The four-armed boy esper rose from his spot. His face was cold and hard. He was ready to go, if this would make his father respect him. If this was the only way, then he refused to lose. However, he had only begun to step to the ring when a voice called out.

"Gilgamesh."

The esper turned to the sound of the voice. When he did, he saw that Odin had left his seat, and was rushing over to him. Once he had reached him, he immediately extended the wooden case in front of his body and held it out to the lad. "Here." He said. "Open it."

Gilgamesh immediately did what he was told. He reached over and undid the latches of the box, and then opened it. When he did, he froze for a moment in surprise. Inside, a blade gleamed like a flame from the sun. It was long and broad, ebbing with power and force. It shone so pure that Gilgamesh could see his face in it. It was flawless. The edge was perfect, and hilt was perfect…everything about it was perfect. And it had so much strength that Gilgamesh almostthought he could feel an aura radiating off of the gleaming golden surface. He gaped at the sight, and looked down over it.

"This…"

"Is yours." Odin finished. "Ragnarok…blade of the espers. When your mother was pregnant with you, we all ran a trial to make this blade. The five of us were gathered already, but we also managed to get some power from Phoenix's magicite. Bahamut still had some of Wyvern's power in himself, and even a bit of Crusader's was still there. And so…all eight of us combined parts of our power together to make this blade. Look at it."

Gilgamesh did as he was told. As he looked he saw runes in it. Being one of the only ones who could read it, he saw that the symbol for each of the first eight espers was written into it. Gilgamesh was amazed at such a blade. He didn't know what to say.

"Take it."

Gilgamesh swallowed, but then reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword. He immediately pulled it out. Big as it was, it was as light as a feather. He easily held it up and let it gleam in the light for all to see. The crowds saw it as well, and they marveled at the sight. Gilgamesh couldn't believe it. It was a great gift. "Father…"

"You're worth it, my son." Odin continued. "This is a symbol. Today, I give you all faith. All of the work I put into you I entrust to you today. I have great expectations for you. And I wish to see you fulfill them. Today, you become a man. Today you prove yourself as the strongest of all espers. This is the beginning of your ascension, Gilgamesh. One day…you shall be king of the espers."

Gilgamesh swallowed in reply. That was a lot on his shoulders. However, he managed a nod. "I…won't let you down, father."

Odin said nothing reply. He merely gave a nod to the esper. Gilgamesh nodded back. After that was done, Odin turned away and began to walk back to his place. Gilgamesh licked his lips once his back was turned. Then, he turned back to the ring. He held up his new sword with two of his hands, and balled the others into fists. That done, he walked into the ring at last.

Shiva had already been there a while. She looked cold as ice, and glared steely at the approaching esper. In truth, Gilgamesh didn't know the other espers that well. He had spent too much time just with his father learning. He hadn't had time for any playing. And so, he didn't know much about them, or what to expect from any of them. And he wasn't that friendly with any of them. Now, he had to beat them in a fight. He stood on his side of the ring, and immediately held up his blade at the ready. Shiva stood on her side as well, and held as well. Both of them waited.

"Three…two…one…go!"

Gilgamesh tore across the ring to Shiva. He formed a battle look on his face, and cried out in fury. Shiva's own face didn't change, but she shot across the field as well. Both of them ran to each other for a moment, before they met in the center. Gilgamesh immediately began swiping at Shiva with his new sword. But Shiva was lithe and quick. She dodged Gilgamesh's first three swipes, and then countered with swinging her body around and aiming a roundhouse kick at his face. Gilgamesh gaped, but then brought up one of his extra arms to block the blow. After that, Shiva immediately shot out several fists at the esper. But he either blocked these blows or dodged them as well. Finally, he drove his own blade forward, forcing Shiva to break off her attack and leap back. Pushing his advantage, Gilgamesh came forward swinging, forcing Shiva to back up as he did. Soon, she was headed back on her way to the edge of the ring.

But she hadn't gotten far before she suddenly spun around, avoiding the latest stab, and rolling forward to smash the back of her hand against Gilgamesh's head. The esper cried out and flew back. Shiva quickly spun back around, then threw her next first forward into his gut. He grunted and let out a rush of air, then staggered back, and began to falter. It seemed as if he would tip back until he fell completely over, and he did begin to tip as he went back. However, before he could, he abruptly froze, then suddenly snapped his body back up and around into standing position, smashing his forehead into Shiva's nose in the process. The ice esper gave a cry and stumbled back from the blow.

