Chapter Four: Hero's Beginning
It was really windy and a storm was in the air. The ship waved back and forth as Rad, Sullivan, and Han slept in there own beds in the same room. Their supply lay on the wooded floor and their weapons lay neatly up against the wall. Rad had chosen an axe for his primary weapon. It wasn't a huge axe, in fact it was very light. But still, it was enough to do the job.
Sullivan had chosen a crossbow only because he doesn't like to actually stand up in front of someone and take their life away. It was a nice one too, clean and ready to go. But it had a little problem with shooting the arrows; they always seemed to go left slightly from the target it's aimed at.
Finally, Han had chosen a lance. He always had a skill with one and couldn't stand anything that wasn't close combat. The lance itself was in ok condition. It had a cloth wrapped around the middle part. The edge was very sharp. So sharp, you can throw it as light as possible at a wall and it would still stick.
Han was tossing and turning. He couldn't stop having dreams of what was to come and if he was really fit for this adventure to save existence. Most of all, he couldn't understand why he was brought to Schala when the machine went off. It bothered him so, he awoke with a scream. He looked around the room and everyone was still asleep. He put his hand behind his neck and took a deep breath. What the hell is all this about, he thought, why me? Is this spirit bullshit true? How the hell was I brought to "The Bend of Time"? He continued thinking and got a head ache. He threw himself off the bed and picked up his Lance as he got new clothing on. He then stood in front of a mirror, swaying the lance back in forth in battle position. Sullivan finally woke up and greeted Han. He then said he would be right back as he grabbed his clothing and backpack to go get changed in another room.
The captain of the ship, Captain Fargo, greeted Sullivan in the hall way and made his way into Han's room.
"Ey there," he said with a grin "we are almost at Arni. Its gunna cost ya some bucks. That would be $100 when ya get off."
"Fine," Han said while handing the Captain $50 "half now half later."
Fargo smiled and walked back to his post.
Sullivan, on the other hand, wasn't only getting dressed. He took that strange rock out of his backpack that he used for his invention. He figured that maybe someone could help him find out what it was as he adventured with Han and Rad. Could this be the Chrono Cross? He said to himself. But how? I got this when I was young. Some travel guy gave it to me. Why would this do anything weird like it did with Han?" All these questions popped into his mind. He then looked at the stone one last time, and put it back into his bag and went back to Rad and Han.
* * *
The three got off the ship and Han paid Captain Fargo and thanked him for the ride. They were boarded off some place not to far away from Arni. They pushed forward for a while and decided to camp for the night.
The three set up their own tents and Han built the fire. For some odd reason, he was good with fire, and never understood why…
"All right, time to relax." Rad said in happy tone. He dropped himself to the ground in front of the fire and started to sharpen the blade to his axe. Sullivan sat down on a log reading a book using the fire as light in the night sky. Han stood about 5 feet away from the others, practicing his moves with his lance.
"Han," Sullivan said "I've got something I have to tell you."
Han walked over to Sullivan and grabbed a seat and asked what was up. Sullivan handed the stone he brought with him to Han and he was confused.
"WOW! It's a STONE! I've never SEEN one of THESE before, have YOU Han?" Rad said while cracking up every time he paused.
"Shut up, this I serious shit." Sullivan said with a mad look.
"What was that? Did I hear a voice? Oh well, I have better things to do like WHATCH SHIT DRY!" Rad said with a big smirk on his face. Han laughed but Sullivan just ignored him and began to explain.
"Ok," Sullivan said with a deep breath "this stone could be responsible for you passing out the other day and having that weird dream. Need this stone so my invention would work and transport things. Now, in my book of inventions, it says you need a Red stone of some sort. I decided to use this instead and see what it would do. Looks like it had a different effect and did what it did."
"Whoa," said Rad "that's weird. But why would a stone do this?"
Sullivan looked at Rad and said honestly "That's what I'm trying to find out."
There was a heavy silence in their camp. All that was heard was the crackling of the small camp fire and the hoots of owls in a nearby forest. The three just sat there and later went to sleep.
