[Disclaimer]: I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine.
Revival of the Legend
Part 3
"Father, please, you've got to understand," Charis exclaimed with a pleading look on her face. She turned towards her uncle, searching his face. "Your Majesty?" Serin sighed, as both the King and his royal advisor were not conceding one inch. Charis had just told them about what had happened at Luka's, and asked permission to go along with Serin. They both had thought it better if Crono, Marle, and Glenn stayed at the main gate, and wait for word from them.
"Charis," her father began, "this is not a good idea! You're the crowded princess of this kingdom, and you would only be a target."
"But there isn't even any danger anymore, father," Charis argued. "Ever since Serin, Kikuo, and I defied the Empire, no one would dare try anything against us." Though she was putting up a brave front, Charis was nervous, even scared, that they would not grant her wishes. She looked over at Serin, and he gave her a weak smile. "Please, Father, Uncle," she begged them both silently. "Please, don't let me down."
"Your Highness," Serin stated, stepping forward. "I swear on my life I will protect your niece. Charis is a strong fighter, and I just hope you realize that." He looked towards her father. "Please, sir, I may need her help." The two brothers looked at each other, and then the King stood up.
"Charis, come here," King Edward commanded. She quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully to him, and then stood, looking at him intently. He studied her face for a long time, and then leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "I grant you permission, niece."
"Oh thank you, Uncle," she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. "Today, you've made me so happy!" King Edward returned her hug with a hearty laugh, however his demeanor turned serious once again as he look towards Serin.
"You must make one of two decisions, Serin," King Edward stated, causing Serin to bow before him. "You must either take full responsibility for Charis' safety, or I will send along the Royal magician. What is your choice?"
"I'll take responsibility for what happens to Charis," Serin replied. "However I assure you, no harm will come to her."
"Your word is your bond, then," the King stated. "If anything happens to Charis, you will be punished accordingly."
"Your Highness, that's not fair," Charis interjected.
"Would you rather stay here," her father asked. At this, Charis narrowed her eyes.
"I have confidence in my skills, Father, and I have confidence in Serin," she exclaimed. "We'll take the Royal magician, Uncle."
"Joch, come forward," the king said. A tall figure appeared almost immediately, seemingly out of thin air.
"Do you mean as in the Sage Joch, Jenkh," Charis asked incredulously. "The wise one that helped us complete our training?"
"I am merely his shadow, an apprentice," Joch spoke, bowing at the waist. He had on a black, hooded cloak, which swept the ground and hid his face in shadow.
"Why have you taken in a magician, Majesty," Charis asked her uncle. He raised a hand.
"For now, that is of no consequence," he replied. "Just go quickly, Charis, and return safely." She stepped forward and hugged him, thanking him once again. Then she turned to her father, hugging him as well.
"Thank you, Daddy," she whispered before stepping away from him. He nodded his head once, his way of saying, "you're welcome." As she turned to join Serin's side, Joch followed her silently. She turned towards him slightly. "Thank you, Joch, for coming." He simply nodded his head.
"Charis," Serin began as the trio made their way to the front gate. "I meant every word I said in there. I will protect you."
"I know, Serin, and I'll protect you," she replied. "But like you said in there, I'm a skilled fighter. We both are." They continued to walk in silence, however Charis stopped suddenly. "I forgot something in my father's study," she exclaimed. She quickly excused herself and ran back in the direction they came from, and was back before much time had passed. "I'm ready, now." Serin gave her a questioning look, however they continued on their way.
"Marle, Crono, Glenn," Serin called out as the trio came into sight. They looked up at the sound of his voice, and Marle waved.
"Does this mean you can come along too, Charis," Marle asked, a smile on her face.
"Yes it does, Marle," Charis replied, biting down the snide remark she was going to make. Marle smiled, and to Charis' surprise, she gave her a small hug.
"I'm glad your father and King Edward gave you permission," Marle stated. Charis looked at her in shock, and then offered her first, real smile towards the other girl.
"Me too, Marle," she replied.
"Your Highness," Joch said, speaking quietly, "may I suggest that we continue on our way?" Charis looked at him, and then nodded her head.
"That's a good idea, Joch," she replied. "Marle, Crono, Glenn, this is Joch, the Royal magician of Pandora. He'll be coming along on this journey with us."
"How do we get to this Pure Land Luka speak'eth of," Glenn asked, breaking the silence that had followed Charis' introductions.
"I think we should go to Tasnica," Serin suggested. "I'm sure Jema can help us out in some way. They have sandships, so perhaps they can go over water, as well. That's the only way I can think of that can possibly get us to the island."
"That's a good idea, Serin, but how do we all get to Tasnica," Charis asked. "We can't all possibly go by canon travel."
"I have a solution, Highness," Joch spoke.
"Please, Joch, just call me Charis," she stated.
"Then I have a solution, Charis," Joch continued. "I can simply teleport us there."
"Can you really do that," Serin asked incredulously. Joch nodded his head. "That solves our problem, then." Joch raised his hands into the air, and dark energy engulfed them all. In a flash, the group was gone.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Sir Jema," a Tasnican soldier stated, running into the throne room. The soldier bowed to the king, and then turned towards Jema. "Sir Jema, six strangers have appeared at our gates. Sir Serin and Princess Charis are among the six, but the other four are unknown."
"Show them in, soldier," Jema said.
"But sir, are you sure," the soldier questioned. "The others seem of questionable character."
"Soldier, do you think Sir Serin would travel with dangerous people," Jema asked.
