Disclaimer: And so it comes to an end, and though I put up a valiant effort, I still don't own Final Fantasy.
This is it. The last chapter. I have mixed feelings about how it turned out, but there were certain things that I needed to have happen or be explained or whatever, so it can't be helped. You should start seeing some familiar events from the game unfolding throughout. Thanks one last time to all who reviewed, and there's a present for you at the end of the chapter. I hope I don't disappoint you guys. And don't worry, I have the sequel up and running, but it's a mammoth of a project, I tell ya. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter Nine: Darkness Falls
You are who you choose to be.
Leo's words rang in her mind as she stared down at the port town, watching Figaroan troops patrol the city's borders. The sun shone down on her, glinting off the gold eagle of her breastplate. Her white armor sparkled luminously and her snowy cape swayed lazily in the light breeze. Absently, she fingered the pendant Terra had given her.
It was on Gestahl's whim that she had been sent to South Figaro, and as she glanced over her shoulder at her entire ground unit, ready and waiting for her command, she wondered just who she was choosing to be. The last year had passed so quickly that she had hardly had time to think about it.
The world was at war. Terra had disappeared. The Returners had become more than just a pesky rebellion. And Gestahl had decided to begin a global campaign of Imperial conquest. He used to be a relatively peaceful ruler, but with the newly infused Magitek flowing through his veins along with the urgings of his overly-ambitious advisor, Gestahl grew gluttonous with the prospect of world domination. And so had begun the Second War of the Magi, where magic was ravenously sought after, where heresy was met by sword and flame, and where the fates of one Imperial general and one Imperial witch would be sealed.
"How did it come to this?" she whispered to the wind.
((ooo))
"Majesty, it's a perfectly reasonable desire. This is the technology the Empire is now based on, so why shouldn't you be able to experience it?"
"The risk is too great for His Majesty."
"Why? It's perfected now."
"On young energetic soldiers, yes. We have no idea how it would affect one much older and less robust man, and when it is the emperor of the Vectoran Empire, I strongly advise we don't take chances."
"Leave that for Cid to decide."
"And let him make the same misjudgment as he did with Fermir?"
"Leo, Kefka, that's quite enough," Gestahl intervened. He rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Celes, what's your opinion?"
"Well, though I would hesitate to call any technology perfect, Cid and his team have a flawless infusion record over the last year. It's a safe bet he'll run several dozen tests to ensure your safety, and then run them three times over again just to be certain. And, we are merely your advisors, so if you want to do this, we couldn't stop you."
Gestahl spared a small chuckle. "I can always count on you to be blunt, Celes… I suppose there's no harm in letting Cid do the tests…"
Leo shook his head imperceptibly in silent disagreement, but Kefka just grinned.
"Then it's settled!" he chirped. "I'll inform Cid of your wishes immediately."
The tests were done, and it was decided that Gestahl was theoretically capable of handling the infusion. Everyone was nervous to say the least when he went in for the procedure. To lose a general is a difficult trial to endure, but the battle of Gestahl's successor would tear the Empire to pieces.
((ooo))
"Absolutely incredible," Gestahl said as he gazed at the flame in the palm of his hand.
"Yes," Kefka agreed, pacing behind him. "It makes you feel like a god, doesn't it?"
Gestahl nodded slowly. "A frightening thought."
"Why? Majesty, has it not been your goal for over two decades to harness this power and build your Empire upon it?" Kefka put his hands on the man's shoulders, leaning closer to whisper in his ear. "Think of it; tens of thousands of magic-infused soldiers at your disposal, the nearly-completed Magitek Armor prototype thrown into mass production; no one would dare stand against the might of the Empire. What's frightening about that?"
Gestahl looked him straight in the eye. "I want more."
A smirk crept to Kefka's lips. "You'll get it. Just put aside all doubt, and we will lead the Empire to the threshold of its destiny."
"How?"
Kefka's grin widened. "More Espers."
Gestahl hummed in thought. "Increase our supply…"
"And we increase our might," Kefka finished. "Majesty, put me in charge of this, and I assure you, our goal will be realized."
"…Do not disappoint me."
"I won't, my lord. But I will require one…little…thing."
"And that would be?"
"Permission to use Terra in whatever way I deem necessary to complete this epic task."
Gestahl narrowed his eyes slightly. "How exactly do you mean?"
"Majesty, you said it yourself years ago: Terra will help us realize our dream faster than we could imagine. She is ready to be sent out to do your bidding."
"But, Kefka, as I recall, the slave crown is not satisfactory in its control."
The eager general flashed a crooked smile. "I have just completed the newest model. One that will not allow her the freedom to resist."
The emperor considered this. "…Alright, Kefka. I trust you will use your best judgment when employing Terra."
"Of course, my liege."
((ooo))
"Come, Terra."
The girl took a step back, shaking her head. She feared this man.
"Terra, come to me!"
The girl trembled, taking another step away. She loathed this man.
"NOW!"
The girl tried to run, but she tripped and fell to the floor. She cowered before this man.