They all got up early that morning and continued on. They finally arrived at Arni. Arni was a small, little fishing village with a dock and few huts. The population was not all that high; in fact it was pretty low. It wasn't necessarily rich, but not poor. Still, it was beautiful and right next to the sea.
The three teens wondered a bit. Then they asked an old man where they could find a "blue haired man". Not surprisingly, the foggy description was a giveaway, and the three where guided to a large size hut next to the dock.
They where welcomed by a red haired woman in her late thirties.
"Hello," Sullivan said in a timid but serious voice "we are looking for a blue haired man…"
"Ah," the women said, "you must mean my husband, Serge."
Han paused for a second as that name sounded familiar. He had a flashback of what Schala had told him about a boy named Serge who saved the world from FATE. He thought to himself Ok, this Serge guy must know something if Schala is sending me to him. But what is this guy going to do? Does he know this "Vern" bastard? Does he tell the future or something? What is he going to do?
"Come on!" Rad said "Don't just stand there with a blank expression Han, lets talk with Serge."
"Yes, Serge is in the backroom working on his new fishing net. By the way, my name is Leena; call me in the back if you need anything." Leena said with a polite smile on her face. As she walked into the other room, she wondered to herself why three teenaged boys would want to bother with a fisherman who barley talks?
The three walked into the back room where a man in a purple bandana with blue hair stood, piecing together a fishing net. He paused and looked up without smiling.
"Hi… y-you must be Serge…" Sullivan said in a serious tone with a phony smile. Serge still stood there… speechless.
"You see…" Sullivan went on "My friend here, Han, got this…"
"Does the name Schala ring a bell?!" Han said while interrupting Sullivan's words.
Serge put his tools down and walked over to Han very slowly.
"Yes." He said with a curios look. It seemed the man talked on a rare occasion. "What's your business with that name?" Serge said with a raised eyebrow.
"Well… sit down; I have a story to tell." Han said. He then began to explain his past experience.
* * *
Serge didn't move at all. He listened in shock and his face turned white. Han then went on, and showed Serge the pendent that Schala had given him. Serge jumped up and violently grabbed it from Han's hands.
"Where did you get this…?!" Serge said in a violent, loud voice.
"I told you, that weird dream I had, Schala gave it to me." Han said.
"That's impossible. No one can enter the Dream Land without the Dream Spirit Stone." Serge said with his head turned from the gang, observing the pendent.
Sullivan hesitated for a second as he pulled out his bag. He took the stone out that was in his invention and said "Is this what you are referring too?"
Serge turned whiter and said "Where did you find THAT?"
"Some guy" Sullivan said "a few years ago when I was young. I was on vacation with my family and this guy… Toma the Explorer… came up to me and showed me this rock. He was in charge of the tour, so he was the one leading the way. Then, he gave me the rock because he noticed how much I loved to study and observe things. It was a rocky place we visited, this rock seemed so unique. I let it lay around my house for a while and later on built an invention that could transport things. In a book, it said that you needed a stone of some sort to make the transportation sequence work, so I figured that I would give this one a try. I did, and that's when the shit happened."
Serge took the rock from Sullivan and looked it over. He then said "This is a fragment of the Dream Spirit Stone… that is why Han was sent to Schala. You see, this stone can send a person's soul to a place, known as to some people, The Gateway of Time. This obviously happened so that Schala could see Han and tell him what is to be done. The only thing I question is that this doesn't seem at all like a coincidence… FATE is dead… how could this just happen?"
The room was dead silent for a few seconds when Serge snapped his fingers. "I've got it." He said with a serious smile.
"You know why this happened?" Rad asked.
"No," Serge replied "but I know someone who does."
