Chapter 6

A few days after the accident all Leon heard were the sounds of hushed voices, doors opening and closing. The occasional hand was placed on his forehead, the boy wanted to open his eyes, move his body but he couldn't. Leon had been lucky to survive and even though his mind was active his body would not comply with his orders. He drifted in and out of consciousness as regular as the sea washes in and out on the shore. Eventually Leon's body began to ache and he knew that his senses were returning his body was ready to wake up. Stirring one morning he found coloured light pouring through a large stained glass window well at least it looked like stained glass, this was no church or chapel. His eyes darted around taking in all the detail the room he lay was large and elaborate as though he were sleeping in some form of Royal Palace it filled him awe. The atmosphere was strange but seemed friendly enough, the boy was not afraid. As he looked back toward the window he saw a man sat in the window silhouetted against the many colours of sunlight tainted by the glass. Leon took his time and slowly lifted an aching arm in order to touch his head with his hand. His head ached worse of all he could feel beneath his fingers a bandage wrapped about his head, what had happened? He couldn't remember who he was or how he'd got here. His journey across the ocean, the ship and of course the creature that had almost killed him, they were all gone from his mind washed away possibly never to return. The man in the window happened to catch a glimpse of the movement on the bed and turned around. He smiled as he saw the boy's eyes open and staring around he stood and approached the bed. The man was middle aged and well dressed, for someone who must have been in his late forties his face was incredibly youthful. He had shoulder length dark hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. Never ceasing to smile the man sat on the edge of the bed.

"How're you feeling little buddy?" Leon groaned in reply "Yeah I figured as much. You're a really lucky kid you know that? You could have been killed, by that monster or us. What were you doing out there all alone?"

"I… don't… remember…"

"Ok… I'm President Laguna Loire but you can just call me Laguna that other stuff is for adults…" he gave a little hand signal as if it were some kind of signal. "Come on let's sit you up." He reached over and putting his hands under Leon's armpits pulled the boy into a sitting position before pulling the pillow up behind him and letting him rest against it. "So what's your name?"

"I don't know…" Leon said quietly

"You must have hit your head harder than we thought… Can you remember anything at all? Who you are or where you came from?" Leon shook his head and Laguna frowned giving a small sigh. "You had a couple of things with you I just put them to the side over there." Laguna pointed and Leon gave a nod in acknowledgement. "Well since you have no idea who you are and I have no idea who you are we'll have to start from scratch huh? This could make finding your parents a lot harder… Oh well never mind you can stay here while we look alright? It is my fault that you're here and after nearly killing you I can't put you out on the streets." Leon stared at Laguna with a blank expression. "I'm talking at him now aren't I Kiros?"

The robed man who had just appeared in the doorway nodded.

"The child has suffered a serious concussion it would be wise to let him rest, I have had some food freshly prepared and it will arrive shortly"

"That's great Kiros. Hey kid you hungry?"

"I am a little"

"Well you can some serious chow time any minute then you get some more rest ok?"

"The nurse will be coming to check in on him after he's eaten"

"You're one step ahead of me every time you know that Kiros?"

"I always been Laguna it's my lot in life otherwise you'd get nowhere fast."

"So true… But there's no need to be so brutal" Another robe man appeared in the doorway and nodded to Laguna. "Good timing Ward. Food's here kid time to eat" Laguna grinned at Leon who gave him a painful and shy smile.

After eating the nurse came as expected and saw to Leon's medical needs before settling him down to rest again. Laguna had become like an excited child and was rushing to see the boy at every spare moment. It got to the point when the boy was no longer getting the rest he needed and Kiros found himself sat outside the door to warn Laguna off. Despite this small problem Kiros and Ward found themselves smiling, it had been a while since Laguna had such energy.

A little time passed and Leon was well enough to be up and about he had been sat playing with something that Ward had given to him when all of a sudden he remembered. He stood and shot out of the room running to find Laguna, nothing could stop him. Laguna looked up to see the boy headed his way and cast his two friends a glance. Leon ran right into him clinging tightly to him, Laguna placed his hand on the boy's head and ruffled his hair slightly.

