Chrono Compendium
Termina Esplanade - Special Events and Feedback => Fan Feedback => Articles => Topic started by: Cromage on January 09, 2004, 02:03:19 am
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One tiny technicality. (please forgive me if it's been said before) Magus's dispassionate statement, "What a pity... We weren't able to change a thing," actually popped up when he was looking at himself. We never know what he's thinking about Schala, for when he looks at her, he merely says the disturbed RPG standby, "..........."
In fact, that's about ALL he ever says about Schala. Talk to him when he's been floored by Lavos, and her name plus a few nifty "..."'s are all he can say. Personally, I think he can't come to terms with his feelings about her.
Also significant is how he never refers to specific events in his previous life directly. "I once lived there. But I was a different person then...."
That's it. Everything else he tells you about is approx. 20 years after his separation. Not only that, but his little speech at the North Cape is just about all you ever get from him that doesn't just say "I'm arrogant and out for revenge," but ironically, it's the material for most of his fanfiction.
To top it all off, aforementioned time period is when he's the most emotionally vulnerable in the past 20 years. I mean, think about it.
<look into Magus's mind>
After failing his first attempt to summon Lavos, fate gives him another chance. He cunningly wins the support of the queen, relying not just on predictions but on acting ability (this can be inferred; I wouldn't make a guy in a hooded cape an important advisor even if he COULD predict the future unless I thought I had some security) waits for his moment, and attempts to block the interference of the time travelers who thwarted him before. (most villainous of him, if I do say so myself)
And then he blows it. Again. He gambles the life and safety of his sister on his ability to defeat Lavos and loses. He even loses a chunk of his powers (also inferred). He has nothing left but his pendant and his life (I mean Schala, not Zeal, no matter what he says) lies on the bottom of the sea.
</look into Magus's mind>
Then there's the very fact that he lets you kill him if you say "yes." Even though he could just fly away, he gasps out how to revive Crono and promptly bites the dust, leaving only his momento of Schala behind.
But THAT'S NOT ALL! Despite being at his most depressed, he still hasn't told you his true name! You've inferred it from a flashback. He NEVER uses the name of Janus in ANY part of the game. Janus is dead to him, and possibly unmourned. After all....... Schala might not be the only one with guilt problems 'round here.... (of course, this theory rests on Janus's "sleeping" powers; that he was unable or unwilling to use them to save Schala and so blames himself. Which is still under debate)
But I digress, and it's getting late, and I don't even know if this is still open to discussion. So g'night.
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I think saying that Ozzie and the Mystics tortured or manipulated Janus isn't quite right. I think the only reason Ozzie didn't kill him on the spot was because of some cunning on Janus' part, perhaps some ability that is unknown to the player. It would make sense, as mentioned before, Magus ain't exactly the most talkative guy in the bunch.
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I think the only reason Ozzie didn't kill him on the spot was because of some cunning on Janus' part, perhaps some ability that is unknown to the player.
Magus errr... Janus, was without magic, but then he was also never exposed to Lavos. Zeal certainly was, and his sister's dream stone pendant connected her to lavos (As it's easily infered that there is some kind of mystical connection). It is also known that Lavos is the source of the Enlightened people of Zeal's powers. It would make sense for his sister to shield him from the sinister influence of Lavos's power, for as long as she could.
However Janus was certainly exposed to Lavos that day, and all his dormant potential awakened. Also, seeing him appear out of nowhere would indicate to Ozzie that this kid had some potential.
Also, let's not forget that Magus is immortal. All the people of Zeal in the Ocean Palace room or nearby bacame immortal (Dalton for example). Who is to say that Magus had been in training for only 20 years? Perhaps he is much older than we realize.
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Magus errr... Janus, was without magic, but then he was also never exposed to Lavos.
Also, let's not forget that Magus is immortal. All the people of Zeal in the Ocean Palace room or nearby bacame immortal (Dalton for example). Who is to say that Magus had been in training for only 20 years? Perhaps he is much older than we realize.
