Post by Squall Leonhart on Dec 7, 2006 17:20:30 GMT -5
This is a story bridging the world of Drakengard to Chrono Trigger, involving around Caim (Drakengard) and Magus (Chrono Trigger).
Following the events of 12,000 B.C., Lavos would ravage the Kingdom of Zeal and send a young Prince Janus Zeal through the portal to 600 A.D., where he would be found and raised by Ozzie of the notorious Mystics, a gathering of magical beasts and creatures who were united against humans. In due time, Prince Zeal would become their leader, despite being human, becoming tainted with the dark arts and leading them in multiple campaigns against the Union Empire, or Kingdom of Guardia.
The Mystic War is the name of the conflict between humans and Mystics that spanned several years. The exact roots of the conflict are unknown, but are probably to be found in natural prejudices of difference. The humans most likely always looked upon the Mystics with disdain for their odd appearance and ability to use magic. These prejudices might not have led to war if it were not for Ozzie and later, Magus. Ozzie preached a doctrine of vile hatred against humans, despite the likelihood that humans left the Mystics alone (as the Medina continent could not be accessed through normal means). Magus served as their spiritual leader, as he was immortalized in song and stone as the protector of the Mystic peoples. Somehow or another, contentions arose and the opposing sides declared war on one another. The Mystic Army was the primary combative army on one side, while the Kingdom of Guardia (specifically, the Knights of the Square Table) stood as the sole defenders of the world on the other. The declaration was done before 590 A.D., and the resulting warfare primarily consisted of Mystic raids on the continent of Zenan. The Mystics, thanks to the Magic Cave, could easily storm across the continent and beat a hasty retreat should they be outnumbered. The Kingdom of Guardia was bolstered by the leadership of Cyrus, who, with his squire Glenn, led the Knights of the Square Table against the Mystics and performed other duties for the king. In 590 A.D., King Guardia XXI sent Cyrus on a mission to recover the Masamune, presumably for use against Magus. This operation backfired; Cyrus was slain and Glenn was turned into Frog. The Masamune was broken, and the war could continue unabated for another ten years.
During this interim period, a sleeper cell directed by the beast Yakra infiltrated the Guardia Cathedral with the plot of overthrowing the kingdom (religion was an influential source to the Union). Additionally, a monster known as Retinite was created and left in Furiae's Forest to ravage the area. The Mystic Army dug in at Magus's Lair, and continued to stage raids; one such attack carried out with the aim of reaching Guardia Castle resulted in the destruction of Zenan Bridge. The factions would remain in a perpetual stalemate until the bridge's repair; around this time, the sleeper cell in the Cathedral was successfully exposed after Yakra abducted Queen Leene and King Guardia (Frog played a role in her rescue, but otherwise lived in the Cursed Woods away from battle), killing them both and blaming the dragonic beasts that allied themselves with Guardia. It was because of this Caim would resent dragons.
When Zenan Bridge was repaired, the Mystics launched a full attack on the kingdom; at first, the king was injured and the offensive stopped to catch its breath. Soon, an attempt to cross Zenan Bridge was launched, and the Knights of the Square Table defended northern Zenan -- at the cost of casualties. Before the Mystics could step foot on the continent again, Magus summoned Lavos at his lair, effectively killing him in the process. This totally disrupted the Mystic war machine and dismantled the war effort, though hateful feelings toward humans would persist to modern times. When Crono changed history, he launched an attack of his own on Magus's Lair, slaughtering several top monsters of the army. This weakend the remaining prejudices in modern times; later, a similar attack on Ozzie's Fort would totally eradicate the negative remainders of the Mystic War.
The combat of the Mystic War is an interesting point, as the knights and soldiers of Guardia had to fight against magic. It is probable that choke-points such as Zenan Bridge were primarily used for defense. The settlements of Porre and Dorino were thus lucky not to have been sacked, as during at least one period in the war, Zenan Bridge lay in ruins and the Kingdom of Guardia would have been unable to relieve a beseiged city on the main continent. It is significant to acknowledge during this time Inuart and Caim were both allied to protecting the Kingdom, both seeking to appease the admiration of Princess Furiae. It was this duo-alliance that contributed greatly, especially in the aftermath of Cyrus's death and Glenn's transfiguration into an amphibian, also becoming the Kingdom's source of inspiration in times of victory and loss, but due to their increasing status it was essential to dissolve their resolve through means of trickery, magic, and brute strength. In the final days of the war, a seed was planted to severe their brotherhood, but with the loss of Magus, the Mystics had not the drive or power to continue fighting and a conclusion was reached, allowing both sides to live peacefully. However, despite the war being over, the seed percipitated the conflicts Caim and Inuart would face...
