Disclaimer: I don't own Chrono Cross. That's all I gotta say so there. (*sticks out tongue :P)
*Here is Chapter 12 for. Thank you all for the reviews, really keeps me up. I can sort see that people actually like my story, even though I only received a few reviews. But I won't give up on my story for those who are interested. Well, hope you enjoy this portion of the story. More reviews the sooner the chapter will go up.
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"M-mother…?" trailed Kidd, completely speechless that her mother, Schala, was actually here before her. Schala just smiled, seeing the two of them looking at her with astonishment in their eyes.
"It is destined that today you come to this place that is above Zenan. Kidd, welcome home."
Kidd's eyes widen. "W-what do you mean?" Serge suddenly had just realized something. He looked up at the sky to see the clouds drifting closely above them. Serge slowly got up, holding Kidd in his arms like a baby. He ran to the edge of the river's end and both were shocked to see the ocean, down below them.
Serge fell to his knees as he soon realized that he and Kidd was on a floating land. Kidd looked into his eyes, seeing the shock hers as well. "B-but…it can't be…how can this land be floating still after all these years?" said Serge.
"I know…but I just can't believe that we are here. My…true home. The Magical Kingdom of Zeal…"
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Chapter 12– The Kingdom of Zeal…Alive?
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The ancient kingdom known as Zeal that existed in 12,000 B.C before the present ever existed. The great devastation of this place was quite brutal, almost killing the Earth bound people's population with its tremendous collapse. However, this land was never expected to be back to the skies after so many years of its non-existence.
Serge looked around the whole kingdom, seeing its beauty is still magnificent then ever. The palace still is on top of the great mountain with its river cascading down the rocky hilltop to create rivers and the clean, crystal lakes down below. Lovely and green grass flourished through the whole area, making huge pine trees grow in distant parts of each islands and places. Animals filled the area, living peacefully in its habitat with the human's little environment. The housing and buildings of each city are made of white, strong marble. The marble of each three temples in the environment are completely made of strong, diamond marble with its roofs circled and engraved with amazing designs of people and symbols. The whole kingdom is now flourished with villages, flying ships, fresh water, animals, and food. Serge gaped in surprise, seeing that this whole place is like paradise.
Kidd slowly removed herself from Serge's grasp and hugged her mother lovingly with a tight embrace.
"Mother, where have you been all this time? I thought that you combined with me after you were released from the imprisonment?" asked Kidd.
"'Tis a long story my daughter. I wouldn't discuss this at the point in time. Serge knew from the beginning that we will meet up like this."
"Serge…?" Kidd stared Serge. He was looking back and forth, admiring the beautiful and prosperous place. He did not hear Kidd's voice as he examined the whole tranquil place that has been up in the skies not too long ago. A city that was destroyed thousands of years has suddenly been revived. Yet, Serge pondered the reason that people did not notice its existence. Sighing, he shrugged.
"He had a glimpse of the future through his unaware mind. Serge could now foresee predictions coming to his head. Almost like fortunetellers, except that his visions are quite accurate than other fortunetellers. Strange for a Chrono Trigger to have that kind of power," said Schala, sighing.
Kidd stood by Serge and joined with him admiring the structure of each and every place and geography. Schala gave a quiet giggle as she looked at the two with interest.
"I see you guys are quite astounded to see a land full of life like El Nido. Let us be on our way before the sunsets. Please follow closely behind me. We have much to discuss about," said Schala as she started to walk on the dirtied path.
Serge turned and signaled Kidd that her mother is moving. Upon this, the two closely followed Schala to through the magical kingdom.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Passing by them, groups of people started to greet Serge, Kidd, and Schala with great friendliness within their behavior. Serge and Kidd greeted as well with smiles of kindness.
"The people around here are really nice. It seems that everyone is happy living in place up on the sky," said Kidd, looking at each structure of the village.
Serge did not say a word through the whole walk. He was too interested in the magnificent structure and artifacts within this magical land they call Zeal. Serge was even more interested in the etches of each marble building etched with weird and familiar figures of people, things, and places. He cocked his head curiously, thinking to himself about the strange etches within the buildings that looked so familiar to him. Serge did not notice about Kidd's voice when she tapped on the shoulder.
"You alright, mate?" asked Kidd. Serge stared into Kidd's eyes and smiled, nodding to indicate to Kidd that he is fine.
Schala stopped in her tracks to wait for the two teenagers to catch up with her. "It seems that Serge is quite found with whole kingdom. I guess he noticed the ancient writings on each building. Hopefully by then, he would give some clues about his quest," said Schala to herself, observing Serge with a careful eye.
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With moments, the trio has left the village and they are now going through a peaceful forest, where mystical animals live in prosperity. Within the golden yellow path, it leads to the noticeable, yet beautiful features of a mountain where the Zeal Palace now stands above the world. Right into the path, it leads to a tunnel with two dragon statues in front of the tunnel. Schala went in the tunnel as Kidd and Serge took one last glimpse of the place below. Within moments glance, the two finally went in the tunnel to be surprised even more than before.
Right inside the tunnel, nothing seems like an original tunnel full of rocks and water. Yet this tunnel is fully decorated with torches on its manmade walls of white and light blue crystal, with glowing blue pillars in a circle. Within the walls, inscriptions of ancient writings filled the whole place. Right smack in the middle, a huge rainbow platform was there, making the whole place stand out. Etched with a huge white dragon on its rainbow platform, there were three little teleporters in each side, with one in the far middle facing a alter full of buttons. Each pod can only hold one person.
