Chrono Trigger - Threads of Destiny
Chapter 5: Guardian of the Ugliest Beauty
1000 A.D.
Princess Nadia kept from yawning, but only barely. These day to day state affairs were extremely taxing, and she hated wasting her youth and time on them. She was starting to get totally fed up with the entire situation, and was very seriously considering running away from it all; again.
The grim accountant finally finished his droning about taxes and budgets for the road construction and other equally unimportant matters, and stood awaiting the king's statements on their supposed progress and their coming plans. King Guardia pondered the matter seriously for a moment, "Increase the money going for the road construction, I want good and easy transportation to the southern villages. Take the money from the armies budget, this peacetime has little use for them. Other than that, leave taxes as they are and leave all the other projects static for the time."
The accountant bowed formally and started from the ornate throne room. The large, muscular man walked with the decisive gait of a trained soldier, as he once had been; the room seemed to take a much cheerier note after the man had left, cheery enough for Nadia to turn to her father and ask him a rather delicate question.
"Father, may I make a run into the market today?" she asked politely.
"Hmph, I know that tone in your voice, Nadia. Your mother had the same way of turning very submissive when she was trying to wheedle something from me...out with it."
"Well, I would like to go dressed as a commoner and without the guards this time."
"Absolutely not."
"But why?" she pleaded, trying her best poor-me expression.
"I don't think it would be wise of you, there are still hoodlums and cut-throats, even in a kingdom as peaceful as Guardia," he said patiently, as though explaining a simple idea to a child.
"But how can you expect other parents to trust their children running around in your kingdom if you don't feel safe enough about your own daughter!" she pleaded.
"Because you're a princess, regular folk don't need to worry as much since they couldn't be held for decent ransoms," the king countered logically.
"Please, Father," she gave him her most winning look, "I've been cooped up for so long! I'm being caged in this tiny, stone world. I'll be extra careful. Besides, you always say it's so important to know and understand what your most common citizens are feeling to understand how and why a country should be run! What better way?"
"Well...no, I don't think it's a very good idea."
Nadia took a deep breath, it seemed she was going to lose again, so she might as well get a good fight started so she could claim faintness and asked to be excused from the rest of the days activities. A much-used and valid excuse that, while her father knew was false, was never refuted.
"Your Majesty, I think the princess might have a good idea," the ancient chancellor spoke up quickly, heading Nadia's tirade off, "It would be highly educational for her to see how the kingdom runs from the inside...provided that she has a proper escort."
"How can I see or understand anything with guards all around me!" she exclaimed passionately, wondering if they were even listening to her, "The people see them and start avoiding and acting differently towards me!"
"I didn't mean guards in that sense, Princess," the chancellor said slyly.
"What do you have in mind then?" asked the king warily.
"Sire, I was thinking of a trustworthy person around the princess's own age that could be considered able to keep her out of trouble."
"Impossible, I wouldn't have Nadia running around with a boy her own age!" the king exclaimed in outrage.
"Nay, my Lord, I was thinking a girl, and not from the guards either."
The king considered the idea for a moment, "It seems you have someone in mind, chancellor, else I'm sure you wouldn't even have mentioned it."
"I was thinking of the inventor's daughter, your Majesty, that girl with the Telepod invention. She's an extremely smart child and has a very level head. As you remember I've had to handle the majority of the details and negotiations, she's proven both resourceful and quick of wit."
"Well, I guess if we explain the situation to her, we can work something out. It would be rather educational wouldn't it?" the king pondered aloud.
"Yes, your Majesty, just as your father did with you."
"Hah, so thats where you came up with that scheme you old goat!" the king laughed, "Agreed then, fetch this girl and explain it to her. Nadia, you'll listen to anything she says and follow her as if she was a knight commanding your guard, is that understood?"
"Understood, Father," she said very submissively; a companion wouldn't be so bad a thing, provided she could convince the other to treat her like a normal person rather than as a distant, arrogant noble.
