Author's Note: This story starts just after Kefka is defeated, when the heroes are trying to
escape.  Then it leaps ahead to twenty years later, where my story takes place.
Deticated to J.M.  I may be going away, but I won't be gone.  Don't forget me.
					 Eye of the Esper
				         By Robert Musser
				         Ganesha3@aol.com
					     Prologue
					   New Balance
	His hands gripped the controls, sticky with sweat.  He struggled to keep them from 
slipping; only his piloting kept them away from the doom rapidly approaching.  The rocks pelted 
the deck, the hull, and he began to pray.  Never before had he done this - luck had been his 
only god - but now he called to whatever deity was up there to get them out, OUT!
	The shadows were upon them.  He closed his eyes, awaiting the eternal darkness-
	And waited.
	And still waited.
	After waiting some more, he opened his eyes.  The light was not like anything in the 
tower.  Then it dawned upon him - he smiled at this ironic choice of words - for it was the 
sun, announcing a new day.
	A day of New Balance.
	As he watched, the continents shifted, not violent rifts tearing open like the 
transition of Balance to Ruin, but a gentle flowing.  A flowing to a less chaotic, more graceful 
formation.  The sky was returning to a gentle blue, as the bleak red faded away.  The grass was 
turning green again.  It was wonderful.
	But he couldnât watch for too long.  For as he looked to the side, he saw that a 
familiar, guiding light was gone.  Was plummeting.
	Terra!
	Without warning, he lurched the ship down and to the left.  He heard the others being 
hurled backwards and cursing, but he couldnât pay attention right then.  Terra was in danger!
	Faster, faster the ship fell, hurling ahead of the falling girl.  He checked the 
instruments briefly, and saw that the engines were going critical.  If he didnât pull up soon, 
Terra wouldnât be the only one to die.
	But he made one final gamble.  He swore it would be his last, one way or another.  
Rolling the ship hard to the left, he gripped the controls for dear life.  He glanced over his 
shoulder to see that the others were hanging onto the railing.  Not that it would do any of them 
much good if this failed.
	As Terra came into view, almost above his head, he jerked the controls back, and hurled 
himself back, ready to catch her.
	His last gamble paid off.  Terra landed safely in his arms, barely conscious.
	So the magic had left her, and she had remained alive.  He carefully set her down, and 
returned to the controls briefly.
	Engines at optimal condition.  Good.  But as he turned around, he saw that something was 
wrong.  He couldnât put his finger on it at first, but after a moment he knew.
	Interceptor was standing next to Relm.  The dogâs owner, Shadow, had never made it onto 
the airship.
	Setzer Gabbiani noticed this sadly, as Terra slowly awoke, unaware that down below the 
last remnants of magic were sitting, shielded from the destroying wave, awaiting as new owner.
	ãThank you, Setzer,ä Terra said happily.  Setzer said something that sounded carefree, 
but he couldnât remember it as he stared at the place where his friend should have been.
						I
					     Unlocking
	The old man walked back to the stone.  He couldnât touch it, he knew that, even if he 
tried.  But it was all for the best.  It has been such for twenty years.  Twenty years of peace.  No war, no violence, no crime.  Technology had advanced by leaps and bounds.  The land Kefka had destroyed was returning, and it was good.
	He looked at the stone, and admired its beauty.  Smooth, green, and crystalline, with a 
pulsing red core in the center.  It almost seemed alive - it was, once.
	He walked back to his bed and lay down again.  Yes, it was good that one remained.  It 
would be needed again someday...
						*****
	A far younger man stood outside the small cottage on the outskirts of New Figaro.  He 
looked in at the crystal floating in the green field over the old manâs dresser.  Now was the 
time for him to unlock the crystal.  To unlock the other worlds.
	He saw the old man look up as he crashed through the window.  The old man was calm, 
unblinking as he approached.  ãWhat are you here for?ä the elder asked.
