[Thread; Closed]

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Characters: Cecil & Kefka
Progress: Finished!
Summary: Waking up in a strange place with the maniac known as Kefka.
Location: Ambervale, Outer Continent
Date: November, 1803
Warnings: Well, Kefka has my permission to try and set Cecil on fire if he feels like it. So uh, yeah, violence is a possibility! [Will friend-lock this is if gets too gory]


The last thing Cecil could recall vividly was a bright flash of light.

Now he stood looking down at the ground where he’d just woken up moments ago. His mind was still fuzzy. His muscles felt taut, and he ached all over. It was almost as if he’d been asleep for a long time. But how long exactly? He was not in the same place he was previously, that much was obvious. He didn’t recognize the surroundings around him now. And, (his heart gave a painful lurch) Rosa was nowhere to be found.

These were the things concerning him deeply at the moment, but non more so than the fact that he was not alone...

Of all the people to wake up next to. Fate had a twisted sense of humor.

Comments

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

Kefka had been quite awake for some time, before the foolish man was awake. The last thing he remembered was carrying a hostage in his arms through the night. Then a blinding flash.

Of course the flash.

It was intriguing being in such a palace, so cold and vacant. A person could scream in here and no one would hear it. He noticed the man beginning to wake up and scowled at him. He really wasn't in any mood what so ever. With a quick reach he grabbed the man by the throat and glared directly into his eyes. A grin came on his face and he inquired, "You had better explain yourself as to where I am, and how you brought me here, lest I rip off every one of your fragile limbs!" He was interested and curious how such a development could occur. But he was also enraged someone like this gnat could get the jump on him.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Cecil didn't even have time to draw his sword before he was grabbed by the mad man. He gasped sharply, and attempted to wrench Kefka's hand away from his throat. Indeed, they seemed to be quite alone. That was not a comforting thought. He had no doubt Kefka would made good on his threat. But whether Kefka would accept his explanation or not, Cecil couldn't be certain. But he was going to be honest.

"I don't know where we are," he said eventually through gritted teeth, still trying to pry Kefka's hand away. "I didn't bring you here. Let go of me."

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

He was still in pain and had no fully recovered from the fight in the palace. Never the less he would be a fool not to extinguish this fool's life now. He listened to his explanation and tossed him towards the floor before grinning and replied, "I believe you...however, given how my power far exceeds that of yours...and seeing how you are heavily overpowered by me..." He ignited his hands with fire and added with a twisted smile, "I see it only fitting I kill you where you stand!"

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Cecil grunted as he hit the floor, using that moment to slip the Reflect Ring he'd bought from the auction house on his finger. Rising to his feet, the paladin drew his sword and pointed it straight at him. He still hadn't forgotten what Kefka had done to Mysdia and the people there. A reckless rage came over him, and in the most unfriendly tone he could muster, he replied back, "Sorry. I don't feel like dying today."

Then he lunged toward Kefka and struck fiercely with Lightbringer!

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

Again with attacking him. Kefka was really getting bored with that. He slammed his fist to the ground creating a stream of fire to charge towards the knight. A simple distraction to cast a Protect and Reflect spell on himself.

He quickly then launched a powerful wind stream towards the fire, creating a fire tornado at him. It seems Kefka was always on the hit list of everyone, it was getting quite annoying.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

The ring he wore would have reflected the fire spell (mostly) but not when it was combined with an even more powerful spell on top of it. Cecil quickly moved out of the way of the tornado, feeling a prickling sensation in his left arm seconds later. Looking down at it, he saw that he'd been burned quite badly.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Cecil ran at Kefka once more, attempting to strike a blow against him.

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

"Fool!" the clown yelled into the halls of the palace. As devastating ice shards jettisoned toward the knight. He laughed as he glided back and stated, "Look at you child! You have no one here to protect you! You stand no chance against someone as powerful as me. As powerful as God himself!" Another spell of powerful ice shards darted towards him again.

However he noticed ice shards being reflected back to him. He quickly made simple work of the ice. He knew what was around the boy...just like the girl did at the party. He grinned as he ignited his hands and launched a powerful fire stream at himself, which bounced right off back towards the warrior

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Cecil felt a cold chill at Kefka's words. With all the commotion they were making, surely someone would have investigated by now? In truth, he had been holding out hope that someone would come to his aid, but he was still quite alone. Even if he were to flee now, how far would he get? Kefka would still go on his senseless rampage, and others would be hurt. He couldn't allow that. This was a battle he was going to have to win on his own, or die trying.

