One Month Later

It was another clear day. Ragnar had spent almost every day outside for the past month. He stayed in one day that was especially cold and rainy, but for the most part it got warmer every day, and each time it became more inviting to stay outside. He liked being in the clear air. Quiet as the city was, he still enjoyed the breezes and the sound of water.

He stayed where he normally sat outside, underneath the white trees in the grove where the shell house was located. After a little while, he had investigated it fully. Apparently, there was some sort of rather spectacular shrine in the bottom of the house, but feeling no need to ever go down there, he hadn't. Part of it felt…strange. It didn't quite feel safe down there. On the other hand, he didn't mind sitting next to the pool anymore, where he knew the dead body was. He never got in the pool, of course. He treated it as something sacred now. But from where he sat, he couldn't look over the edge and see who was at the bottom.

She had been an article of puzzlement to him. Why was there a murdered body here? Had someone killed her and dumped her here, hoping no one would ever find her? For some reason…he thought that he might actually find a clue located in one of the tomes he constantly read. However, he found nothing to that effect. It only made sense. Ragnar had deduced by now that the latest entry he found written here was over 2,000 years ago. This woman looked like she had been dead a week, although her clothes suggested a few months at best.

The strange body aside, Ragnar was constantly finding more information. By now, he knew almost all of the ancient history of the Cetra, the espers, and the world around him. Things he used to hear as stories and legends had their authentic historical accounts here, of events in the past both horrible and mundane. He also heard a lot about the history of the people here. In itself, it wasn't that much. But there were always some interesting bits of knowledge mixed in. He still had a few untouched volumes, and for now, he preferred the personal accounts. The ones he had skipped had been items about war and battle…things he really didn't have an interest in right now.

This particular account he was going over now was of one of the families from one of the shell houses. This one had been particularly impacted by a rather serious event that happened 3,000 years ago…the Calamity from the Skies. It seemed that some alien creature had crash landed on this world thousands of years ago. The Cetra believed that it was what created the giant crater to the north of here. It was some sort of parasite…feeding on the Planet. It first pretended to befriend the Cetra, but once they started to suspect its true intentions it lashed out on an attempt to destroy them all. Many of the more fearsome creatures in the area, he now knew…were actually the descendants of Cetra mutations, those affected by the disease that this alien infected on the race. The name Calamity from the Skies in the Cetra language was pronounced "Gen Avo Ach". On looking over this name, Ragnar couldn't help but feel that he had heard something similar to it, mentioned by the New Shinra soldiers from time to time…

"Interesting read?"

For the first time in a month, Ragnar heard a sound that wasn't made by the air, water, or him. And it was sharp and clear, echoing through the grove he found himself in. Immediately, he dropped the orb, and snapped to the source. He instinctively began to scramble back on the ground where he sat.

Ahead of him, framed in the entrance to the grove and standing on a bit of higher ground, was a man. It was odd. He looked about the same age as Ragnar…and yet, at the same time, he seemed to be much, much older than him. Especially the eyes. That attracted Ragnar most of all. Those eyes…they were so deep and blue…so ancient. To the youth's puzzlement, they looked older than the city and everything in it. Aside from that, he was simply dressed. He wore a rugged cloth coat over a set of ruddy garments, typical for a person who would be a mountain man in the area. A wide-brimmed hat was pulled low over his head, also old and dusty. Spilling behind his head was a set of white hair…looking a pure as the snow.

Ragnar reacted to him with fear. He didn't need anyone knowing he was here, and until now he thought he was safe.

"Who are you?" He called out from the ground.

The man cracked a soft smile, and raised a hand in a halting gesture. "Relax. I'm not going to hurt you."

Ragnar was still distrustful. He continued to stare up at him in anxiety, shrinking back and shaking a little.

"Get out of here."

"I want to talk to you."

"I don't feel like talking. Beat it."

"Don't be afraid."

As the strange man said this part…his voice seemed to change. It seemed to grow softer and more drawn out. It became very gentle, and as Ragnar heard it, it seemed to sink into his mind and settle on his brain, almost massaging it. His eyes suddenly seemed to grow larger…and Ragnar found himself staring into them. He looked straight into their pupils…and all of their depth, power, and wisdom flowed out and into his gaze. As he saw this, he felt his body start to relax. His heart beat less. His trembling ceased. His anxiety melted away, and he suddenly felt calm and peaceful again.