Well, I don't think that merely Lavos gave magic to people. I think it was the dreamstone which granted that unto the people, and the Dreamstone, it can be argued, is apart from Lavos. I think that he just didn't show it, in sort of a rebellious way. In the same way that he keeps his feelings hidden, he keeps his magic hidden. Finally I don't think that those in the Palace became immortal; the Masamune, though it could not fully halt Lavos alone, at least prevented that. Else Balthesar should also have been immortal, yet he does die in time. Janus (pardon me, I always call him that) is mortal.
But THAT'S NOT ALL! Despite being at his most depressed, he still hasn't told you his true name! You've inferred it from a flashback. He NEVER uses the name of Janus in ANY part of the game. Janus is dead to him, and possibly unmourned. After all....... Schala might not be the only one with guilt problems 'round here.... (of course, this theory rests on Janus's "sleeping" powers; that he was unable or unwilling to use them to save Schala and so blames himself. Which is still under debate).
Actually, though he does not do so in the game CT, he does actually say his name, and is named by it. Of course Magus is simply a title that has become a semi-name (somewhat like the name "Baal"; it means "Lord", but many deities in the ancient world were named that, and in time I think it became somewhat of a proper name...at the very least we now look at it in such a way very often when reading it.) Anyway, Magus is just "Sorcerer", and as such is a pretty drab name. But here's the catch: through some reason, it is what the rest of the party calls him, and likely what he prefers to be called. In her letter to Kid, Lucca says: "hello, Janus!". It's said in a very friendly tone, almost too friendly considering how he acts in CT. Perhaps at some later point he becomes redeemed in some respect, and reverts to his old name. But I think the most plausable explanation is just pride. Zeal is avenged, and his guise of the "Sorcerer" is not needed anymore. And isn't he a prince? He'd probably revert to it out of some arrogance at being a prince of Zeal (no matter how much contempt for the kingdom he might have had, judging by his character, I wager he'd still use his royal lineage to assert himself over people). Of course the other explanation for Lucca using this name is that it might simply be her cheery character attempting to annoy Janus (which it likely would). But another thing that the letter confirms: Janus did go and look for Schala. Lucca expected him to find her eventually, in fact, and to guard her. Actually, it seems to me that she expected him to be a sort of guide to her for whatever might befall. But he isn't there. An odd thing, and it makes one wonder what happened to him that he isn't.
Actually, I think in a closing note that Janus' full character is best described through Radical Dreamers. He's sharp and doesn't like speaking, yet has a certain aristocratic air about him when needs be (a certain understanding of teas, it seems), and can speak pleasantly enough if he wishes to. At one point he can be as eloquent as a prince, the next as sharp as the old Magus that he once was (the story thread when Serge accidently knocks his mask off, and Magil quite gladly returns the blow, is excellent show of this). He's very clever, basically, and can put on various guises depending on the situation (and to ZeaLitY: you did just this in your Gaspar Part II, when he speaks to Serge, and I think it was one of the best parts in the story. Perfectly in line with the Magil of Radical Dreamer, which is the best show we have of the post CT Janus). Basically, if he's dark and bitter, he's at least refined and princely in doing so.
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What you might not notice, that Magil in RD seemes to have diffrent powers then Magus. They are the same person, after all, and RD is probably an extension to one of the endings, so should you think about it, his powers have changed. (Magil vaporized the Goblins in the Vault, did Magus ever do this?)
Janus declared himself Magus to run from a past of shame and guilt for not being able to save the person he loved most, who stayed with him even when his own mother turned evil, his dear half sister Schala. He felt he could never repay her the favor. He helped the party revive Crono because he thought (Back then, anyway)that Crono and Schala died in the hands of the same butcher, Lavos, by reviving Crono he has proven that even those killed by Lavos can be revived, and that all hope for Schala is not yet gone. Yet, as cold as the relationship between him and the group was, he and the CT team had become friends, some of them anyway. The grudge between him and Frog shall always remain, but after going through after all that, they had gotten closer. Magus' little talking never gave the team a chance to know him. He found a worthy cause to fight for, and, even if he won't admit it, worthy friends to fight with. Magus' hidden powers are never really revealed, but what's sure that he's stronger then Queen Zeal and Schala. This means something. Maybe the powers will be revealed in the upcoming Chrono Break?
