Hey, you know which character is surprisingly REALLY difficult to write?

Praxis.

I mean, his canon personality in Jak 2 is basically "trashcan that's on fire," so it's hard to write him in a more nuanced way. Here's hoping it isn't too bad.

Happy reading!

The days following Jak, Daxter, and Damas' excursion into the desert were strange ones. It seemed that Ionna and Seem were both eager to advance Jak's training in eco, taking up any spare time he had. Not that he minded, since there wasn't much else to do.

With the arena battles and Wasteland missions suspended, Jak found he was kind of bored. Not to mention, there was something...off about the desert city recently.

While the Spargus citizens themselves seemed as normal as they always were, there was a tension in the air. They were more suspicious, on edge. They kept their guns closer than normal; any loud sound or flash of light, and everyone nearby would jolt, ready to fight. It was almost like the people were gearing up for a war.

"The Day Star is getting closer," Seem explained as she drove. "It looms over the city, a sign of destruction growing ever so near."

She and Jak were headed to the Monk Temple for yet another dark eco lesson. He was sitting in the passenger side of the Dune Hopper, looking up at the purple splotch in the sky. "Everybody's scared, is that what you're saying?"

"I don't know about being scared," she said dryly. "I've never known a Wastelander to be afraid of anything, despite all evidence that they should be. However...they have good instincts for danger. And survival. "

She drove up the winding trail to the mountain, wet sand and rock kicking up from the wheels. Jak glanced over at her. "No luck finding that artifact, huh?"

Seem shook her head, eyes still focused on her driving. "If the Precursors are to be trusted, then it will be found precisely when it needs to be."

Jak made a noise in his throat. The unspoken question hung in the air: could they be trusted? But Seem ignored it.

"Until it is found," she continued, "our most prudent plan is to prepare you for whatever it is you might face." She skidded the buggy to a stop outside the Monk Temple. "Come. We have much to do."

Jak followed her, as usual, to the Atrium. It was becoming so familiar to him, he could probably find his way alone by now. A spot on the wall, seemingly blank, where her hand opened the way. Down a corridor of stairs and into the huge, open room.

That was, at this moment, completely dark.

The torches that usually lit the room were out. The only source of light came from the eco vents and pipes, shimmering colors that glowed eerily in the darkness.

"Ah. I forgot." Seem glanced over at Jak. "Do you have a flint?"

"Yeah." He watched her pull her own out of her pocket. As she went to light one of the torches on the left, he went right to light the ones there. "How come everything is dark?"

"The monks usually have training down here," Seem explained. "However, they are in seclusion for the next four days. I forgot they would not have been here today."

"Why do they have to be in seclusion?" He struck the flint and lit a torch on the wall. "What do they do?"

Seem sighed wearily, as if he were a tiring toddler asking too many questions. "The monks perform meditations and reflect on their service to the Precursors. During this time, they remain alone in their chambers and fast."

"How come you aren't doing it?"

The click of the flint echoed across the chamber. "I have to train you. My makers will understand if I cannot engage in the rituals I normally do. They will forgive me."

Jak continued lighting the torches around the Atrium. It was bigger than it seemed, he thought, as he paced around the room. And it seemed almost inhumanely complicated, too. He wondered where all the doors led.

He lit two torches on the wall and started to move to the next one; the carving between them, however, caught his eye. He stopped in his tracks and examined it, head tilted in wonder.

Seem lit the fire pits nearby and looked up at him. "Hurry up," she commanded. "We do not want to be too late."

Jak still stared up at the image carved into the stone. It was huge, taking up the entire height of the wall. It looked vaguely familiar to Jak, though he couldn't place from where. It looked sort of like a sunrise, with lightning bolts splitting from the sun. There were rings around the image, with strange divots lining them. He blinked, trying to recall where he'd seen it before.

Seem was still watching him. "...Are you alright?" she asked hesitantly. Jak snapped back to reality and continued going towards her, lighting the last few torches as he went.

"Yeah. Just peachy." He nodded to the carving. "What is that?"

"I'd assume it's one of the historical symbols." Seem had finished lighting the torches near her and stood in the center of the room. "Mar and his monks carved many symbols in the walls. Their meanings have long since been lost to time."

"No idea what it means?" he pressed.

She frowned at him. "None. Why so curious?"

"Nothing. Just looks familiar." He finished lighting the last torch and headed to meet her in the middle of the Atrium. "Forget I said anything."

Seem nodded, though she didn't look convinced, and sat down on the floor. "Very well. Let's begin."

He sat down across from her, cross-legged, and started the usual meditations. Deep breathing, focusing his energy, muscle relaxation. He'd done it so much recently, it was becoming second nature. Which, he realized, was probably the whole point.

