Chapter 12 / Origin of Lavos

"Crono... Crono! Crono, are you still sleeping?" a familiar voice called out to me through the fogginess of the unconscious. I blinked my eyes opened and saw Marle at the side of the bed, she opened the curtains before looking to me. "You know, I think part of your problem is you don't go to sleep at the proper time."

"You're the reason I am up late most nights," I groan finding myself saying, finding it hard to sit up.

Marle giggles at me as the sound of a bell could be heard in the distance, "I'd forgotten how beautiful Leene's bell sounds. Yet we had visited the kingdom in a time before the bell had been put up in honor of the Queen."

"Do you think the King ordered it for her as a gift or was it something the village did to honor her? She was a native to Truce after all," I asked her. The location for what would eventually be the Millennial Fair grounds hadn't been created in that time frame either. Perhaps these types of questions for people that saw and experienced the different eras. A pretty exclusive few, I would imagine.

"The peasant girl that became Queen. I can see the appeal of wanting to celebrate that," Marle moved over to the bed and reached down but stopped inches away from touching me. She grinned in a teasing manner, "Are you ready for today?"

"Oh yeah," I muttered as I looked away from her. "Our engagement party... where the princess is being showcased with a muscle headed bodyguard from town. I'm sure the nobles are going to love some no name commoner that is somehow acknowledged by the King over their own sons." I attempted to turn away but Marle reached down and forced me to turn to her.

"Let them say what they want, Crono. You're my muscle headed no named commoner bodyguard, and I wouldn't trade you for anything," Marle assured me. "Now come on! Get up Crono! Crono! Crono! Crono! ..." her voice repeated my name over and over and...

I sat up way too quickly making my head buzz and the room felt like it was spinning. It took a moment to adjust as I found myself looking at a wall of a straw hut and... wait, I know this hut. I turned and saw Marle at my side, with Lucca, Robo and Frog as well. Marle put her arms around me which I welcomed as it helped me focus my thoughts.

"Crono, you're okay," she breathed against me, her arms squeezing me, making sure I was okay. My thoughts quickly ran down the events that had led us here. The confrontation with Magus. And the massive Gate that had appeared as a result.

"Considering what we went through, I'm not sure if okay is the right word. I'm in one piece, at the very least," I say as I returned her hug. Reassuring her and finding comfort in her scent. Despite the amount of time and what we had gone through, I could still smell a hint of our time together in the bath at Lucca's home. That reminded me of the dream I just had. Had that been my house? Well, my families home? Us, there, in a peaceful time and about to have an engagement party? Yeah that was definitely a good dream. Unfortunately I doubt that particular scenario was likely to ever happen. If you considered we were wanted criminals by her father who was the King of Guardia. But why had I dreamed it to begin with?

"Crono awake!?" A figure appears in the doorway of the hut, it was Ayla. She comes over and eagerly joins in on the hug, wrapping her arms around not just me but Marle as well. "Ayla was at Mystic Mountain, found you and all friends there. Got Kino and carried all back to hut."

"So, we're back in prehistoric times. Magus' attempt to summon Lavos somehow brought forward a gate. It must have been an immense amount of energy to be able to transport us all without us ending up in the Abyss of time. I wish I could have gotten a reading on it," Lucca muttered from nearby. Who would have thought that Magus' actions would open a gate?

Peeling both Ayla and Marle off of me, I tried to keep them focused. "Ayla, was there another with us? He had a purple looking cape."

She blinked and tilted her head, "Cape?" Actually it was a cloak but I thought cape would have been easier to understand. Apparently I was wrong on both fronts.

"It is like my own," Glenn stood and allowed his own to billow slightly, with a bit of movement to help.

"Big frog talk? Crono's friend? Not to eat?" Ayla was definitely confused.

"No, don't eat, he's a good friend of mine," I shake my head and can't help but chuckle. It certainly would be an abnormal sight for Ayla or anyone in this time. Or Robo for that matter. Not that the clothing of Lucca, Marle and I didn't raise eyebrows but some things just stand out more than others. "Ayla, has anything happened recently."

When our eyes connected I saw her comprehension and then hesitation to answer. She broke the contact, "Crono and friends not worry. All rest, hurt bad. Ayla bring food."

She then retreated from the tent. Considering how badly my muscles were aching at the moment I couldn't disagree with her. I was concerned about her avoiding my question but she had no obligation to answer when she was the leader of a village of a substantial size, and one that was fighting against the reptites. She likely had a lot on her mind.

"We should discuss what happened," Lucca spoke up and pushed up her glasses.

"Yeah," I agreed but my thoughts briefly went to my dream as I glanced to Marle. At least, I think it was a dream. And yet something about it felt so real. The place didn't really look that familiar. I thought for a moment it was my old house but the bed was definitely different, the curtains a different shade and the architecture of the room was not the same. Considering how much time I spent looking at the ceiling at my old home... I doubt I would mistake it for anything else. And Marle and I... we had been engaged in the dream. Why was that something that I would dream about?

"I believe it is prudent to point out that Magus indicated he did not create Lavos. He was summoning him," Glenn started the discussion.

"Yes, he also noted that Lavos had existed since ancient times," Lucca added.

"But how would he know that?" Marle asked. "I can't think of anything in history that might have pointed to the existence of such a beast. We only found out because we went to the future and saw the end result first hand."

"There was also the video that explained what Lavos was," Lucca clarified before shrugging. "Either way, it is questionable how Magus would have been aware of his existence. The Mystics seemed to be quite aware of him though. But the information likely originated from Magus himself."

"Yet it is undeniable that he was well versed in Lavos' existence. Enough that he was trying to summon him. It makes you wonder where he had learned of the name, and what it was. The way he acted it seemed like we were more ignorant of what Lavos was than Magus. Or that was just his pride manifesting," I suggested with a shrug. The way that Magus spoke made it feel unlikely he would lie to us on this point.

"Strangely, I do not see Magus as one full of pride. He is confident in his abilities, no doubt, but he also did not shirk nor dismiss our own skills when we faced him. Hardly the mark of someone who arrogantly holds his own skill above others," Glenn spoke up with his thoughts on Magus. This carried more weight considering Magus was the one responsible for killing Glenn's childhood friend, Cyrus. This only cemented the thoughts in my mind.

"We don't know enough. Not about Lavos or even Magus himself. There isn't any record of Magus' origin, right?" I looked to Marle and Lucca.

Marle shook her head, "Nothing. If it had been discovered I'm sure it would have been in the castle's library and would have been taught to me in my studies."

If it hadn't been taught to Princess Nadia then it was likely never discovered. Even if it hadn't been public knowledge it would have been knowledge passed in the royal family, if only to know what kind of adversaries had gone against the crown in the past. That left us with little more than speculation at this point, and it was hardly a good idea to focus on such a thing.