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She's his full blood sister, by the way. Ted Woolsey stuck in that half-sister stuff.
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Bah... I wish I could read Japanese...
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Wow, Neally a whole year.
^
Magus has many powers that we never get to see. Like how he can turn Glenn into Frog. We can even see lightning and fire spells being shot out of his fingers at Cyrus.
Magil is Magus so he can use any powers that he might have not shown.
Also, Gray, can you make Schala look more innocent? Cuz I'm the biggest fan of Schala ^.^;
Here goes my comments on Magus:
I don't think he was too mentally twisted by all these events. He seems more calm. Like in the Time Freeze, he simply goes "....". Thats like going in your mind "OMFG... Geez...". That would seem very snobby and prince like :P
Also from his actions as a child, I'm guessing he is a boy genius. I can say though that he probably had to experiance terrors, probably having nightmares about Lavos, but like he said "I survived the darkness to defeat you, Lavos!"
Pretty strong spirit eh?
On the note of Schala:
Yes it was her fault, but because she is a good person, she wouldn't defy her mother. And it could just as easily been blamed on Melchior, Gasper and Belthasar for making the pendant and Mammon Machine and Belthasar for not telling Schala what to do. He is the Guru of Reason after all >.>
Belthasar can be even more to blaim because if he hadn't planned everything perfectly in CC, then the whole Chronoverse could have been destroyed.
So don't just blame it on poor Schala. Personally I would think that Schala was under alot of stress from everyone, so get of her back. Look at how she always had to obey her mother, while worrying about Janus' saftey and the Earthbound ones. Not to mention the Enlightened servents of Queen Zeal.
"Aid: Miss Schala, please hurry. If you're late, I'll be punished!
Schala: Oh yes, I'm sorry."
Personally I feel pitty on Schala. I can see it that her childhood was terrible and that she never had anyone to be there for her, so all of her good emotions came for caring for Janus. So sweet 8)
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It seems like such a long time ago that I wrote this. If I were to re-write it now, I'm sure my views would be very different.
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Zaperking, Melchior is the Guru of Life
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Oops, I thought I made a mistake >.<
Sorry, then blame it all on Belthasar. Unless he was trying to redeem himself by sending Crono back in time.. without calculating the risks of what could happen if he did. But he then truely does redeem himself by freeing Schala, and being in the conspiracy to destroy the Time devourer ^.^
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But all his manipulation must've pissed Serge off, and that's never a good thing to do with the Arbiter >_>
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I don't really understand why Serge is called "The Arbiter of Time". He can't do a single thing with time. All he can do is traverse between dimensions with Kid's astral amulet. Also he is linked to the Frozen Flame.. Wow... How time controlling of him >.>
Serge never seems pissed off lol, maybe beacuse he is a mute?
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But going through all Serge went through, and then finding out you were used, who wouldn't be a little ticked? I mean, the game doesn't show it, but come on.
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I think he's called the arbiter of time simply because he is the sole person with access to the Frozen Flame, the shard of Lavos, which has various whacky powers including, if i don't have it wrong, time manipulation.
Also, Serge is basically an emotionless sack of shit.
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Both Serge and Chrono are walking projection screens.
I wanted to write "walking talking" but seeing how neither of them really does, this could only cause them more pain which they are never able to express verbally. And that would be plain cruel.
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Well, If in the good ending and proper ending, Serge loses his memories, then he won't feel used....
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Oh, right, but I don't think he does.
"You're going to forget this so you won't come back and kill us later."
"Nope"
"Dammit! Run Balthasar run!"
Hey, maybe that's Chrono Break. :P
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There ya go. Crono and Serge and mad at the Entity and Balthasar for totally messing up their lives and destroying everything they thought was true, they're out for revenge.
Maybe you play a new group of "heroes" recruited to stop Crono and Serge?
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Hey, I just noticed a few things.
Schala was the only person capable of controlling the Mammon Machine and activating the Ocean Palace.
Yeah, she must be the arbiter then.
Another thing I noticed is that anything that happens with Schala is mirrored by what Magus does. In CT, RD and CC.