Quickly, Gilgamesh raised his sword and moved in for the victory. But Shiva managed to recover too soon. As Gilgamesh closed, she quickly pointed her finger at his feet. As with Ifrit, blue lines of light began to gather around her finger. They focused and grew, coming together on the end of her tip. White smoke began to form around her hand, forming another new move. But then, she called out the attack. "Arc."

Immediately, ice crystals formed around Gilgamesh's feet in mid-step. In an instant, he was frozen to the ground, and couldn't move. The esper halted in surprise, and looked down to his feet. He saw what had happened, and looked back up to Shiva. He was just in time to see her perform a somersault kick in mid-air, catching his chin under one of her feet. Gilgamesh was knocked free of the ice, but thrown across the floor in the process. He crashed down onto the ring a moment later and slid a few feet before halting. He grunted and groaned in pain, and cracked his eyes open.

On the edge of the ring, he saw his father…frowning in disappointment…displeased with the match.

Seeing that, Gilgamesh looked up with renewed vigor. He clenched his teeth at the ice esper. Shiva responded by coldly raising a finger again and doing another of her Arc attacks. Quickly, Gilgamesh rolled to one side, just avoiding the move. But she quickly did another, and he was forced to roll again to avoid it. He had to change directions next, as Shiva got his pattern and tried to counter it. The esper realized it was futile. If he didn't do something to interrupt this, then he wouldn't be able to fight much longer. However, there was only one thing he could think of. That involved losing his gift. But he had no choice. It was either discard it or lose all chance of victory. And so…he decided to take the chance.

Abruptly, Gilgamesh pulled back his arm, and then threw his blade forward right at Shiva. The ice esper gaped in response, and as intended was forced to break off her attack in order to dodge the move. Gilgamesh used his time immediately. In a flash, he rolled forward to his feet, and shot straight for Shiva. The ice esper recovered, but it was too late. She recovered only to see Gilgamesh smash her in the face.

Now, the boy esper unleashed his fury. He used two arms to beat Shiva repeatedly in the stomach, before alternating with an uppercut and several other hits with his upper fists. After a few moments, Shiva was being forced back to the edge of the ring. And under the barrage of fists, she couldn't recover. Victory seemed certain. She kept pushing back, until they were right at the edge. Once there, the boy immediately went back…preparing to shoot forward with one last powerful blow to finish her off.

But Shiva still had one trick left. Abruptly, she fired off one last Arc attack…directly at the ground. A patch of ice immediately formed on it. Gilgamesh still rushed forward, and put his foot on the ice as he did. Immediately, the momentum sent him flying forward too fast. Shiva quickly dodged to one side, and Gilgamesh shot by her, still slipping on the ice. Finally, he flew right over the edge…and landed face down on the ground outside the ring.

On landing, to Gilgamesh...it seemed like he was still falling. All time froze at once, and everything was silent. He felt himself falling down, but it was like a dream. It was like he could stop it if he wanted…almost as if he could still make it go back. The reality hadn't settled in just yet. But in the end, it was over. He did feel himself land. He did feel his failure. And he realized, despite everything…he didn't win. He had lost.

"Gilgamesh is out of the ring! Shiva wins!"

Shiva didn't react. She merely turned and walked away calmly out of the ring. As for Gilgamesh, he lay there in shock. He still couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe how he had lost. After everything, all his readiness to win…all his plans and hopes…he had still lost. And it was in such a pathetic fashion. It was such a failure. Slowly, he looked up to the ground as he heard the people begin to applause from the fight. As he looked up, he saw that Ragnarok was just a little bit head, embedded in the ground. Slowly, he got to all fours. He began to move forward, and started to reach out to the blade…

But abruptly, a gauntlet closed around the hilt and lifted it up. He looked up to the source, and his heart sank within him. Odin was there, standing over him and glaring at him down with a mixture of disappointment and loathing. He glared down at the boy with a hateful look. Gilgamesh felt his insides melt, and he quivered.

