Chapter 24: Everybody gets a redemption arc!

Happy reading!

Standing in front of a dozen angry Freedom League soldiers, Ashelin began to question if blue was really a calming color.

That was, after all, why she'd picked it. Something she'd read once about how blue made people feel more relaxed and at ease. When putting together the Freedom League, she and Torn had wanted to make sure people weren't intimidated by the uniform. This was a new era, she'd reasoned; the people could trust the Freedom League, and their uniforms should show that.

Now, though, she wasn't so sure.

They'd marched into Freedom HQ, backs straight and eyes accusing. They wanted to talk, they said. About the war, and how it wasn't going well.

"I understand you're all concerned," she said evenly. "But we can get through this, and defeat the metal heads once and for all!"

"It's not just the metal heads," one of the guards said. "Count Veger says there's something else coming, something worse."

"Veger is just trying to sow discord. He's using the Freedom League to accumulate power." Ashelin watched them, wishing she could see their actual faces. Talking to helmets made them seem almost inhuman. "Don't let him use you."

"So that thing in the sky is just...what, a star?" Another guard, her voice panicked, spoke up. "Veger's lyin' to us?"

Ashelin hesitated. "...It's nothing to worry about. We have a plan in place to take care of it."

"So there is something coming?" This guard slammed his fist into his hand. "I've had enough of being lied to! The Baron pulled this shit all the time with us!"

Ashelin flinched, but the other guards murmured in agreement. "You have to tell us what the hell's going on," someone shouted at her. "You can't just leave us in the dark!"

"Okay. Okay, I get it." Ashelin held up her hands in surrender. "Look, I'm sorry that you guys felt...out of the loop. I just thought there was enough for you all to deal with down here."

The guards all watched her, faceless and angry. She sighed. "Yes, that...star is something coming," she continued. "Yes, it's dangerous, but we already have a plan to take care of it."

"What's the plan?" another guard called out.

Ashelin took a deep breath. The best answer, she supposed, was the truth. Or close to it. "We have someone working on a weapon that can destroy it."

The crowd murmured again, though they sounded calmer this time. Ashelin's shoulders relaxed. "I'll be more forthcoming in the future. In the meantime, please remember, you can always come to me or Torn if you have concerns. Don't listen to Veger's nonsense, he's just trying to get you on his side."

With the guards pacified, Ashelin watched them march out. Some of them nodded respectfully, while some of them had less-than-pleasant looks for her. When they were gone, she collapsed in a chair and groaned.

It was one thing for Veger to spread lies and rumors about her. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last. But it was another thing for him to sow fear like this among the guard. This was dangerous. This was how people got banished into the Wasteland.

"Ah, heavy is the head that holds the crown." The slow footsteps of hard-soled shoes on the floor brought Ashelin's attention back. "You know, some people just aren't fit to be leaders."

"Veger." She spun around to face him, a sneer already on her face. "Didn't I throw you out of here?"

Veger clicked his tongue. "Now, now, there's no reason to be so adversarial. I've come to offer you a...proposition of sorts."

She glared at him. "Whatever it is, no."

"So eager to be rid of me," he said haughtily. "You might change your tune after you hear what I have to say."

"Just say it and get out," Ashelin snarled.

Veger tilted his chin up, his staff carefully balanced in his hands. "The Daystar looms closer with each passing day. It seems your little eco freak hasn't helped you very much, has he?" He tutted in mock disappointment. "You must be very...worried."

Ashelin glared at him. "Jak knows what he's doing," she said. "I'm not worried at all."

A lie, of course. Not that she didn't trust Jak; she did! But…

...Jak hadn't contacted her since the last time he was in Haven City. No news on the artifact they needed, nothing about going down into the catacombs. Radio silence.

So she was sort of worried. Not that she'd let Veger know that.

"So loyal. Such faith is to be admired." Veger began to pace around the room. "And pitied, of course."

"Can you please just get to the point?" Ashelin snapped. "I have real work to do."

Veger stopped, his heels clicking together. "My monks have given the knowledge needed to access the catacombs," he said. "I can activate the weapon and destroy the Day Star once and for all."

"Jak's taking care of it," she said shortly.

"Ah, but I can take care of it faster." He gestured grandly around him. "This is my role to play in history. I will be the glorious hero, the chosen messenger of the Precursors themselves."

His eyes were shining with fervor now. Ashelin rolled her eyes and tapped her nails on the table. "Get to the point."

Veger seemed to come out of his delusion. "I can save the world," he said arrogantly. "But there is one thing I need first."

