Jak had his way with the Skinners before they got a wind on what he was doing. He didn't return to brag about his achievements, instead he found comfort that they were going to turn the under-city over to find someone who had long mixed with the civilians. Jak wasn't the only non-demihuman in the city. He made sure that no one knew his appearance
In a shop selling noodles, on the side of the shop, Jak twirled his chopsticks. The human boss manning the shop was directing human and non-human customers to their corners. It was not simple discrimination, just pure fact alone that the demis have their own problems, and it would be best if they have their spaces. The shops around the under-city had a problem with fur dropping into their food. Some are laughed at by patrons resulting in brawls and murder. Jak had his noodles, a wine, and then some chocolate biscuits before leaving. Jak skulked around the city while avoiding Skinners who was violent towards anyone who was human. Those who didn't want to reason was dragged to the side where he had to make sure that they don't get to spread their filth on the city.
Under the eye-straining lights of the city, from the next street to another, Jak blurred the noises coming from the direction. He would slow his time down by skewing his perception of time. This cause his time think of why he was running away. He wanted to get rid of the Skinners. That was what he desired right now. No, he was falling for the hubris of 'changing the world' that he was hungry for it. If he could save the Commander from the beluaman, if he could save Dona and let her live for a few more years.
To expect the worst to happen have been his anxiety. Jak would close his eyes and all he saw was the people he had failed to protect. The bodies of the unborn. The people he wouldn't dare to face again. He could not allow himself to reach out to those who he called friends. Even after what he had done lately, all he had was a husk. He held the emptiness inside his chest. It was impossible for an old man inside a young man's skin not to feel empty at the thought of all of this. Old dogs never learn, but he sometimes asked himself if he was still a dog? Or was he a decrepit wolf trying to maintain the appearance of a younger one?
He held his hand. Ever since he was back to his younger shell, this stronger, sturdier body, his mind had to adjust to the changes. The pains that he suffered when he was hold. The sores and the scars that suddenly vanished made him feel afraid. The pains that he had accepted to live on. All gone like that made his mind confused. The carefulness that he had when he was older, and now it being confused by this body.
All of that resolve. All of that acceptance. All of that bargaining and coping about his loss all just like a dream. A terrible dream that he was relieving. The power that came from the forge, the way the world opened up, and yet he had none to share this joy with. There was no need to. Even if they do believe him, even if they acknowledge the future that was coming to this flooded planet filled with enemies. They wouldn't understand. How can they understand when they didn't saw the hell for themselves? Now this hell that he was looking forward to seems like it was going to be mended. All of the pain and suffering that those he had bonded with. All for nothing. In the end, the world burned because of the Valkyrie and the Demon.
The weight of the world was something that all have to carry. It cannot be carried by a single man's shoulder. Jak believed that he could not carry it. He was a dog that guarded the young. He transported them. He got them out of the tight spots. He risked his life to save the young to propel the era to something was worth fighting for. Something that was worth all the suffering and pain.
And now he was back to this time of hope. He didn't know what was to expect. He had been a fighter. Someone that followed orders. He had seen the world when it was in ruins. The 'cities' that they had discovered were long lost when they discovered them. Even he was surprised that they were others. He felt terrible that despite the years he had spent, he never really thought that maybe there were others. Then again, there were people who left the planet to head for the stars. He had thought they were wrong for abandoning them, but seeing how many were alive at this time. Jak could only reach the conclusion that they had abandoned the world. The world burned that day. At least, the world he knew burned that day. How could they help when it was too late? Jak could still feel that seething hatred as they flew up to the stars as they fought. If it was not for the children that had pulled him out of that mess. Jak wouldn't have seen that disgusting sight.
Jak stopped in the middle of the road. The Skinners were rounding up the humans and forcing them for anything that might lead to the capture of the one who did it. Jak was sure that no matter who they choose, it was always going to be the Estrella that they would fight. The Boss of the Skinners and the Head of the Estrella was already a lit fuse. Without doing anything, they would still fight. What Jak did was sever the tendons of the Skinners to make them trip up.
But he was not here for just the Skinners. He wanted to see if he could severe the head of the Skinners. He knew where he was, the advantage prior knowledge, but he wanted the Boss of the Skinners to feel that fear creeping into him.