Piccolo Sky's Quote-For-The-Day: "It takes more than big-eyed characters and exaggerations of emotional reactions to make an Anime." (I'm talking to you, Teen Titans, Totally Spies, Avatar, etc.)
Five Hundred Years Later
No one ever really knew what happened that night five birthing rituals ago.
Odin was quiet the next day, and didn't speak to anyone. He retreated to his chambers and locked himself in. After that, he grew even more solitary than before. He never showed his face to Shoat or to anyone, and for hundreds of years he continued in just that way. He appeared whenever he was summoned, but barely said a word and kept to himself. He quickly hid again soon afterward. And he did so for the next five hundred years. All he ever did was stay in his room and train. It was as if he was preparing for Griever again after all these centuries. At any rate, he never told anyone what vexed him. Everyone assumed that it was due to how he had treated Shoat, and that he was feeling remorse. Starlet was glad he was punishing himself. And so, no one said anything or cared, but left Odin to his same old devices.
In contrast, Bahamut's "trip around the world" didn't end for ten years. Of course, it didn't take long for the espers to worry about him after he was gone for so long. A week after he left, people wondered what happened. Some thought he went after Wyvern. Others thought he was engrossed in the world too much again. No one knew. A few weeks later, they began to search for him. But no one found him. They neither sensed his energy nor saw any signs of him. For a moment, the espers grew fearful. Was there some esper-consuming fiend out there that had taken first Wyvern away from them, and then Bahamut? Needless to say, after years of not seeing him, the espers began to fear they would never see him again. Leviathan was made interim leader, and for three years he was the king of espers. But then, at long last, Bahamut did return one day. The espers were amazed, and immediately assaulted him with questions. Leviathan, of course, immediately relinguished the throne to Bahamut, but was intrigued at what he had done. However, amiable and normal as Bahamut was, he would not say what he had done or where he had gone. He only said that he had found a new mountain range where the dragons dwelled, and he had built a home there. He said he had lived among them for a time.
However, changes soon happened to the world after Bahamut returned. A new order of humans began to fill the world. Clad in armor shaped to be that of a dragon, wielding long spear-type weapons, mounting the lesser drakes of the world, they called themselves the Dragoons. There was only one at first, but this one knew all the secrets of dragon combat, and even executed a sort of diving move very similar to Palidor's own move. There was only one at first, but soon more of them began to pop up, no doubt trained by the first. Working as an order throughout the world, they acted as lawmakers and police for all the provinces on the Planet, keeping them safe from enemies and maintaining peace throughout the human realms. They put down lawlessness among the human tribes and defended the weak from the dangers of the wild.
It was a good thing they appeared too. For shortly after they appeared, some of the chromatic dragons became blatantly hostile. A few began to openly prey on human habitations, treating them like any other food or wild beasts. They went unchecked for a brief time, until the original Dragoon encountered a green one terrorizing a village. The two met each other in combat, and though the Dragoon did not escape without heavy damage, the green dragon was killed. After the victory, the Dragoon stripped the green dragon of its scales and made a new armor out of them, giving the warrior the likeness of a dragon itself. The espers were a bit uneasy about this behavior, Bahamut included. However, if it would strike fear into the hearts of other wicked dragons, he allowed it. He disowned any evil doer, even if they were from his own progeny. And so, the practice continued, and soon every Dragoon was wearing the scale armor of an evil dragon. As a result, the trouble-causing beasts were kept in check and the humans were allowed to prosper.
And prosper the world did. Humans continued to learn more technologies and advance further along. They invented new techniques for their crops and began to selectively breed them. They also managed to capture wild animals, tame them, and raise them for meat. They learned the secrets of weaving cloth from plants and utilized them. They discovered how to mine bronze and to heat and shape it into tools. They made clay into bricks and built homes out of them. They discovered how to make round objects called wheels and make carts out of them, and lash one of their domestic beasts to it to pull them.
Sadly, they did continue to divide further among themselves. They had split into seventeen different tribes by now. But not under the tribe with Gilgamesh. He not only grew, but united four other tribes beneath him, so that his territory was the largest of all the humans. He had a great city built for all of his subjects, surrounding it with a great clay wall and erecting a two-story house to house him and his men. Gilgamesh never mastered learning the art of shapeshifting, but he still passed for a human none the less. More than that, he passed for a superhuman. He was renown far and wide for his skill at battle and power. However, he was also a wise ruler, and was also renown for his learning and wisdom. He went beyond being the tribe leader, and was now called by his subjects their king.
Terratopolis was no longer simply a dwelling place for espers either. It had grown into an esper city. With no interruptions in five generations, many had given birth. The original espers now showed a look of experience and wisdom on them. They seemed older than much of the others though they were ageless. There were many espers of all different ages. They all built their own houses and halls within Terratopolis. Gone were the old stone tunnels. Illumination, irrigation, plants, and even stairs were put into them now. Large sections of the mountain were hollowed out to make other grounds areas besides the central one, although the central one was now officially a forest. Rich soil covered it now after decades of work. And through it, the thirty-five espers that made up the whole population now dwelt. Even Shoat was now fully grown and a father and grandfather. There were enough espers to delegate responsibilities to others and leave others room to work and focus on other tasks. They were truly forming a society now.
