Chrono Trigger

The Ascension of Mount Woe; a chapter wherein the party heads for Mount Woe and experiences a strange revelation as a result…

Everyone in the room stared long and hard at Schala, including the gurus. There was a slight loosening of her composure as their stares did not waver; however, she found it again when she restated just as firmly as before that she was going to go with them whether they liked it or not. Balthazar was the first to try and dissuade her of this mission. "Schala," he began diplomatically, "your mother will know for sure that you have been unfaithful to her if you accompany them. The Beasts know her face and will recognize yours. To do this is to permanently remove yourself from your family."

"Not necessarily," Schala said with a smile. "I have been thinking about it. There are only a handful of people who can commune with the Mammon Machine like I can. They have to shut it down to move it to the Ocean Palace when it is complete. No matter how controlled by Lavos she will be, he will not allow me to be harmed by her hand. Even then, that is only if they can catch me. They don't know where I am."

"It'll only be a matter of time until they do..."

Schala sighed as everyone turned to see their favorite little prince of death walking toward them. Janus greeted them with an annoyed stare that silently ordered them to look away. They did not listen and he simply rolled his eyes and continued. "Schala, you know that there are only so many options of where you can go. Don't you think mother will think long and hard about this? Do you think she will even have to? They may not know where this cave is exactly, but they do know where refugees have been heading lately. They will find it, and they will find us."

"You wanted to be out of there as much as I did." Schala said with a honestly loving grin, despite his tone with her, "What made you change your mind?"

Janus spat on the ground, earning the sneers of any humble people who happened to see, "This hovel...I am expected to stay here?"

This earned a worried look on Schala's face who knelt down beside him. She leaned in closer and spoke softly enough so that she thought only they could hear each other. However, that was not the case; Robo and Glenn could both hear them clearly and they related it to the rest of the party later. "Janus...that is a very mean thing to say to these people who are going to look after and feed you. I know it is not like home, but they will take good care of you."

He frowned, "But I am the prince...I shouldn't have to hide in a cave. I shouldn't have to be looked after. I should be on my throne, at home. You could just refuse to help mother and she would have no choice."

Schala put her hands on his shoulders and said, "She does have a choice. She knows how much I love you. You know that she is not herself...she would use you to get to Lavos. I don't know what she would be willing to do to make that happen either. You might get hurt. That is why I want you to stay here, for as long as you can. Nobody knows that we left, and by the time they realize it I think the gurus can help us."

Janus looked toward the gurus, his features softening as he did so. He looked back at Schala, nodded, and threw his arms around her to embrace her tightly. "Please don't get hurt. You are the only true family I have left."

"Don't worry, my little brother...after all this we will be a complete family again. I promise."

Janus burrowed his face deep into her shoulder, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Janus released her slowly and Schala turned about to face everyone. "So, can I go with you or am I going to have to stalk you through the woods like some kind of spy?"

Robo looked at her and said, "I do not want to sound ungrateful for your offer, but are you sure you can be of assistance? Have you ever fought before?"

Schala nodded, "I haven't fought a real battle, but it is expected for every royal family member to be trained in combat even in youth. If he wasn't so young, I would say that Janus could lend a hand. Besides, you will need to make up for the person you are going to leave behind."

"And who would that be?" Balthazar asked.

"Him." Schala said, pointing toward Robo.

Robo's eyes whirled as if they were going going wide, "Me? Why, what makes you say that?"

"The elementals spoke to me about you. You may have the emotions of a human, but your body is made of metal. Once you get too close to Giga Gaia his lodestone will crush you."

Robo motioned for her to wait a moment and planted his feet. He looked to the party and said, "Remember when me, Crono, and Glenn were practicing fighting and I was almost hit by that sword? Well, while you guys were sleeping at night I have been working on developing that skill I used." To their surprise, the earth burst up from around him and solidified around his ankles so that he was anchored to the ground.

Lucca laughed, "I can't believe it. It just seems perfect that your innate element just happens to be the thing you are made out of." She put her hands on her hips and took on a motherly tone as she said, "But I am afraid that Schala is right. It would be dangerous for you to get that close to such a powerful magnet. There's no telling what it would do to the central processors in your mind. It might wipe your slate clean and we definitely don't want that. I'm sorry, Robo. But I think you should stay here."

There was a tone of dejection in his voice as he said, "Very well, Lucca. I understand."

"I still do not think it is a good idea for you to come," Crono said. "We have fought before and it is quite different than your practices in the castle. You might get hurt."

"If I do not come along, there will be no way that you can descend from the mountain in time. You forget that I have the ability to warp people from one place to another."