	ãYou know,ä the black-haired youth replied.  ãThe Magicite.ä
	Now the old man showed a bit of fear.  ãNo, itâs too dangerous.  It must stay locked 
away.ä
	ãYou donât understand,ä came the reply.  ãYou stand in the way of Uniting the worlds at 
last.  You must give me the crystal.ä  His voice was hard now, hard and cold.
The old man started to shake his head, but stopped as the youth plunged his dagger deep into his 
side.  The old man fell, breathing in ragged gasps.  But he said, ãYou cannot take it,ä as 
calmly and clearly as though there was no blade in his ribs.
	The young man laughed cruelly, then slowly pulled a gold pendant from his pocket.  
Hurling it at the green field around the Magicite shard, both pendant and shield disappeared, 
and the shard fell to the floor.  He walked over to pick up the crystal-
And fell, grunting as a boot hit him from behind.  Another man, older than he, picked him up 
roughly by the collar and growled, ãRun, if you value your life.ä
	The youth gave a sharp laugh.  ãYou too, Locke?  Do you stand in the way of the Great 
Uniting?ä  He spat on Lockeâs boots.
	Locke threw him down and drew his own dagger.  ãI mean it.  Run.  Now.ä
	Slowly the black-haired youth turned and walked leisurely out of the cottage.  	Locke 
turned and kneeled by the old man.  ãDo you think you can make it?ä
	The old man hacked and wheezed.  ãNo...Itâs too late...The field is unlocked, the 
Magicite is...freed.ä
	ãMagicite?!ä Locke said, shocked.
	ãYes...Youâre one of those people who saved the world, right?  Well, you thought that 
magic was gone, but...ä  He paused and gasped for air.  ãI had to save one shard.  I knew that 
we would...need it some day.  Take it...Keep it...Donât let any touch it except for...those who 
battled Kefka...No one else can be trusted...We will need it...some...day...ä  The man gasped 
once more, then was silent.
	Locke slowly stood and walked over to the green shard.  It glowed with secrets that 
could soon be uncovered.  Secrets that had to be kept a secret.  He dropped it into his pocket.  
He would keep it secret.
	But first, he had to call the others.  Their first adventure was, clearly, not the final 
one.
						II
					   Call to Arms
	Edgar pulled away from his passionate kiss suddenly as a loud knock on the door echoed 
through the dining chamber.  He cursed as he knocked the brachosaur steak onto his elegant 
outfit.  ãPerfect timing,ä he mumbled.  He was not amused.
	The attractive woman across the table from him, however, did find it amusing.  The 
black-haired girl started laughing, thin stopped as she saw the Kingâs frustrated expression.  
ãSorry,ä she said.  Despite their rather large age gap, their appearance together wasnât much of 
a surprise.  Even considering his advanced age - he was already over the proverbial hill - Edgar 
was still quite handsome, and his flirting days were far from over.
	ãNo, itâs not your fault,ä he mumbled.  ãExcuse me.ä  He continued muttering 
uncomplimentary phrases about the caller as he walked to the huge double doors of Figaro 
Castle.  Outside was a thin, brown-haired man whom he recognized immediately.
	ãLocke, why the blazes did you come here?  You knew I had company!ä  Edgar glared at him, 
annoyed.  Then he said in a low voice, ãShe canât resist my charms.  This time it could be 
serious.  And you had to come stomping in-ä
	ãEdgar, this is more important than some girl,ä Locke replied impatiently.  ãBesides, 
you know that Selicâs engaged to someone else.ä
	ãHey, sheâd gladly dump old whatâs-his-name for me.  Now what is it thatâs so important?ä
	Locke breathed deeply.  ãThis,ä he said, as he pulled the glowing green shard from his 
belt.
	It took a moment for Edgar to recognize the crystal.  When he did, he reacted with 
disbelief.  ãThatâs - but - when we beat - and it - howâd it get here?!ä
	ãHang on, Edgar,ä Locke said.  ãIâll explain it all later.  But first, send a message 
to all the others.  This involves them, too.  We need to meet here as soon as possible.  This is 
URGENT.ä
	Edgar nodded, still not quite comprehending, and closed the door as Locke walked away.  
Heâd send the message first thing in the morning.  But first things first...