The latest surprising development was in the new twins of Ifrit and Shiva. This resulted in two strange espers. One was a great yellow bird, while the other was a white, fluffy being with small little wings, a cat face, and a small ball bouncing on its head. The former was called Chocobo. The latter was called Moogle, or Mog for short. The two didn't seem to like living among the other espers long. They moved into the real world, and no one had heard anything of them yet. However, it appeared that they had found native creatures to pair up with…
Bahamut smiled and thought of how good things were doing overall as he walked through the courtyard. The first courtyard, of course. That was always his favorite, perhaps at least somewhat due to the fact that he had made it. He looked over to one side and saw some of the esper children playing with one another, and then turned to another to see some participating in schooling courtesy of Leviathan. That had been his idea two hundred years ago, to give all espers some sort of education. After all, none of them had the intrinsic memories and knowledge as the originals had. The sun was shining and it was another great day. All seemed to be well in the world for the time being, and that made Bahamut happy.
Of course, he had been the one who started the Dragoons.Haan had been the first, trained underneath him for ten years in a secluded part of the world. But he didn't tell anyone else that. It turned out he had learned quite a few secrets about training himself during the interim period, and he wasn't too eager to share them just yet. However, he was glad for what he did. Because of that, the world had peace. And that was what he had been hoping for all along. Not since that day five hundred years ago had he come close to worrying about the evil of humans growing out of control. They had their differences still, but their violence was kept in check now. Things were good. There was nothing left to do but grow and develop, and both espers and humans had certainly done that. Two hundred years ago the humans expanded to have relations with the dwarves. And a hundred years ago great things called ships that the humans had built arrived on elf territory. So the world was still expanding and becoming more closely knit. All in all, it was a great thing for Bahamut to behold, and he was happy to see all of it.
And yet…in the midst of all this…there was something brewing on Bahamut's mind. He would be in his meditative trances on some days. He would be scanning the world and feeling fine about everything, seeing everything move along nicely. But occasionally…he would catch a ripple of something. Something evil…the same nature of evil as Griever had been. And this one had power, not like the humans he met. But every time he saw it and tried to look again, it was gone. Initially Bahamut thought it was a mistake, but it happened so often now that he began to wonder if that was true. But if it was real…what was causing it?
"Ah. There you are, Bahamut."
Bahamut was shaken from his thoughts and turned his head to the side. As always, the one who most frequently brought him out of his thoughts was Leviathan. He had abandoned his students for the moment, and was now approaching the dragon. He was again in his human form. Nowadays, Bahamut rarely saw Leviathan in his full serpent form. He was so eager to please Starlet he usually remained human. He also claimed he wanted to be a man of mystery around the espers. Indeed, the latest generation wasn't exactly sure what he looked like in his true form. Now, the esper marched over to Bahamut, and soon stood at his side. He dressed like a man now, and in a very sagely way in royal purple, sometimes keeping a hood over his head. It was drawn back now as he greeted his brother.
"Good morning, your highness."
Bahamut blushed a little and sighed. "Do you have to keep calling me that?"
"It's been six hundred years. Aren't you used to it by now?" Leviathan simply answered.
"Hardly." Bahamut grimly replied.
"Don't be so uptight." Leviathan scolded in response. He paused for a moment, looking the dragon over. Then, he smiled. "I see you haven't been practicing your transformations that well."
Bahamut snorted in response to this. "Please, Leviathan. I've already learned how to turn into a human man, an elf child, a mako shark, a storm crow, a lion, and even a field mouse. Just because I don't wander around transformed doesn't mean I know any less."
Leviathan was indignant, however. "Why stop there? You can change into so many other things. I'm trying to master them all."
"Well, you do that if it makes you feel good. I'm satisfied with what I have." Bahamut replied. He was rather satisfied with his forms as well. He was pleased to see he could not only transform into a human, but a handsome human. His body was strong and tall, with wise and powerful features. His eyes were a stunning blue in that body. The only difference between him and other humans was that he had a head of white hair though he appeared quite young.
Leviathan, however, didn't like this answer and frowned again. "What else is there to do around here, Bahamut?" He asked. "Honestly, I am always keeping busy trying to learn new things, while the rest of you just lay around doing the same thing all day and not having a care in the world. Don't you get bored?"
"I'm content with what I have." Bahamut simply answered. "And I remember what happened to get it."
Leviathan sighed in response. Both brothers went silent for a moment. They looked around a bit and felt the breeze, and listened to their children play. Finally, at long last, Bahamut developed a concerned face. He turned his head and looked over to the serpent in human form. "What do you think about Odin?"
Leviathan frowned. "What about him?" He asked somewhat curtly.
"How long do you think he's going to be like this?"
"I don't know."
"Don't you care?"
"Not especially. Not after what he did. He needs to stop moping and redeem himself first. I'd say by being a father to his children, but it's a little late for that. I and Starlet had to raise Shoat like our own son, and I don't have too much kindness toward him for making Shoat blind in one eye and mute. Every time I saw him as a child throw a fit and desperately try to tell me something but be unable to even make a groan, I think of him. Now I know I shouldn't grudge like that, but I can't help it."
"I guess I understand." Bahamut slowly answered with a sigh.
Leviathan bowed his head for a moment after that. He exhaled himself and thought for a few moments. Then, however, he raised his head and shrugged a bit. "…He's been a bit more antsy lately, however."
Bahamut perked up his head at that and turned to Leviathan. "Eh?"