"Aye," Glenn said with a nod, "I do remember those words, but I remember also the words which the gurus have spoken of; those whom were carried away in the spirit toward the peak of the mountain suffered death because of the lodestone."

"When we destroy Giga Gaia, the lodestone will be destroyed with it and then we can warp without fear of the lodestone interfering with the spell."

Everyone hesitated for a moment longer. The plan made too much sense and they began to see that there was no other way to go about the problem. Even still, there was a tinge of doubt or even guilt for letting this woman come along. This woman who espoused the love of life taking part in a battle just seemed a wicked prospect for them. Then, as if she read their minds, she said, "We are doing this so that more lives may be saved. If there was a better way, I would have found it. We are running out of time and you need me."

Crono nodded, "You are right. We need somebody who knows the way as well, so I don't think we can argue the point any longer. We should probably begin."

"I can warp the party to the base of the mountain right now."

Crono seemed unsure. He looked at the members of the party, seeing if any of them needed any time to prepare. There was not a single objection. "I think we are ready."

Schala closed her eyes and began to focus. There was a strange feeling that went into the pits of their stomachs. A dome of light encased them and they felt as if their whole bodies were tickled by millions of bubbles that they could not see. If Robo had gone with them he would have been able to experience the strange sensation with greater perception, seeing how his mind moved so much faster than theirs. His sensors would have shouted out in alarm that his casing was being corroded by a strange substance, but that would only be because he was being broken down molecule by molecule. Then, the alarm would fade away as he was put completely together miles from the cave they had just left less than a second ago. However, to the others, the change was instantaneous and they could only look around themselves and be stunned.

After a moment of silence, Lucca smirked and said, "Well...THAT was something different."

Nobody at the time knew it, but it would take their hopefuls a whole day to reach the top of Mount Woe. Janus had all that time to wander around the cavern and waste it. Although he sneered in disgust at the dirty children and the overpowering smell of campfire smoke, there was a certain peace to be found here that was charming to him. Perhaps there was a part of him that saw this as something like a new adventure, but he only wished that nobody else was here. The sight of people made him uncomfortable and he grew to like them less and less.

"They do not understand my greatness." Janus would say to himself. "I am to be a prophet! I am a man who can foretell the death of any and they cower before my pointed finger as if I were a god!"

Of course, thinking such things and then seeing how the children avoided him filled him with indignation. Why wouldn't they want to approach him and watch him in wonder as they did for the gurus or his sister? Was his load heavier to bear? Was he to have the importance of his calling and yet none of the glory? Where was his glory? It certainly was no longer on the throne. He was exiled from that very throne that he was one day meant to rule. Why was his mother so foolish? How could she fall victim to that vile predator who spoke to her through machines and dreams? So many questions raced through his mind that he did not even stop to think that perhaps it was good that nobody hassled him. However, there was a welcome exception to that rule.

"My liege."

Janus turned about slowly, his heart filling with glee at being called that title. He was also filled with glee at the sound of the voice that called him, but it was truly the title that caused his heart to soar. He loved the sound of it: liege, majesty, prince, master, o' mighty leader; all of these gave him the wondrous feeling of appreciation that he felt was denied him. However, when he heard those words there was no thankful air in his gestures nor a smiling and appreciative face. Instead, he kept it calm and solemn as if speaking to him were a sacred right that only he could grant. Balthazar obviously noticed his behavior because the restless look on his own face intensified.

"Janus, we must speak. It is important."

"It has been a long time." Janus said, foregoing any formalities and embracing him.

Balthazar returned the hug and his features softened. He looked down at Janus with hope. Hope that what he saw now was the real him.

"Walk with me." Janus asked, more than commanded. And so they did.

The left the cave and stepped out into the open world where a few lilting snowflakes made their way past the natural canopy above them. Every once in a while they could hear the soft crunching sound of snow after the pine trees could no longer bear its weight. As they walked they would occasionally receive a showering of snow as it came down in drifts. In the presence of others they would have furrowed their brows in annoyance, but around each other they laughed as if they were father and son. That was how Janus felt around all three of the prophets. Around them he somehow felt whole, calm, and even happy. He felt he could be himself around them. And he would occasionally allow himself to be reproved.

"There is a reason why I have brought you out here, Janus." Balthazar said, bracingly.

Janus had known the moment Balthazar asked to speak with him and knew that this relaxing moment was only preliminary. "I know. It's something serious, but what is it?"

"I worry about your righteousness."

Janus was a little unprepared for such a straightforward comment on his character. It set the precedent that Balthazar was not going to mince words and it made Janus a little apprehensive. "What makes you so worried?"

