Crossed Paths

Chapter 3

Deitonin threw Jak onto the ground and placed a heavy foot on his chest.

"How dare you lay your hands on her!" he hissed, putting weight on Jak's body.

Rhi was helping me up as she looked at Deitonin in horror, his fingernails extending into claws. Jak was squirming like a fish out of water, but he was moving less and less. I snapped out of my daze and scrambled forward.

"No! Stop!" I cry out.

Deitonin turned to look back, and I could see the rage fade from his eyes. He turned back to Jak, and removed his foot from Jak's chest, stumbling backwards. I moved to Jak, and his breathing was ragged and stiff. I placed a hand on his ribs, and felt the cracked bones under my fingers. My blood ran cold.

No...Jak. I thought gravely. This is my fault... His skin began to grow cold and a sense of helplessness filled my chest. I didn't know what to do...

From behind me, Deitonin gritted his teeth and Jak's body jolted and convulsed as the violet sparks of Dark Eco spread across his skin. I stumbled back, avoiding the dark stuff as my eyes widened.

"That seemed to work," Deitonin purred.

Jak stood as his Dark Eco self took control. Grey hair bristled and long claws clicked and fangs gritted together as Dark Jak fully emerged. But it wasn't the irritable, pissed Dark Jak I knew.

He had become feral.

Dark Jak fixed a black-eyed glare on Deitonin, who seemed unaffected by him. D roared and lunged at Deitonin. He retaliated by grabbing the dark man by his wrists.

"Oh no you don't," said Deitonin.

Dark bit into Deitonin's arm, and black blood spattered in his face. Dark let out an inhumane shriek and retreated. His form wavered as Jak came back into control. I was in a trace, and Daxter was shaking me.

"C'mon! Starin' off like that ain't gonna do squat for Jak!" he said.

I blinked, then watched as Deitonin knelt by Jak, holding his arm in obvious pain. He was about to say something to Jak when the blonde's fist connected with Deitonin's cheek. I heard Rhi gasp, but Deitonin just took it. Jak glared at the tall young man, then stood. His gaze, however, lightened when he saw me. Jak walked over to me, then pulled me into a hug. I went stiff for a second before hugging him back.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

He pulled away, then looked at Deitonin and Rhi.

"Now, why did you care so much when I shoved her? You haven't even known her for an hour." he asked, then added, "And the greeting wasn't the best."

Deitonin sighed as Rhi put her hands on his shoulder.

"We've met before," he explained, "It was like a rekindled fire when I saw her. We weren't friends then, but I hope we can start over."

"Wait..." I say, pondering, running through the mental list of people I had met. "...You were the one that snapped at me for staring, right?"

He nods, brushing his hair away to reveal swirling patterns around his neck and face.

"Aye, that's me."

I blink, staring wide-eyed. "Oh my God..."

"Okay, explain to me when you two met?"

Deitonin sighed. "Both she and I were in the Precurian monastery in Spargus, recovering from our wounds."

Jak nods. "Go on."