by
Ellone Leonhart-Loire
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CHAPTER 1: The Radical Dreamer and the Chrono
Trigger
Kid
So this was it. It was
official. I was ready to give everything up to search for my sweet
destiny. In such ways I felt really awful about my decision because this
meant leaving my fellow chaps and mates of the Radical Dreamers. I know it
would be grand to have the rest of the Radical Dreamers to join on a brand-new
adventure, but judging from our group character I did not even think they would
understand why this brand-new journey was very important to me. Back then
all we cared about was money, riches, wealth--- the grandest wonders of the
world. All we cared about is being famous or being formidable by those who
stood in our way. We all had our own personal dreams as well as our own
group dream--- to go down in history. Most of these personal dreams were
all materialistic, but to me, all I wanted was a friend.
I have been
living alone all my life, practically independent from most of the norms in
today's society--- a teenager living with his or her parents, coping with
teenage life, and such like that. I was content that I did not have to go
through pressures like that. But despite of being alone, I always dreamed
of having a friend--- someone whom I can consider my best friend for life...
call it a soulmate. Someone so close to me that we were completely
inseparable and formidable together. The mates in the Radical Dreamers did
tell me that it takes two (or more) to accomplish a goal, and they were
right. I guess that was how we got the evil reputation from all the
townsfolk all around the archipelago. I remember wanted posters everywhere
a long time ago and it kind of intimidated me a bit. But I was younger
back then. Now I was able to overcome all my fears thanks to the Radical
Dreamers. My pillaging and pilfering skills made me feel like I was
completely invincible; like I was feared by every single human being in this
whole world.
I thought my dream of having a soulmate came true when fate
brought me to Serge that one day. I know I am repeating myself again but I
just could not help myself. Ever since our worlds became one there was
nothing else that took over my mind but his heavenly appearance--- the azure
hair... those sparkling sapphire eyes... that radiant smile that makes you fly
up the wind... and his wonderful build that would drive a lot of young
lasses crazy. I did not want the Radical Dreamers what I really meant when
I told them that "I will be searching for the mystical Chrono Trigger-- MY
treasure." They knew that Kid has no "soft spot" for love and they knew
that Kid did not believe in true love and romance.
Well, ever since then,
this Kid just earned a "soft spot" for love and this Kid has fallen in
love. I still denied to myself that the reason why I was so attached to
this personal journey. Deep in my heart I now realized why FATE decided to
bring me to Serge, not just as the protector of the Chrono Trigger (Serge), but
to grant my wish come true. I wanted a soulmate... I needed a soulmate...
and all in all, Serge have developed to become my one and only
soulmate...
This was why I finally made the decision to make my life worth by giving my
whole Radical Dreamer pillaging career and become an adventurer to find my "treasure".
I knew it was difficult leaving all my mates behind for my personal quest, but
I felt that this was what I must do to fulfill my true happiness. I have
finally found him at Cape Howl that day--- why did I have to lose him after
our victory...? FATE had never given me a chance to let Serge know how
I felt about everything--- not about my obsession to eliminate that bloody bastard
Lynx--- but my true feelings for him from protecting him from blokes like the
Acacia Dragoons to bastards like Lynx to my friendship towards him... I would
be sure that he would never even succumb himself to lose all his memories of
us.
The sun was about to set and it was time for me to head back to my small hut.
The Radical Dreamers may pay me a visit tomorrow before I take off and set my
course to the large, grand sea. I needed my rest now, but everything that
I needed for my journey was all set and ready.
I do hope tonight that I would dream of you and I together at last, Serge...
+++++
Serge
She returned to my dreams again.
This time I saw her at Cape Howl during my daily visit to my father's grave.
She came to me with a smiling face and extended her hand. She wanted to
give me warmth and comfort, trying to ease my pain and sorrow for my father's
soul. She said that she was there when I went through my struggle to learn
about myself and the world around me. She also said that she came to me
for a purpose--- a purpose that would surely change lives--- specifically hers
and mine. I placed my hand on hers and we both held each other's hand
tightly. Right at that moment, she and I felt so connected.
