Chapter Thirteen: No Tomorrow
"Dude, wake up!" Rad voice sounded. His voice sounded out of breath. "Come on, Han! Don't go dying on me!"
Han opened his eyes to find himself lying next to Rad, Sullivan, and Carle at the bank of the Artic Ocean. Snow was still all over, and frostbite bit at one's face.
"I'm ok." Han said, sitting himself up. Han rubbed the back of his head. His vision suddenly came into view, and what he saw horrified him.
"WHO THE HELL ARE THEY?!" Han screamed.
A whole bunch of strange creatures surrounded the four, with spears in their hands. Their whole bodies where covered in fir, and their eyes where dark and mysterious looking. They where not very tall, only about three, maybe four feet high. They wore Eskimo jackets with no boots. The coldness did not seem to bother them at all, as they seemed to move freely. Han had also noticed that they had the spitting image of small bears that walked like humans.
"SSSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Sullivan said, not reaching for his crossbow to avoid anymore chaos.
One of the "bear" creatures said something to them that they did not understand. Han pulled out his lance, but Rad kicked it away, giving Han a nasty look.
"Just remain calm; we don't want to scare them." Carle said to Han.
Everyone stared at each other for a few moments, when all of the bear creatures suddenly formed a two way line, facing each other. They all put their weapons to the side and knelt down.
Han was ready to say something, but Sullivan put a finger up to hush him.
The sound of something crunching in the snow got louder. Eventually, one could tell it was footsteps. A figure came into view.
"Its ok guys. go back to the village. I've been expecting these few individuals." The figure said. With that, the bear creatures grabbed their weapons and walked away.
The figure seemed to be a tall man in a coat. He had long dark hair in a pony tale with light brown eyes and wore glasses with a hat and a feather stuck into it. He seemed rather strange to the four, but they didn't care as long as he was of some assistance.
"Greetings, I am Otto. I come from the village of Boon, just east of here." Otto said with a small grin. He seemed very polite and well mannered, something most people lacked these days.
"Hi, my name…" Carle said, but was cut off by Otto's interruption.
"Your name is Carle. I know." Otto interrupted.
Carle was dumbfounded and alarmed.
"This is Han, that's Rad, and this must be Sullivan." Otto said.
"How did you…"
"Please, if you will come with me to Boon, we could explain everything. Someone important is waiting for you there…" Otto said, begging to walk on.
"Who?" Rad asked.
Otto said nothing and began to walk. Han and the others didn't have too many options in the artic wasteland in which they where in, so they fallowed him.
The walk was merely ten minutes, up and down hills of snow. The village of Boon seemed to have a lot to it. Houses where all over the place, and markets stayed open despite the snow. It seemed like a good place to benefit if one was a business person, which was rather ironic.
Bear creatures ran all over along with humans dressed in strange clothing. Children of both the bear people and the humans played in the snow. It was a peaceful village indeed.
"We are here, welcome." Otto said.
"Who are these bear things?" Rad asked, searching the village over with his eyes.
"Oh, these guys? They are called Guateedees, but we simply call them FurFoots. Makes them sound less harmless… I guess." Otto said with a laugh.
"Please, this way." Otto said, showing the way to a small blue house. On the door read "Mayor's House".
"This is my home." Otto said, opening the door. He showed the four in, and they saw a few "FurFoots" and humans walking in and out of a room.
"How is she?" Otto said to one of them.
"She seems better, but not totally." said a blond woman in her thirties.
"I see." Otto said.
Otto went into the room and lead the four in.
"JACKIE!!!" Carle screamed with pure joy.
Jade lay in a bed with the cover over her and FurFoots that appeared to be nurses by her side. She seemed incredibly beat.
Carle ran over to Jade and gave her a big hug.
"Are you ok?! I was worried sick about you!!!" Carle said to her.
Jade patted Carle on the back and gave her a smile and nodded.
"I'm alive." She said plainly.
Han, Rad, and Sullivan seemed rather surprised and overjoyed to find that Jade was alive.
"What the hell happened to you?!" Han said to her, kneeling at her side.
"Well, I can't really remember. All I recall is falling down and floating in the water… then black." Jade said, staring off at the wall.
"Yes, well, I deeply apologize for breaking up the reunion, but Carle, the Sage wishes to see you." Otto said, hating to interrupt.
"For what?" Carle asked, seeming to be annoyed.
"I do not know, but I was ordered for you to be brought to the Sage." Otto said.
Carle looked at Han, Han just simply shrugged.
"Can't be that bad. I'll go with you." Han said, getting ready to leave.
"NO." Otto said in an odd way.
Han and Sullivan looked at each other in distaste of Otto's remark.
"Excuse me?" Han asked with an attitude.
"I said NO." Otto said even odder. He seemed to be hiding something.
"Sorry dude, but Carle doesn't leave my sight. And if YOU have a problem with it, you can kiss my ass!" Han said with little patients and with an attitude.