"You…miserable…waste of effort." Odin hissed. "Fifty years…fifty years of my life I put into you. Day in…day out…I tried everything to mold you into the ultimate warrior. I tried to make you superior to all espers. But you…you were always weak…you wanted to go for that stupid serpent. You wanted to waste your time on those stupid tablets. You always were a waste…a waste of everything I put into you. I had you to be my successor, to rise above everyone. And you threw it all away for this. You're a failure. I'm ashamed that you're my son."

Gilgamesh didn't answer. He stared back silently, his eyes visibly filled with hurt at this, but showing nothing else. He felt cold on the inside, feeling his father's words cut into him. All chance at earning his respect vanished, leaving nothing but hopelessness…and the feeling of being unloved. But none of his hurt looks would impress on his father. Nothing would. He was nothing in his sight anymore…nothing but a failure.

Odin held up his sword and waved it in front of him. "One day, I'll have a true heir. A true son. He'll take this sword. But now, I'm ashamed it has the oil from your hands on it." With that, Odin turned his back to him and began to walk away. Gilgamesh looked up, his eyes still filled with surprise and fear. But he didn't change. Odin kept turned and kept walking away.

"Stay where you will and with whom you will." Odin snapped back. "But I don't ever want to see you in my sight again."

Without another word, Odin walked away. Gilgamesh was left laying on the ground. He stared up for a moment, but didn't do anything else. He felt stunned and dejected. He felt lower than he ever had in his life. He felt more worthless and pathetic than ever…more unloved and meaningless than ever. He didn't know what to do now. He felt empty inside…and could only lay there on the ground. He stared blankly downward the whole time.

At last, Starlet, seeing this, began to get up to move over to him. But she had just finished standing when Gilgamesh finally rose. He didn't cry. He didn't weep. He merely rose and began to walk away from the battlefield. He didn't look to anyone. He didn't say anything. He didn't look angry or sad. He just walked away. Starlet focused on him with a look of longing. She turned to Odin, looking to see a reaction to him. But he didn't even act if Gilgamesh was alive. He was focusing on the battle all over again. Starlet frowned at him, but then went down and sat again. She was too much a slave of propriety herself to make a scene in the middle of thegathering.Angrily, she looked at the battlefield, and readied for the next battle.

"Ifrit and Ramuh, step forward!"

Ramuh gulped yet again as he stepped out. He had been lucky last time, but he had a feeling the same wouldn't happen again. Now, he somehow had to win on his own. He moved out more reluctantly than before to the other side of the ring. He was more nervous than before, and fearing loss more than ever.

Unfortunately, Ifrit was not so fearful. Seeing Ramuh's look only filled him with confidence. He didn't fear beating this one. Ramuh was too cowardly to put up much of a fight. Already, Ifrit was looking ahead to his coming tangle with Shiva. This was going to be a breeze to him.

And so, these two opponents met on either side of the field. One confident, the other terrified. Ramuh shook like a leaf, realizing he was doomed this time. He had nothing. He had entered this tournament just so he could have a shot against Ifrit, but now he realized there was little he could do against the ferocious bully. This was suicide to try. Maybe he should just surrender right now. That was a viable alternative. He could miss out on a lot of pain and…

"Three…two…one…go!"

Ramuh eeped in fear. The fight was already on. Ifrit, pouring heat from his mouth and snarling furiously, tore forward again. Ramuh cried out in fear as he charged. Unable to take it, Ramuh finally turned away from Ifrit and pointed his fingers at him. However, something happened at that. Somehow, the fear invoked an inner instinct in him. His inner powers bubbled forth, and words came out of his lips. Then, abruptly, his voice cried out not a scream but a call.

"Volt!"

Immediately, a small bolt of electricity erupted from Ramuh's hands. It wasn't that big, but it was potent enough. It shot through the air and struck Ifrit head on. Immediately, a sizzling sound resulted as a bolt of electricity shot through him and around him, piercing him from within and penetrating him. For a few brief moments, Ifrit was fried. At last the energy vanished, andthe fire esperfell to the ground for a brief moment. He smoked slightly, and breathed hard to regain his breath.