She seemed so real and so pure that I cannot deny myself of her as just a being
in my dreams. Her deep blue eyes completely captivated me so much that
I could not turn my eyes away from hers. Her sincere smile also said it
all that her words and her actions were completely straight from her heart.
Right at that moment, I felt completely content and found myself wanting her
for my own.
She brought me to the shores of Opassa Beach right after Cape Howl and looked
at me with a worried look on her face. The sadness and pain of her expression
really touched my heart that I just could not bare to see her shed a single
tear. She whispered to me that she was afraid... afraid of being alone
all over again. I told her that I would never leave her, that she would
never be alone, but all she said was: "Someone else has captivated you and I
can't just stand in your way to happiness." I lost my words at that moment
and placed my arms around her, just to prove her that my words were honest and
true. I held her tight as she cried her tears out on my
shoulder and made myself warm and cozy against her...
The next thing I knew, my mother's voice interrupted that sweetest moment. Here
I am now sitting up from my bed, all looking perplexed and confused. Right at
this point I lost the memory and the image of the mysterious young lady who
captivated me in my dreams. Damn, I murmured to myself. Why did
this dream had to end right at that moment? I curled myself up, trying
to get my senses back to be sure what I just experienced with that lonely girl
was for real or was all just a mirage.
"Serge, what are you doing curling up like that? You're going to make
Leena angry again if you don't make it to Opassa Beach..."
I looked up at the clock--- I only had five minutes left to meet up with Leena---
my girlfriend. I got up from my bed, not saying anything else, and cleaned
myself up. I grabbed a piece of loaf bread and headed my way to Opassa
Beach. Dear Goddess of Fate I hope she does not drag me back to Lizard
Rock again to exterminate more Komodos and get their shells. Sheesh... women.
Leena's sister Una met up with me near the entrance and cheered me on. Sometimes
I always wondered why Una was always happy everytime I mess something up with
Leena. Oh well, kids these days.
"Leena really needs to clean her act up, especially now that she's got you,
Sergey!" Una winked at me. "Anyway, she wanted to experience Komodo Dragon
scale collecting 'cuz she's so obsessive with it-- that's why she decided that
you and her hang out at Opassa Beach. She took the ferryman's boat to
get there instead of going through Lizard Rock--- pretty stupid if you ask me..."
"Thanks a lot, Una." I patted Una on her head and dashed my way through
Lizard Rock and right at Opassa Beach.
Leena stood there near the entrance to the beach, and as usual, she did not
look too happy. I was obviously late again to meet her and I admitted
that it was all my fault. That mesmerizing moment with the mysterious
girl of my dreams just caught me completely. What really puzzled me was
that the girl did not look a thing like Leena at all. The only thing I
can remember about that girl was that she had the most beautiful sky blue eyes
I have ever seen. And to be honest, I have never met a single girl in my life;
not even in Arni; who had such incredible blue eyes as the girl in my dreams.
It was rather strange.
"You overslept again, Serge??" Leena glared at me with her arms on her hips.
"What am I gonna do with you, Serge... you never changed ever since we started
going out... you're still as lazy and as unreliable like you used to be before!
What is it with you?"
"I'm sorry," was all that I can reply to her. "I was completely tired..."
Leena interrupted me right away: "Don't you even have an alarm clock right next
to your bed, Serge?? Don't you know HOW embarrassing it is for a girl
to have a boyfriend who always oversleeps and never makes his errands on time
to meet with his girlfriend?? And not just that, I'm the only girl in
the whole village who hasn't completed her Komodo Dragon scale necklace yet
and the village festival is almost near!! Don't you know how important
this is to me, Serge??"
