Chrono Trigger

The Duel; A chapter in which Glenn faces off against his nemesis and goals become clear…

Even with the noise of the Epoch, even with its landing, even as the gales from its engine blew his cape opposite the direction of the sea, Magus did not turn around. The view was beautiful. The sun hid behind velvet clouds, purple as if they were heavy with rain. The sky tinged the almost black ocean with fiery embers of light. There was the gentle cawing of seagulls that caused Marle to wonder, for the briefest of moments, where these creatures had been. Had they descended with Zeal? Or had they fought for countless years, against all odds in a barren wasteland only to finally emerge and celebrate with the sun?

Here stood the final heir to the fallen kingdom of Zeal, his eyes watching over the ocean that had swallowed up his inheritance. He stood so still that he could have been a statue. A long moment of silence ensued and it was surprising that Glenn had not unsheathed his sword. Marle had mused that it was possible that Glenn doubted Magus was even standing there. In fact, she realized that was what she thought as well. However, he was truly there, alive and well. They knew because he spoke.

"So, you are alive and well."

Glenn stepped ahead of the party by six steps. His hand rested upon the hilt of his sword. "Aye, wish I could speak the same of thy sister whom thou hast led to slaughter."

Magus' shoulders tensed. However, they relaxed as he willed out his anger. Within that instant, Glenn felt a sort of evil glee. It was the glee of a man who had finally found that one thing, that one weakness that could cause his enemy to lose his temper and suffer emotional pain. At last, after all these years, Glenn knew everything about Magus. He knew his sorrows, his regrets, and his loses. After so many years of fearing what Magus could say to him, what he could make him feel, Glenn realized he had the same power. It was very liberating. Then, the power to refrain from using it was an exercise of diligence. Magus spoke again, his tone measured to show that he was trying to be civil. "I imagine you must have questions. I feel it is only fair that I grant you answers."

Glenn relaxed his defensive posture and inclined his head. "Speak."

Magus continued to face the sea, as if he did not want his face to be shown. "This was not what I wanted. I did not want my kingdom to collapse into the sea. Gone is the magical kingdom of Zeal, along with its wonders and glories. Gone are the dreams and ambitions of its people. The prophets had told me that I had a special mission, a special task that they learned of by revelation. They told me that if I was faithful, that if I remained true to the principles that they taught me, Zeal kingdom would live."

Magus breathed in deep and said, "My younger self was correct: I am indeed Janus, returned and of an older age."

"How is such sorcery possible?" Glenn asked.

Magus still continued to face the sea, which irked Glenn in an odd way. "You were there when Lavos had torn my younger self away from my sister. He did not destroy my old self. He saw me as a tool, a weapon, to build his power and to influence the world in a pathway he saw fit. He had sent me through a time gate. I remembered it quite clearly, how I felt when I found myself alone in a strange world I did not know. The prophets were correct: I was to be subjected to all the horrors of the world. Lavos worked through the dark hearts of his followers. He came to Ozzie in a dream and led him to where I appeared."

Glenn nodded his head in understanding, "In the Ocean Palace, Lavos sent Janus to my time. That was when Ozzie was a struggling village elder, trying his best to gather the Mystics together."

Magus spoke out to the ocean, the wind carrying his words to everyone behind him. "Yes. His first thought was to kill me. He had heard of Lavos through ancient texts, but it was still an obscure idea. It seemed that the myth of Lavos perished along with the destruction of Zeal. However, it was reimagined by vengeful Mystics who held an unexplainable hatred to humans. It was a growing religion that had not yet grown to fruition. When Ozzie found me he planned to offer me as a sacrifice, yet something kept him from doing so. Instead, I was his pet. A human slave who was kicked by his visitors and humiliated for entertainment. As time went by, I grew stronger and stronger in magic. As my strength grew, I developed a hatred for my mother and for Lavos. I grew sick and disgusted with their zealotries, chanting his name and calling for deliverance as if he actually cared. However, as time progressed I began to develop a plan."

