Chrono Trigger
Unnatural Selection; wherein the past reveals the origins of the beast that causes the horrors and afflictions of the future…
It had been several hours since the last few rays of the sun stretched their brilliance over the dimming sky. Slowly, and one by one, stars dotted the blackening sky and would bear witness to coming events of the evening. The party, who had feared they would be visible in the sky, was relieved to find that they were shrouded in darkness. Save for the fiery glow of the lava casting its light against the underbellies of the beasts, they were perfectly unseen.
However, the noxious smell of molten rock was beginning to be overpowering and they felt weak and faint. They did not share the same benefits of the creatures they rode, whose life force was very resilient to the sulfuric stench of burning brimstone. That was why their eyes had received a new shine when they noticed they were drawing close to an intimidating fortress situated upon a rocky ledge.
The fortress, save for its many torches, was a large wall of blackness that barely stood out from the night sky. Upon the protruding ledges they could see the moving silhouettes of ever-vigilant sentries. As they drew nearer they were relieved to see no strong increase in activity and assumed they were unseen. Ayla, patting the beast lovingly on the back of its neck, clicked her tongue and pulled back on a scale. The beast growled softly as if he acknowledged her thoughts, and began to pound his wings in effort to rise above the fortress. The rest of the beasts followed and they found themselves looking down. There was a ledge that was too far down for an ordinary human, but for these people it was an uncomfortable landing. Ayla lead the way, letting her frame land gracefully. The main concern was Robo, but even Lucca underestimated the quick acclimatization of pressure to his legs. There was a brief, loud scrapping of metal and a hiss of steam, but other than that it was a stealthy landing. They watched for a moment as the beasts soared to a distant ledge, only to land and observe them diligently like owls.
"We need to be as quiet as we can until we get the villagers to safety." Lucca whispered, peering over the ledge. "Can they escape on foot?"
Ayla nodded and walked over to Lucca, pointing out certain places that lay in the distance. "We were in air for long time only because I avoided places where Reptites have been before. I was afraid they would see us." She first pointed to the path below that led two places: a heavily reinforced door with guards and a narrow canyon. "When Laruba escape, they can go into canyon and can hide. They are not fighters in the open, but they are strong in the forest. When they reach the forest, they find their way home."
"How strange that this place seems so like home, yet the village be of primitive state." Glenn commented, rubbing his chin ponderously. He did not notice the offended glare that Ayla gave him as he made his point. "If they have likened their fortresses unto our own in make, mayhap their precautions may be similar. Have they any means of notifying the fortress in case of invasion?"
Ayla, forgetting her indignation, nodded, "Yes. In days of war, when we approached, they blew into a horn."
"Ha!" Glenn said with a gleam in his eyes, "Then we must be very cautious and detain the sentries for fear that our presence may be brought to attention."
"They are here…"
How ironic that the intruders whispered in hushed tones at that moment, fearing detection. The king of the Reptites stood with his claws behind his back, gazing off into the night sky. His mind, which had grown so powerful over the years, could sense and feel the very movement of his foes as they made their way to the dungeons of the fortress. A warm breeze swept the terrace and his cape fluttered. His faithful servant, Nizbel, who had recovered months ago from his injuries, growled with a certain tone that suggested bloodlust. His horns lowered with his head and he said with great conviction, "Master, let the guards destroy them. There is no need for this test."
Azala sighed, not taking his gaze away from the sky. "Do you have faith in what I taught you?"
"Yes," Nizbel growled softly, "I will not fall victim to their strange power, and I am honored that you have bestowed this gift upon me."
"You have always been a firm defender to the greater cause. I ask that you do not abandon me now. The Great One, who is immune to death's cold hand, must deem us worthy."
"If it is your wish, then I will obey." Nizbel said with a bow.
"Then bring them to me. Bring them so that the fates may decide who shall live and who shall die."
"Alright…See what you can do, Marle…"
It had been so long since she was able to use her crossbow. Her heart beat fast as she wondered if she were as accurate as she was before. They crept around corners, careful to stay in the darker areas of the hallway. She peeked around the corner and down the hall, her eyes spotting the two guards on patrol. Their armor was the standard uniform which they had seen earlier on the other guards they incapacitated: a metal breastplate that held by shoulders of the same make, as well as a helmet designed to cover their snouts. "Two this time," Crono said, seething in between his teeth, "maybe there is another way around."
"Just hold on a second." Marle said, pulling another arrow from her quiver.
She drew the string, latching it to the catch. She did not line the arrow with the groove, but made sure the nocks both pushed against the string. She repeatedly looked from the crossbow to the sentries, realigning the arrows meticulously. She reached a satisfactory position and raised her weapon to her eye level. She smiled as she saw that the arrows were lined well. There was a barely audible twang and the sound of high-pitched whizzing. There were two loud clangs that sounded simultaneously, but it was not loud enough to draw the attention of other guards like the sounds of a struggle or a gunshot.
Crono guffawed quietly, patting Marle on her shoulder as he moved forward. There were no other guards, which caused him to look back the way they came. They could see the unconscious bodies of the guards they had attended to earlier, their helmets having beat upon their heads with the force of the arrow. However, there was a door and the sound of someone stirring behind it. Crono motioned for the party to hold their peace as he pressed his ear against the door.
"Do you think that ape-devil and her pets are going to come?"
"What? Absolutely not. Do you think they could stand a chance against us?"
Crono fought the urge to jump away from the door as the Reptites pushed against it. The door slammed back into place and the Reptites growled on the opposing side. "I am not in the mood for jokes tonight; let us out." Another push came at the door. When it did not yield there was the sound of teeth gnashing. The Reptites banged on the door, shouting at whom he mistook to be the guards. "I said move, damn it! Are you that dense? Shall I call you an ape now?" The door jolted again, but to no avail as Crono stood with a wide grin on his face.
"Alright then…You asked for this!"
Crono motioned for the others to move aside as he heard retreating footsteps from behind the door. Suddenly, there was the rapid pitter-patter of feet charging. The door burst open, the wood cracking in certain places. The Reptites tripped on the bodies of their unconscious comrades to end up on the floor, staring up at their unwelcome quests. The Reptites nearly screamed, but were hushed by the pointed weapons that hung over them. "Do you know where Ioku villagers be?" Ayla asked, grinning in satisfaction.
