Nothing really to say here. Just read on for more story advancement. And as to why more than one person is released from this realm, that question will be answered later. As always, read, review, and enjoy!
Red Realm - Miki (Red Champion)
The three companions stepped through the red rift and were within a mountain of some sort. There was heat coming from all around them. Leena was already wiping her brow, as she was beginning to sweat profusely."Now could someone please explain to me what's going on?" Norris asked the two ladies.
"Yes, I suppose you do deserve an explanation," replied Schala. "But let's move over to that area. The heat does not seem so oppressive as a cool breeze counters it." The princess pointed to an enclosed area about forty yards away.
"We'll talk as we walk, then," agreed the soldier.
"Norris, remember that contest we were all in?" Leena began, being careful not to drag her feet.
"How could I forget?" Norris responded. "I remember Lynx and Atikon. I fought to save my team from those damned Shadow Cats! And I recall...dying. Is that what this is about? Are we all dead?"
Schala scoffed at this. "Quite the opposite, actually. You are very much alive right now, as are we. The tournament you competed in actually took place in a different dimension. Outside of reality, you fought with mental projections of yourselves, or avatars. Dying there simply returned your mind to your body, which was in a deep slumber."
"So how did you get here?" Norris wondered, still confused. "You weren't competing with us in the tournament."
"This is Princess Schala!" Leena replied, a little annoyed at the military man's interrogations. "She was the one we freed from the Time Devourer a little while back."
Norris' eyes opened wide as he realized he was addressing royalty. "Forgive my rudeness, your Highness. Consider me your personal soldier for as long as you need. I'd be happy to help you out in getting Serge back."
"Thank you for your kindness," Schala said, a note of warmth in her voice. "I am in this until the very end with both of you. Our success is necessary to the survival of humanity. If we fail, FATE will be revived and all life as we know it will be in serious trouble."
"Just one more question, though," pleaded Norris.
"What is it?" Leena conceded. There was no way you could keep this man from his goal. That was one of the main factors in her picking him out of the other yellow innates. As stubborn as he was, Norris always saw things through and stood up for what he believed was right.
"How did you get here, miss Schala?" Norris mused.
"You can thank your companion for that," answered the Zealian royalty. "I had been searching for a way back to the missing piece of me for quite some time. I believe you know her as Kid. Part of the wish Leena asked for was to have someone capable of wielding this artifact." She then held up the Chrono Cross. "So here I am."
"Sounds good to me," the soldier concluded. "Where do we go from here then? Go right up to fight FATE?"
"No," Leena said, as she shook her head. "We can't do it with just the three of us, so we have to maneuver around the space beyond reality to different realms. Within these realms the rest of our friends are sleeping. We pick one person from each innate to awaken. This will provide us with the power we need to successfully challenge Lynx and free Serge."
"I take it from all this fire and molten rock that we are in the Red Realm," Norris said, as he craned his neck all around.
"That would explain the heat," Schala said, sarcasm in her voice.
"Yeah, I wonder where we go from here?" Leena questioned. "The last realm we were in, the god there gave us a little chat before we went anywhere. Unfortunately, there's no one around here."
"Do not be so hasty, mortal!" a voice sounded from high above. The three looked up toward the ceiling to see a gorgeous woman speeding toward them. She was wearing a sheer red dress and her body seemed to scream with energy as she hurried toward them. "That is my job!"
"My name is Pyrika. I am the goddess of fire and unchecked emotion," she said to them as her feet hit the ground. "And you can close your mouth now."
Blushing, Norris looked away. The two women laughed at the soldier's gaffe.
"Well, let us skip the rest of the introductions," Pyrika said. "I obviously know who you all are, or else I would not have greeted you here. Besides, time is of the essence."
'This phrase is beginning to become a staple of speech here,' Leena thought. 'Maybe when I get back home I should invest in a watch.'
"At the center of this volcano you will find the guardian of this realm. She is firmly rooted in one place. The lava is her home," Pyrika explained.
"Then it should be easy to get past her!" Norris exclaimed. "We can move and she can't!"