"Let me guess. Money."

Veger laughed coldly. "I have no need of material wealth." He gave an exaggerated sigh. "All I want...is that dark eco freak out of my way."

Ashelin raised an eyebrow and Veger continued, "That worthless menace is dangerous. Deranged, even! Dark eco changes a person's mind, you know. It makes them...unstable."

Ashelin folded her arms, ready to tell him off, but she stopped.

She'd never really seen Jak "go dark," as he called it. She'd heard stories, of course, from Underground members and Krimzon Guards who'd seen it. Torn flat out refused to talk about the one time he'd seen Jak lose control, claiming that he hadn't really been paying attention to the kid.

But she did know that Jak was angry. That he went from 0 to 100 in seconds, that he held grudges close to his chest. That every once in a while, he stormed around looking for a fight, and only Daxter could ever calm him down.

Veger's lips curled into a thin smile. "Even you see it. Jak has been a good little attack dog, but all dogs must come to their master's heel. And if they don't…they are put down."

Jak clearly still had hard feelings towards Haven, she thought. He clearly wanted to wash his hands of the city and stay out in the desert.

Maybe it was better that he did.

Loathe as she was to trust Veger with anything, especially the fate of the world, the fact remained: Jak was...angry. At her, at his friends, at the city itself. Rightfully so, but...

Suddenly, a thought popped into her head, intrusive and unprompted.

What would Daxter say if he could see her now?

Nothing good, she thought wryly. Probably something about how, of course they'd replace us, Jak. Even though they saved the whole city already! About how he ain't surprised! They already threw him out once!

Why not replace him while they're at it.

And suddenly, Ashelin felt a surge of guilty anger.

"Get out," she snarled. Veger sneered at her. "Did you hear me? Get out before I throw you out!"

"So," he said in a quiet, dangerous kind of voice, "you choose to side with destruction over rebirth. On your own head be it."

With that, he spun on his heel and stalked away, to the elevator and down to the city. Ashelin sighed heavily and let herself go limp in her chair.

God, this shit was tiring.

It was only a few minutes later that Torn called her, his holographic face peering through the room.

"Ashelin, you okay? You look...uh…"

"I'm fine," she mumbled. "I just realized my conscience has Daxter's voice."

It was a testament to how well Torn knew her that he didn't even question the statement. "I guess you're having a rough night."

"You have no idea. I'll fill you in later." She sat up in her seat. "What's the report on the latest attack?"

As Torn launched into the debriefing, Ashelin set her jaw. Veger would not defeat her. He wouldn't get the best of her. She would trust her friends, even when she felt unsure.

And on her own head be it.

The desert was peaceful at night.

Jak pressed his foot down, ramping the speed of the Dune Hopper. Bullets flew over his head in red streaks, the gritty engine of the Marauder behind him whining.

Okay, almost peaceful. It'd be a lot more peaceful without these guys chasing him. He turned the wheel hard, skidding through the sand and launching into the air. Annoyed, he slammed the turbo button and went careening across the sky.

Landing with a thump, Jak hit the gas again and zoomed away from the Marauders. He pulled his goggles down and drove towards the mountain path, jumping over gaps in the rocks and dodging the last few hits from the Marauders behind him. Finally, he reached the entrance to the temple.

When he reached the Atrium, Seem was standing in the middle of the room, staring at the swirling eco vents. She had a faraway look in her eyes, the lights flickering in the red of her irises. Jak hesitated, then stepped into the room.

"Sorry I'm late." He put his hands on his hips and nodded to Seem. "How's everything here?"

"Calm." Seem made a sign of gratitude with her hands and turned to him. "No issues, though we are being cautious. And before you ask, we still have seen no sign of the Eco Sphere."

"Of course not," Jak grumbled. He stopped, his gaze caught by one of the carvings on the wall. "I swear I've seen this before."

Seem glanced over at it. It was the same one he'd been interested in last time, jagged lines and smooth circles. "It may have been in the Mountain Temple in Haven," she told him. "Imagery from the Precursors is used often in the temples and catacombs."

He squinted at it, then shrugged. "That's not it. It'll come to me." He looked over at her. "Anyway...what are we doing today?"

"Well, you are able to control your darkness. I suppose it's time that you learned some of the abilities that come with dark eco." She gestured to the vents. "Gather your resources."

"...Ionna showed me all the things light eco can do." Jak walked closer, near the eco vents. As he was used to, he began to take dark eco in from the vent. "What powers come with dark eco?"