I looked away and sighed. Why couldn't I retort back at Leena? It
was not because she was intimidating, but I guess you can consider me a perfect
gentleman--- never be rude to women, young and old. And besides, I was
already used to her constant bickering. We have been the closest friends
since childhood and the whole village already predicted that she and I are destined
to be together. I believed in that prediction too, since I did fall in
love with her back then, but for some reason now that I did not feel that Leena
was my destiny at all.
But they were just predictions, I reminded myself. Leena and I are together
now. There was nothing or no one who can ever change that fact.
"Look, let's just argue later about my tardiness, Leena..." I decided to get
away from that argument. Luckily Leena always stopped the bickering everytime
I told her that.
Leena looked up to me and smiled: "You've been all around El Nido, Serge...
I wanted to see the world... how the rest of El Nido looks like... maybe someday..."
She placed her arms around my waist and rested herself against my shoulder.
"Maybe someday.. when we get married... you can take me all around El Nido and
fascinate me with all of El Nido's hidden wonders, Serge..."
I smiled and held her tight to my chest and whispered: "Someday, Leena... all
of El Nido will be ours to enjoy and to cherish... hm?"
Leena and I looked in to each other's eyes as we moved closer to each other,
right until our lips met...
I had no clue whether this particular kiss was the most passionate that we had,
but during this intense passion something else started to kick in to my passion...
I felt like there was something missing in to this passion-- something that
Leena seemed to be lacking. What was it, I asked through my mind.
Leena's passionate kiss lacked something that would make me feel complete...
Afterwards we parted and stared at each other's eyes again. Leena smiled
and said: "Let's go to Termina."
"Termina?" I blinked my eyes with surprise. I have not been in Termina
since I can remember and I heard that the elite Acacia Dragoons often dwell
there during the day. I have never met a single Acacia Dragoon, but people
have been telling me that meeting one is a great priviledge to any mainland
El Nido folk. You are even luckier if you even had the priviledge to meet one
of the 4 High Devas--- the highest-ranking among all the Acacia Dragoons.
I nodded in agreement with Leena.
"I want to visit Lisa and see how she's doing," Leena answered. I nodded
again.
"Let's go visit Lisa then." Lisa and her family used to live in Arni when I
was younger, but moved away to live in Termina. From what I heard from my neighbors
that Lisa's father had been going around Shadow Forest to search for some rare
mushrooms for her collection, while Lisa now ran the biggest shop in Termina.
I have only met and talked with Lisa only a few times whenever Leena and I would
visit there. Sometimes I wished that Leena and I would go out on an adventurous
journey or something instead of going back and forth from Arni to Termina and
back. Leena was not much of the adventurous kind but if she really wanted to
be with me for a long time, she would have to get used to me as much as I have
gotten used to her. I wonder what their latest gossip would be once we get there.
We got ourselves ready and headed back to Arni, where we will be taking the
boat again to Termina Harbor.
+++++
Kid
The sun just peered up and it was time for me to set my course off to the world.
Everything along with my sailboat was all set. The time had just arrived
and the whole atmosphere and the weather was just perfect. I washed my
face using the fresh water of the Sea of Eden and felt the morning breeze blow
through my freshly washed skin. At the same time I also heard songbirds
playing that familiar chime that always played through my mind everytime I thought
about the Chrono Trigger. The thing was, where did I hear that song from?
I stretched myself from top to bottom to be sure that I did not have anything
stiff in any part of my body. I even ran laps to be sure that I was on
tip-top shape for the long sail. After an hour of warm up and exercise
I made my way back to my little shack to say my final farewell before I set
off to the sea. But right when I was about to reach for the door, I heard
startling noises clashing near my scene.
A lot of quick figures jumped out from out of nowhere and landed on the ground
right in front of my hut and myself. I smirked a bit right when they revealed
themselves.