Leviathan nodded. "Just yesterday morning I saw him pacing around outside, like he was agitated. The day before he was up at the rim of the mountain, looking around at the world as if he was seeing something I wasn't. He keeps slipping up in practice sessions too. I hear it. It's like something is bothering him or weighing him down."
Bahamut paused in reply to that. He thought over these new pieces of information, and tried to tie them into what he already knew. "You know…" He answered after a moment. "Occasionally…lately…I've been sensing strange things as well. I keep feeling spikes of power for a moment…an evil power. And its strong too, strong enough to be felt all the way over here. But I can't pinpoint it." He paused, then shrugged. "I could be wrong, you know. I thought that was just my imagination. But if it was real, then perhaps Odin senses it too."
Leviathan turned his head to Bahamut at this. His eyes widened, and his look turned to surprise. "…So…you've been sensing it too?"
Bahamut's own eyes widened at that. "You mean…?"
Leviathan nodded. "Yes. Both I and my students have been feeling it from time to time. We thought it was some sort of spike or anomaly, perhaps even a group misconception. But if you say that you sense it as well, then I no longer doubt it is significant."
Bahamut, looking at Leviathan, tensed up at that. So, the power he felt was real? And if that was the case, what did it mean? Where was it coming from? What was making it? Somehow, was there a new Crusader brewing in the world? And what devilry was it planning if it was? Bahamut's peace was shattered, and he began to tense up as to what this all meant.
"Well, assuming these spikes of evil are real…who, or what, is causing them?"
Leviathan gazed back coldly and silently in reply. He said nothing. However, if he was coming to an answer, he never got to spit it out. For as the two of them stared at each other, thinking about this very subject, a voice suddenly called loud and frantic from far overhead.
"Lord Bahamut!"
Immediately, both brothers turned their heads upward. The other espers in the area did as well. What they saw in short order was a silver dragon. It was spiraling overhead, and looking to come down to land. Bahamut was instantly intrigued. The dragons never came to Terratopolis except during big events. And then they always came in groups. For one alone to come out…it had to be something. Plus, he detected the fear and the anxiety on the voice of the dragon. Seeing that, he knew at once it had to be something serious. A cold feeing rippled through Bahamut's spine as he looked to this new arrival.
The younger espers immediately looked to the sky and ooed and ahhed at the new arrival. Others ran off back inside, only to emerge a moment later with their parents. Others peaked out of the now-numerous windows inside the crater of Terratopolis, and looked out on the situation. Still others simply ran out of the tunnels and began to look at this. But Bahamut himself only slowly walked forward, keeping his head to the sky, approaching an opening on the ground where the silver dragon was headed. Leviathan followed behind. However, wise mind always at work, he scanned the area around him in the crater for signs of someone else. He didn't see him right away, so he kept coming forward and following Bahamut to the center. Soon, the main grounds were covered with espers, clamoring among each other and looking intrigued and surprised at this latest event.
The silver dragon slowly flapped down and landed right in the midst of them all. However, Bahamut noticed that it was flying with a half-limp, and was very erratic on landing. When it did land on all fours, it recoiled one limb back in pain. Immediately, the espers grew silent all around…and the only noise now was a few light gasps at the sight of the dragon. One of his horns was broken off. One of his eyes was battered shut and he missed four teeth. Blood was caked around its mouth and around several wounds across its body. The worst was the aforementioned leg, still dripping blood and looking on the brink of needing to be amputated. Seeing this, Kirin, who happened to have been called out, readily came forward and began to focus her power on healing the unfortunate dragon. Bahamut stood in silence, gazing at the dragon and feeling cold and troubled inside. Obviously, there was some trouble…and he had a feeling that it had to do with the evil he was feeling. Leviathan watched the dragon, but spent most of his gaze still looking to the side.
"Sir…" Bahamut began, breathlessly looking over the beaten creature. "What has happened to you? Who has done this?"
The dragon panted and quivered as Kirin healed it, but continued to look troubled and tense. "A creature of evil, my lord. A foul beast, that now is poised to make an attempt to wage war on the world. A monster that calls itself Hades, sir."
That was the cue. Leviathan saw the reaction immediately.
On mention of that name, Odin immediately came out of one of the tunnels and gazed at the silver dragon with fierce interest.
So much to do and so little time.
However, Hades had made very good use of his time.
At once, the esper realized that his plans would never be fulfilled in his lifetime. He realized the limitations of his own power, and the possibilities in the future. Many things could arise, and not even he could guarantee that his eventual ends wouldn't find something that could supercede him. However, he was intelligent, and not a mindless, uncontrollable, power-hungry monster. He knew that he couldn't hope to see his dreams completed in his lifetime. And so, his goal was to plant an unshakable root…one that would always regrow and never be uprooted…pave the way for a future when his plans would eternally be fulfilled.
After working out his plan, Hades had set to work. First, he needed assistance. Alone he could not hope to do anything. However, he saw that despite the idealistic appearance of this world, there was still much discord. He found allies in places, if only he made sure to look in a dark enough corner, or delve deep enough into a black swamp. The goblin-men were his first allies. Primitive, stupid, banished from the worlds of elves, men, and dwarves…twisted, deformed, putrid specimens of the world, turned into physical wickedness centuries earlier by unknown forces. He went to these first. He had to travel high and low to find them, in hills, in caves, and on mountaintops. But find them he did. He offered them gifts. He offered them tools. But most of all, he offered them revenge. They could take the towns of men. They could feast on manflesh. They could have riches beyond their wildest, greedy dreams. And all Hades wanted in return was their service…and perhaps one other thing.