Seem tilted her head thoughtfully. "I do not know."

"But I thought you were…" Jak frowned. "You know, the dark eco sage."

"Acolyte," she corrected. "While other ecos have been studied carefully over time, dark eco has largely gone unknown. Or, rather, intentionally ignored. The only person I know who did any sort of research into it is Praxis."

Jak frowned. "So you don't know what sort of powers you have?"

"I know what sort of powers I have," she explained. "I have no doubt there are many others I don't have."

Seem picked something up from the edge of the Atrium, where small altars were carved into the wall. She turned to him and tossed it across the room. "Here."

Jak caught it with deft hands. It was one of the idols that he and Daxter had seen on the volcano. He felt dark eco crackle over his skin: he was turning invisible, just as he had before. Seem made a noise and nodded. "As I thought. You've already gained some dark powers without my instruction."

"Sort of." He tossed the idol back to her, the eco dissipating from his skin. "I can only do it when I touch one of those things."

He didn't know how to explain it. It wasn't like light eco; when he tried to tap into dark eco, it overwhelmed him. He couldn't control it long enough to make it turn him invisible.

However, Seem didn't need him to explain it. "You know now how to control your darkness. It should be possible for you to channel the eco into other powers."

"Like what?" He was genuinely curious; aside from invisibility, what else could dark eco do?

"...Watch closely." She exhaled slowly, gathered the eco into her chest, and took a step forward.

And vanished, in a plume of purple gas.

Jak blinked. That hadn't been invisibility, he thought. Where had she…?"

"Over here."

He turned around to her voice, echoing through the Atrium. She was levitating above him, near the statues that hung over their heads. There was something familiar about the way she hovered there, her arms and legs slack, staring down with dark red eyes.

His mind brought him back, all those years ago, in the Red Sage's hut. Watching the two barely-human creatures above him, extolling the virtues of dark eco.

Jak shook the image of Gol Acheron away as Seem slowly sank back down to the floor. "Teleportation is my most useful power, though I can only go short distances. All sages can levitate; I have no idea if you can do so."

"So what should we start with?" he asked. "Invisibility?"

Seem nodded. "It seems prudent. After all, you already know how to do it. We just need to practice." She gestured and walked closer to him. "Go on, then. Transform."

Jak let the dark eco crackle over him, the pain of the transformation tearing a growl from his throat. Seem watched calmly, evidently too used to Jak's transformation to be bothered by it. He pushed the wave of darkness down; to his surprise, he had a lot more clarity than he was used to.

"Very good. Now, focus on allowing the dark eco to...almost cover you. Imagine it is a protective skin around you, blocking others from seeing you."

Jak did as she said. The power came to him, like muscle memory, and he watched as his hands disappeared. Seem looked surprised.

"You catch on quickly. Change back."

Jak did so, letting the eco slide off his skin. He shuddered as he transformed back. Seem waited, then continued, "But for all your cleverness, there is more to learn. You can use this power outside of your dark form, as you already have."

She held up the idol and handed it out for him to take. However, once he had his hands on it, she didn't let go.

"Turn invisible. Then I'll remove the idol, but I want you to focus on the dark eco. Keep it covering you."

Jak nodded in understanding. He closed his eyes and let the dark eco run over him again. Slowly, Seem began to pull the idol away.

It was like the dark eco was caught between two magnets: it crackled and arced towards the idol, but Jak pulled it back towards himself. His body wanted to take it in, to absorb the eco, to change. He grit his teeth and held steady, not letting it overwhelm him.

But he couldn't hold it back for long. Darkness threatened to overwhelm him. Shuddering, he pushed the dark eco back into him, shoving down the urge to transform. When he was steady, he looked up at Seem, who was watching him carefully.

"H-how'd I do?" he mumbled. She nodded, stepping briskly forward. "Did it work?"

"You kept your invisibility for approximately thirty seconds."

Had that been all? Jak felt like it had been several minutes, at least. However, Seem continued, "I know it wasn't an easy task. Do you wish to stop?"

"No," he said firmly. "I can do this. Let's try again."

They repeated the exercise, three more times. Each time, Jak was able to hold his invisibility for a little longer. When he could keep the invisibility over him for about a minute, Seem stopped him.

"That will do." Seem clasped her hands together, while Jak looked disappointed. "Do not be discouraged. Mastering dark eco is not easy."

"I just wish it came to me like light eco does." Jak watched as Seem picked up one of the cisterns of water. "I don't have any trouble with any of the light powers Ionna showed me."

