And eight months later, here it is! Yeah, I got no excuse... We'll talk after the story. Enjoy!
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Zeal: So you think that these invaders mean harm to Zeal?
The Prophet: Probable. I've encountered them before. Their magical abilities are quite potent, if not crude.
Zeal: Hmm... I see.
It was the middle of the night. Following Belthasar's banishment, The Prophet felt a signifigant ripple in chronal energies. He couldn't be sure, but it was likely the frog's comrades had arrived in Zeal. He had just warned the Queen of their coming as they walked together through the halls of the palace.
Zeal: I'll have Dalton ready the defences and keep an eye out for them.
Slowly, she stopped at a small door.
Zeal: Join me for a drink, Prophet?
The Prophet turned his attention to a sign on the floor. It was the Blue Room. Set up some fifty years ago, the Blue Room was a private bar exclusively serving first-class citizens. A very hard place to get into, but as the Queen literally owned it, she could bring in anyone she wanted.
The Prophet: I uh... I'm not sure if I should.
Zeal: C'mon. I don't believe I've ever seen you have a drink.
The Prophet: No, I haven't had one in a long time.
Zeal: Then what are we waiting for?
Grabbing his arm, the Queen pulled him past the blue curtain over the doorway.
He'd never actually been in the Blue Room before, only having heard about it, but upon entering he grimaced. There was a painfully strong smell of incense coming up from the blue carpetted floor. The walls were a very bizzare black. It was so pure and unbroken in that color, it gave one the impression that there were no walls at all, but instead there was an endless abyss around the floors. Perhaps even stranger, wisps of thin white smoke were scatterring through the air, coming from some unseen source.
It was mostly empty being so late at night, but he could spot a two judges laughing stupidly over shots at a booth. As Zeal lead him toward the bar, which appeared to be cut from blue marble, they took seats just a few stools away from the Nu. The creature seemed rather depressed, probably due to Belthasar's banishment only hours before and was downing one Bloody Maria after another, leading to a large number of orange-stained empty glasses littered around him.
As they sat on the silver-and-blue stools, Zeal turned to him happily.
Zeal: What do you think?
The Prophet: (Looking around) Where's that smoke coming from?
Zeal: Oh, don't worry about that. Harold!
A balding, baby-faced barkeep walked over, bowing slightly in his stance.
Harold: Y-yes, highness?
Zeal: Bloody Mary, and keep them coming.
The Prophet: In-and-out martini.
Harold reached down, placing a Bloody Mary in front of the Queen before setting to work on The Prophet's martini. She downed it in a single gulp. The Prophet, however slumped over the bar as his drink was being mixed.
Zeal: Something bothering you?
The Prophet: Schala's mad because we threw out the Gurus.
Zeal: Oh, she's just miffed. She'll come around.
The Prophet: I hope you're right.
Harold: Here's your cocktail.
Only giving the tiniest nod of thanks, The Prophet gracefully lifted the glass and lightly sipped it. Harold handed the Queen another Bloody Mary as the Nu called out from the other end of the bar.
Nu: (Hazily) Anotha.
As the barkeep handed the Nu another Bloody Maria, the oracle stared.
The Prophet: I guess Schala's not the only one hurt by tonights events.
Zeal: Don't tell me you're worried about that thing.
The Prophet: (shrugs) Not really.
Zeal: I don't even know why I started letting it in here. I guess because Belthasar begged me.
The Prophet: Gonna throw it out?
Zeal: (shrugs) Eh.
Once again, Zeal drained her glass with a single gulp.
Zeal: Harold! Keep them coming!
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
In the Eastern section of the snowfields on the Earthbound continents, the trio of time travelers arrived at the Skyway after making their way through the snow. Unfortunatly, they quickly discovered the door refused to open.
Marle: Awww. I'm freezing here! There's no way we can be locked out like this!
Crono looked underneath his boot. Half-buried in the snow is a white sign, apparently blown off the door in the bizzard. Digging it out, he held it up to the others.
Robo: "Skyway open Sunrise to sunset."
Marle: We gotta wait for morning? We'll freeze to death!
Robo: I suppose we could always retreat back to the cave.
Marle: Aw, man...
The blonde princess slumped her shoulders as Crono led the way back toward the cave.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The events of what had been occurring in the bar was leaving The Prophet astounded.
He had seen his mother down cocktails quickly and easily while they were at lunch together. But that was always just drink taken with food. It never occurred to him she might have a problem like Dalton, who was never seen without his flask. As the night wore on, she demanded more and more drinks; long after Harold expressed his concerns that he wanted to go to bed. The two judges had staggered away and the Nu succumbed to his booze and perpetual wearyness, now leaving him snoring drunkenly on the blue carpet.