These were a good enough start, but Hades quickly went to other areas and found better. Great serpents of the desert. Giants and ogres of the northern mountains. Beastmen of the western forests. All over the world, there were the "dirty", "low" races of the Planet that were only too happy to have a chance for power, revenge, and food. He taught them how to use tools. He taught them how to organize. He arranged them into formidable forces and began to make an army out of them. In time, he also came across wicked, wild men that had been banished from their towns. These too he made promises too, and as a result gained their skills for his own use. All of them were put together, and they combined to build a great black fortress of stone right in the midst of that first forest. It stood three stories tall and was crowned with bleak, cruel spires and guarded by a heavy iron gate. This was the world's first true tower. And it was from here that Hades extended his plans.
Recently, however, he had won some true allies. He had gone out to the mountains to the southwest of the world, and there he had met with the races of colored dragons. He could see their hearts, and could see the evil desires flowing through them. He knew the wickedness they bore and the malice they harbored in their minds. And so he spoke to them.
"Descendents of the great Bahamut… Too long you have labored in the world alone and cast out from your fathers. Too long have you been subservient to their ideals and bowed under their yokes. Too long has your great power gone unrealized on the Planet. You are the rightful superiors to all races, humans, elves, and dwarves…descended from the great dragon king himself. Rise up and take what is yours. Join me, and you shall gain the power and renown you deserve. You shall destroy the brethren that disowned you and be named gods among the mortals of this world."
It took little effort to sway their pride to his cause. By the end of the speech, they believed that they had been wronged and were performing both justice and revenge, forgetting completely that they had been the ones that abandoned Bahamut. It didn't matter to Hades, so long as their minds and hearts were twisted to be his servants.
Hades power grew continuously. In the top of his tower, he constantly expanded his darkness and his abilities. His strength grew every day. He had left Odin before knowing he couldn't win, but since then he had gained much strength. At the peak of his skill, he had managed to make a special item which he kept there…the Oblivion Stone. It had taken much to get. The materials had not been easy or the preparations to form the stone. But the materials had been part of the deal with the colored dragons. They gave him the basal stones he needed to make the Oblivion Stone as part of their deal. And that was just one of Hades' many deals…
The goblins were recruited with the provision that they build a great foundation a thousand meters square on the land if the tower ever fell. The ogres were recruited with the provision that they gather thousands of tons of obsidian stone from their land and bring it there. The men were recruited with the provision that they fashion a throne that could hold something the size of the Oblivian Stone in a throne-type altar. One by one, each race became a servant of Hades provided that they fulfill certain obligations. It was perfect in Hades' mind. Not one of them knew what the purpose was for. Not one of them knew what they were contributing to make. But this was what Hades' true intention was. He had plans for a great temple to be made…provided he failed and his tower fell. This temple was the essence of his true plan. It was the true root of evil. It would take centuries to complete. Even then, it would take centuries more for the preparations for his plan to be made. But it would happen. All was taken care of already. Only one part was left. One person had to remain who did know the secrets of Hades' plan. This person had to be the Architect, the one who would make all the component pieces fit together. Hades had not picked this one yet, but once he had everything would be set in motion. However, he had time for that.
He had other concerns now.
He did have to give the impression to his allies that this was the main plan. And right now, that had a thorn in its side. Hades was very near to the province of Gilgamesh, the very esper that was his own father's first son. Weak and feeble as the esper was, he seemed to be doing something right to keep his people alive. And as a result, they had a rather strong human organization. Hades had originally thought to smash this city and kingdom into dust, then move on to destroy the rest of the human world. But they were rather strong. Small forces of goblins and ogres he had sent out had been destroyed rather quickly. Evidently, an assault was going to have to be more intelligent to be successful.
And so, Hades had struck out more carefully. He had attacked outlying homes and fields with small forces instead. He did this until the enemy sent their own forces out to counter. Then, he brought up a larger army and overwhelmed them. He had done this several times, striking randomly in each spot, destroying a good portion of land and several of the outposts. By doing so, Hades had managed to eat away at the troops. He didn't intend to beat them this way…just weaken them until they could be destroyed with one swoop. The army wouldn't try an attack now. They'd stay centered in their city and try to defend it. They'd be concentrated there, and fit to be smashed in one blow. And it seemed as if that time would happen soon.
Hades looked up from the front portico of his tower. It was a small stone walkway out of the building, with the tiles arranged like monster scales. The railing itself looked like black bones and claws piercing the sky. He stared out from the top of it, turning away from his work on the Oblivian Stone for the moment. That awaited in the dark chamber behind, hidden and black in the area. Overhead, the sky was dark and cloudy eternal. Through the power of Hades' abilities, he managed to keep it dark constantly. That encouraged his dark creatures more. Many of them disliked the light. Besides…he enjoyed the effect on those around him. It killed the useless vegetation of the forest and cleared the area, making it easier to see around and move. However, his intention wasn't merely to give himself a break. He awaited a new arrival. And soon enough, it did indeed come.