After a few minutes, Seem said, "If you are prepared, we will take the next step of our training."

Jak's eyes flew open. "R-really?"

"It will be taxing," she warned. "However...I believe you will prevail."

Jak gave her a fierce grin. "Okay, let's go. I want to be able to control this, once and for all!"

Seem shot him a look. "It is nothing more than arrogance to believe that you can control dark eco," she said flatly. "Not even our Makers were capable of controlling such power."

Jak's mind took him back, what seemed like a lifetime ago. An ashen face, with sunken eyes and red pupils. A voice that rasped through the Red Sage's hut, darker and more inhuman than any he'd heard before.

"We can control it!"

Had Samos been right? Jak had always avoided comparing himself to Gol Acheron by remembering that he'd been forced to channel dark eco. That it wasn't his fault, that he couldn't control it.

Had the same thing happened to the Acherons? Had they simply lost control of something that had become a part of them, and decided to embrace it, just as he did now?

"You are conflicted," Seem continued, breaking his thoughts. "Dark eco is powerful, but to tap into that power, you must give in to it and accept it."

Jak stared at her. "You get mind reading powers with your dark eco?" he asked.

"...Dark eco is the eco of raw emotion," Seem explained. "I may not be able to read minds, but I am familiar with the emotions that come with it."

"Alright, then," Jak said. "What do I do? Because I want to use my powers, but…"

"But you are afraid you will lose control," Seem finished for him. "The first step is, to always base your powers on yourself."

"What," he asked flatly, "does that mean?"

"You are merely a vessel for the eco," she replied. "You cannot control the eco itself, but you can control yourself. Remember your meditative techniques, and ground yourself in them."

Jak nodded in understanding. Seem continued, "The second step is to determine the key emotion that dark eco brings."

"What do you mean?"

Seem inhaled softly. "When you are in the arena, your dark power manifests itself as anger and hatred. Rage and violence consume you and you lose control of yourself."

She abruptly stood up and picked a bronze bowl up from the corner. Jak watched as she siphoned some of the gaseous dark eco into the bowl and liquified it, her hands moving quickly through the air.

"But anger can stem from many other emotions." She set the bowl down on the floor and sat cross-legged beside it. She gestured for Jak to do the same. "It is rarely what you are truly feeling."

She pointed to the bowl. "I want you to focus on the eco," she commanded. "Sense it, feel it, but do not channel it."

Jak reached out his hand and focused his energy on the eco in the bowl in front of him. He could feel it, like a shadow, hovering over him. His body wanted to absorb the eco, but he kept himself from doing so.

"I can sense it," he said quietly. "Now what?"

"Describe it for me," Seem said. "How does it make you feel, what comes to your mind?"

To his mind? A part of him wanted to answer rage, bloodlust, anger, and death. But instead, another emotion seized him. One he'd tamped down, deep inside himself, boxed away.

Keira's face when they'd reunited in Haven City. Samos' voice when he asked what had happened to Jak. Ashelin's half-hearted objections to Veger when he'd been banished.

"Hurt." His voice seemed to echo in the Atrium, reminding him how alone the two of them really were. "I feel...hurt."

It went deeper than that. It was betrayal and rejection and loss. A childish feeling of abandonment, that he had been thrown away and dismissed so easily by those he cared about.

"Jak. Take a deep breath." Seem put a hand over his fist, and he realized he'd been shaking. "Focus on that feeling. What negates it?"

What negated it? Nothing, he thought bitterly. They'd all abandoned him, left him to rot in prison and die in the desert. No one ever tried to save him, no one ever tried to help him. They were all just a bunch of—!

"You are letting your pain get the better of you!" Seem said suddenly, her voice harsh enough to yank him out of his turmoil. "Dark eco latches onto our most negative emotions and amplifies them. You must prove to yourself that there are other emotions! That feeling of hurt you have, it is not the only one you feel."

He took a deep breath, trying to focus on the meditation he'd done before. Something that negated his feelings…

Well, there was Daxter, of course. He'd always come through for Jak, even if it was with complaints and sarcastic remarks. To Misty Island, to the Baron's prison, to the Wasteland itself.

And...and Tess. Tess, who'd spoken up for him when he'd been unable to speak for himself.

Sig, who had refused to fight against Jak, even if it risked his own life.

Damas, who'd given him so many chances at redemption, and praised him all the way.

Ionna, who'd saved his life, then taught him more than he could ever learn on his own.

Even Seem, who was here now, teaching him to keep his darkness at bay.

"Good," Seem murmured. "Do you see? The eco will try to trick you, to convince you that the worst emotion is the most important. But you must be ready to tell yourself the truth, and to believe it."