"I believe we should prioritizing on recovery. Our current fighting strength is greatly diminished due to the rough travel through the forced gate," Robo reported and halting the discussion.

"Good idea," I nodded.

"Yeah, I should do a full diagnostic on Robo while I have the chance," Lucca said as she and Robo moved to the side of the hut and she began to pull out tools from her bag to do so.

"I shall take this opportunity to ensure the Masamune got through unharmed," Frog also moved and took a seat, inspecting the Masamune for imperfections.

Marle and I faced each other and we took a moment to relax. I let out a deep breath and looked to the entrance of the hut, "Certainly was a different kind of battle against Magus. He was on a completely different level compared to what we've faced in the past."

"He was strong, incredibly strong. If that gate hadn't opened, I'm not sure we would have won, even with the help of the Masamune. It might have lessened his magic but even with that, his power was immense," Marle spoke softly so that our conversation would not extend to the others.

"You're probably right. But it wasn't just his magic. His physical prowess was equally as impressive. To move a scythe, an unconventional weapon, at such speeds as to defend himself against Glenn, Robo and myself... and still be able to deal with magic attacks. We were not prepared for that fight," I shook my head as I lowered the volume of my own voice to match hers. "We fought him together and he never gave up an inch of ground."

That kind of power was something to envy. His muscles defined, his magic even when not at its full strength to have such impact. How could we have hoped to match someone like that? And yet, even with the lead up and everything that suggested him to be a villain... I found it hard to accept that. His words, his actions said something different. Surely, he was no saint but he could have easily killed us if he had pressed us further.

"He could have killed us Crono," Marle emphasized her point. She had already come to the same conclusion I had and validated her point further. "But he didn't."

"Yes, and it was a conscious effort on his part," I agreed, there was clearly a point in that battle he could have struck me down but he knocked me away instead. "He also didn't seem to be aware of Ozzie's actions. An odd fact considering he was supposed to be leading the attack, but he didn't seem to care."

"But he also didn't make any effort to stop the mystics from attacking or killing humans..." Marle noted.

"True, but if he had the intention to do so then the landscape would have been a lot different. That town wouldn't have been left alone. And he would have led the charge himself and razed any village in his path if it was his actual goal. The actions don't match up with the conceived intention by the kingdom. Magus is too intelligent to not be able to create an effective strategy. Ozzie, Flea and Slash though... that's a different story," I groaned remembering those three. As skilled as the three had been in their own way, they didn't seem to be that well rounded in terms of strategy or power. If I had to wager... the three only had one trick up their sleeve and beyond that they weren't very useful. Definitely the mark of underlings. People that didn't have the capacity to lead or even think that much on their own. Perhaps I was being a little cruel but they didn't lend themselves to be a credible threat beyond their fighting ability from what we had seen. Especially since Ozzie had led the attack on the bridge and we had been able to tear through his undead soldiers with only a bit of difficulty. He had been doing nothing but stalling for time. To be honest, a lot of the overall situation didn't make sense.

"The Mystic Army wasn't on the same page. Magus definitely had his own objective which didn't seem to have anything to do with opposing or attacking the Guardia kingdom," Marle shook her head.

"We don't know what Magus' intentions were, or that of his generals. And it is likely that Magus himself has ended up in another time period than us, so we'll likely need to search for him," I scratched the back of my head. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling a moment of pain go through my head. Last thing we needed was someone with unknown intentions stuck in a time period where he could make serious alterations to the worlds timeline.

"Let's wait for Ayla to bring back food before you go back to sleep. It'll help," Marle said and rubbed my back to soothe me.

So that was what we did. The rest of the day was spent taking care of some minor stuff such as weapon maintenance and really giving us all a chance to recover from the turmoil we had gone through. The gate hadn't been a normal one. I was a bit curious if we were able to return to the end of time but there were other more pressing concerns. Mainly that Ayla was obviously preoccupied with thoughts in her head. She did bring us dinner, and a few other things so that we got a good amount of food, but Ayla never spoke on to what was bothering her. I shouldn't expect her to either.

We settled in and rested for the night, and it hadn't taken much for me to fall asleep. I was more exhausted than I realized. Marle had snuggled up against me, but I was too tired to care and submitted myself to unconsciousness.

The next morning came quickly. And mostly because Kino came rushing into the hut. I sat up and rubbed my eyes from the morning grogginess.

"Crono okay now?" Kino asked. He looked a bit panicked though for some reason.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Is something wrong Kino?" I asked knowing that checking on me wouldn't be a primary reason he came to see us.

"Ayla went, try find Laruba village. Find village, fight reptites together. Big fight, last fight! Beat all reptites or reptites beat us all!" Kino rattled off quickly.

My eyes widened at the implication. No wonder why Ayla had her thoughts preoccupied. Had the situation here truly been that desperate? Maybe it was. I shook Marle next to me, who had her arm around my waist as she blinked and looked up to me.

"Kino!" a man, clearly another member of Ioka rushed in. This made the others begin to stir from their slumber as well.

"What wrong? Crono and friends rest, you be quiet," Kino said turning to the man.

"North wood, fire! Burn! Big burn!" the man paid no heed to Kino's words, but as he said Kino's stance changed.

"Show!" Kino exclaimed as the two ran out of the hut.

I got up to my feet and rushed outside, hooking around to look towards the north, and sure enough... smoke was billowing up from the forest. I felt an odd panic build up.

"What are the odds that the north wood is where Ayla went to find Laruba?" Marle was finishing putting her gear on and adjusting her bag as she appeared next to me.

"With our luck? It is definitely there," I muttered as I turned to go retrieve my belongings but Lucca and Robo were there, with Robo extending out his arms with my bag and katana. "Thanks."

Lucca moved past and slipped down her goggles from the top of her head and messed with a dial on the side, "They are dealing with the fire. But I have a strong suspicion that the reptites were involved. Ayla heading to find Laruba is likely not a coincidence."

"I figured you would say that," I quickly adjusted everything and placed my katana at my side.

"There is no point in delaying, Crono. We cannot sit idly by while lives are in danger," Glenn said with an added croak at the end.

No time like the present, regardless of which "present" we were currently at. So I didn't hesitate and charged forward with the others not far behind me. We crossed the north bridge and pressed ourselves forward and into the forest. We cut down a few reptites that seemed to be attempting to get away. Marle and Glenn put their respective ice and water magic to work.

"Submerge and Shiver! Ice Water!" the two called out as their power combined and engulfed a large area, stopping parts of the fire dead in their tracks. We moved forward dealing with the remnants of the fire and followed the path deeper in.

It was a few hours later when we found Laruba. Or rather, what was left of it. When we entered we split up. I would go find Ayla and hopefully the elder of the village and the others would go and help the injured and attempt to lighten the amount of smoke in the area.

