Chapter 11 / Magus and the Summoning
After returning to the End of Time we headed back to the Middle Ages and found our way to the home of Frog. Or what he was using as his home. When we descended the ladder into his home he turned to us from where he sat and got to his feet.
"Sir Crono, Lady Lucca and Lady Marle. It is a pleasure to see you all again," Frog said politely. "I'm surprised to see you've come to visit me again."
Lucca then moved to me and pulled the Masamune free from the sheath we had also crafted for it. And then moved in front of Frog with the sword in hand. She displayed it for him to see in its full splendor. "The Masamune has been restored to what it once was, possibly stronger than before."
"It wasn't easy, and Lucca worked really hard with Melchior to reforge it," Marle pointed out.
Frog blinked, "The Masamune? You restored the blade?" He cautiously put his hand over the blade but he didn't touch it or take the sword. "It does seem to be even more powerful than before. Perhaps with this we can face..." Frog stopped and then suddenly turned away. "I must ponder these turn of events. Please remain here for the night. I shall make my decision by morning."
"Decision?" Marle's eyebrows furrowed as I could see a tick of irritation building. "People are dying to Magus and his Mystics, Frog!"
"I know, but facing Magus is not a simple task. Even with the power of the Masamune, that acts as a bane to his power, it will not guarantee victory for us. His magic is undeniably powerful. He has been able to wipe out dozens or more with just a simple spell. And he... is also responsible for the form you see here now," Frog indicated to himself.
"Even still, you hold the hero badge and the Masamune. Proof that you have been chosen by Guardia to hold the blade, proof that you are the strongest swordsman in the land!" Marle argued further.
"I wasn't chosen," Frog quickly cut her off. He turned to us and gave an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. Allow me to tell you the truth of what has transpired. That led to me becoming as you see before you. It was before I was even born, both the Masamune and the Hero Badge were lost. Though it isn't known how they were lost, but the kingdom of Guardia lost possession of it's treasures. There was some rumors that the Hero Badge had been seen in a swamp that belonged to one known as the Frog King. But none of that was a concern of mine when I was a boy."
"I'll get you this time, Glenn!" a young man with dark brown hair swung wide with his wooden sword.
Glenn had short green hair and used his own wooden sword to cleanly knock the sword away. "You're telegraphing your moves, Cyrus! You won't beat me like that!" Glenn then pressed his attack with quick stabs that Cyrus could barely keep himself out of the way of.
The two young men continued to fight for hours. This was part of their daily routine.
"Cyrus, Glenn, I brought you lunch," a girl of blond hair came over with a basket and had a big smile on her face as the two boys came over to her. "You're both working hard as always."
"We have to if we want to be the best swordsman in the land," Cyrus said proudly.
"Then you should work on your footing. If it isn't solid you'll never land a hit powerful enough to finish your foes," Glenn said as he sat down next to the girl in the grass as they all settled down to eat lunch.
"Isn't that why you're helping him, Glenn?" the girl giggled.
"What are you doing here, Leene? Don't you have a royal summons to get to?" Cyrus asked.
Leene just smiles, "It's fine. Perry, is just making a huge deal of our engagement."
"Well it is a big deal. You're considered a Princess now. You'll be Queen when the wedding happens," Glenn pointed out.
"I didn't want him to, he has enough to deal with because of his Father dying so suddenly," Leene shook it off as she reached into the basic and handed both of them a sandwich and then water to drink.
"His Majesty needs your support now, more than ever," Cyrus said after a moment. "He is likely most at ease when he is with you."
"I know," Leene says solemnly and averts her eyes. "It's just my own hesitation. I'll miss spending time with you two. It won't be like when we were children. I'll have to stay at the castle grounds. Perry already doesn't like me being away from the castle now. Since our engagement is known, I can't do as I please. I'm going to miss Truce."
"It isn't like you are unhappy being with him," Glenn said in between bites.
"No, of course not," Leene nodded. "It's just. Life is changing, for all of us."
"That's why we have to be the best swordsman, Glenn," Cyrus grinned.
"So your real name is Glenn?" I asked him as we had all settled in seats at his table.
He nodded, "Indeed. Cyrus and I came from Truce along with Queen Leene."
"You were childhood friends with the Queen then? That explains why you went after the Queen even though you aren't technically a knight," Lucca hypothesized out loud.
"Queen Leene and I were neighbors growing up. Though I was more interested in swordplay as a child, thanks to my Father. Cyrus followed after me, and we sparred often. We constantly pushed ourselves to the edge while training. I didn't have a desire to join the Guardia knights though. Cyrus did. He joined and climbed the ranks quickly. He was the best swordsman there was among them. Though he would often come and still train with me from time to time," Frog explained.
"And what did you decide to do?" I couldn't help but ask.
"I worked primarily as a bodyguard and protector for merchants that went between Truce and Porre. With the threat of the Mystics attacking, the soldiers and knights of Guardia were busy elsewhere. It was like that for a couple years before Cyrus came to me when I was back in Truce, and asked me to come with him. His intention was to track down the Hero Badge from the Frog King and then to track down the Masamune. At first I refused. I didn't want to get involved but then he told me about how low morale was among the troops and the populace of Guardia. Not only that but that His Majesty and Leene were struggling to keep up the fight. Our troops grew weary but the Mystics only seemed to grow in ferocity and ambition. This was Cyrus' plan to boost everything for the kingdom," Frog averted his gaze before he told another part of his tale.
"Is this truly the time to do so?" Queen Leene asked from her place on the throne, next to her husband, the King.
"I understand your concern. But I believe it best to go now. It's long past time we reclaimed the Hero Badge from the Frog King. And it is imperative I see that sword with my own eyes," Cyrus voice only showed confidence in his decision. Although Glenn knew that there was much doubt within him.
"Cyrus, this kingdom has need of you. Leene and I need you as well. Still, if you feel this is a journey that you must make then just assure me you shall return," King Guardia XXI seemed to relent with a sigh.
"As long as there is life in these bones, I shall-come what may. Well then, by your leave," Cyrus bowed a final time and turned leaving the throne room and towards the entrance hall of the castle. Lined on both sides of the hall were the knights.
"Sir Cyrus!" A knight comes forward and bows. "On behalf of the knighthood, we wish you a safe journey and Godspeed."
"My brothers..." Cyrus smiled upon the knight and pulled him to his feet. "I trust the kingdom's protection to you. See that she is kept safe from her enemies."
"Yes, Sir Cyrus!" The knight nodded.
Cyrus then approached Glenn who waited at the door. Glenn regarded Cyrus for a moment, "Are you sure about this? If something happens while you are away..."
"Then the knights shall do their duty," Cyrus said curtly. "Sorry, Glenn."
Glenn shook his head, "You're as stubborn as ever."
"Cyrus! Glenn!" a voice called out, and they watched as Queen Leene came rushing down the stairs towards them. She miss-stepped and tripped, but Glenn reacted before anyone and was there to catch her. Leene blushed, "Thanks, Glenn."
"I don't believe a Queen should be running down stairs," Glenn smiled and helped her settle on her feet. "You are still the same Leene I knew growing up, even after these years as Queen."
"And you still stifle your talent with a blade by not joining the knights. I know Cyrus and I would both be more at ease if you fought together as you did in your youth," Leene countered with her own.
"Perhaps... I might consider it when we return," Glenn said after a moment.
Leene smiled big, "Truly?"
"Oh? This is reason to celebrate. We must be successful then," Cyrus grinned.
"Do you promise, Glenn?" Leene pressed.
"When we return triumphant, I shall become your knight," Glenn spoke seriously for a moment.
There was a heavy weight of emotion that came from Frog as he recounted earlier days in his life. There was obvious affection between the three childhood friends of Cyrus, Glenn and Leene. And I think I was starting to understand who Frog... or rather Glenn was. Leene had become betrothed to the King, sometime after the previous King had died and the Prince had no choice but to take the throne. As they were all coming of age, decisions had to be made. Of the three, it was Glenn that was unsure of what he wanted of his life. And it seemed that was holding true even now.
