Disclaimer: Sigh… Nope, still don't own it. One can dream, though.
Chapter Six: Celestial Rise
The sudden death of Gen. Dakhrin sent shockwaves of fear through the Empire. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice, and his sword was retired to the Imperial Memorial Hall. Security was increased almost to the point of excess, and the threat of assassination became the backdrop to daily life.
And as promised, Celes' training was intensified dramatically under the direction of Master Ryan and Colonel Larson for the physical element, and Kefka for the magical.
"If you make yourself more than just a soldier, you become something else entirely."
"Which is?"
"A legend, Celes," Master Ryan answered simply.
As he spoke, Ryan paced around the perimeter of a circular pit six feet in diameter and fifteen feet deep. Five of Ryan's students surrounded it, each holding a wooden staff, and dispersed throughout it were a number of fifteen-foot wooden posts, six inches in diameter, each two feet apart. And atop the middle post stood Celes without protective gear, her Bo as her only defense. The lone rope hanging from that same post and extending to the floor provided the sole exit from the trench.
"I've been instructed to give you a lesson in pain. Now, while I don't approve of this kind of training, what must be done will be done." Ryan paused, reluctant to initiate this harsh trial. But only for a moment. "En garde."
One by one, the five students each took a swing with their staff. Celes was able to block their strikes until they began to step up their speed, force, and frequency. A blow to her shoulder made her flinch in pain, and the subsequent jab to her stomach knocked her off the post.
"What you must learn, Celes, is that pain is a distraction; a distraction from balance and concentration. To acknowledge it is to be weak, and if you are weak," Ryan gestured to the bottom of the pit, "you will fall. Now climb up and try again."
When she reached the top, the exercise resumed. Once again, a failed parry drove her fifteen feet below, and she hit the ground hard.
"Learn to segregate your pain from your thoughts. When you do, you will be able to push it to the farthest corner of your mind and block it from your consciousness entirely. Remember: your focus determines your reality. Again."
The climb to the top was slightly harder this time around, and Celes only found herself knocked to the ground even faster than before. As she struggled to her feet with an arm cradling her ribs, Ryan continued to lecture.
"You're not focusing, Celes. Or, rather, you are focusing on the pain, but not the defense. Do it again."
The process continued for several hours. Each time took her longer to stand, longer to climb, and sooner to fall. But the time finally came when Celes seemed to move out of the realm of thought, if only for the briefest moment. A low sweep of a staff swept her feet out from under her, but with feline finesse, she twisted her body midair, catching herself flat across the posts before she fell.
Ryan held up his hand to halt the students. "That's enough. Very good, Celes. Pushed to the limit, you kept yourself from falling, a precursor to the full potential of your focus. We will continue this lesson in two day's time. I suggest you rest before then."
And rest she would have, except that Col. Larson proceeded with his own curriculum on the alternating days with Ryan. For hours after her regular combat classes, she was forced to do countless pull-ups, pushups, and crunches, as well as extensive running drills affectionately termed 'killers' by the younger cadets. To make it worse, she was only allowed to go home on Larson's whim.
Larson would often work her at the punching bag until her arms were lead and her knuckles were raw. Then he would only push her harder. Gradually, he moved to from the punching bag to the harder surface of a padded cement block. Then one night, it was a bare wooden board, which she pummeled for over an hour. With every punch, the stinging of wood against her bare hands grew more agonizing.
"You're slacking off, Chere."
Celes increased to force of her punches, but it wasn't enough for the colonel.
"Come on, Celes, I want to see your knuckles bleed!" Larson urged.
Her stress mounting, Celes finally lashed out, leaving a red stain on the wood. Panting, she looked at Larson, hoping he'd be satisfied. He examined her hand, pleased to see blood.
"Good. Now break the board."
Celes' face fell in disbelief, and she looked at the board with dread. Nevertheless, she drew back and hit the board once again, but it barely even creaked.
"Come on, Chere! I know old ladies who can punch harder than you!" Larson goaded.
She struck again and again as hard as she could, but to no avail. The pain in her hand was now unbearable, and she stopped.