So be it.

He fell back behind a stone pillar as the flames swept past him. "You are no God," Cecil said into the stillness of the palace. "Despite what you say, you're more afraid of dying than I am."

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

Afraid to die? Kefka? An insane laugh echoed through the halls as he stated, "Fool, gods never die! And for you to say I am not, proves your disbelief in my power!" He launched a powerful blizzard on himself which was bounced off and aimed directly towards the pillar, causing it to freeze.

He chuckled as he replied, "How far can a scared mouse run, before his tired legs give out. Or will this feline god, have mercy and end your life quick or will he play with you until your shrieks have no effect on his playful manner." A fired a powerful fireball at himself, which again, reflected and pointed towards the man once again.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

The pillar behind him froze, causing Cecil to consider his options. But his choice was made for him because something slammed into it, causing it to shatter over his head. A shard of ice propelled by the blast cut the side of his face open, but he ignored it and focused on getting out of the way of the falling debris. He ducked behind another pillar, collapsing to his knees briefly.

"He really means to kill me," he half chuckled to himself. He really was outmatched here. Standing, Cecil steeled himself for another attack.

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

Hiding behind another pillar, pathetic. He really had no time to play around with just one mortal. He lowered his hands and grinned madly, it was no fun, killing someone as weak and pathetic as him, least not directly. He began to walk away from the battle to explore the castle further.

A dark smile came across his face as he replied, "Save your strength, and come back when you can properly worship me...or give me a proper fight." His wounds we're not fully healed, but he was strong enough to move and to fight anyone who dared crossed his path.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Kefka was retreating...

Sighing, Cecil shut his eyes tightly. 'I couldn't stop him.' Angrily, he slammed a fist into the ground, sending a small cloud of dust into the air. 'I couldn't stop him!' He let out a small mirthless laugh.

'I really am a coward.'

He needed to leave this place. He had to find his friends. And Rosa, wherever she may be. Most of his messages weren't getting through. He had to find a place where reception was good. The only way to do that was to start looking.

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

Kefka heard the the fist being slammed onto the ground and turned when he heard the laugh. He smirked thinking, "Perhaps the boy could have some use to me." A quick teleport shot him in front of the knight as he looked at him with intrigue. No magic was charged, but Kefka wasn't a fool.

He looked at him and stated, "Tell me boy, do you wish to be strong?"

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

"What...?"

Startled, Cecil took a step back, his hand flying to the hilt of his sword and gripping it tightly. He hadn't expected another sudden encounter from Kefka so soon. The question took him completely off guard.

"I... thought I already was strong," he said slowly. Together with his friends, they'd saved their world once before. But he hadn't been by himself, then. Alone, he wasn't capable of such feats of strength. He drew his strength from others, not from himself. A small, doubtful expression flitted across his face for a moment, then was gone.

"Why are you asking me this?" Cecil asked him, his hand not quite leaving the hilt of his sword just yet.

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

"Strong? Your 'friends' as you call them, at least put up a better fight than you. All you did was cower and hide, like a rodent afraid of anything and anyone that came close to them. You're not strong." He circled the knight, clearly seeing the sword being readied.

A small chuckle echoed, as he turned his gaze and stated, "But I...well you've seen how powerful I can be? Imagine, boy, if I could grant you that power. Think of how much stronger you'd be." A smirk that lead into a smile, as he saw the knight's insecurities. Fortunately for him, these were things he could use to his advantage.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Cecil stared at Kefka for a long moment before averting his gaze to the ground. Every word of what was said was true.

"I only want to be strong enough to protect others... But why should I trust you?"

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

Kefka raised his hands and replied, "I've given you no reason to trust me. Just, thought you need the power." He turned away then stated, "I wonder, when your friends are on the battlefield fighting an enemy they cannot handle, will you be there on the front lines, being completely pathetic and useless...or will you be the one to give your friends the edge to fight again." He looked over his shoulder and stated, "I can give you that edge, boy, all I ask...is for your devotion to me. To help me, claim what I had stolen."