Schala stood on one platform and started to press multiple buttons on the alter with ease. "Go on the other two teleporters. I will teleport us directly to the palace," she said, pressing more buttons. The two obeyed and stepped into their own teleporter.
"What is this teleporter for?" asked Serge, looking down at the etched dragon.
"It is the main teleporter of Zeal in which you can teleport yourself to any place of this kingdom. It is the only best way to go to each place without any worries of falling down or accidents," said Schala, pressing one last button. With an instant, the three phases out of the uncanny tunnel to the very top of the mountain.
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Serge slowly opened his eyes to see the silver gates in front of him. Surprised, he stepped back, seeing the symbol of Zeal on the very top middle of the gate. Schala gave a little chuckle and cleared her throat. "I would like to welcome you to Zeal Palace. There are no rules or restrictions whatsoever within these points. However, do not leave my side. Zeal Palace is maze full of amazement. And please be quiet while in the hall people. The young kids here are in school in the moment."
"School…?" trailed Kidd.
Schala walked to the gate to be greeted by friendly guards of the palace, giving her, Serge, and Kidd a smile of kindness. They smiled back as they passed by the guards to the gigantic and huge Zeal palace.
The whole palace was beautiful with its slivery and blue features of its environment, with two to three huge buildings place left to right, leaving the main palace in the middle. In the courtyard, a huge water fountain made out of the finest diamond, sprouted water elegantly without the help of two angel empresses, posing side by side with their arms outstretched where the water is sprouting out. Like the villages down below, the walls have etches that surrounded almost the whole outskirts of the place. Young people around with their purple, blue, or light blue robes started to hassle to their next class, seeing the confusion in their eyes due to the bell problems the repairers are having trouble with.
"Let us head into my throne room. Your friends are waiting for your arrival for five hours the least," said Schala, heading through the huge double door of the main palace.
"Our friends? How did they get up here before us?" asked Kidd incredulously surprised.
Serge looked down at his necklace, seeing its magnificent blue glow start to fade in and out. "Its probably because of the power the Chrono Cross. Even though it is used for one purpose, it is probably the key to lead us to this place. But why?" said Serge thoughtfully.
"It is quite a mystery about the powers of the Chrono Cross. Yet, even thought its mysterious powers is frightening, the Chrono Cross is something that must be kept cautiously," said Schala.
"But, why does the Chrono Cross have to be protected carefully?" asked Kidd.
The double doors of the main palace opened in front of them to reveal the great azure hall of the palace, shimmering magically. Down the middle of the red carpet area, there are four way paths that lead to different ways. One that leads to the entrance, two of them leading to the classrooms or other areas of the palace, and the middle one leads to the throne room. As Schala walked along the soft red carpet with Serge and Kidd following close behind, each and every area has two or more bookcases with either a desk or a bed with them. The people, apparently grown-ups, were either reading, writing on a desk, or sleeping.
"There's a lot of books around here," commented Serge. Out of nowhere, a huge fireball almost hit Serge, whizzing right above his ear. Serge jumped and turned to the source of the fire magic.
"Sorry! That thing is out of control!" said a wizard, chasing the fireball to the other room.
Serge blinked and sighed. "That was a close call. Are all these people here studying magic, Schala-sama?"
Schala stopped in her tracks and turned to Serge and Kidd, heaving a gentle smile. "Please don't address as Schala-sama…if you were inferring to 'princess.' Just call me Schala. To answer your question, Serge, apparently everyone in these areas is studying magic. Yet, some are some are studying histories, timelines, and even studying things that do not have to do with magic." Schala turned around and started walking, still continuing with her explanation. "People back in the Old Zeal Kingdom thousands of years ago cannot live without magic. Everywhere they fix, everything they cook, everything they use as defense is magic. My mother tried to obtain Lavos' powers and use them for more power usage, yet it ended the destruction of Zeal. And for that reason, I was imprisoned with one of Lavos' spawn."
Serge, Kidd, and Schala passed by the four-way path to a great hall fully decorated with flowers, plants, paintings, and statues. Kidd noticed a painting of Schala and a little boy holding a cat. The little boy in the painting is Janus, Schala's younger brother. Kidd looked in wonderment seeing her mother in the painting as young as Kidd is back then. She looked at her mother to see that she was still young, only except that she is now around her late twenties. Kidd smiled that her mother was still alive.
Serge was busy with his own world, looking deep into the walls. Other than the fact of the decorated stuff in them, Serge looked behind those walls to see some more of those ancient writings. He stopped in his tracks to finger the strange writings. The Chrono Cross started to glow a strange blue.
~*~*~*~*~
"We will not stop at nothing to get rid of this winged clan!"
A beautiful place was soon engulfed with raging flames as millions of people started to flee for their lives.
"Our place was engulfed by these treacherous flames due to the fact of the Demi-Human's behavior of envy and jealous. They wanted to be the highest rank of all life."
A Demi-Human growled in rage as he jumped at Serge.
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Serge gasped and stepped back from the wall, releasing his fingers from feeling the rough, yet smooth ancient writings. Kidd noticed this and went to Serge's aid. Serge grasped his head, sensing a small throbbing headache building in his head.
"What was that all about?" thought Serge, closing his eyes gently.
"Serge?" called Kidd, looking deep into his face. "Are you all right?"