Ramuh opened his eyes and looked to the scene…and immediately was amazed. Luck was on his side again. He must have unlocked one of his powers for the first time. And it had done a lot of damage too. For a moment, he rejoiced. But then he saw that Ifrit began to rise again. What more, he looked much angrier than before. He looked almost like a demon now, hissing and growling at him. Abruptly, the fire esper jumped back on his feet. After that, he ran straight for the esper once more. But after only taking a few steps, he leapt into the air, and sailed straight for the weaker one…claws extended and full of fury.

Ramuh screamed again and cringed. But as he did…again the power was summoned to him. Now, the sky overhead grew a bit darker. A cloud moved in front of the sun. After that, a bolt suddenly cracked out of the sky, came sailing down, and struck him. Immediately, Ramuh's body was electrified and swarming with white-hot bolts. But none of them seemed to effect him. He didn't even appear to notice. Ifrit, on the other hand, did. On touching Ramuh, the bolts immediately transferred into him. The beast kicked back his head and roared in agony as more bolts penetrated through him, frying him inside and out. Abruptly, his body was thrown off of Ramuh, and he was hurtled through the air before crashing back down onto the ring. He rolled a bit away before coming to a rest, and sizzling a bit as he did so.

Ramuh slowly uncovered his eyes. But on doing so, he blinked in astonishment, and straightened up. Again, he had managed to succeed. Ifrit lay in a heap in front of him, more weakened than ever. He couldn't believe it…he was winning! Slowly, a smile began to form on Ramuh's face. A hope brightened within him. In front of him, Ifrit groaned and grumbled. He was smoking again, but he managed to turn over and start to get up once more. He groggily got to his feet, more furious than ever. But he was slower now as he came to his feet. Once up, he glared at Ramuh.

But now, the other esper had a bit more confidence. He held out his fingers at thebully and tried to look threatening. "N-Now…d-d-don't make me fry you again, Ifrit. I'll do it. If you try again, so help me…I'll do it."

Ifrit angrily rose again. He honestly didn't know if Ramuh was bluffing. Those last two shots had seemed like luck. But even so…they hurt. Bad. And he could still get lucky and do the same thing again even if he was bluffing. Ifrit didn't think he could take another lightning bolt from his sibling. He had to think of something else…some better strategy. Ramuh was a coward. He could see it right now. Was there any way he could use that against Ramuh rather than against himself? There had to be something…

Then, an idea did come to Ifrit.

With a grin, Ifrit merely held his palm in front of him. As before, he began to summon his energy.

Ramuh's eyes widened. He gulped. "What…what are you doing?"

Ifrit didn't answer. He just kept summoning the energy. In moments, a ball of fire was in his hand. But not finished with that, he held up his other palm and began to focus with that one too.

"Stop…don't do it…" Ramuh responded trembling. He began to step backward, away from Ifrit.

The fire esper merely laughed in response. Another ball of fire formed in his hand. Now, with two hands full of fire, he began to pull back, preparing to throw them at his foe.

Ramuh was fully panicked now. He threw his hands down and shook like a leaf. He backed away much faster than before. "No! Don't do it! I was only kidding! Honest I was! Stop-"

But as Ramuh stepped back the last time, he suddenly stumbled and fell back. He tottered a little, and stumbled back a bit more, but eventually both of his feet hit solid, even ground. However, he froze after that. He looked down at where he was as his fear vanished, replaced by puzzlement. He saw that he had walked right out of the ring. He had lost. Ramuh blinked in surprise at that. As for Ifrit, the fire esper merely snickered, and made his balls of fire vanish again, never throwing them at all. Ramuh looked around a bit at himself, still confused at what had just happened. He looked up, and scratched his head, then shrugged.

"Well…at least I didn't get hurt."

The espers groaned on their side. The others did as well. None of the crowds seemed too thrilled with this. The Lufenians seemed rather bored with it, yawning in reply. Another semi-victory. Bahamut sighed and announced the news. "Ramuh is out of the ring. Ifrit wins the fight."

"Terrific…" Leviathan moaned. "Hopefully, this last fight will be something."

Ifrit moved back to his side of the field. Once there, he stood still, and waited for his opponent. Again, Shiva returned to the ring. Calm as ever, and cold as ice, she strolled up onto her side of the court and moved onto the playing area. After that, she turned and faced off against the fire esper. Ifrit, in response, grinned at her with his wolf teeth as the crowd began to grow silent again.

