Chapter 20: The Guru at Mount Woe
August 25, 12000 B.C.
Act One
"Mother," began Schala as she approached the throne with Janus at her side, "I need to speak with you."
Both Dalton and the prophet looked on in suspicion; they knew there was trouble brewing.
"I did not grant an audience," Queen Zeal reprimanded.
"This is serious," Schala pleaded. "I've been having nightmares about this. This plan to harness the power of Lavos...it's going to destroy us all."
Queen Zeal gave a nasty silence. She then turned to her guidance on the matter.
"Prophet," she commanded, "is there any impending destruction involving Lavos?"
"No, your majesty," the prophet dismissed.
She then turned back to her daughter.
"Does that satisfy you?" she demanded.
"No, mother," Schala insisted. "There's more than that. I'm sorry, but I don't know if I trust the prophet. And even if he is right, I don't want you doing this. This isn't like you at all! It's like you've become a whole different person!"
Queen Zeal stared the princess down for a few moments.
Janus began to tremble.
Dalton began to tremble.
Even the prophet began to tremble.
Everyone knew that Schala had just crossed the line.
"Janus," commanded Queen Zeal, "leave us."
Janus quickly turned and ran out of the throne room.
As soon as he was gone, Queen Zeal began to glare at her daughter.
"You dare question me?" she demanded.
A tear fell from Schala's eye.
"Mother, I'm not trying to question you," she pleaded. "I'm trying to reach you!"
Queen Zeal continued to glare.
"Anyone else would have been executed where they stand for such defiance," she snapped. "But, since you're my daughter, I'll give one last chance to repent your actions."
Now, tears were streaming down both of Schala's cheeks. She couldn't help it; she had to say what was on her heart.
"I don't want another chance!" she pleaded. "I want my mother back!"
With that comment, poor Schala had sealed her fate.
"You will die when I no longer need you," Queen Zeal announced. "If you cooperate, it will be much less painful."
"Yes, mother," Schala sighed.
"You will no longer marry Dalton," Queen Zeal continued. "He will now sire a replacement for you."
The prophet was silent.
"Your day and time of death will be finalized shortly," Queen Zeal informed her. "Now leave, before I torture you."
Schala sadly turned and left the throne room.
Janus was waiting for her outside.
"What happened?" he inquired.
In response, Schala knelt down and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close.
"Just keep growing," she whispered as she rocked him gently. "Just keep growing."
And then, she mouthed something.
"Remember me, Janus. Remember me."
MEANWHILE...
The date on the Epoch's time gauge read August 25, 12000 B.C. as Robo pulled the machine to a stop. They were soon surrounded by the whipping winds and the endless snow storm of the Ice Age.
"Well," Crono began. "It looks like we're back."
"What now?" Ayla inquired.
"Remember what Princess Schala said?" Marle replied. "About the guru at Mount Woe?"
"Right," Crono recalled.
"Where be Mount Woe?" Frog asked.
Lucca suddenly gasped. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a mountain. It was not a large mountain, but it appeared to be magically suspended from the ground, anchored only by a chain.
"I think it's safe to say this is it," she said.
Below the mountain, there was the mouth of a cave. Upon entering, they realized that it was the original cave they had started in. The Gate to the prehistoric era was gone, of course.
Only now, there was one difference; the was a rope extending from a higher level.
"If it can be any more obvious," Crono began, "this is the way to the mountain."
Everyone climbed the rope. At the top, there was an opening to another chamber.
And the contents of that chamber caught everyone's eye.
It was a person. But he was dressed in rags of fur. His hair was a mess, and he seemed malnourished.
The man turned to spot the visitors. He then turned, and shouted something in an indistinct language.
"What did he say?" Crono asked.
"Hold on," Robo commanded. "My universal translator's processing."
"They must be Earthbound Ones," Lucca deduced.
"The who?" Marle asked.
"Those lacking magic," Frog clarified.
A moment later, several men, women, and children emerged from the other chamber. An elderly man, who seemed to be the chief, stood at the front.
"This is Algetty," he stated, "the village of the Earthbound Ones."
