Aug. 6, Gestahlian year:1988. Time of Balance and Conquest.
As I predicted, Emperor Gestahl took more time then needed to tell me what he had in mind. And what he had in mind was enough to make anyone want to give him a lobotomy for even thinking it.
"You want me to be your what? I asked him this question a few times today. Now that I think about it I'm still questioning it!
"I want you to become my court mage. With your prowess in magic and technological skill, the Esper program will go ahead of schedule."
Like I would buy that. I know what he wanted by having me back. He wants me out of the way of his precious "conquest," but I wasn't going to let him get away with it.
"So what am I? A common scientist? And what is my side job? A magician? Shall I perform a trick for you?" I think I scared him right then because his guard shifted to the front of him and had their hands on their weapons. It is almost uncanny how they can sense danger like dogs.
"Please General Palazzo calm yourself! You will still keep your rank and the benefits that come with it. Think of this as an addition title."
"An addition does not always mean useful." I told him to his face. No way is he putting an extra weight on me without some collateral. "What do I have to do? Also, what do I get in return?"
I saw a slight pause on my "lord's" face after I had asked him that. Was he surprised that I even asked in general? Who did he think I am? Some lackey that will just accept more work like a dog in a hunt without dinner later?
"Hmm… We will discuss the benefits after you are informed of your duties." He told me and just as I figured he hadn't thought over it at all.
"One of your duties will be monitoring the majitek armor and checking their systems. Training out new majik knights and…"
Just before he finished Dr. Cid came in with a young women, at least twenty or so. I knew her from her blonde hair and ice cold eyes/ She was Cid's little "prodigy" Clese Chere. To sum her up quickly would be to take your average little orphan story and place a chance accouter with a lot of luck. That is about it, nothing too special about her.
"My apologizes for interrupting but if you are ready, Celes has finished mastering all the known starter spells and is ready to head out into battle." Cid informs the entire room like a noisy ox. I had all most forgotten that Celes had went through the infusion only three days ago and had since been shown to be an irritating know it all. Studying, and training as if she's some model student that everyone should look up to. Someone needs to get her a reality check and fast! It also does not help that everyone keeps talking about her! I was the reason that the little girl is not buried in the ground right now so where is the talk about me?
"You have my forgiveness Dr. Cid. Are you certain she is ready?"
"Yes my lord. In fact if General Palazzo would agree I would suggest a test of her skills."
A test? Really, to be frank I disagreed right then. I was just about to finally hear whatever the Emperor had to tell me and get out. But of course I did not get a choice in the matter because Emperor Gestahl spoke for me!
"I am sure General Palazzo would enjoy some exercise, wouldn't you General?" He asks with a smug look on his royal face. He was only speaking for me to put me under his thumb including wanting a show. But, then again who am I to deny a willing audience!
I agreed thinking it would be over with one ice blast to her legs to stop her movement. Little did I know Celes had already mastered the Rune Sword technique which consumed any spell I attempted to hit her with! And even if I did manage to hit her she would dodge one spell and consume another which gave her time to heal! By the end she had me at a stand still with messed up hair and bruised arms and legs. But her face oddly enough was calm and remained untouched. I was going to change that little tid bit if Gestahl hadn't stooped me.
"I have seen enough. Dr. Cid please send Miss. Chere to join General Leo on the field. She will be taking partial control while General Palazzo is being detained here."
"Wait." I spoke out at this decision. This horribly stupid, stupid decision! "So I'm not only being kept here unwillingly, but a girl without any prior field training is going out to cover a general's command? Tell me how any of this makes any lick of sense."
"Kefka," He actually used me name. My name, just with that I knew this was not going to end well. "From what I have seen Celes shown her potential through your defeat."
"My defeat? If I recall correctly we were at a stand off which I would have ended if you had not stopped me."
"You would have lost regardless. With Celes' sword and well thought out actions would have trumped you in the end."
Trumped me? What was he trying to say? That I'm weak? That I can't win a minor dual? Who did he think he was insulting?
"Now then if that is all you can all leave."
I stayed of course. I needed to know everything about this new "station" first.
"Yes, Kefka?" From his tone to his usage of my name I could tell he wasn't in the mood for me to be there, but to be frank right then I just didn't give a hoot.
"My Emperor, you didn't finish telling me of my duties and benefits."
"Yes…Well, if you do not mind after that dual I am quite exhausted. We shall go over your duties tomorrow."
"What of the benefits?"
"Benefits? What benefits? From what I understand this is a new position which is just starting out and in short has no benefits." He sneered at me. I know he sneered at me with his old wrinkled face oh so smug. "I shall see you tomorrow, till then stay out of my sight. I cannot stand to even look at you at the moment."
I could not believe my ears. He not only shamed, mocked, made look like a fool, and he had the gall to dismiss me by ordering his guards to back me out the door! The long winded old fool! I think I hate him. Oh yes, I know I do. Every time he looks or speaks to me. Every time he breaths! I HATE him! But, but it's not just him, it's everyone! Every one of those sickening, filthy, weak little piles of dirt you find just waiting around for nothing. Spreading their stupid, useless, just pathetic lives around everywhere as if they own where ever they feel like stepping on! I hate them! That is all I can think about right now is how much I want them all gone! Yes, gone! Goner then a hunting bird versus a rabid dog! Also to be honest, I might as well take over this place and make it my own! I would do a better job then long beard the wannabe emperor Gestahl! I KNOW I would! Actually no, I will! Oh yes I will! It doesn't matter how as long as I succeed. I will need to be sneaky, quick, lay low like a peaceful and loyal soldier. I will also need more power then I have now, more then ever. Enough to topple the world or even beyond that! And once, once I take over then all will know how insignificant they all really are. Because as much as they boast about all their accomplishments in reality all of it matters as much as forgotten fantasies! Just useless dreams and hopes! Once a man figures out that once he is at his end, that all he was in the end was worm food he will know that even if he is the greatest hero ever it was all for nothing! Nothing at all! But not me, no, not me! I know something, something that is going to stretch me to the top! Gestahl is planning something with these Espers that are more than anyone can guess. I've noticed, I've seen the things that go down in the factory. He's planning something big and I WILL be apart of it! I will, I will, I WILL! Everlasting, that is who I will be! I will!