Chapter XXI: A Hero's Homecoming

'If I were to tell you, A Tale of No Tomorrows,
of suffering and sorrow, would you stay with me?
Cause you were born of a blessing, living on a dare
Trying to find the night, searching it out by candlelight
And it goes on and on and on.....'
Billy Cerveny: A Horse Named Pride

Interlude

A woman stood at the base of a mountain. The wind roared about her, whipping her cloak and sapphire hair. She raised her cloak to shield her eyes from the sleet and sediment that rose to bar her progress and stung upon her cape. She looked up but was unable to see the pinnacle of the mountain, for it was veiled in thick, clouds that were dark and rancid as sludge. The crags and clefts protruded like predator's claws, waiting to snare any who were foolish enough to dare to pass.
'Janus. Mother.' She spoke at whisper's softness. 'Belthazar, Gaspar, Melchior.'
She heard an screatch, that stabbed her ears and ground upon her nerves like rusted daggers. Another roar followed that caused the very roots of the mountain to shudder. She gave a prayer, and began trudging up the imposing slope, against the vicious gale and unforgiving sleet.

Chapter XXI: A Hero's Homecoming

The water spiraled about them, shooting them through the sea, under the waves and currents. Crono, Lucca and Robo streaked through the aquatic vortex like dust mites in a vaccuum cleaner. Lucca pinched her nose untill it flushed white. As Crono figured, his mother wouldn't nag him about not bathing after this.
Robo's censors processed all that was around him, as he had never been in such an environment before. He examined the fluid substance that immersed him was comprised of one atom of oxygen and two more hydrogen. According to what his data banks knew of both elements, he surmised this substance would be gaseous, and full of pathogens, but it was not.
The party continued their flight. Crono looked about him, searching for some source of light, but found none. He was unable to discern which direction was up, or even distinquish his right from his left, yet inspit of this, he did not panick, nor want for air. Lucca reminded herself to ask her father about this subaquatic tunnel. Where did it come from and how did it work?
Before too long, the waters began to surge and swell, pushing them towards the surface. It spat them out, swirling through the air onto a damp, grass padded shore. Crono sat upon his knees, legs folded beneath him, and lifted his face towards the sun, basking in it's radiance. Lucca was haunched over on knees and forearms, voraciously consuming air, letting it circulate in her system. Robo looked about him as he did every new setting.
'Where are we?' he inquired.
'Hang on.' replied Lucca. She took in a few more breathes, and arose, wiping her lenses and scanning her surroundings. 'Oh there's my house! Come on!'
She was already half way there when Crono arose and followed along with Robo.
'Where is Lucca going?'
'To see her parents.'
'By "parents" you mean, manufacturers?'
Crono chuckled, 'Yeah, you can call them that.'
They cought up with Lucca just as she entered into her house. The first room they came into was littered with parts and tools, most of which, Crono had no clue as to neither their function nor name. There were stray metal limbs and joints, pipes and wiring, conduits and diodes, strewn about carelessly like a child's toys. At a workbench labored a middle aged man. He was healthily plump, with eyes that were gentle and knowledgable, and seldom idle. His hands and garb were worn with stains and rends that came from intense industrial work. HIs hands moved about his project covering every nook and bolt in it. He barely noticed the three guests that stood at his threshold, even though one was his daughter, one was like a son to him, and the third was something he only dreamed of.
'Hey Dad!' greeted Lucca.
'Hi Lucca.' He said without even looking up. 'Can you hold on just a second?' His voice was firm, and resonated with intellegence, and dilligence.
'Dad, you really oughtta see who's with us.'
He still labored. 'Oh hi Crono.'
'Hello Mr. Taban.'
'Dad, not him.'
'Hang on for just a little bit, I'll be right with you.'
'Dad, you really need to see who else I've brought.'
'Hello Mr. Taban. Your daughter is quite taleneted and intellegent. She fixed me up better than anyone else has.' Robo declared.
His attention remained upon his work. 'Yeah, well I taught her everything I know.'
'Dad.' Her foot tapped and she released a broad sigh. She then walked over to his bench. 'Dad.'