"What's wrong? Does your hand hurt?" Larson asked somewhat mockingly. She merely nodded. "You're weak, Celes! Pain is a weakness, you know this!"
The anger swelled in Celes, and after a chain of punches, she spun and rammed her elbow into the board, splitting in two. Seeing that the board was broken, Larson lifted her elbow to inspect it, finding it bloody.
He nodded to himself, then said, "Get that looked at, then go home."
After a solid week of this strenuous schedule, the magic element was added to her morning agenda. An hour and a half before her normal classes was spent building her magical potential with Kefka, while Cid supervised. First Celes would have to sustain a spell against one of Terra's until either of them ran out of energy. Several times, Celes' spell dropped too abruptly for Terra to cease hers, and the icy mage would end up with a severely burned arm.
Once her burns were healed by a shot of Ether, Celes would replenish her energy by absorbing a Magitek-powered beam with Runic. Each time, Kefka would push her to absorb almost to the point of dangerous excess so as to expand her capacity little by little.
This extreme exchange of energy in so short a time, however, only left her weaker. Then she had her other classes to attend, followed by either Ryan's or Larson's agenda, with only two half-hour breaks for meals in between.
For months, Celes endured the grueling trials. But in spite of her waning stamina, the desired results were beginning to surface. Celes reached a surprising extent in her magic with the ability to control not only the amount of ice, but its shape and spread. Her Runic capacity also amplified considerably as she became much more proficient in it.
Ironically, her strength, too, increased despite her exhausted state, and she seemed to be moving beyond feeling pain. Ryan and Larson were pleased with her progress, and so they put her to the challenge of sparring with ten of Ryan's martial arts students consecutively. It took her nearly three straight hours to defeat them, and thankfully, they let her go home early that night.
Another week of strength training passed, and Ryan and Larson made a slight change to the trial Celes was to complete again. Equipped with a Bo, Celes was placed against three students with imitation swords at a time. When a student fell, he was replaced by another until Celes had defeated fifteen. She accomplished the exercise in less than two hours, and she went back to her dorm feeling a bit lightheaded. Nevertheless, her training continued.
Yet another week passed, and she was put to the test a third time, now with an artificial blade of her own against twenty students, four at a time. They fought as if with real swords, and her opponents fell easily within an hour.
Her wooziness returned worse than before, and it was accompanied by a sharp headache. Her limbs felt like rubber, and when she reached her dorm, she didn't even bother showering before simply falling onto her bed, asleep before her head hit the pillow.
Two more weeks of solid training went by, and her instructors decided to put her to the ultimate test. Armed with dual swords, she was to participate in a genuine swordfight against both Kefka and Leo, the two top swordsmen of the military.
In the middle of the compound, the three drew their swords, putting the sheaths aside, and took their stances. The two men began with short bursts of strikes from the front, but Celes parried them both with ease, waiting for her opening. It came when Kefka moved too close to Leo, and their movement was briefly hindered. Celes immediately switched to the offensive, driving them both back across the compound, until Kefka pivoted around an attack, moving behind her.
The officers training in the compound had begun eagerly gathering to watch this duel between these best of the best. They marveled at Celes' exceptional demonstration of skill and control with the dual swords. She seemed to sense Kefka's moves without even looking back, and the trio's display appeared a spinning, twirling maelstrom of blades as each one poured their training and instinct into the battle.
Frustrated, Kefka decided it was time to play dirty. As the fight was carried amidst the obstacle course, Kefka used his magic to ignite various objects, hoping the sudden combustions would throw Celes off. When it didn't appear to be working, he turned his magic directly against her, integrating a fiery element into one of his strikes. When his sword collided with one of Celes', the explosion of fire stung her hand, causing her to drop the blade.
Angered by the cheap move, Celes turned and cleaved her remaining sword down upon him. After Kefka parried, Celes, in rapid succession, brought the sword back over her right shoulder to block Leo's attack, forward again at Kefka, and then rammed her right elbow back, striking Leo in the nose and knocking him to the ground.
Turning back to Kefka, Celes glared at him for a moment. He merely returned it with an odd gaping grin. She suddenly launched forward in a short burst of attacks.