He grabbed her arm and roughly pulled her to her feet, dragging her with him through the halls, up the stairs, and into his own personal lab. Then girl saw the chair. She knew that chair.
The man carelessly shoved her into the seat and forced her wrists and ankles between the iron shackles. She dreaded that chair.
The man closed the iron collar around her neck and locked it, grinning evilly. She was trapped in that chair.
"Now, my little pet magic-user, I have a surprise for you."
The man walked around behind the chair to his desk and delicately picked up a gold band between his hands. He returned to the front of the chair and smiled.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked eagerly.
The girl looked upon the item with dread. "A slave crown," she answered quietly.
His grin widened. "Not just a slave crown, precious. It's the new Slave Crown. This nifty upgrade won't allow you to be the problem-child you've been in the past." He received a look of confusion. "You see, precious, this crown won't just make you obey orders like the last. No…with this new Slave Crown, you won't even have the luxury of trying to fight it, because you won't have the ability to think anymore! I'll practically own you!"
The man broke out into hideous laughter that made the girl cringe. She whimpered as he lowered the circlet onto her head, and the last thing she felt was a sharp pain shoot through her mind. The man cackled as red flashed in her eyes.
"Now, my pet, we must test out Cid's newest creation."
A while later, the girl was mounted atop a massive steel beast with hoses and cables plugged into various parts of it. With the two large feet and intimidating clawed arms, it had the appearance of a dragon without a tail, and from within the gaping jaw came an eerie blue glow.
The man stood at a console on the catwalk above the girl, and with the push of a button, all the hoses and cables detached themselves, and the beast rose to its towering full height. The girl heard a whisper in her ear.
"Burn them all."
Her eyes flashed crimson.
Celes awoke with a start when Leo banged impatiently on her door.
"Get up, Celes!"
Groggily, she rolled out of bed and opened the door. "What?"
"One of the warehouses burned down."
Didn't I just dream about… "So?"
Leo sighed. "Fifty of our men were in there, Celes. Two of them made it out alive."
The news snapped the general out of her sleepy state, and she grabbed her cloak off its chair, hurriedly following Leo to the scene, where the warehouse lay in shambles. The fire had been put out, but the wreckage still smoldered. Leo approached two men who stood watching the smoky ruins.
"Are you the two who got out?"
"Yes, sir. Lt. Biggs and Lt. Wedge, sir," the larger one, Biggs, answered.
"What happened?" Celes asked, though she had a guess.
"We were ordered to help test the new experimental Armor. We were expecting to take it out into the field and run some drills with it, but when we got there, the thing was already operational and it began firing its cannon on us."
"Who was operating it?" Leo demanded.
Biggs shook his head. "All we saw was the fire."
"Above the men's screams, I heard the most awful laughing," Wedge added.
The two generals exchanged glances, and Leo leaned over and whispered in Celes' ear.
"Go to Cid and find out if he gave authorization to test the Armor. I'll take care of things here."
Celes nodded, and walked the short distance to the research facility. Making her way past all the security, she entered the laboratory, finding Cid in his office at his computer. The aging scientist looked up and smiled.
"Gen. Celes! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Just a couple questions, Professor."
Through her serious tone, Cid realized that Celes was in no mood for pleasantries.
"What happened?"
"One of the warehouses near the facility burned down."
"What? How?"
"Did you authorize a trial run for the experimental M-Tek Armor?"
Cid took off his glasses and absently wiped them with his lab coat.
"Why, yes. Gen. Palazzo came in earlier this evening and made the request on the emperor's behalf."
Celes inhaled deeply and gave the professor a curt nod of thanks before turning to leave.
"Celes, is something wrong?"
She stopped and turned on her heel. "A warehouse was destroyed and forty-eight men are dead. Does that answer your question?" she replied harshly.
"Dead?"
"Burned alive by that little trial you authorized."
Cid was taken aback. "Wha…I…I didn't know, I…"
Celes lowered her head momentarily. "I'm sorry, Cid. I'm not blaming you, it's just…" She grunted in disgust. "I have to find Kefka."
On a hunch, she went to the throne room of the palace, and sure enough, Kefka was speaking with Gestahl, Terra at his side. The emperor held up his hand to pause Kefka when Celes walked into the room, waiting until after she had bowed on one knee to speak.
"Rise, Celes. What brings you to my chambers?" he asked pleasantly.
"Pardon the intrusion, my lord, but I must speak with Gen. Palazzo."
Gestahl waved his hand in consent, and Kefka turned to the lady general with an amiable smile.
"Lady Celes, how may I be of service to you?"
"You killed them," she stated bluntly, and Kefka's face fell slightly.
"I see we've skipped the chitchat…" he murmured. "I killed no one."
"Fine, I'll rephrase: you had Terra kill them."
"In the name of experimentation, Celes."
"You experiment on rats, Kefka, not our best soldiers."
"Now, Celes, that's not really fair. After all, you and I were experiments," he reminded.
"What's bothering you, kitten?" Gestahl asked.
"I merely see their deaths as needless."
