Chrono Trigger

Justice and Mercy; a chapter in which Magus judges not only Ozzie, but himself...

When Crono entered the room and saluted his friends he did it in such a way that they suspected nothing. In fact, they did not even notice Magus walk through the door, his face drawn and silent. The celebration continued with Magus sitting by himself and allowing the anger to flow through his body. That was a practice that he had grown very familiar with during his time with Ozzie. He remembered the cruel beatings he suffered, realizing that as a weak child there was nothing he could do. He drew that anger inward and would focus and meditate. Within time, he was able to feel the stirrings of magic grow stronger and stronger in his body. One day he was finally able to overthrow Ozzie and take his place.

"Yes." he thought, "If I had done it once I will be able to do it again."

Again, he could feel the eyes of Crono watching him with a sort of pity while the party was too carried away in its jubilation to notice. "Yes," thought Magus, "I want you to know that I am eventually going to tear you down just like I did Ozzie. I want you to feel pain and sorrow. How dare you hold me down and make me feel weak." And then, after that thought, Crono turned away from him and spoke with his friends cheerfully. Magus thought horrible things with all his might, and try as he may Crono did not pay him any heed. With Magus and his ability to discern, he believed that Crono was ignoring him at this point. When Lavos gave him that power to use against Crono and his allies within his own kingdom, the line of communication with his thoughts felt like a conduit. It was a flowing stream of very clear emotions and thoughts, but it could be sealed off. It was not only that Crono ignored his violent feelings, but that he had completely shut them off and paid them no mind. Magus' temper flared again and felt the familiar stirrings of his power under the indignation.

"Glenn, you haven't stopped smiling since the moment you held that baby." Lucca said with a giggle.

"Hast thou felt his grip? Such a firm grip!" Glenn beamed, his eyes shimmering as he mimicked holding the child. He spoke, bursting with pride, "The King wishes me to be his retainer! Canst thou picture it!? And the little creature made nary a grimace at my guise."

"It's like you couldn't be any happier unless it was your kid!" Ayla said with a guffaw.

The girls giggled at how excited and animated Glenn had become. Something about it made Magus sick, yet strangely nostalgic. He did not need this nonsense. He needed to focus. To meditate. He gave Crono a quick look and noticed he gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

"Look at me," Magus thought bitterly, "asking a child if I have the permission to go outside."

Feeding upon his anger, he meditated.

It was like old times. This was not like when he was a ruler of the Mystics. They would always hassle him for orders when he wished not to be disturbed. This was not like when he was the prophet of Zeal. He was always under the careful gaze of guards and he felt his thoughts were always watched. This was as if he were locked, once again, in that dank cellar he knew all too well as he occasionally fed upon bread scraps. "Yes," Magus thought as he recalled the unpleasant memories. The doors would swing open and he could feel his own heart beating faster as he heard the jangling of metal and the squeak of leather soles. They were drunk. They always were. The smell of their vices stained their clothes and added to the feeling of unease. He could remember the scaly hands grasping his upper arm, yanking him to his feet. He could feel their palms strike his face and a bony fist fly toward his body. The heart that he had in his memories raced in fear, the tears trying desperately to hold themselves back knowing that they would only invite harsher cruelties.

The beasts would finish, their leader and Magus' master would chortle and head back upstairs before tossing another bone with barely any meat left on it. Magus could remember his ravenous hunger as he devoured the treat, still being able to taste the dust of the floor in his mouth. Even still, to his malnourished frame it was sustenance. He could remember, as Ozzie beat him and left him there to heal, he still tossed him something so delicious. And for a brief moment, the young prince Janus, who had cursed Ozzie's name and at first fought against his beatings, had a strange and sudden burst of affection.

The memory was suddenly halted.

Magus could feel a snarl of disgust on his features. His fists clenched and he could feel his power swell within him. However, the long forgotten memory of affection, no matter how misplaced or slight, had been remembered and was not so easily forgotten. What had changed? True, much had happened in these few months; but this had never happened before. The memories had always stayed upon the injustices, upon the beatings, upon the moments that caused righteous indignation in his heart. After thinking for a moment he cursed slightly to himself and allowed himself to think that Crono must have somehow got into his head. "No doubt he found a dusty memory of myself in a weaker moment and is using that against me," Magus mused. He spoke to himself softly again, "What a foolish thing to think. Do you suppose that keeping me alive with scraps is noble enough to let him live?" Magus allowed himself feel the workings of his mind and suddenly felt a bit foolish. He was indeed talking to himself.

And yet, suddenly, more memories came to him unbidden.

He remembered a field. He could feel the power of the elements flowing around him while several eyes watched him. He delivered a blow to the earth. A powerful blow. Debris flew up from the hill in a large cloud of dust. He saw himself as a youth, smiling as he heard the subtle grunts of approval behind him. He could feel a blow land upon him causing cackles to come from round about. "You expect to scare those fools to support my cause with that pathetic display? I know you are better than that. Why don't you try this time?"