"I don't mean to intrude," Crono said. "We need to get to Mount Woe."
"To rescue the Guru of Life, yes?" the chief inquired.
"You're familiar with him?" asked Crono, somewhat surprised.
"I am," the chief responded. "As well as everything else about the Enlightened Ones. Queen Zeal, the Ocean Palace, and everything else."
"Many inhabitants of this land were taken to build the Ocean Palace," added a woman, "and were never seen again."
"We Earthbound Ones lack magical powers," the chief continued. "That's why we were banished from Zeal."
"What happened?" Crono inquired. "Why are they all so prejudiced?"
"Not all of them," the chief corrected. "Princess Schala treats us like equals. So do the gurus."
"Schala comes from time to time," added one girl. "She sings to us and heals us if we're sick."
"She is a special person," a woman added. "She taught my son to swim. She also gave us food when the mammoths migrated one year. We all have faith that she will become Queen of Zeal someday. Then, she will be a righteous queen."
"We actually came here looking for the Guru of Life," Crono said. "Schala asked us to rescue him."
"Our hero, the Guru of Life, rejected the Queen's plan," replied the chief, "so he was banished to the Mountain of Woe."
"If you show us the way," Marle said, "we can rescue him."
The chief nodded.
"Follow me," he commanded.
He thus led them down one of the tunnels. After about a hundred yards, the tunnel split in a Y. The right tunnel turned to the right and continued. The left tunnel was caved in.
"That tunnel," began the chief, pointing to the caved-in tunnel, "once led to the Deep Underground."
"What was down there?" asked Crono.
"No one knows," the chief replied. Many, many years ago, a ten-year-old girl wandered down there. She was not seen again for weeks. Then, she returned, but she was different. She was healthier, and her hair was blue. And she could use magic."
"Zeal," Lucca muttered.
"But the people up above said her father was a king," Marle pointed out.
"Chief," the chief corrected. "Once Queen Zeal got her powers, she selected several villagers to become the first Enlightened Ones. She took them with her and built the Kingdom of Zeal. Over many thousands of years, she had an entire nation. And to prevent anyone from gaining the same power she has, she sealed the tunnel with a lightning spell."
"Is Queen Zeal immortal?" asked Lucca.
"Not quite," the chief replied. "She will live a long time. She's only aged twenty-five years in the past ten thousand of our years. But she will die someday, and then Schala will be queen...unless she encounters the source of her power again."
"Lavos," Crono muttered. "No doubt, it made her what she is today."
"It's foolish to challenge her," the chief continued. "Anyone who even looks at her funny gets turned into an imp!"
So that's where they came from, Crono realized.
"But," said the chief, pointing to the right tunnel, "the Guru of Life is this way. Perhaps he can help with the queen."
"Perhaps," agreed Crono.
They then went down the right tunnel until it came to another chamber. Here, there was a giant chain anchored to the ground, which, no doubt, led to Mount Woe.
Suddenly, a brown imp came running down the chain.
"You can't pass through here!" he announced as he pulled out a dagger.
Frog immediately pulled out the Masamune.
"Surrender thine knife!" he demanded.
And then, out of nowhere, a growling sound began.
Crono looked up to see two creatures come prowling down the chain from above. They appeared to be felids, each with two very sharp and long teeth hanging from their mouths.
"Smilodons!" Robo exclaimed.
"They look like big cats!" Crono observed.
"Exactly," Robo affirmed. "They're flesh eaters!"
Crono immediately withdrew his sword.
One of the smilodons went straight for the mud imp. The poor creature began to squeal as the the beast sank its teeth in.
Marle was the first to react. She shot the beast directly in the heart with her crossbow. The smilodon fell over dead, although the mud imp had long since died.
Meanwhile, the other smilodon charged toward Crono.
Crono quickly aimed his red sword, stabbing the beast in the neck and ending its life.
Lucca then angrily turned to Frog.
"I suppose that wasn't a noble creature," she snapped.
"Nary," Frog replied.
Lucca sighed and turned away.
"You know," began Robo, "in my time, if someone offended you, it was customary to extend the middle finger."
