Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy, or its characters, or any of that cool stuff.

Chapter Two: Runitek Infusion

Five years later, the child Celes was still accepting the serum without difficulty. Everyone was amazed. She was becoming a charming little girl, appearing perfectly normal. She was extremely bright, intuitive, and strong of mind and body, especially for a five-year old.

Her military training and schooling had begun two years prior. She could read and write quite well. She had learned to be quiet unless spoken to, and has learned the concept of respect for Emperor Gestahl and other superiors. Mostly, the training focused on developing her magic. She was only beginning to be able to focus on her powers, but she was a fast learner. Though she couldn't cast a full spell yet, a bit of frost would form on her fingertips when she tried, a sign of progress.

Cid was absolutely delighted with the girl, and he brought her everywhere that wasn't restricted. She would often sit in his lab working on word problems while he did his research. What surprised Cid was that she never asked for help. She would work at it tirelessly until she found the right answer. Even during training, she refused to be aided.

One instance, she was put into a maze to evaluate her perceptiveness and memory. All young soldiers go through this, and all asked for help their first time. When Celes got stuck, though, she simply stood and looked around at where she was, working out in her mind the path she had taken. She backtracked to a certain point, and stood thinking again. She would then take a sudden turn down a path, finding the exit of the maze.

It was one of those busy days for Cid. He had been working on a project that would allow Magitek to be integrated into machinery. The tech crew had been designing a mechanized suit for this purpose. They were called M-Tek Armors.

A royal messenger interrupted Cid's work, which annoyed him greatly. Celes, as usual, was at a small desk, studying the laws of physics, a prerequisite for any cadet.

"Professor, His Majesty requests something of you. He is pleased with the progress Celes is making. His Excellency wishes to proceed with the second experiment on the child."

"But, the Rune technology is still in the test phase. Does the emperor want to risk destroying that which has succeeded far beyond our expectations?" Cid asked, trying to suppress his anger.

"He is aware of the process' current status, Professor. He is giving you the final say. If you feel she can handle it, then he orders the second operation," the messenger answered.

"…Alright. But if anything goes wrong—"

"Yes, Professor," the man broke in. "You will be compensated for your loss."

"Magitek and Runitek infusions? That old windbag is insane," Cid grumbled after the messenger left. "No child should have to endure one, let alone both."

"Uncle Cid?"

"Yes, dear?" Cid looked into Celes' blue eyes.

"What were you two just talking about?"

"You know how I told you about the operation we did on you when you were a baby? We're going to do another one."

"Really?" Cid couldn't tell if she was happy or frightened. "Will it hurt like last time?"

"It might, sweetie. Speaking of which, do you still hurt from the M-Tek?"

"No. I don't feel it anymore. When I get a shot it kinda hurts, though."

"Cel, what did I tell you about speaking properly?" he corrected sternly.

"I'm sorry. It hurts a little."

"Thank you. But, it's natural for it to hurt when you receive the booster. As long as it doesn't hurt any other time, your fine."

"Ok. What will this one do?" she asked.

"Well, Celes, have you heard of Rune Knights…?"

((ooo))

Further tests proved Celes was theoretically capable of handling a second infusion, providing the process itself was correct. It was based on the ancient Order of Rune Knights. These were warriors who mastered a technique unique to their cult. Their secrets have only just started to resurface after a thousand years.

Another serum, derived from the bloodline of the Runes, will be injected into the back of her neck. It will tie into her nervous system, extending into the brain. Not only does it insert the knowledge of the ancient art into the brain, but side effects include a boost in strength, vitality, and even instinct. The Rune's specialty is called Runic, where a magic spell can be absorbed into the knight through a specially forged Rune Blade, converting it into magic power. Celes will bear the mark of the Rune on her palm, a indication of her infusion.

The symbol will be the portal to her power. An identical mark will be engraved into the hilt of her blade, along with the Runic chant on the blade itself. When the two emblems combine, and the chant is recited, the power should surface, ready to be used.

Cid hoped the process wouldn't damage her. He wondered why Gestahl would order the experimental infusion on his best aspiring M-Tek Knight.