"Heh heh…one more victory and I go home the champion." He boasted. "I'm going to clean the floor with you."

Shiva snorted in response. "Dream on. I'm actually glad that we got to fight. I'll enjoy humiliating you."

Bahamut raised his hand one last time. "Three…"

Both Ifrit and Shiva got into ready positions. Both of them focused on the other, and formed looks of victory in their own ways.

"Two…"

Ifrit gleamed his fangs at Shiva. This was his chance to humiliate Shiva more than ever and be crowned the strongest esper of all the kids.

"One…"

Shiva glared at Ifrit with her cold eyes. This was her chance to get revenge for all his tricks and taunts and always have something to hold over him.

"Go!"

Immediately, both espers pointed their hands at each other, focused, and then fired off their respective attacks.

"Pyro!"

"Arc!"

The ball of fire and the shard of ice both sailed to one another. They shot through the air for a few brief moments before striking each other both at the same time. Immediately, a fizzle went out. A puff of smoke appeared, and a splash of water went to the ground. Both of their attacks vanished, and nothing else came.

"Huh?" Both said at once, surprised at that move. However, they soon frowned, pointed their hands at each other, and tried again. But it had the same result. The attacks struck each other, fizzled, splashed water, and then disappeared. They were canceling each other out with their powers. Hitting each other with their magic attacks was useless. The espers were intrigued at this, particularly Bahamut. So…fire was weak against ice…and ice was weak against fire… Did the other elementals counter themselves in this way?

Bahamut soon cut that chain of thinking off as both espers darted to one other. These ones were more ferocious and vicious than the others. Shiva came first, swinging her fist at Ifrit's head. But Ifrit ducked, and tried a leg sweep of Shiva's legs. She jumped over, and tried a mid-air axe kick. Ifrit side-stepped it, and tried to counter with his own punch to the gut. Shiva brought her arm down and blocked it, then brought up her other hand to smash Ifrit against the head. Ifrit brought out his own hand and seized her wrist, and for a moment the two were at an impasse. But then, Ifrit yanked up, attempting to throw Shiva over his head. He hoisted her into the air and began to bring her over. But then, Shiva shot out her arms, reached down, and grabbed Ifrit's shoulders. Using him as a fulcrum, she brought her body down and around and smashed both legs into Ifrit's chest. The fire esper gave out a cry and went flying back, away from Shiva, as she landed on the ground nimbly. However, no sooner had she landed than Ifrit stopped himself, planted his legs underneath, and then leapt up straight at Shiva. Soon, his horns had crashed into her nose, sending her flying back as well. She too landed on the ground in a squat, and for a moment the two merely glared at each other.

But then, both took off at each other once again. This time, Ifrit landed a hook across her face first. But Shiva answered back with a knee to the stomach. Ifrit punched her in the throat next, sending her flying back, but Shiva still managed to bring up her own leg and kick him in the same region. Both went flying away again. They both landed on the ground, but both soon got up again as well. They then darted around each other, glaring at each other and looking for an opening. They did nothing for a few moments. But then, Ifrit fired a Pyro at her. However, Shiva smacked the attack away with the back of her own hand, and returned with an Arc. Ifrit put his head to one side, and only got a small cut across his cheek. Shiva didn't show it, but there was a small burn on her hand. Ifrit shot forward and jabbed Shiva in the face. He seized her by the head afterward, and struggled to throw her out of the ring. But he was only halfway there before Shiva put her feet down, planted them, and then seized Ifrit's arm and used his momentum to throw him over her shoulder. He landed so hard on the ground he cracked the tiles.

Shiva tried to add on with an axe kick down on his head, but he quickly rolled out of the way. Then, he sprung himself up, and tried a hooking leg to bring her down next. But Shiva leapt over this as well and somersaulted back. Ifrit quickly got up to his feet, and dashed after her. As he closed in, Shiva performed one of her flip kicks to his face, and Ifrit was sent falling back. But he too had sprung back on an arched position, held a moment, then sprung back up to drive his head back into Shiva's ownskull again. She too went back, and soon both of them were on the ground again. They both crouched and paused for a moment. Both panted and breathed hard. Both were covered with bruises and even a little blood on their mouths. The exhaustion was taking its toll. They were both fading quickly. They weren't used to this kind of long-term fighting. Finally, they both decided to put their best attack forward…put all their power into the next attack and hopefully put down the next one so hard that he or she couldn't counter.