At the memory, Magus grit his teeth in annoyance. The subjugation of himself before Ozzie was difficult to bear. However, the worst of it was he recalled quite clearly that his younger self felt no pangs of shame or injustice. In fact, there was sorrow for not fulfilling his master's wishes. His younger self grit his teeth in determination and an even larger swell of power overcame him. The blast was immense. The countryside echoed with its explosion and those who watched on applauded wildly. The same fist that struck him patted him warmly on the back and Magus as a youth smiled.

"NO!"

Magus began with a start, forcing the memories out of his mind. He paced back and forth, heedless of the shadowy mists that encapsulated him. His fingers crackled with power, the memories fueling him with rage. He began ranting, talking to himself and denying that the memories were genuine. However, he knew that they were. The proud prince of the Zeal Kingdom was a slave once. He was a slave who fulfilled his master's every wish and desire. He was happy to do so. Even as he did, he received abuse for every action. And yet, after all the pain and persecution-

He loved him for it.

It was not a genuine love. It was the love of a slave who adored his master for every stayed beating. It was the love of a slave who eagerly lapped up every thin plate of water and cherished every hardened crust of bread. It was the love of a pet, who had subjugated himself to his master and relinquished his own concept of self. And as he remembered those past events he saw the rest of his life play out in his mind as a list of decisions. All of them stemmed from his past and from the actions of others. He had suddenly realized that not even his goals were his own. He could suddenly see how Lavos poisoned his mind and led him astray, catching him in his moments of weakness, driving him to madness and turning against Ozzie. He could see himself falling into the very designs his mother set, allowing her to achieve immortality at the cost of his own inheritance and his sister. It had suddenly dawned on him what he had been all along.

He was a pawn.

He calmed himself, realizing that the very air around him grew unbearably hot in his anger. The stone walkway upon which he paced back and forth began to crack from the strange power he emitted. The cracks were exceedingly fine and concentrated almost to be point where they could not be seen with the naked eye. Never before had he performed such precise magic. A certain determination filled him and it was accompanied with excitement. He would not sleep tonight. He vowed that he would free himself from the control of others. He was Prince Janus of Zeal Kingdom, the paradise that floated above the clouds. All the world was subjugated to him and none should dare stand in his path. He would not listen to that fool, Crono. He would not listen to Ozzie. He would never again listen to Lavos or the gurus. His will is now his own and with it he would do whatever pleased him.

Magus hardly said a word as he guided his companions of convenience to the hideout that lay further inland. Lucca noted that it was very close to where Medina would have been in their time and concluded that this was where the Mystics would rebuild after losing to Guardia. It was a horrible looking place even from the air. It was a gathering of lean-to shacks and mud huts. The streets were narrow and crooked, the ground full of ruts where wagons and Mystics trampled by. It was abject poverty. However, the pathway led up to a castle. While it was not nearly as extravagant as where Magus had made his fortifications, in comparison to the impoverished village it looked almost opulent.

"That is his ancestral home..."

"And where I had been taken and trained..." Magus frowned and instinctively looked toward Crono who was indeed watching him. He frowned and looked away slowly, his eyes fixated upon the castle.

They disembarked from the Epoch a few miles away to keep any attention at bay. As they neared the hamlet they could feel a slight sensation of apprehension although it was not nearly as strong nor as fear-inducing as the first time they squared off against a Mystic city. As a matter of fact, they could recall the exhilaration and the deadly sense of fear that filled their breasts. They remembered running across the rooftops, and sneaking through the dilapidated wooden structures that surrounded Magus' castle. But this time...

They could hear the shouting long before the village came in view. There were scouts in the trees armed with crossbows. Although it was distant and muffled by their surroundings, the call of "Magus has returned" was audible enough. In the distance a bell rang announcing what they thought to be great and glorious news, but as they entered the clearing and all those gathered around could see who accompanied him, there was a great bewilderment.

As they approached the group, the Mystics were disturbingly silent. However, one hapless Mystic stepped forward and shouted with his hands high in the air: "No! Don't be fooled! Don't you see? He has captured the heroes of Guardia! He has brought them to be executed!"

This thought quickly took root. It started as a generally murmuring which quickly grew into excited shouts and praises. The Mystic horde began to howl and beat their chests as their courage and vigor returned. They stirred themselves up into a frenzy, shouting the name of their prophet and leader whose jaw clenched with a type of sickening dread.

"GO! GET THE GUARDIANS! FLAIL THEM! DRAG THEIR BODIES THROUGH THE SQUARE!"

It was a few of them that advanced; no more than fifty did so while the thousands looked on. The movement of the mob was tentative at first, as if they had willed themselves to believe that what was chanted was true. However, after a few motions that were not met with punishment, they dashed forward, preparing to fall upon the human sacrifices.

