Chapter 25 - Confrontation

Dr. Cid sat at the table in the meeting room, watching the Emperor pacing back and forth. Celes was sitting to his left, a frown on her face and her arms crossed over her chest. She looked thoroughly annoyed, as though she clearly didn't want to be here and wanted to leave as soon as possible. Leo was sitting to her right, looking rather worn and anxious. They all knew why they had been called here, as well as what to expect given the Emperor's history of letting Kefka get away with whatever he wanted.

"Now let me get this straight," said Gestahl, glaring at the others from the opposite end of the table. "According to the eyewitness reports, Miss Chere attacked General Palazzo, completely unprovoked and without any justifiable cause."

Celes gaped at him. "I was trying to help Leo! Kefka was - "

Gestahl held up a hand to silence her and continued talking. "The altercation began when Christophe, who was displeased with Palazzo's disciplinary tactics, took action to defend his fellow soldiers." He turned to Leo. "I am very disappointed in you. As an older, well-seasoned member of the Imperial army, I expect you to show some respect to your commanding officer." He motioned with his hand towards Celes and said, "What sort of example do you think this sets for your young charge?"

Cid raised a hand. "Pardon me, sir, but as I have stated on numerous accounts, Kefka is highly unstable and needs to be closely monitored. I don't think he should be allowed to dole out such punishments, especially when he was the one who attacked them in the first place."

Gesthal leaned forward and placed his hands on the table. "Do you see these documents?" He slid a stack of papers across the table. The papers contained hand written accounts from the soldiers in the training room during Kefka's attack on Leo.

The doctor looked at the papers, noting several places where statements had been altered, with entire lines of text blacked out to prevent anyone from reading the information contained in the documents.

"This newly written version of what went on today is all anyone needs to know," said Gestahl. He picked up a sheet of paper, holding it between his thumb and forefinger. "This is what the public will believe. And if anyone disagrees with me, they can burn in hell." The sheet of paper burst into flames.

"You gave him magic too?" Celes exclaimed, turning in her seat and looking at Dr. Cid.

Cid groaned, leaning forward against the table with his head in his hands.

An evil smile twisted the wrinkled features of Gestahl's face. "I'm suspending both of you, Miss Chere, Mister Christophe. You are not allowed to go on any missions for a month." He dropped the burning piece of paper on the table where it smoldered and turned to ash. "And unless your behavior improves you, can forget about your trip to Maranda."

He dismissed them with a wave of his hand, and Celes, who was furious with his decision to suspend both her and Leo, pushed her chair out and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her as she left. Leo followed her out into the hall, slipping on the ice that had formed beneath her feet as she walked.

He fell forward, grabbing her by the arm to keep from falling on the floor. He was taken aback by how cold her skin felt. The air around her was freezing, with flakes of snow materializing in the air above her head.

"You can't just speak out like that during a meeting, Celes. I know it wasn't right, but the Emperor has the final say on what goes on around here. And as much as I hate to admit it, he does have a point. I should not have attacked Kefka. There were other ways for us to settle our dispute without resorting to violence."

"Really?" Celes yanked her arm out of his grasp. "Too bad Kefka doesn't know that. And I seriously doubt that he would be willing to talk things out over a cup of tea and some biscuits."

Leo sighed. He looked back at the door of the meeting room. There were voices coming from inside. It sounded as though Cid had chosen to stay behind and continue the conversation after they left.

"What's going to happen when Kefka finds out that I've been assigned to Maranda?" Celes asked. "Is he going to throw a fit over that too? And if he does, what kind of lies will the Emperor use to cover up his tantrum? Does he just sweep everything under the rug like it means nothing to him?"

"I'm afraid so, Celes. The best advice I can give you is to stay as far away from Kefka as possible. Don't speak to him, don't look him in the eye, just get your work done as quickly and efficiently as possible and leave before he blows up over something else."

"Well," Celes huffed. "I see nothing wrong with fighting back when Kefka starts attacking innocent people. He's got everyone so terrified that no one is willing to stand up and put him in his place."

"It's not just Kefka," Leo reminded her. "Emperor Gestahl will execute anyone who stands in Kefka's way. That is if Kefka doesn't kill them first." The soldier took a step forward and placed his hand on her shoulder. "The Emperor was right about one thing, though. And that is that I need to consider how my actions will effect you."

Celes blinked and looked at him with mild curiosity.

"Don't sink to his level," he continued. "Hatred and violence only breeds more violence. There's nothing any of us can do for him. That's why it's better to just walk away. Eventually the Emperor will realize that he needs to remove Kefka from the military. Though I fear it may be at the cost of many lives once Kefka finally snaps and unleashes his fury on everyone in the palace."

"Shows how much you know if you think I'd stoop to his level. I'm nothing like him, and I never will be. That's why I choose ice element magic, because I refuse to incinerate people the way Kefka does." She then turned on heel and marched off down the hall, leaving Leo by himself, surrounded by flakes of snow and melting puddles of ice.

.oOo.