"You show such contempt for those who have so little. Also, you seem to feel as if things should be granted to you. I know how you yearn for the kingdom, and I know you yearn for the power that I have foretold, but you are letting your ambition blind you. You are getting carried away in the things of the world and forget that what lies beyond all this is worth more than this entire world together."

Janus laughed a little in response, "Did you not tell me that I should be joyous under the burden I would bear? Why would I not be happy with the power that I will one day receive?"

"Your joy comes not from what good you may do with that power...it comes from knowing that only you alone have it. You have let yourself get carried away into boasting. Do not deny it, my little one. I may have hidden in corners, but my ears are still as perceptive as ever. I have heard how you enjoy watching people shrink from before you; yet you crave their love without having to work for it. I know the anger that you feel for your mother even though you know she is possessed by that demon..."

"That great prophet you always spoke of had many people love him and his power was tremendous."

"But he was always lowly and meek of heart. He spoke with authority and of love for the one that he served...who do you serve? Therein lies the difference."

"I am not only a prophet. I am a future king. The rightful king. You told me that governments are institutions given to men by divine revelation. You said that governments were meant to be upheld and that rulers, kings, queens, and magistrates were to be supported..."

"As long as they rule righteously...As long as they serve...As long as the welfare of the people come first before their own. This is a dangerous path that you tread...The kings and queens of the past began to care more for themselves than the spiritual well being of the people of this nation. They raised their sons and daughters to love that filthy lucre that corrupts and tarnishes the human soul. They care for the appearance of the outward part of the chalice only while inside there is all manner of filthiness." Balthazar took Janus by his hands and looked pleadingly into his eyes, "That is why we are at a crossroads...You have been set apart by revelation to break this chain. I know it is difficult and those guilty of a certain thing may take the truth to be hard, but you are easily redeemable. Please, shake off any pride that you have! I speak to you as a father speaks to his son; I do not know why God has rested such great responsibilities onto your shoulders; but whether you fulfill your duties matters not, His will shall be accomplished. I have walked the path of evil in my life and because of you I have been pulled from the darkness. I wish to do the same. That is why I implore you to forsake the crown."

Janus rose his eyebrows, "'Forsake my crown?'"

"Yes. Become a servant. Love those who use you and despise you. Build a love for those who suffer and seek to ease their burdens. That is the mark of a true king; one who can stand beside his loyal subjects and cannot be discerned from among them."

Janus hung his head as if he were in deep thought, "I cannot serve anyone if they do not love me."

"I love you," said Balthazar. This made Janus smile affectionately. He threw his arms around Balthazar to give him a hug.

"Then I will serve you and do as you say, Balthazar."

Balthazar smiled and returned the embrace, his heart brimming with hope once more. Inside his heart he prayed, "I do not know your plans for this little one, for it is not prudent for me to know...but please guide him and help him to recognize temptation and hatred whenever it tears at his soul."

The prophet stood in a deathly silence with Doreen who had been magically bound to a table. All around them were drawings of runes and relics. The items he needed were laid out before him.

He was so close to achieving his goal…his purpose…his retribution…and new memories plagued him. They tore at his soul, exposing feelings he had endeavored to seal away. It was nearly too much. He leaned over a stone table, his hooded head bowed over it. His eyes welled with tears and his sobs were almost audible to the scholars who attended to his experiment. Doreen knew. She felt what he had felt but knew that the emotion was only short lived and that he fought hard against it. Instead, she watched him with pity that only all-sensing beings could convey. The tears were not wept away, but they ceased to flow. A hand clenched in a show of resolution and the eyes that were once soft with regret were glowing red with purpose again…

"Begin," he uttered.

The journey to the top was as treacherous as the gurus led them to believe. After climbing a hill that served as an anchor to the actual mountain itself, there was a thick chain that connected it all together. The stormy weather of this time period showed that it gave evident wear and tear to the mountain itself. Once, an entire mountain was connected; but it had since then broken into many pieces by the force of the chain and the lodestone fighting against each other and the winds themselves. Walking on the chain was almost like riding on a lift at fast speeds. Occasionally the power of the lodestone at the peak of the mountain caused the entire mass to jolt upward, causing the chain to become taught. Sometimes it became taught so quickly that it would throw anyone who hadn't sunk their weight into their knees and toes in time. Other times, it felt as if they began to plummet as the lodestone weakened for a moment. In these cases the party would dig their hands into the deep pits on the chains to steady themselves. Then the wind itself compounded the difficulty of it all by swaying side to side.

