Chapter XVII: Tata and the Frog

Chrono awoke to the sound of hushed voices – Nadia and Robo. The strange thing about Robo's voice was its uniformity. No matter how loud or soft his voice became, he always sounded as if he spoke at conversational levels, but from different distances. That night he sounded like he was speaking in another room, yet he was standing rigidly, facing him from the other side of Nadia's bed. Chrono made sure he appeared to be asleep.

"Maybe I'm just not as strong as the others," he heard Nadia whisper.

"That is only true if you consider strength to be purely physical. In that case Chrono has a chromosomal advantage over you."

"What? I'm not talking about a physical relationship at all, Robo. If you're trying to cheer me up it's not going to work."

Chrono rolled over to face away from Robo just as he began scanning the room. "Nadia, you are not the only one in shock from the reality of war, and you're not the only one to tell me. Certainly all of us were shocked, coming from such non-violent societies, that humanity could be so – "

"I get the point, Robo. But the others seem to be just fine – Lucca gets along as usual, and you know how Chrono bottles everything up inside – "

I do not.

" – and he never says what he's really thinking – "

Yes I do – well, usually…

" – so you never know what's wrong with him anyway. How come I'm the only one to feel like this? Am I just unable to, well, get over it? Do you think we'll be looking back on this in a hundred years and laugh?"

"No, but – "

"People died… I mean, yes, of course they died, but they died in front of me, and it was up to me to, well, do something about it. I was healing this one soldier – he had multiple gashes all over his body, like someone had used him to sharpen a knife, and he was almost dead, and I was there, magically sewing up his wounds, and when I was done he was dead. Somewhere in the middle he had just died. The boy looked like he died from nothing. I mean, all his wounds were gone, and his body put back together – he didn't have a mark on him. I can't get him out of my mind – every time I try to sleep, I just imagine him lying there, perfectly healthy, on a bed soaked with blood, just lying still, eyes open, closed, it never matters…" she paused for a long time. "Don't tell anyone I said anything… please."

"I promise, Nadia. I think you are strong, because you are able to see that you are weak."

Oh, please.

"Thanks. I think I feel better… maybe… good night…"

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"This is it?" Nadia grunted.

"No… there has to be an entrance somewhere nearby." Lucca tapped her helmet a few times and started muttering to herself. "Ancient mountain… underground passageway… local rumor, map, facts…"

"Perhaps we arrived at the wrong location," Robo offered.

"No. This is the only small mountain around, and all the people say Mystics come from here."

"It could be just another one of those myths about Magus," Chrono suggested weakly, then continued before he could stop himself, "along with the Masamune and the Hero."

Lucca glared at him for a moment. "Yes, but this passageway was recorded in several different editions of countless volumes in history. The Masamune and the Hero are mentioned as myth and they are unverified."

"I don't mean to say we're on the wrong track, here, but just because the history people write it doesn't mean it happened."

She didn't respond for a while. "Then what? We have a pathway out of some Cursed Woods leading to… nothing. No sign of a hole, a door, anything. Just a solid stone wall…"

Nadia wasted no time. "Let's go back, then. It's early and it's cold."

"You're complaining that it's cold?"

Chrono raised a hand. "Hey, stop! We haven't found a door or anything right in front of us, but that doesn't mean there's not a door somewhere on this mountain."

"I do not mean to interrupt." Robo stepped in between Chrono and Lucca. "It is highly inefficient to search the entirety of the mountain with no knowledge of the entrance. By my estimation it would take us, if we split up, at least one week. Rather, we should question the village people more thoroughly. Then we may get our spirits up."

"Unless there's nothing here," Chrono jumped in. "Why don't we go back and rest anyway. We're on the wrong track. So what? We're stuck here in the godforsaken Middle Ages trying to discover the secret behind who-knows-what kinds of devilry and mythology, and we can't even find a way to access this 'hidden' island where Magus supposedly lives. But right now we have our own devilry and mythology going on with the Masamune, and with the Hero. Both of which are very closely related to this thing with Lavos. And they're both happening about an hour away. So we've wasted the first part of our morning parading out in the middle of the woods for no reason. What's our hurry?"

