Part 2: I've Been Here All Along

Wake up, Celes.

Ever so slowly, Celes sat up, not expecting to be where she was. She was lying in the thick field of grass that surrounded the base of the mountain. It was strange, but the grass seemed a little lusher than she remembered. In fact, the sky was a lot lighter than it had been since the world had come undone; the water looked crystal clear. Something was not right.

She jumped to her feet, looking around quickly for anyone she recognized. It was definitely the same island, but more lush and alive. "What's going on?" she wondered out loud. She could see many small ants crawling in a line, scuttling on their merry way to do the day's work.

Welcome Celes, this is a world exists within you.

"...What?" Celes blinked, feeling the words within her mind. The words sounded soft and kind, but it wasn't as if she were hearing them. She just seemed to be able to understand for some unknown reason. No where around her was their any sign of any humans. "This isn't right.....yet it seems almost familiar."

Of course, this would seem strange to you, wouldn't it... I'm sure the common person does not have someone like me inside them. ...Do you remember when you were young?

"Not really...I spent most of my life training in the army." Celes gave up trying to think logically and just went the conversation. 'Maybe I am going insane...this must be the first step.'

I didn't think you would. Because of your treatment.

"What treatment? I've never been to an actual hospital, only the medical clinics within the Magitek research laboratories." Celes sat back on the ground. The soft green grass seemed to welcome her.

Not a 'normal' treatment. The Magitek power which runs through your veins....the Esper blood. You were one of the first Magitek Knights, the humans who were tested on in the initial stages prior to the invention of Magitek Suits. Not many people received this imbuement. Especially since some of the initial results were unsuccessful. If a person could not handle it, their body would simply reject the power, causing erratic mental conditions. Some people can handle the power more so than others. People who had very stable conditions would be given more and more magical powers — in the Empire's perspective, the more power you have, the better. You are one of them.

Celes felt a little overwhelmed by the information. "I don't even remember receiving more than one treatment for that. So since I could handle more magical power in the Esper blood, I went on to achieve higher rankings in the army. Wait...this doesn't make sense, how do you know this?" Celes could barely wait for a response.

It's amazing how much time can go by, and the same events seem to repeat. I have 'lived' for over a thousand years, and I have seen very similar things as what is going on today.

I am an Esper, and I live within you. All of your extensive treatments have enabled me to exist in you. There was a lot of experimentation done at the labs in attempt to create a full Esper, with the desires of human beings. They were very close, you see. This is very confusing for me, as well, but I think that when you attempted to take your life, this was, in a way, you rejecting the magical aspect of yourself. With the mental aspect of this in your frame of mind, you gave me a chance to awaken within you.

Celes didn't speak for several moments. "So they were trying to turn me into some sort of super-being — one who had complete powers of an Esper, but will do exactly as they order.... That seems so similar to Terra and her slave crown, only I had no control device to blame for the wrongs I have done in the past."

The lust for power will choke the person who desires it. They will stop at nothing to gain this force. The lives that I have seen start and end in order to achieve this are certainly enough proof to realize that this cannot go on again. Something must sway the turn of events that will come in the future. There is more out there that is still alive than this small island. You must go out there, and stop the corruption. Don't let time pass you by.... I, the Esper Samara, will try to guide you as much as I can.

With those final words spoken, the smoothness of her first echoed into the distance, disappearing into the light sky. When the soothing voice could no longer be heard, the sky dimmed in hue — it returned to the grey colour which she had remembered. The green grass no longer was so lush, it was limp and brown. Everything returned to the desolate appearance which she remembered before losing consciousness. Celes wanted to call out "Wait!" but the words didn't emerge when she moved her lips.

"Samara...the Esper who lives within me. She will guide me down this path?" Celes walked the long stretch of land, back towards the tiny cottage. She wanted to say her goodbye to her grandfather, she would never see him again.

In his bed, he lay as she had left him. She knew a proper funeral wasn't going to be possible, but there was one last thing she had to do.

She carried his body to the beach, and set it out in the water, along with the bouquet of weedy looking flowers she had managed to find near the small hut. "This is the most I can do, Grandfather." She stared at the ocean for a long time until Cid could no longer be seen. "You've returned to this Earth, I'm sorry you couldn't stay here longer...Rest In Peace."

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Don't let time pass you by...
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