Raid on the Esper World

The Raid on the Esper World is a battle in Final Fantasy VI that takes place 16 years before the start of the game, in which the Gestahlian Empire invades the Esper World and captures several espers. This paves the way for the invention of Magitek and, in turn, the Second and Third Gestahlian Campaigns.
==Prelude==
Two years prior, a human named Madeline enters the Esper World and falls in love with Maduin, an esper. Two years later Madeline gives birth to a baby, whom they name Terra. Many espers disapprove of the relationship, but Maduin is protective and also has the support of the Esper Elder.
Around the same time, the Gestahlian Empire is in the finishing stage of its campaign to conquer the southern continent (the "First Gestahlian Campaign"). Emperor Gestahl leads an expedition to find the Esper World. After a long search, they stumble upon the Cave to the Sealed Gate and reach the border with the esper world.
==Battle==
An Imperial force led personally by Emperor Gestahl invades Esper World. Gestahl promises riches to anyone who captures an esper, and soon Imperial soldiers pour into the Esper World. Outmatched, the espers fall back to avoid captivity.
The Esper Elder decides to use his magic powers to expel the invaders and raise a barrier, sealing off the Esper World. Maduin protests, saying the Elder will use up his powers and die, but the Elder says that he is prepared to sacrifice himself. As the spell is cast, Maduin learns Madeline has fled through the gate with Terra due to other espers blaming her for the attack. He chases after her and the two end up critically wounded on the wrong side as the barrier is erected.
==Aftermath==
Emperor Gestahl is furious that the espers had halted the raid, but quickly changes his mind when he finds Terra, personally seizing her from Madeline who soon dies from her wounds. While Terra becomes subject to experiments and is raised to become a living weapon, the captured espers are placed in the Magitek Research Facility to be drained for their powers. This is how Magitek is invented, and sets the groundwork for further wars of conquest.
Four espers manage to escape the Magitek Research Facility. While Kirin, Siren, and Cait Sith all fall, Ramuh survives and takes their Magicite so it does not fall into the wrong hands. Ramuh then takes hides out in Zozo for several years.
In the GBA and following versions, prior to the Returner's infiltration of the Magitek Research Facility, a man in Nikeah says that another four espers have escaped. He most likely refers to the four espers introduced in the GBA version: Leviathan, Diabolos, Cactuar, and Gilgamesh.
When the barrier between the Human World and Esper World is finally removed, the espers try to save their friends who were captured in the raid. When they learn they are already dead, they enact revenge by decimating Vector; it is later revealed they lost control of their powers when crossing into the Human World.
==Gallery==
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 1.png|Esper World Raid.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 2.png|Espers fleeing to avoid captivity.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 3.png|Emperor Gestahl entering the Esper World.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 5.png|Soldiers storming into the Esper World.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 6.png|The Esper Elder's plan to halt the invasion.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 7.png|The Elder elaborating his plan.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 8.png|Maduin chasing after Madeline.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 9.png|Imperial soldiers being pushed out by the spell.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 10.png|Gestahl realizing he is defeated.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 11.png|Gestahl seizing Terra from Madeline.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 12.png|Gestahl foreseeing the invention of Magitek.
FFVI GBA Esper World Raid 13.png|The gate between the two worlds closing.
Category:Events in Final Fantasy VI