A/N: Yes I realize its a little late to be writing a story based on Chrono Cross, especially the secondary characters, because of how old the game is by now. But I don't care. I'm just having fun writing this and seeing if I can get anywhere above 10 hits, let alone a review, lol.
And yes, I was forced to write in Kid, even if I hate her.

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It had been twenty days since then, and by that time on, no one saw Guile without his little mask, that he wore over his eyes, with holes cut in them just big enough for him to see through with no hassle. Even though he was a magician, he could do nothing if his eyes were obscured. His talents in magic were unpolished, and he wanted to strengthen his skills somehow.

He recalled making a bet with the local fortune-teller, and scowled. He was going to lose that bet for sure, especially because of his poor magical skills. If he wanted to have any chance of breaking into Viper Manor itself, he would need help.

Well, my reputation is on the line, he mumbled, but breaking into Viper Manor how I am now is a suicide mission... why did I have to make that sort of bet?
He sat in his usual spot at the corner of the tavern, drumming his fingers on the table as he thought, his dark eyes intense, when suddenly, the doors opened. He glanced up, and blinked. The people entering were not the usual tavern-dwellers.There was two teenage people, one was a boy with bright blue hair and a red bandanna, the other was a girl with blond hair and warpaint on her face. They seemed very busy, and yet, they approached Guile before he could have a chance to approach them.

“Yes...?” He asked, staring at the boy with intrest, “what is it?”

“We're tryin' to break into Viper Manor,” the girl broke in. “We're looking for someone who can help.”

Guile grinned. Was this a coincidence, or was this fate? Either way, it didn't matter to him. He saw the weapons among the children, sheathed, and he wondered just how tough they were.
Maybe I can pull this off.

He thought for a moment, then began to think of his own life, and the many questions he had about his origins. His memory was hazy, and he could not distinguish reality from dreams- and as he thought, he decided that it would probably help most if he could make a deal with the children.
“I know a secret passageway into Viper Manor...” Guile spoke softly, “and I can get you there quite easily if I had a boat.”

“Great! We know how to get one and-” Guile interrupted the girl, who was already blabbering away.

“But,” he began, “I would like something of you in return. I'm in a very perplexing predicament, and I'm going to need some help.”

The girl, who was dressed in a red vest and white undershirt, and a red skirt, grimaced. “Fine then, we aint helpin' ya then. Oi, let's get out of 'ere, Serge..”

“Wait a minute, will you, Kid?” The dark-haired boy, Guile identified as Serge, muttered. “Sir, what's this problem you're having? We're on an important mission but we might be able to help you if you can get us into the manor safely.”

“Oh... its nothing I need to get done right away... but I feel that if I... talk to people who may know this land better then I do...” His low voice began to trail. His eyes behind his mask grew intense, then he said calmly, “its nothing really. But I'll help you into the manor. Perhaps you'll help me in the way I need you to if I just simply tag along. You won't mind me eavesdropping on every word you say, will you?”

Serge and Kid exchanged glances. This was a complete stranger, and though mysterious, he seemed very abrupt. There was something strange about him that they couldn't put their finger on. Yet, Serge seemed interested in him, and he spoke, “yes, you can come along, if you're sure you know how to get us into the manor.”

“Yes... I've had some buisness there myself, and I don't think I would have been able to get in as I am.”

“So, what are your talents? Your profession?” Serge wondered as he stood in the tavern, staring at the odd man, trying to see if he could coax out anything that would give him a hint as to where he was from.

“I'm a mage...” he spoke, then added in a voice clsoe to a whisper, “if that's what they're called... am I?” He then said louder, “I'm a magician. A mage. A sorcerer. Whatever it is. I believe Black elements are my fancy, though I would feel at home controlling any of the six in the spectrum.”
“This guy's a joke,” Kid sighed, standing with her arms crossed impatiently. “Oi, let's get outta here, Serge, mate!”
“No, I think he's got some talent. We'll just have to get into a battle and see how good he really is. Well, what's your name, sir?”

“Guile.”

Serge grimaced. It was an odd name, and it made him a little less trusting of the stranger, yet, he nodded and spoke, “there's a ferryman down near the shrine. I think his name is Korcha. He can take us where we need to go, we just need a guide to get there. I suppose that's you?”

Guile nodded. He wasn't sure exactly how he knew the way into the manor. Yet, something told him, in the back of his mind, that he did in fact know.