The oracle had been slowly nursing his martinis, but Zeal continued to empty glasses, until she had surely consumed enough Marys to fill an English library. While it seemed his mother was much better at holding her liquor then Dalton, espicially considering how much she had taken, by one in the morning she was quite tipsy. Perhaps, thought the Prophet, she once had a problem like Dalton, but had it mostly under control; only drinking late and having a much greater tolerance.
Finally, as her royal highness finished constructing a small pyramid of orange-stained glasses, The Prophet voiced concerns.
The Prophet: I think that's enough for one night.
Zeal: What? Oh, I... I guess. Let's get moving.
Still somewhat tipsy, Zeal slowly rises from her stool. When The Prophet does likewise, she takes his arm, leaning on him ever-so-slightly as he leads her out into the hall.
Zeal: What were you saying?
The Prophet: I just don't what Schala to hate me.
Her cheeks still very red, Zeal waved a hand dismissingly.
Zeal: Ah, Schala. Don't you worry about her. She doesn't have it in her to hate anyone. She's too sweet.
The Prophet: She yelled at me.
Feeling his companion shaking slightly, the oracle turned to see her chuckling under her breath.
The Prophet: What?
Zeal: You sound just like Leoric. Schala was five and he promised he'd take her to the zoo. Then he couldn't make it and she got mad at him. Tore him up for a while.
They walked on for a moment, continuing toward the royal chambers in silence.
Zeal: You seem to really like Schala.
The Prophet: Of course I do, she's a sweet girl.
Zeal: Be carefull. You're public figures. People may get the wrong idea.
The Prophet: She's only fourteen. She's more like a sister to me.
Zeal: I know that. You have a very nice effect on her. Tell me, how are you getting along with little Janus?
As they arrived at the doors to the Queen's bedchambers, The Prophet paused, comtemplating the question.
The Prophet: Schala's told me alot about him, but I uh... haven't met him yet.
Zeal: You should. He's a clever boy, and I think it'd do him alot of good to know you.
As they crossed into the room, the Queen let go of the Prophet's arm. She slipped off her heels, and made her way to the bed.
The Prophet: What do you mean?
Zeal: (sigh) He's getting older now.
The Prophet: You said before. What's the problem?
Zeal: Have you noticed that as children get older, they get more agressive?
She pulled a pin out of her hair, letting it down her back before she flopped onto the bed.
The Prophet: I uh... haven't had much experience with children.
Zeal: Heh. When you say that, you make it sound like you never were a child.
The Prophet: Not for very long.
Zeal laughed.
Zeal: Anyway, as Janus gets older, more kids are going to start picking on him. His whole bookworm thing is bad enough, but without magic he's a walking target. That's why I don't want him being king if he can't do magic.
The Prophet: I heard about that. You're worried the people won't respect him?
Zeal: Yes. They'd be insulted. It could lead to a coop if anyone thought they could manage it. And there's alot of delusional people in this country. The only thing that might counter that would be charisma, which is why I think you should meet him.
The Prophet: How would I give him charisma?
Zeal: (smugly) Well, a boy's best friend may be his mother, but that can only take him so far.
Sighing, she stretched out.
Zeal: Little girls look up to women. Little boys look up to men. I think that one reason Janus is so quiet and withdrawn is because he only spends time with Schala and me. He doesn't exactly have any major male role model. You know, someone to learn from. To look up to.
The Prophet: What about the gurus?
Zeal: Phft. Those old men? They're too bookish. He needs someone bold to look after him.
Smirking, she sat up and gazed at the Prophet from her position on the bed.
Zeal: You know. Someone who can help him be a man.
While his face was totally calm, the gears inside The Prophet's head were working overtime to find a gracefull way out of this. His mother was inviting him to have sex; the awkwardness of the situation couldn't be surpassed.
The Prophet: So you... uh... you think he might have grown up differently if Leoric was alive?
Then, to The Prophet's great surprise, Zeal frowned. She seemed... embittered at the mention of her husband's name.
Zeal: No. I think Janus would be the same if Leoric was alive.
The Prophet: Schala seemed to think-
Zeal scoffed softly.
Zeal: Schala... I love her, but she doesn't know the stuff about Leoric I knew.
The Prophet: ... Was he a bad husband?
Zeal: He wasn't any kind of husband. He was a weak ruler and a bad father.
The Prophet: A bad father?
The Queen laughed again, clearly still tipsy.
Zeal: He was... Eheheh... By the time Janus came, he'd changed. I think it's better Schala not knowing.
