Chapter 24: The Final Crescendo
The Epoch touched down on the continent quietly, very close to Magus' castle. The group (gratefully) climbed out, and glanced around. The area was silent. Too silent. As the band of adventurers walked through, they could see several pairs of yellow eyes watching them. Serra's nose twitched.
"Wolves of some sort." Serra said blatantly, putting a defensive arm around Dalton instinctively. They silently walked as there finally came the loud bugleing of a dragon. As if on cue, werewolves jumped from the brush, snarling violently. The group quickly went into a defensive formation.
"OK, I didn't know exactly what kind they were!!" Serra yelped, fending one off with claws that seemed to entend from her fingertips. Frog stabbed one with Masamune.
"There doth not be much time left! We must go forth and slay the beast' not meddle with these!" Frog said. Rei nodded as she let a werewolf clamp down on Rune before sending it flying. Taking the oppertunity provided by throwing the beast, she booked it for the castle. Frog gave a croak of alarm as Crono shoved the Frog in the direction of the castle.
"Sir Crono, what of you and the others!?" Frog asked. Crono signaled they would be fine. Frog nodded.
"I wish thee the best of luck, lad!" Frog said before taking off after Rei.
Frog caught up to Rei swiftly and looked at her.
"M'lady, hath thou gone mad, beleiving thou couldst defeat the monster by thine lonesome!?" Frog asked.
"No, I haven't. I was hoping to buy time. Let's try to get this thing, Frog!" Rei said. Frog nodded, and they booked it inside. Both of them ran through the eerily empty corridors, Frog leading the way to the chamber that he, Crono, and company had first found Magus summoning Lavos. There was nothing, until the familiar blue flames began to ignite the area. Rei and Frog glanced around until they spied black and purple scales illuminated by the dim light. Latern-like gold eyes blazed at then as Muramasa rose to his haunches, exposing his gold plated underbelly.
"I thhhhink... You are a bit.... Late...." The dragon hissed, smugly. Frog clutched Masamune in his hand tightly. Damnit... It couldn't be...
"You two... Ssshhhal make an exxxxxcccccellent warmup for my... Domination..." Muramasa hissed. Immediately, Rei and Frog lunged, although at seperate times. Rune and Masamune pinged off as each collided, harmlessly. Muramasa laughed a dry laugh.
"You tttthhhink your toyssss can penetrate the ssscalessss of the Black Dragon?" Muramasa smirked. Quickly, he raised his claws and slashed to both of them. Frog slowly rose to his feet, watching Rei do the same out of the corner of his eye. Rei seemed to be mouthing the words to some spell, standing perfectly still. Frog quickly lunged for Muramasa, but Masamune seemed to bound off again. Frog gave a shiver, growing drowsy as the temprature in the room began to plummet. Being a frog definaitely had it's disadvantages. However, Muramasa seemed to slow down too. Frog glanced at Rei, who tossed him a skin that he tied arpound himself quickly, fur side in for warmth. It helped enough to keep him moving. The two repeatedly attempted to lash against Muramasa, however, their blades merely bounced off. Muramasa hissed, spitting balls of energy at the two.
Doreen's voice finally seemed to whisper in Rei's ear, as, while still Rune, she observing Masa and Mune doing the same with Frog.
"We have to hit him together.." Doreen whispered. "Or we'll never get a blow in."
Rei nodded, and Frog and Rei exchanged looks, understanding. It was low or never. Simultaniously, the two lunged for Muramasa, and both Rune and Masamune plunged into it's heart at the same time. Muramasa gave a screech, hissing as his body shuddered.
"You may desssstroy my body, but you cannot touch my ssspirit!" Muramasa snarled. Lashing, the dragon knocked the both of them to the ground. They glanced up in time to see two spirits weilding swords approach the dying dragon weilding their swords.
"C..yrus...?"
"D...addy...?"
Both Rei and Frog passed out from the blow of Muramasa's barbed tail as the spirits of the two long dead swordsmen approached Muramasa, drawing their blades.
"They may not be able to destroy you, but we can. You have defiled the dead long enough." Cyrus said calmly in his low, deep voice. Yoarashi unsheathed his blade, igniting it with the spell Lit Blade before doing the same for Cyrus. Muramasa balked temporarily, aware that they were accurate: they could probably destroy him. But he snarled, refusing to surrender as his body fell, leaving the spirit. Quickly, both swordsmen rushed the dragon, dodging his snapping mouth. Quickly diving to dodge the claws of the spirit, they drove their blades home. Muramasa gave a cry as he felt himself ripped apart.
"YOU SSSHHHALL PAY FOR THIIIISSS!!!" He snarled, as his body and spirit began reacting to the blow. Both spirits vanished as a barrier spell protected the two unconcious fighters as Muramasa and his body were ripped from existance violently.
Frog awoke several hours later in Serra's house in Truce. An Ice pack was on his head, and bandages were wrapped 'round his wounds. Masa and Mune were in their little yellow imp/gremlin forms, watching. Mune gave a whoop when Frog opened his eyes, earning a dirty glare from his brother.
