Chapter IV: Cathedral Perilous

'So this is where you think she is?' inquired Lucca.
They had worked their way from outside the palace, through the
grove and down the road and stood before a catherdal. The gables were high, and pitched steep as a mountain's apex held up by parapets and butresses that seemed to be worshiping the nave. The pinacles that adorned it stabbed into the night and relfected the moonlight like polished swords. A stained glass rose wheel radiated with the light that came from within. There was something about lofty pointed arches that made Lucca shudder. At it's climax stood a bell spire, exalted as an angel's halo. IT stood in the heart of the glade like a fortress surrounded by an attacking army.
'So what makes you think this is the place?'
'I heard it in a bar.'
Lucca rolled her eyes. 'Okay'
Both of them nearly jumped out of their skin when they felt cold,
wrikled, clammy hads upon them.
'Get out of my way you stupid kids!' Snapped the Chancellor as he
strode past them. His voice was full of spite and bitter like a harsh
wind.

'Excuse us!' protested Lucca. 'Geez what an old grouch.'
'that's the Chancellor. He snapped at me earlier.'
'Think there's some connection?'
'With what? You snap at me all the time. Did you do it?'
She gave him a 'be serious look' Lucca exhaled. 'With the
disappearance'
'I don't know. Don't think so.'
They entered into the Catherdal. The inside was every bit as
spectacluar as the outside. There were a serise of arches which rose
high, and proceded from the entrance to the altar. The pews were
crafted of fine walnut. A lavish red carpet awaited their feet. The
stainglass windows were exquisitley crafted, yet for some reason
glowed eerily in the moonlight and torchlight, absorbing what little
light there was. The shadows cast were deep and menacing.
Lucca looked about for the Chancellor, finding no one except for a
handful of nuns. A nun greeted them. 'Welcome children. My what
delec-' she paused and coughed. 'Excuse me, what delightful young
people yall are. Please come in and make yourself at home here. If
there's anything we can do for you, please simply ask.'
'Thank you.' answered Lucca. 'Say, the Chancellor, what do you
know about him?'
'He's a fine man, practically a saint! He's here nearly everyday. You'd
be wise to get to know him. He,' she paused and exhaled her
countance brightening a bit, 'rather enjoys young people as
yourselves.' her voice seemed a bit scratchy.
'I see. thank you.'
They went over to a pew and sat down.
'So now that we're here' commented Lucca
Another nun approached. 'In such trying times it's good to come here.
Don't you think?'
'Oh yes. absolutley' replied Lucca.
'We just need a piece of all-' She let out a cough. 'Excuse me. Peace
for all the world' and left.
'Something about this doesn't sit right. Where'd the Chancellor go?
And why are all these nuns sick?' declared Lucca. 'Let's take a look
around.'
'For what?'
'Anything'

Crono looked at the foot of the altar. Lucca headed for the walls. She
put her ear up to one listening for anything that shouldn't be. She
scoured along the where the wall and floor met.
Something caught Crono's eye. It glistened in the candlelight like a
distant star. Upon his first and third glances he missed it. Crono
squinted to get a better view.
'What'd you find?'
'This take a look.'
Lucca leaned over to get a better look. 'It's a hair pin.' Suddenly her
eyes went wide, as she jumped back in surprise. 'That's Gaurdia's
royal crest!'
Neither were aware of the nuns which congregated about them.
'Foolish humans! You came here only to recieve your own death!'
Declared one.
Each of the The five nuns became enveloped in silver flames. The
fires began burning off their human appearance. They watched
wearily with wide gazes. unsure of what to do. Crono drew his
sword, and Lucca pulled out a small flintlock. Lucca pretty well
froze, having not recovered from the surprise of finding the pin. She
could feel her heart trying to break free of her chest. Crono's hands
leaked sweat.
The flames subsided and where the nuns stood were creatures I am
told are called Naga-ette's. They were hideous deformities with the
lower body of serpants, and the upper bodies of women. Their eyes
flashed with a beastial madness, and their fangs glistened with saliva,
and thier claws glistening in the candlelight.
Crono ran at one. He leapt up, arcing his sword down at one. It
slithered by, and another one slid at him and clawed his back. Crono
yelled. He wheeled about and lashed his sword, slashing it's
serpentine abdomen. Before he could fisnish it, another one cut
across the back of his shoulders. Lucca shot the one Crono turned
away from. He darted foreward, sword flashing. He missed with his
initial stroke. Before he could follow up he spotted another. Crono
ducked it's swing, and rose, bringing his sword into it's chest.
Crono leapt back to Lucca, who franticaly tried to reload her gun. the
creatures kept their distance, sizing up Crono and Lucca. He
remained before her, giving her time to relaod. Two remained.
'Alright go!' ordered Lucca 'I'll take the the one on the left.'
Crono charged running at his target. He slashed it's arm, and ran at
the one Lucca selected. It came dashing at her. Crono ran behind it,
and cut it's tail. It turned about, flailing it's claws at him. He held his
sword out, feigning strikes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the
other one charging at him. Lucca blasted her target, just as Crono was
knocked across the room.