They both pointed in the same direction before receiving a heavy, yet non-fatal blow to the head.
The direction, in which the Reptites pointed, led them down a stairway. The stairway left them exposed and they knew that they would have to act quickly once they left the cover of the stairwell. Crono could hear the unseen Reptites raise with a start as they saw his leather boots first, his tan pants coming next. He wasted no time, drawing his sword as he descended. Pushing off the bottom step, he launched forward, smashing the horn that only sounded the preliminary breathy tone before the loud bellow. Thankfully, only the single guard had his horn on him and the rest were easily prey.
The Reptites were unconscious or heavily wounded when Crono and his party stood at ease, their eyes finally observing the sorrowful sight before them. The Laruba all stood with their hands against the bars of the cell, in which nearly all of them stood. There was barely room for anyone of the Laruba to sit, and that space was reserved for the wounded. Even then, some of the wounded were forced to balance on a single leg or were hunched over in pain. The women, who were under clothed enough as it was, had torn off what they could spare of their clothing to bandage the injured. Their faces were pale, their lips drained of blood, and their clammy hands reached out for their rescuers. Robo could understand the quiet clamoring of the Laruba, who reported the news to those who could not see.
"The Ioku chief is here! She is striving to be silent. Everyone must remain calm."
Ayla stepped forward, speaking in a slightly altered version of her native tongue. The Laruba nodded numbly, husbands rubbing the shoulders of their wives and the mothers grabbing hold onto their children as the plan was further discussed and precautions set forward. Ayla then turned to address the party and said, "It be good if three of us stayed ahead of the group and three of us stay behind the group. We can watch and guide them from both sides."
"Alright," Crono said, stepping forward. "Me, Marle, and Ayla will take the front." He turned to the others and said, "Lucca, Glenn, and Robo; take the back."
Lucca made a noncommittal sound but fell in with the rest of the group, but not before Marle and Glenn treated a few people who still bled profusely. The Laruba gawked in amazement as the healed stood and ran in place, the treated feeling almost as healthy as they had been before. They began to move forward, Crono cringing at the surprising amount of sound generated by this "stealthy" breakout. However, as they progressed, his tension eased. The guards did not stir as the Laruba tried to move as noiselessly as possible. Finally, they were nearing the gates and their troubles were nearly at an end. At least, that is what they thought…
"Where are the guards?" Crono asked, that nervous sensation rising in his stomach again.
"I know not," Glenn answered, "there have been no alarms. There is no other explanation save…" Glenn stopped in place, causing the others to follow suit.
"Save for what?" Crono pressed urgently.
"Unless there is a trap." Robo offered, moving to the front of the line.
"Yes," Glenn answered, putting his hand to his chin, "and that opens the door to many more questions, which may have dangerous answers. Damn this Azala and his cunning…"
"So what do we do?" Marle asked, her hands behind her back.
"Easy…you will comply with us is all…"The entire party whipped about-face, the woman screaming and the children crying in hysteria. To the credit of the Laruba, there were a few men who put themselves in front of the line, facing the fully armed Reptites who were led by the deadly Nizbel. To their continuing shame, more began to run for the gate, which burst open, admitting another battalion of Reptites to come forward. They looked back and forth helplessly, and began to tremble while Crono and his cohorts faced Nizbel or the Reptites with steely determination.
"Call off your men, or you will die."
Nizbel let out a bellow of a laugh and said, "It does not seem that you are in the correct position to give orders; that is, unless, you want the Laruba to die."
The Reptites unanimously took a step forward, their plate armor collectively clanking as they neared the huddled mass.
"If you wanted to fight, you would have started already." Ayla snarled, "What do you want?"
"You already know what it is we want…We want the gate key…"
"What do you know about it? Why do you want it so badly?" Lucca spat, her gun held steadily at a Reptites head.
Nizbel said nothing, but continued to move forward, a sinister look crossing his face. He cracked his massive knuckles, snorting great clouds from his nostrils. However, his eyes widened in surprise causing a few members of the group to follow his gaze. Although they did not notice it over the sound of their own beating hearts, they could hear a distant roar. The intensity of the roar began to grow and the sound of rumbling could be heard. Ayla's eyes, which narrowed as she tried to identify the sound, suddenly flew wide open as she realized she knew the source of it.
"Crono! It is the Ioku! Kino is coming! Fight!"
"Close the gates!" Nizbel roared in kind.
The party remained divided on two opposite sides of the crowd, Crono and Ayla moving forward to keep the gate open and Glenn and Robo charging Nizbel. Marle and Lucca stayed with the crowd, Marle forming a shield of ice to halt the advances of the enemy and Lucca creating a barrier of fire to push back the Reptites that dare not brave the heat. However, Nizbel charged through the fire with no reservations. His mighty fist pounded into a helpless Laruba, killing him on the spot. He turned his sight onto another helpless victim, but was stopped as he felt his windpipe go tight.
Robo had run around to the rear, leaping onto Nizbel's back and wrapping his arms around his neck. Nizbel's thick neck did not serve him well at this point, seeing that Robo could not fully reach around. Instead, his metallic fingers burrowed into the trachea which was protected only by thick skin. Nizbel gagged, his arms flailing to his back in an effort to remove his assaulter. Finally, he felt a leg flying from his thrashing and gripped it tightly, pulling with all his might. He swung the iron doll against the wall, the floor, and then the wall again, sweeping away the Laruba who dare come forward. However, his felt his arm crush under the blow of a sword and Robo was released from his grip.
Nizbel focused his attention on the annoying frog that leapt with the grace of a gazelle and acted with the incessant evasion of a fly. He roared as he balled up his fist and threw his entire body into a blow. Nizbel thought the blow landed, but was stunned as he was deflected. He felt his hand whip his body forward, causing him to fall to the ground. However, the moment he waited for came upon him as Crono saw his folly out of the corner of his eye. Nizbel smiled as a blinding light filled the hallway. He could feel the electricity filling his body, which filled him with the painful sensation of burning, yet gave a pleasing and almost engaging surge of adrenaline. He leapt to his feet, surprising his enemy as his fingers crackled with power.