***
Lucca had been a bit apprehensive about the appearance of the chancellor and the well-polished, armored Knights, asking politely if she would accompany them to the Guardian castle. She'd come up with many different and exotic reasons for them to call on her, from talks of secretive development of her Telepod, to being jailed or executed for some transgression she was unaware of.
She had covered angle after angle of the problem, thinking up solutions to all of them, and she walked in to her private meeting with the chancellor quite prepared for anything. Anything except what was asked of her.
"You want me to take the princess, in disguise, into the city. You want me to show her around and introduce her to people and show her how we live for a better understanding of the kingdom," Lucca stated back to the chancellor, "Aren't you worried about her safety?"
"Of course we are, thats why we're having you take her. Beside a level head and quick wit, you've got experience and no one will look at the princess with you and think of anything but a relative or friend visiting," he explained quickly.
The idea actually had a lot of merit, Lucca was willing to admit that, but this was a lot of responsibility, risk, and mostly a lot of her time wasted that she could spend doing research and experimentation.
"I know what you're thinking," he stated, "there will be compensation for your efforts, of course, since we'll be stealing the most precious commodity of a scientist; your time."
"Compensation?" Lucca asked curiously.
"The King is willing to fund your research; your and your fathers."
"Weren't you going to do that anyway?" Lucca asked sourly.
"Well, it wasn't quite set in stone you understand. That and we'd be willing to invest in a few of the more far-fetched inventions."
"Hmph. I follow you, like you said, I'm not stupid. Alright, you've got a deal, old man," she said grumpily. I know I'm going to regret getting stuck with an overbearing, arrogant princess; just my luck...well, Crono will be happy to meet her I'm sure, she thought to herself.
"My thanks. Then with that settled, if you could stop by here tomorrow, early in the morning, I'll have the princess warned, ready, and outside the castle in the surrounding woods. The two of you will then be free to do as you wish for the rest of the day."
"...Is she that stifled?" Lucca asked seriously.
The chancellor started slightly, looked somewhat annoyed, and then started to laugh, "Well, I guess I did want you for your intelligence and level head. Yes, the poor princess is wasting away in these walls, though the king refuses to see it. I'd rather she was out under some form of control, rather than roaming around loose after running away again."
Lucca nodded understandingly, feeling a slight sympathy for the poor princess, and stood up casually, "I'll meet her just outside the castle tomorrow then, I'll not explain the situation to my parents; it would be easier for them to remain ignorant."
The chancellor nodded and stood himself, holding his hand forth, "I'm glad we could reach an agreement. I will notify the King. Have a good evening."
Lucca shook his hand, "You too, old man, you too."
***
The next day was a beautiful, clear and sunny day. The birds sang in the trees and the wind swept the lands in a dreamy, light song. Lucca looked out at the perfect day and sighed pensively. This is too perfect a day for anything but an outing, Lucca thought grumpily, Oh well, not much I can do about that...they'd probably just schedule it for another day anyway. Might as well get it over and done with.
"Where are you going, Lucca?" her mother asked with some surprise, "Weren't you going to work on your machine today?"
"Well, this friend of mine is visiting from another town, and wanted me to show her around Truce," Lucca lied casually, "I'll probably be at it most of day, but I might bring her over for dinner."
"Well thats lovely, dear! I didn't think you had any friends other than that weirdo Crono!" her mother gushed, "I'm so glad to hear you have a friend...and a girl none-the-less!"
Lucca looked sourly at her, "I may not have much of a social life, mother, but that doesn't mean I'm a total loner."
"Thats good to hear, dear," she said absently, digging through the cupboards and counting up food in her head, "Your father and I will just be dying to meet her tonight!"
Lucca sighed inwardly, Stupid! Did you have to warn her about dinner ahead of time?! Now she'll be expecting you...and you know how she gets when things don't go as planned.
"Well, I'm off, don't wanna leave her stranded all day," Lucca said, starting out the door.
"Be careful, dear, I've heard some strange rumors running around in town, I guess there was some commotion the night before last; some were saying monsters and magicians were fighting in the streets!"