"It was only forty men, Celes," Kefka reasoned.
"Forty-eight," she corrected.
"In an army of thousands, Celes. Tens of thousands. A small price to pay."
"I thought every man in this army was worth his sword," she challenged.
Kefka dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "They will be replaced."
"If they had not been killed, we could have gained fifty more men instead of just breaking even."
"Celes, Kefka, that is enough," Gestahl interrupted. "This bickering will not bring them back. Though I would not condone this course of action in the future, I felt it a necessary step to further the evolution of the Empire."
Celes held back a sigh. "Yes, my lord. And what of Terra?" She gestured to the girl. "Is this also a necessary step?"
"Celes, do not concern yourself with Terra," Gestahl advised sternly. "She is no longer under your care."
She hesitated, but reluctantly yielded. "Of course, my lord. I apologize for my boldness."
His face softened. "No need, kitten. You may take your leave."
Celes bowed respectfully and left. Kefka turned to Gestahl.
"Celes is becoming too soft, my lord."
"She is not becoming soft, Kefka, she is becoming rational."
"One in the same," Kefka muttered under his breath. Then, aloud, "She questions you."
Gestahl sighed impatiently. "She gets the job done, Kefka. I suggest you worry less about Celes, and more about your own job to do. Tell Professor de la Vega I'm quite pleased with the report, and to get the facility ready for mass production."
"It will be done, my lord."
Bowing, Kefka also took his leave, Terra following obediently behind. Once out of the throne room, be began muttering to himself.
"That fool. Although, why should it be any surprise? He always did favor the little twit. How I would just love to… Wait." He abruptly stopped walking and brought a hand to his head. "What am I saying?" He turned to Terra. "She has a point, right?"
The girl simply stared into space, and Kefka realized that with the Slave Crown on her, he might as well talk to a wall. It was then he heard the voice. The same voice he had been hearing for nineteen years, ever since his infusion went wrong.
You're better than her, it said. The emperor just refuses to see it. Just as you said, Celes has always been his favorite. Even though you were the first success… You need to show him you're better.
"How?"
It whispered the answer to him, and a grin crept its way to Kefka's lips as he slowly turned his gaze to Terra.
Espers…
((ooo))
Celes walked back to her suite, went into her office, and sat at her computer. Entering her security code, she brought up her military file. She scanned over the basic contents, mumbling the names to herself.
"General information, education and studies records, training records, health records…"
She continued down the list of contents, and finally came to what she was looking for: Classified. She clicked on the file, but a security window came up.
"'You do not have proper clearance to access this file,'" she read aloud. "The hell I don't…"
Celes tried entering her security code again, but received the same message. This only peaked her interest more as to what was inside. She began typing furiously.
"Come on, Cid, you don't really think I can't hack into my own file, do you?" she asked the computer. "Here's where all those boring hours of computer hacking class come in handy," she muttered.
After nearly five minutes of cycling through various windows, persistent warnings, and countless codes, Celes finally broke into the classified section of her file, only to find more encrypted files within. She let her head fall and hit the desk in mild annoyance. Reluctantly, she looked up at the screen and read the new contents list.
"Infusion records, magic progression, Runic progression, more health records… Oh, here's something interesting. Psychiatric analysis." She considered that for a moment, but dismissed it. "No, I'll come back to you later."
Down the list, she found what looked the most promising for her search: The Terrestrial Project and The Celestial Rise; Test Subject B and Test Subject A; Terra and Celes. These two files had the heaviest encrypting Celes had ever seen, but that didn't deter her. She spent half the night hacking into those files, and the other half sifting through the maze of research, secrets, and truths. However, it would be a very long time before Celes would accept these revelations of her lineage.
((ooo))
Several weeks passed, and the Empire's treaties with other nations were growing precarious. In an attempt to restrengthen foreign ties, Emperor Gestahl decided to invite the world leaders to a formal banquet, which was to be held on Celes' eighteenth birthday.
One day prior to the event, Leo knocked on Celes' door. After hearing an acknowledging call from her office, Leo swiped his keycard in the door to unlock it and entered. He found her sitting at her computer.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Hey."
"What are you doing?"
She shrugged, not taking her eyes off her monitor. "Research."
"On what?"
She stared at the screen a bit longer, typed something, then leaned back in her chair, finally looking at Leo with tired eyes.
"Things."
Leo smiled. "Alright. I just came to drop off your present."
She raised an eyebrow. "It's not my birthday yet."
He grinned slyly, setting a shallow square box on her desk. "I know. But you'll be needing this for tomorrow."
"Why am I frightened?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Just open it."
Skeptically, Celes untied the ribbon and lifted the cover off, and she fought back the urge to laugh.
"You're kidding, right?"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?"
"This is a dress."
"Yep," Leo beamed.
"You bought me a dress…"
"Yes. And Terra helped pick it out. You know…before the new crown…"
"You're going to make me wear a dress…?"
"Yes."
She stared at him for a moment. Then, "…It doesn't match my gauntlet," she said, holding up her left hand to prove her lame excuse.
