We made our way north to Castle Guardia. After passing through Guardia forest, we reached the outer gate of the castle. A few guards stopped us at the gate, and asked what our business was at the castle.

"We are searching for an important item. I was wondering if anyone at this castle might have information regarding it." I told them.

"What is it you're looking for." asked the guard skeptically.

"A weapon. A very rare sword that shines with the color of the rainbow." I told them.

"Sounds like the King's sword." said one guard to the other.

"I go and inform His Majesty." said the other guard as he left, hurrying inside the castle.

"Wait here for a moment." said the remaining guard.

A few moments later, the guard returned with a half-dozen more guards. None of them looked very friendly at the moment. They asked us to relinquish our weapons and armor to them before going inside. Serge and I complied with the request. After giving them our equipment, however, they bound our hands and feet in shackles, and took us to the prison. We didn't understand what was going on, and when we tried to ask, they told us to be quiet, or else. Though Serge wanted to break free, I suggested that we obey, for the time being. We were placed in adjacent cells, with a guard posted at both of them. An hour later, the chancellor arrived and informed us that we would be put under questioning, and later, possibly a trial. Serge asked why this was being done to us, and he replied saying, that circumstances appeared that we were attempting to steal from the castle. He said he would return shortly, and begin questioning us, seperately. Another few hours later, he returned with a number of guards. I was to be questioned first, it seemed.

"Who are you?" asked the chancellor.

"I am King Omega Zeal, of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal." I replied.

"I've never heard of such a kingdom. What do you want with the King's Sword?"

"I search not for your king's sword, but my own, called the Omega Blade."

"You must be searching for the King's Sword, for it is the only weapon that shines like the rainbow as you said."

"Any weapon made with rainbow shell material will shine like that."

"How do YOU know about the rainbow shell?!"

"It is a rare, strong substance. Why do you seem suprised that I know of such a material. I thought knowledge of this substance was common."

"That is all for now." said the chancellor as he stood up and left the room.

The guards returned me to my cell, but they did not take Serge for questioning. I assumed that my responses required more direct action. Perhaps they went directly to the king with my 'interview'. We stayed in the cells for about 3 days, before the chancellor returned.

"The King has requested to speak with you directly." he said as he ordered the guards to escort myself and Serge to the throne room.

A few mintues later, we arrived in the throne room. The king had bright red, spiky hair. He still looked quite young, which suprised me actually. The queen, was a very beautiful blonde, who also seemed to be quite young. Looking at their faces, the king seemed to be quite concerned, while the queen, seemed to be more curious that anything else.

"I was told your name is 'Omega Zeal'. Is this correct?" asked the king.

"Yes it is, my lord." I replied.

He turned and looked at the queen briefly, with a more suprised look than it had been before. He then faced me once more.

"Do you know anyone by the name Schala, by chance?" he asked.

My eyes widened as I looked at him after hearing the question.

"Ye...yes! My daughter's name is Schala!" I replied. "I also have a son, named Janus. You know them?" I asked.

I could see a hint of excitement in the queen's eyes upon my response. If the king's attention was not fully upon me before, it certainly was now.

"So then you truly are the King of Zeal?" asked the king almost rhetorically.

"Yes, I am." I replied.

"We once visited the Kingdom of Zeal, but we never saw you there."

"It's a long story, but I am sure that you would like to hear it, now."

I then proceeded to tell my story to the King and Queen. From when we first discovered the presence of Lavos' and the change in my wife's demeanor, up to when I arrived at the castle. Knowing its relevence, I asked Serge to tell of his adventure as well. Both the King and Queen kept their full undivided attention toward our stories. Once we had finished, the king leaned back in his throne.

"So, we didn't kill Lavos...just delayed his plan. And Serge, you and your friends, also fought Lavos, and saved Schala in doing so. But the creatures we beat were merely tools of the real Lavos?" asked the king.

"Correct. And i know why Lavos wants Schala. Her power is incredible. Not only that, but her power is absolutely pure. If he were able to make her power his own, nothing could stand up to him ever. More than that, I believe that she may be the only one who can truly destroy him. Since his power is so immense, it would take a pure power that could exploit his weakness to defeat him. And his weakness? Emotion...in particular, love. He draws his power from evil. He puts the seed of evil into living things, and as that seed grows, Lavos gains strength. That is how he corrupted my wife. I think he has once again captured Schala, but he hasn't taken her power, because he needs to be at his full power to do so. As I told you, when I fought him, three pieces broke from him. He needs those to regain his full unbridled power. I have one of those pieces, so I know that he would have to kill me before having the chance to take Schala's power.

"Before I can search for him though, I must stop my double from killing me, as that could prove to be disastrous. That is why I must find my sword. You see, the thing that sets my sword apart from other rainbow shell weapons is the fact that I am a part of it, and it is a part of me. When some men say that their weapon is an extension of their body, they mean it as a metaphor. In my case, it rings true. My weapon truly is an extension of myself. I cannot battle at full strength without it." I said.

"We do not have your sword here. But I once devoted my life to destroy Lavos and save this world from him. And now that I know that he is still alive, I must stay true to that promise." he then stood up. "I, Chrono, will accompany you on your quest. I will not rest until Lavos is truly gone."

"Me too!" said Marle as she jumped from her throne.

"No." said Chrono. "It is much more serious and dangerous this time. Besides, you have to take care of the kingdom while I'm gone."

"But, the chancellor.." she was cut off.

"NO! You are absolutely not coming this time. I'm not going to argue with you! I said you are to stay here, and that's final!"

Chrono could see that what he had said, upset her.

"I'm sorry, but I've got a feeling that what we went through before will be nothing compared to this battle. I don't want to lose you. And like I said, I need you to take care of our country during this time." Chrono went to Marle and kissed her. "Don't worry. We'll take care of this."

Chrono then ordered one of his guards to fetch his equipment.

"It is getting late. We can head out at daybreak.