Then, after a moment, it was gone. Ragnar suddenly blinked, and shook his head. For a moment, he felt as if he had been dreaming… But now it was passed, and he felt far more relaxed. He looked back to the man…but, stranger as he was, he couldn't feel himself feel nervous about him anymore. He felt relaxed as he looked at him, and far calmer. However, that didn't end his curiousity. He leaned forward a bit more, and called out to him again.

"…Who are you?"

The man merely smiled, and then began to calmly walk down his elevated portion, and toward the youth. "This is something most unexpected." He said out loud. "Were you reading that orb just now?"

Ragnar hesitated. His question was answered with another question. He looked at the man uneasily, but in the end gave a short nod. "…Yes."

The man raised his eyebrows in mild interest as he kept going. "Hmm…most interesting. Most historians would consider this a dead, missing language. No one else in the world can read it, especially not now that the Cetra are extinct. Unless, of course…you happen to be from here? You seem to be living in it easily enough."

Ragnar gave a mild snort at that. "Of course I don't live here. Well…" He hesitated a moment, and then shrugged. "I guess I do now…but I'm definitely not from here. I asked you who you were. Who are you?"

"Did you come from up north?" The man calmly answered.

Here, Ragnar froze a moment. A bit of his anxiety began to return, despite the fact that just talking to this man relaxed him. Nevertheless, he began to rear up into a more active sitting position. "Why?" He asked back challengingly. "Is that where you came from?"

"Me?" The man answered with a chuckle, still moving forward. "Of course not. I just arrived here a few days ago. But in case you're worried, no…I'm not a member of New Shinra, Ragnar."

The youth paled again. He bolted up in a more rigid position. "How do you know my name?"

"I've been reading your mind for some time now, Ragnar." The man simply answered, as he came to a halt a mere ten feet before the youth. He kept standing and looking down, while the boy stayed against the ground and looked up to him. However, on hearing that…Ragnar felt himself pale again and grow more nervous. "What I couldn't get from you, I got from the Planet. At this point, my mental capabilities have grown so much that I can inquire from her what I need to know. And she readily gave up information about you. You're name is Ragnar Vice. You are twenty years old, you originate from Icicle Inn, and just a month ago you escaped from the New Shinra HQ Dome and certain execution. You've been living here ever since. The day after you arrived, you found that somehow you are able to read a language that no one else alive on the Planet understands, and you've been reading about the Cetra and espers ever since."

Ragnar swallowed again. He was growing uncomfortable once more. However, he couldn't get active enough to act out. Somehow…the man's voice, while surprising, was also constantly soothing him and making him relax. It was like he was being charmed at the same time he was being talked to. He shrank back a little on the ground, but could do no more. Still, he had enough of this. What was this man? How did he know these things? Was he really reading his mind? Was he really…talking to the Planet? Only one species he knew of could do that…

"I'm going to ask this again…who are you? Are you a Cetra?"

The man chuckled again. "Of course not. The Cetra are extinct."

"Then who are you?"

Here, the man hesitated. He drew in a deep breath, and looked to the sky. He seemed to be reminiscing a bit, and grew somewhat melancholy. He slowly exhaled. Then, quite casually, he sat down on the ground where he was, crossed his legs comfortably, and then adjusted himself into a casual position. He looked rather like how Ragnar had been seated.

"I have so many names, each one as obsolete as the next." The man finally answered quietly. "Some of the Ettecans called me a Great Prophet. Terra and her children came to know me as Tumahab. I was King of All Espers to Rydia and her group. Darwin and his group called me Master. My offshoots all called me Lord of All Dragons, as their Patriarch. But through all time, and with all the titles, I still like the first name I was called best…from way back before my memories even began."

Ragnar heard these titles…and recalled some of them, as well as some of the names. It captured his interest. The man turned his head slightly to Ragnar, and smiled.

"Ragnar…I'm Bahamut."

The youth stared at him a moment. He blinked once or twice. Gradually…his interest turned to incredulous puzzlement. "You're…Bahamut." He echoed.

The man gave a slight nod. "Yes."

The youth stared again. After a moment, he let out a snicker and shook his head. "No, you're not."

To this, the man looked faux surprised, and formed an innocent look. "Oh? Why aren't I?"

