Leviathan, Guardian God of the Sea


 * From Vana'diel Tribune volume 12 (April 25, 2003). Translated from Japanese.

In the Golden Age of the ancients, huge ships connected the countries of the world.

However, many vessels making their return trips on the Gugru Sea mysteriously began to disappear, shocking many people. Amongst seafarers, a rumor that the Great Sea Serpent Leviathan was warning humans of the great disturbance they caused the sea became widespread. Thus, many turned away from riding these ships, and panic slowly crept into the hearts of many.

At the island kingdom that served as a waypoint between the two most popular ports lived many traders and merchants. Fearful that the flow of business would be severely interrupted, they sent out a great deal of mercenaries and pirates to attempt to suppress this mysterious threat. However, they often just circled around the shore, bringing back alligator skins and lying about how they defeated the dreaded Leviathan. Needless to say, the problem was not resolved.

After many an exasperating ordeal, the traders finally hired a man named Veydal, who was a former Admiral. Known rather infamously as the "One-eyed Demon", Veydal was a quite well known war hero; however, with the passing of time, he began to live as a rather hermitlike fisherman. While he initially showed no interest in taking up the desperate request of the merchants, Veydal's wife (to whom he had been married for many, many, years) encouraged him with just a few words, and in his remaining eye a glint of the adventurous spirit of his youth seemed to have returned.

"It's wonderful to still have something that only you can do, isn't it?" she said.

The news of the legendary Admiral's acceptance of the mission spread quickly, arousing the courage and vigor of a good number of sailors (many of whom had come to feel a sense of terror at any mention of the sea in the months).

It was not long before Veydal gathered a fleet of 5 of the city's finest ships and set off for departure. Boarding on the vessels were some of Veydal's former crew (who deeply admired him) and several young sailors who had heard word of the valorous deeds he performed in his prime. From within that crowd, Veydal picked the man whom he had raised from infancy as his First Mate, whom he believed to be of virtuous character.

Several days passed. Under Veydal's careful instruction, the fleet eventually began to veer off the standard trading route. Within only a few minutes, the ships encountered a shocking sight.

While it was thought that all the trading vessels had been sunk, what now filled the crew's eyes was a field of stranded boats--perfectly intact--floating on the ocean.

Upon close observation, giant roots could be seen ensnaring many of the ships' hulls. There was no doubt in Veydal's mind. Stingy merchants (knowingly risking the safety of their crews) must have given orders to veer off the trade route and to take a dangerous shortcut, hoping to cut travel time and labor costs. Veydal, who knew from past experience that this was the breeding season of the Sea Morbols, had suspected something like this since the journey's very start.

Unable to find any survivors, the party that had previously aimed to suppress Leviathan completely lost their goal. That night, while they were in the process of returning to their home port, a particular incident occurred. To the right of the fleet appeared several objects that resembled small islands, running in unison close to the surface of the water. One of the watchmen quickly shouted.

"It's Leviathan!"

With a mammoth body and scales that shone a mysterious, pale blue, the serpent surfaced.

While the ships' crews stood in a shaken daze, a voice issued an attack without delay.

The voice that had ordered the assault was not Veydal's, but instead, that of his First Mate. Envious of Veydal's distinguished military record, he too wished to leave his mark on history. Veydal was too late to stop him, and a barrage of harpoons shot out towards Leviathan. Angered by this sneak attack, Leviathan lunged towards the sailors, initiating a struggle to the death.

Despite Veydal's detailed instructions, the galley of ships fell one by one to the Great Sea Serpent. When only one ship remained, he made his final instructions.

In those moments, Veydal ordered a charge towards Leviathan. Ramming Leviathan's unguarded throat with the ship's bow, the ship jostled violently. With a fury still very much aroused, Leviathan continued to batter the fleet relentlessly. Veydal, who was riding on the bow, then unsheathed his sword and jumped into the sky and landed on Leviathan's head. Having the full attention of the god, Veydal shouted

"Guardian God of the Great Sea! I apologize for the great offense that my crewmembers have committed. I beg of you, silence your anger and spare their lives. In their stead I offer you mine own."

Leviathan, while attempting to shake off Veydal, fell together with him into the depths of the sea.

After several days had passed, the severely damaged fleet returned to its island port. Veydal's First Mate, who was welcomed home as a hero, spread word that Veydal had run away in fear. Furthermore, he made Veydal's heroic deeds part of his own glory.

A lavish parade was held that night in his honor. Feasting and dancing till the twilight hours, the First Mate told the tale of his daring serpent slaying countless times.

The next morning, Leviathan's body washed up upon the island shore. Thrust in the center of its head was a simple sword, covered in blood. The fact that the blade was not the property of the First Mate was clear to anyone, however. From that very moment, many were left guessing as to the identity of its owner. Rumors and debate over the sword's true owner became widespread as the villagers began to talk amongst themselves day after day.

But once question remained in the hearts of the townsfolk: Why did the severely wounded Leviathan swim all the way to the shore?

The only ones who understood the whole truth were the General's wife and Veydal's long-time shipmates.

The Goddess, who had been watching the sea from afar since the dawn of time, called Veydal, the man who sacrificed his life for his comrades, and his worthy opponent Leviathan-- whose strong will to promote justice compelled him to restore Veydal's honor-- to the heavens, where they would assume positions as heroes forever after.

Note: Veydal is the brighest star in the Leviathan constellation in Vana'diel's sky. It is a dark blue-colored star.