A few seconds went by with the three of them waiting for Serge to say who. But then Serge opened his mouth, but hesitated. He began to wonder about something, and then spoke up. "There is a mansion… north of here. You're going to need someone to accompany you. The way through the valley is very dangerous." He paused to think out his plan. And he smiled and said "I was tolled… by Schala that a group of innocent teens will one day save existence. It was a dream I had… much like Han's. She was telling me that if a boy and two of his friends ever show up with the Dream Rock and the pendent… I should guide them to the Guru." The three teen-aged boys stared at Serge for a moment. Serge giggled and went on. "Anyway, I would go with you, but I have a leg condition and adventuring wouldn't be good for me."
Rad looked up and said "Then who the hell is going to show us the way?!"
Serge called for someone outside. A girl came walking in.
"Yes father?" the girl said to Serge.
"Guys," Serge said "this is my daughter, Carle."
Carle was medium height, a bit taller than Han by an inch or two. She had long, red hair like her mothers and green eyes. Her face was shaped a bit like Serge's and her body was not wide or thin at all. Her skin was also milky-white and beautiful. She didn't seem like other girls at all. She seemed more… tough. She didn't seem like a tom boy at all, just different. Anyone could tell by her appearance.
Carle looked the three boys up and down with a smile.
"So," she said with a smile on her face "what am I doing with these three tough guys?"
"You are to bring them to the Mansion up north to visit the Guru." Serge said very seriously."
"Why?" she said sharply back in a concerned way. "Is something wrong?"
"Have them explain it to you. I need to get back to work. Please, Carle, take care of these guys." Serge said as he turned back to his work with a tear rolling down his face. He began to think of his little girl and how she was now a mature sixteen year old women going off to help save the world.
* * *
The four woke up from spending the night at some nearby Arni Inn. Carle had gotten here dagger ready and finished putting her hair in a pony tail. Sullivan prepared his crossbow and put his boots on. Rad finished sharpening his axe blade and put his gloved on. Han adjusted his bandits and blade knuckles and put his lance in his back bow holster and spiked his hair. They were ready to go, ready to go off and save everyone from the evil Vern. They all stayed in their Inn for a bit longer to get a full rest and get more equated.
"I don't even know your names!" Carle said with a smile. "Please, introduce yourself, I mean we are going to save the world together."
Sullivan raised his eyes and said "I'm Sullivan. Pleased to meet you." Sullivan said with a slight grin.
Carle smiled. "There, that wasn't so hard. So Sullivan, tell me about you."
Sullivan looked back at his crossbow and began to speak "I'm the brain of the group. That's all really."
"I'm Rad." Rad said with a big grin. "I'm the guy everyone laughs with." Carle laughed and Sullivan sighed.
"Laugh with?" Sullivan questioned "More like laugh AT."
Rad fired back a huge disgraceful look as his green eyes grew huge. He figured he would fire back a distressful, dirty remark but withheld knowing there was a lady in the room.
"And who's this nice looking guy?" Carle said eyeing Han up and down.
"I'm Han" he said without looking up, working on his blade knuckles.
Carle kept smiling and asked more things about Han.
"So what are your interests?" She said.
Han fired back in a deep voice "None of that matters now. We have a freaking job to take care of, don't we?"
The room went silent. Han was stressed; this whole thing about saving the world really bothered him. He still couldn't comprehend the fact that he was "The One". It still made no sense to him at all.
"Well then, what the hell are we going to see this Guru for?! Somebody tell me what's going on." Carle said, trying to avoid yelling.
"Your just a guide, your just showing us where to go, that's all. You don't need to know anything." Sullivan said in a deep tone.
"Besides," Han added "I can't speak for the others but I don't want someone like you to get hurt. Look, it wouldn't be right if you got in the middle of this, its not worth.."
"WORTH WHAT?!" Carle said in a booming voice. "I AM in the middle of this now, without me, you're not getting anywhere!"
It remained silent for a few seconds then Carle added, in a soothing voice, "Look, I'm sorry. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine, trust me. Now please… tell me what's going on."
Sullivan began to explain but Han told him that he wanted to explain it, and so he did. Carle sat and listened to what she could be putting her life on the line for. The question is, is she ready for it?
