Bahamut's sleep was not well. He had endless dreams of Wyvern. They all began the same. They would be reliving some joyful moment from their childhood, carefree and playing. But always, Wyvern would morph into a terrible monster. He would lash out angrily at Bahamut at the slightest infraction...and then he would blast him with that terrible attack, and Bahamut would scream as he burned away. This replayed itself again and again, and each time Bahamut begged his brother to stop. But he wouldn't. His rage was all-consuming and insatiable... But then, somewhere in one dream, as Wyvern lashed out at him again on another tirade, a mysterious voice called out into the darkness.

"Bahamut! Wake up!"

At once, the infuriated image of Wyvern twisted and faded away. His burning eyes vanished away into a mist, and then disappeared into darkness. Everything took on a solid and real quality to it. His senses seemed stronger, and the world seemed heavier. Then, awareness gripped him again. And at once, he became conscious that he was asleep. And now, he had just awakened. Slowly, he began to open his eyes.

He quinted as he did, and more slowly finished opening them. It was daylight still, and though he could see immediately that he was indoors, he saw that there were plenty of windows to let light in. He realized that he was in his room. The decor and wall carvings were all his own, and the shade in which the sun came in came only from his chambers. What more, the light was more reddish, showing that it was afternoon outside. He saw that he had to have been asleep for some time. He was aware that he was laying prone, and still in his human form. He reclined on one of the couches in his room. Espers had little need for sleep, and when they did they had no need of large beds. Many took them none the less, but Bahamut was not one of them. This was the closest thing he had. Lastly, he was aware that he was not alone. Hovering over his head were his brothers and sister. Leviathan and Starlet both closely looked over him. Ogopogo was cringing a bit at the foot and looking uneasy. Odin was back against a wall, teeth grit and arms crossed. Finally, Khan and Noonian poked their heads in nearby and looked at him. When they saw him open his eyes and look at them, they immediately beamed.

"Master! You are alright!"

Bahamut grunted a bit in response to that, not sure if that was so. However, he felt much better now. Before, his strength had nearly been drained. He had been helpless. A human child could have bested him, and he was sure Wyvern knew it. Weathering that attack had taken everything he had. Not a drop less. And he knew, to his fear, that the attack did not represent Wyvern's best. He knew that he wasn't joking about the full power. He really could do better. At least now he felt replenished. His reptilian ability to regenerate no doubt helped, but there were plenty of healer espers there as well. He looked down to his arms and was pleased to see that not the slightest trace of a burn was there. They were flesh and normal again, not even scarred. He exhaled for a moment, but then began to lean up.

Starlet immediately reached down and grasped him. "Maybe you shouldn't move so quickly..." She warned him.

"I'm feeling alright now. My strength seems to have returned." Bahamut answered, and continued leaning up until he was in a seated position. The others backed off, and soon Bahamut had a good view of the area. He looked around and exhaled. There was so much on his mind right now that it was hard to even know where to begin. And so, he tried not to right away. That would only bring more pain. He needed time to get his bearings...to understand how things had turned so dark in such a short time. "How long have I been out?" He finally asked.

Leviathan frowned at this in response. "Two days."

Bahamut's mind was soon gripped with another surprise. Almost immediately, he snapped around to Leviathan and gazed at him in open-mouthed shock. "...Really?"

Leviathan glumly looked up, and the others shrank away uneasily. "It's true. We managed to heal your body easily enough, but your energy had been nearly totally drained. I calculated the energy on that attack. I don't know if he did this intentionally or not...but that blast was just under enough to break you. It was a warning, in my opinion."

Bahamut turned away at that. He sighed again and looked to the ground. This forced him to think again of Wyvern. He still couldn't believe it. How could he have done that? Could that one mistake, that one argument ages ago...could that really have caused this? Could he really have become so bitter? Did he really see him as such a cruel tyrant? How? How was this happening? His brother would never have said such things to him before. But he had been so warped by the past centuries. He couldn't believe it...he almost refused to. The brother and friend he hadn't seen in generations wanted him dead. While he had endlessly loved him and hoped for his safe return, his brother had only been plotting his destruction and growing in hatred for him daily. Had what he done been really so foul that it deserved this? Was it so wrong that even four thousand years of time could not lessen the sting to Wyvern? It was almost impossible to believe that this was even his brother. He had changed so much. He wanted to think it was some evil imposter. That would have made it better. But he knew in his heart it wasn't. No...this one who had cursed him and injured him two days ago was the same who had once promised to always be friends with him.