"Well, that is very sweet that you would protect her at all coast, but I assure you, the Sage means no physical harm." Otto said.
"Are you sure about that man?" Rad said.
"Yes, I am very sure, the Sage is a very wise man and wishes to speak with Carle, and Carle alone." Otto said in a personable way.
Carle shrugged and looked at Han.
"I'm sure it's nothing. I'll be right back." Carle said, walking toward Otto. "I'll be fine." Carle said with a cute wink that made Han feel all fuzzy inside.
"Well, I bid thee farewell. We shall be back soon." Otto said.
The two of them walked out and the door shut behind them.
"Ok, four eyed dude is starting to creep me out!" Rad said out loud.
"SSSSSHHHHH!!!" Jade said while laughing. "He's a nice fellow; I wish you three where as nice as him!"
"Still, what the hell do they want with Carle?" Han said with his hand holding his chin.
"Relax, man. I'm sure it's nothing." Rad said, patting Han on the shoulder.
"I wonder too." Sullivan said.
"I'm going to go spy on them." Han said, zipping up his coat and heading for the door.
"Wait! Be careful Han. Don't be seen!" Jade said with a worried tone.
Han winked at them and threw them a thumbs up.
"Don't worry. Stealth is my specialty!" Han said, shutting the door behind him.
"What an idiot." Sullivan said with a smirk.
It was still snowing out, and the village was busy as ever. The sun began to set and the wind began to pick up. It was a beautiful place to be, and Han didn't want to leave. Somehow, it made him feel like he was at home. The wind blowing through his hair, the snow blowing in his eyes, he loved it.
Han slyly fallowed Carle and Otto down the road. They where so far ahead that people began to get in the way and block Han's view in the street. Still, he kept at it, managing to avoid being seen at the same time.
Carle and Otto stopped at the entrance to a small hut on the outskirts of town. It was not hidden, but creates and boxes where all over the place, hence the store that was next door. Han dived behind a box and listen closely.
"We are here." Otto said to Carle, looking at her in the strangest of ways.
Carle nodded her head.
"Inside is the Sage. Do not fear him, for he does not fear you. Believe in what he shares with you, for he is possibly the wisest of people on this planet." Otto said with significance. "Go on, walk forward. I will await your return out here. Please… take your time in talking to him."
"Why?" asked Carle with a bit of fear.
Otto looked at the ground and smiled.
"Let's just say the fate of the world depends on it." Otto said without looking up.
Han was incredibly curious and ready to strike at the same time. His eyes showed readiness and his lance was ready to kill. He crouched behind the box like a fox ready to strike.
Carle walked into the hut. It was strange looking with masks and necklaces hanging on the wall. It reminded her of some sort of witchdoctor's home. In a seat sat an old man with a long grey beard, a pointy hate, and a blue robe. His eyes seemed to be purple and he held a staff.
"Welcome…" said the sage "I am Neos. Please, grab a seat. Make yourself comfortable." Neos said while pulling out a seat with his power.
Carle gave a fake smile and sat.
"Why have you called for me?" asked Carle with much concern.
Neos went into deep thought, and then put both his arms at each armrest of the chair.
"You and your friends have embarked on a mysterious journey. I have watched you all this time, and I must say first of all that I am very proud."
"Thank you. But why have you called for me?" Carle asked, seeming very annoyed.
"I understand that the young boy by the name of Han was thought to be the Chrono Trigger. Correct?"
"Yes… but Han isn't the Chrono Trigger…" Carle said, searching for Neos's point.
"Correct. Han is not the Chrono Trigger. You see… young Carle… the Chrono Trigger is a very powerful force that has the ability to defeat all evil. However, I regret to inform you that the true Chrono Trigger does not posses the ability to defeat Vern and… well…" Neos hesitated greatly "come back alive."
"You mean the true Chrono Trigger isn't capable of killing Vern?!' Carle said, with horror in her face.
"No, no, my dear! The Chrono Trigger is VERY capable of killing Vern." Neos said, trying to settle things.
"Then what is the problem?" Carle asked.
"You see, the true Trigger holds within him… or her… a great power. This power is so great that it could destroy the enemy… thus… killing themselves as well." Neos said, stopping at each word.
"So that practically means that the true Chrono Trigger must sacrifice themselves in order to kill Vern?"
"Precisely. This power needs to be awakened of course. I am able to do that."
"So… what does this have to do with me?" Carle asked with pure confusion.
"The Chrono Trigger must battle the king of evil with the help of their companions, and then sacrifice themselves in the battle, killing the king and themselves. This is a sacrifice that shall save the whole world."
"So what… does… this… have… to do… with… me?" Carle said, interrupting Neos with an attitude.
