Disclaimer: This one owns nothing except the Chrono Cross game.
Chapter 6
"Whatcha gonna do, Serge?" Korcha asked the next morning as the group stood assembled on the pier, "You've already found a way back to your world, right? You could just go back home and live a peaceful life, pretending that nothing ever happened. But can ya really forget everything you've seen here?"
Serge nodded thoughtfully as he remembered all that had happened during the past few days.
Now come to me Serge, The Assassin of time! THE CHRONO TRIGGER!
"What are ya gonna do, Serge?" Kid looked at him.
"I'm not going back yet," said Serge firmly, "Lynx obviously knows me somehow. He wants to find me, and to be honest, I don't think I'd be safe from him if I were to go back home,"
"I see..." Kid nodded, "Then I'll stick around with ya a little longer. But just don't slow me down, ya hear? I don't know what happened 10 years ago... But it looks like Viper's mob has got something to do with it. Let's go after 'em. I need to bash up that Lynx character and get me hands on the Frozen Flame!"
"Just in it for the dough, huh?" Korcha smirked.
Kid glared at him, "You don't know anything, mate! Lynx...he stole something precious from me...he's taken away my future! I'll find him! No matter what it takes! I heard that ya helped in the search too.
"Hmph. It was nothing," Korcha looked down at his feet.
"Yeah?" grinned Kid, "Well, thanks for nothing then,"
Korcha blushed, and then cleared his throat. "Now then. At one point I thought we were doomed for sure, but it looks like it's all settled now. All that's left is to take you guys back to Termina, right? My job ends there. You get a special discount price of 300G for the round trip. Sorry, but I need to make a living too,"
Kid laughed. "Pretty damn shrewd, eh? Maybe I shouldn't have thanked ya after all,"
"The general and his men are headed for Fort Dragonia," Glenn said, "There has been word that the major power of the east, Porre is up to something suspicious. They seem to have heard the rumors of the Frozen Flame in El Nido and are coming to investigate,"
A man whistled. "My then, that means the Porre army might invade this town any time now. I wonder if we will be alright..."
Glenn sighed. "Yes, that is why we are moving to the fort for a while. That fort is far from town, so it is not used normally, but it has good defenses. I was ordered to remain at the manor and protect Miss Riddel, but she felt very uneasy about the way General Viper was acting before he left, so..."
"Oi, Serge, didja hear that?" Kid whispered as she and the others stood within earshot, "When I was snoozing away in Guldove, Lynx and his mob hightailed it out of the manor. That fort's supposedly a ruin built by the extinct Dragonians...I heard there've been all kinds of mystic rituals there. It's said that the Dragon Tear was needed for the rituals,"
She scowled. "Bloody bastards, what are they up to now? Serge, this is no longer just our problem. If we don't stop these buggers now, they're gonna cause some major hell around here!'
"Fort Dragonia is on top of Mount Pyre, southeast of here," said Guile, "It will be hard to get there by land, so the question now is how are we going to get a boat?"
Just then, Glenn turned around and looked in Kid's direction. Both he and the man walked over to her.
"Blonde braids..." he observed, "A blood red blouse...that sounds like the description of that thief from the Radical Dreamers. And that red bandana…he is just like the ghost Karsh was describing!"
Kid glared at him. "So what? Ya wanna take us on or something? Sorry, but we're in a bit of a rush...to that Fort Dragonia of yours,"
Glenn glared back. "What business do you have at the fort...? That makes me even more suspicious…" he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Oh Glenn, stop that!" the man scolded, "Your brother would never have drawn a sword in such circumstances!"
"Leave my brother out of this!" Glenn snapped at him.
"Oi, don't get your knickers in a knot..." Kid rolled her eyes, "I don't care if ya draw yer sword or what, but I ain't stopping for ya. See ya!"
Glenn let go of the hilt and held up his hands in surrender. "All right. Forgive me for my rash behavior. Come to think of it, I really have no interest in who you are. Really, I only want to know the truth of what is happening here. I shall follow my own way to find the truth,"
"Well, wait a sec!" Leena called out to him, "We've all got the same interests, why should we go our separate ways? We'll have a better chance if we all team up,"
"Huh?" Both Glenn and Kid stared at Leena.