Ragnar let out an exhale of disgust, and then looked him over. "Well…for one thing, you're not a giant dragon. You're some old guy with tattered clothing who probably lives somewhere around here. Another thing is that Bahamut has been gone for thousands of years, ever since his brother killed him. You look rather alive to me. I don't know how you know all of this stuff about me, unless you were trailing me after I escaped from the Dome. But I've been talking aloud since then, so you've probably heard me mention Cetra and Bahamut more than once, and you know my interests. For all I know, you're the guy who wrote that chalk translation back there, so you can read this stuff too. And if you're from Icicle Inn, well, everyone knows everyone there, so it's no surprise you know me."

"Well, you're quite the skeptic for one who believes a bunch of ancient runes." The man simply answered.

Ragnar frowned. "I don't know who you are or how long you've been watching me, but leave me alone. You know I escaped. That means I have to keep a low profile while I'm here. I don't want any of their patrols coming here looking for me. So why don't you just go back out the way you came, go back home, and forget you ever saw me? I don't appreciate being stalked. I'm not going back to New Shinra, so if you think you're going to turn me in for a reward, don't push me. I already killed one man, so don't test me to see if I'll kill another."

As Ragnar continued, the man looked progressively more bored. He gradually leaned forward and propped his head up on one arm, and then tiredly stared at Ragnar. He waited until he was finished, and continued to stare at him. The youth stared back as well, looking cross and a bit angry now, and waited for him to get up and go. The man blinked once, and then opened his mouth and sighed tiredly.

"Very well." He simply stated. "Look behind you."

The youth blinked in response to this. What kind of response was that? Was he trying to trick him or something? He paused a moment longer, staring at him, but the man motionlessly stared back. At last, he realized it couldn't hurt for a moment. He turned his head behind him.

The sky had turned pitch black and stormy. Lightning crashed overhead. And framing his vision in front of him was a monstrous, thirty-foot tall dragon. It was purple and unfurled massive scaly clawed wings. Its body was rough and thickly armored, and rippled with muscle. Its thick tail smacked against the ground, shaking it like a quake. Its beaked, horned head lowered down until it was merely inches from Ragnar's own. It opened its mouth and blasted him with foul, hot air, humid and wet.

Ragnar's pupils shrank. He was instantly petrified with terror. But as the monster sneered over him, he felt a hand clamp on his shoulder, and roughly turn him back around.

Seconds later, the world was normal again. The storm was gone, and Ragnar found himself staring right into the eyes of the man in front of him, who now had a hand on his shoulder. He was still sweating and panting, but the man was perfectly calm.

"Now do you believe me?"

Ragnar blinked, just coming out of the dragonawe. He spun his head back around behind him. There was nothing there. No storm. No colossal dragon. He turned back to the man and looked at him again. He saw into his eyes once more…and looked again at the age and wisdom within them. It was far older than any other living thing…deep and powerful. On seeing that…on seeing this man again…and after encountering the great beast behind him, which looked exactly how it had been described…he knew the truth.

The youth began to shake as he stared at the man. Abruptly, he tore out from beneath him, and began to scramble away from him on the ground, staring at him in fear the whole time.

Bahamut sighed and rolled his eyes, as he began to stand again. "I thought we were past this…" He muttered aloud. After that, he turned back to the terrified youth. Again, he focused his eyes into his, and let his full power flow through them. When he spoke, his voice seemed more softer and firmer than ever.

"I already told you. I'm not going to hurt you. Relax."

This last word was not only a command…it acted like a spell. Immediately, the fear in Ragnar's brain was cut off. His heart slowed. All of his muscles were released, and his inner glandular systems released chemicals designed for rest. Ragnar halted and nearly sprawled out on his back, as he suddenly felt much lighter, calmer, and more at peace. He even felt a bit drowsy, and his eyes hung loose for a moment. However, Bahamut only held him long enough to get him to relax. After that, he released him again, and Ragnar was free once more. The young man continued to look up to him, but did not move away again.

"You…" He asked after a moment, once he had recovered and became slightly anxious again. "You're…you're really him…aren't you?"

Bahamut sighed a bit, as he crossed his legs once again and lowered himself to the ground. "I don't know if anything in the literature told you this about me, but I hate to repeat myself." He simply answered.