'Alright Lucca, I'm done now. What did you want me to...' He looked up and saw in the doorway Robo. His eyes became as wide as a full October moon, and he nearly tripped over his feet as he walked towards Robo. 'Why didn't you tell me you had a fully functional humaniod robot?!'
'I did! If you'd listen to me for a change!'
'Sorry.' He circled Robo like a teenager would circle a classic car. 'Did he talk to me just a second ago?'
'Yes Mr. Taban.' Robo answered.
'Lucca this is incredible!' He addressed Robo, 'What is your name son?'
'Crono and his friends call me "Robo" though my given designation is RY-65X.'
'How old are you, R?'
'Your daughter repaired me three days ago. I have been operating since 2150, fourth period of the sixth cycle in the year 2300AD.'
'Yeah Dad, it's a long story. Anyways, when we found him, he was in pretty poor shape, and I fixed him up. We're hoping you can give Robo a look over.'
'Wow! And I thought the telepod was our finest work!'
'WEll, while yall are going over stuff that I can never hope to figure out, I'm going to tell my mother I'm not dead.' stated Crono.
'She'll be thrilled. Give her our regards.' replied Lucca.
'Should I come back here, or will you two come and get me?'
'Um, I don't know. If we don't come over, then come back here.'
Lucca's house stood away from the rest of the village, on a tiny island connected by a narrow bridge. Crono took slow, short steps back to his house. His head was low and his breathes were long. He hoped that the Dragon Tank, Yakra, Gaurdian Bit, and all the monsters in the catherdral and highway ruins would assail him on the path.
He came to his door, took a breath and entered in. 'Hi Mom.'
'Crono?! What are you doing still alive!?'
'It's a long story.' She leapt out of her chair and ran to him and The cat brushed up against his shin.
'Don't scare me like that!'
'I'm sorry Mom.'
'Well sit down, you must be hungry, and I want you to tell me everything that has happened.'
It was much later when Lucca and Robo came to Crono's, who had since fallen alseep.
'Oh hello Lucca.' Addressed the mother. 'How are your parents?'
'They are.'
'Well tell them I said "Hello"' She then cought site of Robo. 'Oh my, Lucca is this one of your inventions?'
'I wish.'
'Good day Ma'am. I am Robo.'
'Wow, and such great manners. Crono sure could learn from you.'
'Thank you.'
'Where is Crono?'
'He's asleep as usual.'
'Okay. Well, we're gonna get him and be on our way.'
'Where to?'
'Not sure yet. We'll know once we get there.'
'Same place then?'
Lucca and Robo headed up the steps to Crono's room. She entered without even knocking, 'Crono come on, we've got a world to save.'
He kept sleeping, untill she struck him with a notebook she carried then pulled the pillow from beneath his head.'
'Crono!'
'Geez Lucca, your worse than my mother!'
He arose and they left for the Fairgrounds, to the Telepod. Upon looking at it, Lucca couldn't help but to revel in her accomplishments. 'I sure am something aren't I?'
'You have no idea.'
'Lucca is this an invention of yours?' Asked Robo regaurding the Telepod.
'Yeah Robo, me and my Dad worked on this for about two years.'
'How does this devise compare to myself?'
'That's a good question, I'll have to get back to you on that. Anyways, my Dad and I wrote down all of our ideas about everything that's happened here.' she pointed out her notebook.
'And I know you're just waiting to tell me everything you've found?' Crono quipped
'Well I could but it'd be way over your head.'
He said nothing but only opened the Gate and stepped through. Crono relaxed as he soared through the inbetween corridor. When they returned to the End of Time, Robo spoke out. 'There are new pillars of light' he indicated.
'Come again?' asked Lucca.
'When we left there were three pillars of light. There are now five.'
She counted, and agreed.
'Guess we oughtta see where they take us.' stated Crono.
'Well I need to talk to the Old Man.'
They came into the center room, where Marle stood, arms folded behind her, and the Old Man snoozed against the light post.
'Oh hey! You guys are back!' greeted Marle.
'Yeah we almost didn't make it though.' said Lucca
'Uh oh. What did you guys face, another Yakra? A dragon?'
'Worse. 400 years of bigotry and igonrance.'
'Hey Old Man!' Crono called.
He awoke and turned to Crono. 'Yes'
'We noticed two new pillars of light. What can you tell us about them?'
'I don't know why they appear, or what causes them to appear. They simply do. All I can tell you is just enter in and see where it takes you.'
Lucca walked over to him. 'Here are some notes my father and I complied about everything we've experienced to this date.' she held out her notebook. 'I'm wondering if I can discuss all this with you?'
'Absolutely, though I don't know how much help I can be as I only live here.'
'Lucca, since you're gonna talk to him, Marle, why don't you come with us and we'll check out those new pillars.' Crono recommended
'Good, I was getting bored.'
'You mean you don't find me as plesant company?'
'Of course you are, Sir. I just need some sunlight.'
He smiled, and off they went. Crono imagined Marle would ask about the palace, but she did not so Crono opted not to ask.
'So where are we heading?' inquired Marle.
'We'll have to see.'
They stood before a new pillar of light. 'Wonder where this one will take us?' Marle asked as she peered into it. Through the vortex, and swirling colors, she could see part of the destination. 'Hey I think this one leads to Gaurdia Canyon!'
'IN our time or when we saved you?'
'When you saved me.'
'Well, think we oughtta go back there?'
'Sure, I need to check in on Leene.' She smiled with a smile that was more than enough to convince Crono of their next destination.
They stepped into the pillar and sailed through the void. The three flew side by side and their destination subtly came into view. The trees and streams and banks blurred together as the waves colors shifted and swirled, untill it opened and set them upon terra firma.

