Chrono Trigger
What Lies Beyond?; A chapter in which a new plan is formed and wherein the situation darkens...
Ayla and Lucca did not appreciate the overly exaggerated sway that Marle displayed in her walk as she returned to the room where they were staying. There was also something irksome about her smile; it came so naturally and so easy. Too easy, that is, without a good reason. It had been two hours since they left Marle alone with Crono. Of course, their growling jealousy told them exactly why they felt this way and they tried their best to ignore it. Women are more sensible than they give themselves credit for; they understand the situation at hand and why they feel emotions the way they do.
Controlling them is another story.
Marle was not one to flaunt, but something strange happens to a woman when she falls in love. The desire to share her feelings to the world are difficult to bottle up inside. It was almost torture for her to remain silent on this subject, for she knew of Lucca's feelings and cared deeply for her. It was not her wish to offend her in anyway. And, Marle, who was not knowing of what she was revealing, was in a state of bliss. She let her back fall upon the pile of furs that softened the hard wooden slats of her primitive bed frame and stared at the ceiling, letting loose a content sigh. Such a simple act done in such a dreamy way was infinitely irritating to Lucca and Ayla who bit their tongues.
Glenn, who had been attending to his sword, occasionally glanced up at the scene. He smiled in fondness as the three women spoke with each other. He knew of their love for each other, yet noted the jealousy in their tones and at times heard the accusation in their voices. Marle took it in good stride, for after all, she was the victor. However, it was Marle who gave Glenn a certain feeling of longing. His mind drifted off to distant memories and his smile lowered as well as his eyes. They feel upon the sheen of the blade which caught his reflection, further destroying his smile.
"You seem sad, Glenn."
He turned to the metal giant that had a seat on the ground next to him.
"'Tis distant memories and nothing more, my friend." To prove his point that he wished to speak on it no more, he sheathed the weapon and placed it neatly against the wall.
Robo, sensing that there was nothing more he could safely say on the subject, quickly threw in a question he wondered on. "Glenn. Would you say that having memories is better than not having them?"
"What meanest thou?" Glenn asked. So easily was his mind distracted by this question that he did not even realize that it pertained to him in some degree.
"When Miss Lucca found me and repaired me, I did not have any memories of what I was. I have wondered often if I would want to know where I came from and why I was made. I wondered if I should have known what I went through to find myself in that condition. However, and please take no offense when I say this, when I hear you speak of memories you seem as if you wish you never had them."
Glenn was caught off guard by this statement, yet it in nowise offended him. Instead, it made him ponder in earnest. "No." Glenn said with finality, "I am happy to have my memories. It only saddens me that some of the sweetest memories I have felt I cannot make anew again." He looked toward Marle while smiling and saw that she was beautiful. Just like her. Just like Schala.
Just like Eliza.
Then, upon that thought, something occurred in Glenn's mind. Robo had sensed it as well and was puzzled at the strange emotion that seemed to have exploded within Glenn. It was typically associated with excitement or nervousness, but upon recollection of his experiences thus far Robo was able to deem it correctly. It was hope. Some strange thought in Glenn's mind gave him a surge of strong hope and he rose to his feet almost instantly. He turned to Robo and smiled, "I thank thee. Because of thy words I have conjured up a question which must be answered. Thou'rt a good man, Robo."
"Well..." Robo was strangely at a loss for words, feeling something burst within him at the subtle implication that he was a "man". Not bothering to mark it for Glenn, Robo answered "thank you."
Glenn was about to leave but stopped in his tracks, "Oh...'tis late. Perhaps she slumbers...It must wait until morning." Glenn, however, laughed heartily and said, "'Tis good to have something to anticipate. I may have trouble sleeping tonight."
"The Black Wind howls..."
The world was dark, not because of the advent of night, but because of the clouds in the sky that were as dark as soot. A world that was covered in snow was colored foreboding and gray by the lack of light that touched this place. Trees rose from the laden earth, their gnarled and naked branches reaching into the sky as if they were bony fingers. A cloaked figure stood before him and his voice was familiar. Janus, who stood in the midst of the cold, felt his eyes narrow in hatred. The prophet was here, even in this land of dreams.
"What are you doing here? Where are we?"
"The Black Wind howls..."
Janus scoffed, "So, now you magically can tell who dies now, is that so?"