But that promise was broken now. Bahamut didn't know what to do. He wanted to faint. He wanted to cry. He wanted to scream. But none of it would remedy this horror that had transpired. None of it could take him back in time to erase whatever had led to this moment. Yet it was true. His brother...his twin brother...was now an enemy. And now he wanted him dead. His madness was consuming him, and now it hungered to consume Bahamut as well. How had it come to this? Was there really no other way? Had this rift between them really reached this point?

"...Where is my brother?" Bahamut finally said.

The others looked to each other uneasily at that. In truth, none of them had ever truly liked Wyvern. Bahamut had taken charge as the more controlled and stronger of the two early on. After Crusader had perished, they all grew closer to each other out of necessity. But Wyvern was not there for that process. All they had of him after thousands of years were memories of his tricks, his arrogance, and his temper. And his negative aspects just stood out more in the face of this latest act.

"He's waiting about one hundred miles from Terratopolis." Odin flatly responded at last. "Not that any of us can do anything about it. His power exceeds ours by far now. We couldn't risk doing anything without you. We found guards that he attacked. He'll smash anyone who tries to stop him without pity or mercy."

Bahamut didn't answer. He kept his head bowed. So...it had come to this. He wasn't going to be reasoned with. He already knew that. He wanted to try and get him back. He wanted him to understand what had happened. But he wouldn't. He would only obey the path he had already set up. He had been plotting this for thousands of years. He wouldn't stop now. And he wouldn't listen to Bahamut either. He would never believe a word he said. But as for Bahamut, he knew already that he couldn't give in to his demands. He couldn't hand the kingship over to Wyvern now. Wyvern hadn't the experience, the knowledge, or the wisdom. He hadn't the control to be able to keep himself in check, and he hadn't the ability to be responsible. Much of him still hadn't changed in these four thousand years. He was still too emotive. But most importantly, he couldn't let him carry out his grim plans for the future. He couldn't let him take the kingship if he would carry out these plans against humanity. He knew it would be the makings of another Griever. But if reasoning was out...and conceding was out...that only left one horrible possibility...

"S-s-surely...Bahamut could defeat him, right?" Ogopogo suggested from his low position. "I mean, this is Bahamut we're talking about. He beat up Griever and-"

Leviathan sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not possible. Bahamut permenantly changed himself when he rejected his power component. This new body will never be able to achieve the power of its old form."

"And Wyvern has managed to push himself beyond the limits of his own body." Odin threw in darkly. "Even if Bahamut was at maximum, he would still be behind this new Wyvern."

Ogopogo swallowed and began to tremble in reply again.

"Tell me..."

On hearing this, the people in the chamber quickly forgot about their current discussion, and turned and looked to who had spoken. What they saw was Bahamut. His head was still bowed. His look was grim, and his tone was faraway.

"...Am I really such a tyrant? Am I really so arrogant?" He softly asked.

Bahamut continued to look down after that, for there was a brief pause afterward. However, it didn't last long.

Abruptly, he felt a hand slap him right across the face.

On feeling hot pain shoot through his cheek, and his head be flung violently one way, Bahamut snapped out of it. Instinct took over for emotion, and he was shaken out long enough to wheel his head back around and look up to who had done this. His eyes were open and he was alert now. However, he found himself looking right into the face of Starlet. Her eyes were bold and vibrant. Her cheek was hard and her features strong. At once, she had taken on all the quality of being a grand and regal queen, and she still held her hand out from where it had struck Bahamut's cheek as she glared at him.

"Stop that at once, you hear me?" She coldly retorted to him. "Don't you dare buy into his treachery and lies. Don't believe them for a second. You have had your faults as king, that much is true. But the espers have prospered under you. And so have the people of this world. You made the right decision years ago. We all did. Wyvern was the only one that didn't. We all knew that to rule the humans risked the chance of them becoming dependent on us. But furthermore, we knew that it meant risking becoming another Griever. You have made yourself more humble and lowly than any of us desired for the sole purpose of making sure that you would not give in to arrogance and greed. You've only ever truly delighted in the happiness of others. Can he say the same? You have never executed a single esper, but have treated all with more mercy than they deserve. You've only interacted when you've had no other choice. Would he do the same? You may debate me on that, but you know deep down it is true."

Bahamut paused at this. He didn't say anything in response.

