Chapter Twelve:
The Core
Lying on his bed at Krimson Guard headquarters, Jak watched the dark ceiling. He had to keep on his back, because placing his head on the pillow caused him pain. Every part of his head hurt, but the back of it hurt most. Krew had hit him in the head hard the previous day, and more than once. His headache lasted well into the night, keeping him from getting any sleep. Also, Jak had spent the night worrying about Erin. There was no doubt that Krew would go back on his word, once Jak led Cass to the catacombs Krew would kill Erin.
There was no doubt in Jak's mind, he couldn't trust Krew. He was going to have to do something drastic, and before Erin got hurt more than she had already. A pang of guilt hit Jak in the gut, he had wanted nothing more than to kill Krew for hitting her. What hurt most was that it was his fault. Jak would have gladly taken the punishment, but Krew knew that it wouldn't make him talk. If he had been more careful when in Spargus, he wouldn't have been found out. If he had waited longer to be sure that Cass was asleep before he left, Erin wouldn't have that horrible cut on her face.
Somehow, Jak was going to get Erin out of Krew's clutches. He needed to, before Krew decided it wasn't worth the effort and just kill her.
What could Jak do? Once he led Cass to the catacombs, he would contact his boss to inform him of their success. Perhaps if he took Cass out before he could contact Krew… or maybe the communicators wouldn't work inside the planet. Jak thought that it was a pretty good possibility that Cass would have to wait until they had reached the catacombs and back. If he killed Cass, Jak would have to hurry back to the Krimson Guards headquarters and take Torn with many troopers to capture Krew before he did anything to Erin.
Jak felt slightly better now that he had a plan. Once they reached the catacombs, Cass would be in for a surprise. He rolled over on his side and looked out the window. There wasn't even the slightest hint that the sun would be coming up soon. Jak thought he would go crazy if he stayed up one more night like the last week, making himself sick with worrying about Erin and guilt for getting her into the situation. Sometimes it made him want to pull out his own hair, perhaps the pain would make him forget, if only for a moment.
Quickly Jak moved from his bed, knowing that he couldn't lie there one more minute for fear of driving himself mad. He turned on his light. The change from darkness left him blinded for a moment until his eyes adjusted. He looked around, searching for something to keep him busy until he led Cass, the spy, into the Palace.
His eyes fell upon his morph gun. Thinking that cleaning it would be better than nothing, and it had been a long time since he had last oiled it, he grabbed the weapon and moved over to the small desk near the window. Placing the object that had saved his and Erin's lives countless times before him, he set to work on cleaning and oiling, for it would very well be needed once he reached the catacombs. If he was lucky, Jak could catch Cass off guard, and there wouldn't be much of a fight.
First, Jak removed the leather grip set into the handle. It was almost as hard as rock and just as filthy. He scrubbed and oiled it until the usual brown-honey color shown through. It did take some time, but when he was finished the grip looked like it did when he first put it on the gun. Next, Jak removed all the different mod capsules, carefully cleaning them as he went. After that task was done, he removed the trigger casing and cleaned it, for he had noticed that it was starting to stick whenever he went to fire. He should have cleaned it long ago, but he had been too busy.
Removing the trigger casing was a delicate job, just as cleaning it was, but once it was finished Jak could feel that the stickiness when he pulled the trigger had gone. Definitely would be better for the inevitable battle between him and Cass.
Slowly Jak moved from one task to another, cleaning the clip intake and barrel of the gun, amongst other things. Soon the morph gun lay before him, fully assembled and looking as new as the day it was given to him.
The morning light was just starting to appear in the sky, announcing the soon-to-appear sun. Jak wiped the cleaning oil from his hands and moved about the room, gathering anything that could be needed for the coming day. Such as green eco packs and any ammo that he could gather. There was no way of telling what would happen once they reached the core of the planet, so he wanted to be ready for anything he could think of.