The final one came rushing at Crono. Lucca did not have sufficent
time to reload, so she pulled a mallet from her belt, and hefted it at
the final naga-ette. It struck it in the backing, causing it to tumble
foreward into Crono's extended sword.
Crono sat on the ground winded. Lucca took a knee and began to
reload.
'I, I, think, that's all, of them' huffed Lucca between pants.
Lucca screamed when another naga-ete came out of nowhere. It
knocked her flintlock from her grasp. Crono sprang up. Before either
could act, a flash of green dropped from the celing. They heard the
whistle of a sword cleaving the air, and the shriek of the monster as it
reeled back wincing in pain.
'Let down thine gaurd and thou art allowing thine enemy a foothold.'
Before them stood a frog. Crono stood in simple hushed amazement.
Lucca wanted to scream again.
It was a frog, as I said. It stood upright at about five feet tall. It was
clad in a brazen breastplate, upon which hung a black cape. It carried
a round shield and a stout broadsword. It's eyes were large, as all
frogs' eyes are. They were full of vitality, and valor.
'A frog?! It walks, and Talks!? Holy!' declared Lucca. 'Crono I hate
frogs!'
'Be thou here to save the Queen? The lair lieth deep within. Shalt
thou accompany me?' inquired the Amphib

'Uhh.' Lucca Hesitated. Crono looked back and forth between the
two of them.
'My guise doth not incur thy trust?'
'Well, uh.'
'Very well, do as thou seeist fit. I shall save the Queen' as it finished
It turned away.
Lucca swallowed she felt as awkward as though she walked in on
someone in the restroom. 'Wait, you don't seem like a bad person, er
frog, er, whatever. I mean, Uh. Crono what should we do?'
The frog stopped and looked between the two of them. 'Let's go with
him'
Lucca sighed. 'Ah, I guess I'll have to deal with it, er, him. Say what's
your name?'
'Frog shall suffice' To Crono it sounded as though he had said
'Frouge' for some reason.
'Alright. Glad to meet you. I'm Lucca.'
'I'm Crono. Thanks for saving us!'
'Twas not a burden. Methinks there lie a secret entrance about.
Mayhap we scour the environs?'
'Uh yeah, that sounds like a plan. I mean we were before we were
attacked' stated Lucca.
Crono remembered the hairpin and pocketed it. 'What are we looking
for?' asked he.
'I am not so sure' answered Frog.

Lucca went to the side of the altar. Frog checked the floor. Crono
headed for the other side of the altar by the organ. Their searching
was fruitless, untill Crono, in weariness leaned upon the organ. A
minor chord resounded. When it resolved, they heard a slamming
sound. On the other side of the altar where Lucca stood, a door
opened.
'Crono! You're brilliant!'
He shrugged. 'Thanks'
They entered the door. The catherdral was larger than they had
imagined. It's the first chamber was as wide and deep as a flooding
river. It was surprisingly vaccant.
'Did you see the Chancellor come in?' inquired Lucca of Frog
'Nay. But I doth not trust him in the least.'
'Why is that?'
'He is a volitile man. Rumours have flown about him, A few years
prior, he was a good man. Now, I do not know. But thy suspitions
are indeed merited.'
'We saw him come in here, and now he;s gone.'
'We shall soon see.'
Crono looked about the hall. 'Where do we go?'
At the end of the chamber was a door atop a wide staircase. On each
of the side walls was a balcony which held a door.
Frog pointed to the left balcony door. 'There'
Neither Crono nor Lucca could either support or object his directions
so they went. All three approached, weapons drawn ready for what
nasty creatures sat on the other side. Crono led. He flung the door
open, and leapt in.
A Naga-ette, as well as two slender pale winged creatures called
diablos sat about a table.
'Hey' said a diablo, 'y'all don't have to wear those disguises back here
you know'
'Yeah, I just hate being human, it's sooooo reviling!' protested the
naga-ette
'Man I hope those humans we got taste better than the ones we had
last week!'
The three played along. Crono asked 'So what happened today? I
was off.'
'Well geez what didn't happen?' answered a diablo. 'Yakra's so smart,
kidnapping the queen and all. Man were they up in arms! It was
funny!'
'Hey I'll stop in on the shrine on my way. I'll talk to yall later' stated
the other diablo as it rose and exited.
'So come on, have a seat' offered the Naga-ette
Crono turned to Frog. 'Think we should?'
Frog gave a slightly quizzical look. 'Should we...?'
'I think so.'
Lucca shot the naga-ette, and Frog and Crono made quick work of
the diablo. Crono rushed at it. It drew back and extracted it's claws.
Frog sprang from the table, above the creature, jumping from the wall
as swift as an arrow, sword leading. Having disposed of the threats
they left, in pursuit of the diablo which left.

