Chapter Text
You were summoned to Vector with some haste.
The masquerade felt like only yesterday, but in reality a whole week had passed-- a whole week without hearing a word about Kefka or his whereabouts. You had worried about him the whole time, of course, but perhaps here, in Vector, you could get some answers. You were given a location, and told to bring no one with you-- something you found very, very peculiar. You listened-- after all, you’ve already come so far in your military career… why would you want to lose that?
You opened the door, greeted with a stark white interior that contrasted heavily with the rest of Vector. A hospital, you thought. But why would I be summoned to a hospital alone? You furrowed a brow, but stepped to the check-in desk and cleared your throat.
The nurse looked up at you and asked, “Your name, please?”
“[Name],” you responded, before adding, “I was asked to come here.”
“… I see.” The nurse wrote down some notes. “I know why you’re here. Come with me, please.”
The nurse rose, mentioning for you to follow. You did, following them further into the hospital and to a sealed off wing on the first floor, and even then, the room you were lead to was furthest back and heavily guarded. You wondered what the hell was going on in there, but said nothing to the nurse or to the guards until asked for clearance, wherein you provided your credentials.
“Be careful in there,” one of the guards said. “You don’t know what he’ll do. Heard he gave one of the scientists some pretty nasty burns… but maybe you’ll be different. He asked for you by name, after all.”
The guard opened the heavy door for you, pulling it outwards. You stepped into the dimly-lit room, looking around at all of the strange machinery and wires.
“There you are,” came a familiar voice. “I was wondering if you’d be allowed in… or if you would come.”
You looked to the center of the mass of wires and tubes and machines, to the ghastly pale and wiry-thin man on the hospital bed. You barely recognized him-- so much had changed, but that voice was unmistakably…
“Kefka?” you said, your voice weak. “What… what did they do to you?!”
He offered a smile and raised a finger to his lips. “That, dear [name], is classified information.”
You choked back a sob, stepping closer to him. “Kefka… Kefka, by the Triad--”
“Sssh.” The smile never left his face. “I’m fine now, [name]. In fact, I’ve never been better.”
“How can you say that?” Your voice cracked. “You… you look like death warmed over!”
“Watch.” Kefka raised a hand. The machines went wild before he snapped his fingers, a flame dancing over his raised finger. You stared at the flame for a moment before he blew it out, the machines slowly returning to their normal functions.
“You… how…?” you stammered, unable to help but stare.
“Magic. Well, Magitek, really. Semantics, semantics.” Kefka chuckled. “Oh, the fun I’ll have once I’ve recovered…”
A pair of doctors entered the room, seeming hurried. Perhaps the machines had alerted them to Kefka’s activity. One of them held a syringe and a vial of unknown liquid. You instinctively backed towards Kefka.
“What are you doing?” you asked as the doctor(?) filled the syringe.
“Applying a sedative,” the doctor replied. “ He’s not supposed to use his… abilities during recovery.”
“ Stay away from him ,” you snapped, the hair on the back of your neck rising. “ You’ve done enough to him, damn it, leave him alo-- ”
You felt a hand holding yours-- unusually warm, but nonetheless comforting. You looked back at Kefka, who seemed a little more tired.
“Now, now, [name],” he chided almost playfully, “I can defend myself. Though seeing you stand up for me like you used to… even after all this… it warms my heart.”
“Kefka,” you began, but couldn’t fight back the tears anymore. You wept bitterly at Kefka’s fate while the doctors applied the sedative.