It was really windy and a storm was in the air. The ship waved back and forth as Rad, Sullivan, and Han slept in there own beds in the same room. Their supply lay on the wooded floor and their weapons lay neatly up against the wall. Rad had chosen an axe for his primary weapon. It wasn't a huge axe, in fact it was very light. But still, it was enough to do the job.
Sullivan had chosen a crossbow only because he doesn't like to actually stand up in front of someone and take their life away. It was a nice one too, clean and ready to go. But it had a little problem with shooting the arrows; they always seemed to go left slightly from the target it's aimed at.
Finally, Han had chosen a lance. He always had a skill with one and couldn't stand anything that wasn't close combat. The lance itself was in ok condition. It had a cloth wrapped around the middle part. The edge was very sharp. So sharp, you can throw it as light as possible at a wall and it would still stick.
Han was tossing and turning. He couldn't stop having dreams of what was to come and if he was really fit for this adventure to save existence. Most of all, he couldn't understand why he was brought to Schala when the machine went off. It bothered him so, he awoke with a scream. He looked around the room and everyone was still asleep. He put his hand behind his neck and took a deep breath. What the hell is all this about, he thought, why me? Is this spirit bullshit true? How the hell was I brought to "The Bend of Time"? He continued thinking and got a head ache. He threw himself off the bed and picked up his Lance as he got new clothing on. He then stood in front of a mirror, swaying the lance back in forth in battle position. Sullivan finally woke up and greeted Han. He then said he would be right back as he grabbed his clothing and backpack to go get changed in another room.
The captain of the ship, Captain Fargo, greeted Sullivan in the hall way and made his way into Han's room.
"Ey there," he said with a grin "we are almost at Arni. Its gunna cost ya some bucks. That would be $100 when ya get off."
"Fine," Han said while handing the Captain $50 "half now half later."
Fargo smiled and walked back to his post.
Sullivan, on the other hand, wasn't only getting dressed. He took that strange rock out of his backpack that he used for his invention. He figured that maybe someone could help him find out what it was as he adventured with Han and Rad. Could this be the Chrono Cross? He said to himself. But how? I got this when I was young. Some travel guy gave it to me. Why would this do anything weird like it did with Han?" All these questions popped into his mind. He then looked at the stone one last time, and put it back into his bag and went back to Rad and Han.
* * *
The three got off the ship and Han paid Captain Fargo and thanked him for the ride. They were boarded off some place not to far away from Arni. They pushed forward for a while and decided to camp for the night.
The three set up their own tents and Han built the fire. For some odd reason, he was good with fire, and never understood why…
"All right, time to relax." Rad said in happy tone. He dropped himself to the ground in front of the fire and started to sharpen the blade to his axe. Sullivan sat down on a log reading a book using the fire as light in the night sky. Han stood about 5 feet away from the others, practicing his moves with his lance.
"Han," Sullivan said "I've got something I have to tell you."
Han walked over to Sullivan and grabbed a seat and asked what was up. Sullivan handed the stone he brought with him to Han and he was confused.
"WOW! It's a STONE! I've never SEEN one of THESE before, have YOU Han?" Rad said while cracking up every time he paused.
"Shut up, this I serious shit." Sullivan said with a mad look.
"What was that? Did I hear a voice? Oh well, I have better things to do like WHATCH SHIT DRY!" Rad said with a big smirk on his face. Han laughed but Sullivan just ignored him and began to explain.
"Ok," Sullivan said with a deep breath "this stone could be responsible for you passing out the other day and having that weird dream. Need this stone so my invention would work and transport things. Now, in my book of inventions, it says you need a Red stone of some sort. I decided to use this instead and see what it would do. Looks like it had a different effect and did what it did."
"Whoa," said Rad "that's weird. But why would a stone do this?"
Sullivan looked at Rad and said honestly "That's what I'm trying to find out."
There was a heavy silence in their camp. All that was heard was the crackling of the small camp fire and the hoots of owls in a nearby forest. The three just sat there and later went to sleep.