As if by divine timing, Chrono was answered by a sharp crack in the air. He and the others dove for cover under some nearby bushes. That's when they noticed the split in the side of the mountain, running from the top all the way to the ground where the path met the vertical face. And slowly the split widened and grew darker until they all saw something walking out of the rock wall. Another moment later they saw it was not one thing, but at least a hundred of them – all Mystics. The creatures marched out in military precision, ahead, into the Cursed Woods, until they disappeared from sight.

Chrono and the others just watched in awe as the last of them came out, and as soon as that one was out of sight, they all leapt from their hiding place and ran toward the split. But even as they ran they saw it closing it – the rock wall was coming back together. Robo halted the others and held them back as the two halves collided with another sharp crack – and slowly, the two halves started melting into each other, as if the crack were being painted over.

When it was all finished they stood silent for a few moments. Then Chrono cleared his throat. "I vote we go with my plan."

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Chrono didn't really have a plan. As he and the others trudged back on the road to Porre, he frantically searched his mind for some clear formula. It was obvious enough they couldn't find a way to re-open the rock wall, and now they were almost completely certain that whatever was behind that wall had to lead to Magus's castle. There were too many historical "coincidences" for it not to be what Lucca was looking for. But they hit a dead end. Instead, Chrono knew they had to follow history along its original course – but history was already no longer running on that course. The Hero, the Hero… something to do with the Hero. And the legendary sword. He could feel that the answer was just under his nose, but it was just too small to see. Or, it was too large to see all of it. Once the sword and the Hero are reunited, then what do we do?

What can I do now but just follow the path set before me?

"Chrono, look!" Lucca gasped, interrupting Chrono's inner monologue. He stopped staring at his feet and looked ahead to where Lucca pointed.

It was a frog – or rather, the frog. Chrono knew no frog was that large… or for that matter, wore clothes. At this point he had only a vague memory of the creature from their dealings with Yakra, but one thing was for certain: this had to be the same one. The frog had noticed them, and was already giving them his arrogant glare Chrono had not missed at all. This time, however, his arrogance was misplaced, as he wore shabby brown rags and heaps of leather that could barely pass for boots. He had nothing else on him. By the looks of things he hadn't eaten well in the last few years, either.

"Sir Chrono, if memory serves me." Chrono had also not missed his deep, froggy voice. "Thy mode of stealth hath not improved since last we met."

Nobody had a good answer for that, except Robo. "Pardon me, good… sir…" he began, obviously trying to break the ice but only succeeding in breaking the silence. "We have not been properly acquainted, though you seem to know my friends well enough. I am called Robo – "

"Ah, is this thy new recruit? His suit hath seen better times."

"I am not wearing a suit. I am a machine. I am man-made, and my friends have called me Robo. And you? Do you not have a name?"

"My name was of no importance before, and so it shall be of no importance today, or any other day so long as I live. Now go, disturb me not, for I have grown weary of men." With that, the frog turned to go. "May God be with thee on they ventures, now pray let me go my way."

Until now Chrono's feet had been rooted to the path, but as the frog left, he found himself following. He convinced himself it was out of morbid curiosity rather than any kind of pity. "Are ye deaf? Have you no heads? I wish to be alone!"

Chrono kept moving forward. "I don't think so… what's going on?" Now his friends slowly began following him.

The frog did not even look back. "No. It is too late. I cannot."

"Too late for what?" Chrono panted. The frog had picked up speed, and so he had to begin jogging to catch up. "What can't you do?" He was beginning to get a strange thrill from the pursuit, almost like a power rush.

"Questions!" The frog bellowed as he whirled around, stopping everyone in their tracks. "Too many questions for me to answer. Do all the ghosts return for me at once?"