"Such anger, Celes," Kefka mocked during the pause. He blocked another series of strikes. "I sense more in you." Another round of parries, and they locked swords. "But you don't use it."
Kefka shoved her back, and immediately began his own attack. Driving her back, he spun to elbow her in the face with his right arm, but Celes sidestepped to the left and kneed his exposed abdomen.
As he turned to face her, now infuriated, Kefka drew back his left hand, summoning a ball of fire, and Celes mirrored the move with an icy sphere. Both launched their conjurings towards each other, and the two spells collided between their hands. Each was struggling to sustain the force behind their spells, but with a surge of power, Celes pushed Kefka back, and the immense energies clashing in such close proximity erupted, throwing both warriors ten feet in opposite directions.
As Celes slowly stood up, she saw that Leo was already waiting, sword in hand. Her headache and dizziness were returning, but she shook her head to clear it, focusing instead on her opponent.
The two attacked each other at the same time, and a long rapid volley ensued as they danced across the arena, until Kefka picked himself up and rejoined the fight. Celes gradually moved back towards the obstacle course to retrieve her second sword, and the fighting progressed up the steps to the starting platform of the ropes course.
Celes jumped into the air and split kicked them both. She quickly jabbed the point of her sword into Kefka's chest and kicked him off the platform, signifying his 'death.' All the officers watching cheered as she turned back to face Leo, her dual swords held out in front of her.
"Finish it, Celes!" Larson yelled.
"Come on, Cel, let's just stop," Leo said. "I see how tired you are. You need to rest."
She shook her head. "I can't until I end it."
When Celes resumed her attack, the young man put on a valiant show as he parried both of her blades with his single sword. Leo finally kicked Celes and leapt across the three foot gap to the course's ending platform.
"It's over, Celes." He gestured to their positions. "I've got the high ground."
"You underestimate me," Celes challenged.
"Be careful of your arrogance, Chere!" Ryan cautioned from across the compound.
She glanced back at her instructor once before returning her attention to her rival, still determined.
"Don't try it," Leo warned.
Disregarding their warnings, Celes took a running leap, flipping over Leo's head while striking out with her right blade. Leo arced his sword up to parry, but the force of her jump threw off his balance. His sword ricocheted off her right blade, grazed her face, and struck her left arm.
Leo heard Celes hit the ground hard and cry out in pain. When he turned around, tears welled in his eyes at seeing her writhing on the ground, a deep gash down the left side of her face, and her left arm severed four inches below the elbow. The sword fell from Leo's hand, and he dropped to his knees beside her.
Celes tried to get up, but the effects of the pain, extreme fatigue, and blood loss caught up with her, and she collapsed, unconscious. Ryan, Larson, and Kefka realized something was wrong, and they ran over to the two, ushering the spectators out of the way.
"Oh, gods…" Ryan whispered as he beheld the wounded officer.
"I'm sorry, i-i-it was an accident," Leo stuttered. "I-I didn't mean to—"
"Leo, calm down. This wasn't your fault," Ryan consoled.
"Let's get her to Cid," Kefka suggested. "There must be something he can do."
((ooo))
"How did this happen?"
"We were training. It was an accident."
Cid put his hand on the worried man's shoulder. "I'm sure it was, Leo."
"What are your thoughts, Cid?" Kefka asked.
"Dehydration, extreme fatigue and mental stress, severe blood loss… The list goes on. I never approved of her increased training, and this is why." Cid rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Unfortunately, we don't have the capability to reattach something as complex as an arm and still have the motory functions work properly. But luckily, you have the best biomechanics team in the world working on a replacement."
Kefka nervously cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose I need to inform His Majesty of what has happened."
Leo moaned and sat down, burying his head in his hands. "The emperor's going to kill me."
"Leo, she'll be fine. Don't worry so much."
"But I—"
Leo stopped himself, and Kefka perceived the shadow of an emotion he thought foreign to the young man. He shook his head ever-so slightly at the notion.
"Accidents happen," the general finally said.
"But to the emperor's prized warrior?" Leo countered.
Kefka considered that. "…Touché."
One of Cid's technicians poked his head into the waiting room. "Professor?"