Carle had been in there a while and it bothered him. So he got up on his feet and glanced hard at Otto. Otto didn't notice Han, just stared into space. When he turned around, Han sprang out of the shadows like a snake and kicked Otto in the back, making him fall facedown into the snow. Otto went to pull out a gun when Han's foot pushed his head into the snow and stuck his lance lightly against his back to make him listen.
"If you dare move, I swear ill shove this lance so far up your ass, you'll feel it come out of your mouth. Understand?" Han said to Otto calmly but surly. Otto nodded calmly.
"Now, what is happening with Carle? What is she doing in there?" Han asked.
"She is in there for reasons I cannot tell you." Otto said, his voice muffled somewhat in the snow.
Han pushed the lance harder.
"TELL ME NOW!" Han said going off like a bomb.
"If you are going to kill me, then kill me. But try to explain to the people of this town why you did." Otto said wisely.
"What is going on here?!" Neos said, walking outside with Carle. Carle's eyes seemed to be red and seemed like she was crying.
"What the hell did you do to her?!" Han said, running into Carle's arms. Otto didn't bother to pull out his weapon, just stood up calmly and explained to Neos.
"Are you ok?" Han asked Carle.
"She is fine." Neos replied sharply.
Everyone said nothing for a few silent moments.
"I think it is time to head back to my house." Otto said, begging to walk back.
Carle and Han walked together back to Otto's house. Neos went back inside, feeling like he hurt an angel.
"You ok?" Han asked Carle as nice as he could.
Carle simply nodded her head, and still kept shock in her face. Suddenly, Carle pulled Han by the arm as if to keep herself standing.
"Han, wait, there is something I must say." Carle said to Han, with urgency.
"What is it?" Han asked.
"It's about Vern. I don't think all of us are going to survive…"
"Well… duh. Carle, that's always the case."
"But… you see…" Carle staggered to find words. "I know it for a fact."
Han looked into Carle's beautiful eyes and went into deep thought.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked with courage.
Carle hesitated for a moment. "Nothing, forget it. I'm sure everything will happen for a reason… right?" Carle said, trying to hold back tears.
"Um… yeah… I guess…" Han said, beginning to walk back. Han held Carle's hand. "Are you sure you are ok?"
Carle giggled.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Carle said, beginning to giggle more.
"What's funny?" Han asked with a smile.
"I love it when you ask people if they are ok over and over, it's so cute!" Carle said with a smile that made Han feel warm inside.
Han laughed with her and they continued walking.
"Oh boy, this is good tea!" Rad said, sipping at tea that a FurFoot had given him.
Jade lay in the bed half awake and Sullivan was fixing his crossbow in the corner. Han and Carle sat next to each other and Otto began to speak.
"Ok people. There is not much we can do, so tomorrow morning we set out to seek Vern. Get a good nights rest, you WILL need it." Otto said, throwing everyone a blanket.
"Cool, so we rest here." Sullivan said, making his sleeping place.
"I'm going for a walk." Carle said, getting up on her feet and heading to the door.
"Want any of us to come with ya?" Rad asked while finishing up his tea.
"No,no. I just want to be alone for a bit." Carle said, walking outside without saying anything else.
"What's got her bugged?" Sullivan asked, looking up from his crossbow.
"I dunno. Ever since she visited that Sage… she's been really up tight." Han said with a puzzled look.
"Why is that?" Rad asked.
"I have no clue. Maybe she misses home. She also seems pretty paranoid… like we all may not win against Vern." Han said.
They all sat around for a bit and talked about random things. They had some laughs and giggles at some of Rad's crazy stories. Then, it came to Han. He suddenly ran out the door as if something happened.
Sullivan and Rad looked at each other.
"What's wrong with him?" Sullivan asked.
"I dunno… maybe he's really gatta pee." Rad said with a small giggle.
"Rad…." Jade said, half awake.
"Ok, ok!" Rad said, shutting up.
There was a long pause.
"Maybe he has to do number 2…" Rad said, breaking the silence.
"RAD!" Sullivan said with a big grin.
Han walked all over and found Carle sitting at the dock, looking at the sun set. She appeared to be writing on a piece of paper. From Han's eyes, it looked like a note.
"Carle!" Han screamed over to her, waving his hand.
"Just a sec!" Carle said, hiding the paper.
Han came walking over.
"What's that?"
"Oh… just a note to my Dad. I really miss him, so I'm writing home." Carle replied in the phoniest way.
"Oh, I see." Han said, sitting next to Carle, gazing into the sunset.
A few minutes went by, and there was a long pause between them both. Carle looked at Han. Han looked back at her and smiled.
"Listen… Han… we have known each other for a while now." Carle said to Han, looking into his eyes.
"Yes we have." Han replied.
"And… somehow… I feel that I've known you forever." Carle said to him. "I feel like… we where made for each other. Not only the two of us, but the whole crew."
"You know… I feel that way too…" Han said.