She slowly changed her position on the bed, looking at her visitor alluringly.
Zeal: But forget about him. He doesn't deserve our attention. Come here for a moment.
Watching his mother flutter her eyelashes at him, The Prophet slowly obeyed, treading over the marble floor to the bed.
Zeal: Prophet, I'll be honest; I lost the magic with Leoric when Schala was little. I haven't felt this way about a man in eleven years.
The Prophet: Yes, well you see the thing is...
Snapping his fingers, The Prophet casts a subtle spell on the Queen's tired, intoxicated mind. Losing her balance, she falls on her back, deeply asleep.
The Prophet: Thank god.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The sun rose brightly over Enhasa the next morning, shining in a grand, beautiful gold. All signs of the previous day's thunderstorm had vanished. Even the moisture in the air had gone back to the standard amount all over the country. As per the usual, the citizens of the city were barely stirring, dispite the fact that the hour of the morning was growing still later. They remained sleeping either in their own chambers or in the beds scattered about the halls.
Janus was seated on the edge of an empty bed in an upper corner of the city's bright halls. Shining down from a high window onto him was the golden sunlight from outside. The prince ran his hand over the bed's sheets, feeling their un-natural softness, deep in thought.
Maybe it was time he stopped doing this. He first thought it would be good to get out and walk around the cities, but he wasn't really accomplishing much. He felt vunerable whenever he went out; as though everyone was staring directly at him. The whole incident in the garden didn't help him feel any better.
Nu: Ahem.
Looking up, he was greeted by the sight of the Nu, looking distinctly crestfallen. The creature was holding an icepack on the upper part of its face, its eyes noticably bloodshot.
Nu: Your sister's looking for you.
As soon as these words were uttered to the Prince, the Nu plodded off, slow and unbalanced. Not about to keep Schala waiting, Janus slid off the bed, and moved toward the stairs to go back to the castle. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught a strange sight. There were three bizzarly-dressed people walking through the lower halls of the city. Although he couldn't help but stare, he kept walking toward the gates.
It started rather slow; almost dream like. Janus started moving downward from the top of the stairs, Alfador at his ankles, just as the newcomers started to go upward from the bottom. One of them, apparently wearing oddly-designed golden armor, was rather wide so Janus moved to the side to let him pass.
Robo: Thank you.
They passed each other and continued on their way. The next in the line was a blonde girl who smiled happily at him and Alfador has they passed. Slowly he drew level with the last newcomer- a boy with bright red hair. Without warning, his shoulder brushed against the stranger's elbow.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"NO! Don't do it, lad!"
"CRONO!"
SCREEEE!
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
A considerable pain went through Janus's body as he fell forward down the few remaing steps. He heard some high-pitched laughter to his left. Looking up he saw a passing girl, much younger then himself, giggling at him as she held hands with her mother. The woman didn't seem to be bothering to tell her off. As Janus continued looking at her, he began to get the idea that she might be stifling laughter herself.
Marle: Hey, are you alright?
Turning behind him, he saw the blonde girl looking at him from the top of the stairs. The red-haired one wordlessly stepped down the stairs, knelt down, and kindly offerred his hand to help him. But Janus backed away, getting up on his own.
Janus: Y-You're going to die soon.
Before anything else could be said, he ran off toward the gates of the city. The blonde cocked her head, looking puzzled.
Marle: Huh. What a funny kid.
Crono's gaze pensively lingered on the gates as the boy passed through them but, as ever, he said nothing.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Ice-pack still held securely under its little tuft of green hair, the Nu bitterly trudged through the city. The noise of the surrounding snores of the sleeping citizens was still quite painfull to him, but it wasn't nearly as loud as it was in Kajar. The City of Intellect had once again erupted into celebration over the completion of the true Mammoth Machine. This, combined with Belthasar's banishment and his pounding hangover left him in a very bad mood indeed.
He caught two gossipping maids making a bed as he passed.
Maid 1: Did you hear about Belthasar?
Maid 2: I know. Sabotaging the Mammoth Machine... The position of Guru just doesn't seem safe at all anymore, does it?
In the blink of an eye, the Nu had turned and broken one of the maid's jaw with a punch from his flabby but powerfull arms. By the time she hit the floor, he was continuing forward, his mood now even angrier.