I moved further in when the Ioka villager from before approached me, "Crono, reptites take Kino. Reptites kill all try stop reptites! What do now!?"

Kino was taken? That was no good. I did my best to calm him, "Don't worry. We'll do what we can to help. Trust me."

After I was able to calm him I finally spotted Ayla, who looked devastated by all of this. I ran up to her, seeing that she was clearly being berated.

"Ayla... this your fault! Look at village! Reptites follow you! Now village ruined!" this man was clearly Laruba's Elder.

Ayla's face was hard to decipher, but she looked away from the Elder, "Ayla sorry."

"Reptites strong, live long before us. So we hide. But Ayla say fight together... Ayla still say fight now!?" the Elder pushed a rather pointed question. I could understand both points of view. The objective futility in fighting but also the absurdity in living in fear.

Ayla's expression became strong, resolved and spoke, "Ayla alive, Ayla fight. Win, live. Lose, die. That rule. No can change rule. Old man breath, but dead inside."

The Elder stared at her then shook his head, "Ayla strong, so make big talk. We not strong."

"No! Strong! Fight, get more strong! Ayla help. But now, need dactyl. Give dactyl," Ayla seemed to be getting to the point the reason she had come here.

"Dactyl?" the Elder's eyes widened, apparently understanding what Ayla was asking for. "Go Tyranno Lair!? Tyranno Lair, reptite castle! Danger. Even Ayla danger! Ayla want die?"

Ayla shook her head, "No, want live, so go. Ayla be okay. Give dactyl."

He looked to contemplate the question, "Yes, give dactyl. Elder tell keeper, so go dactyl nest. Ayla be careful."

Ayla smiled briefly, "Elder, big help!" She turned and attempted to leave.

"Wait, Ayla," I reached out and grabbed her arm. I had to keep a tight grip as she immediately tried to shake me off. "What are you doing?"

"This not Crono problem. You no worry. I return later," Ayla said and then forcibly removed my grip with a show of strength and then bolted off.

"Ayla!" Marle called out as she ran up next to me. Ayla disappeared into the lingering smoke and didn't look back. "Crono, where is she going?"

I looked to the Elder, "Where is the dactyl nest? We need to catch up with Ayla."

"You help Ayla?" the elder asks.

I nodded, "Yeah, we're here to help."

"Keeper, come," the Elder said as a man came over to the Elder. "Lead them to dactyl. Help Ayla."

"Keeper go. Come, follow Keeper," the man who was dressed in animal furs and held a spear as a weapon, along with a bow with a quiver of arrows then began to walk. There was no time to waste. The others quickly fell in step with us as we were leaving the forest.

"What's up with Ayla?" Lucca asks.

"I imagine with Kino taken she isn't thinking all that clearly," Marle supplied first.

"She's going to charge into the reptites main fortress and try and get Kino and likely the people of Laruba that were also taken," Glenn spoke up.

"Others were taken?" I glanced back at him and noted that the Keeper was keeping a healthy pace. I had to speed up a bit as a result.

"Indeed," Glenn confirmed.

"Why take so many alive?" I mutter to myself as I keep walking.

"It doesn't make sense. I thought the reptites were looking to kill all the humans? What do they gain from taking them alive? If they want leverage for something... what could it be?" Marle was speculating the reasoning herself next to me. "A political move maybe? A statement to the tribes? Trying to show that they are intelligent and don't have to kill them to subjugate them?"

"Risky, it might prove a point but then you have to care for them. It is hard to say that they would have the infrastructure to care for prisoners on a long term basis. The actions so far have suggested that the reptites are pretty intelligent so I don't see how this decision would be made so lightly," Lucca added her own thoughts as she approached my other side.

We didn't know enough about this time period. That was the truth of it. What problems did they face? Lack of hunting grounds? Lack of cattle? Water issues? Sickness? Famine? Lack of a diverse enough diet? How much did the reptites endanger their society? It was a war, but was it one over superiority or out of necessity due to a lack of available resources?

On the reverse, was the reptites own society have those kinds of problems? Was conflict the only way they felt they could move forward? The history of the world was like that. The conflicts with the mystics in the middle ages was hard to say. The mystics had attacked Guardia, but many believed it was due to the mystics calling home on a land that was infertile and so they couldn't grow crops. I think there was too much we didn't know. Maybe because there was much that we didn't try to understand. But seeing things here as they were, it made me question that.

The Keeper led us quickly through a series of back trails and shortcuts through the woods as we started traversing up a mountain. There was a good amount of wild monsters out here too. After fighting the likes of Magus, these fights weren't even worth mentioning. Plus the five of us here made controlling the dangers much easier. And being able to rotate people in and out of combat quickly was useful.

"The air is refreshing," Glenn commented as we all had climbed up a small hill and onto a flat plateau. Robo was helping pull Lucca up at the moment.

"It is a time long before events that would eventually change the shape and land mass of our world. Who knows what exactly happened in that time. Still, it is something to see that humanity has lived on this planet for so long," I add as I looked to him. Glenn nodded.

"And yet, you say it will be destroyed in simply a day. By the whims of some entity known as Lavos? It is an insult to those that struggled and fought to survive on this planet. That all of humanities struggles would just be gone in an instant," Glenn shook his head.

"I don't think it necessarily an insult to those that came before," Marle appeared at my side. "You can't prepare for something that you aren't aware of. That's why we're going to fight and stop it from happening."

"That is the intent," I supported her words but sighed as we followed the Keeper around some trees and found a path that was heading towards the summit of the mountain. I couldn't help but wonder though. Was there a way to feasibly stop Lavos? Even with the capacity to travel through time. And there was also the question on how that was even possible to begin with. There wasn't enough information to know either way.

In a few short moments they had arrived at the summit. There standing was Ayla, surrounded by large winged beasts that I could only assume were the Dactyl.

"Ayla!" I called out to her. She paused and looked back seeing all of us there.

She blinked, and the expression on her face clearly showed she was fighting a myriad of emotions. Kino was taken, so were many other villagers. She felt responsible for what happened. Enough that she would charge right into the enemy's den.

"Crono, why?" Ayla asked as I moved forward until Marle and I were close to her. She looked to me then Marle.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Marle spoke up. "You are the leader of that tribe, those people! And you're going to go charge off by yourself to try and fix it? What happens if you don't come back? Who is there to lead them against the reptites?"

"Tyrano Lair danger, I know. But Kino, others taken. Ayla go, will get back. Trust Ayla," she said this but it was hard to tell if Ayla believed herself.

"This isn't about trust!" Lucca appeared on my other side. "You aren't going to the Tyranno Lair on your own!"

Ayla looked to Lucca, "But, if all come... Maybe, all die."