Ragnar blinked and continued to stare at him. His mouth hung slightly and his eyes were wide. He marveled over him. He was here…the legendary esper himself. The greatest of the ancient heroes, and Ragnar's most beloved figure in all of history. He was sitting right in front of him. The youth began to feel humble and small…staring on at him in silent awe…

"I can't believe it…"

"Most humans don't." Bahamut simply answered with a shrug. "After all, I'm supposed to be a myth. And I'd estimate that, by now, few humans know that I ever even existed."

"But…" Ragnar continued, still staring at him in awe…and growing amazement. After all, it was him…his greatest hero sitting right in front of him. "But…the legends. They said that you died…that you were killed by your brother out of jealousy…"

Bahamut frowned slightly at that. "There's far more to the story than that, young man." He responded a bit tiredly. "I did indeed die at his hand. But my magicite survived. That eventually found its way back to Gaia. I did return to the Lifestream at this point, and there I stayed through the next part of history. I'm not sure how much of it you know at this point…"

Ragnar was a bit calmer now of his own accord. He leaned back slightly, and managed to close his mouth and seem a bit more regular. "Well…it wasn't much longer after your brother returned. Some of the last records written here said he was killed by Alexander, the Holy Esper. After that, you were both dead. And after that, the Cetra stopped writing records here. Most of them had been killed off by the Calamity from the Skies at that point…"

Bahamut frowned and gave a nod. "I know precious little of the story myself after this point. I've only gotten firsthand knowledge of it from the Planet recently, after I acquired my new abilities. Until a few days ago, I had only stories to go on. However, my history did not end there."

The esper began to draw himself up here, looking like he was going to speak. As he did…Ragnar found himself leaning back a bit more at ease, and increasing in attention. He was becoming like an avid child, eagerly listening to a story told by a teacher or parent. He was excited to hear it, after all. He knew all of Bahamut's history until that point, but afterward he knew little.

Bahamut himself slowly exhaled and began. "I stayed in the Lifestream for centuries. But while I was there…the espers faced their own calamity. The beginning of the War of the Magi. Humans eventually acquired the ability to manipulate summoners. Through them, they were able to seize command of my race, and use them as weapons to battle each other. They also found the secrets of magicite. With it, they were able to gain the ability to use our own dramatic powers. The world went to war, with a select few gaining more and more espers, and consequentially power, for themselves, and destroying all else. This war raged for a thousand years. But in the end, all of the madmen had killed themselves save for three. These ones had the foresight for a brief moment to seal each other away, sealing all magical power within themselves and then making it inaccessible to the world's populace.

"The world slowly grew back over a period of generations. But even when governments were reestablished and the world was fresh once again, the greed of mankind came forth again. Certain individuals unlocked the power of the three, and absorbed it to themselves. One in particular of them rose to power. He slaughtered the rest of my race, driving us to extinction, and taking their powers for himself. After that, he released so much power that he turned the world into a waste once again, removing the work of a thousand years to rebuild it."

"Whoa…" Ragnar slowly remarked, during this break. His face was downcast and regretful here, and he winced a bit uneasily. Bahamut noticed this, and seemed to be intrigued by it. As for the young man, he looked slightly nervous and to the ground. "…I guess you're not that big of a fan of humans anymore, then…"

To this, Bahamut merely smiled and gave a short laugh. "On the contrary. For a time, yes, I thought the whole race was twisted and evil. But that notion was corrected. There are always some pure, noble individuals of humanity, and they always bring it back from the brink of madness and despair in times of need. You should have learned that by now in your readings, Ragnar. In the end, it was humanity that destroyed this madman and saved the world from death." Bahamut hesitated here, and his face grew grim and dark during the pause. His head lowered…and his eyes blazed.

"But that was when my brother thought it was time to seize power."

Hearing this, Ragnar snapped his head up again and stared at the esper. His face looked uncertain and uneasy. "You mean…Wyvern? Wyvern the Abominable? Wyvern the Destroyer? The Dark One? The one who the Cetra called a demon on Gaia?"

Bahamut snorted at this. "So…it appears I'm not the only one who had a lot of titles." He muttered. "Yes, Wyvern…my twin brother."