Leo merely smiled, and Celes watched warily as he pulled a small and thin rectangular box out of his jacket, setting it in front of her. To humor her friend, she once again untied the ribbon and took the lid off.
"Matching gloves?"
Leo nodded in mock excitement. "From Cid."
"…I hate you."
"I'll make you a deal. You wear the dress, and I won't make you dance with me."
"Ugh, the lesser of two evils. Public humiliation…or public humiliation." Leo chuckled, but Celes just groaned. "…Fine."
A look of genuine happiness washed over Leo's face. "And I was thinking that maybe, you know, we could…go together…?"
She narrowed her eyes. "That sounds suspiciously like a date."
Leo shook his head defensively. "No, I just figured that since we both have to go anyway, why don't I just walk the three feet to your door and be your escort?"
"You know, it's my birthday, you should be humoring me." She receive only an expectant look. "…Alright, fine."
((ooo))
"Come on, Celes!" Leo urged, knocking on her door again.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into being seen in public like this!"
"It's just a dress!"
"I'd sooner wear a towel!" she retorted.
"Well, you'd certainly be the center of attention then," he teased, smoothing out the front of his tux.
When she emerged, Leo's jaw hit the floor. He knew what the dress looked like, but he didn't know how it would look on Celes. The sleeveless formfitting dress was elegant yet unique in its design. The plunging neckline was complimented by a triangular cutout around her navel, displaying her toned stomach. The dress hugged her waist beautifully, but mid-thigh it loosened at a wide frontal slit revealing her smooth legs, with the bottom of the dress forming a semicircle around her feet.
Beginning as a pale yellow at the neck and shoulders, it gradually changed to a light orange below the waist. The orange then melted into a deep magenta at the knee, and finally into a vibrant lavender at the bottom. Gloves of the same cascading color pattern reached all the way to her shoulders and were laced tight above the elbow. She also wore heeled black leather boots that came almost to her knees.
One word escaped Leo's lips. "Wow."
"If I survive tonight, I'm going to hurt you."
"Celes…you look…incredible."
The last part only came out as a whisper, and Leo looked away shyly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he answered quickly. "It's just…I can't get over how much you've changed over the years. I mean, when I first met you, you were this scrawny little kid, and now," he gestured at her, "…you're a woman."
His observation caused Celes to drop her gaze to the ground. "Somehow I don't feel that way."
"Why not?"
She looked into his eyes, but then shook her head. "Forget it. We should get going."
Leo was about to press, but decided against it. He offered his arm, and after a dramatic eye roll, Celes linked her arm through his. They walked in comfortable silence, although every time Celes received a double take from passing Imperials, she muttered a string of very unladylike curses under her breath, always causing Leo to chuckle quietly. She stopped outside the large double doors leading into the banquet hall, and when Leo felt the tug on his arm, he stopped as well.
"Not ready?" he guessed.
She took a deep breath. "Leo, I have a certain image I'd like to uphold, but do you know how hard it is to be intimidating in this?" she asked, gesturing down at herself.
He smiled. "I can imagine."
Celes noticed Leo seemed to be smiling more than usual. "What?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just…you seem to be in a better mood that you have been lately. It's nice, I…I miss it."
"Leo, I've been completely serious the last twenty-four hours."
"I know, but you're more lighthearted about it."
Leo turned back to the doors, and Celes was reluctantly ready to follow. Before they could go in, they were stopped by a call from down the hall.
"Leo, Celes!"
They both turned to see a completely normal-looking Kefka approaching, wearing the same simple tuxedo as Leo.
"Kefka," the other man greeted with a nod. "Clinging to the last shred of your dignity, I see."
"Ha, ha. Emperor's orders. 'There are to be no scenes of eccentricity,' I believe his words were."
"Well, that rules you out all together, doesn't it?" Celes wondered dryly.
Kefka looked her up and down, appearing surprised. "Speak for yourself."
"Now, now, children," Leo cut in. "This is a rare occurrence. We all look like normal people."
"Uh huh," both Celes and Kefka replied skeptically. "I hate formal occasions," the lady muttered.
Within the banquet hall, over two hundred political leaders, their dates, and their countrymen mingled with each other, sipping champagne, waiting for the appearance of the emperor. Two men in particular stood quietly discussing the situation. One wore an elaborate circlet around his head and cerulean regal robes with the crest of a griffon, emblem of Figaro. The other looked quite awkward in his formal attire of a Figaroan escort.
"I hate formal occasions," the second man complained.
The taller regal man continued to smile and nod in friendly recognition or respect at the other guests while his companion shifted uncomfortably.
"We have to keep up appearances, Locke," he replied.
"It's all a sham anyway. I mean, come on, Edgar, do you really think these alliances will last?"
"Of course not. But we must stick it out until the opportune moment."
Elsewhere, Leo took a drink from a passing server and handed one to Celes.
"I don't drink."
"Come on, Celes, it's only champagne. It'll take your mind off your discomfort."
"Leo, an act of the gods couldn't take my mind off my discomfort."
