CHAPTER TWO

Crono's Fall from Grace

New Years day in the year of 1000 AD, a new millennium is born. All from the realm came to Truce's Millennium Fair. Human and mystic alike danced, drank, and laughed. Only a few thought that the fair was nothing more then a front to mask the truth of the fate of the Heroes.

Taban and his wife didn't even think of leaving the house. They watched from afar as the fireworks went off. The show was continuing long into the day, even after the turn of the century. Indeed, it was a beautiful and peaceful party, but the lost of their daughter, their only daughter, brought grief into the couple's hearts. Both knew neither would be able to have children and even the fact that Lucca even existed was a miracle. The miracle, however, was no more.

Within the fair was another who was also grief struck, but he did not show it. The king of Guardia stood proud and strong to his subjects. In the middle of the square, all in attendance circled around their king.

"The time has come to put the past to rest. It is time to take down Leene's bell, a symbol that seems to show the victory against the Magus four hundred years ago," announced the king.

Many of the mystics look down, embarrassed on the past on how wrong it was for their race to even try to rule over the human instead of beside them. Other mystic's looked enraged on how the humans continue to taunt them that they won the war. Most of the humans nodded, always agreeing with their king.

"I don't want to see or hear the past any longer. I know the future to be a good one," the king paused, knowing that indeed, the future was guaranteed. "Now is the time to move on with peace. A new bell to ring throughout the ages. A bell that, any time it tolls, will show the peace of our people, both human and mystics. I present to you now, the Nadia Bell!"

The people turned and made way for the soldiers of Guardia. The four soldiers held and walked with a bell the size of Leene's bell, the design of Leene's bell, but on the front was the name of Princess Nadia and the bell was made of silver. The soldiers softly laid the bell next to the king and slowly undone the Leene's bell.

The king of Guardia rubbed his hand on the bell, his present to his daughter that he knew would never return. It was hope, Marle's hope, which kept the king from breaking down then and there. A smile came to the king's face. Ah, Nadia. I hope you're proud, looking down upon us. I'm going to miss you, my daughter.

The soldier softly lifted the bell up to the bar and secured the new bell. As the soldiers came down, a strong wind began to blow. The bell rang on its own, guided by the wind. The people, both human and mystic, cheered as seeing the bell as a good omen that peace and a great future lied before them. Indeed, they wanted to let go of the past, and this bell was a symbol of that very thing!

The king however, thought of something different. Tears blurred his vision and he even let those tears run down his cheeks. The people thought that their majesty was indeed happy for the true truce and they cheered all the more louder. The king, on the other hand, knew his daughter spirit was the one responsible for the ringing. He knew, then and there, his daughter would always be with him.

Marle will always be with King Guardia, but her beauty, her voice; even her smell continues to be a curse to the red headed swordsman. Thus far, no one will know that he saved the future, nor does he care. Crono returned home, after thinking about his future at Mt. Masamune. Outside, in his backyard, the swordsman continues his practice with his katana, the Rainbow. He continues to attack his unseen foes, his memories.

Swoosh. His agility and speed in his waza seem to be a fluent blur of prismatic glow. Crono jumped into the air, and swung his sword. No one could question Crono's unrivaled skills and grace. Swoosh. The sound of the blade, the feel of the adrenaline, did not seem to help the young man ignore the heartache.

Crono gritted his teeth and slammed his katana back into his sheath. So many emotions ripped at his heart. How the swordsman wanted to make sense of the new reality around him. More than half way through the Heroes adventures, Crono's friends were able to save his life, but when it was time to return the debt, he couldn't live up to his friends expectations.

With that thought, Crono lifted his hand and struck a nearby tree with a lightning bolt. The explosion brought Crono's mother running out of the house, right next to her son's side. She looked at the tree and back to her son and embraced him with a huge hug. She continued to whisper that it's alright, but Crono wasn't hearing any of it. Through his rage, he lost control and destroyed a defenseless tree. Usually, Crono would care for all living creatures, but he felt nothing, well, nothing short of grief.

The wind blew hard as Crono continued his ascend up Mt. Masamune. Thinking about the strange name of the mountain, the young man didn't even remember why the people or the kingdom called this specific mountain after a legendary blade that has been lost throughout the ages. Though the thoughts of the name of the mountain relieved Crono's pain, but for an instant, his train of thoughts led back to his frog friend who used that blade and the grief in his heart returned.

Crono walked to the cliff side which he left only three quarters of a day ago. The wind calmed to a soft breeze. Even the elements knew what was on the young warriors mind and accepted whatever he planned on doing. Crono walked to the edge of the cliff and closed his eyes. The images of his past friends began to slip into his mind.

The first was the cave woman Ayla. Now she was something. She was the only hero without magic, but she was the last one still standing next to Crono when in the final battle against Lavos ended. Her strength of heart was something that kept the group going. She made all the Heroes feel immortal. But that isn't the case. She couldn't survive, none could, thought Crono.