Both finally took off at once. Both extended a fist to the other, and both sailed straight for each other. And both, at the same time…struck each other in the face with as much power as they could muster. It was a tremendous clash for young espers. Both of them immediately were thrown away from each other, and then sent flying to the ground. They both slid a few feet, but neither went out. They fell totally limp and went still.

The espers and crowd alike were stunned. Neither said a word, and gaped at the sight. That had been the most explosive, fast-paced, ferocious fight yet. It had blown all the others away. This had been a real match. The Lufenians were duely amazed. Their previous calculations had been blown away by that exchange. All were shocked into silence. But, in the end, Bahamut found his voice. He managed to speak up.

"Um…both fighters are down!" Bahamut answered. "Beginning the count! One…"

Neither one moved.

"Two…"

They groaned a bit at this, and began to stir a little.

"Three…"

Both kept stirring, but nothing more.

"Four…"

Leviathan began to cheer both on together. The others started to cheer them on to get up too. Ifrit slowly managed to roll himself over.

"Five…"

Shiva joined as well in rolling over. Both started to push up.

"Six…"

The two struggled to move and get up. They began to tuck their legs underneath them.

"Seven…"

Ifrit got his knees underneath and began to push up.

"Eight…"

Shiva followed suit afterward. She began to push up more.

"Nine…"

It looked hopeless. Neither was going to get up in time. It was going to be a double knockout. But then, right before Bahamut spoke…Shiva suddenly sprung up in one of her gymnastic bursts. Abruptly, she sprang up and landed on her feet. After that, she stopped and stood. She waved a bit, and looked about to fall over. But it was too late.

"Ten!" Bahamut cried. "Ifrit is out! Shiva wins the match!"

The crowd immediately stood up and burst into applause. Everyone cheered and cried for the fantastic match. Seeing the two espers go at it was worth almost all of the other lesser fights. It had been an excellent fight, and all were glad to see it. Even Palad, who had personally seen the long battle against Crusader, felt a deal of excitement from it, and clapped on. The espers rose as well and clapped at the two, giving them praise for the match. In truth, they were proud of both even if Shiva had been the one who won the fight. Even the other young espers clapped.

In the center of the ring, Ifrit stayed on all fours. He frowned and did not move. He sulked on the ground, refusing to get up. He had been so close to winning, but in the end he had failed…and he had lost fair and square. No tricks this time. The battle had been satisfying, which made it all the worse. But then, all of the sudden, blue fingers entered his line of vision. He looked up to the source, and saw that he was looking up into the cold face of Shiva.

"…If you hadn't fought an extra battle than me, you would have won."

Ifrit paused on hearing that. He didn't expect that kind of reply to his state. However, on looking at Shiva for a moment, he began to swallow. "Um…well…you know…Gilgamesh beat you up really bad too. He was the only real fighter. So…it's pretty fair. In fact…" He bowed his head a bit at this. "You…you might have even been much better."

Shiva seemed struck by that too. Her normally stoic face was taken slightly aback. However, after a small moment…she managed a slight smile, and held down her hand to Ifrit again. The fiery esper smiled a bit back, then took the hand, and the first helped the other up. Once both were up, they both walked out of the ring together, as the people continued to clap around them.

Leviathan gaped a bit at the sight. "You know Bahamut…" He murmured, as he saw Ifrit and Shiva now looking closer together than ever. "…Maybe this match was a good idea after all."

After a bit more rejoicing and gathering, the groups began to leave. They wouldn't be officially around for the actual birthing this time. That was still a private matter. But the espers were eager to get ready, and so the people began to file out. The espers gave their tearful goodbye to Palad, knowing this time it would be for good. They wished him well with his remaining time and prayed for the future of the human race. The other races gathered on their dragons, and the groups began to take off and leave Terratopolis. The elves were first, followed by the dwarves, and next the Lufenians. This last group complemented the espers for their hospitality, expressed a desire to meet again, and then boarded their strange machine…a thing that they called an 'airship'. After that, they took off and began to fly away, leaving the espers to deal with the rest of their guests.