It was a moment of sheer relief whenever they reached a body of crumbled mountain. Even then, it was still very disorientating to sit and wait until the wind died down. With an especially strong wind there would be erosion of several rocks from mountains above as well, so staying in one spot for too long was dangerous. Also, as they progressed further they found strange oddities, such as caverns that were not naturally made. When the sheer cold of the wind and sleet froze them to the bone they rested for a short while in one of these caves and would be surprised to find animal bones inside.

"I can understand how birds or random animals who lived on this mountain would still be here, but who would eat them?" Lucca remarked, "I think we are not alone on this mountain."

The traveled further up the mountain, the land fragments growing wider and wider with each successive climb. The world below them had become shrouded in a deep mist of gray and white that moved in brilliant swirls. They would occasionally feel the warmth of the sun break through the clouds, but only for a moment before it was swallowed up by another gale. They noticed, with some relief, the mountain no longer pitched back and forth with every gale of wind. Lucca looked down and realized that the chain was actually slack in the middle and that the mountain's lodestone had not stressed the chain at all. The mountains above them, that were no longer in the clouds, barely moved at all while the ones below them moved about dizzily, making the party wonder how it was possible that they climbed this horrible place.

The sun, which was visible through the rare break in the clouds, had begun to set and the weather grew more and more vicious. The fog, which dampened their clothing and skin, began to freeze in the cold and made them shiver. There was also no moon that night, or at least there was not enough moonlight to make a continual trip into the night safe, so they found a cave and unloaded their burdens. Crono looked to Schala with a slight smile of approval. He was pleased to see that she was industrious and every bit the adventurer she promised to be. Even Lucca, who had been admittedly growing warmer in her manners toward people, patted Schala on the back in approval.

As they sat in the cavern, they prepared their sleeping area by drying the ground underneath them and trying to find something to block the gaping hole to the cavern. Schala, who had stooped down to the ground to light a fire, noticed that Ayla and Lucca were heading back out into the cold. She stopped them and asked, "What are you doing?"

"There's nothing in here. There might be a boulder that Ayla could carry back by herself." Lucca said with a pointed grin. Ayla stuck her tongue out at Lucca but smiled back afterwards.

"No need for that." Schala said simply. She beckoned them to clear the way and she closed her eyes to focus. They yelped in surprise as the hole closed shut behind them with solid earth. They faced her, their faces heavy with incredulity. She regarded them with an momentary stare of confusion, but then looked away as if she were embarrassed. "What is the matter? You are looking at me like..."

"'You're amazing?'" Lucca said, finishing her sentence. "How did you do that? And light the fire? You can use more than one element at the same time?"

Glenn's curiosity was piqued and he turned to face them, his hand holding his chin. To Schala's embarrassment everyone turned to face her after Glenn took notice. For the way he took notice was slightly worrisome. He did not look upon her as an interested observer, but his brow furrowed as if he were disturbed by the fact that she could control two elements. She slowly began, her gaze going to Glenn prompting everyone else to look at him as well from time to time. "Well, my family has been naturally gifted in controlling the elements. Also, those who focus enough and undergo great trials eventually learn how to use spells outside of their innate abilities. Within our kingdom we have prepared a way to use other spells by way of tablets, but relying on those can stunt personal growth. In the old days, before we used tablets, the old prophets were men of great ability who could switch between elements in a blink of an eye..."

"'Switch elements?'" Crono asked.

"Yes," Schala answered. "It becomes easier and faster, but it takes concentration. It is dangerous to control so many elements at once. The reason for this is because to control the elements it takes a certain amount of strength and will. When I first started, I could only transfer small items. That was my innate ability: space. It is a rare ability to have and it usually signifies exceptional aptitude. Even though my teachers said I was gifted, I would be exhausted after the slightest attempts. They told me this was normal, for when a body summons the will to control the elements it causes the body to react in different ways. For fire it will increase your blood pressure, it seems. For ice it slows your blood. For lightning it contracts your muscles. For space, it is mentally exhausting. These are not the only ways in which our bodies are affected. There are many things that can happen. A person who innately controls light, such as you Crono, can still feel a slowing of blood pressure. It depends on what you do and how you use it. This is why the body grows stronger so quickly and how the mind becomes sharper. When magic is used it exercises the body strenuously. To control many different elements at once can be overpowering. It is important to remember that exercising the elements happens within you first. You summon the power into your body and then you direct it. It does not suddenly appear in midair. It takes place within you first. So, if you try to control too much power at once your body can be destroyed from within. That is why I must focus. I try to clear my body of that elemental power before I call upon another element. I can do it quickly, and I can do it without the power of Lavos."

Glenn's face eased a little and he learned forward, "This is interesting in a manner of spiritual being. If what thou sayest is true, then the poor fools who rely on the power of Lavos never grow themselves. They work great miracles from the tips of their fingers, but wither and grow weaker."