Her words came back to haunt her when the citizens of Maranda ran screaming through the streets. Celes raised her sword and ordered the soldiers to attack, firing beams of ice from the gaping mouths of the draconic suits of armor. Each time she raised her sword another building fell, torn to shreds by pulsing waves of snow and ice. She summoned the clouds from the sky, conjuring blizzards that blanketed the town in white. And although she refused to kill anyone unless it was absolutely necessary, she could see how her actions were similar to Kefka's.

Buildings collasped under the weight of all the snow that had accumulated on the rooftops, trapping people inside and injuring those that had been caught in the collapse. Children were crying, clinging to their mothers as their fathers were hauled off and forced to serve the Imperial army. And yet she still tried to tell herself that she was nothing like him, as she conjured a barrage of icicles and sent them flying towards one of the men that had tried to flee the town.

The frozen spears caught on his clothing, pinning him to the wall as he tried to flee the scene. He struggled and fought, and when the icicles cracked and started to break, Celes conjured a snowstorm from the palms of her hands, freezing him in place as his family looked on in horror.

She flexed her wrist, conjuring an icicle that was over a foot long. "Anyone else think they can escape? Because I'd love the chance for some early morning target practice."

The frantic cries slowly began to dissipate, until only a few small, muffled cries escaped the children as they were ushered out of the building by a handful of soldiers.

"Right then." Celes dissolved the frozen spear and turned to face the crowd of people. "I hereby declare the city of Maranda official property of the Gestahlian empire. From now on soldiers will occupy the city, keeping watch over its citizens and employing martial law. You are to obey the rules of the empire. Failure to do so will result in swift punishment and possible execution. Those of you who are capable of serving the military will be taken to the empire for evaluation and training. Do I make myself clear?"

Most of the citizens were quiet, listening as the teenaged soldier recited her carefully memorized speech. What had become of the world when they were sending magic infused teenagers into battle? She was only thirteen years old, and yet here she was, taking command and fighting with the strength of an entire army at her back.

Celes looked at the ruined town, and couldn't help the satisfied smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. She had succeeded in her mission, taking the town by force without killing half the population or burning everything to the ground. There had been a few casualties, and a handful of injuries, but it was nothing compared to the destruction Kefka was capable of causing.

Just because she was a Rune Knight didn't mean she had to kill everything in sight. She could accomplish her mission in a calm, composed manner, maintaining a level of control that Kefka had yet to master, because this is what it meant to be a knight for the empire. It meant grace under pressure, dignity and honor. Leo had trained her well, and she refused to kill someone just because they looked at her funny, or crossed paths with her when she was having a bad day.

Celes stayed in Maranda for several days before returning to Vector. She was greeted by Gestahl upon her return, and bowed before him, announcing that her mission had been a success. The Emperor was pleased with her work, and offered her the opportunity to work with Leo on a future mission in South Figaro. Celes graciously accepted the offer and was just about to leave when she noticed Kefka leaning against the wall in the corner of the room. He'd been watching everything from afar, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared at her from across the room.

He raised a hand and motioned for her to come closer. Celes hesitated. She was unsure of whether or not she should join him for a private conversation in the hall, as he seemed to indicate that he wanted to speak with her.

"Go on then," said Gesthal, nodding and motioning for her to leave.

Celes took one last look at the Emperor before making her way down the stairs and joining Kefka in the shadows near the exit.

Kefka seemed unusually calm this evening, which was never a good sign because it usually meant he'd gone into silent rage mode, otherwise known as the calm before the storm. He put his hands behind his back and strolled off down the hall, walking alongside her as they began their conversation.

"Well, if it isn't little miss glitter blizzard and her enchanted snowflakes," he said, glancing sideways at her. "I hear you had quite the success in Maranda, a town you shouldn't have been assigned to in the first place seeing as how it was mine to begin with."

"What do you want, Kefka?" Celes wouldn't bother with pleasantries, and decided to skip right to the point of why he had summoned her here in the first place.

"Well, now that's rather rude," said Kefka, feigning innocence as he pretended to look surprised by her question. "What makes you think I want something?"

"Because you wouldn't have called me over if you didn't."

Kefka smirked. "You know me too well, don't you?"

Celes rolled her eyes. She picked up the pace, walking ahead of him then turning on heel to face the giggling mage. "Cut the crap, Kefka. If you've got something to say to me then say it."

"My, aren't we huffy this evening," said Kefka, his gaze darkening as he looked down at her. The atmosphere around them shifted, and the temperature rose by several degrees as he continued to stare at her, his eyes alight with malicious flames. "Tell me something," he snapped, his tone becoming suddenly harsh. "What sort of side effects do you experience from those infusions? Have you ever had seizures or black outs? Do you ever become confused as to where you are or what you're doing?"

Celes was uncomfortable with how close he was, and took a few steps back, trying to distance herself from him. "Why do you ask? Don't tell me that's what you've experienced, Kefka."

The mage chuckled darkly, closing the gap between them in a matter of seconds. "I've experienced all that and more. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. No one would. I was just wondering if you happened to share in my affliction."