Glenn added glumly, "This was your plan to gain control of the Mystics…"

"Yes." Magus nodded. "I had kept my magic a secret and studied in private. I had observed them, realizing that they were a very superstitious people. I knew that humans in my time could not use magic, since they often used me as bait on the roads to get travelers to stop. They would make me watch the horrible things they did. Surely, the humans did not know how to use magic, not even an inkling. If they had, their instincts would have used it. So, I had formulated the observation that humans in my time could not use it while the occasional Mystic could. I watched and waited, learning more of their doctrine. I had found that there was a prophecy of one who would come and he would usher in the return of Lavos. Not much was known of this being, save that he would be a powerful magician and an unlikely one at that. He would be lowly of station. I prepared and waited for the perfect moment."

"One night, I watched in horror as they offered freshly caught humans as sacrifices. The ceremonies were needlessly disgusting, needlessly bloody. It was the ultimate perversion, the exact opposite of what the gurus had taught me. In that moment I missed the gurus horribly and almost hesitated from doing what I wanted to do. Instead, I wanted to wipe these cretins from the face of the earth only for the fact that they could never bring about such evil again. I could have done it as well. I had surpassed Ozzie in skill soon after he found me. As I continued to learn I could feel that my command over the elements was far greater than all the mystics combined, even with my age and inexperience. Nonetheless, like a fool, I allowed those ceremonies night after night, waiting for the best moment. With each ceremony I thought to myself that these would be deaths that Lavos would feel when I met him. I would find a way to make my mother experience the pain I felt. The thoughts delighted me, filled me with longing and anxiety, almost to the point where my heart pounded as if I were a boy in love. Perhaps that was what it really was, but it was not to another person, but an intangible idea."

"I knew that there would be no better moment than that night. They derided a captive and began to torture the captive to death. I do not know at what point in time I became deaf to the cries of the tortured during these ceremonies. Suddenly, it became common. It became bearable. All I searched for was the perfect moment. It finally arrived. A tapestry hung on the wall, depicting in crude fashion the person that would come and signal the coming of Lavos. They had created some strange anniversary that 'marked' his coming and it was that day. As a result, the Mystics had been far more barbaric than usual, carrying things to a point where I felt the familiar pangs of disgust that I thought I had subdued. Finally, at the height of their fervor I saw my chance. I had purposely knocked over a saucer of human blood that was vital to their ceremony. This was an unforgivable sin. Their reaction was what I expected. Not even Ozzie, who had instigated these foul ceremonies, could talk the Mystics out of their anger. They bound me, buffeted me, threw me on the table, and were about to sacrifice me."

"I still remember it so vividly. That was the first time I had truly used my magical power to the extent of its abilities. I remember those sadistic faces, the sacrificial knife about to slowly trace my skin, the smell of burning wood, and the cackle of electricity coursing through my body. The dagger had touched my skin for a moment, not even hard enough to leave a scratch. The Mystic screamed in pain as its body flew backward, smoking and soaring through the air. The bands that held me burned from my body, and strong winds sent their bodies tumbling to the ground. The walls of their meeting place did not collapse. Instead, my power threw them into the air, shattering their place of worship into a million pieces. Lightning struck where I stood, not killing me, but making me glow as if I were a deity. The earth shook, bringing all the Mystics to their knees. They stared at me in fear at first, but it quickly became awe. I do not remember who bowed and started to worship me first, but in the end I had a city full of followers."

"Ozzie worshiped me, but I could still see the ulterior motives in his eyes. He had enemies. Other villages with their own leaders who had a different way to do things. They only thing they all shared was a hatred for humanity. However, my command over the elements was enough to make them see me as their own. Slash and Flea…they were the only chieftains sufficient for use. They helped me unify the Mytics and thus we began our war against humanity. The Mystics were right about one thing: death and destruction do awaken Lavos. With my help, and blinded by my ambition and desire for revenge, I would awaken Lavos, do battle with you, and be sucked into that same time gate that you entered."

