This realm story, while longer than the others, fleshes out the relationship between Schala and Kid, setting it up for a shocking conclusion. Also, Leena makes a startling discovery about herself, which both intrigues and appals her. Finally, read on as an unexpected hero is offered another chance to walk the path true to his heart, as it is made clear that none of our sins will ever fully condemn us so long as we have forgiveness in our hearts.
White Realm – Doc (White Champion)
The eight companions stepped through the white rift without hesitation. All except one seemed to be familiar with the routine and the jester trusted her friends enough to follow them to the end of reality and back. As Leena put her foot down on the rocky pathway that materialized in front of her, she couldn't help but to gasp.
"What is this place?" Schala asked, echoing the village maiden's thoughts exactly.
"I think that Chrono Cross artifact you have there is defective," Norris said. "It spit us right back where we just were. Here, let me take a look at it. Maybe I could make a few adjustments..."
"You will do no such thing," Schala cried, clutching the emblem of healing and power tight against her breast.
"Try it again," offered Kid. "Maybe it needs a second time or something."
Harle walked over to the group alongside Miki. The two had been talking and the dancer had successfully explained everything to the harlequin.
"I still smell ze stench of death," Harle remarked.
"Alright, I shall attempt to use the Cross again," the princess announced. Schala huddled in concentration as her eyes were squinted shut. She infused all of the magic power she could into the item, but it was for naught. Another rift would not form. The group was stuck.
"Just wonderful," sighed Kid. "And just when I thought I'd get to go home again..."
Razzly, who had long been quiet, made her musical voice heard at that moment and asked, "Who's that-hee?"
Seven heads simultaneously turned in the direction the sprite was pointing. Nestled against a large rock outcropping was a figure none of them had seen previously. There was some type of robe over this person, but at the same time everyone knew that this was not out of deception. The form seemed to radiate forgiveness and compassion.
"I didn't see him before," Leena said, a little shocked. "But whoever he is, maybe he can help us out. You all wait here. I'm going to head over to ask." The villager then plodded down the path toward the hooded person.
"Excuse me, my friends and I appear to be lost. Do you think you could..." Leena started.
"Shhh..." interrupted the figure, in delicate tones. "Just watch."
The girl from Arni had no idea as to what this cloaked person was talking about. 'Watch what? There's nothing here but death and decay,' Leena thought. 'I don't think...' The world then began to shift right in front of her eyes, causing her to simply watch in fascination.
It was a subtle shift at first, starting with the skies above. The overhanging clouds parted, to allow beams of soothing sunshine through. Everything seemed to fill up with color and life again. Plants sprouted. Animals chittered. Laughter was heard in the distance.
Leena was simply overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. She thought it was done, but a wail above proved her suspicions wrong. Craning her neck to get a fix on where the sound was originating from, she focused in on the raven's ashes. They were swirling around now, mixing, reforming. Finally, a new form emerged that was quite different from the previous menace.
A majestic billy goat pranced around the ledges. Every step the animal took gradually reshaped the mountain. The monolith began to rise even higher into the air. The walls became sheer and snow appeared on the top. All the excitement eventually leveled off and the goat took a look around his surroundings, appeared pleased with what he saw, and let out a cry of joy. He then bounded up to the top of the towering peak.
"No matter how many times I see it, I am simply enthralled by the majestic beauty that is the cycle of life renewing itself," smiled the figure. The person then dropped the hood of the cloak to reveal a very handsome face with bronzed skin and short blonde hair. His eyes had nothing but love and empathy within their depths. "Sorry I did not introduce myself earlier. My name is Pallad. I am the god of light and rebirth. Welcome to my realm."
Leena slowly shook her head from side to side, attempting to wash the stupor out of her eyes. With a wave of her hand, she motioned for the rest of her companions to join her in talking to the god. Pallad looked on patiently, a smile on his lips, as the group filed over. When everyone was situated and quiet, the god deemed it the right time to begin anew.
Pallad surveyed everyone very thoroughly and then began. "As I was informing your champion, you are now in my realm. The miracles of life can be astounding and humble even the grandest of beings. Unfortunately, you do not have the luxury of lounging around here for any extended period of time. Your friends are waiting and it would be inconsiderate of us to keep them any longer."
"Ummm...Mr. Pallad, sir," Norris piped in. For some inexplicable reason the soldier discovered that he was unwilling to address this god with anything other than his utmost respect. "Where exactly are our other friends...sir?"
"They reside at the highest point of that mountain," replied Pallad, as he pointed to the snow-capped peak. "You might have noticed a goat wandering around that area as well. He is very trustworthy and protecting of those most dear to my alignment. A fierce and devoted guardian, to be sure."
"Surely there must be a way around him, your holy," Schala voiced, an inquisitive look in her eyes. "One such as yourself would not be apt to point us in the direction of the goal only to dash our hopes against the ground."