A thundering boom echoed across the tin roofs of the dirty hamlet.

There was no great blinding light. There was only a great force that propelled the advancing creatures back, causing them to land roughly on the ground. The force was enough to knock the majority of the mob unconscious while the rest tried vainly to struggle to their feet. To those who advanced it was a great tumult of confusion, but to those who stood by and watched it was a damning declaration that shattered their faith irreparably.

Magus stood at the forefront, his arm slowly lowering as the crowd let their heads hang in great sadness. It was almost like a funeral procession as Magus led the way, the sea of Mystics parting as Crono and his company approached the castle. As they cleared the last of the crowd, the mob continued to watch in disbelief and sorrow. Slowly, they began to disperse and return to their homes with only the most ardent of believers watching in desperation. Perhaps at the last moment their leader would return to them. Perhaps it was all a ruse. But even those precious few let their heads fall as they returned home, their feet dragging as if they were merely husks. As they did so, Marle could see that Crono hung his head low just as the Mystics had done.

"Does he feel sorry for them?" Marle wondered.

Magus could feel the eyes of the Mystics and his companions at his back, but he did his best to pay them no mind. He could feel the deep and palpable hopelessness of the Mystics and it frankly disturbed him. He reminded himself incessantly of the times he suffered at their hands, the scratches from their claws, and their cruel and callous laughter. He could feel it steel his resolve which then confused him further. Was his resolve weakening? Why? These were merely creatures to be used by him. They were pawns. All of them.

Glenn had his hand on the Masamune the entire time, but allowed himself to finally relax enough to remove his hand from the hilt. He still listened attentively while they walked down the path toward Ozzie's estate. Glenn could not help but smile slightly at the dejection his enemies experienced, but still respected the somber mood. "What dost thou thinketh on these events? Doth this change the future?"

Robo replied, "Of course it does; but I think their feelings will remain the same and they will war with humans again just as they did when they were Reptites..."

Glenn nodded, "Aye...all that wouldst be required is another madman. But still, it is a shame..."

Ayla spoke up, "What do you mean?"

Glenn almost said nothing, but drew in a deep breath and said, "They were starving. I could see their ribs...there were children in the crowd that were sick...I think that they have naught the means to care for themselves as well...nor medicines..."

Magus spoke up at this point and said, "Then a lot of them will die when the next winter comes. All the better for you, am I right?"

Glenn was quiet a moment longer and said softly, "I suppose thou art correct."

Lucca sighed, "Well, I guess they wouldn't attack the outposts then."

At this point Glenn seemed to struggle with his words as if he was saying something he would never want to admit; it was at this point that Crono's head finally lifted up to listen. "Mayhaps they hath been attacking the outposts for rations or medicines...perhaps their villainy is borne of desperation."

Magus gave a heartless chuckle, "I doubt they had the same concerns in your time of desperation..."

"Aye..." Glenn said, his head hanging for a moment. He chewed his lip for a moment and suddenly said, "Crono...wouldst thou mind if we return to the king after this? I have things I would like to discuss with him."

Crono beamed as if he understood something that was not readily visible and nodded.

However, Magus was not nearly as discrete. "You are so ridiculously stupid."

Glenn said nothing. He did not even frown, nor did he disagree with Magus. He was fully intent on walking forward and to let Magus have the last word. This did not help his case, however, for Magus was annoyed by his desire to disengage and continued to speak despite Glenn's pointed silence. "You would really help them? After everything they have done to you? And for what? So that they may go to war with you again? It is a wonder how your kingdom survived the first time..."

It was at this point that everyone understood Glenn's intentions. He wanted to organize an effort to help the refugees.

Glenn could not help but reply to his comments by this point: "Hast thou seen their faces? They are defeated. They shant go to war with us." Magus let out a haughty guffaw and turned about to face Glenn. "Not at the moment. But wait until they are fat and healthy from your hands. Then they will come back at you again. How can you be so dense?"

It was a strange instance, but it happened. Glenn, who would have never shown any sympathy for a Mystic, found himself sneering in actual disgust. He looked at Magus as he were a Guardian who became a turn-coat. "Dost thou truly care so little for them?"

Magus felt his brow furrow and his anger flare. "They are pawns. Nothing more."

Glenn's hand was resting on the Masamune again. The anger was beginning to come out of him and Magus could feel it as well. Already Magus was itching for a rematch. Yes, he had lost last time, but he was distraught. His ancestral home was destroyed before his eyes. But this time he was composed. His power was stronger than before. Yes, Glenn was more powerful now than Magus could have foreseen, but it would still be a close battle. Glenn was about to say words; mean hurtful words about how the future of Zeal would not have changed with a heartless monster like Magus in charge. But Crono stepped in deftly and the anger was dispelled in a moment.