He was the Nu. The timeless one. He had seen countless members of the human race pass before him (not to mention all the other species that had thrived and died in the faintest of instants to his eyes). Being as he was, there was never a single occation in which he found himself attached to humans, or anything else for that matter. Early man had learned quickly not to try and harvest his meat like they did with the other beasts in the hunting grounds. Not when he could strike them to their knees with a single tap of his forehead. They stayed clear and he was able to keep to himself. As centuries passed and mankind became more inwardly focused and engulfed in their culture and religion, they had lost any interest in him whatsoever. When he came to the Zeal continent, finding it more comfortable in climate and atmosphere then on Terra, he doubted they even noticed his arrival.
But Belthasar was different. Belthasar was captivated by him. Every story the Nu had to offer, Belthasar wanted to record. That alone gave them plenty of time to spend together. Even the most humdrum information like the achievements of the long dead lizard society seemed to excite him. He placed into his research so much of the facts Nu quoted to him. Almost everyone around him, even his fellow Gurus, found his obsession pointless if not disturbing, but Belthasar kept at it all the same.
He opened the flame book on a table, and quickly retreated behind the sliding bookshelf. Once inside the secret sanctuary built for the Guru of Reason, he crouched onto the floor to silently brood.
Belthasar was the only human he really grew to care about. Now he was gone.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
A balcony overlooking the main courtyard of the palace was bathed in golden sunlight, starkly contrasting the appearance of the figure standing at its edge. The Prophet, leaning on the railing with his shoulders round, their blades cutting angularly into his cloak, looked very out of place with his dark colors and shadowy appearance. The sunlight was not even able to peirce the very thin sheet of hood going down to his nose. He looked down upon the Sacred Lotus flowers, seemingly brooding.
Zeal: Good morning, Prophet!
The queen walked through the glass doors through the main conservatory, smiling at her cloaked advisor. He seemed not to hear her though, and remained bitterly looking down with his elbows on the railing.
Zeal: Prophet!
The oracle spun his head around, surprised.
The Prophet: Milady! I'm so sorry.
Zeal: Don't worry about it, Prophet.
Zeal stepped toward the railing, leaning over it with him. She pondered for a minute, then broke a short silence.
Zeal: Prophet... Did any thing happen last night?
The Prophet: Happen?
Zeal: You know. Did anything... happen?
The Prophet let out a cough, but for the most part hid the awkwardness of the situation.
The Prophet: No, Milady. You were a little tipsy, but I got you to your room safely so...
Zeal: Good. Good.
They stood silently on the railing for a moment, saying nothing.
Zeal: Not that I think you're unattractive or anything.
The Prophet: I... I know.
Zeal: It's just that for people in our position...
The Prophet: Yeah. Yeah, I know...
A gentle breeze below swayed the Sacred Lotus flowers gently.
Zeal: Because there's alot of gossip in this country.
The Prophet: Oh, most certainly.
Little flickers of cerulean went between the Sacred Lotus; bright blue humming birds were flitting to each one.
Zeal: Uh... I'm going to hold a meeting today to look over possible applicants for the new Guru positions.
The Prophet: Sounds great.
Zeal: You may want to show up late.
The Prophet: Yes.
Zeal: If you get it.
The Prophet: Yes, that would be a good idea.
There was a tapping on the floor as The Prophet shuffled his feet.
The Prophet: I should go.
Zeal: Yes. See you at the meeting.
The Prophet briskly turned and headed out the glass doors. Still looking at the garden, the Queen sighs.
Zeal: Nothing happened, but it still got weird.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Janus was silently walking toward the halls leading before the bedrooms of the royal siblings. He was musing about what Schala might be calling about, staring at his feet. Alfador, ever loyal, trotted along behind him. Not looking forward, it wasn't long before he bumped into somebody and fall backward onto the floor.
Schala: Janus! Are you okay?
Janus: Hi, Ne-chan. Don't worry, I'm fine.
The princess grasped him by the arm and pulled him slowly to his feet, brushing some dust off his shoulder.
Janus: Someone said you were looking for me.
Schala: Yes, uh... Let's talk in here, okay?
Janus turned a saw they were right outside the two bedrooms. Schala opened the door and lead him inside by the hand, closing it softly behind her. As Janus walked up the stairs to his bed, Schala stood at the door for a minute, looking hard at the knob.
Janus: Ne-chan, what's wrong?
Schala: Janus, have you been bullied?
There was a pause as the prince hesitated to answer.
Janus: ... No.
Schala: (warningly) Janus...
Janus: Well, I... it only happened once.
Schala sighed and walked up the steps, spotting her brother sitting on the end of his bed, looking a little dejected. He seemed determined to look at Alfador, who was curled up in his lap.
Schala: So it's true?
He nodded, closing his eyes as tightly as he could. The mattress pressed down to his left, telling him Schala was sitting down right beside him.
Schala: What happened, Janus?