"Wherever you go...the Black Wind shall howl. You shall bring to pass the death of many and the sorrowful hearts of the countless lives you shall affect."
Janus quivered, "S-Silence! How dare you speak to me with such a tone! I am the heir to the Kingdom of Zeal!"
The prophet scoffed, "The Almighty Kingdom of Zeal? You belong to a kingdom full of wretched cretins who abandoned you. The people, blinded by their complacency, have allowed themselves to become foolish and selfish. They worship idols and forsake me. They are nothing. They are not worth saving. Let them die."
Janus felt a certain terror grip his heart, "What do you mean, 'let them die?'"
"Your kingdom shall be a kingdom of ashes and scorched stone; it shall be a mountain of black filth rising into the sky and its foundations shall be the bones of those who are dead."
His eyes grew fierce and condemning as he screamed, "My kingdom and its people are my soul! I will never forsake it!"
"It's end shall not be done by your hands. I will end your kingdom and it will be your doing."
"You speak nonsense! How dare you swear loyalty to my mother and betray her! Vile pretender!" Janus began, a strange emotion of relief and love flowing into his heart. Even after all this time, even after all these hardships, it was his mother that came to mind. Yes, the gurus had placed their faith well. Within this boy there lay the love that was dormant for so long. It was shown to Janus in this dream what he was truly capable of and he was pleased in a way that he hadn't felt in a long time. Vows of protecting his mother flowed from his lips as his love for her grew renewed. He spoke of his sister Schala and how he would fight to the death to preserve her. As he spoke, his confidence grew. He grew in size so that he was almost double that of the cloaked prophet who stood before him.
Janus, who continued to grow, was as a giant to the prophet who stood rigid in his spot. A hand reached out and gripped the figure who made no move to escape or evade its grasp. The eyes, which were barely visible from underneath the hood, stared at the mountainous boy who held him. Janus said, his voice booming and loud, "Now you see that my love has grown and that I am mighty again. You are pure hatred and selfishness and I will crush you." Then, the cloaked figure began to grow smaller and smaller. Janus, bewildered, felt the prophet's body disappearing underneath his clench. When it felt as if the prophet had dissipated he opened his hand and found nothing there. However, Janus heard a voice.
"Even a mighty giant may be slain by a plague. My hatred shall become a plague and infect your body and poison your thoughts."
The feeling was frightening. Even though part of his consciousness realized this was a dream, the sickness felt incredibly real and vivid. He could feel the sweat pouring down from his face and his cheeks flushing with poisoned blood. He fell to his knees, his vision becoming blurry. He gasped in pain and he felt a strange sadness, but not from himself. Were these the emotions of the prophet who watched on as this boy suffered? How could such a devil feel such sorrow? It was at that point where an old saying came to Janus. He stumbled to his feet and shouted to the sky, "'Let he who is sick be healed by a physician! I came not to heal the fit and able, but the sore and the afflicted and I doth drive disease from them!' You may poison my body, but any poison may be cured! Your power over me is temporary! I will not be bound by you!"
And with that his sickness vanished.
And he awoke.
Janus lay in his bed, panting. He was covered in a slick sweat. He looked about his lodgings and saw that he disturbed no one. The boy, so overcome by what he felt, knelt in prayer and thanksgiving for the newfound love he received for his mother. Perhaps it was the power of what he had felt and seen, but a great sense of resolution came over him. He cast a loving gaze at his sister before rising from his knees. He slowly crept from the room and walked down the winding corridors of the cave after dressing himself in thick clothing. He cast a spell of sleep to come over the guard who watched the entrance and went out into the night.
The landscape was nothing like his dream. Although it was dark, there was a great beauty in the softness of the dancing snow. His eyes felt opened and he was ready to accept his fate. He would face his mother, he would confess his feelings, and he would hate her no more. The warnings of the prophet resounded in his heart and he swore to remember them always. The time for selfishness was over. This was a dawning of a new age in his eyes. This was the day he would make things right. It was the day he would face his destiny. And so, the boy prophet left the warm caverns and ventured out into the world.
The next morning was a tumult of activity.