"What's up little guy?"

"Leon… My name's Leon…" he said gasping for breath

"Is that so? Well then Leon" Laguna bent down and scooped the boy up in his arms. "I was just on my way to see you"

"What's that matter?" the child asked

"Nothing I wanted to know what you wanted to do today? I was going to go out into the City and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me."

"Yes please!" Leon shouted excitedly

Laguna put him back down.

"Go and fetch your jacket and I'll be there in a minute"

"Ok!"

The boy smiled happily, turned and ran off the way he'd come.

"He certainly seems to be finding his way and himself doesn't he?" commented Kiros

"He's a great kid. Ward any luck with finding his folks?" Ward shook his head. "I see well keep trying you've got the kid's name now so maybe you'll have more luck this time." Ward nodded and Laguna set off along the corridor. "Can you guys see that the car gets out front I'll go make sure Leon's ready"

"Alright have a good time today"

"I will" Laguna smiled warmly and moved off still smiling.

"It's been a long time my friend" Kiros said to Ward the larger man nodded as the two of them turned and went the other way.

Days became weeks and those weeks moved on into months but still the Presidential Palace were no closer to discovering the rightful place and parents of the boy known only as Leon. Even 7 months after his arrival Leon had recalled nothing and it seemed that the memories of his Mother and his home in Galbadia were being lost for good. Having the boy around the Palace was however a welcome relief to all and he had quickly become a part of the daily routine as far as Laguna and the staff were concerned. He was a high spirited boy who longed to see the World and Laguna had greatly warmed to the boy. For the President it was becoming hard to imagine life without the boy the people of Esthar recognised the child as his son and Laguna was happy that way. It became less and less likely they would ever find Leon's parents and after 8 months of him being in Esthar they stopped trying to find them altogether. Laguna adored the boy and would spend as much time as he could with him, it seemed like he was redeeming his past he had after all never even known he'd had a son. He'd felt guilty all those years for having never even noticing his own child even when they came face to face. Leon was treated well in Esthar and he was the happiest he'd ever been, if any memories of his Mother remained they were very fast moving out of reach. A year passed and Leon turned seven, Laguna one day opened a cupboard in his bedroom to find the boy hiding. Startled at first he stepped back before reaching in and pulling the boy out dangling him upside down.

"What are you doing in there?"

"Playing hide and seek" the boy replied with an excited giggle as Laguna bounced him. He fought a little and Laguna put him down.

"You're playing by yourself?"

"Yep that way I always win" the child grinned

"Interesting concept but pure genius at the same time"

"I'm getting bored… Dad will you play with me?"

Laguna shocked at that one word dropped down by the boy's side.

"What did you call me?"

"Dad…"

"Leon…"

Laguna smiled warmly more so than ever and pulled the boy close holding him tightly. He didn't really understand why that one word had incited such a stir in him but it was one of the happiest moments of his life. It made him remember his wife Raine and the days he had spent with her in Winhill. He felt tearful as he straightened up and took the boy's hand.

"You wanna go to the beach?"

"Really can we go?!" Leon asked excitedly

"I wouldn't have said it otherwise"

"Can we go swimming?"

"We can whatever you want to do Leon"

The year that followed was a happy one, there were many more trips to the beach and on Leon's eighth birthday Laguna threw a huge party for his son. Lot's of children from all Esthar were invited. They ran around the palace playing games, laughing and playing Laguna looked on wistfully.

"Is this what I missed?" he asked Kiros stood silently by his side.

"You've changed Laguna"

"Maybe but I've never been happier."

Unfortunately the days of peace in Esthar weren't to last. New nations had been born along Esthar's borders after the War with the Sorceresses. Laguna had always thought it likely that these nations would turn on them once they grew in power. He held it off until the very last moment but Laguna had no choice but to mobilise and head out to defend his people.

"Leon you be a good boy while I'm away alright?"