"Yes." Said Schala.

Lucca thought on the video she had seen in the future with much bitterness. She remembered how ineffective the weapons were against Lavos as he came forth and wrecked havoc. How strange that Lavos was using the same pattern of lulling people into a false sense of power in this time that he used in the future. She broke herself free from her reverie and added; "I wondered why we were able to fight off all those soldiers that day we went to the Mammon machine. The power they have is not theirs. If Lavos is summoned, they will not be able to fight back..." And then Lucca thought, "And that must be why there is no magic in our time. The people had relied on Lavos for so long that they forgot how to do it themselves."

"That is exactly it." Schala answered.

"But how do you begin to conjure different elements?" Marle asked, her eyes shining with the prospect of learning new things.

To her dismay, Schala scratched her head and said, "It is very hard to explain. When I began I remember feeling like I understood when I didn't and understanding when I thought it escaped me. It takes a great amount of faith in the fact that one day you will be able to do it. It is like smoothing down a jagged stone with sandpaper. The work is arduous, it occasionally hurts, but you can see the slight changes even though the slightness of it infuriates you and makes you wonder the point of it all. However, if you persevere the stone becomes smooth. Does that make sense?"

She looked around and saw that it did not.

Is this what boredom, uselessness, and worry feel like?

Robo wondered these things as he walked about the cavern, practicing his newfound craft with those who asked his help. He was pleased with how quickly he was learning these new skills. There would be moments where he felt he could progress in the skill no further, for when he tried to move larger objects in more complex patterns his alarms would scream at him that total system failure was imminent. Then, out of curiosity, he tried it again. He found that he was able to handle more before his vision filled with warnings promising a fatal overload of his systems. It was a strange thing for him, for this was the first time where he did not see a danger to anything. His sensors did not seem stressed, nor did he feel any exhaustion, but he could only perform so much at a time before the alarm informed him of his impending doom. Oh yes, he grew exponentially better with how much he could do, but it was strange to him that with a body of metal he could not stress himself further.

"If only Lucca were here, I would put it to the test and see if my sensors were failing me."

Robo looked down to the ground and thought to himself, softly, "Please be all right, my friends."

They had slept well and felt much better. They almost were not willing to go back out into the cold. They opened the door to the cave and saw that it was still dark outside. They grinned as they justified that going out when it was dark was a bad idea and slept a while longer. Only when the world was grayish blue with the promise of a coming sun that they left the cave. The looked up into the sky to find where the next line of chain connected to the ground. Marle had mentioned with a giggle that this was almost like following a rainbow only it was cold and they had to climb it afterwards. They began their ascent as they had done many times, only this time something seemed different.

It wasn't the fact that the chain no longer swayed as violently as before. They had noticed that already. What they did notice was that there were fresh bones scattered on the next terrace. Some of these bones even had residual blood on them. Everyone looked at Schala who did not seem stunned. It was only then that Schala realized that they did not know the situation here on the mountain. She began to elaborate and said, "There is a fallen people who inhabit this mountain. The people who originally summoned Lavos to this world had lived on the frozen earth in caves deep underground. They were beastly creatures that had scales for skin and craved the blood of our kind. They began to change and adapt to the cold world, growing fur to survive the cold and growing into many different types so much that there are those with scaly skin among them in different varieties. When our kingdom upon this mountain failed, we left and they took our place, content to live with the quaking land."

"Reptites..." Ayla said, almost breathless with surprise. "They live still. And they live here."

"Reptites?" Schala asked with a raised brow. Nobody said anything and she assumed it was inconsequential. "They are not called Reptites and not all of them live here. They are called beasts and they have built a small city of tunnels and holes here. They dare not approach the top of the mountain, knowing that it is the queen's mountain. They despise the queen, but they are not above telling her that I was here to earn her favor. They know the only reason why they are allowed to stay is that they block any Earthbound man who tries to save anyone imprisoned at the top."

"If we destroy the load stone, does that mean they die too?"

Schala looked down at her feet and nodded slowly, "Yes. I suppose it does."

Lucca looked at them, her brow furrowing at their strange hesitancy, "Are you guys choosing to feel bad about this?"

Crono gave her a slow nod and she sighed inwardly. He responded, "We don't know what they are like. It just doesn't seem right that we don't even give them a chance."

"But if we tell them, news of this will get back to the queen somehow!" Lucca answered, her logic ringing with truth.

"We are just a few hours from the peak. We can reach it before the Queen even knows." Schala added.

"Yeah," Lucca began, her voice beginning to take on an exasperated tone, "but even then we have to wait for the three gurus to think about what to do next and we don't know how long that will take."

