The first time I saw Emerald and Ruby weapon in FF7 shocked me to my core. I had beaten the game without ever encountering them and the guidebook I had only mentioned them in the back of the book, which I hadn't sifted through yet. I would reload that save to grind and just rxplore the world, when I saw a peculiar red eye peering out from the sand near Gold Saucer. Having beaten Sephiroth and Ultima Weapon, I held no fear in my heart and immediately investigated.
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Of course, just like anyone else who has tried this infamous fight knows, it absolutely tore me apart. Seeing my characters drown in quicksand and go from hitting 9999 to barely scratching 1.5-2k on most hits is about as terrifying as it gets. It was the first time I remember feeling honest fear over a video game, I actually cried after that first attempt because it shattered my perception of my skill and strength in the game. I avoided that entire area like the plague from then on out.
A few days later I'd remember that the submarine existed and I decided to give it a look. Whilst exploring I saw Emerald Weapon in the distance, slowly skulking around the area. With Ruby Weapon still fresh in my mind I elected to avoid it like the plague, though when exiting Sunken Gelnika it would seem that Emerald Weapon had other plans. You see, one of the spots it can spawn and stay at is right outside the ship. If you aren't careful, when exiting the Gelnika area you can move forward too quickly and instantly trigger the fight. I fell right into this trap.
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This time I almost felt like I had a chance though. The timer was scary but I was still hitting big damage numbers and it didn't instantly one shot my party. After it switched stances and started blasting me with moves and siphoning my MP I quickly chsnged my tune, however.
Both of these encounters helped make the world of FF7 go from relaxing to horrifying almost overnight. Suddenly this world I thought I had fully explored and conquered appeared to not just hide side areas, but full godlike beings that would bring me to my knees. Pokemon Sapphire/Ruby would come out soon after and also get my young brain wondering on if a Sapphire weapon was hiding around anywhere, because I had forgotten that you actually see a blue weapon get destroyed by the mako cannon earlier in the game.
Was my introduction to fear, mystery and creating playground rumors about the secrets that could be hiding around in video games.