"He absorbed it?" Crono answered with surprise, regretting his offered hand.
Nizbel was a force to be feared already, but he seemed as if the blast had energized him. He stormed through the Laruba like a raging bull, smashing and crushing any who got in his way. Crono noticed this with the quick glances he gave behind them. He turned to his companions and said, "Marle, Ayla, go help the others! I'll hold off the Reptites and keep the gate open!" They gave him a brief nod, but not before he was enveloped in a cool, calming light. He suddenly felt something much like the surge that Nizbel thought. He grinned as he felt himself move as fast as the wind, slicing his way toward the gate.
"Stop him!"
He found himself in an open space, beset by Reptite hordes. He slammed his foot into the ground, twisting his body toward a group that decided to rush him. They were greeted with blazing veins of lightning and were sent flying back into their troops. He did so again to the opposing side, sweeping them aside like dust. His magic had suddenly grown stronger, and he felt more confident as he plowed through the scaled army. However, the door had closed and the shouting of the Ioku was drowned out behind its heavy walls.
Crono smirked, his bravado carrying on in him to try the impossible. His frame began to tighten and his body cackled with power as he focused. The Reptites, who had a clean shot, were stricken with bizarre horror and dare not move. Suddenly, a blinding light shot forward, blasting apart the door with an explosion. What had once been a heavily armored door was nothing more than shattered planks with dark scorch marks. The Ioku shouts filled the hallway once again and the Reptites began to retreat to the opposing side of the Laruba.
Nizbel looked up from his opponents. He glared as he saw a familiar looking person heading the Ioku in the waning distance and a plan formed in his head. His enemies tensed in anticipation, expecting him to lunge toward them again. He began in a slow sprint and built up speed. He grew nearer and then leapt into the air, flying over his opponents. He landed opposite of Crono who watched him curiously. Nizbel charged through what was left of the door and toward the Ioku army. The battle cry dimmed for a moment as the Ioku noted the massive general charging toward them, but their shouting intensified as Nizbel grabbed a random man from the group. He quickly turned about, his claws digging into the ground as he ran on three appendages, his forth holding his new hostage.
"Kino…" Ayla nearly whimpered, watching in dismay as Nizbel leapt over the group again and toward the main area of the castle.
To his credit, Kino was not shouting in horror. Instead, he was trying to pierce Nizbel through the hand. To see Kino in such an of act brave self-preservation made Ayla feel even worse than she would feel had he screamed. She made a move to follow Nizbel, but hesitated as she saw the Laruba. She was a woman torn, but was relieved as the Ioku men finally reached the inside of the hall and effortlessly moved through the crowd of Reptites. Crono had finished decapitating an unfortunate challenger and joined the others. An Ioku man came next to Ayla and spoke so rapidly that it was hard for even Robo to completely follow what was being said.
"He say he can hold the Reptites here! He will take the wounded! We must save Kino!"
She ran through the Reptites on all fours, the others following behind her. The Reptites paid no attention to them save for a few jabs that were countered. The hall turned into another adjoining hallway that turned into a grand lobby, where the rising sun cast orange rays against the gray slabs of the fortress walls. There was a grand stairway and a balcony at least a hundred feet above them. They saw a spire that held a banner, which had been shredded by sharp claws. They saw Nizbel taunting them from the balcony, holding Kino out by the ankle.
"See how weak and fragile this creature is? I should kill him right now!" He thrust Kino out into the air, while Kino still pounded against Nizbel's hand. There was the faintest sign that the hand began to bleed.
"Don't you do it, Nizbel!" Ayla shouted with savage ferocity.
"Then come to me! Come face my master!"
With a quick turn he stormed out of sight and walked away from the balcony. Ayla, without thinking where she needed to go, dashed toward the stairway and ascended. There was the occasional guard rushing past them or toward them, but they were quickly defeated and Ayla encouraged their pace to resume. Finally, they found themselves on an open stretch of hallways that led to a bastion. The bastion held a large storage room that protruded from the fortress as if it were a terrace. In front stood Nizbel with Kino. Also, there stood the caped ruler of the Reptites, Azala himself.
"You came." He said, regarding them coldly and appraisingly.
"You lose Azala!" Ayla shouted while she showed a smile meant to intimidate. "Let Kino go, release the Laruba, and kneel as a sign of goodwill, and we will spare you!" There was no more offensive thing to say to Azala than the demand of an act of humility. His eyes widened, his vertical pupils contracting as he felt his heart skip a beat. His brow furrowed and he unleashed all his fury in a shout that echoed across the lava fields behind them.
"Kneel?" He shouted incredulously. "Kneel?" He turned, searching for whomever his foe meant to address. His reaction was a bizarre mingling of anger and a sense of skepticism that nearly made him howl in laughter. However, his face contorted as he saw the ape still smiling at him, the muscles untwitching and the body reflecting confidence. Fists clenching, he glared at the ape and snarled, "Would you command an ocean to cease its constant ebb and flow? Would you command the very world to stop spinning? Would a dog," he pointedly voiced, with his tone and finger "command his master to kneel? You fool! How dare you command me to kneel before you, a filthy creature whose very own genus places you within the ranks of those cowards? How dare you insinuate that I am lower than you all! How dare you that you even suggest that you are worthy to be here!"
His eyes widened and bulged as his roared one last time, "HOW DARE YOU!?" His enraged shouts echoed across the lava fields, echoing against the blackened walls of the fortress. His breathing became rapid, and his claws shook with fury.
"Master, shall I grind their bones into the dust?" Nizbel said with a low bow.
"No," Azala nearly whispered. "I will have the pleasure of killing them myself…but you may have the pleasure of killing the one you hold…"
Ayla gasped, drawing the attention of Azala who smiled sinisterly. "Yes," he said, his voice oozing with satisfaction at hitting such a nerve, "Nizbel, kill him."
It seemed to happen in slow motion for Ayla, and it almost seemed like a dream. Kino, who had ignored the conversation in a continuing struggle to release himself from Nizbel, did not scream as the massive arm reeled back. He seemed limp as his arms brushed the ground, unsuccessful in their frantic search for something to hold. His body flew into the air with the sound of a savage grunt, and his body spun in the air. In her eyes and in the way she felt, Ayla did not even feel her legs stretch as she ran with lengthened stride. Her reaching arm stood out before her, grasping vainly for the silent form that hovered against a fiery orange sky. The form fell behind a dull gray edge, fading out of sight.