Marle took in the clean, crisp air that let her know the blaze of autumn's orange would soon drape itself over the oakes. She looked at the Gaurdian sun, and wondered about everything that it had seen from the time there were to the far away times they had journeyed to. Soon the sun became shrouded, as grey clouds rolled ahead like a gathering of wolves.
They were carefull to avoid the monsters that lay in wait in the canyon's pockets and alcoves, and came soon to the Truce tavern to pick up the what secrets had been leaked. Robo looked about the tavern, comparing it to the other establishment they were in back in Medina, and in Truce.
They overheard a conversation. 'So I was working on the bell,' began a rugged handed, shaggy faced, man; 'But the bad news just sapped all of my will to work.' His statement latched onto Marle's attention like an iron claw.
His wife spoke up. 'I certainly hope that our bell will ring in a new, brighter, peaceful world.'
'Of course it will! The Hero has come! He will beat back Magus' troops!' declared the bar keep.
'Um, excuse me Sir.' Marle moved next to him. 'What news?'
'Oh your Majesty!' He slid off his seat and knealt. 'Do these times not distress you?'
'Not this again.' she moaned. 'I'm not the queen, I only look remarkably like her.'
The man arose and Marle asked again of the news. 'Well Ma'am, Magus' troops were at just before the bridge, and the King fought tooth and nail to keep them at bay, but he was gravely injured!'
The rosy tint drained from Marle's countanence, and her eyes flashed wide.
'Any minuite now, they can overrun our forces!'
Another man spoke out. 'What!? They're at the bridge!? Oh shit, we're done for!'
'Don't talk like that!' contricted someone else. 'Just as the King was taken back to the palace, the Hero returned!'
Crono's ears perked up. 'Who's this Hero?'
'We don't know. I've heard he's tall as an oak and hard as a boulder! But whoever he is, Magus' brigade hasn't a chance!'
'Is he human?'
'What kinda question is that? If he's not human he's some angel or demon!'
'Yeah,' began a maid. 'We've been praying for Cyrus to return to us. We're not sure if this new hero is him or not, but we'll take any miracle we can get.'
Crono thanked them, then took Marle's arm. 'We need to get to the palace!'
'Should we not also go to the bridge?' Robo advised.
'Good point. I guess we can lend a hand there, then go to the palace.'
'Crono, we have to check on Leene and the King!'
'I know Marle, but we should see if the forces at the bridge need anything, then we'll report to Leene. Is that alright?'
'Yeah. You're right.'
They took their leave of the tavern, and followed the road over the knolls and hills. They grey clouds grew deeper and thicker. They walked as swiftly as they could, increasing their tempo with each step. As they climbed the final hill, they could see a plume of smoke towering towards the clouds like a charmed serpent. Marle picked up her feet, pacing herself a few steps before Crono and Robo. She reached the crest, and without stopping to catch her breath she ran down the hill to the bridge. Crono and Robo were just behind, and they were met by a couple officers.
'Hail Sir Crono!' saluted a soldier.