They both didn't talk for a few moments. Then… Carle extended her arm and touched Han's face. Han turned around and looked at Carle. They both got closer to each other, while the sun set. They finally kissed, and it was something both of them had been looking for the whole journey.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" a voice screamed from the village. That voice was fallowed by the sound of firing. Carle and Han where both interrupted and sprang to there feet.
"What the hell?!?!?!?!" Han said, pulling out his lance.
"Vern!" Carle said.
Sure enough, Vern appeared in the sky. Fireballs spewed into the air and armies of reptiles under Vern's control wreaked havoc among the town of Boon.
"My, my, what do we have her?! Two love birds sitting beside a dock gazing at the sunset. How pathetic!" Vern said, spitting on the ground in disgust. "I'm going to kill you all unless Carle comes with me!"
"What the hell do you want with her?!" Han screamed, throwing Carle behind his back.
"Well, I am a very lonely man…" Vern said with the evilest grin that could make a clock stop. That grin made Han feel like he wanted to obliterate something.
"Hell with you! You're not getting her at all!!!" Han screamed, with his lance arched under his arm in battle stance.
"You WILL hand her over, unless you shall feel what it's like to be in hell!" Vern said, pulling out his sickle.
"NEVER!!!!!!" Han scream, running forward. He was on a rage and no one could possibly control him when he was mad. Stopping Han when he was pissed was like trying to trip a tank.
As Han ran forward, Vern kicked him in the back and grabbed him by his throat.
"HAN!" Carle shrieked.
Vern began to levitate in the air, holding Han in a deadly position. Han found it hard to breath and everything around him began to turn black.
"HAAAAAAN!" Carle shrieked, searching for a way to save him. She began to summon up some sort of attack, but then used her head.
"Come with me, sweet Carle! Or else your love will feel what it's like to die!!!" Vern said to Carle.
Han tried to turn his head. He began to speak.
"Carle… r-r-r-run!" Han said while bearing pain. "Get... out… of… here! Now!"
"Shaddap!" Vern said, head butting Han.
Vern then threw Han on the ground and raised his sickle.
"Come with me or he WILL die!" Vern said with seriousness.
Han shook his head and demanded Carle to run. Carle hesitated and thought hard and fast. She then ran after Han.
"What are you doing?! RUN!!!" Han said.
Carle ignored Han's demand, and pulled him away from Vern. She then extended her arms.
"TAKE ME!" she said, with pure courage and rage in her beautiful green eyes.
"CARLE!" Han screamed.
"Shut up, Han! I know what I'm doing! I'm the only one who can save us all!" Carle said.
Vern grabbed Carle and put her over his shoulder.
"CARLE!!!!"
"I know what I'm doing! Just come to Furtive Mountain!"
Han was running after her. Carle extended her arm and held Han's arm for a second.
"I love you." She said, as she disappeared in thin air with Vern.
"CAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" Han screamed as he collapsed on the ground and burst into tears.
The town was burning up and people where running all over.
"Han!" a voice screamed.
Han raised his head and saw everything in slow motion. The fire was crackling and people where dieing all over, turning to ash. Han heard the voice again to see Jade, Rad, Sullivan, and Otto running after him. They seemed to move so slow and their voices where so faint. Han looked up in the sky and felt the bitter sting of the snow falling on his face. For the first time in his life, he wished for death. He didn't seem to notice what Carle meant by saying she knew what she was doing. Instead, he only thought that she was gone, and his whole life no longer mattered. He got up on his feet and his throat throbbed from Vern's grasp. His eyes blinked and he saw his friends running at him.
"Han! Speak to me! WAKE UP!" a voice was saying to him.
He opened his eyes to notice that he was flat on his back laying on the ground.
"Dude, what the hell happened?!" Rad asked Han.
"Vern took Carle. She's gone." Han said in a weak voice.
Otto walked a few feet away from the others and went into deep thought.
"Great… now what?" Sullivan asked. This time, even Sullivan had no idea what to do. Otto turned and faced each of the party members.
"Change of plans. We leave for Furtive Mountain sooner than expected."
"Great, when?" Rad asked.
"Now." Otto said, getting his supply ready.
"Why not tomorrow?" Rad asked.
"Because…" Jade said looking off in the distance. "There will be no tomorrow if we don't act now!"
"Otto…" Han said very weakly.
"Yes Han…?"
"Why does Vern want Carle so badly?" Han asked.
Otto said nothing, just stood looking at a wall.
Miles away, Vern had Carle and he was at Furtive Mountain. Walking up the stairs, Carle didn't bother to try and escape. She had a deed to carry out, and she wasn't stopping. One would wonder what deed that may be.
Finally, when the two of them reached the top, Vern ordered Carle to step on the seal. Before she could think, Vern physically pushed her up onto the seal. Light went every ware and the seal began to radiate. With that, the doors opened and the way to the Holy Land was clear.
"Welcome back… the Chrono Trigger." A voice said after the doors opened.