	He walked back to the table where Selic sat smiling.  ãWhere were we?ä he said as he sat 
back down in his chair.
	ãRight about here,ä replied Selic as they leaned across the table and resumed their kiss.
						III
					      Last Esper
	King Edgar Figaro and his brother Sabin, the General of the Royal Figaronian Army, 
glanced at the motley gathering around their table.  Twenty-one years ago, no one would have 
thought that these varied people - and non-people - would join forces to save the world.  But 
somehow, fate decided that they would.  It was much better than the alternative, death under 
Kefka.
	The short Moogle, Mog, sat beside his companion, the giant sasquatch Umaro.  Normally 
King Edgar would have sat in the throne, but Umaroâs size made it necessary for him to sit in 
the larger chair.  The former wild boy, Gau, was now quite civilized as the mayor of New Mobliz, 
which was apparent as he say rigidly in his chair.  His wild instincts were gone, but he could 
recall his animal training, and lash out with vicious power, but he was more controlled now.
	The young, flirtatious artist, Relm, sat impatiently.  The years hadnât changed her 
childish behavior much, but now she was a professional artist.  She was a millionaire, almost as 
rich as Edgar, and had painted the world famous ãMona Maria.ä
	Cyan, the new king of the recently restored Doma Castle, was clearly advanced in years.  
His once raven-black hair was now gray, and his face had some visible wrinkles.  Still, the 
fighterâs spirit was still visible in his eyes, and he was deadly if provoked.
	The others at the table - Terra, Locke, and Lockeâs wife, Celes - hadnât changed 
visibly.  Setzer and Gogo werenât here; they were busy outside the castle working on the 
airship.  That left three others missing.  Strago and the dog, Interceptor, had died about ten 
years earlier, of old age.  And Shadow...
	Shadow.  The name echoed in Edgarâs mind darkly.  He hadnât made it out of the tower.  
He had stayed behind.
	Edgar hung his head.  All wars had meaningless losses, but Shadow deserved to live more 
than any soldier that had fought before.  The man had demons within him.  They could have been 
purged with the groupâs help.  But...
	No time to think about it.  ãWell Locke, proceed,ä he said, and Locke began his story.
	When it was over, Cyan nodded.  ãThis is indeed a unique development.  Magic...is still 
here?ä
	Locke replied, ãYes.  And itâs our job to guard it.ä
	ãBut why?ä Relm asked.  ãItâs just a dumb old shard.  Itâs not like anybody remembers 
what the damn stuff is!  I say we just bury it and be done with it.ä
	ãBut if we bury it,ä Sabin interjected, ãthereâs still a risk that it could be found.  
No, we have to guard it.ä
	ãYes,ä Edgar agreed.  ãI believe that the lower vault of the castle is a safe place.  
Only Sabin and I know its location.ä
	ãVery well,ä Locke said.  ãUntil we need it again, the shard shall remain in your vault.ä
						*****
	Terra Branford had remained strangely silent throughout the meeting.  However, the inside 
of her mind had been anything but.
	*Terra.*
	(What?) she thought, confused.  (Who are you?)
	*I am not of your kind, and yet am one of you.  I know all, and yet wish for more 
knowledge.  To put it briefly...I am of the Spirit Realm.*
	(What?)
	*Do not fear me, Terra.  I am your friend, even though you do not know me.  I do not 
require your help...but could not do without you...*
	(Stop the riddles, I donât understand!)
	*No human could understand me, Terra.  But you are Esper.  You will understand.*
	(No.  The Esper part of me was purged twenty years ago.  I am human now.)
	*You only deny your true heritage.  I am here to help you.  You can still be an Esper...
with the shard.*
	(Huh?)
	*Is there not Magicite on the table in front of you?*
	(Yes, but-)
	*If you take it, you can regain your true bloodline.*
	(But it needs to be defended, I canât take it!)
	*Do not fear me, Terra.  I intend to put the shard to good use.  Now, take the shard, 
and go to the cave to South Figaro.  You will meet my servant there.  He will know what to do 
from there.*  The ãvoiceä paused.  *You may even restore the Espers if you help us.*
	(Restore the Espers...Restore...Father?!)