Jak placed everything he could fit into his small pockets and pouches attached to his belt. He then placed the like-new morph gun in its customary place upon his back. Moving from his room to the hallway, Jak looked around expectantly for Cass, who would be prowling close by. Jak was almost amazed that he wasn't just standing just outside his door. Quickly Jak moved to the entryway of headquarters, and, sure enough, Cass was there.
When Jak approached, he noticed that something seemed amiss about Cass today. He looked tired, small circles had formed under his eyes, as if he hadn't gotten much sleep. I wonder why… Jak thought. But he concluded that Krew had ordered Cass to keep an eye on him all night, in case he tried to sneak out again for some reason. Whatever the reason, Jak knew it would work to his advantage. When a person is tired they become sluggish and slow-witted. Of course Jak had his own problems with sleeping, but ever since gaining his light powers, he could call upon them to refresh himself. Perhaps it wasn't as good as sleep, but it was better than nothing.
"Ready?" Jak asked, suddenly in a good mood since things were going his way, if not totally.
Cass just nodded, no snappy or cocky comment, no irate 'about time' statement. He remained blissfully quiet. Jak just led the way out of headquarters, Cass following a few steps behind. The sun was turning the sky very bright by this time, but the streets were still empty. Ever since the assassination attempt on Ashelin, most people were afraid again, like the time when the Baron ruled with an iron fist. Most would stay in their houses if they could help it, but those who couldn't didn't stay out for long.
This fear consumed them, but it was much different then the fear that Praxis had used. The Baron had been unfair, dragging people from their homes and recruiting them into the Krimson Guard. Any able person had feared to walk the streets. He used the war with the Metal Heads to keep his people in line, constantly preaching through the city's broadcast system, telling the people how much they needed him. Without him, the Metal Heads would have won long ago. Without him, the city's walls would have fallen. Without him, there would be no order. Baron Praxis was a smart man, for he also used mystery to keep his place of power. Anyone who stood against him would disappear without a trace, never to be seen again. It kept the people in line, fear, and only fear.
Jak, of course, knew where the missing people had gone to. Dragged in the dead of night to the Fortress where they were 'accepted' into the secretive "Dark Warrior Program." Most had suffered a slow and painful death at the hands of the Baron's second-in-command, Erol. It would have been more humane to just shoot the poor souls, but Baron Praxis wasn't a merciful man. Countless had gone in, only two had come out.
The fear that wrapped the populace today was much different. It was that of insecurity. If the Baroness, leader of the city, wasn't safe, how safe could her people be? But this time, the people were no longer afraid to speak out. They demanded answers from the Krimson Guard and their sickly Baroness, answers that hadn't been found. Well, hadn't been told, because Jak knew the answers but was forbidden to speak of them.
Which, Jak knew, caused a problem for Ashelin. She had been absent from the public's eye for some time, which made the people fearful. It reminded them of Praxis, who would run the city of his own accord and to hell with it's people. Ashelin had gained the people's trust by always announcing her decisions publicly, but now that she was forced to rest from the after effects of the deadly poison, she had been removed from the public's sight. Jak couldn't blame the people for their inability to trust the city's leader. How many years had they lived under the brutal eye of Baron Praxis? It had only been a year since the change of leadership, so, naturally, they still had doubts.
Today, Jak was going to finally visit the Palace. The first time he had since Ashelin had first been poisoned. If he hadn't had other things to worry about, he would have visited her sooner. Erin's safety was his utmost concern. He was going to speak with Ashelin, pretending to come and see her about her health and how she's been doing, when actually they just needed a legitimate reason for being in the Palace. After the meeting with the Baroness, Jak was going to head for the secret door that led to the ancient entrance to the catacombs under the Palace.
Cass and Jak each grabbed a zoomer and flew over to the Palace. Jak would have liked to go at full speed, but it may make him look suspicious, which wouldn't do if they were going to be sneaking around in the Palace. It wouldn't look too good if they were caught, they both probably would be captured as spies, when only one of them was.