They all got up early that morning and continued on. They finally arrived at Arni. Arni was a small, little fishing village with a dock and few huts. The population was not all that high; in fact it was pretty low. It wasn't necessarily rich, but not poor. Still, it was beautiful and right next to the sea.
The three teens wondered a bit. Then they asked an old man where they could find a "blue haired man". Not surprisingly, the foggy description was a giveaway, and the three where guided to a large size hut next to the dock.
They where welcomed by a red haired woman in her late thirties.
"Hello," Sullivan said in a timid but serious voice "we are looking for a blue haired man…"
"Ah," the women said, "you must mean my husband, Serge."
Han paused for a second as that name sounded familiar. He had a flashback of what Schala had told him about a boy named Serge who saved the world from FATE. He thought to himself Ok, this Serge guy must know something if Schala is sending me to him. But what is this guy going to do? Does he know this "Vern" bastard? Does he tell the future or something? What is he going to do?
"Come on!" Rad said "Don't just stand there with a blank expression Han, lets talk with Serge."
"Yes, Serge is in the backroom working on his new fishing net. By the way, my name is Leena; call me in the back if you need anything." Leena said with a polite smile on her face. As she walked into the other room, she wondered to herself why three teenaged boys would want to bother with a fisherman who barley talks?
The three walked into the back room where a man in a purple bandana with blue hair stood, piecing together a fishing net. He paused and looked up without smiling.
"Hi… y-you must be Serge…" Sullivan said in a serious tone with a phony smile. Serge still stood there… speechless.
"You see…" Sullivan went on "My friend here, Han, got this…"
"Does the name Schala ring a bell?!" Han said while interrupting Sullivan's words.
Serge put his tools down and walked over to Han very slowly.
"Yes." He said with a curios look. It seemed the man talked on a rare occasion. "What's your business with that name?" Serge said with a raised eyebrow.
"Well… sit down; I have a story to tell." Han said. He then began to explain his past experience.
* * *
Serge didn't move at all. He listened in shock and his face turned white. Han then went on, and showed Serge the pendent that Schala had given him. Serge jumped up and violently grabbed it from Han's hands.
"Where did you get this…?!" Serge said in a violent, loud voice.
"I told you, that weird dream I had, Schala gave it to me." Han said.
"That's impossible. No one can enter the Dream Land without the Dream Spirit Stone." Serge said with his head turned from the gang, observing the pendent.
Sullivan hesitated for a second as he pulled out his bag. He took the stone out that was in his invention and said "Is this what you are referring too?"
Serge turned whiter and said "Where did you find THAT?"
"Some guy" Sullivan said "a few years ago when I was young. I was on vacation with my family and this guy… Toma the Explorer… came up to me and showed me this rock. He was in charge of the tour, so he was the one leading the way. Then, he gave me the rock because he noticed how much I loved to study and observe things. It was a rocky place we visited, this rock seemed so unique. I let it lay around my house for a while and later on built an invention that could transport things. In a book, it said that you needed a stone of some sort to make the transportation sequence work, so I figured that I would give this one a try. I did, and that's when the shit happened."
Serge took the rock from Sullivan and looked it over. He then said "This is a fragment of the Dream Spirit Stone… that is why Han was sent to Schala. You see, this stone can send a person's soul to a place, known as to some people, The Gateway of Time. This obviously happened so that Schala could see Han and tell him what is to be done. The only thing I question is that this doesn't seem at all like a coincidence… FATE is dead… how could this just happen?"
The room was dead silent for a few seconds when Serge snapped his fingers. "I've got it." He said with a serious smile.
"You know why this happened?" Rad asked.
"No," Serge replied "but I know someone who does."