Janus: Alfador... I... I was...
Screwing up his face, Janus turned and hugged his sister tightly around the torso and buried his head in her stomach, sobbing loudly. Schala wrapped her arms around his shoulders caringly. She picked him up slightly, shifting him into her lap.
Schala: It's okay, Janus. You can take your time on this. Just try to tell me.
Sniffling and hiccupping, Janus looked tearfully at his sister's face.
Janus: I... I found a bunch of kids picking on Alfador, a-an' I told them to stop, an'...
Schala: How old were they?
Janus: Mah-my age. They were throwing magic and her, an' then they saw me an' they wanted to know if I really couldn't do any magic...
Schala: What did you tell them?
Janus: I didn't say anything... Then one of them burnt my cheek with some li-lightning, and they all just...
The prince broke off. Schala affectionately tightened her grip on her shoulders and he continued, sobbing much less.
Janus: They all looked at me like they were expecting magic out of me but... But I couldn't do any, so I just ran.
Schala: You ran?
Janus: I ran, and I could hear them laughing.
Schala patted his back, thinking about how to handle this.
Schala: Janus... I don't want you to think that everyone is like this. There are some people that just judge others by their abilities, or their looks, or their hobbies...
Janus: (dejected) Or their magic.
He was looking the floor now, still seated in his sister's lap.
Janus: Ne-chan, what do you think I should do?
Schala was still thinking about what she could tell him. Coming up with nothing, she brought her sleeve to his cheeks and began soaking up the tears on his face.
Schala: I-I don't know, Janus. I wish I knew what to tell you. (sighs) Father'd say that you can only stand up to those who challenge you...
Janus: They've got magic. What can I do?
Schala: Yes... and I really don't want any kind of violence here. That would just attract mother's attention and I'd hate to think what she'd do if she heard about this... I suppose I might be able to find them. Talk to them...
Janus: I dunno how much that would do in the end.
Schala: (blinks) What?
Janus: I... I hear the servants talking when they think I'm out of an earshot. There are rumors about this whole thing... Some are really inaccurate but... If you did something everyone would know about that too...
Schala: I see...
Schala's thoughts came to the Prophet. He was so wise, moreso then any other member of the council. When she kept drawing blanks as to how to solve this problem, she thought of him. But after he agreed to send Belthasar off, did she really want his help anymore?
While her mind could think of no solution, she could think of some small bit of comfort. Still keeping her little brother in her lap, she slid a hand into her robe's outer pocket and pulled out a little chain.
Janus: What's what Ne-chan?
Schala: (Smiling) Well, it's a... Janus?
The prince had just turned his head sideways. He'd thought he had heard the door open. At his sister's voice however, he returned his attention to her.
Schala: Father left it to me. It was made for him specially by Melchoir. I want you to have it.
She held out the chain in the air, making a triangle using her two hands and the force of gravity. At the very bottom, swaying right in front of Janus's face was a tiny amulet. It was silver with a tiny bit of red in the center, cut in the shape of a star. Raising a hand, the prince ran a finger over its cool metallic surface. It felt like a pleasurable ice against his fingertip.
Janus: It looks a little like your pendent, only small.
Schala: It is like my pendent. It has a little bit of Dreamstone in the center that protects against small magic spells.
Janus: (excited) So those kid's magic won't hurt me?
Schala: Janus- I'm not giving this to you so you can pick fights, understand?
The younger boy nodded.
Schala: I'm giving you this for protection. I want you to be safe.
She lowered the chain over his head, and actually giggled. The necklace was far too large for him; the chain could've barely fit around his shoulders and if hhe stood up the amulet would reach down to his waist. Janus smiled himself. The chain was very cool and relaxing on his skin, soothing in its way.
Schala: So no matter what happens, this amulet will protect you. Understand?
Janus nodded, smiling brightly now. Schala kissed him on the forehead.
Schala: I knew you'd get it.
They hugged, when a servant appeared at the top of the stairs.
Ms. Linten: Highness?
The siblings look up at the woman upon the stairs.
Ms. Linten: You've been summoned. The Queen is holding a council meeting.
Schala: What? There wasn't any news about this.
Janus: It's okay, Ne-chan. I understand.
Ms. Linten: Highness, we need to hurry.
Schala: Alright.
The princess shifted her brother onto the bed and walked toward Ms. Linten.
Schala: I'll be back later, okay?
Janus: Okay.
Following her mother's assistant down the stairs, she was greeted by a curious sight at their foot. The same strange-looking outlanders Janus encountered in Enhasa were standing idlely by, looking at her intently. She paused as she came in front of them.
