Fan Fiction ❯ The Last Sunrise ❯ Lynx’s plan revealed; Chrono realizes the mistake too late ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

Lynx's plan revealed;

Chrono realizes the mistake too late

THE BATTLES BEGAN ONLY THREE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT ON CHRONO'S LIFE. The first of them were fought over possession of the Zenon Bridge, as Chrono had anticipated. He sent a large amount of troops to Zenon to meet the enemy, and at first spirits were high. Everyone in Truce thought that they were fine. Reinforcements were ready from Medina and Chorus if it was necessary, and after all, Guardia's King and Queen had helped destroy an ancient evil. No one believed that the fighters from Porre had a chance. For a day and a half the Porre forces were pounded by a stronger, more experienced Guardia, and the entire world mocked Porre's idiocy. Why would such a small territory dare attack the mightiest country in the world? Chrono was sure that everything would be okay, and he even made time to make appearances in Truce Village. He visited his mother, as well as Lucca. He even took the ferry to Medina to make a visit to Melchoir. He seemed far more confident then that he had before the war had broken out. For the first time, he felt sure that he had made the right decisions. But that all changed suddenly on the sixth night of fighting…

Chrono was awakened from his sleep by shouts outside, in the hallway. He blinked the sleep away, and hurried out of his room. The chancellor met him there.

"Sire! There's been a surprise attack on Truce!!!"

Chrono's heart froze. He stumbled backwards in shock, his eyes wide.

"What…?" He choked out in disbelief. Marle joined him at the door.

"What's happened at Truce?" She asked, concerned. The chancellor bowed his head.

"They got through our blockade… I don't know how they managed it… But they did…" Chrono collapsed to his knees in disbelief.

"It was a set up…"

"What?" Marle looked at him in shock. "What do you mean a set up…? What was?"

Chrono closed his eyes painfully.

"The fights on the bridge… They did it to keep us busy… Lynx knew what I would do… He knew…" He shook his head in shock. "I walked right into his trap… He attacked me just to provoke me to take the initiative… Then he simply struck somewhere else…" He looked back up at the Chancellor. "How much damage has been done to Truce? Are there any reported casualties?"

The Chancellor nodded.

"A few people were killed near the docks… The soldiers that were posted there have been all but wiped out… But those accounts are over an hour old…"

"Can we spare any soldiers from Zenon?"

The Chancellor shook his head.

"I'm afraid not… We're still being pounded on that side. A retreat there would mark our doom." Chrono sighed heavily.

"I want all extra soldiers in the palace to go face the enemy in Truce. I also want Truce evacuated. We don't need civilians getting killed for no reason."

The Chancellor nodded.

"Yessir. I'll give the orders right away." Chrono nodded.

"Good. Also, get my horse ready." The Chancellor blinked.

"I don't understand…"

"I'm going." Chrono said. The chancellor nodded, saluted, and hurried away.

Marle shook her head. "It's too dangerous!!!" She cried, looking at him pleading eyes… Eyes that saw more in Chrono than they wanted to see… Chrono knew she could sense his fear. He cursed himself for being a coward… For worrying Marle. But he faked a smile, and placed his hands on her shaking shoulders.

"It's okay Marle…" He said, softly brushing her hair back. "I'll be fine… They need me, Marle… And I have to take care of my mother…" Marle smiled up at him, despite the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I understand, Chrono… But please… Please promise me that you'll come back…" She looked directly into his eyes, and winked. "And that you'll give `em hell." Chrono hugged her, smiling.

"That's my girl…" He whispered happily. Marle grinned.

"Don't forget your Rainbow Sword… Or your armor…" Chrono laughed softly.

"I thought that you were gonna trust me?" He asked. Marle shook her head.

"I never said that. You'll always be a bit of an airhead. I just want to make sure you don't get out there and then realize that you forgot your sword, that's all." She forced another smile, but no one was laughing. Both of them knew that Guardia was in terrible trouble, but neither wanted to admit it to the other. The initial attack on Truce had been an hour ago… It would be another hour before help could reach the town… Chrono went back into the room and quickly dressed, grabbing all the essentials. He took all the same pouches he had taken when he fought Lavos, wore the same armor… Only now he wore the garments of the Guardian Royal Family over them. He then adorned the Royal War Armor, a golden ornamental plate worn over his royal cloak. He looked at himself in the mirror as he buckled his belt. He admired how he looked in his war armor in the full-length mirror that hung on his wall-it was the first time he'd needed to don it. He looked like a boy in man's clothing, and that annoyed him. Marle walked to him and handed him his helmet. It was golden as well, with read markings an gemstones imbedded into it. There were two wings on either side of it. He looked back at Marle, how rested her hands on his arm.

"Listen." She said, her voice on edge. "You're my husband, Chrono… We've been through too much to have it all end now. Please… Please come back to me when this is over…" Chrono smiled down at her reassuringly.

"Marle, don't worry… Look at that mirror." He gestured to the mirror before them, and then looked back to her. "As long as this castle stands, and this mirror isn't broken, you'll never have to see yourself in it alone. I swear to you Marle… As long as Guardia survives, I will too… I won't let anyone hurt you, Jade, or Aaron. I'll protect you… As long as my soul will hold out, and that is a long time. You don't have to worry… You'll never be left alone." He pulled her close, and they kissed passionately, standing there in front of that golden mirror. The moonlight illuminated them both as Chrono pulled away with the whisper of "I love you…". He turned on heel, looking back at her in the moonlight that shown through the window.

"I love you too… Please come back to me, Chrono…" She whispered.

Chrono winked.

"Have I ever let you down before?" He asked, grinning to hide his worry. He then turned and left the room in a hurry. Marle sat down on the bed, and she looked down.

"I have the worst feeling… Chrono…"