"But you didn't enter into the same time we did!" Marle said, "We went to the prehistoric age!"

Magus scoffed, "He meant for you to go the prehistoric age. He sent me to the time of Zeal where my knowledge of the past allowed me to rise in power as the Queen's oracle. I saw it as a taunt from him, as if he dared me, beckoned me to go after him. Why else would he send me to a time where he knew I could find him and destroy him? I wanted so badly to meet this creature again and to spill his blood. However, something kept me from killing him in the Ocean Palace."

Glenn spoke now. "He was right…more than anything else, thou desired that your mother suffer. Surely the gurus hath divined thy intentions correctly. Thou wert fooled, used as a pawn."

Magus turned around, his eyes fierce and narrowed in anger. His irises were a dark, stormy blue. "We all were pawns! Do you honestly think that your journey would honestly make a difference? Do you really believe that you have a chance against a being that has eyes and ears all over time? He knows our thoughts, he knows our history, and he knows our weaknesses. And even when he knows our strengths he finds ways to use them against us! He has actively shaped time and has manipulated each and every one of us so that we can be subdued under his feet! So yes, fight against him if you wish! You will only wind up as food for the rats! Just look at the charred remains of your friend, Crono!"

A sharp gasp broke out in the crowd in front of him. Marle trembled, "W-wh-what did-".

Magus gave a cruel and vindictive smile. "You heard me! He died like a fool! He saw me attack Lavos, saw me stab it over and over again, yet he fought against him anyway!" Magus spat on the ground.

Glenn's teeth clenched. He spoke, cracking his neck in an effort of self-restraint. "Thou dost dare to mock him? The one that hast saved thy life?"

Magus spoke slowly, annunciating every word. "Don't you see? We are all dead men. If Crono were smart he would have known. When you mess with fire, you…get…burned."

The Masamune sang violently as it was ripped from the sheath. Glenn growled violently. "No more talk, Magus! We end this!"

The party behind him readied their weapons but stopped as Glenn shouted otherwise. "If thou'rt my friends, leave this cur to me! I swear his blasphemy shall be paid with blood."

Magus was no longer taunting as the others stepped back. Instead, he seemed strangely at peace. "Do you wish to fight me?"

Glenn nodded, a low throaty growl erupting from him.

"Well then…let this be our last battle."

Magus seemed to pull his scythe out from mid-air. They both stood, facing each other and planning out the opening stages of their fight within their minds. Usually it was Glenn who had made the first advance. However, he kept his calm. Magus grinned and said, "Let's see how the frog does…perhaps he shall put up more of a fight than his deceased friend did." Glenn grit his teeth, but stayed steady, his eyes locked on Magus. The words, which had clung to him like acid before, rolled off him like water. Instead, Glenn laughed and said, "At least my dead friend saved us and didn't leave his sister to die."

Magus launched forward, his yell loud and primal. He swung his scythe wildly, missing Glenn by inches. Glenn ducked, spinning clockwise as he brought the Masamune toward Magus' midsection. Magus had blocked it just in time as he completed the rotation of his scythe, yet the power of the blow sent him staggering back. Seeing that he was off balance, Glenn charged forward this time, aiming to break his root. There were no downward strikes. Glenn swung violently upward, each blow causing Magus to lean precariously backward. Glenn finally landed a blow, the Masamune digging into Magus' breastplate and cutting the surface of his skin.

As Magus fell back his peace grew. Glenn had grown stronger. In fact, he might win this one. Nonetheless, Magus would fight as hard as he could. He would not let this creature take him. Although his kingdom had fallen he would not lose to this peasant. Magus, through the power of Lavos, had seen into his mind at his castle. He knew Glenn's past, his forgotten love, his heartbreaks, his sorrows, and the pain the curse brought upon him. This was the one who had defied him at every step, challenged his will, and refused to back down. To Magus, Glenn was no different than an enemy to his kingdom. Magus was so very sure he was better, but was very surprised that he struggled against his blows.