	*Make your choice.*
	(I can...)
	*Yes.*
	(I can...)
	*Yesss...*
	(I will!)
	And it was then, as Locke slid the Magicite shard across the table, that Terra Branford 
said, ãWait!ä
						*****
	There was an uneasy silence as the others turned to Terra.  She sat for a while, not 
quite comprehending what had just happened, then cleared her throat.  ãI, uh, want to look at 
it.  The shard.ä
	Edgar shrugged, then slid the shard across the table to Terra.  ãGo ahead,ä he said.
	Terra sat, staring at the shard, then, tentatively, reached out with a finger and 
touched the shard.
	The energy coursed through her like lightning.  She felt an incredible sense of power, 
power that she had not felt for twenty years.  She had forgotten the sensation.  It was a burden 
and a blessing at the same time, but it came with such startling intensity that she 
instinctively gasped and drew her finger away.
	But as she did so, she still felt a bit of the power coursing through her.  She was 
regaining her magic!  It was working!
	Slowly, she reached out, again, this time with her whole hand.  The power caused her to 
shudder, but she held on.  Bit by bit, the energy overtook her, taking over her body, until she 
felt gorged with the magical energy.  Then, she began to change.
	The others stared in surprise as Terra began to glow a bright pink.  Her nails 
lengthened into claws, and her eyes were overcome with the ferocity of a wild animal.  They 
slowly comprehended.  She was becoming an Esper again.
	Clutching the shard and letting out an inhuman wail, she leaped from her chair and 
hurled herself up into the air, smashing through the stone ceiling.  Her shriek gradually 
softened in the distance, then was lost.
						IV
				        Prisoner of the Power
	The Esper, remembering her quest, flew into the cave, landing just in the front chamber.
Raising her arms, she used her magic to scan the cave for any life.  There.  In the next chamber.
Grasping the shard tightly, she walked around the bend and through the narrow passageway.
	There was a young man.  Thin, with black hair and piercing brown eyes.  He was the one; 
he emanated a strange sort of power.  ãYou are here,ä he said.
	The Esper paused for a moment.  ãYes,ä she said.  Then, holding out the Magicite, ãI 
have the shard.ä
	ãAh, yes,ä he said, walking forward.  ãNow, give it to me.ä
	She started to give it to him, then pulled it to her chest.  ãNo.  I...I donât trust 
you.  Who are you?ä
	The man paused for a while, then laughed.  ãVery wise.  You should trust no one with 
your powers.  I am Laroc.ä  Then, after another pause, ãWerenât you told that I would know what 
to do?ä
	ãYes...ä
	ãThis is what needs to be done.  Now, the shard.ä  He reached out to it.
	The Esper stood, uncertain, then turned away.  ãThe shard,ä he encouraged coldly.  Then 
something strange happened.  The force the Esper had felt around Laroc reached out to her and 
ãgrabbedä her.  She gasped as she found herself turning around and, with the staccato movements 
of a marionette, handing the shard to Laroc, who grasped it greedily.  She saw him grin madly 
as the power flowed into him.
	ãThank you,ä he said, pacing the shard in his pocket.
	ãWhat...how...ä the Esper stammered.
	ãYour magic,ä Laroc said.  ãYou see, it is not so much a power as it is a leash.  It 
gives you some freedom, but those who hold the other end have the final say.ä  He chuckled.  
ãYou see, I hold the leash.  Your power makes you my prisoner.  You do what I say.  Got it?ä  He 
looked at his watch, then looked at the Esper.  ãItâs time.  Come on.  We have to go to the 
Tower Ruins.ä
	Terra had no choice but to follow.
						V
					      Odyssey
	The airship soared across the sky, slashing clouds and scattering birds.  Looking at it 
from the ground, it may have seemed like a giant, playful bird.  However, its passengers were 
not feeling as carefree as the bird would have been.
	ãDo you have any idea where she went?ä Setzer asked, as he slowly turned the airship.