"Bahamut," Leviathan added. "Wyvern is mad. That is clear now. He is projecting himself onto you to avoid facing what he has become. He was speaking of himself, not you."

Bahamut looked up and wheeled violently to Leviathan at that. No matter what had happened...it was an insult to his brother, and he wouldn't stand for it. His brother was his best friend. He had always tried to help him. It was their decision to help the humans. Perhaps he was something else now, but he had once been a great and noble esper. He wouldn't hear this against him.

But Leviathan saw this. In fact, he expected it. Bahamut's love for Wyvern was great, and he knew that he would not let it go easily. And so, raising his voice and insisting, he continued.

"And everyone knew it even if you did not." He flatly stated. "Wyvern hungered for power. He did that since we began to strike against Griever. And he was arrogant. It was because of him that you got injured in the first fight with Lich. Later on, his insistance on you teaching him a Pyron delayed you from coming to the fight with Griever. And right down to the end, he was holding out on giving you the power you needed to finish him. He used you. He manipulated your love for him in order to get you to teach him the Pyron. And when the time came, he held out on you because he was so afraid to lose his own power. It was his arrogance that allowed Griever to beat him. And in the end, he tried to manipulate your love for him again to give himself lordship over all espers. And because you refused, because you stood against his own greed and ambition, he was faced with what he truly was. And he wasn't mature enough to accept that about himself. Now, he has projected it on to you."

Bahamut glared back at him angrily in response. He fumed and began to grow angry.

Leviathan, however, was totally calm.

"Search inside yourself, Bahamut...and you too will find things you were unwilling to admit. You will know what I say is true."

Bahamut continued to stare, and buckled for a moment. His mouth curled up. His head looked away and he clenched and released his fists. He brimmed with anger and a willingness to defend his brother. But in the end...he simply exhaled and relaxed. His head bowed slightly.

Leviathan...was right.

Bahamut had grown apprehensive of Wyvern for some time before their break. He had noticed the change in him. He noticed how arrogant he became when he learned his true powers. He saw how hot-headed and uncontrollable he was, and how he abandoned him multiple times because he thought he could handle things on his own. His mistakes...much as he hated to admit it...had cost them more than once. And he was a liability more than an asset on several occasions. He had known this...and had thought of it all the while throughout those early conflicts. And ultimately, knowing that, that was why he knew that he couldn't vote for Wyvern. He would only lead the group into ruin. As for himself...yes, it was true he had voted for himself. But that was not out of arrogance as anyone could assume. Bahamut knew he was the most knowledgable and strongest from the start. He knew that Leviathan and Ogopogo were too weak at the time, although if it had been now instead of then he probably would have nominated Leviathan. Starlet was too scatterbrained and emotive. Odin was too cold, and he didn't want the position. In the end, he knew that he was indeed the best choice. But he still didn't feel good about it. And he especially didn't feel good about snubbing his brother.

But in the end...he feared more about what Wyvern would become.

"...He's my twin brother..." Bahamut finally exhaled. "...I love him as much as myself."

"But he doesn't share that sentiment, Bahamut." Odin coldly stated, causing the others to look up to him. "He won't be thinking anything about blood when he sees you. He was the one who betrayed you. He was the one who abandoned you first those years ago. And now, he's merely finishing it. In four thousand years he hasn't given up this grudge he had created between you. Three days...or one day now...won't make a difference. When he meets you, if you don't agree to his demands he is going to kill you."

But this only made Bahamut upset again. And that turned him to anger. He looked up and glared at Odin. "So you all want me to kill him first, is that it? You want me to kill my own brother!"

The others were silent in response to that. Ogopogo cringed a bit and looked weakly up to Bahamut. But the others stared plain and hard, not yielding.

"You are the king." Leviathan simply answered. "You are responsible for more than your feelings. If you want to keep your kingdom secure, then you must kill him."

Bahamut spat in disgust. Now he wheeled around and glared at them all. "Well, you all make it sound so easy!" He snapped. "You make it sound like I've been plotting on axing him for all these years like he has, instead of praying that he'd come back! He's still my brother, damnit! Why can't you all understand that! I don't want to kill him! I don't even want to fight him! Even if he wants to kill me, I can't make myself want to! Why are you all unable to see this! He's your brother too! How can you just write him off as some other thing to kill! How can you just treat him like some damn monster!"

There was a pause of silence again. But none of them changed. Starlet looked down for a moment, but then looked back up. The others remained.