"So you're protecting us too? You're going to charge in, save everyone, somehow get everyone back with just you and a single Dactyl. And we're supposed to just stay here and know that our friend is in a life and death situation and we did nothing to help? Ayla, as a leader, you know you can't do it on your own. You need our help," I said to her and she said nothing in return. Conflicted with her own thoughts and feelings.

"You know we aren't from here. A different time. I know how lonely it can be. Where people expect you to be strong and have answers. To be able to remain calm in situations that you normally could never be calm in. That is what it is like for me. Ayla, you're strong. We all know that. But that doesn't mean that you have to handle it all alone," Marle stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder.

Ayla looked to Marle, her eyes watering and tears threatened to fall, "Ayla, scared. No can lose Kino. Ayla fight for future, life with Kino."

Marle nodded, "You love Kino."

"Love?" Ayla blinked a tear falling down her cheek. "Ayla like that word. What mean?"

"It means, you can't live without them. That you care for them, like them more than anyone. Above all others. Even yourself. They are your life, your breath, and the reason your heart beats. And so much more. It hurts to be without them," Marle explained in the way that she saw it. I felt like there was more left unsaid. But Marle then moved forward and wrapped her arms around Ayla. Ayla welcomed it and returned it.

"Ayla, sorry. Scared to lose to reptites. Scared to lose Kino," she admitted and then cried, letting lose emotions she had definitely been holding up. To be a leader she has to be strong, to stand firm even in adversity and situations she didn't want to. Even the strongest of people need someone they can vent to. Someone they can be vulnerable in front of. To show someone who they really are.

I decided to refocus myself and allow the girls to comfort Ayla. I walked back to where the Keeper stood, "Do you know about how many were taken?"

"Many villagers, unsure," he shook his head.

More than likely that meant they hadn't had the chance to properly search and determine all who was missing. They had only just gotten the fire under control when we had finally got to them. I looked at the number of dactyl here. Would it be enough to get them back? Did the reptites take a different path? That likely wouldn't be an option. If they went by land then it would likely be heavily guarded. So taking everyone back on Dactyl would be the best option. I scratched my head, can't be much different than riding a horse, right? Didn't exactly have the luxury of time in this endeavor. The longer we waited the more danger those taken could be in.

"We have to take as many as we can with us," I said after a moment.

"To effectively transport everyone on the return trip, correct?" Robo asked.

"If it is merely a handful of people then it will work, but if there is more, we will be lacking in proper transportation," Glenn noted and glanced at me.

"Then we will deal with-"

"No worry. Keeper bring others. Will help transport people out. You no worry," the Keeper assured me.

"Alright one less thing to worry about then," I turned to Glenn. "This might be rough. Sorry you got dragged into this."

He let out a brief croak and shook his head, "Worry not. After all I have experienced with you, I could hardly call your goal to stop this being Lavos a mere figment of imagination. And what point is there in trying to protect what we have in our own times if all is lost in the future? It would be dishonorable to me to turn away from such a fight. So count me as an ally until we find a solution."

A man of honor, through and through. Maybe it was Glenn's desire to protect Leene and the future of her family that inspired him. Perhaps it was the knowledge that Marle is a descendant of the one he loved and to protect that family line. I imagine it could be a great number of reasons as to why he is here. But I could never turn down the help of someone like Glenn.

"Thank you, Glenn," I smile.

"Don't thank me," Glenn sighed. "If not for you I would have remained in that hovel I called home with a broken sword and belief that I could do nothing for Leene, or myself. But you, Marle, Lucca and Robo went to great lengths to not only retrieve the Hero Badge but also to repair the Masamune. A feat I was sure was not possible. But if you had not been able to travel through time then it all might have happened much differently."

"Perhaps, but Magus would have disappeared as we did with him. Even if we did nothing. Even if you have the hero badge and Masamune, that is all that has changed. The effects that will cause is hard to say. But we had our reasons, and I admit that it was mostly selfish in nature, for us," I admitted, as helping him was what helped us. So we had a motive to do so, not necessarily what was best for him.

"I realized that some time ago. After all what would you have to gain from it? When we went against Yakra, that was to save Marle. Not Queen Leene. However the objectives were one and the same. You helping me was because you sought answers from Magus. But you also didn't need to go as far as you did to help me. You and the others have been mindful and caring for all that you do. Taking me to Spekkio, for example," Glenn met my eyes. "You helped pull me out from my pitiful self guilt over events I could scarcely control. I have shamed my friend Cyrus and his honor, as well as Leene and the trust she has for me. Now, I move forward with purpose. So no matter your intentions, it has affected my life. And for the better."

"I'm happy to hear that," I looked back to where Ayla was, being comforted by Marle and Lucca. "Here we are, once more forcing ourselves into a situation. Meddling in a different time period. A while ago, Lucca might have tried to stop us from doing anything. But we all agreed to do what we believe is right, but not to lose sight as to why we are doing it."

"Then allow me to ensure you do not stray," Glenn smiled, which might seem odd on the face of a frog, and the form he was in. But even with the occasional noises he makes, it never really bothered me.

"I'll keep you to that," I chuckled as I walked back towards Ayla, Marle and Lucca. Ayla had finally settled down, and back on her face was a look of determination.

"Crono, not change mind?" she tried one final time to dissuade us from going with her.

I shook my head, "Let's go get Kino back."

"Crono! Isn't this amazing!" Marle yelled from behind me while her arms were firmly around my waist. I was more focused on directing the dactyl than I was on anything else though. But Marle was clearly enjoying flying through the air as we were.

"Yeah, certainly didn't expect to be doing this when we woke up this morning," I grumbled a bit as I direct the dactyl into a dive as I followed behind Ayla who led the pack. Lucca rode with Ayla, while Glenn and Robo rode on another. We could see the destination. Tyrano Lair. An impressive structure that rivaled anything Ayla and her people had built. It was made of stone and stood proudly as an intimidating silhouette to intimidate humanity. But right now we all swooped in quickly.

"Crono! Ready!?" Ayla yelled back.

"Be right behind you!" I yelled back, fighting back against the sound of the wind that moved past us as our dive went faster.

"Crono!" Marle held onto me tighter.

"Don't let go of me! We're going to jump right into battle!" I warned her as the dactyls made for a spot along the upper side of the Tyrano Lair. Ayla jumped first, and had Lucca with her, an arm hooked around Lucca's waist. I readied myself as Marle quickly adjusted her grip so her arms were hooked underneath my own and reached up to my shoulders, pressing herself against me and holding on as tight as possible. I didn't take a look at Glenn and Robo and instead leapt off.

Reptites were all along the place we were falling.

"Grab me, Crono!" Marle yelled out as I felt her swing around to my front. I immediately wrapped an arm around her waist as I realized she was reading her crossbow. She let loose several bolts, aiming at the reptites that would be near our landing spot. Then she held the crossbow with one hand and out of her way as she extended her left hand out below us. "Shiver! The bite of winter! Ice!"