At least they'd be half right, Jak thought dryly as he moved from the zoomer to the stairway that led to the main entrance of the giant, towering building. If they did get caught at least Cass would be out of the way, Jak continued, but it wouldn't do Erin any good for me to be locked up. Jak just pushed the thought out of his mind and ascended the stairs.
At the top, the pair was greeted by the chief of security. He was a short, stout man, perhaps in his mid-thirties. He looked gruff, perhaps under a lot of pressure from the people of the city, many were blaming him for what happened to the Baroness, but Jak knew better.
After a short conversation, Jak and Cass were allowed to enter. Jak noticed that the days of the open-door policy were over. Just like the Baron during his reign, he allowed only those with the security clearances to enter. Another thing that worried the people because it reminded them of Praxis.
They entered the Palace to find it deserted, other than the fact that all the major chambers had Krimson Guards stationed at the doors. Slowly they made their way through the guarded chambers to the throne room. The great doors opened, revealing Ashelin sitting on her throne.
Jak entered, but as they approached, he realized how sickly she still looked. Her face was pale, her eyes shadowed, and she looked like she had lost some weight. Her usual tone self was softer, do to the poison that had eaten away at her. When she spoke, Jak was shocked that even her voice had lost it's strength.
"Jak, it's been some time since you last visited me. It is good to see you," Ashelin went through the usual greetings, she had to bother with the pleasantry because she now ran an entire city. When she was just a Krimson Guard her strong, blunt nature pushed past the boundary of pleasantry, like when Jak first met her. Jak would've almost preferred her course, old self to this weak, sick Ashelin that sat before him.
"How are you feeling?" Jak asked, still in shock from her appearance.
"As well as can be expected," she answered quickly, obviously many people asked her the same question. Her answer seemed automatic. She made a quick glance over at Cass, then returned her gaze to Jak. "What is it that you wished to speak to me about?"
Jak could have almost smiled, after her required banter she got strait to the point, but the situation was to dire. He had brought the spy who had attempted to kill her. Cass was standing before Ashelin, but she hadn't the slightest idea that he was her would-be murderer. If Jak brought that to her attention it would keep Cass out of the way…
At the look on Ashelin's face, Jak realized he hadn't answered. He had left his physical being, thinking deeply about the dangers of revealing Cass outright. Deciding against it, for he wanted to take Cass on his own, Jak finally answered her. "I have come with a plan," he voiced simply.
"What kind of plan?" Ashelin asked, all her attention focused on Jak, ignoring Cass completely.
"I want to see where our Krimson Guards are being taken," Jak started, but Ashelin interrupted.
"How do you know that any of them are still alive?"
Though her body was weak, Jak could see that her mind was as sharp as ever. That was a good sign. "We still haven't found any bodies," Jak answered smoothly.
Ashelin only nodded. "I want to set a trap," Jak continued, "get those who are responsible for the disappearance of many of our officers to come to us. If we could let one of our officers seem unprotected, they would no doubt take the chance to diminish our forces."
"And what if they just dragged him away and killed him?" Ashelin asked. Jak was happy to see a small amount of color flood back into her skin. Perhaps talking business again made her forget about her poor condition. "I do not wish to risk the lives of what officers I have left."
Jak nodded, knowing that Ashelin was nothing like her father, who would have gladly killed half the people in the city as long as those who opposed him were wiped out. "It would be dangerous," Jak conceded, "but if we used someone who could be of help to them and their cause, they wouldn't dare kill him. They would want to use our own techniques against us."
Ashelin pondered Jak's proposal for several minutes, no doubt going over a simulation in her mind, trying to find the faults. "Is there someone you suggest we use as bait?"
"Vin," Jak said as he fought the urge to smile. Vin is going to kill me after this. "They wouldn't dare kill him, not if they want to have any chance of doing whatever they have planned. They would need him to enter the Palace unnoticed, and they know it."
