A/N: Annnnd after that bombshell, we time-jump again...Also, Silver: go back and read the bold-italicised quote at the end of the last chapter, which makes it very clear that Ashelin was most definitely killed after "Jak X". Meanwhile, Chapter 10. Read, review (50 words!) or no Chapter 11. ~ Mika

Roughly 20 years later. Before "Deny Thy Father..."

Regret was rooted deep in the younger man's voice. "I have to let you go, Sig."

"I know,"

"She'll..."

A swallow. His Adam's apple bobbed nervously in his throat as he lowered his voice.

"She will find your family, Sig! She'll kill them and then hunt for you. Precursors know – "

The wave of a hand. "I know. I just don't wanna leave the little one."

Zainen bit the insides of his cheeks, knowing Sig was talking about Nelyn. "I know...Sh-she'll be fine. I'll get in contact with Torn, see if – "

"Zay, you do realise Jak ain't been seen around these parts for almost a decade and a half now?"

"But he is alive, he is looking for his surviving child, and he will find her. Alive, Sig. I'll make sure of it myself."

Sig gave his friend a look.

Zainen widened his eyes. "I'll protect Nelyn from her! Really, I will!"

"I don't need protecting," a cynical female voice interjected. Both men turned around to see a black-haired girl standing behind them, hands on hips, looking annoyed. "Especially not from that bitch,"

"Nelyn! That's no way to talk about your mother!"

"But she is, Zainen!" the young woman, just thirteen, insisted with wide green eyes. "She's...nasty. You've said so yourself that you regret marrying her!"

"Ssshh!" Zainen fiercely slapped a hand over his daughter's mouth. It didn't hurt, but the sound echoed sharply in the room. "Nel...Your mother...You cannot say anything bad about her, or even think it,"

The thirteen-year old's brow creased. "Why not?"

"She's..." Zainen licked her lips, wondering how to explain it. "You remember in History you learned about Ashelin Praxis..." His words faltered. "Give me a few minutes, yeah? I'll explain it to you. Sig – "

The older man started, but Nelyn jumped in.

"Sig, are you going?" she wanted to know. When he nodded his confirmation, she added: "Like, forever?"

There was a pause before the much older man spoke. "Yeah, Firecracker. I am,"

The teenager's heart fell, and this was clearly reflected in her face. "Why?" she asked, voice breaking.

"Because..." Sig clenched his teeth, holding back the sudden surge of emotions that Nelyn had displayed. "Because it's way too dangerous for me to be here,"

"Too dangerous?" the teenager echoed disbelievingly. "Even for you?"

"Even for me, little one," Sig said roughly. "Your mama...she..." He shrugged, extremely uncomfortable, good eye sliding to Zainen, seeking a way out.

"Will I s-see you again?" Nelyn whispered, fighting the emotion roiling up in her. She had grown up knowing Sig, coming to think of him as part of the family. For him to leave now devastated her.

Sig clenched his teeth so hard he thought they were going to crack before he replied with as much honesty as he could muster. "I-I dunno, Nelly. I might not – "

He was cut off with surprise when the already-well-built teenager locked her arms around the hardened warrior, almost clinging on to him. He softened and hugged her back, holding on tightly to her, heart breaking. As much as he hated to blow his own trumpet, he was one of two people keeping the girl on the straight and narrow. She was reckless, headstrong, wild; she hated Roah with a passion and Zainen, Precursors bless him, as nice as he was, wasn't strong enough to rein her in.

Sig was, at that point, the only one older than her who could do so. He wondered how she was going to cope with him being gone. As tough as she tried to portray herself as, she was a vulnerable girl.

"Sig, p-promise me I'll see you soon?"

Teeth clench. Look at Zainen. Make a promise you can't keep.

"Yeah, Firecracker. I'll see ya soon."

The Archduke laid a hand on his daughter's shoulder, shaking his head at Sig. Don't make that promise. Surprisingly, Nelyn retreated back towards Zainen, sobs from mouth and eyes as the Spargan King turned and walked away.

The safety of the Princess was out of Sig's hands and in the Archduke's now.

And if he messed it up, there would be hell to pay.