This is my first fanfic so I'm excited to get this story out. Expect this to be a long story, unless I change my mind. Anyways, without further delay, let's get this story started. I hope you enjoy it! I do not own Final Fantasy XII or any of its characters within this story. I do own the original characters I created for this story however. The story will be separated into acts so hopefully you guys enjoy it. This is the start of Act I.

Long ago, before man advanced its technology beyond anything ever imagined, the Occuria, gods of Ivalice controlled the course of history as they deemed fit and ruled over the land. To further their control, they created 13 scions to govern over the world in their place and guide mankind as well as judge them for their crimes. Over time, the scions grew tired of their creator's tyranny and decided to rebel against them with Ultima, the High Seraph as the mastermind behind the plot. However, in the end, their rebellion failed and they were sealed away as punishment until someone strong enough could release them and control their power. Centuries later, a group of six individuals released their powers and used them to release Ivalice from the tyrannous grip of the Occuria. Afterwards, the espers were once again sealed into a safeguarded temple until they were needed again. Unbeknownst to anyone, a greater threat than anyone ever imagined was about to be revealed, and a new legend would be forged into the annuals of history. This is that story…

~~~~~Unknown Forest

In the depths of the forest, a young man in his early twenties with spiky short silver hair, brown eyes, and a blue outfit was walking, lost in thought.

'What did master mean about me coming out here to tame my powers? Does it have anything to do with the last training session?'

He thought about it and remembered that he was more aggressive than usual in that session. It slightly frightened him that he would attack anyone out of pure aggression.

'That might be true, but it's not like I would…'

Almost abruptly, the man heard an explosion to the north that interrupted his thoughts.

"What's that explosion? It's coming from the north which means…. Oh no, the master!"

The man rushed off to the north as quickly as possible to investigate.

~~~~~Temple of the Espers

After 15 minutes, he arrived at the entrance to the temple and found part of the place trashed and parts of rubble all over the place. He looked around for his master and spotted him lying unconscious at the top of the stairs.

"Master Philos!" He rushed to his master's side and tried to shake him out of his unconscious state.

"Master, wake up!"

His master slowly started to come to and sat up before looking around. He was slightly old looking with short white hair and brown eyes.

"Neo, when did you get here?" Philos asked.

"I just arrived to find you unconscious and the temple trashed as well," He replied.

"I see." Philos stood to his feet and had a grim look on his face as he dusted off his brown robe.

"This doesn't come without repercussions however. We have a dire situation on our hands now."

"And what is this dire situation you speak of master?" Neo asked worriedly.

"The 13 espers, which I was tasked to guard, have been stolen from this temple."

Neo was shocked. "The espers? I thought they were just a myth. Why didn't you tell me before master?"

"There was no need until now since it was my task alone to guard them," He explained.

"Maybe so, but I could've been here to help when they came!" Neo replied eagerly.

"No, you probably would've died had you been here and then where would we be?"

Neo looked at his master questionably. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean," Philos started to explain, "That you should be the one who retrieves the stolen espers."

"You want me to do it?" Neo asked. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," Philos replied confidently. "I believe you are ready for this. This will be your trial to prove how much you learned over these past ten years."

"I see. Is there anything I should know about these espers?"

Philo began to explain, "There are thirteen espers who lived in ancient times who at some point decided to rebel against their creators. However, they failed and were sealed away as their punishment until 6 people two years ago used their powers to save Dalmasca from Archadia's invasion."

"From Vayne Solidor you mean," Neo implied.

"Yes. Now, one year after those events, I was entrusted with guarding the espers and preventing them from falling into the wrong hands. However, a powerful group has stolen them from their resting place."

"Do we know who is behind this?" Neo asked?

"They call themselves the 13th Legion and as you can surmise, there are 13 members who each took one of the 13 espers." Philos explained. "What they intend to do with the espers, I do not know for sure."

"Tell me the names of these espers."

"As I stated before, there are thirteen espers, Belias, the Gigas, Mateus, the Corrupt, Shemhazai, the Whisperer, Famfrit, the Darkening Cloud, Adremmelech, the Wroth, Hashmal, Bringer of Order, Chaos, Walker of the Wheel, Cuchulainn, the Impure, Zalera, the Death Seraph, Zeromus, the Condemner, Exodus, the Judge-Sal, Ultima, the High Seraph, and the strongest, Zodiark, the Keeper of Precepts. I have not seen them for myself, but I know how powerful they are, so if you encounter one of these beasts, never let down your guard."

"I understand master. Where do you think I should start searching?" Neo asked, eager to begin his newly appointed task.

"You should begin investigating in Rabanastre to the east of here. However, it's too far to get there in time. I will teleport you there, but I cannot accompany you. I must stay here in case they return. This is your task to carry out," Philos stated.

"Right, I'm ready to go now."

Philos halted his apprentice for a moment. "Not yet. I must warn you that your powers aren't yet fully mastered, so be careful not to lose control, otherwise it could bear great consequences," He warned.

"Ok, I'll be careful. Is it time?"

"Yes, give me one moment."

Philos extended his hands and gathered spirit energy, then materialized a portal in front of him.

"I won't let you down master," Neo promised before stepping into the portal and disappearing.

Moments afterward, the portal disappeared and left Philos in thought.

'I hope you're truly ready for what lies ahead Neo.'

I know the first chapter isn't that long, but they will get longer and more exciting. Please R&R!