"What... What hath happened?" Frog croaked weakly. Mune danced in place as Masa explained, still giving Mune warning glares.
"Muramasa knocked you and Rei out wil his tail as his body was dying." Masa said calmly. Frog gave a start.
"Is the beast-!?" Frog began. Masa grinned.
"Nah, he was blasted outta existance." Masa said. Frog boggled.
"How?" Frog asked. Mune did his little mid-air jig again.
"Cyrus an' Yoarashiii." Mune said coyly. Frog JERKED upright.
"I thought twas naught but an illusion! How...?!" Frog almost shook Mune.
"We were able to ask for help in the spirit world. We are spirits. They were more than willing to help. Especially Yoarashi. It seems like the two struck up quite the friendship." Masa chuckled. Frog rubbed his injuries slightly, getting up and putting his torso armor on so he wasn't running around shirtless.
"What of the lady Reiketsu?" Frog asked. Mune pointed.
"Doreen's taking care of her in the other room." Mune said. Frog nodded and entered. Rei was just waking up, one arm around Doreen like a plush doll. The spirit didn't seem to mind at all. Frog offered to help her up, and she accepted it.
"What happened?" Rei asked, still holding Doreen with one arm. Frog debated telling her, and decided against it. There was no sense in getting her all worked up so soon.
"Muramasa hath been terminated, m'lady." Frog said, kissing her hand before letting go. Rei blushed weakly and smiled.
"Thank God." Rei stretched some as the group walked in. Rather, Crono, Serra, and Dalton.
"Ya'll OK?" Serra asked. Getting an affirmation from them both, Serra grinned.
"Oh, goodie. Mute Boy here's been going crazy. We nearly freaked when we saw you two passed out like drunks when we walked in on that damn dragon blowing outta reality. Damn good thing Maggie knew that barrier spell." Serra said.
"Where didst Magus and Lady Lucca go?" Frog looked around.
"They went off after we came back here. And they were ARM IN ARM." Dalton giggled. Crono even cracked a smile.
"....Lucca and Magus make babies? Now I think I'm gonna puke." Rei grumbled, although NOW she was grateful she hadn't known Sugam was Magus when she taught him the spell. It had been a GOOD thing. Frog pulled Rei against himself and make a tiny chirruping noise affectionately.
"Atleast Muramasa hath been vanquished. For that, I wouldst appreciate rest." Frog said. Crono grinned again and nodded.
The Epoch touched down on the continent quietly, very close to Magus' castle. The group (gratefully) climbed out, and glanced around. The area was silent. Too silent. As the band of adventurers walked through, they could see several pairs of yellow eyes watching them. Serra's nose twitched.
"Wolves of some sort." Serra said blatantly, putting a defensive arm around Dalton instinctively. They silently walked as there finally came the loud bugleing of a dragon. As if on cue, werewolves jumped from the brush, snarling violently. The group quickly went into a defensive formation.
"OK, I didn't know exactly what kind they were!!" Serra yelped, fending one off with claws that seemed to entend from her fingertips. Frog stabbed one with Masamune.
"There doth not be much time left! We must go forth and slay the beast' not meddle with these!" Frog said. Rei nodded as she let a werewolf clamp down on Rune before sending it flying. Taking the oppertunity provided by throwing the beast, she booked it for the castle. Frog gave a croak of alarm as Crono shoved the Frog in the direction of the castle.
"Sir Crono, what of you and the others!?" Frog asked. Crono signaled they would be fine. Frog nodded.
"I wish thee the best of luck, lad!" Frog said before taking off after Rei.
Frog caught up to Rei swiftly and looked at her.
"M'lady, hath thou gone mad, beleiving thou couldst defeat the monster by thine lonesome!?" Frog asked.
"No, I haven't. I was hoping to buy time. Let's try to get this thing, Frog!" Rei said. Frog nodded, and they booked it inside. Both of them ran through the eerily empty corridors, Frog leading the way to the chamber that he, Crono, and company had first found Magus summoning Lavos. There was nothing, until the familiar blue flames began to ignite the area. Rei and Frog glanced around until they spied black and purple scales illuminated by the dim light. Latern-like gold eyes blazed at then as Muramasa rose to his haunches, exposing his gold plated underbelly.
"I thhhhink... You are a bit.... Late...." The dragon hissed, smugly. Frog clutched Masamune in his hand tightly. Damnit... It couldn't be...
"You two... Ssshhhal make an exxxxxcccccellent warmup for my... Domination..." Muramasa hissed. Immediately, Rei and Frog lunged, although at seperate times. Rune and Masamune pinged off as each collided, harmlessly. Muramasa laughed a dry laugh.
