Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Sanctuary ❯ Day Seven ( Chapter 3 )

Personal Log of Lady Celes Chere, General of Vector.

Day Seven of the Celestial Rise.

So many things have happened since my return into this tortured world. So many things seem different though I've only been gone for less than an hour. Things stayed the way they were when I left. And yet I see them differently now upon my return. For it was not the people and things around that have changed--I have changed.

I'm more aware now. More observant. More cautious. Less naïve. Less trusting. Less gullible. My eyes have been opened to the world that I've always lived in. And what do I see before me in this new-found clarity? I see that I do not see all.

I see people past their smiles, past their actions--despite their actions. I can easily detect lies, though I cannot identify them. I notice the slightest hesitation, though I do not know what the reasons behind them are. I'm no mind-reader, though my mind's been opened up to a higher state of awareness.

I see the questions that I should've been asking when Leo approached me that day. I see that he has lied to me so that I would 'take up the task' for the good of the Empire, when in fact, the Empire is not in any danger. And even if it were, the Empire would have no need of my… 'example.'

This was, therefore, how I've come to the conclusion that my promotion holds no meaning to Imperial Military's reformation. I was never to take part in a Grand Scheme to purge the Empire of its dregs. Instead, a conspiracy has placed me at its center.

I see that I cannot fully trust anybody. Not my superiors. Not my friends. At least, not fully. I see that I am truly alone at a marionette's stage, dancing as the conspirators tug at the strings. But it would seem that I have more than one puppet master. The strings that tug at me, forcing me to move, are not coordinated. One side wants me to be on center stage, the other, off the stage. One side assists me. The other, hinders me. Both sides want me alive. Both sides want full control of me. Who? Why?

This isn't about the Empire. This is about me. They've put me on stage to perform, thinking that I will remain oblivious to the puppeteers. But I intend to turn the tides. I shall play the role that was given me. I shall dance for the audience until I get their admiration. And then, the surprise will belong to the puppeteers when they find out that their strings have been cut, and their marionette dances freely.

But the show is not without great irony. When one cannot trust peers, one must turn to strangers, because the foes who bare their fangs when they smile are more dangerous than those who hide them in their contemptuous frowns.

Tonight, I shall meet with the one who calls herself Guardian. Friend? Foe? I shall find out with the same eyes that saw past smiles and ears that heard past lies.

End of personal log.

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The path was lit, literally and figuratively speaking. The instructions were succinct. The directions were clearly marked. I stood outside the Great Library of Vector under the rain across the street. Only the shadow of the alley was my cover. Walking three miles under the cloak of disguise allowed me to elude guards--my own personal bodyguards. Why? I did not yet know. But the contact was very clear yet mysterious: Come alone. Trust no one. Travel under the cover of rain.

A man exited the library through its double doors. Jidooran, by the looks of his clothes. Tall. Long, silver hair--I've seen him before. He owned an airship and did transport jobs for the Empire.

Setzer Gabianni. I remembered his name. We've never met. I just heard his name spoken long time ago by my captain. Why did I remember his name so easily now? He was nobody special then. Why was his name marked so clearly in my head?

He looked disdainfully at the rain. Impatient man. He did not wait for it to stop or calm a bit. Strange it was for a gambler to be in a public library at this time of night rather than a bar. I shall take note of this, but for now I must be prompt; my contact waited inside.

I stepped inside the warm vestibule of the library. Further inside, the reception personnel looked at me with curiosity, wincing at the sight of a rain-soaked patron. I wondered for a moment if she would allow me inside in my present condition, but I quickly remembered that that would not be a problem. I could identify myself easily enough.

"How may I help you tonight?" she politely asked with a smile--a tired smile. Routine and nothing more.

I pulled out my identification card that I wore as a necklace and handed it to her. Her eyes widened in curiosity as she took it from my hand. She swiped the card on a slot connected to her computer screen. Her screen flashed the Empire's Insignia followed by my identification.

"Lady Chere!" she almost exclaimed loudly.

I pressed my finger on my lips. "I'm on an official investigation of this building. Go about your business as usual. Pretend that I am not here," I instructed.

"Of course, Lady Chere," she answered promptly with an understanding nod.

"Computer Fifty-four please."

"Right this way, ma'am."

The computer room provided scholars with quick access to cataloged information. At this time of night only one other patron was present. He was on Computer One, first corner, within sight. I shouldn't have problems keeping an eye on him. Computer Fifty-four was situated at the center of the rows and columns of one hundred computers. It looked pretty normal from where I stood.