"... Mom, there are no magicians left! Magus was the last recorded sorcerer in human history."
"Well, it's just rumors, dear, but they always have a grain of truth. I think there was also word of a disturbance near Crono's house too!"
Lucca wasn't really surprised, Probably some stupid prank that didn't work quite right that started all the rumors. "Anyway, see you later tonight."
"Bye, dear, have a nice day!"
Lucca walked out the small door, feeling slightly depressed about the whole day. However, the ruckus in town would work quite well to her advantage, the princess would be that much easier to hide... Lucca started a good pace towards the castle, letting her feet do the dirty work while her mind was hard-away considering the problems and solutions for the day. Princess' were by nature arrogant, flighty, and hard to convince to do anything they don't agree with or understand...that and if you end up right and they wrong...well, forgiveness is hard to come by with royalty.
The woods outside of majestic Guardia casted remained as unchanged and unchangeable as the earth itself; no matter how often she'd wandered these woods she always managed to find her way through, without misstep or fault. She even knew a few well-concealed shortcuts that the experienced castle guards hadn't known existed.
The birds in the air quieted a bit around Lucca, and the wildlife itself seemed to have abandoned this small zone. Slowly reaching for her gun, Lucca stopped and waited, her senses tingling as she pushed them to the max, ready for anything. A rustle in a bush to her back-left gave away her would-be attacker as Lucca swiftly threw herself to a side and rolled, coming up with gun in hand and pulling the trigger at her opponent before they were completely in view.
The same reflexes that would have saved Lucca, instead saved the princess of Guardia; Lucca recognized the gaudy, blue outfit at the last moment, pulling her aim and instead shooting off into the bushes to the brightly-garbed princess' left.
The princess stood stock still, like an ice-sculpture frozen in eternity, the image well-suited to her bright, light blue outfit. Lucca was the first to come to her senses, "Princess! I'm...so sorry! I mean, you know, I didn't think you were the one hiding, I really didn't mean to shoot at you!" she floundered fearfully.
"Don't be silly! It was stupid of me to try to surprise you anyway! That narrow miss with your gun is a good lesson on how jumpy a normal life must leave a person... as well as how often and real the rumors of cut-throats and brigands must be!" she giggled like a little girl, "Guess I should be glad you're reflexes are so good! But am I that obvious? I didn't think people would recognize my face so easily without my dress and fancy hair!"
"Well, I didn't even really get to see your face, it was that ungodly bright shade of blue that caught my eye and made me pull my aim! Lucky I recognized it and connected the two before my bullet connected with you!" she said rather unsteadily.
"My clothes? This is the only time I've ever worn this outfit outside the castled... how could you recognize it? And how would you know it well enough to shoot off to the side instead of shooting me?" the princess asked suspiciously.
"I... don't know... I just kinda pulled my gun to the...," Lucca started, then was hit my a rather disturbing thought, "How'd you know this was a gun? It's something I created a few years back for protection, but only a few people know what it is!"
"A... gun? I... don't know, I guess I kinda always knew...," the princess floundered as well.
"Well this is too weird for words," Lucca shook her head emphatically, "Why don't we just drop it for now and worry about it later; we can just consider it coincidence for now."
"You're the genius!" she chuckled, "I wouldn't argue with you for a second!"
"Well, you are the princess after all."
"I'd trade royal lineage for you genius in a second!" she exclaimed.
"If you say so...anyway, we should get a move on before we lose the rest of the day; there's a lot of places to visit and things to see, your Highness."
"Please! I loathe titles! Just call me Marle for now! It's a name I've always wanted to use," she smiled impishly.
"Marle..." Lucca stated oddly, losing herself in deep thoughts and confusing possibilities.
"Ummm...can you tell me your name? Hey? Are you listening?" Marle asked.
"Huh? Oh! Sorry, I'm Lucca," Lucca burst out, dragging her mind back to the present.
"Well, Lucca, let's get going!"
***
Marle... she liked that name. Marle found her new companion to be a true guide. She actually rather liked this reclusive, sharp young lady. She seemed to be years older in knowledge and sense than most of the ladies in the castle were in truth. And that was pretty old.