A ghost of a smile pulled at Ashelin's lips, probably thinking about how Vin would take the news of his newest mission. "Very well," Ashelin spoke, "we must get word to him in the Wasteland…"
"No problem," Jak cut across smoothly. Quickly he removed the updated communicator from his belt, the one his father had given him, and hailed Vin. It took nearly ten seconds for an answer, no doubt the distance that separated them played a major part.
"Yeah?" Vin answered, sounding slightly irritated. Jak probably had interrupted him while he was working on something he deemed important.
"Vin, we need you back here in Haven," Jak spoke slowly, "we have a mission for you."
"Great!" Vin answered, his voice dripping in sarcasm. "It's not like I don't have enough things to worry about… Building defenses for two cities, it's not easy, I tell you!"
"Vin," Jak refuted, stifling a laugh, "It's important."
"Yeah, yeah," Vin answered, "I'll be there tomorrow."
With an audible thump, Jak knew that Vin had slammed his communicator down. Vin had always hated being out in the field working, he would much rather set things up for others. Jak gave a shrug as he looked back up at Ashelin. Jak gave a mental apology to Vin, but if things went as planned in the catacombs there would be no reason to put Vin in any danger. Having put his guilt to rest, Jak returned his attention to Ashelin. "We shall meet tomorrow, then?" He asked, not wanting to waste any more time. They needed to get to the catacombs.
Ashelin looked at him for a moment, as if she was pondering something. After a pause, she nodded her head.
As Jak led the way out of the chamber, Ashelin couldn't control a feeling of suspicion she had. Jak moved out, followed by Cass. Why hadn't he inquired about Erin? Ashelin wondered. All the times that Jak had been without Erin he had asked endless questions, what are you doing to find her? Have you any news? Strangely enough, these expected questions were notably absent from this conversation.
Before she could go into any depth of thought, she caught something in the corner of her eye. With remembered reflex, Ashelin drew the pistol hanging at her hip and pointed it to the unwelcome visitor who had managed to get inside the Palace, despite her many precautions. The shadow froze, still hiding behind a nearby pillar.
"Show yourself!" Ashelin demanded, her voice much stronger than she felt.
The large shadow stepped forward in a harmless gesture, hands raised. "Hang on, chili pepper, I mean you no harm."
The big, burly man that Ashelin recognized immediately stepped from the shadows. Many times when she was still a Krimson Guard under her father's command had they crossed paths. Ashelin attempting arrest for working with the dirty crime underbelly of the city, and Sig always finding a way to evade capture, tempting her all the while. When she had seen him with Jak and Erin as emissaries to King Damas, Ashelin had wisely ignored his presence, and Sig had wisely dispatched with his usual taunts. If she had arrested him then and there, it wouldn't have looked too good to the city that she was trying to befriend, but it didn't lessen the desire to lock up this man now.
As if mirroring her thoughts, Sig spoke, "Wishing you had locked me up when you had the chance?" His voice was light and mocking, as it always was when speaking to her. It was like a game to him, which irritated Ashelin to no end.
"What are you doing sneaking around in my palace?" Ashelin demanded, finally finding her tongue after her state of shock. Her pistol still raised to his heart, steady and sure against her skin.
Sig didn't answer at first, moving slowly closer to the throne and lowering his hands. He made sure to keep his hands away from the large weapon strapped to his back. "I was in the neighborhood, so I took the liberty of testing your Palace's defenses. Very poor, I must say."
Not only was the infuriating man insinuating that she needed to be checked up on, he was also insulting the security she employed in her own palace! What nerve! "Guards!" She yelled in a fury.
The doors at the entrance of the chamber burst open. Sig raised an eyebrow and smirked, "I hadn't realized that backup was your style. From what I've seen, you usually work alone. You know, if I had been after blood, your guards wouldn't have had time to reach you."
His lightness of the situation drove her over the edge. "You think you can do a better job?" She practically yelled. She hated how this…criminal managed to get under her skin so easily.