"Too true, fair princess from beyond," chuckled Pallad. "I shall divest myself of the riddle I now hold. A perilous climb awaits your fall. Keep your heads held high and reach to the sky above. Compassion holds the key."
"Great, Pallad-hee," chimed Razzly. "Don't go just yet. I have something-hee to ask you."
"What is it my child?" the god wondered, as he prepared himself for his departure.
"Will it ever be-hee the same again? The planet and others like it need-hee our help. I can just feel it," said the fairy, a pained look on her face.
"Do not worry little one," Pallad answered. "The journey will be an arduous one, but if you keep your resolve and hold on to the love you share with one another, there is nothing you cannot accomplish. And remember, things are more than they appear to be." At this last line, the god stared right at Leena. He then flashed his dazzling smile at all eight mortals and faded from sight.
"Bugger," spat Kid, jarring the others back to reality. "Looks like we're gonna do some climbin'!" The thief proceeded to pull out a long nylon rope from one of the myriad of hidden pockets in her vest.
"I don't think that rope will be enough to support all of us," said Leena, looking over the cord with an expression of doubt on her face.
Kid laughed. "Well of course it ain't strong enough for all o' us to climb up. It'd be just for me and another."
"Who do you think would be best suited to help you in the climb?" asked Orlha. "I was never too good with heights..."
"This rope knows me," explained Kid, as she fingered the nylon gingerly. "So it'd be best to get someone like me too. My other half would probably take right to it, too."
"Me?" asked Schala, a disbelieving expression etched on her face. "I do not even know how to use that device."
"Sure ya do," said Kid, sliding over to the princess. "Just put it in yer hands and feel it for what it is. If it don't talk to ya, then I'll find someone else. But give it a shot first."
"Well, if you insist," Schala conceded, as she took the nylon rope from the thief. The princess ran her hands up and down the taut cord, getting a feel for its texture and shape. The more she touched the rope, the more familiar it became, as if awakening long dormant memories inside her head. Schala then snapped her eyes open.
"I shall do it," the princess said, resolve in her voice.
"I knew ya would come through," smiled Kid. "Now let's get this show on the road!"
The eight friends moved over toward the base of the mountain. All the while the goat was snorting into the air. With a nod to Schala, Kid threw her rope around a protruding ledge. Securing the rope in place, the two women readied themselves for their ascent. They were about to take off when all of a sudden a rock crashed into the ground just mere feet from where they stood.
"What the?!?" yelled Kid, looking around to make sure everyone was uninjured.
"It's the goat," said Miki. The others followed the dancer's gaze to the top of the mountain, where they could barely make out the goat. He was snorting and hopping around wildly. Poised on the ledge were rows upon rows of large boulders.
"This doesn't look good," said Norris, as he tried to count how many rocks there were with little success. "Maybe if we all went up..."
"No," Orlha cut the soldier off. "That won't do us any good. All of us would be exposed like that."
"Ze answer liez in ze riddle," Harle observed. "Let moi try somet'ing. Kid, vous and mademoiselle Schala pretend to begin climbing again. Leave ze rest to moi."
Not understanding exactly what the jester had in mind, the thief and the princess began their climb once again. Just like before, the goat knocked a boulder in their direction. As is sailed down at them, another rock arced out of the sky above. Right before any damage could be dealt, the two stones collided with one another. In a shower of dust, the danger of the boulder was no more.
"Zat iz just like I t'ought!" exclaimed Harle. "Ze air above holdz ze key. Call down ze space rockz and ze ot'er rockz will be no more!"
"It's settled then," Leena said, authority in her voice. "Schala and Kid climb. We offer them the cover they need. Use everything at your disposal. This very well might be the final stretch of our latest adventure."
The group began to busy themselves with readying their element grids with spells that were geared to helping the climbers reach the safe haven at the top. People were swapping gear around left and right. Leena was ensuring she had the exact mix of what she wanted to cast. She noticed there was one space open, though. Harle observed the village maiden's dilemma and pulled her aside.
"Here, use zis," the jester instructed, as she thrust something into Leena's hands. "It will be great to uze in a pinch."
"Thanks, Harle," Leena said, not even bothering to look at what the spell was as she threw it into her repertoire.
"My pleazure, Leena," the harlequin smiled. "I sense vous 'ave opened new pathwayz for yourself. Vous may not know ze door iz open yet, but vous will zoon." Not knowing how to interpret this comment, the villager merely smiled and nodded at her friend. In another few minutes everyone was ready.
"Here we go," whispered Schala as she clutched the cord tightly. "Wish us the best of luck."
"Not like we'll need it with me in the lead!" laughed Kid. Rearing back her legs, the thief dove right into her climbing. Schala began following closely behind.