"So you left with Cyrus to find the Hero badge and the Masamune. Obviously, you succeeded," Lucca pushed the conversation forward.
"Yes, with Cyrus and I's ability with a sword, we were able to fend off any monster that came our way. And I had learned to track creatures with my experience out in the wilderness. We were able to locate the Frog King and reclaim the Hero Badge by swiftly defeating him. Thanks to that it also lessened monster attacks on the nearby village. Cyrus and I bonded closer than we had ever been before. We took the trial of Masa & Mune and Cyrus claimed the sword. With the Hero Badge and Masamune in hand we planned to return to Guardia. But that isn't what happened," Frog shook his head as he continued to recount the tale.
Ambushed as Cyrus and Glenn were leaving the resting place of the Masamune. As it turns out someone else had tracked it down as well. With intentions of taking the sword for themselves.
"Hand over the sword and I shall allow you to leave with your lives," a young man similar in age to Glenn stood opposed to them. He had long light blue hair and piercing red eyes. A red cloak over his body and then dark magenta leather armor. In his hands was a menacing looking scythe.
"We can't do that," Cyrus said and brandished the Masamune.
"Hm? Cryus, the leader of the Knights of Guardia. I suppose it is not surprising that you would try to claim this sword. But having it will not do you any good," the man insisted.
"Magus!" Cyrus eyes widened as he recognized the man.
"Magus? This man is the leader of the Mystics?" Glenn quickly pulled out his sword as well.
Magus' expression didn't change as he stood back, "Don't make this difficult, you fools. You don't understand the powers involved."
"Why would we trust the leader of the Mystics?" Cyrus countered.
"Leader?" Magus then diverted his gaze to the left. "Ozzie, explain yourself."
A mystic with green skin that was small and somewhat plump in stature and had a grin that belonged only to the most vile of individuals. As if his plans he set in motion were coming to fruition in front of him. "Your power is one to be praise, Lord Magus. It has become a symbol to our people."
"Our people?" Magus' eyebrows furrowed. "It matters not what you people believe. Right now, I need that sword. I suppose it is my own folly for not realizing that this blade would exist here. Hand over the sword. I shall not warn you again."
"We will not yield to you," Cyrus didn't budge.
"Cyrus, wait..." Glenn started.
"No, I made a promise that we would make it back, sword in hand. For Leene, for Guardia. So that you would join me as a Knight to defend our country," Cyrus was adamant. Glenn fell silent.
"You've made your choice," Magus charge in and met his blade against the Masamune. Despite the size and no doubt irregular use of the scythe against a sword, Magus matched Cyrus blow for blow. Glenn stood there, unsure of what to do. Jumping into the fight could do more harm than good.
A few more clashes against them and the two became locked together with their blades, "I'm impressed, I assumed the leader of the Mystics would be unable to wield a weapon."
"Don't presume to know me, you don't know anything!" Magus angrily pushed back and averted his gaze long enough to look specifically at the Masamune. "Is this truly the Masamune? It's blade has long since dulled. Even if you have the skill to wield it, it is worthless to me or anyone in this state."
"What are you talking about?" Cyrus was getting nervous, the way Magus talked showed that he wasn't a mindless monster set on conquering. No, he had purpose, and he knew what he spoke of.
"You face the pair Masa & Mune to claim that weapon did you not? You should realize it is more than just a sword," Magus kicked Cyrus and swung his scythe hard and repeatedly at Cyrus. The clashing of blades only grew louder and then suddenly... the Masamune split. The sword that Cyrus and Glenn had journeyed to retrieve was cut cleanly in two.
Cyrus stumbled back, only the hilt in his hand. The broken blade left on the ground. "Impossible, how we're you able to cut through the sword?" Then he looked down at the broken hilt and his eyes widened, "You were aiming for the same spot. But with how fast we were fighting… how is that possible!?"
"I told you, do not presume you know of me," Magus repeated, his anger had calmed as he placed his scythe down at his side. "The Masamune has lost its splendor. It is of no use to me now. The Masamune once held a power to affect magic, now it is but a broken sword. Ozzie, we're leaving."
"No... No... NO!" Cyrus charges forward and before Glenn could call out, Magus had instantly flipped around his scythe and slashed at Cyrus, who only had a broken sword to use. Magus, cut was deep and his scythe was clearly sharper than it appeared, as Cyrus' armor held no resistance to it.
"You are a fool," Magus said kicking him away.
"Cyrus!" Glenn called out rushing to the side of his friend.
"Glenn, I'm sorry. Please, look after Leene... in my place," Cyrus spoke as blood poured from his wound. Glenn did his best to try and stop the bleeding but Glenn was kicked away from him. Standing over his dying friend was Ozzie.
He laughed with a twisted grin, "The Captain of the Knights of Guardia is dead. Or will be shortly. I wonder what it is we should do with you."
In the moment, Glenn had dropped his sword, his eyes widened as he realized he was defenseless. Glenn couldn't think of anything to say or even what to do. He was at the mercy of this Mystic. He just found himself looking up at them, unable to say or do anything. His friend was dying, or already dead., and he had been powerless to do anything.
Magus simply eyed the broken Masamune, disappointed. He then looked down at Glenn.
"How about it, Lord Magus? Would you like to kill the whelp?" Ozzie spoke with a sneer.
Magus glanced to Ozzie and then back to Glenn, "You would do well to remember this, Glenn. That is the name he called you, correct?" He held out his hand as energy began to gather. "Every action has consequence. Inaction is no different. You made your choice, and now you shall suffer the consequence."
"I believed that Magus would strike me down as Ozzie had been eager to end my life. Instead, he hit me with a spell and sent me falling into the river below. When I awoke I had this form and only the Hero Badge to remind me of my failure to act," Frog hung his head as he finished recounting his tale.
It was curious though... why would Magus kill Cyrus and not Glenn? And why would Magus seek the Masamune when it was a sword that could adversely affect him? To prevent others from using it on him to weaken his magic? Or for some other reason? In the story it didn't seem like Magus' actions were all that sinister. If anything it was Ozzie that had been proactive in the situation. Magus himself only attacked when Cyrus had charged him first. Something about this didn't really add up. But something was clear. The events that had happened left Frog uncertain of himself. Of his own abilities.
"How long have you been like this, Glenn?" Lucca asked.
"Please, do not call me by that name. I am no longer deserving of a proper name," Frog said stubbornly as he turned away. "It has been ten years since I have been given this form."
Ten years? And in that time the Mystics hadn't taken more land or attacked more? If Magus was that powerful then he likely could have led the charge himself. Especially if he had taken out Cyrus, who at that time was the best swordsman in all of Guardia. The more I think about it... why had Magus waited so long to act? None of this seemed to add up right.
That likely wasn't so important at the moment. Right now, the main concern was that despite opening up to us and telling his story, it seemed like he was unsure of what he should do. As harsh as it might be, we needed him to act. "You need to face Magus. Until you do, you will never be able to move on with your life," I said somewhat brazenly.
"I am aware of that," Frog didn't look at me.
I shared a glance with Marle and Lucca. A thought came to my mind, "Frog, come with me. There is someone you need to meet."
He looked up at me, confused, "Whom would that be?"
"Someone that helped me understand something about myself, as well as Lucca and Marle," I turned back to the girls. "Do you two mind staying here? We should only be gone for a few hours."
Lucca nodded, "We'll wait for your return."
"I'll try and have some dinner cooked up when you get back," Marle grinned.
Frog relented and followed me out of his home. Of course, there was only one individual that I believed could help Frog realize his real problem. That was Spekkio, and he was a God of War.
"So you did remember, Crono," Spekkio laughed as he looked at Frog. "Welcome, it seems you have a potential within you as well."