She stood up and he did the same. "You're going to transform again," she said. "I will overload you with eco. This time, focus on your emotions. Recognize the negative emotion attached to the dark eco, and block it out with the positive emotions."

It sounded a bit strange, if Jak was being honest. A little too much like some new-age Havenite nonsense. But he was willing to give it a shot.

"Are you prepared?" Seem asked, her hands outstretched, ready to move the dark eco towards him.

Jak tensed, bracing himself. "Ready."

With a flick of her wrist, Seem sent dark eco streaming into him. He felt the rough, harsh bitterness slam into him, coursing through him. It sent him into the usual transformation, but he was prepared this time.

For the first time, he was aware of the sudden rush of emotion. The eco crackled over his skin, sinking in and seizing his whole being. He felt that sinking feeling, a bad memory, and felt his fangs push into his lips.

Jak growled as the hurt and shame washed over him. He pictured his friends, memories of Daxter's loud mouth and Tess' bright smile, of Damas' teachings and Sig's nicknames.

And he began to change back.

His claws receded, his eyes lightened to their usual blue. Panting, he did as Seem taught him: he focused on his breathing. Eventually, he felt the last bit of darkness recede, curl itself inside of him, dormant and calm.

"Excellent." Seem pulled the eco out of him and Jak let out a sigh. "I saw you start to change, but you managed to block it before it complete took over. Nicely done."

He gave a shaky laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. He felt exposed and almost...raw, he supposed; as if he'd had a layer of himself stripped away. "Thanks."

"Do not be fooled, however," she warned. She began to siphon the eco back into the vents. "It will not always be so easy. We had time to prepare, to walk through the steps required. In the heat of the moment, it is much easier to get lost in negative emotions."

Jak nodded. "Yeah...I get it. I'll be careful."

"That's enough for tonight." She brought a cistern of water and he gratefully took a drink. "Breathe deeply and rest. You did well."

"Thanks." He drank a good bit, his exertion making him thirsty. Seem waited while he relaxed for a few moments. "...So I'm doing better?"

"Of course." Seem looked surprised. "You managed to avoid transforming. We call that progress, hero."

Jak grinned as he stood up. "I guess it's thanks to you."

Seem gave him a wry smile back. "Consider it a down payment for saving the world."

He took one last drink and then capped off the cistern. He started to head for the door, but hesitated and turned back. "Hey, Seem, can I ask you a question?"

"You may." She had set the cistern back where it belonged and turned to him, arms folded.

"You said that dark eco amplifies negative emotions, and that makes you angry enough to lose control."

"Correct."

Jak rubbed the back of his head. "So...what emotion do you feel when you get near dark eco?"

Seem stilled, her eyes widening slightly. Finally, she said, "I don't remember. I've spent so many years tamping down on those negative feelings, it's become automatic to me. I haven't had to go through these steps since I was a child."

Jak tilted his head, but Seem ignored him. "Safe journey back to the city," she said told him. Before he knew it, she had left through one of the Atrium doors, the Precursor metal shutting behind her.

As he started to leave the Monk Temple, Jak wondered if Seem had been totally truthful with him.

It was insensitive, Ionna said, to hold a coronation an hour after the funeral.

"It is tradition," Onin said, her voice soft and calm. "The new king must be crowned as soon as possible, to prevent any gaps in the chain of command. Such is our burden, to ensure it is done."

"I'm sure that's a comfort to the grieving prince," Ionna replied dryly. She was applying the paint to her face in quick, easy motions. Seem was fascinated; she would never be able to do it as fast as Ionna did!

"And I don't like that they requested Seem be present, either," Ionna added. She touched the paint up a bit around the corner of her eyes. "I know I wasn't ready to jump into the world of politics when I was ten. She's too young."

"Be that as it may," Onin said, "Seem is an acolyte of dark eco. She will have her own duties in court. She may as well see what it's like now."

Onin gave Seem an affectionate pat on the back. Ionna capped the white paint off and set it aside, turning towards her young charge.

"Alright, then. Seem, hood up."

"Right!" Seem yanked the rubber hood up over her head. It was a traditional covering that all the monks wore once they were of age. Ionna smiled as she pulled her own hood up.

"Be mindful of your words." Onin nodded at them both. "You are the new king's advisor. Be respectful and make a good first impression."

Ionna frowned. "I still think you should be the one who goes. I'm not the leader yet."

Onin gently took Ionna's hand and squeezed. "This is a new king, so it is time for a new monk. Consider it a rebirth of sorts, a chance for the new generation to make their start."

With Onin making a gesture of farewell, Ionna led Seem out of the Mountain Temple, into the city. Seem had never been outside Haven Forest before; it was a lot more gray than she was used to.

