Bartz stroked his beard. "Galuf would be proud of this,” he thought as he looked around the bar. No one stood out. The letter had arrived for him just one day earlier. Someone wanted to meet him in a hurry.

Whoever they were, they were vague and desperate. Still, Bartz was curious. It had been some time since adventure had been a part of his life. Boko wasn’t much for riding around these days because of the family.

The princesses (“Queens?" Bartz wondered.) were busy with all that official stuff that never interested him. Although, he still managed to sneak a drink in with Faris occasionally. Lenna was far too proper for that. And Krile was spending her days with the Moogles. Bartz was alone. Any company would be welcome.

“Bartz?” A young lady appeared before him. He smiled. “Well, you must be his daughter. You even got his good looks.”

She flinched. “I hope that is not an insult.”

“Why would I insult the daughter of an old friend?” Bartz motioned for her to sit. “So why did you want to see me? I didn’t even know he had a daughter.”

“He… kept some secrets. Given his love for soliloquies, that might be hard to imagine, but even he feared Exdeath a little. Anyway, you said old friend, right?” She made what some might call a smile. “I thought you two battled many times.”

“Oh, we did,” Bartz said. “Quite a few times, if I remember correctly. But there was respect. You don’t often get that between enemies. I’d call him a friend.” Bartz paused. “You’re still standing.”

“Oh, sorry.” She took a seat across from him. “Well, I am glad to hear that,” she said. “That will make this go smoother. I imagine you are wondering why I wanted to see you.”

“I’m wondering what he named his daughter,” Bartz grinned. She sat in silence.

“Oh, no. He did not. Wait. Did he? Are you for real?” Bartz tried to hold back his laughter.

“I go by Gil,” she said, lowering her eyes. A hearty laugh escaped the old adventurer.

“Haha! Gilgamesh Junior! His daughter! I can’t believe it! Well, I mean, I suppose I can.” A few other patrons turned their heads at the bearded man’s sudden outburst. Gil just sat in silence.

“I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. It’s just that’s something he would do. What a guy. What a guy…” Bartz motioned to the barkeep to bring a round.

“Okay, now that we have that out of the way, can we get down to business?” Gil’s tone was sharp.

“Business? Now, that is an interesting word. I thought this was going to be a lovely little meetup.” Bartz took a long gulp of his drink.

“It has been thirty years,” Gil replied.

“So?” Bartz said, putting down his now empty glass. “Exdeath is gone. Sucked into the Void. I was there. Cost me a fair bit of gil – no pun intended. But we took him down.”

“How is that a pun?” Gil asked with a straight face.

“Er, um. Well, yeah. Anyway. I know that it’s been thirty years.” Gil’s serious tone made Bartz sober up. “But why should that matter?”

“Sadly, it does,” said Gil.

Bartz stared at the worn-down table, his mind spinning. He saw what the Void did to Exdeath. He had defeated Exdeath with his own hands. What possibly could be wrong now? But adventure is more interesting than worry.

“So, I guess you’re looking for three people?” Bartz inquired.

“Two now, I hope.” Gil was as cold as her father was talkative.

“Yeah, two more sounds about right. It’s been a while for me, though,” Bartz said, standing up. “Wait, that makes me the old man this time, right?”

Gil laughed. “Oh, sorry. I mean no disrespect to Galuf.”

“Didn’t take that way,” Bartz said with a smile. “I’m sure he would have laughed too. You should laugh. Most people tend to take this all too seriously.”

Gil smiled. “Well, I’m glad to have you join me.”

“Not a problem,” Bartz said. “The problem I see is finding two more people. Everyone I know’s busy. Lives and all that.”

“I have a few ideas,” Gil said. “I hope you can still ride a chocobo.”

Bartz grinned. “Ride a chocobo? Little girl, you have no idea! I hope you brought them. Mine’s got a family now.”

“The chocobos will not be a problem. I take it you are ready to go?” Gil was surprised at Bartz’s vigor. He was a bit older than she had imagined.

“I’m always ready to go. I’ve got nothing to do in this place, and I don’t think anyone here wants to hear me play the piano again.” Bartz laughed.

Gil stood up as well. “Well then, I suppose it is time we go.”

“Where to?” Bartz said, slinging his sword over his shoulder.

“The Wind Shrine,” Gil said. “I told you that I have chocobos ready.”

“Ah, memories,” Bartz said as the two left the bar.