"Potential?" Frog looked at Spekkio and then back at me. He was definitely surprised... if not alarmed. "Why does such a small creature talk as if I am the one in need of learning?"
"Yeah he looked like a small furry creature when I first met him too, but that's just a facade," I told him with a shrug.
"Not a facade, but a test. My name is Spekkio. I'm a God of War. From this place I am able to watch battles from all points in time," Spekkio then shifted to his older and markedly human form that I was more accustomed to seeing. "The form you saw when you entered is a technique to show you your personal strength. In other words the form you saw shows that you have doubt and do not trust the skill you honed over your years of training and experiences in battle. That doubt continues to eat away at how mighty your blade once was. Now you are but a shell of that prideful swordsman in your past. If you can confront yourself here and now, I will help restore that pride and also give you the power of magic."
"Magic?" Frog looked to me once more. "Crono, this man is truly a God?"
I nodded, "He is the reason that Marle, Lucca and myself can use magic. He resides here, at the End of Time."
"It seems there is much you have yet to explain to me," Frog then turned back to Spekkio. "What is it that I must do?"
"First, I must know your name," Spekkio said.
"I am Frog," he said.
Spekkio glared at Frog and crossed his arms. "Give me your name."
Frog looked to the ground, "Then I cannot. That name..."
"...Is yours. Was a gift given to you upon your birth, by your parents. We all have a responsibility to bare our names and accept the actions and the consequences that come from that name. Do you believe that Leene enjoys calling you Frog now? Do you think you honor your friend Cyrus by hiding your identity in shame? Do you intend to run like a coward and selfishly refuse to acknowledge that there are things only you can achieve? If you do not, the Masamune will not acknowledge you and you will be useless to anyone," Spekkio's words were harsh but it made Frog visibly shudder from the brutal honesty towards him.
He said nothing for a long period, he just looked at the ground but then he looked up to Spekkio, "My name is Glenn."
"Magic is governed by four elements. Every individual is born with a different affinity. Fire, water, light and shadow. But power and ability is not strictly governed by muscle, training and talent. All things you possess and control are guided by your heart. Without emotions the heart gives you, then you would never train, you would never desire to protect those around you. You would never pick up the sword. This is a truth that you cannot hide from, Glenn. While you may have lost your way, your heart still holds your true desires, even if you attempted to ignore them. Glenn, you are aligned with the element of water. An element that is the core of all life and is representative of how you desire to protect and keep safe the ones around you. Now sit, Glenn and close your eyes," Spekkio sat down in front of Frog and closed his eyes.
Frog... no, Glenn sat in front of Spekkio and then closed his own eyes.
Based on my own experiences, Spekkio would draw Glenn into a dream like world to show him his own hang ups. To put things in perspective. Glenn gaining the ability to use magic was more of a bonus rather than the main intention I had brought him here for.
"Is this the same trial that you and the others undertook?" the mechanical voice of Robo asked from next to me. I hadn't realized he had even entered into the room. Either way, I nodded a confirmation.
"Although it was different for all of us. When he gifts you magic, it means you can't hide from who you are. Something that Glenn has been doing for quite some time. If he wants Spekkio's approval and gain that power, he'll have to admit to things he has been keeping to himself. I had to admit my doubt about the fate of my Father. Marle had to deal with the weight of her responsibility as a Princess, though I imagine her strained relationship with her Father had more to do with it. Lucca was probably something similar as well," I made the explanation short. It wasn't my place to talk about either of the girls situation to someone, even Robo.
I knew what Lucca had likely faced. It would be able her Mother and how she had lost her legs when her Father's machine turned on while her Mother had been cleaning too close to it. Lucca had blamed herself for not knowing anything about her Father's experiments and machines. How she had been unable to save her Mother in that moment. So everything had changed in that moment for Lucca. After that she became obsessed with studying and learning everything her Father knew and more. But she had far exceeded any expectation that anyone could have for her. But her motivations for her inventions hadn't changed. Not from what I could tell. I would say the telepod was one she hoped to use to make it easier for her Mother to get around in the house, so she wouldn't have to go up and down the stairs. Though honestly there were a lot easier inventions she could have made that wouldn't require her to bend time and space or whatever it was that made the telepod work. But that was just Lucca, she couldn't settle for anything other than the best. Even if it might seem impractical.
Marle likely had seen a lot of what continued to conflict her. Her family... the situation within Guardia castle. The death of Queen Aliza and the over protectiveness of King Guardia XXXIII. And then she had also known my Father, Lazarus. I'm unsure of what connected it all together, and I don't think Marle herself quite understood it either. What she did know was that her Father didn't seem to care about her at all. And that the people that cared about her were gone. She had even planned to commit suicide after her time at the fair. But all of that changed, and now she was determined to save the world and stay with me.
"I'm not sure I understand. Perhaps it is because I do not have a heart," Robo said after a moment.
"No," I shook my head. "I don't understand it all completely myself. Did you even know if time travel was possible before you were reactivated and we told you all of that?"
Robo shook his head, "Negative. But my memory banks mostly hold knowledge in regards to my functions, not of scientific theory."
"Well, even Lucca finds it hard to accept. She says that it likely is close to her equation and function of her telepod. The big thing missing is the element of time. If she had time, she would have definitely dived in to figure that out," I comment with a sigh as I watch that Frog looked like whatever he was facing was making him struggle.
"What is the plan from here?" Robo changed the subject.
"We head back and we go after Magus," I spoke simply and concisely.
"And Frog?" Robo pressed.
"He'll do what he wants, I imagine. I think we're about to find out what that is," I say as we watched Glenn getting to his feet.
"Glenn! Speak true from your heart and let the words guide your power!" Spekkio called out with a grin on his face.
"Submerge! The power of rapids. Water!" Glenn's body briefly glowed as he summoned the power of his magic. Three Bubbles appeared, two within a large one floated out and then after traveling a distance away, there was a loud snap and pop as the bubbles burst. Not inward but outward. It seemed odd but, the pressure within that bubble must have been immense. Was it meant to simulate the pressure of water itself?
"Congrats, Glenn," I say as I walk over to him.
Glenn was looking down at his glove covered hands and formed a fist in each before looking to me, "Crono. There is much I am ashamed of. Things I must atone for. And I must apologize to you and your friends as well. I realize that you have your own motivations for helping me. For restoring the Masamune, but either way, I am in your debt. Thank you for taking a chance on me. For believing in me."
I shook my head, "You didn't need me. You just needed to remember what you already knew."
Glenn turned back to the God of War who stood there with a smile, "Spekkio, thank you for the gift you have given me. I will not waste it."
"Of course you won't. I would not have allowed you to obtain it otherwise," he laughed.
"We should head back. You ready, Robo?" I turn to my mechanical friend.
"Me as well?" Robo asked.
"Yeah, we're going to be assaulting a stronghold. We'll need all the help we can get. Besides, it has been long enough that the Gate should be stable enough for us to head back. We'll just deal worry about leaving after we get to that point. Not exactly a point of contention if we are overly cautious and just end up being killed by Magus instead," I point out with a slight shrug. "Plus, there is no telling what we will face once we are inside his lair."
"It will not be easy. Magus is a skilled fighter as well as wielder of powerful magic. Even with five of us, it will be difficult to come out unscathed," Glenn croaked as he turned back towards me.
"Let's get moving. The girls will be waiting for our return," I said heading back to the Gate. We would be charging against the Mystics of Magus' army. I would use everything we had to do this. But from Glenn's words I realized that it was still going to be a long shot.
Our group of five approached the side of a hill. No, it looked like a cave that had it's entrance forcibly collapsed on itself. If the Mystic army did come from here then they had closed it behind them to stop anyone from pursuing them. That was hardly the move of an army with superior numbers or strength.
"Magus' army must not be in the best of shapes," Lucca commented as we stopped, likely coming to the same conclusion I had. "There would be no reason to do this otherwise. Guardia does not have the spare troops to recklessly charge into enemy territory."