Crono awoke with a renewed vigor and sprang out of his bed, healed of his wounds and incapacities. Nobody was around, but already he could feel a busy and nervous tension in the air. He emerged from his room and looked about, realizing he was not completely sure where he was. However, something felt familiar to him and he felt compelled to follow that direction. After several twists and turns he found his friends still in their rooms. They were awake, but they had not noticed the strange feeling that hung over the entirety of the cavern. He knew this because there was a strange sense of confusion within them as well. Instead, a man dressed in rags passed by on his way. Crono stopped him at the shoulder and said, "What is the matter? Everyone seems worried about something."
"The prince has disappeared! We don't know where he went!"
Everyone looked at each other and sprang from their sitting positions. Crono demanded of the man that they led him to Schala. The man obeyed and led him through the series of connecting tunnels until they found Schala speaking with the gurus who stood with a sense of confidence that they did not have before. Crono could feel it from them that whatever they had convened upon, they truly did believe that it was revelation that guided them. A feeling of hope and triumph hung over them and they looked at Schala and said, "We have been spoken to, and it is prerequisite that Janus go off on his own. He had been chosen for this end and his purpose is beyond our grasp."
"It is my brother!" Schala said, here eyes wide with worry. "I can't let him face this alone! Who knows what my mother may do to him!"
"Peace," Balthazar said sternly to Schala, "be still."
Her mouth opened to speak, but she bit her tongue and had a seat on the ground. Her demeanor was far from pleased as seen by the way her eyes glared fiercely to the floor, but she complied.
Melchior spoke next, "God bless you for your unending love for Janus, but we all have roles and each of them are important. If any of us fail in our roles, all of our plans shall be unraveled."
Gasper nodded, "It has been given to us in a dream that Janus must confront the Queen and the prophet to fulfill some great role. His life has been full of struggle, but there is another great test he must endure. We are all tried in this life, Schala. It is time that your brother prove himself worthy."
Schala sighed and finally noticed who had been listening to their conversation. "Ah," she began with a nod, "you seem better."
"Thank you." Crono said with a smile. He looked to the gurus and said, "I can feel it. There is something wrong. And there is something that we must do."
Gaspar stepped forward and offered up an object bundled in clean white cloth. "Yes, you are right. There is not much time to waste. While you have been healing we have prayed. The knowledge of the Lord has graced us and we were inspired to construct a weapon unlike any other." He unfolded the linen and revealed a long knife with a red crystal blade. Although it held a brilliant shine, the finish was rough and it almost seemed as if it were jagged. Crono looked at it questioningly for a moment before something caught his attention.
Ayla looked at it questioningly as well and finally asked in a sheepish tone of voice. "It is Dreamstone?"
"Yes." nodded Melchior, who also said he had forged the blade.
Ayla looked at them with doubt and said, "Dreamstone is pretty, but it is not good for weapons. Lavos is strong. The mammon machine is strong. It will not cut them."
"There's something special about this stone." Crono said, stopping Ayla with a smile. "It's been...sanctified..."
Schala smiled, "You've become more attuned, I see."
"What doth thou mean by 'sanctified?'" Glenn leaned in to look at the blade.
"Masa and Mune," Crono said with a bit a solemnity to his voice, "they were willing to do this?"
Melchior looked to the group and clarified for them, "I possessed the knowledge to work with the stone. However, only with the help of the others am I able to imbue it with spirits of the earth. Masa and Mune have given their freedom to become one with the sword. As a result, the Dreamstone has become a destabilizer for the Mammon Machine. Just as light and dark are opposites, so is the energy of the Mammon Machine and the energy of this world. The energies will contradict and Lavos will be repulsed."
"Not destroyed?" Crono asked.
Balthazar continued, "It was another aspect of the dream that we received: Lavos has indeed been dormant for as long as he had lived in our world. Although his influence can be felt, he has not yet truly awakened to his power. Perhaps he came to this world and was exhausted from his journey across the stars. Just as a man rejects a plague, the planet has sought to reject him and it had done so very well. However, he had been living off the sins and sorrows of the world, growing stronger and stronger until he was able to capture the hearts of men. He is still bound by the world, but it will not be long until those fools truly rouse him from his slumber and then wrecks havoc upon us all."
"Then," Melchior continued, "he shall subdue the world to himself, having won control of it. He shall drain the world and feast on its flesh and take joy in the sorrows he will bring. However, he must be awakened by the Mammon machine for this to happen...if the Dreamstone (a portion of the planet) is injected into the Mammon Machine then..."
"It will be like giving him a shot!" Lucca interjected, "Like giving him a shot of the plague!"
