Magus's Origin

Lore & Background

Magus, originally named Janus, was the young prince of the Kingdom of Zeal, a civilization that thrived in 12,000 BC. When Lavos destroyed Zeal, Janus was sent forward through time. He eventually became the powerful sorcerer who leads the Mystics in 600 AD, waging war against humanity. His true motivation is revenge against Lavos, the extraterrestrial parasite that ravages the world in 1999 AD, and he broods over the fate of his sister, Schala, who was lost in Zeal's destruction.

In Their Own Story

The fall of Zeal was not merely a collapse—it was an annihilation. Janus, the young prince, watched as Lavos consumed his kingdom in 12,000 BC. The catastrophe hurled him forward through time, leaving him stranded in an era where his past was a forgotten legend. He grew older, his grief hardening into a single, burning purpose: revenge. He took the name Magus, mastered sorcery, and raised an army of Mystics in 600 AD. But every victory against Guardia felt hollow. His sister, Schala, was still gone. And Lavos still slept beneath the earth, waiting.

Reader's Guide

Magus is a playable character in Chrono Trigger, though he is initially the main antagonist in 600 AD. He leads the Mystics against Guardia, but his true goal is to defeat Lavos. To recruit him, players must choose not to fight him in his castle; instead, they can later find him at the End of Time. Magus uses powerful shadow magic and can learn Techs like Dark Bomb and Black Hole. He can also combine with other characters for Double and Triple Techs. His personal story ties directly to the Kingdom of Zeal, which players explore in 12,000 BC. There, they learn of his past as Prince Janus and his connection to Schala. The game's multiple endings include scenarios where Magus's fate varies, depending on player choices.

Did You Know?

• Magus was formerly known as Janus, the young prince of the Kingdom of Zeal, which was destroyed by Lavos in 12,000 BC.
• The destruction of Zeal sent Janus forward through time, where he eventually became the sorcerer Magus.
• Magus leads the Mystics in 600 AD against Guardia, but his true goal is revenge against Lavos.
• Magus broods over the fate of his sister, Schala, who was lost when Zeal fell.
• Lavos, the game's main antagonist, is an extraterrestrial parasite that awakens and ravages the world in 1999 AD.