"Yes, we have that one in the eleventh century," sighed Lucca.
"Really?" Inquired the surprised Robo.
"And the seventh," Frog added.
Act Two
After climbing up the chain, the six found themselves at the foot of Mount Woe.
"The Guru of Life is somewhere up here," Marle began.
"And many a foul creature," Frog added. "Let us find him before it's too late."
"Agreed," said Marle.
They made their way up the path. A few yards in, they were attacked by a band of gray imps, which they easily dispatched.
Of course, that was the least of their worries. The temperature was much colder on the mountain, and the winds were stronger. The snow was more intense, and nobody could see clearly more than two yards away.
After what seemed like an hour, a figure began to appear.
"Is that him?" Lucca asked.
As the figure drew closer, its hair, teeth, and claws came into view.
"'Tis a foul beast!" Glenn exclaimed.
Wasting no time, Robo fired a laser out of his shoulder cannon. The creature fell over, dead.
"Just as I thought," Robo announced. "A short-faced bear."
"Did we have to kill it?" Lucca inquired.
"We couldn't take the chance," Robo replied. "If they're anything like a modern polar bear, then yes."
The six trudged slowly on.
"Hey," Marle suddenly began. "What's a polar bear?"
MEANWHILE...
Schala, despite her pending doom, was able to keep her composure as a cheery and reassuring princess. She was walking about Enhasa, smiling at and waving to her loyal Zealians, who were, naturally, completely oblivious to what was going on.
As she rounded an otherwise deserted corridor, she ran into none other than the prophet.
"Princess Schala," he abruptly began, "you must come with me."
"I cannot," she dismissed as she shook her head. "My mother will need me shortly."
"No need," the prophet dismissed. "I have come to take you away from here."
Schala's expression changed to one of bewilderment.
"Come again?" she asked.
"I lied to the queen," the prophet admitted. "The destruction Lavos will cause will be none like you have ever seen. It will destroy the Ocean Palace. I have come to rescue you. There are other Gates than the one I sealed. I can take you to another time where the queen can't reach you."
"Rescue me?!" Schala asked skeptically.
It was hard to trust him when she couldn't even see his face.
"That was one of the reasons I came here," the prophet continued. "But I know you don't trust me. So I'll share this with you. You sing Child of the Winds to your brother Janus every night."
"How did you know that?!" she asked in shock. "Even my mother doesn't know!"
"I'll explain later," the prophet insisted. "Meet me on the surface this evening, and bring Janus. I'll take you two to safety."
AN HOUR LATER...
"...and then he told her to meet him on the surface?" Queen Zeal inquired.
"That is correct," Arhmal replied. "Fortunately, they didn't notice I was listening."
"So the prophet's a traitor," Queen Zeal muttered as she rubbed her chin.
"Yes, your majesty," Arhmal replied. "I tried to have him arrested, but he vanished. Should I order a kill-on-sight?"
"Not yet," Queen Zeal dismissed. "I still need him. I will dispose of him once he is is done at the Ocean Palace."
"About that," continued Arhmal, "he explained the secrets of the Ocean Palace to her. The structural design, materials, and everything else."
"And you've heard them, too, then," Queen Zeal commented. "That is quite regretful."
Arhmal's mouth dried, and her heart began to race. She lowered her head.
"That is correct, your majesty," she sighed.
"Now, loyal Arhmal," Queen Zeal assured her. "You will not be forgotten. Understood?"
"Yes, your majesty," Arhmal sighed again.
And then, Queen Zeal extended out her hand.
Arhmal suddenly froze, unable to move. Her body stiffened, and stretched upward. She then ascended off of the ground until she was suspended several feet up.
Queen Zeal made a fist.
Instantly, Arhmal disintegrated. Moments later, a pile of ash was all that remained of her.
MEANWHILE...
"This mountain is the worst!" Marle exclaimed as she trudged along.
They had lost count of the hours they had been up there. The weather became worse the further up they went, and they had to cross chasms, using only chains as bridges.
Eventually, they reached a chain the extended straight upward.
"The Guru of Life better be up here!" Lucca groaned as she began to climb the chain.