"They might attack you again, Glenn. So why? You mentioned the children. What do they have to do with anything?"

The malice went from Glenn's tongue in an instant as he thought on the children. In particular, he thought of the prince. The image was so vivid that Glenn could feel the warm skin of his prince on his arms as he held him the night before. Glenn cleared his throat and said simply, "Those children in the crowd did nothing wrong. 'Twas the sin of their fathers. I will not punish the innocent."

"Well, mice make lice, Glenn." Magus said, his anger still not entirely abated.

"To me, it matters naught." Glenn said simply. It was quiet a moment longer as Magus thought of something to say. Before he could, Glenn stated "After holding the heir...after seeing that kind and gentle spirit...I canst say it in a way that would appease thee, Magus...I just do not wish to fight anymore. Call me a fool if thou wisheth, but I cannot lift up a blade against another innocent, misled creature. I cannot and I do not know why."

Magus scoffed derisively but said nothing else. Even he could understand growing tired of battle.

Crono walked leisurely so that he fell back to where Glenn was and so that others wouldn't take note. He patted Glenn's shoulder warmly and gave it a slight squeeze. Glenn looked up at Crono, nodded, and smiled as if they had come to some silent agreement.

"We are here." Ayla remarked, looking upward.

Ozzie's hideaway was not nearly as large as Magus' castle had been, but it was still a formidable looking spectacle. Large metal gates surrounded the area and a large wooden door was at the entrance of the castle; both were wide open. The front gardens were beautifully kept and further separated Ozzie and his minions in terms of living conditions. At the door there were a line of Mystics, all of which cowered at the approaching figures. It was truly a sad and pathetic sight, watching them hold their makeshift weapons.

"What are you doing, you fools!?"

The Mystics jolted at the shout and looked behind them. By this point, our party advanced enough that they could see inside the mansion to see who called out to them. It was Ozzie, adorned in gaudy robes that were meant for leisure. Although his face wore a large smile, it was quite easy to see that it was an effort to placate Magus. At his question, one of the quivering Mystics began to speak, "But sire, you said..."

He was cut short by Ozzie who cuffed him violently. A line of blood flew from his mouth as he fell to the floor.

"Silence fool. Sir Magus is our guest...as well as these..." Ozzie had to fight his face from contorting into rage as he said, "...HUMANS."

The rest of the party were not going to be as deceitful. They had come for justice, and they were going to get it. They made a move for their weapons, but were stopped by Magus of all people. He held out a hand as if he was forbidding them at this point. The party, nonplussed, looked at Crono who gently nodded in agreement. Magus, who would ordinarily be cross at them for only listening to Crono, was strangely pleased.

"Well, aren't you going to invite me in, Ozzie?"

"YES! Of course! Pardon me! Come on in!"

While the party was bewildered at this strange farce, Crono carried on, knowing the thoughts that passed through Magus. It was quite easy to see how Magus would want to play along. He was a cat with a mouse. With Ozzie's forces cowering in fear, there were no bodies to throw at Magus. One did not have to have the unusually accurate clairvoyant powers of Crono to know that this was going to be an exercise in humility for Ozzie. It was an unforeseen pleasure that was gifted to Magus by fate.

The entrance was a grand foyer with a duel sided stairway. At the top of each stairway stood Slash and Flea who exchanged momentary glances of panic, but then quickly hid it under stone faces. They descended the staircase slowly and stood to the left and right behind Ozzie. They bowed respectfully and Flea stated, "It is so wondrous to see our master is unharmed. We had feared the worst."

The Mystics looked on confused. Had Ozzie not told them that they had killed Magus when he failed? However, they dare not say anything. What would happen if they gave their master Ozzie away? And even worse, what would happen if they gave Ozzie away and it was evident that they had served him even after he supposedly disposed of their first master? Instead, they made a move to leave but were stopped.

"Please, don't go. Instead, why don't we gather the villagers to celebrate? After all, there is much to celebrate."

"Magus, art thou sure that..." Glenn stepped forward to intervene but was silenced by a look from Magus.

"Go," Magus stated again to the Mystics, strongly, "and gather the townspeople here. Do what I say. Or else."

The Mystics fled, afraid to do anything otherwise. Magus turned to grin at Ozzie who began to lose color. "I am sure that you have plenty of food here, don't you Ozzie? You don't seem to be struggling much these days." Magus took the butt of his scythe and jabbed it into Ozzie's gut.

His face flushed and he said, "No, no, your majesty."

"Then MAKE something, you fool."

The wait was tense. It was only Magus who seemed to relish every second. Most villagers dared not to come. Magus knew this. He did not care if everyone wasn't in attendance. All he wanted was a large crowd, and that was what he had. While there was a grandiose dinning room, it was not large enough to fit the assemblage. Instead, the table was brought out to the foyer. Already, the party had seated themselves with Magus sitting at the end. Magus threw his feet upon the table, freely allowing the dust from his boots to fall on the table. Most of who attended were old soldiers who followed Ozzie after their first defeat. It was known that Ozzie demanded treatment like a king of old and that none were to sit in his presence. Obviously such an act of respect was to be paid to the Magus. None dare say a word.