Somehow, the next image was from the other fellow that survived to the end. Janus or Magus, depending on how you viewed him, was equally strong, but kept his heart shut. He was cold and calculative. He was never what one would call a friend, but he continued to stay with the group and helped save Crono's life. Indeed, he said it was only for the added power to save the swordsman, but all knew that he wanted to return the favor of Crono's sacrifice. If I only knew you cared for Lucca. Crono shook his head. No, that wouldn't have mattered.

The next image was from his robotic friend. Even though Robo couldn't have feelings, the Heroes have seen and done more than what logic could define. But the image of his friend fused to the shell of Lavos sent a chill up Crono's spine I'm sorry Robo, but at least you didn't feel any pain before your death. Can robots really die?

Crono shook his head again as another friend came to him. Glenn, to those who really knew him, was one of the swordsman's greatest friends. Glenn showed compassion, friendship, honor, and mercy, even to the man that killed his mentor and changed him into a frog. Crono smiled, if only for a moment. The swordsman tried to keep the memory of Glenn teaching him the art of swordplay and more importantly, the discipline that went into the blade. The smile faded. Crono couldn't stop the final outcome. To the very last moments of his life, Glenn sacrificed everything, so that another can live. No one can question that Glenn died with honor. How I envy you my amphibian friend. I wish I had your strength.

A longer memory came to Crono, that of his childhood friend. Lucca always was working on something new and Crono was always her guinea pig. Some inventions were breathtaking, that Crono would jump immediately on, but others that seem to blow up more than work, made the swordsman hesitate before agreeing. He always agreed to help Lucca, even with a machine that teleported him a short distance away but it was that same machine he used to chase after Marle in the past. The thoughts immediately changed to Marle, Crono's only and one true love. Now she was in a league of her own. She was a lady, a tomboy, a damsel in distress, a hero, an optimist, and the ray of hope that kept the group going. She led the charge against the Blackbird, the climb up Death Peak, only to get her love back. Crono clenched his fists tight. And how do I return that love? By failing to protect you.

Crono's eyes shot open and without any hesitation, he leapt from the cliffs to the rocks below. Tears filled the young man's eyes. Even with the last moments of his life coming, though it would be short, he couldn't be brave enough not to cry. With that failure, along with the grief and failures of the past, made Crono cry all the harder.

The rocks came closer and closer, but Crono, ever the coward, refused to open his eyes. And then, he hit the edge of a tall rock, missing being skewered by many feet. Crono spun and land hard in the water below, causing him to get the wind knocked out of him. Crono opened his eyes and cursed himself in failing, yet again, as he knew that he leapt too far. As the swordsman looked up to the moon, faded by the dark waters, an image of his love returned. Crono reached up, hoping against all hope he could touch his love. Marle. He thought.

The swordsman closed his eyes again, as he descended to the watery depths. At least this cursed life will come to an end. I'm sorry, I failed.

On the shore, a young man about eighteen summers walked the beach. The wind began to blow. His red cape started to caress either side of his legs while his blue locks of hair gently rubbed against his cheeks. He stopped short, noticing a shadowy figure jumping from a high cliff. The young man's violet eyes followed the fall that ended with a clipping against a rock and a large splash into the water.

Seems I'm a bit late. Thought the young man as he closed his eyes and began to chant arcanic words. The wind around him died and a light blue glow haloed around him. Slowly he closed his eyes. "Daynu palin coup veel nas," slowly he opened his eyes that showed golden while he chanted, "Greyo orum zeala impa pinjum."

All was going black, but the image of his lost friends continued to haunt him. The red headed man began pushing the images away, welcoming the darkness. The end should be like this. All of the Heroes, dead. I'm coming soon. Crono's heart began to slow, his mind and survival instinct screamed at him to get air. The swordsman ignored everything around him. All that mattered was the darkness and peace.

"GASPED!"

The force of energy pressed against his chest, forcing him to inhale. Around him the ocean parted, and he stood, suspended in the air. Quickly, he looked around, trying to figure out what was happening but the lack of oxygen made him see only red spots.

On the shore the young man in the red cape, held his hand flat and grinned. In an instant, the young man curled his fingers into his palm, almost like a wave to 'come here' motion. In that same instant Crono began to be pulled towards the shoreline and the parted water began to lay back down into the ocean.

The young man in the red cape lowered his hand, which in turn, placed Crono down softly on his feet. The swordsman tried to shake away the red spots in his eyes to no avail. A palm touched his forehead and on instinct, Crono snatched the hand by the wrist.

"Calm down friend, it's just a simple healing spell," said a soothing young voice.

Crono nodded and released his grip on the stranger's wrist. A light blue glow came to the young wizard's hand and channels of healing magic began coursing through Crono. Crono blinked away the remaining spots and focused on the stranger. He looked similar to Janus. He had blue hair and a red cape, but other then that, he seemed different in many ways.

Even though Crono couldn't see his body, since it was wrapped in the cape, he appeared to be well built, far more then Janus. His eyes were violet compared to the red that his friend had, and his skin tone was a healthy shade of pink. His face was more chiseled as if he seen much combat. He also held a facial expression that you couldn't guess what he was thinking; his face was plain and neutral. Before Crono could say anything the young man spoke up.

