Well, our final story arc has begun, but don't expect to be boring. If anything, it's a dive into hearts and minds of all the characters that will end in an exhilarating conclusion. Originally the ending was separated into three parts along with an epilogue. Although I will post the epilogue all at once, I will further divide the ending up into more parts, to facilitate ease of reading. Everyone strengthens their resolve in this piece and Schala and Kid realize what must be done. Read on and don't be afraid to immerse yourself, as I can assure you it will be time well spent.
Ending Part 1
"Sir Trutin..." Leena said, smoothing out the folds and creases of her dress. Fashion was not high on her priorities, especially not now because of how desperate the situation was with the world in the balance, but she was so puzzled she was moving unconsciously. She didn't understand what he said, that he was her champion. What did that mean?
But Leena was tired and the supreme lord of the universe had instructed her to rest and prepare herself. She placed the key on a flat rock and then sat on the ground.
Nighttime was falling so Norris started a fire as the temperature started to fall. "We can't stay long, but let's rest and recuperate after shooting out all of those falling rocks," he said sternly. "I can speak only for myself, but I'm exhausted. And, dear girls, I think you must be tired as well." He looked directly at Leena, who had lines of fatigue crossing her face. Her face was flushed and her breathing was heavy.
"I'm...I'm just a little shell-shocked," Leena said, using the term Norris used to describe someone who was startled and amazed. She didn't know how to feel about the element that she had used. It was an element that Harle and other similar to her could wield, one of darkness.
"Leena, I t'ink I can explain what went on," Harle said. Leena smiled and looked towards the jester. The two women had defeated Atikon and were now very close friends, even if they hadn't known each other for very long.
"I'm interested too," Miki said. "How could Leena use an element like that? I thought only people who drew on the power of darkness could use it."
"When vous told moi about rescuing Mademoiselle Orlha from ze realm of ze ocean god, I t'ought it was odd. Why would we need a champion of ze blue magic if we 'ave Leena? Zen I realized zomet'ing."
"What is it, Harle?" Schala asked. She was as intrigued as everyone else. Magic was one of her specialties yet the jester was speaking of something that the princess had never heard before. Schala leaned forward, her eyes reflecting a hungry curiosity that only certain knowledge could feed.
"Ze answer must be zat Leena iz no longer ze champion of blue magic. Mademoiselle Orlha iz," Harle said, speaking as if she just had a revelation.
"What does that mean, Harle?" Leena asked. She had never heard of anything like this before.
"Did Monsieur Trutin do anything to vous? Did 'e give anyt'ing to you, or zomet'ing like zat?" Harle asked.
"Well, yes," Leena admitted. She took the Chrono Cross from Schala and held it up to the jester.
"My wish granted me this," Leena said, looking intently at the item that would save the world.
"Did 'e touch vous?"
"Why, yes, he did. Only briefly, though. When he handed me the Chrono Cross, I touched his hand. But that hardly seems like..."
"Zen zat iz ze answer. Because vous 'ave touched ze god of everyt'ing and not'ing, vous 'ave become 'iz champion," Harle explained. The rest of the group appeared lost.
"I will try to explain it. Ze gods are powerful, non?" Harle asked.
"Of...of course," Orlha responded, leaning against Norris' shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her body. The wind had picked up and this was an excuse for them to be physically close.
"Ze godz can change ze fate of a person," Harle said.
"I thought the gods-hee couldn't interfere directly-hee with mortals," Razzly said. She was sitting on Doc's knee and he was bouncing her a little in playful fun.
"Directly, vous are correct. But ze godz are zo powerful, zey affect everyt'ing around zem indirectly. I t'ink zat when Monsieur Trutin touched Leena, she gained ze power of everyt'ing."
"Everything?" Miki asked.
"Or rather, I t'ink it removed ze limitationz on 'er magic. Vous can uze ze elementz zat ze rest of uz cannot."
"Okay. I get it," Leena said. "So I can cast spells that I couldn't normally cast because a small bit of Trutin's power broke off into me. I don't think that means I could use something like the Chrono Cross, but I don't have to. Schala can..."
"Yes," Schala affirmed, noting that Leena was trailing off. "Only certain people can use the Chrono Cross. Although Trutin is powerful, I would think he must directly interfere for Leena to use it."
"We've...we've come a long way, haven't we?" Leena mused, looking across the fire at the faces of her friends and allies. Looking at each of their faces, Leena couldn't help but feel something. She knew the fate of the world was behind the keyhole that Trutin had created. The group had rested enough; every one of them looked ready and anxious, just waiting for the go-ahead from their leader and champion: the brave and beautiful maiden with the auburn hair. However, Leena felt like she couldn't go just yet. She had to give each and every one of them a chance to build up the confidence to trudge on. Although she needed as much help as she could get, she couldn't let someone go into the dark unknown if they were afraid.
Leena looked to her left at Harle, the enigmatic jester. There was much about her that Leena didn't know. She didn't know if Harle would serve the world or herself only.
"Harle," Leena said, unsure of how to speak. "We're friends, right?"
"I would like to t'ink zo. In fact, I would like to t'ink we are like zisterz," Harle said with a smile. "I never really 'ad a family."
"I would too," Leena grinned. "You're my sister and steadfast friend. Beyond that door, it will be dangerous. I...I..."