Ozzie had tried to take a seat, but received a loud shout from Magus in the form of "What do you think you are doing?"

"I was just sitting, Lord Magus."

"What makes you think you are fit to sit in my presence?" Magus asked dryly, smiling impishly. Ozzie stammered and perhaps it was then that it fully dawned on him that he had fooled nobody with his fake greeting. This was not going to be a pleasant experience. He gulped and continued to stand. Slash and Flea, who usually waited until Ozzie was seated, remained standing as well, watching in apprehension.

After a long silence, Magus began. "So, you were gone for quite a while...where were you, Ozzie?"

"I was instructing the cooks, sir."

"Oh, I see."

The food finally came out. It was served with great reverence and the servants bowed low. One could not help but look up fiercely at Marle, but the Mystic said nothing. As the Mystics laid out the silverware, Crono gave each member of the party a look and they all knew what it meant without any hesitation. It was a thought that crossed their minds immediately: "Don't eat the food. It is poisoned."

Magus, obviously, predicted the same thing. He took the plate in his hands and sniffed it. "Hmm...this food smells fit for a dog."

Magus placed his plate on the table and used a one of his leather clad boots to shuttle it down to the opposite end. It skidded to a stop in front of where Ozzie stood, a portion of the food flinging from the plate and splattering onto his robes. Magus held back a grin and said, "Ozzie, why don't you sample that and tell me what you think of it?" Slash and Flea looked to Ozzie in horror. Ozzie stood, his mouth agape, as he looked to the food. The humiliation he suffered was so foreign. Even when Magus came to power he would never degrade Ozzie in the presence of others quite like this. But even more than that, he did not know how to escape from testing the food.

"Well?" Magus asked.

"Master, would you like me to get you something else?"

"No, Ozzie." Magus said, allowing himself to yell impatiently. "Did you not hear me, you simple-minded idiot? I said 'taste the food and tell me what you think of it.'"

Ozzie held the bowl up to his face and smelled it. "You are right, Lord Magus. It is unfit for you. Please. Let me get you something else."

"Well, let us not waste food, Ozzie. If you will not eat it, perhaps somebody else will." Magus said, trying to sound as casual and possible. "Perhaps there is someone here who would not mind having something slightly better than dirt for their supper. What say you, Flea? Hungry?" She shook her head vigorously. "Slash?" Magus asked, grinning. Slash also shook his head.

"Well, in that case. Why don't you get me something else, Ozzie? And please, make sure it is something worthwhile."

He stayed this time and motioned to one of his servants to talk to the cooks. It was another tense wait until the food came out. The same pattern was followed from before and it was done with an utmost ceremonial respect. Notwithstanding, Magus kept his feet up on the table and reached for the plate put before him. Crono gave no sign that the food was poisoned, but nobody wanted to even touch it. However, Magus reached forward and put a small portion in his mouth. He immediately spit it out back onto the plate and threw it to the ground.

The entire foyer was as quiet as a mausoleum as the plate continued to round itself on the ground, eventually falling flat against the floor. Magus' tone was cold and harsh. "I am insulted, Ozzie. I have been gone for quite some time. I come back and I am greeted with lowly farmers and their pitchforks. I come into your home and you greet me with this?"

"Sir...I don't know what you want me to say." Ozzie said, a mixture of fear, annoyance, and anger building in him.

"You do not need to say anything. Just come forward" Magus said as he took his feet off the table to stand up.

"Slash, Flea. You both as well." The pair had recoiled as if he had yelled their names.

Ozzie stood in front of Magus, looking down to the floor and occasionally looking up to Magus. Slash and Flea looked at each other, wishing to venture out and help, but not wanting to invite any repercussion. Finally, Ozzie felt his temper flare up and he stated, "What in the hell are we-"

He was cut off immediately as Magus let his hand fly.

It was backhanded, but it was enough to send Ozzie sprawling down to the ground and into the mess of food. Ozzie slowly staggered to his hands and knees but then suddenly fell to his face again as a foot slammed down onto the back of his head. "Did you just take an insolent tone with me, Ozzie? You know that is no way to speak to your master."

Ozzie tried to respond, but it only came out in fragments of garbled nonsense that managed to get through the food on the floor.

Robo rose to stop the act, but was stopped by a gesture from Crono.

After some flailing, Ozzie finally let his body go prostrate and waited for Magus to let him up. The moment finally came and Ozzie took a deep breath of air and coughed out whatever he accidentally inhaled. Magus fell back into his chair and threw his feet up onto the table. "That is much better, Ozzie. For a moment I thought you were cross with me. How foolish would that have been on your part? I'm glad to see that you are not entirely a waste of matter. However, you did allow your cooks to waste a perfectly good amount of food. I think that calls for some punishment, don't you?"