"Oh, yes, of course," Cid said, heading towards the lab. "General, Major, if you'll excuse me. We should be done by morning if you want to come check on her then."
((ooo))
"So how does it feel?"
Celes rotated her forearm and extended her fingers, watching the advanced biotechnical mechanism move as fluidly as a human arm. It somehow took the same simple thought process as any other body part, yet it seemed completely different. The strange sensation came with not actually feeling the movement, and rather seeing and faintly hearing the joints move.
"It'll take some getting used to," she said, "but your team certainly knew what it was doing."
"And you're lucky for that." Cid watched her while she studied it further. "Isn't technology grand?"
"I'll say," a voice said from the doorway. "The emperor will be pleased to know you're all right, Celes."
Celes saluted a bit weakly. "General."
Kefka smiled softly. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Like I'm missing some vital part of me," she responded dryly.
"Well, you don't look all that bad. The scar will be a nice touch."
Celes absently reached up and lightly rubbed the two-inch gash down her left temple.
"Feeling up to visitors?" Kefka wondered. "There are a couple of people who are eager to see you."
Celes already knew who it was, and in truth, she really didn't want to see them. Nevertheless, she nodded wearily, and Kefka called to the two waiting outside. Terra practically ran into the room and to her friend's side, and Leo walked in behind her.
"Are you all right?" the girl asked.
"I've had better days."
"Leo told me what happened," Terra said. "I thought he was joking at first… That was a really stupid move, Celes."
"I don't need your lecture, Terra," Celes said defensively.
"I'm sorry," she apologized softly.
Celes noticed that Leo was keeping some distance, but at the same time seemed to want to come closer. She watched as he avoided eye contact, then looked down at her arm.
"I don't blame you, Leo."
Finally, he met her gaze. "You don't?"
She shook her head. "Of course not."
Leo walked to her side and locked arms with her. After a moment, he seemed reluctant to let go, but when he did, he let his fingers trail along her inner arm, palm, and finally her fingers.
"I guess you'll have to work even harder to beat me now, huh?" he commented with a smirk.
She flexed her new limb once again. "I guess so."
((ooo))
Soon after the sparring accident, Cid gave Celes a black leather gauntlet for her left arm. It had three iron buckles and extended just past the junction of steel and flesh, with the gray sleeve of her uniform tucking into it. The bionic arm was proving no hindrance to her skills as she continued her arduous training, though since her collapse, she hadn't been pushed so hard.
The year was passing quickly. The position of general was still open, and the officer rivalry was getting deadly. It seemed people would do anything to become general. There was a small unorganized military coup between several of the more corrupt colonels, but it was discovered by Leo and Celes and easily put down by Kefka and Fermir. The two were promoted for their quick responses, making Leo a Lieutenant-Colonel, and Celes a Major.
Not long after their promotion, Leo and Celes were both given large assignments. Leo was sent to Figaro as the emperor's ambassador to renegotiate the trade treaty with King Edgar, and Celes was sent to Albrook to interrogate the mayor for suspected treason.
Though the mayor denied it incessantly, Celes found proof of his disloyalty in his trade records, some of which were with the Returners all the way up north. He was arrested and brought back to Vector to be put on trial. He was found guilty and was executed immediately. Leo returned a week later, successful in his negotiations.
During their absence, Kefka had been sent to Kohlingen region to search for the rumored Returner hideout. He found them and captured their leader, Mason. Kohlingen was razed for its support of the rebel band, resulting in the unintentional deaths of three men and one woman.
When Celes' sixteenth birthday came around, Ryan gave her the night off, and Leo and Terra took her out to dinner to celebrate.
"Happy sweet sixteen, Celes," Terra said, hugging her friend before sitting at their table.
"Thanks, Ter, but you guys really didn't have to do this."
"Oh, come on, Celes. Live a little," Leo teased.
"Yeah, let yourself have a little fun for once," Terra added.
Celes gave a dramatic sigh. "Fine."
After talking for over an hour, Leo reached into his jacket and pulled out a slim rectangular case. He set it on the table and slid it over to Celes.
"What's this?"
