[Disclaimer]: I don't own the rights to the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine.
Revival of the Legend
Part 4
"Charis, what's that," Crono asked as the two stood in the front of the ship, keeping an eye out for the Pure Land. Charis looked to where he was pointing, and she smiled.
"Serin, come quick," Charis exclaimed, turning towards where he stood. As he came up beside her, she pointed into the distance. "Look, I see the island! We're almost there."
"That's the Pure Land," Marle asked as she and Glenn joined the trio. "But it's covered by a blanket of fog. You can't see anything."
"That's the point," Charis stated. "The fog provides cover for the island. No human is supposed to step foot into that sacred place."
"'Tis a holy place," Glenn asked, alarmed.
"Don't worry, Glenn," Charis stated with a smile. "We've been there before."
"But to sacrilege the soil of a holy place," Glenn exclaimed.
"We have to, Glenn," Serin said. "In order to see my mother." Suddenly, everyone was thrown to the ground, as the ship jerked violently to one side.
"Sergo, what was that," Jema asked as he picked himself off the ground.
"I don't know, Sir Jema," Sergo replied. "It felt like we hit something, or we're stuck on something."
"It's neither," Joch stated, climbing from the boughs of the ship. He raised his arms into the air, and conjured up a shield over the entire ship. As he did this, a very large tentacle rose out of the water and slammed down towards the ship. Joch's shield protected everyone and the vessel from the blow, however the shield was dissipated almost immediately.
"What was that," Marle shrieked. She nervously held her crossbow at her side mimicking the others, who already had their weapons drawn. Her eyes darted all over the place for whatever had just attacked.
"Here it comes," Joch exclaimed, preparing another spell. To everyone's horror, save Joch, a gigantic sea creature rose from the water, its' tentacles thrashing around violently. It opened its' mouth, revealing hundreds of razor-sharp teeth, and let out a cry that made everyone cringe.
"Wh-what is that," Charis stammered.
"The Guardian Sea-God, Takoika," Joch replied. "It protects the Pure Land from outsiders." He jumped out of the way as the creature wrapped some of its' tentacles around the ship.
"We have to do something, or it will crush the hull," Serin exclaimed. He drew up the Mana Sword, and brought the blade down on a tentacle. Takoika let out a shriek, and then with a free tentacle, grabbed Serin and rose him up into the air.
"Oh no, Serin," Charis exclaimed. She grasped the javelin she was holding. "Salamando, come forth! Give me the power of fire!" A tiny creature set ablaze, resembling a lizard, appeared momentarily. Charis gripped her weapon again, and as it glowed red in color, she tossed it at the creature. It let out another scream, dropping Serin in the process. Charis rushed to his side as he landed harmlessly on the deck.
"Thanks, Charis," he stated, standing. She nodded her head, and then cast flame saber on his weapon as well. As Serin rushed to attack the creature again, Charis looked to see how everyone else was doing. Crono and Glenn were attacking the main part of Takoika, while Marle kept the tentacles away from them the best she could. Even Jema was fighting, providing cover for Sergo while he tried to stir them out of harms way. She turned her gaze towards Joch, and gasped.
"Joch, look out," she screamed. She ran towards him and pushed him down as a tentacle lashed past where he had just been standing. They landed on the ground roughly, and his hood fell back. She gasped softly as she saw his face. "Joch ... you've been hurt." He reached a hand up to his temple and felt moisture there. He narrowed his eyes and pulled the hood back up, covering his head.
"You shouldn't gawk when there's danger afoot," he stated. He grabbed her around the waist and jumped into the air as several sharp crystals shot from Takoika's mouth, aimed for the place they were just standing.
"Gem missile," Charis exclaimed. "It knows magic, too?" She gasped as she saw the creature preparing to attack again. "Dryad, come forth! Give me the power of Mana!" A tiny tree creature appeared momentarily, and then a green light spread over everyone as it emitted from Charis. Takoika shot gem missile at them again, however it bounced off uselessly.
"Get behind me," Joch said as he pushed Charis behind him. He waved his arms around in a set pattern, and pointed a finger towards Takoika. As he pointed, he rose his hand into the air, and fire engulfed the sea creature. It screamed in pain, and then sank back down into the sea. Joch slowly lowered his hand, and then turned around to help Charis stand.
"Thank you, Joch," she stated, pulling herself off the ground with his help. She seemed to remember something and reached up towards his face. She gasped as he grabbed her wrist. "But you were hurt," she protested.
"I'll be fine, your Highness," he said, stepping away from her. He turned towards Jema. "It would be best if we go alone from here. Take your ship, and turn around."
"How will you get to the island," Jema asked.
"Takoika will return," Joch stated, ignoring his question. "Stay, and you will perish." He turned towards the warriors, who had come together, as a bubble formed over them and lifted up into the air. Joch levitated up into the air as well, and turned towards Jema. "Do as you will. We'll get to the island."
"Please, go, Sir Jema," Charis said as she turned towards the ship. "We'll be fine. Just get out of here safely." Jema nodded his head, and Charis watched as the boat began to turn around.
"Is thine method of travel safe, magician," Glenn asked nervously. He could see through the bottom of the bubble as they moved along, and fear was apparent on his face. "Doust thou knowest our destination?"
