Chrono Trigger: ReDreamt

-XI -

Progettazione

Marle supported Reiz as they started back into the castle, everyone agreeing they still needed to wake up. The woman gladly took Marle's support with a sigh of relief, leaning in heavily. Her gait was very weak looking, with a strong limp. But, the fact she felt so calming… As they headed in, Crono mentioned, "I think we can probably spare the cash to get you a staff or something."

"Thank you," Reiz smiled, "I am truly sorry."

"No worries!" Marle suddenly slapped her across the back, "You're one of us!"

Reiz staggered forward in pain, "Mother of Frigidan…!"

"…what?" Marle blinked.

"It's an ejaculation! Don't hit me so hard!"

Marle burst out into immature giggles. Crono sniggered, "R-Reiz... in the future... it might be a good idea not to say 'ejaculation.'"

"And why not?" She asked pompously, "I know of its second meaning but the common tongue is varied and wide. It should be accepted along a 'faggot' of wood or any other such term!"

Marle giggled harder. Crono tried not to do the same. "Alright, but I warned you."

"Hmph! Even my nephew didn't find that funny!"

Marle just waaandered inside, red with giggles. Crono added, "I doubt your nephew is from where we're from."

Reiz rolled her eyes and limped in behind them, causing Crono to ask, "Hey, you need any help, or are you used to having to deal with that limp?"
"I'm used to it," she smiled.

"Alrighty. Just holler if you need a shoulder to lean on." He smiled back.

"I couldn't imagine myself… oh, but thank you."

Later, at a more reasonable hour, the group was awake and fed, which the teenagers took to ravenously. Reiz herself ate very little, and Alphonz refused to touch the dish of cream that was set out for him. When she was finished, Reiz merely sat aside and gazed down at the cat with a curious look and a raised eyebrow.

"Well…" Marle finished off her breakfast, "I guess we gotta be depressed now."

"Yeah, we kinda need to get it out of the way." Crono patted her shoulder. "Sooner the better."

"I know."

"Hey, Marle, got a minute?" Lucca looked over.

"Uh, sure! We'll be right back then!"

Crono and Frog nodded as they stepped off to the side. Frog then started, "What wast thou going to speak of yesterday?"

"Well, you've heard most of it. We're going after Magus to stop him from doing something which is going to turn the world into an ash pile."

"And, prithee, what event might this be?"

"Well, somehow or another, Magus is doing something to create a bug about the size of Guardia Castle which is going to blow up the world. It's called Lavos."

The clatter of a chair hitting the floor interrupted them, with Reiz standing straight up with a look of bewilderment. "L… Lavos? What… what of that foul creature?"

"Whoa, hold on there." Crono was just as surprised, "You know about Lavos?"

"Indeed I do! A massive amount of trouble it's already caused me. I'll help you with whatever information I know of, though it is very limited…"

"Any help is great. All we know right now is that it destroys the world in 1999 and that it's connected with Magus. We're a bit early in our mission to fry it."

"People that become too infatuated with it tend to go insane."

Frog ribbited. "Then I think it in the realm of belief that Magus hast been tainted by this accursed creature."

"Assuming he didn't create the damn thing, which is what it seems like."

Alphonz flicked an ear… Reiz glanced at him and continued, "I'm not entirely sure of its origin for I was forbidden to learn a thing after… mgh."

"After…? Prithee, do continue, fair maiden!"

"…" She wrapped her arms around her waist as if she were sick, sinking down to her knees and hanging her head. She shuddered, "Forget it."

"Whuh-oh, hit that nerve on the head." Crono was about to get up to help her, but Marle and Lucca beat him to it. The girls patted her on the back and Marle knelt down beside her, looking concerned.

"There there, Reiz. It'll be okay, don't cry."

"Yeah, perk up, Reiz." Crono smiled at her. "Think happy thoughts."

The woman nodded with a slight sigh.

Lucca, having been listening, looked up, "Why haven't we asked the cat about this? He's been around the block a few times."

"I was hoping he might volunteer." Crono sighed in annoyance. "Guess not. Alright, Alphonz, your turn to enlighten us."