Kino was dead.
She stood in shock, her hands coming to a railing. She looked toward the sky, not willing to bare the pain of watching Kino dash against the cliffs only to be submerged into what lay below. Meanwhile, Crono had already let anger grab a hold of him as he unsheathed his sword with a yell. His leather soles pounded the concrete as he leapt into the air. Nizbel, who grinned with the self-satisfaction of an enemy who had destroyed something priceless, noticed far too late what was approaching. He roared in pain as the sword came down, cutting deep into his flesh. A spray of blood filled his vision as he stumbled backwards, grasping his shoulder. Crono leapt again, but was stopped by a strange power causing him to hover in midair.
He strained against an invisible force as his sweat and grunts of effort showed. Azala watched feverously, holding out a single arm. Nizbel breathed heavily, a sense of shame coming over his face as he realized what had happened. He could feel eyes watching his back as he heard, "You will leave us now, Nizbel…This is between us."
He was quick to address the others who started to move forward, "One more step and the boy dies as well!"
They all froze in place as Crono's body hovered slowly over the railing. He had began to fight off the control, and his arms reached for the rail. His fingers tensed as if he were trying to crush something in his grasp. Nizbel shuffled off, his back tensing as the party watched him leave. He left a trail of blood behind him and was out of sight. Their sight turned back to Nizbel, who strained under great effort. Crono's body still continued to head toward the ledge, but it slowed to a stop. Azala let out a loud breath and Crono fell, his fingers grabbing the edge enough to save and lift himself up.
As Crono vaulted over the railing, his party members were already dashing madly toward Azala. Just as they fell upon him, he flexed his bodily muscles inward and exploded, sending a barely visible force to throw back the party. They all landed roughly on the ground, but jumped to their feet and looked at Azala with mock pity. "Give it up! You're breathing like nothing I've ever seen!" Lucca sneered, raising her gun.
It was true. The excursion to send back all his foes at once was very consuming and his shoulders rose and fell with each intake. However, he seemed far from defeated as he wheezed in laughter. He made another move, which caused the party to step back in anxious anticipation. However, all that happened was the loud, hollow echo of a lock coming apart within the storage room. Their eyes turned to the door as they heard something stir, as well as the sound of massive rattling chains. Azala made another movement as the large barricaded doors slowly opened.
BOOM!Marle shrieked in surprise as something huge burst the door open. The double doors flew in opposite directions, crashing against the outer walls of the fortress. Dust and concrete fell from where there used to be steel hinges. A figure emerged from the darkness, and the first thing the party noticed was the teeth. There they rested on bloody gums, blood encrusted with former meals and rampages. They were jagged, full of decay, yet seemed very sharp. It figure breathed, as if it were trying to decide if it might emerge from his prison. Its breath was rank and the smell almost felt saturating. Its eyes, which were bloodshot, narrowed in on his master and those who stood before him. It shook its massive head, as something seemed to hurt him inside, making his jowls clack. Finally, it leapt from its seclusion, brushing and knocking bricks from the exit. It stood on hind legs, its broad tail pounding the ground behind him. He craned his neck backwards and let out an ear-piercing roar that seemed to shake the bastion on which they stood.
Azala smirked in pleasure at the sight of his enemies covering their ears. With that same power he used against Crono, he levitated himself onto the creature's shoulder and looked down at his guests. "Ayla, do you know why I have chosen to face you alone and not along with my men?" She shook her head in response and he continued. "For years, we have fought bitterly. It has cost the lives of many, yet nothing has been decided. Throughout the history of this world we have fought for one reason or another, and now it will be settled here. You say that we are lesser for the supposed sins of our fathers. If that is true, would your way of the world allow you to live?"
"You are unsure about what you believe. Is that what you are trying to say?"
Azala growled at the spectacled girl and said, "No person may be absolutely certain of anything! Life is about perception! All knowledge is somehow flawed, but only time can determine the truth. Only time can reveal who will last and who will wither away. I cannot wait so long to determine this for myself! I will prove to my master, and to you all, that the world was not meant to be inherited by your kind! This world shall belong to the Reptites and you" Azala pointed a claw to the party, "shall be forgotten."
"In the simplest of terms," Azala said condescendingly while rearing his creature into action, "may nature choose its course!"
The party scattered as the massive beast charged forward, its teeth gnashing and tongue flailing. Azala cackled maniacally as the beast spun around, its tail crushing the pillars into powder. Azala urged the monster on, his eyes darting back and forth as he controlled the beast with his mind. Its snapping jaws sent saliva flying in all direction, and it turned so quickly that there was barely a second to avoid being chomped into pieces. Finally, Lucca saw an opening and smiled as she summoned a ball of flame and threw it at the eyes of the beast. Her smile faltered as her arms trembled and began to change course. She looked in the direction her arms were heading and shouted for Glenn to leap out of the way. He obeyed just as a flaming ball shattered the walkway.
"Telekinesis!" Lucca shouted.
Lucca, in all her years of study, had come across this phenomenon. Like most of her adventures, this was something that she had never seen until the day she left her home to follow Crono. However, all that she read leapt into her brain at a moment's notice and she wondered how she could express all her knowledge on the subject while avoiding death at the same time. She shouted above the din and said, "Azala can take possession of our minds and force us to work against ourselves! Distract him!"
Marle readied her crossbow and aimed it at his royal majesty, her hand remaining steady despite the wild fear that filled her. However, it was too late and the target had seen her. He clenched his fist and Marle almost felt as if an invisible string pulled her hand. As the bowstring released, the arrow shot off into the distance, missing the target completely. He focused on the creature once more, turning his attention on Marle who threw a layer of ice onto the ground as she dove. The sharp claws faltered for a moment before they scratched through the thin layer and the beast lunged again, snapping after the blonde girl.