A week later, they progressed with the second infusion. The injection into the neck only took a couple seconds. It was the etching of the emblem that took hours. It was a complicated design, and had to be perfect. Her sword was being forged at the same time, though she wouldn't receive it until she was a teen.

Sadly, the only way to imprint it onto her hand was to literally carve it in. They used a M-Tek powered laser to do it. After it was done, the mark was cleansed, and the hand was submerged in the Runitek. Celes' hand was bandaged, and she was brought out of sedation.

"Celes? How do you feel?"

"My hand hurts. And my neck. It kinda tingles."

Because she was still groggy from the anesthetic, Cid let the 'kinda' slip.

"We had to use a big needle in your neck. The tingling is the new serum attaching itself to your nerves," Cid explained. "It should subside in a week or so. And your hand… well, you'll see in a couple weeks after it heals."

"Cid? Does subside mean to go away?"

"Yes, Celes."

She was truly bright. Even if she didn't know a word, she could figure it out using the context of the sentence. Whenever Cid talked with her, he felt like he was talking to someone at least fourteen years old. He could use difficult terminology, and she could still understand.

"Do you want something to help the pain in your hand, Celes?" he asked.

"No. I'll be fine."

Already, the Empire was teaching her to ignore pain. Cid felt sorry for the girl. Her training would intensify as she got older, molding her into a unfeeling soldier.

((ooo))

"You're getting closer, Celes," Cid praised. "Try it again."

The child nodded and extended her hand towards the lit candle, chanting in an ancient tongue. A white light shimmered in front of her hand, and the tiny flame flickered. Frost crept up her fingers and the candlestick, but it was still not enough to quench the flame.

Celes sighed, letting her hand drop to her side. Not in angry frustration, but in mild disappointment. She still couldn't conjure up a spell.

"It's alright, Celes," Cid consoled gently. "Now, I want you to close your eyes." Celes obeyed. "Form an image of the candle in your mind… Do you see it?" She nodded.

"Now, hold onto that image, but at the same time I want you to find the core of your magic and focus on it. Picture the ice surge forth from your fingertips to the candle, encasing the flame. Feel the energy flow through you. Will it to happen."

Keeping her eyes closed, Celes once again pointed her hand at the candle and chanted. The white light surrounded her hand, but this time it was tinted an eerie blue. A draft of cool air blew through the room and swirled around the flame. The air began moving faster and grew colder. Cid watched eagerly as the silhouette of a prism formed around the flame. The prism slowly gained cold solidity, and the flame disappeared, as did the ice.

Cid looked down at Celes and saw she was gazing at the candle with a bright smile on her face.

"Congratulations, Celes. You have just cast your first successful spell."

A week later, Cid went to Celes' room near his office. The door was open, as it usually was, and he peaked inside. Young Celes was practicing her spell casting yet again. She still hadn't perfected it, but she was getting better. Cid couldn't help but smile at her determination.

When she had finished a successful spell, Cid knocked on the door and walked in, smiling.

"Careful Celes. You don't want to use up all of your energy, now do you? Especially when the emperor has summoned you."

Celes looked up at the professor, astonishment written on her face. "The emperor…has summoned me?"

"He has. He's quite pleased with the reports I've given him, and now he wants to see the progress you've made for himself. Don't worry, there's nothing to be nervous about. He's quite eager to see you again."

"Again?"

"Well, yes. The last time he saw you was when you were just a baby. So are you up to it?"

"Of course!"

"Good. Then let's go."

As they walked through the Imperial Fortress, Cid reminded Celes about being respectful. But he also assured her that the emperor was a very kind man and that she shouldn't feel intimidated by him.

Cid's voice faded into the back of Celes' mind, though, as her attention was focused on the Fortress itself. The sounds of active machinery, countless pipes, and the grinding of metal on metal drowned out most of the professor's words anyway.

She had never been this deep within its walls before. It was a large place for any person, but to a five-year old it was gigantic. Despite trying to remember the path they were taking, Celes got lost amongst the endless steel corridors and iron catwalks which frequently crisscrossed in a confusing web of metal.