"...Griever was also our brother." Leviathan calmly said at last.

Had Bahamut been a more tempermental creature, he would have punched Leviathan out right then and there. His hand clenched into a fist, and he began to rise. Leviathan saw this but didn't react. He stayed as immotile as the truth itself inevitably was. And on seeing that...Bahamut continued to fume but he didn't change. He slipped back down onto his couch and cursed under his breath. He swung his fist into the wall instead, and immediately punched a hole in it. This was inevitable too, and he knew Leviathan was telling the truth. It didn't matter in the end, no matter how close they were. Starlet had been closer to Crusader than anyone, yet she hesitated only a moment before attacking her. In the end, they all had to turn against the mother they knew and loved to destroy the monster that she had become. But to accept that about Wyvern...that meant he would have to admit the same thing that happened to Crusader happened to him. That meant he would have to admit...that he too was beyond saving...that he too had fallen into darkness... And no matter what stared him in the face, he couldn't do that. Because that would mean giving up on his best friend...

He hated this. He hated everything about it. And yet...it couldn't be stopped. None of it could. He had only two choices: surrender or fight. The former was not an option...not if he claimed to be a truly responsible king. Wyvern would think him stingy and unwilling to give up power. The truth was that he would be protecting his people. But in that case, then he knew what would come. Another fight. In the end, he would have to battle him, and more than that he would have to win. That meant he would have to disable Wyvern. However...Crusader hadn't consented to be disabled in the end. It had chosen death instead. Would Wyvern do the same thing? Would he be forced to do that to him or die himself? This was like a nightmare, and every turn was another choice he hated. But finally, he bowed his head and sighed.

"Alright...alright, I'll do it. I have to. It's still my responsibility."

The others stayed silent, but gave a slow nod to this.

"But...but how?" Ogopogo suddenly whined from his position. "How can he do it? You saw what happened two days ago..."

Bahamut sighed and rubbed his temples. "I'll just have to train some, just like before."

"But...you only have one day, master..." Khan protested.

"I'll use the hourglass." Bahamut simply replied. "I'll be able to train for years in there in a second in real life."

"Not to be pessimistic, Bahamut." Odin answered to that. "But I don't think it will matter. The hourglass will only allow a maximum of ten years. After that, it will take ten years of real world time to refill. Wyvern has been bathing himself in the lifestream for millenia."

Bahamut merely frowned in response. They weren't making this easier on him. He turned and looked over to Odin. "If you have any better ideas, I would love to hear them."

No one said anything. Everyone in the room merely looked down and hesitated. Most looked uneasy or uncertain of themselves. But in the end...it was Starlet who actually raised her head.

"Actually...I might have one idea."


Two Days Earlier

"Hmph...so why have you come to me?"

"He always is giving credit and honor to Leviathan, but he's given none to me. We are equals and we deserve an equal share."

"And you think I'll give you Leviathan's old office, is that right?"

"W-w-well...if you want to, that is... Of course, the word of Lord Wyvern will be law."

"Hmph."

"I can do more for you too! After what they saw, the espers are being thrown into confusion. They know that you're the new power among our kind. Some are ready to side with you. Give me two days, and I swear a hundred espers will proclaim you the new king once you have finished Bahamut."

"Will you now?"

"I swear I will call you master if you show me this bit of kindness, and I will help you secure the throne."

"It will take more than that, worm. Very well. You round up your hundred espers. Then, once Bahamut is dead, I want them all to immediately slay their kindred who would follow him. I don't want so much as one subject following him. As for you, you will slay Leviathan. Is that understood?"

"Um...er..."

"You proclaim loyalty to me...and now you question me!"

"No! No! I swear it will be done! I will give them the command..."

"...And?"

"...And I will kill Leviathan."

"Good. In three days then."


"I know what you're going to do, Lady Starlet!" Noonian suddenly outburst. "You're going to teach Lord Bahamut how to transform!"

Starlet, however, only frowned and looked downcast at that. Bahamut did as well when he saw that. He had hoped that Starlet would have taught him that. Then maybe he would have had a chance. But at the same time, he was a bit relieved. That form was too wild and uncontrolable. He might kill Wyvern...and if he could he would avoid that.