"Would you be quiet and let me finish!" Pyrika boomed, her eyes filling with fire.
"Sorry," the military man whispered, wishing he could disappear into a corner somewhere.
"As I was saying, you will find her where the heat is the most intense," Pyrika continued. "And while she cannot move, she is quite formidable. I can assure you of that. On the other side of the area she guards, you will find those that align themselves with me."
"But how do we get through this furnace? We are in the outskirts here and can barely tolerate it now," Schala argued.
"I will take care of that," Pyrika smirked. The goddess recited ancient words of magic while placing her hand on each person's head. When she was done, she smiled her passionate grin once again. "You are now protected from the heat. However, these spells will not protect you from the guardian, so keep that in mind."
"Thank you, goddess," Schala said, grateful for the help.
"You are quite welcome," Pyrika followed. "Just promise me one thing: you will stop FATE from taking over."
"We will," Leena assured her.
"Fantastic!" the goddess laughed. She made as if she was about to leave and then turned back toward the trio. "The fire is hot. It can melt all things. If you cannot battle it in the end...stop it from the beginning!" Pyrika then vaulted herself into the air and vanished from sight.
"What do you suppose that was all about?" Norris wondered.
"It was a riddle," Leena answered. "Mephos, the yellow god, gave us a similar hint to beat his guardian and rescue you. For now, keep it in mind. It might be the only chance we have of beating this thing."
"Shall we be off?" Schala asked politely.
Leena and Norris nodded their heads in unison. Without further ado, the three of them followed the twisting tunnels of the volcano. They knew they were getting progressively closer to the guardian, but true to Pyrika's word, they did not feel any adverse effects from the heat. Finally, they found the guardian's lair.
The area was a huge cavern filled with plenty of open space. In the center was a pool of molten rock. Sitting in the pool was a gigantic salamander. She glared at them with her eyes, watching their every move. Behind her were the slumbering forms of their former companions, sleeping soundly in their red bubbles.
"There! That is Kid!" shouted Schala, as she temporarily lost her composure.
"Whoa, slow down there, your Highness," Norris said, as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "We see her too. I don't think we can just run up and free her, though, as there has to be a catch."
"Yes, you are right," Schala conceded, calming down some. "I am sorry for that outburst. It is just that I have been searching for my missing piece for so long. And to have finally found her means more to me than you shall ever know."
"Don't worry, Schala, we'll help you get her," Leena assured the princess. "Just as soon as we figure out what threat this creature poses." The village girl then walked toward the slumbering forms. Before she got far, however, the overgrown lizard blew a searing hot stream of fire at her, effectively blocking the way.
"OK, new idea!" Leena cried, as she hurriedly rushed back.
"Maybe water?" Norris speculated.
"It is worth a shot," Schala agreed. "You make a run for it. We will stand back and douse its flames."
"Me? Why me?!" questioned Norris, as his eyes practically popped out of his head.
"Because you are my personal soldier. And I said so." There was a stern look in the princess' eyes.
"Fine, fine. I'm going. Cover me." Norris then dashed off toward the other side.
The salamander saw this and immediately drew in a sharp intake of air. She then released a huge jet of fire at the soldier. Leena and Schala called upon the powers of water and hurled it to intercept the flames. The deluges made contact with the attack, but vanished in a hiss of steam, having no noticeable effect.
"Oh crap!" shouted Norris. He narrowly avoided getting singed and then hurried back to the safe area.
"Sure, send me out there," the military man, huffed. "Let's try this my way. How about we all spread out. Surely this monstrosity can't track two people at once."
"You and Leena run around opposite sides, then," Schala instructed. "I'll keep her busy with my magic." With a nod the two friends then broke into a dead sprint.
The salamander tracked both targets with her eyes. Schala then released an energy bolt at the creature. With two quick breaths, the lizard again blew fire at the runners, halting their advances. The Zealian's energy bolt washed over the salamander, having no visible effect. Once again foiled, the three regrouped.