Ayla found her way onto the tail and gripped it tightly. She scrambled her way to the creature's back, hoping that Azala wouldn't notice. While she climbed, Crono and Glenn tried to make Azala focus on them. They threw the elements at the creature, which did little to slow them down. Their efforts only made Azala laugh in joyful glee as if he were pulling the wings off flies. Suddenly, he felt arms wrap around him, crushing him like a python. "This is for Kino." She whispered viciously into Azala's ear.
His mind control over the beast was lost and it began to buck wildly, causing Ayla to lose her grip for only a moment. Azala gasped, instinctively summoning a volley of stones with his mind. The shattered remains of a pillar pelted Ayla relentlessly, causing her to fall to the ground below. She rose with a start, avoiding the crushing blow of an enormous foot. Another boulder was thrown toward Ayla. The man of metal leapt to her front, the boulder exploding into dust as it met him. It was his turn as he tried to take the beast instead of Azala. He braced himself as the snapping jaws came closer. It met with together with the sound of crushing bone and ear splitting screeching as Robo's feet slid against the walkway. The creature bore down on him, its disgusting breath coming in stuffy clouds. The ground beneath him began to crack and it finally gave way. He fell backward, the creature pushing him against the ground with its snout. Sparks erupted from Robo's backside as he slid against a wall. The creature's teeth sank into its body, heavily denting the frame, yet the frame did not yield. It shook its head viciously as it would to prey made of flesh and bone, but it the metallic man did not break or give way. He was dropped to the ground, scratched and dented as the beast reared again.
"You cannot win!" Azala growled, "Behold the power of the Reptites! Behold your weakness and frail-"
Azala was stopped as something heavy hit the back of his head. He faltered for a moment and nearly toppled over. Crono and Ayla's eyes went to the source of the thrown object and they saw a flying beast circling the sky. Although he had soared away, they could make out blonde hair and a familiar voice that shouted down at them. Ayla smiled gleefully, but did not allow herself to be distracted any longer as she leapt gracefully on the back of the creature once more. She rushed toward Azala who had shook his head clear too late. He felt his body fly backwards as Ayla violently shoved him. He landed roughly on the ground, away from his perch and among the snakes he so hated. He was suddenly very vulnerable.
The creature shook his massive head, free from the control of its master. It acted on its own now as Azala tried his hardest to regain his dominance. However, he was dodging the attacks of the party now, deflecting spells with shields of stone and energy. And now, he was also avoiding the thunderous minion that paraded dangerously on the small walkway. At last, the creature turned about, its tail shattering the last of the storage behind him. Its eyes had found new prey in the form of Azala and it began to charge. Azala, despite being weighed down by his robes, was surprisingly nimble as he used a combination of physical prowess and mental influence to save himself. However, he was not prepared for the tail that lashed wildly insomuch that he felt its crushing blow. He landed against a wall, pain manifesting itself as stars behind his eyelids. As he rose, the creature began to charge again.
"How dare…how dare you defy me!"
The massive creature stopped, a single leg staying in midair while his other touched ground. The creature began to move backwards as Azala grew a stern countenance. The creature fought back, screeching almost pitifully in fear as it scratched the ground. It began to gain speed again and moved toward Azala. His former master growled, his anger resorting back to that instance where he killed his own men in anger. With a blast that distorted the world around them for a fraction of a second, the monstrous creature flew back, landing roughly on the ground. It slid to the edge, its legs desperately kicking the ground in a bid to stop. It was too much, for he fell over the cliff, its piercing cry sounding in Azala's ears. As the creature fell into the lava below, Azala's eye went wide as he realized he was alone.
"What have I done?"He was weakened by the immense concentration he used before. The entire party fell on him, and he tried vainly to repel them with several blasts that he used against his bygone ally. The blows began to land and his body was becoming ragged. However, he fought unceasingly until a final blow decided the fight in an instant. As he reflected the spells and arrows shot at him, he saw that two objects came at him at the exact same time. Ayla charged forward as well as Glenn, whose weapons came crashing around him. His blunder cost him, as he imagined he could dodge the blow of the inferior ape. Glenn flew back and landed on the ground as Ayla's fist drew closer to Azala.
His effort to avoid the blow was in vain. It connected; as powerfully as he ever felt anything. He felt his body lurch into the air from the punch. Something inside him made an audible crack and his blood exploded from his jaws in a wet hacking cough. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he momentarily lost consciousness. When he came about, he was lying on the ground, his head spinning and his beautiful robes torn and tattered. His enemies stared down at him, their weapons held at the ready.
"Could-could it really be true?" Azala began, his throat itching horribly as he spoke. "Have I really lost to you? A filthy, unintelligent ape?"
"It is over," Ayla stated firmly.
Azala, despite himself, began laughing with a wheeze mingled with violent fits of coughing. "Over? It is far from over…"
"What do you mean?" Lucca said angrily. "You said…"
"Yes…I said that history would choose the strongest of the two…and it did so for a reason…" With that, Azala pointed toward the sky.
The members of the party looked skyward and gasped as a bright red star seemed to change the very color of the atmosphere. Everyone except for Ayla seemed to have no idea what this meant, and Ayla had become very distraught at the sight of it. She began to shake, the color going from her face. "Lavos…"
"What did you say?" Crono said with a gasp, turning his face to Ayla.
"Yes…It is what you apes refer to as Lavos…" Azala began with a throaty chuckle. "You believe him to be the bringer of death, but I see it differently. He is the fortifier of life…He is the creature that shall strengthen the weak things of this world through trails and tribulations. He will eliminate the weak and only the strong shall remain. He shall come, destroying the home of those who have fallen…erasing their existence as punishment for their failure to adapt to this world…He shall select the strong and cast away the weak."
"So you mean this place…"
"Will be destroyed as he collides into this world, causing the earth to meet sky. The sun will be darkened and the earth shall freeze, ushering in a lifeless ice age where the survivors shall have to struggle everyday of their lives."
"I don't understand," began Ayla. "If you had won you would have to live in that world."
Azala looked at Ayla with a very uncomfortable piercing gaze. "Do you honestly believe that this whole war had been about who is the strongest? Is that all you and your ignorant people can comprehend? What a woeful day this is when the leader of my enemy defeats me in a war for which she barely can comprehend the cause!"
"Then what is the cause?" Ayla said testily.