The espers from Bahamut's room had reassembled, and were now walking through the halls. They were going to the fusion chamber, which seemed a good a place as any in which to use the hourglass. Along the way, Bahamut, though distracted by thoughts of Wyvern, noticed the espers that passed him by. They all still thrust themselves down and bowed to him and his company as they walked, but at the same time they also had other emotions. Some looked nervous. Others grimaced. The hanging thought of what had happened two days ago dwelled on them all, and all of them had the thought that they would soon lose their current master in favor of another. Bahamut paid this no mind but kept walking.

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Starlet ruefully admitted.

Khan and Noonian both frowned at that. "Why not?"

"First of all, the ability to transform is tied into my own innate abilities." Starlet explained. "It's a specific power to me. Second, to be able to transform requires a huge emotional push. It has to be something really strong and really forceful. It has to override everything about you and penetrate you. That's why my husband nicknamed it a 'Trance'. Finally...I don't think that espers like Bahamut can do this. It seems that its specific to only one type of esper, mostly humanoid ones."

Odin snorted in response to that. "...Then how come I can't transform?"

"Probably because you aren't the same Odin that we grew up with." Leviathan reminded. "Remember? You broke off a part of yourself."

Odin merely grumbled in response to that and crossed his arms.

However, at this, Ogopogo suddenly brightened up. "Hey...I got it! Why don't we have Starlet and Odin fight too? Between Starlet's Ashura form and Odin's Gunge Lance..."

"No."

The espers wheeled around to this. What they saw was Bahamut, glaring forward and stone-faced.

"I do this alone." He flatly stated, not giving any room for dispute.

None of the espers ventured to argue with him. Nor did they feel inclined to. He was right. This was his battle, one that he had been called out on. What more...none of them would hesitate to seriously injure or kill Wyvern in a life-or-death struggle. He was the only one who felt emotively tied enough to him to stop himself. And this was his twin brother and his friend. In the end, it could only be him.

"...Besides," Leviathan threw out. "I'm afraid we won't make much difference. Odin is only at about half of Bahamut's strength, and Starlet is even lower. I myself only have one good attack in me, and I doubt that Wyvern will stand still long enough for me to use it."

Khan pouted. "So what are you going to do, Lady Starlet?"

"I've been working on a technique for some time with Palidor." Starlet responded. "Palidor would probably be the better teacher, but I'm stronger so I'll have to go in with Bahamut to try and give him a good workout. With my Ashura form, it should be easier. Anyway, it's a special type of spell that boosts one's speed and power for a short time. If Bahamut has the chance to cast it on himself, he'll get a great increase in strength and speed. Hopefully, that will be enough to beat Wyvern."

"Have you ever tested it in battle before?" Odin ventured.

Starlet blushed a bit at this. She nervously swallowed. "...Well...not really. I haven't been in a real fight since Griever. And there's nothing really to test this technique on. So I'm not sure how effective it will be exactly..."

"In other words," Odin coldly continued. "It might not be good enough at all."

Ogopogo swallowed at this again, seeming to grow even more nervous.

"Nevermind that." Bahamut simply answered. "It's the best we can do, so we'll do it. My mind is already in good condition, so I'll spend this time trying to improve my body. And I'll need to throw around a few Sol-pyrins too, just to make sure I can still do it."

Starlet began to sweat after hearing that. "...Just make sure I'm out of the way first..."

At that moment, the group reached the entrance way. Immediately, they passed through and entered the fusion chamber. This room hadn't improved much in the past thousand years. It had been decorated a bit more, and some even painted the great fusions on it. But it was still essentially two platforms between a center platform. The door had already been open, because it was still the esper gathering time. One opening still let a slight amount of light down into the chamber. But other than that, it was empty for right now.

Bahamut exhaled a deep sigh at seeing this. "...Well, I guess let's get this over with."

With that, Bahamut began to walk forward. Starlet hesitated a moment, but then turned to the others and took the hourglass from Leviathan. She managed a light smile to everyone else. She had agreed to go with Bahamut, but at the moment she wasn't relishing staying with him this long. She wasn't one for this sort of thing. However, she knew she had agreed, and she was the only one who could help him out. Finally, she sighed and turned back to walk to the center of the room as well.

"See you in ten years, I guess." Starlet somewhat glumly stated.

Bahamut reached the center and turned after that. He stood straight and tall and waited, not showing any expression of fear or expectation. Starlet reached him and turned as well. As she did, she took up the hourglass and began to adjust it. Seeing this, the other espers sighed and began to walk back out the way they had come. One by one, they left the room until all were out and Leviathan stood holding on to the doorknob.

"Good luck, Bahamut." He called back in. "And Starlet...thank you."