A great shape shot out from the clouds overhead and bore down to the tower. It was tinged like red flame and flapped its great leathery wings out at tremendous lengths. It was much larger than Hades, but he didn't fear it. He was far beyond it already, and the creature realized it. Soon, it spiraled around and made for Hades himself. Moments later, it landed on the spired black stone railing that surrounded the small awning out of the building. The massive creature rested its own talons on the stone, and then lowered its wings and head to the esper below. It was none other than a red dragon.
"So, Krang," Hades darkly asked. "What is the decision of your clan?"
The red dragon hesitated a moment. He growled in his throat, but finally bowed his head down to him. "Very well, Lord Hades…we have agreed to pledge our help to your cause. But our conditions have increased."
Hades paused. "…I'm waiting."
"In addition to the lands that we demanded lordship over," Krang continued. "We want all the gold of this realm given to our race. We understand you have no need for it."
Hades was intrigued at this. "True…but what need do dragons have for it?"
Krang snarled in reply. "If you refuse, then we have nothing more to say. Suffice to say we desire it. Do you refuse our request?"
"Not at all. The gold is yours." Hades calmly responded, quite ignoring the fact he had made a similar promise to the goblin kings. If the goblins had a dispute with it, they could take it up with the dragons. See how far they went. "That said, I take it you now pledge yourselves to me?"
"One other thing." Krang responded. As he did, he began to grow angry looking. Something tensed within him, and his muscles tightened. He glared furiously with deep hate in his eyes. "…Grant me the death of the High Dragoon. Give to me without fail his head."
"I swear it shall be done." Hades calmly responded. "All I desire in response is my previously made arrangements. Regardless of what happens, I want that done. And I shall bind you underneath this."
Krang snarled again, but then calmed down somewhat. He bowed his head slightly downward once again. He managed to assent somewhat silently to the dark esper. With that done, Hades immediately put his hand into his cloak, and pulled out a small object. It was a tiny statue, carved into the position of a dragon. He moved forward at that toward the red dragon, who growled and put out his hand to him. Hades held up a hand and responded by extending a long black claw from one finger. He reached over and sliced a cut onto Krang's hand, and dribbled the blood of the dragon onto the statue. Just one little precaution. If the races he recruited tried to back out of the deals, he would bind them and their offspring under a curse. They would fulfill his requests, or pay dearly for it. Once that was done, he pulled his statue back and returned it to his cloak.
"How soon can I expect the dragons to arrive?" Hades responded.
"…We are gathering together." Krang responded after a pause. "By tomorrow, most will be gathered."
"Good." Hades answered. "All other preparations are being made. With the assistance of the dragons, we will at last be able to put the forces of Gilgamesh down. Once he has fallen, this continent will be ours. Gather your people together and join the units that make up our army. We are forming now."
Krang raised his head to that. "So…we are beginning?"
"Indeed." Hades responded. "In a week, perhaps a slight bit longer, we will be ready to march on this world. I have only a few things left to complete."
"Understood, Lord Hades." Krang responded. The great red dragon slowly bowed to Hades again, reluctant and slow while he did. He still didn't seem to like serving under another. But with that done, he turned and took off again. A rush of hot wind blew past Hades, but then the dragon was in the air and rushing off again. With that done, Hades calmly turned and began to walk back to tower. Krang could dislike serving under him as much as he wanted. He was now bound to him until he fulfilled his promise. The strength of the dragons was now his. They would serve only one true purpose now other than contributing to the temple. That was protection. The only way that his plans could fail now was if, somehow, the enemy came and managed to stop him before he could complete the Oblivian Stone preparations. And he had more than enough forces to make sure that wouldn't happen. Gilgamesh was an intelligent leader, but his battle was lacking. He would never bring him down.
The mission he began five hundred years ago was nearly complete.
"…And that is what I heard."
The espers stood in stunned positions. They couldn't believe it, Bahamut most of all. He had thought the world was coming to peace at last. He thought the Dragoons had put this down. But no…things were much worse. A far more evil force was at work now. And it had somehow drawn all of these forces to it. It was bringing all these foul races of the world together to wage a war on the humans and other races of the world. And now, they had the dark dragons aligned with them. They had declared open war on the metallic light dragons, and pledged themselves to this foul creature, whatever it was. This being called Hades looked to cover the world with another era of darkness. And that only filled Bahamut with fear and anxiety, not to mention shock. How could this had happened? How could something so evil come into the world? It was beyond belief. And now, all of the espers looked to one another in anxiety and unease. They all became filled with fear and tension. Bahamut looked around in stunned silence.
Leviathan swallowed, and at last turned to Bahamut to break the silence. "That's the evil we've been feeling, Lord Bahamut."
Bahamut frowned in response, shaking his head. "But something like this I should have sensed easily. An evil power of this great strength I should have felt years ago…"
Leviathan paused for a moment at that, and then looked more nervous. "…Unless he somehow knows how to cover up his presence. I've been working on something like that…"
Bahamut paused at this, looking nervous. But then, he turned his head back to Leviathan. "But…only espers would know how to do that… And none of us sired that thing…did we?"
Leviathan would have perked up at that, and then turned back to Odin. Perhaps he would have even sent out an accusation. But regardless of what would have happened, it was too late. For at that moment, a great whinny came out that attracted the attention of everyone. They all turned and looked to the sight. When they did, they saw that Odin was again framed in the entrance, but now he was on Slepnir. The great horse creature was rearing up and whining a great cry into the sky. Leviathan and Bahamut both stared at him in surprise…and saw that he was armed for battle. He was in full attire with Zantetsuken sheathed at his side…and Ragnarok sheathed slightly below it. He paused there only a fraction of a second. Then, in a flash, Slepnir took off into the sky.