Azala looked to the sky as if he were looking be yond the reddish atmosphere and into the vast reaches beyond. "There are many reasons that have culminated over the millennia that we have existed. Maybe it is because we hate those different from ourselves or that nature drives us to compete for survival. All I know is what fueled my desire to fight…" Azala looked at Ayla again, his eyelids narrowing accusingly. "It was your belief…it was your unwavering belief in the artificial history of this world. It was your belief that we have descended from vicious and wicked creatures that caused my blood to boil…For you to look down upon us, when you lived in grass huts and filth, infuriated me."
"If we were so inferior, why did you even care about what we thought?"
Azala, the creature who was heralded as a prophet among his people, was speechless at that question.
In his mind, he blamed it on the injuries he had sustained. Perhaps that was true to some extent. The blood that flowed from his wounds left him dizzy and the fluidity of his usual speech was inhibited by his sharp, painful gasps for air. Surely, his cognitive powers, his ability to comprehend, could surpass that of the simpleton that stood above him? A great surge of frustration filled him as this incredibly simple question irked him to no end. His eyes found his enemy and he uttered, "I wanted to prove you wrong…"
"That is it?" Ayla said incredulously. "You waged war with my people for that? For years you have slaughtered us to try and prove us wrong?
"If I had succeeded I would have had you all bend down and announce that what you have believed is untrue…Then, I would have proven that it is you who were filthy. It would be you that were the unclean sinners."
Before there was a response, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The lava fields tumbled, sending crashing waves of molten rock into the sky. The group glanced about themselves skittishly while Azala lay on the cold walkway, his bloodstained teeth growing into a wide grin. The star above them grew brighter and brighter until the world around them was bathed in a red glow. It was at that point the party noticed that the heavenly body grew brighter and the quaking increased.
"Ayla!"
Several flying beasts landed on the walkway, their beating wings surrounding them in gales. On them rode Kino a member of the Laruba and his chieftain, who beckoned the members of the party to board. They quickly obeyed, not one of them questioning how Kino survived and where the Laruba had come from. However, as the creature lowered its wing for Ayla, she stopped and abruptly turned about. Kino shouted after her, but was silenced as he watched her hoist the Reptite king by his arm.
"Ayla? Gaano ka? Buwang ka?"
She said nothing as she made her way to the beast, but was surprised as she felt herself being pushed away. She looked into the furious, appraising eyes of her enemy and he nearly snarled at her, "Leave me!" Ayla, in shock, dropped Azala to the ground and felt herself tense as he landed with a thud. He groaned as fresh pain roared in his ribs. She stood over him, speechless.
"Why would you save me? Do you really think I would refute what nature has chosen?"Ayla tried to reach for him again, but leapt back as he snapped his jaws at her. "Azala! You can live! We make another treaty! Come with us!"
"Just…just go…" Azala uttered, his eyes lowering as he let himself lay on the rumbling ground. "The future…we have no future…"
Ayla watched him in amazement insomuch that it took Kino to bring her back to the moment. He tugged on her arm and in a moment the party was soaring through the air. The ramparts of the fortress grew distant, but Ayla's eye never left the creature who lay sprawled on bastion. Likewise, Azala watched his foes disappear into the distance. He finally faced the sky once again and looked at the being that uttered whispered promises of supremacy. Azala, reflecting on Ayla's desire to save him, brought doubts to his mind which he never had before. The act of mercy from such a creature, while shaming, made him wonder reflect on what she said.
Why did he care what she thought, if it wasn't true…unless it was?
Therefore, Azala, the king of the Reptiles faced his death in the way he did not expect: with fear and uncertainty. In his final moments, his entire life came into remembrance and every event was stripped of vanity and self-worship. He viewed himself as he really was: he was a genius, a tyrant, and intolerant, and according to the beliefs of the Apes he was wicked. A comfort to him, however, was his firm belief that no man can know with a steadfast surety of what may come.
Therefore, he stared at death and hoped, as we all inadvertently do, that things would bode well for him. He hoped that he was right and all the teachings of the apes were fabrications. He hoped that there would be no judgment and no condemnation. He hoped that there was something he might have missed in all his years of gathering knowledge that would ensure his continuing existence in a differing way the Apes had believed.
Watching from a distance away, where the fortress was a mere speck on the horizon, two races saw a shooting star that connected to the ground in the blink of an eye. The impact was strangely silent, yet a light grew stronger and stronger until it was blinding. A sudden gust of wind blew all off their feet, the boom of the blast finally reaching their ears. They struggled to stand, their hands or claws shielding their eyes from the debris. Finally, the blinding light subsided and was replaced with heavy darkness.
Thus died Azala the Reptite King.
There was no fighting.
Although that may seem wondrous at first to read those words, it was not for the reasons we would think. The darkness which covered the land was not so thick that it was completely blinding. It was almost as if it were night and the stars were covered. Torches had been lit and the two races sat in large, separate groups. There was a feeling of tension in the air as a feeble truce kept the finishing stage of the battle from occurring.
Hours passed, and it became easier to breathe as dust began to settle over the plants of the forest. Although the darkness seemed to grow stronger it was merely because day was over, as Lucca pointed out. Ayla grew a deep appreciation for Lucca as she quelled her fears about the current situation, offering her understanding of the calamity. Marle and Crono sat close to each other, not talking to each other but sharing company. It was Glenn and Robo who patrolled the two camps, watching for any trouble that may ensue.
Many of the villagers longed to go home, wanting to face this crisis in a familiar and comfortable place along with their wives and children who must have feared for them. However, fear of betrayal from the Reptites kept them from wandering off on their own. Instead, there was a strenuous feeling of suspense mingled with long stretches of boredom as they waited for their leader to command them. Finally, their patience was rewarded.
It only happened after a night's respite. Marle slowly woke from her slumber, finding that her head lay on Crono's outstretched leg. She messaged her stiff neck and was pleased to find that she could see the world in dark bluish hues as one would find before a sunrise. She roused Crono who smiled as he could see the two camps clearly, although the world was still dark. He looked to the sky and felt bewildered when he saw a lighter patch of gray in the midst sky above him.
"It's the sun…" Crono turned to Lucca who approached him.