"You tttthhhink your toyssss can penetrate the ssscalessss of the Black Dragon?" Muramasa smirked. Quickly, he raised his claws and slashed to both of them. Frog slowly rose to his feet, watching Rei do the same out of the corner of his eye. Rei seemed to be mouthing the words to some spell, standing perfectly still. Frog quickly lunged for Muramasa, but Masamune seemed to bound off again. Frog gave a shiver, growing drowsy as the temprature in the room began to plummet. Being a frog definaitely had it's disadvantages. However, Muramasa seemed to slow down too. Frog glanced at Rei, who tossed him a skin that he tied arpound himself quickly, fur side in for warmth. It helped enough to keep him moving. The two repeatedly attempted to lash against Muramasa, however, their blades merely bounced off. Muramasa hissed, spitting balls of energy at the two.
Doreen's voice finally seemed to whisper in Rei's ear, as, while still Rune, she observing Masa and Mune doing the same with Frog.
"We have to hit him together.." Doreen whispered. "Or we'll never get a blow in."
Rei nodded, and Frog and Rei exchanged looks, understanding. It was low or never. Simultaniously, the two lunged for Muramasa, and both Rune and Masamune plunged into it's heart at the same time. Muramasa gave a screech, hissing as his body shuddered.
"You may desssstroy my body, but you cannot touch my ssspirit!" Muramasa snarled. Lashing, the dragon knocked the both of them to the ground. They glanced up in time to see two spirits weilding swords approach the dying dragon weilding their swords.
"C..yrus...?"
"D...addy...?"
Both Rei and Frog passed out from the blow of Muramasa's barbed tail as the spirits of the two long dead swordsmen approached Muramasa, drawing their blades.
"They may not be able to destroy you, but we can. You have defiled the dead long enough." Cyrus said calmly in his low, deep voice. Yoarashi unsheathed his blade, igniting it with the spell Lit Blade before doing the same for Cyrus. Muramasa balked temporarily, aware that they were accurate: they could probably destroy him. But he snarled, refusing to surrender as his body fell, leaving the spirit. Quickly, both swordsmen rushed the dragon, dodging his snapping mouth. Quickly diving to dodge the claws of the spirit, they drove their blades home. Muramasa gave a cry as he felt himself ripped apart.
"YOU SSSHHHALL PAY FOR THIIIISSS!!!" He snarled, as his body and spirit began reacting to the blow. Both spirits vanished as a barrier spell protected the two unconcious fighters as Muramasa and his body were ripped from existance violently.
Frog awoke several hours later in Serra's house in Truce. An Ice pack was on his head, and bandages were wrapped 'round his wounds. Masa and Mune were in their little yellow imp/gremlin forms, watching. Mune gave a whoop when Frog opened his eyes, earning a dirty glare from his brother.
"What... What hath happened?" Frog croaked weakly. Mune danced in place as Masa explained, still giving Mune warning glares.
"Muramasa knocked you and Rei out wil his tail as his body was dying." Masa said calmly. Frog gave a start.
"Is the beast-!?" Frog began. Masa grinned.
"Nah, he was blasted outta existance." Masa said. Frog boggled.
"How?" Frog asked. Mune did his little mid-air jig again.
"Cyrus an' Yoarashiii." Mune said coyly. Frog JERKED upright.
"I thought twas naught but an illusion! How...?!" Frog almost shook Mune.
"We were able to ask for help in the spirit world. We are spirits. They were more than willing to help. Especially Yoarashi. It seems like the two struck up quite the friendship." Masa chuckled. Frog rubbed his injuries slightly, getting up and putting his torso armor on so he wasn't running around shirtless.
"What of the lady Reiketsu?" Frog asked. Mune pointed.
"Doreen's taking care of her in the other room." Mune said. Frog nodded and entered. Rei was just waking up, one arm around Doreen like a plush doll. The spirit didn't seem to mind at all. Frog offered to help her up, and she accepted it.
"What happened?" Rei asked, still holding Doreen with one arm. Frog debated telling her, and decided against it. There was no sense in getting her all worked up so soon.
"Muramasa hath been terminated, m'lady." Frog said, kissing her hand before letting go. Rei blushed weakly and smiled.
"Thank God." Rei stretched some as the group walked in. Rather, Crono, Serra, and Dalton.
"Ya'll OK?" Serra asked. Getting an affirmation from them both, Serra grinned.
"Oh, goodie. Mute Boy here's been going crazy. We nearly freaked when we saw you two passed out like drunks when we walked in on that damn dragon blowing outta reality. Damn good thing Maggie knew that barrier spell." Serra said.
"Where didst Magus and Lady Lucca go?" Frog looked around.
"They went off after we came back here. And they were ARM IN ARM." Dalton giggled. Crono even cracked a smile.
"....Lucca and Magus make babies? Now I think I'm gonna puke." Rei grumbled, although NOW she was grateful she hadn't known Sugam was Magus when she taught him the spell. It had been a GOOD thing. Frog pulled Rei against himself and make a tiny chirruping noise affectionately.
"Atleast Muramasa hath been vanquished. For that, I wouldst appreciate rest." Frog said. Crono grinned again and nodded.