Schala looked down in thought, thinking back to how things would have been different if she only listened to the gurus about assassinating her mother. It was a heart-wrenching thing to even consider, but now that she was confronted with these decisions she could not help but think on them. Had she agreed to end the life of one, would she have been confronted with the possibility of ending several hundred? And what would happen if she decided to spare their lives this time as well? Would the cost of innocent lives multiply? She felt some sorrow at that thought and it pained her to admit that ending her mother's life was the best plan at the time. "No." She said to herself resolutely. "There is nothing wrong with valuing life. Even if it is better ended, I cannot be the one to end it."

Crono looked at Schala and somehow felt her determination. Her eyes focused and her breathing was deep and slow as she refused to look away. He nodded and said, "I know it probably isn't the smartest thing to do, but we should at least give them warning."

Lucca sighed and said, "Alright...fine. We'll do what you want." Then, with a wide grin she added, "Just as long as you admitted that it isn't the smartest thing to do."

Everyone laughed, even though the weight of their next task was easily felt.

"So, how do we do this?" Marle asked. "Schala, I think you might have to speak to them. They know your face."

"I think you are right. Just make sure to be prepared. They might not want to let us go when we tell them."

They climbed another tier after finding that the beasts had since moved to higher ground. The air grew considerably less cold as they found themselves occasionally free from the clouds. The sight was beautiful whenever it was not obscured by a large column of fog. The early morning light stretched over the top of the world, shadows being cast further within which occasionally disappeared in a flash of lightning. At the bottom of the mountain there was nothing but snow, but little tufts of grass were slowly beginning to show from the cover of the snow which had not fallen as deep here. Then, they arrived.

They saw the creatures from a distance away. They had awoken and were attending to their daily chores that seemed to be keeping warm. It was puzzling to all the others save for Schala why they would prefer this frigid rock to the comfort of a cave. Schala knew that in this day, where Zeal had set a precedent, the closer to the sun you were the closer to Lavos you would be become. Therefore, in their arrogance, they spent their lives in hardship when they could have been living in comfort. It was dirty and filthy, but still far easier than this. Her heart ached for them, for they were thin and appeared hungry. Her heart did not ache for long, because they were spotted and all the creatures regarded her with a low growl.

"At last...a meal worthy of us!"

"Stop." Schala commanded, holding out a single hand. The group of creatures who had gathered together leaped back as a bolt of lightning struck the ground between them and Schala.

A beast stepped forward, his eyes dark and soulless with claws that were ragged and filled with packed mud. "A child of Zeal? Why have you come? To mock us?"

"I have not come to mock you. I have come to give you warning. We plan on destroying Giga Gaia and the lodestone."

The earned a vicious howl from the leader who clenched his claws so that they poked into his own skin. "Despicable, damned whore! You will die for your insolence!"

The creatures edged in closer, but stopped short as another bolt of lightning struck. Schala held her hand aloft, showing no anger at the creature's label of her. "This is something I do not want to do. I can tell you all the reasons why, but there is nothing that I can say to make your understand. I tell you this because I am giving you a chance to escape. We do not want your death on our hands."

The beast bowed low in a mocking show of reverence, "Why our dear majesty! How kind of you it is to cast us down to the frozen earth along with your wretched, failed offspring."

Schala sighed deeply and did not know what to say. Crono took over at this point, "It will be a few hours from now, but it is going to happen. If anyone tries to stop us, we will defend ourselves. You want my suggestion? I say it would be wise if you started telling everyone what will happen so that you can all start going down now."

"Damn you humans..." The beast growled. "It is not enough that you took our place on the right hand of Lavos, but now you seek to further us from his presence? May the Giga Gaia crush your bones into a fine powder! Friends!" He rounded on the others and shouted, "Let us leave our home that we have known for generations!" The beast said with nasty sarcasm as he looked at Crono and the others, "The humans wish to destroy our home for some purpose that they don't feel like telling us. But know you this: this will be the last time that our kind willfully submits to you!" However, it was obvious that his words did not hold the weight he imagined. From within the crowd there was a general lightening of countenances. These were the ones who did not let pride rule their hearts but lacked the courage to say the obvious. While the sound of gnashing teeth and the breathing of threats ruled over the crowd, there was no heart or meaning in it. It was only the leaders, blinded by worthless purpose, that caused all the others to suffer.

They stayed and watched as all the beasts fled their homes, most of them having almost no belongings. There was nothing of value on this mountain. There was nothing to be gained from staying here. However, those who were stiff-necked eyed everyone in the party as if they had cast them out of paradise. There were several creatures that nearly started a fight, but they were quickly silenced before anything began. When they were sure that the majority of them had left, they began their ascension once again. As they did they watched the hundreds of beings travel quickly down the chains with a certain innate ease that came from living upon the mountain.