"Should you need anything else, ma'am, do not hesitate to call," said the librarian. "Something to dry yourself with, perhaps?" she offered with a smile--warm, polite and reverent this time.

"That won't be necessary," I answered, and then she left me alone with a bow.

I examined the computer. A headset and a small microphone were set up already unlike the others. After glancing around I wore the headset.

"I am here," I whispered into the microphone.

The screen changed immediately.

Please wait…

And so I did. The man from the corner computer became restless. He quickly gathered all his books and left, muttering something about unreliable machines. Then I noticed that all the computer screens, including mine, were flashing: Error.

When the man had left the computer room, a voice spoke.

"Greetings, Celes Chere. I am glad that you could make it."

The voice was a feminine voice but artificial.

"I did so at great risk. You will now identify yourself," I answered in a no-nonsense tone of voice.

"I am called Guardian. It was I who contacted you previously with the warnings."

"Indeed. Do you have a real voice? Better yet, do you have a real name, Guardian?"

"Guardian is my name, and, yes, I have a real voice. But for my safety, and yours, I shall use my present means of communication."

"Very well. You have much to explain, Guardian. You've been sending me warnings electronically, and yet, they have been completely untraceable. Why is that?"

"I am capable of bypassing Vector's security systems from many locations as well as eluding known intruder-detection algorithms."

"So you have access to the systems?"

"Affirmative," Guardian answered in the dead electronic voice. I was starting to have a feeling that this was all a joke. Why would somebody admit to that?

"Why do I get the feeling that you're not about to tell me how you do it?"

"Do you also get the feeling that that is not important?"

"No. I am a very curious person, Guardian. It is my job."

"Which job is it that you speak of, Celes? Your job as a general to rid the Empire of rebel operatives? Or your job as a human being to ensure your safety and security?"

"That is for me to know, Guardian."

"Well said. But the fact that you have risked coming here tells me that you are willing to listen and believe to a certain degree. Perhaps I should begin."

"Please do."

"You know that you are being kept in the dark about many things. You know that you have been lied to by the very Empire that you have sworn to protect. You do not know why. You do not know how to obtain these answers without rousing suspicions," she said. Her voice was so void of emotion that it almost felt like I was talking to my subconscious thoughts--thoughts that weren't supposed to have a voice. I suppose the feeling was prevalent because the truth in her words was accurate. "I know why. I know the answers to all your questions and more. I know the answers to the questions you haven't even begun to ask yet. I have the information you seek. I have the solutions you search for."

"What will I owe you in return for these answers?"

"Errands."

"Treacherous, no doubt."

"Not greater than the treachery that your very own allegiance is secretly inflicting on you."

"Still treacherous, nonetheless," I said, more as a reminder to my self. A cautionary note to remind me that though Guardian was attempting to identify with me as an ally, she was still very much a stranger.

"You said so yourself, Celes. This is no longer about the Empire. It's all about you now."

"When did you hear me say that?!" I asked. My voice echoed in the empty room. The surprising statement of hers made me forget that I was still in a public library. Static sound replaced the electronic voice. The screen went blank. My screen only. The console was dead.

"Guardian?" I whispered. It didn't look like she was going to respond again. I didn't waste my time to try again. I gave her a chance, and she forfeited.

I took off the headset and started to leave the library. As I passed by the front desk, the librarian called out my name. I turned around and saw her going around her desk carrying a small package.

"You are forgetting this," she said, holding up the package. "We've been holding it for you as requested."

I had no recollection of such a request.

"Of course!" I played along. "When did I make the request again?"

"Seven days ago, ma'am."

I took the package from her and left the building. It had stopped raining. That should make it easier for me to sneak back into the Bronze Compound without alerting the guards of my unreported activities. I cradled the package in my arms and started my way back.

Seven days. I made no such request seven days ago. Seven days ago, I was introduced to the Empire military as the new general. Seven days ago, I died to an assassin with a personal vendetta. Seven days ago, I lived again.

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Author's Notes:

I realize that I started the first two chapters with explosions, and stuff burning, and people dying. But you know that I cannot keep that up for the entire fic. I have to reserve a huge portion of Vector for the Espers to burn down when they bust outta that sealed gate, and Imperial soldiers for the heroes to kill. So I hope that the following lull won't destroy your reading momentum. =)

Thanks for the good (and flattering) reviews so far. Although, I'm kinda disappointed that nobody's flamed me yet about the torching of Maranda (CELES: Just a small village in Maranda!) And you call yourselves Celes fans! =P