Magus righted himself, planting his feet into the cold earth. He braced himself into the ground, which was no easy feat due to the fact that the grass was covered in frozen dew. Metal clanged deafeningly against metal as Glenn threw another swing toward the other side of Magus' hip. His scythe was already there and it reverberated from the strike. Magus grinned, "A lowly peasant like yourself cannot beat me." He pushed with all his might, sending Glenn flying back. Glenn slid across the dew of the grass while Magus charged. He swung his scythe at the right moment. While the scythe did not cut him, Glenn was caught on the inside rim. Magus continued his spin, lifting Glenn off the ground. Glenn grunted as the centrifugal force pushed him against the blade of the scythe. Magus shouted in victory as he planted his feet, stopping the inertia of his scythe. Glenn flew forward, silently, and disappeared over the cliff.

"GLENN! NO!" Marle screamed.

Magus grunted. He could not help but smile in satisfaction. In a strange way, the members of the party could tell he meant to be comforting, but Magus' words resounded within them with great offense. "He was a very worthy foe and the world will be a worse place now that he is gone. But he should have known better. I am Janus, the heir who had been cheated out of his destiny. You may come at me now. Most likely, I will die. But, you will know for a truth that if you all faced me one on one, my skill cannot be matched. You are peasants compared to the majesties I would have commanded. Come. Claim my life, but prepare to lose a few of yours in the process…"

"No need, Magus."

Magus turned around in shock, but was hit by a blast of powerful water. He fell back and felt his breath being sucked from his body. He quickly leapt to his feet, the taste of saltwater on his lips. His eyes widened as Glenn slowly emerged over the edge of the cliff, floating in an orb of water that encased his being, his sword having been sheathed. With a dawn of realization, Magus realized that Glenn had conjured up the water to catch him as he plummeted to the ocean. Glenn smirked within the water and said, "We have no need to inconvenience them. Our bout is not yet over." He began gesturing wildly as tendrils burst from the orb of water and headed straight for Magus. His eyes widened in surprise and he leapt into the air, the crashing tendrils eroding away the stone that was hit in his absence.

The earth shook as if it were giant stones striking the cliff side. Magus rolled across the ground, the cold sea water splashing him even if Glenn missed. His clothing and hair were damp by the time he was still enough to conjure a spell of his own. Thunder boomed as lightning sped toward Glenn. He leapt from the orb of water just as the lighting struck it, causing it to explode into steam. Magus had left himself vulnerable again as Glenn caught him in the chin with his leather boot. He could hear the unsheathing of the Masamune and assumed that Glenn was going for a stab to the abdomen. Magus quickly recovered and spun, catching the back of Glenn's head with the tail end of his staff. Both staggered back for a second to catch their breath.

Magus frowned. How could he be having so much trouble with this simpleton? What had changed in such a short amount of time? "I should have killed you when I had the chance." Magus growled.

"That is a chance that thou shall never had again." Glenn answered, grunting with effort as he launched another offensive. He gathered the water that had lay upon the ground as dew in an instant. The water circled about him like a snake. He sheathed his sword, and began whirling his arms around in the same manner he taught Crono when they practiced the art Glenn had learned as a youth. The water lashed out like a whip, nearly snapping Magus in the face. Magus was on his feet again, parrying the next whip with a sudden burst of flame from his hand. Magus had closed the gap, causing Glenn to go on the defensive. Lightning bolts, bursts of flame, and shots of earth erupted from all around them. Yet, Glenn managed to block these with ease.

Magus was too close. The water came crashing down as Glenn quickly broke his hold over the elements and unsheathed his sword again. Metal resumed its deafening clang across the cape. The battle had become heated now. Magus and Glenn yelled epitaphs back and forth as the party watched with bizarre interest. Had this been the way their battles looked? Had they always appeared this powerful? It was a strange thing to be spectator and to realize that all along they had this power within them.