"What's the problem?" Leena asked, "I mean, it is the practical solution! And he's one of them. He knows what they might do,"
"That's exactly the point," Kid pointed out, "This could be a trick,"
"Think what you like," said Glenn evenly, "But I'm not doing this for you, or the general. I'm doing this for Miss Riddel, and for reasons that have nothing to do with you,"
"Then it's all the reason for you to join us!" Leena argued, "Why can't you all see this?"
"Leena…you're really naïve," Kid sighed.
Glenn turned to leave, but then turned around and spoke:
"If you intend to head to the fort, I would offer you a word of advice. When you get on your boat, first head north, and then east. You should find a small island there. A retired dragoon now lives there. Find him and ask for his advice. There are many frightful rumors about that fort, you know. You never know what to expect there,"
He left.
"Right!" exclaimed Kid, "All we need to do now is find a boat! Let's get a move on it!"
"Back so soon?" Korcha asked as the group approached him at the pier.
"We need to cross the sea to get to some island," said Serge.
"Two conditions," Korcha stated, "If you find the Dragon Tear, give it to me. The other is…once to ruckus is over…" he suddenly looked very nervous.
"Yeah?" Kid tapped her foot impatiently.
Korcha mumbled something.
"I can't hear you," said Kid, "Stop mumbling and speak up!"
"Argh!" exclaimed Korcha in frustration, "I want you to be my wife, okay!"
Everyone stared silently at Korcha.
"That was the lamest proposal I've ever heard," Leena whispered to Guile.
"Do not mess with me!" Kid sputtered, "Or I'll kick you're arse so hard that…"
"He'll kiss the moons," Serge finished, "Yes, we've heard it before!"
Kid glared at Serge.
"I'm not joking!" yelled Korcha, "To tell you the truth, I, um…that is…it was love at first sight,"
"You know who I am," Kid pointed out.
"That you're some kinda thief, ain't ya? Well, I don't care about your past, and I don't want ya to feel forced. We can wait until all this is over. So please…"
Kid groaned.
"Just tell him that you will," Serge whispered to Kid, "We need that boat- OW!" he yelped as Kid delivered a sharp kick to his shin.
"Serge, this is none of your business!" snapped Kid, "This is me own problem!" She turned to Korcha. "Okay, understood! But this ain't somethin' I can agree to on a whim. I'll consider it. Until I settle the score with Lynx, that is. That's about the best I can promise. I can't guarantee you anything more,"
Korcha scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. "Alright, that's all I need for now. OK, I'll lend you the boat,"
"What was that Glenn guy saying earlier?" Kid asked, trying to change the subject, "Somethin' 'bout going to see an old man on a small island to the east?"
Serge nodded. "The sooner we head out, the better,"
"Okay, then I'll be heading home now," said Korcha, "I just had an idea on something that'll help us out. Remember that I'm just lending you my boat! Don't ya dare sink it! Take care!"
He jumped into the water and began to swim out.
"He's really going to swim all the way back to Guldove?" Leena stared at the sea.
"He's got guts," agreed Kid.
"Or maybe the guy's just crazy," Serge shook his head, "But either way, I trust him. Let's go,"
"This is the place?" Kid stared at the smoke-filled wilderness that was the island.
"What happened here!" Guile asked incredulously, "Did Lynx do this?"
"Ze correct answer iz, I did zis under Monsieur Lynx's order," said a familiar voice. Sure enough, Harle appeared before the group. "Hello, Serge. Did you miss me?" she winked at him.
"Not you again!" growled Kid.
Harle ignored her. "Do you want to know why I burned this place to ze ground? Well, first of all to teach you all a lesson. And second of all to get rid of zat geezer who lives here. He is an ally of ze Acacia Dragoons, and I hear he's quite skilled. I waz disappointed to see zat ze geezer isn't here. I wonder where he went? And one more thing, Serge. Monsieur Lynx gave moi one more order. Zat iz to slow down your pursuit. Here I go-!"
Suddenly, she felt something sharp sticking in her back.
"Glenn?" Leena tried to step forward, but Serge stopped her.
"I wouldn't try anything foolish, wench," Glenn said pointedly as he held his sword to Harle.
"Ooh-la-la!" giggled Harle, "I've been had, no? Fine. But please, Serge- turn back now!"
"No chance," Serge replied.
Harle pointed at Kid. "She is nothing but bad luck! She will bring you nothing but misfortune to your life!"
"That does it-!" Kid charged at Harle, who disappeared.
"Harle…" Glenn shook his head as he sheathed his sword, "She's just as untrustworthy as Lynx. This is exactly why the general has to come to his senses,"
"I thought you were going after him," said Serge.