"Odin!" Leviathan called. "Wait!"
But it was too late. Odin was already on his way up. He probably could hear Leviathan, but he refused to stop. He only spurred on his mount faster, and soon sent him upward toward the opening. Within a few moments, the esper had cleared it. He turned in the sky, spurred Slepnir again, and was soon gone. The group of espers were left alone below.
Bahamut scowled at this and bowed his head. "Damn…where is he heading now?"
Leviathan didn't answer. He already knew where he was going. Somehow, he knew that Hades had to have something to do with Odin. And now, Odin was going to sort it out. Guessing from the look of the swords…it wasn't going to end nice.
Gilgamesh had a hard time with life now. Things had changed since he left.
He had carried out his plans well. It took him a month, but he eventually journeyed to the world of humans. He held out for quite a while. He didn't interact but just looked at the people. He learned about them and tried to mimic their ways. In the meantime, he developed new clothing for himself to help hide his appearance, although he was not able to learn Leviathan's technique nearly as quickly or easily as he had hoped. He had to go in disguise. But eventually, he was able to make contact with humans, particularly when one group broke off from another.
There was a struggle for power in this particular group. After the death of their initial leader, several people tried to take control. All of them were inadequate, having left for selfish reasons and now seeking to control these people for selfish reasons. They had just seen an opportunity to rule over a group of people who weren't under a fairer chief. Gilgamesh could tell that from how they oppressed the others from the start, forcing them to do all the labor in constructing a new town, finding the food, and taking who they wanted from the women. Eventually, when they began to bully some of the younger men, and threatened to hurt them for speaking out against them, Gilgamesh intervened. With the power of the Masamune, he easily dispatched them. He did not kill them, but made sure they wouldn't hurt anyone again. The townspeople were shocked at this new arrival and his sudden actions, but they had also grown discontent enough with their current leaders to appreciate what he had done. Soon after, he used his own storehouse of knowledge to begin teaching the others how to live more efficiently. After doing this, the people began to trust him more, and he won over the initially skeptical persons. Within two years, he was their newly appointed chief.
That had been centuries ago. It hadn't taken long for the people to realize that Gilgamesh was more than a mere man. He was now feared throughout the entire region for being a superhuman and immortal. His mere presence was more than enough to strike fear into enemies, and almost enough to make his subjects bow in worship. Although he didn't care to be worshipped as a god, most people thought he was some sort of supreme being. They even boasted of it, laughing down the leaders of adjacent communities. While time or circumstance would destroy their leaders, their one endured endlessly from one generation to the next. He was the strongest and mightiest of all warriors.
And yet…that alone was not enough now.
Gilgamesh now found himself standing at the bulwark of a great catastrophe. There was some new army forming in the west. An army of dark, violent creatures. The very ground around them seemed to rot and grow dim, and the clouds never departed from over the area. It was always black there…but worse than that, more and more fiends and monsters began to gather there every day. For a brief while, Gilgamesh tried to overlook this. He hoped for the best, thinking it was just another society forming. But that was a naïve thought. His own subjects didn't believe it. Those under him continuously warned him of new developments, urging him to take action. But he would not make an unprovoked first strike. He trained more warriors and prepared his defenses, but other than that did nothing.
However, the enemy soon made the first strike for him. Their own strength waxed faster, and soon they lashed out at the guard outposts of Gilgamesh's realm. Gilgamesh responded by sending his own troops out to counter, but each time the enemy came back with renewed strength, striking in a different spot. They never took any prisoners. They were armies made of vicious, mad creatures, and they ruthlessly killed all that came across them. Their sole purpose was destruction, and they cared for nothing else. They did not negotiate, but destroyed all of Gilgamesh's own emissaries and sent back their heads. They refused any peace or agreement. They cared for nothing but destroying Gilgamesh's domain.
Gilgamesh continued to try to counter with sorties, but he was quickly beginning to see the folly of this. It was wearing down his own army units instead of giving his foes a decisive blow. They didn't feel losses or fear. They fought back every time. Now Gilgamesh's own numbers were beginning to thin out. He couldn't risk taking the same course any longer. But he didn't know what to do…
Gilgamesh sat in a large chair in the center of the Great Hall. His arm was propped up on one side and he tiredly lowered his head into his hand and held it there. He stayed frozen in that position, unable to move and locked in thought. His body was concealed by a great red cape that was wrapped around his face as well as his body. It was useful in that sense, because if he didn't have that then some would fixate on his white skin, or others would see he still looked rather young. Three powerful men stood in the hall with him. They were all dressed similarly to him. Gilgamesh's first city had been in an arid region, and this kept down the hot winds and blowing dust storms. However, while his cape was bright red, the others were more natural, dim colors. They didn't stand out at all compared to Gilgamesh's. There was one standing toward the rear, his clothes dark and torn and his body bloody and bruised. He was the head scout in Gilgamesh's forces. He had just barely come back that day, with worse news than before. Outside, in the surrounding city-state, his subjects lived in fear and dread of what would happen tomorrow or the next day. His army filled with tension and anxiety, and the dark clouds to the west seemed to be extending over this realm as well.