	ãNo,ä Locke replied.  ãShe just flew off, and she was gone.ä
	ãWell, that helps.ä  Setzer sighed.  ãIf you donât even know where she is, then why are 
we going on this wild goose chase?ä
	ãCome on, Setzer, I thought you loved a good gamble.ä
	ãI only bet on odds that work, kid.ä
	Gogo was leaning over the rail, watching the ground below, when something caught his/her/ 
its eye.  He focused on it - he had excellent eyesight, which he needed for his incredible 
mimicries - and it became clear.  A glowing shape, leaving Figaro Cave behind another figure.
	ãHey!ä he shouted, interrupting Setzerâs argument.  ãThere she is!  Coming out of the 
cave!ä
	Setzer leaned over the edge to look, then turned the ship and dove sharply.  ãGet the 
net ready!ä he yelled.  ãQuickly!ä
	Celes and Mog ran across to the rear of the ship.  Celes flipped the switch at the small 
console, extending the net.  Mog grasped the controls and began to maneuver the net into 
position.
	ãNetâs in position!ä Celes yelled.  To this Mog added, ãLine Îer up, kupo!ä
	Setzer eased the ship downwards as the two grew in the distance.  By now Terra and the 
other had noticed the ship, and were running.  Setzer slowly pushed the accelerator forward and 
edged closer, closer...
	ãNow!ä he shouted.
	Mog pulled on the lever marked ãNET ACTIVATIONä and watched as the net opened, flying 
towards Terra and her companion.  Setzer whooped as the two were entangled in the net.  ãReel 
Îem in!ä he shouted.
	Celes grunted as she turned the crank on the console.  She was strong, but lifting two 
people with a net was a bit much.  Finally, however, a light on the console blinked, indicating 
that the net was up.  Setzer chuckled as he opened the hatch nearby.  ãWell, it just goes to 
show that you cant get away from the Falcon.ä  Then he stopped and stared.
	The net was empty.
						*****
	Terra opened her eyes, confused.  One minute she was caught in a net, being pulled to 
the airship, the next...Well, she didnât know where she was.  It was barren, with rubble 
scattered everywhere.
	ãWell, weâre here,ä said Laroc, who she hadnât noticed beside her.  ãThe Tower Ruins.ä  
And as Terra looked around, she recognized with horror what ruins they were.
	Kefkaâs Tower.
						VI
					Restoring the Eye
	Holding the shard, Laroc advanced to the center of the vast heap of rubble.  ãMaster,ä 
he called.  ãI am here!  I have the shard.  We will be free!ä  The air seemed to shimmer with 
approval.
	ãTorak, meloc, zelra zein, now the power will be mine!ä he bellowed, raising the shard 
into the air.  The clouds overhead had thickened, and were rumbling threateningly.
ãThe Eye of the Esper shall be restored...and the healer...shall have...his...reward!ä  He cast 
the Magicite shard upwards.
	Lightning leaped from the clouds at several places, each striking the shard.  The energy 
coursed through it as it remained suspended, casting a green glow across the barred field of 
stone.
	Terra gasped as a piece of stone beneath her rose from the ground.  She leaped aside, 
cutting herself on a sharp chunk of metal.  Wincing, she rolled over and watched the stone rise.
	It was a statue, carved from gray stone.  She couldnât quite describe it.  It resembled 
a dragon, but its features were almost humanoid.  A long, curved tail, with a deadly spike at 
the end, curved from behind it across its right shoulder.
	One eye was missing.
	Slowly, she turned, and saw the green Magicite slowly fall into Larocâs hands.  
Chuckling, he walked over to stand beside the statue.
	ãNow you see our purpose, Terra,ä he said.  ãWe are no ordinary beings.  We are the ones 
who can bring back my Master.ä
	ãI...I donât understand...ä
	Laroc took in a deep breath.  ãTo explain further, I will have to tell you an ancient 
myth.  You see, many have claimed that it was the Magi who created magic, and the humans were 
the first beings on this planet.  However, according to another legend, we humans didnât create 
the Espers.  We merely summoned them into our world.  In fact, they had created us.