"Exactly," Schala said with a smile, "He will become weak again and unable to recover. He will wither away and become a husk and we even before then we will be free."
"But they have already started on the Ocean Palace." Robo stated.
"Even so, they cannot start it up without me. I am the only one who can commune with the Mammon Machine. As long as I am nowhere to be found, they can do nothing." Schala said with a grin. The gurus grew silent and it was uncomfortable. Schala gave them a questionable stare and said bracingly, "What is the problem?
"To correct this problem, Lavos must be awakened."
Schala stared at them blankly. Her surprise was profound, "I thought I said 'what'. Did I hear you correctly?"
"You did." replied Balthazar, his head nodding slowly.
"Why would you want that?" Schala said, almost breathless. "If that thing awakens, do you have any idea what it would do to Zeal?"
"That is why our timing must be exact. That is the reason why everyone must do their part. We must do this correctly, or else many will die."
"But why even risk it? I can just run! We don't even need to take the risk! They can't start it up without me!" Schala stammered, her fists clenching at the idea of bringing the beast to life.
Gaspar put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Everyday they grow stronger. Everyday they their souls become more and more lost. Everyday they hunt down those who refuse to submit to the will of your mother or to Lavos. It is true that you could run, but Lavos does know your soul. He will lead your mother to commit unspeakable atrocities to draw you out. It is more of a risk to allow the influence of Lavos to go unchecked than to rouse the beast and force him to sleep again."
"But...but what if it fails?"
The gurus were silent again, their eyes suggesting that they knew something that the others did not. However, Crono, Schala, and Robo could sense deeper. A feeling of dread came over Crono as he realized that there was an anomaly in the plan. They truly believed this plan to be divinely scripted, but their lack of confidence showed that they did not know the outcome. It dawned on Crono at that moment that these men were nothing more than men. It was a power not of their own that drove them to act. While they were far from simple pawns in a game, they were still pieces that had chosen to be acted upon. Then, a new feeling of dread brewed within him...
Was there someone in this equation who was not intending to be the piece they needed to be? Was that the cause of this uncertainty?
There was no answer to that question. Instead, the gurus simply said "It was laid before us. We have no choice but to act or not to act."
"That is enough." Schala said with uncharacteristic firmness. "I need more than uncertainty. You are asking me to help my mother to summon that life-sucking monster to existence! I will not condone it unless I know of a certainty that I won't cause the death of millions in the process!"
Melchior sighed deeply, "We cannot promise you that, Schala. The situation is more dangerous than we have anticipated. We do not know why, but these steps were set into motion. The purposes of the Almighty will be accomplished no matter what we choose to do."
"ENOUGH! The 'Almighty' has already asked enough from us!"
Everyone grew silent as the fragile and gentle Schala stood firmly, her two fists clenched and shaking. Her eyes were narrow slits and she bit her lip to keep from crying. It was then that Melchior leaned forward and said gently yet sternly, "He has asked much of you, that is true. An ordinary person is fortunate, for he only needs to govern his own spiritual and physical welfare. However, for those of royal blood who were charged by God himself, they are responsible for the well-being of all that fall in their domain. This is something we have learned when Janus spoke against the Queen all those years ago. This is something we have preached to you since. Your soul is clean and pure and you have proven your worth many times over...but this is not for you. This has never been for you. You benefit from this, that is true, but this has always been about the welfare of your kingdom and those who follow hereafter. This is about the fate of the world as we know it. If you run, your kingdom will continue to rot. If the plan fails, the kingdom will die. If the plan succeeds, then your people are well and we shall enter into a prosperity that will never end. There is no success in inaction. We must act, or it all dies." To send the point home, he leaned in closer and said with a strained voice and pointing finger, "You cannot be weak. Not now."
Schala stood in silence for a moment and then said, "It was easier when my brother was not so dangerously involved."
"He is doing what he must. As must you."
Schala shook her head, "I will not."
Melchior wiped his face with his hand while the other gurus wiped small tears from the corners of their eyes. "Schala...please. I will not force you to do this. I am only a man and it is said that we must not put our trust in the arms of flesh...so, I beg you to pray to know what you must do."
Schala stood pensively and after some time said, "I'll need a while to decide."
"Very well." Balthazar said with a sigh of sorrow and frustration.