"I wonder if it will feel weird for them to live on land." Marle asked, observing them like ants on a sidewalk.

"I think the queen might find out about us sooner than we thought if they keep traveling down that fast. We better keep going." Lucca said, showing how worried she was by pushing them onward.

They looked at the last chain link with indescribable joy. All around them was sky and the occasional gust of wind. Below them were large, shadowy blots where slabs of land were being obscured by clouds. Above them was a massive body of rock, much like a floating island. Even from the view underneath the mountain's prosperity was far greater than the lands below. There was a hint of green on the underside of the massive rock face, the occasional vine dangling and fluttering in the breeze. Not only that, but when there was no cloud over them and they could feel the warm rays of the sun. It was nowhere close to the paradisiacal glory that was Zeal, but it was far better than where the beasts had made their home.

A cliff waited for them as they dismounted from the chain. It was a slight disappointment to see that their climbing was not yet finished, but they no longer dealt with cold steel in between their fingers. They shimmied along mountain walls, walked through man made caves, and walked over mountain paths toward the peak of the mountain where the green was most prevalent. There was nothing more that Schala could tell them about the Giga Gaia, other than point out where the plane would land whenever they came. It was helpful in a way, for there was a station where they rested and ate dried food that was left behind for emergencies. However, even as they sat and nourished themselves for the battle up ahead, they found nothing that could assist them in fighting the Giga Gaia.

"Is there anyway that we can sneak past him? Where is Melchior? In a jail cell?"

"No," Schala said, "the Queen uses a special spell that halts their animation and it is almost as if they are asleep. For that reason, he will be in the open where the Giga Gaia might see along with the other prisoners."

"Others?" Crono asked.

"Yes," Schala said cheerfully, "There are many other people who have been imprisoned on the mountain that were loyal to the gurus. We can free them and they can aid us."

"And how shall we break the curse on those people?" Glenn asked.

"Just leave that to me!" Schala said with a wink.

They left the small shelter and continued on their way, up the green mountainous slopes that were only covered in slick grass and moss. However, as they walked over the peak of the mountain, a great valley opened to them and within it lay fir trees all around. There was even a lake where rainwater had collected due to the run off from the slopes. It was a large place, but within it all was a singular area where the earth was raised up like a dais. From the distance they could see a strange blue light shining across the mountains.

Then, over the breeze, they heard it.

They heard the falling of trees, the snapping of trunks, the flutter of frightened birds, and the heavy sound of enormous footfalls. Their eyes scanned the valley until Crono excitedly pointed out toward an area near the dais. They did not see the creature, but they saw a great multitude of birds fly from the trees in fright. It was hypnotizing to watch, all their bodies forming a singular black swarm that dissipated as they flew in different directions. They could see a few trees fall, their branches shaking off a cloud of dust and pollen with every limb. Then, within the distant chaos, they saw something gray that disappeared into the dust.

Glenn said a silent prayer to himself, "And there art the creature that guards those prisoners?"

Crono, having noticed it earlier, felt his sword tug within his sheath again. He looked toward all those who carried metallic weapons and noticed that they leaned abnormally toward the valley. "We won't be able to use our weapons when we fight him." He said this with an annoyance that bordered on surprise and frustration that he hadn't noticed this earlier. Everyone looked down at their weapons and he saw that the fact escaped their minds as well. "If we go down there with these weapons," Crono began, "they will just fly to his body along with anything metallic that we are wearing."

"Then how shall we achieve victory?" Glenn asked, "Through the elements alone?"

"That is what we must do." Schala said with a nod. "The pull is so strong that if you approach it any closer it might begin to tear the earrings from your lobes." Schala gestured to Marle who blanched at the thought.

"Guess I shouldn't start a fight looking fashionable then." She said, trying for humor as she removed her earrings.

"We'll just keep everything in my pack." Crono said, placing his bag on the ground as everyone circled around it. "Remove anything metallic, and I mean anything." He removed his belt to make a point.

Not everything was able to fit into the bag. For example, Glenn opted to carry his breastplate and sword while Marle carried her bolts and crossbow. Ayla beamed as she saw that she had nothing metallic to put into the bag save for the straps on Crono's winter clothing and boots, which she still wore. She walked barefoot and she truly missed the feeling of her feet against rugged ground. It was Glenn who felt the most difficult about removing his items, for he had grown used to the weight and it felt as if it changed his whole balance. With the group's permission he preformed a few martial forms to rediscover his sense of balance and consented. They began walking down the valley, toward the source of the blue light.