"A little something I picked up in Figaro."
"Leo, you didn't have to--"
"But I wanted to. Besides, what's the fun of having a birthday if you don't get any presents?" he added with a grin. "Go on, open it."
Celes skeptically took the box in hand and opened the lid. Inside was a dagger with notched edges and a curved handle.
"That hilt is solid pearl. Did you know there are pearl mines in the desert of Figaro?" Celes shook her head, impressed. "One of the wonders of the world. I guess the deepest layer of sand is eons old and has compressed into a layer of pearl. It's funny. I always thought sand made glass... The blade is tempered pewter from the mines between the castle and South Figaro. I know it doesn't compare with your Rune blade, but..." he shrugged. "I figured you'd like it."
"Leo...this is... Thank you."
"I have something for you, too," Terra began, "but we'll have to go to Cid's lab to get it."
"Another infusion?" she guessed with mock enthusiasm, giving her green-haired friend a sideways glance.
They all chuckled at that. All too soon, though, Celes' tone turned serious.
"Do you guys think this violence in the ranks will continue?"
Leo sighed. "To tell you the truth, I'm a little worried about that, as well. I fear the men of this army are gradually losing their sense of honor. It seems people will do anything for power, and that's scary to think about. I mean, what would happen if the Empire was run by people like that?"
"The world would forever be at war. Innocents would forever live in fear. And blood would forever stain the earth," Celes answered solemnly.
"Exactly." Leo sighed. "Power only breeds war…"
"Wise words from a wise man…"
Leo looked at Celes and smiled sadly. "Let us pray that wisdom prevails over greed in this battle of succession."
There was a long period of silence. Terra finally broke it.
"Well, Cid's probably waiting."
After paying for dinner, they walked to the facility and eventually Cid's lab. Technically, Terra didn't have authorization to be there, but with two high-ranking officers escorting her, no one looked twice.
"Celes! Happy birthday," Cid greeted.
"Thanks, Cid."
"Now, I can only stay and chat for a minute." The professor went to his desk and picked up a small box. "General Fermir is undergoing Magitek infusion tonight."
"So the program has officially started, then?" Leo guessed.
"The emperor gave final approval this morning." Cid handed the box to Terra. "But enough of that. I believe Terra has something she wants to give you."
Terra held the box out to Celes. "It's amazing the things Cid can do."
Celes took the box and opened it, finding a pendant inside. A crystal encasing a tiny rose bud was set in silver, and ancient runes were engraved at the top. The crystal had an eerie bluish glow, and when Celes touched it, she found it to be mysteriously cold.
"That's actually ice," Terra said to Celes' surprise. "It should stay frozen forever. Cid created it from Shiva's essence, so it's kind of like a magic charm, or something. It'll protect you…"
Leo peeked over Celes' shoulder at the pendant. "What does the engraving say?"
"Dea Caelestis Glacies," Terra answered. "It means the celestial ice goddess. I thought it was only fitting."
"It's incredible." Celes looked at Terra, and, much to everyone's surprise, gave her a one-armed hug. "Thank you."
((ooo))
The next morning, an assembly was called by General Palazzo in the courtyard. It didn't take long for everyone to sense it would not be good news. Even Kefka's dark navy robes and less slick hair seemed to convey this sentiment.
"Most of you were not aware that His Majesty Emperor Gestahl approved the launch of the Magitek infusion program yesterday morning, and that General Fermir went in to receive an infusion last night. It was our hope that we would bring you good news of its success. Instead, it is I alone that must bring you news of the tragedy that has occurred. Something went wrong during the procedure, and General Fermir was killed."
Gasps swept through the courtyard. Many hung their heads in disbelief, sorrow, and even anger at the loss of yet another general. Celes rubbed her forehead, and Leo unconsciously squeezed her shoulder.
"Professor de la Vega has given me every assurance that this fault was a freak occurrence, and that this will not hinder the procession of the program. The emperor has asked me to tell you all not to lose faith, that we will not crumble in the face of misfortune, and that a time of change is on the horizon. New generals will rise and…"
The rest of Kefka's speech faded from Celes' senses, just as it had nearly one year before. She wasn't surprised when the icy echo filled her head.