They looked across the hall, and saw it duck into another door. When
they entered The party was greeted by another unexpected sight.
'Oh Frog how nice of you to come for me!' addressed the Queen.
'There was really no need though, Master Yakra's been so kind, I've
decided to stay here'
'Yes' added the King 'We couldn't have asked for a better host.'
'I see said Frog' He heard a door slam to his right. 'Very well. I bid
thee all good tidings' He tuned his ear to where the door closed. 'If
you'll excuse us. Crono, Lucca.' He motioned to the right. They
entered the door.
A progression of minor chords drifted into their ears. They found
themselves in another sanctuary. The floor was covered with
monsters, united in singing.

Your eyes are flashing like stars in the night.
Your hair flowing like waves of the ocean
Your strength is unequaled, a lion of might
How wonderous are your deeds, how marvelous are you
You alone will we adore

To you our knees must bend
Oh Magus! Great Magus!
Your thoughts will always be of you
Oh Magus! Great Magus!

When the sun is out, we shall not fear.
When the day is bright, we shall not dread
What have we to tremble, when you are near?
There is no light to dampen our spirits
That you cannot dispell

Their chorus was as ear wrenching as broken glass ran across a
blackboard. They sang wit every vile fabric of their being. They danced and fell prostrate. Up ahead, stood a statue. It was a figure, tall and broad.
It stood regaly, square jaw held aloft, chest out. It held a scythe. It's
eyes seemed alive and filled with intentsity. It was intimidating as a
tower. A skylight was just above, bathing it in an eerie, incandescent
light.