Serge slowly opened his eyes to look deep into her eyes. The vision of Kidd ten years ago started in view within his mind. He closed once again and smiled. "Yeah, I am. Nothing to worry about," he simply said, returning to his standing position.
"Let us be on our way, you two. Your friends are waiting," said Schala from behind.
Within minutes, the trio finally made it to the throne room, seeing it is built and decorated beautifully with its diamond walls and crystal floors. Around each area, there are huge light blue pillows on each floor with more bookcases around the area. Right around the throne chair, a huge a beautiful waterfall cascaded behind the chair, its rushing water forming water rushing around the decorated chair. Plants and animals filled the outskirts of the place, either eating or sleeping peacefully in its place.
Within the pillows, Glenn was reading a book on swordsmanship. He was in depth in the book when he heard footsteps come about. He turned his head to see Serge, Kidd, and Schala walked in, Serge and Kidd giving the amazement look of the wondrous place. Jumping to his feet, he turned and sprint to them.
"Serge! Kidd!" called Glenn. Serge and Kidd turned around and smiled.
"Hey Glenn," said Serge, giving him a high five.
"What took you so long? We have been waiting for you guys for quite a while now. Almost all of us are here except Viper and Zoah." He started to scratch his head. "Well, they were here a few minutes ago, but they must go and watch the manor."
As Glenn said, he was right. Most of their friends are there. Riddel and Dario sat down together and shared a book with each other about the life around Zeal, Karsh practicing his ax moves as the animals started to flee to another place of the throne room, Orlha and Leena were feeding the animals, and Korcha just doing nothing but pouting like a baby.
"That's like Korcha. Nothing interests him except when he sees Kidd," said Serge. Kidd playfully poked him in the arm.
"Will you shut up?" said Kidd. Serge gave a heartily chuckle.
Leena and Orlha soon joined with them. "Where in the world have you been? We were worried sick about your safety," said Orlha, putting her arms on hips with a look of upset.
"We've been to a world full mystery and wonder with a past that I didn't know about with thieves and a leader who is broken up in behavior," said Serge. Everyone just looked at him in curiousness. Serge closed his eyes and sweat dropped. "Never-mind."
Schala went up to them and smiled. "Please take a seat everyone. Since Serge and Kidd have arrived, we have a lot to discuss about."
With that, everyone took their seats on the huge light blue pillows; Serge sitting at the front with Kidd sitting beside him, Korcha taking his seat behind Kidd with Glenn in front of Serge, Dario and Riddel simply sitting up in their seats in the middle left side, and Orlha and Leena sitting in the left front side. Schala stride over to her seat, sitting comfortably in the throne in front of all the Chrono gang.
Silence brewed through the whole group as Schala started think of what to say. Finally, within moments, Schala opened her eyes to look at each and every person, their eyes piercing through her face.
"As you all may know, almost all of you are transported to Zeal, a land that exist not too long ago with no heed of notice from the people below. In your minds, I can sense the great curiosity of how you suddenly arrived in this place. It is destined that we all meet here to discuss important matters. Correct, Serge?" The friends turned their gaze to Serge.
"Yes," he said. Everyone gasped in surprise, wondering why Serge did not tell them in the first place. "I didn't tell you guys because I'm not sure…if they are correct. But if you were to know…people around us would know of its existence if spies around the manor heard of it. And besides, that little detail was just…a vision that I had when I was deep in thought earlier today. And I doubted that it wouldn't come. Yet it did." The gang understood fully and they knew that shouldn't say a word about Zeal to anyone, other than Zoah and Viper of course.
"Without the usage of the Chrono Cross, you would never have gone to this place and you would never have gone through the past, Serge," said Schala. "In the vision that Serge had, I explained the divinity of the new Chrono Cross powers. All this time, after all these years, the Chrono Cross was apparently a good or evil factor due to the two opposing Dragon Tears of love and hate. Yet, all of these factors have to due with the person who possesses the dragon tears. If the person was evil, the Chrono Cross would bring great hate through the land, in which my feelings would completely give myself to evil. However, if the person where to be good, the Chrono Cross would accomplish any goal to rid of any disturbance of time and my feelings are committed to good and broke free from the confinements of Lavos' spawn. Without Serge's call of help, the Chrono Cross would truly consume itself to evil and I would be trapped forever in Lavos' spawn with the behavior of evil."
"And I was the one to unlock its true powers?" asked Serge thoughtfully.
"Yes. Now that you weaved together the two different worlds, Lynx and Omendi would stop at nothing to obtain the Chrono Cross." Schala got up from her seat. "With the evil contamination gone forever from the Chrono Cross, its true powers revealed itself; the faithful mysterious powers that would lead you to different places to find the key spheres of the Holy Land. The source of this is the Ancient Emblem. The emblem is the main part that Lynx and Omendi wants so much."
"The Ancient Emblem? But why does have to do with the Chrono Cross?" asked Kidd.
Schala slowly moved towards Serge, observing his deep blue eyes with interest. She could sense the aura rising inside Serge's blood. "I can sense the aura is in your presence. It is true then. You are bind with it. Even though you have the Chrono Cross right around your neck. That is probably why Lynx wanted to kill you in the first place. Yet, why is it bind with you?"
Serge looked thoughtfully at Schala, confused as much as her. "I guess it is the right to show you the truth within the Ancient Emblem and the Chrono Cross. And right then, I will give you one of the key spheres of this time. Serge, Kidd, everyone…please follow me." Schala started to make her move to the entrance of the main palace.