With the Celestial Rise, the curtain of darkness will fall, and the paths of ice and flame will be set. May the purity of diamond dust guide you.
By the time her senses returned, Kefka was dismissing everyone, and Leo was tugging on her arm.
"What?"
"I said, are you ready to go?" Leo repeated with a slight smirk. "You know…training?"
"Yeah…yeah, I'm coming."
Gestahl was now under severe pressure from his advisors to choose those who would replace the late General Dakhrin and General Fermir. Though he knew exactly whom he wanted to choose, he was unsure of what to do. For two weeks, he debated back and forth whether the time for their ascension had truly come.
Finally, with Kefka's approval, he made his decision.
Walking to their dorms from Master Ryan's dojo, Leo and Celes were approached by an Elite Guard, his crimson robes and helm clearly marking his business as official.
"LtCol. Cristophe, Maj. Chere?"
"Yes?"
"If you'll please follow me, you've been summoned to the Imperial Palace by His Excellency."
Though curious about their summoning, Leo and Celes remained silent as they followed the Elitist to the Imperial Palace. Kefka was present in the throne room, and he greeted them pleasantly.
"LtCol. Cristophe, Maj. Chere, always a pleasure."
"Yes, it is," Gestahl agreed from his throne, prompting salutatory bows from the newcomers. "Leo, Celes, I summoned you both here to discuss a crucial matter with you."
Gestahl stood from his throne and walked to the window behind it. The three officers stood at silent attention as their liege gazed pensively across the industrial city.
"The Empire is under a tremendous strain right now," the monarch began. "The balance of power has tipped with the loss of my three former generals. I fear the people may be losing faith in Vector's ability to keep them safe. We must show them that the Empire will remain united, that its might will not waver, and that we will not back down from our destiny. The time for the new age of the Empire has risen. New leaders are needed to bring balance back to Vector."
Gestahl turned from the window and began pacing in front of the three.
"As you know, Leo, Celes, I've been under enormous pressure to name the next generals. Kefka was chosen prematurely out of absolute necessity to maintain order in the ranks; the last thing we need is a full-scale military coup. In fact, until recently, I was unsure whether the decision I've now made was the right thing to do."
Gestahl paused to observe the reactions of Leo and Celes. Their faces were blank, waiting for their liege to continue.
"The Empire is about embark on an entirely new campaign, and I need young fresh minds capable of executing it. The people of Vector may not understand my decision at first. They may think me foolish to choose two so young and inexperienced to be my Knights. But they will soon see the potential in the young ambition and steadfast resolve that neither General MacFarlane nor Dakhrin nor Fermir ever had."
Gestahl stopped his pacing in front of Leo.
"Leo, from the moment you entered the army, you showed exceptional promise. Your strength and skill are…" he glanced to Celes, "…virtually unmatched. You possess a natural gift of leadership I have not seen in decades. You command respect, not through fear like so many, but through the admiration of your peers, a rare quality. This is why I have chosen you to join Kefka in generalship."
It took a moment for everything to sink in with Leo. Celes caught on a little sooner and couldn't contain a smile. Kefka, too, was enthusiastic.
"Congratulations, General Cristophe," he saluted.
Leo glanced at Kefka in disbelief, then looked back to Gestahl, bowing respectfully.
"I'm honored, Majesty."
Gestahl merely smiled, glancing at Celes for a fleeting moment before returning to the window. Celes, still slightly unsure of the reason for her presence, was becoming restless. Several minutes of silence passed.
"Celes, how long have you been in my service?" Gestahl asked abruptly.
"Sixteen years, my lord," she answered promptly, not startled in the least.
"Sixteen years…" he repeated thoughtfully. "A long time have I watched…" He turned his gaze to Celes. "…waiting for you to come of age." He began walking slowly towards her. "And I believe the time has come for you to take your place in the tomes of history."
Gestahl received nothing but a blank stare from Celes.
"I don't expect you to understand this, kitten, but it's just as I told you so long ago: you were always destined for greatness. Now the military, indeed the whole of Vector will think me a crazy old man for naming someone so incredibly young and inexperienced the next general. However, I truly believe it is a step well within your capabilities and deserving of your merits."