She stood next to him, leaning in close enough that he could follow her arm like a sight as she pointed skyward. "What Azala said was true. It will get brighter and brighter, of course. But the impact caused by Lavos has created a thick cloud cover. Although it seems like it's early morning, it is actually noon."
"Why isn't it cold yet?" Crono asked.
Lucca sighed, leaning against a dusty banana tree, "It will take several decades, maybe even centuries or millennia, but it will happen."
"What if we changed the future, and it is this way in our time as well?" Marle gasped, turning to Lucca for an answer.
"I don't think that's the case. I am sure this was meant to happen and this is how Lavos got here. But, to be safe, we can go home and see once we are done here."
"What about everyone else? Have you talked to Ayla?" Crono asked, turning his head each way in a lackadaisical search.
"While you guys were sleeping we went to explain things to the Reptites. Nizbel come out and convinced the Reptites that what we told them was the truth. He urged the Reptites to hold our peace for now, but he wishes to talk to all of us."
"When?" Crono asked.
"Now." Lucca answered, pointing in the direction she came. "Frog sent me to find and wake you guys. Nizbel wants to know what we should do now."
Crono and Marle began walking, forcing their minds to be prepared for what may happen. They noticed members of the Ioku preparing weapons as they walked and tensions seemed high. Finally, after passing through a thicket, they stood in a meadow where two considerably large groups sat on opposing sides. They all held their weapons at the ready or within their sheathes, none wanting to use them. There was a straight gap between them, each group eyeing their opposite uneasily. However, the most noticeable being of the two groups was Nizbel who towered over his cohorts. His eyes acknowledged the strange red-haired boy that moved through the crowd, and his nostrils flared as he gingerly touched his own-bandaged wound.
Crono and Marle had a seat where the other members of their party had patiently waited. They also seemed to ooze apprehension as their muscles stayed clenched and their eyes unblinking. Crono let his gaze find Kino and the chieftain of the Laruba. It was the first time Crono had seen him since he rescued them the day before. Kino returned his gaze with a reassuring smile, showing that the chieftain of the Laruba had saved him before he suffered any injury. Finally, Nizbel let out a long drawn sigh and lowered his gaze to the two new additions. He said in a tone that held suspicion mingled with hope, "What did Azala say when the battle was over?" His eyes searched them as they thought for a moment, and they answered in turn. When the story was finished, Nizbel let his shoulders sag and he looked as if he had aged considerably in a mere second.
"Then it is true…our master is dead…he has been defeated…"
"Nizbel," Ayla began gently. She was stopped as Nizbel motioned for her silence.
"Before you came to our fortress, I was commanded by Azala that if you were victorious, we were to lay down our weapons and let you slay us."
This earned a stunned look from many that sat across from Nizbel, while some of the Ioku had nearly unsheathed their weapons before they were stopped by Kino's command. Nizbel looked sourly at the vengeful Ioku and said with resolution, "You may thing that he is a liar and a cheat, but I assure you that when it came to truth as he saw he was a man of his word. However, as much as I cared for my master, I can not bear to order my brothers and sisters to lay down their weapons and die by your filthy hands." This earned a general clamor from the Ioku who mistook this as a declaration of war. It took an angry roar from Nizbel to quell the growing debate of the Ioku. Nizbel continued, "I also love my master enough to respect his wishes concerning your people. He told me that nature would choose its champion. He told me that it was the duty of the weak to allow the strong to rule the world as they see fit." He spoke bitterly at this point, "The death of my master marks a dark day for us, but I suppose you should be enthralled."
"What do you plan to do?" Ayla asked, looking at the sullen faces of the Reptites.
He rose from the ground, his wound smarting as cloth tore from dry blood. "We will fade away and trouble you no more. For as long as we retain it in memory amongst our people, we shall never trouble you again out of respect for our master and his wishes. Rejoice in our defeat, Apes, and hope that we never forget the words of our master."
There was a great rustle as the Reptites moved through the forest, their bodies slinking through the trees and underbrush. Within minutes, the land was clear and only the Ioku and Laruba remained. They began to cheer, raising their spears above their heads. Sons and fathers hugged and Luruban wives and husbands celebrated with their children. It was only the group of six that stood in silent reverence as their enemy departed. Unfortunately for their hopes, five of them knew that the longest treaty in the history of this world would eventually end.
They flew above the crater that was left in the wake of Lavos. It was something that made Ayla marvel, seeing such a large piece of land that changed so much during the course of a few days. The crater was perfectly shaped as an inward dome, the outside rim forming a circle that bordered lava fields and forests for a circumference of several miles. The outer rim of the crater was made of jagged stone pillars that stretched toward the sky. However, a strange blue glow that was made all the more noticeable by the lack of sunlight caught their eye.
They landed on the smooth stone within the crater and approached the blue glow. It was in the familiar shape that they had seen many times throughout their journey. Marle let her mouth hang open as Lucca stated the obvious. "It's another gate…"
"Why in the world would there be a gate here?" Crono asked, letting his hand pass through the crackling portal.
While Crono, Marle, and Lucca investigated the gate, the others had begun a search. Ayla and Kino, having been informed about an enemy even more threatening than Azala, immediately went to work. They let their hands strike the earth, but were stunned at how hard the bedrock had become in such a short time. It did not take Robo for Ayla and Kino to reach the same conclusion. They rose to their feet and faced the group, Ayla saying, "He went underground. He is still burrowing deeper and deeper."
"Then, our arrival hath been untimely." Glenn said, lowering his head.
"Not so fast," Crono said with a smile. "Maybe there is something about these gates and Lavos…"
"Like what?" asked Lucca.
"Well, remember how we fought Magus and he summoned Lavos?" Crono began.
Robo joined in eagerly, "Ah yes, very good Crono! Instead of Lavos coming, the gate came instead! I think that there may be some correlation with Lavos and the gates."
"I suppose it might make sense." Marle said, shrugging. "I don't see why not?"
"I can tell you why," Lucca began, her voice sounding slightly defensive, "first off it is UGEE energy that emanates and powers the gates. Second, Lavos certainly wasn't popping up in the fairgrounds when Marle disappeared."
Crono gave Lucca a nod and said, "Well, maybe we can figure it out if we go through."