'Hello Captain.' addressed Marle, 'Can you tell us what has been going on?
'The Hero has at last come, but we fear he may be too late.'
'What of the king?' Marle wanted to know.
'Our Leige fought valliantly against the most insidious of Magus' forces. When he was wounded, our spirits sank, but then, from the top of the hill, just as the dawn broke, the Hero arrived!'
'Who is this Hero?' Crono inquired.
'We're not sure, the Hero's Emblem shone bright as the sun. He came charging down the hill, rallying us soldiers.'
'Then what happened?' Marle queried.
'Our finest knights formed a protective ring about this Hero, and we fought our way across the bridge.'
'And what of Magus' forces?' asked Crono.
'They retreated, and the Hero went off in search of the legendary sword.'
'So where's the King?' questioned Marle.
'He is recovering in the Palace. Had it not been for the Hero's aarival, he may have fought to the end. We sent him to the palace just as the Hero came to us. Today's victory was a costly one. Even now, we can hear what's left of Magus' forces coming. We are out of provisions, and frankly, Magus' forces may overwhelm this bridge. We can hear them coming.'
'What can we do for you?'
'Tell the King our situation, and get us some more provisions.'
'Alright. We'll be back as soon as we can.' Crono turned to Robo. 'Can you get us to the castle? We'll tell you where to go.
'Very well, hop on.'
Crono turned to Robo. 'Can you get us to the castle? We'll tell you where to go.
'Very well, hop on.'
Marle stepped onto the left part of Robo's back, and took a hold of an antena, Crono mounted the other side, and the two of them linked arms. 'We'll tell you where to go. Just head back up the road.' The road was bumpy, and both Crono and Marle had difficulty gripping, but it was only a matter of minutes when they reached the glade. They dismounted and the party rushed through the forest and arrived at the Palace bridge. As they travled, Robo logged all the new sights, the trees, the squirrles and birds, the grass and moss.
'What dome is this?'
'This is Gaurdia Palace Dome.' Marle answered.
The gates were open just enough so Crono and company would fit through. As soon as he stepped under the roof, two gaurds stood before him, weapon's drawn.
'Hold your weapons sirs, It's just us!'
'Oh.' replied one, 'Sir Crono! It is good of you to come back.'
'Yeah we heard about everything that's happened and bring news from the Bridge. Where is the king?'
. 'He lies recovering in his chambers. You'd better go up to see him.'
'What of the hero?' Marle asked.
'We do not know. He saved the king, and is our last best hope.'
They went through the throne room and trekked up the mountain of stairs into the King's quarters. Crono actually found the climb easier than the last time he scaled the, still he hated it. 'Do you have to climb this many steps to your room?' He asked of Marle between breathes.
'YEah, and I hate every single one.'
Two ladies in waiting stood about before the open chamber door, fretting over the condition of their liege.
'Oh Sir Crono, Lady Marle! The King will be glad to see you both.'
They entered in, and were announced. Leene, who's radiant facade had grown dim with gloom and stress, brightened like the moon unveiled from the clouds.
'Crono, Marle! What brings you back to us?'
'We just thought we oughtta come back. We've heard about everything that has happened, and we went to the bridge before coming here, and bring word of the front.'
THe King sat up with a heavy groan. He would have fallen over again, had Leene not embraced him. 'Please tell me of everything.'
Crono gave the full report. The King and Queen listened with arched brows and wide eyes.
'Cyrus must have sent the boy to us.' stated Leene. 'If only him and Glenn were still around.'
'Please tell us what we can do.' requested Crono.
'I fear I have failed my kingdom. Please go downstairs and take the provisions to our troops. Tell them their King is fine, and is confident of our victory. Still, without Cyrus and Kaeru, our hope lies in the boy alone. I am praying he can find the sword, and send Magus' forces back to hell.'
'Where is this sword?' asked Crono.
'We believe on the Denadoro Mountains. If he truly is the Hero, he will return with the sword and turn back the tide.'
'Father, I know everything will turn out well. I can feel it in my bones.' affirmed a smiling Marle.