"Ghosts? We are not ghosts. You're crazy."

"'tis true," he muttered, then sat down on a nearby rock. "It has been far too long since I have spoken with your kind. Perhaps I am fortunate enough to have imagined thee. Or do you have other ghosts with you? Queen Leene, perhaps? Nay, or even the great Sir Cyrus! I have strayed too long, Cyrus!"

Chrono paused for a moment to rub his forehead. "Look, we're not ghosts. I'm real. I've just been away for a long time. Who am I kidding – I'm talking to a frog! You're wasting my time."

"Aye. So it would seem. But if there is one truth I have learned in all my years, I know that chance and opportunity are brothers. There are no unused threads in the tapestry of time. Even a ghost may be a rescuer. Thou might be speaking to an abomination of nature, but I speak with a figment."

By this time the others had caught up, and Lucca spoke up. "Chrono, we're not here to goof off. You're the one with the high-and-mighty plan now, so let's see it."

"Ah, so thou art the leader of this children's parade. Thou hast greatly improved thy presence since last we met. Alas, it would be humorous if not for my own descent into… into what you see before you." The frog made a sweeping gesture with one hand as if to display his tiny body – but he instead revealed a long gash on the inner part of his arm.

Nadia gasped and took a step toward him. "You're bleeding!"

"Aye! Proof that I hath slain nine – nay – ten cursed mystics. Thou wouldst be lucky to survive such an attack… what? Woman, touch me not! I said away with ye!"

Nadia had continued approaching as he spoke. As she reached for him, he pulled back in fright. With her hands outstretched, she did indeed look rather ghostly, but even then his fear seemed unwarranted. "I'm not going to hurt you, but if you don't quit moving around so much I might. Hold still!"

The frog fought her a little bit, but couldn't do much, mostly because (Chrono guessed) he was dealing with a lady and was bound by honor to be respectful. Finally, though, Nadia got her hands around his arm. The frog definitely looked uncomfortable, but not compared to Nadia's extreme disgust at having to touch his slick green skin. The only thing keeping her hands on his arm was her own sense and kindness (or so Chrono guessed). The frog kept squirming and writhing in mental agony for another few seconds, then immediately relaxed and stared at his own arm. Where Nadia's hands had been, his skin had come together completely, until there was no sign of any mark. And the places she had not touched slowly began to close themselves like curtain flaps, pulling the drying black blood inside with them. The frog held out his arm for nearly a minute, his mouth partially open, and then he slowly turned his gaze to Nadia. She seemed as astonished as he.

"Not ghosts," he managed to stammer out after a few moments. "Angelic hosts! Spirits! I cannot fathom…"

"We aren't spirits either," Nadia said flatly, suppressing a giggle.

"Of course, of course… 'tis impossible!"

"We're not special."

"You are sent by God Himself! 'tis only logical – for no man is born – woman – give me a seat." He promptly plopped down on a nearby stump. "Aye, this was my sign that the prophecies would be fulfilled."

Chrono perked up at those last words. "Prophecies?"

The frog only stared back, visibly perplexed by the boy's sudden interest. "Wonders. Signs. The day is fast approaching!" He almost stood up, but then sighed and bowed his head. "Alas that I was too weak to continue. I hath done what I could. At least I can rest knowing I was not in error, that the Hero lives, that his sword shall be claimed, and that the darkness will be destroyed."

"Wait a minute – hold it right there!" Chrono took a step toward the frog. "The Hero?"

"Aye, the poor soul. Such a heavy burden for a small boy… if only I were fortunate enough to be called with him. But alas, the hero I am not. I can do naught."

"Why not?" Chrono felt his heart beating against his chest.

"Art thou blind!? Can thou not see what is before you? I am cursed like the mystics – my soul was slain on Denadoro. It would have been better for the world had my body been slain as well. I am sorry. Do not hold my weakness against me, for I am only mortal. I have seen what I was meant to see. Leave me now, for I am content."