Serge slowly stood up, as well as his friends, and started to follow Schala outside of the palace to the portals.
"The place I am showing is quite ancient and it was found not too long ago. No one except myself ever set foot to this place. It is believed that this certain temple is cursed. Some even said that this place is evil. Because of its strange aura, no one can really determine if it is a cursed evil temple or a pure, wonderful temple. Maybe you Serge and the Chrono Cross can determine its strange aurora," said Schala, stepping into the teleporter, pressing buttons.
"What do you call this place?" asked Glenn, stepping on one of the porters, sharing one with Leena.
"I am not really sure myself. It is
written in exotic transcriptions and I myself could not translate them.
However, within those ancient drawings and heliography are all based upon
people with wings."
"People with wings?" gasped Serge, his eyes wide in shock.
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"…Tsubasa no Kami, Wing Goddess of the land called "Sora-Donna-Shugotenshi." Also known as, "The sky of the Guardian Angels." A land that can only be found by the inhabitants of the place itself with the use of the "Kurono Kousa" as its key to the four spheres…"
~*~*~*~
"Sora-Donna-Shugotenshi," said Serge to himself as he looked through the minds of the inscriptions from Kidd's past. Kidd stared at him with worry eyes, seeing the confuse and determination in them.
Schala finally pressed the last button and soon the group fazed off the palace teleporter.
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The first thing that Serge saw was the quiet of the temple; a temple filled with vines of the strangest, yet beautiful plants around two half broken lion statues in the front. No water truly runs through this place as he gazed into the dream-like structure of the temple. Kidd too was astounded by this place as she gazed into the deserted place.
"Let us go in," said Schala. Soon, the group went inside the dark and quiet temple.
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"It's too dark. Kidd, can you use one of your fire elements?" asked Leena, feeling the walls for careful movement. In front of her, Glenn gently grasped her hand, leading the way.
"Sure thing," said Kidd. She was about to cast a Fireball, when she heard her mother's voice.
"Wait. Fire is not a good place to light up this place. This temple has a certain attribute to light up. Serge, use the 7th element of the six attributes. The very element in which you freed me from," said Schala.
Serge's glowing eyes looked on, confused, and obeyed. "Kidd, cast a red element. Glenn, cast a green element. Karsh, cast a yellow element. Leena cast a blue element. Korcha cast a black element. And Riddel cast a white element. All of us go one at a time like before. And I'll use the Chrono Cross."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The first one was Karsh to cast a yellow element. Next was Kidd with red, Glenn with green, Leena with blue, Korcha with black, and Riddel with White. Once everyone cast their assigned elements, Serge slowly put his hands together, forming a purplish aura within. It soon combined with the six original elements and the purplish aura soon turned bright lavender. Serge slowly lifted his hands up in the air, letting it spread through the whole room. Soon, the room was lighted with that same aura with beauty.
Serge, Kidd, and the rest of the Chrono gang were amaze by the whole area. The wall was all made of pure white and dream-like marble colors, still filled in great condition. Within the walls, ancient drawings started to view. All words cannot describe the things that they saw as Serge looked all around him. All the ancient drawings are pictures of a strange, yet beautiful place filled with lights and huge building structures. This strange place that the group saw was nothing more than a dream-like place.
"This is the most magnificent place I have ever seen. I never knew that these nostalgic writings and images are within the walls," said Schala, looking at each and every single scripture.
Serge started to walk further down the temple halls. Each ancient picture different from every each one as he walked alone. Soon, he stopped right in front of a dead end. Right in front of him was a wing person, her eyes closed as she stood there in the drawing, smiling peacefully with its closed eyes. Serge looked on and soon caught something in his eye. Right above him was a description.
"This is must be the end of the temple," said Kidd, looking at the wing form of the scripture. "There's nothin' here but these ancient drawings."
"In no doubt that this place is pure," said Leena, touching gently of the etches. Serge was in dazed, looking into the description above with dilated dark blue eyes. Schala noticed this, but did not say anything.
"Serge, what's wrong?" asked Kidd, tapping on his shoulder. He did not budge nor spoke as he kept on looking at the transcriptions. The Chrono Cross started to gleam brightly. "Serge…?"
"There's a transcription above there," said Schala. She looked at closely, trying to translate it, but to no avail. "I cannot seem to translate it. It is too difficult."
"To whom who wields the powers of the Chrono Cross," translated Serge, still looking at the writing. Everyone's eyes averted to Serge.
"Serge, you can understand this language?" asked Schala.
"…who is worthy to obtain this artifact of life," Serge continued, " Within the walls of the sleeping form, the key sphere of dreams lies within. Countless and beautiful dreams of the guardians who dream of hope, love, peace, willpower, and prosperity within the Holy Land. If you hear closely you will hear their dreams speak loud with words of wisdom and determination. Their dreams have not yet ended."
The strange writings soon disappeared, and reappeared to a single sentence. With one loud voice, Serge spoke out those words. "Tsubasawohirogeru kanmu!"
With those thunderous words, the words and the image suddenly disappeared. Serge's eyes soon turn back to normal, surprised to see the sudden disappearance of the drawings. The wall started to crack in half as it started to open sideways, making everyone step back in surprise. Serge, Glenn, and Karsh stood in front of the women, protecting them from any danger of what is behind the wall.