Ragnar felt a ripple of coldness at this, and what it meant. He had read of Wyvern, of course…the only beast who could ever contest Bahamut in terms of power…a pinnacle of anger, rage, and vengeance. He betrayed his own race for the sake of gaining more power, in the end. He was a living nightmare…but until now Ragnar had safely believed he was dead, destroyed by Alexander. Seeing Bahamut alive…and hearing that Wyvern hadn't been dead…made a connection in Ragnar's brain that began to fill him with new fear.

Bahamut could read these thoughts, but he calmly continued. "My brother did indeed die, but his magicite survived. Because of that, the last of Leviathan's great relics was used to revive him: the Crystal Stone. This object focused so much power that it could actually take beings out of the Lifestream and restore them to their bodies, so long as their bodies could survive. Magicite was his body condensed, so it was easy.

"He wanted to remake the world in his image, to create a kingdom of espers that had come from him. But he couldn't do it alone. Humanity was proving more crafty and clever than he thought, and he lacked the calmness and intelligence. He wanted an ally. He needed one to help him. In the end, of all people…he picked me."

This caused even more surprise for Ragnar. From what he read, there was nothing in this world, above it, or under it that Wyvern had hated more than Bahamut. The idea that he would do this… He opened his mouth to comment in disbelief. However, still reading his mind, Bahamut gave a nod to catch him off guard.

"Yes…I didn't believe it at first myself. It wasn't until I heard it from his own lips that I knew it to be true. He intended for me to be vengeful and angry at humanity for destroying my race. With that in mind, he revived me, but didn't let me know who had done it. I came back as something greater…something in another form."

Ragnar perked up at this. "What?"

"Look behind you again."

The youth, on instinct, not realizing he was being tricked again, did so.

An even more marvelous sight awaited him. Now, the sky was brilliant, and the sun beat down like rays of fire. But spread in front of him…more massive and majestic than Ragnar had ever anticipated…was Bahamut. But he was no longer the purple beast from before. He was bigger now, and bright red. He had great foils for wings that flapped behind him, and his scales and crests were mounted on him like armor. His face was more lizard-like now, but still filled with power and beauty as his yellow eyes looked down far below. He possessed more glorious strength and might than ever at this point. Ragnar was amazed and frozen again. He was filled with fear…but at the same time tremendous awe and marvel. Again, Bahamut had to reach out, seize him by his shirt collar, and spin him back.

When he looked back to Bahamut, the world was normal again, and he was a human again. He cracked a small smile at Ragnar momentarily.

"Neo Bahamut."

Again, Ragnar was a bit puzzled. He looked behind him again, and still saw nothing. He turned back to Bahamut after that. His heart was still rushing a bit, but he relaxed somewhat, and was able to lean back down. Bahamut smiled for a moment more. It seemed he was getting a little joy out of seeing Ragnar change. But in the end, he frowned again and continued.

"Wyvern tried to work upon my feelings…sending me my old attendant, beaten and crippled, and had him tell me the woe that had befallen him. I nearly gave into it. I would have…" Bahamut hesitated again at this. His eyes became faraway…and he thought of something distant. Slowly, he gave a small smile.

"…Had I not fallen in love."

Again, Ragnar's eyes widened. "In love?"

"I fell in love with a half-human, half-esper named Terra, who was living as a human." Bahamut explained. "More so…I fell in love with the children she had adopted, and her pastoral life. It changed me. It made me feel alive for the first time in thousands of years. Until now I had been a solitary king…but with her I was a different man. I spent a few precious months with her, and in the end I never wanted to leave again. I proposed marriage, and she agreed.

"But our joy was cut short. Wyvern purposely attacked my town…my children…to draw me out into a battle. The gesture worked. I, Terra, and some of her friends went to find him and stop him from ever attacking us again. But at the time, I still wasn't sure who I was dealing with. We were woefully underprepared. Terra was nearly killed. And Wyvern…he was no longer the same foe I had fought before. I forgot…he was brought back with the same method. The Crystal Stone's power was in him too. He was Neo Wyvern now, and he was more terrible and fearsome than ever.

"We renewed our ancient struggle, destroying a mountain range in our wake. In the end, I only won by being able to absorb more power than him, and then blasting him into space. I wanted to make sure none would ever recover his body and revive him again. But he had practically dismembered me at that point. I knew death was near again, but I knew that my body too could be used as a weapon. Keeping this in mind, I purposefully sent myself into space, bidding my bride-who-never-was goodbye.