"Who'll be President while you're gone?" the boy replied genuinely concerned

"Hmm… that's a very good point Mr Vice President…" Laguna had always been good with children ever since he'd lived with Raine and Ellone. "I have no choice I guess I'm counting on you Leon" he placed his hand ceremoniously on the eight-year-old's shoulder.

"Really? I get to be President?" The child's eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Sure you do but that still means bed time is when Kiros says it is"

"Aww man…" Leon frowned

Laguna got down on one knee and ruffled Leon's hair affectionately but the boy couldn't hold back and stand tall he threw his arms around Laguna's neck and hugged him.

"Be careful Dad come back safely… Promise me you will!"

"I promise Leon"

"Hand on heart?" Leon asked with a serious face as he stood back and put his hand on his heart. Laguna watched the boy before he did the same.

"Hand on heart." He reached into his back pocket and pulled something out placing a long chain and pendant in Leon's hand.

"What is it?" Leon asked

"That Lion is Griever it belonged to a very brave and strong man and I know that you'll be just as strong one day."

"I'm strong and brave now!"

"I know but I mean more so by this much" Laguna stretched his arms out

Leon only seemed to believe Laguna's words once he'd stretched his arms out, he stared down at the necklace.

"Wow."

The President stood up straight and looked to his close friends Kiros and Ward.

"Take care of this place and guard my son with your lives."

"You have our word Laguna."

Laguna nodded to Kiros and looked down at Leon stood staring up at him. The reluctance in the President's eyes was there for all to see but he simply smiled and walked away. Leon stood until he was out of sight he swallowed hard, he didn't want to cry he had to be strong he was the President now.

It was late at night a few days later when Leon woke with a start as the sound of an explosion rang through the air. The sounds of battle were frighteningly close, he got out of bed and crept toward the coloured window. He could barely see anything, just as well for all he would have seen was carnage and destruction. He heard voices outside his room, frightened he hid beneath his bed. The door opened and Leon held his breath.

"Leon come out it's Kiros you're safe come on it's alright." Venturing out Leon saw it was Kiros, Ward and another man that he had seen around the palace from time to time. "It's not safe for you here Leon, this is Simeon," Kiros indicated to the third man "He's going to take you somewhere safe."

"Will I be coming back here?"

"Yes the President will be informed on his return he will come to collect you."

There were shouts along the corridor Ward nodded to Kiros and ran from the room to the aid of those shouting. Kiros smiled to Leon before following him. Simeon closed the bedroom door.

"Quickly my young sir dress yourself we must leave before we are noticed."

Leon did as he was told quickly and dressed once ready Simeon took hold of his hand but Leon realised he'd left his necklace by the bedside.

"Wait!" He pulled free and rushed back to his bed throwing the long chain about his neck before running back and taking his new Guardian's hand again.

All of Esthar stunk of death and all about was destruction, Leon was both horrified and terrified. Seeing the child's distress Simeon picked him up and ran with him. They were lucky enough to get through the large City unnoticed. They came just outside the City and a little way to a small beach, this was the same place Laguna had brought him many times. There was one or two small motor boats tied up here and the man lifted the boy into it and began to untie the craft. As he did so Simeon saw they had been followed he gave the boat a great almighty push and it washed out into the deeper water.

"Simeon! Come on you can make it!" Simeon went for the boat but the men started firing on him, he pulled the engine cord and the boat started to move. Simeon began firing back towards the men taking several of them down.

"You have to survive young Leon… You've got much you have to do…" Simeon started firing on the other boat on the shore rendering it impossible for the pursuers to follow Leon out. Simeon fired on the men again but this time took a hit himself straight to the head splattering the child in the boat with the man's blood. As he felt the warm sticky liquid dash his face and clothes Leon fell back silent and blank. Now that Simeon was no longer holding it the boat still it moved off as the engine took over. The unknown soldiers fired at him but the boy was so low down they missed him. The boat was too far out they'd never catch him, Leon was safe.