Serge eased down his raging emotions as he saw the whole scene before him. Right inside the hidden room stood a bright pink and purple sphere, glowing on its alter. Slowly and carefully with Kidd close behind him, Serge walked in, looking around with eyes of caution.
As Serge stepped onto the marble pavement, the room suddenly lightened with torches, revealing wing people around the whole area, each one of each gender. The platform lightened as well, glowing like the walls of the other room. Serge slowly walked up to the sphere, awed by its gorgeous features.
"It's beautiful," said Kidd, standing beside Serge.
"This must be on of the key spheres," said Schala. "Serge, you have found one of the keys to the Holy Land."
The Chrono Cross started to glisten brightly as Serge gazed into the sphere that looks identical to the Dragon Tears. "The Key Sphere of Dreams. The very dreams in which fully describe the passive dreams of those from far away times." Serge carefully touched the glowing orb with his hand. It started to glow brightly with Serge's touch. "I…could here it."
"Here what?" asked Korcha.
"I could here the dreams. It's true. Their dreams did not end," said Serge.
"Who are "they?" asked Orlha.
The Chrono Cross and the Key Sphere started resonate in harmony, glowing brightly like the northern stars. Serge could feel the warmth within them as he felt the Key Sphere sipping in to his body. Right then, the light blinded the whole room, leaving everyone covering their eyes.
Within moments, the light dimmed. Schala slowly opened her eyes to notice that the Key Sphere is gone. "Oh no. Where is the Key Sphere of Dreams?"
"Don't worry," said Serge as he slowly turned to his friends. "I have it within my grasp. It's inside me now. Bind with me like the Chrono Cross." Slowly, he extended his hands to the Chrono Cross, lighting it up once again.
"Serge, don't do that. What if-" trailed Kidd when Serge interrupt.
"Don't worry, we won't go through that," said Serge, now surrounded by the blue aura. The blue light flashed once again, surrounding its color within the whole area. Serge soon summoned the golden emblem once again, showing it to Schala and the Chrono gang.
"So, this must be the Ancient Emblem. However you manage to summon it Serge?" asked Schala, looking at the emblem's transparent feature.
"I picture it in mind to summon it. Or either that, I'm not really sure," said Serge, looking at the emblem. For the first time, Serge actually saw the emblem fully for the first time. Within the golden emblem, little craved pictures were drawn within the emblem of section. The first show three huge lands, floating above the clouds above. Right under it, a word is engraved in it, saying "Kanmu." The one next to it shows a ruined landmark with a huge bell in the middle, saying under the picture, "Ichidou." One other picture next to the second shows a building surrounded by coral reef, saying "Taimu." The next was a picture of an ocean, showing a land far away, saying "Aiyoku." Right under all four pictures was a huge etched of a mountain, similar to Zeal except more magnificent than ever. Right at the entrance of the tunnel were two dragon statues.
"Kanmu huh? This means dream," said Serge. "Which means…" The image with "Kanmu" inscribed in it soon disappeared.
"The engraving is gone!" said Glenn. "What does that mean?"
"It means that we have found that key. And the picture of the three lands means the Kingdom of Zeal," said Schala. "Which also indirect us that we have found the Key Sphere of Dreams within the Kingdom of Zeal. It is quite intriguing."
Serge looked at emblem in deep thought. Looking at each and every picture seems so familiar.
"Let's head back to the palace and figure this out," said Kidd.
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"So what are you saying Serge that the emblem is what Lynx and Omendi is after?" asked Glenn. "I still do not fully understand the concept of it."
Serge, Glenn, and the others have finally gone back to Zeal Palace. For some reason, Schala and Kidd went off to the rooms of the palace while the others left to take a tour around the palace, leaving Serge and Glenn waiting for Schala and Kidd finishing their private conversation.
Serge sighed. "Okay, let me say it again. The reason Lynx and Omendi wants the Chrono Cross so badly is the emblem inside it. The emblem showed us some interesting things that actually led us to one of the keys. And all those pictures probably will lead us to the holy land. So…"
"So…?" mimicked Glenn.
Serge sighed again. "SO the emblem must be like a map to the keys and the map to leave clues to the Holy Land. Lynx and Omendi are trying to look for that land themselves so they can take over this world's future. If they killed me, the Chrono Cross would go to them unwillingly. Even though it is fully committed to good, the keys and the Holy Land as the Chrono Cross as the map would eventually be taken over by Omendi's bloody hands if he were to go to the Holy Land."
"But that still does not explain the fact one of he pictures disappeared," pointed Glenn.
Serge once again sighed. "Think about it Glenn. The key, they temple-"
Soon, it hit Glenn. "Oh, I see what you are inferring to."
"Took you long enough. At least it saves me a breath," said Serge.
Serge and Glenn stood in silence in the hall, the clock ticking somewhere.
"Come to think of it…how long have we been standing here?" asked Glenn, breaking the silence.
Serge looked at him, raising one eyebrow. "Yeah, how long did we stay here?"
"And what were we waiting for again?"
"Shou, I was so busy explaining that to you that I forgot who are we waiting for," said Serge.
As if on cue, Schala came down the hall to be greeted by two men questioning each other. "My, what are you doing?" asked Schala, giggling.
Both Serge and Glenn looked up. "So that's what we are waiting for," said Serge and Glenn in unison.
All Schala did was giggle, amused by these two friends. Serge soon noticed something about the room. "Schala, where's Kidd?" asked Serge.