They kept their eyes skittishly about their environment, even knowing that they could easily hear the approaching footsteps of such a monolithic creature. However, they were not entirely certain if other little surprises awaited them on this mountain. They grew closer to the dais and could see the strange setup that was there. Even in this forsaken place there was a structure to how they were organized. The dais was actually like another valley unto itself. There was a central dais where one single prisoner stood and it was Schala who said she believed it was Melchior. Then, in rows and on many different levels of the structure there were other prisoners.

"I don't see him around." Crono whispered. "I don't hear him anymore. But I know he's here...specifically over there…the bag is pulling harder..."

"What do we do?" Lucca asked.

"Maybe we don't even have to destroy the Giga Gaia…I was a bit concerned about where the mountain would land anyway. Maybe we could just free the prisoners and make a run for it." Marle answered.

They did not agree on a course of action as they inched closer and closer to the central dais. Soon, they were close enough to see that it was Melchior trapped within the central-most grouping of prisoners. The blue light had been a strange crystal which ceased their animation. It was a truly bizarre thing to see: they were almost like statues trapped within glass. Glenn looked at Schala and asked, "Doth thou know how to burst them from their captivity?"

She nodded, "Yes. It takes only a moment. I can do it to everyone here all at once, but it will make us noticeable and take a while longer."

Crono looked. Upon sight, there were about two hundred souls. Plenty of reinforcements that they could use to take back the Kingdom and dismantle the Mammon machine.

Suddenly, all thought fled his mind. The party looked in surprise as he moved from their cover and started to go out into the open. Everyone whispered harshly to him while Glenn and Marle quickly noticed the reason why. They fought to hold onto their items. No doubt, what Crono held in his bag was being pulled by an invisible force that was rapidly approaching them. His hands frantically worked at the latch on his bag and, after several vain attempts, flew from him. It quickly grew speed until it disappeared into the thickness of the forest. The Giga Gaia drew closer with a profound quiet that was almost startling. It also made Crono realize that it had been loud on purpose. The Giga Gaia knew they were near and Crono realized that it had been warning them to leave.

Instinctively, his hand went to a sword that wasn't there and he groaned in frustration.

"What do we do now?" Marle asked.

Ayla laughed, the glorious war chieftain in her bursting outward, "Now we fight!"

Author's note:

Phew, a really long author's not at that. Just to let you know. Pertaining to the story, I wanted to do the Giga Gaia battle scene here, but as I wrote the ending I felt it left an adequate cliff hanger that would be more powerful if I left it for the next chapter. Hope you don't mind the tease. :D

Now to those who reviewed!

A lot of stuff kept me from updating with normalcy, I'm sorry to say. I'm sure it's annoying to hear it, so I won't say anything else or anything about it! :D Anyways, hope you guys didn't mind the incredibly long wait and I apologize. I really, REALLY have had a lot on my plate and I hope you all forgive me. Anyway, thanks to all those who reviewed. I always enjoy reading them. Julius, please do not jinx me with car accidents. I kid. :P I'm glad you enjoy the romance parts of the story and the dialogue. I tried changing up the setting for Giga Gaia so it would be a little different and make the topography a little more sensible or interesting. I think perhaps what I could do to improve on that and prevent anyone from skipping that is to splice it with the action and describing the characters and villains. I think I did well by hinting at the Giga Gaia's size. That's my thought anyway. Anyone may feel free to disagree and let me know. :D Allysein, Jess, thank you very much! I'm sorry you had to wait so long, but here you go! Thank you as well, Sailor! I've wondered as well how they got down from the mountain is record time. Having Schala along helps with that. :D Unclever, (I imagine you must be very clever indeed, but I refer only to your penname), I'm so glad that someone has an interest in Robo! I scan the fanfics sometimes and I find that not that many people write about him. Giving his long tenure to help rebuild the forest and his unexplained time before he wound up in that dome, I would have figured there'd be plenty of stories about him. Tetsukon, I took your former thought to heart and I have been working hard. I want to follow a familiar story, but throw enough in to keep everyone surprised. Hope I'm doing the job well! Skylark, feel free to keep up the suggestions and it certainly won't be the last time I listen to them! :D And last but definitely not least, Kit…oh how I missed your reviews. :) I haven't checked "Up a Treehouse" for a while, but I hope you plan on updating soon. :D Thank you for letting me know your favorite lines. I like to know the most crowd pleasing lines and dialogue! Thank you all for reading! Hopefully I can return the favor soon! Just so much going on that I have to do! The story goes forward though! :D To those I haven't mentioned in my thanks, I'm sorry, I'll make sure to catch you next time!