"No, of course not, Sir Jema," he replied. "I'll show them to you right away." The soldier left the room in a hurry, and a few minutes later, he returned with the six warriors in tow.
"Serin, welcome to the kingdom of Tasnica," Jema welcomed him. "What brings you here?"
"Your Majesty," Serin stated, bowing towards the King. He acknowledged Serin, and then the warrior turned towards Jema. "Sir Jema, I have taken up my quest once again."
"I thought as much," Jema replied. "I see you have recovered the Mana Sword?"
"I have," Serin said. "I have a request to make."
"Ask me anything, Serin, I will try to help," Jema replied.
"We need a way to get to the Pure Land," Serin stated. "Luka said the answer lies there, but we don't have a way to get there. Do your sandships travel over water?"
"They do, but to go to the Pure Land," Jema asked. "The cloud shrouds the island from sight. How are you to find it? We'll get lost in the fog."
"I don't know, Sir Jema, but I've got to try," Serin said. "The power of Mana is reawakening in this land, and I've got to discover why."
"Do you think it's the Mana Beast again," Jema asked. "Is that possible, even?"
"That's why I have to go to the Pure Land," Serin replied. Jema rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "I don't want to put any of your men in danger. We can pilot the ship ourselves."
"There is one person who wouldn't mind the danger," Jema said slowly. "And if he's not willing to go, I will take you myself. We'll leave in the morning, first thing. You may stay here through the night."
"I don't want to seem ungrateful, but we're going to leave in the morning, Jema," Charis said. "Why wait?"
"It's late afternoon now, Charis," Jema began. "And regardless of where the destination is, the sea is dangerous at night. I won't risk our lives needlessly."
"I understand, Jema," Charis stated. "And I didn't even think about that." Jema gave her a small smile.
"We'll leave first thing in the morning," Jema said. "Come with me, and we'll prepare for dinner." As the group followed Jema, none noticed as two figures watched silently from a distance.
"The Boss won't like this," the first figure said to the other. "We'd better go report what we learned." The two strange beings slipped away, unnoticed by the Tasnican guards.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The next morning, as the five warriors and the mage boarded the sandship, Jema approached them. "You have everything you need, I trust," he asked.
"Yes, I have the Mana Sword, and we have our weapons," Serin said, his hand on his sheath. Jema nodded his head.
"Then let me introduce your captain," he stated. "I have a feeling you know him." He stepped aside, and a man familiar to Serin stepped onto the deck.
"Sergo," Serin exclaimed, stepping towards the man.
"Well, if you ain't my buddy for the desert," Sergo exclaimed. He stepped towards Serin and the two shook hands vigorously. "How have you been, mate?"
"How did you get a job as a captain," Serin asked at the same time. Sergo gave a hearty laugh.
"Seems we have a bit a catching up to do," Sergo exclaimed, cupping a hand on Serin's shoulder. As the two continued to talk, Crono, Marle, Glenn, and Charis stood off to the side.
"Charis," Glenn began, "doust thou trust thine mage? 'Tis a strange fellow, who strays away from us." He looked over at Joch, who stood at the bow, staring out at the sea, his dark cloak billowing slightly from the breeze.
"Yes, Glenn, I trust him," Charis replied, a small frown on her face. "He's connected to my kingdom, so of course I trust him."
"You don't think he's from the Empire," Crono asked, as he, too, looked over at Joch.
"Of course not," Charis exclaimed. "I can't believe this! Why are you talking like this about Joch? His teacher is a very respectable figure all over the land."
"We don't mean to pry or anything, Charis," Marle stated. "Where we come from, magicians aren't easily trusted." Charis nodded her head in understanding, and then wordlessly went to stand next to Joch.
"What are you looking at," she asked quietly, after she was sure he sensed her presence.
"Just the sea," Joch replied. "It has a calming affect, yet it holds many dangers. The sea is serene, yet danger lurks deep underneath."
"So, are you afraid of the sea," Charis asked. Joch smiled slightly, though Charis didn't see it from behind his hood.
"No," he replied. "My connection is just deep with the sea." Charis looked at him strangely, however he didn't see the look she gave him, as he was already staring back out at the water. She turned slightly as Jema called for everyone's attention.
"We're about to leave now, if no one has any objections," he stated. When no one said anything, he motioned for Sergo to take his place at the helm. The ship surged forward, and they began to make their way towards the Pure Land. Charis turned back towards where Joch was, however he wasn't there.
"Well, it was nice talking to you, too," she mumbled. She heard a giggle, and turned towards where Marle was. She and Serin were talking about something and laughing. Charis felt a pang of jealousy, however quickly brushed it off. "What's wrong with me," she asked herself. "I'm still mourning for Dyluck, aren't I?"
"Is something wrong, Charis," Crono asked, stepping beside her.
"Nothing, really," she replied. "I'm just looking out for the island. Someone has to." She allowed bitterness to creep into her voice, and Crono turned towards her.
"Everything will turn out fine," he stated, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It will all be alright." He moved his hand back down into its' original position, and then stared out at the sea, in the direction Charis was looking in.
"You're probably right, Crono," she stated without looking at him. A smile appeared on her face, however in the pit of her stomach was a feeling she couldn't deny. "I just hope you're right," she added silently.
To Be Continued . . .
Hey everyone! Well, I'm at the point where I'm dying for reviews. So I'm begging you, please leave a review! *big anime eyes* Please? ^_^ I hope you enjoyed your read. The "real" action should start in the next part. Bye for now!