"…ask." He flicked his tail.

"Groovy. What do you know about Lavos? Where the heck did he come from?"

Alphonz remained deathly silent.

"… I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. No telepathy."

The feline spoke suddenly, "You have the right idea. Magus. We must attack at once."

"What?" Frog sat up, narrowing his eyes, "Art thou siding with that unspeakable fiend?"

"No, my, no. I am merely directing you."

"Yeeeahh. Right. We kinda were planning on doing some attacking of some sort or another. You're really just not giving us much new info here" Crono waited, but Alphonz said not another word. "Well, I think we've just about extinguished all the help we can get from Mister Chipper over there…"

"All better now, huh?" Marle and Lucca lifted Reiz back into the upright chair. Marle carefully stroked her hair.

"Thank you." Reiz nodded.

Marle then whispered to Crono, "He might be more comfortable in a room without Cecelia you know."

"Yeah, but I was hoping on getting him a little more comfortable -with- her. Guess we can't dispel his gloom the easy way."

Reiz muttered, "Dark breezes…"

"Eh?" Crono glanced back, "You say something, Reiz?"

"No, no, carry on."

Crono shrugged, then looked back at Frog. "So, anyway, back to talking about Magus... we kinda need your help for dealing with him. I'm no master swordsman, but you've got skills the likes of which are beyond cool."

"I… can be of no assistance to you."

"But why not?" Lucca exclaimed, "You SO rock, Froggy!"

"'Tis a complicated matter… but it matters not. Even if… I were to help… Thou couldst not slay Magus. Thou wouldst need the legendary Masamune to do so much as prick him."

"Then, leave." Everyone was surprised at Reiz speaking so firmly, "Rot yourself away in some forest, if you please. We shall have to find a way of our own."

"Reiz!" Marle scolded.

"I'm not trying to be rude," Reiz smiled, "But we cannot keep helpless arms among us."

"A wise decision, fair maiden. I… shall return to my home in the forest." Frog ribbited, getting up.

"Farewell, sir. May your days be long and full."

"Er…" Crono was stunned.

"REIZ!" Marle scolded more harshly.

Frog headed to the staircase, but paused. "A moment… Word has spread of late that a hero has been sought out and named in the south. Perhaps he could be of use to thine efforts."

Reiz nodded. "I shall keep that in mind. Thank you."

He nodded back. "I then bid thee good day."

They watched him leave in silence. Crono slowly looked at Reiz. "...that was really brilliant of you, Reiz. Absolutely genius. You drove away the one-man army."

"No, hear me out…" She sat up a little. "He is merely acting like a child. I've dealt with situations milder than this, but the feelings are the same. I've seen that blade before, 'Masamune'. It must exist somewhere."

"I've heard of it from Melchoir and Alphonz over there."

"So… if we find it and present it to him, he may grow second thoughts. To SEE something rather than to feel it, is sometimes the jump one needs to break free of childish behavior."

"So…" Lucca sighed, "Find it. Present it to him. And cross our fingers you're right?"

"I know I'm right this time." She nodded. "Trust me."

"I just really wish you hadn't added that 'this time' modifier on the end of that sentence." Crono groaned. "Alright, well, we get to look for this uber sword. Maybe look for the dude Frog mentioned."

"It's only like a mother to be that honest, you know, Crono." Marle giggled.

"A mother I am not…" Reiz grew a bit distant.

"But you'd be an amazing one, I can tell!"

"Thank you." She smiled.

"It'll be nice having you around, Reiz. Okay, so we need to look for any hints about the Masamune. Think we'll be lucky enough that both hero and blade would be in the south?"

"It would be worth a look!" Reiz nodded. "There is a warm wind blowing in that direction. Luck seems to be leading us this day."

"Oooh!" Marle giggled, "She says prophet-like things too!"

"Y-yeah. Prophecy is good, as long as it doesn't dip into the bad side of things. Then I worry…"

"Reiz," Lucca sat down beside her, "I've been itching to know about this sword since we heard about it. You've seen it?"