Her spell slammed against one of them, and clearing the rest from our landing area. Now I just hand to handle the landing. We were coming in at an angle too. I flipped us around and situated Marle in my arms into a princess carry only a few seconds to spare. My feet hit the stone and I immediately went into a slide and towards a reptite in our path. I wouldn't be able to set my feet in time and could see that the reptite knew this as well. However, Marle pulled up her crossbow and released a volley of bolts forcing the reptite out of our path as we finally came sliding to a stop. My legs were recovering from the shock of the landing but I released Marle from my hold. She grabbed my katana from my sheath as the reptite dropping her not loaded crossbow in the same movement and spun around and cut straight through the reptites weapon and him in a fluid motion.

No time to think I moved towards her. Marle spun the sword around as I went past her and she handed it to me. I readied a skill, letting it build in power of my blade before I swung it forward towards four charging reptites and cut each of them down in turn.

"Above!" Marle warned.

I jumped back as a massive reptite with impressive wings landed where I had just been. It let out a savage roar as I reset my feet and jumped back into the air.

"Encase his blade with the bite of winter!" Marle's spell was coursing through my sword as I brought it down at the flying reptite.

"Ice Sword!" We both yelled as I evaded it's incoming claw attack and I landed the blade between its eyes. The ice forcefully shattering as I had punctured deep into it. Killing the reptite in an instant.

"More on the way! Quick, everyone inside!" Lucca called out, she was holding a door open. The others had all successfully landed as well. Marle and I didn't hesitate and moved to get inside. I was the last one through and once I was in, Robo and Glenn slammed the door shut and put a nearby stone block in a way.

I took a moment to catch my breath, "Well that was something."

Lucca was inspecting her weapon before she holstered it and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, "First priority is to locate Kino and the others. After that we'll have to secure a route to the top of the lair. That way Keeper and his allies will be able to pick us up. Staying inside should limit who we encounter."

"Affirmative," Robo chimed in agreement.

"Let's head down first," I said as I sheathed my katana and headed towards the stairs that went down. I picked up my pace and everyone stayed behind me and matched me. We limited the conversation to keep noise down to a minimum so that we would have a better chance of being unnoticed. We went around a corner and managed to sneak past a group of reptites. Granted they seemed panicked and were likely looking for us considering the commotion we cause with our landing. Not surprising in the least.

Suppose they didn't expect us to be this far in so quickly though. Either way we managed to find a way to go further down and looped around. And found ourselves running right into a group of reptites. They immediately attacked.

Ayla sprung into action and tackled one down as I moved forward with my sword. Glenn matched my speed and we executed the X-strike technique. The group of guards were taken out with little effort. They had certainly been surprised by our presence. Considering it would mean we had walked past a large group of them.

I bent down and checked one of the reptites and found a key. Guess that meant that we were near the holding cells for the prisoners. I picked it up and got back to my feet. After a moment there was a scream, but not one that I had really expected. We saw another reptite running towards us and grabbing hold of his head. It saw us and came to a stop, clutching his head he looked at a nearby door and then bashed into it. The door opened and let in a significant amount of the outside light in. But then his screams slowly faded away... but... huh?

I jogged forward and looked out the door. It was a small balcony of sorts but had no sort of railing. And the reptite was nowhere to be found. I shook my head. "What was that all about?"

Another sound, this time a crash came from further down. I started moving quickly as I moved down the hall. To which we find a reptite on the ground, dead. Across from it was a cage where there stood Kino, with what looked like reptite blood on his hands and around his mouth and... ooooh. So that is what happened. Taking a bite out of your enemy huh?

"Kino!" Ayla stepped towards the gate and began preying on the door. "Open! Crono help!"

I moved forward and grabbed one side of the cage door. Considering the construction I thought it looked off. I used my strength to lift up on the cage door while Ayla pulled it away. Robo then came forward.

"Step aside," he said and so I pulled Ayla away as Robo activated his laser and cut straight through the lock.

Ayla pulled the door open and then leaped through and tackled Kino to the ground. "Kino, safe."

"Kino sorry. All Kino's fault," Kino said as he sat up, but Ayla wouldn't let him go.

"It okay. Not Kino's fault. We find Laruba people, escape top of Tyrano Lair," Ayla explained as she was cleaning the blood from his face with part of her top.

"Ayla, why come?" Kino asked her. "Kino weak. No can fight reptites. Ayla strong. Ayla friends strong. Kino not..."

Ayla, then halted Kino's words by putting her lips on his. Kino's eyes looked as if they would pop out of his head he was so surprised and looked like he wasn't sure what to do in response. Ayla kissed him, and didn't relent as if she needed to get this out. Maybe she had held back her feelings for him for too long. Maybe because she never knew how to express herself. She was focused on being strong, a leader. Kino had likely been the one that supported her. There were many kinds of strengths that people had. Plus I'm pretty sure he took a bite out of that other Reptite and he had soundly killed the one that was on the ground in front of his cage. If he thinks he's weak them I'm terrified of what Ayla is capable of.

The two kissing reminded me of how Marle had been. She had that frustration before. She had even considered ending her own life because she had felt so trapped in the castle and the life she was forced upon her. Her Mother dead and a Father that didn't seem to care. Marle was strong in her own way, but at the same time a part of her was emotionally dependent on me. If things had been different, if the gate hadn't appeared and pulled her to a different world... would that have been it? Would she have gone and taken her own life and I would have just continued as I had been?

Humans are social creatures, we were dependent on each other. That was what made it possible to survive the predators of the world. The beasts and dangers that the world had. I couldn't imagine that life, a world without Marle with me. I would never want to be part of that world. I imagine it is the same for Ayla and Kino as it is for Marle and I. They can be strong for each other, in the way that the other needs. But only when they have each other.

Ayla finally pulled away, "Kino get now? Ayla love Kino. Have family, protect Ioka. Us."

Kino held onto that word, "What love?"

"Ayla say later, when home," Ayla assured him and got to her feet, dragging Kino up with her.

"Kino ready. Let find Labura people," Kino indicated towards me. "Laruba down hall. But Nizbel guard people."

"Wait, I thought I killed him," I scratched the back of my head. Then again it wasn't like I understood reptite biology. Maybe their organs were placed different in their body? If so then when I ran him through I hadn't actually given him a fatal blow, but it was enough to render him unmovable at the time. "I should have been more thorough."

"Then we will be, this time," Lucca said.

"We beat him before, should be no problem," Marle was grinning, probably happy at Ayla being able to express herself to Kino. But she was right. Even if he tried to adopt new techniques it hadn't been long enough for him to get much stronger. And there was just the three of them before. Wouldn't be good to underestimate him though.

"Let's not delay. The more time passes, the more likely they will gather allies," Glenn encouraged us to move.

