Tools of the Empire

Chapter 4

Celes looked down at the sleeping form of the green-haired half-Esper. The poor thing was mumbling in her sleep, tears falling from her eyes. She was probably having a nightmare, probably involving either their friends' fates, or of the earlier encounter with Ultros. Or perhaps both. Whatever the case, the girl was in obvious distress.

Celes shuffled closer, and lifted up Terra's head, placing it gently on her lap. She absently brushed the green-haired girl's hair with her hand, humming softly. Shortly, Terra calmed down significantly, even smiling a little.

Celes returned the smile. She was growing ever more concerned for her young friend, and hoped that they were reunited with the others soon.

Until that time, she would ensure Terra's safety. She owed her at least that much.

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It soared through the skies, hunting prey. It would have gone on a rampage, had it not been given specific instructions. And knew better than to try and defy its master.

A shame, it saw so many prime examples of prey. Hopefully, its quarry would prove a sufficient distraction.

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Terra walked behind Celes, looking around at their surroundings. So far, no monsters had attacked them, but you never knew when one might attack. They were not truly safe until they reached a town. The enchantments left behind by their ancestors would ensure of that.

Plus, they were running low on supplies, and were down to just a handful of tonics and antidotes. Besides, Terra was getting depressed from not seeing another human face.

Celes grabbed the young woman's hand. "Terra, you're lagging behind. Please, stay close to me. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you." She hung her had low. "Or the others, at that."

Terra was about to reply, when she espied what lay ahead of them. Celes turned, and saw that a village lay before them. The forest had ended.

They hurried over, dodging as monsters jumped at them, trying to get a good meal. The fiends managed to get a few hits in, the two girls managed to escape to relative safety.

They gasped, faces pale. From the distance, they didn't notice, but now they couldn't help but notice the devastation. Somehow, it was still safe from monster attack, regardless. They turned to a nearby villager.

"What the hell happened here?" Celes asked the man, who had short scruffy dirty blonde hair and a few missing teeth.

"You don't know?" The man asked, appraising the two young things before him. "The earthquakes ruined the towns, causing everything to collapse and fall into ruin. Hell, they're starting to call this the 'Age of Ruin'." He said with a wry grin. "Age of Madness I calls it. Monsters attacking willy nilly, even in places that are supposedly safe, and they've even gotten stronger, apparently. And the people...don't get me started on the people."

"What's wrong with the people?" Terra asked.

He turned to her. "A lot of them have gone mad. They're grabbing whatever they can, believing in this new God they calls Kefka, after one those generals from the Empire. Come to think of it, the Empire's has come off the worst from all this. Only bit of good to've come out of this."

"Surely it's not that bad?" Celes enquired. "I mean, the people haven't completely lost it, right?"

"Shows what you know?" The man spat. "They're going around attackin' people, sayin' that if they don't accept Kefka as the new God, they'll sacrifice 'em. And those who 'aven't completely lost are too scared to do anythin' about it."

"What about the shops?" Celes asked, getting increasingly worried and disturbed, her soldier's sense overriding her emotions for now, focusing on what was pressing for her. "We need items, after all."

The man shook his head. "Like I said; either mad, hidin' or run away." He grinned. "However, if you're in need of somethin', I can 'elp ya. Name's O'aka, pleased ta meet ya!" He took the blondes hand, shaking it profusely.

"Likewise..." She replied, though not looking like meant it.

Suddenly, there was a cacophony of voices, and they all turned to see a large group of people, wearing red robes. Several people were quite obviously trying to escape, but held back by the stronger robed ones.

"What the...?" Celes wondered aloud.

"Thems the mad folks I told ya about." O'aka remarked dryly. "Looks like they're gathering up anyone who's not been turned yet." He smiled. "Well, best be off then. Have business to take care of elsewhere." He handed a large bag of items to Celes. "A little gift from me. Think of it as a promise to conduct future business, if ever we meet again." He tipped his hat ( a rather shabby, broken thing) and ran off.

The two girls watched him leave, and turned back to the mob. One of them was a middle-aged woman, holding a very young girl by the wrist. The woman had a glazed look in her eyes, and she was smiling madly.

"Mommy!" The child cried. "Let me go! This isn't like you! Mommy, please stop!"

Terra grew pale at this. "This...this is horrible."

Celes growled, an angry expression upon her face. "Kefka....it seems his actions have greater repercussions then I first thought. We have to stop this Terra. We're the only ones who can."

Terra nodded, though she didn't look too confidant. Still, they had to try. They had to at least try and stop this madness.

They drew their weapons, and charged the insane followers of Kefka.

It sniffed the air. It was getting close. Its assigned prey was so close it could taste it.

It grinned, in its own, unique way. It hastened its pace; looking forward to the meal it was soon to have.

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Sorry for the shortness of this chapter. I'll try and make the next one longer, I promise.

Seeing as so many have been awaiting this instalment, I decided to get my butt in gear and continue. In fact, to be brutally honest, I had forgotten about this story, and was reminded of its existence by a recent review.

I have not yet reached the World of Ruins section of the game yet, and I doubt I got much right. Still, it makes for some interesting reading.

And yes, O'aka is a reference to Final Fantasy X (the first game in the series I have passed (repeatedly)). He was originally going to call him Clements, as a reference to one of my other fics, but decided that people might like the FFX reference more.

Hope you enjoyed it, and please comment!