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 in " Final Fantasy VI " . It is the first known decisive defeat suffered by the empire , after a series of victories in South Figaro and Doma , respectively . Battle . The Empire has shown interest in Narshe following the discovery of an esper in the Narshe Mines , and seeks to capture it 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 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 , but when Imperial forces are spotted he accepts help from the Returners fend off the attack . While Narshe guards are stationed to defend the town the Returners face Kefka ' s troops on the cliffs above Narshe to protect the esper . As Kefka and his forces arrive , Kefka then recognizes Celes , who by that point had defected to the Returners for reasons implied to be related to Kefka ' s poisoning of Doma . The Returners must defend Banon , as if any Imperial troops reach him the battle is lost . 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 , although not before swearing revenge . 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 herself , 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 . Narshe residents are furious over the unprovoked attack , with some blaming the esper for their trouble with the Empire . Future attacks are commonly feared , and the Returners station at least two fighters in Narshe to protect the city in the event of another invasion . The Elder of Narshe accepts his policy of neutrality has failed , and spends an extended period in his home contemplating on what to do next . He 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 . Other appearances . " Final Fantasy Record Keeper " . The scattered allies regroup in Narshe just as an Imperial force led by Kefka attempts to seize the esper . It falls to Terra and her allies to defend the town .