As they disembarked, exited the mountain, and started to fly away into the sky. They traveled for a good couple of hours afterward, despite the power of the ship. But at last, their own floating fortress began to appear. It was a bizarre sight. It looked like a great upside-down pyramid shape in the sky. It gleamed with lights all over it, sparking up in new positions as the pyramid turned on. Still, the whole place was dark. It was covered with shadow as the sun set. It was to this place that the airship came. A great opening appeared in the side of the island. Two halves of it slid aside, revealing the entrance. The airship readily entered, and soon after the halves slid back together, concealing it once again.

Inside, a few minutes later, the people who were in the airship arrived in a dark chamber. Only blue lights lit up the place, and those were in giant columns that radiated through the building, or on platforms and stands in small lights. Lines and grids seemed to run through everything, running a great deal of machinery through all. Everything was metal and technical, and all was far more advanced than anything the Planet had ever seen. It was to this place that the men approached.

"Hmm…I thought that our readings were well within sufficient levels…until we saw those two."

"Yes indeed."

"Are we still within threshold?"

"We can tolerate up to a twenty-fold increase on the observed levels."

"Good. Let's not delay then."

"Are you sure?"

"They have a potential to increase. Better to nip them in the bud."

"But our research?"

"It will go better if they're not around. This has to happen sooner or later."

"Very well."

"Launching Ark…"

"So, Ogopogo, you planning anything this time?"

"Aw no…not me." Ogopogo immediately responded with a nod. It was much later now. The crowds had all left, and it was getting late. The kids were all having their wounds tended. The espers had broken apart from each other. Leviathan and Ogopogo were taking time out at the moment, waiting until everyone was gathered and was ready to get the birthing underway. It would be interesting to see what new espers would arise. However, Leviathan was already looking forward to the next fifty years. By then, their children would be old enough to do their own, and would probably have their own, Omniapexes. And seeing as Bahamut's tournament ended up with Shiva and Ifrit making a peace with each other, Leviathan was almost eager to see another one between the next set of children. "What about you?" Ogopogo asked.

Leviathan turned uneasy at that. He swallowed deeply, and he quivered a little. He felt a bit cold inside. "Um…no." He answered nervously.

"Really? Not even with Starlet?"

Leviathan quivered even more at that. He looked overwhelmed with anxiety. "Um…well…"

"Come on. I know you've liked her for a while now. When are you going to try and say something?"

Leviathan winced and figited around with his hands. He groaned a bit inside. But after a moment, he managed to speak again. "…Starlet…isn't really interested in me. She's too…flighty. What she wants right now is another child that's as pretty and dainty as her. She wants it so bad that she's actually going to use the separation reproduction."

"What?" Ogopogo retorted. "You have to be kidding. She wants to do that over that fusion birth?"

Leviathan sighed in response and shrugged. "She doesn't care. And I can't give her any children that look like her. Our children would be some sort of beasts."

"Man, that's rough." Ogopogo groaned in response. Both paused for a moment, swimming in the water of the underground lake. Some time went by, but in the end Ogopogo was the one who turned to Leviathan and spoke up again. "So…when are we getting started, anyway?"

"Once Odin gets back." Leviathan frowned in response. "He might want to reproduce, and he's been sulking all day. All because of…"

Leviathan saw someone here, and trailed off. He looked up to the shore and focused there. Ogopogo noticed this, and turned and looked as well. When he did, he saw why Leviathan had stopped. Gilgamesh was now walking up to the both of them. His face was unchanged from earlier. He was still on the same look as at the tournament, and his attitude seemed unchanged. But in reality, he had been thinking for some time now. That much was obvious. Leviathan, on seeing his pupil, arose up more and called out to him.

"Gilgamesh, you're back."

The esper didn't answer. He simply walked up to the both of them. Once there, he gave a nod them both. "Master Ogopogo…Master Leviathan."

Ogopogo chuckled. "Is that all you have to say?"

"Gilgamesh…I'm sorry about what happened." Leviathan spoke in an apologetic tone. "I'm sorry about all of that. Your father had no right to talk to you that way. I know you did your best. Shiva nearly made a panic move…"

"No, no…it's alright, master." Gilgamesh answered. His face didn't change, but he waved it off and gave a nod. "I'm better now. I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I'm better."