"Ayla, are you ready?" I asked her.

She nodded, "Ayla ready."

There wasn't time to waste and so Kino began to lead the way and everyone followed behind him. Perhaps Kino wasn't as strong as Ayla, but then again in this era, strength was measured much differently. In our time Kino would definitely considered strong. And Ayla... well she was on a whole different level of strong.

We moved at a jog pace as we moved down the hall and came to a door. But this one was clearly off its hinges and looked like something had rammed its way through. We all came to a stop as we looked in to see Nizbel sitting on a makeshift chair, made of the rubble of stone. And by the looks of it he had taken it from a nearby wall to do it. On his chest was a clear mark where I had stabbed him before.

"You, red haired one," Nizbel got up from his seat. "I have waited for you."

"Me? In case you forgot, there was more than just me that kicked your ass last time," I said as I stepped forward and drew my katana from my sheath. "Instead, how about you just give up and get out of here. If you don't, then this time I'll make sure you don't get out of here alive."

"Ha, I'm ready for you this time," Nizbel seemed proud as he picked up a massive club.

A weapon? Was that all he thought he would need to stop us? His hide looked as thick as it had before. But it would be weaker where I had stabbed him before. Even if he thought it was healed but there would be no point to attack there. Well, it was enough to knock him down before. Best to act and just deal with it as we go.

"Cry from the heavens! Lightning!" I started with the spell that had been effective before. But this time Nizbel quickly and expertly moved out of its path.

He grinned, "Not this time." Nizbel rushed in and took a wide swing with his club and made all of us scramble by the surprising amount of speed he showed. I stumbled back and fell, but Ayla quickly pulled me back to my feet.

"He's gotten fast," I comment as I readied my katana as Nizbel didn't waste a moment and pressed his attack. I jumped out of the way but Nizbel kept on top of me as he was determined to take me out. I was running out of room, and quick. Just as I was about to be cornered, Glenn came by in a flash, hitting the Masamune across his chest, and it made Nizbel come to a stop. The next moment Robo smashed against Nizbel with a tackle move that sent Nizbel sliding away and then collapsing to the ground.

Ayla ran past me and towards the downed Nizbel. I put my hand out towards her, "Channel the power of Thunder through her body! Lightning Charge!" My power hit her as she closed in and she attacked. Her blows hit Nizbel hard, and the discharge of my magic coursed through his body, but Ayla was still sent flying off as Nizbel got back to his feet. Electricity discharged off him as the remnants of the attack dissipated off him. It had clearly affected him but his expression was one of glee.

"Is that the best you can do?" Nizbel was proud of how he withstood the attack, but it was obvious that lightning was still the answer here. But he had gotten faster, or was more aware of his need to be agile. Then I needed something more... something like... the attack that Magus had used. He had called it Lightning Storm, but that didn't resonate with me.

"Guys, cover me," I called out to the others as I jumped back.

"Ayla, got Crono," Ayla stepped forward.

"We shall provide you the opening. I hope you'll be ready to utilize it," Glenn readied his Masamune. Robo at his side gave a beep of acknowledgement before the three charged in against Nizbel. Marle and Lucca provided support and range attacks when able to keep Nizbel distracted. Kino stood near me.

"What Crono do?" Kino asked.

I held out my hands in front of me, palms up and closed my eyes, "The power of magic isn't simple, it isn't theory or a science. It's a feeling, a manifestation of the power of what we feel. Combine that with what we've experienced and fought leads to the necessity of growth. To fight new enemies, to fight what would have us die. That is what powers us."

"Kino not know what Crono mean," he shook his head.

"You will," I could feel the power gathering in my hands. I opened my eyes as I watched Ayla kick Nizbel back before both Robo and Glenn quickly landed blows against him, causing him to stumble slightly. "Come forth and unshackle the chains of heaven! Lightning Raid!" The words came in an instant. and the others scattered back. The blast of yellow, blue and white electrical energy came from my hands and rotated at a high speed as it hit all around Nizbel. No matter how he tried to dodge this... it would still hit him.

"No! Not you're tricks again!" Nizbel screamed as the lightning hit him from all angles, giving him no avenue of escape. His tough exterior couldn't protect him from this onslaught of energy and so he fell to his knees as it continued to hit him.

My spell disappeared and I pulled out my katana and charged forward. Nizbel tried to stand but Robo and Glenn had charged in and knocked out his hands that had kept him from fully collapsing. He crashed against the ground and Ayla came crashing down, landing a powerful kick on the base of his spine.

"This time, I'll make sure you're dead!" I jumped into the air and slammed down hard, my katana piercing into Nizbel's neck. He screamed out and so I twisted the blade, causing more pain.

"Crono!" Glenn warned.

I jumped back just as Glenn came crashing down, but the Masamune cut cleanly through Nizbel's neck, decapitating the reptite. His body lost its strength.

I let out a deep breath and sheathed my sword, "If he is still alive after losing his head then I'll start to wonder what the heck reptites are."

Marle stood at my side, looking at the corpse of Nizbel, "Crono, did we really need to-"

"-I don't know," I answered honestly and looked to her. "But we can't hesitate to do what we must. Especially against those that might be dangerous to leave alive. We've already made our choice. We're going to change this world, to save it. But that also means we have to make sure that no one gets in the way of us doing that."

"One cannot change the world without paying a price," Glenn said with a croak. "If a villain stands in our path, we should do what is necessary."

I nodded in full agreement. There was likely to be a time that such a choice could have a major impact on our path to defeating Lavos.

Kino moved past us and started pulling on a door. Ayla joined him and with the two of them they forcefully broke the lock and the door slammed open. Inside were a collection of Laruba villagers. Judging by the way they looked they hadn't been here long. That was good, they would all likely still have energy to move.

"Now what?" Lucca asked.

"We head up to the roof. I imagine there has to be access up there somehow. Or at least a place we would be visible. The dactyl Keeper said he would have helped and more dactyl to get everyone home," I explained as I notice both Kino and Ayla tending to the villagers to make sure they were all good to go. Looks like there was a mother and her child too. We would have to make sure the path was clear.

Ayla approached me, "Must face Azala. End today."

She wants to settle this today? Take out their leader? Yeah I think she was right. Considering the reptites were slow to respond meant that it would definitely throw them into disarray. And it felt like there wasn't much of a leadership structure to them. Azala had Nizbel under him but didn't seem like there was anyone else to assume control if Azala died.

"We should have people stay with the villagers to protect them," Marle said from my side, she was looking specifically at the mother's child.

I nodded, "Then you, Robo and Kino watch over them. the rest of us will head up and confront Azala and clear a path to a good rescue point. Ayla, let's go."

She nodded, "Crono good friend. Ayla pay back later."

"Be careful," Marle reached up and quickly kissed my cheek.