"Or it is to buy time for creating Lavos, right? If there is even a small chance that someone heard of their intentions then they might worry that Guardia would send everything they have to stop them," Marle spoke up. They both had good points.
The girls had been initially surprised when I returned with both Glenn and Robo, but they both agreed that the extra hands in this case was likely the better idea. And from a rough estimation from Lucca, she figured that the gates would stabilize after around six hours. So after facing Magus, they would just have to stagger returning to the End of Time. Still, the closed cave entrance was definitely a problem.
"Do not worry, I should be able to clear this from our path. The Masamune, if you please," Glenn said and Lucca stepped towards him and handed him the sword. Glenn took it and turned towards the massive rock that blocked their path and then with a spin he plunges the Masamune into the ground and then places his hands on the top of hilt. "There is something I wish to tell all of you. While I was the better swordsman, Cyrus was several years my senior. But he looked over at Leene and I, as if he were more like an elder brother. Despite my skill, it was Cyrus that had the confidence to do what I could not."
"I'm going to become a knight, Glenn," Cyrus spoke as he looked out into the water as he and Glenn stood on the Zenan bridge. "Leene lives at the castle now. After spending all her life in Truce, she must be lonely, even with her husband."
"She will definitely welcome a familiar face at the castle. You'll be a fine knight, I'm sure of it," Glenn commented.
"Come with me Glenn. Together we can both protect Leene. If you were there, I'm sure that Leene..."
"No," Glenn shook his head. "I can't."
"Why? You're better with a sword than I. Always have been. Plus you are Leene's childhood friend. One of her only true friends. If anyone should be at her side to protect her, it should be you," Cyrus quickly argued back.
"Me? That is precisely why I cannot be the one to protect her or be at her side," Glenn looked away from his friend as he leaned on the fence of the bridge and looked down into the water. "I have never been able to speak the truth to Leene. When she met the Prince who would become our King and the Princess she would begin to serve until her sickness took her, she looked so happy. How could I ever hope to be compared to that of royalty? So I never spoke of my own feelings, and I supported her all this time. But you would ask me to support her still? Even knowing that I..." Glenn shook his head and focused down at the water as the last light of the day was disappearing.
"I know. You've always loved Leene. Ever since you were young. But those emotions you hold don't have to be shackles. You can still be her protector. The knight that is more faithful to her majesty than any other. Who better than you could protect her from danger? What other knight in the kingdom would be more willing to sacrifice their life for her?" Cyrus pleaded to his friend.
"It is also precisely as you say that I cannot. I have lied countless times to Leene. And I do not wish to be reminded daily of my failure to speak my true wishes to her. You are asking me to torture myself just because I can use a blade," Glenn started to walk away from his friend.
"If you truly love her, then you would be happy for her. You would use your skill for her benefit as well as for the benefit of our homeland. We all owe our gratitude to the King. He and his soldiers charged in and saved the three of us from the mystic troops years ago. You may have failed in your own love, but please remember that before that, she is your childhood friend. Who do you think she wants to see at the castle above all others?" Cyrus yelled at Glenn frustrated. However he did not glance back.
"I was a foolish young man. And I didn't see him for some time after that. Later he called me to the castle to talk with me. That was when he spoke of the Masamune and wanting to defeat Magus. He had grown only more confident and was a proud member of Guardia's knights. And yet he had called me to journey with him, despite how much of a coward I had been. I found it rather fitting that Magus' magic would give me this form. A frog that hid like a coward while his friend valiantly fought for what he believed in. Gave his life to protect what was most important to him. He wanted to save Guardia. He wanted to ease the worries of his King and Queen by eliminating their enemy. And yet I had done nothing to help. I simply hid from the world and continued to polish my swordsmanship for a reason I did not know. But I did not have the bravery or courage to fight for anyone other than myself. Even in Cyrus' hour of need when he faced Magus, I did nothing to aid him," Glenn confessed to all of us.
I wasn't sure what to say. Glenn had been in love with Leene. No, I feel it was more accurate that he was still in love with her. A childhood friend that he had never worked up the courage to tell the truth to. Love. What a terribly complex emotion that we all must learn to deal with, one way or another. My relationship with Marle was different than Glenn's was with Leene. Marle was a Princess, the next in line for the throne. In a normal circumstance I would have never met her.
The way it was supposed to work is that once Marle was deemed ready, potential suitors would be brought to the Castle, and then evaluated. Marriage was often done more as business with the main thought being, what was best for the Kingdom. Well, typically. It was more of an ideal situation. In wartime though, things changed. No doubt with the death of his own Father and being forced to take the throne early had made normal practices impossible. Choosing Leene as his wife likely had been just as much a political reason as it was a emotional one. Getting married to someone that already knew him, and had a fair understanding of what they would be getting themselves into.
Additionally, with the way Leene had spoken to me before, I suspected that there was much more to her situation than she had let on. Leene had been a handmaiden to the Princess before the Princess fell ill and passed away. No doubt she still lived in Truce and simply traveled to the castle each day. Her days likely went from helping the princess for most of the day and then being back in the village of Truce. If I had to guess, her hairpin with the Guardia seal had been a gift to her, nor from the King but her treasured friend the Princess who had died. What she hadn't said was her relationship to Frog, and the time she had spent away from the castle. No doubt after the death of the Princess she had no reason to be in the castle. Likely she had returned to Truce. Then the King asked her to marry him.
There was a lot in this whole thing that was not being said. How close Glenn and Leene had been in their life, and likely that the two of them reconnected after the death of the Princess. Leene might have been torn between her love for King Guardia and Glenn himself. But Glenn said nothing, and Leene made a choice, that she could not wait for Glenn to choose her. And that King Guardia needed her more. Her love for the Princess likely was also a factor in accepting the marriage. Love wasn't simple. Especially when it came to those in royalty, and the ones that become involved with it. Leene had likely understood that. So her true feelings to the King were likely not that simple.
Glenn shook his head as he put one hand around the hilt of the Masamune, "No longer shall I cower! No longer shall I stand aside and allow my enemies to encroach upon my homeland! My name is Glenn! From this point onward I will take the hopes and dreams of Cyrus and my own and carry forward. With the Hero Badge proudly displayed I will take up the Masamune and face the leader of the Mystics. Henceforth, I will face my trouble's head on. Masamune in hand. I shall face Magus, and restore the honor of Cyrus and my own."
As if responding to his words, when Glenn pulled out the Masamune, a massive light and energy came from the sword. Piercing through the sky as Glenn charged forward and brought the blade of the Masamune onto the massive rock that blocked our way. There was a flash of light and when it cleared, Glenn was sheathing the sword and the path into the cave as the rock was split in two and fell to the side.
"Crono, let us go while the element of surprise remains with us," Glenn said.
I nodded and the five of us charged into the cave.
The inside of the cave appeared to be well lit. I suppose it wasn't that surprising if this had been a staging grounds for the Mystics invading the kingdom. This likely had been fortified at one point, but other than the occasional mystic that would attack us as we navigated the cave, it was relatively empty. Glenn led the group with Robo behind him.
Honestly, I was more surprised how well Glenn had accepted the existence of Robo and well... us being time travelers. I scratched the back of my head and sighed as we continued on. Well, dragging him through a time gate to see Spekkio likely gave him no reason to refuse it as anything but truth.
"So, you told him everything?" Marle asked as she walked next to me.
"Not every detail, but the broad strokes of it. I'm not sure he actually wrapped his head around it, but he did say it would be foolish of him to deny the possibility after we had gone through one of the Gates. He has his doubts about Magus being the origin point of Lavos though. As powerful as Magus is, Glenn believes that anyone of skill should be able to face him. Cyrus was only defeated due to being blinded by his own emotions and failing to keep them in check. If you remember Glenn's story," I explain with a slight shrug.