Regardless, Celes took the glass in hand. They sipped in silence for several minutes before Leo decided to make a comment.
"You know, I think this is the first time I have ever seen you unarmed."
Celes chuckled. "You should know me better than that. I have my dagger."
"Do I even want to know?" Leo muttered, taking a sip of his champagne.
"It's strapped to my thigh."
Leo choked on his drink, and Celes thought she saw a bit of red rush to his cheeks.
"You all right?" she asked.
"Yeah." His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. "Went down wrong."
Unable to look back at Celes, Leo swept his gaze across the room. Most of the guests he knew to be sniveling little weasels of politicians, but he eventually saw one of the few exceptions.
"Ah, Celes, there's I'd like to introduce you to."
Locke looked nervously around the room. "Edgar, do you find it odd that the only Imperials here are the guards at the doors?"
"You're being paranoid. Stop it."
"I just don't think it's a good idea I came."
"No one knows who you are, Locke, don't worry." It was then Edgar saw two figures approaching, one of them familiar. "Besides, I see one Imperial here that I wouldn't at all mind talking to. General Cristophe!" he greeted warmly.
Leo bowed slightly. "Lord Figaro."
The king raised his hands. "Please, we're friends here. Just Edgar will be fine."
Leo smiled. "As will Leo. A pleasure seeing you again in a more social setting."
"Indeed." Edgar glanced at the woman next to the general. "And who is this vision of loveliness accompanying you?"
Locke stiffened immediately upon seeing her, but neither of the two generals took notice.
"Actually, this is Celes Chere. General Celes Chere."
The king inhaled sharply, seeming abruptly nervous. "Lady Celes…forgive me for not recognizing you, but…last we heard, you had…been killed…"
The cheery mood suddenly dropped like a stone. Locke sent Edgar a questioning glance, and Celes narrowed her eyes.
"Edgar, where did you hear that?" Leo asked in a serious tone.
The monarch shifted anxiously. "A carrier pigeon…from Vector brought word of the assassination. But, we never heard that you had survived, my lady."
Leo and Celes exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing. Vector would never send word either way… Before they could question him further, they heard the Imperial herald announce the arrival of the emperor. All three generals made their way closer to the podium from which Gestahl would speak. The aged ruler was escorted in by crimson-garbed Elitists and took his place in front of the two hundred guests, raising the glass set before him.
"It is a glorious day when leaders of free nations around the world can come together, and share a toast, to world peace."
Everyone raised their glass. "World peace."
"This day is cause for double the celebration, for us Vectorans, actually, for it is the birthday of one of my most trusted. To Lady Celes, for eighteen years of loyal service. Happy birthday, kitten."
Celes raised her glass to him in acknowledgment, forcing a polite smile.
"Eighteen years?" Edgar wondered quietly to Locke. "Jeez, how old is she?"
"Not very," the other man whispered back.
Gestahl finished his speech and stepped down to begin chatting with his guests.
"Edgar, what's with this assassination thing? I never heard about that."
"Not now."
"Yes, Edgar, now."
"It was a Figaro affair, Locke, not a Returner," the king said quietly but sharply.
"You were behind it, weren't you?"
"She had just torched Maranda, Locke. Figaro had very good relations with Maranda, and the people of Figaro would not allow their king to stand idly by while their ally burned to the ground!"
"So you paid some mercenary to kill her?"
"I couldn't just denounce her in front of the world, Locke. Vector wouldn't have it, Figaro would never be satisfied, I had no other choice! In case you haven't noticed, Locke, I have a kingdom to run."
Locke was about to retort, but screams rang through the hall. A man in Doman attire held a knife to the emperor's throat from behind. The three generals and the two Elitists all stood several yards away, unable to draw closer. The guards at the doors ran to the scene, their rifles aimed and ready, stopping behind the generals. Celes raised her hand towards the man as one does when trying to calm someone.
"You don't want to do this—"
"Put your hand down, Chere!" he warned. "No spell casting for you."
She immediately complied, slowly lowering her hand.
"Look at the situation," Leo advised. "You kill him, you won't get out of here alive."
"And Doma will be obliterated from the face of the planet," Celes added.
"It doesn't matter!" the man shouted. "I will kill him. I don't care what you do to me."
Gestahl mouthed "Do something" to his Knights. The temperature in the room dropped as Celes stared at the assailant's hand, picturing the veins and arteries and tissues within, and imagining ice forming, collecting, and encasing everything. Before the man was even aware of it, his entire arm was frozen solid. He finally noticed when his breath turned to frost and his body shook with cold.
"I…I can't feel my arm."
"That's the idea," Celes muttered icily.
She once again raised her hand, and her eyes closed halfway as her mental control over the ice spread. She overturned her hand and snapped her fingers, and the man's arm shattered like glass. As he cried out and fell to the ground, Leo turned to watch for danger amongst the rest of the guests, and Celes, Kefka, and the guards all rushed to surround Gestahl and escort him out. Halfway across the floor, another Doman ran up to them.
