She asked. Jak noticed that her face was still slightly flushed.
"The woman is a monk named Seem, and the other… never seen him before."
Erin nodded and sat silent for a moment.
"Is something wrong?" Jak asked.
"Hm? No, it's just that I remembered that I have no idea what has been going on since I left. How long was I gone?" Erin asked.
Jak had to be sure he had control of his voice when he answered. "One year."
She turned to him with a stunned expression, "I was gone that long?" She pushed her back against the wall and slid down into a sitting position.
Erin sat and stared at the statue of the Oracle, Jak kneeled down beside her. "Erin," Jak started, "where have you been all this time?" Perhaps that was a question he should have asked sooner, but he was just too occupied with getting her to the Oracle, now that that was done it was the time to answer questions.
"The Precursor's sent me back to my own time so I could be healed and be safe." She answered. "Wait," she said, "I was only back at my home time for two months."
She started thinking about it. Her father's calculations must have been off, slightly. If she hadn't been in such a hurry to get back she may have spared Jak most of the pain. If she had reappeared not long after she left it would have been like she never left. She felt a pang of guilt at causing Jak more pain than was necessary.
Erin broke herself out of her chain of thought, she couldn't change what happen so it was better not to linger on it. She grabbed Jak's hand and squeezed it, "I'm sorry I couldn't come back sooner."
Jak squeezed her hand back, reassuring her. "You're here now, that's all that matters."
Erin smiled and looked up at Jak. He took her hand and pulled her to her feet and stole a quick kiss. "Don't linger on it, okay?"
Jak noticed Erin's cheeks turn slightly pink, she just nodded in answer. "Where's Daxter?" Erin asked, completely out of nowhere.
"He's back at Haven City, why?" Jak was wondering what brought up the little orange ottsel.
"At least he wasn't here to witness our little make-out session, or we wouldn't have heard the end of it," she commented, trying not to blush even more.
Jak laughed, the first real and unforced laugh he had had in a long time. "No kidding!"
Their hands slid apart slowly as they made their way back to the staircase that led back up. "How did you end up in the Wasteland, Jak, did the Baron finally catch you and banish you?"
Jak laughed again, "No, I crashed, Praxis is dead, and Ashelin is the new ruler of Haven City."
Erin looked at him, "Really? I missed a lot." She seemed to think of something important, "What happened to Kor, he was--"
"-- A Metal Head, I know. And I know he attacked you, now." Jak quietly found her hand and gave it another squeeze, as if assuring himself that she was really there with him.
"What happened to him?" Her voice seemed slightly angry at thinking about Kor.
"He's dead."
"How did you find out he was a Metal Head?" Erin asked, full of questions.
Jak answered every question she had. He explained how Praxis was killed by Kor right in front of his eyes, and how Jak had fought Kor but he managed to get away. He explained that after Praxis' death, Ashelin took control of the city while Jak went to finish off Kor.
"You went into the Metal Head nest, with only your morph-gun and NO backup?!" Erin demanded, apparently not happy about his stunt.
"Well…yeah." Jak answered reluctantly, she didn't seem to like his admittance.
"Are you crazy? You could have got yourself killed!"
Jak sighed, he had heard that from every person he knew since he lived through the experience. "I'm fine, Erin."
That didn't seem to calm her, "Don't do anything like that again, okay?"
Jak finally agreed, but after some prodding from Erin.
They had reached the outer chamber of the Temple when Jak thought he saw some movement out of the corner of his eye. He pulled his morph-gun from his back and signaled for Erin to stay back, she didn't have a weapon. Jak walked over to where he saw the movement and kicked over a pot that was sitting there. A kanga-rat jumped out from behind the pot, shrieked, and ran for it.
Erin laughed and walked over to join him. He didn't turn to greet her, he seemed transfixed on symbols on the wall. Erin read them to see what got him worried.
Jak had seen the first part of the poem before, but this one was complete. The part that he knew was:
Together in darkness; the darkness first;
The heart shall bloom when times seem worst.
Amid the darkness the light shall grow;
The power of heart it shall show.
A balance met, of dark and light;
Born in heart and strength of might.
Together the two shall end the strife;
Between that of death and life.
Together to start, together to end;
Together all worlds they shall mend.
The day when dark and light co-in-side;
The day when past and future collide.
But after that was more, the missing piece to the words he had found in Mar's tomb. The remaining lines were:
Born together, but not blood;
they shall stop the darkened flood.
One born onto a king un-throned;
The other born to a family disowned.
The two who are born under a rogue star;
Both, to be kept safe, are sent to worlds afar.
In time to be kept safe, in hiding they must wait;
Until they are to face their unknown fate.
During the time that darkness grows;
They shall bring the circle to a close.
The day when dark and light co-in-side;
The day when past and future collide.
"What is it, Jak?" Erin asked.
"I've seen this poem before, in Mar's tomb," Jak answered. "I've heard the Oracle say the line 'past and future collide' before."
"I wonder what it means," Erin stated.
A lone thought penetrated Jak's mind, could this poem be about him and Erin?
Jak pulled himself out of his thoughts and turned to Erin. "We better get you back to the palace before you are missed."
They talked about anything and everything on the way back to Spargus. Erin was surprised to find out that Jak was in the Krimson Guard, and that Torn was now the leader of the KG. She was amazed by how much could change in one year. Jak also answered any questions Erin had about what had changed.
Erin told Jak about her family and friends back in her time, and Jak was surprised that she chose to leave them behind.
Both of them felt the drive was too short. They had parked the Hopper back where it belonged and now stood on the stairs to the palace. The sky was still dark, but they both knew that it wouldn't be long before the first light of morning tinged the western sky. They both knew that they should go their separate ways before they got caught, but it was fast becoming an unwelcome option.
They must have said goodbye ten times by now, but neither of them was willing to take the first step away from the other. They had several times agreed to meet at Jak's small hut any time they got the chance. They even decided their next course of action, getting back to Haven City.
"I'm really going this time," Erin said, still not making a move to leave.
"Okay, I'll see you as soon as I can," Jak assured her. He didn't know how long Damas would hold a grudge against them for 'defiling the Arena.'
"Okay," Erin stated, still not moving.
Jak rubbed her hands with his, savoring every moment they had together.
"Okay, I'm going." She stepped forward and gave Jak a goodbye kiss. They both got caught up in the moment, making the kiss last much longer than it was meant to.
They each savored the kiss. When they finally pulled away they both still didn't want to leave the other. Perhaps kissing wasn't the best way to say goodbye.
The first rays of light cut across the desert and made them realize they had spent much more time than they should have.
"I'll see you soon," Erin whispered urgently as she quickly and quietly ran up the stairs to the entrance of the palace. Her overly large pajamas ruffled slightly in the breeze.
Jak waited long after she was lost to his sight, and finally turned around and descended the few steps he had climbed. He should get some sleep if it was at all possible.
Damas had watched the entire exchange between the two from his balcony. Every morning he would be out on his balcony, it was like a meditation to him. Jak and Erin just happened to say goodbye right under him.
Jak and Erin could be in big trouble if he wished it. Jak had helped Erin escape the palace, deliberately disobeying his orders, but Damas just smiled as the sun rose up before him. It wasn't so long ago he was love sick after his late wife. He would have done anything to make sure she had everything she needed.
No, he wouldn't punish them any further. Truth be told Jak reminded Damas of himself when he was younger.
If only I knew where my son is… Damas thought as he turned away from the brilliant sunrise back into his personal quarters.
Author's Notes: Yay! Finally finished it! Stupid prom takes up too much time! LOL! Well, Please review and tell me what you think of this chappy!!