"You too," I smiled before I turned and Ayla led the way. Ayla, Glenn, Robo and Lucca headed down and to a staircase that headed up. We followed Ayla as she jumped around and we cut through a group of reptites. It was hardly worth the effort we put into it. So when we reached the throne room we came sliding to a stop, as Azala sat there. He regarded us for a moment and his reptilian skin shimmered in the light.

"As I thought. You came to retrieve your kind. I thought it was the most appropriate invitation to my lair," Azala grinned with a slight laugh.

"It all ends today, Azala," I say as I ready my katana.

He regards all of us and gets to his feet, "Yes, you're right." A massive roar could be heard, it was definitely unsettling but Azala didn't even flinch. "This will decide everything for the future of this world." Azala then jumps over the throne and quickly out of the door behind it.

We all rush to catch up and find something unbelievable. Azala is standing at the feet of a massive beast.

"It's a Tyranno," Ayla says as she rushes forward and we all come to a stop.

Azala is looking up at the sky. I follow where he is looking and hanging above in the sky is a bright red star. His inaction had made the Tyranno pause, waiting for a command from its master, "The red star will soon fall. The fate of the reptites is all but decided now. Regardless of the result of this battle. However, this land will be scorched red."

I looked at the red star above and I had a thought. No, it couldn't be... could it?

"Strong live, weak die. Ayla fight, Ayla live." Ayla stood defiantly. I refocused myself.

"Only time will tell. But I will do what I can to stop you, filthy human!" Azala jumped and onto the back of the Tyranno. "Go Black Tyranno! Show them your ferocity!"

Black Tyranno roared and the force of it pushed me back a bit. That is kind of terrifying in its own way. But this beast was massive, easily towering over the rest of us. But we were out here, fighting on a pathway, outside. A long drop loomed on either side, meaning that any misstep in this battle would result in a fatal mistake. I moved forward, "You guys follow up! Come forth and unshackle the chains of heaven! Lightning Raid!" I used my latest learned spell against the Black Tyranno with the benefit of also hitting Azala.

"Cure you apes!" Azala called out as my spell still seemed to have residual damage to them.

Ayla leaped past me and then seemed to turn at an unbelievable speed and smash into the gut of the Black Tyranno which looked to have quite the effect as the Tyranno bent over and responded with another roar. Lucca had moved forward as the Tyranno looked to attack Ayla.

"Surround! Divert what desires harm! Protect!" Lucca's spell wrapped around Ayla as the Tyranno snapped to bite Ayla, but the magic stopped its jaw from closing on her. Ayla used that to punch the upper roof of the Tyranno's mouth before jumping clear.

"Submerge! The power of rapids. Water!" Glenn's water magic slammed against the face of the Tyranno to further make it off balance. Enough that Azala fell from atop the Tyranno and onto the platform below. I charged and Ayla joined at my side.

"Crono, I toss," she looked at me and took a lead before sliding to a stop in front of me. I didn't hesitate as I put my foot up and leaped into the air. Ayla caught me and then using her strength she propelled me high into the air. I focused my energy into a technique and before the Tyranno could recover I hit the side of its head hard. The force I hit it was more than I could have managed on my own. It was enough to knock it off balance and it started to tumble off the limited room on the pathway. In a last ditch effort it tried to bite the bridge as it arms could not grab onto anything. But it helplessly fell down below.

Azala grimaced and stumbled back as I landed near him. "I see, so the apes were indeed the ones chosen to live on. Perhaps it is as it should be. The red star is going to hit soon, and when it does it will scorch this land and then be replaced with a cruel age of ice and snow. This will be a testament to the end of the reptites."

I looked up, he was right, it was going to hit any minute, "Hurry up we have to get everyone out of here!"

Ayla looked up and uttered a word I hadn't expected, "Lavos..."

I turned to her, "What did you say?"

"La mean fire, Vos mean big, word of Ayla's people," Ayla explained.

I see, so was that the origin? It didn't matter.

Keeper emerged with a large number of dactyl and came swarming down at us. Marle, Kino and Robo appeared with the group of Laruba villagers and everyone quickly began to load up the dactyls.

"I wonder what will happen with this world," Azala mused as he turned to me. "What will you do?"

"I'll protect it, and ensure it continues to exist. What would be the point in humanity outliving the reptites if we die off too? Was there truly no way for their to be a peace instead of a war of genocide?" I asked him.

"We're a species of violence, even if we can get above that and be civil, we would still clash. It would just lead to more wars in our history. Fighting for resources, and what is right for our own people. Our needs are different. I simply chose to make a stand and fight that eventuality with a decisive fight now. For the best of the reptites. We shall accept our fate," Azala shook his head. "Go, take care of this world, ape. Don't squander the bounty of what life holds."

"I won't," I shake my head and then jump onto a dactyl where Marle was waiting.

"Everything okay?" Marle asked.

"Yeah, let's go," I said as we took to the sky. Heading back towards Laruba. At least that was the plan.

All the dactyl in the sky as that massive red star came screaming through the atmosphere. It smashed directly into the Tyranno Lair. Azala was dead, and along with him, the majority of the reptites. A massive fire rose into the air, a cloud shaped like a mushroom formed as a massive force pushed out.

"Wh-what is that?" Marle yelled.

"It- It's a GATE!" Lucca yelled out, with her sensor in hand. Ayla was helming the dactyl she was on. "The energy is off the charts! If we don't hurry it is going to pull everyone in!"

Dammit! I pulled the dactyl around, "Keep going Kino! Take the villagers back with Keeper!"

"Crono, what is the plan?" Marle asked.

"Lucca! Can we disperse the energy by using the Gate before it hits the others?" I asked as I brought the dactyl to hover, the others in the group moving to my side.

"In theory, yes! We can force a focal point and expand it so it should stop its expansion. They'll likely still be a Gate left but it should stop the immediate threat," Lucca quickly answered. She pulled out the Gate key as we saw the massive wave of energy form into a familiar but giant form. "Go now!" Lucca then leaped off the dactyl.

Glenn and Robo jumped off their own to follow. Marle quickly moved behind me but kept her arm around me.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Crono! What Lucca do?" Ayla called out, confused.

"Don't worry, Ayla. This is our fight!" I then leaped off the dactyl as Marle and I plunged through the air and into the massive Gate.

The landing was definitely rough. But considering how we had entered the Gate I don't think it was that surprising. Maybe a few bumps and bruises but nothing that we couldn't deal with. I had my arms around Marle, and had done so to protect her from the landing, we both sat up from the ground. It was a small cave, but the sound of wind could be heard from the opening of the cave. It was... cold.

I blinked as I saw another person next to us, "Ayla!?"

"Crono, Where this place?" Ayla seemed to dismiss my surprise for being here. She gave me a curious look.

"I don't know, but why are you here? You should have gone back with your people," I felt a bit frustrated.