"Immensely," he continued to smirk.
The guards who had finally arrived looked at her expectantly. "Get me the head of security," she ordered a little too harshly. One of them scurried off. Within a minute he reappeared, the head of security in tow.
"Yes, your majesty?" He asked.
Without speaking, Ashelin forced her weak legs to do her bidding as she moved from the throne. Thankfully, they cooperated. She moved forward and removed the small clip on his jacket that indicated him as head of security. She then moved before Sig, intentionally pricking him with the pin before she secured it. The only hint that he gave that she had stabbed him was a slight twitch of the mocking grin on his face.
Ashelin then moved back to her seat, least her legs give out on her, which she would rather die than to show weakness before this…criminal. Once she had reached her seat, she turned to Sig, the ex-head of security, and the waiting guards. "You are dismissed," she ordered shortly.
Once the group had left, Ashelin gave herself a rye grin, placing her face in her hands. Had she really just employed that irritating man?
Following the vision that the Oracle had given him, Jak quickly found the secret door inside the Palace which led to the catacombs. If he hadn't known where to look, he would never have noticed it. Glancing back, Jak saw Cass just steps behind him. He was rather quiet, and Jak hoped that it was only because of his exhaustion. Circling down, down, down the staircase, they finally reached a junction where it leveled out.
The metal walls turned to that of Precursor design, and Jak knew they were heading in the right direction. The air was cooler this far underground, it was quite refreshing.
"Finally, some progress," was the only thing that Cass said. They reached a large door made of Precursor metal, which opened as they approached. Inside was a large, wide chamber. Jak entered in awe, he couldn't imagine building something like this underground, granted, the Precursors had unimaginable powers at their disposal. They had tunneled to the core of the planet, after all.
Moving into the huge chamber, the two were stopped by a floating white spirit.
"Great Warrior," the Oracle spoke, "In your hour of need, we grant you one of the last powers we can bestow. Look into the light."
Jak did so instinctively. The light seemed to consume him for a moment, but when his feet touched the ground again, he was his old self, with a new power at his command, the Light Shield. It would definitely come in handy for the inevitable showdown between Cass and him once they reached the core of the planet.
"What did he say?" Cass asked. Jak was glad that the Precursors chose not to speak to him, for it could be very bad.
"He showed me how to proceed," Jak lied easily. "We have to take that," he pointed.
Cass turned to the ancient transport, dubious. It hovered a few feet from the ground, it's metal shell reflecting off the many lights in the chamber. "How do we know it won't fall apart?" He asked, not trusting something that was doubtlessly centuries old.
"Many of the Precursor machines still work," was all Jak said. Not really answering Cass's question. Moving swiftly, Jak entered the drivers seat and familiarized himself with the controls. Cass reluctantly climbed into the passengers seat, still refusing to trust in such old and unused machinery. Jak just smirked, reveling in Cass's obvious discomfort.
Without warning, Jak slammed his foot on the accelerator. The force of acceleration thrust Cass back into his seat, hard. He let out a curse, but Jak didn't slow. They shot forward into the large tunnel, which was more like a giant tube. Jak found that with such speed, he could even drive upside down, which caused Cass much discomfort. The lights of the tunnel flashed by like a blur, and Jak knew that he had never gone so fast in his life. Jak had to keep his wits about him, because even though these tunnels were built by the Precursors, their technology wasn't infallible. In many places the large tunnel had collapsed in places, leaving a dead drop to certain death. Jak even scared himself a few times.
The ride was a rush, even to Jak who had spent much time behind the wheel in races. The many lights in the tunnel made a kaleidoscope of color, which distracted pleasantly from the dangerous drive. Jak could see Cass out of the corner of his eye, he was clutching the seat as if it was the only thing keeping him alive. A malicious smile tugged at the corner of Jak's lips, and he drove faster.