Schala looked behind her, frustrated. "Oh, that Kidd. Why is she so shy about these things," retorted Schala silently. "She was right behind me. My guess she went back to her room. Kidd! You better get down here!" Serge and Glenn exchanged glances of confusion.
"Excuse me for a moment," said Schala as she walked quickly up the stairs to a room. Serge and Glenn could hear Schala and Kidd. They sweat dropped as they heard Kidd yell that she wouldn't come out.
Finally after minutes of countless persuasions, Schala came down. "I am sorry if it took me long. I finally got Kidd to get down." She stepped aside to reveal Kidd.
Serge and Glenn starred at Kidd in awe. Before them was Kid, wearing a light blue halter dress that cascaded down above her knees. Showing her light tan back, long strings of the halter dress cascaded down her back, her long waist long layered hair was down, showing her feminine side. Around her neck, she wore her mother's pendant, which matches her dress very well. She looked down, blushing, as she put her hands in front, holding them together to show her shyness.
Serge couldn't say anything as he saw how beautiful Kidd looked. He couldn't keep his eyes off her as she came down, stopping right beside her mother. Glenn, seeing Serge's gaze, went to Schala, ringing his arm around her arm. "Let us go find the others. We should leave those two alone," suggested Glenn.
"I agree. Kidd, Serge, come back before dinner." With that, Schala and Glenn went off, looking for the others.
Serge and Kidd stood there in silence. Kidd didn't bother looking into Serge's eyes since she was too embarrassed to see the expression in his face. Serge, on the other hand, couldn't leave his eyes off of her. He was too speechless to see anything to her.
"W-well…should…we get going?" stammered Kidd as she began to walk. But, through that process, Kidd suddenly tripped over her slippers, falling down the stairs.
Just when Kidd was about to hit the floor, being laughed at by he clumsiness, she did not feel the hard cold floor come to her. Opening her eyes, she felt two deep blue eyes piercing through her. Serge held her in his arms, looking at Kidd with concern.
"Kidd, are you okay?" asked Serge, starting to blush.
Kidd blushed bright red, seeing that Serge was actually looking at her without laughing. "Y-yeah…thanks, Serge." Slowly, she could feel his warmth fade away as he slowly got her to her feet. Kidd straightened her dress, checking to see there are no scratches.
"You know, Kidd," began Serge. She looked up to his face, seeing the blush in his face. "Y…you…look cute today."
Kidd soon felt a burden lift as she felt a surge of happiness that Serge actually liked the way she looks. "T-thanks," said Kidd. Serge extended his arm to hers, looking directly into her face.
"Shall we go?" asked Serge. Kidd nodded in agreement and started to walk with Serge, their hands intertwined with each other.
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Two hours have finally passed by as Serge and Kidd enjoyed every minute of it. So far, they have seen so many sites around the beautiful Kingdom of Zeal. Many people greeted them as they passed by, always in long conversation. The people around them were happy to see two friends talking away happily. While in the midst of the village, Serge and Kidd went to a little restaurant, asking for a table for two.
Waiting for their order, Serge and Kidd were in deep conversation. "Kidd, do you have any other friends before you met me?" asked Serge, even though he knows the answer.
"Well, to tell you the truth, yeah, back then. Back when I was only 13, I had many friends. One of them is named Gwena and the other is Ookami. Yet, somehow things changed after those three years."
"Why changed?" asked Serge.
"I'm not sure. All of a sudden, everyone seemed to change. Gwena and I would always fight over simple small things, as Ookami would hate me more and more. I'm not really sure what happened between us, but I knew then that I no longer belong there."
Serge looked at Kidd's expression changed, seeing those sadden eyes. He too felt sorry for her as she gazed at her beautiful face. "Kidd…no wonder you lived through a rough life…"
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Thirty minutes later, Serge and Kidd started to walk through a forest, where a crystal lake filled the area. A little tiger cub started to rub against Kidd's leg, Kidd looking adoringly at it. She slowly picked him up and carried it to Serge. "Serge, look. Cute, isn't he?" she asked, smiling as the tiger meowed.
Serge smirked, petting the little cub gently. "Yeah, he does look cute." The little cub soon jumped into Serge's arms, purring happily as Serge rubbed the little cubs. The little cub's brothers started to pounce about, rubbing against Kidd's leg like the first one did.
"Aww, these little things are cute," said Kidd, falling to her knees as she petted each and every tiger. Through the process, Serge kept his eyes on her from every move she makes. From petting each pet to carrying it in her arms, Serge looked at her with eyes of adoring and love. He was glad that Kidd and him would spend some quality time with each after so much things happening.
~^ ^~^ ^~^ ^~^ ^
Serge and Kidd stood up on top of the hill, looking down at the beautiful lights of each village. "The view from here is pretty here," said Kidd, peering down below.
"Yeah, it is," said Serge, keeping his eyes on Kidd instead of the view below. Kidd pointed out some parts of village, and all Serge could did was nod, not paying attention to her words.
Finally, seeing that the time was near, they started to take their eyes off the view. Looking at Serge, Kidd smiled and rung her arms around his neck, nuzzling into his shoulder. It surprised Serge from this move, but gladly, he hugged her back.
"Thanks for a great time, Serge," she said, tightening the hug. "We didn't have that much fun since forever."