"I can't wait to see how strong you get, master!" Khan cheered.

Bahamut didn't smile in response, or give any acknowledgement. But it didn't matter. Starlet prepared to turn the hourglass over. As she did, Leviathan pulled the door to the chamber closed, and Starlet and Bahamut both vanished behind it as it shut and clicked into place. After that, the group looked earnestly at the door, and gave a collective slow exhale. Then, a bit hesitantly, Leviathan turned the knob and opened it up once again.

Starlet's clothing was in tatters, and had been mostly tied around her body by strands of her own hair that she had cut and made into rope. She looked much more like a warrior queen in this form, and her face was hard and fierce after years of battle. The rest of her long, flowing hair, which had grown much longer in that time, was tied back, and she exhaled a loud sigh. Her flesh quivered as she reentered reality, having left the cold, heavy world behind and taking everything in. As for Bahamut...he too was different. Now, his massive body filled the chamber, for he had fully turned into his esper form. He wasn't nearly as dirty as Starlet was. However, his muscle size had increased, and his activity was up. After ten years of getting in shape, he once again was the great and powerful esper he once had been. In fact, he actually looked stronger. He had never really worked on his body until now, but now that he had he was rippling with power. Leviathan could sense it already. He wasn't making any effort to hide it right now. It flooded over them and shadowed over their own powers, so that one could sense only the strength coming from him. His max power had doubled.

There was only a brief pause to take in this latest sight before Odin spoke up. "...Well?"

Starlet frowned at him. "Nice to see you too after so long." With that, she turned and rushed right up to Leviathan. To the esper's shock, she suddenly wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big kiss on the lips. She seemed to enjoy it pretty much. Leviathan stood in stunned surprise for a moment, before he realized that to Starlet, the moment he had spent away had been a very long time to her. And so, he returned it. Starlet held for a moment, before she pulled off of him and leaned her head against him with a smile.

"I missed you."

Leviathan swallowed, because he honestly couldn't say the same. He couldn't miss her that much after five seconds. And so, he merely turned a shade of red and patted her. "I...um...missed you too."

"Alright, now that greetings are out of the way..." Odin flatly responded, growing annoyed. "What happened?"

Starlet's innocent gazing into Leviathan's eyes was cut off as she looked down and glared at him. She managed to extrude herself from her husband and stood up to face him. "Well, if you're going to be impatient about it..." She inhaled a bit and smoothed herself out, taking on her regal appearance again. "Bahamut is back in shape, and he's managed to get a bit stronger as you've probably noticed. I also managed to teach him my new technique. However...he also managed to improve on it a bit, and we worked out the kinks to make an even better version of it. They both take only a second to unload."

Noonian smiled at this. "Wonderful!" She called. "So the master will be able to easily beat him now, won't he?"

On hearing that, Starlet paled a bit. She swallowed and bowed her head slightly. Leviathan himself, already sensing the power, likewise licked his lips and bowed his head. After all, he already sensed the truth. And Odin only had to look around once to realize what this all meant. Ogopogo too saw this, and he too began to grow fearful again. At last, it became obvious to Khan and Noonian. They looked around hopefully at the espers...but the silence was more than enough to give them a straight answer. Their hope diminished, and turned into fear. They both turned and looked over to Bahamut next. But the esper merely stood there, still in his reptillian form. Yet he slowly inhaled...and then began to work his power. His limbs shrank, his scales were replaced by skin, and his wings vanished. Hair and clothes materialized over him. Within a few moments, he was back into his human form...small and pathetic compared to his true body. He exhaled slowly then. His look had a faraway glare in it, and he stared at no one.

"...I need time to be alone." He simply said. Then, without another word, he dismounted the central platform. Without even beckoning the others to clear the way for him, he simply walked forward and out through the crowd. The others stared at him and watched him go, but he didn't respond. Soon, he was walking out of the main door and into the hallway. Khan and Noonian began to step forward for a moment...but then stopped. They realized, unspoken, that Bahamut included them in wanting to be alone. They could only hold back with anxious eyes as their master left.

The group was left alone in the room, with nothing but their anxiety and thoughts.


Bahamut had the most restless night of his life that night.

He did not return to his room. Instead, he went into one of the private meditation chambers of Terratopolis. It was also one of the more secret ones, so there was no chance of anyone coming. And there he sat. There, he thought about all of what had happened...and all that was to happen the next day. He did not sleep, but truly he didn't need to. He struggled just to clear his mind and make sense of what had happened...what was about to happen. Again and again, the same question rolled through his mind.