"I live over there, across that small bridge on a house pretty much alienated from the rest of society... I guess it's because of what we do and all, but I rather like it. Over that way is my friend Crono's house, but he's on the other side of town. Him mom is nice, but he's a bit reckless... and kinda weird lately," Lucca pointed out the areas with a casual nod wave of her well-muscled arm, "By the by we can stop by my house for dinner tonight if you'd like, my mom'll be cooking up some large dinner since I told her I was showing a friend from another village around."
"That'd be great! I wanna meet this strange friend of yours!" Marle exclaimed energetically.
"That's good, he'd love to meet you," she chuckled, "I think he has a crush on you!"
"Is a nice person?" Marle asked curiously.
"He's a really nice person, always thinking of others... but he's really weird and doesn't talk much."
"Well that will be different! You have no clue how much other guys in court talk, talk and talk! They make passes at me and chat with me all the time! Ugh! It's so annoying!"
"Must be pretty lonely all locked up in that castle, listening to others and doing state-work all day..." Lucca said rather sadly, looking into the sky.
"I'm spending the best years of my life locked in a stone prison! I'm so glad I was able to convince my dad, with the chancellors help, that getting me out and about was a good idea for helping my understanding of running a kingdom."
Lucca chuckled, "Well, I have to admit, I was afraid that the princess of Guardia was going to turn out to be like a stereotypical princess; arrogant, flighty, and pretty much ignoring anything I said!"
"I'm not quite that bad," she giggled. The two of them continued on their way, chatting about things and getting to know one another, but Marle felt strangely that she already knew all of this, and was only going over pre-trodden materials. She started to think about the entire situation, when they came upon the townsfolk.
***
"Well it looks like lightnin' struck! Sure as day!" one man was saying.
"I told you that boy called the lightnin' from his hand! And blew that creepy, huge panther to pieces!" another man exclaimed.
"And what 'bout these marks Grahm? They shore do look a lot like scrapes by huge metal feet! But what was a knight from that castle doing with a boy usin' magic!" a woman claimed.
"People can't use magic!" another shouted, "Even the boys mom said she never caught him castin' any spells or magicks!"
"But he did disappear! And on the same night!" another exclaimed, "And look at all the marks around the boys house! Place looks light a battlefield if ya ask me!"
Marle looked to Lucca in confusion, but Lucca had a look of pure horror and worry on her glass-covered face. "Lucca?" Marle started to say.
"Marle, can we just go straight to Crono's house... " she turned pleadingly to Marle.
"No problem! I was just gonna suggest we go check this out... those marks are pretty nasty."
"Thanks!" Lucca said with relief, and started to run off towards the direction she'd pointed out earlier to the wandering princess.
This is getting too weird... I guess that boy she knows is weirder than she knows... and as for magic, well, maybe I'll tell her when we get there, Marle thought, taking off after the running inventor.
***
"Lucca!" Crono's mother came out to greet her, "I'm so glad you're here!"
"What happened?" Lucca asked desperately, "All the townspeople were yacking like old wives and making no sense!"
Crono's mom looked around carefully, but the only people were a few people wandering around behind the house. "Lucca... all I know was Crono was out practicing with his sword as usual, when some strange, creepy man dressed all in black floated out of thin air! Just appeared! And then, he was talking to Crono, and Crono dropped his sword and shouted something, and then he ran for it, but got hit first, and the stranger was using magic, and, and..."
Lucca shook her head, "Please! Get ahold of yourself! You're jumbling things together too fast!"
"Sorry... I'm sorry, there've been so many questions, and I didn't want to tell anyone the real truth, I was sure they'd lock me up as a crazy or something! Anyway, like I said, he was practicing, the man in black said a few things and Crono dropped his sword... and then the man in black used some magic or something! It was awful! A huge ball of black smacked right into Crono as he dove for his sword!"