Crono watched as Frog boiled over. Before Crono could say anything
Frog bound up to the statue over the worshiping beasts to the statue.
He regaurded it for a moment, and leapt up to it's head. Frog
stationed himself between it and the wall. With all of his might he
pushed. Frog felt his arms and legs grow sore as he kept pushing. His
heart raced wildly. The statue refused to yeild, yet Frog continued
pushing. The chorus remained oblivous, only kept singing their
praises.
'FALL! FALL!' Frog pushed with everything within. He flet the
statue budge. 'FALL!' He pushed harder still 'FALL!'
Crono and Lucca looked on, wanting to help, but did not want to
expose themselves to the roomful of creatures. Frog pushed despite
the fire that consumed his arms. With everything within, he kept
pushing. when it budged, slightly, Frog doubled his exertion.
With a great crash, the statue toppled to the ground, and broke like a
toy dropping to the floor.
A hushed gasp replaced the singing.
Ignoring the pain and weariness from toppling the statue, Frog drew
his sword and tore into the chorus of creatures. He leapt up, landing
on the head of a diablo. As soon as his feet touched, Frog jumped
again, slashing it just as he took to air.
The monsters could only attack where Frog was. He was seemingly
everywhere at once, yet nowhere. He paused for a moment between
leaps. The sea of creatures closed in. A stout-bodied, thick-limbed
hench came dashing at Frog, clubs raised, hogish snout dripping. It
swung wildly. Frog stayed low, and fired out at it like a torpedo. He
drove his sword into it's knee, after which he leapt, running the blade
across it's body.
Crono swore every creature in the catherdral was gathered in the
sanctuary. Crono rushed in from the other side, swinging wildly. he
took full advantage of Frog's assualt. Most of the beasts were
unaware of his presence untill he struck them down. Lucca fired and
reloaded as hastily as she could, packing in two and three bullets at a
time. She holstered her flintlock, and drew her mallet. She followed
Crono, mopping up as he fired foreward.
Just before Frog landed he snapped his sword right into the head he
would set foot on, and leap again. Frog hit the ground, and hopped
again, bouncing in and out, all about, sword stiking everything in it's
reach. He possesed the fury and rage of a thunderstorm.
A hench grabbed Crono, and slung him into a diablo. It kicked his
chest, forcing him into the grasp of a naga-ette. It slashed his arm
causing his sword to fall from his hand. A hench ran up, and
delivered a forceful left hook directly into Crono's sternum. He
gasped heavily as the air was sucked from his lungs. He lay on all
fours, chest burning, head throbbing. Lucca attempted to reach him,
swinging her mallet wildly. However far too many beasts lay between
them
Frog leapt into the midst of them, striking each with calculated blows.
As he was in the air, his sword found the head of the diablo. The
hench rushed in. Frog bound above it. As it passed beneath, he drove
his sword into the back of it's neck. Before his feet touched the
ground, he pulled out his blade and slashed the naga-ette. And as
soon as he hit the ground, Frog jumped yet again.
The next thing Crono felt was a set of feet upon his back. 'Hold
Crono untill I tell thee' Crono collected himself enough to take back
his sword.
He was too winded to speak. Frog pivioted, and wheeled, lashing his
sword out at any oncomers daunting them. Two henches came from
his left, and three diablos rushed from behind. Frog sprang at the
henches. As soon as his feet hit one, he slashed the other. THen the
Amphibian thrust his sword into the one he landed upon. He sprang
out at the dashing diablos.
'Crono now!'
Crono turned about on knee, still a bit winded. He went in low, taking
them on directly like a boulder catapulted into a fortress wall. Frog
came in like an arrow, at an angle. They passed through, leaving the
diablos in pieces.
Crono, Frog, and Lucca all stood together in the midst of a gang of
beasts.
'THou all art faring well. We almost have them beaten'
'Let's finish them' Declared Lucca.
IT wasn't long untill they had cleared the sanctuary.
'That was amazing!' panted Lucca.
'Thou didst do thine parts as well. I thank thee'
'We're not done yet. save your thanks when we've finished'
'Aye. Let us go then'
'Hang on, let us catch our breaths!'
'Frog was what that all about?' inquired Crono. 'Why did you push
that statue over?'
'Long story. I shall tell thee some later time'
They saw to their wounds, and sat for a couple of minuites before
proceding. The party entered back into the room where the 'King' and
'Queen' were. Frog made quick work of them. Before Crono and
Lucca could act, they lay on the floor, in their true forms. They both
stood amazed.
'Come the true Queen awaits our arrival' stated Frog
They came into another room, where two gaurds were. One sat in
center of the floor, another was out cold.
'Whoa! People!' declared one. 'How do we know youre not monsters
in disguise?' Asked Lucca.
One answered by displaying a deep cut along his arm. 'You better
hurry. Yakra's got some nasty plans for the Queen'
'Why don't you join us?' Asked Crono
'We're no good to yall like this. The Queen's in the main chamber.
It's just past the next hall.'
'We'll return for you. Hold fast' told Frog.
'Good luck. Be careful'
Crono was unsure of what to make of his experiences. All he wished
to do for the day was attend the festival. He had no clue he'd end up
400 years prior, fighting with a frog to save the queen. He laughed
inspite of himself.
They came to the next chamber of the Catherdral. The party followed
the hall down to a room. THe room lead to another hall. The hall lead
to another room, which inturn brought them back to where they first
entered the chamber.
'We missed something' observed Lucca. They retraced their steps,
and examined each room. The first one didn't seem out of the
ordinary (if an ordinary exisited at all) in any such way. The next hall
they found much the same. Although there was tacked upon the wall,
a note which read
'No entry'
They entered into the next room. A telltale skittering sound came
upon Frog's ears
'Dost thou hearest such?'
'What?!' replied Crono.
Frog turned his head upward. The other two looked up as well 'Bats'
said Frog. About 5 large bats hung from the celing dormant.
'That shouldn't be' Stated Lucca as she loaded her flintlock. She took
aim, but before she could fire, Frog spoke.
'Hold. Let me strike one first, then fire. We don't whis them to all fly
at us at once'
Lucca consented.
'Do you need a boost or something, Frog?' asked Crono.
'Aye 'twould be of sure prudence'
Crono stood in the center of the room, and readied himself. He
staggered his feet, held out his hands, fingers webbed, and bent his
knees. Frog stood at the wall.
'Ready?'
Crono affirmed and Frog started bounding towards him. His leaps
grew in height as he approached Crono. Frog planted a foot in
Crono's hands, and was slung up to the celing. Lucca and Crono
looked on in amazement. Frog drew his sword as he flew. He slashed
one bat, and came back towards the ground. As soon as his feet hit,
Lucca fired, dropping another bat.

The bats scrambled furiously like leaves tossed by crosswind. Crono
and Frog swatted the rest down with no hassle. The ones that flew
out of reach, were dropped by Lucca.
Frog turned his gaze back above. 'Ah, a lever. Crono, I shall utilitze
thee once again'
Crono stationed himself beneath the lever, and readied himself.
Again, he slung a bounding Frog to the roof. He took a hold of the
lever, and swung. It dropped about a foot, and they heard and flet a
rumble, like a passing truck from the next room.
The party returned to the chamber entrance to find a door where
there was wall just a minuite prior.

End Chapter