Like for instance, Magus searches for Schala. At the end of CC, Schala is searching for Serge, so the tides have turned. That whole situation makes me think that CC's Serge is Magus, or atleast a Janus reincarnation, or a clone like Kid. That would also mirror perfectly if it was the case. Serge's grave did read "What came from the sea has returned from the sea". Personally, I never saw how Serge looked like Marge. Or even Wazuki, except for the hair.
As for RD's situation with Schala and the flame, I kind of thought that maybe that had happened in the original timeline aswell? But to a lesser degree of things that happened. Maybe Magus didn't even die, and just lived his life in shame for not being able to match Lavos or something Oo. Oh well, never mind.
Schala finally came to terms with herself, and perhaps found the peace she deserved.
I don't really think so. It depends if she ever liked her life in her past existence. Her character and integrity is killed off by everything that Kid stands for. In RD and CC both. But in CC, her enlightement may be her peace. And the merger with Kid, I guess. When Schala is talking after the TD's defeat, it seems she has some kind of personality issue. But when she's writing the letter, she seems like she's calmer, and the personality thing has stopped, and she talks her way normally, ending the letter with 'Schala "Kid" Zeal'.
The letter in my point of view kind of nullifies the wedding picture in the end. She only calls Serge (actually, his name isn't even mentioned, so i'm speculating) her "friend". I myself thought that the picture was a tribute to RD, or the way that the story started out and ended.
To bad the whole situation with Magus searching for Schala didn't stop there in the end. Now Schala is on a quest to find Serge, or atleast it's hinted. The fact that Schala doesn't say Serge may point out that she is talking about Janus, atleast.
Also, from the way that Lucca's letter says that one day Janus will be standing along side Kid... Who was Kid standing next to when she read the letter? *Cough* Serge *Cough*.
I just wish the whole Schala/Magus thing was closed. It's like one of the greatest semi-plots in RPG history.[/quote]
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I apologize in advance if I'm sort of kicking at a dead horse, but this article was an interesting and enjoyable read and I did want to comment back on it with some of my own thoughts.
There, at the peak of his powers, Magus had a second chance to stop the Ocean Palace disaster from occurring and save his sister. But Magus' first priority was revenge on Lavos; his sister's well being came in second place.
Basically, yes, but I think there’s more to it than that.
I’ve only recently played through Radical Dreamers, and one of the quotes that caught my eye in particular was Magil/Magus pleading with Serge to not “repeat his mistake, and forget what’s important.” The context, of course, was protecting Kid/Schala. Yes, Radical Dreamers is an alternate universe, but I thought it was interesting for a glimpse of Kato’s general idea of how Magus would have turned out after the events of Chrono Trigger.
Magus sort of struck me as being at a loss as to how to handle Schala during his guise as the Prophet. There are multiple times, during the Ocean Palace sequence, where he starts moving towards Schala in concern, and then holds himself back, only to do it again in the next cutscene. Several times he makes expressions of general alarm in regards to her - for example, when she pleads with him to spare Crono and company. During his twenty or so years in 600 AD, any idea of “saving Schala” wouldn’t have even been a blip on his radar - during that entire period, as far as he’s concerned, Schala and Zeal are long gone and all he has left is his revenge against Lavos. Obviously, he’s been consumed with that obsession for all of that time. But being sent back to Zeal and being actually face to face with his sister again - I think it threw him for a sort of emotional loop, and he wasn’t sure how to deal with it. So basically, he just didn’t - and besides that, by that point, he had been so fixated with his goal of killing Lavos for so long I’m not sure that he even really comprehended the possibility of just bailing Schala out and disregarding his revenge. In other words, he’d forgotten what was truly important to him, and based on Radical Dreamers, it seems like he realized that at some point - and regretted it.
So I don’t think it’s quite as simple as Magus just deciding, “My personal vengeance against Lavos is of higher priority than my sister’s safety.” By way of his actions he more or less did choose that, but I think he was sort of ignoring that he had the option between those two choices in the first place - he never expected to see Schala again to begin with, after all. When Lavos takes him down definitively, he’s not cursing and raging more about his failure at vengeance; he’s asking if Schala is all right. Guy didn’t know what it was he wanted, so he just kept going down the path more familiar to him, in a sense.