Both espers hesitated for a moment at that. They examined Gilgamesh for signs of difference. But in the end, Leviathan gave a nod. "I'm glad to hear it. Anyway, what can I do for you today, young man? Need more reading material?"

"No, not today." Gilgamesh answered, his voice going intrigued. "I was actually wondering. I heard about that sword my father gave me…that you guys put your energy into it to make it. That it was the sword of all the espers. Even Phoenix, Wyvern, and Crusader."

Leviathan paused a moment on hearing that. After a few seconds, however, he gave a nod. "Yes."

"But…the blade was imperfect, wasn't it?" Gilgamesh ventured. "You guys barely knew anything about sword making. And you only put a tiny bit of your powers into it."

Leviathan and Ogopogo both pausedat that. They turned and looked to each other, and then looked back to the esper. Leviathan thought for a moment, and then shrugged in admittance. "The blade was made very strong, Gilgamesh. But wasn't made as strong as possible, no. I was still learning at the time. We all were. And in actuality," Here, Leviathan turned around behind himself and gestured to his brother. "Ogopogo was the one who seemed to gain the true skill at sword making." He wasn't lying. Ogopogo was behind them in a lot, but he excelled in sword-making. It was he who contributed the most to Ragnarok being built. If he put his new knowledge together with Ogopogo's, they could make something really spectacular. Plus… "And we didn't put the maximum amount of our energy into it either."

"Well…could you put more?" Gilgamesh asked, sounding genuinely interested. "Like…here was what I was thinking. Whenever you guys do a fusion, you take out your own energy, and then you combine it together into a new thing. This is the birthing time. Do you think…maybe you two…" He paused a moment and swallowed. "Could…instead of combining your energy to make an offspring, two of you…combine your energies into a sword?"

Both paused at that. Leviathan raised an eyebrow. Ogopogo looked intrigued as well. The two turned and looked at each other a moment. They considered this possibility for a second, and thought over it. But as they thought, something seemed to come to mind. The idea seemed to have merit. In fact, the possibility was entertaining, and it piqued the curiousity of Leviathan and Ogopogo alike. They finally turned back to him, and Leviathan gave a nod.

"I suppose it is possible."

Odin perched on his stone, miles away from Terratopolis, and scowled. He knew the group was waiting for him, but he didn't really care. He was furious still. He had barely kept from striking his miserable excuse of a son at the field. He couldn't believe it…all of what he had wasted on trying to make something of the boy. And this was what happened. Everything was for nothing. He had worked endlessly with the lad to make him into something. But this was what happened. He didn't blame himself. He had done everything possible and more to make him into a good warrior. It had to be him. It had to be his fault. He had pursued those stupid tablets of Leviathan. He had been obsessed with spending all his time learning useless material now. He was wasting his life and his gifts. He was turning himself into a weakling. And so, he didn't care anymore. The boy could do whatever he wanted now. Just never come around him again.

Odin fumed and ground his foot against a rock. He heard the wind pick up around him, and a powerful gust began to gather. The warrior esper ignored it for now. He was too upset. Ever since the day he saw Bahamut overcome him in terms of power, Odin had been furious. He had been the warrior esper, and yet in the time of battle it had been Bahamut, the brother he couldn't stand, who had come out on top. He couldn't bear it. Yet in the end, he was more controlled than Wyvern. He held his tongue and hung back. He did so for one reason…that he could one day sire a successor that would be superior to his brothers. But fifty years later, he had nothing to show for it. He had to try again. Only Odin didn't care to start right away. He had his fill of ungrateful children for the time being. He'd try again later…maybe in another fifty years.

Still, the wind built up around Odin. He frowned and began to wince beneath it. It was unseasonal for this time of year. But as he continued to sit and wait, it only grew stronger…and colder. It soon had some force in it, some real force. It blew up the rocks and pebbles around him, and that was not natural. It interrupted Odin's thoughts and pushed harder against him, whipping his clothes up and nearly pulling his cape off from him. As it grew stronger and colder, Odin finally reacted. This wasn't natural. This was something else.

At last, Odin turned and began to rise from his place. He looked to the sky to the source of the wind. His red eyes instantly expanded…right before he felt the monstrosity before him begin to drain the life out of him.

To be continued...