"Dude, wake up!" Rad voice sounded. His voice sounded out of breath. "Come on, Han! Don't go dying on me!"
Han opened his eyes to find himself lying next to Rad, Sullivan, and Carle at the bank of the Artic Ocean. Snow was still all over, and frostbite bit at one's face.
"I'm ok." Han said, sitting himself up. Han rubbed the back of his head. His vision suddenly came into view, and what he saw horrified him.
"WHO THE HELL ARE THEY?!" Han screamed.
A whole bunch of strange creatures surrounded the four, with spears in their hands. Their whole bodies where covered in fir, and their eyes where dark and mysterious looking. They where not very tall, only about three, maybe four feet high. They wore Eskimo jackets with no boots. The coldness did not seem to bother them at all, as they seemed to move freely. Han had also noticed that they had the spitting image of small bears that walked like humans.
"SSSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Sullivan said, not reaching for his crossbow to avoid anymore chaos.
One of the "bear" creatures said something to them that they did not understand. Han pulled out his lance, but Rad kicked it away, giving Han a nasty look.
"Just remain calm; we don't want to scare them." Carle said to Han.
Everyone stared at each other for a few moments, when all of the bear creatures suddenly formed a two way line, facing each other. They all put their weapons to the side and knelt down.
Han was ready to say something, but Sullivan put a finger up to hush him.
The sound of something crunching in the snow got louder. Eventually, one could tell it was footsteps. A figure came into view.
"Its ok guys. go back to the village. I've been expecting these few individuals." The figure said. With that, the bear creatures grabbed their weapons and walked away.
The figure seemed to be a tall man in a coat. He had long dark hair in a pony tale with light brown eyes and wore glasses with a hat and a feather stuck into it. He seemed rather strange to the four, but they didn't care as long as he was of some assistance.
"Greetings, I am Otto. I come from the village of Boon, just east of here." Otto said with a small grin. He seemed very polite and well mannered, something most people lacked these days.
"Hi, my name…" Carle said, but was cut off by Otto's interruption.
"Your name is Carle. I know." Otto interrupted.
Carle was dumbfounded and alarmed.
"This is Han, that's Rad, and this must be Sullivan." Otto said.
"How did you…"
"Please, if you will come with me to Boon, we could explain everything. Someone important is waiting for you there…" Otto said, begging to walk on.
"Who?" Rad asked.
Otto said nothing and began to walk. Han and the others didn't have too many options in the artic wasteland in which they where in, so they fallowed him.
The walk was merely ten minutes, up and down hills of snow. The village of Boon seemed to have a lot to it. Houses where all over the place, and markets stayed open despite the snow. It seemed like a good place to benefit if one was a business person, which was rather ironic.
Bear creatures ran all over along with humans dressed in strange clothing. Children of both the bear people and the humans played in the snow. It was a peaceful village indeed.
"We are here, welcome." Otto said.
"Who are these bear things?" Rad asked, searching the village over with his eyes.
"Oh, these guys? They are called Guateedees, but we simply call them FurFoots. Makes them sound less harmless… I guess." Otto said with a laugh.
"Please, this way." Otto said, showing the way to a small blue house. On the door read "Mayor's House".
"This is my home." Otto said, opening the door. He showed the four in, and they saw a few "FurFoots" and humans walking in and out of a room.
"How is she?" Otto said to one of them.
"She seems better, but not totally." said a blond woman in her thirties.
"I see." Otto said.
Otto went into the room and lead the four in.
"JACKIE!!!" Carle screamed with pure joy.
Jade lay in a bed with the cover over her and FurFoots that appeared to be nurses by her side. She seemed incredibly beat.
Carle ran over to Jade and gave her a big hug.
"Are you ok?! I was worried sick about you!!!" Carle said to her.
Jade patted Carle on the back and gave her a smile and nodded.
"I'm alive." She said plainly.
Han, Rad, and Sullivan seemed rather surprised and overjoyed to find that Jade was alive.
"What the hell happened to you?!" Han said to her, kneeling at her side.
"Well, I can't really remember. All I recall is falling down and floating in the water… then black." Jade said, staring off at the wall.
"Yes, well, I deeply apologize for breaking up the reunion, but Carle, the Sage wishes to see you." Otto said, hating to interrupt.
"For what?" Carle asked, seeming to be annoyed.
"I do not know, but I was ordered for you to be brought to the Sage." Otto said.
Carle looked at Han, Han just simply shrugged.
"Can't be that bad. I'll go with you." Han said, getting ready to leave.
"NO." Otto said in an odd way.
Han and Sullivan looked at each other in distaste of Otto's remark.
"Excuse me?" Han asked with an attitude.
"I said NO." Otto said even odder. He seemed to be hiding something.
"Sorry dude, but Carle doesn't leave my sight. And if YOU have a problem with it, you can kiss my ass!" Han said with little patients and with an attitude.
