We Have Forgotten [Bahamut]

[Aerith]

Even if it seems impossible, I won't stop hoping.
--------
[July 27th]

It had been days since Aerith had been able to truly relax. But being here, in her garden, was exactly what she needed. Like faithful friends, the flowers melted away her stress, as if imbibing it through every leaf and petal she touched and sending it unnaturally back into the earth. So therapeutic, her silent friends.

Thoughts of the conflict from two days ago seemed a far-off dream, shrouded in a fog of sweet scents and bright colors. She sat in the middle of her garden, her hands occasionally straying from the flowers to feel the soft earth beneath, that anchor keeping the fruits of her labor alive.

Why can't everything be this peaceful? Everything would be so nice.[/font]

[Administrator]

Time for the decade check-up.

Was it time, already? It seemed like but recently he had gone to the town of Radiant Garden and seen how the people there were living in the light, and were yet corrupt. But now, as Bahamut returned to the town, he realized that much had changed in the years past. The town had been destroyed and restored multiple times in some places; other places remained much the same since he had last walked the streets.

This time, he took the form of a knight, arrayed in gallant armor. Walking the streets, the Sky Lord nodded politely to the passerby, most of whom ignored him. Still, they have not changed. Perhaps they never will. Just then, an odor caught his nose. His nose was transfixed; flowers, and well tended, by one who cared deeply about their survival. Could this be the sign he was looking for?

Following the scent, he was led back to a garden, one beautifully and obviously well-tended. Bahamut was in awe by both the wonderful arrangement of plants, in a natural, yet distinctly ordered way, and by the fact that the woman tending them was so...full of light. A surge of hope rose in the Sky Lord's chest, as she could be the cause for hope for humanity after all these years, but he soon stifled it.

After all, he had been tricked before. Approaching her calmly, Bahamut kept his facial expression neutral and passive. "You tend a wondrous garden, miss." He spoke but truth; her garden was wondrous, after all. Would that she is as kind as her tending indicates, he thought, wondering whether she was truly as kind as she appeared, or if it was a charade, as it had been in the past.

When humans are involved...one can never tell.

[Aerith]

A new person? You know what that means...
--------

Something felt different about the voice that addressed her. It was unfamiliar, and when she raised her eyes to find its source, the body it belonged to was equally unfamiliar. He certainly stood out, though, in glorious raiment not common among the inhabitants of Radiant Garden. She was instantly intrigued.

Greeting the stranger with a smile, she couldn't help but wonder if her flowers were magnets for odd sorts of people. There had been Kadaj, even though he had not appreciated her garden. Then, there had been Clive and Jericho, both of whom had appreciated it. Now, there was this very regal knight.

"Thank you very much. They are like my children. I hope they'll soon cover more than just this corner of the world."

If flowers were Aerith's first love, children were her second. So it only made sense for her to apply the label to the array of white, pink, and yellow.

"I don't think I've ever seen you around here before. My name is Aerith. Where are you from? It must be a magnificent world." There was wistfulness in her voice. Perhaps, someday, Radiant Garden could be magnificent again.

[Administrator]

You have no idea...

He was greeted with a smile. That was a good sign. Bahamut kept his composure, even as she remained speaking pleasantly. She wishes her flowers to...expand? To coat more of the world in such beauty? She likely did not know of the lush fields of wildflowers outside the bounds of Radiant Garden.

Then she asked of what world he was. To be truthful, the Sky Lord existed alongside the World as they knew it, and even before it was as they knew it. Thus, it was a difficult question to answer, in quite a way that would be satisfying. Perhaps he should first start with his name. "I am Bahamut." Years had passed since any recognized his name for what it was; why should she?

"As for my world...it has changed over the years, and I cannot rightly say it truly exists any longer; at least, not as it was when it was my home." Truer words had likely been spoken, but it was fact enough, and none of it was a lie. Misleading, yes, but he could not rightly say what he was and expect her to not fear him. Better to slowly work towards it, if that were the end result.

"It was indeed a magnificent World. All the peoples were happy. I headed an order of knights named after me; the Knights of Bahamut. I am all that is left of them, now." Bahamut knew that for a fact. There was no way others had survived over the centuries. "Regardless, in the high time, there was no war, no poverty, no suffering; all injustices were punished by myself and my knights."

Laughing, the Lord of the Dragons said, "But do not think me callous, for I let more than a few off with a stern reprimand. I can be quite imposing."

[Aerith]

I must sound like a little girl.
--------

Aerith couldn't stop her eyes from widening as Bahamut spoke. He sounded so important. She wondered why she had never heard of him before. It never crossed her mind that he could be lying to her. No, he gave off the impression that he was truthful. Of course, Aerith was easily trusting. But she was not so naive that she wouldn't have been able to recognize a threat if she saw one.