"I think there's only one way to find out," Marle said as she followed her.
At the top of the chain was a block of ice that stood six feet tall.
"Ah!" exclaimed Frog. "'Tis where the Guru of Life remains imprisoned."
Almost as if in response, a rumbling began.
"That doesn't sound good," Crono observed.
A moment later, a huge creature presented itself behind the imprisoned guru. It was about twenty feet tall, grayish-purple, armored, and had two large firsts.
"I knew it wasn't going to be that easy!" Crono exclaimed.
One of the creature's fists immediately came down on Frog.
Being a Frog, he was able to leap away on time. He then attempted to drive the Masamune into the creature's hand, but could not penetrate the skin.
"Mine blade and skill may rust!" he exclaimed.
Crono then attempted to stab the hand with his own sword, but yielded the same results.
The hand then withdrew from the ground, and struck Crono with such force that it knocked him unconscious.
"Crono!" exclaimed Marle as she ran to tend him.
Lucca immediately pointed her finger at the creature.
"How dare you hurt my cousin!" she shouted.
A fireball emerged from her finger. It travelled toward the creature until it was but a few inches from it. Then, without warning, it exploded, immediately incinerating the creature.
"I didn't know you could do that!" Robo exclaimed.
"Neither did I!" Lucca replied.
Meanwhile, Crono lay on the ground, with his forehead greatly swollen.
Marle was on her knees with her hand on his forehead casting a heal spell.
"Come on, Crono!" she pleaded. "Please be okay!"
The swelling slowly went down, and Crono opened his eyes.
"Thank God!" Marle exclaimed as she helped him to his feet and kissed him.
And then, they noticed something else: the flare cast by Lucca had melted the icy prison. The Guru of Life stood before them, soaked but otherwise fine.
And everyone was beyond shocked when they realized who it was.
"Melchior?!" exclaimed Marle.
"How did you get here?!" Crono exclaimed.
The last everyone had seen of him, he was outside Medina, having just fixed the Masamune.
"Indeed, I am Melchior," he replied. He then scanned everyone. "Have we...met before?"
Marle turned to Crono in confusion before realizing why he asked that.
"More importantly," Melchior continued, "can you tell me anything about the Ocean Palace?"
"We tried to get in," Crono replied. "I know it's Queen Zeal's ultimate weapon. And it's dependent on the power of Lavos, a nasty creature powerful enough to destroy the world."
"I see," Melchior said. "The queen has degenerated to that degree. The more energy the Mammon Machine absorbs, the further the queen degenerates. Her spirit has been stolen by the infamous immortal, Lavos."
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble.
"That probably isn't good," Crono sighed.
"We must flee!" Melchior exclaimed. "The seal has been broken! The mountain will collapse!"
Act Three
August 26, 12000 B.C.
They had, of course, escaped the mountain. They were now in Algetty, and were almost restless to get going.
Melchior was pacing around the chamber.
"Lavos sleeps deep underground, while consuming the energy of this planet," he muttered. "If the Mammon Machine is brought closer to him, he may awaken!"
"You mean erupt?" Marle inquired.
"Then Lavos could have his day early," Crono suggested.
"Unlikely," Lucca assured them. "He still needs to grow. But he can cause some serious damage."
"We must hurry before it's too late!" Melchior insisted.
Suddenly, the chief entered the chamber.
"Elder!" he announced. "Schala is here!"
"What?" Melchior exclaimed. "Schala's here?.
A few moments later, Schala appeared in the chamber, followed by Janus. There were small snowflakes in her beautiful long, blue hair.
All of the Earthbound Ones visibly lightened; her presence brought an aura of hope.
"What a filthy hovel," the ten-year-old boy groaned.
"Miss Schala," greeted the chief, "why have you come to such a miserable place?"
"Stop degrading yourselves!" Schala insisted. "We Enlightened Ones were once the same as you. The only difference is that we are under Lavos's control."
She then spotted the Guru of Life. She ran to him, and threw her arms around him.
"Melchior," she began, "after the Mountain of Woe fell, I thought I would find you here!"
"Is it safe for you to leave the palace?" Melchior asked.