'I wish I had your faith daughter.'
'We better get going.' stated Marle as she bowed, and Crono did likewise. 'We will take care of everything sire.' and back down the stairs they went.
'That man,' began Robo. 'What is his status?'
'He is my anscestor and rules this kingdom.'
As they descended the stairs into the kitchen, the shadows grew longer, and the scents of a blazing wood, smoking meats, and rising bread filled their nostrils. The pots clanged upon heavy utensils, and above all, they heard a booming voice. 'Damnit! Hurry up! The kingdom depends on us!'
'Don't you get all heated up at me!' shouted back a woman. 'We're working just as hard as you here!'
'Stupid, arrogant ass, thinks he's the only one fighting for his country.' spat the man.
'Oh just grow up and do your job!' admonished the woman.
'It's a warzone in here too.' Marle obsereved.
'Crono my ofactory sensors are detecting some unknown elements in this area.'
'It's called food.' he answered.
'Define please.'
'It's fuel for us people.'
They strode over to the kitchen and Marle announced them. 'Sir, we come from the front. Our King has asked us to bring the rations to the troops.'
The Chef hovered from caldron to stove to mixing bowl to the shelves to another mixing bowl, leaving plumes of dust in his wake. He paid them no heed, only kept working. HIs hands were like bees flying everywhere they could, hovering about and above, were immune to the flames that lashed up and the boiling water which leapt out. 'Come on now!' he shouted.
A girl came over to the party. 'The provisions will be ready shortly, please have a seat.'
They went over to a table and sat. 'What was the Chef so upset about?' Marle asked.
'HIs brother is the KNight Captain. They don't always see eye to eye on everything, but they're really very close. Maio just hates it when he takes his frustrations here. I'd better get back in there before I get yelled at.'

'Robo, do you have any records of a Gaurdian/Mystic war in your records?' inquired Marle.
He ticked and buzzed and dinged and replied with a 'Negative.'
Crono looked over at Marle, and saw in her eyes the uneasiness, and small pills of persperation that poked out on her forearms and brow. 'Are you alright?'
'I'll be fine. If we didn't pull through I wouldn't be here, so I'll be fine, just a little nervous.'
The Chef dashed over to them, with baskets of still sizzling, smoking vituals. Crono wondered what sorts of meats and breads were tantalizing his nostrils. 'Alright. Take these rations to the front, and tell that fool he'd better come back alive.'
'Yes sir.' replied Marle.
'There's some bread in there for you guys too. Thanks for your trouble.'
They bade the kitchen staff farewell, and returned to Zenan bridge. They said nothing, only prayed that they would be in time. When the Company eclipised the final hill, the sun had been abducted into the night, and a chill wind plucked the goosebumps from under their skin. They saw black smoke billow and plume, choking the sky. They heard the rumble of Magus' forces, and could see a wave of spears and torches, flowing like an oncoming riptide. The adversary was within a league and closing. Crono Marle and Robo sped down the hill, calling to the company. Off in the distance the wind howled, and a crack of thunder shook the ground.

End Chapter

Volume Three: A Tale of No Tomorrows