"I know what vous are going to zay, zo do not finish. I will zay zis. I 'ave never met anyone like vous, Leena. I told vous once zat I would give my life for vous. Zat promise 'as not expired and neit'er 'as it'z worth. Even if I were being zelfish, I would follow vous because I am zo very interested in ze way zis will end," Harle said, a tear almost forming in her eye. Leena smiled, tears welling in her own eyes, and hugged Harle tightly. She was foolish and stupid for having ever doubted Harle's bravery and heart. They were truly sisters.
Leena then turned her gaze to Doc.
"Doc, I want to know how you feel," Leena probed.
"I owe everything to you all. I would never have had this second chance to change everything in my life for the better. I must repay you for this awesome bout of kindness. I won't stay behind; I'll go anywhere with this champion."
"Thank you, Doc."
"I am a fairy-hee," Razzly said. "I may-hee not be the fastest, or the strongest, or the toughest, but I'm here-hee. I would never be-hee able to forgive myself-hee if I gave into fear. I must go, for the world needs us now."
"You're braver and stronger than you look, young Razzly," Norris said encouragingly. "And as for me, it is my duty as a soldier to defend and protect the weak and defenseless, no matter who or where they are. The planet itself may not be a person, but it is something living and breathing and it needs help. This is more than just my duty as a soldier. This is my duty as a denizen of the world and it is an honor and a privilege to save the world. I'm thrilled to make this the final battle."
"Thank you, Sir Norris. I'm truly honored," Leena said. Norris put on a fake look of hurt.
"I don't get to be the brother of the champion of the world?" he asked as a joke. Leena laughed. The mood was tense among the crowd and the joke helped them to break the severity of the moment. Leena expected Kid to be the one making cracks, though.
"Yes, Norris, you could be called that, but is it necessary for you to be touching my hand like that?" Leena asked. Norris had clutched Leena's hand between his own, massaging it slightly. Although it felt rather nice, Orlha was sitting right there. She playfully slapped Norris upside the head.
"Orlha?" Leena inquired, her gaze moving to the barmaid. She had been in a sort of reverie until her fake fight with Norris, resting with her eyes barely open and her head on her beau's shoulder. She stood up and looked Leena in the eyes.
"Leena, champion of gods and men, I know what you're going to ask, and I'll say this: I love this world, and I love its people. I may have lost those who are important to me: my parents and my sister Tia. But I have found so much more through those tragedies. I have found people who need me and people that I also need." She turned and looked towards Doc, and he nodded his head. He would have been nothing more then a wreck if it weren't for Orlha's cheerful support.
"I wanted to do something wonderful with my life and I did that when I came here. I first thought I could curb a demi-human's ruthless ambition in the bowels of a volcano, only to realize that didn't work. I'm going to see this through to the end. With my...with my friends and my love!" She leaned against Norris' shoulder again and he started stroking her hair, pleased with the close contact. Leena turned towards the next person in line: the beautiful dancer, Miki.
"I've come this far," Miki said. "Things could only get worse if Lynx gets what he wants. I don't know what I can do, but like Nikki said, 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' I may not be able to share this moment with him but he and all of our friends will be in our hearts. They will be the strength we draw from, and with that strength, not even FATE could hope to stand in our way. Uh-uh, I'm not going to stay behind; I'm going to fight."
"Thank you," Leena said with her sincerest gratitude. Then she turned to Kid, who had stood up once Miki finished talking.
"No, this ain't what ya think. I ain't runnin', 'specially not from that bastard Lynx and his grandiose plans. I'm gonna fight, but we can't do it separate, if ya know what I mean."
"Then you will..." Schala started.
"Yep, I'm gonna. I got no time to be holdin' on to me pride and me childish worries about losin' me individuality. Right now, it won't be matterin' if I was swallowed up completely. I ain't gonna let Lynx do whatever he damn well pleases."
"Wow, Kid, that's a very mature thing to say," Miki praised.
"I know. Schala, let's do this before I lose me cool," Kid said, holding out her hand to help the princess stand.
"Could all of you turn around for a second, please?" Schala asked the crowd, her eyes pleading. The group nodded and looked away. Leena felt a rush of wind from the direction of the girls but didn't look around, respecting both Kid and Schala enough to give them their privacy.
"Alright, it's done," came the voice that seemed to be both Kid's and Schala's at the same time. The group turned around, anxious to see what had happened. The figure was wearing Schala's white dress but the cape had been replaced by Kid's red blouse. Schala had worn her blonde hair down while Kid had hers up in braids. This new figure wore her hair in a ponytail, not as high and full of gaudy beads as Kid's but not impeccably neat and perfect like Schala's.
"Kid?" Leena asked.
"Yes, I'm Kid. However, I'm also Schala. And yet, I'm neither of them. My full name is Schala Kid Zeal. It's a relief that this went about without any problems."
"Do you feel any different?" Orlha asked.
"No, not really. Kid and Schala were equally dominant figures, therefore, I feel at the same time the politeness and pleasantness of the Princess of Zeal and the zest and gall of the leader of the Radical Dreamers. I'm both and neither; I'm simply myself."
"What should we call you?" Leena asked.
"Call me whichever you like. I've got two names and I'll answer to them both." The woman smiled cheerfully. Leena noticed that although the strong accent of Kid was not present, Kid's shortened speech and perky tone were. Schala was completely polite and never used contractions.
"I think it's high time we opened that door to destiny," Norris said.
"I think so too," Leena responded. The group stood up, Norris kicking dirt on the fire to put it out while Leena grabbed Trutin's glowing key and faced the keyhole.
"Let's make this our final battle," Leena said. The rest of the group nodded.
By: Matt620