Crono and the Phantom Realm Chapter 3
Enter the Phantom
By The Game God
Crono plummeted out of the gateway and onto a dark hilltop. Night
surrounded him but he could see the lights of a distant city. He returned
the sword to its sheath. “I’m coming, dad.” Crono
whispered. He moved quickly to a bustling, but eerily quiet city.
For hours, Crono wandered around the city aimlessly, trying in vain to get
people to speak to him. He stopped next to a large, dry fountain.
“You new?” a voice asked.
Crono turned to see a short, skinny man standing on the other side of the
fountain. “You’re the first person to speak to me.”
“I’m not surprised, I’ve been here for years and few people
have ever talked to me.”
“Where are we… what year?” Crono asked.
He smiled, “You are new.” He approached Crono; “I’m
Takaeda. I once lived in Gaurdia… AD 2056.” he said, holding
out his hand.
Crono took his hand, “Crono… I’m from Guardia, too, AD
1002.” He looked around, “Now… where are we… when
are we.”
Takaeda laughed, “We’re beyond ‘when’ now, Crono.”
“What?”
“Follow me.” Takaeda said. Crono and Takaeda wandered through
the dark, crowded streets of the city.
“Where are we going?” Crono asked.
A serious tone came to Takaeda’s voice, “Where he can’t find
us.”
?????????????
Crono and Takaeda entered what looked like a one of the opium dens in Crono
had seen in Enhasa. “Take a seat.” Takaeda said. He
handed Crono a glass, “Here, drink this.”
Crono took a sip, “OH! That’s awful!!”
“Unfortunately, it’s the best you can get here.” Takaeda sighed.
“Where is ‘here’?” Crono asked.
Takaeda sat down across from Crono, “I’ve dragged you halfway across
the city, I owe you an explanation.” Crono sat back to listen
to Takaeda. “This place, this world is known as the Phantom
Realm. I’m not a scientist, but as far as I can tell, this place
is a dimension completely separate from our own.”
“What do you mean?” Crono asked.
Takaeda leaned forward; “Do you believe in time-travel, Crono?”
Crono smiled, “Yes… go on.”
“I think this place is like a dumping ground for all people, from any
time.”
Crono stood up, “I don’t think we’re stuck here.” he
said, clasping the hilt of his father’s sword.
Takaeda stood up, “We are… he makes sure of it.”
“Who?” Crono asked.
“The Phantom.” he said. He pointed out the window at a structure
that towered over all the other buildings around it. “The
Phantom…” Takaeda continued, “… is the being who controls
this world. It is him who brings people here… forever.”
“Why?” Crono asked.
“I wish I knew.” Takaeda answered.
Crono sighed. “I have another question, Takaeda, how long have
you been here.”
“Twenty years… maybe more.” he said.
“Takaeda…” the short man turned to Crono, “… did
you ever see a man who looked at all like me… he would have arrived
here eighteen years ago.”
“Do you have any idea how many people are in this city?” Crono
said nothing. “Over 80 million! If you’re looking for
someone, find him yourself.”
“You know this place, help me.” Crono pleaded.
“I brought you up to speed, you’re lucky I did that much.”
“I could send you home.”
Takaeda turned to Crono, “Don’t make promises you can’t
keep.”
Crono headed for the door, “No wonder you’re alone.” he said.
?????????????
High above the city, on the 230th floor of the Phantom Tower, the dark visage
of the Phantom looked out across his silent metropolis. The Phantom’s
curvaceous general entered his lair. “You sent for me, my lord?”
“Yes…” the Phantom replied, “… someone has come
here. He has a key that could unlock this very world.”
“The lost sword of Zeal…” she whispered.
“Yes, Abyssal… you must find this… boy… and bring him
to me.”
Abyssal nodded, “Yes, my lord.” The Phantom looked back out
across the city. The time had come for him to meet his nemesis.
.