"You are never going to have a normal life!" Magus shouted. He grunted with another swing that was parried. "You are doomed to be a freak! An outcast! A freak of nature will never defeat me!"

"Thou art the outcast!" Glenn bellowed back. He swung his blade and it was meet with force. "A prince without a kingdom! A man without a soul!"

Their weapons clashed and they pressed against each other. "I will see to it, frog, that you never retain your form. You will go about your days, the subject of hushed whispers and pointed fingers. Your precious Eliza will die an old woman who had never been loved and forced to live as a woman who was barren, all because you were such a coward all those years ago."

Glenn let out a throaty growl and looked at Magus dead in the eye. He spoke fast, not pausing. "My sins are many, but I have worked for my forgiveness! The burdens of my sin are mine and mine alone! It is thee, Magus, who hath allowed ruin to touch every part of his life! Thy family is perished, thy country hath vanished into the sea, all thy pomp and glory is dross because thou hast failed in the very hour thou wast needed! I may die alone, Magus! But at least there will be those who remember me! I may have had a moment of cowardice, but at least I never killed my own blood!"

Magus suddenly felt as if he was a marionette. His arms moved, but his mind was no longer in the fight like it had been. The words of Glenn resounded in his mind over and over.

Although he had thought it many times, in the very recesses of his mind, it was shocking to have it laid out to him. His eyes went wide as he realized the single thing that he had ignored purposely. It was never the fault of the gurus, nor his mother's, nor Glenn's, nor anyone else. It had all been him. The words of the prophets flooded back to him, telling him that he would have to make a choice. That choice would save a nation, a world from destruction. In the beginning, that had been the goal. Even serving under Ozzie he was able to bear the horrible atrocities he witnessed by telling himself that when he returned to Zeal and changed history none of what he had seen would happen. He saw his life flash before his eyes and every scene contained a gradual deviation from his original goal. In his youth he wished to do the right thing, to believe the words of the prophets concerning everything and not just his duties. As he grew in this brief flash, he could feel his soul darken. He could feel the death of all those he slaughtered. He felt his pure soul slowly being enveloped by Lavos. And now his work was done. Lavos had cast him aside. He was no longer of any use to him. His scythe dropped to the ground.

He dropped his scythe because it somehow became too heavy. He didn't realize at first that it was because a sword had pierced his body. He looked down as the color drained from his face. It didn't hurt at first and it was bizarre to see the gleaming metal buried into his body. The metal slid out smoothly and the feeling of warm blood trickled heavily down his leg. He fell backwards onto the soft earth, his body writhing in pain. It hurt to breathe. Tears flowed down his face, however he did not know if it was because of the pain or if it was from a broken heart. Glenn stood over him, the Masamune still in hand. The party edged closer.

"Y-you did it." Magus stammered, suddenly feeling very cold.

"Aye." Glenn said, with a nod. However, he didn't express the satisfaction that Magus would have imagined.

"T-taking a life…I-it is never e-easy…"

"That is very true…" Glenn said, suddenly kneeling by Magus' side.

"I-I-I was a fool…I had l-let Lavos into my h-heart. I l-l-let him make it easy…"

Glenn nodded, still feeling animosity toward him. "Thou hast destroyed many lives. But I see now that it was the work of Lavos. Although thou'rt not entirely free of blame, most rests upon him."

Another tear rolled down Magus' cheek. "M-m-make it fast. P-p-please. And if you find Schala or the g-gurus…please tell them I am s-sorry I f-failed."

Glenn was silent for a moment. He looked at Magus and said, "Close thy eyes."

Magus obeyed.

He could hear gasps from those who surrounded him and felt the sudden whoosh of air. Somehow, he felt disconnected. Free. He felt himself let go and he drifted into a peaceful slumber.