Ayla, who had been in the dark on most of the conversation finally heard something she could understand. "So, you think that bad Lavos might be in that blue light?"
Crono began, straightening his back, "I believe that is what we are about to find out."
"Well, I am going too." Ayla was greeted by uncomfortable stares, which she answered by turning to Kino, saying, "We have talked about it, and I feel it is a matter of honor. You have helped us so much that it would be shameful if I did not help you." They turned to Kino in turn, who nodded resolutely.
Crono sighed, "Well, I think that depends on what everyone else things." Their eyes searched the group, and only Glenn seemed a tad uncomfortable at the prospect of Ayla coming along.
"Well, I suppose that settles it then." Crono said with a nod.
Ayla bounced on her heels, giving a tight hug to all those in the group as she squealed in delight. She went to Kino next and said a few words to him, lowering her voice so that they were for his ears only. She gave him a hug, which he received gratefully. After, she pulled away and faced the group, bowing her head in compliance. With that Lucca stood in front of the portal, waving the gate key and prompting it to open. Memories of the gate in the Mystic castle caused Glenn to think twice about this endeavor, but he felt reassured as the others walked in with no second thoughts. It was Ayla and Lucca who went in last. Ayla stalled for a moment and gave Kino another look. She smiled, causing a smile to show on his face as well. She nodded, pleased to see that she somehow eased his nerves and she dove headfirst into the blue light.
"Ow…"
The others could not help but laugh as they looked at the prostate form of Ayla on the floor. At first it gave them a start to hear her emerge from the gate with a yell. A few seconds later, it dawned on them that she had been a little over-zealous and leapt after them. She rose from the ground and brushed off her stomach and knees, smirking despite herself.
"So, where are we?" Crono asked.
Their environs were slightly illuminated by the light of the gate. They could tell they were inside a cave, which was cold and damp. Water trickled through the ceilings and followed the curvature of the walls, resting in little puddles on the ground. A distance away they could hear a shrill whistling and maybe even a clap of thunder. Lucca summoned a flame upon her hand and led the way. As they progressed, they noticed a great change in temperature and began to shiver, despite being strengthened by their control of the elements. At long last, a dull light filled the distant end of a tunnel. They moved forward, the whistling noise becoming more pronounced. By this time they realized it was the howl of the wind, but they had yet to realize the source of the cold.
Imagine their surprise as they viewed this new world. It must have struck Ayla the most, knowing only the warm and inviting temperatures of a tropical climate. However, in this place, the very wind seemed to hurt her as she found herself instinctively hugging her body in a bid to gain warmth. Even the other members of the body let out a shriek of surprise as they felt heavy droves of sleet and snow pelt their faces. They surveyed the land, seeing nothing but white landscape and tall evergreen forests that almost seemed black as the night approached.
"What is this white stuff?" Ayla asked, allowing her arms to leave her side for a moment so that she could catch a single flurry in her hands. She giggled despite the cold as she watched the strange thing turn into water in her hands.
"Art thou so daft, woman?" Glenn said incredulously. Fortunately, Ayla did not understand his choice of words and turned to Lucca to explain it to her.
"It's snow. It's what happens to rain when it gets cold enough outside. It seems like Azala was right after all."
"Are you okay?" Lucca was snapped from her thoughts as she turned in the direction Crono spoke.
Marle stood, wrapping her arms around herself, her teeth chattering. "P-p-please don't t-t-tell me that we are going to go and explore dr-dressed like this."
"I suppose it would be a little 'cold-hearted' of us if we went on despite your attire, right?" Robo said with a tone of mirth.
Crono was about to congratulate him on yet another successful pun, but was stopped short by Lucca's piercing eye. He muttered something about receiving the cold shoulder while her back was turned, which even earned a guffaw from Glenn who continually wrapped his cape tighter around himself. After a moment of thinking Crono broke the silence and said, "It would probably be dangerous for us it we went out unprepared. It's probably a good idea to go back to our time and get ready. What do you guys think?"
This prospect earned a smile from Glenn, "Aye, how exciting it will be to see your place of residence!"
Marle nodded, patting his shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "That is a good idea."
"Well, let's go back to Ayla's time and then find the gate to take us back home."
"Ugh…I can't wait to take a real warm bath…" Marle said, already imagining the feeling of soap against her skin.
With that, they went back the way they came and entered the gate again, the original three members of the group being excited for a long awaited return home.
Author's Note: Hey everyone. I wanted to respond to a few questions and comments. A few of you asked me why I haven't wrote a sequence about Frog accompanying the party to the end of time to receive magical powers. It may sound like a lame reason, but I figured if I did that I would have written too much about such a tiny detour. Instead, I decided that Frog, along with his curse, received a blessing or a new power that he had developed over the years since he had been cursed, which was the magic that cursed him. Responding to Ani Medley, the tone of voice I use is intentional. I mean to write the story as if I am telling it to you, only sometimes my writing style isn't consistent. That is because I sometimes read a book or story and the style makes me want to change my writing until I read another book, which makes me want to change again. :-) One of these days I'll make the style unanimous if I ever get to edit it. Pata Hikari, thanks. :-) That is what I try to go for when I write in narrative style. Nova Flame, good eye! I didn't mean to make the chieftain sound like Calypso per se, but I had a Jamaican accent in my head as I wrote it. Banjkazfan; good questions. The language is a Philippino one; Visayan, or more particularly, Illonggo. As for the Glenn and Frog switch, I try to have Lucca refer to Glenn as Frog while the others refer to him as Glenn. I figured that would give the reader a bit of insight to Lucca's personality, and I figure that Lucca would be the kind of person who would use a bit of tactlessness to for the sake of easing informalities. And for Frog Lady…would it be bad if I said I don't know :-O I forgot if I wrote Glenn's true identity as a secret or if it was something that everyone knew. It could be a continuation error. ZeroSabreMaster: good points as well. I was actually thinking about how to change that, but I couldn't find any place where I could apply his power in a dynamic way. Hopefully Robo will be able to wow us pretty soon on that front. Good call on the Masamune as well. I might actually come up with an explanation in later chapters. Kit, always good to get a review from you. As for the rest who I haven't addressed, thanks for reading!