How did it come to this?

How did one injury lead us to this point? How did he grow to hate me so much? How did this much time only increase his rage?

What am I even doing here?

I still can't believe that I'm sitting here, waiting for this. Tomorrow...he's going to try and kill me. My best friend wants me dead. And me? I'm going to have to fight him to save myself. Maybe even kill him. And why am I just taking it? Why am I not doing everything in my power to stop it? Why am I not refusing to come out? Why am I setting upon this road? This is what everyone else wants, but not me. In all the years I spent training, I only went through the motions. I mastered that attack simply because it was expected of me. But in truth...I've just been in apoplectic shock ever since that day. I can't accept it. Nothing will make me accept it. My brother... I love him so much, and yet he wants to kill me. He thinks me so evil. That's all that has been on his mind for generations, until he's been consumed by his own grudge. He doesn't even have a life outside of wishing for my death anymore.

And yet...I can't do it.

I can't go through with this. My world has turned into a nightmare, and I can't let it continue. I can't...and I won't kill my own brother. I can't even raise a fist against him. I still love him. I can't just let what we used to be go.

And if I don't...he's going to kill me.

But do I really care? What is a kingdom? What is a kingship? What is it compared to love? Is it really worth all this? Is the world worth this? I never cared for possessing the world or its people. But I do care if he forgives me. So why am I holding on? Why am I keeping this up?

How did it come to this?

Bahamut found neither answers nor peace to these questions. The only answers that could come, ultimately, were from himself. And he had better decide on them soon. He was almost out of time...


When day broke, Bahamut arose from his chamber, and walked forth through the halls of the mountain. People still bowed to him as he passed...but their worry and concern was greater. Others, however, stared at him in bewilderment. For Bahamut was a shell of an esper. He moved like a man already dead, or to one going to an execution. He took so long that the sun had time to rise in the sky. But he didn't care. It bore him no pleasure or merriment today. He cared for nothing anymore...except for the terrible events that would happen today. He still had time, but he knew it was inevitable. Time was running out.

Bahamut at last came to one of the balconies. He slowly walked outside, and let the cool morning air strike him. The sun was still orange in the sky, and much of the mountain was still draped in shadow. But he inhaled the cool air none the less. The birds had gone. Their song had vanished...for they knew a great calamity would come soon. No espers were out either. All of them were staying inside, some offering prayers on behalf of Bahamut...while others began to contemplate dark behaviors... But Bahamut didn't care. Had his senses been about him, he would have sensed that a great calamity was building right under his feet. But he didn't. All he cared about was what was to be, and what he had sought so desperately to avoid. And right now, he only drank in the air and waited.

"...Breakfast is served."

Bahamut was not surprised. He hadn't noticed anyone out there with him, but he was too downcast to show surprise. Instead, he simply turned his head to the side. There, standing on the other side of the balcony, was Leviathan. He was back in his human form. He gazed at him softly from his aquamarine eyes, his face full of concern. In front of him, on a little wheel tray, was genuine silverware arranged in a high-class style. A silver lid covered the main plate on the tray, but Leviathan reached over and pulled it off, revealing some of Bahamut's favorite food: deer and bear meat with a side of pineapple slices. In all the time since he first left Ultima Nexus, it hadn't changed. He couldn't help but smile a bit at it, and gave a chuckle. It did, for a brief moment, get his mind off of things.

"...Did you pester Starlet to wake up and make it?"

Leviathan pouted at that. "What? You think simply because I'm the Chancellor and male that I am unable to do this? They don't call me Leviathan the Wise because I only have knowledge in books. She has me cook for her usually."

Bahamut smiled a bit at that. However, after holding a moment, he slowly let out a sigh. In truth, he hadn't been able to eat in days. And then, it had been only kupo nuts for the past ten years. Had it been any other time, he would have dug right in. But for now...his appetite was still gone. Yet he realized he had to try. Even if he couldn't much, he had to eat something. And so...with much hesitation...he reached over and tore off a small mouthful from the deer with his bare hand, and then raised it to his mouth and put it in. He reminded himself to chew, for humans couldn't swallow their food whole like him. The flavor soon hit his mouth, and he smiled a bit more again.

"...It's good."