Schala walked off on her own while Glenn had followed a short pace behind her. Crono had felt that it was his intent to speak to her from the moment they left their room, but he was not certain as to the reason. The excitement and hope that had swollen in Glenn was tainted by a certain kind of guilt. Whatever it was, it must have been very important to Glenn and even in her time of grief Glenn could not leave Schala alone until it was resolved. Crono faced the gurus and said with simplicity, "What should we do now?"
Their response was a strange smile. It suggested nothing other than relief and happiness, but they said nothing on it. Their response was only, "We believe you will do what's right. Until your time comes, you must rest."
Glenn's heart pounded in his chest. A great warm flush of blood came to his face as he realized that this was almost like stalking the poor woman. He involuntarily put a little more space between them as he thought that and cleared his throat solely to excuse himself. There was no depraved reason for him following her; the only thing that was perhaps a mite depraved was his timing. After all, Schala's brother had disappeared, the gurus had asked her awaken Lavos, and he he was pursuing knowledge that would only help himself.
At that thought, he stopped entirely.
"What matter of beast am I?" Glenn said to himself, dejectedly. He turned about and was about to leave.
"You no longer wish to follow me?" came Schala's soft and feminine voice.
She was walking toward him now. Although her countenance suggested that she was not pleased, she was not infuriated either. She must have noticed that he was following her all this time and had picked this moment to stop and converse. His eyes darted to the floor in embarrassment, which caused Schala to giggle softly. She stood in front of him and although she did not seem entirely genuine, she had the kindness to return a good deed even though she did not let Glenn carry it out. "Please. Go ahead and ask me. I know you have a question."
"I do." Glenn began, still uncertain if now was a good time to even ask.
She waited patiently for him to speak. It took a moment before he began and said, "I did not realize it until now, but thou hast explained many mysteries that had plagued me and my tribe." By tribe, he of course referred to his friends. "There is a mystery that had plagued me for some time and I have visited with many men in my days to seek a cure."
"A cure for what?" Schala asked gently.
"My guise, madam. My form. In my youth I had the appearance of a man...due to the work of an evil demon, I had been changed into this."
"I see." Schala said, a finger going to her chin in preponderance.
"I had hoped that a lady as learned as thee wouldst know of a way to break this curse that hath robbed me of my life."
Schala smiled and said, "Come forward. Let me see what I can do."
Schala knelt on the ground before Glenn, making her head level with his. He stood before her, bowing his head as she placed her hands upon him. There was a strange sensation that filled him. It was almost soothing, but it also felt as if his insides moved on their own accord. After a while it was almost sickening, but he bore it until she had to rest for a moment. She was just short of panting, her shoulders rising and falling slowly with each deep breath she took. "The curse on you is strong. I cannot break it. I am sorry. However, it does seem there is a way to end it." That alone made Glenn's eyes sparkle with glee and just the prospect that there was something to hope for caused his soul to soar.
"Schala, please forgive me. But I must inquire further! Please, how mayest I break this curse?"
She placed her hands on him again. She did begin to pant now and Glenn could feel the nausea growing stronger and stronger. He swallowed hard and tried to ignore the feeling. Finally, she had stopped and looked at him. "The curse has a strong link to the one who placed it on you. It is a curse that is continued by the life force of another. It is a truly a terrible curse. To break it, you must eliminate the bond between the both of you. You must slay the person who placed this curse on you, and only then will it be broken."
Glenn looked at her with suspicion, "Schala, I do appreciate thy kindness, but the demon hath long since faced death."
Her eyes widened in disbelief, "If that is true, then perhaps somebody else is behind the curse?"
Glenn thought for hard and was almost about to give it no more mind until something dawned on him. "Could it be...? Could Magus truly have been controlled by Lavos this entire time? Just as the Queen?"
"Who is Magus?" Schala asked, her head tilting in wonder.
As he remembered that explaining time travel would be exhausting, Glenn only said "It is a long story that does not need telling. Needless to say, he is dead and only Lavos remains. I thank thee, Schala. Thou hast given me great hope."
She smiled sweetly, but then her countenance turned to fear as she noticed something behind Glenn. He spun around and narrowly avoided someone's arm trying to put a knife to his throat. His sword was instantly out and his teeth clenched while Schala knelt on the ground behind him. He swung at the first of many bodies advancing toward him, his heart racing with surprise. In a moment his surprise was gone and he began to go to work.
Panic. Sheer panic. What could possibly cause such a feeling as this?