"Emperor Gestahl, I apologize, I had no idea!"
His ramblings triggered a warning in Celes' mind, and she swiftly drew her dagger from its hidden sheath, grabbed him, and drove it through his abdomen. She wrenched the blade up with a sickening squish, rousing a couple more screams at the gruesome act. A knife fell from up the man's sleeve, clattering to the floor. Celes jerked her dagger out and let him slump to the ground. She turned to Kefka and the guards.
"Get the emperor out."
As they retreated, Celes whirled around and strode to the end of the room where Edgar and Locke stood. They watched warily as she approached, eyeing the bloody dagger and noting the dark look on her face. She glanced at them, but just as she reached them, turned and lifted her dagger to another man's throat.
"Ambassador to the lord of Doma?"
"Y…yes?"
Celes motioned to a group of newly-arrived Imperials. "Arrest him on the charge of suspected attempted assassination. I can guarantee, Ambassador, the truce with Doma will not stand after this." She began to walk away, but stopped for one last remark. "Congratulations. You just started a war."
((ooo))
With the Doman attack on Gestahl, along with the suspected Figaroan assassination attempt against Celes, diplomacy failed, alliances shattered, and peace became a fading dream. The Empire, it seemed was a runaway train on a collision course with the world, and there was nothing to stop it.
The entire Imperial Army was summoned to the assembly area for an important announcement to be made by the emperor himself. Celes, Leo and Kefka stood behind Gestahl, and Terra stood closer to the wall of the palace, the gold circlet on her head forbidding her from even looking up.
Kefka, it seemed, was beginning to enjoy drawing attention to himself, as he wore offensively bright green, yellow, and red robes with a clownish frilly collar around his neck. As if that wasn't enough, his face was painted white, his lips were highlighted red, and red lined his eyes and also his eyelids. Red streaks were drawn above his eyebrows and extending from his eyes, which now danced with a nearly psychotic glint. His blond hair was tied back into a short ponytail with a shimmering feather stuck into it, bobbing comically with his every small movement. And those movements were never without his arms up in front of him or flailing off to the sides. Celes would think the man was a drunken court jester but for when he smiled. His lips would curve into a wickedly spiteful smirk, making his entire manner scream lunacy, a stark contrast to the young man she once knew.
Gestahl raised his voice to the masses before him. "I gave the nations of this world every chance at a peaceful alliance. I brought their leaders into my home and made them welcome here. But now they insult us with these pitiful and cowardly attacks. They have had their chance. If the world does not stand with us, then it stands against us! And we, my children, we stand on the brink of glory! In the days to come, we'll witness a total revival of magic! It is our destiny, and ours alone, to take this mystic force and claim what is rightfully ours! With our newly-conquered power, nothing can stand in our way of global triumph!"
The Imperials' cheers rumbled across the courtyard and shook the palace.
Gestahl called out, "Unity! Duty! And Destiny!"
The three generals took a step closer to Gestahl, drawing their swords and lifted them into the air, prompting everyone to salute.
"Imperium augustus!" the generals shouted.
"Vivo diuturnus!"
((ooo))
Weeks later, the emperor and his advisor walked through the halls of the Imperial Palace.
"Negotiations have indeed failed in Doma," Gestahl was saying. "Figaro tries to keep up appearances, but I can feel its loyalty wavering."
"People have been saying, my lord, that beneath the surface, the king of Figaro has been collaborating with the Returners."
"Yes," the emperor mused. "Figaro will be dealt with in time."
"Yes, my lord. I have also caught whispers of an Esper frozen in the mines of Narshe."
Gestahl turned towards Kefka as he walked. "Really?"
"Yes, my lord, and I feel it is worth investigating."
"Narshe in neutral. I wish not to provoke them to enter the war against us."
"Men with pick axes and their pitiful gun powder weapons will be no match for the Empire. And besides, I was going to suggest we send only a small team there. Say…Terra and a couple of officers to escort her…?"
Gestahl grunted in approval. "Very well. See to it."
"Right away. And as for Figaro and Doma, my lord, you needn't worry."
"How are you so sure?" Gestahl wondered.
They came to the balcony overlooking the grounds below. Kefka gestured towards the railing, and Gestahl walked to it and he nearly gasped. Tens of thousands of Magitek soldiers marched out of the Imperial Fortress and into formation in the compound, and more were being infused every day. Hundreds of Magitek Armors clomped out from warehouses surrounding Devil's Lab into lines flanking the soldiers, and thousands more were in production. Leo and Celes paced in front of them, monitoring the formation in their own silent awe.
Kefka took a step up to the railing and swept his eyes over the scene. "Our ambition, it seems, is paying off," he remarked with a grin. "I present to you the grand Magitek Army of the Empire."
"Marvelous," Gestahl breathed in wonder. "Absolutely marvelous."
Kefka raised his hand as if in a toast. "To Destiny."
Down below, Celes, satisfied with her troops, turned to head into the palace.
"Hey, Cel!"
She stopped and let Leo catch up with her. "Yes?"
"It looks like I'm going away for a little while."