Ozzie, who was very cautious not to show any relief, said, "Would you like me to summon the cooks?"

"Why?" Magus said, with a grin. "After all, it was you who made them cooks. You should have chosen your underlings with a bit more care like I did."

"But sir-"

"Wasting food...especially in front of these peasants...is something that I cannot abide." Magus said loudly, cutting Ozzie off.

"Then what would you have me do, sir?"

"'Master', Ozzie. You must have meant to say 'Master'".

Ozzie paused, trying to hide his anger. "What would you have me do, 'Master?'"

"Why, what else? Eat it, of course!"

Ozzie went to the bowl that waited for him on the table.

Magus laughed, "And what do you think you are you doing, going to the bowl on the table?"

Ozzie knew what was coming and uttered a low growl. Magus stared at him very quietly as he twirled his scythe on the spot, it's pointed end catching the sunlight and illuminating the room. The light danced on its flawless blade, further illustrating its looming danger. Ozzie looked about the room at those who watched and felt his face fume with embarrassment and anger. Slowly, he got onto his hands and knees before the food, but hesitated as he looked up to Magus who nodded in approval. Without another word, Ozzie began to pick up the bits of food.

"Do dogs use hands, Ozzie?" Magus said, warningly.

Ozzie hesitated and his muscles tensed. After a long pause, he began to lick the ground where the food had fallen.

Magus laughed. After a moment he turned to Flea and Slash to say, "You know, I do believe your master, as fat and plump as he is, can't finish that all by himself. Get down and help him."

Magus watched with a satisfied smirk as Ozzie and his fiends licked the ground. Their faces held disgust and were reddened by humiliation, but even so they kept on doing as they were ordered. But very suddenly, a voice came from the crowd: "Why are you doing this?"

Magus' ears perked and he turned to the sound of the voice. His eyes were not furious nor indignant, but they caused the crowd to flinch and turn away, desperate to assure him that they were not the source of dissent. They fell upon a lone imp who did not flinch or show any sign of reluctance, even those who stood next to him separated themselves from him.

"Hmm...why should I have to explain myself to a little peasant?" Magus answered.

"I am not just a peasant. I was a soldier in the war against the humans. I have been your follower from the very beginning. I have fought against the Guardians and the Porrean armies, I have bled for you, I have lost friends for you. And now you come back to us; not to lead us, but to degrade us? Why?" The voice was not angry, but rather it was earnestly curious. It was almost as if he were so stunned by this events he only wanted to make sense of where things were.

Magus did not have to think long for a reply and it all came out at once, "Once, I was like you, little peasant. I suffered at the hands of this creature right here." He pointed with his scythe toward Ozzie to further indicate his point. "I have worked miracles among all of you. This country was nothing but a fledging group of miscreants who trembled whenever their enemies came too close. And then I finally grew stronger than this disgusting lowlife."

With a whoosh of his cape Magus was suddenly on his feet, one of them upon Ozzie's head. Ozzie would have screamed, but it was muffled by the floor. Magus' scythe was out and its point was tapping against Ozzie's green, scaly skull. Flea and Slash, so frightened by his quick and sudden movement, fell backward on their hands as they watched helplessly. Magus yelled, "AND AFTER EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE; ALL THE FIGHTING, ALL THE GLORY, ALL THE STUGGLES, ALL THAT KATOWING TO ME, AND YOU DARE SPREAD THAT YARN ABOUT DESTROYING ME? THE GREAT MAGUS?"

Ozzie blubbered into the floor about apologies and how nobody would have followed him otherwise.

"And that is why you came back here? For revenge? Because he said he killed you? Nothing else?"

The voice held an accusatory tone that did not sit well with Magus. The imp did not shirk when Magus turned his icy eyes onto him. Magus spoke while his foot still rested on Ozzie, "It was not just that. It was also the fact that you all believed that I would fall to the hands of some disgusting, pathetic lump like this. Look at him."

"JUST LOOK AT HIM!"

Magus' voice echoed throughout the manor. All recoiled at the voice except Crono's party and the imp. The imp did not take his eyes off Magus. The imp spoke slowly and deliberately, "Have you no idea what happened to your people after the battle at your palace?"

Magus placed the bottom-end of his scythe on the ground, "Oh please, little one. Enlighten me."

"The entire city was in fear. Suddenly a bright light destroyed everything. We had thought the God of the humans was visiting us with judgment. When you were gone, the entire country was filled with fear. Our leader was gone and we expected the Guardian hammer to fall on us in an instant but it never came. It was only Ozzie who came forward and led us to this place. He forced us to attack strongholds, wanting to go to war with humans again. We were weak and not willing to incur their wrath so we were about to revolt against Ozzie."