"Even still, our only lead right now on Lavos is Magus himself," Lucca added.
"The Mystics in our time worship Magus. I'm curious as to why though. He supposedly disappears and the war with the Mystics ended in our victory. The Mystics only had a small land to call their own after that, which is where Medina came to be," Marle sounded like she had doubts.
"Then the question remains, what did Magus do? Why would he be so revered in our time by Mystics to be praised like some sort of deity? We don't know anything about him. And even in Glenn's story it didn't seem like Magus was especially evil. He wanted the Masamune, but even still it seemed like Ozzie was the real villain," I shook my head.
"Then we'll find out the truth from Magus himself, right?" Marle smiled. "Never dismiss a possibility, right Crono?"
Marle was referring to what my Mother had always taught me. Listen, keep an open mind and take the time to ask why someone acts the way they do. Sometimes, the answer won't be what you expect.
We finally made our way through the cave, despite the attempts to ambush us, Glenn using the Masamune with support behind him, made short work of anyone we encountered. I think what was surprising to the Mystics was how the Masamune cut through their magic as if it were a physical object.
"This is it. Magus' keep," Glenn said as we stepped out from the came and past a few seemingly dead trees. We came to a large castle like building. Not nearly the size of Guardia castle but definitely not small by any means.
"No guards?" I said as we walked up to the door.
"Negative, I have only detected the movements of bats in the area," Robo reported.
It was dark, and a full moon hung in the sky. Had we really been in the cave for that long? Night had settled already it seemed. I moved to the door and grabbed the handle and pulled on it. I was surprised when it opened. We all entered and found ourselves in a more traditional entrance hall, and at the base of a staircase. At the top was the same one we had seen at Bridge Zenan.
"Ozzie!" Glenn readied his sword.
The green mystic known as Ozzie grinned with a sinister smile, "Welcome, Glenn! Or should I say, Sir Froggy? It is rare for Lord Magus to make such a blunder as leaving you with your life. Although, I must say you having to live your life in such a form for the last ten years is quite amusing." His laugh echoed in the entrance hall from atop of the stairs. Even though there was five of us, he seemed more than comfortable with his situation.
"Where is Magus?" I called out.
"Oh? You three again?" Ozzie glared at me for a moment. "Sorry, but Lord Magus is a tad busy right now. You'll have to take your business up with me. Assuming you can defeat the master swordsman Slash, and Flea, the magician. Oh, right..."
A snap of his fingers, and several monsters jump out from the shadows and surround us.
"On your guard," Glenn warned the group.
"You'll also have to defeat all the beasts in this keep, of course!" Ozzie laughed and then disappeared.
"Skeletons, ogre's, and weird flying magical... things," I find myself sighing as I sheathe my sword. "Also what is with those illusions of people we know? How did they even... you know I'm just too annoyed by all of this."
"It would seem that they likely have magic capable of looking into our past in some form," Lucca pushed up her glasses as she was inspecting her weapon.
"Clearly... using my Father. As if that would do anything other than piss me off," Marle muttered.
"Let us keep going," Glenn said as he opened the door to the next room. It was a dead end though. We all stepped in and I could definitely feel a presence there.
Instinctively I pulled out my sword and jumped to Marle's side. I put my sword up and deflected a blade that had meant to hit Marle. I pushed back and then attacked the space in front of me, but nothing was there.
"Hmm... It seems you have a measure of skill. You've freed my undying slaves though, so it does irritate me slightly," a voice calls out from seemingly all around us.
"Slash, you cannot defeat us this way, show yourself," Glenn called out.
"I must admit, you do look rather confident holding the Masamune in hand. Glenn, have you finally decided to grow up a bit? You were most impressive when we fought years ago. Too bad you lack the resolve to strike down your enemies," Slash spoke as he appeared. He was a mystic, but unlike most we had seen, he was definitely not an ordinary one. He wore simple clothes of purple and white. His skin seemed to have a purple tone to it, and at his side was a sword. It was currently sheathed, but he likely was able to quickly draw it. And using the shadows to his advantage would make him a hard foe to fight. "If you had then I might not be here to face you once more."
"Perhaps, but I will not be so lenient this time," Glenn said as he brandished the Masamune, ready to fight.
"I like that resolve, Glenn. But I wonder how well you'll do without Cyrus at your side," Slash put his hand on the hilt of his sword and then slowly unsheathed the sword before pointing it at Glenn.
"I am not the same as I once was," Glenn tightened the grip on the Masamune.
"Clearly," Slash chuckled. "But I doubt the form of a Frog is doing you any favors."
I had pulled out my own sword but in a instant Slash disappeared but Glenn expertly blocked the incoming attack that Slash had attempted to hide in shadows. Their swords continued to clash again and again at faster speeds. I couldn't just wait, so I instead readied my own attack.
"Consume his blade with searing heat! Fire Sword!" Lucca called out as her magic wrapped around my sword as I jumped towards Slash.
"Glenn!" I warned as I brought my sword down. Glenn jumped to the side and my katana clashed against Slash's sword as it erupted into flames. The fire rushed towards Slash. In an attempt to get away, Slash pushed me away with what strength he could manage and jumped away from me.
"How irritating of a technique," Slash growled as he charged at me. But Glenn rushed to my side and deflected the first incoming strike. That was when I realized that Slash wasn't really disappearing so much as he was using some sort of technique. Much like my cyclone or wind slash technique, his must have allowed him to make short jumps in location. However, there was a downside to this, from the short amount of time I had seen it, Slash must have to see where he is going. In the moment before he disappeared again, I could see his eyes looking to my right. Instinctively I turned and moved my blade. I met his blade head on and it seemed to surprise him. "I see, you're a fast learner. Not bad." Slash grinned. "Let's pick up the pace then!"
"Down!" Glenn moved and I did as instructed and ducked. The Masamune went through the space I had just been and deflected Slash's attack, but he disappeared and attacked again. I sprang up and deflected the next incoming sword strike that was aimed at Glenn's back. The next few moments turned into a flurry of defensive strikes as Slash attempted again and again to go for Glenn and I's blind spots. This couldn't be kept up for long.
Slash moved one more time, striking towards my back but Glenn was there to halt the blade. I quickly stepped back sharply on the top of his foot and then spun around connecting with a strike with the hilt of my katana to his gut and sent him stumbling back. Robo then rushed in with a tackle and hit him hard. Slash tumbled back and now off balance. Glenn and I were ready and using all the strength and speed I could muster went towards Slash. I connected with my sword with Slash first, slipping under his arm, but hitting him next from a different direction was Glenn. The Masamune caused massive damage to Slash, and blood now poured from the wound as Glenn and I came sliding to a stop from our momentum and turned back to face him. I suppose a technique like that could be called the X strike considering the angle Glenn and I had started at.
Slash grabbed his wound and stumbled back. "It seems I underestimated how much you have changed, Glenn. You work well with your companions. But to fall fighting for Lord Magus... There could be no greater honor!" Slash then took a step back and disappeared into shadows just like he had in our fight but he did not reappear again.
"He's gone?" Marle asked from behind us.
Glenn and I sheathed our swords before Glenn spoke. "His wound was not fatal, but he will not be able to fight in that condition," he looked to me. "You've improved a lot in a short time, Crono."
"It's either improve or die. Not exactly a lot of options," I shrugged.
"I suppose necessity can make you grow stronger, though it is your desire that drives that growth," Glenn turned back. "Let's head back to the eastern hallway. But be wary, it is likely we will encounter Ozzie's other General."
"Considering this is their stronghold, I had somewhat expected to run into a great deal more of their troops. That isn't to say we haven't fought our fair share of them up to this point. I just expected them to attempt to overwhelm us in some fashion," Lucca noted as we began walking our way back and towards the eastern hallway.
"There doesn't actually seem to be that many here though. It's more like, they are depending on illusions and traps to defend this place," Marle added.