Schala: Oh... and who are you?
Ms. Linten: Highness, please. If you're late, I'll be punished.
Schala: C-coming!
Her gaze lingered on the strangers for a moment, but she was soon walking down the hallway toward the throne room, the memory of them pushed from her mind. She was more curious about holding two council meetings in just as many days. She supposed that the completion of the Mammoth Machine meant a greater amount of work from the entire kingdom, and that it would include the high council as well.
Upon arriving at the door to the council room, she rose her pendent and channelled her power through it. The heavy blue door lifted free, granting her easy entry to the council's chamber. Everyone was in their usual place; her mother on the throne, The Prophet standing just beside her, Dalton standing three steps down from the thone. Schala moved curtly toward her smaller throne beside her mother's.
Zeal: Hello, Schala. Thank you for coming.
The Prophet: Afternoon, Schala.
She didn't answer them, instead sitting on her throne in a rather cold manner. While her mother took no notice of this, the hood of the oracle's cloak drooped even more limply, as though the fabric itself felt dejected. High upon her throne, the queen smiled.
Zeal: Now, I suppose you all know why we're here?
Dalton: Not really.
Schala: I just got the summons.
Zeal: Well, it's about time we found another trio of Gurus, and I thought we needed to find someone who fit in. Prophet, you have the needed paperwork, do you not?
The oracle smiled, and reached under his cloak. When his gloved hand came back into view, it was holding a white binder thicker then a large dictionary. The Queen gaped at it.
Zeal: Those... are the applicants?
The Prophet: Just for the Guru of Time. Although I doubt we could find anyone as skilled as Gaspar, even within all these applicants.
Dalton: I'm not reading all that! That would take days.
Schala: You can't just blow this off. We need to fill the position of Guru.
Zeal: (Stroking chin, thoughtfully) Maybe...
But what the Queen was considering doing with the applicants was suddenly cut off. The was a rumble as the door opened once more, allowing a trio of strangers to step inside the council room.
The Prophet glared from behind his cowl. He knew it had to be them he felt arrive. The Frog wasn't with them, but there was no mistaking that boy's bizarre hair. That blonde was there too.
Her highness looked angrily at these visitors, scanning them one by one.
Zeal: Who are you? How'd you open this chamber's locking system?
Robo: We've come to talk to you about your choice to awaken La-
The Prophet: Milady, those are the intruders I warned you of.
Zeal: (angrily at the newcomers) Oh-ho! So you're the ones who mean to bring ruin to the Zeal Kingdom!
Marle: Uh...
Dalton stepped forward, leaping at the chance to gain some favor with the Queen.
Dalton: Highness, let me handle these horrid little savages.
Zeal: Please do. Schala, take us out.
Gripping her pendent, Schala chanted a small spell, teleporting the council away as the whooshing Golem portal opened just before the trio.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Zeal: Heh. What primitive magic-users.
Within moments, the beast had subdued the outsiders, the aristocratic quartet reappeared. Zeal walked in a circle around the new comers, sizing them up.
Zeal: They hardly tried adapting to that Golem you summoned, Dalton.
Dalton: (smugly) Of course not, Milady. My Golems are the best there are.
Schala: Umm... Perhaps someone already explained this, but who are these people?
The Prophet: Outsiders, attempting to bring down the fall of Zeal.
Schala: For what purpose?
The Prophet: Well-
Zeal: They certainly are strange looking, aren't they?
Stopping in front of Crono, the queen nudged him with her foot. But the mute's head cocked up on the ground, and he swiftly wrapped a hand around her ankle. Zeal gave out a cry of surprise.
Zeal: Ah! You dirty little savage!
Within the next instant, the Prophet appeared at his lady's side, kicking the already-injured boy in the jaw. The queen sighed with relief.
Zeal: Oh, thank you, Prophet. Somebody call security about this. Have this little trio of lunatics put into a cell until we can discern what their plans are.
As the usual faceless guards marched into the room to pick up the fallen bodies, the Zeal grabbed the Prophet's arm to lead him away towards the door.
Zeal: (to the room at large) Meeting adjurned, everyone. (To the Prophet) Now, I'd like-
Schala: Ba... but mother!
Zeal: (looking over shoulder) Dearie? Something the matter?
Schala: Aren't you forgetting something?
Zeal: (pauses, thinking) ... Oh, if you're worried about these strangers escaping, it's alright, dear. The holding cells in the palace are all impenetrable.
Schala: No, we still haven't appointed any new Gurus.
Zeal: Oh. Well...
The Queen glanced at the folder of applicants, fallen on the floor with half its contents spilled out.