"Don't worry, Glenn," Serin stated. "We're going the right way." As they flew into the fog, Joch joined the others inside the bubble. The fog seemed to part, however as they passed, it returned to its' original state.
"'Tis most strange," Glenn said.
"Look, I see something," Marle exclaimed. They passed through the last of the foggy cover, and before them was a vast island. From the view they had, it was easy to see the landscape and the features of the island. The bubble slowly lowered towards the island, and as it touched the ground, it dissipated.
"I haven't been here in so long," Charis breathed as she ran a hand down the glossy film of a leaf. She looked around, and a frown set on her face. "But where are the animals?"
"We should hurry and get to the tree," Serin stated, as he began to walk in the right direction. Charis followed him quietly, while Crono, Marle, and Glenn took in the surroundings of the place. Joch, however, kept a distance between him and the five warriors. They walked a way, until they came across a pearl dais and stairs, with two pillars. Serin stopped, and the others did as well.
"You don't think we'll have to fight the dragons again, do you," Charis asked, readying her weapon.
"There's one way to find out," Serin replied. He walked up the stairs and onto the dais. As he passed the pillars, nothing happened and he turned to the others. "I guess this means we can go through." He took the lead again, and the others followed. They passed through a second one, and when they came to a third, Serin stopped.
"What is it," Charis asked. He shook his head, and then looked towards Crono, Marle, Glenn, and Joch.
"Beyond this point, lies the Mana tree," Serin began. He looked over at Joch. "I take it you already know about the Mana Tree?" Joch nodded his head, and Serin continued. "Crono, Marle, Glenn, this may sound strange, but if she's still alive, the tree will speak to us." The trio had surprised looks on their faces, however remained silent. Serin took a deep breath, and then led them to the grove where the tree was.
"Oh Serin, look," Charis exclaimed. In front of them, dozens of strange animals stood at the base of an extremely large tree. "The animals ... They've all gathered here, but why?" A faint green glow began to emanate from the tree, and Serin rushed forward. The animals parted as he drew closer, and as he stood at the base of the tree, he dropped down to his knees.
"Mother," he asked, timidly placing a hand against the enormous tree trunk. When he didn't get an answer, he lowered his head and willed back the tears that had threatened to fall since they first arrived.
"The tree is his mother," Crono asked, surprised. Charis nodded her head.
"We were all surprised when we first learned it," she stated as she watched Serin with the same sadness he felt. "That's how we learned of his true lineage. He's the last of the Tribe of Mana. The women of the tribe become the Mana Tree, and the men the Mana Knights."
"Poor Serin," Marle stated. She slowly walked towards him, and knelt down beside him. "Serin," she asked, reaching out and placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked over at her, tears in his eyes.
"I thought for sure, she'd be alive," he stated hoarsely. "With the power of Mana reawakening, I was hoping she'd come back somehow." A solitary tear trailed down his face, and she reached forward and brushed it away.
"I'm sure she would love to talk to you, Serin," Marle stated softly. "I bet she misses you, just as much as you miss her." She placed a hand against the tree to keep steady as she stood, and as she did so, the tree began to emanate a darker green. A gentle wind blew over the grove.
"I knew you would return to me, Serin," a soft voice said. Marle took her hand away from the tree and stood behind Serin, alarmed.
"Mother," he asked as he, too, stood.
"Yes, Serin, it is I," his mother stated. "I knew you two would find each other. I'm so glad." At her words, Charis took a step backward.
"No," she thought, shaking her head in disbelief. "What is she talking about?" She gave a choked sob, and then ran back in the direction they had come from. Neither Crono nor Glenn noticed as she left however Joch did, and he went after her.
"Mother, what are you talking about," Serin asked. "Who found each other?"
"You and Marle, my son," his mother replied. A green ball of light appeared in front of them, and a figure began to form. The figure took the shape of a woman, and everyone gasped.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Charis continued to sob as she ran away from what she had just heard. Tears distorted her view, and she let out a gasp as she tripped and fell over an upturned root. "What have I done to deserve this," she yelled out towards the sky. "Why do I have to suffer the loss of love twice?" She began to cry again, and as her sobs subsided, she stood up and began to walk again, passing a group of shaded trees.
"How did you think you would get off of this island, Princess," a voice asked her. "Would you have fought Takoika alone? Would you have survived that swim?"
"Who's there," she demanded, readying her weapon. A figure stepped out from the shadows, and she relaxed. "Joch, you scared me."
"Are you going to answer my questions," he asked. "How did you plan on leaving this island?"
"I don't know," she admitted quietly. She jumped in surprise as two laughs rang through the air.
"The boss'll be happy when we take care of these two," the first voice spoke.
"The knight will be nothing without his magic user," the second replied.
"Who's there," Charis demanded. "Show yourselves!"
"No need for that," the first voice spoke.
"We've got a surprise for you," the seconded added. The two began to cackle, and Charis narrowed her eyes, searching the trees for the owners of the voices.
"Why do they sound so familiar," she asked herself. A huge shadow fell on her, and as she looked up, she gasped in surprise.
"Hmm," Joch mumbled, looking up as well. "Prepare yourself, Charis. This creature should be no problem."
To Be Continued . . .