A few seconds went by with the three of them waiting for Serge to say who. But then Serge opened his mouth, but hesitated. He began to wonder about something, and then spoke up. "There is a mansion… north of here. You're going to need someone to accompany you. The way through the valley is very dangerous." He paused to think out his plan. And he smiled and said "I was tolled… by Schala that a group of innocent teens will one day save existence. It was a dream I had… much like Han's. She was telling me that if a boy and two of his friends ever show up with the Dream Rock and the pendent… I should guide them to the Guru." The three teen-aged boys stared at Serge for a moment. Serge giggled and went on. "Anyway, I would go with you, but I have a leg condition and adventuring wouldn't be good for me."
Rad looked up and said "Then who the hell is going to show us the way?!"
Serge called for someone outside. A girl came walking in.
"Yes father?" the girl said to Serge.
"Guys," Serge said "this is my daughter, Carle."
Carle was medium height, a bit taller than Han by an inch or two. She had long, red hair like her mothers and green eyes. Her face was shaped a bit like Serge's and her body was not wide or thin at all. Her skin was also milky-white and beautiful. She didn't seem like other girls at all. She seemed more… tough. She didn't seem like a tom boy at all, just different. Anyone could tell by her appearance.
Carle looked the three boys up and down with a smile.
"So," she said with a smile on her face "what am I doing with these three tough guys?"
"You are to bring them to the Mansion up north to visit the Guru." Serge said very seriously."
"Why?" she said sharply back in a concerned way. "Is something wrong?"
"Have them explain it to you. I need to get back to work. Please, Carle, take care of these guys." Serge said as he turned back to his work with a tear rolling down his face. He began to think of his little girl and how she was now a mature sixteen year old women going off to help save the world.
* * *
The four woke up from spending the night at some nearby Arni Inn. Carle had gotten here dagger ready and finished putting her hair in a pony tail. Sullivan prepared his crossbow and put his boots on. Rad finished sharpening his axe blade and put his gloved on. Han adjusted his bandits and blade knuckles and put his lance in his back bow holster and spiked his hair. They were ready to go, ready to go off and save everyone from the evil Vern. They all stayed in their Inn for a bit longer to get a full rest and get more equated.
"I don't even know your names!" Carle said with a smile. "Please, introduce yourself, I mean we are going to save the world together."
Sullivan raised his eyes and said "I'm Sullivan. Pleased to meet you." Sullivan said with a slight grin.
Carle smiled. "There, that wasn't so hard. So Sullivan, tell me about you."
Sullivan looked back at his crossbow and began to speak "I'm the brain of the group. That's all really."
"I'm Rad." Rad said with a big grin. "I'm the guy everyone laughs with." Carle laughed and Sullivan sighed.
"Laugh with?" Sullivan questioned "More like laugh AT."
Rad fired back a huge disgraceful look as his green eyes grew huge. He figured he would fire back a distressful, dirty remark but withheld knowing there was a lady in the room.
"And who's this nice looking guy?" Carle said eyeing Han up and down.
"I'm Han" he said without looking up, working on his blade knuckles.
Carle kept smiling and asked more things about Han.
"So what are your interests?" She said.
Han fired back in a deep voice "None of that matters now. We have a freaking job to take care of, don't we?"
The room went silent. Han was stressed; this whole thing about saving the world really bothered him. He still couldn't comprehend the fact that he was "The One". It still made no sense to him at all.
"Well then, what the hell are we going to see this Guru for?! Somebody tell me what's going on." Carle said, trying to avoid yelling.
"Your just a guide, your just showing us where to go, that's all. You don't need to know anything." Sullivan said in a deep tone.
"Besides," Han added "I can't speak for the others but I don't want someone like you to get hurt. Look, it wouldn't be right if you got in the middle of this, its not worth.."
"WORTH WHAT?!" Carle said in a booming voice. "I AM in the middle of this now, without me, you're not getting anywhere!"
It remained silent for a few seconds then Carle added, in a soothing voice, "Look, I'm sorry. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine, trust me. Now please… tell me what's going on."
Sullivan began to explain but Han told him that he wanted to explain it, and so he did. Carle sat and listened to what she could be putting her life on the line for. The question is, is she ready for it?