Zeal: It would be so much work to appoint new Gurus. And I doubt we have anyone in that file with the old flare of those traitors.
Schala: But...
Zeal: Besides, Once the Mammoth Machine is directly connected to Lavos in the Ocean Palace, we'll hardly need the Gurus anymore. Zeal will have a new order.
Schala turned to the Prophet, as though asking for help, but the Oracle seemed to avoided her eye. The Queen meanwhile, stroked her chin smiling in a sinister sort of way.
Zeal: In fact, in the wake of this un-provoked attack on the country, I don't see why we can't step up the whole production. Tell everyone that we'll fully activate the Mammoth Machine... Tomarrow.
Dalton: T-tomarrow?
Schala: But mother, the Ocean Palace isn't finished yet!
Zeal: Well what're all those little tech hands doing down there? Tell them to get off their asses and work for god's sake! (to the Prophet) You think I'm right to move up the show, don't you?
The Prophet: (Smirk) The sooner we get to Lavos the better.
Dalton: But we don't even have the staff for that sort of thing.
Zeal: Well, use some members of your personal guard.
Dalton: Wha... my personal guard?
Zeal: They're securing the Ocean Palace anyway. Have them pick up a wrench.
Zeal walked off, arm-and-arm with the Prophet.
Zeal: Now I'd like to apologize for last night.
The Prophet: Oh, uh... that's quite alright.
Zeal: No, no, it's not alright. I don't know what happened but...
The pair walked into the sun-lit hallways, leaving Schala and Dalton stupified in their wake.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Janus: Ne-chan, are we supposed to be here?
Schala: I just need to see something.
The two entered the holding cells. People rarely ventured into these poorly-lit rooms, as there was very little crime in Zeal. At least very little crime that was performed out in the open and prosecuted against. But there were three new additions to these chambers. Floating in mid-air in a yellow hue were the new comers. Schala halted before their levitating figures, holding Janus by the hand.
Janus: Wow. Did they really attack you at the council meeting?
Schala: (softly) Maybe...
Slowly, Marle's eyes opened and came into focus. After a brief moment of surveying her surroundings, she screamed, arms and legs flailing in mid-air. Janus, startled, edged closer to his sister.
Marle: AH! Crono! Crono, wake up! Wake uuup!
Snapping awake, the red-head glanced quickly around the room. He soon spotted the siblings before him, eyeing them warily. Marle, meanwhile, was reaching toward Crono in an attempt to hug him for security, but could only manage to graze his clothes with her fingertips. The pair were hovering too far away.
Marle: Crono, where are we? I can't find my bow.
Janus: (Piping up from behind Schala) W-why'd you attack my sister?
Marle: (Stops trying to hug Crono, pouting) We didn't do anything. We came to warn you and you sicced rock-face on us.
Schala: (Blinks) Warn us?
Crono nodded solumnly. Raising one foot, he managed to tap Robo a few times until the droid awoke.
Robo: Sy-Sy-Sy-Systems online... Scanning location...
Marle: Nevermind that, Robo. Crono wants you to tell them about Lavos.
Schala: We know all about Lavos. It's a lifeform from another world that landed here millions of years ago.
Robo: But why is your nation attempting to tap into it as a power source?
Janus: Mama says Lavos is the future.
Marle: (under breath) He is if things keep going the way they are...
Robo: You don't understand- Lavos is still alive.
Schala: How could it still be alive? Even it survived the impact of arriving here it would have to be several mellennia old by now.
Marle: Yeah, but believe me, it's still alive. And it won't want to be woken up.
Robo: This creature, if it is allowed to continue its existence, will destroy mankind. We have come to intercept it before it is given such a chance.
The Prophet: I wish you'd told me that sooner.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the doorway, where the cowled oracle stood. He seemed to be ignoring the royal siblings, his hidden eyes on Crono and his team. As he stepped forward toward the cells, Janus "eeped" and ducked behind Schala's waist.
The Prophet: If you had, I would've intercepted you. Ah, well. You can't stop this now, anyway. Too many wheels turning.
Schala: Prophet, you have to listen to these people. They don't want the end of Zeal. They claim Lavos is some inhuman monster.
The Prophet moved past the princess, still surveying the captives.
The Prophet: It's not safe keeping you in prison. Where'd you enter this time period from?
Schala: (blinks) Time period?
Marle: How do you...
Robo: There's a gate in an cave on the continent below.
The Prophet: (Pressing button to unlock cell) Take me there.
The trio fell to the floor. Hard. Looking up, Crono moved to unsheath his sword. However just as an inch of the shining blade was taken from its leather holder the red-haired warrior felt the sensation of cold metal on his skin. The Prophet was holding a long jagged scythe to his jugular.