"I thought I died in space. But my new body was so powerful that I was able to go into a deep hibernation, nearly dead, and my body was preserved by the cold, airless vacuum. I drifted for 500 years, before a group of alien scientists from the planet Etteca found me. They were fascinated at my biology and my history. They reanimated me, and then wanted to research and interrogate me. I felt like I had no purpose left, and that all I had ahead of me was to leave my mark on history and then die. And so, I agreed.

"For years I was quizzed and studied by them. I made a new friend, the head scientist on board. She was skeptical about all I told her about spirituality, good, and evil. But I could tell that it wasn't just her own dislike of superstition that made her do this. I also noticed how evasive she was about her past. At any rate, she sent on the reports and knowledge I passed to her back to Etteca. Little did I know that I was developing a following there. Millions of people thought of me as some sort of philosopher, and some sort of group, perhaps even cult, was made that based their lives off of my beliefs. Somehow, my life story changed the fate of that world too, averting a global war. By the time I arrived, I was one of the most reknown people on Etteca.

"I received prostheses to get around with, and the governments of Etteca provided for my every need. I continued to talk with the head scientist, and I lectured from time to time. Eventually, the scientist managed to take me to a new area on the world, one headed by a cutting edge medical doctor. He had learned how to generate bio-mechanical bodies off of existing bodies. I was cleared to be the first one to receive this treatment. You see…my old body was atrophic, scarred, and useless at this point. After they did my arm, I agreed to let them do the rest. It took months of work, but in the end I emerged in yet another form."

Ragnar was still eagerly enraptured at this point. However, he frowned at this time. "…You aren't going to tell me to look behind me again, are you?"

Bahamut smiled and snickered, and gave a shrug. "It was just a little trick of…" Suddenly, he trailed off. His eyes grew wide, and he seemed fear stricken. He pointed a finger behind Ragnar. "What in the world is that?"

Out of surprise, Ragnar turned his head…only realizing then he was tricked.

At any rate, he saw that the sky was dark again, but was now filled with stars. And towering over it all, hovering in the air on six thin, sleek wings, was Bahamut's latest incarnation. He was smooth and powerful looking, gleaming in the dim light with irredescence. His body was the picture of being streamlined and maximized in ability. It was an apex of physiology. Ragnar could literally feel the heat and power coming off of it…making his skin tingle with excitement. Yet enraptured as he was at this point, he managed to break off on his own, and turned back around.

Again, an unchanged Bahamut was there, smiling a bit wider this time.

"Bahamut ZERO."

Ragnar looked at Bahamut in disapproval, and crossed his own arms in a bit of scorn. He felt himself crack a smile, however.

The esper snickered, and gave a shrug. "Give me a break. I haven't had fun in a long time."

"Just one thing…" Ragnar answered. "How are you moving that fast?"

"I'm not moving at all." Bahamut calmly answered. "Each time, I'm seizing control of your sensory capabilities and feeding you an image of what I want you to see. It's basic mind control."

Ragnar's eyes widened again at that. "But...I could feel it…"

"Just mental distractions." Bahamut calmly continued. "I'm tricking your other senses as well. Mind is truly over matter. Anyway, on with my tale…

"In this new body…the body I currently have…I am one of the strongest beings in the universe. I can now travel through space, I instantly regenerate from horrible injuries, and I can talk to the Planet and search for specific things. But moreover…I gained a new ability. My mental power has grown to the point where, in small amounts, I can actually see the future."

Again, Ragnar reacted in amazement, loosening his jaw.

"More importantly, in my opinion," Bahamut continued. "I found out the true issue in the head scientist's life. She had been abused as a child by her parents…sexually. It caused her to be introverted, solitary, and nearly sociophobic. Since then, I have been helping her try to recover from it. She has made great gains. She managed to end things with her father, and she is becoming self confident once again. I had a fairly good life on Etteca at this point. I had a friend, and I had tasks to do. I had a way to make a small life for myself. However, I did not stay. A month ago, I left Etteca and my friend, Shinza, temporarily. I wished to return to Gaia, and after a month of space flight, I have done so."