"A new division came forth today, marching toward the Dark Tower." The scout addressed, panting hard still. "Ten trolls, fifty ogres, and three hundred goblins. We would have tried to assess the enemy more, but the enemy has a new weapon…the dark dragons."
The other two men stiffened at this, fear coming over them. Gilgamesh did nothing.
"They slaughtered almost all of our patrol." The scout continued. "But we did discover one thing. The Dark Tower is being led by a dark being…a monster dressed in blood red. It is not human…neither living nor dead."
The room was silent in response to this. An uneasy chill passed over the men. However, Gilgamesh did not react. He continued to keep his head bowed and think. The men were uneasy. However, in the end, one spoke up.
"Well…we have a new target then." One spoke up. "We should attack the incoming troops. Starve the Dark Tower of any more reinforcements. Let them feel the same pain of loss that we feel. It should be easy for small forces to dispense with these incoming groups."
"But not with dragons." The other replied. "We've never had to fight dragons before. They have never organized under one banner. And I don't want to see them work more tricks against us. Too many of our measures have been too small thus far. I have another idea. Let us gather the Dragoons to us and summon our full strength. Let us call for all of our allies. Then, let us strike such a blow on this enemy that they will never threaten another kingdom again."
"We haven't the time to risk for such a move." The scout responded. "More arrive every day. The dark being gathers more to him every day."
"He cannot gather more if we strike at the blood that feeds him." The first responded. "We have 2,000 spears ready to strike right now. If we wait to gather strength, we could be diminished far below that."
"We cannot counter the dark dragons without the aid of the Dragoons." The second answered. "We should at least alert them. They can make us the most effective. But this piecemeal resistance will not work any longer. We must strike them hard and make them fear the King."
"Small blows or large blows, are enemies are inhuman fiends." The scout replied. "They have powers none of you are aware of. They will not be afraid. We cannot put them down."
"Then let us cripple them." The second spoke.
"We can cripple them by stopping their increase and making them feel each blow." The first protested.
"Feh…talk of crippling and blows…give them a blow they will never recover from. Wipe them out as they intended to wipe you out. Destroy them now while you can."
The three men immediately wheeled around to the entrance to the Great Hall. Gilgamesh himself suddenly snapped his head up and looked to the entrance to the hall. A change had come over him…a change that no others had seen in the entire time that Gilgamesh had been with them. Now, his face flushed. His skin seemed to turn whiter than ever. His eyes widened. But no one else saw this. They were all looking to the new arrival, as two guards, looking upset and a bit sore, ran forward after this new person. However, they seemed to treat him with some fear. After all…he stood about eight feet tall, and was great and fearsome looking. He was tall and caped, with burning red eyes and a great horned helmet.
The three men in the room immediately put their hands to short swords at their sides, while the guards pulled up their spears and aimed them at the back of the new arrival as he entered.
"To enter the Great Hall before the King is forbidden!" One guard cried at him.
"Who dares appear before the Lord Gilgamesh?" The first man demanded.
"Who is that? And why have you let him pass?" The second one also asked, turning to the guard.
The second guard panted in reply. "We were unable to stop him. His speed…it is that of an inhuman. He cast us aside like we were driftwood. He is an abnormal creature."
Hearing that, the other men stiffened, but then grit their teeth at the new arrival. They immediately drew their blades, and glared hatefully at the new person. This new one himself stood straight and tall, not seeming to care about any of this. He didn't react to any of the weapons. On the other hand, the new guards, spurred by talk of dark enemies and evil times, refused to stand down at this. They were ready to fight and strike down this new arrival, perceiving him as an enemy. What other type of inhuman would break into their King's hall in such a threatening manner?
However, they could not strike. That was because, immediately, Gilgamesh held his hand out to the new arrival in his accepting gesture, and he spoke out to the others in a stunned monotone, as his eyes focused entirely on the new arrival. "Put your weapons away at once."
All of the men turned to Gilgamesh in surprise at that. They hadn't expected that sort of response. However, they trusted their king. They knew nothing could beat him. And so, they turned back to the new arrival with a frown, but then slowly put their weapons away. They glared at him the whole time, but he gave them no mind. He focused only on Gilgamesh. The King did the same thing. He slowly lowered his hand, not looking away from the new arrival. He motioned away now. "Leave us."
The men turned and looked to Gilgamesh in surprise at that as well. They really didn't expect that response. However, they turned back to the new arrival with another frown after a moment. There was a pause, and they refused to move. But in the end, the guards grunted at the new man, turned, and began to walk away. The others hesitated, but then turned and finally walked away as well. They kept their eyes on the tall man as they went, never looking away until they had totally passed by. But they did in the end, and they walked away and returned to the entrance. They passed by and left the Great Hall. Soon, the only ones that were left were the man and Gilgamesh themselves. And there they stayed, silent and staring at each other. No one said anything or moved a muscle. They stared long at each other, not looking away, but seeming to seep into each other, trying to see what the eyes would show them as they stared at each other.
Finally, Gilgamesh inhaled deeply, straightening up on his throne.
"…Hello, father."
Odin too paused.
"…Hello, Gilgamesh."