Suddenly the track ended before him. In the other cases, he was driving fast enough to jump the gap and reconnect with the track, but this time there was no track to jump to. Thinking that the entire tunnel must have collapsed, Jak thought he had killed himself. They were racing to their deaths.
The momentum of the vehicle slowed in midair, Jak looked around, the tunnel hadn't collapsed, they had reached their destination. A flooding relief filled his veins as they were lowered to the giant platform below them. Enormous, unknown machinery started powering up as they passed, sending dazzling light dancing across the center of the planet. It was amazing how short of time it took to reach the thousands of miles to the core! Jak couldn't begin to guess how fast he'd been going…
The tractor beam which had caught them lowered them to the enormous platform. Jak and Cass both exited, staring in awe at the sheer size of the whirling rings before them. Cass stepped forward first.
"I have finally done it!" He spoke triumphantly. "I have reached the place that most said didn't exist!" He laughed hysterically, and Jak got a terrible feeling of foreboding. He hadn't said 'I've done what Krew asked,' there was something personal in this for Cass.
Cass continued, as if he had forgotten Jak was there. "They thought I was crazy, but who's laughing now?!"
By his laugh, Jak could tell he was crazy. Without a sound, Jak reached for the newly cleaned weapon from his back. Just as his fingers grasped the grip, Cass turned and fired.
A large explosion erupted from the gun, it was a mode that Jak had never seen before. Not quite knowing how he managed it, he erected his Light Shield just before the grenade reached him. The explosion struck the shield, sending Jak sprawling. He quickly jumped back up to his feet, weapon in hand, not letting Cass know that the wind had been knocked out of him.
Jak was given the chance to regain his breath as Cass continued. "You are the only thing standing in my way. I shall rule this world, and all those in it."
"Tired of receiving orders, I take it?" Jak breathed.
Cass laughed, "You think I would let Krew give up such a priceless treasure for so little a price? He has no vision!" Cass yelled, as if condemning Krew's lack of forethought. "He only sought this place as repayment for the man who saved his worthless ass from a slow death in prison. Veger, on the other had, sees only leverage over the government of Haven. They are both fools," Cass concluded. "They have not searched, as I have, they have not heard the myths."
With a sweeping hand which incorporated the entire core, Cass rambled on. "This place is the Precursor's place of power! Every Precursor technology runs on what resides here, to be the master of such technologies… it is godlike!"
Jak could now see the true Cass. He wasn't a man who would work for anyone if he was paid, he had a deeper agenda. He was after much more than money. He wasn't following Krew's orders like a patient lapdog, he had only gotten close to Krew because he had connections. He was playing both sides of the power struggle in the city for his own gain, waiting for the day where he would find a way to reach the mysterious catacombs, and the core of the planet. Yet again Jak was forced to see Cass in a different light. A light that he hadn't anticipated.
"Godlike?" Jak scoffed. "Only a truly mental person could claim they were a god!"
Cass's eyes narrowed dangerously. He raised his weapon and fired some shots, Jak quickly skirted the explosions. Having missed, Cass bellowed in anger. Jak returned fire, but Cass was quick. After they stopped firing, they circled each other like prey and victim. Their weapons still raised, each waiting for their opponent to make the first move.
"You are just as foolish as Krew and Veger," Cass spoke with disdain. "I have heard stories about you. Like a pathetic child you hide your darker self, terrified of the power given to you! You and the girl both!"
"Do not speak of Erin!" Jak yelled back. He couldn't tolerate him speaking of her.
Cass smirked dangerously, realizing that he had hit a pressure point. "I hadn't realized you were intimately involved," he spoke jeeringly. "I have to admit she's a fine looking peace of…"
"Shut up!" Jak bellowed over the end of Cass's sentence, raising his morph gun a fraction higher.
"…And her skin," Cass continued, ignoring Jak's warning, "so soft."
