orphans
For much of Terra's life, she hasn't known the idea of a family. Taken from her parents and her home, her very consciousness harnessed by the Empire, Terra was subjected to the life of a soldier, presumably from day one.
When Terra is finally released from her psychological prison, the first thing she seeks is to feel a connection with the people around her. She soon realises she's looking for love, but at the same time realises she just isn't finding it.
When the world falls to destruction at Kefka's hands, Terra finds herself separated from her companions. Alone, she eventually makes her way to a small town on the eastern side of the world, where she witnesses a horrific scene: Kefka murdering the people of the village from afar with his magical ray. The villagers shield their children with their own bodies, sacrificing themselves so that they can live.
Terra is irrevocably touched by the scene. Something stirs in her, and though she doesn't quite know what it is, she decides to stay and protect the children in place of their parents.
Terra: They clung to me from the moment I arrived...They needed me...
Although Terra protects them as a soldier guardian would, she knows that what they "need her for" more closely follows the role of a parent. Without consciously being aware of it, Terra recognises she's found people who need her not for her abilities or magic powers, but for herself.
Very quickly, Terra becomes the foundation upon which all the children stand to survive. Suddenly parent-less and living in a world of destruction, the children are psychologically shaken, and need Terra to fill the role of a parent, taken out of their lives before it was meant to. Further, most of the children are young and can't take care of themselves. Only two of the children are old enough to do so, but both are on the brink of adulthood and facing challenges they aren't yet prepared to face.
Orphan: Duane and Katarin are the oldest ones here. Terra's our mama and they're our big brother and sister.
Katarin and Duane are teenagers, the oldest of the orphans. Like the other children, they are heavily reliant on Terra, but they work with her to take care of the younger children, fulfilling the role of parents somewhat themselves. Still, they aren't ready to be on their own, as seen by Duane's violent reaction to the party asking her to leave with them, and Katarin's explanation thereafter:
Katarin: It's just...if we lose Terra, we lose the only thing that's holding this village together.
Terra has not only been a mother to the orphans, but also given them a sense of strength, security and hope. The children believe in her, trust in her, and feel safe when she's around. Terra's become an integral part of their existence: essentially, as the circumstances would have it, she and they have developed a motley, if true, family.
The strength of their bond is tested when Terra is forced to reveal her esper form. Frightened at first, the children back away, but one comes forward, recognising her. At that single recognition, the others crowd around her, looking past appearances and accepting her for who she is.
Terra then realises what the powerful emotion that had been slowly emerging in her was: love! She decides, then and there, to put all her effort into creating a world where her children can be free and safe—a world where love can flourish—as a thank you for breaking through her emotional blockade where no one else could.
Terra: Thank you...You all helped me understand what it means...to love.