"He is still alive," the young wizard said.

There was a long silence. Crono opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted again.

"I mean the Magus, also known as Prince Janus of Zeal," the young wizard paused and opened his palm as if he was holding a ball. In a flash, a crystal ball materialized in his palm and an image of Janus floating in what seemed to be oil and surrounded by mist could be seen within the crystal ball. The pale sorcerer remained still as if he was asleep.

"He is trapped in time somewhere. Limbo I would guess. If you want a reason to live, help him," said the wizard before turning and walking away. Again, Crono tried to speak but was stopped short.

"You are welcome if that is what your thinking, if not the name is Noah," Noah said and faded away, as if he wasn't there.

Crono put his chin in the palm of his hand. Janus was alive! But how would he go by helping his trapped friend. Lucca held the Gatekey and that was in 1999AD as well as the Epoch. The swordsman felt around to see his gear was wet but intact. Even though all he had was his battle gear, his Rainbow, his bandana, and his pendent that Marle gave him. Wait. He reached around his chest and pulled out the pendent that was still around his neck.

He pulled it out and the pendent began to spin. You started this whole chain of events. You got us all into this and now you will be the key to save us all. He pocketed the pendent and knew that his chances were a long one, but he had hope. At least one of his friends was alive. Crono began to walk the beach, putting the past behind him. The images of his friends continue to assault him. One can walk from their past, but the past is quick to catch up.

On the cliff of Mt. Masamune, Noah stared at the swordsman departure. The wizard had no idea that any of the Heroes would be alive, let alone the Magus. Noah grasped his brooch that would send him back home. A smile came to the wizard's face.

"Find him Crono and I hope that my calculations are right," with that, Noah reached into himself and disappeared.

Crono awoke to the sounds of a bell, but it wasn't Leene's bell that he was used to hearing at six in the morning. He stirred and went to his window and opened the drapes. Crono opened the window to hear the bell more clearly. Indeed, the bell didn't sound the same. Leene's bell was beautiful, but this bell sounded as if an angel was singing.

Crono put aside the thoughts, as much as he has been doing for that last couple of days. After the unusual rescue of a stranger that he never met that told him that he could save one of his friends, all Crono wanted to do was go to Taban's immediately and beg him to fire up the Telepod. Crono just sighed and went downstairs.

Like every morning, Crono's mother made breakfast but was out of the house to do some errands. Looking at the food, Crono never even took time to consider the important life given blessing we receive everyday and we take for granted. Crono sat down and ate only enough to keep him going and then left the house for Taban's.

Softly, Crono knocked on his neighbors' door. Lara opened it and she seemed overly worn. The dress that she was wearing was ragged and wrinkled, and her eyes were rounded with black circles. Is that how I look? I haven't had the time to check the mirror.

"Taban is at the fair, working on something. He'll be back in awhile," Lara softly said.

Crono nodded with a smile and left. The smile didn't last long. He didn't feel like smiling, but he had to do something for his dead friend's, mother's sake. In an hour Crono reached the fairgrounds and headed up north where the Telepod would be. Once he got there, a scene that he was unprepared for assaulted him, but he was not surprised.

Taban was finishing dismantling the Telepod.

Crono reached over and placed a comforting hand on the inventor. Slowly, Taban looked over his shoulder to see Crono smiling widely. Taban roughly shook the hand off his shoulder.

"What do you want, Crono? If it's the Telepod, forget it. This thing was the start of my daughter's adventures, but it was the same thing that led her to her grave."

Crono nodded, accepting the answer. Who would blame you? Thought the swordsman. As if Taban read his mind, he nodded and said, "No one would blame me. I have my way to grief and the king has his. I take down the last invention that my daughter and I made, and he puts up a bell with his daughter's name on it."

Crono turned around and quickly ran to the square. As he got to the base, he began to circle around the bell. It wasn't Leene's bell! The bell was made of silver, not the usually bronze. There was a name, engraved at the top written 'Princess Nadia'. Crono's eyes went wide and took a step back, and then another. His knees gave way, looking at the bell with his lost friend's name on it.

Then, the bell began to ring. An unexpected strong wind began to blow causing the bell to ring loudly. Crono closed his eyes and clasped his ears from the loud ringing. As soon as the wind stopped, the bells ringing began to sound pleasant again.

Crono opened his eyes and then his eyes went wide. There before him, as if summoned from the future, was the Epoch. Crono began to shake his head. I have gone off the deep end. How?

Crono got up and felt the cool metal of the Epoch. It is here and I'm not going to waste my chance. Quickly, Crono open the hatch and jumped into the time machine. It appeared the same, but the controls were different, but the swordsman didn't pay too much attention to the controls. He placed the pendent to a power generator, hoping that the machine would be disrupted in flight, as the Telepod was when the pendent interfered with the machinery.

Crono closed the hatch and turned the knob to a random era. The ship took to the air and began flying faster than the speed of light. The pendent began to glow and the Epoch began to shake. I hope this works. Janus, I'm coming.The Epoch vanished in time.