"So, what stopped you?" Magus asked, pleased that they were willing to go that far to revolt against Ozzie.

"He said he killed you. That was all he needed."

"Ah-ha! So you were telling the truth about how they wouldn't follow you!" Magus said, looking down at Ozzie. "I have to admit, that is a great deal more clever than I would give you credit for."

"We had always been faithful to you, but we feared him and did not know if he was being truthful. When you came to town, we expected you to destroy him. We were expecting you to lead us to greatness again."

"Yes, yes," Magus said, absentmindedly as he pointed the scythe to Ozzie's head again, ready to tease him, "you hear that? They were going to kill you..."

"So, what will you do now?" The imp asked.

"Not even your own people were going to stand for your stupidity. What does that say about you, Ozzie?" Magus chuckled as he held Ozzie down.

"WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW!?"

Magus turned with a bemused expression on his face. The imp was nearly red in the face, his brow furrowed in indignation. Those who stood around him held their gaze on Magus, some with hope and others with dread. Magus scoffed and shook his head, "What does it matter to you what I do? Keep living in your cesspool. Keep serving this lump of pathetic goo if you wish. It doesn't matter to me. However, I think I would rather have him live and be cast out by his own kind than kill him. Do you hear that, Ozzie? I hope you are comfortable there in the dirt, because I don't think you are ever going to leave it after today."

"You are going to leave us? Like this?" asked the imp, his voice cracking.

Magus sighed irritably and said, "Did you you think I was going to stay? Did you think I was going to help you raise an army out of this pathetic lot?"

The imp looked downward and frowned. "You are unfit to rule us."

For some strange reason, Magus felt a twinge of anger at those words. Suddenly, his foot was off Ozzie's head and Magus turned to face the imp. Ozzie scattered away, his back against the wall with Slash and Flea. "'Unfit to rule you'? When I came here, you all cowered like cattle under lightning storms. You went about like insects, groveling at the hands of Ozzie and the warring Mystic lords. It was me who unified them. It was me who turned this lowly country into a force to be reckoned with. It was me who altered the course of history."

"You say altered, but nothing has changed. It would have been better if you never existed. You are a failure as a king. You should have never ruled."

Magus' teeth clenched. "Watch your mouth, you little maggot. You dare speak to me that way?"

"Kill me if you wish; but if I am going to die, let it be known that you are no different than Ozzie. You are just as low as he is!"

"You wish to die so eagerly? Very well." Magus began to stride forward purposely.

"We were better off then than we are now. Our brothers and sisters have died for a cause, to summon our salvation, which you failed to do! Strike me down then, if you must. Lavos will take me in with open arms and I will finally rest with the fallen."

Magus stopped, and a sudden glee filled him. Why had it never dawned on him, this sickeningly torturous design? What was stronger than their belief in him which had already been shattered? What was the very thing that managed to get Mystic to follow Magus, a human?

"Lavos, you say?"

Crono and his friends knew what was about to happen and they lowered their heads in shame for what was about to occur. The imp looked at Magus inquisitively as did everyone in the assembly. "So, you all still believe Lavos is going to wake and save you all? You think some magical being is going to come and destroy all the humans for your convenience? You really believe that, after everything that happened? Do you really think it was the God of the humans that destroyed your city?"

"What else could it be?" The imp asked curtly.

"LAVOS, YOU FOOL!"

The imp recoiled as if he had been shot, "That cannot be true. You had told us, time and time again that..."

"I did not tell you everything. Lavos is no God and he is no savior. He is death incarnate and he would not have spared you. Oh, he would have destroyed the humans, and he will eventually, but he will destroy all of you along with them!"

"But, but why would you tell us to summon him? What possible reason could there have been?"

"That is beyond you and you do not need to know."

"You used us."

Ozzie rose from his spot, the front of his clothes ruined by whatever food remained on the ground. His eyes glared over and he looked toward Magus and said, "We went to war with the humans at your insistence. You told me that we would have been free of them."

"Don't act like you were just as duped, Ozzie. I filled your head with thoughts of lording over the Mystics and humans alike as if they were slaves and you were chomping at the bit."

"Slaves?" the imp questioned as he looked toward Ozzie. He was not the only one.

Ozzie shrank under their gaze, "Y-you don't understand! He offered me wealth! Sovereignty! Immortality!"

At that, Magus blanked. "Wait...Did you say I offered you immortality?"

It was at that moment that the air became unbearably chilly. But perhaps it was not the air; rather, it was a sudden and horrifying realization that slowly began to creep up Magus' spine. His question was uttered so quietly that nobody heard him. He began to dwell in thought as he imagined his mother, the woman whom he despised and how she engulfed all those who surrounded him with immortality. Had he really used that same foolish promise? Had he really used that same lure which he and Schala both derided as children? Had he truly fallen that low?