"Well, that is very sweet that you would protect her at all coast, but I assure you, the Sage means no physical harm." Otto said.
"Are you sure about that man?" Rad said.
"Yes, I am very sure, the Sage is a very wise man and wishes to speak with Carle, and Carle alone." Otto said in a personable way.
Carle shrugged and looked at Han.
"I'm sure it's nothing. I'll be right back." Carle said, walking toward Otto. "I'll be fine." Carle said with a cute wink that made Han feel all fuzzy inside.
"Well, I bid thee farewell. We shall be back soon." Otto said.
The two of them walked out and the door shut behind them.
"Ok, four eyed dude is starting to creep me out!" Rad said out loud.
"SSSSSHHHHH!!!" Jade said while laughing. "He's a nice fellow; I wish you three where as nice as him!"
"Still, what the hell do they want with Carle?" Han said with his hand holding his chin.
"Relax, man. I'm sure it's nothing." Rad said, patting Han on the shoulder.
"I wonder too." Sullivan said.
"I'm going to go spy on them." Han said, zipping up his coat and heading for the door.
"Wait! Be careful Han. Don't be seen!" Jade said with a worried tone.
Han winked at them and threw them a thumbs up.
"Don't worry. Stealth is my specialty!" Han said, shutting the door behind him.
"What an idiot." Sullivan said with a smirk.
It was still snowing out, and the village was busy as ever. The sun began to set and the wind began to pick up. It was a beautiful place to be, and Han didn't want to leave. Somehow, it made him feel like he was at home. The wind blowing through his hair, the snow blowing in his eyes, he loved it.
Han slyly fallowed Carle and Otto down the road. They where so far ahead that people began to get in the way and block Han's view in the street. Still, he kept at it, managing to avoid being seen at the same time.
Carle and Otto stopped at the entrance to a small hut on the outskirts of town. It was not hidden, but creates and boxes where all over the place, hence the store that was next door. Han dived behind a box and listen closely.
"We are here." Otto said to Carle, looking at her in the strangest of ways.
Carle nodded her head.
"Inside is the Sage. Do not fear him, for he does not fear you. Believe in what he shares with you, for he is possibly the wisest of people on this planet." Otto said with significance. "Go on, walk forward. I will await your return out here. Please… take your time in talking to him."
"Why?" asked Carle with a bit of fear.
Otto looked at the ground and smiled.
"Let's just say the fate of the world depends on it." Otto said without looking up.
Han was incredibly curious and ready to strike at the same time. His eyes showed readiness and his lance was ready to kill. He crouched behind the box like a fox ready to strike.
Carle walked into the hut. It was strange looking with masks and necklaces hanging on the wall. It reminded her of some sort of witchdoctor's home. In a seat sat an old man with a long grey beard, a pointy hate, and a blue robe. His eyes seemed to be purple and he held a staff.
"Welcome…" said the sage "I am Neos. Please, grab a seat. Make yourself comfortable." Neos said while pulling out a seat with his power.
Carle gave a fake smile and sat.
"Why have you called for me?" asked Carle with much concern.
Neos went into deep thought, and then put both his arms at each armrest of the chair.
"You and your friends have embarked on a mysterious journey. I have watched you all this time, and I must say first of all that I am very proud."
"Thank you. But why have you called for me?" Carle asked, seeming very annoyed.
"I understand that the young boy by the name of Han was thought to be the Chrono Trigger. Correct?"
"Yes… but Han isn't the Chrono Trigger…" Carle said, searching for Neos's point.
"Correct. Han is not the Chrono Trigger. You see… young Carle… the Chrono Trigger is a very powerful force that has the ability to defeat all evil. However, I regret to inform you that the true Chrono Trigger does not posses the ability to defeat Vern and… well…" Neos hesitated greatly "come back alive."
"You mean the true Chrono Trigger isn't capable of killing Vern?!' Carle said, with horror in her face.
"No, no, my dear! The Chrono Trigger is VERY capable of killing Vern." Neos said, trying to settle things.
"Then what is the problem?" Carle asked.
"You see, the true Trigger holds within him… or her… a great power. This power is so great that it could destroy the enemy… thus… killing themselves as well." Neos said, stopping at each word.
"So that practically means that the true Chrono Trigger must sacrifice themselves in order to kill Vern?"
"Precisely. This power needs to be awakened of course. I am able to do that."
"So… what does this have to do with me?" Carle asked with pure confusion.
"The Chrono Trigger must battle the king of evil with the help of their companions, and then sacrifice themselves in the battle, killing the king and themselves. This is a sacrifice that shall save the whole world."
"So what… does… this… have… to do… with… me?" Carle said, interrupting Neos with an attitude.