"I know," said Serge, looking down at her. Slowly, he broke the hug and looked into her eyes, his arms still around her. "I wish this could last long." Kidd nodded her head in agreement as he gazed into his deep glowing blue eyes. They gazed into each other's eyes that seemed eternity. Kidd soon was snapped into reality when she felt Serge leaning towards her face. Blushing, she slowly closed her eyes and waited for his warmth. As soon as they were about to close the gap, someone coughed in the back ground, making them stop in their tracks. They turned their heads to see Schala standing there.
"Kidd, Serge. I am sorry to disturb, but I must speak to Serge. It is quite urgent," said Schala with determined eyes. Serge noticed this and nodded. "Meet me at the throne room." With that she walked away, leaving the two.
"Why does my mother want to speak to you?" asked Kidd.
"I don't know," Serge said. "But I have to go. Seems urgent. I'll see you at dinner okay?"
"All right," said Kidd, trying to hide her disappointment. Serge smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. Kidd gasped at the sudden movement, feeling his warm lips on her cheek. Serge reluctantly moved away, looked at her one last time, and ran towards the main palace. As he disappeared, Kidd slowly moves her hand to the place were he kissed her, blushing with a smile.
~^ ^~^ ^~
Minutes later, Serge have entered the throne room to see Schala standing before the waterfall. She heard his footsteps and turned to him, seeing him catching his breath.
"Did you have a good time with my daughter?" asked Schala with a smile. He nodded his head smiled.
"You said you want to talk to me about something, right?" asked Serge, his face serious.
Schala turned around looking at the waterfall. "Serge…have you ever questioned yourself of who you are?" she asked bluntly.
"What?"
"You know, who you truly are?"
Serge looked down to the ground, his eyes covered behind his bangs as he started thinking through the words. "Sometimes I do. Ever since I was born, I keep on having these dreams. Dreams that I couldn't comprehend knowing. As I grew, there was…something strange about. I could feel something tingling in body. It seems as if I want to…fly. Then comes to my health. The first time I was sick was when I was only three. Then, all of sudden, I never gotten sick since then. I'm not sure what's going on with me, but, something is strange."
Schala nodded her head, hearing the truth in some parts about Serge physically. "Your father did not tell you much about your family, correct?" Serge nodded his head sadly. "Serge, somewhere around the lines, you are the same as other people. Yet, somehow, you are quite different from them in other ways as well." She fully turned around to Serge. "You see, Serge, your own blood is the only key that is making you different. Not your looks nor your behavior, but your body and your blood."
Serge looked to Schala curiously. "What do you mean?"
"Serge, your blood is following a course that is not directly in our ranks. You have the ancient bloodline," said Schala.
Serge was still not convinced with this. "What ancient bloodline are you talking about?"
Schala sighed and sat on her throne. "I understand that you are confused, but it is the truth in some ways. Not even I could determine your bloodline. As it seems, the course of your bloodline still is hidden. The Chrono Cross seems to resonate in rhythm with you so does the Key Sphere of Dreams. That is one hint that I noticed about you. I also noticed that the Chrono Cross is now bind with you for life. This never happens to a person before, and I know that because the time's flow is telling me. The Chrono Cross somehow is the key to your bloodline heritage, Serge."
Serge was beginning to be paranoid. "But being as Chrono Trigger, does it go far beyond my power?"
"The power of being a Chrono Trigger has far regained from your reaches Serge. You all ready have completed that task and obtain the reasonable power to be a Chrono Trigger. The reason you are still learning more because of your ancient bloodline Serge. It is still hidden, but it is coming out one by one at every hour and day. You must understand, Serge, you are changing as we speak. If that power is ever to be released, it will likely have a higher percentage to save us from destruction. Your willpower and your physical self, and your very existence, Serge. It will awaken soon if one trigger let's out that very anger."
Serge shook his head doubtfully. "I…I don't…understand."
Schala stood up from her seat walked over to Serge, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to understand. It doesn't need to be understood. When the time comes, you will understand why. Now, think about what I said, Serge." Schala removed her hand from Serge's shoulder and walked off, leaving Serge to absorb every word of her speech.
He couldn't accept that fact about him. He is not who he think he is. Yet, Serge fought through his feelings and her words seemed right. Serge looked up at the glassy ceiling, seeing the sky turning to dark orange. "Father, what is it you are telling me? Who am I? What am I? What is my purpose in this world?"
A male tiger came out of the forest of the throne room, and walked to Serge, nuzzling against Serge's leg. He looked down and smiled, petting it above his head with gentle care. "I guess you know I feel huh?" said Serge. The tiger purred, content that Serge heed notice. "If only my father lived long enough. Maybe I could have solved who I am right now. But, that won't happen, right?"
The tiger soon walked off, heading up the stairs toward the waterfall. Serge looked up to see the tiger nudging his head towards the waterfall. "What are doing?" he asked. The tiger soon took off inside the waterfall. "Hey wait!" Serge ran after the tiger, heading inside the waterfall without even crashing into the wall.
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Serge suddenly found himself in a strange room filled with those same writings like the ones in the throne. Except, it was more detailed than the first ones. The tiger went up to Serge, nudging his head against Serge's leg to go further. "What are you telling me? What is over there?" he asked, walking forward.
In each detailed art he saw, it showed a visualization of people, either walking or flying through a huge and prosperous city. Serge looked on, curious on what is ahead. He went through another hall, this time filled with trees, animals, and water drawings of each wall. "What is going on here? What is this place about?"