	ãLong ago, before our endowment with magic, The Esper Realm was ruled by an ancient 
being named Delamis.  He ruled kindly over the Espers for many millennia, but then, he was 
consumed by greed.  He began many experiments, using the natural energy of Espers to produce 
great powers.  These tests were far from humane.  However, his discoveries made it worth his 
while.  He learned how to extract power from an Esper and convert it into a force he called 
Îmagic.â
	ãThe Espers soon learned of this, and attacked his palace.  They captured Delamis, and 
gouged out his eye.  He turned into stone, and his eye turned into a shard of Magicite.  The 
Espers expelled the shard and the statue from there world, and they ended up in ours.  The shard 
was found and used to develop magic, but the statue-ä he patted the statueâs leg at this point 
ã-remained hidden.ä
	Terra forced herself to stand, ignoring the bleeding gash on her leg.  ãSo what does 
this mean to us?ä
	ãYou see, the Delamis shard is only a small portion of his power.  Delamis himself 
could obliterate the entire planet if he wished.  But he is trapped in the Spirit Realm.  Thatâs 
where we come in.
	ãIf this shard is returned to the statue, Delamisâs power will be restored, and he will 
return to our world.  We are his servants, you and I.  He will grant us power beyond 
comprehension!  You see, Terra, our current aspect of magic is so limited that we can only 
exist in one world.  But there are many more, Terra.  Many worlds like ours, parallel to ours.  
With our power, we can Unite them, and bring about a new era!ä
	ãBut,ä Terra said, ãmany worlds canât exist in the same place!  If you bring them 
together, our whole universe will be destroyed!ä  But Laroc wasnât listening.  He scrambled up 
the statue, and stood upon its giant claw.  ãPrepare for new life, Master!ä he cried, and he 
placed the shard into the eye socket.
						VII
					      Delamis
	Terra could only watch as the statue began to glow.  Beams of light shot from its eyes 
that reminded her of Kefkaâs Light of Judgment.  Of course, she knew that this was far more 
deadly.
	The stone began to flake away like leprous skin, revealing red scales.  Cracks slithered 
along the statue, growing deeper and deeper.  At last, with a final thrash, the rock shattered.  
Delamis was free.
						*****
	Larocâs excitement grew, and he began to laugh ecstatically as Delamis stood 
majestically among the ruins.  The light still shot from his eyes, and he swept it across the 
land as he observed his surroundings.  At last his gaze rested on Laroc.
	ãYou have freed me,ä Delamis said, lowering his long neck to meet Laroc at eye level.  
Laroc nodded, bursting with anticipation.
	ãYou have done well,ä Delamis said.  Then, turning his head to Terra, ãAnd the Esper, 
too.ä
	Terra?  Who needed Terra?  He had done the work, he had planned it all out, while she 
only brought the shard!  Why thank her?
	ãYes,ä said Laroc.  ãShe has served her purpose.ä
	ãAnd you both shall be rewarded.ä  Delamis stretched his neck and tail and spread his 
wings for the first time in millennia.  ãBut first...ä
	ãThe Uniting,ä Laroc said.  Delamis nodded.  He quivered with joy.  The time was near.  
The Eye of the Esper had been restored, and the healer would have his reward.
						*****
	Terra only watched these events take place.  She took no action, save in her mind.  She 
knew she should fight back, save the worlds.  But she also knew that she couldnât.  One false 
move would destroy her.  Of course, if she didnât act, she would be destroyed anyway.  But still-
	*Terra.*
	(Oh, no.  More voices?)
	*Terra, Iâm here to help you.*
	(Thatâs what Delamis said.)
	*No, Terra.  I do not serve Delamis.  You knew me while I was alive.  I believe my name 
was Clyde Arrowny.  You knew me by another name, though.*
	(Who are you?)
	*'There are those who bury away their emotions...Do not forget that.'  I recall telling 
you that once.*
	Terraâs mind finally recognized the person communicating with her, and her eyes were 
almost choked with tears.  (Shadow...)
	*Yes.  I am Shadow.*
	(We missed you.  Why didnât you come with us?)