"That no longer matters!" Schala replied. "The Ocean Palace is now operational!"
"Then all is lost!" Melchior lamented.
"But without me, the Mammon Machine won't work," Schala assured him. "I have turned my back on that evil device!"
"But the Queen will have you executed," Melchior warned.
"That's what she thinks," Schala replied. "But, this time, I have other plans." She then turned to Crono. "I've kept the skyway open. You must stop...my mother!"
"Why don't we keep it right there," announced another familiar, but unwelcome, voice.
Everyone turned to see Dalton entering the chamber with two Zealian guards.
"Dalton!" exclaimed Schala.
"Tisk, tisk my dear," he taunted. "Your presence is required elsewhere!"
"Dalton!" demanded Melchior. "Leave her alone!"
"The geezer speaks!" Dalton snapped. "Silence, old man!"
Dalton snapped his fingers. A moment later, Melchior fell asleep where he stood.
Dalton then turned to the doomed princess.
"You'll come to the Ocean Palace with me," he announced as he gripped her by her long blue hair.
Crono drew his sword.
Marle raised her crossbow.
Dalton raised a finger and glared at them both.
"Do anything funny, and Schala's dust," he warned. "Got it?"
"Schala!" exclaimed the now bawling Janus.
"The queen's children all seem to have a problem with authority, don't they?" Dalton observed.
Ayla took a step forward, which was enough to warren Dalton's attention.
"Stay back," he warned again. "The life of this woman means nothing to me!"
Schala was clearly in pain from Dalton gripping her hair, but she hid it well; she needed to be strong for everyone.
"Shall we get going, Schala, dear?" he continued . "Your mother awaits!"
Dalton then began to drag poor Schala away by the ponytail.
A less guard seized Janus by the arm and began to pull him away.
Powerless to stop them, Crono turned to Melchior, who had come to, but lacked any will to pursue them.
"Melchior!" exclaimed Marle.
"I'm all right," Melchior assured them. "But we must save Schala, or else!
"Impossible!" dismissed the chief. "Even though it's coming from you, Melchior."
"If the queen is allowed to fulfill her scheme," Melchior protested, "all life as we know it, is doomed!"
There was an unpleasant silence. All of the Earthbound Ones, as well as Melchior, felt utterly helpless. Queen Zeal was, no doubt, a powerful dictator who seemed immortal and unstoppable.
And then, Crono stepped forward.
"We'll stop her," he said.
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
"You're willing to challenge the queen?" Melchior asked.
"I'll do more than challenge her," Crono promised. "I'll not only save Schala, but I'll put her on the throne as well!"
"That's right," Marle added as she placed her hand on Crono's shoulder. "We'll be fighting for you. We'll be fighting for Zeal. And, this time tomorrow, we'll be celebrating Schala, the new queen!"
"You've done so much for us," Melchior said, "and I don't even know your names!"
"Worry not thine head," Frog insisted. "Thou hath fixed the Masamune!"
"What are you talking about?" the baffled Melchior inquired.
"Crono, let us be on our way!" Frog insisted.
"Let's," Crono agreed.
"Wait," commanded Melchior, "take this with you."
He held out a small, sharp, red object.
"A dagger?" Crono inquired; sounding nearly disappointed.
"It's made from the same red stone as the Mammon Machine," Melchior replied. "With it, you can destroy the Machine!"
Melchior had already done amazing things; he would no doubt be trustworthy here.
"We won't let you down," Lucca promised.
LATER...
Schala, meanwhile, had been escorted back to the throne room, where Queen Zeal sat.
"Welcome home," the queen greeted nonchalantly. "Tomorrow is the big day."
"Yes, mother," Schala sighed.
"I will give you freedom, Queen Zeal said. "This is your last night alive."
"Thank you, mother," Schala forced herself to say.
Her majesty then snapped her fingers, and a gray aura suddenly surrounded the outline of Schala's body.
"What was that, mother?" Schala asked.
"In case you try to escape," Queen Zeal replied. "You'll turn to stone the moment you step on the surface."
The prophet stood to the side in silence. He knew his plan had failed.