"Crono? What's wrong?" Lucca put a hand on his shoulder to break him from his still silence.
He had been walking back to their room to wait until Schala made up her mind, but they did not go very far. Something made Crono's hair on the back of his neck stand up straight and that made him uneasy. He looked at everyone and said, "Something is wrong. We need to find Schala. Fast." He turned about and headed back the way they came with a sprint. They others wordlessly obeyed and followed closely behind them. The gurus, who had not left their place of discussion, looked at them with worry.
"Something is happening! We need to find Schala! Now!"
"She went down that way!"
Crono had already began running down the hallway while the gurus and several guards who attended them followed. They entered a large cavern that was in a state of chaos. A wave of people ran from the center of the cavern where the clash of steel was prevalent. Within the chaos was Glenn standing in front of Schala, guarding her with his life. A number of dead bodies lay at his feet and the remainder was hesitant to go any further. The party was so focused on Glenn's situation that they didn't notice that a villager dressed in rags slowly crept up behind Schala.
"GLENN! WATCH OUT FOR SCHALA!"
It was too late. With a shriek, Schala felt her body jerked backwards and a dagger pressing tightly against her throat. Her back stiffened with fear as a familiar voice said, "Oi, it sure was a big 'assle to get in 'ere, y'know. Look wha' a mess ya made, Schala...Your mummy ain't gonna be pleased." The man dressed in rags threw back the hood of his outfit to reveal an all too familiar eye patch and beaming smile. His grin grew nasty as the party edged forward and his blade drew a line of blood into Schala's skin.
"Dalton, you bastard!" Glenn growled, his grip tightening around his blade.
"Ha! I'm a bastard, you say? Do ya know 'ow 'ard it wos to get into this place? Damn near froze off me extremities to find me sn' my boys a moment to sneak right in. An' now look!" He pulled Schala in roughly, his nose in the midst of her hair. "Ain't I just so cozy, snugglin' up with the princess 'ere. 'Ow did I ever get so lucky?" He grinned sarcastically as the party edged in closer.
"Let her go, Dalton." began Balthazar, "I have told you many times that relying on Lavos is going to be the death of us."
"Ah, me ol' master has always been right. An' truthfully, I never doubted ye, ol' man. However, it is somethin' I do not care for...He may be the death of you, but he ain't gonna be the death of me."
"Have my lessons amounted to nothing?" Balthazar began passionately, "Don't you remember all that I have taught you?"
Dalton let his face turn serious. He eased up on the knife that pressed into Schala's skin and said with true concern, "You were always like a father to me, ol' Bal...You taught me all that I know. That is why I offer this only once...Leave these fools an' come with me."
"What?" Balthazar asked with incredulity.
Dalton began with a tone of reason and invitation, "There is a place where I can keep ya safe an' cozy until the Queen is back on her rocker. Think about it, Bal!" Dalton's eyes gleamed with excitement, much like the daydreaming gleam of a young man in love. His grin was nearly luminescent as he began, "Jos imagine it! An eternity, always learnin'! Travelin' to other worlds! Knowledge, Bal! Knowledge from a being who had been around far longer than we even care to know...It is all ours, if you come with us. There is no need for uncertainty! Why put your trust into some fanciful being that you can't even see?"
Balthazar grit his teeth and said, "I don't have to see that 'fanciful being' to know he exists. And I can see what your 'fanciful being' is doing and it is not what I want!"
Dalton shook his head, his curls spilling over his shoulders, "An' 'ere I thought that all that nonsense would leave ya. 'Ere I thought you were a man of reason an' logic."
"There is nothing reasonable and logical about allowing the death of millions and casting billions into non-existence!" Balthazar shouted.
"Fine then," Dalton said with great sorrow in his voice, "You 'ad your chance. They say that a student eventually surpasses his master...I had hoped deep down that it would never happen." He finished his parting with venom and contempt, "Have it your way, ol' man Bal..." He put the knife with renewed malice toward Schala's throat. "Now, if ye don' mind, Schala dearest, we 'ave an appointment at the Ocean Palace an' I'd 'ate for us to be late. Kindly warp us there, eh? An' no funny tricks, eh? The Queen knows where I am and told me she would send the military to demolish this place if I don't return."
Schala, with tears in her eyes, swallowed hard and began to chant. Within seconds, she, Dalton, and his men were gone.