	*I was through burying my emotions.  I had a friend who I...let down.  I had to make 
amends...But enough of that.  We have to stop Delamis.  You have to remove the Eye.*
	(How?)
	*Use your magic.  I will distract them.  You must Terra.  For the worldâs sake.*
	The voice faded, and Terra prepared herself for what could be her last act.
						*****
	The man clad in black appeared as Delamis was about to begin his incantation.  ãYou,ä he 
growled.  ãHow dare you interrupt the Uniting.  What is your purpose?ä
	ãTo stop your little party,ä the ninja replied.
	Delamis peered closely at the man, then snorted.  ãYou are a spirit.  How did you get 
here?ä
	ãYou fool,ä the ninja laughed.  ãDid you think only you could use the gate that your 
little friend here opened?  Apparently it worked for old Shadow here.ä
	ãYou are a spirit.  You canât harm us,ä Laroc replied.  He began the incantation again.
	Shadow only chuckled.  ãInterceptor,ä he said, ã...sic Îem.ä
	From nowhere a being began to materialize.  It was a dog, big and brown and fierce.  
With a growl, it jumped at Laroc, and he was surprised to find himself being knocked back onto 
the ground.
	Delamis watched, shocked, as the dog tore at Larocâs leg with his teeth, slicing through 
his skin.  Laroc wailed in pain.
	It was then that Terra hurled her magic forth and ripped the Magicite shard from 
Delamisâs eye socket.
						VIII
					      Sacrifice
	ãSee anything yet?ä Setzer called back.
	ãUhhh...Nope,ä Umaro replied.
	ãNot a thing,ä said Gau.
	ãZilch,ä grumbled Relm.
	ãHey!ä Sabin called.  ãI think I see something!ä
	They all rushed over to the railing.  In the distance, about where the ruins of Kefkaâs 
Tower would be, a shaft of light illuminated the sky.  There was a long silence.
	Finally Edgar said, ãI think weâve found our Magicite.ä
	Setzer rushed back to the controls and pushed the throttle to full.  It wasnât over 
yet...
						*****
	Delamis shrieked as his life energy began to fly from his body.  Was it over so soon?  
Was the end upon him?
	No.  His servant Laroc was faithful.  Not like the traitorous Terra.  He would revive 
him, and he would have his reward.  While Terra...
	These comforting thoughts were his last in the Human World as his body turned to stone 
once again.
						*****
	Clutching the shard to her chest, Terra began to panic.  So she had the Magicite now.  
What would she do with it?
	Shadow appeared before her.  ãThere is only one thing to do,ä Shadow said.  You have to 
drain yourself and Laroc.  Then you will guard the Magicite forever.ä
	ãBut if I drain myself, I will...perish.ä
	ãIt is the only way,ä Shadow replied.  ãI wish there were another, but...ä
	Terra stood there, wondering what to do.  She stood for a long time.  Then, she said, 
with difficulty, ã...I will miss them.  Edgar, Sabin, Relm, all of them...I will miss them.ä
	ãThey will remember you,ä Shadow replied.  ãThey will remember your sacrifice.ä
	Terra took a deep breath, and despite every effort, could not control the tears 
streaming from her eyes.  ãI must,ä she said.  ãI will.ä
	ãYour mother is there,ä Shadow said.  ãYour father, too.  You will not be alone.ä  He 
paused.  ãI must go now.  My time in your world is ending.  And if you get the chance...ä  For 
the first time since Terra had met him, Shadow removed his hood.
	Behind it was a weary, but still handsome face, with gray eyes showing both sadness and 
peace.  ã...Tell my daughter that I love her very much.ä  With that, Shadow - Clyde Arrowny - 
faded away forever.
	Terra nodded, and began focusing her power-
	As Laroc stepped in front of her.