"Sure. Go in peace, I guess," Chrono shrugged, trying to appear casual. But he was beginning to see things for what they were – or at least he was getting a glimpse at something. The frog bowed to him, and he returned the gesture. Then the creature went forlornly on his way, enough to make Chrono cringe.

The four of them remained silent for a moment, then Robo spoke. "If someone would please inform me as to what happened, I would be grateful."

"I'll let you know once I find out myself."

"Does he really think we're some kind of magical spirits?" Nadia blurted.

"Does it matter?" Lucca answered. "We kind of are. Now let's get moving. We've wasted enough time already. Chrono?"

"I've got it."

"Oh no you don't. Not what I think you've got."

"Oh yes."

"Remember? We're supposed to stay out of history's way. That dumb creature just imagined it all… we're not the Hero, we're not a part of the prophecy, and we're not a sign of anything."

"We are now," Chrono said. "Remember what he said? Chance and opportunity are family?"

"Brothers."

"Right. Nothing is coincidence? Well I don't know about you, but I've seen way too many of these 'coincidences.' I've got some signs of my own. So the Hero was some made up little slogan to get people all riled up, right? Well, we'll give them a Hero – several Heroes, in fact. We'll give them a sword. And we'll give them a battle against the darkness. Who knows, maybe we'll find what we're looking for. We certainly haven't got anywhere 'staying out of history's way,' haven't we?"

"But – " Lucca could say no more. Just by looking in her eyes Chrono could see he had her beat. He also knew he had her support (eventually). And if he had Lucca's all, he definitely had the others'. He couldn't help but feel a little swelling in his chest.

"Chrono is right," Robo said, breaking the silence again. "I think I understand it now. We cannot control history. We are history. We make history."

Lucca sighed and gritted her teeth. "Let's make history, then."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Finally, an update. Anyway, I've just been getting over some severe writer's block for this section and I'm still unsure what I'm going to do with the next one, so I'm really concerned that you're not exactly following me anymore.

Anyway, you'll notice that I've changed the geographic features quite a bit. Mostly that's for convenience sake. In the game, it's no big deal to walk around to get everywhere, but I didn't want to have to keep changing the setting drastically every time the gang went anywhere. I mean, all the landmarks - Dorino, Porre, The Cursed Woods, The Magic Cave, etc. - are spaced as far apart as possible, such that it would take them several days just to travel between each one. So, that's my explanation.

Also, I'm busy thinking of ways to incorporate all the game and story elements together so this all feels like one story, instead of several episodes. The Hero is just one way to do that, so I'll bring those references back a lot, but I'm also going to draw some parallels in that may or may not be hinted at in the game. Who knows. Just keep your eye out for those, and perhaps let me know what you think should be paralleled. And if you're wondering why these segments of the story are getting really dark, I'll let you in on a secret... I've given each time period it's own mood, so to speak. I'll let you figure out just what that implies for each segment of the story, but that may help you in understanding just why these last chapters have featured such depressing moments.

I actually had fun working on Glenn's character for this chapter. I'm sort of reconstructing him to fit the Japanese version... which I've never played and don't know diddly about. But I've heard that Glenn's character is very different. He doesn't speak ye olde English (but I think it makes him even more outrageous so I kept it), but he is (provided my sources are telling the truth) more arrogant and tends to have an attitude. There are a couple of other Japanese elements I'll bring into this, so keep that in mind... if I'm destroying your vision of the character, I'm doing it for a reason.

Finally, I just want to warn you that some of the upcoming sequences will have plot changes that have been done before - I've seen them all in at least one other story. While I am in no way copying them (I actually thought of doing these before the other people wrote their segments) I do have to allow them some sort of credit. As I haven't written these developments, I'm not going to credit them right now, but if you're reading and you notice I wrote something that you did (two things in particular), then please know I didn't steal your idea. Not that you really care, but I did have this all in my head from the start. You just beat me to it.