Chapter 4: The Beginning of Corruption

Rikku opened her eyes suddenly, had it all just been a dream? Yes. She sighed with relief, the pilgrimage hadn't started, she still had time to change his mind about going.

For some unknown reason Rikku felt happy about this whole situation for the first time. She jumped up from bed, pulling on the clothes that were left for her. She didn't know where her original clothing was, but it was probably getting washed somewhere. Rikku opened the door, practicly dancing down the hallway. She stopped at the top of the stairs and looked down, realizing she was lost in the large building. Sighing, she walked over to the window at the end of the hallway. She stood there for a moment before a thought crossed her mind: "Wait... this is just like my dream!" She panicked slightly, then desended the stairs, trying to make it different then the nightmare from the past night.

Once downstairs she realized that she was not far from the main door, the stairs had led her to the main corridor, which was furnished with oak chairs and pedistals with golden statues sitting on them. Rikku wandered around the corridor for a few minutes, taking the time to look at all the statues. "Wow... so pretty..." she said aloud, to no one in paticular.

"Yes, they are quite beautifull." Braska said, stepping up beside her. "These statues are antiques, they are a part of Bevelle's history now. Each one holds a different story... shall we say.." he laughed slightly, amused by the curious look on Rikku's face. "But come now, you must be hungry. After all, it's almost 11:00."

Rikku blushed and nodded happily, "Yeah! I haven't had anything to eat in like... forever!"

After breakfast, which consisted of pancakes, Rikku went out into the garden. "I wonder where Auron is..." she thought as she walked around a cherry blossom tree. She then shrugged off the though and continued walking, enjoying the beauty and serene feeling of the garden.

"Is it true?" A voice spoke from behind a hedge. Rikku ran over to the maple tree and sat at the base of it, pretending to nap. The voice continued: "He can't be.... dead, can he?"

Another voice spoke then "You mean Mika? Yup, it's all true! But ya know what?" The voice paused before continuing "There's not a darn thing anyone with status as low as us can do about it. Mika's gonna be the grand maester dead or not."

The first voice spoke again "Corruption... that's all Yevon's headed for, corruption. Braska had better get the heck outa' here and on that pilgrimage before Mika gets to his head too."

The second voice then spoke "Wouldn't worry about Braska, he's got a good head on his shoulders. Besides, any trouble and that guardian of his will take care of it.."

That was enough for Rikku, she didn't want to hear anymore of this conversation. She had to find Auron. She had to tell him what had happened. She had to tell him that even though she didn't want him to go, they had to leave now. Not just him and Braska, but her too, she decided that she was going to go with them.