He saw the boy's insecurities, and he loved it.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Pathetic. Useless. Did others really see him that way? Is this what his friends secretly thought of him? No, that couldn't be... Not after everything they had been through.

No.

"Help you?" Cecil repeated quietly. "Help you to do what, exactly?"

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

"That my boy, is the question you should be asking!" He looked at the knight and stated, "Help me, boy, help me make this world a beautiful place, a wonderful place, a place where the filth of world is washed away. With you at my side, I know I can accomplish this. Just as I know that if you join me, you will protect the ones you hold close to you."

The whole thing Kefka had said made him want to gag in a corner. Feelings, pathetic mortal nature...not befitting of a god. Though he was not entirely lying. He was going to cleanse the world of filth...he just didn't say that life itself was the filth.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

It was a long while before Cecil replied. He mulled over Kefka words carefully.

Considering.

“The filth of the world,” Cecil once again repeated. More silence.

Finally, he smiled.

“...I think I understand you now. Did you know that I’m well renowned back in my world for my kindness and generosity? At least that’s what I’ve heard. But just because I’m a charitable person doesn’t mean I can be easily coerced into harming innocent people on your behalf. Because if that's the case, I'll have to decline your offer of power. You’ve failed in your attempt to lure me to your side, Kefka. Destruction is your way. Making others suffer for your amusement is clearly your own idea of fun. But that is not my path. Continue your mad spree all you want, but you will be stopped eventually. Maybe not by my hand, but I have faith in the others.” Cecil smiled wryly at Kefka now as he followed up. “I may be weak, and my insecurities are clearly transparent enough to see, but my devotion to my friends will always come first. No force on this world or anywhere else will ever cause that to change.

“I know where my loyalties lie, and they are definitely not, nor will they ever be, with you.“

That being said, with a courteous bow, Cecil turned his back on Kefka and started to walk away, dismissing the mad clown entirely. He had no more words to share with this man. His mind was made up. His only concern was leaving this place immediately. He’d spotted a window nearby- perhaps it led to the outside. It was worth investigating in any case. Cecil pushed the window open and gazed out.

...This was not the ground level. In fact, this was a good three stories up. Jumping out was definitely not possible, since this side of the palace bordered a wide canyon, with a river running right through it. The young king weighed his other options. Ask Kefka for his input?

...No. Probably not a good idea.



[ooc: Cecil and an open window? DEFINATLEY not a good idea!]

WHAT'S THE WORSE THAT CAN HAPPEN!?

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

He listened to his speech and saw he was not so easily persuaded. A twisted smirk came across his face. It seems if he wouldn't join him, he would beat him.

A soft sigh escaped him as he stated, "I see getting to you is pointless, your insecurities are so transparent it's sickening. But attacking you is something I cannot have fun with...your friends on the other hand." He cackled before turning to him on the window and replied, "Goodbye boy, if you should so survive this, you can grieve for your friends at their funeral." He powerful explosive power charged in his fists as he launched a powerful flare towards the boy.

If this doesn't intensify his dislike for clowns later I dunno what will.

[ava-illumina.livejournal.com]

Cecil had taken out his communicator and was in the process of typing a text when he caught those last words, aimed directly at him. He quickly swung around, but had no time to do anything else, except to look at Kefka, and let his expression speak for itself: 'This is not the end.'

The flare spell hit him dead on, causing the window and the walls on either side to explode outward in a brilliant flash of light. His body screamed with pain, and he might have shouted aloud as well, but there was a painful ringing in his ears- he couldn't hear anything. He was airborne, free falling downward at a terrible speed, too stunned to even comprehend what had just happened.

He continued to fall (it felt like forever though it was only mere seconds) until his body eventually impacted something. Something with more give than solid ground. Whatever it was, it erupted all around him, and caused the wind to be knocked from his body.

His last thoughts before he drifted towards unconsciousness were of Rosa. Her image swimming before him was soothing, thus he wasn't too terribly bothered when everything went dark, and he knew no more.

Maybe he'll dislike windows!

[magicclown.livejournal.com]

Kefka saw the knight fly out the window as he grinned and thought, "One pest down, so much more to go." He looked around the castle and continued his thought, "It seems this place has been abandoned...perhaps, this is a good location to further my plans of domination." He continued to walk through the halls, with a devilish smirk.

He was already planning, already devising, and now no one stood in his way!