And even if she did perceive a threat, that wouldn't have stopped her. If she shied away from someone the moment she felt something was off, she would never have made friends with Clive, after all. And Jericho, to some extent. Though, only Clive had stayed here.

"Sorry if I seem awestruck." She laughed softly. "I've never met anyone like you before. Even with the amount of travelers we get, I don't think any have matched you."

She brushed stray dirt from her dress and stood to her feet. Naturally, the man dwarfed her. That wasn't hard to do. For anyone.

"It is nice to meet you, Bahamut."

[Administrator]

One of a kind...

He was becoming more and more convinced at each passing moment that she was the one, the heart of light, that he had been searching for for so long; humanity's hope of salvation. Bahamut smiled slightly, her manner being somewhat amusing. Awestruck, are we? Well, if the meeting continues as it has, by the end of the day, you shall be even more so.

The dragon wasn't surprised that she hadn't met anyone like him before; the others had been bound long before. The faintest of frowns crossed his face for a moment before being replaced by the slight smile of before, a kindly, knowing smile. "It does not surprise me that you have not met any like myself. I am quite unique." He began to offer his hand to help her up, but she stood herself before he could finish the gesture.

"It is nice to meet you as well, Aerith." Indeed, it is much nicer to have met you than you know. It has taken many, many years, but the day has arrived. His mind left out the implied, probably. It was likely that she was the pure heart he had awaited to set humanity on the path of the light, but he was not fully certain. If she was, though...

...then today is the day I return to the worlds in my full glory. It was momentous, truly so. But none save he would fully appreciate this day. None save he would know the time he has endured to arrive here, at this very moment. "I know of a place on this world; a field, filled will wild flowers of all shapes and variations. If you would like, I would take you to it."

[Aerith]

A side-trip? All right.
--------

The moment he mentioned a field of flowers, Aerith let loose the reigns on her usually demure demeanor. Already, her imagination was running wild. What sorts of flowers would be there? How large a field was it? She kept trying to recall there being such a place before the world was overrun by darkness.

"Oh, I would love to see it." Her voice was filled with excitement, and she clapped her hands together once. "You really will take me to it? I suppose... I suppose I can leave for a while."

She was worried, of course. Worried that someone might need her. Ever since the events in the Graveyard, she had felt even more pressure to be everyone's pillar of quiet strength.

[Administrator]

A cryptic question...but a hope for affirmation.

She seemed quite excited to see the field. Motioning for her to walk alongside him, Bahamut offered her his arm. "This way, I shan't lose you in the crowds, lady." Regardless of whether she took his arm or not, he began walking, slowly at first, but then reaching a slightly faster speed, a more even walking pace.

Soon, they approached the edge of the city, but the Lord of the Sky kept walking, making sure to keep pace with Aerith, should she slow down or speed up. As they reached the edge, he turned to her. "Only continue if you want to know the truth of yourself, and of myself." Cryptic, but a truth. Aerith should only follow him if she wants to know what she is, and what he is. If she chooses against, then he would bother her no more, and likely would leave to the countryside again.

But...should she respond in an affirmative manner...then she would be told the truth of herself, and learn his true form. Well, of course, he may still show her to the grove. It was truly a beautiful place. And perhaps, over time, she may change her mind.

But Bahamut knew it was likely she would say yes; if not for the answer to the cryptic question, then for the grove itself. Either way, he may have his pure heart.

[Aerith]

You don't know me very well, do you?
--------

Bahamut offered her his arm, and she hesitated only a moment before she took it. Hopefully, they would not run into Cloud on the way to this field. While she didn't think Bahamut would seem threatening to Cloud, the idea of her on someone else's arm might be a little awkward. Then again, it was so hard to tell what Cloud was thinking.

They wound through the streets until they reached the edge of the town. Here, Bahamut stopped and indirectly asked her if she really wanted to continue. Why wouldn't she? The moment he had mentioned flowers, she was completely on board with this excursion. The cryptic bits about finding the truth out about herself as well as him, were strange, but they didn't deter her.

"I want to continue, of course." She smiled at him. He had not known her for very long, so it was only natural that he would think she might not continue even though the promise of flowers she had never seen before awaited her.

[Administrator]

Not really, we just met.

She had agreed. She was indeed the pure heart he had searched for. Bahamut almost smiled, but instead kept his composure. Appearing calm and collected, the dragon in human form nodded, leading Aerith away from the city. After walking a fair distance, he began talking to the woman, as the walk would be a long one. "In the field there are various types of flowers. All of them are beautiful, of course.

"The purple ones are my personal favorite." Not much else to say, the Sky Lord remained silent for the rest of the walk, which wasn't much farther, truly. Once they arrived, he knew she would be delighted to see all of the beautiful flowers. The Dragon Lord motioned to the land in front of him.

"We have arrived," he said with a smile.

[Aerith]

If this is not Paradise, it is very close.
--------

If the journey to the field had been long, Aerith hadn't noticed. But when they finally stopped and Bahamut announced that they had arrived, Aerith's eyes widened. So many colorful flowers stretched as far as she could see. The sight was so very inspiring.