Carle had been in there a while and it bothered him. So he got up on his feet and glanced hard at Otto. Otto didn't notice Han, just stared into space. When he turned around, Han sprang out of the shadows like a snake and kicked Otto in the back, making him fall facedown into the snow. Otto went to pull out a gun when Han's foot pushed his head into the snow and stuck his lance lightly against his back to make him listen.
"If you dare move, I swear ill shove this lance so far up your ass, you'll feel it come out of your mouth. Understand?" Han said to Otto calmly but surly. Otto nodded calmly.
"Now, what is happening with Carle? What is she doing in there?" Han asked.
"She is in there for reasons I cannot tell you." Otto said, his voice muffled somewhat in the snow.
Han pushed the lance harder.
"TELL ME NOW!" Han said going off like a bomb.
"If you are going to kill me, then kill me. But try to explain to the people of this town why you did." Otto said wisely.
"What is going on here?!" Neos said, walking outside with Carle. Carle's eyes seemed to be red and seemed like she was crying.
"What the hell did you do to her?!" Han said, running into Carle's arms. Otto didn't bother to pull out his weapon, just stood up calmly and explained to Neos.
"Are you ok?" Han asked Carle.
"She is fine." Neos replied sharply.
Everyone said nothing for a few silent moments.
"I think it is time to head back to my house." Otto said, begging to walk back.
Carle and Han walked together back to Otto's house. Neos went back inside, feeling like he hurt an angel.
"You ok?" Han asked Carle as nice as he could.
Carle simply nodded her head, and still kept shock in her face. Suddenly, Carle pulled Han by the arm as if to keep herself standing.
"Han, wait, there is something I must say." Carle said to Han, with urgency.
"What is it?" Han asked.
"It's about Vern. I don't think all of us are going to survive…"
"Well… duh. Carle, that's always the case."
"But… you see…" Carle staggered to find words. "I know it for a fact."
Han looked into Carle's beautiful eyes and went into deep thought.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked with courage.
Carle hesitated for a moment. "Nothing, forget it. I'm sure everything will happen for a reason… right?" Carle said, trying to hold back tears.
"Um… yeah… I guess…" Han said, beginning to walk back. Han held Carle's hand. "Are you sure you are ok?"
Carle giggled.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Carle said, beginning to giggle more.
"What's funny?" Han asked with a smile.
"I love it when you ask people if they are ok over and over, it's so cute!" Carle said with a smile that made Han feel warm inside.
Han laughed with her and they continued walking.
"Oh boy, this is good tea!" Rad said, sipping at tea that a FurFoot had given him.
Jade lay in the bed half awake and Sullivan was fixing his crossbow in the corner. Han and Carle sat next to each other and Otto began to speak.
"Ok people. There is not much we can do, so tomorrow morning we set out to seek Vern. Get a good nights rest, you WILL need it." Otto said, throwing everyone a blanket.
"Cool, so we rest here." Sullivan said, making his sleeping place.
"I'm going for a walk." Carle said, getting up on her feet and heading to the door.
"Want any of us to come with ya?" Rad asked while finishing up his tea.
"No,no. I just want to be alone for a bit." Carle said, walking outside without saying anything else.
"What's got her bugged?" Sullivan asked, looking up from his crossbow.
"I dunno. Ever since she visited that Sage… she's been really up tight." Han said with a puzzled look.
"Why is that?" Rad asked.
"I have no clue. Maybe she misses home. She also seems pretty paranoid… like we all may not win against Vern." Han said.
They all sat around for a bit and talked about random things. They had some laughs and giggles at some of Rad's crazy stories. Then, it came to Han. He suddenly ran out the door as if something happened.
Sullivan and Rad looked at each other.
"What's wrong with him?" Sullivan asked.
"I dunno… maybe he's really gatta pee." Rad said with a small giggle.
"Rad…." Jade said, half awake.
"Ok, ok!" Rad said, shutting up.
There was a long pause.
"Maybe he has to do number 2…" Rad said, breaking the silence.
"RAD!" Sullivan said with a big grin.
Han walked all over and found Carle sitting at the dock, looking at the sun set. She appeared to be writing on a piece of paper. From Han's eyes, it looked like a note.
"Carle!" Han screamed over to her, waving his hand.
"Just a sec!" Carle said, hiding the paper.
Han came walking over.
"What's that?"
"Oh… just a note to my Dad. I really miss him, so I'm writing home." Carle replied in the phoniest way.
"Oh, I see." Han said, sitting next to Carle, gazing into the sunset.
A few minutes went by, and there was a long pause between them both. Carle looked at Han. Han looked back at her and smiled.
"Listen… Han… we have known each other for a while now." Carle said to Han, looking into his eyes.
"Yes we have." Han replied.
"And… somehow… I feel that I've known you forever." Carle said to him. "I feel like… we where made for each other. Not only the two of us, but the whole crew."
"You know… I feel that way too…" Han said.
