AN: And here's the final piece of this interlude: Zoi! I tried get into her mind without spoiling any of the plot for the sequel so we'll see how I did.

Disclaimer: *throws tantrum* I want it! It's mine! *wails* I don't own it!

Acuity of thy Neighbor; Interlude…

An introspective mini-series based loosely on Secrets of the White Eco.

By Phoe-chan

Part V: One Word…

Zoi's Point of View

"No, Jak! You're doing it all wrong!" I sighed and rubbed my temples. The boy before me gritted his teeth and dropped his hands.

"But it came so easy when we were fighting Korak! Why can't I bring out the Rainbow Eco now?"

I stood up from my seat on a nearby rock and walked to Jak. "Because you're trying to draw it from here," I pointed to the stone in the center of his head, "Instead of here…" And then moved my hand over his heart.

Jak looked at me, estranged. "I don't get what you mean. The Iridescence comes from the Weapon, doesn't it?"

"No, Jak. All the Weapon does is draw it out. The Iridescence comes from you."

"From me?"

"You are the Warrior of Lights, Jak. There's a reason that the Weapon was created for you."

I looked up at him to see him studying me. Trying to read my thoughts, I can feel it. "Stop it, Jak."

He looked momentarily started before relaxing his face. "You can tell?"

"Of course. I'm your predecessor at things such as these. Don't you think I would know?"

"Then why don't I just ask? What goes on in that head of yours, Zoi? Everyone else is so easy to figure out. They're more…open. You fluctuate between the Zoi we know and the Lady. I mean you could scream out your thoughts and it still wouldn't tell us what you were thinking.

Listen closely, because I'll keep screaming until you understand:

I've been here, here, here forever.

I blinked, slightly taken aback. He wants to know what I think about? A lot of the time, I think about the time I spent locked away in the Temple of Korak.

I can almost laugh at the irony of it. I spent thousands of years locked away and now I feel as though my life is passing me by. I ran a hand through my hair, pushing it back. Wording my reply carefully, I answered, "We all have our thoughts and conflicts, Jak. Whether or not we choose to share them should not hinder our friendship."

Is it funny to you that I'm rushing

through life? Go ahead and laugh.

"That's just it, Zoi. Some of us feel as if you don't trust us enough to tell us what bothers you. Why you rarely sleep at night and why you wander off on your own. What is it that alienates yourself from us?"

I frowned inwardly. Had they really noticed how little sleep I was getting? And were my excuses to hunt darklings really that transparent? I do not give my friends enough credit…

Friends…

"Zoi…" I looked up to see Jak gazing intently at me again. It can be very unnerving how he does that so well. He took my hand and held it tightly. "You said the Iridescence comes from within me. If that is true, then it has given me the insight to understand things I have yet to experience. Talk to me."

I want you to stare into my eyes and say my name.

I want you to hold my hand and tell me it'll be ok.

Help me; if you don't, I don't think I can make it.

If this is a lie, then at least keep the lie going to the end.

"I live a lie, Jak."

The wind rustled the trees around us as Jak stared at me with those piercing sapphire orbs. Wisps of blonde brushed his face and I couldn't help but reach up and push the stray strands away from his eyes as I struggled to continue. "I'm not living my life…I'm just letting it live me. I want to know what happened to my people, Jak. I want to know why I was abandoned. Why did I have to be sacrificed if it did nothing to help those I served? Why, Jak? Where or when will I know these answers?"

I entrust my body to the flow of time.

Where will I wash ashore?

"I don't know, Zoi. Those are answers I don't have."

"Then you cannot help me." I automatically replied, turning from him. Reaching for my things on the nearby rock, I started down the hill out of the basin.

Just as I made it to the exit, Jak's voice reached me and froze me. "I don't think anyone can help you, Zoi. Not when you can't even help yourself."

Biting my cheek to keep from snapping back, I resisted the urge to yell that I couldn't help that I was at fault. I want closure. I want forgiveness. I want…

I want to know.

Despite my faults, will I be forgiven?

Please tell me.

I kept walking until I had reached the square. Walking upstairs into the tavern, I scanned the room for the others. Spotting a tuff of red hair and a flash of green, I made my way through the crowd to Daxter and Keira. Nodding to them, I set my things down and took a seat. Noting the bowl of chips, I took one and nibbled at it. "Where is Tai?" I inquired.

"Nature calls." Daxter replied, putting a card in the pile. "Uno."

Keira wriggled her nose, before drawing a card. "Draw two, Dax"

"Damn!" Daxter hissed before grabbing his cards. Tai quickly returned, a much relieved look on his face. "That's the last time I drink six cups of yaccow milk in one sitting.

I blinked, wondering what had possessed him to do such a thing. Quickly remembering that this was Tai, who would do anything, I turned my attention back to Keira and Daxter.

Being the only other girl in the group, Keira and I were pretty close. I trained her to fight with the glaive and in return she taught me a bit about the mechanics of the technology this time had to offer.

And Daxter…

I must distance myself from him. His growing affection toward me is not good. So, I need to cut his feelings for me. It's not that I do not care for him…but there are matters that would interfere with the relationship we could attempt to have. If only I had…

Please understand, that's not what I'm saying.

Please notice, this isn't what I want.

Please let me go, I don't want to go there.

I've been searching for just one word.

"Darkling attack! Darkling attack!"

Immediately we are called to duty and I remind myself that my people I sworn to protect are no more…and that these people need me now. I jump to my feet and pull my sword from it's sheath. There is one word that keeps me going.

One word…

End.

~To be concluded in the sequel, The Precursor Legacy: Threads of the Past.~

AN: *Cackles* It's finished! A note: To the authors who want to be in the sequel, if you haven't replied to my email before the fifteenth of August, 2003, you won't be put in!

Lyrics: I Am, Ayumi Hamasaki

Review Thanks: Shark, Dark_Child322, Darksbane, Rocker Baby, Stefi, Keysha, Amandaxter, Yami Kanis, nobinoir, Eco Master, girl who raids yugo's sock drawer, Alana, Kiz

Nobinoir: I don't know when I'll do the Jak 2 fic, but since I'm co-authoring a jak 2 like fic with Rocker Baby, I decided to put off the one with Keysha, which made her happy because she gets to procrastinate with me ;)

Kiz: Ah, sorry. I'm not much of a song/poetry writer these days and Ayumi Hamsaki is one of my favourite artists. Glad you enjoyed it though.

Leave a nice review and look forward to the sequel of my story, soon to be posted!

**Ignore the grammar, I do**

Phoe-chan