"I don't think that indicates that they don't have the numbers to defend this place, only that Magus himself might limit those that can enter, so Ozzie got creative in defending this place," I shrugged as we kept moving. Regardless, we needed to stay on our toes.
We fought our way through the eastern hallway, more skeletons lined our way. Fortunately, it was a straightforward fight and didn't attempt to use illusions or other magic to get in our way. Although from what we knew of Ozzie, there was likely going to be other traps in store for us along the way. It goes without saying we should keep an eye out for as long we are in enemy territory. Honestly, I'm not sure where would be safe considering even our own homes were likely no longer safe. At least in our own time period.
We made our way to the end of another room and found ourselves in a spacious area that was empty.
"Something is here," Marle warned. "Whatever it is, it has a good amount of magical power."
I was already on my guard but having her call this out made me put a hand on the hilt of my sword. Marle must be better attuned to her magic than I was if she was able to begin sensing others with magic nearby. If our hearts helped define and shape our power then no doubt Marle's feelings of wanting to know and understand her surroundings could give her such an ability.
"Flea, I know you are here, show yourself," Glenn called out.
"Tee hee, I am here. Right here," A bat came flying down and whizzed past us to the other side of the room and then began to change. It shifted to a large black shadow before it shifted to a much different form. A form that looked distinctly female appeared before us. A white cape along with a white strapless top, with a red skirt and red leggings underneath, topped with pink braided hair that went just below the shoulder. "Greetings, little green one. It seems you've also brought some friends to play."
"And you still aim to deceive those you encounter?" Glenn pulled the Masamune from it's sheath. "This is Flea, a powerful magician. Do not lower your guard. Flea is not the woman he pretends to be."
I blinked at his words as I looked closer, but pulled out my sword as I did.
Flea sighed, and despite a very feminine gesture admitted that what Glenn said was true. "Yes, yes... I'm a man," he was rather flippant about it. "But honestly, man or woman, it's all the same. Power is beauty, and I'm deliciously strong."
"I'm unsure how I feel about this," Marle muttered from next to me.
"Flea certainly isn't lacking in confidence. It's almost praise worthy," Lucca pushed up her glasses.
"I don't have a problem with how people dress or present themselves but, if you are in our way then we don't have a choice," I said as I moved up next to Glenn along with Robo to face off against the magician.
"I'm flattered, really," Flea grinned. "You are all unworthy for an audience with Lord Magus. But since my dear little Froggy has come all this way and brought you all along. I would be a horrible host if I didn't show you all a good time!" Then with a wave of his hands, Flea caused our immediate surroundings to change. The walls around us were gone, and instead it was as if we were surrounded by a clear star filled night sky.
The magic being employed here was... impressive. To say the least. To be able to change the very appearance of the environment was not something just anyone could do. However it is likely still the same room. So, this magic was to make us hesitate when moving. I think I understood it. Even if we know that the room was the same, what we saw conflicted with what our mind knew. It would create hesitation.
"Surround! Divert what desires harm! Protect!" Lucca called out as I felt something surround me.
This happened a split second before I was hit with repeated telekinetic blasts. Or at least that is what I assumed as I couldn't see anything actually hit me. Thanks to Lucca, I barely felt more than a light thud against me.
"Careful, his magic is just as deceitful as it is powerful," Glenn warned us as he and Robo charged forward to attack Flea.
"Unshackle from the hands of time! Haste!" Marle casted a new spell that washed over me. I looked back to her. "Lucca and I will be support. You guys keep up the pressure."
I nodded and rushed in, and I was approaching Flea faster than I realized. That spell had… sped me up? I don't know how but my mind quickly adjusted to it and I quickly overwhelmed Flea, causing him to go on the defensive.
"How annoying of a spell. That's okay though," Flea grinned. "I can play dirty too. Besides, I prefer to leave the rough stuff to other people. Unchain the binds that connect. Heart Prison!"
I stop dead in my tracks. My sword, that I had raised to attack Flea halted. Wait, what? Attack dammit! Instead I find myself looking into the smiling face of Flea only to turn my body around and towards my companions and then settled into a defensive stance.
"Careful! He has ensnared Crono's mind!" Glenn called out to the others.
Huh? Ensnared my mind? But I could think just fine…
"I did no such thing," Flea says as if insulted. "Deceiving the mind is better done with illusions. It is far easier just to isolate the mind and control the body directly. Well, I can't do it for very long, but with this one… I may not need long."
"No! Crono!" Marle went to rush towards me but Lucca grabbed her.
It was Glenn that went forward and the next moment my sword was moving to strike him, but he met my blade head on and easily parried it. "I see you remain underhanded as to manipulate others."
"Fight smart, not hard, my lovely amphibian," Flea added with a chuckle, although I could no longer see him, no doubt that grin was still clear on his face. "My Lord Magus is the same. Use what is available to you, even if it isn't yours."
How over inflated can one ego be? Actually, Ozzie likely had the biggest ego of Magus' demon generals but I had a suspicion for that reason. It was odd, being a prisoner within my own body. I could still feel the movement and exertion of my muscles. And yet… my movement was slower than before. So I realized quickly what was going on. Glenn, was only deflecting my strikes. Not only that, he was making effort to do so with minimal impact to lessen damage on my katana, and anything that could damage my body. He was stalling.
Flea wouldn't be able to know the difference, he wasn't a sword fighter… he relied on his magic. While Flea continued to throw magic at the others they were also slowly rearranging their formation on the battlefield. The next moment caught Flea completely off guard.
Glenn deflected another strike but then quickly stepped into my space and in a maneuver that could only be described as eloquent, sent my body tumbling to the ground, but he also kicked my sword free from my hand and I landed harmlessly on my chest. Before my body would react someone landed on top of me and then quickly took my arms and twisted them and forced my body to stay against the ground, with no leverage.
"Consume his fist with searing heat! Fire Punch!" Lucca and Robo quickly attacked. Robo, moved too fast for Flea to evade. His robotic fist slammed into Flea's face and sending him spiraling to the ground only for an explosion of fire to erupt from him a second later.
That moment was enough to free me from Flea's control as I felt everything return to normal and an odd shattering glass sound could be heard.
"Marle! I'm alright," I called to her. Knowing that it had been her that had restrained me. She quickly got off me and helped me up, taking a moment to kiss my cheek.
"Can you cover Glenn and I? I have an idea," Marle said and motioned for Glenn to move back.
"Yeah, don't worry. I'll keep him off you," I assured her as I quickly recovered my sword. I didn't look back as I charged right for Flea. He was still recovering from the hit from Robo and Lucca. As I charged, Robo joined me.
"Allow me to assist you, Crono. We may be able to attack him at range to prevent the charm attack," Robo was charging with me, but I wasn't sure what he meant by that. What could we do to keep him at a distance? "Do you have a means in which you can speed up my rotation?"
Huh? What did he-
Robo then came to a stop and his top half began to spin, and a laser came out, in which I had to jump over. Oh! I see, that was way too easy to dodge. I wasn't sure if it would work but… I landed on the ground briefly and then carefully jumped up onto Robo's shoulders. Then I started using my technique Cyclone in conjunction with Robo's Laser Spin. For a moment we were out of sync. But then both attacks seemed to combine. The laser became impossible to speed as I spun Robo faster than he was normally possible.
"What the hell?" Flea quickly retreated back. And the two of us kept up this attack as long as we could.
"Submerge and Shiver! Ice Water!" Glenn and Marle called out, and when they did, I halted my technique and hopped off of Robo as we both moved out of the path of the incoming spell.
What we saw was a Ice surrounded what looked like a clear bubble. But something about it seemed volatile… Flea looked concerned but was still reeling from Robo and I's attack. The bubble then popped and the ice fell to the ground, but what came from it was a wave of cold that would chill anyone to the bone. Robo and I had retreated a good distance away, but I could definitely feel the wave of frigid air that had come from the combined magic of Glenn and Marle.