"Yes. The Masamune… a very powerful blade forged by the Guru of Life in ancient times. It has a sister weapon, a knife." Reiz reached into her cloak and pulled out a woman's knife. The blade was deep red in color, with ornate swirls and fleur on its raised surface. However, it looked sharp enough to split the finest hairs with no trouble. The hilt was dark, wrapped in leather that bore deep blood stains. "This is the blade Doreen."

"…Doreen? What kind of name is that for a weapon?" Marle burst out laughing. "That's not epic at all!"

"I wouldn't laugh…" Reiz put it away quickly. "But the Masamune is a -stubborn- thing. It would not simply vanish entirely. We should definitely head south and investigate the rumor."

"Alright!" Crono got up. "South we go!"

"Thanks, Reiz." Lucca looked satisfied. "Listen. I'm going to let you guys run off to do that. Didn't Melchoir say we needed Dreamstone? I'm going to go talk with Gaspar about that… and Robo still needs some touch-up work from being submerged."

"Alright," Marle smiled, "We'll handle things on this side. Oh, and… yeah. About what you said? I'm sorry as well. I need to be more sensitive…"

"I'll try to be better myself."

Crono looked among the two girls and grinned.

"Well, catch you guys later. Good luck!" Lucca headed off for the nearest time gate.

"Come on, Miss Reiz!" Marle helped her up, "Time to go!"

"Indeed it is!" Reiz watched Alphonz suddenly dart out. "Where is that cat off to now?"

"Only one way to find out!" Marle went upstairs with her, supporting her firmly. "First, however, you better take her, Crono."

"Uh, sure." Crono offered Reiz his arm as Marle hurried into the throne room.

"Hello, good morning!"

"Hello again, dear!" Leene nodded. "Did the woman survive the night?"

"Yes'm, thank you."

"Oh, that's wonderful." The King and Leene sighed.

"But I have one more tiny favor. And I know I've been a leech since I got here… but… we have a woman with us who needs a cane, and…"

"Spare not a single more word." The King clapped his hands, calling a servant. After a moment's talk, the servant went away, returning with a very sturdy staff. Marle took it gingerly, as it was a beautiful thing. "I do hope this will work."

"Yes, oh, thank you!" Marle smiled. "Could… could I hug you?"

The King laughed and opened his arms. Marle gave him a big hug, then one to Leene. Afterwards, she smiled and nodded to them. "Thank you again! We owe you so much. We'll drop by again sometime!"

"Goodbye, dear, take care!" Leene waved as the group left.

The trip south was made easier on Reiz with the cane. Alphonz seemed to be determined to follow a certain path, bringing them to a great bridge. However, it was the site of a battle at the moment, with soldiers fighting against demons and struggling to hold the line. Crono looked back at Reiz, "Oh yay. And just in time for our travels, we walk into a warzone. This good luck would be where again? "

"Still following us…" She walked further in, "What a rightful mess…"

The captain shouted to his men, "Damnit, they're trying to break through! Hold the line!"

"I think our services just got requested." Crono sighed and walked up, "Heya, man, you need a little help here?"

The captain looked back in surprise. "You're... sir Crono? Indeed, we do need help. The enemy is making a push to break through out defensive lines. If they get through…"

"Yeah, I get the general idea." He looked back, "Hey, you two up for helping these guys fend off some assholes while we're on our way south?"

"Reiz is already there, so I suppose so." She pointed at the woman who was working up to the enemy lines.

"Whoops, missed that minor factoid. Alright, in we go." He drew his sword and followed along. Marle pulled her crossbow from her enigmatic poofy pants, as Reiz weaved through the soldiers. The woman shouted as she pushed through the armored men.

"Out of the way, please!" Reiz threw her hand out to one side- there was a sudden spurt of blood from her palm as she wrapped her fingers around her blade. The monsters all focused their attention at her, chuckling darkly. She picked up the staff and lunged herself forward at one - the blade tore into its flesh like the enemy was made of butter. Crono swung in beside her and slashed at a second, with Marle pegging another between the eyes. With the fury of a warrior and the grace of a dancer, Reiz tore through the attackers with ease. But the more she fought, the more blood she produced, which the blade slung about.