Letting go of Bahamut's arm, she hurried forward into the field and knelt down to more closely examine each petal, stem, and leaf. The scents here were almost overwhelming. She might have ascribed them to something of the divine. She wanted to take some of these back to her own garden, but a part of her was worried she might mar this sacred ground if even one flower was removed.

"This is wonderful," she said in awe. "Thank you for showing it to me."

[Administrator]

Truth is revealed, in all its majesty, and all its glory.

A grin stretched across Bahamut's face before he realized what was happening. In fact, he left it there. It was good to see a genuine human emotion, such as joy. Those positive aspects being aroused in others had long been gone from his life, and his life was sorely lacking due to it.

It was now time, though. His form shifted, and his body grew to its true massive size. He had revealed himself as Bahamut, Lord of the Skies. Of course, she did not know who he truly was, and his voice rose then, deep and wise and ancient, but with a kindly tone. "Aerith, you are truly pure of heart. It eases the pain of my heart to see you thusly; joyous and cheerful.

"I did not lie to you, any of those words I spoke. I am Bahamut, King of the Dragons, Lord of the Skies. I once commanded a knightly order in the World that was first such order to exist." He sighed, then, remembering ancient sorrows. "But these matter not, now, as I have finally found one who justifies the existence of man, one who can right their wrongs." His voice slowly faded off as he stared at the flowers in the field It truly showed his age.

"You are pure of heart, as I said before. Yes you have ties to those of the darkness, and not negative ties. You are truly one who could bring the peoples of the World together again." Bahamut smiled, a sage thing it was. "But enough of that. You must be tired and shocked out of your mind, my child. Would you like a lift back to the comforts of Radiant Garden?" Bending his knees, the Sky Lord offered her a spot on his back, something he had not offered anyone since the knights were destroyed.

[Aerith]

Am I dreaming?
--------

Aerith almost paid only half-attention to Bahamut as he spoke, but when she heard the rustling of something... otherworldly stir the world's whispers, she looked up.

Why hadn't she noticed before? The world had been silent, keeping this secret even from her, its closest friend.

No longer did the knight meet her eyes. A huge, majestic dragon was in his place. The sight inspired both awe and fear. Although, from the way he still spoke to her, Aerith knew she had nothing to fear from him.

"Oh, my..." Her voice was truly that of a child in this moment. How else was she to respond to such a revelation?

He was speaking to her now about her heart and how she had ties to the darkness. And then he said she could bring the World--she could hear the capital w in his inflection--back together. All by herself?

"Sir..." She wasn't sure what call him, but that seemed to be the most respectful without coming off as too ridiculous. "I think you think too much of me. I'm just one person who... likes to spend a lot of time in her garden."

She looked down for a moment before noticing he was offering to let her ride back to town. The idea made her eyes widen. But her sense of adventure took over, and she accepted the offer. Somehow, she managed to get onto his back in a dignified manner.

"I don't think of myself like that, anyway. I just like to help my friends."

[Administrator]

To junction or not to junction? That is the question.

Bahamut waited for her to settle and then soared into the sky. Turning his head to look at her as he slowly flew in the direction of Radiant Garden, his face one of serene grace. "Those qualities are the reason you are the hope of humanity. Nothing you do needs be different; just know that your heart marks you as one of seven, but the only one who can lead humans back to where they should have been all along."

Ever so slowly, they drifted on the winds and through the clouds, Radiant Garden so far below them. However, Aerith would feel safe upon his back, as if there was no way she could fall; because, truly, there wasn't. The Lord of Dragons would not let her fall from his back. "Your actions are sufficient. You needn't be what you are not." At that, he went back to silence.

Returning to her garden, he landed amidst the flowers; somehow, he managed not to crush a single one. Or even bend one. Bahamut allowed the woman to get off of his back before returning to standing only on his hind legs. "Now, I offer you my power, to be used only in your defense. If any attack you, possible as it is, you may call my name and I will be at your side immediately."

He looked down at her and touched the end of a claw to her forehead lightly. "Do you accept?" If she agreed, she would feel a light surge of energy.

[Aerith]

Another new friend, and this one comes with a powerful punch.
--------

They landed in her garden (somehow), and Aerith slid off Bahamut's back. None of her flowers appeared to be damaged, which settled her somewhat. The Dragon King had told her many things that did not make a lot of sense to her. However, the knowledge that he would come to her aid if needed was not above her understanding.

"Yes. I accept."

She felt warmth flood her, warmth that didn't cease until the claw was removed from her forehead. There was something different now, some connection she felt to Bahamut that wasn't there before. Instinctively, she knew that if she did as he asked, he would come to her side.

"Thank you, Sir. I am honored."

Now was the time for questions. "What did you mean when you said I am one of seven?"