Flea was slammed against the wall again with the force of it and the frigid cold added made Flea quickly crumbled to the ground and trying to warm himself up before stumbling back. The environment returned to normal and Flea looked unable to fight. His teeth chattering as he talked. "I won't f-f-f-f-forget this!" He managed as Flea then disappeared.
I put my katana back in its sheath and sighed with relief. "That was… interesting."
"Crono!" Marle as back at my side and had tossed her crossbow aside and cupped my head with her hands. "Are you okay? Is anything-"
"I'm fine," I cut in to assure her. "Other than being a spectator in my own body for a bit, nothing happened. Glenn put on quite the show though. Making him believe he was fighting me in earnest but was simply biding his time to act."
"Flea wouldn't know the difference between a real fight, and one where it is simply for show. Either way, it would not have gone as flawlessly if everyone did not do their part," Glenn spoke up for all to hear.
Marle still wrapped her arms around me for a moment, "Are you sure? He's not still lurking in your head is he?"
I shook my head, "You heard him right? He doesn't effect the mind, he isolates it and then manipulates the body."
"Yeah, okay," Marle nodded and eased up.
"Either way, that was a terrifying attack. If Glenn didn't take charge then I'm not sure if I would have been able to act appropriately," Lucca spoke up this time.
She was right though, If Glenn had been any less skilled than he was with a blade then it might have turned out much differently. He was able to expertly deflect my strikes from my controlled body to limit damage to not just me, but my blade as well. I had no doubt that the newly forged Masamune would have no problems severely damaging or destroying my sword with the right amount of intent on Glenn's part. But he had kept all those factors in mind to face me head on, to not only prepare the counter attack to Flea but to protect me and my ability to fight back when I broke free.
"There is no point on dwelling on it. In the future we'll be more mindful of Flea's magic if we have to face him again," I decided to refocus us. "Come on, we're almost there."
I realized it had impacted Marle more than I could realize. Seeing me stand against her, even if against my will had seemed to trigger something. A fear she might not have realized she had. Lucca was shaken as well by the event. Glenn walked with me as we continued with Robo taking up the rearguard as the girls stayed in the center.
"They both care deeply for you," Glenn said softly so that the girls couldn't hear.
"It goes both ways," I said simply as we made our way back to the main hall once more. "But the further we go down this path we've chosen, the more dangerous it will get. There might only be one conclusion to this struggle. One that none of us want to admit."
"Is it worth that risk to you?" Glenn croaked reflexively.
"For the chance to be able to close my eyes and sleep comfortably at night. To know that the future isn't doomed to destruction," I unconsciously make a fist with my left hand as my right handed tightened on the hilt of my sword as it sat in my sheath at my side. "I'd say it's worth every risk."
I've had enough of Ozzie. The green skinned bastard had laid trap after trap on our way hee and he just kept retreating. And he had run out of undead and soldiers to send at us. Apparently he didn't have an ace like Zombor up his sleeve anymore. And the further we went, the more desperate he became. It wasn't until we came to the last room that only had one door in which to exit that he stopped.
"Magus should be close to summoning Lavos," Ozzie said as he for some reason seemed more calm and collected than before. We all spread out and mostly surrounded him, while being cautious of the surroundings. He didn't have any obvious way to escape us. "You all might have been able to defeat Slash and Flea, but I won't be defeated by the likes of you. I'm Ozzie! My magic makes me impervious to any of your feeble attacks! Reject all so that none may cause harm! Ultimate Barrier!"
After he yelled his magic, he was suddenly encased with something that looked similar to ice and looked imposingly solid. We didn't move, we waited…
And waited…
And waited…
And waited…
"Go on! Attack me!" Ozzie yelled at us.
"Can he… not attack us when he is in that form?" I ask after a really long moment of silence.
"Lucca, I've calculated that the chain apparatus on the far right is connected to a trap floor beneath him," Robo spoke up.
"That so?" Lucca then shot the handle on the device and made it spin wildly, then we all heard a click a moment before the ground began to give way underneath Ozzie.
"You missed me! You'll have to be better than- Huh!?" Ozzie still encased in his ultimate barrier spell disappeared into the hole that had appeared. "Damn you!" His cursed could be heard before he hit the ground.
I sheath my sword as we all relaxed, "After he had been such a pain in the ass he falls into his own trap. I suppose that is fitting."
"I think he expected us to attack him," Marle said as she came to my side.
"What an odd creature," Robo commented.
"Guess that leaves only Magus," I say as I look to the only door that led forward. "Are we ready?"
"We have managed to pass every beast, trap and even his Generals to get to him. I doubt there is no other way in knowing if we are truly ready," Glenn croaked. Occasionally I would forget Glenn was still a frog, but then he would regularly make frog sounds that he says he found irritating himself but could not prevent his body from doing. Had to be rough.
"You've seen him fight, Glenn. Anything worth knowing?" I ask.
"Hmm… be careful of his scythe. It's reach is deceptive and is further than you realize. Magus tends to shorten up on the scythe to make it appear shorter but then extend out during some attacks. His speed with the weapon should not be underestimated either. But his real strength is his magic, and his versatility with it. He is a true master of the craft," Glenn sounded like he was both impressed as he was afraid of Magus' ability.
Then again any skill that was worthy of being feared was equally something that should be respected.
"We should hurry," Lucca pushed up her glasses as she began towards the door.
"That's right. Ozzie said Magus may be close to finishing summoning Lavos," Marle reminded us. We all started moving and opened the final door. We made our way down a dark staircase and then entered into a dark room. This time it was Glenn that led the way.
This room began to light as we entered. Candles came to life with blue flame.
A dull chant could be heard as we approached and the candles continued to light along the path, until they lit around one individual who was floating in the air and holding his hands up to above, which looked like it was a stained glass window with a horrific image. But then the individual stopped his chant and turned around towards us. Floating in the air, defying gravity just as it would seem he would defy all of the natural world. This was the one we heard was responsible for Lavos. Which would eventually lead to the destruction of the world.
"Magus!" Glenn called out to him. The one that floated in the air had been our goal since returning to the Middle Ages. I didn't realize how imposing he was. He was tall, easily taller than even Robo or myself. He seemed to have pale skin, and his eyes seemed to glimmer red, but considering the poor lighting of the area I wouldn't trust any of his details to be accurate. His cloak was purple but he seemed to be wearing complete leather armor. He didn't appear to have his scythe on him but he was more proficient in magic than us. It was likely his weapon might not be that out of reach.
"It seems despite all Ozzie's boasting he has been defeated once more. I'm not surprised but I had hoped he would be able to last another hour," Magus voice was clear and sounded more like he was being inconvenienced, as if he was going to have to wait in line an extra five minutes to get a loaf of bread at the bakery. But arrogance like that did not come from nothing. Coupled with what Glenn had said before… Magus earned that arrogance with actual skill. "If it isn't Glenn. Despite having such a form you seem to have finally accepted your faults and after so many years have finally come to face me. How fortuitous for me. I was beginning to think no one in this world would come to attempt and stop my actions."
Huh? He was glad?
"My friends are to thank for my new resolve. But I must thank you, Magus. This form has been a blessing in disguise. There is much of my past I would have been unable to move past or confront if not for you sparing me that day. More than that, I likely would have given up before I was able to show you this," Glenn then brandished the Masamune showing it's full blade to the floating wizard.
"That, is the Masamune? You've not only reforged it but have returned it to it's previous splendor?" Magus laughed and grinned as he slowly descended down to the ground. Landing on his feet he cocked his head and took a moment to glance at all of us. "To think my instincts had been correct about you."
"We will stop your plans, Magus," Glenn strengthened his resolve.
"My plans?" He looked curious. "I doubt any of you know of my plans."
"To summon Lavos, and destroy the world," Marle spoke up.