True to form, the goat hurled boulder after boulder at the two climbers. Between the constant calling of meteorites and the charged shots from Norris' gun, there was no imminent danger from the rocks. The climbers reached the halfway point unscathed. So far the plan had worked perfectly.
The climb was a very long one and it took a good deal of effort and concentration to keep the continual onslaught at bay. One by one, the support group began to exhaust themselves out of the fray. First, Orlha tired from her casting. Next, Miki decided she was spent. The strain even became too much for Harle, as she was not accustomed to releasing so many spells of her opposite alignment. As Kid and Schala reached the three quarters mark, only Norris, Leena, and Razzly remained to defend them.
Feeling threatened, the goat began to create rockslides now in addition to knocking down the boulders. Norris was picking debris off left and right and had now added a telescoping lens to his gun for a better view. Razzly's wand was a blur of motion as she had to counter almost everything in sight. Leena tried to keep herself cool and in control, although the edges of panic were beginning to creep up on the villager.
Suddenly, Kid slipped off the mountain face. Schala clung to the rock wall very tightly and was able to stop the pair from falling any further. They could not maneuver out of the way of any danger, though. The duo was now completely vulnerable.
The goat saw this and sent three huge rockslides their way. Razzly worked with a fervor to neutralize the closest one. It exploded in a shower of white glitter. The strain had been too much for the diminutive sprite, though. She collapsed to the ground, leaving Norris and Leena as the only two defenders left.
Norris had been charging his gun with a colossal burst of energy. When the soldier finally deemed it sufficient, he let loose with a terrific blast. The second rockslide was no match for the soldier's raw firepower. Success came at a price, though.
"Leena, I don't have enough time to charge up again!" the military man called out. "This last one is all yours!"
The girl from Arni narrowed her eyes at the approaching doom that was charging at Kid and Schala. It was only a speck in the distance, but Leena wasn't going to let that stop her. From the looks of things she knew this was the biggest and most dangerous of the three rockslides and she needed to act fast. She summoned some meteorites, but it only served to thin out the mass. Next, she called down a few meteor showers. They made an impact but could not fully neutralize the threat. Kid and Schala just stared at the last thing either of them would ever see.
'I can't do this!' Leena screamed to herself. 'They were all depending on me but I let them down! I'm no champion...I'm just a stupid love-struck little girl who has bitten off more than she can chew! And now Kid and Schala...I just can't...'
A voice then entered Leena's mind. It belonged to Harle. 'It will be great to uze in a pinch...' the jester sounded off. Leena remembered Harle had given her an element in her grid for an emergency situation. Now seemed to be the best time to use it. Not even considering it could be deleterious to her or others, the villager cast the spell.
Huddled together, the two women could see the rocks bearing down on them. An acrid taste of dust entered their throats. Both braced for impact. Nothing came, though, as a huge black hole appeared mere inches away from them. It swallowed the entirety of the rockslide and then disappeared just as quick. Not questioning good fortune, the climbers continued their ascent once again.
Meanwhile, Leena was staring at herself in shock, as were her friends. Everyone had seen what the villager had done, but no one could comprehend it. Except for one. The jester smiled with a weak grin, happy that her intuition paid off.
"What have I become?" Leena asked to no one in particular. Her hands were still outstretched in a frozen spell-casting motion. She looked at her fingers in disgust and horror as she slowly allowed her arms to drop.
The climbers reached the top just then. They had braved the mountain but the danger was not gone. The goat was still there and he was angry at having been foiled so easily.
"Kid, we must subdue him now!" Schala exclaimed. "If we give him a chance to..."
The princess' command was interrupted by one last rockslide that shot their way. It was heading straight for the thief. Schala had barely enough time to act. She shoved Kid aside. Startled, Kid looked back, only to see her other half buried in the attack meant for her.
"No!!!" Kid screamed, tears welling in her eyes. She hurriedly dug through the pile, trying to free her companion. Parts of her nails began to chip away as the pile became smaller and smaller. Finally, Kid came to the unmoving body of Schala. She cradled the princess' head against her, noticing trails of blood on the rocks surrounding the two. Whether it was from Schala or Kid, the thief cared not.
The goat snorted behind the two. As Kid slowly turned her head to face the creature, there was nothing but pain in her eyes. The girl opened her mouth to speak, nothing but compassion and raw emotion in her voice.
"How could ya?!" Kid blurted. "All we wanted to do was help! And then ya had to kill her!" The goat appeared to hang his head in shame.
"We wanted to reach our friends..." Kid sniffled. "But not at this price! It's just not fair!" The goat then looked up at the two of them. Kid couldn't be certain, but she could have almost sworn there was a tear in the creature's eye.
Schala suddenly glowed with a white light. Her limp body rose out of the premature grave and began to float in the air. With a surge of power, her heart began pumping once again. Breath entered her lungs. She blinked her eyes, once more a part of the world of the living.