They both didn't talk for a few moments. Then… Carle extended her arm and touched Han's face. Han turned around and looked at Carle. They both got closer to each other, while the sun set. They finally kissed, and it was something both of them had been looking for the whole journey.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" a voice screamed from the village. That voice was fallowed by the sound of firing. Carle and Han where both interrupted and sprang to there feet.
"What the hell?!?!?!?!" Han said, pulling out his lance.
"Vern!" Carle said.
Sure enough, Vern appeared in the sky. Fireballs spewed into the air and armies of reptiles under Vern's control wreaked havoc among the town of Boon.
"My, my, what do we have her?! Two love birds sitting beside a dock gazing at the sunset. How pathetic!" Vern said, spitting on the ground in disgust. "I'm going to kill you all unless Carle comes with me!"
"What the hell do you want with her?!" Han screamed, throwing Carle behind his back.
"Well, I am a very lonely man…" Vern said with the evilest grin that could make a clock stop. That grin made Han feel like he wanted to obliterate something.
"Hell with you! You're not getting her at all!!!" Han screamed, with his lance arched under his arm in battle stance.
"You WILL hand her over, unless you shall feel what it's like to be in hell!" Vern said, pulling out his sickle.
"NEVER!!!!!!" Han scream, running forward. He was on a rage and no one could possibly control him when he was mad. Stopping Han when he was pissed was like trying to trip a tank.
As Han ran forward, Vern kicked him in the back and grabbed him by his throat.
"HAN!" Carle shrieked.
Vern began to levitate in the air, holding Han in a deadly position. Han found it hard to breath and everything around him began to turn black.
"HAAAAAAN!" Carle shrieked, searching for a way to save him. She began to summon up some sort of attack, but then used her head.
"Come with me, sweet Carle! Or else your love will feel what it's like to die!!!" Vern said to Carle.
Han tried to turn his head. He began to speak.
"Carle… r-r-r-run!" Han said while bearing pain. "Get... out… of… here! Now!"
"Shaddap!" Vern said, head butting Han.
Vern then threw Han on the ground and raised his sickle.
"Come with me or he WILL die!" Vern said with seriousness.
Han shook his head and demanded Carle to run. Carle hesitated and thought hard and fast. She then ran after Han.
"What are you doing?! RUN!!!" Han said.
Carle ignored Han's demand, and pulled him away from Vern. She then extended her arms.
"TAKE ME!" she said, with pure courage and rage in her beautiful green eyes.
"CARLE!" Han screamed.
"Shut up, Han! I know what I'm doing! I'm the only one who can save us all!" Carle said.
Vern grabbed Carle and put her over his shoulder.
"CARLE!!!!"
"I know what I'm doing! Just come to Furtive Mountain!"
Han was running after her. Carle extended her arm and held Han's arm for a second.
"I love you." She said, as she disappeared in thin air with Vern.
"CAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" Han screamed as he collapsed on the ground and burst into tears.
The town was burning up and people where running all over.
"Han!" a voice screamed.
Han raised his head and saw everything in slow motion. The fire was crackling and people where dieing all over, turning to ash. Han heard the voice again to see Jade, Rad, Sullivan, and Otto running after him. They seemed to move so slow and their voices where so faint. Han looked up in the sky and felt the bitter sting of the snow falling on his face. For the first time in his life, he wished for death. He didn't seem to notice what Carle meant by saying she knew what she was doing. Instead, he only thought that she was gone, and his whole life no longer mattered. He got up on his feet and his throat throbbed from Vern's grasp. His eyes blinked and he saw his friends running at him.
"Han! Speak to me! WAKE UP!" a voice was saying to him.
He opened his eyes to notice that he was flat on his back laying on the ground.
"Dude, what the hell happened?!" Rad asked Han.
"Vern took Carle. She's gone." Han said in a weak voice.
Otto walked a few feet away from the others and went into deep thought.
"Great… now what?" Sullivan asked. This time, even Sullivan had no idea what to do. Otto turned and faced each of the party members.
"Change of plans. We leave for Furtive Mountain sooner than expected."
"Great, when?" Rad asked.
"Now." Otto said, getting his supply ready.
"Why not tomorrow?" Rad asked.
"Because…" Jade said looking off in the distance. "There will be no tomorrow if we don't act now!"
"Otto…" Han said very weakly.
"Yes Han…?"
"Why does Vern want Carle so badly?" Han asked.
Otto said nothing, just stood looking at a wall.
Miles away, Vern had Carle and he was at Furtive Mountain. Walking up the stairs, Carle didn't bother to try and escape. She had a deed to carry out, and she wasn't stopping. One would wonder what deed that may be.
Finally, when the two of them reached the top, Vern ordered Carle to step on the seal. Before she could think, Vern physically pushed her up onto the seal. Light went every ware and the seal began to radiate. With that, the doors opened and the way to the Holy Land was clear.
"Welcome back… the Chrono Trigger." A voice said after the doors opened.