Hydaelyn's Wing
Interlude Secundum
Celes found Terra staring out of one of the palace's high windows, her eyes fixed on the full moon. It seemed especially large tonight, taking up most of their view of the night sky through the window.
"I did not expect to find anyone roaming the palace so late," said Celes. The imperial palace's dark halls were lit by the moonlight streaming in through all of its windows, casting silvery light on the beautiful landscape paintings across from them. Celes noticed that Terra sat on the windowsill across from the portrait of the former Emperor Solus, but did not comment on it. She hugged her nightgown closer and sat beside her.
"I could say the same to you," said Terra, removing her gaze from the moon to look at Celes. Celes loved the way the moonlight reflected off of her light blonde hair.
"I couldn't sleep," Celes said in reply.
Terra's brow creased in worry. "Is it pain from your materia junctioning?"
"No," Celes replied. "I feel wonderful." That was the truth – she somehow felt stronger, faster, and more durable after implanting the ability to use Para-Magic, like Terra. "I would just like to go home. I do not understand why we must be guests at the palace when Emperor Varis is not even here." This was her first time back at the palace since Emperor Solus' death, and it made her uncomfortable.
"I know what you mean," said Terra, lacing her legs through Celes'. "I just want to go back to my lab. We are being made to wait here until His Radiance returns from Eorzea, I expect."
"Along with all of his other guests," said Celes. She knew she sounded bitter. They had not left the palace in nearly a week, and palace aides had dragged them and several other highborn Garlean ladies to all kinds of events and feasts every single day. They all knew the reason, but because it was not officially announced, all of the other ladies were aflutter with anticipation. Celes herself did not particularly care which one of them would be chosen. "He plans to celebrate his domination of Eorzea with a wedding." She just wished she would be allowed to leave for the blitzball tournament final taking place in a few days.
Terra returned her gaze to the moon. "Luna would have been a good wife to him."
"She was seven," said Celes. "You can't have known that."
"She'd be twenty-two today," Terra replied. "Even as a child, she adored being groomed into a proper noblewoman. She took to it much more than I did."
"I would assume Varis wants a strong wife," Celes said.
Terra looked at her again. "Luna was strong."
"You misunderstand," said Celes. She found her gaze drawn to the portrait of Emperor Solus. "He wants someone he can trust, someone with military history. Someone who has proven their worth to the Empire time and time again."
"You or I, then."
"And I do not want that to happen," said Celes. She brushed her finger lightly down Terra's bare leg. In truth, the thought of Terra marrying Varis upset her more than she cared to admit. But Terra was the more ambitious of the two. "I'd rather he picked your sister, Luna. Truly. But…"
Fifteen years ago, along with the servants of House Rozarria, Luna had flown to a settlement in Othard to live with her father, who had been stationed there at the time. On the way, the engines failed and it crashed. Terra, four years her senior, was supposed to go with her, but chose not to because of an argument with her father.
"It would be simpler if Varis never married," said Terra, sighing.
"He has to produce an heir to secure his claim," Celes said. "Especially after the succession crisis. You know that." She glanced at the portrait of the former emperor again. His long beard seemed to twinkle in the moonlight, as it did in life, but other than that the artist did not seem to capture him accurately. There was no warmth in his eyes, no smile hidden under his beard. Though she suspected that he reserved those only for her, as he was never close to his own children or grandchildren.
Celes had taken a liking to the old man from a very young age, and she held memories of him walking her through the gardens and quizzing her on Garlean military history dear. Her father and mother had been mortified when Celes, barely able to walk yet, waddled up to the emperor in the middle of a feast and tugged on his beard, somehow bypassing the attention of him and all of his guards. He had apparently laughed loud enough for the whole hall to hear, which Celes found out later was unheard of, and from then on Celes' father took her to all of their meetings. A few years later, when her parents were the victims of an assassination, Solus allowed her to live in the palace.
"You miss him," said Terra, following her gaze to the portrait. "Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't name you his heir before he died."
"Me?" Celes asked, taken aback. "That would have resulted in an even worse succession crisis. Varis was a High Legatus, and he would have taken that power from me like he did to his uncle."
"Perhaps," said Terra. "Though we should end this conversation lest any possible eavesdroppers misconstrue our words." She wove her hands through Celes' own, and kissed her fingers. "I will see you tomorrow."
A shadow portal opened in front Solus' portrait, revealing the tall, slender form of Emmerololth, shrouded in her robe. "There are no eavesdroppers."
"Ascian," said Celes, standing. Her first instinct was to grab the hilt of her Runic Blade, but she did not carry it on her. She was comforted by the thought that she could wield Para-Magic now. Every hair on the back of her neck stood on end in an Ascian's presence.
"What is it, Emmerololth?" Terra asked her.
"My research into the Lunatic Pandora was set back momentarily by Deudalaphon's failings," said the Ascian.
Celes stepped forward. "His failings?" The smaller Ascian unnerved her more, since he spoke to Terra much less than Emmerololth did, and she suspected that he had goals of his own.
"He has lost his body, though I do not know how," said Emmerololth. Celes widened her eyes at that – she did not know it was possible for them to do that. "He will be back in time for the ritual."
Terra's eyes lit up. "When will it be ready?"
"A few days, at most. I require something of you beforehand."
Terra nodded. "Name your price."
"Though She is weak, Hydaelyn loves her children. We will need one able to draw out Her power to open the Lunatic Pandora."
"I will find a person," said Terra, clasping her hands together in front of her. "And then aether will flourish around the whole planet."
Celes curled a fist into her chest, performing a near-imperial salute without even thinking about it. "For the glory of the Empire."
Author's Notes: I love writing from Celes' POV for some reason.
Next chapter we'll get back to the main characters!