She knew that Ionna and Onin went into the city sometimes, to meet with what Ionna called "important people." Today, she supposed, was her day to meet some important people.

"Back straight, Seem, just like we practiced."

Seem did as she was told, shifting her shoulders. "Like this?" she asked.

Ionna glanced down at her and smiled. "Yeah. Like that."

They went to a huge building and into an elevator. It wasn't like the one Seem was used to: instead of gleaming orange Precursor metal, it was a dark silver. It made a grinding noise as they went up. They went through a few winding halls and ended up in a huge room, with glass panes that looked down over the city.

Seem looked around in wonder. There was a throne in the center of the room, with a boy on it. He was staring at a crown in his hands; Seem thought he looked rather sad and kind of small. Beside him was a huge, hulking man with metal armor strapped onto him.

"We welcome you, young eco sages." The big man's voice boomed through the throne room as he bowed to them. "Your presence is appreciated."

Ionna bowed respectfully, so Seem did the same. "Thank you, General Praxis," she said evenly. "It is my pleasure to advise you and the king in any way that may be needed."

She turned to Damas and bowed again. "First of all, Your Highness, my condolences on the loss of your father. He was a good man, and will be sorely missed."

The boy on the throne—Damas, she called him—shifted in his seat, finally looking up from the crown he held. "...Thank you."

"I am Ionna, the acolyte of light eco." She settled a hand on Seem's thin shoulder. "And this is Seem, the acolyte of dark eco."

"Fascinating." Praxis stepped forward, his eyes on Seem. His face—almost maniacal, obsessed—made her feel weird. Ionna must've felt the same way, because she stiffened beside Seem.

"This young child holds the power of ultimate destruction." He stood before them, towering over Seem as he looked down. "I've seen some of the things dark eco can do...terrifying and dangerous, but powerful. I have no doubt your powers will be of use to us in this war."

This man made Seem feel...uneasy. She couldn't quite place the emotion that struck her. She resisted the urge to step back, away from him, remembering Onin's words about a good impression.

"I'm sure you would like to defeat the metal heads, wouldn't you?" Praxis rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes faraway. "Think of what we can do...I'm imagining bombs and missiles, weapons beyond all comprehension. We could tear through our enemies, go right to the metal head leader if we wanted to!"

He was getting louder now, his voice filled with zealous excitement. Seem hunched her shoulders and felt something flood through her, something fierce, like she wanted to wail her fists against this man until he left. As he moved a bit closer, Ionna made a movement to step in front of Seem, as if to shield her, but—

"Praxis!"

Damas' voice was sharper than Seem expected; he'd been so quiet before, that he seemed like a different person now. He stepped down from the throne, the steel of his boots clicking on the floor. Ionna gripped Seem's shoulder.

"Are you alright?" she whispered to the girl. Seem nodded, but she still felt...off. When she looked down at her hands, she realized there was dark eco coursing along her palms. She was shaking, so she tried to force herself to calm down.

"You're frightening her." Damas stood toe-to-toe with Praxis. He looked even smaller now, next to the behemoth of a man. However, there was something about the way he stood, his chin tilted up defiantly and his back straight, that made Seem think he was also kind of scary.

In a good way.

"I understand you want to win the war," Damas continued. "But now is not the time to discuss such things. Perhaps it would be best if you returned to the Council and gave them an update."

At first, Praxis wrinkled his nose. However, he quickly smoothed his face out and said, "Yes, Your Highness. Of course."

They waited until Praxis had exited, heading for another room, before Damas turned back to the pair. "My apologies," he said. "General Praxis is...let's just say, he's very passionate about defeating the metal heads."

Ionna let go of Seem's shoulder, relaxing a bit. "Apology accepted, Your Highness." She watched as he went back to the throne and picked up the crown he'd set aside. "But I feel I should make myself clear: Seem is still too young to be involved in the war effort. She came to meet you as a formality, not as an invitation."

"Of course. I will speak with Praxis about it." He returned to them, the crown in his hands. "Seem, please do not worry about any of what he was saying."

She nodded up at him and he smiled kindly. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Damas turned to Ionna. "You will have to forgive my rudeness," he told her, holding out the crown. "My father had a great respect for the monks, as do I. However, I'm not one for pageantry, and I've had a long day. Would you mind?"

"Of course." She took the crown from him and he bowed his head. She cleared her throat and recited the oath Seem had heard her practice with Onin.

"Damas of the House of Mar, we the Precursor Monks bestow upon you the birthright of your ancestors. We crown you King Damas, ruler of Haven City."

She repeated the words in the old Precursor language, then set the crown on his head. "Congratulations, Your Highness," she finished. "May the Precursors bless your reign."