"He was," said a voice.
Everyone turned to see an old man walking over to them.
"Sir Radius," coughed Glenn through the smoke, "You're alive!"
"Miss Riddel had informed me that Lynx and the General were heading to Fort Dragonia," said Radius, "I played it safe and went into hiding for a while. And it looks like Lynx did pay me a visit. I'm sure the general has no idea what happened here. Lynx is the one behind all this. I had a feeling something like this might happen. That is why I made sure to build a sturdy stronghold underground. I believe it should still be intact. Follow me,"
"I see…" said Radius a few minutes later as the group sat in his underground hideout, "So you have met Miss Riddel and Glenn before. Yes, I once wielded a sword as a proud member of the Acacia Dragoons. Glenn's father, Garai, the blacksmith, Zappa and I used to tear up the battlefield. But that was a good fifteen years ago. When Garai lost his life on the central continent, I vowed to become his son's guardian. I officially retired four years ago, after Dario received his father's sword, the Einlanzer. I have been here ever since, living a carefree life away from the rest of the world. However, Dario is no longer with us..."
Glenn looked at the ground sadly. Three years…and still…
"Life is so unpredictable," Radius continued, "It was then that Lynx approached General Viper. He spoke of the legendary treasure, the Frozen Flame, which is able to heal all illnesses and fulfill any dreams. I do not know what this man Lynx is plotting. But I believe General Viper intends to overthrow the nation of Porre with the power of this legendary flame.
"Porre is a nation governed by militarism and has brought on suffering to many people on the central continent of Zenan. Perhaps the general envisions a bright and peaceful world, much like the Guardia was at one time. Or...is he planning to find the answer as to why we have continued to hurt and kill each other since antiquity...?"
"I think yer reading way too deeply into this, old man," Kid scowled.
Radius chuckled softly. "In any case, I no longer wish to involve myself in any conflicts. Besides, there is no way I would want to face General Viper in battle. Young 'uns, should you plan to engage in battle with Lynx, beware. He is a fearsome man. I suggest you rest here for the night and leave in the morning. There are many cursed spirits wandering the seas around here. Rumor has it, they attack ships and suck the souls out of humans,"
Guile spoke up: "I have heard rumors about this accursed ghost ship,"
Kid rolled her eyes. "What? A ghost ship? Hah! You tryin to scare me? Don't make me laugh!"
Radius turned to look at Kid sternly. "Do not take the sea lightly, young lady. Mankind knows only but the land and the surface of the sea. No man can truly know what hides beneath the waves,"
"Whatever," Kid muttered.
"Guys, I hate to sound like a broken record," Leena said, "But now we're positive that Glenn doesn't intend to backstab us. I really do think we should join forces!"
Serge looked thoughtful. "You're right," he admitted, "Why would Harle try to kill Radius and burn up this island if these two were on Lynx's side?"
"It's true," said Guile, "More manpower against Lynx is exactly what we need,"
"I believe you were the one most opposed to the idea," Glenn said to Kid, "What do you say?"
"Fine," sighed Kid, "I suppose yer all right. Welcome to the group, Glenn,"
"It's late," Radius glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, "Have you had anything to eat? I'd be happy to fix you all something to eat before we retire…"
"Ugh…!" groaned Kid as she slowly climbed into Korcha's boat the next morning, "That Radius bloke sure knows how to stuff his guests! Big dinner last night, and a big breakfast this morning!"
"You didn't have to eat so much," Guile pointed out as he got in after Kid.
"Ugh! Don't rock the boat like that!" Kid looked sick.
Leena had decided to board Glenn's boat so that everyone would have more room to move around.
"Why are you involved in this?" Glenn asked her as they rowed together, "I know somewhat why the others are after Lynx. But you have no connection with him whatsoever,"
"It was one event after another," said Leena, "First, Serge reminded me a lot of the boy who lived next door to me when I was a little girl. They even had the same name. Then when Kid was poisoned, I discovered that the two boys were one in the same. This thing is just so big…I can't turn back now. It affected Serge. It could affect anybody,"
"I see," Glenn nodded.
"And you think the general is possessed or something?"
"I believe he is," Glenn replied, "And so does Lady Riddel. Being his daughter, she should know him even better than I do,"
"Is the Lady Riddel your girlfriend, if you don't mind me asking…?" Leena inquired.