They eventually came to a large pair of iron chamber doors. Upon their approach, two soldiers clad in brown uniforms quickly began opening the massive doors, a tough job as their boots slipped on the smooth metal floor.

Once an adequate crevice was opened, Cid walked Celes through, kindly giving the two men a break. When they stepped inside, the door was closed behind them. They were now in a hallway lined with plush blood-red carpet on the floor and the red and black banners of the Empire on the walls.

As they walked down the corridor, a man shrouded in a crimson robe and helmet approached them.

"Professor de la Vega. His Excellency has been expecting you. Please follow me."

Cid sent Celes a reminding glance as they continued onward to the throne room. The chamber was dim, illuminated only by a tall window behind the throne. A figure stood gazing out that window, and Celes assumed it to be the emperor himself.

Their escort walked to the older man's side.

"My lord, Professor de la Vega and the child have arrived."

"Yes, thank you. You may take your leave."

"Yes, Sire."

The man in red left the chamber, and Gestahl turned and approached his two guests. Cid bowed, and Celes followed his lead, nervous despite his assurances. Gestahl nodded his acknowledgement.

"Professor Cid," he greeted. "And this must be young Celes."

"She is, my lord," Cid replied proudly.

"She's certainly grown from when I last saw her."

"It has been five years, my lord."

"So it has… Five fruitful years, if I'm not mistaken. You and your team have made great progress with her."

"It is not we who have made progress, my lord. Celes is the one working hard."

Gestahl chuckled thoughtfully. He suddenly smiled and squatted down to Celes's level.

"Tell me, young Celes, how do you feel?"

She looked up at the monarch, surprised he would address her directly, much less act in such a manner. Her answer was prompt, though, as she was taught.

"Well, my lord."

"Nervous, perhaps?" he guessed.

She dropped her gaze and spoke softly. "Maybe a little."

His smile grew. "That's understandable. This must be rather intimidating for you." She nodded. "You are much calmer than I had anticipated, though. That's a good sign," he said more to himself than anyone.

Celes momentarily forgot herself and asked, "Of what?"

Cid shot her a sharp glance of warning, causing Celes to wince, but Gestahl waved it off, utterly delighted with the child.

"That you will be disciplined as you grow up. One who is in control of herself will have the ability to maintain control of others."

Celes was clearly confused.

"You are destined for greatness, my kitten."

Cid raised an eyebrow at the use of the pet name, but it went unnoticed.

"Worry not about that now, though," Gestahl reassured her, "for that is far in the future. Now, I believe you had something to show me?"

Celes looked up at Cid, who took a candle and matches out of his lab coat. After lighting it, he set the candle down in front of the girl. Cid prayed silently it would work the first time.

Gestahl watched in fascination as Celes closed her eyes and chanted with her hand directed towards the flame. The air between her hand and the candle shimmered white-blue as it solidified around the flame. Obviously her practice was paying off, as was demonstrated in the speed in which she cast the spell.

"Marvelous!" Gestahl exclaimed. "Absolutely marvelous!"

Cid gave a sigh of relief.

"Excellent work, Cid. I see the infusion is turning out to be a complete success. And you, kitten, with your determination and discipline, I foresee you will become a powerful mage. Now, I want you to meet someone who also bears the gift of magic. Kefka Palazzo."

A man of about twenty-eight years strode into the room. He wore a light red uniform, suggesting a lieutenant rank. The insignia on his arm indicated he was First Lieutenant. He had short blonde hair and pale blue eyes. He first bowed to the emperor, then actually sat on the ground to address the girl, smiling kindly.

"Hello. You must be Celes, the child-mage I've heard so much about. I'm Kefka, and I can use magic too. You want to see?"

Celes nodded enthusiastically. Kefka held out his hand to the candle in front of the girl and chanted quietly. A small ball of fire grew out of nothing on the wick, then disappeared, leaving a tiny flame. Young Celes was in awe of the man who could wield fire.