Neither said a word. They had never said goodbye to each other. Centuries ago, when they parted, their last words had been in anger to one another. They hadn't made up since. They hadn't even seen each other since. Both had changed greatly. But now, neither said a word. Neither did anything. After all this time, both didn't know how to act around each other. And so they just stood there. They didn't say anything. Old thoughts and memories that neither had felt for generations came forth. All of them came running through their minds and filling their heads and hearts. For though Gilgamesh hadn't prepared himself to face Odin…he had been conducting all of his affairs for all this time with the sole goal of making his father proud of him. He had wished so desperately to make something of himself. But now, situation as it was…he felt that he was only another item of shame before him.
"…I'm sorry this isn't a better time." Gilgamesh finally said, not asking even a word about the espers, home, or his father. "I would have wanted to show you better. Now, it appears that you have come to see the doom of my people."
Odin was silent in response.
"…Why have you come now, father?"
"To help you in this conflict." Odin responded flatly. "To help you destroy your enemy."
Gilgamesh didn't answer right away to that. He bowed his head down and inhaled sharply. "…My people may think that I am blind within this house, but I can see this new foe better than any of them. I can sense his evil even from here…filling my house with a horrid stench of death and darkness. It only grows stronger each day, chilling my blood and bringing rumors of death. I would blot it out if I could, but I haven't the power. Now I must play for time to try and summon more allies to myself…assuming any will come. I try to unite the peoples, and my neighbors believe me to be a tyrant for doing so, where they are the ones who's lust for power fractured the people to begin with. Now there is no one left, and my hands are tied in every way."
Odin paused for a moment in response to that.
"I am the father here…and yet you look to be the old man, slumped on that throne and moaning."
Gilgamesh's throat tightened. Unconsciously, his fist balled up. He bowed his head away from Odin but kept talking. "Perhaps I am not the glorious king that you expected to see, father. But I am a king. And I have ruled these people for centuries now. The weight of dealing with them and their problems for so long has weighed down on me. I've tried my best to make them grow and prosper, and the years and endless ages of doing it has made me disheartened. At least other rulers have the privilege of dying after a single life time…" He bowed his head further at this.
Odin, however, frowned at this.
"You need me more than ever, son." He darkly answered. "Never would I thought to have heard such things coming from your lips. You talk like a man already dead. I never taught you to quit in times of adversity. It is now, more than ever, you should remember what I taught you."
"What do you want me to do then, father?" Gilgamesh answered, his head rising and speaking with some anger. He would always respect Odin…but he felt some annoyance at Odin's inability to see the situation and the problem. He did not understand this. He was not a king like him. He did not have to be responsible for anyone but himself.
"I want you to do just as I said." Odin answered. "Strike this enemy down."
Gilgamesh paused for a moment. He said nothing, but seemed to be thinking.
"…You know something about this enemy that I do not."
Odin stiffened himself at that. If possible, he seemed to turn a bit white as well. However, the color passed quickly, and he spoke again. "This is no mortal foe, as your people have told you." Odin answered. "This is an esper."
Gilgamesh raised his head at this, genuinely surprised at that.
"An esper spawned from darkness." Odin grimly answered. "A mistaken birth made by a foolish esper. He is nothing but evil. He has no heart or mercy or pity. He only wants to destroy. He is only holding back now to weaken you. But once he has enough strength…once he sees you trying to gather your own power…he will strike and smash you before you have the chance. You must strike now, while he doesn't know what is coming."
"Strike with what, father?" Gilgamesh answered incredulously. "I pride myself on diplomacy, not arms. You heard the words of my own people. I have 2,000 spears and 800 swords. My enemy has fiends the likes of which my warriors have never had to fight against, and I have no way of knowing what the enemy will throw against me. I don't even know how many they have. Some estimates put the numbers over 9,000."
"You are a warrior esper." Odin responded. "You wield the greatest blade ever."
Gilgamesh's eyes widened at that. However, it was only a moment. He finally snorted, and looked back down to the ground. "So…Leviathan and Ogopogo decided not to keep the Masamune a secret."
"You are a king. Rally your people. Lead them to victory." Odin urged.
Gilgamesh sighed in response, shaking his head. "I'm not just responsible for myself, father. I'm responsible for them. They're my people. I've been their king ever since each one of them is born. There isn't a member of my army I don't know personally. Even the loss of so much as one is a tragedy for me. And I know that any attack will bring in more death. You're asking me to put them to death. I cannot allow them to go into such a dangerous situation without even knowing what they will be facing…without assurance of victory."
"If you truly care about your people, you will be bold and strike while you can." Odin answered firmly. "Lead your people in battle against this monster…or so help me I will."
Gilgamesh looked up to this, but not in abrupt shock. It was more of a slow performance. That is because he knew how his father reacted to situations like this. He knew his response. Now, he didn't move, and stared back at him. Odin, however, was resolute and stared back. He showed no wavering in his eyes. Gilgamesh inhaled once again. His mood changed, growing grim and dark.
"…You were always this way, father." He slowly answered.
Odin said nothing in response.
"There was never any room for disagreement or second opinion. It had to be your way or nothing. I could never put my foot down on anything. You always had the last word. I could never make the decision."
Odin lowered his head a little, but said nothing. There was a pause again for a few moments. Neither said anything. Gilgamesh looked down and continued to look dark. However, he finally inhaled deeply, and then stood up, rising from his throne at long last.
"Very well. If I am going to have my hands tied in this manner, I will at least give my people the leadership they expect from me."
To be continued...