Leviathan nodded in reply with a smile of his own. However, as Bahamut began to slowly pick at his food, his own smile faded. This little exchange didn't change the reality of what was going to happen. He held a bit longer, and then slowly exhaled. Still nothing was said between the two of them, but the merriment began to die all together. Soon, the grimness settled in as Bahamut continued to eat. But then, at length, Leviathan exhaled slowly and spoke up again.

"...I always knew I wasn't a good substitute."

Bahamut paused at eating when he heard that. He turned his head up and looked to him afterward. "...Excuse me?"

Leviathan kept a tired look on his face and grimly continued. "You don't have to try and hide it, Bahamut. I know. I've known it since the day that happened. Back when we fought Griever, I started getting closer to you. Until that day, I always thought I was smarter and better than you were. But when Palad came...I started to change. I started looking up to you, and I found out you weren't such a bad guy like I had always thought you were. I really started to appreciate you being around. And I knew you were the ideal choice for king when we elected. After that, I tried hanging around you more. I tried being more pleasant with you. And we did break down a bit. We got together, we enjoyed ourselves... We grew unashamed to call each other brothers." Leviathan paused there after saying that. Then, he slowly sighed and shook his head.

"...But I was never him, was I? I was never an esper modeled after you. I was never the kid who spent every waking moment with you when you grew up. I was never the one who went down with you to the real world. I was never the one who went with you to the Cetra. And no matter what I did, no matter what I tried...I was never going to be that person. Not unless I could turn back time and put myself in his place. In the end...I can't be there for you like him. I never could fill his void." He paused for a moment after that, and exhaled again. Slowly, his head bowed. "...And I can't do it now, either."

Bahamut stared at him for a moment. And for the first time since that day, he let Wyvern go for a moment. He stared at him and watched him as he kept his head bowed. After a few moments, Bahamut turned and slowly put the piece of food he held down on the tray. After that, he turned back to Leviathan and walked up to him. He came to a halt right in front of the downcast esper. Then, after a bit longer, he raised up his hand and put it on his shoulder.

"...You can't." He flatly started, yet in a gentle voice. "No one can be. No one can ever replace what he meant to me. I loved him more than myself at times." He paused for a moment afterward. "...But you, Leviathan... I have always relied on you for support. I have always depended on your wisdom. I remember how you used to be, but you have changed so much since then. You were a child before. But now you are a great man. You are the most compassionate, the most wise, and the most just out of all the espers in this realm. Since the day when we returned Palad to Ultima Nexus, I have not been ashamed of you. Rather, time and time again I have been proud of what you have done for others and for the world. You've comforted me when I was weary, and you were always at my side when I needed someone. I have trusted you more than any other members of my family. I have always known that I could depend on you, and place my faith in you. You can't be Wyvern to me...but I do not desire you to be. I desire you to be Leviathan to me. Because that is the kind of person I want to have in my life. That is the person I am proud to call my brother."

Leviathan raised his head at that, and stared back at Bahamut for a moment. The two old siblings stared at each other for a long time. But then, they broke for the moment and embraced. Out of all the family members that Bahamut had, none had his trust and respect like Leviathan. He did not have the same amount of love for him as his brother, but that didn't cheapen it. One can have great love just the same for other people, even if they can never outrank others in their lives. They held a moment longer, but then broke up and looked at each other once again. They held and sniffed for a moment, although no tears came out between the two of them. There was otherwise silence.

"Bahamut...let us help you today."

Bahamut's face immediately lost its softness, and turned hard. "No."

"I've gauged your power and his. I don't think it's enough. You need us."

"No."

"Why?" Leviathan shot back, nearly insisting. "Why can't we help you? We're your family as well!"

"But you're not him."

"This isn't just about you! This is about the kingdom and the future of this planet! You heard what he'll do!"

Bahamut was silent at that. He couldn't answer...and he didn't want to. In all honesty...he didn't even know if he cared about that anymore. He cared only for one thing now. And he couldn't let Leviathan ask him that question. Not now. Leviathan stared at him, waiting for an answer. But he didn't give one. He only stared back softly. Finally, Leviathan realized there would be no answer. Slowly, he sighed as he stared at him. He finally turned away slightly, and began to look regretful. He rubbed his brow and his side in growing concern. But then he turned back to Bahamut again.

"...If you do have any love for me, as a brother, then grant me this one request." Leviathan stated. "Don't let him win."

Bahamut merely stared blankly in reply, as fear crept into his heart.

"...I can only do what I must."


To be continued...