Battle for the Frozen Esper

The Battle for the Frozen Esper is a conflict between the Gestahlian Empire and the joint forces of Narshe and the Returners for the possession of a recently discovered esper in the mining city of Narshe.

Battle
The Empire has shown interest in Narshe following the discovery of an esper in the Narshe Mines, and seeks to capture it in order to obtain another source of Magitek power. Following an unsuccessful raid which resulted in the deaths of two Magitek Armor soldiers, the Empire sends a larger invasion force to both capture the esper and to punish Narshe by destroying the town.

Banon, leader of the Returners, realizes that it is critical for the survival of the rebellion to thwart the plan, and leads a relief force to Narshe's aid. Before they can depart the Empire attacks the Returners' Hideout and the party is split. They reunite at Narshe and prepare for the upcoming fight.

Having for long believed that neutrality provides safety from the Empire, the Elder of Narshe turns down repeated requests by the Returners to join them in their struggle. However, when Imperial forces are spotted he immediately admits he was wrong and accepts help from the Returners fend off the attack. While Narshe guards are stationed to defend the town itself, the Returners face Kefka's troops on the cliffs above Narshe to protect the esper.

The battle is an in-game event where the player must defend Banon; if any Imperial troops reach him the game is over and the player must restart from the last Save Point. After defeating the Imperial troops, the Returners turn to face a Hell's Rider. Once defeated, they turn on Kefka who, after a brief skirmish, flees.

Aftermath
With the Imperial threat gone, the Returners hurry to the site of the esper where Terra reacts to its presence and transforms into an esper, taking flight and heading north-west. Up to four Returners depart for Kohlingen in search of her, while the rest stay behind to defend Narshe in case of future attacks. The Elder of Narshe accepts that his policy of neutrality has failed, and spends an extended period in his home contemplating on what to do next. He eventually concludes war has become inevitable, and agrees to support the Returners in a joint attack on the Imperial capital of Vector.

Humiliated and furious, Kefka vows to exact revenge for his defeat. Although it is never directly stated, it is possible the town became one of the first targets of Kefka's Light of Judgment, as it is overrun by monsters and abandoned following the End of the World.

Gallery
Битва за замороженного Эспера