Celes appeared surprisingly calm at first, much more so than Leo was. Her composure was admirable considering she was just made the youngest general in the history of Vector. She bowed as Leo had, though it was obvious the shock was beginning to wear off and her disbelief was showing through as she rose back up.
"At a loss for words, kitten?" Gestahl guessed.
"Slightly," Celes admitted.
The monarch nodded. He turned to address all three of his generals.
"Your ascension will be heralded throughout the world. You will be names living forever in history. You, my three Knights, will lead the Empire to glory. Imperium augustus."
"Vivo diuturnus," the three answered unison.
"There is more thing I must discuss with you, but I will let it wait until after the christening ceremony in one week's time. I ask that you don't reveal this until then."
"Of course, Majesty," they agreed.
"Now, there is much I must attend to in preparation for the ceremony, and I will require your assistance, Kefka."
"Yes, Sire."
"Celes, Leo, you two are dismissed."
((ooo))
The next week passed quickly, though both Leo and Celes found it difficult to keep their promotions to themselves.
The morning of the christening, Celes put on her new formal uniform. She wore a black jerkin of the softest leather with gold clasps and a stiff collar. Under the jerkin, she wore a black silk shirt, the cuffs hidden inside her gauntlet and black leather glove. A black leather cape, inlaid with crimson lining, was clasped to black shoulder plates trimmed with gold. Embroidered onto the cape was the Imperial insignia.
Her black pants tucked into feminine, black leather, steel-toed boots that came up past her calves. Her Rune blade rested at her side in a black hard leather case, secured by a gold chain belt. The sheath was intricately etched in silver with the same runes found on her sword. Her pearl-handled dagger was sheathed at her other hip.
Her blonde hair was held back behind her ears by an elaborately detailed silver hairclip on either side. Two thin braids on the right side of her face, the pendant from Terra, and a braided silver band pierced into the upper cartilage of her right ear completed the ensemble.
Leo, also in his dress uniform came to her door. When she opened it, his jaw dropped and he gasped.
"I-is that really you Celes?" His expression was that of astonishment, and Celes noticed his cheeks flush slightly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Please do. I mean…wow. Black suits you."
Celes was never one to blush, but instead smiled faintly. "Thanks. You look pretty good yourself."
Leo's uniform was identical to Celes', with only a few differences. His polished leather boots were not steel-toed and were more masculine than Celes'. The scabbard of his sword was gold studded instead of etched. Also, his hair was shaven into the Imperial Mohawk, a status symbol, such as Celes' braids and earring.
He ran his hand over his hair and smiled, blushing even more.
"So, you ready?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," she replied confidently.
The two made their way to the field where the ceremony was being held. It was a beautiful cloudless day. The sun shone brightly, and there was a slight breeze. Not one, but two eagles floated overhead, a sign of good omen from the gods. Celes and Leo were joined by two Elite Guards as an escort.
They reached the meadow, but stayed out of sight until they were called upon. Every officer, soldier, recruit, and scientist was present, standing on either side of a lush crimson carpet. They were all eager to see who the new generals were. No one noticed that neither Leo nor Celes were among them. The carpet led to a platform where Kefka, in the same black uniform and with Terra behind him, stood next to Gestahl, who was making his speech.
"…and let it be known that these two that I have hand chosen to be my generals, my Knights, are here only because they are the best. Only because I know that they will serve the Empire with all their hearts. They will lead the Empire in its destiny of greatness, and will help us realize our dreams. Gentlemen, I give to you: General Leo Cristophe…and General Celes Chere."
Gasps swept through the mass of people as they turned to see Celes striding gracefully next to Leo. The promotion of the former Lieutenant-Colonel came as no surprise to them, but they were astounded by Celes, mostly because of her age. As she and her fellow general walked across the platform to kneel in front of Gestahl, the sun glinting off the gold and silver of her attire, every man present thought the same thing: the child had grown into a stunningly beautiful young woman.
Leo was the first to be knighted, after he recited the Imperial pledge of allegiance. Gestahl tapped him on both shoulders with a ceremonial sword, completing the ritual.