What if his mother had known all along that everyone would perish in Zeal? What if she had known that Lavos would have brought destruction, but she fufilled her designs anyway? What if she had brought the destruction of Zeal upon them for her own selfishness? He went through all these questions, relating them to his mother and her depravity all while trying to avoid asking how they applied to them.

But something happened. A dam burst and a sudden clarity flowed over him. Why would he summon Lavos to challenge him when he was fueled by his power? How could he have been able to defeat him? How was he any different than her? After all, had not his mother destroyed Zeal just as he destroyed kingdom of the Mystics?

"No." Magus said to himself. "I didn't want immortality. I wanted justice. Revenge. I wanted my kingdom back."

"But I had my kingdom. I ruled over the kingdom of the Mystics. And I was willing to destroy it. Just like the Queen of Zeal destroyed her own."

"Am I no different than her."

The very thought filled him with shame. He imagined Schala as a near flawless person, full of love and life. He then imagined his mother full of faults, hate, anger, despair, fear, and greed. How he despised her! As he thought that, memories came to him in the ocean palace. He recalled forcing Schala to summon Lavos, fulfilling his mother's desires like a misguided and obedient son. How could he despise her and do exactly as she wanted?

"I was a pawn. I made myself a pawn."

"No. Even worse. I am truly my mother's son. Perhaps even worse."

Yes. Even worse. He had the teaching of the prophets, he was fully aware of the evils of Lavos, he knew it was a fool's errand to challenge him. He even had multiple opportunities to end the struggle, taking a less satisfying version of his revenge. But he could not do it. He had to face Lavos and scream at his face. He had to drive his spear into his eye and laugh at his pain. He was willing to destroy his own kingdom to do it. Even after everything he had learned. It suddenly seemed so impossible to him. How could he have allowed himself to fail so miserably? He recalled his mission. He was supposed to be the one who saved Zeal. He was the one who was supposed to end it all.

"So why? Why?"

Suddenly, his drive for justice and revenge seemed so hollow. His younger self sobbed at the realization that he was to become as Magus was now. How could he not even listen to his younger self? How could he have been so blind?

Sound came back to him and it did so as a roar. The assembly became a mess of chaos. The townspeople shouted angrily at Ozzie and his cohorts, their teeth barred and their claws wanting to draw blood. The only who did not carry on in such a manner were Crono, Lucca, Marle, Glenn, Ayla, and Robo who watched him with a sense of wonder. They had noticed the range of his emotions that had shown with his thoughts. They had ended with a softening of his expressions to the point where all emotions seemed gone from him. The haughty prince who bore himself proudly looked as if he aged tremendously, his shoulders sagging lifelessly.

"Listen..."

He uttered that command several times without making a motion. It wasn't until he raised his arms that all the shouting ceased and they looked at Magus with contemptuous eyes. He breathed deep and said, "It was all a lie. I had used all of you. My reason will not be enough to satisfy you. To those who are being used, the reason is never enough. But I had used you and done so very easily. It was simple to use your hate and animosity to drive you against the humans. Through your hostility I controlled you and made you mine." All looked upon Magus with indignation save for the imp who had confronted him before. The imp had a look of thoughtfulness, maybe even guilt, upon his face.

"It goes without saying, I am certain" Magus continued with a bitter sounding sense of irony, "that I will not lead you or return. But my advice to you is do not follow those who shout for blood."

Magus was quiet for a moment longer and then turned to leave. Glenn looked after Magus for a second, scratched his chin before he nodded in agreement and rose to his feet to follow as did the rest. Ozzie, Slash, and Flea looked after Magus with a certain sense of doom. Not because they felt he would still slay them, but because his presence was the only thing that kept the villagers from attacking them. They quickly found an exit while the forum watched Magus leave and ran out into the woods to live the rest of their days in obscurity. It was only the rare few Mystics from that point forward that would listen to them. It was the bigoted and hateful ones that would search them out.

They stepped into the warm air breeze and stepped off the trail. It would be easier just to avoid the village altogether and find the Epoch. Crono thought of the imp who pondered over Magus' parting words and how he looked so much like Alwyn. He wondered if the others had noticed it. Perhaps he would tell them later and how their actions today would affect the future, but he was in no rush. His largest concern was Magus who had fallen to the back of the group. There was much that everyone had to face still, but Crono had great confidence in his friends and the trials that waited ahead. However, he still feared exceedingly for Magus. Realizing one's sin was just the beginning.

Author's note; So, you all probably have been wondering if I died. Nope. Still very much alive and kicking. I've been married, so that's been keeping me busy. :3 Anyway, as I said, this story WILL get done. They usually make me work Sundays when NOBODY comes it. I should be working but shhhhhhh... Anyway, I had an idea for the chapter but it turned out in a completely direction. I hope it makes sense it fits for you all as it dd for me. Enjoy!

-Gibson