The youth stared at him for a moment, still taking this in. The biggest shock was that Bahamut was actually here, actually alive and across from him. Itmade Ragnar feel somewhat happy. This was his idol, right here. His object of affection. It was beginning to thrill him a bit. However, on the conclusion of this tale, Ragnar looked a bit puzzled again.

"So…you said you had a life set up on Etteca, and a friend there. Nobody here has even seen you in centuries. So what did you want to come back for?"

On hearing this, Bahamut at last cracked a smile. Again, Ragnar found his eyes held by Bahamut's own, and he stared hard as he showed his new merriment.

"You." He simply replied.

Ragnar took a moment to process that word, but then was taken aback. It was said with perfect seriousness…even, perhaps, a bit of force to emphasize it. And because of that, the young man leaned back a bit and stared at him in confusion. "M…me?"

"Yes." Bahamut calmly and softly replied.

Ragnar blinked for a moment at that, still rather confused…and even a bit unnerved…at that. "…Why me?"

Bahamut merely let out a snicker. "Come on, Ragnar. I've already told you. No one else on Gaia can read what you just read. Not even Leviathan ever mastered the language. You didn't learn it from anyone…you just found yourself reading it when you arrived. And as for how you arrived…you were scared when you came here. You thought of turning back more than once. And yet…you kept feeling compelled to stay…compelled to come here. Do you think it was a mere coincidence that every time you wanted to turn back a month ago, you just happened to find a berry vine growing there, attracting you further on down the road?"

Ragnar's eyes widened at this. Somehow, he knew about that. Was he reading his mind? Or did the Planet tell him? The more unsettling thing, however…was that he realized what Bahamut said was true. He had felt compelled to stay here by some interior force, compelled to read and learn all about the Cetra and espers. He did enjoy it, of course…but something had driven him to start in the first place. And every time he was going to turn back that one day…something caught his attention and brought him on. But it had to be coincidence… Those berry vines had to have been growing for years… It was just being at the right place at the right time…

Wasn't it?

"I…I don't understand…"

Bahamut raised a finger at this, and pointed straight at the youth. It was with such conviction and power that he almost leapt back, as if burned.

"You, Ragnar, have been chosen by the Planet. It is your destiny to defeat the New Shinra, put an end to the draining of the Planet's life forever, and issue in a new age of peace upon this world."

The young man could only stare silently, his mouth hanging loose again. Bahamut continued to smile, and continued to point at him. Ragnar blinked a few times, hearing this sudden sentence pronounced on him. He tried to speak once or twice, but he was powerless to do so. At last, he swallowed and managed to speak up mildly.

"Are you trying to tell me…that the Planet 'chose' me or something…to…save the world, or something?"

Bahamut gave a calm shrug. "Pretty much, yes."

Ragnar was flabbergasted.

"Are you nuts!" He retorted in response. "Me? I'm some poor ex-slave from Icicle Inn!"

Bahamut merely leaned back a bit and crossed his arms.

"Do you have a love for the Planet?"

Ragnar hesitated at that. He frowned a bit in the end, and then sighed and shrugged. "Well yeah, but lots of people do…"

"Do you acknowledge it as an organism, a living individual?"

The young man paused again. "Well…yes, but…"

"Did you believe in what the Cetra did with their lives?"

"…Yes, but I'm…"

"Do you have no love for New Shinra?"

"Of course I don't, but…"

"Would you like to see your town and the other slaves liberated?"

"Of course!"

"Would you like them to put an end to their reactors?"

"Yeah, but…"

"If you were capable of doing so, if it was within your power, would you do these things?"

"But that's not…!"

Bahamut cut him off with a simple shrug, handling the whole matter casually. "I'd say you fit the criterion pretty well then, Ragnar. There are few people in the world who respect the Planet as an entity and not as simply some object to exploit. Because you have read these runes, you know more about the Cetra and the Planet itself than any other human in the world. I know you have a desire to do the right thing, to stop the injustice that is going on in your world. I can see it within you, and I've seen it before. From one generation of Light Warriors to the next I have seen it burning inside them. You have that inner light too…even more brightly than I have seen in a long time. What holds you back?"

"How about the fact that I can't fight a whole army by myself?" Ragnar retorted.

"Well, of course you can't." Bahamut simply replied. "You'll need to raise an army at some point…"

"ARMY?" Ragnar shouted back, looking like his eyes were about to fall out of his skull. "Raise an army? I don't know anything about being a military officer or leader! I can't lead an army!"