"Well, when all else fails, try the riddle," Leena reasoned. "Apparently we can't battle this fire head on. So instead we must...'stop it from the beginning'? What do you suppose that means?" The three thought it over carefully. After a few moments of silence, Schala spoke up.
"I have it!" she cried triumphantly. "Before each blast of fire, the salamander draws in a breath."
"So we need to prevent it from doing that!" Norris finished, understanding what the princess meant. "And I think I know just the way to do that. You both run in different directions. Let her shoot one blast of fire. Then, as the thing is drawing in air for a second blast, I'll fire some rocks into her throat. No more fire produced and problem solved."
"Do you really think you can launch a small boulder into the salamander's throat with that tiny gun of yours?" wondered Schala, a little doubtful.
"You'd be surprised what I can do with this gun of mine. It's not the size that matters, but how you use it," the soldier winked. Now it was Schala's turn to blush.
"Alright, Norris, it works for me," Leena said. "Not like we have any other options at this point. Just let us know when you're ready."
Norris bent down and rolled over a medium sized rock. He then placed it in exactly the right spot he needed it to be. Assuming his ready stance, the soldier began to charge energy into his firearm. When the weapon started to reach its peak capacity Norris told them what they wanted to hear. "Go."
The two women then began running in different directions. Once again, the salamander followed their every move. Norris brought out his "good-luck barrel" from his broken rifle and gave it a little kiss. 'Don't fail me now,' he thought.
The giant lizard finally decided that the two people moving around her lair had gone far enough. Taking in a gargantuan breath, she released her flames toward Leena. The villager hopped back to avoid being badly burnt. The creature then began to draw in the second breath.
'This is it!' thought Norris. 'Time to earn your stars, soldier!' The military man then released a gigantic ball of energy at the rock. The recoil made Norris grind his teeth together. However, his timing and aim were true. 'I truly am the Top Shot!'
The boulder sailed right into the salamander's throat just moments before she released her next bout of flames at Schala. The creature's eyes opened wide at this intrusion. Writhing in anger, the monster's shaking only further lodged the boulder into her gullet. The flames were no more.
"Come on you two!" called out Schala. The group hurried to the back of the cavern, making sure not to get next to the salamander's claws. The lizard was now whimpering in frustration.
"Who should we free?" Norris asked, before his eyes finally settled on Kid.
"Her, of course," replied Schala. She tapped on her missing piece's bubble. It dissolved away, leaving Kid coughing on the ground. The princess helped the thief to her feet.
"Something's wrong, though," Leena remarked. "The Chrono Cross isn't glowing and the new rift isn't forming."
"Maybe we're not finished here," Norris theorized. "Something else we have to do first?"
"I don't know," Leena said. She began to lean on the bubble closest to her. "I thought..."
"Leena, look!" Schala shouted, while pointing behind the villager. The bubble Leena had put her weight on started to crumble away. After all was done, a bewildered Miki emerged.
"What was that all about?" Leena wondered.
"Who cares?" responded Norris. "Two for the price of one! And I'm surrounded by beautiful ladies!"
"Hush!" Leena and Schala called out to the soldier in unison.
The Chrono Cross then began to glow. Behind them, the air shimmered. A new rift suddenly appeared and glowed a fierce green.
"Well, time to go," Leena said. "Don't worry, we'll fill you in on what's going on when we reach the next area." Everyone walked toward the door. Kid however, would not budge.
"Kid, we have to get out of here," Norris told the thief.
"No," Kid said, matter-of-factly. "I'm not goin' anywhere she goes." She nodded over toward Schala.
"Why not?" asked Miki, confused.
"I wish you no ill will," the princess added.
"Like bloody hell ya don't!" Kid countered.
"Whatever bad blood there is between you two, just put it aside for now," Norris mediated. "We'll figure it out later. There are more pressing matters at hand."
"Fine," Kid seethed. "Ya just stay away from me."
"I will not broach the subject until you are ready to talk," Schala conceded. "Let us just move on to the next stage of our journey."
The five then walked through the green rift. As soon as they were on the other side, the tunnel closed. In the cavern they left behind, six more forms began to stir.
By: Daredevil3181