	ãOh, Iâm so glad you found the shard!ä he said sarcastically.  ãYou know, you and your 
ninja friend caused a lot of trouble.ä  He glanced down at his torn and bleeding leg.  ãBloody 
dog.ä  He looked up at her.  ãAnd now, Iâll be taking that Magicite shard back.ä  His voice took 
on a harder edge.  ãGive it to me.  Now.ä
	Terra glared at him.  ãNo,ä she said calmly.  ãYouâve failed.  Without the shard you are 
nothing.  And you will never get it.ä
	Laroc sighed.  ãYou leave me no choice.ä  He raised his hand and began chanting a spell.
	Terra knew it was now or never.  She hurled herself forward and clutched his face with 
one hand.  Concentrating her power, she ãpulledä his magic into her body.  Bit by bit he was 
drained.  Laroc wailed as he felt the energy, the wonderful power, leave him.  	ãNoooo!ä he 
yelled as the last bit of magic energy fell away from the body.  He fell to the ground, sobbing 
and quivering.
	Terra paused.  She knew this next act would be final.  But to save the world...it must 
be done.  She took the time to look one last time on her own world.  The barren landscape of the 
Tower Ruins wasnât the last thing she wanted to see, but it was her world.  She knew that beyond 
it were fields of grass...trees...young lovers...the children of Mobliz sheâd raised...and her 
friends.  Yes, her friends.  She would miss them the most.
Now she was crying freely.  But these were tears of joy, happiness in knowing that all these 
would go on existing, living.
	Now, she ran, cradling the shard in her arms.  Holding her power in, she jumped at the 
statue of Delamis, and turned away.  With her mind exploding with magic, she cast her power 
away, beyond their world, to where it would at last be destroyed.
	The jump lasted forever.  Terraâs consciousness ebbed away as she lost her magic.  She 
knew the end was coming, yet she refused to believe it.  She decided it wasnât the ending.  Just 
another beginning.  Not for her, though.  For others.
	Her final thoughts were just emotions.  Just a brief wistful feeling, then joy, and 
strangely, Freedom.
	When the airship arrived, they found only a sobbing young man and a large Esper statue.  
Over the statueâs eye, there was another, smaller statue, clutching something to its chest.
						Epilogue
					     Final Message
	As the party recognized the statue, they were completely silent.  No one knew of 
anything to say.  No one wanted to speak.
	Then, a voice in their minds did all the speaking for them.
	*Hello, my friends.  You probably know who this is, so I wonât bother you with obvious 
things.  Let me start by saying that I am not among you anymore.  I am speaking to you from the 
Spirit Realm.  Yes, I have...passed away.
	*As for what happened here, that statue you see here is Delamis, an Esper who wanted to 
destroy our world.  The shard you found, Locke, allowed Delamis to return to our world.  By 
using me and another man as his servants, he was able to bring himself back.  But heâs been cast 
back to the Spirit Realm...at the cost of my life.*  She was silent for a moment.
	*The man over there is Laroc, Delamisâs other servant.  He is little without his powers, 
but he is still dangerous, so I recommend that you lock him up.  I donât want to take any more 
chances.
	*My time to speak with you is brief, so I will say little more.  You are probably 
wondering why I committed such self-sacrifice.  It wasnât for glory, or for the history books.  
It was for you.  You are my friends, and I canât let you perish, for any amount of power.  You 
helped teach me what love is, and I know that I...love...each of you.
	*And before I leave, I have a promise to keep.  Relm...Your father loves you.  He helped 
fight Delamis for the same reasons I did.  Never forget your father...the one called Shadow.*
	Relm slowly sank to the ground and cried, her harsh edge now gone.  She had never known 
her father.  And now she never would.  She only knew who he was...and that he loved her.  But 
that was enough.
	*I must go now.  Remember me, and remember what Iâve done for you.  There is a story, I 
believe, of a man, a teacher, who allowed himself to be killed by his enemies, so that he might 
save the people from their evil.  I like to think that Iâm doing the same thing.
	*Farewell...And remember me...My friends...*
	And though Terraâs voice perished forever, the eleven left always felt her near.  When 
they felt weak, or needed hope, they traveled to the ruins of Kefkaâs Tower.  And there, against 
the eye of Delamisâs statue, was a small Esper, standing in the way of danger.