"Oi Kid!" 15-yr-old redhead Blaze, my partner-in-crime in my Radical Dreamer
days, waved with the usual signature smirk of hers. "Leavin' already without
sayin' goodbye to your chaps, eh?" The rest of the Radical Dreamers also
had the same lingo as I did. We were able to understand each other.
"Oi oi oi," I answered with my arms crossed. "Ya think I'm gonna ditch
y'all like that? Ya know I ain't gonna forget about you blokes!"
Tidus, the head Radical Dreamer, stepped up to me with a confident smile on
his face. "Welp... guess this is it, eh, mate? Officially today
you're no longer a Radical Dreamer--- but ya still got that dreamer part in
ya."
"The personal quest of the mysterious treasure known as the 'Chrono Trigger,'
eh?" Little Stoke, the weeniest of us dreamer blokes, stepped forward along
with Tidus. "Where'd ya get that story, Kid? I ain't heard of such thing,
mate! "
"I get around El Nido, mates," I smirked with a thumbs-up sign. "Unlike
y'all who always thrived to the treasure we swiped off the filthy rich folks,
I hang around the islands to learn more about El Nido culture--- the 'Chrono
Trigger' is the most rarest treasure of all the treasures of the world and I
intend to claim it as MY treasure!"
"Oiiii, that's some dream ya got! Ya really are one swell of a dreamer Kid!"
Blaze commented me. "Sure we're gonna miss ya lots, ya know?"
"Oi," I nodded with a confident smile. "I'll never forget y'all... y'all
gave me the biggest reason to live and move on with life after all the hell
I've been through..."
"You'll always be family, Kid..." Tidus nodded. The dreamers and I exchanged
embraces as I felt a few tears trickling down from my eyes. "You'll always will
be... and you'll always be in our hearts, no matter what ya do... Best mates
forever, ya know?"
"Oi... thanks, Tidus..." I nodded with a smile. "Thanks to y'all..."
"Kid," Blaze looked right at me. "Before ya go... I got somethin' for
ya..." From her small pouch she took out a wrapped necklace bearing a
strange-looking pendant of some sort that I could not picture in my mind.
"What's this? Oi, 'tis some strange-lookin' pendant ya got here, Blaze...
what is it? Where'd ya swipe it from?"
"Oi Kid, I didn't rip that off some filthy rich bloke... I found it washed
ashore down yonder over there..." Blaze pointed out towards the shore right
up front. "It looked pretty weird but 'ey, me thinks it may be some kind
of a good luck charm!"
"Or a curse, maybe..." Tidus rolled his eyes. "Well, whatever
it is, it looked pretty valuable--- why don't ya keep it, Kid. Maybe ya can
sell it or pawn it and earn bloody money offa that thing."
I decided to take this strange-looking pendant--- all blue and it had some kind
of a crystal stuck in the middle of this--- thing. In my eyes I could not recognize
it, but somehow deep in my mind, this thing had a very strong connection to
me--- or rather--- a strong connection to the Chrono Trigger. Well, whatever
it was, I decided to hang on to it and maybe somebody can figure out what in
the world this thing is. Washed ashore? Weird indeed.
"Awright then, thanks," I gave my thanks to Blaze and Tidus.
We exchanged more final words and finally, our goodbyes. The Radical Dreamers
helped me pushed my boat down the water as I climbed over it. I took the paddle
and used as much of my strength as possible to me right towards the sea. Right
when the boat floated by itself, I stood up and looked out towards the beach,
where my former band of mates waved goodbye. I waved my hands with a confident
smile, knowing that these bunch of chaps would have their eyes and hopes on me.
As the vision of them was about to fade, I turned my head forward and paddled
back and forth, heading towards my first destination---
Termina.
+++++
TO BE CONTINUED...
Kid gets
caught in a storm and ends up in the shores of Guldove... Serge dreams of that
mysterious girl again and tries to have a good time with Leena and Lisa on his
visit to Termina... in addition, old friends start to appear in Serge's life
once more. Wait till Chapter 2 is
up!
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