He seemed to recall being very small at the time, perhaps very young. Yet, whatever his size, he remembered seeing it- a hidden passageway up the cliff near Viper Manor. Yet, with such a fuzzy memory, he couldn't remember exactly how or why he was there.

“Well, shall we be off?” Guile took a long, black staff in his hand. He had it propped against the wall, but as he was moving once more, he did not want to go anywhere without it. It was his lifeline- a magic wand, which helped him focus his elements.

“Sure. We don't want to waste any time here.” Serge replied.

He began moving, satisfied that he had found someone to help. He couldn't help but notice Guile's strange way of walking- his feet didn't even seem to touch the ground, nor did his legs move. He merely hovered across the ground, moving forward without any visible footsteps. The ways of mages never made sense to Serge.

Before they knew it, they had climed down a flight of stairs into a much less lively section of the town, where a lone shrine stood. Nearby, a young man named Korcha sat at the shoreline, wrapping a bandage over his feet. The afternoon sun painted the surrounding ocean in brilliant bright colors, causing lively sparkles to dance across the surface of the water. Soon, Guile, Serge, and Kid had approached the ferryman.

“We need a lift. We have a guide 'ere to take us to Viper Manor.” Kid motioned to Guile.

“Well, I'll take ya anywhere, but'cha gotta give me some cash.” Korcha said, standing as he saw them approach. He was dressed in little more then red trunks and a vest, for being a ferryman, he often took swims.

“I'll pay up.” Serge said, and handed the man one hundred shimmering coins. Pocketing them, Korcha then motioned for his little craft. “I'm a pretty good boater. You'll never have a smoother ride then here.”

Guile glanced at the ferry nervously. Had he been at sea before? What was the water like? Hesitantly, he followed Serge, Kid, and Korcha aboard, balancing himself unsteadily as the craft swayed.

“It'll be a bit tight with four of us... but we can manage.” The ferryman lifted a paddle and began to row, pushing the boat forth with his might. The boat swayed unsteadily as it came loose from being brought upon land, and Guile cringed, feeling water touch his sleeve.

He glanced over the short railing as he sat cross-legged within the craft. Hesitantly, he reached an arm out and placed his finger upon the surface of the water. As Korcha moved the craft forth, his finger drew a little path in the water, parting it ever so slightly, and soon, the water would refill the spot as more was opened up. It was a neat sight. Did he ever do this before?

As he drew his finger back, which was wet, he shivered. Did he like the water? Slowly, he then stuck his entire hand within the water, and pulled it back up abruptly with a little yelp. No... I don't like it...

Kid and Serge were now staring at him, confused expressions on their faces.
“Oi, Guile, you've never touched water before?!”

Guile blinked. “I believe I have...”

“What's up with you? You seem... really...” Serge squinted, trying to find the right word. “Different. Are you... demi-human, by any chance? You aren't hiding scales or fur under that mask, are you?”

“If you must know what is under my mask,” breathed Guile, “then I can take it off... but I do not know where I got what I have.”

“Ooh, go on, take it off!” Kid was now curious as to what was under the mask.

Removing it slowly, Guile revealed a collection of white scars, which surrounded his eyes. Kid and Serge seemed a bit disappointed, but also a bit pitying for the stranger.
“You don't know how that happened...?” Serge wondered.

“No.”

“You seem really distant. Is something wrong?”

There was silence. By now, the ferryman was listening, his messy red hair soaked from sea spray.

“I... don't...” Guile hesitated. “Well... I... I've been thinking lately. I don't remember how I came to Telmina. I don't remember how I ended up where I am. I don't know where the scars come from, and I don't know who are my parents.”

“That's sad,” Serge sighed.

“But enough of me.” Guile gave them a soft chuckle, fitting his mask back on. “Everyone has problems. Tell me yours.”

“We're after something.” Kid sighed, “the... Frozen Flame.”

“Hm.” Guile breathed, thought entering his eyes, but he did not speak. Somehow, the name rung a bell, but he couldn't remember...

He closed his eyes breifly, visions entering through his head. Strange flickers... lavender fur... a pale sunrise... steam... a vortex... what did it mean?

“We're in the main ocean now. Where to?” The ferryman announced.

Opening his eyes again, he swallowed and said, “Korcha... take a right.”

Beginning to lead the way, Guile tried to shake his mind of the strange questions in his path. For now, all he could do was escape from them. But sometime soon, he would need to face them. But not now... the time was not right.