The intimacy of which his words suggested threw Jak over the edge. "I'll kill you for touching her!" Jak fired repeatedly, like a madman, not thinking of his own safety. Erin, Erin, Erin! Jak thought desperately, guiltily. What have I done, what have I gotten you into? Just the thought of Cass touching her made his heart bleed with sorrow, pain, and guilt. He fleetingly remembered her fighting Erol when they had been in prison. Was Cass just speaking about Erin like that to throw him into a rage, or had he really touched her like the way he insinuated? Jak couldn't voice his question, for he was afraid of the answer. Cass had done so many terrible things, would he force himself on Erin?
Without consciously knowing of it, Jak slipped into his darker form. The purple electricity shot out of his body like never before, even his darker self was angry at the possibility of Erin being hurt so terribly. Jak's dark half was always in a rage, but this time it was so consuming his agility doubled, as did his speed. As a blur, he raced across the distance separating them, and in a flash released a devastating dark bomb, much more powerful than any before.
Cass flew through the air, skidded countless feet across the platform, until he hit his back against an obstruction. Jak returned to his normal form as Cass rose shakily to his feet, weaponless. Jak had a great advantage now, but couldn't understand why Cass hadn't simply died from the force of his power. Cass noticed Jak's advantage as well, which he acknowledged with a hysterical laugh. Weaponless and defeated, the man laughed as if it was all a great joke.
"See how much stronger you can be?" He asked, as if Jak could see his point. "Those with the affinity to control eco deserve dominance over the rest!" He yelled.
Jak felt as if he could see the answer behind the man's madness, but it didn't seem possible. He couldn't be…
"Do you see now, Jak?" Cass smiled like a child who was holding a secret from his best friend. "I am just like you."
With the telltale flash of purple energy, Cass transformed into something he shouldn't possibly be able to. Lunging, he cleared the distance between him and Jak. Dropping his weapon, Jak transformed back into his dark self and warded off Cass's heavy blows. Circling again, the dark beings lashed out at each other. Lunging back, Jak managed to knock Dark Cass back.
Laughing, Cass turned back to normal. Jak followed suit, but only because his stores of dark eco were drained. His emotions, his whole body, was drained. He found it hard to make himself breathe. Somehow Cass had undergone the experiments the Baron had introduced, and managed to survive. How could he go all this time without being found out? By Praxis, or anyone? There were so many unanswered questions, but no time for answers.
"Are you shocked, Jak?" Cass asked mockingly. "The foolish guard in the prison thought I was dead and tossed me out like trash. He was surprised, too, when I tracked him down and took my vengeance. Thinking it was best that my name remained dead, I took his place amongst the Guard, under the Baron himself. I never liked that you took out vengeance against him before I had managed it." His voice grew into a vicious snarl. "But before I deal with you, I have some other business to attend to. Krew will be waiting for my report, and I'm sure it won't be what he's expecting."
With a final laugh, Cass turned and jumped into the obstruction, which turned out to be a teleportation device. Jak ran towards it, to follow, but the white spirit of the Oracle appeared before him.
"Stop!" It ordered, "The day star is here, we must defeat the Dark Makers. You must teleport to their ship and disable it."
"How?" Jak asked, thinking quickly.
"This portal will take you wherever you wish to go," it answered simply.
Where did he wish to go? Save Erin, or the whole world? Defeat the dark makers, or save the woman he loved? Approaching the portal, Jak's mind was a jumble, not knowing where to go. Never before had he felt so lost. Never before had he desperately sought guidance. If he chose Erin, it could be the end of the world, but if he chose the world, it could be the death of his heart.
Just a step away from the portal, Jak's mind raced. Erin? All people? Light? Dark? Love? Pain? Life? Death? Touching the portal, his eyes went dark, closed, not wishing to know what the true choice had been, choosing to wait until the pull of his body had stopped. Only then would he open his eyes to see what he had chosen. Only then.
Author's Notes: There it is, another chapter for your reading pleasure. With the predicted 'manly battle' that was mentioned. Of course, there shall be more to come. What did you think of that little twist with Cass, eh? LOL, review!