Lucca's blood had turned to ice by now, she knew better than to doubt Crono's mother, she was a very level headed woman who had managed to raise Crono without a husband. "What happened to Crono?" she asked fearfully.
"Well, the man came closer, said a few more things, and then started making this strange black swirly vortex by him, and I felt cold spread through my whole body! Just as I swore Crono was about to be sucked in, some bright ball flew out of nowhere and POW smacked the man in the side!"
"Another man?" Lucca asked surprised, "What was he like?"
"Well... I'm not sure! At first I thought it was one of your inventions! It talked and stood on two legs... but looked like it was pure metal! And it had all these weird gizmos and trinkets sticking out! Crono grabbed his sword by then, and greeted the newcomer like an old friend... Well, the black man, he said something in a dreadful voice and then he disappeared just like the popped in! I was so scared I didn't dare go out till the metal man had left, and after a few minutes Crono and the other guy...they were just gone! Off towards the town and the fairgrounds!"
Lucca pondered it all for a second, the pieces were too odd to fit together. Crono and she'd grown up together, there was little about his past and present that she didn't know. Strange men that could float around and throw balls of magic around were not something she remembered... but it all seemed familiar somehow.
A slender, warm hand on her shoulder woke her from here revere to look up into the concerned face of the beautiful princess, who whispered quietly "Lucca, I need to talk to you for a moment... alone."
Lucca nodded and turned to Crono's mother, "Don't worry, I'll get it figured out! I'm gonna go head to the fair grounds and start searching around there. I'll keep you informed! Don't worry about Crono, as long as he keeps his blade in hand I'm sure he's safe."
Crono's mother looked carefully at Lucca, "I know it seems crazy, magic and monsters and people made of metal... but you have to believe me, I wouldn't lie!"
"I trust you, don't worry," Lucca smiled gently, "I'll go find that block-head and bring him back! Just make sure you scold him really badly about keeping secrets like this from us!"
600 A.D.
I wish these people would stop keeping secrets from me! Especially that boy! though Glenn to himself, They are indeed mighty warriors... but they could have warned me that fire was the easiest way to get rid of these monsters hammers. Alas that I wasted much of my time fencing whence I could have been helping them!
"Sorry Glenn, we forgot you don't remember about the beasts in these mountains," Robo claimed, "We'll be sure to explain things like that next time."
"Nay, 'tis but a trifle, I merely wish I had been of more help in that skirmish!"
The small group was nearing the top of the mountains already, the remaining few monsters being dispatched of quite easily. The area surrounding the cave of the Masamune was too quiet however, and the group had decided to stake it out for a time to catch the caves new guardian in action.
"This 'tis proving to be fruitless," Glenn whispered, "Either it shall not show itself, or it must know we are hiding here."
"I think you might be rushing a bit Glenn, we don't know what it is guarding that cave, it may prove more than we can handle," Robo said wisely.
Glenn's fist tightened on his hilt, "We canst not stay here in hidden safety while mine kinsmen and friends fight and die for Guardia!"
"What good will you do them dead, Glenn?" the metal warrior asked.
The frog loosened his grip on his hilt, and let some of his anger fade, "You are right, 'tis the frustration and proximity of our goal... I am most wishing to rush in and once again get the blade!"
"Sorry, Glenn, we really should wait for our foe to make an appearance."
"Robo, I think it knows we're here... it's passed up several opportunities already for prey. And we know from that pile that loves to kill," Crono spoke up.
"Hmm, you might be right. I hate to rush in... but sitting her and wasting time will only make things worse. I suggest waiting just another hour, then we make a run for that cave. Our primary goal is getting Glenn to that sword. Once he reaches that blade, the both of you will be back to your full abilities," Robo claimed.
Glenn shook his head confusedly, "I must admit, my friend, I don't fully believe what you speak... but as you said it 'tis the sword of truth, and with it in my hands once again truth shall be revealed."
They sat quietly for awhile, struggling to waiting patiently, watching the ground and the cave and the sky, the missing sounds of the forest and the unnatural quiet getting to the two human fighters, while the metal one sat in quiet observance, compiling data and testing ever bending glade of grass.