Finally, a faint little glimmer is in Serge's binocular vision. His face lighting up, he went forward towards the white light, the tiger close behind him. Somewhere around the room, he heard a faint music box-like sound in front him, playing that familiar strange song that he would always here when his mind was in deep thought. Serge moved on until the light brightened.
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Kidd was walking the same path of where Serge was walking through, looking strangely at the ancient art. Just a few minutes ago, she heard Serge's voice and saw him went inside the waterfall. To her surprise, she didn't crash into a wall when she came in right after Serge went in.
"Serge, I wonder where you could be?" said Serge, looking on with worried eyes.
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Serge was getting near to the light, hearing that sound becoming stronger than ever. Within moments, Serge soon stumbled upon a room filled with more of those ancient drawings. Right in front of him was a huge engraving of a mountain, with a huge temple on top. Around the surroundings of the mountain, an entrance stood in the bottom middle of the mountain, with a brick path going outward towards two dragon statues sprouting wings. Along the edges of the brick path, high arches made the plain old pathway look decorative and not empty. Within that tunnel entrance, a huge waterfall blocked the open tunnel, two rivers forming around the arches. Serge thought that this picture was the most magnificent thing he saw. He slowly touched the small engravings. His mind was soon consumed with the fading sound of the mysterious song within his mind, his out of the reaches of reality.
~^ ^~Vision~^ ^~
"Whatever happens, destroy them!" yelled a Demi-Human, giving the support of its fellow comrades.
*Flash
"The Demi-Humans are coming. Why are they attacking us?" said an elder as he stood in the balcony of a certain temple
*Flash
Serge grasped his head as he felt a surge of pain inside his mind.
*Flash
People in a huge city like village started to fear for their life as Demi-Humans engulfed the whole land with flames.
"Die you creatures, die!" yelled all the Demi-Humans as they attacked the helpless people.
*Flash
"Why are you doing this to us? Why are you killing you us? We didn't do anything to you," said the elder as he strives for breath from the Demi-Human leader's death grasp.
"Because you guys take everything from us. Our dreams, our rank, our popularity!"
"But we never took anything…from…you guys. We are those who protect you from danger," said the elder, losing consciousness.
"I don't care what it is. Whatever you do, you shall die!" The Demi-Human started to attack the helpless elder with its sword.
*Flash
Serge bobbed his head a few time, trying to absorb the pain from his head, but to no avail. He started to mourn in agony.
*Flash
The rest of the survivors started to run off, sprouting something from their backs and flew away to the sky. The Demi-Humans started to yell in victory as one by one the people started to die from the humid of the sky with the thunder rising about.
*Flash
Serge fell to his knees, his cries starting to grow even more frantic.
*Flash
"If that power is ever to be released, it will likely have a higher percentage to save us from destruction. Your willpower and your physical self, and your very existence, Serge. It will awaken soon if one trigger let's out that very anger."
Schala's words started to cover his mind as he tried to regain it from its pain.
*Flash
Serge could feel his life sipping away.
*Flash
Serge was in some kind of area, fighting a hooded person, smiling evilly with Serge's blood in his sword.
"Serge, you shall die!"
Kidd came into view and went in front of Serge, saying words of agony to stop.
The floor started to give way as Kidd started to fall in the bottomless pit.
"Serge!!!!!" yelled Kidd as she tried to grasp for his hand.
Serge could feel the wounds inflicted by the hooded person. "KIDD!!!" he yelled as he gone after her. A white light soon blinded the two, making Serge yell for her. The light dimmed and Serge was screaming at the top of his lungs, showing Kidd not moving at all.
*Flash
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Serge screamed at the top of his lungs as he fell to the ground, unconscious.
From afar, Kidd heard this and started to run for her life, trying to reach that source of voice. As she made it to the room, Kidd gasped in surprise to see Serge unconscious on the floor. Kidd ran to his side, placing his head on her lap.
"Serge, wake-up! Serge!" cried Kidd, tears starting to form in her eyes. He did not open his eyes as his sweat started to drip from his brow. "Serge, please wake up!" She felt his forehead to feel that it's hot. "Oh no, Serge! Don't die on me! Serge!" She looked towards the exit. "Someone, anyone! Help! Can anyone hear me!? Please, someone! Please, help Serge!!"
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*End of Chapter 12- The Kingdom Magical Zeal…Alive?
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*Next time on Chrono Cross: Angelus Errare…
Kidd: Will Serge be all right?
*Shows scene with Serge on a bed with Kidd looking after him…
Serge: I don't know what's going with me. What's happening to me?
*Shows scene with Schala and the Chrono gang…
Schala: It is a sign. A sign that it is coming soon…
*Shows Serge in a chamber…
Kidd:
What are they doing?
Schala: They are checking to see if Serge is all right
*Shows Serge in a broken down land with a huge bell in front of him
Serge: Nadia Bell…?
*Shows scene with Schala hugging Kidd
Schala: I wish you luck to you all.
*Shows scene with Serge, Kidd, Glenn, Karsh, Leena, Orlha, and Korcha on the boat...
Kidd: Where are we heading to?
Serge: To Guardia…
Chapter 13 – Sickness…Sign of a new path?
*Phew another long chapter. Somehow, I didn't get much reviews this time. But, don't worry it WILL get interesting. For those of you who reviewed, thank you all so much. Since this week is my spring break, I'll probably post up another chapter (if there readers who are actually reading it). Anyways, later!