"Where?"
"Doma. As you know, things aren't going very smoothly up there."
"That doesn't sound too good."
"This is war, Celes," Leo reminded regretfully. "Listen, I'll see you when I get back."
"Alright. Just be careful, Leo."
"Of course."
As Leo watched Celes walk into the palace, he felt a pang of hurt, but he didn't know why. Dismissing it, he turned back to his men.
((ooo))
"General, the units are in place and await your orders."
The mission to Narshe failed. Terra disappeared, and Biggs and Wedge were presumed dead. Kefka was sent to Figaro Castle to deal with numerous accusations against King Edgar, including the whereabouts of the Magitek-riding witch. At the same time, Celes was sent to the shores near South Figaro with the backing of ground, air, and sea units to take the city, much to Kefka's dismay.
"But, Majesty, South Figaro is under my jurisdiction!"
"We are no longer dealing with diplomacy, Kefka. The city must be taken before Figaro can rally more troops."
"But Majesty, Celes is too inexperienced to—"
"I trust her skill, Kefka. You should, too."
"But—"
"You will be dealing with the heart of the matter, the king. Celes will only be making it easier for you."
Kefka grumbled about the unfairness, but Gestahl ignored him.
"As soon as the king is dealt with, I want you to go to Doma. Leo has run into more trouble than we anticipated. Tell your unit that once South Figaro is taken, Celes will backtrack West with a portion of her unit to link up with them. They will go to Narshe and finish what Terra started."
Kefka sighed. "Yes, Sire."
The citizens of South Figaro were stubborn, but Imperials had an informer within the city who told them everything they needed to know: how many Figaroan troops patrolled the city, where they patrolled, when the shift changes were, everything. The city would fall easily.
"General?"
Celes looked back at her major. "We wait for dusk."
"Yes, ma'am."
Several hours passed as Celes ran her strategy over and over in her mind, looking for flaws. The attack would begin with the air force bombing the Figaroan headquarters, as well as supply and munitions buildings. The naval force would come from the south, destroying any cargo ships in the bay, and the ground force would close in from the northwest, the fifty Magitek Armors taking out any heavy artillery stationed in the city. The Figaroan troop will be caught in a crossfire, and it will be over in a matter of hours.
Maj. Baxter walked through the flaps of her tent. "General?"
"Yes?"
"There's a man requesting to speak with the commanding officer. He claims to have information on Returner activity in South Figaro. I believe he's a mercenary."
"Send him in."
The major exited, and a moment later, he was replaced by a man clad in black. Unbeknownst to Celes, the man narrowed his eyes when he recognized her.
"You're the commanding officer?"
Celes thought she detected a shadow of fear behind his impassive tone, but she didn't even turn to acknowledge him directly.
"If you have a problem with that, you can leave," she replied coldly.
The mercenary was silent, weighing his options. He didn't think she knew who he was, but if she were ever to guess, he had no doubt she would kill him without hesitation.
"What's it going to be?" she asked impatiently.
"I have information on some people I'm sure you have an interest in."
"And?"
"I have a price."
"How much?"
"Five hundred."
"That's it?"
"Per person."
Celes smiled to herself. "How many?"
"Three."
"Alright."
"Two men and a girl passed through here just this morning. I believe one was the king of these lands."
That got Celes' attention. She finally turned and met his gaze, leaning back in her chair.
"And the girl?"
"The green-haired witch."
Terra… she thought to herself. So Kefka has failed…
"I believe there's a group of Returners staying at the inn."
Celes quirked an eyebrow. "You would give that up so freely?"
The man smirked under his mask.
"Of course not," Celes muttered.
"Make it an even three thousand."
"Done."
Celes glanced over her shoulder at the map of South Figaro on her desk, contemplating this unexpected twist, but when she turned back, the man was gone.
Baxter reentered. "Three thousand?"
Celes waved it off. "Money matters not. He could've asked for triple that, and I would've given it to him."
"What did he tell you, General?"
Celes looked at him, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Tell me, Major, when the attack begins, how fast can you get to the inn?"
((ooo))
The invasion was carried out with ruthless precision, the Figaroan forces were decimated, and the city fell within hours, just as Celes foresaw. Six Returners were found at the inn, and all but one were killed without delay. The last was tortured for the location of the Returner Hideout, and with Celes' brutal methods, he gave it up quickly.
"Sabil Mountains," Celes said. "Just north of Mt. Koltz. Brandt, take your team up there."
"And do what, General?"
"Detain Terra and the king… Kill the others."
"Yes, ma'am," Brandt saluted, leaving to prepare his team.
"Baxter, set up base at our informer's mansion. My unit and I leave for Narshe at dawn."
"Right away, General. What of this Returner?"
Celes took a moment of consideration. "…Release him."
Baxter obeyed without question, walking briskly away from the street where they stood. Unseen by Celes, several of the officers nodded to each other, and one of her lesser captains stepped forward.
"General? Do you think that wise? He'll warn the others."
"Then let them be warned," she dismissed casually. "I think you overestimate them."