"You really are insane, aren't you?"

Kefka smiled at her and shrugged. "Perhaps," he murmured, looking as though he hadn't been insulted by her choice of words. "I've been called a lot of things throughout the years. Madman, insane, clown, jester, freak, idiot, fool. It always amuses me how these people think that hurling insults in my geneal direction somehow wounds me, as if mere words can penetrate the walls I've built up around me." He took a step towards her, shadows falling across his painted face as he forced her into a corner. "I've heard it all," he hissed. "And it means nothing, Celes. Absolutely nothing."

The sight of him standing there, bathed in shadow as silver moonlight spilled across the floor was unnerving, and Celes felt a chill travel down her spine as he locked eyes with her.

"I haven't experienced anything like that," she said slowly. "I've been sick to my stomach and unable to eat, maybe a bit dizzy at times, but that's it, Kefka."

"Oh, you poor thing." His voice was positively dripping with sarcasm. Kefka curled a lock of her hair around his finger, and smiled when he felt her tremble at his touch. "Try vomiting blood on the palace steps, or having a massive seizure that erases the memories you've accumulated during the last twenty years. Can you imagine it, Celes? Waking up in the hospital with no memory of how you got there or even who your closest friends are."

An eerie silence filled the air. Kefka cocked his head to the side, studying her for a moment before he continued speaking.

"Perhaps it takes time for the madness to fully manifest itself with this new and improved method. There might be a delayed reaction, something that traps the madness inside of you before it explodes all at once in a glorious display of hate and destruction. Or perhaps you're lying to me. I could only contain it for so long before everything, every thought, every feeling, evey memory I ever had disintegrated. That's what it's like, Celes. That's what it's like to slowly watch yourself fall to pieces."

He leaned forward, baring his teeth in a hideous grin. "I want to watch you implode upon yourself like I did," he hissed, his voice no more than whisper. He then looked over his shoulder as he felt someone tap him on the back.

There was Terra, standing in a shaft of moonlight that spilled in through the open window.

"Leave her alone, Kefka."

She couldn't bring herself to raise her voice to him. Not because of fear, but because she still cared deeply for this poor, deranged man. She'd seen glimpses of his former self from time to time, during the brief moments when they were alone on the observation tower, with Kefka opening up and revealing a side of himself that no one else knew existed. She saw the way he struggled, questioning his humanity as he tried to understand what he was becoming. And sometimes, when she was alone at night, gazing out her bedroom window at the millions of glimmering stars that filled the night sky, she wondered if perhaps there might be something wrong with her as well.

He wasn't the same person anymore, but that didn't stop her from finding new ways to empathize with him. She continued to reach out to him when no one else would, holding on to anything that would keep her close to him.

Terra took a step forward, her eyes never leaving his face. "Come on, Kefka. We need to go home." She held out her hand, like a person offering food to a frightend animal. "Just leave her alone. She hasn't done anything to you."

Kefka growled and began to back away. He was liable to attack her if she got too close to him. He wasn't even sure why he was supposed to go home with her in the first place. He had no memory of allowing her to live with him, nor did he recall the reason why he was supposed to be looking after her.

During the last few years their roles had reversed, forcing Terra to care for him now that he had regressed to the mentality of a child. His personality and behavior shifted from one day to the next, and she could never be sure whether or not he would remember who she was when he woke up in the morning. Sometimes he was confused as to why she was here. Sometimes he didn't remember her name, and she would sit with him on the foot of his bed, talking to him and telling him stories about when she was little to try and help him remember.

It was like meeting him for the first time all over again, only this time he was a grown man and she was a teenager. She tried her best to help him remember the life they had, and there were days when he was able to recall certain events from their past, but for the most part everything was lost to him, and he struggled on a daily basis with who she was, as well as who and what they were, for he knew that neither one of them were fully human, he just couldn't put his thoughts into words to describe what he was feeling.

Celes, as well as other members of the Imperial army, were amazed at how much patience she showed when working with the crazed magician. Nobody else wanted to put up with him, and long about now the process that had been used to give him the ability to use magic had been deemed a failure.

After everything he'd been through, after everything he'd lost and the countless nights he suffered in pain, she was all he had left. He didn't know why she did it, caring for him and going out of her way to make him happy, but it meant something to him. In the back of his mind he knew that she was special, that no one else loved him the way she did. And although he was unable to return the affection she showed him, he still cared about her in many strange and perverse ways that no one besides Terra understood.

He listened to her, responding to her words and actions when no one else could get through to him. And so with one last hate filled glance in Celes' direction he followed her down the hall, muttering something to himself until his words dissolved into hysterical laughter.

The laughter echoed off the cold, steel walls, following him down the hall as Terra ushered him downstairs. He was so sure of himself, so sure that Celes would soon begin the downward spiral into insanity, and as Terra was leading him downstairs he looked over his shoulder and shouted, "You'll be next! Little miss perfect glitter blizzard and her enchanted snowflakes. You'll see!"