She set the cistern by his feet. "You will learn. You've come very far in a short time, you know." She folded her arms hesitantly. "...I am surprised, hero. I never expected you to do as well as you have."

"Gee. Thanks." He sat down and reached for the water. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised I'm better at light eco. I never wanted to channel dark eco, you know. Praxis is the one who forced me to."

Seem stiffened as she set the idol back, her eyes widening. "...Praxis?"

"Yeah. He pumped me so full of dark eco that it...changed me. Bastard," he added bitterly. "He was obsessed with making—"

"A dark eco weapon," Seem interrupted. "I know."

Jak raised an eyebrow. "Really? How'd you know about it?"

Seem's eyes met his, an oddly sad look on her face. "Because back when I knew him, Praxis didn't need to make one."

In the year and a half since Damas had been crowned king, Seem had gotten used to being alone.

Ionna had been her only real friend in the Mountain Temple: the other monks avoided being near her, even insisting that she meditate outside of the temple walls.

But Ionna wasn't around so often anymore. The metal heads were attacking with alarming frequency; she was often heading out to battles with Damas and the rest of the Krimzon Guard. When she was in the temple, she was poring over unfamiliar maps and ancient tales of Mar and his monks.

Seem asked her sometimes, why she was studying them. After all, why would they need a map of the world outside the city?

"Just in case, Seem," Ionna told her quietly. "A little knowledge goes a long way."

So, with Ionna away more often than not, well…

Seem found it easier to be alone.

She meditated down by the lake of dark eco, where few ever went. On the shores of inky black liquid, where the only sound was the wind of the mountain.

Until one day, it wasn't.

"Dammit, I said stop!"

Seem's eyes popped open. She recognized Ionna's voice, echoing through the Precursor metal. She peered around a nearby rock, towards the path that led down here.

"I don't take orders from monks!" Another voice, deep and booming, full of vitriol and spite.

"But you do take orders from your king!" A younger voice, one she knew from the speakers in the city. King Damas. "And I order you to stand down, Praxis."

"You were both overruled," Praxis snarled. "The Guard has decided that this is the best course of action!"

The group came into view. It wasn't just those three, Seem realized. There was also another man she didn't know, dressed in the red of the Krimzon Guard. He set his hand gently on Damas' shoulder.

"Your Highness, this is for the best," he said softly. "We need to do something to defend against these attacks. And we aren't going to hurt Seem, we just need to use her powers, just as we do with Ionna—"

"But Seem's powers don't work like mine do," Ionna snapped. "She can't control them yet, she's just a child!"

Seem shrank back against the rock, hands clasped together. Beside her, the lake of dark eco was starting to ripple. She closed her eyes, her heart pounding, blood in her ears.

"You are both soft-hearted!" Praxis exploded. "The metal head attacks are becoming more frequent. We are losing men and ground by the day. We must do whatever it takes to protect this city!"

"I don't care!" Ionna burst out. "You're not going to drag Seem off to fight against metal heads!"

Seem took a shuddery breath and closed her eyes tighter. She didn't want to fight, she wasn't like Ionna, she wished she could just hide from them…

As if it heard her, she felt the eco swirl around her. It settled over her body, like a second skin. She looked down, terrified, only to find that she couldn't see her hands.

Or her legs. Or her torso. Or anything else.

She was invisible. Or see through. Or...something.

Seem hugged herself. It was strange; despite all the warnings about dark eco, she almost felt...comforted by it. Protected, safe, a shield between her and the world.

The group came closer, close enough that if they could see her, they would have. She exhaled softly in relief as they looked right through her. Praxis craned his neck to look across the lake.

"Now then...where is that foolish girl hiding…?"

"This is ridiculous," Ionna snapped at him. "You're expecting a little kid to save you from the metal heads?"

"Listen to me, my dear sage." The other Guard spoke in a quiet, steady voice. "Ordinarily, I would agree with you. I've been a soldier my entire life; children should avoid the horrors of war as long as they can. But…" He sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "But we are running out of time. People are dying."

Ionna looked away. "I know that. But there are other ways to defeat the metal heads. There's the weapon Mar built!"

"The weapon that no one can use," the man said calmly. "The weapon that requires a literal myth to operate."

"We can figure out another way," Damas argued.

Praxis opened his mouth to argue back, but he was cut off by a noise from the path. A steady tapping sound that the monks knew by heart. Ionna's face lit up.

"Onin? Is that you?"