"Why?" she tilted her head. "Ayla owe Crono and friends. Crono help Ayla fight, now Ayla help Crono."

"I don't think you're going to change her mind," Marle said as she got to her feet and then helped me to my feet.

I sighed and looked around, "Glenn? Robo? Lucca?"

"We're here," Lucca said as she stood up herself. Glenn and Robo also nearby. "It seems that Lavos came to our planet in prehistoric times. Its power must be what caused the Gates to begin with."

"Then Magus told us the truth," Glenn spoke with a croak.

I personally had no problems believing Magus to begin with. He had no reason to lie to us when he had confronted him. But if Lavos had landed on our planet so far in its past... did that mean it just slumbered underneath the planet until it was ready to destroy the world? Or was there another reason why it eventually did so? Trying to figure out the motives of such a beast was likely a fruitless venture.

"Why is it so cold?" Marle comments as she is rubbing her arms.

"My sensor's read that the immediate environment is around twenty degrees Fahrenheit. With a negative 25 degree wind chill factor," Robo reported.

"We aren't exactly prepared for that kind of weather," I comment noting that everyone was definitely not dressed for it. Especially Ayla, who might as well be wearing a bikini. Even if made of animal skins, it wasn't going to be warm enough to traverse through this.

"I would suggest going back through the Gate, but my readings indicate it isn't stable to use right now," Lucca added.

"At least we can get out of this time period... whenever this time is," I comment and looked to the cave entrance.

"Ayla hate cold," Ayla noted as she mimicked Marle's actions in the hope of warming herself up.

I was a little better equipped to fight the cold, but this was a problem.

"You can all remain here. Robo and I shall explore outside and see if we can't gather materials for a fire and scout around the area," Glenn spoke up. I turned to him but he stopped me from speaking with a shake of his head. "This form does have its advantages. I'm a cold blooded being after all."

"That doesn't make you immune to the cold," I commented.

"No, but I will still be able to function better than you or the others. Along with Robo," Glenn stated which was definitely true. Then without another word both he and Robo left the cave.

I scratched the back of my head, "Lavos falls in prehistoric times, then spends millions of years doing what? Feeding? Growing? Until what?"

"Until it can reproduce, most likely," Lucca said with a dry tone. "Based on the actions we know of I would venture that Lavos is a species that devours worlds. But an especially long lived species that takes millions of years to mature enough to likely reproduce."

"So, destroying the world is a by product of that process?" Marle was skeptical of it and moved closer to me, likely wanting body head to keep herself warm.

"More than likely, yes," Lucca pushed up her glasses. "To speculate I would say that devastating the life here would be a means to force its spawn to vacate the planet and search out other worlds."

"Crono hunt Lavos?" Ayla asked, curious to our talk.

I nodded, "Lavos destroys our world in the future. Killed by the bastard that hides in the planet."

Ayla looked conflicted then she looked up at me, determination in her eyes, "Ayla help. Defeat Lavos, save future."

"Defeat a being that has a power that rips through time and space. Even with the use of Gates, how are we even going to accomplish that?" Lucca expressed her unease.

"Magus seemed to believe he could," I found myself saying as the thought crossed my mind.

"So what? We ask Magus? The leader of the Mystics that terrorized Guardia in the Middle Ages?" Marle raised an eyebrow.

I nodded, "Yeah. If he knows something then why shouldn't we seek him out and find out exactly what he knows? We aren't ready to face Lavos right now. Not to mention we don't even know how we would face Lavos."

Marle was the one that audibly sighed, "To save the world, we have to do everything we can. Expend every possible option. Right?"

"Yeah, when all is said in done we have to be able to say we took every available option to save the world. That's our goal after all. Even if that means working with someone that is known as one of the greatest villains to have ever lived," I cemented the decision in my own mind.

"I suppose the next step is trying to determine what era Magus ended up then," Lucca had already pulled out her sensor and seemed to be running calculations. "Its damn cold. I hope Glenn hurries back, it's bloody cold."

"Ayla cold too. Lucca, help Ayla warm up," Ayla then pulled Lucca into a hug.

"AH! AYLA!" Lucca squealed in surprise at the sudden movement.

"Lucca warm," Ayla said happily.

Marle and I couldn't help but laugh. This was a nice moment of peace. Considering the amount of things that had happened in the last couple days. First confronting Magus and then charging into the den of reptites. And the reality is that a whole race of people had died then when Lavos fell. Not to mention the reality that the impact would cause an ice age. And we may now have traveled to an era when it was happening.

Now what? What would happen next? For now, I would just enjoy the calm. No doubt we would be charging right into a storm.

A/N:

Life is funny. It isn't like I have stopped writing in the time I haven't posted anything but so much has happened that a lot of times it was just not in my mind. But I had a close friend whose Mother got breast cancer and a myriad of other issues on top of that including my own. I'm still dealing with depression but honestly that isn't anything new. I've been dealing with it for the majority of my life. Only it has only gotten worse over time. It is something I will always have to fight, but for now I think I've found a new effective equalibrium.

Now to shift gears to the actual story. I think I saw a bigger disconnect when coming up to this point in Chrono Trigger. Mainly that up until this point there was definitely a driving force that propelled the player forward, but at the end here is when you are kind of left in limbo. You help Ayla and at the end Lavos falls and leaves a Gate behind. As a player you go through it, probably more out of curiousity but there isn't any driving force to explore antiquity era. Also, what the hell is with the party not having anything to say about going through a bloody teleportal device there?

As for the events in this chapter, I felt like Ayla trying to shoulder things again on her own just shows what the world was like for her. There isn't much for her to take example from. She's strong likely more out of neccessity and a desire to protect her people. But also to showcase that Ayla does need others, she just doesn't want to rely on them. So Ayla having a bit of a breakdown at the dactyl nest is more to show just how much she takes upon herself. Perhaps people won't enjoy that aspect I added to her, but I feel like it gives her more depth and emotions that make sense given all she has to deal with. Ayla is tough, but she also has a lot to consider as a leader, and that isn't easy. It no doubt would weigh heavily on her. But she also feels like she owes Crono and the others and wants to help them. I also found it odd that Ayla would just follow Crono and company without a real reason. She just kind of ends up following them. Obviously I wasn't going to continue with that being a thing. So she at least has a bit more reasoning here.

The next chapter we'll be seeing Zeal for the first time. Definitely a lot of things are going to be happening here. Since we all know Magus is about, and now the group has shifted focus to finding Magus for the moment. Not like they are aware of where he is, but its a goal they can aim for as they are basically back to ground zero on their search for a method to defeat Lavos.

Sorry about the long wait everyone. But life hasn't been kind lately. Just know that I've definitely not stopped working on this story. And here is to hoping the next update doesn't take as long to get out. Let me know what you think! And I'll see you guys in the next chapter.