"I knight thee, Sir General Leo."
Leo rose, and stepped aside. All eyes were on Celes as she recited the pledge, her voice even and her tone sincere.
"Hail to His Majesty. To lead your people to victory, my allegiance I pledge, and this oath I take: I shall never yield to my emotions, for I have none. I shall never indulge in my passions, for they do not exist. I shall feel nothing. My duty is to the Empire: my family, my home. I shall never betray nor abandon it. My Emperor, you are my father, my master, and my god. My life, my will is yours. By the grace of magic and mark of Rune, I shall serve you, my lord. I shall live, I shall serve, I shall die. For the Empire."
Gestahl smiled, and tapped her shoulders with the sword.
"I knight thee, Lady General Celes."
Celes stood, and turned to face the mass of Imperials, Leo joining her.
"What do you live for!" Leo shouted, raising his sword.
"The Empire!" was the response.
"What do you die for!" Celes followed, sword raised.
"The Empire!" They all shouted back.
"Imperium augustus!" Leo and Celes shouted together. The two eagles let out their own cries.
"Vivo diuturnus!"
"Imperium augustus!" they repeated, louder.
"Vivo diuturnus!"
The ceremony was complete, and Leo and Celes were saluted as they walked back down the crimson carpet. However, it wasn't the customary gesture of the right hand raised to the right eyebrow. The new age of the Empire had begun, and new traditions had been established. The salute brought their right fist to their left shoulder, coupling it with a slight bow.
Word spread quickly, and soon the whole world would know of the newest Imperial generals.
((ooo))
After the ceremony, a banquet was held to honor the three generals. The lesser officers were allowed to bring their girlfriends and wives from the city. Celes received countless offers to dance, including those made by Leo and Kefka, but she turned them all down. Leo, too, was asked many times, and he, being a gentleman, accepted most offers.
When he saw Celes heading towards the door, though, Leo excused himself from his dance partner and caught up with her.
"Not staying for your own party?"
"No, they're all just getting drunk anyway."
Leo looked back over his shoulder. "Yeah, pretty much… Say, I need some air. Want to go for a walk?"
Celes shrugged. "Why not?"
They made their way out of the palace to the outer walkway that surrounded it. Nothing was said between the two as they walked, eventually coming to the bridge that overlooked the entire city. They remained silent for several minutes as they stood and gazed out across the Imperial capital.
Leo glanced at her, this girl whom he had known for eight years, this woman whom he now realized he loved. It was a forbidden love, of course. Emperor Gestahl may have allowed relationships for the foot soldiers and lower officers, but not his Elite Knights; Leo and Celes had both just taken the oath of chastity earlier that day.
He chose to interrupt the stillness. "What're you thinking about?"
Her answer was simple. "I wasn't."
Leo smiled sadly. She's sixteen, he reminded himself trying to push the thoughts from his mind. But it was to no avail.
"I wish I knew that trick."
It was a while before Celes spoke. "Why, what were you thinking about?"
Leo gazed into her eyes for a prolonged moment, fighting with himself over a reply. He finally drew a deep breath and looked away.
"It's nothing."
Celes gave him a funny look. "You sure?"
"Yeah. It's just all the stress from everything going on lately."
Celes returned her gaze to the city. "I know what you mean."
After another period of silence, they decided to go back inside and to their new rooms. Now that they were generals, their quarters were located in the Imperial Palace, composed of a bedroom, a bathroom, and a separate office. By special request, the vacant room next to Celes' was given to Terra so the two could still be close.
When they reached her door, Leo turned to her. "Well, goodnight," he took her hand and kissed it, "Lady Celes."
He was rewarded with another tiny smile. "Goodnight, Gen. Cristophe."
Author's note: It was mentioned that a woman was killed in Kohlingen. Yep, this is a reference to Rachel. Sorry if some of that went by kind of fast, but I didn't want the chapter to get weighted down by things I didn't feel were terribly important. Once again, thanks to those who have reviewed. I'm glad you guys like it! I'm on summer vacation now, so hopefully I'll have more time to write. I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I can.