Nonetheless, this gave an edge to the soldiers, who assisted alongside the trio. Soon enough the enemies were driven away, causing the soldiers to cheer! Marle and Crono did much the same, but Reiz suddenly dropped to her knees, coughing violently.

"Reiz!" Marle knelt down beside her and reached to touch her. As soon as her hands came within the slightest contact, the woman flinched and vomited a great deal of blood onto the bridge, hacking afterwards. "OH MY GOD, REIZ!"

"You alright?" Crono knelt down beside her as Marle healed the woman.

"I'm…" Reiz staggered to her feet, wiping her face dry. She closed her fist tight around the blade, which seemed to melt away abruptly. "I'm alright."

"Vomiting blood does NOT make you on the okie-dokie list!" Marle shrieked.

"Don't stop me…" She took up the staff beside her and started limping off, "I'll never start up again…"

"Reiz! You can go wait for us, you'll die!" Marle nearly sobbed.

"I promise to you I won't. Please, we have to continue before they reorganize."

Marle looked tearfully at Crono. Crono sighed, knowing it was inevitable. "Then at least take it easy. I don't want you bleeding to death on me, 'kay?"

"I'll fight until I fall, but… I will try to tone it down a bit."

"Definitely from around here…" Crono then looked around for a certain someone, "Hey, wait, where did Alphonz get to?"

"I don't know!" Marle started off, calling, "Kitty! Here kitty kitty!"

"Eh, I figure he'll work his way out of any situation he gets in. He -can- fire a beam bigger than my head, after all…"

"Of all the things in a war…" Marle shook her head.

"Well, it could be stranger. We did just speak with a talking frog - oh, and look." Crono looked on ahead, "Here comes another green thing."

Reiz glanced up. Marle instantly stood in front of Reiz defensively, crossbow at the ready. There before them in robes was a big, green, fat imp-like thing best described as warty and generally unpleasant. It shouted at the sight of them, "Kya! Stupid brats, interfering where you aren't welcome!"

"And even in the past?" Crono looked at Marle, "Everyone's still a moron."

"So true," she nodded.

"How DARE you call the great Ozzie a moron!" He nearly blew smoke out of his ears, "We'll see how loose your lips are when you've had a little taste of my power!"

Reiz groaned. "Sir, don't make me kill you."

"You know, Reiz, considering this is a war, I think it's sorta the point."

"Gyeheh! Rise!" Ozzie extended his arms outward, a fell wind rising. Reiz grit her teeth; as the wind passed by, the flesh melted off the bodies of corpses, leaving just bones. The skeletons then rose, picking up their weapons. Crono and Marle flinched at the sight, but Reiz just grinned.

"Easy - You two know spells?"

"Y-yes!" Marle yelped.

"Yep!" Crono shuddered.

"Cast as I do!" Reiz swung her arm up, causing a counter breeze. Marle and Crono readied their spells as quickly as possible, waiting until Reiz shouted, "Cast now!"

The teens shot off their spell, as a glorious absolutely nothing happened. Marle and Crono stared in utter disbelief, and now cursed that creature called Spekkio! But, suddenly, a gale-force wind swept past, pouring down ice upon the monsters. They froze in place, unable to move, only to be shattered violently by a huge bolt of lighting. Crono, Marle, and Ozzie stared in the utmost disbelief.

"Mother fucker." Crono shook his head.

"…O-Ozzie's in a jam!" He retreated as fast as he could.

"Hehehe!" Marle cheered, "We kick so much ass it's not funny!"

"Y-yeah." Reiz swallowed harshly.

"I seriously need to know how to do that kind of stuff!"

"You did." Reiz continued, limping, "Combining magic in an agreeable way can allow for spells impossible to a single person… hrk…"

"…you're not going to throw up again, are you?"

"I'll be alright…" As they caught up with Ozzie, she was panting pretty hard.

Marle shouted, "Weren't expecting THAT, were ya, Chubby?"

"Hmph! I can throw worse than that at you, little bitch!" He cackled.

"But apparently, he still can't sound threatening."

"Not at all." Marle shook her head.