Finally Robo stood up, "There is no point in running, nor is there purpose in waiting. It knows we are here, and awaits us. It's a hunter. A hunter of the highest order. It's patience is unlimited, and it very probably has been watching us since our entrance into the mountains. Let us go forward and do our best, there are no other options."
Glenn and Crono stood, while Glenn spit out the question, "How dost thou knoweth all this my friend?"
Crono shook his head, "You'll understand soon Glenn, for now just know that Robo can understand things from stuff we wouldn't even notice. He's perfect for gathering and processing information."
Glenn sighed, "I think if thou aren't lying about this whole situation, that I shall be a much wiser man once my hand touches the Masamune."
"Like I said before, let's not keep our host waiting," Crono said, starting down the hill towards the cave. The warrior of steel body followed without a word to his left, and the warrior of steel nerves followed on his right. The trio walked down the hill slowly and forcefully. There pace, their stance, their auras. They radiated readiness and determination like a cloud. Their stalker didn't miss that, he was much too skilled. He was also much to skilled to be intimidated.
Within a hundred feet of the cave, their opponent finally made it's long-overdue appearance. A single black bird floated down from the sky, a bird that none could identify by it's appearance, a bird that sucked in light as the cat in Truce had sucked in light, though the cats darkness was like a candle to this birds burning village.
The bird blurred, and standing in it's place was a person. It was neither male, nor was it female. It was neither human, not was it monster. The darkness radiated negative and potent emotions like a whisper on a cold chill wind; the only thing that could be readily identified was it's evil... and it's extreme beauty. The creature had perfect features, it could have been the ultimate being of masculinity, or the most beautiful female on the planet. It's smile was like the sun rising... over a field of dead and slaughtered bodies. Crono and Glenn were both nearly overpowered by the mere emotional aura this being exhibited. Robo stood examining it for weakness' and strengths.
"I'm glad to see you finally came forth, Travelers. I've been waiting for a long time to meet you," the creatures voice purred; it's voice was as beautiful and musical as it's features, yet as dreadful and poisonous.
"Stand aside, creature of Darkness!" Glenn stated, "We will not fall to your enchantment nor your evil powers! Stand aside and return whence you came."
The creature laughed, "Spoken like a true Hero, my dear little frog." It floated nearer to Glenn, "Do you desire me? I can feel your mortal heart beating faster as I come closer... are you sure my enchantment has no effect on you?"
Glenn's face was hard to read, but he was starting to sweat more than normal, and he knew that his heart was much louder now than it had been but a moment ago... A ball of light flew at the creature, which merely faded out and away back to it's place of introduction, where the grass seemed to stoop from pure despair.
"Please spare me, robot, I know that you're immune to my blandishments, but surely you don't mind if I mess with these mortals for awhile? What can the life of a human mean to one of pure machinery and soulless metal?" it asked half amused, half disgusted.
"I am not as soulless as you would like, demon, nor will I let you harm my friends," Robo said, "You block our way and we will get through, no matter the cost. Many have tried to stop us before, but all have failed and fallen to us."
"Do you dare to compare me to such foolish creatures? They all relied on the direct approach and overwhelming strength, I prefer the shadows, manipulating the emotions of my targets, and of course power of such magnitude that you have no chance," it laughed a dreadful, soul-wrenching sound, "I suppose even I do follow some of the old traditions."
"Enough playing around," Crono said, "We aren't here to bandy words with you. Get out of our way or fight us, there are no in-betweens."
"Foolish mortal, you just don't understand... you will," it claimed patiently, "And then you will understand how patient I have been, waiting for the like of you!"
Glenn's pulled his sword, and Crono followed close behind. Robo looked once more to the creature of darkness that floated, waiting for their assault as if waiting for a child to throw a pebble. Then Robo, also, lifted his hand, "We cannot turn back, nor give up. Even if we have no chance, this is our fight. We cannot back down, too much depends on us."
With a perfection born of practice, the three fighters rushed the immortal soul of darkness.