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Trust and wisdom are often the two most difficult things to gain in this world. As one ventures through life, one will meet a lot of people and experience a lot of things that could either contribute to one's growth, or even one's downfall. These human experiences will not always lead to their inevitable result automatically. More often than not, it is the result of a person's synthesis of these experiences that one realizes their influence. So how exactly does one integrate his human experiences to gain not only the wisdom necessary for success, but also the trust of all those who follow you? At times you are demanding of them, and more than able to forgive. At times you suspect their own personal beliefs, yet are willing to trust them with your life.
The Emperor, to be the wise and trusting leader, he must first learn what it really means to "lead."
The Emperor is the figurehead of the wise and trusting leader, or perhaps also the road to become one. When one begins to gather those who are willing to follow your ideals to the letter, and even to die for these ideals, the Emperor is thrust into the center of the movement where he must direct not only his own destiny but also those who rely on him. In effect, he is no longer simply the master of his own fate, but also the guide of the fates of others. He holds in his hands not just his own life, but the lives of his friends and followers.
The need to become such a man is perhaps paramount to the beginnings of his journey. People have started to rely on him, his beliefs, his ideals and his character. They see in him a shining light of guidance that they must somehow follow in order to reach the end of the tracks of this train they're riding on. He perhaps possesses a certain quality or a certain gift they are unable to see in the other members of the group, and by this virtue he is somehow more able to lead this ragtag band of men and women who, strangers before, must now trust each other with their lives.
A former Soldier, a flower girl from the slums, a bartender, a research specimen and the leader of a rebel group. "What a crew", the new president of Shinra remarks. Still, this crew managed to stage an attack on the headquarters of a global corporation, rescue their unfortunate friend and not only uncover the ultimate aim of this corporation but also the possible aim of an even greater threat. This threat has slain the former president and has fled, and this ragtag group decides to go after him. This former Soldier, once refusing to join the rebel ranks, requests his friends to take their captured comrade to safety and start tracking this white-haired beast that has fled. He stands to battle the new president and assures them that he will join them shortly, and they will track this man known as Sephiroth together. On this night, a leader was born.
The last bastion of freedom has fallen. The scattered remains of the fallen army and its mercenary allies huddle together in the decrepit city known as North Window, waiting for the inevitable final attack on the remaining resistance. Here our young man has also escaped, but the camp is filled with despair and fear. How they could win against this rampaging army that seeks their destruction, they wonder. They are trapped on a peninsula with no way out. The young man tired from running and tired of this senseless massacre, stands up and asks them all to fight. He believes there is a way to go against this tide, and he is willing to become the first rock to resist it. He learns of a brilliant tactician who can help him and, throwing away his pride for a greater good, recruits him. On the day before the attack he assembles his troops, to become the one and only army to stand against oppression. On this day, a leader was born.
The hero has even now already come a long way from his humble and naive beginnings. Who was once a simple man trying to make his way and name in the world has become a leader of men, blessed with their trust and loyalty. Perhaps he had never dreamed of becoming a leader of people, but whether or not he truly wanted it, he is one now, and he is responsible for them. That is not to say that he is unquestioned, for he still has much to learn, especially in the ways of maintaining people's trust and loyalty. Still, to be given this role above others is a feat in and of itself, and he is one who must learn not to disappoint.
He is now a leader amongst men.
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