The Prophet: Get up. We're going.
Marle: Crono, don't...
Glaring, Crono rose to his feet. Schala watched as he and The Prophet surveyed each other broodingly for several minutes. Crono's eye ran along the scythe, then up to his attacker. Briefly the princess saw what she sure was a look of recognition on his face.
He motioned for Robo and Marle to move toward the door ahead of him. As his friends aheaded forward, his gaze fell on Janus, who looked back frightened. Schala moved a hand onto his shoulder show she was protecting him and Crono turned away. He followed his friends toward the door, The Prophet and his scythe just behind him.
The Prophet: (Eyes on trio) Schala, bring Janus to his room and meet us at the Skyway.
Schala: What? Why?
The Prophet: I'll need your help with this.
Left standing stupidly with Janus in the now-empty room, Schala thought it best to comply.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The cold biting into them, the group stepped out into the snow. As they entered the cave, The Prophet surveyed the time gate that hovered, glistening, off the floor.
The Prophet: I see. This is a much more stable example then what I've experienced. But how do you... harness such a thing?
Reaching within his tunic, Crono withdrew a shiny wand which he waved at the Gate. It expanded, bringing an unearthly white and blue glow into the room.
Schala: (Amazed, moving closer to examine it) Wow... wha... what is...
The Prophet: (Holds out arm to stop her) NO! Trust me, you don't want to do that, Schala.
Marle: You have to listen to us! Lavos is evil! It'll-
The Prophet prodded her with his scythe, nudging her toward the gate. Crono put his hand back onto his sword's hilt, but Robo leaned toward him, arm on his shoulder.
Robo: Don't, Crono. Wounds insufficently healed from Golem battle.
Crono bowed his head as Marle leapt into the Gate. Robo followed quickly after.
The Prophet: Well, go on then.
Crono eyed him.
The Prophet: This isn't anything personal, not like with the tadpole. You're just a little X-Factor in my plans.
Sighing, Crono leapt into the gate. After he was gone, it receeded once more to its dormant state.
Schala: (warily) You knew those people didn't you?
The Prophet: Yes.
Schala: So what do you say about their thoughts to Lavos?
The Prophet: It's of no great importance.
Schala: But-
The Prophet: Highness, I need you to place a block around this gate.
Schala: What?
The Prophet: Nothing major, just something that allows it to maintain stability and not be opened again.
Though unsure, Schala rose her arms and chanted slightly under her breath. Within moments a lavender pyramid appeared in a flash around the gate.
The Prophet: Now things can follow through uninterrupted.
Looking kind, The Prophet turned to Schala.
The Prophet: We better go back up before-
Schala: I'll catch up.
For a moment, the oracle looked like he wanted to argue, but paused. He surveyed her, still looking at the gate, undecided.
The Prophet: A-alright. But try to hurry.
Turning on his heel, the Prophet made his exit. Schala fell to her knees, considering the Prophet, the visitors, the gurus, and Lavos...
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Yeah. So... Sorry.
Like I said, I got no excuse. I remember sitting down to proof-read this chapter in November. But... Things just came up. I starting getting into EVA, and I think I started caring more about my DeviantArt page then my page... Lost my focus... But that's not right.
I'm damn proud of alot of the fanfictions I write, and I'm happy when I get review alerts. But I can't expect any alerts if I'm not really writing anything. I've got story ideas that would fly better on here then they would on Deviantart, I think. So yeah... YEAH!
"Chronicles" is my brainchild and it deserves to be finished in style. I don't deserve any readers or reviews after my neglect of this page, but I should at least finish this story right. There's only one chapter left, anyway.
I considered typing up another chapter featuring flashing back to King Leoric and how he died, but that sounded too self-indulgent and more trouble then it was worth. I can just as easily explain everything through Queen Zeal. Not that I wanna be rushing this though. I wanna put an end to it fairly.
Oh, the Blue Room's description was partly based on the night clubs seen in some Chappelle's Show skits (espicially the Rick James episode). Just with more blue.
Once again, I'm sorry. I'm probably gonna load up the game again and play through the Zeal part to get a fair idea of the Ocean Palace, but, then buckle down and try to work out the fic. I'd give an estimated release date but... yeah, we all saw how good I am at keeping up with those... Better I not make any promises unless I know I can keep them.
If you think I still deserve your reviews, I'd welcome them, even if they contain big notices on how lazy I am. Let it never be said I had work ethic. All the same, I'll be hoping to hear your thoughts.
I'd love to hear from you...
