Elaina left Karl and about ten minutes later, the commander of the crusaders entered into the room. He was in a typical crusader uniform and was aged about mid to late 30s by visual judgment. Karl had managed to sit up in the bed.

The commander smiled and said "I'm glad to hear the good report of your recovery Mr. Christopher."

Karl nodded "I am glad too; whatever Elaina has been doing has worked wonders."

The commander chuckled "she is very skilled in white magic," He stated "that is what helped speed up your recovery."

Karl gained a thoughtful look "White Magic…" He then frowned. There was an entry in his database about white magic being a class of abilities but there were no real details about what it did.

The commander noticed Karl's frown and said "I am told by Elaina that you have no memory of anything except who you are." The commander stated

"That is correct." Karl replied "I have some basic knowledge and can understand almost everything I hear and see however some terms are unknown to me. For example, I do not know what a Crusader is"

The commander hummed in understanding "Do you have any idea on how you were able to survive such a landing as you did."

Karl said "Unknown, I was told I made a big explosion upon my entrance like a meteor hit the ground."

The commander nodded "That is correct. I'm also told you have Machina for hands."

Karl lifted up his hands and looked at them while saying "If Machina is the same thing as Machine then yes however I have no memory on why they are like this…

The commander said "hmm, A mysterious appearance with injuries that defy understanding on how little of them you have along with a loss of memory and mysterious machina hands. I think this event counts as a Sin attack."

Karl said "A Sin attack… but isn't Sin destroyed."

The commander said "We have heard rumors of fiends starting to increase in number again. It is a sign that Sin has returned. We fear the calm may be over."

Karl said "that sounds bad…"

The commander said "indeed it is. I pray often that we will never have to continue to face Sin but so far that prayer hasn't been answered."

Karl hummed in thought "By we you mean the crusaders?" He inquired

The commander nodded "yes," He replied "For about 800 years the Crusaders have struggled against Sin."

Karl blinked "800 years," He muttered "that's a long time"

The commander said "yes…" He replied "we've had many victories, and many losses, but it is the struggle to survive that makes us form bonds with others and we enjoy life to the fullest not knowing when it will be our time. I pray one day, sometime in the future Sin will be forever vanquished and I will be in peace that my struggle to survive has in someway forged generations of peace."

Karl hummed

The commander exhaled as he realized that he was getting off track "ah forgive me for dreaming," He said "These past couple of years of the calm has gotten me soft but no matter. I'll be back to my normal battle ready self in no time. As I whip the troops into shape, I'm whipping myself into shape"

"I see…" Karl replied evenly

The commander studied Karl for a moment and said "from looking at you Karl, I can tell you are different then normal and I like different, I hate to suddenly put this on you but I would like for you to join the crusaders."

Karl said "join the crusaders?"

The commander continued, "We are always recruiting those with skills as we lose many good warriors to the battle with Sin and sometimes it's hard finding good warriors to replace those we have lost"

Karl said "I see. So what exactly is the task that the Crusaders do?"

The commander said "We defend the people of Spira from Sin and Fiend attacks by patrolling and protecting towns, cities, and major routes of travel. We also double as a peacekeeping force."

Karl said "Defending those who need defending and punishing those who cause trouble"

The commander said "Correct."

Karl said "I do believe I can accept that task."

The commander said "Then I expect you at the training camp on the Mi-ihen Highroad just north of here at 8:00 am sharp tomorrow. You will report to me Commander Ezekiel, or Commander Zeke as I like to go by. We will assess what you are capable of, and teach you how to be a crusader"

Karl said "Yes Sir." He held his right fist in front of his chest with was the exact salute of a crusader.

Zeke blinked and said "have you been a crusader before?"

Karl said "Not that I know of sir." He still held the pose

Zeke said "You could have fooled me Karl. At ease"

Karl said "Yes sir." He relaxed the pose.