"Let's see you take out THIS!" Ozzie again threw his hands out in a repeat of before. Reiz rolled her eyes… but this time, as the skeletons rose, they merged together into one huge one with glowing eyes and… wings! Marle was somehow instantly behind Crono and shaking, At this, Ozzie cackled, "Give them a taste of death, Zombor!"

Reiz looked up and shook her head in disbelief. Marle squealed, clinging close to Crono. It lurched forward, causing the bridge to groan underneath it. Crono and Reiz looked down at the bridge as it swung under the monster's weight. Then they looked at each other, and ran to one opposite sides of the bridge.

"Marle, help Reiz!" Crono waited until the girls were ready, "Okay, now let's SWING this thing!"

As Zombor approached, it caused the bridge to swing violently. Crono and the girls threw their weight on their respective sides, making the swings wider and wider. The ropes and wood groaned, and Zombor began to slide. It took one false step during a wide swing and began to tip over. Crono, Marle, and Reiz instantly clung to the side of the bridge as it nearly went vertical, causing the monster to drop off into the waters below with a massive splash. The bridge eventually evened back out.

Ozzie stared, mouth agape. "…That worked in the book!"

"You didn't read the Evil Overlord's Handbook, did you?" Crono smirked.

"Let's get him!" Marle drew up her crossbow and aimed it between Ozzie's eyes.

"If you thought you were in a pickle before, you ain't seen nothing yet!" Crono readied his sword.

"T-Time to exit! Stage that-a-way!" Ozzie fled so fast he nearly left his shadow behind.

The team just burst out laughing. Marle basically went hysterical, nearly dropping her crossbow on her feet. Reiz laughed merrily, leaning against Crono, who was bent over with guffaws.

"Oh my god, what a LOOOSER!" Marle squealed.

"Oh my," Reiz laughed, crying, "I haven't had this much fun in a long time."

"Gahaha…!"

"Great job you two!" Marle slapped the both of them hard across the back, obviously too caught up in jollity to remember Reiz's condition. Inevitably, the woman stumbled forward, coughing out another mouthful of blood. "Oh no! Reiz! I'm sooo sorry!"

Marle healed the woman about sixteen times. Reiz blinked. "… Well, thank you."

"Woah. Now there's a handy spell. How come Spekkio didn't teach that to me?"

"I don't think he likes you. He did call you a pissbag, right?" Marle thought.

"Ah… well. Let's continue."

"You're all about moving forward, aren't you?" Marle followed her.

"Yeah, it's inspiring, but Reiz… you really ought not push yourself like this. You lost like a pint of red stuff back there."

"A Blood Muse only grows stronger through her pain…"

"…Nice title."

"Yeah, you might wanna change that."

"I can't repeal the title in this time period, nor the form of magic it holds. Soseuira probably assigned it to me to watch me bleed…"

"Groovy. And, for God's sake, please tell me that this Soseuira isn't in a position of power."

"…"

"The stunning silence means yes in most languages. Figures. The psychos always do get the big seats…"

Marle shuddered. "Well! Let's keep going then!"

They left the bridge and paused on the other side, wondering where to go. Reiz gazed around, before licking a finger and holding it upright. A warm breeze curled past… she smiled, then looked at the others. "I have an idea. Let us split here. I will go speak with Frog to see if I cannot bring him out of his gloom. You two ought to find the hero."

"But, Reiz…" Marle looked worried, "What if you get sick again?"

"Don't you think I'll be in the best hands around with that man?"

"…Yeah! But what about monsters on the way?"

Reiz drew her hands together, and was suddenly sealed up in a blood-red crystal. It looked clear as glass, but Marle touched the surface and it felt quite akin to steel. She gasped in admiration, "HOW HANDY!"

"How come I only get a lightning spell?" Crono nearly wept.

"You'll learn more, I'm sure!"

The crystal shattered around Reiz, the pieces disappearing as quickly as they came. "Yes, you will with time and practice. But let us make haste! Time is of the essence and Luck can only visit us for a short amount of it."

"Alright, Reiz. You be careful, and we'll see you later!" Marle waved as they took off.