"N-no," stammered Glenn, "She…would have been my sister-in-law, if my brother hadn't died. I guess we're close since we both lost someone so dear to us,"
"I'm sorry I brought it up," Leena lowered her head.
"Don't apologize," Glenn shook his head.
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost my brother," said Leena, "When my father was lost at sea, my grandmother says my mom nearly went to pieces. Then she found out she was pregnant. Una can be a pain sometimes, but he's the last thing Mom has left of my father,"
"I only have a few memories of my father," said Glenn, "I was five when he died,"
"I was two when I lost mine," said Leena.
The two rowed silently for some time.
"What are you staring at?" Kid asked Guile defensively.
"I just wondered what you'd look like with blue hair," said Guile absently.
"What?"
Guile seemed to snap out of his reverie and realized what he'd just said. "Er…never mind. Must be the heat of the sun. It's hot today…"
"It is," agreed Kid, "Oi! Glenn, how much longer is it going to take?"
"About an hour!" Glenn called back to her.
"Bugger!" panted Kid.
"You're not even rowing," said Serge, "Hey, are you sure it's not some residual poison? I've got some panacea,"
"The poison made me feel cold," Kid waved her hand dismissively, "It's the heat. Nothing more,"
"Well, I think it's about to let up," Serge pointed ahead of them. A thick fog could be seen in the distance.
The two boats made their way through the fog until they came across a large ship.
"Could this be…?" Guile wondered aloud.
"…The ghost ship…" Kid finished, "Bugger! Does this mean that the old man was right?"
"We won't be able to navigate in this fog," said Serge, "Let's wait here until it clears,"
"What?" Leena exclaimed as Glenn's boat pulled up near the others, "If this is the ghost ship, then that's the last place I want to go to!"
"I know," said Serge, "But we're too far in the fog to turn back now. We might as well wait it out on the ship!"
"You're asking for trouble," Leena warned.
"I don't see any ghosts," Guile observed.
"But you said you knew about this ship!" Leena protested.
"I said I'd heard about this," said Guile, "I never said I believed in ghosts,"
"Yeah," agreed Kid, "Yeah, you're right! It's an urban legend! Nothing more!"
"It's settled, then," said Serge, "Let's go,"
The five secured their boats to the bottom of the ship, and climbed up the ladder.
"Nothing," Serge noted as they reached the deck of the ship.
"Hold it right there!"
Serge looked around and then saw a group of pirates appear from seemingly out of nowhere.
"Make way for Captain Fargo!" one of the men yelled.
Serge could see a well-built middle-aged man with black hair and a thick mustache make his way toward the group.
"Ya seem to be a bit young to be one of Lynx's subordinates," observed the captain, "Well, who cares?"
"What do you want from us?" Leena asked timidly.
"That's up to you," Fargo said, "What's yer intention?"
The five stowaways looked blankly at the captain.
"Don't play stupid!" snarled one of the pirates, "We know that you're tryin' ta get ta Mount Pyre! We saw General Viper's and Lynx's ships anchored nearby. Are ya tryin' ta deliver them a message? Is that it?"
"That is untrue..." Guile sighed.
Fargo stared at them. "Huh? Are ya serious? Explain yourselves,"
"It's a long story," Serge told him, "But I'm the one who started this all. Lynx is after me, and I honestly don't know why. But he sees me as some kind of necessary tool for whatever it is he's plotting,"
"I see..." Fargo looked thoughtful, "So that explains why you're after Lynx. But don't ya know you're risking yer lives? Don't ya recognize the danger associated with Lynx? He's a monster...a cold-blooded monster...an incarnation of death...to be frank with ya, we've had our shares of encounters with Lynx, too. But that was a long time ago... Ever since then, we've had ta disguise ourselves as this ghost ship,"
"So I was right all along!" Kid beamed, "And Leena actually thought there were ghosts here!"
"Oh, yeah," Leena glared at Kid, "I'm so relieved to be up against a band of pirates instead!"
"So you're gonna face Lynx, eh...?" Fargo chuckled, "That's easy to say, but...I just wanna see if you youngsters can match up to the likes of Lynx,"
He turned to his men. "Bring out the you-know-what!"
The men went over to a large covered structure, removing the cover, revealing a cage filled with monsters.
"What are you up to?" Glenn asked suspiciously.
"Just making sure you're not all talk," the captain grinned at them, "Looks like they're ready. Let's see what you can do!"
The men opened the cage, and the monsters charged at Serge and the others.