The goat was not finished, however. He enveloped the two women, himself, and the five slumbering forms he had guarded with a white light. Before anyone knew what was happening, the motley crew had joined up with the group of defenders once again.
"What the hell?" asked Norris, as the forms materialized right in front of him. "Weren't you all up on the peak just a moment before?"
With a snort the goat caught everyone's attention.
"I think he wishes for one of our friends to be freed," observed Schala.
"Oh, then we should definitely free Riddel!" Miki piped in. "Her magic would be invaluable and..."
"Hold it!" Orlha yelled. Everyone looked over at the barmaid. "I have a request, Leena. Will you hear me out?"
"Yes, Orlha, what is it?" asked Leena.
"I owe a favor to a friend," she said, sadness in her voice. "I had once strayed from the correct path long ago. It took a true friend to see this and help me to come to terms with my inner demons. I would now like to do the same for him."
"Zis iz an area of zecond chances," observed Harle. "I t'ink Orlha 'as a point."
"It's fine with me, Orlha," agreed Leena. "Just do what you think is right."
Pigtails flapping in the wind, Orlha looked at each of the frozen forms. There was Riddel, an extremely powerful magic user and someone that Orlha had grown to trust over these past few weeks. Next she saw Steena, a village chieftain and a woman who commanded tremendous powers through her Dragon Emblem. She then gazed upon Starky, an alien from the deepest reaches of space who could be more perceptive than any human she had ever met. Pip was even there too, once again in his angel form, as if the furball had asked for forgiveness for his more recent actions and been granted it. Finally, Orlha saw the man she owed her life to.
A few quick taps on the bubble and it slithered away from its occupant. Blinking his eyes rapidly, the physician scratched at his mane of hair and yawned. Orlha then helped Doc to his feet as the other four bubbles vanished into the air.
"Whoa," Doc said, trying to take everything in at once. "That was some weird dream I had, dude. No more hard stuff for me! I think I'm going to try the clean and straight path for now!" Orlha just smiled at him before wrapping her long-time friend in a great big bear hug.
Kid and Schala were huddled off to the side of the rest of the group.
"Back when ya died," Kid said, "I finally knew why ya spent all that time lookin' for me."
"And why was that?" asked Schala, understanding in her eyes.
"I'm the only family ya got left. Even if we are the same person. I never had a true sister or mother before. Now I have both."
"Then why did you run away from me after I wished to merge with you?"
"I dunno...I was scared, ya know? I kept thinkin' that by joinin' up with ya I would forget who I was. Lose my individuality."
"And now what do you believe?"
"Ya need me just as much as I need you."
"Does this mean you have come to a decision?"
"Yeah," Kid sighed. "But can I have just a little more time as me? There was always somethin' I wanted to do."
"And what is that?" inquired Schala.
"I can't tell ya just yet, but ya'll see soon enough!" Kid winked.
"Hey!" yelled Leena. "Could you activate the Chrono Cross already? I think it's time we show Lynx that he has no right to mess with us!"
"Very well, Leena," Schala replied. The princess closed her eyes and held out the relic. No matter how hard she tried no more rifts would form.
"What gives..." began Norris. Suddenly his eyes bulged out of his skull as he let out a bloodcurdling scream. Kid was behind him, grabbing the elastic band of his underwear.
"Wedgie!" she shouted.
"I would feel bad, but he kinda had that coming," Miki chuckled.
"Awww, come here, baby," Orlha said, as she reached out her arms to console her beau. "Anything damaged?"
"Nothing but my pride," Norris wheezed.
"You truly are devious," Schala said, as Kid ambled back over to her. "Have you done all that you wanted to?"
"Pretty much," replied Kid, still laughing.
"Zis ztill does not explain why we can't go on," glared Harle. A figure then appeared next to her. She jumped back with a start as she realized who this person was.
"Trutin!" Leena exclaimed.
"Yes, great champion," Trutin responded.
"Why can't we go to the next place?" she asked.
"There are still a few things that need to be done here," the supreme being answered, as it looked toward Kid and Schala. "I have come to tell you to rest a little. Your journey is almost over, but the last few parts will be very difficult indeed. Gather your strength while you can. Use this when you are ready." A key then materialized in Trutin's hand and the being placed the object on a nearby rock.
"Just one more thing," Leena pleaded.
"Yes?" the immortal asked.
"I was able to use an element that I was never able to access before. It felt weird but also kind of right. How is that possible?" Leena wondered.
"You are not Scyllor's champion," Trutin replied. "You are mine."
A huge door then appeared in front of the supreme being. Trutin entered the doorway and looked back at the nine people huddled around the clearing. The supreme being smiled at the balance it saw. Trutin's form disappeared from view as the door closed behind. The portal began to shrink down to nothingness but halted just before vanishing completely. Suspended in midair, a keyhole remained.
By: Daredevil3181