Chapter 1
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The Door
The footsteps echoed throughout the alleyway, surrounding the shadowed figure with an intense environ that only added to the anxiety one could already taste in the air. The stars glistened vibrantly in the night sky, dimly lighting the streets of the small village, which had been abandoned that same week. Thieves scoured the remnants of the shops and stalls, plundering what little spoils were left, while beasts from the surrounding area rummaged through the empty homes, searching for fresh meat to feast on. Only one benevolent soul was left in the diminutive town. Only one person who could free the land of the darkness, which enveloped it. The one with the power to overcome the worst of evil…
The figure seemed to glide deeper into the alleyway, between the town inn and the adjoined pub. Previously, the bums of the village would loiter outside of the pub, moaning in hunger, praying that at least one kind soul would stop, take their presence into consideration, and throw a few gold pieces their way. However, the men of the village would wander past the homeless, into the pub, enjoy themselves with the town whores, and retire with them to the inn, which was found through the hefty, wooden door near the bar. These things would happen every night in this town. Sex, adultery, and theft were commonplace. One might think this village got what it deserved.
Still, the cloaked stranger continued into the shadows, reaching the end of the alleyway, facing the brick wall decorated with overflowing trashcans, which rested in front of it. This was apparently what our visitor was looking for, as a hand was outstretched from the mysterious veil. In the hand was none other than an egg; however it was not an average bird egg. In fact, this egg was not produced from any type of animal, nor was it made from any material known to man. This egg had been formed from the despair and sorrow from a young man, searching for his love, an unaccomplished journey. The only thing left of the venture is this egg. The egg, which can open the door.
The hand, which held the egg, seemed delicate, almost more fragile than the egg itself. It shook slightly, as the sharp, brisk sting of the wind blew up against the pale skinned hand. The shadowed form stood, motionless, arm outstretched, egg clasped in hand, when suddenly, as if it had been expected, the person violently turned, facing the opening of the alley, staring at a man who had been positioned there for hardly a second.
"What do you want," a woman's voice came from underneath the cloak's hood.
"Found the door, eh?" the man took a few steps closer towards the woman who still basked in the darkness of the alley.
"Stay out of this, Janus," the woman withdrew the egg into her cloths. "This does not concern the likes of you."
The man, now known as Janus, sauntered closer towards the shaken woman. She kept her ground, not allowing Janus to notice the fear that he instilled in her. "That's where you're wrong," Janus replied, soon staring down at the face underneath the hood. "This concerns me very much." He opened his palm, as if expecting something. "The egg."
The woman turned back to the wall. She fell to her knees, as Janus compassionately placed a hand on her quivering shoulder. The words she spoke seemed impossible to get out of her mouth. "I," she began, stuttering at first, then growing enough confidence within herself, she continued, "I want you to take me with you."
Janus let out a hearty laugh, as if the woman were nothing. She quickly rose to her feet, glaring at Janus, stunned at his response. He merely shook his head, and began to inform her that he needed her absence. "I know you crave vengeance as much as I do," Janus bent his head back, and glared at the new moon, "but there are some things that I must do on my own. Someone like you, well, you wouldn't be able to make it in that world. Things happen there -- terrible things." Janus, once again, brought his hand to the woman's shoulder. "I don't want to see you get hurt."
The woman rose to her feet and turned her back to Janus. She clasped the egg in her hand, and hoisted it high above her head. "Then, I suppose, this will just have to be destroyed."
The woman raised the egg higher, ready to throw it down to the ground, threatening to shatter not only the egg, but the dreams of many individuals who yearned to see the purification of the land. Janus leapt to the woman's side, making an attempt to prevent her from ruining his plans. "Fine," he shouted, as he clutched her arm. "You can come, but don't blame me if you die."
After that, a small portion of moonlight revealed a smile on the woman's face. She was satisfied in getting what she wanted, and soon the two stood, side by side, in front of the wall, the egg still resting in the woman's hand. The wind blew once more, rustling the woman's cloak and Janus' sapphire hair, which gleamed in the moonlight.
"The black wind," Janus whispered. "Its time."
The woman lifted the egg once more, however this time, it shimmered a vibrant crimson. The alleyway was soon flooded with scarlet light, as Janus and the woman shielded their eyes from the intense illumination. Soon, the luminosity subsided, and the wall in which the two stood in front of now had an oversized door with complex patterns of clocks upon it.
"Are you ready?" the woman inquired, glancing bleakly at Janus.
"Please," Janus stepped forward towards the door and reached for the golden doorknob, which reflected the light from the stars. "I've been waiting for this moment all my life."
Janus turned the doorknob, but soon stopped. He looked down, as if he did not have the power to open the door. He knew that by opening this door, the two worlds would, once again, become connected, and that things could, instead, get worse than better. Janus took a deep breath, and raised his head, looking intently at the enigma of clocks on the door. Memories of his past came flooding back, and soon he found his knees becoming weaker. "No," he muttered to himself. He shook his head, noticed his hand still on the doorknob, and continued turning. "It's time to end this era of chaos," he said faintly, "its time to eliminate Crono."