Lady of the Labyrinth

By Kate Lorraine

Author's Note : I think I'm planning on writing a slightly alternate reality type story on Chrono Cross mainly focusing around Riddel, Dario, Karsh and Glenn. Stay tuned for the rest of it. It's going to be multichapter. And please, tell me if I made any mistakes as in deviations from the canon. I would really really appreciate it.

Homepage – http://www.lorraine.nu

Prologue

"I can't take you with me." Dario said as he stood with the general's daughter in the lush gardens of Viper mansion. She stood there, her lips in a stiff pout like the stubborn child he had remembered in his youth. It was like that time when she had insisted that he take her with him to pick bellflowers. "What would your father think?" Dario implored with a frustrated wave of his large hand. "If you came with me on a dangerous mission?"

"My father is a general." Riddel answered in a strong voice so unlike her soft cat like appearance. "I have a soldier's blood in me, who is to say that I can't fight like a soldier by your side Dario?"

"Love can't teach one the art of war, Riddel." Karsh said as he appeared nearby with a slight smile on his face.

Dario made an exaggerated gesture of relief to see his companion. "Talk some sense into her, Karsh."

"And love does not teach grace either, as I see." Riddel replied teasingly to Dario. "But I make do and maybe so should you."

"Love?" Dario asked mocking. "Love you? A stubborn little riddle like you, how can any man love you? Not I. Tell me Karsh, do you think any man would marry a girl like her? The lady of the labyrinth?"

"Maybe a sewer monster would." Karsh replied with a chuckle.

"A sewer demon would have more decency than the two of you put together." Riddel answered mockingly. "So it's not love? I guess this momento pendent is but a piece of fool's gold."

"Riddel." Dario replied in earnestly pulled her closer by the waist. "The manor is where you need are needed. You are a modern princess for a modern age. You have no place among us.

"No place?" Riddel answered with anger filling her voice. "I would be myself before I would be a princess. Royalty is based upon the quality of one's heart and not the role of one's focus. I wish that you would take me with you, Dario."

"That's myth, my dear." Dario replied. "You are a child. Do you truly believe that the lion would not attack a man with the heart of a prince? Tragedy is blind to the quality of one's soul."

"I'm not a child." Riddel replied with her anger mounting. "I'm a fighter just like you Dario. Stop trying to protect me."

"Yes." Dario replied, exasperated. "You are not a child. You are –"

"A riddle." Glenn finished for him.

"Glenn?" Dario asked looking around at his younger brother.

"Can I come too?" Glenn asked eagerly. "I've been stuck here for months."

"That's because no one would trust you with anything." Karsh replied. "What happened during your last mission to the excavation site? Oh yes, you almost fell off a cliff."

"I did not!" Glenn replied indignantly. "I want to fight demons too."

"Goodbye kid, farewell Riddel." Karsh replied as he turned to leave, motioning for Dario to follow. Glenn stomped his foot and left in a fury. In the garden among the soft flora, the lovers stood alone, one last time.

Dario cast his eyes on Riddel once more. He smiled at her, trying to coax a more benign expression out of her frown.

"Do you really feel nothing for me?" Riddel asked quietly.

"Riddel." Dario pleaded as he turned to leave. With a last forlorn look upon his childhood friend, Dario left to join his companions.

"Dario." Riddel whispered to herself. After a moment's contemplation, her lips began to move again "Don't go . . .Dario don't go. ." She began and trailed off.

Dario, don't go where I can't follow.