"Leadership is an acquired skill, that is true." Bahamut answered back. "But as far as not being able to handle an army, you are quite wrong. You don't seem to realize how much of a feat it was for you to escape from their Dome. Part of it was luck, true, but a lot of it was cleverness, a keen eye for details, a good memory, an eye for weaknesses, and the ability to utilize all of these in an effective manner. Military tactics are the same way. Besides, you have many texts here that were written on the art of war. You can study those as well."

"I don't even know how to fight!" Ragnar continued to protest.

"That's why I'm here." Bahamut simply answered. "I'll train you."

This cut the young man off. His shock and overwhelmed face melted away, and it turned into more simplicity. He stared at Bahamut a bit anxious, as if wondering if he had heard that right. That wassomething else...being trained bya legendary esper. He had heard about that in history...and hadfantasized a bit about it too.For a moment, he was silent. "…Really?"

"That's why I came back, Ragnar." Bahamut went on. "To find you and prepare you for your great task. If you do as I say and work diligently, I can make you one of the strongest warriors alive. So as you can see, you have the savvy, the smarts, the desire, the skill, and the power to become someone great. To become a hero to this world. You may not have known it until now, but now it can finally come out, and you can realize just how strong and able you are. You have the potential to be an independent andmighty person. The one thing you lack, and I cannot give you, is the drive. That you must decide for yourself. That is the only thing left to hold you back, Ragnar. You have to let it go. Release the fear and doubt you have in yourself…and you will find just how great ahero is within you."

The youth hesitated. He let these words sink in a moment. He closed his mouth, and looked to the ground. It still seemed so unbelievable. Not an hour ago, he was just an escaped convict, hiding out in the City of the Ancients and reading up on history. Now…a living myth had appeared and had come for him, and he was telling him that he was the hero of this age. How could that be? This seemed too crazy to be true… It seemed like some sort of crazy dream, that he would wake up from at any moment and be regular old Ragnar once again…

However…another thought was coming out too. Ragnar did have a fierce spirit, one stronger than many of the other slaves he had worked with. That was why he was so rebellious. And inside…a part of him did want to get back at New Shinra. He did love this world, and he hated the idea of them ruining it as well as the people on it. Had he not fantasized about this? Imagined himself as an ancient hero as well, driving off the evil from the land? Had he not hoped that a champion would arise and save them? Was he so uncertain of himself that he would not seize an opportunity to do the right thing? What was still holding him back? Would he let his fear of himself, fear of his own inadequacy, stop him now?

The young man licked his lips once. Finally, he turned and looked over to Bahamut again.

"…Are you serious about this? Me? Training me? The whole chosen one thing?"

"I don't lie." Bahamut flatly answered.

Ragnar inhaled slowly and exhaled. He hesitated a bit longer. A part of him was still doubting and nervous. However…he thought again a bit harder. Wasn't he the one who always wanted them to revolt? Hadn't he yelled with the others when the New Shinra arrived to get out? Wasn't he the one who sat up and watched for Meteor up until the end, and the one who called for the others to come see? How could he be a hippocrite now? Who would save them if not him? He could just wait for someone else…but why? Waiting had accomplished nothing in the past. He knew that from what he had been reading. The New Shinra might come to this city next, destroy it and its history… And the longer they waited, the stronger they became. There were people dying now…being oppressed more by the day. If he could save them…why shouldn't he? Why let a little fear and doubt stop him when lives were at stake? Why settle for being just another victim? Why not seize this? His destiny? His chance? If he truly cared about the Planet…about the people back home…he couldn't just sit here. He had to be active. He had to try. And now…across from the greatest being in the history of Gaia…he would never get a better shot.

At last, Ragnar reached it. He cast his doubts and fears to the wind, and tightened his jaw and fists. He would do it. Uncertain as he was, inexperienced as he was…he would push that aside and try. He wouldn't let this chance get away. He turned and looked back up to Bahamut, and gave a nod.

"I'll do it."

The esper looked back at him silently. He seemed to be looking him over again…as if peering into his body and soul and seeing what was there. Yet when he did, he must have liked it…for he slowly smiled.

"Come." He stated simply, turning and beginning to walk. "We must get you a weapon."


To be continued...