"Emperor Gestahl stated very clearly in our orders that all threats must be eliminated."
"You question my authority?" she asked angrily.
"I question more than your authority, General," he challenged.
"Stand down, Captain."
The order was quiet but firm. She sensed several other lowly officers shifting behind her, and the captain didn't flinch as he continued to stare her down.
"Stand down, Captain!" she shouted, her voice clearly betraying her distress.
The insolent officer stepped back, but turned to a fellow officer. "Sgt. Xander, arrest the general. I'm relieving her of command."
"What?" She watched warily as the sergeant approached. "No one relieves me of my command," she stated with a dangerous tone. "I ordered you to stand down."
"There will be no more orders from you, General," he said, taking a step closer. "Now give me your sword."
Celes narrowed her eyes, her hands clenched in fury. She drew her sword, but quickly plunged it into the captain's chest. Extracting it, she whirled to face the other mutinous officers.
"The next man to question my authority dies with him."
"Careful, Celes," a voice called. "For you to kill an Imperial officer on a whim is dangerously close to treason."
Celes glanced over her shoulder. "Kefka… What the hell are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Doma."
"And I'm leaving from this port," he explained. "What's going on?"
"General Chere refuses to step down," Xander answered.
Kefka raised a brow at Celes. "Failure to follow standard procedure for relief of command? Now that is treason."
Celes turned to completely face the general. "But you don't call mutiny among my men treason?"
"Worry not, Celes. We'll get this all sorted out, but I'm afraid I will have to have you detained first."
"What?"
Celes failed to notice an officer behind her raise a miniature crossbow, and a dart struck her in the neck. The effects of the sedative in the dart were immediately felt, and Celes staggered. Xander came forward, took her sword, and rammed the hilt into the back of her head, knocking her to the ground, unconscious.
"With Brandt gone, all we have to worry about is Baxter. He is still loyal to her."
"Then kill him."
Xander smirked. "Of course. Are you pleased, General?"
A wide smirk spread across Kefka's face. "I am pleased."
((ooo))
"Sir, a carrier pigeon just arrived for you."
"From Vector?"
"South Figaro," the captain corrected.
"South Fig—"
Leo broke off, feeling a sudden worry. He walked hastily to the feathered messenger and removed the scroll from around its neck, skimming over its contents. His shoulders sagged and his face fell to grief as he placed his hand on the fence post for support.
"Sir?"
"Celes has just been arrested. I have to go to South Figaro to oversee her transfer back to Vector for trial."
"Trial for what, sir?" the captain asked, alarmed.
Leo drew a shaky breath. "Suspected treason."
"General Chere?" the officer asked in disbelief.
Leo brought a hand to his forehead, but then walked quickly off to find Kefka, who had just arrived. When he did, he grabbed the other general by the arm, dragged him several feet to a stack of crates, and practically threw him against them.
"Why Leo, you don't have to be so rough," Kefka complained in his usual perky tone.
"Did you know about this?" Leo asked impatiently, holding up the message.
"I haven't got my glasses," the older man joked.
"Celes was arrested on the charge of treason. You were just in South Figaro and I asked you a question: did you know about this?" Leo repeated accusingly.
Kefka's casual expression turned mischievous. "I…may have had some prior awareness of this matter," Kefka admitted evasively.
Leo was becoming angry. "And you didn't file a report?"
"Of course I did. But you know those zealous Imperials, always taking matters into their own hands," Kefka commented dryly.
Leo closed his fist roughly around Kefka's collar. "If anything happens to her before I get there, on your head be it."
"Then you'd better hurry," Kefka murmured under his breath as Leo stormed away. "Does this mean I'm in charge here?" he called excitedly.
Leo stopped and turned, wanting to wipe the smirk off the man's face. "As much as I hate to resign my post to you, I have no choice," he spat. "Just do me one favor, Kefka: don't do anything rash."
The eccentric general suppressed a simper. "Of course not."
"Captain! Ready my ship!" Leo barked as he walked away.
Kefka smirked again and began to chuckle quietly, but once the other general was out of earshot, it grew into a loud cackle.
"Yes, you just go and be a good little boy," he muttered. He then turned to the officer standing next to him. "Is the poison ready?"
((ooo))
Celes found herself back in the void of light. Wisps of blue smoke swirled around her, carrying with them echoes of her past.
There are those who fear the Celestial Rise, and they lurk in the shadows even now.
Beware who you trust.
With the Celestial Rise, the curtain of darkness will fall.
You, together with the Angel of Hope will bring balance back to the world.
You will know it before the end.
"Is this the end?" she asked the white emptiness.
"No, Child. This is only the beginning."
Author's note: Well, there it is. I know, the thing with Kefka at the end was weird, but everything from will be explained at some point in the sequel. If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me, and I'll explain as best I can. As thanks for reading and reviewing, I have a present for you! Go to the link in my profile under Homepage, and you can see the Imperial Emblem and Celes' dress from this chapter! And I'm also posting the first chapter of Not With a Whimper after this. Yay!