Disclaimer: I do not own FFIII/VI, the characters, etc, that's Square Soft (am I the only person who things Square Soft and Enix were better before they merged?). If I owned it, I'd have made the anthology release worthwhile instead of the pile o' poo it turned into. (yes, I'm biased; get over it)

Warnings: Dark themes, violence, unethical practices, yaoi, if you can guess the pairing I am starting out with, I'll give you brownie points (it should be pretty obvious), oh, and perhaps language too. I won't be so prim and proper in the main story as I am in these top thingies.

Author's Note: Not a Kefka you are used to, hmm? Well, I'm going by what the original guides, wiki, and flashbacks in the game allude to as per his personality before he lost it. Yes, I'm a nut for staying canon, which is why my twists in this are pretty shocking, for me at least. XD

HEARTLESS ANGEL

Machinations

Morning bells let out there loud calls over the dark city, slowly rousing those residents whom had not woken themselves already. The sun was up already, light masked by the thick smog hovering over the city, a pale, cold orb creeping over the horizon. Kefka leaned against the metal ramparts, staring out over the city, watching lights flick on in windows here and there, slowly but surely illuminating the city.

There was a considerable amount of movement going on in the barracks already, which he had not been expecting. The troops were only ever that active when they were about to deploy, which meant he needed to hurry down there, take up his position as their leader. It was surprising that the Emperor had not said anything at all.

For that matter, Kefka had not seen the Emperor in the last week, his last sighting on the monarch being that banquet. There were no dark whispers floating about the imperial palace, so it could not be illness or any other horrible thing. Kefka was certain he would have been informed of such issues. No, it was something else.

A shiver traveled up his spine, breeze moving just right to give him chills. Frowning, Kefka pulled his yellow trimmed green cloak closer around him, turning away from the high wall at the top of the palace. His plain boots faintly clicked as he walked through the stone and metal halls, cloak swishing around his quick, fluid strides. Mornings were always late and leisurely in the palace, but even so, he passed a few of the workers here and there, hurrying off to their first chores for the day.

Kefka passed the kitchens slowly, curbing his gait so he could breathe in the aroma. It smelled divine, but he knew he would not have time for whatever meal they were preparing with how quickly the troops had been readying themselves. Quickly, Kefka turned down the back hall, heading straight down it and around the last corner to his personal quarters.

Rushing now, Kefka stripped his cloak and casual clothing, pulling his uniform and a small amount of cured leather armor over his lean muscles and smattering of scars. With a jerk, he pulled the straps of the armor tight, wincing slightly as he pulled it too far. Kefka pulled a cord from his desk, running his fingers through his thick blond hair before pulling it back and tying it in place.

It was a struggle to ignore the grumble of his stomach, but he managed it, hooking his flail on his belt as he hurried down the corridor, out into the main thoroughfare.

None other than the Emperor was there.

"Where are you going so early?"

Kefka's blond brows knitted inward, leaving a crease in the sunkissed skin between them. He glanced in the direction the barracks would be, though, being inside, it was to no aid. His throat felt dry again, voice slightly hoarse when he spoke, "To the barracks, Emperor. I saw—"

"They are not your concern anymore."

It took a moment for those words to sink in, and then they hit him, like a bundle of bricks. Kefka swallowed at the lump in his throat, and it just felt worse. "What do you mean?"

"Your second in command—Leo Cristophe?—is taking care of them." The Emperor smiled, a few wrinkles erupting around his mouth. He patted Kefka roughly on the shoulder, letting out a deep bellied laugh. "Come. Breakfast is almost ready."

Kefka recoiled, blue eyes narrowing as he watched Emperor Gestahl at his new distance. Though he tried to push it back, the hurt and worry could not be hidden. "My troops need me."

The Emperor laughed again, a few workers turning to glance their direction as they scurried past. Kefka kept his feet firmly planted on the carpet strewn floor, forcing himself not to shiver in the breeze coming through the close front doors of the palace.

"We will talk about this later. For now, I need food." The Emperor turned, heading towards the food hall. Kefka had no choice but to follow, even if his appetite seemed to have gone with his nerves.

0 0 0 0 0

"Ah! It is good to see you!" The Emperor leaned back in his large throne, smile barely peeking through his mustache and beard. His red and gold robes matched the heavy hangings and banners in the room, and he would have blended in, had it not been for his blond and grey hair which fell in wiry locks about his shoulders. He clapped two large hands together, the guards standing next to his throne marching out of the room, along with everyone else. The large double doors thudded shut, and they were left absolutely alone.

The troops, with Leo at their head, had departed an hour ago, Kefka scaling the ramparts once more to watch them go. It had been a large group, and from what Kefka could tell at that distance, Leo looked nervous. That was… a relief for some reason. The fact that Leo was not gloating his new power, reveling in it, meant, to Kefka at least, that Leo had not usurped him.

That did not stop him from worrying, though. The Emperor himself had removed Kefka from command of that group, after his continued success. Kefka had not lost yet, and every time, he was coming out better. It seemed foolish—beyond foolish—to pull him from command now.

Kefka finally nodded, blue eyes remaining locked on the Emperor, who was surveying him back.

"Stop looking so worried! Cristophe learned from the best: you!" The Emperor seemed to find humor in the statement, though Kefka did not. Kefka shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He should have been marching towards the next battlefield rather than having a very stilted conversation in the lavish throne room, but some things could not be helped. "I have a special assignment for you."

That piqued his interest. Kefka inclined his head, not willing to speak yet. Just letting the Emperor talk would get all of his questions answered faster.

"Our diligent research has located… something," the Emperor paused, putting great emphasis on that vague word, "which can turn the tide in our favor for good."

Again, Kefka nodded, listening carefully, if hesitantly. He did not like the sound of this. It almost sounded like the Emperor had uncovered a weapon. They wanted to unite everyone, not destroy them all.

"You are worrying again!" The Emperor laughed merrily, shaking slightly as he continued on. "If all works to plan, we will have at our fingertips something that will make our enemies surrender immediately, no battles, no casualties needed."

That last part was what got Kefka. He was more than willing to listen now. "What do you need of me, my liege?"

"Good! Good! I knew you would be willing to help!" The Emperor clapped his hands, rubbing them together. "Have you heard the legends of the ancient war, where humans used creatures called Espers in battle? Fairytales? No!"

Kefka had grown up on the wild tales of that ancient war, filled with fictional things like magic and three gods of destruction and the creatures used by both sides as pawns for war. His heart started racing, despite himself. Could it really be true?

"And… you need my help acquiring these creatures?" Kefka sounded uncertain, shifting again. This room was far too warm for his uniform; he wondered how the Emperor could stand it in his thick, ornamental robes. The way the Emperor almost frowned told Kefka immediately that he had gotten it wrong. "You already have them?"

It was the Emperor's turn to nod. He stroked his long beard, twirling a graying tip in his bejeweled fingers. "What I need you to do is travel to the north, to the area where I first happened upon the Espers to see if you can find any more. I also need a full report on the current fortifications of their settlement."

"Is anyone to come with me?"

"Just the captain of the airship we have hired and his crew. I want as few to know about this as possible until the time is absolutely right."

"I understand."

"The airship will be docked outside of Vector tonight, after dusk. The captain's name is Setzer. He will meet you at the city gates." The Emperor pulled on a string beside his throne, a bell giving a muffled ring. The main doors of the throne room opened wide, workers rushing inside to attend to their emperor just as the guards entered to resume their usual positions.

Kefka turned on his heel, striding from the room. He only had a short while to pack, and then he would be having his last meal for a while in Vector.