He looked to her, "I would offer a word of advice. Never accept what you hear at face value." Magus turned his attention up to a window high above, where a full moon could be clearly seen. "The black wind howls. It seems there is no avoiding it this time. I've waited too long for this moment to arrive. And I've no time to convince fools of their folly. Come, Glenn! Show me how well you can wield the Masamune!"
Magus then reached behind him and seemingly pulled his scythe from nowhere. It's silver blade shimmered in the light of the flames and moonlight. He looked calm, and yet it felt like he was eager to test his strength against us. Like it was a warm up before the main event. Probably because that was how he actually did see this situation.
Glenn and Magus charged towards each other and in a flash of light their weapons clashed against each other. The movement was almost mesmerizing. The way Glenn moved in his frog form made him more unpredictable, and Magus seemed to have his vision unfocused as if to be able to view a large amount of space and yet he easily reacts to Glenn's attacks without giving away what his own counter attack might be. It made me hesitate for a moment.
It would be hard for us to change the momentum if it stayed as it was. Something needed to change… to shift… And if Magus could face five of us without concern then that indicated he was confident in his own stamina and ability to fend us off. So likely the key here was keeping him off balance.
Robo and I circled out to the sides, hoping to get an opening to attack. With both Glenn and Magus moving as they are, that would definitely be difficult. But I could tell that Glenn alone would be unable to overcome Magus.
Robo acted first, he extended his hand and then launched a fist towards Magus. His fist launches away from his own body, connected by some sort of chain. But it moved with an impressive amount of speed. Just as it was going to connect with Magus' unprotected side, the handle of his scythe was there and took the brunt of Robo's attack. The force of the hit was enough to send Magus sliding away from Glenn.
"Consume and Shiver! Antipode!" Lucca and Marle didn't waste the chance and slammed their combined magic attack against him.
"Magic?" Magus appeared from the attack and I noticed something shimmering around him. A barrier? "In all my time here, I've yet to see humans use magic. It's impressive but, it is clear you have not used it for very long. Allow me to show you it's true potential." He spun his scythe and swung it behind himself with his right hand and then extended his left hand with his palm facing up. I could feel it… power gathering in his hand. "Unshackle your rage and open the heavens! Lightning Storm!"
Then as if it came directly from his hand, the attack launched towards all of us. Lightning went in all directions, we couldn't avoid it. It sent all of us spiraling to the ground and I let out an unconscious grunt as the electricity went through my body but then quickly got up to my feet. I rushed forward and quickly attacked with my katana but Magus easily met my attack, but he didn't counter.
"You can use magic too. Now that I use my senses it seems that even Glenn himself has gained the ability. Tell me, how did you gain this power?" Magus was toying with me. He wanted me to answer.
"It wasn't easy. We had to face our own doubts and weaknesses to gain it. You're right, we haven't had it for very long but that doesn't matter. We'll keep fighting, and we won't let Lavos destroy this world," I tried to use my strength to push him back but Magus seemed unaffected by my effort.
"As you are, you would be nothing more than an irritating insect," Magus then shoved back sending me sliding away.
He was right if Magus was this strong, what hope would we have against a massive creature capable of destroying the world? How strong would you have to be in order to get to that point? "If you know his strength then why would you create him?"
"Create him?" Magus shook his head. "Fool, I merely summoned him. Why would you seek to destroy something you clearly do not understand?"
"We saw what it will eventually cause and we'll do everything we can to stop it from happening," As I said this I noticed Magus raise an eyebrow ever so subtly.
He spun his scythe and then slammed it to the ground, "To pit yourself against such a creature with unimaginable power. Then allow me to test your resolve." Magus held out his left hand again, power gathering in it.
"No! We cannot allow him to release this spell!" Glenn yelled as he charged forward towards Magus. I didn't hesitated and joined him in the attack. Glenn came swinging towards Magus' head with the Masamune, but Magus simply moved his scythe with his right hand to block him. I swing at him low but without even glancing at me he blocked me with the handle of the scythe. His strength and skill was on another level than us. How were we supposed to beat him?
"So you remember? Then you should run. Unlike those foolish soldiers that attacked me," Magus had blocked both Glenn and I's attack and just as easily pushed us back with enough strength that both of us tumbled to the ground. The magic in his hand began to pulse a wicked purple energy as he changed. "There is no end to the void. The black wind blows in a desolate land, filled only with death. Return my foes to the true origin of this world. Dark-"
However, he stopped when something in the room changed. And changed quickly. Magus dispersed his spell as he turned around to the altar he had been using his magic on before we arrived. "Now? Dammit, No! He mustn't awaken from his slumber yet!"
Lucca pulled out her scanner as something physically began to move in the air around us. Some sort of energy.
"Lucca! What is it!?" I call out yelling.
"It's a Gate! But it's the largest reading I've ever had!" Lucca yelled louder as the noise around us began to grow and something began to pull on us.
"Crono!" Marle was at my side and she grabbed onto me. I sheath my weapon and held onto her as tightly as I could.
"I got you!" I do my best to comfort her.
"Why now!?" Magus turned back towards us and looked to Marle and I. He looked to me, "You fools. If you had not interfered-"
"Then what!? You would have destroyed the world!?" I yelled at him with a glare.
"And destroy myself in the process!? Hardly!" Magus used his scythe to attempt to anchor himself to the ground.
"Magus! We will settle this!" Glenn called out as the forces around us began to pull harder and the massive gate began to materialize.
"Then when we face off again face me with true mastery of the Masamune!" Magus yelled out.
"It's expanding! We're all going to be drawn in!" Lucca yelled.
"If we're separated meet at the End of Time!" I yell as loud as possible, but I'm unsure if my voice reaches them. The Gate and force around us drown us in noise and the next moment with Marle clutched against me, we fall into the Gate.
A/N:
This chapter turned out to be a bit more massive than I expected. The game itself doesn't linger too long on Frog's past and he also never says much of anything directly to the group. Most of his memories are inferred to be happening in his mind as he is resolving himself to finally move forward. Which definitely works for a SNES game. As I go through this story and see a lot of things that connect together but are never explored, I wonder partially if it was just a limitation they had. Only had a certain amount of memory, could only fit certain number of characters in a text box, so forth and so on. The game still remains my favorite RPG of all time. Which is also why I take a lot of care in what I write here. Though it can likely go through a revision or two but honestly I could do that forever and this would never see the light of day for people to actually read. Besides fan fiction is fun and a stress relief so I try to do right by the source material but I likely won't heavily edit anything. Anyway, I also apologize for the wait. I meant to get this out a month ago, but work makes things rough for writing lately.
I always felt that there needed to be more for Frog/Glenn. There is a lot of issues he is given but I don't feel he ever appropriately deals with those lingering emotions. Even with the side quest late in the game. It just felt unfinished to me. Plus I was always interested with his relationship with the Queen. I mean one of the endings involves Leene having his children, so clearly that is more than just a platonic relationship going on there. Nothing is ever simple when you mix in royalty too. Politics and other things have to be kept in mind. I have some ideas on how all of this will go as a result. Though the results of all that will come later.
I had a bit of fun with Ozzie and company, but I'm sure everyone was waiting for Magus... but likely might be disappointed with how short that confrontation is. In the game they manage to beat Magus, but here I decided against it, because I feel like Magus should already be high above them in power. He's been spending his time in preparation to defeat Lavos after all. Still he might only be here briefly but we will definitely be seeing a lot of him as we come up to Zeal.
To get there we do have to stop by in Pre-historic times and meet with Ayla once more. Should be interesting. I'm not sure how long til the next chapter will be. I have a busy schedule at the moment, but I will do what I can to try and make it a more manageable wait. Thank you all! Especially my long time readers that keep coming back when I post a new chapter. I greatly appreciate you and the reviews you leave me. It always helps motivate me to get back to writing. I truly do appreciate it. And if you're new and just finished reading everything then I like to thank you for your time, and hope you can spare a moment to let me know what you think.
See you all in the next chapter!