She came down from the path, leaning heavily on the staff she used to help her move. She usually had an attendant to help her move around, since her eyesight was all but gone and her movements were stiff. But the monk leader was alone as she made her way down the path to the lake of dark eco and approached the group.

"You will have to pardon me," Onin said in her raspy voice. "I'm not quite as young as I once was. It's a bit harder to get around these days."

"This doesn't concern you," Praxis said dismissively. Onin gave a cackle of a laugh and stepped closer, her staff tapping on the ground.

"Of course it concerns me. This temple is a sacred place, and those who reside here are under my protection." She gestured to Ionna. "We monks are servants of the Precursors. We obey our makers. We serve the heir of Mar." She nodded at Damas, then looked at Praxis. "But I'm afraid we don't obey you at all."

Praxis grit his teeth. "So," he grunted, "disrespect is a way for you monks, is it?"

"As much as it is for you," she replied. "You are the one who barged in here, ready to drag one of my monks out of her home and force her into battle."

"Hmph," Praxis scoffed, "you don't understand—"

"I understand plenty, young man," Onin interrupted. "More than you do, believe me. And since you cannot remain courteous, I must ask you to leave."

Ionna looked triumphant, while Praxis looked irate. "You can't order me around," he snapped, but Onin simply heaved a sigh and waved her hand.

A spark of blue eco jolted from her fingers, snapping against Praxis' chest. He stumbled back, hissing in pain, as Onin continued, "Remember, this temple is a sacred place, watched over by the Precursors themselves. Take care they are not disappointed with what they see."

Praxis, for the first time since Seem had met him, looked a bit rattled. Onin looked rather pleased by this turn of events and gestured to Ionna.

"If you would, please find Seem while I escort our...esteemed Krimzon Guards to the exit." Onin took Praxis' arm with a surprisingly firm grip and started to lead him back to the path. "And impress upon her that, so long as I am the leader of the monks, she will remain here, under my protection."

"Of course, Onin." Ionna bowed respectfully, but her smirk betrayed her true feelings. "Come on, Damas, you have sharp eyes. Help me look for her."

They separated, with Onin leading the two Guards away, while Ionna and Damas scanned the edge of the lake.

"I cannot deal with him," Ionna grumbled. "How do you put up with Praxis always trying to overrule you?"

"By ignoring him, mostly." Damas tilted his head back and squinted at a tree nearby. "Wait here, I'm going to get a better vantage point."

He started to climb up the tree, gripping the limbs with deft hands. He hesitated, then continued, "He is right, though. We can't keep defending the city. Eventually, we'll have to attack the metal heads ourselves."

Ionna glared at him. Seem's heart thudded against her chest; she'd always liked Damas. Was he really considering making her fight?

"Seem isn't your weapon," Ionna said curtly.

"I know she isn't, but I was thinking about what we can actually use." Damas reached the top of the tree and peered out over the lake. "About Mar's actual weapon. He built it to attack the nest directly."

"...Ah. You want to finish his plan." Ionna relaxed a bit and Seem did as well. "I'm afraid you'll have one hell of time doing it. The legend says Mar hid the Precursor Stone so only his most worthy heir could find it."

"Hey," Damas called down, feigning offense, "I'm worthy."

Ionna rolled her eyes and looked back up at him. "Do you see her?"

"No." He glared down from the tree and then frowned. "...Wait."

He suddenly jumped, landing with a bounce on the balls of his feet. He started towards the rocks, where Seem was standing, invisible.

Seem tensed. She didn't know why she didn't want them to find her, but something about the eco was a comfort. She liked being invisible, and the eco seemed to want to protect her.

By now, Damas had reached the rocks where she was. He was only a few feet away, and he was staring directly at her.

Or rather, at her feet.

"...Hmm." He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. Quietly, he leaned down and picked up a handful of dirt, letting it sift through his fingers. He held his cupped hand of dirt and inhaled.

Then he blew.

The dirt showered over her, sticking to the paint on her face. Damas broke into a grin.

"Hi Seem."

"...I don't want to fight," she blurted out. She felt that sting of almost-tears behind her eyes, her fingers buzzing with dark eco. "Don't make me fight."

The dark eco slid off her skin, her invisibility fading away. Ionna came up behind Damas, relief in her face. She knelt down to Seem's level.

"Of course you don't have to fight," she said comfortingly. "Trust me, if anyone wants to make you fight, they'll have to go through me first."

Seem felt the dark eco start to ebb away as she relaxed, calmed by Ionna's assurances. She followed the other two as they headed up the path, back towards the temple.

Behind her, the lake of dark eco still rippled in the sunlight.